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Reminisce: Forgotten & Classic Anime to Rewatch

Anime has recently experienced a western revolution, in which it, in the recent era, became the most overhyped and trendy form of entertainment, especially in the western part of the world where Anime did not use to be as popular.

With its recent growth, relatively newer Anime and movies like One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia, Attack On Titan, and Your Name are getting all the fame and attention, whereas the more classical Animes are being forgotten and glossed over, Even though, they too were special and unique in their own way.

So I’m gonna be listing a few classical Anime that caught my eye, as recommendations of course. Be sure to check them out!

Elfen Lied

Lucy from elfen Lied
She experiences a severe brain injury that gives her a dual personality: a helpless small child with limited communication abilities.

Lucy is a “diclonius” human, born with a small set of horns and visible telekinetic hands which makes her a victim of the government’s harsh scientific testing. However, when an opportunity to flee presents itself—Lucy, corrupted by incarceration and torment, launches a torrent of carnage as she flees her captors.

Following her breakout, she suffers a catastrophic brain injury, which leaves her with a dual personality: a harmless youngster with little speaking skills.

In this situation, she comes across two college students, Kouta and his cousin Yuka, who mistakenly take in a wounded fugitive, oblivious of her violent intentions. This act of compassion will transform their lives, as they are quickly drawn into the mysterious realm of government secrets and intrigue.

Elfen Lied is known for its violent shambles of gore, brutality, and nudity. A mix that might turn off many people. Despite this, a large number of people watch it—understanding (to some extent) what they’re getting themselves into, and it’s among the more prominent and well-rated Anime on MAL.

Some call it a masterpiece, some call it ‘perverted,’ some don’t have anything to say, while some remain adamant that it’s ‘awful.’ 

The first is correct, the second is exaggerated, the third is comprehensible, and the fourth is completely incorrect. It’s not a series meant for all, but It will break you in several ways throughout the Anime, and that in my opinion is what a tragic narrative should entail.

Elfen Lied Review

Slayers

Slayers follow the narrative of Lina Inverse, who’s a dominant mage who wanders the globe re-taking things from criminals she encounters. Ah yes—a magical Robin Hood. Her most recent victim, a gang of robbers, lies in wait in a wilderness, thirsting for vengeance.

Lina is ready to defeat her would-be assailants when the swordsman Gourry Gabriel unexpectedly appears.

Assuming Lina is a damsel in distress, the naive yet noble guy attacks the brigands in an attempt to save her. After dispatching them, the oblivious cavalier chooses to accompany Lina to Atlas City.

Despite her reservations about the proposal, she accepts his offer. Lina, on the other hand, has unknowingly discovered a powerful magical artifact amongst her most recent loot.

Now, two strange and threatening individuals are on a quest for the little mage and her self-proclaimed mentor to steal this potent relic for sinister motives. This is how they commence their adventure, one in which the destiny of the entire world may be at risk.

Oruchuban Ebichu

This is definitely one of the weirder and less-known Anime on this list, It’s an obscure Gainax comedy show about a hamster who can talk.

Ebichu the hamster appears to be the ideal home pet: she cleans, purchases, cooks, and does laundry to delight her master, identified only as “Office Lady” (OL).

Unfortunately, OL and her adulterous partner, together with Ebichu’s uncontrolled excitement and love of ice cream, frequently result in severe and violent punishment for her. 

Ebichu, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to mind the maltreatment as long as she fulfills her aim of making her adored master a little pleased.

Truth be told, this isn’t an Anime that has outstanding narrative or animation.

It is frankly quite strange, but It’s unique and quite unknown to even those who are well-versed in Anime, which is why I believe you ought to give it a try, just to get yourself acquainted with the weirder more cryptic side of Anime.

Paprika

Paprika scene 1
This technology was developed over a long period of time by Atsuko Chiba and Kosaku Tokita with the intention of using it to fully explore patients’ thoughts and support the treatment of psychiatric issues.

Dreams may provide an excellent window into one’s brain, revealing one’s deepest wishes, goals, and suppressed experiences. 

One optimistic tech lab has been working on the “DC Mini,” a gadget with the ability to probe into other people’s dreams. 

Atsuko Chiba and Kosaku Tokita have worked extensively to create this technology in the hopes of utilizing it to fully probe patients’ thoughts and aid in the treatment of psychiatric problems.

