if I were to start a Japanese anime DVD collection, what should I buy?

[Lisa]

The reason I ask is -- regarding my effort to collect DVDs for the local library branch, apparently people have been asking about getting more anime films in, but they haven't given specific titles. Can anyone give me a hint on what, in general, I should look for?

[Darkseid69]

1. Akira

Ghost in the Shell..

The lesbian versions of sailor moon... :)

[Blue-Jay]

2. Vampire Hunter series is decent.

Agreed on Akira and Ghost in the Shell, as well.

[djeseru]

3. Kiki's Delivery Service.

Sweet and simple, my daughter enjoys it.

[Cush]

4. The BLUE SEED series isn't too bad

as well as the fist two Tenchi Muyo series, (Tenchi in Tokyo sucked)

[7th_Sephiroth]

5. as the resident DU anime expert

Trigun, Akira, Ghost in the shell, Detective conan, Azumanga Daioh, Saint Saeiya, Chobits, are there limits to what can be in the content?

if there are IM me and i'll give you a long list that are witin spec

[Chovexani]

10. I think you'd find stiff competition from me in that department

;)

[7th_Sephiroth]

13. than we must do battle, mecha at 1,000 paces

I CALL THE WING ZERO FROM ENDLESS WALTZ

[Generic Other]

6. Beware of the ones with vegetation

They are always kinky/perverse.

What is it with vegetation and sex in Japan? Is it like a metaphor for vigor and viriility?

I was going to suggest Princess Mononoko because I liked it and no one got raped by a morning glory vine.

[TroubleMan]

7. Ninja Scroll is a good one to start with

I'm not big into anime, but I've seen that and it kicks ass.

[ironflange]

8. Miyazaki movies

Spirited Away
Castle in the Sky
Kiki's Delivery Service (already mentioned)

What can I say? Wonderful, wonderful stuff.

[Speck Tater]

9. My anime expert Granddaughter says...

Spirited Away
Kiki's Delivery Service
Ghost in the Shell
Castle in the Sky
Princess Mononoke
Totoro
Cowboy Beebop

[TrogL]

11. The Ghost in the Shell

[Chovexani]

12. Anything by Hayao Miyazaki

He is considered to be a legend, and his works are all classics. Several have been recommended up thread.

As far as series, I would recommend pretty much everything that has been suggested, and would add:

-Vision of Escaflowne
-Record of Lodoss War
-Cardcaptor Sakura
-Mobile Suit Gundam
-Urusei Yatsura
-Hellsing
-Gravitation
-Excel Saga
-Ranma 1/2
-Neon Genesis Evangelion
-Serial Experiments Lain
-Ayashi no Ceres (aka Ceres: Celestial Legend)
-Revolutionary Girl Utena
-Magic Knight Rayearth
-Yami no Matsuei (aka Descendants of Darkness)

This represents a fairly good cross section of genres: action, sci-fi, romantic comedy, etc. Some are more suitable for children, some more for adults. You can also PM me if you need more info or suggestions. :)

[JVS]

14. Anything with tentacles on the box is good

[eleny]

15. This has been driving me nuts

What's the name of that very early Japanese anime character from the 60s or 70s? He was sort of a super hero who always made the bad guys cry fountains of tears. funny you should post about anime since I've been trying to remember his name all day. I think it was ".... Boy" or like that.

[Lisa]

16. thanks everyone ...

You've been a big help! Even secondhand, these imported DVDs can be pretty expensive, so it's good to know which ones are likely to be favorites. For a town of 300,000 without a whole lot of stores, I did pretty well today, I think. One of the used stores downtown had "The Castle of Cagliostro", "Royal Space Force", and "Kai Doh Maru" for under $15 Cdn, so I grabbed those anyway. I picked up Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Ghost in the Shell, and Grave of the Fireflies (recommended by my cousin) new -- might get another copy of Kiki's, since they have it already but it's much in demand. Neon Genesis, Chobits, and Revolutionary Girl are also available, but I'm holding off on them (and on Akira) until I see how well the first batch is received.

[Archae]

17. In addition to the above listed...

Get the "Project A-Ko" movies, but in order.

You'll be laughing your ass off.

[homelandpunk]

18. Spirited Away

Sorry, don't know any names of director, studio, etc. Just know it is wonderful.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

19. Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka)

A sad but beautifully drawn film about two orphans in World War II