Memorables

[zoot]

Maybe once a year, if I'm lucky, a show hits one of those moments that make any show--even an otherwise below-average one--stand out permanently; those that make me pause the show and go "oh, wow" for a minute; others can only be described as "holy shit". Sometimes this is a whole episode, but it's usually a single scene. (There have been some "unexpected moments" threads in the past; that isn't the operating word here. This isn't "favorite shows", either--most of these are among mine, but many great shows don't have any of these.)

There are probably several of these that I've forgotten about; I should really have kept a list, since it's a shame to forget any of them, and even the best fade. I think an ulterior motive for typing this list up is the slight hope that somebody will relate to it and point me to a show that I can add, or remind me of one I've forgotten.

(All of these are super spoilers. If you reply, watch out--everything in quotes shows up in the editor, so think about copying text manually. Also, remember that the email notifications don't remove spoiler-tagged text. If you havn't seen a show, I've marked the shows where I consider the scene isolated--that is, a great scene in a mediocre anime--with a (-), so the list is at least a little useful if you havn't seen a show.)

Ed: I had originally meant to focus on the really sharp ones: the ones that make you ask "did they seriously just do that?", or make you pause the show to process and recover. I muddied it a bit with some of them, including some cool moments that aren't really at that level. If you can tell the difference between what I'm talking about, it might be helpful to distinguish between them in your posts, eg. A, B.

Spoiler for Mushishi (+):

Ep 14, when he buries his dead wife and child and babies sprout up. (This show is laden with awesome bits, but this one blew me away. He planted them.) (A)

Spoiler for Haibane Renmei (+):

... when we learn what the abstract paintings Reki has been drawing really are. (A)

Spoiler for Outlaw Star (-):

Cats and Girls and Spaceships. This episode came out of nowhere in a otherwise light action show--the next time someone asks "what's the difference between anime and western animation?", here's one to show them ... (A)

Spoiler for Kino no Tabi (+):

... opening the back of the truck, and a spirit flies out. (A) This show gets two (though this one may be an honorable mention--it was a bit of a blunt instrument): when the volcano goes off. This is one of those bits that show the inhuman side of Hermes (and the human side of Kino). (B?)

Spoiler for Wolf's Rain (-):

When one of the characters--in wolf form--tries to impress a girl by fetching her bird ... and cheerfully hands over a carcass. Jeesus. (A)

Honorable mentions:

Spoiler for NANA (-):

... putting the flower on the mic. (B)

Spoiler for Brave Story (+):

zenbu kudasai! (B)

Spoiler for Ghost in the Shell SAC s2 (+):

s2e11 (origami episode). The fully animated origami folding and her walking away leaving the candy-wrapper crane behind are memorable, but the whole episode is great. The song "I Do" from this episode is still one of my favorites. (B)

Spoiler for SaiKano (+):

... deathbed confession. This is another sort of blunt instrument, but it was very strong anyway. (A)

[jedinat]

Thinking back, here's some that I remember finding affecting at the time:

Spoiler for Fullmoon wo Sagashite:

end of the last episode, when Mitsuki's voice comes back as she yells "Takuto!"

Spoiler for Hachimitsu to Clover:

Yamada's conversation with Morita about her unrequited love... where she cries, maybe episode 4?

Spoiler for Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu:

Guu's first laugh, lol

Spoiler for Pale Cocoon:

the whole music video sequence, and then the ending revelation

Spoiler for Trigun:

when Vash and Meryl sing the recurring song one night near the end of the anime & when the girls first get a look at his sexy body ^^

There are a lot more...

[zoot]

Originally Posted by jedinat

Spoiler for Hachimitsu to Clover:

Yamada's conversation with Morita about her unrequited love...

Spoiler for Hachimitsu to Clover:

If this is the one I remember, then it's one for my list. I remember it was the first time I noticed hearing "jai nai jai nai"--right at the end, the two uses of the same phrase consecutively--and that stuck with me. (A, B? Not sure, which probably means B.) Might be a different one, though.

