×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more
Seen some Rating Comment
(The) Adventures of Tom Sawyer (TV)
Afro Samurai (TV) Not really good -Besides showing off some enjoyable action sequences, "Afro Samurai" has nothing to offer but the most sucked out anime clichés. While pretending "Ninja Scroll", "Samurai Champloo" and the whole shōnen-genre never existed, it additionally waves about a nasty "intenational appeal"-banner with its black male iconography borrowed from some of the most hollow enclaves of American popular culture.
Ahiru no Quack (TV) Good -While more ambitious than almost any other children's show through its imaginative designs, awe-inspiring character development, sometimes feature-quality animation and by imparting notions of the social problems of our time, it still disappoints by being occasionally repetitive, preachy, elliptic, sloppily executed or even plain dull. It still deserves its place in animation history for transcending the cartoon genre of anthropomorphic animals with its commentary and epic form.
(The) Alps Story: My Annette (TV) Decent -Classic drama in pure Nippon Animation tradition. Enjoyable direction and narration, topped by an unusually deep reflection on friendship.
(The) Ancient Magus' Bride (TV) Weak
Angel Blade (OAV) So-so -Over the top nude-heroine-flimflam, sometimes a bit to hardcore, but the camp always wins!
Around The World With Willy Fog (TV)
Astro Boy (TV 2/1980)
Attack No. 1 (TV)
Attack on Titan (TV) Not really good
Attacker You! (TV) -Despite hating volleyball, I was somehow obsessed with this dynamic show as a child. But that was another time...
Baccano! (TV) Not really good -If they think that being generally merciless by throwing a huge cast, an incomprehensible story and callous gore at my face right from the start is "fun", well, they're wrong.
Bible Black (OAV) Good -One of the best choices for grown-ups with darker (if silly) preferences.
Bible Black Origins (OAV) Decent -Almost satisfying prequel.
Bible Black: New Testament (OAV) Decent -Yay! More of everyone's favorite satanistic high-school-bombs! But why did the production values go down?
(The) Big O (TV) Decent -Well animated medley of detective story and giant-robot-action in occidental style, that helps itself by snatching up its components every here and there, mainly from the '92 Batman animated series.
Black Lagoon (TV) Weak -Unfunny harmonization to trivial American action flicks, that puts too much confidence in its pallid heroine and smug balderdash.
Blue Seed (TV) So-so -Mythological urban fantasy with some cool monsters, but not as gloomy and intense as other Yuzo Takada works.
Boogiepop and Others (TV 2019) So-so
Calimero (TV 2/1992) Good -Calimero with some balls, good animation and a trendy setting - Whadda ya know!
Captain Future (TV) Weak -The lamest crew in the universe, but still good for a laugh with the buddies.
Captain Tsubasa (TV) Decent -Soccer isn't that much a sport than an adventurous quest in this innovative nekketsu-anime with clever, over the top direction, but dated, pretty bad animation. A bit tedious due to many repetitions, but cool and suspenseful nevertheless, even for soccer-haters.
Case Closed (TV) Decent -Burdened with slow pacing (less than one case per episode), unaccomplished art (odd coloring and character design adaptation, limited animation) and the boundaries of tv broadcasting (censored corpses, emphasis on the more childish "Detective Boys" chapters), these in their core still ingenious detective stories just can't surpass the reading pleasure of its source manga.
Chihayafuru 3 (TV) Very good
Chobits (TV) Weak -Good premises in characters and direction, but ultimately boring and worthless.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (TV) So-so -Seems to be a pretty classic supernatural mecha-story with a fascistic undertone, that merits only through its notable character designs and for having a female target audience, which isn't that common for the genre. Maybe for those who found "Escaflowne" too fantasy-ish and "Gurren Lagann" too freaky.
Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (OAV) Bad
Cyborg 009 The Cyborg Soldier (TV) So-so -If it had kept its pep and animation quality beyond the first episode, no one would have complained about the bathetic nature of the enterprise.
Dark Love (OAV) Very good -Sometimes on the limits of the sufferable, this lavishly produced adult title surely is one hell of a ride! And admittedly my favourite.
Digimon Adventure (TV) Decent -Nice "Pokémon"-ripoff with some real interest in character and story depth. Pretty background art.
Dragon Ball (TV) Decent -The quintessential adventure series as a manga, corrupted by an insolent amount of filler sequences in the TV version.
Dragon Ball Z (TV) Decent -Humour and imagination somehow got drowned in endless combats and comment scenes, while animation improved greatly. But hey, who am I teaching, it's DRAGON BALL!!
Excel Saga (TV) Not really good -Tiresome, exceedingly self-referential parody-roundabout. Not that funny.
Fist of the North Star (TV)
Flint: The Time Detective (TV) Good -Unpretentious time-travel comedy for children, enhanced by its wacky dub.
Full Metal Panic! (TV) Weak -Loads of military crap, a dead serious tenor despite some lame humour attempts and an obnoxious female lead make this uneven and clichéd genre-mix inedible.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV)
Gantz (TV) Not really good -Wannabe provocative social commentary with dumb characters, bad animation and oh so gratuitous sex and gore. And then there's the bad German dub...
GeGeGe no Kitarō (TV 2018) Weak
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (TV) So-so -As a consensus between Masamune Shirow's manga and Mamoru Oshii's movies, the series rarely reaches their visual artistry and level of introspection, while remaining similarly confusing. You get a solid sci-fi-crime-thriller with some existential pokes.
Gintama (TV) Decent
Godannar (TV) Decent -I'd love to like this series for its sometimes impressive momentum and well done boob jokes, but it just can't get me hooked. Lack of suspense? "Evangelion" tropes? Characters with idiosyncratic designs, but up to no profile? Who knows!
Golden Time (TV) Bad
Gu-Gu Ganmo (TV)
Hai Step Jun (TV)
Haibane Renmei (TV) Bad -Lazy execution by every contributor. Not slowly haunting, just plain boring!
Haikyu!! (TV) So-so
Hakushon Daimaō (TV)
Heidi - A Girl of the Alps (TV) Decent
(The) Heike Story (TV) Weak
Hello! Spank (TV) Good -Very sympathetic pet-comedy with a charming central couple.
Hetalia - Axis Powers (TV) Decent
Ikki Tousen (TV) Bad -The bullshit-to-time ratio provided in this series is a real achievement: laughable setting adaptation, implausible premise for a non-pastiche story and characters too stupid for being sexy or badass anymore.
Initial D (TV) So-so - While not being completely trivial, simply pasting the shōnen formula onto street racing without conceding more to the non-initiates won't convince me that this sport isn't completely stupid. Ugly characters and CGI don't help.
Jungle Book: Shōnen Mowgli (TV) Decent
Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (ONA) Not really good
Kimagure Orange Road (TV) Good -Romantic comedy with a fantasy touch and greatly appealing, but apparently endlessly stupid characters, since they don't evolve any little bit until the very end. Best enjoyed at early teen age, although not to be taken as an example!
