As Chris Homer gets closer to the top ranked titles on the list, the more difficult it becomes to position things. When you go through your own lists, you find it easier in the 30’s, 40’s and so forth to rearrange and move things around without feeling like it messes things up too much. When you get down to the top ten or twenty, you start to really become more aware of placement of titles and where they belong, since the focus is tighter and scrutiny rises, both for others and yourself. So with a mix of old and new titles, here’s what he came up with for the twenty to eleven range of his top fifty anime series of all time!
20) Serial Experiments Lain
Not many shows, live action or animated, can chill me like this one can. One that got heaps of recommendation when I started getting into my anime phase. At that point, most of the shows I’d watched were either the mon shows, DBZ, Sailor Moon or starting to get into fanservicy shows like Love Hina. So this was a real change of pace, and could also be the start where I saw anime as something more than an entertainment, it was a true art form.
The story revolves around a young girl named Lain Iwakura, a reserved girl who doesn’t have many friends, bar one close one named Arisu (or Alice in the dub). At first, she has no real interest in the world, especially in computers (which the show seems to showcase). But then something strange happens, she receives an e-mail from a classmate named Chisa Yomoda.
What’s odd about this? She committed suicide earlier that day.
Whilst most blow it off as a joke, Lain seems intrigued and with the aid of her father, gets her own personal ‘navi’, a modern top of the range variation of computers, and she searches their version of internet, the Wired…and discovers way more than she expected. What becomes a dark tale of a person’s psyche combined with drugs, the reality between the living world and the real world, combined with Lain discovering both things about her family and friends…and even herself, will shock everyone. From discovering what the e-mail is about to discovering so much more…
Lain is an amazing series. It’s something that even by today’s standards would be shocking. It’s visual style combined with it’s unique sense of style brings out the best in it. Lain at first appears to be quite a dull character but then when it hits the fan (and creates more interpretations of Lain) – it’s hard to describe to anyone and even harder to recommend to the casual fan because it’s so out there. It’s the next stage of mind fucks after you’ve watched a bit of Evangelion, but for me in 13 episodes, it does it much better.
It’s animation is superb, the violence scenes are really affecting, the fact that it actually ties in to family and friends (especially Alice) and how Lain in both words is affecting both realities, it comes out of nowhere as we discover with her the thin line between fantasy and reality. It’s something I can watch again and again and still discover new things and create my own ideologies.
Present day…present time…
19) Puella Magi Madoka Magica
From one old-school mind screw to one present day *pun intended* mind screw – Madoka was the big series in 2011 – one one hand, it has some of the most adorable looking young ladies this year (where in the recent Saimoe tournament, fans took out the biggest threat Homura in the first round to make sure she wouldn’t win. The backlash? All the remaining main girls get top 8…with the winner being from the show as well, and 3 of the final 4 all from Madoka).
On the other hand…episode 3. Enough said.
We are introduced to Madoka, your typical young girl with friends who gets a strange dream about a raven haired beauty fighting off a huge monster in the city. Nothing strange at all…until said girl transfers into her class. Her name is Akemi Homura, who seems vaguely interested and slightly stalkerish of Madoka. Then later at school, a voice calls out to her along with her friend Sayaka – the voice belongs to our mascot character Kyubei/Kyubey/QB/Cat Mouth Bastard (replace which one you want) – where indeed, monsters are attacking – these are witches, and as Homura seems intent on taking out QB, a beautiful young girl named Mami saves the two girls, Homura scarpers, and she explains that any girl can become a magical girl thanks to a contract QB can give them to be magical girls…and in return get any wish they want.
