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Blue Exorcist is, by my own standards, a modern classic anime. Incorporating all of the elements that make anime so expressive of human thought, this show not only has a solid plot, but an entertaining animation style with excellent development, even in the lonesome filler episodes.
The main character has very similar qualities to the infamous Naruto, taking the risk of leaving the anime in the hands of a boisterous and obnoxious character to carry the show. Yet the series excels at focusing on a number of other characters as well, creating a well-rounded selection of individuals to captivate watchers into a shounen supernatural.
The ... creative labour put into each character is one of the show's more notable qualities, making it difficult not to grow attached to the individuals that spark your preference in terms of personality.
In terms of scripting, the simple-minded comedy makes it a casual watch, although moments are carefully placed throughout the arcs to grapple your emotions to heights of anger and sadness as well.
Slightly relevant in addition, is that the English dub is not a horrible job, which is a common complaint in revoiced animes. Although the English voices don't quite capture the charm of the original voiceover, I hold this show as one of my personal favorites with it's simple charisma and amusing story.

It is rare to find an original and riveting story in an unconventional world, that also fosters to the wishes of unappeasable fangirls. A mix of action, sci-fi, and drama; No. 6 is a manga that is not only thrilling, but prods at your emotions, focusing not only on the story at hand, but a complex relationship between two major characters.
I found this manga to be pleasantly progressive in its focus on romance, but not gender. It is rare to find an anime with two members of the same sex in love and confirmed in canon. It is even rarer to find one that does ... not focus on the homosexual element. No. 6 creates a complex relationship between two characters that happen to be male, yet the homosexuality is not a relevant topic to the progression of the manga.
It is a sweet respite to find an emotional approach to the topic of homosexuality, as opposed to the more common physical approach that animation and books more-so often emphasize.
In addition to this open-minded concept, this manga centers on a dystopian world of a mysterious nature, a set of events put into motion by a corrupted government masking an acclaimed utopian city.
This manga enthralls you with the story of a corrupted government, a topic that typically interests people as we hardly trust the governments in our real world. Appealing to the overly-curious nature of mankind, the story is not slow in reeling you into the city called No. 6. The common trope of two entirely different people coming together to expose a hidden truth, leads No. 6 to build a story based not only on action, but how the relationship between people can change more than you realize.
The characters are given complex personalities, imperfectly designed to be peculiar individuals that the reader grows to care for as the series darkens in its progression.
This manga gifts many scenes of delightful details that work to emphasize the little things, bringing an aura of positivity in the dreary atmosphere created. From one character's love of classical literature, to the simple incidences of everyday lives, to the budding romance subplot; the manga invites you into the world of No. 6; showing a realm full of not only horrors but also beauty of an alternate universe.

Not much more needs to be said than that this is the manga that piqued my interest in Japanese animation and stories, as well as clearly reaching a level of appreciation that I felt inclined to review just what an outstanding manga this is.
It is possibly one of the most well-known anime/manga and with good reason, for it is a pleasing read that traps you with an incurable desire to binge-read and follow the downward spiral of a man with his morally-twisted intentions.
Every character is given certain quirks that add to the art of the story, as the reader is brought down a psychological journey ... of speculation and interpretation of their own thoughts of intensifying storyline.
The manga has a fantastic build-up filled with characters constructed from both great abilities and human flaws, allowing the reader to sympathize with not only the heroes, but also the "villains" of the story. My only complaint is the lack of a strong female character, all of the feminine heroines held at steps below the men, not just in terms of development and personality but also in their actions.
Although the women do play their part in the storyline, the female characters seemed to lack personality, especially when held in comparison to the men.
However this is the only "fault" I found with this manga, and it did little to take away from a story that prods into your mind as you struggle to answer a recurring question through the series; what is moral justice?
Both Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata nail a conclusion that could have easily been botched, as a story with so many intense twists incited high expectations of an exhilarating and solid ending. Flowing with a captivating journey to a final epic ending, Death Note truly demonstrates how mangakas work their magic over readers, soliciting emotion in both art and words, causing one to ponder their own convictions of the world.

Having seen the anime first and enjoying it substantially, I had high hopes for the manga; hopes which were met and with an added surprise of quite a different ending. I highly recommend the manga, or at least the later volumes, to any fan of the anime as the storyline fleshes out the characters' backgrounds; which are not only expanded upon but given far more purpose than the sudden cut-off of the anime finale.
Starting off as sci-fi and action piece, Deadman Wonderland grows into more genres as the volumes continue, and you can almost feel the authors mold their story into something great, each volume ... building on the Deadman Wonderland world and peaking interest at the conclusion of every chapter.
The art is beautifully done; the action-packed panels are especially aesthetically pleasing despite the sometimes horrifying scene being depicted.
Many characters, although twisted with darkness, are likeable and fascinating even in their evil nature.
With a touch of psychological thrill, horror, action, sci-fi, and even romance; Deadman Wonderland is a manga I never hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for a new world to lose themselves in.

Short and sweet, this manga tops my list of favorites. Although riddled with romantic clichés that hopeless-romantic readers can't seem to get enough of, these clichés are approached in an original way that toys with your emotions and keeps you reading start to finish.
It is rare that I find a story that makes me grin like an idiot, unable to control my outward emotions as I become absorbed in the lives of the characters, but this is surely one of those stories. Despite only a few chapters, the author creates well thought out characters and a page-turning plot with a satisfying storyline from start to ... finish.

My manga preferences tend to gravitate towards action and psychological thrillers; if I do pick up a romantic manga it is (if I'm being completely honest) a yaoi or shounen-ai.
This story, although nothing like what I typically enjoy, peaked my interest immediately with lovely art and well-developed characters. The author really made me fall in love with every one of the six main characters, as their quirks and personalities added to the charm of the overall manga.
The storyline is pure and eye-opening, creating a world that thrives off of friendship and support.
Sensitive topics surrounding mental illness and lack of self worth are prominent, ... which can be triggering, but also a recommended read as the author approaches the topic with a well-rounded view.
These volumes wholeheartedly score as one of my favorite mangas, although it contrasts with my usual choices. The re-read value should also be noted, as I've found myself delving repeatedly into this series on far more than one occasion.