Over 6 years ago I did a series of my top 5 picks for TV anime, movies and OAV's. While the amount of all of those topics I have consumed since then has been drastically less there are some titles I have watched in that time period that necessitate a revision of at least the TV and movie list...OAV's are a bit of a weird thing right now compared to their place historically.
To start off I will recap what the original Top 5 TV anime list looked like.
#5: Neon Genesis Evangelion
#4: Denno Coil
#3: Death Note
#2: His and Her Circumstance
#1: Azumanga Daioh
Evangelion I feel was on the list partially because of it's impact on anime in general, influencing my own personal feelings on its value for myself. Death Note as well was on the list more for how impressed I was with the writing than my actual favoritism for the series. I have tried a few times in recent years to watch it with my kids but we just end up making fun of it as little more than 'Extreme Journaling'. Azumanga Daioh is potentially still my favorite comedy of all time in the anime world as well as His & Her a very cherished romance. Denno Coil is still fantastic and unique but I am not sure if I can consider it a top 5 any more? It has been too long since I have last watched it to know for sure...but here goes. The updated Top 5 Otaku Network favorite TV anime of all time - revised edition.
You can read the synopsis from the original Top 5 post where this was #2. While it has dropped to 5 this is still a series that is very near and dear to my heart and reflects what I would consider an almost perfect romance anime. I need to re-watch as it has been too long and reread the manga as well, perhaps later this year. I also had planned at one point to do a volume by volume breakdown of the story...hmm, yes that shall be coming. Either way, I still love this series.
#4: Kaiba
Kaiba is a unique story about a character who has lost their memory and goes on a journey to reclaim it. The main character has to determine who is a friend and who is a foe purely based on their current actions, in a world were minds can be transplanted into any body or applicable receptacle. Life is less sacred due to this ability and the wealthy utilize desperation for entertainment and escapism, while the destitute sell themselves for survival.
Kaiba's artwork is a throw back to the original days of TV anime with a heavy dose of French Expressionism. It is an incredibly unique and fascinating story that does well to be re-watched every so often. The series is an original creation by director Yuasa Masaaki, who has become a favorite of mine.
#3: Azumanga Daioh
Again, you can read the previous synopsis but just hearing the opening bar of the theme song lifts my spirits and greatly improves my mood. A cornerstone for slice of life comedy series, you can't really top the crazy cast of characters or heartwarming friendships...
#2: Nichijou
...or can you? It follows the absurd daily activities of the residents of a small town, who would normally lead comfortable boring lives...but nothing is normal here. The primary characters are a trio of imaginative school girls, who's antics become absurd in both context and execution. Other strange characters are a grade school aged science genius, her robot companion and talking stray cat. A classmate who comes from extreme wealth and carries his pampered life into every facet of existence. There is no overall plot line and most episodes or episode segments can be viewed in any order.
Nichijou is the king of absurd slice of life comedy. There are others that are crazier in antics but quickly fly off the rails. Nichijou, while incredibly insane at points, always drives right back to reality and keeps going. The fast pasted wit of the original author paired with the amazing artwork from Kyoto Animation give an unforgettable experience. Nichijou really is the best slice of life comedy around...in a field that has some very solid contenders. While Azumanga Daioh is cute and innocent with its absurdity, Nichijou covers a wide range of ages and personalities with its antics.
#1: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
What can be translated into Showa-era Rakugo Double Suicide Story is a very compelling drama about three people trying to reconcile their guilt while deciding the fate of a dying traditional art form. The story deals with a reformed yakuza grunt trying to convince one of the last masters of the rakugo art form to make him an apprentice. The master is in his twilight years and plans to let his performances and lineage die with him as the modern world consumes everything. His life is filled with regret due to the daughter of a fellow performer being under his care for decades. The first portion of the story is largely the master telling his history while the second half of the story deals with how the three main characters face the changing times.
This is perhaps the best example of the power of story telling. There is little in the way of action as much of it is the characters performing rakugo (one-man expressive story telling). The rakugo is used as a companion to the unfolding stories, emphasizing the events in the characters lives. So much is conveyed with just expression and voice that overly complex battles in more popular series seem hollow in comparison. This is true story telling.
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