So naturally this would be great? A magical girl series similar to Nanoha with a mentor character this time, with all gain, sure there will be a bit of trouble but surely nothing bad can come from…
*CHOMP*
HOLY SHIT. (a.k.a. the reaction to the end of Episode 3…and then throughout the remainder of the show)
This series hits dark amazingly fast. From generic magical girl anime to holy hell I’ll be seeing this stuff in my nightmares, the girls are constantly fighting for several whilst making difficulty choices (including a later girl named Kyoko who has a rivalry with Sayaka), the story of Homura really is heartbreaking (when her past is revealed, you will cry at the pure horror this lass goes through) for the sake of one girl. The Madoka/Homura relationship reminds me a bit of Fate/Nanoha in fact, though on a much, MUCH more tragic scale when you see how troubled Homura is near the beginning. It’s actually quite interesting that Madoka herself doesn’t become a major factor until the end, with her being the viewer’s exposition in that the sacrifices you would have to make to do this…that a certain rat bastard doesn’t mention.
QB is also a real turn about considering the mascot character is actually the most evil of them. The best thing is that he can’t even comprehend what he is doing is evil – it’s like ‘oh, hey sacrifice yourself for the greater good! Huh? You’re crying over the death of your friends…there is nearly 6 billion people in the world, so who cares?’ It’s a real shocker over the usual mascot character and adds more uniqueness to this already unique SHAFT anime that again, in just 13 episodes showcases human emotion at it’s most downhearted in the hearts of this young girls.
This series maybe 2011’s real gem…though there is actually one other that ranks even higher here – no anyone who says 2011 was poor, they didn’t watch this. Amazingly though, one other show does dark magic/tragic even better…and we’ll get to that a fair bit later, but go ahead and have a Madoka drinking game.
Drink every time you shout ‘HOLY SHIT’ at the screen. You’ll be dead by morning.
18) Lupin the 3rd
From one of my newest series in Madoka, we get to my oldest series on the list and still going strong with releases (originally coming out as a character in 1967!), Lupin is a series that a lot of later series owes a lot to. And whilst one IMO actually turn the Lupin formula even better, this is still a classic with gags, action, a long running series and one I truly say really introduced me to anime.
Based from the French novels by Maurice LeBlanc, Lupin III is the descendant of the legendary gentlemen thief Arsene Lupin – and his escapades around France (and the world). In the early episodes, he was alone but later he gains friends and comrades, the sharpshooter Jigen, the Japanese swordsman Goemon, and the trickster femme fatale Fujiko – who Lupin always tries to get in her pants, whilst she always uses that to her advantage to steal from him. Jigen/Lupin are the main duo though, with the other two being more sporadic as the show with it’s long running anime/manga basically focuses on it’s adventures.
And it’s a classic.
This was a treat back then as it is now for a variety of reasons. They got very creative using both original episodes and the manga material (albeit toned down as the manga is a lot more sexual expletive) in the variety of capers. Yes, there is a one off episode that can be a dud, but in such a long runner, it’s success rate for me is quite high. From Red Jacket (1971), Red Jacket (1977), Pink Jacket (1984) with countless movies and OVAs, the characters are still incredible to this day. Lupin is a lovable rascal, with enough charm and wit to make the audience believe and like him, even though he’s a thief (albeit one with gentlemen’s tendacies, a less moral St Tail/Daisuke from DN Angel) – Jigen has utter respect for his ‘boss’ even if he doesn’t like his relationships at time (mainly with Fujiko) and Fujiko is one of the earliest anime examples of a femme fetale, sexy yet devious and yet is always there when necessary for Lupin…even if she is always scheming against him as well.
