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Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - kentaro858 - 2014-05-08
I'm just looking for some stuff to watch, mostly for entertainment purposes. What I'm specifically looking for are dramas and anime that are more for adults. For example, I know Death Note isn't considered an adult anime, but there were some very deep and serious themes in there. And just to give you an idea of my taste in TV, the drama Shinya Shokudo is my favorite. The themes and settings don't need to be similar to the 2 shows I've mentioned. I just want something with more depth. I'm over all the high school dramas. Thanks for the recommendations.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Flamerokz - 2014-05-08
I highly recommend Naruto as an adult psychological thriller. Bleach is a good runner-up to that in my humble opinion.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Bokusenou - 2014-05-08
Hmm, Kino no Tabi, Ghost in the Shell, Monster, Mouryou no Hako, Aoi Bungaku, Shiki (starts slow), & Legend of the Galactic Heroes (starts slow) for starters. Maybe Steins;Gate or xxxHolic. I've also heard Darker than Black and Gankutsuou are similar to Death Note but haven't watched them yet. Check out the recommendations for shows you like on myanimelist.net or anime-planet.com for more suggestions. That's what I usually do.
Also, I don't really watch drama most of the time, but since you also seem to like deep, dark series like me, maybe I'll give the one you mentioned a try now...
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - DrJones - 2014-05-08
I suggest, Tore! the spiritual sucessor of Dero!, though if you like Death Note, then maybe you'll enjoy Dero! more.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Stansfield123 - 2014-05-08
kentaro858 Wrote:IFor example, I know Death Note isn't considered an adult anime, but there were some very deep and serious themes in there.I wouldn't dwell too much on the shonen/seinen distinction. A manga/anime can end up being categorized as "shonen" just because it's fit for minors (since it doesn't have explicit sex or graphic violence in it). Doesn't mean adults aren't a target audience as well.
Death Note used to be my favorite anime series. Until i saw Attack on Titan. Now that's my favorite anime series. It's sooooo ridiculously good. I wouldn't say its anything "like" DN, but it does touch on some of the same social/political themes.
Beyond that, I would suggest watching some of the often recommended anime movies. They're generally brilliant in ways the made for TV stuff doesn't even come close to.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - vix86 - 2014-05-08
Very few series quite fit the seinen genre, though the already mentioned Ghost in the Shell and Monster are right up there. So here are some that quite aren't there but have memorable stories, characters, and aren't heavily loaded with fan service. Many shows have middle/high schoolers as main characters.
Eden of the East (Watch it by TV Series then the movies, they are chronological).
Puella Magi Madoka Magica - Looks like its a magic girl series, and it is (sorta), but its quite dark.
Durarara! - Kind of shonen-esque but the characters and story are good, anime cuts off in series progression. A second season has been scheduled for airing here soon.
Speed Grapher - Seinen series, thought story is mediocre in my opinion, but the scenario was interesting and unique. Characters are adults.
Hyouka - Not seinen, but if you love mystery style stuff you'll like this. There is kind of an overarching story but its not major. Every 2-3 eps focus on a single 'mystery.'
Code Geass - Its kind of like Gundam, but I found the story and impact surprisingly good. It exceeded expectations, though the start is a little slow.
Dennou Coil - Sci-fi. The characters are elementary kids (if i recall right). The story was surprisingly good, though you have to look past some of the childishness of the series in some places.
Noein - Sci-fi. I guess if I include Dennou coil I should add this too. These are elementary kids too, but the story elements and situation are something an adult could enjoy.
.Hack//Sign - Stuck inside a VR video game. The first of the anime's and maybe the most mature. The other series aren't any less mature but //sign felt more 'raw' I guess. The pacing of the show was memorably SLOW, that much I remember.