Nevertheless, getting access to the most private parts of someone’s mind comes with a great deal of responsibility. In the hands of the wrong people, the DC Mini might be used for psychological terrorism, causing mental breakdowns in targets (spoiler alert).

When this technology is snatched (who would’ve guessed) and the individuals around them begin acting oddly, Atsuko and Kosaku realize they are dealing with a severe situation.

They seek both the actual and dream worlds for their mental terrorist, enlisting the assistance of Officer Konakawa, who himself has recently been undergoing this therapy.

Metropolis

In Metropolis, strict communal structures and discrimination rule in a world where humans and machines coexist. Every single day brings more unrest and bloodshed.

The Japanese investigator Shunsaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi arrive in Metropolis in search of the scientist Dr. Laughton, who is suspected of violating human rights by exchanging organs. Kenichi discovers a girl with no recollection of her previous life in the scientist’s laboratory.

He agrees to assist her and they flee together.

His uncle pursues him and searches the city’s dark secrets for Duke Red, the guy governing from the shadows. Meanwhile, Kenichi strives hard to defend the mystery girl from the individuals who are after her.

Duke Red and his adopted son, on the other hand, have compelling motives for pursuing the girl. These motivations are linked to her actual nature and the quest for Metropolis dominance.

Cowboy Bebop

Crime is eternal. By 2071, mankind has spread across the galaxy, colonizing the surfaces of other worlds with communities similar to those seen on Earth.

Murder, drug usage, and robbery plague these new societies, and many fierce bounty hunters pursue galactic outlaws. To make a living, Spike Spiegel and Jet Black chase criminals throughout space. 

Spike is burdened by the burden of his violent history behind his humorous and aloof appearance. Meanwhile, Jet deals with his troubling memories while tending to Spike and their ship—the Bebop.

Faye Valentine, a gorgeous con artist, weird adolescent Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, and Ein—a bioengineered Welsh Corgi join the trio.

Quite a bizarre combination—but they work well together, strangely.

The Bebop crew’s lives are disturbed by a threat from Spike’s past as they form friendships and work to apprehend a colorful ensemble of crooks. As a rival’s psychotic scheme unfolds, Spike must decide between living with his newfound family in bliss or vengeance for ancient wounds.

Time of Eve

In a future in Japan when android housekeepers a prevalent, society carefully adheres to the Fundamental Laws of Robotics, all of which androids must observe.

Androids are regarded the same way as inferior technology, like domestic appliances, under the supervision of the Robot Ethics Committee. However, there is a subset of people that like androids and are labeled”android-holics” by the broader public.

Rikuo Sakisaka was indoctrinated to accept society’s view of androids, even though he is well conscious that they’re not humans. That is until he uncovers an odd message buried among the activity records of his family’s robot, Sammy.

This takes him to Eve no Jikan, a café with only one condition for its customers: there must be no discrimination between humans and androids. Curiosity pushes Rikuo to discover more about the shop, and he tries to figure out what’s up with Sammy’s strange behavior.

I really loved the comfy or chill vibe this Anime gave me, also if you’ve played the game Detroit: Become Human—you’ll also love this series.

Tiger & Bunny

Those with extraordinary skills in Stern Bild City are known as “NEXT,” and they can utilize their gifts for good and evil.

A distinct organized group of NEXT appears on Hero tv daily, chasing down evildoers to gain attention from their sponsors and collect hero points to become the next “King of Heroes.”

Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, sometimes known as “Wild Tiger,” is a seasoned hero whose productivity has recently dwindled, due in part to his unwillingness to collaborate with other heroes. 

After a disastrous season in which the majority of the other heroes outscored Tiger, he is partnered with a brand new hero who goes by his given name, i.e Barnaby Brooks Jr.

Barnaby, dubbed “Bunny” by his irresponsible new companion, rapidly demonstrates that the pair could not be more unlike. 

Tiger and Bunny personalities mix as well as pineapple on pizza (two different objects that should never be brought next to one another), but they must learn to work together for the benefit of their professions and to combat the rising challenges inside Stern Bild.

Wolf Children

Wolf Children
Ame, who was born during a downpour, and Yuki, who was born during a snowfall, are Hana’s two healthy children. They both have the ability to change into wolves, a trait they acquired from their wolf father.