But the main reason why I love this series? The best foil ever – Inspector Zenigata. By god, this guy rules. He and Lupin have one of these relationships which shows respect and that he is the only one capable of catching Lupin…yet at the same time, he feels depressed if he feels his main foil could be stopped by someone else, or if he’s in danger (even in one arc, when he thinks Lupin dies, he becomes a Buddhist monk to see if he can bring his soul from the dead). It’s a character type that has been duplicated over the years (Asuka Jr from Saint Tail being a much younger example) and a classic case of the original still being the best. Oji-san is a laugh, but a legit badass with tonnes of character and humour. Him and Lupin are two peas in a pod, and whether it’s going through hot springs, watching over cameras, underwater caves or just dog piling on the fake Lupin, it’s a series that has aged quite well over the years, and despite it’s episodic nature, it’s great viewing for action and fun. One that I can take any episode and rewatch it any time. So eenie, meanie, miney…
17) Azumanga Daioh
Another one for the rewatching pile, but for a different reason than Lupin. Whilst the thief got me into anime, AzuDai was a show that I appreciated after getting a lot more knowledge about anime and Japan itself (hell, Tomo even does a Lupin joke once or twice!) – this show is considered one of the greatest 4koma manga ever, and also one of the best comedies out there. And I have to agree – school comedy, doesn’t get much better (apologises to Hidamari, School Rumble)…
It’s hard to really tell you about the plot – it’s basically a bunch of girls at school growing up together in 3 years over 26 episodes. The best thing really is to tell you about the characters – we have Chiyo, a 10 year old genius who is actually smarter than all her high school buddies but still can’t run fast and enjoys ice cream more than crab, we have Ayumu ‘Osaka’ Kasuga (yes, I remembered her real name ^^) – the most memorable character from the show with her weird fantasties, non-sequitor moments and just plain…weirdness. Then we have Tomo, the over energetic annoying loud mouth who talks a good talk and has a lot of fun at everyone’s expense…until someone shuts her up. Usually said person is Yomi, her best friend who is the most normal of the bunch bar her snarking, smarts and worrying about her weight, Sakaki – a tall mysterious beauty with athletic skills, strength and a cool, cold attitude…who happens to love animals and cute things, especially cats (too bad they always seem to claw her) and later Kagura, her ‘rival’, a lovable jock who like Tomo has way too much energy but seems to be at least a fair bit more sensitive.
Oh, and the teacher. Including Yukari-sensei, the alcoholic, insane driver who somehow can teach English but is the Tomo of teachers…compared to the Yomi, which is Minamo, a.k.a. Nyamo – but even she isn’t immune to some madness (don’t put her with schoolgirls, get her drunk, and then ask her about sex…then expect Chiyo to ask questions the next day). Oh, and Kimura-sensei…yeah. Creepy…yet oddly hilarious.
As I said, it’s about the girls growing up and interacting with each other. And making you laugh. Seriously, it’s high rating is due to the amount of laughs I get combined with the wonderful characterisation. Indeed, Sakaki is one huge amount of heartwarming as she grows to having friends, people seeing her love for cats and her own warmth with people like Chiyo (the 3rd race they have in the relay, the smile she has before becoming a racing badass – cue mass squee). Now because this isn’t quite as open a comedy without knowledge of some in-jokes and about Japanese shows and culture in general, it’s not one I can recommend for beginners. However, it was one of these shows after a few years of watching stuff you begin to understand some of the jokes (the ADV releases did have liner notes in the slips). There are some genuine sad and happy teary moments as well (usually involving Sakai or Chiyo), and some awws as well (Chiyo-penguin + Osaka + taoyaki = HEART). Osaka is one of the most memorable characters of all time, her strangeness is legendary and everything she says has internet meme potential.
In short, not exactly a show with huge depth – but who cares when each episode is a barrel of fun. With such great characters, you’re not going to get bored – in terms of pure enjoyment it got into the top 20, it’s that fun.
