Anime is usually made after the success of its manga or light novel, but there are some anime that are not based on any. They are original in ideas and creativity but sometimes fail to get the attention needed for their success.
Sometimes, they become classics and are regarded as a standard in the quality of anime in terms of story, characterization, direction, animation, and production quality. Here are some anime that you should watch if you like the original ideas and creativity.
The anime shows listed in this post are in random order!
1. Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is the second effort by its director Shinichiro Watanabe after the success of Cowboy Beebop, and he did a great job in making this anime.
The anime follows 3 characters Mugen, an impudent and freedom-loving vagrant swordsman; Jin, a composed and stoic rōnin; and Fuu, a brave girl who asks them to accompany her in her quest across Japan to find the “samurai who smell of sunflowers”.
The show has drawn huge influences from Hip hop, rap, and lo-fi music, and the soundtrack of this is created by none other than Nujabes, who is credited for making lo-fi music a cultural phenomenon.
2. FLCL
FLCL aka Furi Kuri or Fooly Cooly, is a blend of sci-fi and action, and since its release, it has got a cult status among its fans majorly in North American regions. The anime tells us the story of Naota Nandaba, a twelve-year-old boy whose life is disturbed by the arrival of an alien woman named Haruko Haruhara.
The Vespa, which Haruko rides, has also become a pop culture hit, and She also ranks among the most popular female characters in Anime history. The anime starts off with beautiful cinematic shots, and then the tables turn when Haruko enters the scene with her Vespa with a guitar.
3. ID: Invaded
ID: INVADED is an original anime that was released in January of this year and quickly got the attention of anime fans across the world as the plot of this anime is complex.
The anime revolves around Sakaido, who used to be a renowned detective but was jailed as she killed her daughter’s killers, so now he helps the police to catch criminals and live his life in jail.
Later on, it also gets a manga adaptation which is quickly becoming popular among the fans of this anime. The anime is detected and written by Ei Aoki and Ōtarō Maijō, respectively, and produced by Naz studios.
4. Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass is one of the few anime which is known for sci-fi and cyberpunk themes. It has 8.4 ratings on My Anime List. Best known for its good plot and production quality. It has a complex story that will keep you in your seat, and you will binge it.
This anime is regarded as one the best cyberpunk shows, which never shies from showing us some bold storylines and is the take on the future of our sport and human psychology. It is a deep dive into the future of the human race.
The anime shows Akane Tsunemor, who is the protagonist of this show, newly joined as an Inspector, a specialized police officer who works to apprehend these latent criminals and stop crimes before they happen.
5. Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a sci-fi anime series that is heavily influenced by philosophy and Gnosticism. It is a mixture of 2d and 3d animation. It was praised by the critics for its visuals and theme.
The plot is set in the future in a city called Rondeau, in which humans and androids known as AutoRievs coexist, the problem arises when there is a virus outbreak that causes androids to become self-aware and self-conscious, and they start murdering people. Watch it if you like dark cyberpunk-themed series; gothic vibes are a plus point.
6. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is one anime that is a mix of genres, like sci-fi, neo-noir, and space western one who is a fan of any of these genres can watch it, or a classic anime fan in general. Additionally, its voice acting and writing are on the next level and were among the best in that period.
Steven Blum gave a performance of a lifetime as Spike. It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe and still remains one of the best of his works. The anime follows the adventures of Spike, a bounty hunter, and the crew includes Faye Valentine, Jet Black, Edward, and their dog Ein who hunts criminals and takes rewards around the universe.
7. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the best-known mecha anime series; now, you can stream it on Netflix with two sequel films which are also available to stream.
It is produced by Noriko Kobayashi made by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production. It is popular among fans for its classic animation style and controversial ending. Its characters, Shinji and Asuka are among the most famous anime characters from the 90s and anime history in general.
The series follows our protagonist Shinji, a teenage boy who was recruited by his father Gendo, to the organization Nerv to pilot a machine called an “Evangelion” to fight with alien beings called “Angels.”
8. Terror in Resonance
This anime is also directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is known for making original anime and is considered to be one of the best original creators working in the anime industry. It is a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes until the end.
The show features a basic plot, but the storytelling is on top and a major part of this anime’s success, but it also got some backlash for its portrayal of terrorism.
The show is set in an alternate version of Tokyo, where two teenage boys Nine and Twelve, steal a prototype atomic bomb in an apparent terrorist attack and send riddles to solve to police in order to solve the big bomb blast in the heart of Tokyo.
The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy
A dark lord awakens from a thousand-year slumber, only to find the world under attack from monsters and so he must ally himself the humans he once fought against to stop them.
Awakening from magical stasis after a thousand years, the Dark Lord Leonis suddenly finds himself in the body of a ten-year-old boy.
