The first entry on our list is Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru or Danmachi for short. It is an anime about a 14-year-old boy named Bell Cranel who lives in a fantasy world and belongs to the Hestia Familia. A Familia is a household that serves under a goddess, with whom they work together to build their resources and reputation. Bell is the only member of Hestia’s household and is only strong enough to make ends meet, so no one else will join their Familia because of their low reputation. Bell works hard entering the dungeon on a daily basis to provide for his goddess while hoping to get stronger to grow the Familia. One day, Bell enters the ‘dungeon’, a vast and complex underground labyrinth at the center of the city of Orario. Adventurers from all around the world come to the dungeon to fight monsters to collect crystal shards, which can be exchanged for money. Bell encounters a Minotaur who nearly kills him, but a first class adventurer by the name of Ais Wallenstein saves him. After becoming captivated by her strength and beauty, Bell sets out to train himself so that he can one day reach the level of Ais. Danmachi is set in a fantasy world that is a lot like the world of SAO. There are many similarities within both worlds. For starters, there is the dungeon where adventurers go to defeat monsters in hopes of reaching deeper within to discover more and get stronger whilst reaping the benefits. As you get deeper within the layers of the dungeon, each level is progressively harder with more difficult bosses. Kirito and Bell have special abilities that allow them to be much stronger than anyone else in the game, and they both want to get stronger in order to protect the ones they love. The same voice actor also voices both the protagonists.

As the second entry on this list comes No Game No Life, a story about two step siblings named Sora and Shiro that get abducted into a world of games. Sora and Shiro are shut-in NEETs that together are known as 'Blank', an undefeated duo that believes they have the ability to win any game. The God of Games, Tet, brings them to the world known as Disboard and challenges Sora and Shiro to settle conflicts between the countries of this world through high-stake games. In Disboard, the magically enforced system created by Tet prevents physical harm to the inhabitants of the world; therefore they must settle their differences through games. The system requires each participant of any game to pledge forward something of equal value to play. There are sixteen different races in Disboard, one of them being the human race, which Sora and Shiro end up representing. Blank faces their hardest challenge yet as they venture forth into Disboard, fighting their way to become the new gods of the gaming world. No Game No Life is very similar to SAO in that they both feature protagonists that prefer a different world than their own. Shiro is similar to Kirito in the sense that they are both experts in their respective fields. Kirito has knowledge of the game from being a 'beater' whereas Shiro has a lot of experience from playing games. They both become trapped in another world to fight for something. Kirito fights for his and Asuna's survival whereas Shiro and Sora fight to become the God of games. Both anime have stunning visual graphics and focus a lot on the gaming world.

Our next recommendation is an oldie but a goldie; it is non-other than Digimon Adventure. An anime about one magical summer where a group of seven kids gets taken into the digital world, a place where no other humans exist and is filled with strange monsters that they have to befriend in order to survive. Lost in a new world, they are not alone as they soon meet friendly digital monsters called 'Digimon' which appear to help them in their time of need. Each child has an item known as a 'Digivice' that allows them to become partners with their Digimon. As they venture forth in the new world they live in to find a way home, they find out that all Digimon aren't as friendly as they seem, as they discover the evil forces that lurk within the shadows. What’s more is that evil is corrupting the other innocent Digimon, turning them against each other and bringing conflict to the once peaceful land. Together, they must fight along with their Digimon to overcome their own weaknesses and insecurities in hope to defeat the darkness that is corrupting the digital world. Digimon is also set within a virtual world like Sword Art Online. The protagonists in both series are trying to find a way home, whilst encountering new aspects of the digital world. Though Digimon is a more child-friendly anime than that of SAO, it has a lot of similar aspects such as surviving in a world with friends and foes. Protagonists that grow stronger to protect the people they love and to advance deeper within the world to discover the truth.

