My Noughties in Anime
January 8th, 2010
I was originally intending to write about my top favorite shows from the passing decade but as I was listing down those that I have seen, I realized that there are still plenty of shows that I haven’t watched completely and there are also some shows that I might like but still haven’t seen. So I have decided to change my decade post’s format.
In case you don’t know, “noughtie” is a term for the 2000s . It is derived from “nought” which is “zero” in some English-speaking countries. With regards to anime, the noughties would be a significant decade for me. At first, the anime I have seen were limited to those shown on TV but during this decade, I have met new friends who helped me in broadening my anime horizons 
. And then usagijen, Seleria and I collaborated to create this blog. Since then, I have attempted to follow every season for shows to watch although lately, my anime watching has significantly slackened and I am still in the midst of catching up. まあいいや. Here goes my lists.
My top favorite shows
I am by no means proclaiming that these series are the best of the decade. Some of them might be on your list, some of them might not. Whatever the case, I definitely enjoyed these:
Natsume Yuujinchou
Natsume Yuujinchou is about a quiet boy from a quiet town. Oddly enough, for a series that deals with youkai, it is heartwarming. And I think Nyanko-sensei is definitely the cutest anime critter of the decade!
Seirei no Moribito
Uehashi Nahoko, being an ethnologist, has excelled in building for us the world in which Seirei no Moribito is set. And Production I.G. takes us to this world by providing stunning visuals. The fluid fight scenes might lead one to believe this is an action series (only to be disappointed later) but Seirei no Moribito is driven by an engrossing plot and interesting characters, all the while immersing us in it’s world’s culture.
Mouryou no Hako
An intricate whodunit set against the backdrop of superstition and religious beliefs. Much of Mouryou no Hako might be dialogue but this provide insights into the mystery, like pieces slowly being added to a puzzle. When all the pieces have been collected and set, the ghastly and mindblowing truth is revealed.
Honey and Clover
Honey and Clover is probably one of the best shows of the decade. It is an emotional ferris wheel ride. We laughed at the comedic moments and we cried along with the characters as they experienced heartaches, from insecurities to unrequited love. A friend once said that Honey and Clover is too heartrending to watch, and yet it is from the bitter that one gains a better appreciation for the sweet.
Mononoke
For an anime, Mononoke is avant-garde. From its art, an extravagant fusion of Japanese folk art and Western art movements such as Symbolism and art nouveau, to its direction, Mononoke pulls unconventional stops to deliver tales of horror, not so much from without, but from within. For me, Mononoke is not only my top favorite anime of the decade but also my top favorite anime of all time.
Other memorable shows
Other shows from the decade that I also like (or find noteworthy) but fell short in some areas.
Gankutsuou
Truth be told, I haven’t read Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo prior to watching Gankutsuou. In fact, it was the anime that led me to read the novel. Gankutsuou’s portrayal of the characters was deeply convincing that while reading the book, I could not help but imagine them as they were portrayed in the anime. Gankutsuou though is not a straightforward adaptation of Dumas’ work. It is set in the future and yet it still looks like the early 19th century (the overall feel is steampunkish). Also, instead of focusing on the Count’s revenge, it deals more on his relationship with Albert de Morcerf. Aesthetics-wise, Gankutsuou is a brilliant eye candy, employing a play of rich textures and patterns.
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is to hip-hop as Cowboy Bebop is to jazz. Samurai Champloo might be nonsensical at times but there are some emotional moments too. The interaction between the three main characters is amusing and the fight scenes are a creative mix of different fighting styles, even dance!
Mushishi
I think I have never seen any other anime as atmospheric as Mushishi. It follows Ginko as he examines cases of people being afflicted by the strange primordial creatures called mushi. As the series progress, Ginko learns more about the mushi and about human nature as well. Most of the stories are haunting and some are tragic but the series in general evokes a feeling of emptiness. It is from this emptiness that Mushishi draws its beauty.
Red Garden
I think the first few episodes of Red Garden portrayed raw fear and panic quite well. This is largely due to the fact that the voice acting was done before the animation, allowing the actresses to express emotions without restraint. Much of Red Garden’s visuals are anachronistic, combining several elements (such as fashion) from different American eras seamlessly.
xxxHoLic
Anime that deals with Japanese folklore interest me and xxxHoLic is one of them. However, xxxHoLic focuses more on Watanuki, his maturity and destiny. After all, isn’t destiny the theme of most, if not all, of CLAMP’s works? Production values may be average and Watanuki’s antics may be formulaic at times but xxxHoLic provides an engaging blend of comedy, the supernatural and even some drama.
Moyashimon
“Quirky” is the adjective that a lot would use in describing Moyashimon. The concept of a boy having the ability to see microorganisms with the naked eye is an original. The depiction of these microorganisms as kawaii is even more so! Moyashimon is both fun and educational. And I think the opening scenes with the 3D-rendered microbes on live background is a gem.
Shows that I like but have yet to finish
Here are some shows that I found interesting but due to some reasons, I was not able to finish watching them. There are other unfinished shows but unlike the ones here, it would not hurt to drop them.
Casshern Sins
After a long conflict between men and machines, machines have triumphed but it is a deceptive victory as they too suffer from the fallout. Casshern wanders this bleak landscape in search of his identity. Casshern Sins combines old-school anime art with excellent animation. Never mind the abundance of robotic cannon fodder.
Michiko to Hatchin
Props to Manglobe for creating the hypothetical Latin American setting of Michiko to Hatchin. Initially, my complaint was that they should have refrained from using Japanese names (although majority of Asian Latin Americans are Japanese) but oh well, Michiko to Hatchin is an entertaining watch. Get a naive femme-fatale, add an innocent and sulky little girl, shake well and observe!
Shows that I might like but have yet to watch
Just because the decade’s over, it does not mean that I can no longer watch these shows. Call it an epic fail if you like but these are still in my backlog. Looking forward to watching them someday. (I might have forgotten to add some anime to this list though.)
Haibane Renmei
Juuni Kokki
Kino no Tabi -the Beautiful World-
Kemono no Souja Erin
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So there goes my noughties in anime. I wonder what anime the new decade will bring. More moe? I hope not. One thing is certain though: a bigger backlog!
Credits to tono, サツキ, マヤタ, 漂泊, 保坂しのぶ, ? and ? for their images.
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