At tenth place, we have the silent but deadly guardian of the granddaughter of Mahora Academy’s Dean, Konoka. Armed with her katana with wooden hilt, she swiftly dispatches any threats to Konoka’s life. Setsuna’s silent and somewhat dismissive demeanour hides her true feelings: Setsuna really loves her childhood friend, Konoka, and would lay down her life to protect her, despite their lack of communication in the beginning of the Negima! series. Setsuna’s swordsmanship is the best the academy has to offer and, given the nature of the Negima! series, it is an added bonus that she is as good in combat as she is beautiful and her enigmatic personality makes her a memorable katana-wielding, magic-thwarting, granddaughter-protecting female anime character. Careful around her though, Setsuna does NOT hold back and she will hit you where it hurts. Ask Negi, he’ll tell you.

Everyone likes cats. Even people who don’t like cats like cats. And those who are reading this must like female anime characters who arm themselves with katana. Himari is both – a catwoman who skilfully dispatches other supernatural creatures with her trusty blade. Due to one of her ancestors being spared by the protagonist’s, Yuuto Amakawa’s family of demon slayers, Himari is loyal to the Amakawa House and acts as a bodyguard, protecting Yuuto from danger. Himari’s catlike nature, her somewhat alluring demeanour and her excellent fighting ability with her katana in tow make her one of our favourites. Himari cares deeply for her master, Yuuto, and, like many other characters who engage in combat, she is subject to intense fits of rage, making her a formidable opponent. Who says house cats can’t be guard dogs?

Extremely childish and adorable, yet a keen fighter wielding the infamous Reiki, Aya Natsume makes her appearance at 8th on this list. Having had her first blade broken in a fight, Aya decided to borrow one of her sister’s swords. This blade, as fate would have it, was the evil katana which supposedly drove her brother, Shin, to insanity, the Reiki. The sheer length of the blade, technically classifying it as a nodachi, and its ominous dark purple glow gives the adorable Natsume Aya an intimidating aura. Handed down through the generations of the Natsume family, Aya’s Reiki was intended to be wielded by her sister, Maya. Irrespective of who it was actually meant for, Aya is one of our favourites due to her elite swordsmanship and of course, her beauty. Long, flowing brown hair coupled with a sword longer than life itself, Aya Natsume is a long-term female katana-wielding legend and has found her place on this list faster than she could find a long-term replacement for her broken katana.

In a family restaurant, you expect good food and company, and in some cases, a great place to work with friendly service. However, at Wagnaria, you are greeted by a plethora of eccentric servers and one really friendly waitress with a katana strapped to her waist. Wait, what?! That brings us to our 7th katana-slinger, but in this case, “slinger” is not the correct word. Todoroki Yachiyo is a waitress and Chief-of-Staff at Wagnaria Family Restaurant. Todoroki is known for her katana which is always sheathed at her side. This clashes with her personality: Todoroki is a kind and caring person, a mother figure to some of her colleagues, obsessed with Wagnaria’s manager, Shirafuji Kyouko, and an airhead. An adorable airhead. Despite these qualities, the katana sheathed at Todoroki’s side intimidates her colleagues and customers; however, she only ever draws the blade in extreme cases where she feels that the manager is being taken away from her. Completely oblivious to the feelings of the intimidated masses, Todoroki continues to serve them with a smile every day. How could you not love her?

Captain of the Kendo Club. With long black hair and an old-fashioned yet stylish approach to her school skirts and a knack for utterly pulverising the undead, we bring to you Busujima Saeko. Being the captain of the Kendo Club gave this katana girl a great advantage when the world was overrun by zombies. Busujima’s swordsmanship is beautiful and it is mesmerising watching her dispatching “them” with ease. Perhaps the main reason why Busujima Saeko is on this list is because of that scene. The scene where she defied all the laws of physics and let a bullet find a small but adequate space between her breasts to firmly lodge itself in the brain of one of “them”. Busujima’s movements are beautiful. Her demeanour is badass. Her swordsmanship allows her to defy physics itself and Busujima is the best at giving the undead a mouthful of steel. Busujima Saeko, there is no risk of friendly fire when she’s around!

With a personality so cool she could’ve been Erza’s understudy during casting, we have our next katana girl, Kagura. Bearing one of the biggest grudges and roughest exteriors in the Fairy Tail universe, Kagura is without fail, one of our favourites. Her expert swordsmanship and tough lady personality make her instantly likable, but she has a softer side we love as well. Living her life to avenge the death of her brother, Simon, Kagura has honed her fighting ability and gone from a helpless child to a capable and dependable fighter. Having pledged allegiance to the Mermaid Heel guild, Kagura and her trusty blade have made their mark in Fiore. Fighting isn’t all she’s about; however. Kagura is human just like everyone else and shed tears upon hearing Erza’s explanation about the conditions surrounding her brother’s death. Kagura’s tragic backstory, determination and loyalty to her friends make her a katana girl worth remembering.

Armed with the task of obtaining all of Shikizaki Kiki’s legendary swords is our fourth katana-toting dame, from the story all about katana, white-haired Togame. NisioIsin really did a number on us when he came up with this story and a character as entertaining, as frustrating and as likable as Togame. Featuring so high up on a list filled with katana-bearing ladies, it would be just to assume that she is competent in combat. She really isn’t. However, coming into contact with several katana made by a legendary sword maker makes her worthy of the “katana girl” title. Togame is a shrewd and intelligent yet somewhat innocent and goofy character whose silliness and interactions with her environment make her more than memorable. She’s a complicated character hidden under layers of simplicity. She also threatened to give everyone at Honey’s a “cheerio!” if we didn’t put her on this list.

Eyes and hair a bright crimson and blade alight, presented with the task of defeating the Crimson Denizens is our number 3, the Flame Haze, Shana. At first, ironically, she is cold and dismissive, but as she begins to show more of herself, as Shana begins to learn more about humans through the protagonist, Yuuji. Shana is one of our favourite katana girls and on this list because she is the ultimate tsundere – completely going against her very title and the very flames which envelop her during combat, Shana goes from hot to cold in an instant! Her appearance during combat is one of the most beautiful works of animation and her hot-headed tendencies make her fighting a spectacle. Shana cares deeply for the friends she makes and as the series progresses, she experiences romantic love. Shana is adorable and makes our hearts burn with every swing of her sword and every denizen slain. And stain this sky red…

Another red-eyed heroine features at second place on our list and she is nothing to scoff at. Akame is an assassin of the Revolutionary Army and one of Night Raid’s most skilled killers. Her Imperial Arm, Murasame, is a katana worthy of being called a demonic sword. Murasame’s ability allows Akame the ability to kill with only one strike – contact with the blade invokes a curse which kills its victim. So, stay far away and avoid the blade and everything will be fine, right? Wrong. Akame is a trained assassin and one of the most formidable fighters the Empire has ever produced. Agile with sharp senses and an unbreakable resolve, Akame is one of the most terrifying opponents and a very comforting ally. She appears aloof but cares deeply for her friends and every death tests her very resolve. She also likes meat, a trait which contrasts her very serious and battle-oriented profile. With a terrifying blade and insane movements in combat, Akame is a staple ingredient in any list of this nature. Any list which does not feature Akame, she will gladly “eliminate”. Any last words?

