My Top 5 Serious Anime Of All Time

Hello Fellow Otaku & Metalheads, and happy 2020!

I’m definitely looking forward to what I got planned for this year, and for that matter, the entire decade. With a new period of times comes some changes to the Heavy Metal Otaku blog. Despite the possibility of World War 3 on the horizon, I’m doing the best I can to keep my spirits up. I guess because of the environment we’re in right now, I’m starting the year off with something serious. Not massively so, as I got something a bit happier further into January. In the meantime, here are my top 5 serious anime of all time. Let’s begin!

5) Crimson Wolf (Hon Ran)

Starting things off is what might very well be the most unintentionally hilarious OVAs I’ve ever watched. On the surface the idea seems quite intriguing (Adverting the apocalypse caused by the discovery of Genghis Khan’s tomb, leading into fantasy/government conspiracy), and to a certain degree it’s used well. However, the potential is ruined by a short length, oddly paced story, and some of the most out there lines ever recorded for a dub. I could also put Crimson Wolf in the “Comedy” category in a big moment of irony, but the potential within keeps me from doing so.......barely.

4) Bleach - Diamond Dust Rebellion

From something accidentally funny to something stereo typically Shonen, Bleach is perhaps one of the most iconic shows in the style. Whether reviled or beloved, anime fans will usually have this as one of if not their first Shonen shows they’ve ever watched. In regards to the movies, they’re shrunken equivalents of a season of the show (In all the right/wrong ways), save for a bit more seriousness given the stakes that are raised. Out of all the movies, I was always impressed by Diamond Dust Rebellion: despite following the Shonen trope somewhat to a T, the threat against Ichigo & the Soul Society seemed genuinely powerful, and it affects some of the characters pretty harshly. Like Crimson Wolf this movie is not for everybody (Perhaps even more so), but for people like me, this easily fits the bill for something fun and serious.

3) Bible Black

I think is the first time in the 5+ years of the Heavy Metal Otaku blog that I’ve actually talked about a hentai, and man did I pick an infamous one. For even casual fans of adult-themed anime, most know of this series for it’s particularly hilarious dub, but what an equal amount of people don’t know is how surprisingly in-depth Bible Black is. There’s actually story! There’s actually depth! There’s actually character! The atmosphere is dark, and even scary at points. There isn’t a massive amount of story, depth, and character due to the pornagrapic nature, and the dark/scary parts seems slightly comical because of what I said above, but the original series & even most of the sequels have a little bit of heft to it. If you’re one of those people who like their hentai with more substance, then Bible Black might be what you’re looking for.

2) A Silent Voice

Okay, now we’re getting serious.

If there was any anime on this list that I would consider to be serious. Maybe even bordering on realistic.....it would have to be A Silent Voice. I praised this movie back in 2017 despite it being an honorable mention, and I’ll still praise it today. Perhaps what makes it a little superior over the original manga is the usage of subtly throughout the movie, which in turn makes the heavy emotional gutpunches that much more powerful. Dealing with physical disabilities, bullying & the damage it does, and dealing with the consequences of one’s actions, A Silent Voice is one of those OVAs that everybody should watch. Whether you’re an anime fan or not, you shouldn’t miss this.

1) Cowboy Bebop

True story: I never watched this classic show in it’s heyday. It wasn’t until the re-release back in the early 2010s that I finally bought it, sat down, and gave it a watch.......that’s when it hit me!

Now, I will say that I do have an issue or two. I’m not the biggest fan of moral ambiguity/moral greyness, but the show does it well for the most part. I’m not the biggest Jazz fan, but the soundtrack for the series is incredibly. What really gets Cowboy Bebop as my number 1 favorite serious anime.....is that it’s a show about people. More specifically, it’s about an examination of people. An examination into their past, how they currently function when we meet them, and the potential to what they may become later in their lives. It’s pretty neat to see if this aspect of the show is true, and it’s neat to see so many other things as well (Race, Film Noir, etc). If there was an anime that is serious and can convert potential anime fans, then Cowboy Bebop is it.

So those were my 5 favorite serious anime of all time. As per usual, my lists always have strange choices on them, and this one is definitely no exception. Well, to step away from seriousness, I got something fun planned for later on this month. So join around the mid of January, where anime & Heavy Metal will collide! See you then.