Not really a candidate, but Morita wrapping Hagu up in a scarf and running away screaming was awesome. I couldn't help but think "that's what most of us guys on the internet would do if we saw a woman". The looney-tunes sound effect topped it off.

Originally Posted by jedinat

Spoiler for Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu:

Guu's first laugh, lol

Spoiler for Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iyQMNq7u7w

Guu is Alf's long lost sister.

more honorable mentions:

Spoiler for Chobits:

Kotoko's scream when Sumomo blares her whistle in her ear is mind-blowing. (B)

Spoiler for Akazukin Chacha:

I don't remember which episode this was (I only have a clip I pulled out, and it's a long series), of a full-frame Chacha crying. I don't remember what the scenario was (did she think another character had died or something?). Maybe someone can remember. (B)

[Oppius]

Spoiler for Kannazuki no Miko:

When Himeko kissed Chikane...

[Valashu]

Spoiler for Gundam Seed Destiny:

When Kira once again boards Freedom and quikly deals with his enemies who were attaking there home.

Spoiler for Kimi ga Nozomu Eien:

When takayuki says to Haruka he chooses mitsuki, it was very very sad and thus memorable.

Spoiler for Death Note:

At the point were Yagami light (Kira) snaps when hes finnaly disposed bij N.

Spoiler for School Days:

I cant believe im the first, when Sekai kills Makoto.

Spoiler for Strawberry Panic:

Ep 12. My first real Yuri scene encounter. was quite shocked

Spoiler for Great Teacher Onizuka:

when Onizuka (ep 43) leaves everything behind and starts at a new school "GTO! Yorusiku!"

Spoiler for Sola:

The 2 Cans at the table at the very ending. of Sola

Spoiler for Black Lagoon:

Were Rock is with that twin sister and gives the poor girl/boy (whatever) love and shows here a sparlke of light in her dark and rotten world. later she gets shot in the head.

And ofcourse many many more.

[aka Providence]

mm, here's my memories of memorable scenes:

Spoiler for Cowboy Bebop (very nice):

The last episode. After leaving the ship for good, Spike fights the Syndicate by himself. The music of the ending song really blended in with the action here, in my honest opinion.

Spoiler for Gundam Seed (nice):

Mu La Flaga's semi-unexpected, but nonetheless heroic death using his mobile suit as a shield. Too bad it connects to the next memorable scene...

Spoiler for Gundam Seed Destiny (not nice at all):

He's alive. Damn it, it took away the great-ness-ness of his heroic act.

Spoiler for Lucky Star (nice):

mm, Konata's rendition of Cha-la Head Cha-la was definitely memorable to me, then it's the final episode with the girls dancing to Motteke! Sailor Fuku.

that's all i remember right now, but more is to come if I stop forgetting...

[Sirth]

Spoiler for Air:

The beach scene in episode 11. When I watched the extended opening, that short clip always made me cring (Hell, couldn't look at a beach for a while either.)

Spoiler for Lucky Star:

Shiraishi giving a speech on Tsunderes. Has to be one of the most animated speeches in anime history, or even animated in general.

Spoiler for Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya:

Last episode chronologically. Has to be one of the slowest paced episodes in history, yet one of the greatest. Even my sister agreed it was a stroke of genius.

Spoiler for Rurouni Kenshin:

Kenshin and Kaoru right before Kenshin leaves for Kyoto.

Spoiler for Crest of the Stars:

At the end when the two escape the planet, with the guy ranting, and ranting, and ranting. Was just funny (And no offense, one of the best acted scenes in the show, dub wise.).

[patnam]

Spoiler for Code Geass:

Lelouch and Suzaku faced off in last scene of Ep.25, pointing guns at each other and "BANG"......

[aka Providence]

^ah, you reminded me of several more stuff.

Originally Posted by Sirth

Spoiler for Lucky Star:

Shiraishi giving a speech on Tsunderes. Has to be one of the most animated speeches in anime history, or even animated in general.

yeah, can't believe i forgot that, and...

