High Card, created by Hikaru Muno, Homura Kawamoto, and TMS Entertainment, is a spectacular mixed-project anime series that has swept the internet since its release date. Fans’ initial assumptions about the show’s subject matter gambling. Even though only a handful of episodes have been released so far, the anime audience is optimistic about the show.
Fans of High Card believe it to be one of 2023’s most significant milestones. The show’s many strengths include unusual and interesting characters, a fascinating world, a compelling plot, and an absorbing narrative.
As interest in High Card grows with each new episode, it has rapidly become one of the most appreciated anime series of 2023. So, In this article, I will discuss some of the most similar anime like HIGH CARD.
Also Read: How To Watch High Card Episodes? Streaming Guide
1. Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs is a Kafka Asagiri, and Sango Harukawa’s Bungo Stray Dogs debuted in the Young Ace issue of Kadokawa Shoten’s Seinen manga magazine in 2012.
Many books on light topics have been released. From April to June 2016, the first half of an anime TV series modification of Bones aired, and from October to December 2016, the second half aired.
The anime Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple made its debut in the March of this year. The premiere aired in April of 2019, and the season ran through June. The movie broadcasted till mid this year, and a fourth season was broadcast. However, the schedule for season 5 is in July of this year.
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2. Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion
The First Compression, a 2010 film adaptation of a series of Japanese novels, tells a tragic and moving story. Here’s where things in The Second Combustion (2011) start to get off-kilter. Just in the nick of time, Easter swoops in on his “floating egg,” which turns out to be a fully equipped hideout, and aids Rune in his escape. After he boils her, he whisks her and a badly hurt Outcue away to “Paradise.” Now comes the strange part.
They refer to the laboratory where “Forbidden technology,” like Scramble.09, was developed as “paradise.” This augmented dolphin is so big that it needs its own fake ocean to live in. A voice can be heard from it or him.
When Rune finally comes, she is greeted by a few of the Paradise locals. TweedleDee is one of them. This kid is just like Rune; he has no natural voice and has to rely on an implant. The dolphin here is his girlfriend. It’s strange, I told you.
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3. Legend of Lemnear
There is only one great story, and it can be found in Legend of Lemnear. The visuals are very well done and detailed, right down to the anatomy, not only the aforementioned bosoms but also features and physique. This 1989 film featured the work of many talented animators. However, the plot that binds everything together is unremarkable and unoriginal.
A lone traveler arrives in town seeking vengeance for the murder of her parents, and she finds herself in the center of a whirlwind of intrigue and mythology that eventually completes a full circle. Okay, it does sound like a fairly standard fantasy and magic story, but please show me the financial projections.
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4. Sword of the Stranger
The uncomplicated story and steady rhythms in Sword of the Stranger evoke a timeless feel. Unlike Death Note, Zetsuen, and Psycho-Pass no Tempest, it doesn’t try to have fun with our emotions by going backward and forward in an unnatural manner.
It’s also not good at keeping secrets. Instead, everything is laid out clearly so that we can see what’s coming before we get there, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing given that Sword of the Stranger prioritizes a good execution over emotional gimmicks meant to shock.
Therefore, I feel it is appropriate to discuss the film’s plot in this review, as I do not believe the details I will reveal will come as a surprise to you and will not prevent you from enjoying the film.
When government agents are hot on Kotarou’s trail, the mistrustful orphan pays the indistinguishable ronin Nanashi for good deeds and a relatively inexpensive stone to accompany him to the temple of Mangaku. All of the characters, both good and bad, are introduced to us at the outset.
Just do it. Possibly too easy and risk-free. Suspense, well-thought-out motivations, and personality bonding are the minimum requirements for keeping us interested in a story with so few variables.
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5. Sentou Mecha Xabungle
It was the time when televised mecha shows were becoming increasingly sophisticated through the introduction of substantial science fiction epics starring the appropriately named robot. Future directions were shown by shows like Xambot 3, Voltes 5, Ideon, and Baldios, the original Mobile Suit Gundam.
Despite this tendency to take things seriously, these studios and their creators occasionally indulged in some lighter, more wacky fare. This alternative concept is tailor-made for the Combat Mecha Xabungle.
Xabungle is a futuristic Western that takes place in the world of Zola but borrows heavily from the American Old West. I wouldn’t say it’s a perfect fit for the Western genre, and there are some themes that seem out of place, but the spirit is definitely there.
It’s true that there are cowboys, can-can performing artists, and desert towns; however, science fiction elements such as enslavement and giant robots (yay, giant robots!) are also present, as are caste systems in which the elite live in dome cities.
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6. Super Dimension Century Orguss
It was a time when we were excited about the broadcast of our favorite shows on TV, and now we’re going to watch the two VHS collections of the show. You can tell the show wasn’t wildly successful because a movie wouldn’t have been made, but it also wasn’t a total flop because these exist.
These video compilations were a low-cost way for a mediocre series to make a little extra money and for dedicated fans to enjoy at least parts of something they liked to watch again before full-series video releases became feasible (to the best of what I knew, the entirety of the series was ultimately brought out on laser disk and VHS in 1991). The Orguss Memorials were the only means for me to witness the show in the 1980s and early 1990s.