Coming next is a recent anime known as Overlord. It is the year 2126 where a DMMORPG (Dive Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) known as Yggdrasil is on the verge of being shut down. Within its remaining servers is the leader, Momonga, who is leader of one of the most powerful guilds in the game, Ainz Ooal Gown. The guild consists only of four remaining members, all of which logged off before the server shut down to go back to their real lives. Momonga, decided to spend the remaining time left in game and stayed until the very end. However, to his surprise, the server didn’t shut down. Momonga is still within the game and the non-playable characters seem to continue to function but appear to have their own personalities. Confused by this phenomenon, Momonga becomes trapped in that world and cannot use normal player functions. He has no choice but to find out what is going on, so he sends his servants to investigate and hopes to find others that were trapped in the game too. Like Sword Art Online, Overlord is about a protagonist stuck within a fantasy gaming world. Both Kirito and Momonga are overpowered characters that have an advantage over other players and they both feature many intense battle scenes. Similar themes are found within both anime, they both contain the notion of guilds, exploring, hunting and crafting. They both also have many other similar RPG elements. If you liked the intensity and game-like features of SAO, then you will definitely like Overlord.

An even more recent anime is Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, a survival anime where a group of strangers are thrown into a fantasy world known as Grimgar. Without any of their past memories, the only thing they remember is their name. In order to survive in this world, they must accept the only paying job available, which is to become a soldier for the 'Reserve Army', who are sworn to protect the peace. Even though it may not seem like the real world, their lives are at stake, as they must fight in order to stay alive. The story follows a ragtag group of weak fighters that were banded together because all the other stronger soldiers created their own groups. Haruhiro, Manato, Yume, Shihoru, Mogzo and Ranta form a party together. They must work and fight together to survive, whilst trying to find their own past memories. They learn to fight and earn enough to make a living, however what awaits for them in the world of Grimgar is unknown. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar is similar to SAO in the sense that it is about survival, they are trapped within their worlds and must learn to live in the new hostile environment. They both exist within a MMORPG kind of setting and both contain many tear-jerking moments. Both anime also show the protagonists learning new abilities to assist in their adventures and developing relationships with the other inhabitants of the world they now share.

The last anime in our list of recommendations is a returning entry as it is so similar that it cannot be left out. Log Horizon is about a virtual MMORPG known as Elder Tale, which after a strange update, the players could not log out of. It follows the story of a college student by the name of Shiroe, who is a veteran in the game. Thirty thousand gamers are stuck within the game with no escape; even if they die, they will respawn back into the game. Most players like Shiroe quickly adapt to their new way of living and begin to build their own civilizations. Shiroe is a well-known strategist with the ability to analyze situations and find the best solutions to complex problems. He finds himself having to negotiate with the non-playable characters of the game in order to bring peace amongst the players and the 'natives' of the game. Shiroe's friend Naotsugu also becomes trapped within the game after not playing it for many years. Together, they form an alliance with other players hoping to bring peace and a safe-haven for other players alike. There are many similarities between Log Horizon and Sword Art Online, the main similarity is being trapped within a game. RPG elements are also prevalent within both anime, such as guilds, parties and raids. Both feature protagonists that have played the game before but must adapt to living within the game itself, with no idea on what to expect within the new world. The themes are quite similar in the sense that both are about action and adventure whilst trying to survive and make do with what they have and can obtain. Log Horizon brings a different kind of perspective to the similar setting that you will definitely find interesting if you enjoyed SAO.

One hot summer day, Ariyoshi Juna, a high school girl, died in an accident she and her boyfriend, Tokio, were involved in while taking a trip to the sea. It was then, in her state of death, that she was shown a stream of disturbing images of the Earth’s end by a boy named Chris. Chris then gave her a choice: to go on and die, or to be given a second chance at life, as the Earth’s protector, the Avatar of Time. Having chosen to live, it became Juna’s duty to purge the Earth of the Raaja, creatures which plagued the Earth and would eventually become the progenitors of its destruction. Earth Girl Arjuna is a very obscure anime and not many people I’ve met have watched or even heard of it. Its significance to me is the fact that when Animax SA started up all those years ago, it was the first anime I watched, and I loved it. It’s a very unique series due to its eco-conscious and Hinduism-inspired themes and has some very dark elements to its story and characters. Earth Girl Arjuna boasts an incredible music score, composed by legends such as Kanno Yoko and Sakamoto Maaya and it is for this music that it remains fresh in my mind, 9 years after I first watched it. Earth Girl Arjuna is a gem in my mind because there was a deliberate and very direct intention of conveying a message throughout the series and it was incredibly thought-provoking, especially when I watched it again.