Last Exile (TV) So-so -Technically superior adventure based on spectacular air combats in a meticulously designed neo-retro-sci-fi-universe that is hard to cling to. After 11 episodes, characters were still pale and the story little appealing, so I quit.
Little Lord Fauntleroy (TV)
A Little Princess Sara (TV)
Little Women (TV)
Love Hina (TV) Not really good -I fortunately only needed a couple of episodes to see through this stark and stiff pseudo-romantic comedy that's as romantic as it is funny – namely not at all.
Lupin III: Part IV (TV 2015) Decent
Lycoris Recoil (TV) Not really good
Magic User's Club! (OAV) Not really good -This stupid and cliché-ridden magical girl/sci-fi-ado with most cardbordish characters earned praise where like-minded titles are being bitch slapped. Nice animation, though.
Magical Angel Creamy Mami (TV)
Magical Witch Punie-chan (OAV) So-so -Little focused, but decently funny magical girl parody, that could have been a bit snappier and more elaborate. I prefer the manga, or, in the same genre, "Dokuro-chan".
Maple Town Stories (TV)
Maya the Bee (TV) Not really good -The stories and characters may be cute sometimes in this so-called classic, but the production values are often atrocious.
Megalobox (TV) Not really good
Mezzo (TV) Not really good -Well, I remember watching a slightly better version of this...
Michiko & Hatchin (TV) So-so -Road story with unconsumed setting. Tries to be fun, serious, affected, exotic and foremost edgy, but it remains stuck in its ambitions.
Miimu Iro Iro Yume no Tabi (TV) Very good
Mister Ajikko (TV)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (TV) So-so
Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit (TV) So-so -This adventure with a very light fantasy touch may offer somehow spectacular battle scenes and sleek production, but why bother to begin with considering its bland premise, setting and drawings?
Mrs. Pepperpot (TV)
Nanako SOS (TV)
New Getter Robo (OAV) Decent -Unusually gory giant robot brawl with a rough-textured style of its own and a mythological touch, but no subtext whatsoever.
New Maple Town Stories (TV)
Ninja Nonsense (TV) So-so -Not too funny pervert comedy with a lame, hysterical, if peculiar supporting character.
Oh! Edo Rocket (TV) So-so -The lunacy of "Gurren Lagann"-creator Kazuki Nakashima's source material can only be presumed in this somehow glib and tame adaptation.
Ojamajo Doremi (TV) Decent -Sugary magical girl shoujo with a flashy style of its own, maybe a bit to hectic sometimes for its young target audience.
Oruchuban Ebichu (TV) Good -Nicely funny and raunchy, but sometimes difficult to catch for non-japanese viewers.
Ox Tales (TV)
Pokémon (TV) Decent -Surprisingly good children entertainment, which would have been way better as a shorter concept-series.
Pokémon Advance (TV) Not really good -At this point at the latest, it starts to get old, though.
Pollyanna (TV)
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (TV) Not really good
Red Garden (TV) Decent -Flowers as well as weeds run riot in this Red Garden, where nice shōjo sensibilities (including some realistic dialogue dynamics), great character designs and a reasonably distinct premise get choked by hysteria, limited animation and the trademark soulless Gonzo treatment.
Requiem from the Darkness (TV) Decent -An often macabre atmosphere and great art style are haunted by piffling character designs, bad animation and odd pacing.
Robin Hood (TV) Good
Sailor Moon (TV)
Saint Seiya (TV) Decent -The definition of stamina.
Samurai Champloo (TV) Not really good -Mildly entertaining, but not half as hip, friggy and innovative as it wants to be.
Serial Experiments Lain (TV) So-so
She, The Ultimate Weapon (TV) Weak -Great original idea and concept, wasted by narrow-minded, unappealing characters and dull monologues.
SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist (TV) Weak
Swiss Family Robinson (TV)
Tao Tao Ehonkan (TV) Good -Disarmingly cute anthology of fables of wavering appeal, but with a style of its own.
Taro the Space Alien (TV) Good -1 joke concept, 1000 variations, 500 laughs. Good score, I'd say! In the end, you have a slightly more psyched "Doraemon" with quirky humour and situations.
Tenchi Muyo! (OAV 1/1992) Not really good -Sci-fi-romantic-chaos-comedy blend that may have been interesting back in the days when it was a pioneering title, but all of its trumps have often been seen funnier, jauntier and more explored since then. Special mention for the extra cheap synthi-music!
Three Little Ghosts (TV) So-so -For kids only.
Transformers (U.S. TV)
Vicke the Little Viking (TV) Decent -Nice Viking-adventures with an appealing lead, but the animation is scurvy-infecting.
Welcome to the NHK (TV) Decent -Intriguing look on a modern recluse phenomenon, whose goofy – but not really funny – treatment of the subject as well as some animation issues prevent from taking off.
When They Cry - Higurashi (TV) Good -The contrasting facial expressions will scare you outta ya socks!
Yakitate!! Japan (TV) Decent -Acceptable adaptation of a shōnen favourite, which doesn't betray the manga's surrealstic nature, but doesn't add too much flashes of genius, neither. Design and rhythm take a step down, while animation and layout barely meet the standards of long-running series.
Yu-Gi-Oh! (TV 2/2000) Awful -Insupportable, visually snotty commercial filled with never-ending poser-babble that takes the last bit of suspense from the already flagrantly brummagem premise.

Seen all Rating Comment
Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (movie) Good -Nice try of bringing together the lose ends of the previous movie, but the story is essentially the same, with a lesser impact however.
Aggressive Retsuko (TV) Good
Aggretsuko (ONA) Very good
Aggretsuko (ONA 4) Good
Aggretsuko (ONA 5) Very good
Aim for the Ace! (movie) Good -Flashy sports melodrama with outdated social roles and clichés and not enough of the strong tennis scenes.
Air (movie) Weak -Clichéd, cheaply produced and boring tale of courage about a girl with a terminal illness, with just one or two dramatic scenes making up for the useless fantasy aspect which is only misemployed to substitute animation sequences for tedious fabling. Too temperate for youngsters, too colorful for the elderly: which nerdy deadhead is this for?
Akira (movie) Very good -Spectacular and sensitive coming-of-age fantasy set in end time Tokyo. The least ropy, but most violent Otomo movie, and a true classic moreover: a must-see if you want to "be cool".
Akudama Drive (TV) Decent
Alakazam the Great (movie) So-so
All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku (OAV) Good
Angel Cop (OAV) So-so -Unexciting political thriller that tries to spice things up with some global-conspiracy-rigmarole and half-assed sci-fi and gore elements. The infamous English dub, while no disaster, invites you to chuckle in the later episodes.
Angel Sanctuary (OAV) Decent -Neat fantasy-shōjo with daring, but acceptable incest aspect. Open ending, to be continued in the manga!
Angel's Egg (movie) Decent -Despite admiring its aesthetic sophistication, I couldn't relate to the substance of this gothic poem.
Animal Treasure Island (movie) Not really good
Animation Runner Kuromi (OAV) Good -Interesting insight into industrial key animation, which tends to quantify the value of art. Access is difficult for novices due to the load of animation codes and references and the overly frenetic tone.