Topping this list of katana girls is the heroine who started it all for Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia. As a Shinigami in each, Rukia has the incredible abilities of her Zanpakutou or Soul Slayer at her disposal. Her sword, Sode no Shirayuki or Sleeve of White Snow is said to be the most beautiful in the entire series. Rukia is an expert swordsman and master of the Kidou or Demon Magic, she is incredibly fast and boasts a keen intellect. Her personality is calm and collected, despite this; however, she has a cute side, being completely obsessed with anything rabbit themed. Rukia is terrible at drawing and she has been told several times. She is a very closed-off individual and keeps to herself, deeming it better to suffer in silence than to let others suffer along with her. Rukia is a selfless character, sacrificing herself to save Ichigo when she barely knew him, allowing him to use her powers to defeat the hollow which threatened his family. Her humble beginnings keep her level-headed despite her adoption into nobility. Rukia carries herself with an air of confidence. Rukia is the first Bleach character ever conceived and one of the most popular characters of the series. Her cool personality and secret concern she has for the people around her give her great dimension as a character and thus, she is the number one katana anime girl. Her name is Rukia. Kuchiki Rukia.

Most often when we do these countdowns we like to kick things off with a bang. This number 10 selection fits that bill to a tee. There’s no need to blink or rub your eyes, you are indeed reading that title correctly. If you’re familiar with this series you know that god made an appearance in episode four. Hane initiated contact with him at the side of the road. God has made several appearances throughout this anime but we felt his appearance in the final episode was his best. In an episode featuring many absurd events, the one we want to highlight has the motorcycle club looking for magazines in “Tatsuya Book & CD.” Hane finds God at the checkout and notices that he’s buying the “VIBE” magazine. She thought VIBE was for females because there are generally women on the cover. Little does the naïve one know that it’s a sexy magazine with naked females straddling bikes. She takes a look through it and to her astonishment finds a pinup model and twice mentions that she sees her pubic hair. God simply slaps her around a few times and pays for his smut. Once you get past the initial shock, laughter quickly takes over this moment.

During episode eight Hijiri is happy because her birthday is coming up and soon she will be able to ride a motorbike on her own. She shocked the club by announcing that she already has a motorcycle license. She was able to obtain one by simply using her wealth to purchase one in a foreign country. All she had to do was take a rewrite in Japan and she got it reissued to her. Realizing that she didn’t know what a yellow traffic light meant, Onsa cut up her license right before her very eyes. Hayakawa bought her a Honda Super Cub from Onsa’s father. It was said to be easier than riding a bicycle but that didn’t improve Hijiri’s confidence any. Sadly, she wasn’t able to ride a bicycle either, at that time. Hijiri with little confidence wiped out several times trying to ride the bike, including a failed attempt at getting on the Super Cub. Finally, she put some gas to it and she flew down a flight of steps only to flip the bike and land head-first on the ground. Frustration clearly at a boiling point, she got up with a look of malice on her face and proceeded to take a sledgehammer to the bike! To her surprise, the bike still worked after the beating it received.

After a fun-filled adventure exploring the roads with their bikes, the girls spotted a hot spring connected to the ocean. Onsa and Rin had their reservations about the whole idea, due to it being visible from the outside but also because it was a mixed gender spring. Despite their hesitant nature, the girls got in after seeing Raimu, Hane and Hijiri take the plunge. It never felt so liberating being a delinquent some of them urged. The scene really starts to pick up after Rin moves to the ocean side and bends over at the side of the spring. Rin, the curviest female of the group certainly becomes the stand-out of this scene, much to her dismay. While she’s bent over enjoying the situation, Hane points out that she has something on her left butt cheek. It turns out to be a Suzuki logo, naturally. The group was under the impression that it was there purposely, but oh no, Rin tells a tale of how she received it. Episode four delivers a fun story about Rin and her father riding a bike and they get into an accident that sends a young Rin comically flying in the air and landing on a steaming hot Suzuki hood logo on a car, thus permanently branding her.

This next quirky selection is from episode nine towards the end of the show. The motorcycle club has returned for another year of school and they’re eager as ever to convince new students to join the club. They quickly realize it’s not an easy task to get students who don’t know anything about motorbikes to join a club with them. The club, after all, is a little daunting for newcomers because they should have some knowledge of bikes. In addition to that, have a license so they can ride together and do group activities. The motorcycle club devises a plan to perform an awe-inspiring showcase of everything that is great about riding motorbikes. Orientation comes along and the pressure is on for these girls. What they come up with is one of the silliest (but hilarious) moments from the entire series. The four girls walk on stage with bike handlebars and proceed to sing and dance while explaining how to ride a bike. Needless to say, the majority of the audience laughs at their spirited performance, with Rin getting the most pleasure out of it. Chisame tries to redeem the club, but even her serious explanation of bikes on stage fails miserably. All in all, this was a great scene.

In the debut episode of this series it follows one of the main characters Hane, riding her bike to school up a tremendously steep hill. After seeing others riding their motorbikes, Hane later meets up with Raimu. Raimu gives Hane a test ride and she quickly falls in love with the experience. She then decides that it’s in her best interest to get her own bike and license. This is where our next great moment comes to us at. The first major test for Hane is to stand up the fallen bike to its normal position. At first, she fails, but she tries again and accomplishes this by receiving helpful tips from, get this, the motorbike itself. The bike comes installed with a trainer voice named Baita, who assists newcomers. Baita is a female and helps aid Hane in the most curious of ways. She often tells stories about giving her body up to men or having their crotches in her face. She even explains to Hane, to treat her bike the way she would treat a man. She’s a unique and amusing personality that eventually becomes one of the catalysts for Hane passing her test.

Let’s keep going on this wonderful ride as we come to episode five. For motorbike owners out there, have you ever had the urge to wear your swimwear and cover yourself in soap, only then to rub your body on your bike? I’m willing to bet a lot of you would answer with an emphatic no. Well, this is exactly what happened during episode five. The girls are proud owners of their bikes and rightfully so, but some felt that your typical bucket and cloth wasn’t enough to do it justice. After a long and hectic adventure to Hokkaido the girls made it back in one piece, so what better time than to clean the dirt off the motorbikes. Onsa elects to take a more traditional route, whereas Hane gets this “brilliant” idea to use her body for more coverage. Naturally, Rin catches a glimpse of it and her competitive nature sparks up and she finds herself equaling Hane’s effort to clean. This scene provides us with more than enough fan service and it’s sure to get some hearts racing by the end of it. Raimu is the last to finish up on her bike and immediately after doing so, it rains. That concludes a witty ending to an eye-catching scene.

Back to episode eight we go with another fantastic moment from Bakuon!! This time, the moment takes place during the second half of the episode, where they focus more on the Christmas holiday. The motorcycle club has a Christmas get together which includes the usual, such as, food, decorations and gift giving. Onsa receives a rather narcissistic gift from Rin. It turns out to be a handmade doll of Rin riding her Suzuki GSX400S Katana much to Onsa’s disappointment. During Onsa’s tirade over how self-absorbed Rin is, she drops the present destroying the doll. More specifically, the head falls off! The thoughtful but often dim-witted Hane lends a helping hand and fixes the problem by gluing the head back on and reinforcing it with tape. Everyone around is skeptical about the repair done by Hane, most notably Onsa, who seems to think it’s a rather ominous look with that tape around the dolls neck. Hane catches up with Rin who was out delivering pizza and hands her a gift, since she missed the gift exchange. Rin opens it to find that it’s a lovely pink scarf. Rin puts it on and as Hane bikes away she realizes the irony of the taped up doll and said scarf. It leads Hane to wonder if it’s a bad omen. It turns out it was great luck for Rin and terrible luck for Hane.