And that’s obviously not the intended viewing method for these videos. These are intended to be watched as an extra to the series, much like the movie adaptations of various TV shows, and not as a substitution for the series.
There is an attempt at continuity, but really this is just the “good parts” of the TV show collected in one place for the benefit of any viewer who enjoyed the show back when it aired and would like to have a copy for posterity. And I don’t think I’ve seen one of these since 1991.
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7. Gall Force
Do you ever get the impression that modern movies just aren’t as good as the classics of yesteryear? Do you remember a time when it seemed like hit after hit was being released every week? Which decade’s films do you prefer, this one or the one before?
Gall Force is a science fiction anime where all of the main characters are women. My working title for this would be “cute girls in Space.” In any case, the majority of the Star Leaf’s crew consists of women. The Star Leaf is part of a fleet at war with an alien civilization. This conflict is fairly balanced between the aliens, who resemble a combination of bugs and machines, and the humans.
At some point in this conflict, shots are taken at the Star Leaf. The fleet is now traveling at the speed of light, but Lufy is unable to escape. The fleet is now traveling at the speed of light, but Lufy is unable to escape.
She drives a wedge between herself and most of the crew but has the most trouble with Rabby, the ship’s second in command and the story’s protagonist. Lufy is also able to terrify the overly excitable and diminutive Rumy. At first, the movie seems to be a comedy about a dysfunctional crew that must learn to work together for the good of the ship.
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8. Neo Ranga
The three orphaned sisters of Neo Ranga receive word that their brother, who was lost long ago, is alive. Their envoy hails from the made-up South Pacific island nation of Barou. Neo Ranga, a colossal organic-robot deity, has been bequeathed to them and is sworn to preserve them. The Japan Self-Defense Force, however, was not going to stand for the destruction of Tokyo’s buildings caused by this god’s rampage.
Of the three Shimabara sisters, Ushio is the most prominent, serving as the series’ de facto protagonist. She is driven by a fierce conviction for justice, but she frequently finds herself in over her head.
The oldest sister, Minami, takes on the role of mother after their parent’s deaths. She’s incredibly brave, like when she uses Neo Ranga to pose a threat to the yakuza, who stand in Neo Ranga’s way, despite being an incessant genius and egoistic brat despite her youth.
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9. Gasaraki
Ryosuke Takahashi wrote and co-directed the original film Gasaraki. Sorry, but no, Initial D followers. No, I’m not referring to the Red Suns’ Akina leader. This individual directed the 1979 reimagining of Cyborg 009 and is also associated with the films Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Layzner, and Blue Gender. In the realm of mecha anime, Takahashi is credited with establishing the “real robot” subgenre and aesthetic.
Code Geass‘s Goro Taniguchi, in case you wondered, has worked behind the scenes as a production director. This joke seems to have written itself thanks to the dub, which is hilarious in retrospect, reminiscent of the timeline that connects Yushiro and Miharu.
Chris Patton voiced Yushiro, and Monica Rial, making her acting debut, portrayed Miharu in the anime. After the fact, RahXephon and Nanaka 6/17 would pair them up as two major characters who are frequently seen together. For similar reasons, any Spanish person speaking should find it hilarious that the Kanji character for “nothing” is “Nada.”
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10. Koukyoushihen: Eureka Seven – Hi-Evolution 1
Seven Eureka! Hi-Perhaps we should begin with evolution. The original cast is back together to tell the series’ story in a fresh, controversial way (but it’s still more enjoyable regardless of what AO is).
The film’s opening sequence is a 15-20-minute epic set during the Summer of Love, the iconic event that serves as the catalyst for the rest of the story but was never seen in the series. It’s a fantastic sequence overall, full of exciting mecha battles (though the theater could have turned down the volume a bit) and a heartbreaking conclusion when Adroc must ultimately give his life in order to save the world.
After finally sorting out his emotions, the film opens with him returning to the Eureka and the Gekkostate, where he gives a detailed account of the events leading up to that point. The audience experiences the events that have shaped his current outlook in a mostly haphazard fashion. In-universe, it makes perfect sense, but when presented to an audience, it can be a little bewildering.
Also Read: Koukyoushihen: Eureka Seven – Hi-Evolution 1
11. Death Billiards
The Japanese animated short Death Billiards. The 2013 Animate Mirai Project was directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa and produced by The Madhouse for the Young Animator Training Project. Death Parade is adapted from this OVA.
That one show. You have only 25 minutes! If you have a few minutes, give it a look! It’s all very mysterious. The names of the characters and the old man’s final words to the bartender are never revealed.
Unique personalities. Even though he hasn’t learned the old man’s or bartender’s regulations that are the young man is convinced that he is doomed to an eternity in hell. The old man’s secret remains a mystery.
Did he promise the bartender that the young man would have a better afterlife if he agreed to go to hell with him? Did the elderly man know that he was doomed to hell? What else could the masks over the flights of stairs in Quindecim represent?