Animation Runner Kuromi 2 (OAV) Good -The sequel of this "anime backstage pass" expands its coverage to production, but still feels incomplete. The artists are more valued, and the tone frequently shifts from more quiet moments to unwatchable lunacy.
(The) Animatrix (OAV) Good -Ambitious project, many expectations fulfilled. Makes little sense without the knowledge of the original "Matrix" film!
Anime Sanjūshi (TV) Very good -"The Tree Musketeers" and "The Man In The Iron Mask" put together to a suspenseful anime adventure without rough edges.
Apocalypse Zero (OAV) Good -This most standard shōnen story gains all its worth through its utterly grotesque visuals.
Arashi no Yoru ni (movie) Decent -Casually touching, impressive and deeper-than-average classic story about unusual friendship, which doesn't abuse the cuteness aspect for its purposes. It draws your attention to both protagonists, but closely falls short of developing their friendship just enough. Where new animation techniques meet traditional designs and story threads, it suffers from a gimmicky working of sometimes questionable quality.
Arcadia of My Youth (movie) So-so -The quite sloppy record of the origins of iconic Captain Harlock's ship and crew can't handle its chauvinism and melodramatics at all.
Arion (movie) So-so
Ashita no Joe (TV) Very good
Astro Boy (U.S. movie) So-so -Pretty good American take on the Japanese icon and his inner conflict.
Attack on Titan Part 1 – Guren no Yumiya (movie) Good
Attack on Titan Part 2 – Jiyuu no Tsubasa (movie) So-so
Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening (movie) Decent
Azumanga Daioh (TV) Very good -No vilains, no action, no romance, no sex-appeal, just slightly extraordinary school-girl-lives, with much cuteness and a "Peanuts"-feel to it. Some psyched characters prevent a relaxed atmosphere, though. Refreshingly normal, but poor on surprises and relationship development.
Azumanga Daioh - The Very Short Movie So-so -Indeed very short character presentation. More like a trailer.
Back Street Girls: Gokudols (TV) Very good
Baki (ONA) Decent
Bakuman. (TV) Decent
Bakuman. 2 (TV) Decent
Bakuman. 3 (TV) Good
Batman Ninja (movie) Decent
Battle Royale (live-action movie) Excellent -Character-driven slaughter in disturbing setting.
BEASTARS (TV 2) Excellent
Belladonna of Sadness (movie) Very good
Berserk (TV 2016) Good
Berserk (TV 2017) Good
Beyond (OAV) Very good -The Matrix perceived in everyday life by kids. A real vision. [part of "The Animatrix"]
Birth (OAV) Very good -The power of its utterly ambitious animation boosts this funny and exciting end time spectacle.
Black Jack (OAV) Very good -Highly dramatic and melodramatic take on the medic-classic, showing the unlicensed genius doctor in a world at war. Visually inventive, dense plotting, only a few episodes with weaker moments.
Black Jack The Movie Excellent -The icing on the cake of the already fabulous OAV-series, eager to exploit visually, emotionaly and dramaturgicaly every aspect of its story.
Black Magic M-66 (OAV) So-so -Militaristic Sci-Fi-Thriller that apes Hollywood blockbusters like "Terminator". You could have expected more from the creative team Masamune Shirow ("Apple Seed","Ghost in the Shell")/Hiroyuki Kitakubo ("Golden Boy","Roujin Z")!
Blood: The Last Vampire (movie) Decent -Visually impressive, but short and little memorable.
Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan (TV) Decent -Interesting gore/cuteness-contrast that produces perfect comedy. But not much more: mainly the first episode buckets you about.
BLUELOCK (TV) Good
BNA: Brand New Animal (TV) So-so
Brave Story (movie) Decent -Sleek family movie in the style of a role playing video game, that sounds hollow in some areas where it would need some magic.
Call Me Tonight (OAV) Decent -Noticeable for allegorizing lust and slightly parodying the monster-porn-genre along the way, which is about as far as this little elaborate short gets.
Call of the Night (TV) Good
Cannon Fodder (movie) Decent -Technical achievement (a single 22-minute-shot without a cut) with some kafkaesque anti-war-whispers. [part of "Memories"]
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (TV) Weak
Case Closed Movie: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (movie 1) Decent -First attempt of giving "Detective Conan" an appropriate adaptation on the format it deserves. The megalomaniac, but fair playing villain cuts suspense and logic down a bit and aims this rumpuses primarily at younger teenagers.
Case Closed: Captured in Her Eyes (movie 4) So-so -A mystery broadened to the police milieu, Ran's condition, reminiscences of the beginnings of the series and some nice theme park action are the trumps of this fourth Conan movie. Unfortunately, because of their mediocre execution, they don't fit together to a truly compelling thriller.
Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven (movie 5) Good -Not only the first feature appearance of Conan's nemesis, the Black Organization, but also some well timed action and suspense worth of "Die Hard" or "The Towering Inferno" make this quasi-sequel to the first movie stand out. But the murder mystery is, yet again, pretty noncredible.
Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire (movie 23) So-so
Case Closed: The Fourteenth Target (movie 2) Decent -Nicely tinkered case, but difficult to anticipate due to the little plausible psychosis of the culprit; with nice background to some supporting characters and a strong ending.
Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century (movie 3) Not really good -Tedious and talkative third theatrical case of the shrunken detective, which emerges as a scavenger hunt for a Fabergé Egg more than a murder mystery, with much recycling and little suspense, action and technical excellence.
Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street (movie 6) Good - The sixth "Detective Conan"-movie is a nicely written an only occasionally unenthusiastic ode to Sherlock Holmes and a pillory for Japan's nepotism.
Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer (movie 22) Decent
(The) Case Study of Vanitas (TV) Very good
(The) Case Study of Vanitas (TV 2) Good
Castle in the Sky (movie) So-so -Some good adventure, but plain characters.
(The) Cat Returns (movie) Good -Sub-standard animation coming from Ghibli, counterbalanced by a good load of fairy-tale-charm.
Cat Soup (OAV) Excellent -Oneiric, or rather nightmarish mix of cuteness, eeriness and cruelty.
Catnapped! The Movie Excellent -Unbelievable animation, buckets of imagination, frenetic rhythm.
Cells at Work! (TV) So-so
Chainsaw Man (TV) Decent
Chihayafuru (TV) Good
Chihayafuru 2 (TV) Good
Chinese Ghost Story (Chinese movie) Good
City Hunter (TV) Very good -Thriller with highly charismatic "sweeper" Ryo Saeba. His transitions from crazy pervert to deadly serious professionnal – and back – are irresistible.
City Hunter: .357 Magnum (movie) So-so
Cleopatra (movie) So-so
Cowboy Bebop (TV) Decent -Much praised, yet repetitive episode concept with interesting, but little explored characters. Really entertaining, though.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Not really good -Under-average episode that apes Mamoru Oshii's style along the way, introducing two new characters that could be cool if they'd just shut up for a second!