Just like the previous selection, we’re going back to yet another episode we have touched up on. That would be episode five, the one that delivers the most fan service in the entire series. This scandalous scene took place prior to the bike wash during their stay in Hokkaido. The girls met up with Saruko Saruyama unknowingly. She is a teacher from their school. Saruko was deeply gazing off into the sea, when all of a sudden she disappears briefly only to reappear on a bike trying to bike-dive off Cape Soya. Ultimately the teacher failed and she received assistance from the motorcycle club. Saruko was very much distressed and the girls could sense it. They all stayed together at the “Shimizu Inn.” During this time Saruko confessed she had been dumped recently by her thirteenth boyfriend and love was getting her nowhere. Obviously, she was emotional and drank enough alcohol to get her in a frisky mood. Once Hane passes out from the smell of Saruko’s alcohol, she tries to take advantage of Hane. Saruko lifts up her shirt to nearly expose her breasts and when the club tries to stop her, she turns her attention onto them. She pounces on Onsa taking her shirt off and follows that up by offering to lick Hijiri’s feet. Finally, she gets to Rin and takes her shirt off and tugs at her pants. This prompts Hane to say that alcohol is a scary thing. In this case, it sure was.

We’re down to our number two selection from this list. It comes by way of episode seven of this fun anime. The motorcycle club was to provide an optimal experience and showcase their very own bike race. This included several laps around the school. As the race is about to start, we’re introduced to the MC, “The Evil Queen Veda, Hijirian.” Hijiri didn’t take part in the race but was instrumental in creating the track and more specifically the “Panel That Somehow Cools Your Engine When You Go Over It.” Right out of the gates Raimu takes a nasty spill and she falls to the ground and is knocked out of commission for a good chunk of the race. This provides the other three, Onsa, Hane and Rin to finish before her. However, Raimu eventually gets back up and her skill and experience get her back in the race. She effortless gains all the ground she lost while she was down and it becomes a tight race. This is where that panel finally comes into play. Throughout the race, the girls avoided using it, much to the dismay of Hijiri. During the final stretch, Raimu goes over it and it freezes her engine sending her flying in the air once again. She gets blasted with such force that she almost won the race! It was a hilarious moment in the series and you almost have to feel bad for Raimu.

We’ve come up with a spectacular list that has now brought us to our number one character moment in Bakuon!! This comes courtesy of episode eleven. The girls are introduced to a hardcore cyclist that claims that bicycles are better than motorbikes. He’s determined more than ever to prove it to them. Long story short, he wipes out and ends up on the back of Hijiri’s family owned limousine. The next day Rin and Onsa head to school via the train because it’s raining and it’s not ideal for their bikes to be out in that kind of weather. While on the train both Rin and Onsa pass out and during this, Rin drools and drops some of her saliva on Onsa’s hand. This provides a wake-up call for Onsa who ends up licking the saliva off her hand, thinking it was her own. This causes Onsa to feel sick and misses school due to her newly diagnosed “Suzukiphilia.” Rin visits her at her house and she catches her about to lick a motorbike. This radical behavior also included Onsa becoming obsessed with Suzuki, just like Rin. Onsa’s family eventually got her back to normal by using the “death by praise” idea. It was a bittersweet moment for Rin, who wasn’t exactly sure how to take it all in.

It is said that one of the best ways to deal with stress is to spend time with some sort of animal, like a cat or a dog. Hanekawa Tsubasa from the Monogatari Series took that one step further and learned to deal with stress in the most genius way possible: a stressed Hanekawa would turn into a catgirl and roam around the streets late at night attacking random people in a form dubbed “Black Hanekawa”. Her transformation occurs at night and Hanekawa wakes up the next morning with no recollection of the events of the previous night, with only the visual clue of her dirty feet to tell her she’d been out. Hanekawa’s appearance as Black Hanekawa is a massive shift from the bespectacled beauty she normally is. Her black hair turns snow white, her irises turn yellow and her pupils become the characteristic cat-like slits. Hanekawa’s somewhat reserved personality takes a backseat for a menacing, standoffish persona with a very cute speech pattern, meowing every chance she gets. Black Hanekawa is actually the result of possession by the Sawari Neko apparition and it causes her to be increasingly violent to the point where, at one stage, she rips off Araragi’s arm. Bad kitty!

Alibaba Saluja, the former prince of the Kingdom of Balbadd, a man who grew up in the slums, borne to a prostitute and the then king of Balbadd, Alibaba’s life changed when his father claimed him. Well versed in survival and combat, with the help of a certain young magician, Alibaba conquered a Dungeon which appeared in Balbadd, which granted him the power of the Guardian or “Djinn” of that Dungeon, Amon. Having found a worthy metal vessel in the form of his royal sword, Alibaba was eventually to perform the Djinn Equip, an ability granted solely to Dungeon Conquerors, allowing for the individuals to take on the form of their Djinn. In the Djinn Equip state, Alibaba’s personal features do not change; however, he is enveloped in orange flames, his hands are dressed in orange gauntlets and he sports a 3rd eye in the centre of his forehead. Alibaba’s royal sword also emits powerful flames and he becomes a mass of awesome, fiery power. Why get 3 wishes from a genie in a lamp when you could get the whole genie and then some?

When Ryuuko found the sentient Kamui Senketsu, a special school uniform which chooses her to be its wearer, granting her special powers putting her on equal footing with those from Honnouji Academy who wear Goku Uniforms, she earned her right to be on this list. The Kamui, or “God Clothes” gives Ryuuko the strength to go against the hierarchy of Honnouji Academy and face the Student Council President, Kiryuuin Satsuki and find out who killed her father. Normally, Kamui Senketsu presents itself as a regular Japanese sailor uniform, pretty standard with red lacing and a strange cross-shaped mark on the left side of the chest. When exposed to Ryuuko’s blood, we see a very well sewn together transformation sequence reminiscent of most magical girl transformation sequences, Kamui Senketsu completely changes into a combat-friendly, photoshoot-ready article with Ryuuko’s navel completely exposed, Senketsu’s skirt frills are given an edge and the chest area made extra tight and finished off with kickass thigh-length boots, Ryuuko and her Kamui Senketsu have significant visual impact – she makes an epic fashion statement.

Gatchaman CROWDS can be summarised in one simple sentence: it is the anime equivalent of the Power Rangers. From the dynamics of the main characters, to the transformation sequence to the nature of their foe, it is quite easily Power Rangers. Except, it is much better, with a transformation sequence so awesome you can’t help but stand and pose the way they do. Each member of the Gatchaman is fully capable of the transformation, a phenomenon we at Honey’s have titled “BIRD, GO!”, in reference of the key phrase they say when they transform. In their transformed state, each Gatchaman dons a different kind of futuristic armour, in assorted colours depending on their personality (again, Power Rangers). The transformation just tickles one right in the childhood, when being a protector of justice was a feasible profession. The transformation screams coolness and just could not be left off this list, especially when every member of the Gatchaman performs it. C’mon team, let’s fight against evil! BIRD, GO!

In √A, we are introduced to the concept of cannibalism in Ghouls – the more Ghouls a Ghoul consumes, the stronger they become and, at some stage, their main predatory tool, the Kagune, envelops their entire body and they become Kakuja, a somewhat unsightly transformation which Kaneki experiences. As a Kakuja, Kaneki’s Kagune covers his face and most of his body, giving him the look of a purple centipede. He performs erratic, writhing movements in this form, much like those of a centipede and he loses all ability to reason. Kaneki in his Centipede form is a complete monster in form and in mentality and due to the sheer visual impact of the transformation, there was no way it would be left off this list. As most fans of the series would realise, it is a reference to the one of the torture methods experienced by Kaneki at the hands of Jason. It is absolutely creepy and a fairly dark transformation, not one most anime protagonists would be known for. Despite this, it made the top 10, because everyone likes centipedes, worms and other creepy crawlies, right?