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12. Human Lost
Any physical ailment, including death, will be reversible after 2036 when breakthrough nanotechnology gets inserted into S.H.E.L.L.-controlled bodies. H.I.L.A.M. is a group that helps monsters and freaks, known as the “Lost,” who are trying to evade capture.
The rich have Route 7, also known as “Inside,” with its pristine air quality, while the poor have Route 16, also known as “Outside.” Takeichi, Yozo’s best friend, and Masao Horiki, Yozo’s mentor, rush to his aid when he overdoses on drugs. Yoshiko Hiiragi, a girl with amazing skills, comes to Yozo’s aid despite the fact that he is Lost.
Human Lost is based on Not Anymore Human, the number two best-selling book in Japan in 1948 written by Osamu Dazai. Since Tow Ubukata wrote the script, complexity is to be expected. In this existential novel, the main character fakes happiness for everyone except himself.
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13. Genocidal Organ
The 2017 film Genocidal Organ is based on the novel of the same name by the pseudonymous science fiction author “Project Itoh” from 2007. The film is ingenious and beautifully animated. The dystopian science fiction future is effectively conveyed by a mostly gray and brown color scheme, which isn’t particularly pleasing to the eye.
Genocidal Organ has unrealistically ambitious aims. The story doesn’t make much sense and has no clear takeaways. Even at its most basic level, the plot was hard to follow due to its abrupt transitions from one topic to another.
However, aside from John Paul, the main antagonist, none of the other characters have any depth, primarily because half of the characters are super-soldiers who have been dependent on nanobots to suppress what they are feeling (what a mouthful, technobabble strikes again).
Genocidal Organ’s runtime of two hours is too long to keep viewers engaged and too short to adequately explore the film’s plethora of topics. In all honesty, it’s completely illogical.
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14. Battle Angle Alita
Battle Angel Alita is compared to comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Not many fans of the genre see it or discuss it among the other greats. The plot appears straightforward. Oh no, I thought, not another story where the protagonist suffers amnesia and must overcome evil to recover their history. As I progressed through this incredible OVA series, liberation gradually dawned.
I can’t tell when this is about a capitalist bourgeois trying to take over Zalem or a Marxist proletariat trying to topple the affluent. Perhaps someone with more expertise in political history than I have can shed some light on this anime for me.
In any case, this is a priceless find. Rarely do you see bleak, rural settings in an anime. When I became invested in the protagonist, I knew I had a winner. That won’t put you in a good mood.
All the characters are fair game in a world devoid of virtue and evil. I felt both inspired and drained by this anime. Like you, I wished there had been more OVAs. Manga is more popular than animated movies. Both fans, in my opinion.
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15. Take the X train
The main character, Tour Ishihara, and trains are the major attractions of this OVA. Toru is your typical everyman; he’s quirky and a little weird at work, where he helps promote a nostalgic aesthetic in the railway industry. One train is at the center of this committee, which went by EF 5861, a train that Toru feels is a rubbish dump.
Listen to your words, buddy, since the fate of this train and yours are intertwined. In other developments, one night, after a good time with his girlfriend, Toru prepares for the following train in a throng when all of a sudden, the lights go black and sparks fly all over the environment and notably the tracks. Then passes a mystery locomotive. Is that train haunted? Is this really happening?
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16. Harmony
The events of Harmony occur in the near future when healthcare is state-of-the-art. In this ideal world, individuals in their 70s look like they’re in their 40s, and there are no indicators of obesity or fatal disease. In Japan, this phenomenon is very widespread.
Only little variations in hair and skin tone separate people from one another physically. Some may regard this world as dull and unchanging because of its prevalence of peace and regularity.
Tuan and Miach, two young women central to the tale of Harmony, personify this sentiment. The ladies, along with a far less significant buddy called Cian, attempted suicide as adolescents to show their disdain for authority. However, Miach was the only one who achieved this.
After 13 years, Tuan has become a cynical government operative who is bored out of his mind. Tuan finds out that Miach was never really dead all those years ago when he reunites with Cian and witnesses her suicide. Tuan’s adventures continue as she sets out to uncover the truth about what happened to her old friend Miach and the significance behind her principles.
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17. Geneshaft
Let’s start with the most important part of after liftoff. Geneshaft has technical difficulties. My story: the characters. There are far too many characters introduced in the first 13 episodes, yet they are barely scratched at the surface.
Miku, the show’s main character, and everyone else is all typecast. They are “perfect” and have no idea what love is (except for Miku, of course), but they are always devoted to one another.
I couldn’t keep track of how many times I rolled my eyes since the plot was so obviously fabricated and because new plot holes were constantly being introduced while the previous ones were being disregarded. Investigating, say, the daily routines of the Immortals has a little function other than to occupy airtime. Machine-made works of art?
All of the spacecraft, including Shaft, look the same since they were all built using the same dull design. Music? Like watching Rose of Versailles with AC/DC on in the background, listening to metal songs while screening a sci-fi anime is a bad choice.
When singing about his damaged camera, the lead singer in the initially released theme song shows his lack of sophistication. Of course, I could go into more depth, but you get the picture.