Sword Art Online - Similar scenario as .hack//sign, stuck in a game...except if you die in the game you die in real life. I'll place this last because the first 13 eps were good I think. The characters are what make the series as well as the impossible siutation they are put in. The second half of the series felt like the series came closer to falling into meeting the "archetypes that an anime must have to be a successful otaku anime." Regardless, the story continued to progress quite well with little to no filler. I'm hesitant to recommend it to someone looking for 'more adult oriented' stuff, so I place it last with a warning.
There is a lot of stuff out there but you kind of have to look. Most new seasons in anime may only bring 1 good series that comes close to avoiding that 'checklist' I mentioned.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - umetani666 - 2014-05-08
are deep/political themes in death note only limited to anime? because there weren't any in the movies.
i don't watch series, but i liked two omnibus-films: neo tokyo(1987) and memories(1995). first segment of neo-tokyo is the best anime i ever saw.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - cophnia61 - 2014-05-08
If you decide to watch Code Geass (both series) and you like it, then I suggest you Guilty Crown.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Danchan - 2014-05-08
I recommend having a look at this list and seeing what tickles your fancy.
http://www.jdorama.com/topdramas.htm
GTO at #1 is a classic.
Gokusen is too high I think at #2, due to being very formulaic, but its easy to watch and with a strong lead and good supporting cast.
Nobuta Wo Produce, #5, was also very well done I thought.
Those three are all 学園ドラマ though, so you might more enjoy...
#7, Long Vacation, classic romance-drama with Kimura Takuya in his first major role
#13, Love Generation, Kimura Takuya with a young Matsu Takako
#22, Hero - Kimura Takuya (again, sorry) as a rule breaking prosecutor
#39, Trick - kind of mystery comedy with Abe Hiroshi and Nakama Yukie, really clever
#55, Ikebukuro West Gate Park - excellent
#66, Tiger and Dragon - its got everybody in it, and its funny
#100, Shomuni - deserves to be higher on the list. Esumi Makiko is great in this. Very irreverent of Japanese company culture.
That should get you started! They are all great dramas. Cream of the crop. You know something is worth money when you can't watch it on Hulu Japan (because purchasing the rights would cost too much).
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Aikynaro - 2014-05-08
I second Kino no Tabi, Madoka, and Dennou Coil. Code Geass is fun too.
Sorry, just throwing out a list:
Kaiba
Alien Nine
Bokurano (the manga is much much better than the anime, but still worth mentioning)
Casshern Sins
Gunslinger Girl
Haibane Renmei
Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu
Kamichu!
Now and Then, Here and There
Princess Tutu
Serial Experiments Lain
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Linval - 2014-05-08
新世界より (Shinsekai Yori). Adapted from a dystopian sci-fi novel. Humanity develops psychokinesis power. Flash forward 1000 years, and society has devolved into some kind of buddhist dictatorship where kids that might pose a threat to the fragile balance of society are weeded out.
The anime is 26 episode long, and follows a girl from childhood through adulthood as she learns about the very dark history of her world, that is more than ever on the brink of collapse.
Probably my favorite anime, and one of my very favorite sci-fi piece ever --- it deals with some pretty serious stuff. The ending is still haunting me. Brilliant. I can't recommend this enough.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Aspiring - 2014-05-08
(Solid series, taste may be subjective, tried to avoid repeats, theme: deep, adult)
Aoi Bungaku
Black Lagoon
Cowboy Bebop
Eden of the East
Ergo Proxy
Gunslinger Girl – Il Teatrino
Gintama
Katanagatari
Lupin III – Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna
Michiko to Hatchin
Mushishi
Natsuyuki Rendezvous
Paprika
Psycho-Pass
Requiem for the Phantom
Samurai Champloo
Trigun
The Tatami Galaxy
Uchouten Kazoku
Zettai Karen Children The Unlimited
At psgels "Death Note is categorized as "Mystery/Suspense" (right hand column).
I try to form my own opinion before I read reviews [by reading synopses and watching pilot episodes].
