After our selection of the greatest geniuses of Japanese animation, we offer you a selection of the eight best totally original Japanese animation series, that is to say, not based on a manga.
#8 Kill la Kill (2013-2014)
Produced by the Trigger studio, Kill la Killtells the story of Ryuko Matoi, a high school student seeking revenge after the murder of her father. She enrolls at Honnōji Academy and there confronts the tyrannical Satsuki Kiryūin, the Student Council President, thanks to her magical uniform which grants her supernatural powers. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, Kill la Killoffers a daring cocktail of action, humor, and satire, which deconstructs both shonen and fanservice tropes with an incredible sense of exaggeration. In doing so, the animated series stands out for its subversive reflection on Japanese female identity.
#7 The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982-1983)
Launched in 1982, The Mysterious Cities of Goldis a true Proust's Madeleine for many children of the 1990s and 2000. Telling the adventures of Esteban, Zia, and Tao in their quest for the legendary Cities of Gold in the 16th century, the series interweaves historical fiction with elements of fantasy and science fiction. An ode to adventure and friendship, The Mysterious Cities of Gold stands out for its remarkable educational approach; each episode is accompanied by a documentary explaining the historical and cultural context of the episodes. While its careful animation and endearing characters undoubtedly contributed to making The Mysterious Cities of Gold one of the most important animated series of the late 20th century, it is undoubtedly its iconic soundtrack and theme song that have made this Franco-Japanese collaboration a timeless reference.
#6 Nadia, the Secret of Blue Water (1990-1991)
Based on an idea by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki - the absolute master of Japanese animation with whom he worked on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind as an animator - Hideaki Anno develops a series A captivating animated series that loosely adapts Jules Verne's novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It follows Nadia, a mysterious acrobat, and Jean, a young inventor, on an epic adventure. Acclaimed for its fluid animation, inspired design, and charismatic characters, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is a captivating series with diverse cultural references. While it is sometimes uneven, it remains a great Japanese animated series that has undoubtedly left its mark on its time!
#5 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-2007)
Directed by Gorō Taniguchi and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion tells the story of Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled genius with the power to control others and who wants to overthrow the oppressive empire of Britannia. The series produced by the Sunrise animation studio still impresses, as much for its mix of political intrigue and battles of mechas and by the writing of its characters. A masterpiece of narrative intelligence and raw emotion, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion continues to captivate the most demanding anime fans.
#4 Psycho-Pass (2012-2013)
Plunging us into a future where the criminal potential of individuals is instantly assessed via their "psycho-pass," this science fiction series created by Gen Urobuchi and produced by Production I.G. explores themes dear to cyberpunk. Under the influence of Philip K. Dick, it explores fascinating philosophical and societal questions, particularly those concerning justice and human nature. Captivating from start to finish, Psycho-Pass is undoubtedly one of the best cyberpunk series. Its clever storyline isn't its only asset; it's both very well animated and its complex characters complete the picture, making it a must-see!
#3 Samurai Champloo (2004-2005)
Floating in fame thanks to Cowboy Bebop, the brilliant Shin'ichirō Watanabe returned in 2004 with Samurai Champloo. The animated series tells the adventures of Fuu, a young woman who recruits two exceptional swordsmen who are complete opposites, to accompany her in her search for the Samurai who smells of sunflowers. By immersing us in Edo-era Japan while paying homage to hip-hop culture, Shin'ichirō Watanabe does not reproduce the anachronistic mix of genres that made Cowboy a success. Bebop;it actually mixes two typically Japanese genres, jidai-geki (historical fiction) and furyo (scum manga) to question Japanese identity and its evolution through the ages. An experimental anime, full of humor, action, and poetry.
#2 Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
After the exceptional series Nadia, the Secret of the Blue Water, Hideaki Anno revolutionized Japanese animation and the mecha genre with Neon Genesis Evangelion. Produced by the Gainax studio and broadcast on TV Tokyo since 1995, the series plunges us into a world where humanity has been tested by both an explosion in the Antarctic that caused an extraordinary rise in water levels, devastating most continents and killing nearly 2 billion people, and a Third World War. Fifteen years later, Shinji Ikari, a young boy of 14, goes to Tokyo-3 at the invitation of his father, whom he has not seen for ten years, to participate in the fight against the Angels, mysterious creatures that attack humanity, by piloting an EVA (Evangelion). Acclaimed for its inventiveness and its ability to deal with themes as difficult as suicide and depression, Neon Genesis Evangelion also marked viewers with its violence. The great Hideaki Anno has since enriched the 26-episode series with several films. Undoubtedly, he is, along with Shin'ichirō Watanabe, one of the greatest artisans of Japanese animation!
#1 Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)
After the OAV Macross Plus, which he co-directed with Shōji Kawamori, the legendary Shin'ichirō Watanabe directs his first animated series as a director: Cowboy Bebop. Unanimously considered his greatest masterpiece, the series tells the adventures of space hitmen. Cowboy Bebopbrilliantly blends western, space opera, film noir, Hong Kong action cinema, and jazz, to create an incredibly seductive cocktail. The adventures of Spike Spiegel and his Bebop teammates have left a lasting mark on Japanese animation, to the point of appearing in almost every ranking of the best Japanese animated series. In 2001, the film Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door, which takes place between episodes 22 and 23, enriched the universe. An essential masterpiece!
Did this article interest you? So don't hesitate to discover the new anime by Shin'ichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo), currently airing.
0 Comments