Saturday August 20, 2011 at 07:45 pm by Firefly
Favorite Anime(not in order):
1. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 - I know, that's cheating, but who cares
When I first heard about this, I was looking for info about the manga and the original anime. Then I stumbled across the news that the series was getting remade to follow the manga (this was in March of 2009 I believe). I was super excited and couldn't wait for it to start airing. Then I found out FUNi was simulcasting it. On April 9, 2009, I sat at my family's desktop computer and waited until the simulcast went live at 10 (it was spring break, so no school). Then I watched it, twice. I loved it. After that, I watched all 64 episodes on FUNi's site on the day they released them, even waiting patiently during the time the streams were removed because of the trouble with the One Piece stream. Then I bought the DVD sets.
Specifically what about the show did I like? For one, the characters, oh the characters. I loved most of them, but there were some I disliked and others that didn't make me feel strongly either way. The plot kept me engaged, with many twists and surprises.
For the 2003 series:
Predictable, no? Well, I actually had seen a few episodes on Adult Swim before, but the first time I sat down and watched it was when I went to my school's anime club (this was fall 2008). I had only read the manga and didn't know that it deviated from the storyline, hence my shock when I watched episodes 5 and 6 during club. Nevertheless, I found it enetertaining and told my mom I wanted the first box set for Christmas, along with most of the manga. I got what I wanted and watched the entire set (16 episodes) in one day. Healthy? Maybe not, but it was winter break. The next week, I went to FYE and bought the next set. I watched that in one day too. After that I finished watching the show on Adult Swim's website and on TV. Now I own it all on DVD.
2. Pandora Hearts
Okay, this show won me over pretty quickly. I started out reading the manga and by the end of the first volume I was hooked. So I went and ordered the anime. I love the music for this series, especially the opening and the watch melody, Lacie. The main draw for this series is the mystery. The characters are also a big factor in me liking it, but the mystery and story (and Xerxes Break) are what have me impatiently waiting for more (in manga form, of course, now that the anime is done). As a note, the anime's story is VERY incomplete. I still liked it, but people who get into this and like it should know that the only way to find out how things end is to pick up the manga.
3. Steins;Gate
Finished this in one week and loved every minute from start to finish. I loved the characters, the plot, the music, and the art. El Psy Congroo! 
And I'm very happy with FUNi's artbox for part 1. The dub has a lot of energy and it's pleasant to listen to. Both language tracks are very good.
4. Darker than Black (season one)
Okay, I was majorly in doubt when my friend kept talking about this one. I had looked up the synopsis on it's FUNi page before, and it didn't sound like it would interest me. Around December 2010 to January 2011, I took the plunge. Needless to say, I loved it.
5. Durarara!!
I initially didn't really like this series. I tried to watch it on Adult Swim, but just couldn't get into it. About a half a year later, I watched it all in one week on Crunchyroll. I ended up really loving this show and bought all three of the DVD releases. Wouldn't mind a season 2 or for the novels to be released here.
6. ARIA the Animation (and the Natural and the Origination)
What to say about ARIA? Hmmm, I love the beautiful scenery/artwork, the lovely music, and the calming atmosphere. No matter what, watching ARIA helps me relax and it is very sincere, I feel.
7. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya/The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Well, I didn't really think I would like this one either. But after watching it in early 2011, I think it's safe to say that this show is pretty darn good/entertaining. The characters are what make me like this.
8. Toradora!
I watched it in the summer of 2011 after hearing so many good things about it despite it being tsundere. I was not disappointed. I felt that the plot and characters were both well done. The ending left me satisfied and feeling that Taiga and grown up over the course of the series.
9. Natsume's Book of Friends
I became attached to this series fairly quickly. I watched the first season over the course of one week, marathoned season 2 in one day, watched season 3 over another week, and kept up with season four's simulcast. I love the sincerity to this series.
10. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Well, I bought the LEs for this and came to love it. The artwork for the witch labyrinths is very impressive, and I love love love the music. I've listened to each CD at least 5 times each this summer (2012). I also loved the ending for the show, very well done.
Honorable mentions: My Bride is a Mermaid, Spice and Wolf, Humanity Has Declined, When They Cry (all series), Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Soul Eater, Cowboy Bebop, Gurren Lagann, Wolf's Rain, Bodacious Space Pirates, Baccano!
Now for my favorite manga:
1. Fullmetal Alchemist
Predictable, huh? I picked this up from the library in fall of 2008 with zero expectations, I even thought that I would hate it. I had seen a few episodes of the anime on Adult Swim before, but I was never really too interested in it and I had no idea it was so popular. But once I decided to give it a chance, I loved it. I began reading as much as I could and bought all of the volumes available at the time.
1. Pandora Hearts
As I mentioned for the anime, this series had me by the end of the first volume. Each volume has new mysteries added to the story, new characters or new information on old ones, and some resolutions for old mysteries. I don't mind how dialogue heavy it is, in fact, I rather like it. The story, mystery, and characters (*cough*Break*cough*) all play a part in why I love this series so much. I even went and bought the Japanese artbook and it's a great addition to my growing PH collection. It just makes me wish all the more that the color pages were included in the manga volumes themselves beyond that first page. I'm currently not sure if I like this or FMA more, so, for now, they're tied at number 1.
3. Spice and Wolf (Light Novels)
Not really a manga, but whatever. I've only very recently started reading the original novels for this series, but they are entertaining. They move slowly, but the dialogue and economics make it very interesting. I love the characters and their interactions.
4. Monster
This series is great. I love the characters and the themes. The plot is engaging and I didn't feel bored when I read it, except maybe once. Johan is one of the greatest villains I've ever seen.
5. Sailor Moon
I feel that this moves along at a nicer pace than the anime and it is a bit darker. I like the characters more, too. I'm really happy that this is getting a new release in the States.
6. Durarara!!
The manga version for this franchise is just as good as the anime. I like comparing the two and seeing how there are different interpretations or added/deleted scenes. Very fun with good artwork.
7. Umineko: When They Cry
I need to read more in order for it make it higher on my list, but the first omnibus was great once I got used to the art. Really looking forward to more.
8. Blue Exorcist
This one is a pretty recent title, but it is a pretty good shonen. I really like the art and the characters. The plot isn't very original, but the execution is good. Worth a look if you're a shonen fan.
9. Hellsing
This is just so much fun to read, I love how over-powered Alucard is and how insane the Major is. Very entertaining series.
10. Crimson-Shell
A short story by Jun Mochizuki. Feel like it would've worked a bit better had it been maybe a chapter or two longer, but it had some interesting ideas.
Honorable Mentions: Alice in the Country of Hearts, Fairy Tail, Spice and Wolf (manga), Haruhi Suzumiya (light novels)
I don't update this too often, and I'm sure I'm forgetting about a few titles that I would've included, but oh well.
LAST UPDATED 12/21/2012
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