Area 88 - If there was ever a Most Underrated Anime award, Area 88 would be a shoo-in in my book. This is a title that should get much more recognition than it does, simply because Area 88 has one of the best character dramas I've ever seen in any genre. Believable, in-your-face, and even frightening in its intensity, this anime kept me glued to the seat from beginning to maddening end.
Ghost in the Shell - Ghost in the Shell: Masamune Shiro's master work, GitS is the definitive cyberpunk anime that just about every anime fan sees eventually. Featuring state-of-the-art animation, razor-sharp art, and an atmosphere you could spread on toast, GitS is the perfect rebuttal against the dogma that "cartoons are for kiddies."
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki! - What isn't there to like about the first OAV series of Tenchi Muyo? Tenchi is a hilarious romp where the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle dominates and chaos is the only constant you can hold onto. Featuring a large cast of completely likeable characters and gorgeous art and animation, TM offers much for the casual viewer, technophile, and drooling otaku alike.
T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews:
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Area 88 - This series doesn't get the attention it deserves -- it's a taut, complex and riveting story coupled with characters you care about. This is not just another war series, it's a character study.
Ghost in the Shell - A hard-core science fiction thriller as only Oshi Mamoru can deliver. Never mind all the hype that Manga Entertainment has pushed; watch this for its methodical, deliberately-paced directing style, multi-faceted characters and intricate storyline.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki! - Great story, great characters, and loads of fun to watch -- plus the most marketable furry character to ever grace the screen! The first OAV series has it all, including some of the best animation you'll see in an OAV series. (Besides, I understand that the President of T.H.E.M. was threatening some sort of covert action against the Café if this didn't make the list!)
The Animé Café Reviews:
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