16) Fushigi Yugi
The Mysterious Play. Another older series in the list, (more Lain old than Lupin old though) this one was a mixture of fantasy, comedy, action, mystery, suspense and tear jerkers. This has the distinction of having the first series I remember purely in tears before the last episode. And no wonder, considering just how badly this series can make you sob…
Ironic considering how comic it seems at first along with it’s action pace. We are introduced to Miaka, a slacking girl at school basically goes along with her best friend, intellectual Yui, to a library – they accidentally find a book called The Book Of The Four Gods…which shockingly transported Miaka and Yui into the book. In Ancient China, where people are not as friendly, money is worthless and danger lurks, they are saved from an initial problem by a young man named Tamahome. However, Yui is sent back home to read the story…which tells Miaka and her journey as she discover she is the Priestess of Suzaku, a priestess who can grant wishes after governing 7 warriors to discover the god Suzaku. However, things change considerably when after Yui returns to the book and Miaka goes back, Yui is on the opposite side as the Priestess of Seiryu…and she now seems to have a deep grudge against Miaka…
Where to begin? This is a 50+ episode series which hits drama a little late, as it does comedy and action well. The Suzaku Seven warriors include Tamahome (who is a martial artist who becomes a love interest to Miaka), the emperor Hotohori, my favourite character Nuriko, a homosexual crossdressing power house of fun who after some initial squabbles is almost like Miaka’s big brother…er sister…er, goddamit! Later, we also get Tasuki, a fun hot headed blabbermouth, Chichiri, a mystical monk warrior, Mitsukake, a gentle giant of a healer, and Chiriko, an adorable young boy who is the most intelligent of the bunch. But sometime in between discovering the warriors, Yui returns to the world and apparently…something really bad has happened to her. She blames Miaka for this, and is now against her as the priestess of Seiryu, led by Nakago, the most powerful person in the show with dark magic, and one of my favourite villains ever. Cruel, sadistic, yet always a reason behind his eyes and words. He manipulates everyone around him like a chessmaster, yet when you discover much of his reasoning (though you have to wait till the last episode, though you can pick up the pieces throughout the show) he becomes much more understandable. The Suzaku group is far more interesting, though Seiryu does have the twins Suboshi and Amiboshi, with Suboshi…causing the first tear jerker (what an asshole) whilst Amiboshi…is actually quite nice (what a sweet guy) even when he’s a mole. Heck, with him and Soi (Nakago’s lover) we actually have some decent characters on the bad guys…
Whilst certain characters get far more focus, there is drama abound and everyone plays off each other. The love triangle between Hotohori/Miaka/Tamahome changes later and is resolved really well and quite early, as the focus becomes the war against Seiryu and the trial of who gets the chance to summon their god first. A number of characters do indeed die, and some are real heartbreakers (one in particular – won’t spoil it but yeah…it again involving bloody snow). As the story progresses, Miaka evolves as a character, and whilst she’s not a fave lead female of mine at all, she does become a respectable priestess rather than a total Mary Sue. Yui’s motives for going against Miaka are a tad unfair after all, but considering Nakago’s manipulation, these few weak points don’t deter from an excellent series.
15) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Now, before anyone mentions the obvious, yes – unlike the Nanoha series where I rolled all 3 into one, I specifically put Brotherhood instead of the original. Because for me, they were two different series – and the original didn’t make the top 50. Not to say I didn’t like it before anyone kills me, there are definitely moments which I liked more (Hughes for example was much more expanded) but overall, the story it changed to I just didn’t enjoy as much as the manga. And I’m wondering if this is the reason why Brotherhood was created, to appease the fans of the manga who wanted the later story to be animated.
Well, the fans were definitely appeased.
Out of all the well know series, this is the highest one on my list and with good reason. The story of the Elrics, Edward and Alphonse is extremely well known among fans – the original was extremely popular as well despite what I said, and this version is just as popular if not more so (especially for fans of the manga). The premise is…intriguing. Basically the two brothers are studiers of alchemy, with the elder one Ed in particualr considered a genius, but tragedy strikes when their mother dies. The two, still quite young, get in their head they can bring their mother back to life using alchemy. And it…doesn’t go well to say the least. Due to the failure, Alphonse’s body can be taken into another universe and only his soul has remained…affixed to a suit of armour thanks to Ed…who had to sacrifice his arm and leg to do so.
Cue plot of the two looking through the infamous Philosopher Stone, a stone which has the ability to perhaps bring their bodies back. Plot at first sounds straight forward as the two, now in the employee of the military, taking orders from everyone’s favourite badass Colonel Roy Mustang. It seems simple – they do their job whilst also searching for information on the stone, which leads them to various encounters.
Then more characters appear. Each of them with their own agenda and always somehow connected to the Elrics. We have Scar, who is a wanderer and a man from the Ishbalian race, a race persecuted from a war previously who simply wishes to end all alchemists due to what happened in said war. We have the Homunculus, named after the 7 deadly sins who are interested in various people as potential ‘sacrifices’ for something higher (huge spoilers so will keep quiet). Later we get the character Ling Yao, who is a potential prince from Xing trying to discover immortality via the stone – then you’ve got the rest of the military (like Lt. Hawkeye, Mustang’s loyal bodyguard, and Col. Hughes, everyone’s favourite tearjerker), you’ve got Ed’s romantic interest Winry (and the girl who helps Ed’s now automail styled arm and leg), the badass Olivia Armstrong (and her equally badass but also FABULOUS brother) and also Ed’s missing father….