Crusher Joe: The Movie So-so -Middle rate science fiction adventure somewhere in between "Captain Future" and "Space Adventure Cobra", lacking, above all, originality.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (ONA) Very good
Dark Water (live-action movie 2002) Good -Moodier and less outrageous than "Ringu" by same director Hideo Nakata, which unfortunately usurped its deserved rank in horror film history.
DARLING in the FRANXX (TV) Good
Dead Leaves (OAV) Masterpiece -The crazy one. Can't watch through it without a break. Ultra stylish and imaginative!
Dear Brother (TV) Masterpiece -Soap opera elements cleverly put together to build a true tragedy, emphasised by flamboyant directon. Love these snobbish, bitchy little high-school brats!
Death Note (live-action movie) Not really good -Staying close to the source material and failing miserably when it disgresses from it, this live-action adaptation disappoints because of its lack of focus on the battle of wits, inspired direction, capable acting and, above all, suspense.
Death Note (TV) Good -Highly suspenseful and quite thought-provoquing confrontation between masterminds with opposing concepts of justice, that doesn't fully exploit its possibilities in ethical discourse, horror and consistent intrigue-building.
Death Parade (TV) Good
Deca-Dence (TV) Decent
Demon City Shinjuku (OAV) Decent
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (TV) Decent
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train Not really good
Den-noh Coil (TV) Decent
Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (movie 7) Weak -Conan's entry into the digital age is an unexciting, Kyoto-based case that's mostly about wordplays and map decoding. It's barely enjoyable if you're not from Kyoto.
Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper (movie 18)
Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (movie 12) Not really good -Vapidly made solfège-mystery.
Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure (movie 11) Not really good -Treasure hunt that lacks the action and adventure it requires. The murder mystery is more obvious than ever.
Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (movie 8) Decent -The new director Yasuichiro Yamamoto delivers a clear 3-act "Detective Conan"-movie that tries for suspense with a familiar ring.
Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea (movie 17)
Detective Conan: Quarter of Silence (movie 15)
Detective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths (movie 9) So-so -The ninth "Detective Conan"-movie reuses the ship-setting and fills it with a more developed murder case that's closer to the original series than the other movies, to the cost of action and real suspense.
Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno (movie 19) Not really good
Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween (movie) So-so
Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter (movie 21) So-so
Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa (TV) Good
Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare (movie 20) Decent
Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (movie 16) So-so
Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in The Sky (movie 14) Decent
Detective Conan: The Private Eyes' Requiem (movie 10) Not really good -Little visual hooks are offered in this rudimentally made, inane tenth Conan investigation consisting essentially of unexciting verbal report, as it neglects its theme park and "Battle Royale" motives along the way.
Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (movie 13) So-so -The interventions of the Black Organization don't keep the 13th Conan movie from being a kludgy blabberfest. Familiarity with the TV series is helpful.
Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet (movie 24) Not really good
A Detective Story (OAV) So-so -The weakest "Animatrix" filmlet. [part of "The Animatrix"]
DEVILMAN crybaby (ONA) Decent
Di Gi Charat (TV) Good
(The) Diary of Anne Frank (movie) Decent -Subdued, but not exactly captivating adaptation of the accidental literary classic.
Dino Girl Gauko (ONA) Good
(The) Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (TV) Good
(The) Dog of Flanders (movie) Very good -Painful tragedy based on a children's book, in the style of the old Nippon Animation adaptations. As sad as "Grave of the Fireflies".
Dr. Stone (TV) Good
Dragon Ball Movie 4: The Path to Power Decent -After a promising start, this condensation of the beginning of "Dragon Ball" doesn't manage to tick off everything on the checklist anymore, missing out to much classic scenes, humour, one-on-one fights and, above all, adventure. At the end, it deviates almost enough from its source to become non-canonical. Animation and boob jokes, however, are done just right.
Dragon Ball Z Kai (TV) Good -The shōnen prototype goes on a healthy diet that does it the greatest good. The reframed and remastered visuals and the well done edits benefit to the rhythm and epic feel of the self-indulgent brawl opera, while the bits of humour and more elaborate animation get a chance to shine. Even if it still isn't the fastest moving series, it manages to keep up a rare level of intensity. (Note: I saw most of the series in the edited Nicktoons version, standard definition fullscreen. It's probable that the original unedited high definition widescreen version would earn a "Very good".)
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (movie) Very good
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (movie) Decent
(The) Dragon Dentist (specials) Very good
Eiga Crayon Shin-chan Gekitotsu! Rakuga Kingdom to Hobo Yonin no Yūsha (movie 28) Good
Eiga! Tamagotchi Uchū Ichi Happy na Monogatari!? (movie) Excellent
Eiken (OAV) Decent -Hilarious sexual innuendos, otherwise pretty dull.
El-Hazard: The Magnificent World (OAV) Good
Elfen Lied (TV) Good -Efficient, but very artificial suspense, heavily depending on gimmicks like flashbacks, dark character backgrounds and fateful decisions, for example. Much overdone, but mostly unimpressive bloody violence and non-erotic nudity.
(The) Empire of Corpses (movie) Decent
ERASED (TV) So-so
Escaflowne: The Movie Weak -Bad retelling of the series: obscure character development, little action, flawed animation, soporific storytelling.
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (movie) Very good -The presence of all the memorable scenes and characters with all of their depth, the intelligent and moderately noticeable cutbacks and a good amount of spectacular visual additions set this tetralogy on the right tracks to become the definitive Evangelion even for neophytes, while initiates will have a hard time shaking of that slight feeling of insincerity coming from the blushless reusage of often uneven, albeit reworked TV-footage.
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (movie) Excellent -Deviating from the original series' storyline and offering mostly all new material, this second Evangelion "Rebuild" offers a lot of great moments and surprising tenderness while staying true to its roots of breathtaking mecha action and intense teenage drama.
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (movie) Good
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time (movie) Excellent
(The) Fantastic Adventures of Unico (movie) Good -Nice children's movie in-plane with its audience's psychological features. Dapper animation whose style ranges from cartoon to fantasy-horror.
(The) Final Flight of the Osiris (OAV) So-so -Technically state-of-the-art CGI (at the time!), but actually just slightly altered reprises of the original movie. [part of "The Animatrix"]
Fist of the North Star (movie) Very good -Excessively over-the-top and macho in themes and design, with some hilarious gore and wonderful kitsch, but a bit slackly in its storytelling.
FLCL (OAV) Excellent -Tremendously entertaining and heartfelt coming-of-age story, that compiles and transcends everything great about anime in a successful attempt to visualize the feelings of youth through boundless creativity. Often hysterical characters, convoluted narration of a rather simple story and a truckload of pop-cultural references and allusions make it difficult to apprehend at first.
Flowers of Evil (TV) Very good
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma (TV) Good
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fourth Plate (TV) So-so
Food Wars! The Second Plate (TV) Decent
Food Wars! The Third Plate (TV) Decent
Food Wars! The Third Plate (TV 2) Decent
Fullmetal Alchemist (TV) Good -Historical parable in shōnen disguise, with some surprises and horrifying moments. The alchemy aspect isn't exploited visually for the sake of the sometimes too serious tone of the overloaded writting. Animation is smooth, while layout, setting and story composition are often imperfect.