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18. Armored Trooper Votoms Retrospective Part 2: The Last Red Shoulder
This OVA’s finest aspect is how character-focused it is while having some action, which helps to fill in story gaps, give Ypsilon more depth, and explain the military’s involvement in the secret organization and the red shoulders. Fans of television series will like the film since it hits the ideal balance between the two for a film of its length (50 minutes).
You feel invested in the story even if you never get to meet any of the other red shoulders. The introduction of the new character Palisen seems natural. Since the TV show recounts Chirico’s betrayal by Gilgamesh, Palisen is consistent with the events of the show.
We didn’t know who gave the order for his death until now. Even when viewers knew Chirico would be okay, the drama continued with violent combat involving armored troopers. The other red shoulders were important to me since I had become fond of them.
The ending really got to me, despite the fact that the title foreshadows their fate. What makes a story compelling or moving is not usually what happens but how it happens.
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19. Aura Battler Dunbine
Tomino’s signature superb characters, original setting, nail-biting plot, and mecha are all here in spades. The bug-like aura battlers (created by Macross’ Miyatake Kazutaka) captivate the mind with their graceful and powerful flight through the air.
But during the time when this anime was produced, most of these issues were disregarded. Dunbine is, at its heart, a fantasy epic, although its exterior is quite reminiscent of your standard ’80s mecha show.
For Tomino, directing this anime has the added benefit of being set in his own world. Tomino, like the authors of other well-known works of fantasy and science fiction (Dune and Lord of the Rings spring to mind), spent a great deal of time developing a backstory for this planet and populating it with interesting people who can effectively convey his ideas.
Like the best novels, this one takes its time revealing its plot. While this does help the audience connect with the setting and the characters, it also tends to slow the action down. Fortunately, the plot starts up where it left off and doesn’t pause again until the signature “Tomino Ending.”
Looking back, Dunbine’s age is definitely its downfall. Despite being released at a period when Mecha series were a dime a dozen in Japan, this one has been mostly overlooked, even by fans of the genre. Visit Byston Well if you’re like mecha shows, gripping love tales, or a general interest in realms only seen in dreams. You should definitely book the flight.
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20. Kuromukuro
After discovering a mysterious relic buried under Kurobe Dam, the United Nations established a research station in the area. However, before they can unravel the mysteries of the unusual artifact, a party of aliens falls onto Earth in pursuit of their own lost treasure. While fighting at Kurobe Dam, Yukina Shirahane triggers the facility’s mystery cube, freeing a long-dead samurai within.
After the fight, the samurai (Kennosuke Tokisada Ouma) learns that his clan and way of life have been extinguished for 450 years. To give his life meaning in this strange new world, he decides to seek revenge on the invaders (“demons”) who killed his people and their princess. However, he can’t utilize the relic without Yukina, so he has to win her over first.
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21. Mobile Suit Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer
The film stands out as original right away. The opening theme sounds like it’s from another planet. Definitely extra-terrestrials. These aliens are Gundam’s first interplanetary foes. It was risky to introduce a really foreign adversary, but I believe it paid off.
The movie’s central premise is predicated on the sudden, unexplained acceleration of a dormant Jupiterian exploration ship in the direction of Earth. Descartes Shaman’s special forces squad manages to track down and destroy the alien ship. Metal is hurled to the ground by the explosion. ELS components.
Strange occurrences on a global scale will happen soon. Unattended cars and other vehicles cause havoc while a stranger attacks a child at home. The adversary of the show, Ribbons Almark, might return.
Setsuna smashes the Ribbons that attacked Saji and Louise in the hospital, revealing that it was a clone of the ELS. During a vacation, Allelujah and Marie/Soma find a defunct hospital. The plant staff has crystallized.
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22. Escaflowne
Hitomi Kanzaki is suicidal. She comes to a foreign country after school. Gaia’s place. Lord Folken, the Zaibach monarch, wants to destroy everything. Therefore, Gaia is in continual struggle. Hitomi could call on Escaflowne to assassinate Gaia. Folken’s only hope is Fanelia’s youthful king, Van Fanel. How can Van rescue Hitomi if he cannot protect himself against the Zaibach empire?
Escaflowne, an anime-inspired Escaflowne: The Movie. The film’s narrative is separate from one another. Longtime admirers are going to love the creative freedom and source material. This topic is popular. Non-romantic love is examined. It means tolerating others and relinquishing what you want. Few anime handle serious subjects, making them scary.
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23. Millennium Dragon
The English dub of Studio Pierrot’s 2011 animation The Legend of the Millennium Dragon was distributed by Sony Pictures. The film is 98 minutes long.
Our tale revolves around Jin Tendo, a typical yet painfully timid and fearful young man. Jin finds that he is the sole living descendant of a great clan when he is sucked back into time to the Heian period and is tasked with awakening the 8-headed dragon Yamato no Orochi to put an end to the battle between the Nobles and the Oni. When our young hero runs into trouble, we soon find out that there’s generally more to the tale than meets the eye.
This tale follows two kids, Agito and Toola. They prevent global destruction. Future Earth is gloomy. Genetic engineering mistakes almost killed the world. Humans struggle to survive in a world dominated by vegetation and the shamanistic Zruids who manipulate its water.