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are loads of characters yet this is one of those rare series where you can flow each of them with each other, even when more characters get added later. Scar for example has issues with the Elrics and then with the military, and then later still with Winry but also when his character developments and you see his past, things change in his characterisation. Roy is another good example, he’s always got his issue of wanting to get to higher power, but later you see his respect for his colleagues and just how much he cares for those he does care about. Like a lot of my top shows, it mixes the best of everything well – comedy (the Ed rants about his height are infamous), tragedy (Winry, Hughes, Ed, Roy, they all suffer badly), action (the animation alchemy battles are always a joy to watch) – the plot also expands from just Ed searching for the stone to the prospect of near total destruction. Character relationships all develop, even when new characters enters (May Chang, Lanfan and the chimeras that join Ed later some of my favourites) and new twists and turns shock the viewer (Pride…just who Pride is – that SHOCKED me as I hadn’t read that far yet). It’s a real rollercoaster ride of emotions and storytelling, combined with the right amount of comedy and action with very little filler which makes every episode a joy to watch. Some are definitely better than others which is why this doesn’t break the top 10, but there is a reason why this is popular.
And for once, I’m happy to join the bandwagon.
14) R.O.D. The TV Series
The original ROD OVA was excellent – the story of Yomiko Readman, code name ‘The Paper’ is a secret agent with the powers of paper. Yeah, sounds silly, but she can use them to make giant airplanes and also to be used as weapons…and a tad more damaging than a paper cut. The original plot is of her teaming up with an agent named Nancy, a.k.a. Miss Deep in taking down the I-jin, people with similar powers that are similar to famous literary figures in the past. It’s an action filled 3 episode OVA which has quite a few tricks and twists up it’s sleeve.
Now whilst it’s not 100% necessary to watch the OVA before watching the TV series, it definitely is about 90% necessary as Yomiko/Nancy do appear and the concept of paper powers is there from episode 1 so it does help. However, the TV series gets 26 episodes of pure glory which incorporates it’s own story before being able to bring the OVA characters into the latter half, where you realise that things have definitely changed since then.
We are introduced to a writer named Nenene Sumiergawa, who was apparently an old friend and admirer of Yomiko – but is in a bit of a writing slump. She is assigned 3 girls who become her friends, drivers, bodyguards – the Paper Sisters. We have Michelle, the eldest sister who is rather giddy and happy, Maggie – the quiet elusive and shy powerhouse…and Anita, the youngest little brat who can’t stand books…but also is the most badass out of three. The story, like FMA Brotherhood – revolves being episodic whilst linking everything together whilst building character relationships. When the girls (originaly from Hong Kong) head to Japan to be closer to Nenene whilst being hired by a mysterious group (not so mysterious though as the series progresses and how it links to the OVA) …which brings us some amazing battle sequences – and with all three girls specialising in paper skills but with different styles (Anita is offensive, Maggie defensive, and Michelle is long range) it gives us even more unique look of their powers.
But the real heart is how the relationship of the sisters with each other and with everyone else hits you hard. A huge tearjerker or two is not amiss – Anita for example has to go to school (she’s only 13) in Japan and befriends a librarian girl named Nod…er I mean Hisami ^^ Their friendship despite their differences is one of the sweetest ever, and I mean EVER in anime – Anita does have to leave at one point (cue tears) and after certain circumstances she returns…(cue even more tears). Things get really heated when conspiracies revolving the British Library show that characters you loved in the OVA (Joker, Wendy and to a lesser extent Yomiko) are not who they used to be, fans of the OVA were stunned. This is probably why it’s not a top 10 series because you really need to have appreciated the OVA before getting into this – not impossible to enjoy it but it does add the wow factor. Anita’s past as well is a shocker and of course the character of Junior that’s added…whether it’s with Anita, Nancy or Michelle, this kid really needs a hug…
Overall, ROD the TV really hits the right places, the action scenes are superb (right from episode 1, from Anita’s martial arts to the airplane right, you know you’re gonna be in for a long ride), the characters are fun yet tragic, the ending is also amazing, where Joker actually lays the shock into Yomiko, but Nenene actually sticks it to them and cue the happy ending. The sisters relationship goes through a lot, and you see what they go through when truths are discovered, but simply don’t care about any of that stuff, they still love each other. Add to that some awesome animation and music, you’ve got a winner in this surprisingly dark but also heartwarming series.