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa So-so -In the vein of the series, reducing the occasional emotional impact and keeping the heavily overloaded narration of the latter, including obscure and not always expedient reminiscences and replacing the fabulous intercultural war context with a somehow realistic nazi Germany setting. Poor on suspense development and conclusive elements, since the story in relation to the series seems a bit random and cyclic.
Future War Year 198X (movie) Good -An ambitious draft of World War III, suspenseful in sequences of action as well as strategic talking, with animation and design far less convincing for characters than mechas, and never fully appreciable due to the striking edits of the rare western release.
Galaxy Express 999 (movie) Very good -Near perfect transposition of Leiji Matsumoto's iconic manga to the big screen, with diverse, albeit raggle-taggle animation. The reflective space western unfortunately sacrifices some humour and offbeat exploration from its source mainly for felicitous, but ancillary cameos by other characters from the "Leijiverse". Still a classic.
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV) Good -Competent literature adaptation with needlessly "spacy" setting. Yet it offers no innovation or excellence whatsoever besides its characteristic texture treatment – which is imperfect, too. The few episodes by Takaaki Wada (6, 13 & 23) stand out sharply as unreached ideals.
GANTZ:O (movie) So-so
Gekijōban Kuroko no Basuke Last Game (movie) Decent
Ghost Hound (TV) Good -Production I.G.'s 20th anniversary project about soul traveling backwater kids gathers some big names and trumps with polished production, a sometimes creepy atmosphere, fantastic sound design and nice alternative comments on popular science topics. However, its buildup lacks suspense, and a too slick, bright and sunny tone prevents it from making a real impact.
Ghost in the Shell (movie) Excellent -Philosophic thoughts and blabbering during freeze frames alternate with superb action. Some find it rewarding, some pretentious, but it's certainly unique. Multiple views required!
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (movie) Very good -Consequential development of thoughts, story and art of part 1.
Ginga Nagareboshi Gin (TV) Very good
(The) Girl Who Leapt Through Time (movie) Good -Not to cracked up high school romance with an expanding, dramatic fantasy twist. Easily accessible piece of modern anime, in spite of some unfinished plot elements.
Girls und Panzer (TV) Decent
Golden Boy (OAV) Good -Exceptionally directed version of Kintaro's goofy beginnings, sequel painfully missing!
Golgo 13: Queen Bee (OAV) Good -Smart and dramatic, short and fast sequel to the killer-thriller reference, and the traditional animation-gimmick-fest we love by the Dezaki/Sugino team, pushed to new extremes. And again: a lot of shagging goin' on!
Golgo 13: The Professional (movie) Excellent -Visually and story-wise extraordinary and really hard-boiled – read: including a good bunch of skin, blood and down-and-dirty guys. Rather something for the bigger boys.
Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter (OAV) Decent
Grave of the Fireflies (movie) Very good -Very subtle and dignified in animation and character depiction, but to sad to watch again, really.
Great Pretender (TV) Very good
Green Legend Ran (OAV)
Grrl Power (OAV) So-so -Hysterical comedy that turns out to be a preachy cautionary tale.
Gunbuster (OAV) Good -Emotional, unpredictable mecha-extravaganza with an insupportably whiny lead.
Gunsmith Cats (OAV) Decent -70's-style crime-thriller with cool car chases and gunfights, but misses the punch and kinkyness of the manga.
Gurren Lagann (TV) Masterpiece -After a troubled start, the highly stylized series develops into a megalomaniac ode to willpower, backed up by a shrewd 2-act-structure, strong content, bombastic animation and a limitless epic scope. Referencing classic mecha, shōnen and nekketsu tropes throughout, it could be difficult to fully enjoy if you are an anime newbie – or completely win you over to the medium. One the best original animation TV-series ever.
GYO: Tokyo Fish Attack (OAV) Good
Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern Part 1 (movie) Good
Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern Part 2 (movie) Weak
Hajime no Ippo (TV) Very good -Surprisingly addictive sports shōnen whose thread is the viewer's theoretical education as well as the sympathetic main character's practical formation in boxing and, of course, his rise to the top. While being almost exclusively about boxing and the love for the sport and despite using a lot of static comment scenes during fights, it seldom fails to keep up its tension due to the uncommonly tight rhythm. The icing on the cake are the occasional gags, which surely are hit or miss – but, akin to the protagonist, when they hit, they hit hard!
Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road (special) Good -Despite the suspense and the slight visual superiority to the series, this tv special is not perfectly rounded as a movie and makes some redundancies of the series stand out. Nevertheless not to be missed by the fans, and accessible – but of course not fully comprehensible – for newcomers.
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (TV) Decent
Hells (movie) Very good
Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint it, White! (movie)
Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (movie) Good (edit.dub), Very good (dub) -Flawlessly animated Yoshiaki Kawajiri epic, great through its post-apocalyptic setting, historical flashbacks and charismatic villain. As a tasty topping, you get a nice B-action-movie feeling, with its corresponding clichés, dim-witted hero and stupid dialogues. To be seen in the director's cut.
His and Her Circumstances (TV) Very good -Great swot-love story that shares equal parts of its creativity to illustrated introspection, hysterical comedy and the art of dealing with budget constraints.
Horus - Prince of the Sun (movie) Decent
How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? (TV) Good
Howl's Moving Castle (movie) Good -The most encrypted Hayao Miyazaki movie. And maybe the most appealing.
(The) Human Crazy University (TV) Good
I want to eat your pancreas (movie) So-so
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening (movie) Decent
Initial D Legend 2: Racer (movie) Decent
Initial D Legend 3: Dream (movie) So-so
INTERSTELLA 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (movie) Decent -Fabulous designs hardly make up for the annoying stardom-crybaby-story and its lack of coherence with the exhilarating music. Definetly NOT the "House Fantasia"!
Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade (movie) Good -Political thriller with bloody action and a hollow machistic punchline, but also some light romantic and even fairy tale undertones. One of the last beautifully cell-animated features, almost without CGI.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (TV) Decent
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable (TV) Very good
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind (TV) Decent
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (TV) Good
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders Battle in Egypt Arc (TV) Good
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean (TV) Decent
A Journey Through Fairyland (movie) Good -"Fantasia"-inspired fairy tale with little curlicues in its story, but the more in its imagery, that can't quite afford the animation polish it requires. Still a perfect movie for children... or your girlish date!
Jungle Emperor Leo (movie 1997) Decent -Fast pacing and some short touching moments, but the lack of really skillful animation and some quiet introspection won't let you forget the Disney version.
Junji Ito "Collection" (TV) So-so
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (movie)
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato (movie) So-so
Kaiji (TV) Excellent
Kaiji: Against All Rules (TV) Excellent
Kamichu! (TV) Very good -Wonderfully laid back fantasy tale with a subtle, magical view on daily life. Accomplished artistry, but episode quality is uneven.
Keijo!!!!!!!! (TV) Good
Kekko Kamen (OAV) Decent -A first episode full of sexy sillyness and second one poorer on pace and imagination, wrapped up in mean production values. Worth your time for the initialy trashy and impudent gags.
