Top 5 Animated Features to Watch

This is a list that we put together of the 5 animated features we think you should watch (preferably sometime during your lifespan). The items on this list were selected because we believe that everyone can enjoy them, and because of their importance to the animated world. These are by no means the only good things to watch, but we highly recommend them to you in hopes that you will enjoy them as much as we did.

A video version is available:

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender

    Regarding this show, there are only two types of people: those who loved the series and those who have not yet watched it. I have not met a person who watched this show and thought that it was “just ok” or didn’t like it.

Avatar has something for everybody and for every age. While the plot is simple enough to be followed by a child, the characters are complicated enough to keep even the most intellectual person entertained. Also, the characters come from a variety of cultures and have relatable strengths and weaknesses.

The animation, while not flawless, is breath-taking in it’s own right. Fluid for the time, the fight scenes are simultaneously amazing, terrifying and beautiful. The voice acting, even several years after the show aired, makes it one of the best dubs today.

In conclusion, you are guaranteed to love this show no matter what!

2. Fruits Basket

    This anime is a classic. If you are any kind of anime fan you are REQUIRED to watch Fruits Basket. While it is a drama and romance, there are many life lessons that are taught. It gives the viewer a dose of reality, while in a fictional setting. It is appropriate for all people (it only has a little bit of language) and socially relevant. But above all it is a show about relationships: family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, and romantic relationships. It may not be the most exciting and heart-pounding show to watch, but it will win you over on class alone. This is a feel-good anime to watch when you are in the dumps, bored, tired, want to relax, happy, sad, just need to kill some time, whenever! Watch it. (For a review of Fruits Basket go here.)

3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    Sorry, you 2003 fans out there, but we are ranking Brotherhood over the original anime adaptation. Why? The ending. This is one of the few stories in the world where the ending was everything you were hoping for--and more! Fullmetal Alchemist just didn’t have the ending payout that Brotherhood did. In addition, Brotherhood is much more plot driven, making the sequences of events much more believable. Overall, it is a great show with a wonderful plot, brilliant characters, gorgeous animation, a beautiful soundtrack, and a spectacular ending!

4. Anything Studio Ghibli

    We realize this entry is more general than all the previous ones. Where the others were recommending a series of anime this entry gives you an entire brand! Studio Ghibli is the Disney of Japan, but (I would argue) better. No matter which title you decide to watch, you are guaranteed a complex plot with fleshed-out characters. Quality, every time.  Since there are so many to choose from here are a few suggestions to get you started:

- Howl's Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle is an enjoyable romance that is mainly entertaining, but also heartwarming.)

- Spirited Away (This is Miyuzaki’s most famous work. It is very metaphorical.)

- The Secret Life of Arrietty

- My Neighbor Totoro

5. Trigun/ Your Lie in April

    As you can see, this final recommendation has two titles on the docket. That is because we just could not decide which was better and as they are both extremely good, we thought, "Why not do both?" So here you are; a double feature!

Trigun - Trigun is must-watch if only for the fact that it was the show that brought anime to the western world. Speaking of western, this show seems like it is set in the Wild West. Except, it is not the West we are familiar with. Jump on for a wild and crazy ride with Vash the Stampede as he tries to spread the message of love and peace (I promise you, it is not as cheesy as it sounds)! Bonus: there is a black cat hidden in each episode of the show. See if you can find it. :) (For a review of this anime go here.)

Your Lie in April - Everything about this anime was beautiful! The animation, the plot and the characters. At times it can get a little over-dramatic, but I think this anime will endure to become a classic loved by many. Your Lie in April deals with difficult themes and its characters, while in middle school, are definitely able to deal with that (I found them to be more mature than highschoolers). (For a review of this anime please go here.)