Welcome to the Fantasy Zone
This Zone is dedicated to the lesser known elements of anime hosted by the cast of Victory Script.
What weapon is the best?
Who will win in this Death Battle?
Is this costume practical?
You name it, it's all covered here in the Fantasy Zone!
This will come as a bit of foreshadowing for Plastic Memories as the story draws comparisons to one of the anime on this list, for obvious reasons, spoiler warning is in effect.
10. Kamina from Gurren Lagann
The larger than life surrogate brother of Simon, died tragically in battle passing his legacy of freedom onto Simon, would be higher if he didn't die so soon into the anime.
9. Nicholas D Wolfwood from Trigun
After finally accepting the ideals of Vash, Nicholas is gunned down by Legato's group, ending his life slumped at the alter of a church.
8. Wizardmon from Digimon
Wizardmon sacrifices himself to save Kari and Gatomon from Myotismon, the sad thing is that because he died in the real world, he cannot be reborn.
7. Master Asia from G Gundam
Considering the franchise normally treats humanity as expendable it's all the more tragic seeing such a powerful man as Master Asia pass on considering his actions can often be seen as beyond human limits, further emphasized by his regret over how the Earth has essentially become a wasteland and was the first to realise this.
6. Sakae from Summer Wars
The 90 year old family head pulls off one of the most organised damage limitation plots as the damage from the virus becomes apparent, she would shortly pass on following a confrontation with a disgraced family member for starting the whole thing.
5. Stoutland from Pokemon
Ash's Litten was raised by the aging Stoutland and showcases that even a series that mostly features a Pokemon fainting after every battle it can still tackle a mature subject such as dying from old age, also the likely inspiration for Scarlet and Violet's Mabostiff plotline which had a happier ending.
4. Minky Momo from Minky Momo
Staged in the most tragic way possible when she is taken out by a toy store truck, made worse by the eerie sirens which sees a toy ambulance roll over to way Momo lies, the whole scene was so shocking it was blamed for causing an earthquake in Japan, how it came to be in first place was even more shocking.
3. Portgas D Ace and Whitebeard from One Piece
The Marineford war was something of a magnum opus for One Piece, a series that up until that point had stayed away from death restricting it to backstory but the impact of Ace and Whitebeard dying kick started the second half of One Piece, you know you've made an impact when Shanks shows up to end the war by presence alone.
2. Mahoro from Mahoromatic
In both Manga and Anime, a timer runs down in how long Mahoro has left to live, her final year spent looking after her late commander's son Suguru, but when she does die during an attack from an enemy force, Suguru becomes a victim as well which greatly changes his destiny, this is the only death that really nails in the impact it has on the person closest.
1. Maes Hughes from Full Metal Alchemist
But I don't think it ever tops how cruelly cut short Maes life was, made even sadder by how his daughter reacts at his funeral, too young to fully understand the situation and you're crying right now reading this.
Time to look at the trash taste of IGN, if it's anything like MAL's taste, expect some rough takes.
Before we go into IGN's Top 25, let's look at the ones they missed off.
Ranma 1/2
Already they've annoyed me by leaving this one off, Ranma is in my top ten for a good reason, it defines the mantra of anything goes storytelling and that anime never feels restricted.
Kill La Kill
I'm on the fence with this one, well made but not top 25 worthy.
Sailor Moon
They pretty much snubbed all of Shojo by leaving this one off.
Utena
Same with Utena really, gave Shojo a real bad snub.
Chihayafuru
Shouldn't even be considered for a list.
Steins Gate
In the grey area of being good but not great.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Too new to be considered for a top anime list.
Well let's dissect this so called list.
25. Haikyuu
It's a good series but so is a number of other sports anime, consistent quality but hardly spectacular.
24. Trigun
I agree, gripping narrative and a light hearted lead character done right.
23. Dragonballz
I wouldn't bet against it, it's got wrestling publicity, it's dumb fun.
22. My Hero Academia
While I appreciate the effort in world building, the characters aren't really the best.
21. Made in Abyss
Not for the faint of heart and can easily back up that statement, you'll remember how cruel this series can be.
20. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
There's no other series like it, it cannot be imitated.
19. Naruto Shippuden
Overlooks the original series, remember what got Naruto there to begin with.
18. Death Note
Epic thriller for an anime only worth watching once.
17. Attack on Titan
This series is the master of self promotion, you will not forget this series.
16. Ouran High School Host Club
Of all the shojo anime, you choose this one, don't get me wrong it's good but REALLY?!
