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!
I think we need to revisit a long forgotten feature on the Fantasy Zone, Genre Savvy, our first subject will be isekai.
Isekai translates as simply going to another world, it's origins are routed in the high fantasy genre with early adopters of Isekai include Rayearth, Fushigi Yuugi and Inuyasha to name a few, other variations of Isekai can also include being stuck in a video game, with Dot Hack experimenting with the concept and Sword Art Online taking it to it's logical extreme, it's popularity exploded in the late 2010s early 2020s helped by the global pandemic but it's over saturation of anime is causing it to die off as ideas run out of steam.
Depending on what you watch can also set the tone, there are lots of examples of the chosen one and fish out of water plots as well as world breakers when the isekai'd character has something that can break the laws of the world they've entered.
The earliest isekai I can name is the Inuyasha prototype Fire Tripper by Rumiko Takahashi.
The future of the genre is a bit up in the air as the next trend, I dub, the best girl anime in which the anime is defined by it's best girl, is taking over the trends boosted by Twitter's outrage over it working against them.
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?
The magazine Newtype is Japan's best known publication for all things anime, at one point, they compiled a top 30 list for male and female characters for each decade starting from the 80s leading up to 2010s.
As this is a Japanese magazine, it's my opportunity to judge the Japanese on their taste in anime characters; I will not be judging these characters on their rank, only their inclusion on the list.
Each list will have a score out of 30 judging their taste.
Next up is the 90s
1, Ikari Shinji
Oddly yes, as bad as Shinji is, he did make an impact and it doesn't include the rebuild films as it only covers 90s.
2, Nagisa Kaworu
But I'll say no to this character.
3, Kurama
Yes, Yu Yu Hakusho was very popular.
4, Sakuragi Hanamichi
Never seen Slam Dunk but I wouldn't argue with the fans, yes.
5, Hiei
Yes, he's the emo character done right.
6, Heero Yuy
Yes, he made the Gundam Protagonist bearable.
7, Chiba Mamoru
Tentative yes, but only because he's from a Shojo and not a Shounen.
8, Himura Kenshin
Definitely a yes.
9, Edogawa Conan
Yes, I'm glad he didn't fall off in popularity against so many heavy hitters.
10, Nekki Basara
A very tentative yes.
11, Rukawa Kaede
Again, not arguing with fans, yes.
12, Porco Rosso
A fine choice for this list, yes.
13, Tamahome
Tentative yes, not his fault the anime was terrible.
14, Nike
It's a no, I've no idea who he is.
15, Li Syaoran
Little overrated but yes.
16, Urameshi Yusuke
Yep, more Yu Yu Hakusho is welcome.
17, Kasshu Domon
More iconic than you think, yes.
18, Spike Spiegel
No brainer, yes.
19, Yokoshima Tadao
Ghost Sweeper Mikami, yes.
20, Shishio Gai
GaoGaiGar, yes.
21, Duo Maxwell
Probably more popular than Heero, yes.
22, Shiro Amada
Solid choice, yes.
23, Parn
Lodess War, yes very underrated.
24, Xellos
One of my personal favourites, yes.
25, Senpuuji Maito
I've been pretty generous so far, but it's a no this time.
26, Jean Roque Raltique
Doesn't get enough interest, yes.
27, Loran Cehack
Very underrated, yes.
28, Seabook Arno
Terribly bland character, no.
29, Arslan
I'll take your word for it, yes.
30, Arima Soichiro
Kare Kano, yes.
Score: 26/30
1, Ayanami Rei
Between her and Asuka, yes, they pretty defined the 90s.
2, Tsukino Usagi
Sailor Moon, obvious yes.
3, Soryu Asuka Langley
Same as Rei, yes.
4, Kinomoto Sakura
I'm glad she made the list considering how late in the 90s she appeared. Yes.
5, Hoshino Ruri
I always believed her to be the thinking man's Rei Ayanami. Yes.
6, Nadia
Stands up really well. Yes.
7, Mizuno Ami
Most popular sailor scout. Yes.
8, Mylene Jenius
Tentative, put her in the same category as Minmay. Yes.
9, Belldandy
Definitely a yes.
10, Deedlit
She's the only character that made Lodess bearable. Yes.
11. Chacha
Fairly underrated. Yes.
12, Inokuma Yawara
I approve, nice addition.
13, Tifa Lockhart
Instantly disqualified, even if you do count Advent Children that's 00s.
14, Lina Inverse
My favourite female character in all anime.
15, Cecily Fairchild
Pathetic character. No.
16, Aino Minako
Another Sailor Scout, yes.
17, Katejina Loos
Her actions were so atrocious that the creator refused to kill her. No.
18, Allenby Beardsley
Yes, especially when she was picked over Rain.
19, Hino Rei
Probably the least liked of the original five but still say yes.
20, Mikami Reiko
Ghost Sweeper Mikami, yeah, really underrated.
21, Relena Peacecraft
I just did a article on why she was hated, course I'm going to say no.
22, Shido Hikaru
Never liked her but really iconic design, yes.
23, Kukuri
No idea who this is. No.
24, Misumaru Yurika
Between her and Ruri, they make up most of Nadesico's fan service.
25, Mōri Ran
Detective Conan, I'd say yes.
26, Tiara
Little torn with this character as her entire fanbase would be Japanese only. Benefit of the doubt.
27, Sakura Momoko
Surprisingly yes despite looking like she's from an older anime.