13) Black Lagoon
Unlucky 13…how appropriate it’s this f****** series. Go Youtube Black Lagoon the f’ing series now and you’ll see what I mean. 
This is quite different from the above two because this is mostly pure action. There’s no pure plot per say bar the Lagoon on their respective jobs and arcs. Now granted the mini-arcs last a few episodes each so it never feels episodic, but it’s certainly not as intricate as some series much lower. However, the fact that is one of those series where your brain has to fantasise what reality is for crime life and pirating, and this is a weird case of close realism…Terminator Maids not withstanding. And for that, it just kicks so. Much. Ass.
It stars Rokuro Okajima (later dubbed Rock) – an ordinary Japanese salaryman who gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Carrying a information disc over the South Seas for his company, he is caught by the Black Lagoon, a group of ‘pirates’ lead by Dutch, an (apparent) Vietnam War black man veteran whose as tough as they come, along with his computer hack buddy Benny…and the one everyone remembers. Revy.
Holy shit – Revy. Basically she’s a tough ass, swearing, sniding Chinese-American hottie that you don’t want to fuck around with. Nicknamed Two-Hands because of her skill wielding two guns, the first time to see her in action, you’re afraid. Her slasher grins, her delight in causing carnage, she really gets into the zone a bit too much. She would rather have just killed Rock there and stole the disc but conceeded a bit extra ransom money comes into play. So after a fun night at their local dive (where Rock shows how good a Japanese salaryman is with alcohol) Rock’s company isn’t exactly that caring if the disc is destroyed…along with him as well. Needless to say Rock doesn’t take this well…
…and cue character development. Rock is forced to use his non-violent mind to get his ass alive, and boy does he come up with a solution when he and the Lagoon appear to be screwed. To quote him when the helicopter about to kill them gets a torpedo to the face in the air…(yes, you read that right)
‘HA, YOU GOT FUCKED!’
The series after that basically is Rock having to adjust to this quite new surrounding – dealing with his own morals vs. the morals of Revy, who is happy grave robbing and at first doesn’t like Rocks’ views (nearly kicking him out of the Lagoon at one point and nearly getting him killed, Rocks’ balls grew at lot from this episode) – however the two learn to tolerate each other enough that Rock is part of the crew (a lot of people, including Eda, my favourite side character, have speculated if Rock/Revy had sex when they were in Japan…) – his own branch of reasoning is actually quite useful in war torn Roanpur – where he fights without fighting, which gives the Lagoon an edge with business (the infamous Roberta arc…the second one, shows in particular what a magnificent bastard he is becoming) but also showcases how much Rock develops as a character. Revy is no slouch either, as she in her own way becomes kinder to Rock (but doesn’t lose her badass element) whilst having to deal with people she doesn’t like but still to save him (end of Season 1 with Shenhua is a good example) but still knows when she needs to fold (she has great respect for Mr. Chang and it’s Dutch who is the boss for a reason).
The series really hits all it’s marks because each arc is at least two episodes, sees how they link with other characters (the Greenback Jane arc and the Hansel & Gretel ones are good examples) and the side cast are entertaining as well (the Greenback Jane arc for example has Rotton and Sawyer, and of course we have Roberta…) when they aren’t killing people. It’s a real screwed series, but more just because of how violent it is but at the same time how entertaining and to a weird degree, realistic it would be in such a risk filled work as basically pirate couriers. It also hits some tears and comedy well (the Yakuza arc at the end of Season 2…oh crap, then you counter it with episodes like when Balailaka – another amazing character who is scary as hell…is forced to watch porn as she searches for evidence – ‘is he taking it up the…’) and is just so entertaining. Sure, it’s not exactly a show that requires much thought, but in terms of action, entertainment and characterisation, it’s top notch. Just turn your brain off and watch major ass being kicked.