Kemonozume (TV) Very good -Gory, sexy and cutting-edge monster-love-story, so cutting-edge in fact that it sometimes ignores what it wants to tell and misses out some possible romance, adventure and action moments. It starts like an exciting "Romeo and Juliet" with were-ogres, but then gives the viewer some hard times with an obscure hostile takeover story arc in the middle part and a loquacious villain at the end. One would have expected a nearly perfect series from the makers of "Mindgame", but in this regard "Kemonozume" is a short miss.
Kengan Ashura (ONA) Decent
Kick-Heart (movie)
Kickers (TV) Good -Smoothed "Captain Tsubasa", with better animation, quick matches and a lot more time and effort invested in its characters, unfortunately lacking its model's epic proportions.
Kid's Story (OAV) Decent -Kid's case history, with original scribble animation. [part of "The Animatrix"]
Kill Bill Chapter 3: The Origin of O-Ren (movie segment) So-so -Pretty much the highlight of the movie.
Kill la Kill (TV) Masterpiece
Kill la Kill (special) Very good
Kimagure Orange Road: The Movie -Painful, but well thought and realistic epilogue to the series.
Kino's Journey (TV) Good -Very atmospheric parable-odyssey that's all about the moralities. A few less original and captivating stories as well as the simple designs may scare off – inconveniences that could easily be overlooked if the series was longer.
Kino's Journey - the Beautiful World- (TV) Decent
Kino's Travels: Life Goes On (movie) Good -Good complement to the series, without a metaphorical story this time. To be seen as a key to understanding Kino's personality.
Kite (OAV) Decent -Blockbuster-like psychothriller with well fitting sexual component.
Kite Liberator (OAV) Good -Established assassin-thriller and space-horror elements confected to effective, saucy entertainment, frosted with Yasuomi Umetsu's trademarked corrupted maiden innocence. No knowledge of the original "Kite" required.
Kuroko's Basketball (TV) Good
Kuroko's Basketball (TV 2) Very good
Kuroko's Basketball (TV 3) Good
Kyo no Gononi (OAV) Decent -Something to grin about. Feels like the smutty jokes about adults we told in 5th grade, but the other way around...
Labyrinth (movie) Not really good -Senseless attempt of an "Alice"-like dreamworld-recreation. [part of "Neo-Tokyo"]
Land of the Lustrous (TV) Very good
(The) Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (TV) Good
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Second (movie series) Good
Lensman (movie) Decent
Little Nemo - Adventures in Slumberland (movie) Decent -Dreamland story with somehow weak songs, voice acting and writing, lacking a last bit of humour and surrealism. Its masterly animation, however, commands respect.
(The) Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon (movie) So-so - Why doesn't anybody in this movie have the guts to explain to this little boy what death is?
Little Witch Academia (TV) Good
(The) Lost Village (TV) Good
Lu over the wall (movie) Good
Lupin III THE FIRST (movie) Weak
Lupin III: Episode 0 'First Contact' (special) Good -Cool and well thought prequel to everything Lupin. Pure entertainment!
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (movie) Decent -Good action and vivid animation, with Hayao Miyazaki's paw visible in some lenghts and serious moments that break the flow - a sin for a Lupin movie!
Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy (movie) So-so -Too little robbery, antics and punch for a Lupin theatrical feature. Except for the car chases.
Lupin the Third: Part 5 (TV) Good
Mad Bull 34 (OAV) Good -Self-indulgent, but amusing take on American cop thrillers, if only you can handle the crudity.
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (TV) Decent -Parody-heavy, sometimes funny time-travel-adventure, but disappointing after FLCL by the same studio Gainax.
Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene (movie) Decent
Magnetic Rose (movie) Decent -Different settings are popped together in this short with a feeling of "2001: A Space Odyssey". May seem a tiny bit artsy-fartsy, but it sure is pleasing the senses. [part of "Memories"]
Matriculated (OAV) Good -Alienating designs, animation and CGI-integration, but it sure is trippy. [part of "The Animatrix"]
Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact! (TV) Very good
(The) Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV) So-so -Slack and directionless essay on boredom aimed exclusively at an acquired anime fanbase, whose characters succeed in neither screening their one dimensional nature with incessant self-referential arguments and blasé monologues, nor living up to their cult in general.
Memories (movie) Decent -Less pretentious than "Neo-Tokyo", but still more style than substance.
Metropolis (movie) Excellent -Political and ethical science-fiction-thriller with heart-warming moments, black-and-white-cartoon-ish drawings, unfortunate pacing and a disposedness for long shots (therefore to be watched on a big screen). Very little resemblance to Osamu Tezuka's manga and Fritz Lang's film of the same name!
Mezzo Forte (OAV) Decent -Brutal, but winking thriller, even in both eye-popping sex scenes.
Mind Game (movie) Excellent -Assaulting imagination-explosion with an uncomfortable 2-act-structure as its only flaw.
Mob Psycho 100 (TV) Excellent
Mob Psycho 100 II (TV) Excellent
Mob Psycho 100 III (TV) Very good
Mobile Suit Gundam - The Movie Trilogy Good
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (OAV) Very good
Monster (TV) Good
Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show (movie) Decent -Squirmy drama that isn't as compelling as it could be, but it has some strong moments of eerie artistry and surreal imagery, borne by sometimes very limited animation.
Mushi-Shi (TV) Excellent -Dense, deep and modern fairy tales set in a beautiful, timeless scenery. They account for our science believing world view, by simultaneously forging it into their own mythology. Probably the best animation series of the 00's.
Mushishi Tokubetsu-hen: Hihamukage (special) Excellent
Mushishi: The Next Chapter (TV) Excellent
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (TV 1) Good
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (TV 2) Good
My Love Story!! (TV) Very good
My Neighbor Totoro (movie) Good -Tenderness and inventiveness spoiled by some stress and whining. Yet apparently THE cult children's movie in Japan.
My Neighbors the Yamadas (movie) Masterpiece -Real life through doodle, melancholy meets daydreaming, equals unseen sensitive suburb fun.
Nadia - The Secret of Blue Water (TV) Very good -Jules Verne-inspired thrilling adventure, overall fantastic, but with some of the worst filler episodes ever produced.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (movie) Not really good -Pretty boring "Princess Mononoke"-rough, but with a felicitous end-sequence.
Nekojiru Gekijō (TV) Very good -Little snacks with cats, cruel and cute as they are.
Neo-Tokyo (movie) So-so -Boring director's talent showcase.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) Very good -Committed reflection about adolescence told in the classic mecha-genre-language, but still full of innovations. The techno-babble, disturbed characters and metaphysical approach may either fascinate or repel.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (movie) Weak -Unnecessary, even more confusing retelling of the series.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (movie) Very good -Alternative ending to the series, neither more comprehensible nor satisfying.
New Angel (OAV) Not really good -The classic teenage-sex-comedy. Sometimes cheesy in story and art, but with somehow realistic main characters for the genre.
