December 2001

Many folks out there have often asked what anime we suggest for those who are starting out in anime, or what anime would be good for those who like x, y, and z titles. While I usually suggest that people go to the Beginner's Guide to Anime for suggestions, here I'm going to give my personal choice for the month based on the videos that I watch. Some of the titles are new acquisitions while others are re-views. (compared to reviews of course!) So, on to the picks!

Top Video

Serial Experiments: Lain

Last month was tough to decide because of the lack of good titles. This month was the opposite. Part of me wanted to give it to Fruits Basket just for character. However, for those interested in a different look at reality and the world of technology and computers, SE:L portrays an intriguing view of the world as we may or may not know it. Definitely a series for thought, this is not a series for those looking for a light and mindless watch.

Best Shoujo

Fruits Basket

Mentioned also in last month's picks, this title has been giving me a lot of questions and uncertainty on categorisation, but there's just that little something special about this shoujo series. It's also a series where, the more you watch it, the more it grows on you (it's a fungus!). The series presents an insane mix of humour, visual and audio gags, teasing, character conflicts and most central of all - character stories and growth. If ever you've lacked confidence, been badly teased or otherwise needed that little boost in morale, this series really speaks to you. It rides a fine line between sweet and saccharine without ever going over.

Best races

Initial D

While there are a number of places where I found the animation to be just that bit too flat and obviously CGI, the depiction of the vehicles is quite accurate. Enough that I can identify a number of the vehicles. This could prove to be an interesting anime series for car racing lovers.

Best Action / Suspense

Noir

This series is also proving to be one of the more intriguing titles of 2001. Often described as La Femme Nikita anime style, this anime has a good mix of action, a suspenseful story which is slowly revealed, and some great music.

Titles viewed:

• Arjuna Vol 4
• Argent Soma Vol 8
• Figure 17 Vol 1
• Fruits Basket Vol 1-3
• Gakkou no Kaidan Vol 7
• Gundam Vol 1
• eX Driver Vol 3
• Infinite Ryvius Vol 1, 2
• Initial D Vol 1-2
• Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu 1-4
• Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo File 3
• Meitantei Conan Part 7 Vol 6, 7
• Noir Vol 2-4
• Patlabor Mobile Police Vol 1-6, 8-9
• Patlabor New Files Vol 1-5
• Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen Vol 1
• Serial Experiments: Lain Vol 1