Submitted 9 hours ago by trslim@pawb.social to anime@ani.social
I haven’t watched a lot of anime recently, but would like to get back in. I need a few recommendations.
Some I enjoy: Cowboy Bebop Berserk 1997 Devilman Crybaby Fullmetal Alchemist, both series Neon Genesis Evangelion Akira Any Studio Ghibli Food Wars (Yes, I love food wars.) Ghost in the Shell
Some I want to watch: Jin Ryo, Wolf Brigade Vinland Saga Vagabond Any classic cyberpunk anime, big fan of those.
Tenmaku no Jaadugar. Seriously go watch it right now, it's a fictionalized biography about a (real, she has a Wikipedia page) Persian woman who gets forcibly taken to Mongolia during the Mongol conquests of the early 13th century. I could technically describe it as a court drama, but it's much more human than that.
Selling points:
-Nuanced and human takes on difficult topics like slavery and conquest; it has a way of making you have strong mixed feelings (in a good way) about characters who would be either whitewashed or made comically evil in lesser works. This extends to the court politics, and you get to see the human motivation behind what everybody is doing.
-An impressive depiction of the emotional struggles of the protagonist trying to process a new and difficult situation; you really feel the confusion she has about what she's supposed to feel alongside her conviction.
-A whole cast of realistic, strong and independent female characters. Helped partially by the setting (Mongolia was somewhat egalitarian for the time period), you get a feel of how they'd act to get their way in a position where they for the most part have little formal authority.
-A wonderfully historical depiction of, well, basically everything. The author has clearly done their research, making it alongside everything else a very informative experience about how the Mongols of that period actually lived. This also gives grounding that makes everything else hit that much harder.
If you like it, you should then try Apothecary Diaries and Orb: On the Movement of the Earth, which are both amazing recent additions to the historical fiction genre, though they both take more liberties than Jaadugar.
Okay obligatory shilling over. There's actually an ongoing faithful anime series adaptation of the Ghost in the Shell manga, so you should probably watch that if you aren't already. There's also an ongoing adaptation of a manga by the author of Full Metal Alchemist, so ditto for that. They're respectively The Ghost in the Shell and Daemons of the Shadow Realm.
Not sure how you managed to watch only two of the classic big three but you absolutely need to go back and watch the original Trigun if you liked both Cowboy Bebop and Eva. (my rec: dubbed)
Similarly, you’d probably dig both Samurai Champloo and Space Dandy. Both are made by the same guy behind Cowboy Bebop and can kind of be seen as a thematic trilogy of sorts. Do be warned that Space Dandy is a little bit heavier on both the fanservice and nonsensical comedy, tho. (my rec for both: dubbed)
You’d probably enjoy Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit based on your other series. It’s a very down-to-earth tale of a prince saved from a prophecy by a swordsmistress, and it’s a bit of a slow burn but it’s well worth it. (my rec: dubbed)
Kino’s Journey is another one you might like. Similar to Cowboy Bebop it’s so episodic it’s practically slice-of-life but with a throughline of this character and their talking motorcycle going on an adventure through this dark and whimsical world. It’s kind of hard to properly explain without going into the entire plot. (my rec: dubbed)
I’ve never seen Food Wars, but I’ll cautiously recommend Interspecies Reviewers as a raunchy comedy with some actual thought put behind the world. Like, you can absolutely go in just thinking your in for brainless sexy monster girls but you’ll be presented with a world more fully-fleshed out than a vast majority of fantasy anime. (only 1 episode was ever dubbed b/c Funimation are COWARDS)
If I’m reading between the lines correctly and you’re a bit of an older fan who’s had to endure their share of unrewarding jobs, check out Aggretsuko. It’s kinda like if Hello Kitty and The Office had a baby. Aggretsuko is my spirit animal. (my rec: subbed).
Den-no Coil (I think there’s been multiple romanizations of this title). It’s a supernatural mystery/thriller with a very-near-future cyberpunk coat of paint, aesthetically it’s kind of like a cyber-Mushi-shi, but it shares a lot of the same themes of connection as NGE (my rec: subbed)
Gurren Lagann probably a Gainax classic, full-blown machismo cranked up not just to 11 but to 20, but somehow the plot ramps up in an appreciable way so that when they throw entire galaxies as shurikens by the end it’s not just complete bullshit. (my rec: dubbed)
Interviews with Monster Girls AKA Demi-chan wa Katatirai On the opposite end of the spectrum from Interspecies Reviewers, come for the idea of fun escapades with monster girls in the modern day and instead get some of the kindest, most poignant messages about people with disabilities, neurodivergence, special needs, and PTSD. (my rec: dubbed)
Nichijou Probably THE most well-known gag anime out there, it has an impeccable sense of comedic timing and some of the most well-animated gag shots in anime history. (my rec: subbed)
You need to go check out Mamoru Hosoda’s films:
All of them have great dubs.
Also Satoshi Kon’s works:
I don’t think any of them have dubs
Also watch Redline because it’s fucking gorgeous (dub is good). Also The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl because it’s gorgeously animated* in another way (subbed unless you can keep up with the breakneck pace of the dub).
If you like Ghibli in general then check out both Miss Hokusai and In This Corner of the World. I think two different studios did the both of them but they’re both high-quality in terms of both animation and story.
Just stopping by to confirm there’s a lot of good stuff in this post.
Clevatess was a surprisingly good dark fantasy that is new. One season out, second one in the works.
Takes a couple episodes to break out of the generic fantasy route. Also doesn’t get dark dark… some of the recommendations are total mind fucks and should have disclaimers, jfc.
celeste@kbin.earth 8 hours ago Dungeon Meshi? Oddly hits me like FMA - a lot of jokes, but the creator had serious things to say. The emphasis is on food and cooking in Dungeon Meshi, though. The manga is complete and the anime isn't.
Steins; Gate is an absolute classic
Yes, though I feel like I unfortunately need to attach a warning: it’s really slow for the entire first half of the show. When it picks up it really picks up though!
It lulls you into a false sense of safety and normalcy and then it goes nuts.
Since you enjoyed Ghost in the Shell, I’d recommend giving the new The Ghost in the Shell TV show a try. It preserves the sometimes-goofy, sometimes-serious feeling of the original manga, and it’s quickly become my favorite adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell. Ghost in the Shell: Stand-Alone Complex is also quite good if you want just the serious feel, but I personally think the humor in the new one works really well. Crazy that a few decades ago the best new cyberpunk anime was Ghost in the Shell, and now in 2026 the best new cyberpunk anime is once again The Ghost in the Shell. I wonder if cyberpunk is just too close to reality to be enjoyable these days.
The writer of Fullmetal Alchemist also has a new anime based on her work coming out, called Daemons of the Shadow Realm. It’s another action-adventure thing, and I’ve been enjoying it quite a lot.
Honestly there’s been tons of great stuff coming out these past year. If I just listed out everything I’d recommend from the past few years I’d be here all day typing, but if there’s a genre that you’re looking for (that isn’t cyberpunk unfortunately) there’s probably been good anime made for it recently.
All-time classic for sure
We must be from the same era. Don’t sleep on Wolf Brigade, it’s worth it.
I also haven’t kept up with the newer stuff though I did watch a season of a show called Dr. Stone I really liked.
missingno@fedia.io 8 hours ago
tehWrapper@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I see it on others comments but another vote for Demon Slayer.