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - sparky14 - 2014-05-08
I second Ergo Proxy.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Bokusenou - 2014-05-08
Ah, I forgot about Now and Then, Here and There! That one's very dark, though don't judge it solely on the generic-seeming first episode. Also, I recommend Paranoia Agent, and the rest of the works of Satoshi Kon, minus Paprika maybe, as it wasn't really my cup of tea.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - rich_f - 2014-05-08
It's not a drama, or an anime, but I enjoy watching がってん！ on a weekly basis. They take a science theme and expand on it for about 45 minutes. It's mostly aimed at Older Folks, but it's still full of useful (and sometimes weird) information. They do shows on everything from cancer to how to use scissors properly. It's good for expanding your science vocab, and picking up a few 裏技.
And the props they make are awesome. Hand-made, every week, and slightly insane.
Also, ばくもん（爆笑問題） is pretty good. The manzai duo 爆笑 go and interview all kinds of interesting people and go to interesting places. The manzai element isn't obnoxious or anything. They ask pretty good questions and keep the atmosphere on the light side. (Mostly.) They've explored the whole Futenma problem in Okinawa, gone to the Shinkansen factory near Kobe, toured Studio Ghibli, gone behind the scenes at the zoo in Yokohama, and lots of other stuff like that.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Realism - 2014-05-08
Flamerokz Wrote:I highly recommend Naruto as an adult psychological thriller.Well in all fairness the latest Naruto episodes have all been pretty adult and psychological....don't know about the thriller part though.
vix86 Wrote:Many shows have middle/high schoolers as main characters.To answer your and OP's question....manga is the answer.
There's tons more variety in manga and there are bunch of them where you won't find the typical anime stuff.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - vix86 - 2014-05-08
Realism Wrote:To answer your and OP's question....manga is the answer.I asked a question?
There's tons more variety in manga and there are bunch of them where you won't find the typical anime stuff.
I agree there is ~way~ more variety in manga. Hell they have the whole 'seinen' category in manga which is suppose to be aimed at adults more. Doesn't mean it has less fanservice but the quality of stories is more mature than countless battles, 'leveling-up', and panty shots.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - vonPeterhof - 2014-05-09
Stansfield123 Wrote:Death Note used to be my favorite anime series. Until i saw Attack on Titan. Now that's my favorite anime series. It's sooooo ridiculously good. I wouldn't say its anything "like" DN, but it does touch on some of the same social/political themes.The similarities between the two shows aren't surprising, considering they have the same director. Sure, they're both (pretty faithful) adaptations of manga written by different authors, so it's not like Araki put those same themes in there, but the fact that he was employed to direct both shows does probably indicate his specialty. Aside from the themes, the similar directorial style is also pretty evident (the slow motion/sped-up motion contrasts in tense scenes in particular).
vix86 Wrote:Nourin - Sci-fi. I guess if I include Dennou coil I should add this too. These are elementary kids too, but the story elements and situation are something an adult could enjoy.I'm aware of just one show with a name like that, and it's anything but sci-fi. And its target audience is better described as "horny teens" than "adults", but it does offer some surprisingly deep insights into the role of agriculture in modern Japan. It feels like it was made with the sincere intention of imparting the author's affection for rural Japan to the audience... through the use of massive amounts of fanservice, lewd jokes and otaku meta-humour.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Bokusenou - 2014-05-09
I think vix86 meant "Noein", as it seems to fit the plot summary much better...
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - vix86 - 2014-05-09
Woops, thanks for catching that. I had a brain fart while looking through my folder, corrected that.
(Nourin is crap)
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Realism - 2014-05-09
Here are some more I recommend
絶対少年(Zettai Shonen) - A story that takes place in a quiet countryside and in the city. Although almost all the characters are young teenagers and kids, there is no comedy in this whatsoever. It's a psychological anime about a kid who returns to the town he grew up in to solve a mystery.
雪風 (Yukikaze) - An outer space alien crew has opened up a portal in the Antarctic and is attacking the planet. All adult characters, no comedy at all. The fighter jet sequences are some of the best animation I've ever seen.