In perhaps one of the most epic ironies in anime, after his squad is totally annihilated (bar one) in their first ever mission as military academy graduates, Eren Jaeger emerges from the mouth of a titan as a titan which seemingly has only one goal: kill all the titans. This unlikely transformation, or Titan Shift, emerges in situations where Eren finds himself with a clear objective and some sort of emotional stimulus. In order to transform, Eren needs to injure himself in some way, with the objective in mind. The transformation has no sequence, instead, a blinding flash of lightning appears and Eren’s titan body forms almost instantly. The Titan Shift puts severe strain on Eren’s body and so he can only manage a few Titan Shifts in a day and upon using the Titan Shift, he loses all reason and simply becomes a titan killing machine with no regard for anything else. The Titan Shift seems like the perfect solution for stress relief, we might add.

The next transformation on this list is Gon’s Growth Spurt. For lack of a better name, we have decided to classify this one-time transformation as a growth spurt, for fairly obvious reasons. Gon takes on this form in his fight against the powerful Chimera Ant, Neferpitou. Enraged at the death of his friend Kite at the hands of Neferpitou, Gon’s demeanour changes completely: from his regular, cheery self to a calm, somewhat solemn character. He grows to adult size, looking very bulky in build, his hair long and flowy, and his strength is incredible. This is one of the more epic transformations on this list, as it was the result of an individual’s emotions pushing them beyond their physical limitations. This transformation put an incredible amount of strain on Gon’s body and he was rendered comatose, with virtually no hope of ever recovering. This transformation would probably come in handy when one needs just a little more height. Why eat your vegetables if you could just use nen? Nen – a perfect boost in any situation.

In the fight against former 5th Squad Captain and the series’ main antagonist, Aizen Sousuke, Ichigo finds himself having to rely on his sword’s secret hidden technique, the Final Getsuga Tenshou. The main drawback to this technique was its permanent aftereffects: once used, Ichigo lost all his Shinigami powers and went back to simply being a human. Despite this, Ichigo used the Final Getsuga Tenshou. In using the Final Getsuga Tenshou, Ichigo became Getsuga itself, which manifested in long black hair and bandage-like coverings over Ichigo’s mouth and chest. His reiatsu forms black swirls around him, making him look very ominous. Used as a last resort to defeat one of the most powerful enemies Ichigo has ever faced, the Final Getsuga Tenshou is one of the most intense transformations in anime and its destructive force is vast. Ichigo’s no-hesitation approach to using this transformation, as well as its totally badass look earn the Final Getsuga Tenshou the number 3 spot on this list. Getsuga… TENSHOU!!!!!!!!!!

Usagi’s transformation happens to be one of the most influential in anime and this list would not be at all relevant without Moon Prism Power Makeup! The transformation occurs quite often in the series and it is set off by the keyphrase “Moon Prism Power Makeup!”. When Usagi yells this phrase, an intricate transformation sequence begins in which her uniform as the punisher of evil, Sailor Moon adorning her body in a colourful and visually appealing display. Her leotard would often be the first to appear, as several pink ribbons cover the various areas which are to be occupied by the different parts of her costume, such as her gloves and boots. The sequence finishes off with a gem appearing in the middle of her forehead, before a band extends from the gem to caress her head, forming her tiara and hair ornaments appear in the buns of her ponytails. Moon Prism Power Makeup is definitely a legendary transformation, simply due to the fact that it is the main transformation of the protagonist of one of the most popular anime franchises to date. It is visually appealing and had legions of fans following suit whenever the transformation came up on TV. It is an iconic part of the Sailor Moon universe and perhaps of anime as a whole. Now, let’s go! MOON PRISM POWER MAKEUP!

Number 1 on our list of transformations is none other than Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation. Quite possibly the most iconic anime image and the most iconic image of the Dragon Ball franchise, the Super Saiyan transformation was merely folklore amongst the Saiyan warrior race. It was for this myth that the evil space tyrant, Frieza, destroyed the Saiyan planet, Planet Vegeta. Fearful that from the Saiyans, whom he subjugated, a Super Saiyan would emerge, Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta, killing almost every Saiyan in the process. As it turned out, one of the Saiyans who survived the destruction eventually became the Super Saiyan he so feared. When Frieza mortally wounded Piccolo and murdered Krillin, grief pushed Goku over the edge and allowed him to tap into a power once thought to be myth. The Saiyan legend was proved to be true and he used this power to defeat Frieza. The Super Saiyan transformation needs no introduction. The golden hair and green eyes give it visual impact and a plethora of different media make a reference to the Super Saiyan transformation, from western cartoons, to rap songs, to other anime, the Super Saiyan transformation has deeply rooted itself in anime culture and Goku’s first transformation into this state is possibly one of the greatest scenes in anime history. The Super Saiyan transformation has definitely become a phenomenon of legend status and there might never again be an occurrence within an anime quite as influential as this one. We are all Super Saiyans.

Tsukino Usagi is just your 14-year-old girl in junior high, with a normal family and all the trouble that age brings. She is not one to love studying, she is lazy and, above all, she is whiny all the time. Her normal life changes when she meets Luna, a cat that is able to talk. Their meeting will start a concatenation of events that will make Usagi become the Moon Guardian, to fight against the enemies who are searching for the Silver Crystal, and try to conquer the earth and subjugate humanity. Luna gives Usagi a magical brooch, and thanks to it Usagi will be able to transform into Sailor Moon. Luckily, she won't be alone. In fact, she will encounter the other four guardians who will help the clumsy Sailor Moon through the mission! We could say that Bishoujo Senshi and Binan Koukou share transformations, and love. Even though Binan Koukou is basically a parody of Bishoujo Senshi, we can find some similarities. First of it all, both these shows revolve around the main theme of love; in Binan Koukou the five guys use love to fight enemies, similarly in Bishoujo Senshi we find five girls who try to make the enemy understand that love is stronger than anything else. What's more, even though in Binan Koukou the characters are boys, both shows wield the transformation theme. Binan boys have to transform into flashy outfitted princes, and Bishoujo girls into flashy outfitted guardians. Even the characters are similar in their personalities; there's the bookworm, the popular one, the cool acting one, the serious one and the exuberant one. Even though Bishoujo Senshi has a more serious trait with it, similarly with Binan Koukou it has a lot of comedy moments, and funny gags. So if you like a shoujo with magical girls, and had fun watching Binan Koukou – its parody – you should totally watch Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal!

Akira Souma is a student who has one big passion: glasses. His passion is so extreme that one day he decides to create a “Glasses Club”. Of course, a club needs members, and so Akira will be able to coerce four of his bespectacled classmates to join him. The five boys – Akira, Yukiya, Hayato, Mitsuki and Takuma – are all very different in characters, and that diversity will be the driving force that will make them live the craziest adventures; so much so, that their final goal will be to be able to create “x-rays glasses” that can actually work! Talking about a comedy which is idiotic, full of gags and, at the same time, full of bishounen (beautiful boys), Meganebu! and Binan Koukou fit the image perfectly. In both these shows we can find five beautiful boys who start school clubs – the Glasses Club and the Earth Defense Club. While in Binan Koukou everything screams that all you need is love, similarly in Meganebu! everything seems to scream that all you need is glasses. Of course, both these anime are parodies, and both embrace the idea and take it to its extreme. Even some character’s relationships are similar, as we find two childhood friends – Akira and Yukiya – in Meganebu! who cover each other's back, exactly like it happens in Binan Koukou, with Atsushi and En. Maybe it's pointless to add that both these shows made all the fangirls go crazy, as it's very easy to see very shounen-ai moments during some episodes, and what's more, in both these shows the evil is represented by the student council. As for the art style, both these anime have these beautiful vibrant colors that really resemble each other. It's not a stretch to say that if you enjoyed Binan Koukou, you'll find the same vibes in Meganebu!

