2012-08-16, 09:53 | Link #1 |
I miss Haruhi
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Looking for "Dark" animes
UPDATED TO 16 AUGUST 20:37
My tastes changed a bit during this period and i'm no longer interested in romance animes. I'm currently looking for "dark" titles but, what do i mean by "dark"? I'm looking for some series with cold characters with a dark background or a "dark" philosophy filled with cynicism, indifference to murder (eventually a little of sadism), little morality or simply black humor. Oh right, just for your information, i'm a straight boy in his early twenties. Genres: Psychological, Mystery, Supoerpowers, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Action, Violence; i don't mind some romance in the background. Psychological is preferred and usually Mystery is coupled with it. The Sci-fi i'm interested in is most likely time travel; you are free to avoid anything else. Gore and splatter makes the action more "enjoyable". If the title is mostly action-oriented, then superpowers are most likely a must, even tho Spoiler for Darker than Black, 2nd season, big spoiler:
- The Plot: Something well built, entertaining, rich of twists, not boring or monotone, "dark" (indeed). - The protagonist: -If the title is focuses a lot on action and fights, then the protagonist has to be male, badass, cold, rational and possibly a loner. No childish voice or looks, preferably in the age span of 15-30 (better if over 20 but not necessary). Best example would be Hei from Darker than black. -If the title is focused more on mystery, then even an average protagonist is ok, as long as he isn't boring or a crybaby. - The background: The city is usually preferred but, since i'm not much experienced in this genre, you are free to suggest anything. - Violence: If it's going to be a series full of action, then gore is welcomed: blood and mutilations somehow entertain me and they make the action a bit more "real". if it's more focused on mystery or psychological, i don't really care about it. - Animation: I like a "serious" animation... ah shit, even now i don't know how to say it: i'm looking for the animation of Darker than Black, Death Note, Steins;Gate, Welcome to the NHK, Fate/zero, but NOT the one of Zero no Tsukaima (Just to mention one). I hope you got it. - Anime Age: Even tho i found cool animes from the 90's, like Yu Yu hakusho, avoid old animes and focus on the ones coming from 2005++. If there is a certain title that you really wanted to suggest but that came before 2005, name it anyways with a reason saying why i would like it anyways. What i don't like: - Mecha: i simply don't like it. Giant robots fighting, battle suits with overpowered guns and stuff like that doesn't appeal me even slightly. - Cyberpunk: i don't like futuristic backgrounds with everything automated or dealing with the cyberspace. - Feudal Japan & Samurais: it just doesn't appeal me :/ - Overly dramatic: something that gets too dramatic and depressing will most likely bore me: avoid this stuff (even tho it's very unlikely for something like this to happen). As i stated before, you could make 3 different suggestions for each category: - mostly action (Darker than Black) - mostly mystery (Steins;Gate) - mostly comedy (Welcome to the NHK) Titles i've watched so far: Spoiler for List 1:
Titles i planned to watch: UN-GO Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin Shinrei Tantei Yakumo Probably there are 1-2 more titles i forgot to write, but nothing more. I would like to remind you that i'm looking for mostly serious titles: no animes portraying kids or stupid things (Higurashi: found it boring and the characters looked too childish). Thanks for the attention. PS: You can also suggest mangas but, when it comes to action, i definitely prefer anime and colors. I'll keep this post always updated so, in the future, just take a look at this post to see if something changed (I'll put the date update every time i edit this post) Last edited by Classified Info; 2012-08-16 at 13:37. |
2012-08-16, 10:07 | Link #2 | |||
~AD~
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Some title i can suggest...
- Baccano -> you already watched this - Jin Roh Quote:
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Ga-Rei Zero is a prequel of manga called Ga-Rei. It is about a spirit-elimination squad in Tokyo. While the protagonist is like an average protagonist (protag is a girl), the antagonist is regarded as one of the best antagonist in recent anime. - Kara no Kyoukai -> You already watched this - Ayakashi - Mononoke Ayakashi and Mononoke is a compilation of horror stories. While it doesnt have a protagonist like Hei, but story is quite dark and full of mystery. I feel that this doesnt fit 100% into your criteria, but you might wanna give these titles a try. I'll add another if i remember... Last edited by Azuma Denton; 2012-08-16 at 10:19. Reason: add some description |
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2012-08-16, 10:25 | Link #5 |
Autistic NEET bath lover
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: France
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How about giving When Seagulls Cry (Umineko no Naku koro ni) a shot ? Check it for yourself for spoilerish reasons.
Also, Zetman (but I highly recommend reading the manga since I heard the anime has rushed story) and BTOOOM!!.
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2012-08-16, 10:39 | Link #6 |
Hail the power of Fujoshi
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: hahahahahahahahaha
Age: 34
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You should definitely give UN-GO a try. It's an underrated gem IMO. The mystery and twists keep one entertained.
Also, Shinrei Tantei Yakumo. Both animes that I suggest are mystery animes and can be dark at times.
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2012-08-16, 10:55 | Link #8 |
AS Oji-kun
Join Date: Nov 2006
Age: 74
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Another vote for Bakeneko and Mononoke. It has one of the best protagonists in anime with a remarkable voice-acting performance by Sakurai Takahiro and spectacular graphics.
Looks like you've never watched Monster, either. Put that on your list. Requiring a male protagonist considerably limits the range of options by excluding shows like Moribito.