モノノケ (Mononoke) - A cat-looking creature goes around and solve disturbing mysteries and murders. Again, very dark and twisted at times.
Higurashi - All the characters are kids, and there is fanservice. However, this is actually a psychological horror show with tons of disturbing violence. The story gets really confusing at times as well. Very memorable characters.
Akagi - There are no females in this anime. Everyone is male, and there is no comedy. It's about mahjong, and that's all they do every episode.
Secret of the Blue Water - One of the best adventure series ever. The first few episodes are childish, but gets more and more serious as it goes along, with many deaths along with the way.
If you really think about it there are actually tons of adult/mature anime out there, more than you realize.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - Linval - 2014-05-09
I second Higurashi, particularly the second season. Good stuff, if you can get past the very ... "moe" visual style, that is actually used to great effect for the contrast between the visuals and the violence.
Also Seirei No Moribito, I'm surprised no one mentioned this anime - one of the very best "adventure" anime out there, great story, fantastic characters, and one of the strongest female leads you'll ever see. Absolutely NO fanservice whatsoever. Adapted from a novel. Highly enjoyable.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - vix86 - 2014-05-09
The ratio of good anime to otaku-focused anime, is way off though and I find you have to dig into the past for more quality stuff than into the present.
Took a look at my giant seen list, here's some more.
Ef ~ A tale of memories - Can't recall how much fan service there was. This is a romance and a tear jerker. Memorable story, based on a Visual Novel.
Serial Experiment Lain - This show is old (90's) and incredibly weird. The show suffers from some of the problems with older TV shows, where there isn't much story linkage across episodes, though I've been told there is. Watch if you want something trippy. (Note: Show predates use of CG drawn anime. ie: Show was hand drawn)
Boogiepop Phantom - Done by the same studio as Lain. Hell, probably written by the same dude as well. The story is hard to follow but there is supposably one. Again, 90's old. I've never finished this one either. Worth noting that there are no decent high quality remakes of this. Some people argue that the show was purposely drawn rough/bad (ie: old VHS recording) to match the story dynamics, but because so many of the scenes are dark (not a lot of light), it can be hard to see what is going on.
A Voice from A Distant Star - OAV
The Place Promised in Our Early Days - Movie.
5 Centimeters Per Second - A movie.
I've lumped these 3 together because they all have one thing in common. The Director and person heavily in charge of the art is Makoto Shinkai. Most of the stories are impactful, but the animation has to be seen to be believed. Get these in Hi-def if you can, the artwork is superb.
Eve no Jikan - A short series involving sentient robots and humans. Touching and thought provoking.
Spice and Wolf (Season 1 and 2) - Based on the light novel. The show follows 2 character in their travel. Set in pre-automobile European Era. Fanservice is low to nonexistant. No huge overarching story but the show likes to focus on economics. Characters are adults.
Zone of the Enders - In the same universe as the games. Its been many years since I watched the series but there is an overarching story line. As I recall, the story had some story progression traits that are similar to Shonen series, but the story was still very good.
Elfen Lied - Gorey. Lots of dismemberment. Lots of blood. Good story.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - kentaro858 - 2014-05-09
Bokusenou Wrote:Also, I don't really watch drama most of the time, but since you also seem to like deep, dark series like me, maybe I'll give the one you mentioned a try now...Well, actually, Shinya Shokudo is nothing like Death Note. It's a human drama about people who frequent a late night diner. These people are on the fringes of society and have difficult and/or unusual life circumstances. It's got that typically Japanese, deep, heartfelt sentimentality to it. It's a great show though!
Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I like the deep themes of Death Note, but I also like depth that's of the emotional variety as well on the intellectual level.
Recommendations for TV Shows/Anime - poblequadrat - 2014-05-09
Flamerokz Wrote:I highly recommend Naruto as an adult psychological thriller. Bleach is a good runner-up to that in my humble opinion.lol
yes, i enjoyed keroro gunsou a lot for its adult themes