When Araragi Koyomi was attacked by a vampire in the summer of his final year of high school, his life changed forever. He became a supernatural oddity himself, and began encountering various girls who were in one way or another, like him, plagued by supernatural oddities, or “apparitions”. Bakemonogatari follows Araragi as he attempts to help each of these individuals and relieve them of the burden caused by the apparitions, each girl’s case very different from the last. The Monogatari Series, is, in my mind, one of the best pieces of writing in all of anime. As much of an exaggeration as that may seem, I have no other way of expressing just how much of a fan I am of Nisio Isin’s work and writing. When I first encountered the series through Bakemonogatari, I felt as if I’d found something special. I thought the art was appealing and excellent, I found the characters wholly interesting, enjoyed the interactions between characters and even the random flashes of information in parentheses that I could barely read fast enough felt like short breaths of fresh air. I thought it was an immersive anime, I had to pay attention to understand what was happening and at times, I didn’t understand the references characters would make – it was what I believed to be an “intelligent” anime.

Okabe Rintarou is an 18-year-old mad scientist wannabe who spends his time pretending to be making great strides in the world of science with his friends, or “lab members”, Daru and Mayuri. He and Daru have been working on an awesome invention, the “Phone Microwave”, which, in the beginning, seemingly has no scientific value apart from being able to turn bananas into a mysterious green goo. After a series of strange occurrences and a stroke of luck, the Phone Microwave exhibits an amazing ability: it is capable of sending text messages to the past, altering the flow of history. However; time travel and related endeavours are wrought with peril, as Okabe eventually finds out. I never had a deep understanding of the concept of time travel before watching Steins;Gate. To me, it was always heading off to the past to change the future, or heading into the future to explore. It had never been presented to me in the way that it was through Steins;Gate. An anime that I’d initially believed would be fairly light-hearted became an emotional rollercoaster. As a result of their creation, Okabe and his lab members were ambushed by SERN and Mayuri was killed. Overtaken with grief, he sought to change the past and prevent her death, but didn’t happen so easily. Each time he tried, the result was the same and seeing how much psychological damage Okabe endured after seeing his best friend die countless times broke me as well. I believe that Steins;Gate is the best time-travel story ever told. I enjoyed the way time-travel was explained, but more than that, I enjoyed seeing Okabe transition from a goofy character to a forlorn soul – it is contrast in the personalities of characters that I tend to enjoy in anime. More than that, I was moved by the lengths to which Okabe went for his friend and I wanted to be like him: reckless but sincere when it came to the wellbeing of people I love.

In the year 2010, the Holy Empire of Britannia waged war against the rest of the world, and armed with their Knightmare Frames, powerful giant robots, they effectively subjugated the majority of the world. Exiled to Area 11, formerly Japan, is the Britannian Prince, Lelouch Lamperouge (vi Britannia), who is one day caught in the midst of a skirmish between the Britannian army and Japanese rebels, who had stolen a very dangerous weapon. The weapon turned out to be a young woman who gifted Lelouch with the power of Geass, which manifested in “absolute obedience”. Armed with the Geass and a vendetta which runs deep into the Britannian Royal Family, Lelouch decides to pursue his revenge, using the Japanese rebellion as a catalyst. Code Geass is an anime I will never, ever forget. At first, I was not impressed with the strange art and the presence of mecha (I tend to shy away from mecha anime), but when I sat down and gave it a chance, I was blown away. As most people have said, it bears a striking resemblance to Death Note, with similar protagonists and themes, but Code Geass is one of my favourites because of the ball of sheer intelligence, arrogance, and ambition that is Lelouch Lamperouge. I admire characters who are witty and deliberate in their actions. I first watched Code Geass when I was fifteen and at that stage in my life, I really enjoyed themes of rebellion and power struggle in anime. The influence of Code Geass in my life was extensive, I still seek to imitate the wit and ambition I saw in Lelouch. What stood out for me was the fact that despite his intelligence, Lelouch made mistakes and lost himself to his power, but showed remorse for the damage his actions had caused. He achieved his goal and remained a fairly righteous character all the way through to the end.

