Initially, the idea of this post was to create a list of shows that you want to watch again "for the first time". That means I wanna watch it again with no memories of what had happened. The emotions and thoughts that go through my head whenever I read/watch some of these amazing titles... it'll be an experience to go through them again.
Then, I realise that if that is the criteria, I might as well change it to "Anime that are emotionally powerful." We are talking about titles that had an impact on my emotions, even minutes or hours after reading. These titles have moments that I know that if I reread the series again, the reaction and feeling will not be as strong as the first time, AND I feel sad because of that knowledge.
It's not that they are my favourite title and I have no more favourite titles. For many titles such as Magi (big love!) and Fairy Tail, after from that 'ooh, everyone is all nice and cosy' feeling, I had no extra wow-ness to it. The series is good, but it did not impact me like that.
So here goes the list! It is a pretty stringent list, if I do say so myself. Usually I like most titles, so I shall be a little more strict this time.
Yes, they are in order of merit:
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1. One Piece
If everyone says that One Piece is overrated, I guess they are right in some way. However, the title is not world-famous for nothing. One Piece had me close to tears, especially at the beginning parts of the story. Oda Eiichiro, the mangaka, has this really wonderful way of building story and climax, foreshadowing and hinting. He is a natural storyteller. Anyway, back to the main point. The show grabs you in your feels.
Even watching their opening songs ("Bon Voyage" and "Fight Together") will make me cry.
Dear "Fight Together" opening video, I am talking about you.
2. Full Metal Alchemist
If I don't put this up on the list, fangirls and fanboys will hunt me down. This story is a classic but amazing example of morals and the search for "eternal life".
I admit. I did not cry at this scene, but when I first watched it, I remember that I went, "Oh my gosh... no way, no way, no way... I knew it!"
I would stop at these two, but if I have to add one more...
3. Kekkaishi
This title is horribly underrated. The battle system, characters and world that the author created was simple to understand but well-developed. Even the ending of the story was not exaggerated beyond imagination. I'm really tired of "We-need-help-or-the-world-and-outer-space-will-implode" crisis.
This title went in because I admire Yoshimori's determination to protect Tokine very, very much. I was very moved by his dedication. Everything that he worked for was for her. That's it. Throughout the whole story, I kept rooting for Yoshimori and hoping REAL hard that there might be something that will happen between the two of them. Also, there was the death of an important character which made me *almost* give up on the series... like how I did for Deathnote when L died. Good thing I did not give up on Kekkaishi... though I really really wished that that character did not die :(
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It really is surprising that I don't have many - I expected more. I even looked through my manga database to double check... and I've just revealed that I'm a nerd.
It's pretty obvious that we can never relive these moments, so we go in search of other anime titles that can blow our minds like that. However, I'm pretty glad that there were titles and stories that have impacted me like that... One day, I want to impact people like that too.
Pictures taken from:
Fight Together screenshot
Nina and Alexander
