My Top 3: Anime

So I've been thinking that a good way for you to get to know me is by reading about some of my favorite things. It's as Fall Out Boy said, "you are what you love and not who loves you". This couldn't be any more true. The things we love definitely make up who we are and how we think (at least to a certain degree).

Anyway, today I thought I'd kick this 'My Top 3' thing off by telling you about my * current * favorite anime in no particular order.

1. Tokyo Ghoul

Alright, so I only recently watched the first season of Tokyo Ghoul so I was able to sit down a plow through all 12 episodes over the course of two days. It's hands-down one of the best anime I've ever seen.

The suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious "ghouls" who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. An ordinary college student named Kaneki encounters Rize, a girl who is an avid reader like him, at the café he frequents. Little does he realize that his fate will change overnight. (source)

The story is so intriguing that you don't ever want it to end and you never want to take a break from watching. You find yourself genuinely invested in the conflict, searching yourself for answers as Kaneki does. You're forced to assess your own opinion on whether you think that these ghouls have humanity or not. You, yourself, have to decide whose side you're on.

Like I said, I watched the entire series in one sitting and I never once got tired of seeing these characters struggle and interact. Kaneki is one of the most interesting main characters I've encountered so far. His character development and progression are so well done and his genuine struggle to come to terms with what happens to him is endearing and tragic to say the least. You really feel for him.

Bottom line, the first season of Tokyo Ghoul is near about perfect and, if you don't mind a little blood and gore, you should absolutely give it a shot.

2. Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)

Ok, so I know Attack on Titan is all the rage right now and that might lead you to believe that the show is overrated. It's not. I promise you. In my opinion, it's one of the few shows that actually lives up to it's hype.

Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by titans. Titans are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence, devour human beings and, worst of all, seem to do it for the pleasure rather than as a food source. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest of titans.

Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a titan in over 100 years. Teenage boy Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a colossal titan that appears out of thin air. As the smaller titans flood the city, the two of them watch in horror as their mother is eaten alive. Eren vows that he will murder every single titan and take revenge for all of mankind. (source)

Despite some obvious plot holes and slow pacing, I find the premise, the characters, and the art to be more than enough to hold my attention and keep me interested. The execution of the story may be a little rough around the edges but overall, it's a winner. 

With 25 episodes in the first (and only???) season, it manages to make you care about even the smallest of side-characters. The tone of this show is dark, there is very little hope to speak of, but Eren Jaeger's fiery spirit and determination will make you root for humanity's victory until the very end.

All in all, a great show with a great story and great characters. What more could you want? (other than a second season)

3. Noragami

I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this show when I first started it. In fact, I turned it off within the first two minutes. I returned to it later, looking for an anime on Netflix that I hadn't already seen. What was I thinking when I had turned it off?! Seriously, this series had me in a slump after I finished it because I was convinced there was nothing that could top it.

Yato is a minor deity who lacks even a single shrine. In order to build his own shrine and gain recognition as a god, he scrawls his cell number on the wall of a downtown bathroom telling people he will help them in exchange for a 5-yen offering, becoming a self-styled "delivery god." Hiyori, the daughter of a respectable family, is almost killed in a traffic accident, but is rescued by Yato. This causes her to become a "hanyou," a person who can exit her body in soul form. She chases Yato down, and they begin to work together to help Yato be recognized. Yato also finds a boy named Yukine who becomes a Regalia, a "sacred treasure" that can be used by a god as a weapon to fight. The three of them battle phantoms who bring harm to humans as Yato's dark hidden history is gradually revealed. (source)

Like the other shows I've mentioned, Noragami has a captivating story. The idea of these goofy looking phantoms whispering things and causing people to commit terrible acts was so disturbing. That along with the concept of using innocent spirits as weapons by gods? Like, the show is so creative. I can't deal.

Character-wise, Noragami hits the nail on the head. Every single character is likable and I think that's what makes a show. You can have a mediocre story with great characters but the reverse is seldom a good watch. Noragami happens to have both a great story and great characters.

Watch this show. It's a great concept and Yato might be one of my favorite characters of all time. Do yourself a favor and watch this show.

Honorable mentions: Hunter x Hunter, Nanatsu no Taizai (Seven Deadly Sins)