15-year-old Kurosaki Ichigo has, for as long as he can remember, been able to see ghosts and spirits. One night, a woman named Kuchiki Rukia, dressed in a black kimono, sporting a katana at her side appears in his room, describing herself as a Shinigami – an entity similar to the Grim Reaper – tasked with the job of sending human souls to a place called Soul Society and purging evil spirits called Hollows. Later that night, Ichigo’s family is attacked by a Hollow and Rukia is fatally wounded in battle. She offers to transfer her Shinigami powers to Ichigo in hopes that he can defeat the Hollow and he accepts: it is at this point that Ichigo’s life changes forever as he becomes a Shinigami himself. Bleach is my favourite anime. I have no doubts in its placement at the very top of my list because from the day I watched the first episode as a 12-year-old, I knew I’d found something amazing. The characters are cool, the powers are awesome, the fights are some of the most badass I’ve ever seen and it features my favourite anime power-up: the Bankai. I really enjoyed the story and loved the unbreakable resolve that some of the characters showed throughout the series. To say that I love the series would be a gross understatement; Bleach is a huge reason why I love anime the way I do and I rate Kubo Tite highly for the work that he created. I have obsessed over several anime in my life, but none to the degree at which I obsessed over Bleach. I sought to know everything about the Bleach universe, I’ve watched several scenes over and over again, memorized lines, Zanpakuto names, Shikai activation phrases and even re-enacted the coolest scenes alone when no one was looking. I laughed and despaired with the characters every step of the way. I powered up when they powered up, I celebrated their every victory. I’m going to meet Kubo one day and when I do, I’m going to thank him for creating a universe I could immerse myself in the way I did with Bleach. I’m going to thank him for finding the will to pick up a pencil and draw again after Zombie power failed. I’m going to thank him for creating characters who taught me to look inward for strength. I’m going to thank him for inspiring me. This may be the last time I do it with clear eyes and a light heart. For every single episode of the anime and every page of the manga:

Eijun has a dream to take his team well beyond qualifiers and make their way to the famous Koushien Championships. He starts off his journey in a small rural town, pitching for his middle school and is then paired up with a skilled catcher who resided from a very elite baseball team. After much thought and consideration he decides to pack his bags, move out of the countryside and attend the school that this very same catcher came from to improve his pitching skills. Together these two work hard to achieve more than just team chemistry, but to bring home the title where it belongs. Baseball manga is hard to come by at times, since much of the story is either really solid or lacking in various areas. Diamond no Ace demonstrates how a story should pan out, and gives the reader an in depth look at the growth of Eijun and his team. You're always left with a great impression once you finish a volume because you know just what to look forward to in the next one, and are excited to see just how far Eijun can take his talents.

Yowamushi Pedal stars passionate otaku Sakamichi Onoda, who dedicated his life to all things pertaining to anime, games, and Akihabara. All he wanted to do was find other individuals who shared the very same passions as he did, so that his school experience would be more fulfilling. He discovers an anime club but is disappointed when he finds out it's been dissolved and no longer in service. One day on his way to pick up items in Akihabara, Shokichi notices Onoda’s talents on his mamachari, a bulky bike mainly used for short distances, and gets to know him . The two come to realize that they attend the same school, and from there Onoda's new adventures begin. Yowamushi Pedal is an excellent manga to pick up because it tells a story about a boy with untapped potential, and he's completely unaware of it. His dream to find friends who love the same hobbies he does comes true, but these very same individuals help to change his life forever. Not only is Onoda passionate about the otaku life, but you discover how talented he his on the bike and you're immediately drawn into his excitement as he moves forward. Every race that he encounters is a rush and you're always treated with brotherly love, as these cyclists work together to create a spectacular team.

Giant Killing is all about the passion of soccer, and Takeshi will do what it takes to get his East Tokyo team out of the slumps. Being a former member of the squad, Takeshi knew a lot about the team and how to manage it. He decides to become the coach of the new squad who at the moment is at the bottom of the league, and needs an answer to come back. The fans aren't pleased with recent performance and they want to see progress, so Takeshi uses his exceptional skills to take the East Tokyo team to victory, and to become the giant killer in the league. Giant Killing is a fantastic story because of how much passion you feel from team once their team morale increases. In the beginning, you felt their pain as they continuously found themselves in a slump, and just couldn't dig themselves out. Takeshi comes in and turns this team into a force to be reckoned with. Takeshi masterminds tactics on the field helped to rejuvenate the team and help them stand toe to toe with some of the league's killer players. This is surely a must read if you love the story of how the underdog works extremely hard to fight their way back to become one of the best in the league, and the hunger to get to the top.