Our little hero Agito accidentally wakes Toola from her 300-year cryonic sleep. Toola, afraid and bewildered, join an army to clear the forest and restore human supremacy. Agito joins forces against the forest to stop the devastation and defend Toola because he thinks that in the absence of the forest, humanity will perish.
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24. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F.’
One of Dragon Ball‘s most legendary adversaries returns after last year’s Battle of Gods. Frieza is reborn by the Dragon Balls and spends months preparing for his revenge on the Saiyans who killed him and imprisoned him in hell.
After training, he and thousands of Z Fighters go to Earth for the final battle. Frieza changed form, and Goku changed their hair color. Which will win a death match? The universe of Dragon Ball created by Akira Toriyama returned in a big way for the Battle of Gods. By removing recurring characters, the plot of Resurrection ‘F’ is streamlined.
Many of the film’s supporting characters don’t appear, but the ones that receive plenty of screen time (the greatest laugh at the screening I attended came when Tien remarked there wasn’t much use in sending Yamcha over to interact with Frieza’s men).
The showdown between the Z Fighters and Frieza’s army is a defining moment. All the characters do well against an infinite number of alien combatants. After being sidelined for much of the last film, it’s fantastic to be able to see the Z Fighters back in action now.
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25. Roujin Z
The Japanese Ministry of Public Welfare is experimenting with a new bed to help the elderly, and the video documents the trial and its aftermath. An old man named Takazawa, who is confined and dependent on others, was chosen for the pilot trial.
The user’s whole care, from feeding to washing, may be met without leaving the comfort of the bed. It monitors his vitals and alerts his doctors and closest friends if there is any cause for concern. Integrated radio, telephone, and television tuners are also included.
The user is not limited to only making virtual friends but may also really call other people who are sharing a bed with them. The moral issues that arise from ignoring the needs of the elderly are explored.
Takazawa is lonely and worried after volunteering as a test subject for a new bed. He sends a message to his underpaid babysitter Haruko, asking for help. It would seem that Haruko remained the only one who was still keen on assisting him. The Takazawa family willingly consented to have their family member used as a test subject by the Ministry of Public Welfare.
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26. Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Space Pirate Captain Harlock is a show one can see as a kid and still appreciate now. Harlock’s unique concept is based on the fact that our hero, Harlock, is a moralist with firm ideas and an opponent of the established order. Since Harlock deviates so far from the norm, I am reminded of Alan Watts’s thoughts on the outsider.
Knowing that waste and corruption led to humanity’s collapse, he now has little regard for established conventions and resorts to piracy to support himself. Many people ignore the beauty of the natural world in favor of mindless activities like playing computer games and watching television.
The alien onslaught of plant-like female agents known as the Mazone (Amazon variant? Despite being ostracized and given a bad reputation, it is Harlock who saves Earth and humanity.
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27. Spriggan
Feminine tree spirits known as Spriggans resemble humans. When it comes to protecting their forest, they won’t let anybody in, not even friends. The fearsome protectors of the natural world. Kynareth followers watch after special trees with special powers.
Some farmers make deals with Spriggans and leave offerings to ensure a successful growing season. In order to protect its home, a druid or friendly Sylvan speaker could try to persuade the Spriggan to allow passage or perhaps to form a brief alliance.
They may use land magic to bind their foes with thorns, brambles, and roots. They’re being followed by bears, boars, and wolves. Spriggans may lurk in the shadows to keep an eye out for potential threats.
The rough bark-like skin and venomous claws of a Spriggan. Spriggans may heal after defeat. Therefore, it takes three kills to finally put them to rest. Spriggans are vulnerable to fire because it inspires both hatred and terror in them.
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28. Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare
At the beginning of the film, Bourbon (Amuro Tooru) and Akai Shuuichi are hot on the trail of a member of the mysterious group who has superhuman abilities. The road trip to freedom for the BO member was long and arduous. The reflection of the pleasure park’s light display in the river causes her to trip as she rushes screaming into an alley.
What the heck was happening now? My stomach was churning as a result. The preceding occurrences were completely absurd. By stating that, you’ve exposed your own stupidity. I like mysteries in general, but what has happened in the last few minutes defies all logic. The vehicle chase was exciting, but otherwise, I didn’t like the film that much. Outrageous ineptitude.
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29. Tekkonkinkreet
The comic Tekkonkinkreet was written by Ping Pong’s creator, Taiyo Matsumoto, and was adapted into a film in 2006. The animation technique in this video is so remarkably similar to that of Ping Pong: The Animation and The Tatami Galaxy that I mistakenly attributed all three films to the same director. As it turned out, I was completely wrong.
Not only is this the initial time Michael Arias has directed a feature-length film, but he is also the first American to do it in the anime genre. Black Kuro and White Shiro, two orphans, have forged a living as street urchins in Treasure Town. Kuro spends much of his time picking pockets and maintaining his good name as a member of the brutal Cats gang.
However, Shiro often finds himself daydreaming about life outside of Treasure Town. Considering the distinctions, they make great pairs and contribute to each other’s emotional and mental wellness.