Spoiler for more LS:

episode 22. Kanata, it was a very unexpected, and sentimental event that I didn't expect on an anime like LS.

Spoiler for Rurouni Kenshin:

Kenshin and Kaoru right before Kenshin leaves for Kyoto.

Spoiler for i remember the episode before that more:

Kenshin fighting Saito to a standstill, one of the best fights that I've seen. And many episodes later, the battle against Shishio.

more stuff I remember...

Spoiler for Gankutsuou:

Albert rescuing Eugenie from her forced marriage.

Spoiler for The Law of Ueki:

Ueki using his power on Anon without a second thought of his own life.

Spoiler for Monster:

The whole damn show. Not really, but a lot of scenes swirl in my mind to pick a specific one. But one definite memorable scene would be Grimmer's death, and Runge finally apologizing to Tenma.

Spoiler for Chrno Crusade:

Chrno and Rosette's death. It was rather heartbreaking when Rosette said she didn't want to die, and it was one of the first anime that I saw that had such a sad ending.

[andromeda0201]

Death Note

Spoiler:

when Light snapped at the last episode, also catapulting Miyano Mamoru into one of my favourite voice actors list

Kaleido Star

Spoiler:

last episode, when Sora finally achieved her swan movement, or whatever it was called, that scene was just beautiful

Claymore

Spoiler:

when teresa's head got cut off in episode 8

Hikaru no Go

Spoiler:

when Sai disappeared, Hikaru's reaction was just heartbreaking

Fantastic Children

Spoiler:

the episode about the girl's backstory and how it all happened, that part kept me totally entranced

Juuni Kokki

Spoiler:

I think it was episode 38, when Yoko was riding Keiki and looked absolutely great when she shouted out commands....then the instrumental ending song played at once...that part of course made Juuni Kokki one of my favourite animes

Beck

Spoiler:

Last few episodes, when Koyuki was singing and more and more people gathered around the stage

Jigoku Shoujo

Spoiler:

enma ai's past and how her eyes were bleeding when she was buried

i'm sure there are more....

[Sirth]

Ah, there is another.

Spoiler for Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations:

Kurogane fighting Kamui. One of the best animated fight scenes ever, and probably the best for a shounen series. Great every time I watch it. My liking for Kurogane jumped when I saw it. Also made more sense than the manga version.

[Westlo]

I'll toss up a few memorable moments

Berserk

Spoiler:

The death of the band of the hawk just had me thinking "this isn't happening", I know many people hated this ending for various reasons but I applaud them for doing this even though I've yet to check out the manga past the first 3 volumes.

Claymore

Spoiler:

Teresa's death at the hands of Priscilla

Gurren Lagann

Spoiler:

Kamina's farewell to his comrades in episode 8

RahXephon

Spoiler:

Episode 19, Ayato vows to protect Asahina who unknowing to him is linked to the dolem he is fighting to protect her. Lets just say it doesn't end well.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Spoiler:

The entire scene with the insert song playing, the highpoint of the movie it as just brilliant.

[Terrestrial Dream]

Originally Posted by Westlo

Gurren Lagann

Spoiler:

Kamina's farewell to his comrades in episode 8

Spoiler:

True that moment was so memorable and Kamina's death was able to make me cry and that was the first time that I cried watching anime

Originally Posted by Westlo

RahXephon

Spoiler:

Episode 19, Ayato vows to protect Asahina who unknowing to him is linked to the dolem he is fighting to protect her. Lets just say it doesn't end well.

Spoiler:

Oh god when I watched that scene I was in shock, and even though it fail to make me cry it was still damn sad. Truly one of those scene that made Rahxephon stand out.

Spoiler for GaoGaiGar:

EI-01 vs GGG crew, that battle was epic and when Gai said "EI-01! Hikrai ni Nara!!!" I capped my pants. Of course battle against the Primeval when GGG crew used The Power, that was amazing. And of course the final battle, the most epic thing ever.