28, Pai
No, her design is too generic.
29, Kino Makoto
Last of the five Sailor scouts, yes.
30, Paffy Pafuricia
No idea who she is, no.
Score: 23/30
Verdict: The 90s faired alot better than I expected out performing the 80s really well but I'd say too much Gundam Heroines in the female list really drove the score down on that one. 00s is next and expect that list to be harsh.
The magazine Newtype is Japan's best known publication for all things anime, at one point, they compiled a top 30 list for male and female characters for each decade starting from the 80s leading up to 2010s.
As this is a Japanese magazine, it's my opportunity to judge the Japanese on their taste in anime characters; I will not be judging these characters on their rank, only their inclusion on the list.
Each list will have a score out of 30 judging their taste.
Starting with the 80s
1, Lupin III
100% agree and easily a candidate for best character overall.
2, Char Aznable
Pretty iconic, although his taste in women is alot to be desired, tentative agreement.
3, Saotome Ranma
100% agree, one of few characters who could easily be on both lists.
4, Amuro Ray
Easily the most recognisable Gundam pilot of all time, 100% agree.
5, Son Goku
An easy yes, although this would be more Dragonball than DBZ
6, Saeba Ryo
I can see why he's here, a little polarizing with his personality but I would agree.
7, Uesugi Tatsuya
I've not seen the anime he's in but from his description it's a no from me.
8, Kamille Bidan
Hell no! He's the 80s Shinji Ikari.
9, Pazu
Laputa character, I can see the appeal, agree.
10, Moroboshi Ataru
Godfather of harem and romantic comedies, agree.
11, Ikusabe Wataru
Never seen his anime, doesn't stand out to me, no.
12, Conan ("Future Boy Conan")
Not seen but know how ridiculously popular this anime was, benefit of the doubt.
13, Yang Wenli
Not seen his anime, honestly won't remember him.
14, Kenshiro
Big powerhouse character, definite yes.
15, Godai Yusaku
Not seen much Maison Ikkoku but know his popularity, I'll go with yes.
16, Roddy Shuffle
Stupid name from an anime I'm barely going to remeber, it's a no.
17, Sanada Ryo
Not seen his anime but aware of popularity, tentative yes.
18, Chirico Cuvie
From Votoms, he doesn't really look the part of a popular character, it's a no.
19, Adalbert von Fahrenheit
Galactic Heroes again, I'm not feeling it, it's a no.
20, Seiya
Iconic to the era, very much agree.
21, Ozora Tsubasa
It's Captain Tsubasa, very much agree.
22, Hathaway Noa
Hell no! He's even worse than Kamille and how could you overlook Bright Noa?
23, Hoshino Tetsuro
Benefit of the doubt for this one. Yes
24, Bernard Wiseman
Surprisingly going to say yes, he's a great character.
25, Shinohara Asuma
Tentative but will say yes.
26, Rom Stohl
Another benefit of the doubt, tentative yes.
27, Ichidō Rei
I'm impressed he was even picked, yes for picking a more obscure character.
28, Rabi
Definite no, not really a standout.
29, Ladios Sopp
Strange choice but I'll say yes for picking a feminine designed male character for an 80s list.
30, JJ
Far from the best character but nice to see some Zillion getting represented.
Score: 21/30
1, Nausicaa
Popular film, definite yes.
2, Lum
Anime's first major waifu, yes.
3, Lynn Minmay
Tentative yes, I'll say why later.
4, Otonashi Kyoko
The first of Rumiko Takahashi's leading ladies, it's a yes.
5, Sheeta
Popular movie from Ghibli, it's a yes.
6, Clarisse
I'll say no as it neglects a more prominent Lupin character.
7, Tendo Akane
Yes, she's roughly equal to other Ranma characters.
8, Kiki
Yes, Kiki is very popular.
9, Sayla Mass
Wish her role was bigger but still yes.
10, Haman Karn
Definitely, best female in Gundam.
11, Elpeo Ple
Ball of energy for an often tragic set of clones, yes.
12, Maetel
I don't know why, but I'd say yes.
13, Hayase Misa
I'd rank her higher than Minmay, yes.
14, Momo
Definitely considering her impact on the medium.
15, Ayukawa Madoka
From the criminally underrated Kimagure Orange Road, yes.
16, Asakura Minami
Not seen anime but feel she's not worth it. No.
17, Doronjo
I applaud this choice, yes.
18, Four Murasame
No, I found her irritating.
19, Ple Two
This may seem unfair but Ple 12 did it better, no.
20, Kisaragi Honey
Iconic magical girl, definitely.
21, Izumi Noa
Patlabor, I'll say yes.
22, Takaya Noriko
Gunbuster, yes, she's a great character.
23, Shinobibe Himiko
Poor design, unknown anime, no.
24, Lana
Tentative yes as it's Future Boy Conan.
25, Christina Mackenzie
Surprisingly no, I found her unremarkable.
26, Lalah Sune
Didn't like her at all, no.
27, Fraw Bow
Sayla Mass accomplished more in the same role, no.
28, Fa Yuiry
Even more bland than Fraw Bow, no.
29, Katue Piason
Don't know who she is, don't care.
30, Sakura Mami
Disappointed the design isn't better, no.
Score: 19/30
Verdict: I imagine this era is going to be high scoring as not many fans have seen alot of 80s anime, I've let alot slide but was far stricter on the females list as many big name female characters of the era were overlooked.