Ouran High School is an elite academy for student of high ranks, or titles. Haruhi Fujioka has no rank, or title; she is just a scholarship candidate. Her life changes when she starts to search for an empty room to drown into study, but ends up in the so-called Host Club. The Host Club is a fancy place where beautiful students with nothing else to do, entertain Ouran High's girls. While trying to escape from the Host Club's grasp, Haruhi accidentally breaks a vase worth 8 million yen... That's how she will have to be the Host Club's errand boy first, and a full-time male host later, to repay her debt! Even Ouran Koukou is clearly a parody of shoujo anime, exactly as Binan Koukou. While Binan Koukou is a parody of the magical girl genre, Ouran Koukou parodies the reverse-harems. In fact, in Binan Koukou we can find five boys who can transform into flashy princes, while normally that's up to girls; while in Ouran Koukou we find the protagonist, Haruhi, who doesn't play along with the shoujo stereotype, as she is very masculine and takes the role of a host boy. Both these shows are comedy, and full of beautiful boys and amazing gags. Both embrace the idiotic trait put as a premise, and go along with it until the end. To top everything up, fangirls will be happy to know that Ouran Koukou, similarly to Binan Koukou, teases the shounen ai moments between the characters. We can guarantee it; liking Binan Koukou, it's impossible you won't like Ouran Koukou Host Club!

Ayanagi Academy is a prestigious school focusing on music. Freshmen who enter that school, have just one goal, and that's to be noticed by the “Kao Council”. This is an organization formed by the third- year stars, and the only way to be admitted in the “Musical Department”. That's why, all the freshmen's goal is to be noticed by at least one of the member of the Kao Council, and be placed on a special team. That's how five boys – Yuuta, Nayuki, Tsukigami, Tengenji and Kuga – start their adventure to become music stars! Starmyu and Binan Koukou have a very similar vibe. Both these shows focus on male friendship, and teamwork. On one side we have the five boys in Binan Koukou who has to fight together for a common goal, which is to spread love in the world surrounding them; on the other side we have the five boys in Starmyu who has to struggle for their shared dream to become stars. The feelings the viewers have while watching both, is one of shows that don't take themselves too seriously. As Binan Koukou is a parody and full of comedy moments, similarly Starmyu has a wacky humor and tends to over dramatic moments. In both series there are shounen-ai moments among the characters, for the joy of all the fangirls who love to see cute boys interact which each other in ambiguous ways. As for the art style, both these anime are full of bright colours, and the personality types of some characters are very similar, like for example Yuuta in Starmyu is very similar to Yumoto in Binan Koukou, as both take the leader role and are bright and cheerful; or Nayuki in Starmyu, is very similar to Naruko, as both are the gentle and quiet ones. Long story short, if you liked Binan Koukou, the next step must be Starmyu!

When Tooru – who doesn't like to be bothered – enters a new all-boy school, he is surprised to realize how much his looks catch the attention. In the school, there's a so-called “Princess System”, with one purpose: to scout all the most good-looking boys in the school, and turn them into princesses, making them become the school's mascots. Tooru refuses straight out, obviously, but later on he accepts after hearing the benefits that being a princess can bring him; this is how Tooru becomes a princess and realizes how difficult a woman's life can be! Binan Koukou and Princess Princess are both shows oriented towards a female audience. They both are comedy full of gags, and full of beautiful boys put in situations where normally boys shouldn't be put. In Binan Koukou, the five boys are forced to transform, and the power of magic coerce them to say weird lines that make them feel very embarrassed. Equally, in Princess Princess, the boys are forced to wear girly outfits and to say the most embarrassing stuff. In both these shows the boys protest against their new status at first, but accept it later on and start to act accordingly. Basically, they start to give their best for their school club's activities, and grow to like it. If you enjoyed the funny gags, and the nice vibe in Binan Koukou, you'll feel the same watching Princess Princess.

Souji Mitsuka is your not-so-common high school boy with one passion: twin tails. He spends the day by rating girls twin tails, and goes as far as to create a club devoted to his beloved hairstyle. The situations turn for the worst when, one day, monsters from outer space launch an attack on Earth, and claim all the twin tails for themselves! Twoearle – a girl from another world – suddenly enlists Souji to fight the enemy with his own twin tails, and that's how Souji becomes Tail Red, a twin-tailed warrior. To fight against the Ultimegil, Souji will fight alongside the other two twin-tailed warriors – Aika Tsube and Erina Shindou. Together, they'll find a way to protect their beloved twin tails! It's easy to see how Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu., same as Binan Koukou, is a parody of the magical girl shoujo anime. Our protagonist, Souji, can transform into a twin-tailed warrior, exactly like Binan Koukou's boys can transform into princes. The main theme of putting boys in unusual situations is strong, and in both these shows there's a school setting and a school club where everything starts. As for the enemies, both these shows have enemies who have a comedic appeal, rather than an intimidating aura. It goes without saying how Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. shares with Binan Koukou the same strong comedy trait; both of them don't take themselves too seriously and have this lighthearted atmosphere that can make you feel geninuenly good, as you don't have to expect much, aside from laughter. Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. is the next step after you watched Binan Koukou and realized that idiotic comedies are your cup of tea. The absurdity of situations, boys transforming, fighting for twin tail's sake or to shower people with love... Isn't it just too random that you end up loving it?

Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry has a bit more modern setting than one would expect for a sword and sorcery anime, but don’t let that fool you. It is set in a relatively contemporary, alternate version of our own world and takes place at an academy where gifted youngsters train to become powerful, magical knights. However, society is structured in such a way where rank in the knighthood is determined exclusively by magical ability, which is bad news for main character Ikki Kurogane, dubbed “the worst one” by his peers due to his utter lack of magic. However, what Kurogane lacks in magical power, he more than makes up for in dedication to a rigorous training regimen, and martial prowess. His life turns upside down when a clerical error forces him to room with Stella, a vivacious vixen with incredible magical powers who is used to getting her own way. It’s up to Kurogane and Stella to disrupt the status quo in the school’s annual tournament to determine the top-ranked aspirants at the academy. While the show is mostly character-driven, it has plenty pulse-pounding action, with slickly animated battle sequences that are sure to please fans of the genre.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic takes place in an Old World partly inspired by history, particularly that of the Middle East. In it, all living beings possess an essence known as “Rukh,” that is fed into a cycle of death and rebirth. This essence can be manipulated by powerful magic users, appropriately known as magi, to accomplish great deeds and give them spectacular power in combat. Magi, seeking to expand their powers, often enter labyrinthine dungeons filled with traps and treasure, often ruled over by a powerful magical being known as a Djinn. Aladdin is a carefree young man who sets a precedent by manifesting his power as the “fourth magi,” when previously there have only been free. He has a flute inhabited by a Djinn that he can call on for assistance, as well as a turban that can function as a magic carpet. Together with his friend, Alibaba, he enters dungeons looking for magical artifacts, hoping to inspire the nations around the world with his leadership and kindness. With oodles of dungeon-crawling action, complete with traps, swordplay, and magic, as well as a follow-up series, there’s a lot for fans to sink their teeth into.