Treasure Town, however, will soon be transformed into an amusement park, and eradicating the unruly young will put a stop to that. Kuro offers to protect Shiro from harm and fights anybody who attempts to halt development.
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30. Venus Wars
Based on Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s 1987–1989 manga series of the same name, Venus Wars is a 1989 anime film. The manga and anime are based on the same central assumption, which is that by 2089, Venus will have a population in the millions.
In an effort to form a single government, the two major world continents, Ishtar and Aphrodia (I love the name since Venus, Aphrodite, and Ishtar are all gods of love), are at war with one another.
In the beginning, in the capital of Aphrodisia, the plot follows a group of racers riding battle bikes, sometimes known as “monocycles,” because of their single wheel. Hiro, the protagonist, is on the squad, along with others like Will and Miranda, the badass redhead captain (who kind of looks like Priss from Bubblegum Crisis) from the 1980s.
At the same time, Susan Sommers, a blonde, blue-eyed, slightly caustic news reporter/war correspondent from calm “civilized” Earth, arrives on Venus to chronicle the battle. When a massive army from Ishtar gets into Io with giant tanks and takes the city, it should come as no surprise that these two groups of primary characters will meet and form an alliance.
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31. They Were Eleven
The film’s diverse cast works together well, and the story, which recalls Star Trek: The Next Generation in many ways and Ender’s Game (and may have inspired both works), is entertaining.
The cadets include a monarch, a cyborg, two alien species, an apparent female named Frol, who claims she is a man, and a young psychic named Tada, who functions as the central protagonist, all of whom are rather uncommon in animated works.
Each cadet has a unique look according to their unique character designs. They’ve all got their own reasons for joining the academy, and those motivations often clash with one another in the face of trials, terrors, paranoia, and sabotage. The animation is decent and does its job, but it’s nothing to write home about.
It’s also worth noting that the English dub is very fine, and not only because it features Steve Blum and Wendee Lee before they reunited for the outstanding Cowboy Bebop adaptation.
Frol’s subplot, which manages to challenge and accept established gender norms, is particularly indicative of the sophisticated exploration of science fiction topics in They Were Eleven, despite the film’s lackluster conclusion. Not enough people have heard about They Were Eleven.
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32. Steamboy
If it claims to be the “most expensive anime production,” a film should deliver. Steamboy delivers. Initial expenses are your choice. Akira and other Ghibli films have better animation and aesthetics than this film. Victorian steampunk masterpiece.
Pipes, valves, and the first Industrial Revolution palaces and cranes look like fantasy tales. The film’s thrilling combat sequences recall Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. For Ray Steam, Japanese American Hans Zimmer-trained composer Steve Jablonsky crafts massive, mystical, and terrifying compositions.
Murai Sadayuki’s (Kino’s Journey, Perfect Blue) writing enhances the film. Both parents and children in his short novella love science. You resemble his characters. Watching a youngster become a fearless adventurer like Buck Rogers is fascinating.
Love, maybe too much love started it. Otomo can’t shorten the animation. Thus, it’s bad. Due to Steamboy’s lengthy story, some viewers may become frustrated. The film is still entertaining. I’ve been waiting for Otomo’s next picture to prove his directorship. After eating a bucket of popcorn, you recall being a carefree youngster with the world at your fingers.
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33. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
AI goes crazy and starts murdering everyone in the future when AI technology has been widely adopted into human civilization. A sophisticated AI is sent back in time by a dying scientist in order to stop the AI uprising.
His motivation comes from Vivy, the first fully autonomous AI. Like many previous stories, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song considers the repercussions of AI on society. Visually, the anime is considerably more interesting. This is how I like science fiction.
Formerly, I believed that while artificial intelligence (AI) might be wherever (in our phones, computers, all sorts of systems, etc.), a society full of AI androids like one in most households/offices/etc. It would be impossible to realize due to the high cost of producing that many artificial beings.
I maintain that viewpoint. It’s hard to believe unless you remember that almost every adult in developed countries has a car (or has access to one), which is much larger than an Android and requires a lot of energy to operate.
It all comes down to the rarity of the minerals involved and how technically advanced an android is compared to a car. But before we can completely incorporate androids into society, I worry our civilizations will disintegrate.
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34. Paprika
Before his untimely death in 2010, Satoshi Kon (Kon Satoshi, October 12, 1963 – August 24, 2010) directed five films, the most recent of which was Paprika. Paranoia Agent, the sole animated series in Kon’s career, is now back in his natural cinematic habitat.
Based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s book of the same name, Paprika was adapted for the big screen and premiered at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival in 2006 before making its way to Japanese cinemas on November 25 of the same year.
The majority of the cast from his last book, Paranoia Agent, returns here. The animations are once again taken care of by the Madhouse studio (Trigun, Black Lagoon, Death Note, and many more), cementing their relationship with the filmmaker through his last film. In addition, Kon has re-engaged Seishi Minakami (Shigurui, Skull Man) to help him with the film’s script.
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35. ID Invaded
ID Invaded is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle on screen. Sakaido and the rest of us viewers need to pay attention if we want to figure out the mystery or in ID: John Walker, the unseen serial murderer, has invaded your case. A lot of trial and error is involved, with the Kura crew re-strapping Sakaido to the ID well despite his protests every time he is murdered.
