I enjoy a bit of anime, but I don’t follow all the news and shows - I just pick up stuff by recommendations or a bit of searching.
So, people who actually know what they’re talking about - are any of these actually good? Are any so bad they’re worth completely avoiding? Any of them have particularly off-putting / offensive “fan service”?
Teppen!!!,
Akudama Drive,
Black Lagoon,
Akatsuki no Yona,
Chikyuu Shoujo Arjuna,
Appleseed
Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) is fantastic. It’s a two-cour adaptation of a fantasy story (with some inspiration from Korean history/myth I think?) with some coming-of-age undertones. While it didn’t adapt the whole story, what it does have is still excellent.
IIRC it is a shoujo story, with the sorts of attractive male characters and suggestions of romance you might expect. But it’s definitely appreciable even if you’re not here for those things. There’s the politics and intrigue, the drama and adventure of the journey, and the character development.
Incidentally, it actually aired during the same seasons as another two-cour series that partly shares its core premise – Cross Ange. (And the composer for Cross Ange even wrote one of the theme songs for Yona, specifically ED2.) However, Cross Ange is a very different show, in tone, content, plot, and more. I also (unironically) consider it an excellent show with a gripping plot, but for rather different reasons. That said, if you specifically prefer to avoid sexual fanservice, this probably won’t be your cup of tea, despite being a solid story in its own right.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply! Since posting I’m about halfway through Yona and really enjoying it for the adventure and action … less fussed about the romance TBH (I like a nice slow-burning romance, but this feels a bit forced).
I might have a look at Cross Ange, it depends on how intrusive the fan service is!
Your reply made me go wiki-walk the fandom wiki for Yona of the Dawn…and remember some of the more dramatic moments, the memory of which nearly brought tears to my eyes. Indeed, it’s excellent.
Cross Ange is…quite different an experience, to say the least. Its “fanservice” – more like sexual elements, more generally – is integrated into its plot, with at least some of it an intentional portrayal of the demeaning circumstances that horrible people force onto others. More generally, the show doesn’t at all shy away from particularly harsh storytelling, themes, and social commentary. In stark contrast to the subtleties and elegance of Yona of the Dawn, Cross Ange’s storytelling takes a more aggressive, uncompromising, and at times savage style. The result is a much more viscerally emotional experience, which I’ll admit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Opinions on it vary between those that hate it, those that think it’s hot garbage but ironically awesome, and those (like myself) that unironically think it’s an excellent work.
Ok cool, I’ve added Cross Ange to the list and I’ll have it a fair crack :-)
Sorry I just spouted a lot about it by accident, haha.
To be clear, I don’t mind if you don’t like it. :)
FWIW I did read all of it!
Sometimes it’s good to get a whole string of consciousness off one’s mind :-)