Shinku Izumi is a half-Japanese, half-British junior high school student in Japan, dealing with the trials of middle school life when he is suddenly summoned to the alternate world of Flonyard, which is inhabited by humans with animal ears and tails. There, he learns that he was summoned by Princess Millhiore, of the Biscotti Kingdom, to fight as their champion in a war between the nations. She gifts him their magical weapon, Palladion, which has the ability to take whatever shape the wielder desires. Shinku is a cheerful and persistent young man and is willing to do what’s right for those he cares about. Although he is summoned to fight in a war, it is structured as a blood-free tournament between nations, where winners get larger shares of a pool of prize money. Although the animation style seems a bit childish, it tells a very real story of friendship, and there’s a lot of swordplay and spell slinging to keep viewers entertained throughout the series’ three seasons.

Akane Academy is a high school whose student body is made up of “saviors,” who are reincarnated individuals with memories of heroic past lives, and access to powerful abilities. There are two types of saviors; Shirogane, who are able to manifest weapons and techniques, and Kuroma, who manifest magic primarily for defensive purposes. The students spend their tenure at the school training to fight “metaphysicals,” monsters who relentlessly attack humans at every opportunity. The story follows Moroha Haimura, a dependable young man who has two past lives and is thus, able to utilize abilities of both Shirogane and Kuroma. Because of his unique power, he joins an elite group of students to defend the school and the town when metaphysicals start showing up to cause trouble. Battle is the bread and butter of the show, and because of the interesting duality the show sets up, there’s a healthy mix of clashing swords and dazzling spells.

The world of Fate/Stay Night is a complicated one, with a staggering amount of lore. Just know that it’s set in a world where magical warriors compete in a semi-regular event called “the Holy Grail War,” a tournament where the winner is granted their deepest wishes. The themes of the show are more complicated than the premise, as it's often more about conquering oneself, as much as it is your opponent. The first series follows events centered around Shiro Emiya, a survivor of a battle that left a swath of destruction that apparently killed everyone except him. His is a sincere young man who seeks to uphold the ideals of his late, adoptive father, and become a hero for justice. His chance encounters with a mysterious silver-haired girl sets him on a journey that will change the course of his life. If a richly constructed lore and flashy combat are in your wheelhouse, you have to check it out, and the sequels will provide plenty of must-see viewing.

Claymore takes place in a world where humans are also plagued by shape-shifting monsters called Yoma, who feed on and terrorize the populace. They are protected by Claymores, half-human half-Yoma hybrids possessing super-human strength and abilities (as well as giant swords, claymores), but who eventually succumb to their demonic instincts. The show follows a Claymore named Clare, who saves a young man named Raki, from a Yoma who has slain his family. While most of the emphasis of this show is on brutal, frantic combat, the supernatural abilities of the Yoma and the Claymores definitely give the swordplay a more magical feel. The themes of the story are expectedly weighty and tells a moving tale of revenge and self-sacrifice.

King Il is the pacifist ruler of Kouka and is beloved by many. Because of the kingdom’s peace, his only daughter, Yona, lives a carefree life, happily whiling away her days at Hiryu castle under the watchful eye of her companion and bodyguard, Son Hak. Her childhood sweetheart, Soo-won, visits the King under false pretenses and commits the ultimate betrayal when he murders King Il in front of Yona, and declares himself the new ruler. Yona and Hak flee to Hak’s hometown and begin a quest to reclaim her kingdom by seeking out the power of reincarnated dragons of legend. Akatsuki no Yona is a story of adventure, of course, but it is also the story of a young woman maturing into the ruler she is destined to be. Her journey is fraught with peril and battle, enough to keep any fan of the genre on the edge of their seat throughout the series’ run.

Perhaps a show that needs no introduction, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the canonical adaptation of the insanely popular manga, introduced after the first iteration of the show received lukewarm reception for spinning its wheels and deviating from the source material too strongly. It tells the story of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two young men in a remote village raised by their mother after their father abandoned them at a young age. They leave the village to train as alchemists, having shown a great aptitude for it at even a young age. Unfortunately, when they return to their village after training, they do so under the sad circumstances of their mother’s passing. An attempt to use forbidden alchemy to resurrect her results in a loss of limb for Edward, and the near obliteration of Alphonse, whose soul is hastily imbued into a nearby suit of armor. Without spoiling anything, the series is an epic story of personal discovery during a ravaging war and isn’t to be missed.

Another series heavily inspired by history, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is set in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Middle East during the Dark Ages. The kingdom of Pars is the cultural and economic crossroads of the area, and its king, Andragoras the 3rd, has never known the sting of defeat. This all changes, however. When Andragoras falls victim to a sinister plot carried out by some of his most trusted advisors, it forces his son Arslan to flee his rightful home, and sets him on a harrowing adventure for survival. The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a show that has plenty to offer fans of multiple genres, because of its fantastical, magical setting, it’s memorable cast of companions and villains, and thoughtfully explores the cost of cultural imperialism and freedom.

We round out the list with another iconic series that needs no introduction. Berserk is the dark fantasy story of Guts, a brave, orphaned mercenary who works as the right-hand man of Griffith in the troupe, the Band of the Hawk, in the employ of the King during a century-long war. When the war is over and Guts decides to leave the Band, Griffith begins to lose his mind and loses favor with the king when he assaults his daughter, the princess. A year of imprisonment and torture at the hands of the monarch changed him forever. Griffith activates the Behelit, a magical object in his possession that grants him incredible power at the cost of what little humanity remained to him, and sets him on a path of conquest that Guts finds himself directly in the path of. Berserk is a brutal, sweeping epic adventure that is a must-watch for fans of the genre, especially now with a second adaptation just around the corner.

Now, now, the principal isn’t part of µ's, but she is the mother of µ's member Minami Kotori and contributed a lot to the school idol project, and heck, she helped the girls go to America in the movie. She’s no idol, but she’s part of what made µ's as it is today. Principal Minami was never seen in casual clothing, and most of the time she’s in school with her suit. But despite that, she is a very sharp dresser with a suit matching her overall appearance. Her long dull gray hair goes perfectly well with her white and gray colored suit, that literally defines color uniformity. Nothing in her appearance stand out of place and with that snappy look, you can be confident that this woman can get any job done thrown at her.

Good at sports and often seen as a tomboy at first, Rin had undergone a major transformation over the course of the series… in terms of fashion sense. You see, back when she was young, kids see her as this tomboy who loves sports and doesn’t wear any skirt like any other girl her age, and they teased her appearance at lot. Around high school and a member of µ's, we see her more of her feminine side coming out, and there’s even an episode dedicated to her transformation. Ever since Rin wears skirts with matching clothes and oftentimes her clothes have cat-themed designs on them. Rin can’t “Nyan~” without cats, don’t you agree?

If you put Honoka on a cute-to-mature scale, Honoka is around the middle part of the cute spectrum—cute, but not overly cute. Honoka isn’t the stylish type and doesn’t have any noticeable preference in clothing other than preferring the color orange and sometimes pink, but any casual clothes look good on her. And that to her cheery, optimist and determined personality plus orange-brown hair, blue eyes, and that side ponytail hairstyle, anything she wears gives off that cute aura.