12) Cardcaptor Sakura
And from one of the most violent series on the list…to one of the cutest. Perhaps the defined standard magical girl series but at the same time gives us new things to enjoy and just showcase the mahou shoujo standard…whilst still being amazing at the same time.
Sakura Kinomoto is an elementary student at Tomoeda – she’s cute, athletic, a little ditzy but has a good heart. She lives with her single father and her bullying but good hearted older brother, and goes along with her life. But she has some weird dreams, about being in strange clothes…something beside her as she jumps off Tokyo Tower. Later in the day, she discovers in her father’s basement the Book Of Clow, which she is able to open. Suddenly, cards fly from the book and even stranger, a plush toy comes out…who can talk and has an Osakan accent. O….K…..
The toy is Kero, a guardian of the Clow Cards. Only one remains (Windy) and Kero basically makes Sakura a Cardcaptor, which as it sounds, she has to capture the cards back. Standard magical girl formula has been set then as our heroine has each episode to capture the cards, as otherwise a terror may hit the world. But whilst standard, let’s add the elements of CCS and see why this is so SO good…
1) Sakura’s best friend Tomoyo. She discovers her secret after episode 2…and wants to become her photographer and designing her outfits so she can ‘look the part’. In short, Tomoyo is awesome.
2) The introduction of the rival Li Syaoran – he’s at first a bit antagonist to say the least (and leads to some fun rivaries with Sakura when she discovers her love rival for her friend Yukito is Li himself. May I mention that Yukito is male? 
) but character development through the Clow arc and actual reasoning for each characters feelings for certain characters…
3) …which include Kaho, as characters like Touya and Yukito (Toya being Sakura’s brother, Yukito as mention is an older boy who Sakura crushes on and Touya’s best friend) – the fact there are reasons for the various attractions actually makes sense.
4) Like Angelic Layer, it actually improves on the manga. The uncomfortable moments that you may think from the manga (like Rika/Terada) actually are downplayed a bit to make it less squicky, they add more cards and whilst it may seem like filler, each card does add more to Sakura’s character development with others (the song card is a total warm feeling as you see how Sakura and Tomoyo care for each other)- the addition of Meiling for me is actually a bonus to, as original characters usually get slaughtered by fans – for me, she’s a humourous addition but with the added bonus of development as she becomes friends rather than rivals of Sakura, especially sad in the 2nd season when she returns and learns of Sakura’s relationship with Syaoran…the crying in Tomoyo’s arms…*cries himself*
5) Almost every character gets their moment in the spotlight. Sonomi (Tomoyo’s father) relates her past with Fujitaka (Sakura’s dad) and her cousin Nadeshiko who was Fujitaka’s late wife and gives us backlog to despite dying young, how Sakura still loves her mother (even more heartwarming when Touya can see her – there is a reason but again, spoilers). And lastly…
6) The Sakura Card arc. This could have been easily just a replay of Season 1 as Sakura has to transform the cards to Sakura cards. The addition of Eriol gives us a true antagonist but as his relationship with Clow Reed makes you wonder – which leads to the biggest squee of the series…the development of Syaoran and Sakura’s friendship. And even more.
And whilst I haven’t included movies in the list, the 2nd CCS movie – squee central.
Sakura is such a likeable heroine – Nanoha is probably of the same ilk, compared to say Usagi Tsukino (though she’s lovable in a different way). She’s beloved, but not perfect. She’s got some smarts, but also very naive. She can kick ass, but is also afraid of ghosts. She’s not a perfect character and develops as a person with her friends, and with her magic. She learns as she goes, but still is just a little girl, so it really adds to the character. Each of the other cast, magical or not, also get their moments of importance – Tomoyo is just awesome despite not being majorly important aside from being Sakura’s best friend (yes, I’m aware she likes Sakura a bit more than friends but come on, Season 2 – her line of ‘she doesn’t care as long as the one she loves is happy’ – dawwww!) – a lovable ojou especially as she doesn’t act like it. And Syaoran is a great example of character development done well without losing too much of what made him a rival in the first place. Then you get who Yukito really is, Touya being a bit magical himself, everything ties in together wonderfully which makes this my favourite pure magical girl series.
