Crying Freeman

The new anime release format that appeared in the mid-80s brought new opportunities for studios and various works began to be released on videotapes. Some of them were frankly terrible, but some became classics with a recognizable style and aesthetics. I bring to your attention works worth viewing.

As far as I'm concerned there's an anime about pretty much everything if you look hard enough: diving, underwear design, insurance investigation (yup!) and don't even get me started on cooking. So there, picked titles with main characters directly involved and at least some focus on whatever they're doing for a living or a hobby or both.

Part two^ https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30206 (it's a work in progress though)

I remember going to the video store, browsing the shelves, and picking out a movie based on the box art alone. I'd look at the front, I'd look at the back, and more often than not I'd put it back on the shelf. Occasionally there'd be something like Ghost in the Shell or Ninja Scroll, and I knew I just had to rent it, or more accurately get my parents to rent it.

This isn't just a list of movies that were available on VHS at my local video store, this is also a list of movies that I would have rented had they been there. They have box art and synopsis appeal, regardless of the reality contained within.

This is my virtual VHS store, where we say Japanimation and we don't stock TV shows unless they're only a few episodes long. I hope you like violence and nudity. Things here also generally skew older, keeping with the VHS theme.

This is the good stuff list. If you want the bad stuff list, go here: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/9520

Tags: Old, Oldtaku, Retro, Violent, 1980s, 1990s

These are all shows under the seinen demographic! There are various different genres like action, fantasy, mystery, thriller, romance so don’t be surprised when you find a show you thought could be a Shoujo, shounen, or Josei in here. These are all shows I found interesting and so I hope for find something you like in here! (Working on explanations!)

Here's some of the anime series that deals with mafia,gangsters,delinquents etc.

These are stories showing the negative qualities of humans and their atrocious acts.

My 2nd part of realist/semi-realistic art styles in anime.

Realistic or semi-realistic art styles, proper face & body proportions, nothing that looks too cartoon-ish or stereotypical overly detailed big anime eyes or moe art style


part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20237

Before the likes of Saint Seiya, Dragon Ball Z and Pokemon conquering the kids in the west, it was actually Akira that opened the door and made people realize that the cartoons coming from Japan weren't what you would expect from Disney or your TV channels.
A huge flood of VHS tapes came showing animations with mature themes, absurd plots, and enough graphic sex and violence to make parents freak out... what a glorious time!
They don't make cartoons like this anymore.

This is a comprehensive list with stuff from very good to very trashy, but all in the same spirit.
Some early 00's also included.

ps: I also recommend, but can't include here, the second Violence Jack movie, A Kite and Mezzo Forte.

Glorious 80's and 90's (Supernatural, Mystery and Horror)
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30605

"The line between good and evil is thinner than a razor’s edge."

Noir is characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.

The isolation from society of the typical noir hero was underscored by the use of stark high-contrast lighting. Classic images of noir included rain-soaked streets in the early morning hours; street lamps with shimmering halos; flashing neon signs on seedy taverns, diners, and apartment buildings; and endless streams of cigarette smoke wafting in and out of shadows.

The inherent subjectivity of Expressionism is also evident in noir’s use of narration and flashback. An omniscient, metaphor-spouting narrator frequently clarifies a characteristically labyrinthine noir plot or offers a subjective, jaded point of view. Tension and suspense are increased by the use of all-knowing narrators and flashbacks, in that the audience is always cognizant of impending doom.

The heroes of noir generally share certain qualities, such as moral ambiguity, a fatalistic outlook, and alienation from society. They also exhibit an existential acceptance of random, arbitrary occurrences as being the determining factors in life. Such compassionless pragmatism is found in the most noble, as well as the most tarnished, of noir heroes. The weakest of such characters exhibit an abundance of tragic flaws.

Noir villains are often characterized as homme fatales or “spiders”; in the words of one critic, they are “comfortable in the world of cheap dives, shadowy doorways, and mysterious settings.” They cunningly and ruthlessly manipulate their counterparts to gain power or wealth.

Nevertheless, the noir villains often evoke sympathy, as they are frequently victims of emotional or physical abuse, with such victimization providing impetus for their vengeance. They are trapped in passionless or violent bonds of contract/servitude and resort to murder as a means of escape, usually destroying their conspirators in the process.

Source: Britannica - list will be kept updated

Prominet member of Vancouver anime scenes

based on his YT series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuCjDb3AP-cTKX_jghvRYxLMyQpwihAJR&feature=shared

sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F83J8K7jZ9smMxPC8iow2MSEB6DfRObn/edit#gid=457076431

Collection of series that focus on a professional on their field doing their work.

Hitman, Contract Killer, Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Hired Gangster...
Here is a compilation of blood and tears


Rules of this list :

- The plot has to revolve around the HITMAN JOB. Being chased by one counts. Better if the Hitman is the main character. It doesn't have to be always the main focus but just having a assassin arc isn't enough.

- No sci-fi, No super-power, No supernatural, No fantasy. It has to be REALISTIC.

- Only pure ACTION, blood, chase scenes, explosions, firefights, crime, revenge, mafia.

- Contemporary period.

- Using GUNS (Some exeptions are made, if the spirit is still close to the other criterias).

- Maximum 2 anime per franchise.


PS: If you are not afraid of the H3ntaï tag, also check : Mezzo Forte and A Kite

Daisuke Nishio is a Japanese animator and director. He joined Toei Doga (now Toei Animation) as animator in 1981. After doing several TV series, he was promoted to assistant director on Dr. Slump - Arale-chan in 1982. He debuted as director for Dragon Ball in 1986 and made his film debut that same year with Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong. Nishio also directed its sequel TV series, Dragon Ball Z, and several of its films.

It’s strange that I’m the first to think of this, but I’ll try anyway. As the name obviously suggests, this stack is dedicated to anime where either the protagonist belongs to the yakuza or fights them. Well, or where it’s just a topic that gets enough attention.

A series of stacks consisting of content creator BennettTheSage's anime review show under the same name as the stack. Goes chronologically by the first to the last.

Vol. 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/59808
Vol. 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/59813
Vol. 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/59814
Vol. 4: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/59815
Vol. 5: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/59816