Kuroko Tetsuya isn't your typical student in school. He isn't very popular around others, is quite plain in his demeanor, and somehow doesn't stand out in any significant way. Somehow on the court however, this unexpected talent somehow shines in his own unique way, using this edge to his advantage against other players. Kuroko's goal is now to take this untapped potential to the big leagues, as his sole purpose is to take down each member of the elite middle school team called the Miracle Generation, and make a name for himself on the courts. Kuroko's passion for the game is unmatched, as he uses his skills to strategically undermine his opponents. Most claim that he's nothing but a rookie and lacks true talent, but when the ball gets into his hand his opponents are left standing as they have no clue how to stop him. He strives hard to not only prove to himself that he's the greatest, but the entire league that he's the wrong person to underestimate when he's in possession of the basketball.

Chihayafuru is a competitive Japanese card game manga that stars Chihaya, who dreamed that her sister would become triumphant in the one thing she loved. This view changes however, when Arata walks into her life and tells her that this dream is something she must develop on her own. Arata is a well known competitive player in Hyakunin Isshu, and Chihaya is completely surprised at how different the way he's playing it. After observing the master at work, her passion to play comes out and she now dedicates much of her time to become the best at the game, or rather the queen of karuta. Card games are serious business, especially when you see high rollers at the poker table or in this case very intense Hyakunin Isshu. The game is very well known in Japan, having been played since the late 18th Century and even till this day. While you might not ever see this at an Olympic event, if you ever get a chance to travel to Japan you'll see just how intense this game can be. It's a game of focus, speed, tactic, and passion as you have to outpace your opponent to rid of their cards as swiftly as possible. Chihaya demonstrates this very well, so if you want to see the game in action be sure to check this one out.

Tennis is all that matters to the young Eiichirou, that is once he discovers how good he is at the game. He wonders to himself if he'll ever be in tip top shape, seeing that he lacks the ability to really exercise consistently. His mother sees his concern and hands him a flyer for the local Tennis club nearby, and so he decides to check it out. With no previous experience to the game, he promises himself to dedicate all of his time to the game, to ensure that his determination doesn't go to waste. Using his knowledge and strong work ethic, Eiichirou will take baby steps in order to become the best. The story of Baby Steps is an inspirational one, for the mere fact that we've all been in Eiichirou's position before. We find something we really love, but just don't have the confidence or push to provide the fuel to go forward. Eiichirou's strong work ethic outside of the court is what really gave him the drive to do better, along with his mother behind him as his motivation. It's truly a remarkable story of how one boy discovers something out of curiosity, only to become one of the best on the court just by following his heart.

Shoyo Hinata only has one purpose in his mind and that's to become the best at what he loves, and that's Volleyball. His inspiration came from a player known as the Little Giant, who he watched during the national Volleyball finals, and since then he's been determined to get to the top. He decides to enroll in the very school team that Little Giant played on, and aims to surpass him at all costs. In this action packed sports manga, we see as Shoyo and his team persevere together through many odds, striving to make their way to the top to become champions. Shoyo has an incredible talent which is to pretty much jump higher than anyone else on the court, which puts him at a huge advantage when serving the ball. Shoyo's persistence and commitment to the love of the game puts him ahead of the rest, as he devotes every moment of his free time to making sure his skills continue to improve. His only purpose is to surpass Little Giant, but over time you start to notice that Shoyo is in a league of his own, and that his passion to succeed is what truly carries him to the top.

Sakuragi has more than just a love for basketball but also a love for girls. Unfortunately for him this part of his life is full of disappointment as he's constantly rejected by them, and just can't seem to find his stride in order to catch the right one. That is until one day he encounters Haruko, a girl who not only changes his life around completely, but is actually not intimidated by him. When the two come together everything changes for Sakuragi as now he's discovered something he never knew he had, which was the ability to rule the court with exceptional talent. Slam Dunk is arguably the greatest basketball manga out there, and there's no question as to why it has made the top three on our list. Sakuragi's dreams to find the right girl were met, but now destiny showed him a much brighter path that leads him to a spectacular future. His unawareness of his inner talent for basketball is what makes this manga inspiring to read, because you're right there alongside him on his journey to the top. Every battle he encounters, you're always cheering him on making sure that he not only wins the game but wins the hearts of everyone around him. Takehiko's gripping story of a man on a mission to prove himself to the world is a powerful message to those who fail to realize their own potential, and it all it takes is persistence to get what you want out of life.