New Cutey Honey (OAV)
NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a (TV) Very good
Night is Short, Walk On Girl (movie) Decent
Night on the Galactic Railroad (movie) Decent -Deadpan characters populate this journey which presentation is dream-like from every angle: slow, fragmentary, penumbral, but only little entrancing, and, after waking up, unsatisfying.
Ningen Shikkaku - Director's Cut Ban (movie) Good
Ninja Scroll (movie) Masterpiece -Indisputable, monstrous epic.
No Game, No Life (TV) Very good
Non Non Biyori Vacation (movie) So-so
Now and Then, Here and There (TV) Good -The best anti-war comment on film I know.
ODDTAXI (TV) Decent
Ogenki Clinic Adventures (OAV) Good -Delirious sex-comedy-sketches. Not very erotic and stylish for some, but surely enjoyable.
On Your Mark (movie) Not really good -Lukewarm videoclip.
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (movie 6)
One Piece: Dead End (movie 4) So-so -Fans will find more of the exactly same, while newcomers will have to rack their brains a bit watching the first full-length feature of this shōnen standard, which does just OK in the animation, combat and humour departments, and less than OK in adventure and suspense matters.
One Punch Man (TV) Excellent
One Punch Man (TV 2) Good
Orange (TV) Bad
(The) Order to Stop Construction (movie) So-so -See "Steamboy"-comment. But at least, this one is short! [part of "Neo-Tokyo"]
Ore, Tsushima (TV) Decent
Origin ~Spirits of the Past~ (movie) So-so -Eco-kitsch full of stereotypes and inconsistencies, that shines only through its opener and background art.
Otaku no Video (OAV) Decent -Huge inside joke that makes anime fans feel at ease.
Ouran High School Host Club (TV) Good -Cleverly directed, self-aware shōjo parody that would have been better off not trying to fill its deliberately stereotypical secondary characters with too much artificial depth and biographical details in the second half, stealing air from the often great comedy. The heroine and the satiric blows towards the upper class are unique.
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (TV) Good
Paprika (movie) Good -Well done, but far from exhaustive analysis on dreams, with a purposely irresistible female lead.
Parasyte -the maxim- (TV) Good
Patema Inverted (movie) Very good
Patlabor: The Movie (movie 1) So-so -Chatty and sometimes unendurably boring political thriller that provides hardly any of the action its title and genre would suggest.
Peacemaker Kurogane: Belief (movie) Bad
Perfect Blue (movie) Decent -Claustrophobical psycho-thriller set in an alienating idol milieu, whose deliberately generated confusion depreciates the suspense. The score is bone-chilling and the sugar-pop-songs highly addictive.
(The) Perfect Insider (TV)
PERSONA 5 the Animation (TV) Weak
Phoenix 2772 - Space Firebird (movie) Decent -Well meant ambitions to create a science fiction classic for every age with the philosophical undertones and production values it requires suffice only for a decent space opera.
Pigtails (movie) Good
Plastic Little (OAV)
Please Save My Earth (OAV) Not really good -I always wondered what the buzz was about this one. Some slightly intriguing characters maybe, but despite that nothing memorable at all. Your run-of-the-mill crappy (fantasy-)shōjo, that's it!
Please Teacher! (TV) Good -Sweet love story, which occasional skin shots, fetish displays, sci-fi elements and even some commonplace story elements don't prevent from feeling earnest. And unlike other romantic comedies, it explicitly champions the attitude of "going forward" and denounces "standstills".
Please Teacher! (OAV) Good -Naughty, lighthearted epilogue to the series.
Pokémon 2000 - The Movie (movie 2) Weak -Neverending attacks of huge Pokémon waiting here to piss you off! Furthermore to coward to bring developements of the Ash/Misty-relationship to a conclusion.
Pokémon 3 - The Movie (movie 3) Not really good -Nice try of an integration of a psyche-heavy girl-character and her dreamworld, again given away by poor execution.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (movie 20) Not really good
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (movie 8) So-so -The 8th Pokémon movie kicks in with high ambitions and quality visuals, but the story turns out to be incredibly hollow.
Pokémon: The First Movie (movie 1) Not really good -Could have been fantastic, but ideas and animation are to lazily executed.
Pom Poko (movie) Good -Very much visual invention, but to much chit-chat.
Pompo: The Cinéphile (movie) Good
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (movie) Good -Sweet version of "The Little Mermaid", noticeable for its refusal of CGI in favor of often stunning, sometimes choppy 2D-animation. Unfortunately, it's lacking depth and pacing.
Pop Team Epic (TV) Excellent
Pop Team Epic (TV 2) Excellent
Porco Rosso (movie) Good -The most comedic Hayao Miyazaki movie.
Princess Mononoke (movie) Good -"Nausicaä" revised. Bigger and better, but to slick and long eco-princess-tale.
Princess Tutu (TV) Excellent
Prison School (TV) Excellent
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (movie) Good -The slightly messy adaption of the beloved puzzle video game impresses through scale and velvety visuals, but is a bit slim on the mystery side.
Program (OAV) Decent -Middle-rate version of the "Cypher-dilemma" – by the most prominent director of the lot! [part of "The Animatrix"]
Project A-ko (movie) Decent -Chaos parody with a big pacing problem, failing to focus just enough on its central character triangle. For a soft-porn-turned-feature-film by a young crew, you could do far worse, but it really is a shame for the wasted potential.
Promare (movie) Good
(The) Promised Neverland (TV) Very good
Psycho-Pass (TV) Awful
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings Good
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal Good
Puss 'n Boots (movie) Very good -Very enjoyable "Puss in Boots"-adaptation for every age, suspenseful and with daring direction for the time.
Rage of Bahamut: Genesis (TV) Very good
Ranking of Kings (TV) Decent
Re: Cutie Honey (OAV) Very good -Action and boobies from the pros (Gainax & Go Nagai) in a silly joyride of epic dimensions.
Record of Lodoss War (OAV) So-so -Precise art, but unexciting fantasy-setting and -story.
Redline (movie) Decent
Resident Evil: Degeneration (movie) Decent -Satisfactory adaption of the emblematic horror-video game, with top-notch animation and backgrounds, but character designs that are reminiscent of the technological level of the source material. It unfortunately drops most of its rousing zombie action in the second half for corporate conspiracy-spiel. Knowledge of the games – especially the second installment – isn't necessary, but useful.
Riding Bean (OAV)
Ring (live-action movie 1998) Good -Subtle scary-movie-revolution with completely absurd back-story and little sense for atmospheric settings.
Ring 2 (live-action movie 1999) Not really good -Forgettable sequel, not half as scary as the first.
(The) Rose of Versailles (TV) Masterpiece
Roujin Z (movie) -Surprising reflection on today's social worth of the elderly, solved Otomo-typically with some bangs, crashes and blow-ups.
Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honnêamise (movie) Decent -Maniacaly designed and animated, this retro-sci-fi-mammoth disappoints with its lethargic tone.