Shy and sometimes quiet (outside her enthusiastic self when doing idol stuff), Hanayo is that perfect high school sweetheart that will take care of you when you’re sick and is more than happy to cook for you. Outside for being an idol and wearing either cute dresses to ridiculously designed ones, Hanayo is very modest with the clothes she wears favoring normal length skirts (anime standard kind of short), pants and the typically patterned sweater. Though her choices are nothing to drool about, it goes well with her high school sweetheart look and her modestly sized breasts. It must be the white rice she loves to eat every day… All the time.

Aside from her typical casual clothes modern Japanese girls wear, Nozomi wears shrine garbs because she has shrine duties, and is often seen as a traditional Japanese girl like Umi. But unlike Umi, she is more open, playful, and mischievous, especially towards her friends. If Umi is the traditional and well-reserved Yamato Nadeshiko, Nozomi is the free-spirited type who loves to play around. And it’s kinda silly knowing she follows Japanese shrine traditions while reading fortunes with Tarot cards.

Umi is a conservative type who is conscious on what she wears. She avoids cute styled dresses and if you force her to wear one, chances are she’ll die of embarrassment within seconds (unless you compliment her that she’s cute). She also prefers wearing full tracksuits during training when running through town or around a school. Eventually, she got used to wearing short skirts and while she still avoids the frilly types, her choice of clothes are often mature and oftentimes unspectacular. However, this goes well with her tall height, long bluish hair, and almost droopy eyes, making her one of the most well dressed and mature-looking girl in the group. A natural Yamato Nadeshiko.

If you take Eli’s picture in her casual clothing and edit her in magazine covers about fashion, you can easily convince people that Eli is the actual cover girl. Eli is a tall young girl with well-shaped proportions, has blue piercing eyes and has blonde hair, often tied in a ponytail. Plus she’s partly of Russian descent so she’s a natural-born supermodel. Aside from the frilly style clothes µ's use, Eli commonly wears Western-styled clothes like buttoned shirts, preferring jeans with matching boots. Eli’s style of clothing is nothing spectacular, her height and Russian blood makes her one of the mature-looking girl in the group. She does wear a skirt sometimes, but jeans naturally look better on her.

Nico, despite her, well, “colorful” personality, she prefers frilly clothes or anything that gives off a cute vibe. You see this in her casual wear, choice of clothes when at home, and the clothes she wears when practicing. Even without the NicoNico personality, frilly clothes goes well with her small build, black hair and her twin tails hairstyle. And let’s not forget the fact that Nico is interested in fashion and she’s µ's costume designer. If you want some of the most stylish of clothes, Nico is the right girl to ask. And for now let’s ignore the fact Nico’s look and personality were retconned in the anime—OH MY GOD WHY DID YOU DO IT SUNRISE?! LADY NICO WAS PERFECT!!! ;_;

Kotori is no stranger to fashion and like Nico, she is also the costume designer for µ's. She knows how to make the group stand out and let’s not forget that part of the appeal of an idol group is how they look. For the most part, Kotori shares the same style of clothes with Nico, Eli and Maki like wearing coats, buttoned shirts, with patterned scarfs (depending on weather), cotton or linen shorts paired with knee socks, or sometimes jeans. But ultimately, Kotori has natural beauty with long grayish-brown hair, amber eyes topped it off with her pleasing personality and voice that makes any casual clothes look fantastic on her. Remember, she is once known in Akihabara as the “Legendary Maid” due to her combined looks, a personality that goes will with those stylish maid outfits. Oh and a bit of a trivia, according to the Love Live! Diaries, Kotori used to wear longer skirts because she had a defective leg. None of the girls knew this besides Umi. Eventually, Kotori had undergone surgery and started wearing shorter skirts after the marks were gone.

What makes Maki number one? The simplest answer would be: She looks good with everything. LITERALLY everything. Yeah, that’s it. Some of the girls are good at one or two things like Rin looks good in cute clothes, and nothing much else, while Umi and Eli prefer mature-looking clothes. In Maki’s case, she looks good at everything from frilly clothes, kimonos, suits, and even casual wear. Give her a few clothes and chances are Maki will look good in them. Why is this? It’s the combination of her looks and personality: She has reddish hair, striking purple eyes, with modest height and body sizes. At first glance, she looks very mature and very unapproachable, but once you get to know her, she has the qualities of a tsundere who is unsure of her feelings. She can be very stubborn at times but often shows off her cute side by blushing at silly mishaps, or getting all embarrassed when her friends found out she still believes in Santa Claus. This kind of reasoning won’t give you that definite solid answer, but physical looks and personality is a big contributor when looking good and any plain clothes will look spectacular or stylish if they’re worn by the right person. Maki is arguably the most beautiful girl in the anime and the most versatile when it comes to looking good.

Our first choice is going to be an anime that’s far younger than most on this list, at only two years old. Of course, we’re talking about Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutarou!! The story follows an abnormally strong man by the name of Matsutarou Sakaguchi. As the title of this anime suggests, he becomes a sumo wrestler. Matsutarou is not your typical protagonist who generally preaches hard work and determination. That can partially be attributed to his God-given ability to excel in the sport of sumo wrestling. As his journey unfolds we find out that his biggest weakness is his nonchalant attitude. This series follows the main protagonist Matsutarou’s adventures into becoming a full-fledged sumo wrestler. What’s interesting about this anime is that Matsutarou is not your prototypical Shounen protagonist. Right out of the gate he should strike most people as a quick-tempered jerk. He has the impressive size and ability to enter the ring and take on all-comers; however, his attitude is less than desirable to his peers. He’s rowdy and disrespectful. However, his unintelligent nature can oftentimes be highly entertaining. This anime is an adaptation of a 1970’s manga, and it feels like it. The animation itself does look a bit retro for this day and age. If a snarky protagonist is something you seek, this sumo wrestling anime could bring you some much-needed satisfaction.

If you love ecchi and wrestling this will be your go-to anime. There’s simply nothing like this on this countdown. The story revolves around two desirable females who lead their respected idol group, Sweet Diva. One day during a TV recording, Elena Miyazawa gets injured from an attack by pro-wrestler Rio Kazama. The arrogant Rio not only took pleasure in hurting Elena but also relished in defeating Sakura Hagiwara, in a non-title match. The mocking and disrespect shown by Rio fueled Sakura’s desire to become a pro-wrestler. She decided to take a break from her idol group in order to redeem the Sweet Diva’s honor. If you can look past the overall ecchi-tone, Wanna Be the Strongest in the World offers true to form (sometimes exaggerated) wrestling. Yes, there is plenty of fanservice to be had, but the determination and goals set out by the main protagonist and former idol, Sakura Hagiwara is inspiring. She wants to be the best at everything she does. I’m sure most of us can relate to that. Her journey from being a vocalist in her idol group to becoming the best wrestler is a tale full of intrigue, redemption and yes, ecchi goodness. This all-female anime brings out the best in wrestling while showing off some provocative positions by these sexy females.

The next selection is another solid anime from the eighties. Plawres Sanshirou offers a substantially different take on the wrestling aspect of the show than the previous choice. Plawres is about a wrestling game that allows players to create, mold and finalize robots that are 30 cm tall in order to fight each other in the ring. The brash protagonist of the series, Sugata Sanshiro crafts a superior plawrestler named Juohmaru and he takes it to battle in a tournament that blends pro-wrestling and hi-tech robot wars effectively. This show is probably the most unique of the entire list due its content. As mentioned above, Plawres Sanshirou combines the drama of pro-wrestling with the combustible elements of robot wars. It all makes for a distinctive, yet enjoyable anime. Rather than having the person do all the physical activity, they create and have the plawrestler’s duke it out instead. It’s not all just about the plawrestler’s, there’s another layer to this anime. As it progresses along there is another potential use for this kind of technology and Sugata is there to unravel the mystery. Plawres Sanshirou was looked over by many during its initial run. Don’t feel uneasy about this anime. Check it out and see what you might have missed.