Takumi never really understood the whole premise behind street racing, all he cared about was just driving and supporting his father Bunta's tofu shop. This all changes however when one of his close friends is challenged by another street racing team, and he gets defeated but almost loses his life due to cheating. This angers Takumi and so he decides to take on the very same team in hopes to seek retribution for his friend, and from that day the beast in the AE86 arises from the ashes to become the most feared racer in the game. Takumi goes on to race against numerous street racing teams from various prefectures, and the more he races the more passionate he becomes. His extremely skillful driving from always riding down Mount Akagi at night pays off, as every battle he encounters he completely destroys the opposition, leaving them scratching their heads. This manga is such an exciting ride because you're always in for a surprise every time Takumi gets behind the wheel, demonstrating incredible talent, and teaching the reader about various jargon pertaining to performance racing. If you're a fan of street racing, then be sure to race to the nearest bookstore and gear up for some high octane action.

Makunouchi was bullied all throughout his school years and really had no friends to back him up. That is until one day as he was being bullied under a bridge, an unknown individual comes through swinging and knocks out everyone around him. At that moment, Makunouchi knew this was a sign and he immediately realized that boxing was what he needed to survive. He decides to continue helping his mother at the fishing shop on the side, while dedicating most of his life to becoming a boxer in this inspirational manga that has won many awards for it's incredible story, and detailed boxing scenes. There's really no denying how popular Hajime no Ippo is because of how much energy you get while reading. Every time that Makunouchi lands a punch you feel his energy, as he swings forward towards his opponents jaw leaving them motionless on the ground after his Dempsey Roll. You're constantly left with chills and tears of joy because of how hard Makunouchi worked to ensure that he would never have to be bullied in life again. His determination and willingness to never give up is what makes this so thrilling to read, so if you want to be truly uplifted by a wonderful story then pick up Hajime no Ippo!

Is an explanation even necessary? If you know anime, then you know Dragon Ball Z. A franchise that transcends generations. A show that was the derivation of the love of anime for many; but for me, it was the single seed that blossomed into the first flower of a blooming garden. Dragon Ball Z not only opened a gateway into to the world of anime, but it also set me on course to become who I am now, and for that I am forever grateful. As I watched this young kid named Goku triumph over his enemies one by one, I was filled with courage and temptation. Then, to witness that young boy grow into a highly respected warrior; both in the anime and in the real world, was only more resolve for me to keep tackling forward. I knew less of what I was actually watching back then, and was more so enticed by the exciting action passing before my eyes. Now; however, I can truly understand that DBZ had kick started the engine to the train that would get me to where I am now. Everything from my love of art, to my decision to relocate from The Big Apple all the way over to the Land of the Rising Sun, all had a bit to do with my exposure to Dragon Ball Z all those years ago. Maybe I would have ended up doing the same things I’m doing now without it; who knows, but at the end of the day, Goku’s charm and Vegeta’s terrible choice of hairstyle has left a footprint on the story that is my life, and I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

Look around you and you will believe that what you see is all that is in existence. That of what you can feel, smell, hear, taste, and see, is reality. After all it’s been that way since the day you were born. But, what if there was something else sharing this world without you even knowing? Could you accept that some things are meant to exist beyond our knowledge? Or would you be afraid? Worried that the unknown may hide more dangers than you could imagine. In our world, the unknown can come in many forms, but in Ginko’s they come in the form of Mushi. “Mushi” are the unanswered question of life in the world of Mushi-Shi. They are very simple life forms that exist without any reason known to man. They, simply put, just “are”. To discover a purpose to these anomalies is the life set out for Ginko; and while most of the world may be unaware of their existence, those who do know of them know of their incredible capabilities. From mimicking the everyday objects around you, to turning dreams into reality; Mushi can affect the world in many ways. But can they unlock the secrets to life as well? That is a question that we all ask, and a grave reason as to why Mushi-Shi has crawled its way onto my Top 5 Anime list. It is a masterpiece that almost sinks my mind into a deep meditation, and has opened up my thoughts to several new avenues of understanding the world around me. Mushi-Shi is a must watch, for I have high hopes that it won’t disappoint.