Hana, a dedicated college student falls in love with a strange man who attends one of her lectures despite not being a student. He, too, is not human, it turns out.

He morphs into a strange wolf-like creature on a full moon night, disclosing that he is the only remaining werewolf alive. Despite this, Hana’s affection endures, and the two eventually decide to raise a family.

Hana has two healthy kids, Ame, born during rain, and Yuki, born during snowfall, both of whom have the power to transform into wolves, a feature inherited from their wolf-father.

But all too soon, the unexpected loss of her partner devastates Hana’s life, forcing her to raise a strange family entirely on her own.

The burden of raising her wild-natured children in a heavily populated metropolis, all while keeping their identities hidden, leads to a choice to go to the countryside, where she hopes Ame and Yuki may enjoy a life free of society’s judgments.

Wolf Children is a heartfelt narrative about the difficulties of being a single mother in today’s harsh environment. Please give this a try—the soundtrack, narrative, moral and animation are all goldy along with Elfin Lied are among my top picks from this list.

It’s a wholesome show that’ll make you shed a tear or two!

The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

Satan being a minimum wage employee
Satan being a minimum wage employee.
Written bySatoshi Wagahara
DemographicMale (Shounen)
Original runFebruary 10, 2011 – August 7, 2020
Volumes27
Overview of The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

With his massive demon forces, the Demon Lord Satan begins to invade the continent of Ente Isla, striking dread into the hearts of mankind.

However, while beginning on this heinous journey to conquer the continent, Satan’s efforts are thwarted by the hero Emilia, leading Satan to flee via a spatial portal only to arrive in the human realm.

The demon, together with his devoted general Alsiel, is stuck in modern-day Tokyo and pledges to return and complete his dominion of Ente Isla if they can find a way back! In a planet lacking magic, Satan disguises himself as a human called Sadao Maou and starts working at MgRonald’s, a local fast-food restaurant, to make ends meet.

He quickly discovers that controlling Ente Isla is not enough, and he becomes motivated to ascend the corporate ladder and then become Earth’s king, one delighted client at a time!

The Devil Is A Part-Timer! gives a comical look at the most basic parts of everyday life, through the lens of a pitiful demon ruler, whether it’s a part-time job, domestic duties, or simply attempting to pay the rent on time. It’s worth watching if you’re trying to get to loosen up and laugh your lungs out.

What anime is the vision of Escaflowne?

The Vision of Escaflowne is a one-of-a-kind Mecha anime, thanks to its fantasy setting and unusual giant robot design, which is inspired by medieval armored knights.

Sunrise used their experience animating Gundam battles to create a masterful blend of epic giant robot combat and Shoujo romance in this show.

Hitomi Kanzaki and her adventures after being transported to the world of Gaea, a mysterious planet where she can see Earth and its moon in the sky, are the focus of the series. On Gaea, Hitomi’s latent psychic abilities are enhanced, and she quickly becomes involved in the conflicts between the Zaibach Empire, led by Emperor Isaac Dornkirk, and the several peaceful countries that surround it.

The conflicts are caused by the Zaibach Empire’s desire to resurrect the legendary power of Atlantis. Many of the characters’ backstories and motivations, as well as the history of Atlantis and the true nature of the planet Gaea, are revealed as the series progresses.

What is Spirited Away about?

Spirited Away explores the consequences of our bad relationship with nature through gorgeously animated visual storytelling.

Chihiro only manages to right her consumerist parents’ wrongs after being forced into the service of nature spirits and working hard to clean Yubaba’s Bath House and its clients (including the iconic No-Face).

The film has been compared to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass because the stories share elements such as being set in a fantasy world, plots that include a disruption in logic and stability, and motifs such as food having metamorphic qualities; however, developments and themes are not shared.

Conclusion

  • Classical Animes are often glossed over due to the addition of newer, better-animated Animes, However, classical Animes sometimes boast better narratives and morals than the more recent Anime, which makes them worth watching
  • Animes like Elfen Lied, The Devil Is A Part-Timer, and Paprika, are very well-known and renowned throughout the world, for their innovative and genre-changing narratives.
  • Whereas some anonymous Animes like Oruchuban Ebichu and Metropolis, have darker more solemn plot points, further accentuating their story-telling capacities. Nonetheless, despite their animosity, they still are worth giving a try.

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