Running Man (movie) So-so -Dark, futuristic and testosterone-laden destruction-race, surprisingly unsuspenseful. [part of "Neo-Tokyo"]
Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal (OAV) Good -Precise samurai drama with impressive moments, but not THAT huge. Best anime ever on ANN ?! (2009)
Sabikui Bisco (TV) Not really good
Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary (movie) So-so
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (ONA) Good
Sea Prince and the Fire Child (movie) Good -Romantic and effortlessly edgy fairy tale with its own mythology, sweeping music and often impressive images, but some empty compositions and a limited, redundant setting thwart its epic drive. This, and badly cast voices for the main characters in the English dub.
Second Renaissance (OAV) Very good -The prequel to everything "Matrix". Undoubtedly the essential part of "Animatrix". [part of "The Animatrix"]
Shiki (TV) Decent
Shirobako (TV) Excellent
(The) Sky Crawlers (movie) Very good -Heavily layered and intelligent animadversion on war, daily routine and the anime industry with its fans, that intentionally keeps its audience at a distance by never becoming endearing or grandstanding.
Space Adventure Cobra (TV) Excellent -The coolest character in the 80's best action and science fiction anime. Have fun... well, surely you will!
Space Adventure Cobra - The Movie Good
Space Dandy (TV) Good
Space Patrol Luluco (TV) Good
Speed Racer (US live-action movie) Very good -Visually absolutely jaw-dropping and ground-breaking, but the fun gets narrowed by obscure conglomerate conspiracies and badly timed emotionalities.
Spirited Away (movie) Decent -Fairly inventive version of "Alice in Wonderland", but not really touching, as always - despite its huge success. Surprisingly passive and anxious main character for a Hayao Miyazaki movie.
Spy×Family (TV) Very good
Spy×Family (TV 2) Decent
SSSS.Gridman (TV) Decent
Stand By Me Doraemon (movie) So-so
Steamboy (movie) So-so -Pointless, annoying destruction orgy. Good animation.
Steins;Gate (TV)
Stink Bomb (movie) Decent -Original apocalyptic tale, but could be way funnier for a disguised fart-joke. [part of "Memories"]
Strawberry Marshmallow (TV) Very good -Sweet and frolic everyday-life-comedy which owes "Azumanga Daioh" its concept and some traits, but sometimes surpasses its archetype in sereneness and clever direction. I found its childhood depiction not always reliable, though, not knowing if it is a personal or cultural barrier, since the action mostly takes place outside of school and its familiar rites and anime clichés.
Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
Summer Wars (movie) Good -The interweavings between tradition an modernity, family and community, slice of life and virtual monster battles could be even a bit tighter.
(The) Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (movie) Very good -Excessively romantic mecha opera, alienating due to subdued character relief and hokey villains and musical numbers, but spectacular and touching nevertheless.
Suzume (movie) Good
Sword Art Online (TV) So-so
(The) Tale of the Princess Kaguya (movie) Good
Tamala 2010 (movie) Good -Outside of its postmodernist artistic ambitions, this 2-man-project offers foremost a lot of fun. The mix of cartoon cuteness and psychedelia works and the dialogues are juicy.
Tanoshii Moomin Ikka (TV) Masterpiece -The design of a perfect world with very little kitsch. Sweet and enchanting, this literary adaptation has hardly any flaws to be ashamed of. Best children's show.
Tanoshii Moomin Ikka: Moomin Tani no Suisei (movie) Very good -Armageddon in Paradise, as a comet threatens the Moomin Valley and its lovable inhabitants, in this grand scaled yet charming prequel to the ultimate family anime.
Tansuwarashi (movie) Weak
(The) Tatami Galaxy (TV) Decent
Tekkonkinkreet (movie) Good -Visually overwhelming and boundless urchin story without a clear direction and a setting a little too cheerful to be a believable distopia.
They Were 11 (movie) Good -Temperate space thriller with focus on characters and shōjo sensibilities.
A Thousand & One Nights (movie) Very good
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan (OAV) Not really good
Tokyo Godfathers (movie) Decent -Warm christmas tale with a perfectly rendered feeling of a holiday season metropolis.
Tomorrow's Joe (movie) Very good -Boxer drama that drops its off-beat characterization in the second half, while making up for its deficient animation with rough, expressive imagery.
Tonkatsu DJ Agetarō (TV) Very good
(The) Transformers: The Movie (U.S. movie) Decent -Somehow impressive for an 80's toy licence movie – especially for the lavish partical and mechanical animation – but the non-stop action gets tiresome quickly.
Treasure Island (TV) Very good -Just classic adventure, and lots of it.
A Tree of Palme (movie) Decent -Ambitious, yet overcrowded, confusing and unsmiling fantasy take on "Pinocchio", with unengaging characters, but beautiful, surrealistic landscapes.
Uncle From Another World (TV) Good
Urusei Yatsura: Only You (movie 1) So-so
Ushio & Tora (TV) Good
Usuzumizakura -Garo- (movie) Weak
Uzumaki (live-action movie) Not really good -Convincing visual concept, but very bad acting and story adaptation from the scariest manga I know.
Vampire Hunter D (OAV) Decent
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (movie) Excellent -Typical Yoshiaki Kawajiri epic that takes the vampire genre a step further. Just with a little more class and less titties than usual...
Venus Wars (movie) Good
Video Girl Ai (OAV) Good -Unfortunately only the beginning of the greatest love story of our time, sometimes slow, often affecting.
Violence Jack (OAV) Not really good -First, clunky adaptation of Go Nagai's manga.
Violence Jack 2 (OAV) Decent -Ultra-violent and perverted, but with lengths nevertheless.
Violence Jack 3 (OAV) Not really good -Ever so slightly more grounded and streamlined, this is "Violence Jack" full "Mad Max"-style.
(The) Vision of Escaflowne (TV) Very good -Lavish, epic and fast-paced blend of mecha action, fantasy and romance. The designs are an acquired taste.
Wasurenagumo (movie) Decent
Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW (movie) Very good
Whisper of the Heart (movie) So-so -Left hardly any trace in my memory. Something boring with violins and cats.
(The) White Snake (movie) Excellent -Something like Japan's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", 21 years later, but it sure can stand the comparison. A virtuoso pioneer, despite its two-dimensional staging.
Wicked City (movie) Very good -Maybe Yoshiaki Kawajiri's most twisted movie, and the first branded with his future trademark: lots of demons, sex and violence wrapped up in an epic story, taking place in a dark metropolis this time.
Witch Craft Works (TV) Good
Wonder Egg Priority (TV) Not really good
World Record (OAV) Decent -Another darkish take on "waking up", which somehow reminds me of the "Black Jack" movie – which isn't a bad thing. [part of "The Animatrix"]
X (movie) Good
Yona Yona Penguin (movie) Decent -Fascinating at first for its sweetness, some beautiful images and a unique CGI art style, this fantasy film for children unfortunately embarks you on a journey to a bland alternate world heavily relying on clichés from japanese role playing video games and populated with obnoxious creatures.
You're Being Summoned, Azazel (TV) Good
You're Under Arrest: The Motion Picture Bad -Mediocre and forgettable police-thriller with a cheap-TV-level intrigue and really nothing to care about.
your name. (movie) Good
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (TV) Very good