Though there is one more magical girl series to go which is quite different…more on that later.
11) Maison Ikkoku
Just missing out in the top 10 – if Toradora is my favourite rom-com, then Maison is my favourite pure romance story. Sure it has it’s comedy element but it’s pure romance from episode 1 which hits. And considering this was originally released in 1986…yeah, current series really need to beat this. A lot of more fanservicy shows had this as an influence (Love Hina, Ai Yori Aoshi) with the inn motif, with the main male falling in love with the main female, but unlike those series, this takes much longer to get to it’s conclusion, allowing the characters to really develop, become members of society and in Godai’s case, prove himself worthy for Kyoko.
Maison Ikkoku is the name of an old boarding house, where student Yusaku Godai is living. And is the resident play thing of the other residents – so much it gets to a point when the manager leaves, he decides he’s going to leave as well. And as he does…he bumps into the new manager…the beautiful but recently widowed Kyoko Otonashi. And suddenly he decides to have a change of heart…
The story is basically about Godai growing up. At the start he is the loser student that the other residents quote him to be. A bit perverted, never does things right, etc. His affections for Kyoko are true but he never seems to be brave enough to go for her…or indeed sees himself as worthy for her affections. However, this is a long series (96 episodes not counting the OVAs/Movie) so this gives it plenty of time for him to grow up, and the series as a whole is excellent in doing so.
The backstory of Kyoko being a widow is brought up, and we see how someone so young and beautiful became one. It’s actually intriguing especially as it appears that Godai is following the same path as her husband (who she even named her dog after him) because of the way Godai becomes a tutor as he follows the path of teaching, and a student falls for him. The interesting thing is that Godai does get suitors as he becomes much more adult, but even when he does get a girlfriend, his heart is always on Kyoko. The twinges of jealousy do hit early (more when Kyoko gets herself another suitor, the handsome tennis teacher Mitaka) and you can see whilst both may approve of going with someone else, they aren’t liking it (this is more apparent with Kyoko as at first she is not instantly attracted to Godai, in fact it takes her quite a while to wonder why she’s so mad at him and at herself for her own acts of jealousy).
Also, unlike other releases by Takahashi, it’s very realistic. The residents are a laugh (a drinking mother with her son and not very often seen father, the son being the sane one in the group who gets his own sets of problems growing up like with girls, Kyoko’s niece who Godai tutors), the lechorous Akemi who is surprisingly more in depth as the series goes along instead of the slut tag she appears to have been given…and of course Yotsuya. Who the heck is he? How is he so strange? And why do I find him so damn hilarious?
The side cast do help develop their relationship – despite their relentless piss-taking of Godai, they do care for him in their own away and do approve the two of them being a item. It does take a while but the results are proof. In 96 episodes, much like Lupin there are a couple which feel fillerish but do still add a bit of character to whoever is involved (like the Ichinose during the sports day ep). Kyoko quite rightly, has a hard time letting go of her late husband which is why this series feels much deeper and takes longer to get to the solution we expect. Even with all the rivals, it always revolves around these two. There are tearjerkers around, and moments which causes a few shocks, but almost everyone gets their moment of happiness, and yes, there are great comic moments (Yotsuya is comic every scene he’s in, and Mitaki’s phobia of dogs with Kyoko’s dog always there? ) but the story is very deep just based on the main couple.
In short, a masterpiece of romantic story, that 25 years later still has to be bettered in IMO just for pure romance.
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Now my top 10 awaits. What will be number one? There’s a 2011 series in there…WHAT? There’s a popular series in there…WHAT?
THERE’S A SERIES WITH ROBOTS IN THERE?
WHAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT????