Spoiler for GaoGaiGar Final:

So many memorable moment but GGG and K-Jder vs 11 Soul Masters the whole battle was epic and the finality with Goldion Crusher was also so amazing.

Spoiler for Kannazuki no Miko:

The very last scene when Himeko saw the reincarnation of Chikane, and she ran up to her and hugged her.

Spoiler for Gunbuster:

The very last episode after 12000 years later when Noriko and Kazumi saw the earth and it saids "Welcome Home" or something like that.

Spoiler for Cyber Formula Sin:

The last race between Kaga and Hayato with Kaga winning and putting his fist up in the air.

[Gaiarth]

Spoiler for from Gunbuster 2:

The show just hadn't really felt like Gunbuster to me...until the part in episode 4 where Nono comes out of warp, arms folded, to the classic Gunbuster music.

But the really memorable part for me was in episode 5 where they first fight the Space Monster from the black hole and Lark throws a planet at it! Ok, so it was a fairly small planet, and it didn't do much good. But a planet! Thrown at a monster!

[Westlo]

Originally Posted by Terrestrial Dream

Spoiler for Gunbuster:

The very last episode after 12000 years later when Noriko and Kazumi saw the earth and it saids "Welcome Home" or something like that.

I need to slap myself for forgetting that scene

Gunbuster 2

Spoiler:

Once again the Welcome Home scene this time for another perspective, this scene alone lifted my rating for Gunbuster 2 by a point.

[Sakura_Kinomoto]

Spoiler for Neon genesis:

When we find out the Kaworu Nagisa is really the 17th angel

not the biggest scene but still rather shocking when everyone learnt

[SeijiSensei]

Spoiler for Black Lagoon Second Barrrage:

Yukio-chan's suicide at the end of episode 24 did me in for a while. I just wanted to hug and protect her throughout that whole story arc, and then...

Spoiler for School Rumble:

Harima and Eri's pas-de-deux when she finds him naked in the beach cottage.

Spoiler for Dennou Coil:

I think I'm likely to remember the scene between Yasako and her mon as they discuss the death of pets and the virtues of human contact over virtual reality for a long time.

Spoiler for Oh! Edo Rocket:

A lot of lovely things in this show. The shot of Sora with the moon behind her during the OP is dazzling. Then there's the Karakuri Robot....

[KholdStare]

Spoiler for Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (+):

There ending scene and ED of episode 2. I sat there in shock really (I didn't expect it since I didn't watch the trailer) and it was just so sad.

Spoiler for Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (+):

The whole episode 14 was sad, but the scene where Takayuki tells Haruka that he chose Mitsuki and the story that Haruka told after was really special. The memorable part of the episode is the ED, and IMO made the anime much more bearable/memorable/special.

Spoiler for SaiKano (+):

Akemi's confession. That's all I have to say.

Spoiler for School Days (-):

The end of episode six where the insert song Kioku no Umi plays is probably for me one of the most memorable and dramatic moments of this anime.

Spoiler for Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (+):

Episode 14 (anachronistic order) when Kyon kissed Haruhi.

Spoiler for Cardcaptor Sakura (+):

Episodes 16, 39, 49, 54, and 57.

[Ascaloth]

Spoiler for ef ~a tale of memories~:

Second half of Episode 7, where Miyako grows increasingly panicky while her words crawl across the scene. Damned, man.

[KholdStare]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

Spoiler for ef ~a tale of memories~:

Second half of Episode 7, where Miyako grows increasingly panicky while her words crawl across the scene. Damned, man.

Crap, seconded. I forgot to include this season's anime:

Spoiler for Clannad:

Episodes 7 and 9 were both really really good and dramatic. It will probably be more memorable to me than Kanon.

Spoiler for Myself;Yourself:

The ending of episode 8 was very very predictable. Yet, it was executed impeccably and everything was done so well. Once again, zoom shot at Sana's wristwatch, I wonder why.