The fact that he forgets every time just makes it harder for the Field Analysts to track down the real-world criminal in question. The show’s approach to solving murders is novel, to put it mildly.
With Mizuhanome Pilots delving into the ID well, virtual serial murderers’ whereabouts, information, and intentions may be discovered. The Field Analysts may then use the pilot’s ego’s obtained data to locate the culprits. I think that the police force of the future will utilize something like that.
Similar to how the Sibi System in Psycho-Pass utilizes the Dominator to determine the subject’s criminality. Moreover, unlike the vast majority of psychological mystery criminal thrillers, the anime does a superb job of tackling important subjects.
For instance, I like the concept of our main character being an inmate who, although being incarcerated, serves as a pilot for the Mizuhanome System. As Akihito is set on eliminating serial murders in the id well on his own, he ignores the Kura personnel.
We also observe Akihito’s mental breakdown as a result of the ID well’s iterative trial-and-error gameplay, in which his progress in both location and memory is reset if he dies. It’s understandable that Akihito’s mental health would suffer when the numerous Kura staff members constantly redirected his attention to the machine with little to no downtime.
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36. Babylon
The first episode of Babylon, the anime for this season, aired. I gave it a go since MAL seemed like it might be delicious. It really exceeded the minimal expectations I had for it. I had no choice but to watch after the shocking conclusion of the first episode. The third installment. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next chapter.
Zen Seizaki is looking into allegations that a pharmaceutical corporation paid academic institutions in order to increase sales. In the office, he discovers a peculiar sheet with writing that is composed of blood, hair, nails, and skin. The letter ‘F’ fills the page. It occurs to him.
Outstanding animation, as well as graphics. The design is as mature as the tone, which is as serious. Zen, who plays a crucial role in the story, is reliable and impartial. This anime has a lot of twists and turns. But there were enough unexpected turns to keep the tension building.
Even though I’m very excellent at forecasting how programs will turn out, I was taken aback by the findings. Due to cliffhangers, you should hold off on reading the book until the series is complete. I was unable to see it when it first aired, so I’ll have to watch it when it’s made accessible.
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37. Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East)
The presentation of concepts in Eden of the East is similar. Thus, I think this method of analysis works well. The bulk of you and I are part of the millennial generation, which is sometimes referred to as “the generation that never got off the ground.” Adults nowadays are less likely than ever to leave their parents’ homes and enter the labor market.
This is especially common in Japan, where the youth are referred to as NEETs (not in employment, education, or training). There are a number of causes behind the increase in NEETs. In terms of the economy, it has to do with our ancestors. The disproportionately large baby boomer group now controls most of the world’s top corporations. Because of this, many members of the subsequent generation are still working in entry-level positions.
As a result, many positions that younger workers should be filling are instead occupied by older workers, creating a formidable barrier to entry for today’s youngsters in the labor market. In terms of social interaction, the internet has enabled our generation to effectively isolate itself from others in the real world. Instead of wasting money on going out, we may satisfy our need for social connection without leaving the house.
Since there is less of a societal need to amass wealth, fewer monetary resources are being put into circulation, and fewer people are motivated to do so. Our generation is known for being thrifty and well-informed shoppers.
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38. Monster
Originally created as a manga by Naoki Urasawa between 1994 and 2001, the 2004 anime film Monster was directed by Masayuki Kojima and produced by Studio Madhouse. It’s not too overwhelming at 74 episodes, but it does need more dedication than the usual anime at 24 episodes. However, despite its reputation, Monster is really rather accessible.
The narrative is rich with subterfuge and related tales that extend the environment while yet maintaining the show’s primary emphasis.
Kenzo Tenma, the main character, is a shrewd Japanese neurosurgeon who went to medical school in Germany and is now practicing at a Düsseldorf hospital. He has achieved the pinnacle of achievement by being engaged to Eva Heinemann, the daughter of the hospital’s director.
The narrative starts during one of his operations when he discovers the hospital’s corruption and the way it often puts the safety of hospital employees and their families ahead of the safety of patients.
To avoid favoritism, Tenma chooses to treat a little child who was wounded in the head rather than a rich businessman. The end results? Tenma loses his job, his reputation, and his girlfriend, Eva.
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39. Last Exile
Although they relied heavily on computer-generated imagery (CG) for the ships, which has now become somewhat antiquated, it still holds up better than a lot of presently broadcast series’ CG does, and the images they obtain are excellent.
Half the time, you won’t even realize it’s not 2D, thanks to the clever use of overlays and effects, as well as some excellent shots and the motion of the ships themselves. The dogfights are exciting to watch, and the filming of them has some breathtaking panning and flowing images. But what good would all of it be if it lacked the fantastic aesthetic that permeates the whole thing?
The expansive landscapes and soaring sky in the backdrop are beautifully rendered, and the animation is well-planned and fluid. The flow and consistency are excellent, with the occasional hiccup.
The character designs are excellent; each one is distinct and well-suited to the character it represents. If I had to choose a nitpick, it would be that the characters’ noses seem to vanish when they stare straight at the screen, which looks quite odd.