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2012-08-16, 11:16 | Link #9 |
this is how its done
Join Date: Mar 2012
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you should take a look at sword of the stranger
http://myanimelist.net/anime/2418/Sword_of_the_Stranger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iI31EKaLZE very well done anime movie Jormungand http://myanimelist.net/anime/12413/Jormungand newest anime this year and I liked it
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Last edited by Cold~as~Ice; 2012-08-16 at 11:43. |
2012-08-16, 13:04 | Link #11 | ||
Stüldt Hĺjt!
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: On the corner
Age: 33
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Seconding whatever SeijiSensei said (he always makes good recommendations!).
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2012-08-16, 13:26 | Link #12 |
I miss Haruhi
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Ok, i noticed that i omitted a thing that i don't really like; you see, i always look for japanese series because there are so many and they provide good stories but i'm not this much appealed by strictly japanese "traits", such as otaku culture or feudal japan stories. This said, i don't like stories settled in feudal japan or concerning samurais & co. This is probably why i also prefer the city background. I still looked up Mononoke, but the graphic is a bit "unusual" and i can't really say that i like it.
Anyways, I'm intrigued by UN-GO and Shinrei Tantei Yakumo, while i had already planned on approaching Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin (It had been suggested once by Cold-As-Ice. in another thread). The synopsis of Umineko no Naku koro ni reminds me of Higurashi, which kinda bored me. On another note, i was searching and found some titles that i think i could be interested in: Blue Exorcist (son of satan? Might give some laughs) Dr Grayman (the characters appeal me) Soul eater (looks weird, perhaps a "light" title) Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (i smell black humor in this one) Kuroshitsuji (already picked up my attention some time ago) XXXHolic (This title popped up countless times :S) One last thing: as i stated in the first post, i won't be too picky on the protagonist and i'll even accept an average protagonist if the story can provide a good (dark)mystery. Just so you know, i accept even titles like Sankarea(manga) or Dusk Maiden of Amnesia(manga) that just have some dark vibes (Picked those out of my romance list because i remembered they had something dark) Ok, it's better if i edit the main post. EDIT @ Zargu: didn't notice there was another post but well, same goes for yours: Shigurui is settled in feudal japan Texhnolyze got too much cyberpunk Still, thanks for your suggestions so far, keep going |
2012-08-16, 13:37 | Link #13 | |
Autistic NEET bath lover
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: France
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2012-08-16, 13:40 | Link #14 |
Hail the power of Fujoshi
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: hahahahahahahahaha
Age: 34
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I am glad you like my suggestions. Anyway, I forgot to mention two more animes. I am not sure if you will like it, but I will just say it. Give Dantalian no Shoka a try.It's a combination of fantasy+mystery. Also, Denpa teki na Kanojo. It's an OVA. This OVA is extremely dark, and plenty of gore. The animation is also excellent. I think this is one anime you will surely enjoy. Each episode features a different mystery. The hero and the heroine join forces to solve the mystery. The anime is rather disturbing though.
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2012-08-16, 14:04 | Link #15 |
Stüldt Hĺjt!
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: On the corner
Age: 33
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Even if you dislike feudal Japan you should still watch Shigurui. The series is so introspective that the background doesn't matter. Same with Texhnolyze. As far as "dark" anime is concerned (and there has been numerous threads like this in the past), those two are the best in that regard.
But anyways, I'm respecting your criteria, and I'll stop pushing Shigurui/Tex with this post
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2012-08-16, 14:16 | Link #16 | |
I miss Haruhi
Join Date: Sep 2011
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@ Zargu: ok, i'll give them a try when i'm the mood. |
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2012-08-16, 15:32 | Link #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pittsburgh
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Witch Hunter Robin - An organization hunts down witches when they become a threat to the general public. The Japanese branch is getting a new craft user. Unlike all the other branches they capture the witch instead of kill him/her. They also have this mysterious liquid in pendants that can protect them from some witch's magic. The main character is female, but the male lead is pretty much exactly what you asked for.
Le Chevalier d'Eon - A historical anime set in Europe. A young French knight pursues the Psalms as he looks for the person that murdered his sister. In his journey he works with his old sword teacher, the queen's page, a secret agent and the soul of his sister. Dantalian no Shoka - Hugh inherits a library and also discovers her has inherited Dalian, the black Biblioprincess. They stop demon books that are causing problems and if need be they fix the problem or stop the owner. |
2012-08-16, 17:20 | Link #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Austria
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@UN-GO: There's a TV series, and an "episode 0", which might have been a cinema release in Japan or an OVA, I can't remember. You must find the episode 0 - it's the highlight of the series, IMO; for maximum impact, watch the TV-series first.
@Blue Exorcist: Pretty standard shounen fair; it's not bad, but I'm afraid if you watch it, expecting darkness you might be unfairly disappointed. It's not entirely absent, but the core is your standard shounen work-hard-to-protect stuff. If you accept that, you'll probably be entertained by the show. @Zetsubou Sensei: Oh, please, please, please watch this. And adding something of my own: Shigofumi: I'm adding this because you may be put off by the character design of the main character. The show also has annoying talking staves (the most annoying mascots in anime history, if you ask me). But once you look past that you have one of the darkest shows I've ever seen. The show's split in two: episodes of the main character bringing letters from the dead to the living (this part is extremely disturbing, mostly because she delivers the letter with no emotion whatsoever; sometimes it's good, but when it's bad... *shivers*); and the main character's back story (utterly demented). Get yourself pretzel sticks, and break one whenever the annoying staves make a sound. Do that, and you've got a winner on hand. |
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