Well I agree with the original poster, that a good anime honestly leaves memories in your heart and it's probably
something you'll remember long after you've finished it. Sometimes it can be a combination of plot, action,
music, character development and the "rewatchability" factor (i.e. how much does it make you want to rewatch
it), and other times, it's just pure gut feelings. Sometimes it's really hard to say why you like a
particular series... you just like it because it induces feelings of warmth and happiness in you. Anyway, I believe in
demonstrating with examples, so i'll just list a few of my favourite series and say what I like about
them.
1. Sailor Moon - this is one of my all-time favourite anime series ever. My strongest reason for liking it is probably
for nostalgia's sake - I started watching Sailor Moon when I was just a kid and 10 years on, I'm stiill
halfway through Super S! (4th season). I've rewatched one or two seasons, and I'm watching them all in the
wrong order! I've gone off it a few times in life I think, but it'll always have a special place in my heart.
The themes of love, friendship and justice may seem clichéd, but i think the message still reaches and viewers and i
always feel quite emotional watching it. I know its got some bad points, like being too repetitive or having too many
episode fillers, or how Sailor Moon _always_ saves the day, but I love it nonetheless. The soundtrack is amazing, and
200 episodes means there's ample space for character development. The action is fairly good and the overall plot
isn't too bad. To compare it to other anime, it's a really cool mahou shoujo series, but it's one of
those ones you'll love if you saw it when you were a little kid.
2. Air - Plot-wise, I thought this anime is lacking, and whatever plot it does have, it seems stupid. But what I like
about Air is not the plot... I love the music, and the artwork is gorgeous. I mean the background design is wonderful,
and it has this warm, cozy feeling of innocence. There's something magical about this show, like when Misuzu and
Yukito are playing in the river, or when they sit at the seaside and just stare at the sky... I think these simple
moments are what makes it really beautiful and enchanting, not the plot.
3. Full Moon wo Sagashite - I really, really love this series, and do believe it when they say it's Arina
Tanemura's best story ever! The theme of finding the courage to achieve your dream even though there's an
obstacle in your life is very common in anime shows, i believe, but I still think it works well here. Best of all, I
love the characters - Mitsuki, Takuto, Meroko, and even Mitsuki's manager are all wonderful characters and develop
really well throughout the story. It's got some really touching moments, and makes you feel very sentimental
watching it.
4. X - I love the action and the theme of 'apocalypse' here. Even though there are only 26 episodes, and the
manga is much more extensive, the X anime is still really good. The soundtrack is gorgeous, and this is one of those
shows that induces feelings of wonder and grandeur. It's really hard to say what's so great about it. Some
people complain it's too violent or gory, but I think those are just key ingredients of the story and
shouldn't stop us from appreciating the big picture!
5. Elfen Lied - Probably one of the most violent anime I've ever seen, but I like the intrigue, tension and thrill
of the story, and how they squeeze in so much in just 13 episodes, and how each episode makes you want to carry on
watching. It's one of those series, that if you have all 13 eps at your disposal, you could watch it in one day.
Again the soundtrack is good, and it's incredibly tragic as well.
Enough blabber.. thats what i think. ^_^