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40. Metropolis
In its day, Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” (1927) silent film was a masterpiece in my book. Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis was another brilliant work. But Metropolis was not one of them. The message of Metropolis was stale. The topic of what distinguishes humans from machines has been explored and solved many times in science fiction. Class struggle was also a theme in the film Metropolis.
The city of Metropolis is set in the not-too-distant future. There was a lot of unemployment, poverty, crime, and harsh leadership, despite the fact that technology and robots had advanced significantly. Kenichi and his uncle were thrown into political conflict after an unexpected encounter with Tima. Ziggurat was a militarized tower like Babel’s, and Time was a robot programmed to run it.
It seemed as if Metropolis was a huge, live-action production. The soundtrack of this anime included recognizable songs and music from the West. The animation in Metropolis stood out. The city of Metropolis was breathtaking.
Due to its richness and motion, the background quickly became my focus rather than the foreground. Each character was superbly animated and had traits that were both humble and real. Only Hayao Miyazaki created films on par with his work. The city of Metropolis is set in the not-too-distant future.
There was a lot of unemployment, poverty, crime, and harsh leadership, despite the fact that technology and robots had advanced significantly. Kenichi and his uncle were thrown into political conflict after an unexpected encounter with Tima. Ziggurat was a militarized tower like Babel’s, and Time was a robot programmed to run it. It seemed as if Metropolis was a huge, live-action production.
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41. Spirited Away
Spirited Away was a film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli in the year 2001. It is Japan’s all-time highest-grossing picture, with box office sales of approximately 30 billion Japanese yen, making it the highest-grossing film ever in Japan.
Chihiro, along with her parents, finds herself trapped in a world inhabited by ghosts, and in order to lift a curse, she is forced to do work in an old witch’s bathhouse. I had trouble articulating why seeing this movie had such an impact on me, and I still do. I’ll do my best to write about the feelings and thoughts evoked by this movie, but I can’t guarantee that I will be successful.
Wonderful works of art and design are the first things that come to mind. The animation has a lot of personalities, from the minute details in the foreground and background things to the individual quirks that each character has (like Chihiro’s habit of putting her hands on her shoulders when she’s scared).
This movie is an example of the visual storytelling style of Hayao Miyazaki. The first picture is remarkable because Chihiro’s friend has written “Chihiro, good luck” on the back of the picture.
Chihiro may be seen in the following photo relaxing in the trunk of a moving vehicle while surrounded by cardboard boxes and holding a bunch of flowers with a note attached to it. This photograph portrays Chihiro in a miserable state.
He reveals two very important facts about her: first, that she is moving away, and second, that she is displeased about the move. Each of these concepts may be learned in under ten seconds with the use of visuals.
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42. Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl, the attractive, weird, and enigmatic magician. This male protagonist has several problems, including being promiscuous, acting like a kid, and grooming behaviors such as mocking females. The fact, though, is that Howl is an excellent magician.
Everything about Howl is unknown, from his look to his character. No one seems to recognize him, and in each town, his trail is accompanied by a new moniker.
Each door’s hue represents a unique existence fraught with suffering. The colors of life are represented by the spheres on the door, from obscurity to light, noise, and joy. Howl is always on the run; he avoids confronting the truth at all costs.
Howl appeared calm and collected at the beginning of the film, but I got the impression that his life was in a holding pattern. Because no one really wants to or can just disappear permanently. Underneath the showy exterior was a man who yearned for independence and fulfillment.
When depicting the tale through the sorrow that war causes, the animation carries the mark of the Japanese filmmaker, his desire, and Japan as a nation for a peaceful existence. Howl suffers through the transformation into a monster with wings every night in order to save his people from a pointless conflict.
That change in perspective allowed the audience to look beyond Howl’s terrible behavior. However, I believe that Howl’s flaws are still tolerable since no one is flawless. He seems cheerful to others around him, but is that really the case?
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43. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Howl, the charming, strange, and mysterious illusionist. The male protagonist’s issues include his promiscuity, childish conduct, and grooming techniques, including sexism and objectification of women.
However, the truth is that Howl is a fantastic illusionist. No one knows anything about Howl, not even his appearance or personality. No one appears to know him, and wherever he goes, he picks up a new name.
The color of each door is symbolic of a different, difficult life. The vibrant hues of life are symbolized by the spheres adorning the entrance, from darkness to brightness, noise, and celebration. Howl is always on the run because he fears facing the truth.
Howl seemed cool and collected at the start of the film, but I got the sense that something was holding his life hostage. Since no one voluntarily or successfully vanishes entirely. Behind the flashy front was a guy who desperately wanted freedom and success.
The animation has the imprint of the Japanese director, his want for Japan as a country for a peaceful life, as seen through the lens of the tragedy that war brings to the story. Every night, Howl goes through the ordeal of being turned into a monster with wings in order to prevent a needless war from breaking out among his people.
This shift of emphasis lets readers overlook Howl’s reprehensible actions. No one is perfect, but I think we can overlook Howl’s imperfections anyhow. Everyone else thinks he’s happy, but is he really?