These last few anime are considered classics to a lot of people, simply due to their age and unique content. The titular character Kinnikuman, is a clumsy superhero who was born from Mayumi and Sayuri Kinniku, the king and queen of the planet Kinniku. Kinniku is home to some of the strongest fighters in the galaxy. Alexandria Meat was tasked with going to Earth to retrieve Kinnikuman in order to fight in a tournament against evil chiyojins. It’s then that he must prove himself to everyone, most notably his parents, that he is worthy of eventually taking the throne and earning a great deal of respect from his peers. Kinnikuman is a quirky comedy and it’s meant to be silly. It’s like a cross between goofy aspects from pro-wrestling and a superhero parody. The anime is not subtle with their jokes and they usually, come as hard-hitting as some of the matches throughout Kinnikuman’s journey to the top. The characters in this series bring their own charm which makes this stand out amongst other wrestling anime out there. Kinnikuman has inspired several different manga artists such as Hiromu Arakawa of Fullmetal Alchemist fame, and Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima. In fact, this series has even inspired a real life wrestling event in Japan. Over the years this anime has built up a lasting legacy and even if you’re not a wrestling fan, you should be able to enjoy this nutty series at face value.

Our number one honor goes to the first-rate wrestling anime, Tiger Mask. The titular character Tiger Mask, whose real name is Naoto Date was a devious and underhanded heel wrestler in the United States. He generated a reputation of being a tremendous bad guy, so much so, that a boy in the same orphanage as Naoto Date grew up in, wanted to be just like him. Naoto, not pleased with what he heard, decided to move back to Japan and become a fan-favorite to appease his mind. Tiger Mask’s former organization, Tiger’s Cave is a group known for grooming villainous wrestlers. Naoto finds himself in a heated rivalry with his former affiliation who wants to punish him for their perceived treachery. This series affected people so greatly in Japan that some citizens all over the country donated to orphanages using the name of the main character Naoto Date. Donations started with backpacks and then it evolved into a phenomenon with toys and food being donated as well. With all the nostalgia flowing through some of our reader's minds, it’s a good time to mention that there will be a new anime based on a new person donning the infamous tiger mask. It’s titled Tiger Mask W and its due out in October of this year. We’re excited to see what direction they take after being introduced to a classic in 1969. It’s a shame that there’s not many anime like this series. One thing’s for sure, it deserves our number one spot.

In Full Metal Panic!, 17-year-old Sousuke Sagara works at a private military organization called Mithril, specializing in advanced weapons and the most elite troops. Mithril’s purpose is to combat forces threatening Earth and maintain peace. A major part of Mithril are the individuals who possess the power and knowledge to create such advanced technology, the “Whispered”. Sousuke is tasked to guard Kaname Chidori, a Whispered candidate. As a part of his assignment, it requires him to enroll in her high school class, preventing her from getting into the hands of the enemy. Consequently, Sousuke must not reveal his background and must adapt to the challenges of high school, in addition to safeguarding Kaname. Sousuke learns that his enemy emerges in all and very unlikely forms. In comparison, the characters are plunged into situations out of their control. Sousuke and Kennosuke are endowed with the commitment to look after their female counterpart. Moreover, Yukina bares a resemblance to the Princess. Additionally, Sousuke and Kennosuke often make comparisons to what they know and how their new way of life vastly differs from it.

Youji Itami, an off-duty Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) officer is on his way to a convention when a mysteriously large gate suddenly appears. As this gate materializes, various supernatural creatures charge through the portal, destroying everything and everyone in its sights. As an officer, with a sense of obligation and responsibility, Youji attempts to save as many as he can while his fellow JSDF officers undertake the commotion barging through the gate. Following this attack, Youji is assigned with leading a special team to enter the gate on a reconnaissance mission. For Youji and the world, this mission can sway in peaceful relations or an all-out conflict. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (GATE) and Kuromukuro have plots containing opposing forces threatening one another. Youji and Kennsuke have immense knowledge in their field that ultimately aids their side in success. The setting encompasses various eras, past, present, and futuristic, and intertwines them immaculately.

Far off into Earth’s future, the planet is being attacked by foreign creatures that closely resemble angels. Following this aggressive action, a group of young pilots are charged to stop the enemy. NERV, the organization that enrolls these pilots into duty, has “biomechs” called Evangelion that can only be controlled by the selected few. As Neon Genesis Evangelion unfolds, the plot develops with tons of adventure, twists, and suspense. Additionally, this anime has received much acclaim worldwide. When comparing Kuromukuro with Neon Genesis Evangelion, both involve extraterrestrial beings coming from places far from Earth. Charging head-on and with some mysterious and perplexed reason to fight the humans, these mecha-anime provide awesome action scenes, in combination with slice of life segments.

In a time where humans have been away from Earth for a significant amount of time, Suisei no Gargantia also known as Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet follows Ledo, a young soldier battling a galactic war between very strange creatures called Hideauze, whose target is to exterminate humanity. Armed with his Chamber unit, as a part of the Galactic Alliance of Humanity, Ledo in an unfortunate circumstance, loses control and lands on Earth. As it is now waterlogged, Ledo’s Chamber is retrieved by a large fleet of scavenger ships called Gargantia. Uncertain and guarded from the beginning, Ledo must learn to communicate and live among the residents of Gargantia, discovering that life among these people is not what it seems. In Suisei no Gargantia (Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet) and Kuromukuro, both male protagonists Ledo and Kennosuke have been displaced from their original settings and must overcome the challenge of survival in an unfamiliar environment, in unison with their machines. While watching each of these anime, the animation styles bare a striking resemblance with a lot of sci-fi/mecha action.

Rinne no Lagrange (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne) follows Madoka Kyouno, a plain, yet overzealous girl who is fanatical about her school’s Jersey Club, of which she appears to be the only member. Madoka’s life is quickly altered when she saves a drowning girl, Lan, who actually is an alien from a planet with a rival faction bent on destroying the planet. Coincidently, Madoka is also the only person with the capability to help Lan in this fight as she possesses the ability to pilot the Vox Aura. Madoka, Lan and pilot Muginami together, defend the planet against an evil and destructive group. Rinne no Lagrange (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne) and Kuromukuro have several comparable traits that include slice of life elements, the main characters being school-aged, tons of awesome mecha battles, and the similarity in appearance between humans and aliens.

The story of Eureka Seven begins with an ordinary boy living an ordinary life, until he is thrust into the lifestyle he’s always dreamt of living: joining the group Gekkostate. Caught in between balancing mechanics as his grandfather and living under his father’s research and legacy, Renton Thurston passes the time riding the Trapar. When his life starts to change by his involvement with the Nirvash typeZERO, Renton, along with his idol, Holland Novak, co-pilot Eureka, and other members of Gekkostate are caught in an amazing adventure that will shape their futures altogether. Eureka Seven and Kuromukuro, both feature a male character that have the ability to pilot very special yet mysterious machines. The romance and close bond within each leading duo in Eureka Seven and Kuromukuro, are also very influential to the plot. Further, the machines piloted are outstanding and interesting pieces deeply entrenched in their planets’ histories.