Author, Cartoonist, Brawl in Cell Block 99 & Bone Tomahawk writer/director S. Craig Zahler's Anime Recommendations
by S_Craig_Zahler | created - 13 Nov 2014 | updated - 15 Dec 2022 | PublicAs an anime watcher since the 1970s and a collector of Japanese language originals since the early 80s (often untranslated VHS tapes of things like Bubblegum Crisis, Golgo 13, and Metal Skin Panic), I've seen tons of stuff. Creative designs, interesting worlds, dynamic animation, exciting action, atmospheric coloring, general craziness, and emotional resonance are often what I like about this stuff. I'm a very big fan of directors Noboru Ishiguro, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Jun Kawagoe, Hiroyuki Imaishi, Hayao Miyazaki, and Osamu Dezaki, and the mecha designs of Kunio Okawara and Shinji Aramaki.
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101. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991–1992)
Not Rated | 390 min | Animation, Action, Drama
After the One Year War, Peace was signed between Zeon and the Earth Federation. Three years later, however, some remaining forces of Zeon who never gave up steal the new Federation mobile ... See full summary »
Stars: Ryô Horikawa, Akio Ôtsuka, Rei Sakuma, Dorothy Elias-Fahn
Votes: 1,215
102. Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978–1979)
24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In 2977, mankind has space colonies, machines do all the work and everyone just wants to have fun. When deadly plant-based aliens that look like women attack the Earth in order to colonize it, only one rogue captain can stop them.
Stars: Makio Inoue, Akira Kamiya, Jôji Yanami, Noriko Ohara
Votes: 1,333
103. Kaiba (2008)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
In a futuristic dystopian world where memories are literally stored, bought and sold and rich have all the privileges, a young amnesiac is trying to find out who he is.
Stars: Romi Park, Mamiko Noto, Houko Kuwashima, Taketora
Votes: 1,976
104. The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Hitomi is a girl with psychic abilities who gets transported to the magical world of Gaea. She and her friends find themselves under attack from the evil Zaibach empire, and the Guymelf ... See full summary »
Stars: Kirby Morrow, Kelly Sheridan, Brian Drummond, Jocelyne Loewen
Votes: 4,493
105.
Shootfighter Tekken (2002– )
Episode:
Shootfighter Tekken: Round 3
(2002)
Not Rated | 45 min | Animation, Action, Sport
When it comes to martial arts, Kiichi Miyazawa has always been the best. But when his father is hospitalized, it's time for the teen super-star to become a man and take on the big time. ... See full summary »
Director: Yukio Nishimoto | Stars: Mitsuo Iwata, Carol Jacobanis, Michele Knotz, Rachael Lillis
Votes: 24
106. Voltes Five (1977–1978)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A demonic race from a planet 14,000 lightyears away called Boazan (Bozania in the Philippine dub) headed by Prince Heinel (Zardos in the Philippine dub) arrived on Earth to start an ... See full summary »
Stars: Tesshô Genda, Noriko Ohara, Kazuyuki Sogabe, Miyuki Ueda
Votes: 269
107. Super Robot Wars: Original Generation: The Animation (2005– )
Animation, Action, Adventure
Dr. Jurgen of DC developed a global defense system to combat potential alien threats. This system has two elements. First is the VTX-001 Vartoul unmanned anti alien PT. Governing these ... See full summary »
Stars: Jin Horikawa, Hikaru Midorikawa, Shin'ichirô Miki, Yûko Mizutani
Votes: 15
108. Banner of the Stars II (2000–2005)
TV-PG | Animation, Action, Romance
Now that three years has passed since their first adventure, Lafiel is now captain on a new ship and Jinto has just finished his training. They go out to complete a mission of defending the Laptic Gate.
Stars: Haruhiko Jô, Ayako Kawasumi, Matthew Erickson, Yuka Imai
Votes: 426
109. Genocyber (1994)
Unrated | 46 min | Animation, Action, Horror
A combination of cybernetics and psychic potential. At its core: the tortured souls of 2 human beings. Many wish to control this monstrosity, but can their hatred be contained?
Stars: William Roberts, Rosemary Elliot, Keith Howard, Rachel Nanstad
Votes: 1,330
110. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom (2009)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Crime
The story of two brainwashed assassins, Ein and Zwei, who struggle to regain their memories as they work for the Inferno crime syndicate.
Stars: Miyu Irino, Newton Pittman, Ayahi Takagaki, Lindsay Seidel
Votes: 1,928
111. Space Dandy (2014)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The cosmic and comic adventures of Space Dandy, a handsome space explorer tasked to tour the universe and discover new alien beings.
Stars: Jun'ichi Suwabe, Uki Satake, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Ian Sinclair
Votes: 4,643
112. Mad Bull 34 (1990–1992)
195 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
The most dangerous area in New York City, the 34th precinct, is patrolled by the most brutal cop, Sleepy John Estes the Mad Bull.
Stars: Akio Ôtsuka, Yasunori Matsumoto, Mari Yokô, Kikuko Inoue
Votes: 462
113. One Punch Man (2015– )
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
The story of Saitama, a hero that does it just for fun & can defeat his enemies with a single punch.
Stars: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar
Votes: 185,913
114. Castle in the Sky (1986)
PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
Votes: 182,446
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