When terror befalls upon you, the guaranteed thing a person will do is react in some way or another; but how you react will set in motion the creation of an outcome. A cause and effect that can be good, or entirely bad. So, when facing your next obstacle be sure to tread carefully, for every move you make can lead to carnage like never before, and can help ignite the flames of terror in resonance. This is a scenario that is very much true to our world today; and while that may be a heart wrenching horror realistically, such a scenario has set the stepping stone for some of the greatest anime to date. One of those being none other than Terror in Resonance. When Tokyo is hit by a terrorist attack, the city is thrown into a frenzy in its aftermath. The only evidence of the culprits behind such a tragedy? A taunting video uploaded to the internet. The problem is, such a video only helps to scream fire louder into a bigger crowd; striking all of Japan with paranoia. A psychological thriller presented with perfection, Terror in Resonance turned all of the right knobs. Stretching from its mind-jarring twists and delectable storytelling, to its great character development; Terror in Resonance just knows how to; well, ‘resonate’ with my preferences in the world of anime. To watch as two young men forcefully cascade their beliefs onto a society in order to “wakeup the world” can only leave one with the lingering question of, why? Not necessarily why cause such a tragedy, but more so, why set your beliefs above everyone else’s? It allowed me to reposition myself against the rest of the world and try to understand just exactly what this life is that we live day in and day out. But most of all, Terror in Resonance allowed me to experience 11 episodes of just fantastic anime.

Here goes another anime that could make its way into any room without the necessity of an introduction; and maybe one that you all have already expected to show up on this list of Top 5 Anime. But when anime does it right, it does it right! We all have a Sasuke in our lives; that bitter friend who is clouded by their own need to get ahead. We all have a Sakura also; that one neverending love that is painfully one sided. We all have a Kakashi Sensei, an Iruka Sensei, and a Jiraiya Sensei; but most of all, we all have a bit of Naruto inside of us as well. Naruto is unique, to be placed in lesser terms. It was like a breath of fresh air when I first came across this anime, and throughout the many years that have passed since, it has remained one of the most imaginative pieces of creation that I have ever come across. We wake up every morning to a world looking to beat us down at every corner, and using what we can, we fight to stay atop our own two feet. In that sense, watching Naruto defy expectations was almost like picturing myself successfully moving the tallest of mountains. When it comes to individual growth and accomplishment, I wanted to be Naruto in every way. Okay, maybe not so much the whole orange jumpsuit thing; but in spirit, Naruto was, and still is a huge inspiration. Life can be hard at times, and when it is, sometimes all it takes to help you out of the rubble is a great anime. Naruto, is that great anime.

The feeling of a bad essence lurking above you, casually grazing over your shoulder as it trickles its maliciousness down your spine. Hanging you from your fragile neck as you dangle in the limbo between life and death; as if taunting at your concept of reality. This is the feeling of fear, the feeling of a loss of grip on what’s real; the feeling, of a great anime. After the death of Misaki, a student from Yomiyama’s North Middle School’s class 3-3; things in the town of Yomiyama took a turn down a dark windy road. Plummeting Yomiyama’s North Middle school into a world of terror. 26 years following that tragic event, a young 15-year-old boy by the name of Kouichi Sakakibara finds himself in the midst of Yomiyama’s circling mysteries after transferring into that very same class. With the atmosphere feeling off, alongside the peculiarities of Mei Misaki; a girl whom may or may not exist, Kouichi can’t help but set out to answer his own looming questions. As he digs deeper into the ambiguities of class 3-3, Kouichi finds himself just as boggled as a child witnessing the pulling of a bunny out of a hat as the paradox that is Yomiyama North’s class 3-3 just keeps stretching onwards. So, what makes Another take on the high seated chair of number 1? Well that’s easy enough to answer… because it’s perfect. At least in my eyes, and here on my Top 5 Anime list, I guess you can say that my eyes see the clearest. But, as a thank you towards the lovely community that is Honey’s Anime, allow me to share my vision with you a bit. Questioning the reality around us is an unavoidable hiccup within human society. No matter how much we wish to remain in the “right now” and live our lives without any worry, we simply can’t help but create obstacles for ourselves as we hunt down the true meaning of life. I believe that Another helps approach that life question in an interesting way that gravitates me to its story. The simple questions of whether or not ghosts exist, and if curses are true. The questions of whether or not I am real, or if what I perceive around me is truly reality. Another manages to take on these elements in a beautifully satisfying way, and sometimes that’s all it takes. No over packed action, no flashy sequences, and no overtly imaginative concepts. Just simple, great story telling.