15. Devilman Crybaby
No. Devilman is iconic but it really has a terrible history.
14. Demon Slayer
It's so professionally made, it's the truest definition of effort.
13. Code Geass
Gundam style story, Clamp style art, surprisingly good combo.
12. Samurai Champloo
Still haven't seen it yet, I hope to put that right one day.
11. Baccano
Durarara was better.
10. FLCL
Pretty unique coming of age story but I don't always remember it.
9. Yu Yu Hakusho
I find that Yu Yu Hakusho is the default high standard for shonen anime.
8. Evangelion
I get why it's here and I don't doubt it's impact, very divisive still.
7. Hunter x Hunter
It's still the default high standard for shonen anime but Yoshihiro Togashi hasn't improved and my god this series has the worst history of manga releases with only Clamp being even worse.
6. Mob Psycho 100
Way too new to be this high on the list.
5. Hajime no Ippo
If I had to pick a sports anime, I would pick this as well.
4. Monster
Not seen it but won't argue it's quality, the story telling is up there with some of the best thrillers in fiction.
3. One Piece
I wouldn't bet against it, even when it's going through a rough patch it comes back to surprise you.
2. Cowboy Bebop
The default best anime for a long time, I agree to an extent but having seen what live action did to it is making me doubt.
1. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
It's a very well made anime but there is one fatal flaw that will forever stop this anime getting the number 1. IT'S A BLOODY REMAKE!!!! There was still a series before it and Brotherhood wouldn't exist without it.
Overall
It's hit and miss, calling it best anime of all time list doesn't include some argubly more influential anime such as Pokemon, Astroboy and Gundam. The actual best anime ever created isn't even mentioned, it's not Black Lagoon, it's my number 1 best anime but that's subjective, there is actually a best anime of all time without a doubt, that will be tomorrows post.
So what is my verdict on MAL's taste in anime? Well I'm going to give my own verdict on all these popular series, I'll be looking at anime from the top rated, popularity and favourited.
Kaguya-Sama Love is War: Not seen much of it but can honestly see it being a favourite with me.
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Extremely well made but I'm always upset that the original series is snubbed in favour of this.
Gintama: I always found it quite funny, really good comedy.
Stein's Gate: It's so cool, Sonuvabitch. Joking aside, it's been on my to watch list for a while.
Attack on Titan: I want to like it but just can't take it seriously.
Hunter x Hunter: If I wanted a super generic shonen anime with nothing I haven't already seen before then this is your answer.
Fruits Basket: I glad they finally gave it the treatment it deserves but I can't overlook the fact that Akito exists.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: I'm still baffled how high up an 80s anime is and literally no one in this era will bring it up in conversation.
Death Note: It's a mystery anime with no replay value and Netflix refuses to let it die.
One Punch Man: I guess it survived the massacre of Season 2.
Sword Art Online: Never liked it and it was not through lack of trying.
My Hero Academia: I have high expectations for this anime when I'm ready to watch it, don't let me down!
Tokyo Ghoul: I guess it survived the massacre of Root A.
Naruto: I appreciate it more now that it's finished and Boruto ruining itself.
Demon Slayer: I hope it lives up to the hype.
Your Name: Fatally flawed movie.
No Game No Life: And no season 2 either, it's a very neglected series despite the popularity.
Code Geass: Pretty unforgettable and I honestly find it better than alot of what Gundam offers.
One Piece: Always found it can nosedive in quality just as much as it rises depending on what it does in a given arc.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Has actually gotten worse with age.
I'm currently weighing up whether I should join MAL MyAnimeList.net, I've been reviewing anime for over a decade now and I feel much of the anime on there could do with a boost in rating.
However I'm reminded of my failed experience on DeviantArt (Don't ask) of maybe not wanting to express my opinions on a website where there is a literal war over the top anime on the list.
At time of writing, Season 3 of Kaguya-Sama Love is War is at the top.
I've read stories of how toxic the Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood fandom can be that they will down vote an anime for daring to take the top spot.
My favourite anime is still Black Lagoon, ain't no one changing that for a long time, and my own top list can change regularly depending on where I can find time to watch bigger series, I'm in my 30s and time is not as frequent as I want it to be and I would inevitably favour much older series, also most of my high marks on Anime tend to favour how much I'm entertained by them over finding an epiphany on the meaning of life with how some people act, this doesn't mean I reject popular anime, I recently picked up Demon Slayer Mugen Train, I dare say that'll give it a few new positions up the list.
So back to the topic at hand, should I join MAL or avoid it?
End
