Ghost in the Shell is set in a future about a decade away from now. Humanity has embraced the digital age and now anyone can get a prosthetic body and dive on the net. Humanity has, in a sense, become fully customizable. This is true too of Major Motoko Kusanagi who works for Public Security Section 9. There, along with a team of fellow prosthetic body users, they investigate crimes and terrorists in order to maintain some form of peace. However, a strange series of events essentially connects the team with someone named “the Puppet master”; a master hacker and who’s causing havoc. As Motoko and her team start to investigate, things only get more and more complicated and the plot thickens as they get closer to the truth, only to learn how little they know. More or less, without revealing too much, the stories of the original Ghost in the Shell and Rakuen Tsuihou are extremely similar if you cut out the philosophical dialogue from the first. Makoto and Angela are both strong-headed women who are leaders and work for the police. Both rely on a manufactured body to get around which is nothing like what everyday humans have. Both also, well moreso Ghost in the Shell, dance around the concept of what it means to be human while teasing that while technology can help us, it can also hinder us as well when we forget the past.

Note that this is about the movie, not the TV series, however, the TV series is certainly worth checking out! Set far into the future, Jomy lives in what appears to be a utopian society where the government ensures that everyone can live happily as long as you play by their rules. Disobey, and you will be suppressed. When Jomy learns of this and becomes an issue, suddenly he too becomes a target for suppression. There is another group though that is now after him, the Mu, an ancient race with powers who have been resisting against the government for decades. Can Jomy survive both and somehow figure out how he needs to survive? Like in Rakuen Tsuihou, humanity has left Earth for the most part because they cannot live there any longer. Technology has made great leaps to allow humans luxury as long as they follow the rules. Disobey, and you are out which is something Angela learns when she stops listening. While Angela is racing to find answers, she is hotly pursued which is what happens to Jomy throughout the entire movie. If you love sci-fi movies with a chase, this is for you!

Originally, there were nine humans who were “upgraded” in order to be used as weapons. As one would expect, this is not how things play out, and eventually these cyborgs rebel against the order that created them. They want justice and peace and order, or so they say. Eventually, unchanged, time moves on, but nothing is as it seems when the ideals that they once stood for have take on many meanings. 009 RE:Cyborg is also set in the future in a full-blown dystopia and this is what Angela learns of her supposed “society” as well. Hackers are an important central theme and thus, that is why the main characters are dispatched. The central theme of asking the viewer to define humanity for themselves as well as question what they consider to be just, runs throughout both movies as well. If you are into picking out religious themes and undertones as well, then this is for you!

Rune Ballot is making all the right choices in life and is living every day to its fullest. Just kidding. Rune is actually a teen prostitute in Mardock City and is not doing the best. One day though, her luck switches and she gets picked up by a powerful man known as Shell. He gives her everything that she could ever want, but when she peeps to learn more about this kind man, she has gone too far and Shell has her killed by blowing up the car she is in. Rune is saved and brought back to life in a new body. Now, she lives to find out the truth and get her revenge. Preferably in that order. Rakuen Tsuihou and Mardock Scramble have a lot more in common than most anime fans pick up on. Angela and Rune end up being very confident, strong female leads that march to the beat of their own drums to a certain extent. However, both have issues with their new physical bodies when they are first introduced to it and need to learn to once again how to think and act like a human. Thus, the theme of “being human” is revisited. Both are set in the future, but not too far into the future to give the reader the impression of a future impossible to be attained. Mardock Scramble is a bit more violent though, but that’s because you are trading the suspense aspect of Rakuen Tsuihou for the action and violence of Mardock Scramble.

Yuji Kaido gets ill one day and has only one choice since he cannot be medically treated, he needs to be cryogenically frozen. He undergoes the procedure and wakes up 20 years later. However, when he wakes up, the future is nothing like he expected it to be. Aliens that look like bugs and are called the Blue now roam and rule a desolate earth. Meanwhile, humans have retreated to space to try and make a new Earth for themselves in a spaceship known as Second Earth. He joins soldiers as they try to go back to Second Earth with him, but he learns rapidly that nothing is as he is being told. More or less here, both movies are set up with humanity living somewhere away from a desolate and semi-deserted Earth. Angela and the humans of her world live online while the humans of Yuji’s story live in space. Both worlds are seconds away from disaster but the government silences all opposition. Both main characters also manage to invoke the viewer’s feelings with their moral compasses making the viewer want to go against what the governments are presenting as well. Ultimately, it becomes a final conversation between what is the supposed new world order and what the former world order was.

There is another layer superimposed on our own. The virtual world sits on top of our current one and information and technology are at an all time high. When Souma Toru, part of a group of hackers known as Steppen Wolf goes to pull off their final attack, they are caught. Not only that, but his best friend is killed. Now, Souma gets a second chance at life by getting a job working for the UN as a hacker, but Souma has one goal: find the monster who killed his friend and get revenge. However, working for a government organization is not as clear cut as Souma expects putting him in very prickly situations sometimes. More or less, both Rakuen Tsuihou and Baldr Force start out the same. They both have people who more or less live in an online world. Something is triggered and their “so called” utopia comes crashing down around them. As Angela and Souma dig further and further, they find out things they are not supposed to, and now their former paradises turn out to be hollow lies. If you want more solid similarities, both are ripe in gratuitous fanservice, hacking, mecha, and the questioning of what reality is compared to humanity.

Yuuko Kasumi has some experience in the shoujo combined with romance department. Her most famous work so far became an anime called Marimo no Hana in 2012. In Dekiai Robot, we meet Yoshino, a girl who has a father who is a scientist. When Yoshino decides to give a valentine’s chocolates to the guy she likes, Yoshino finds out that her father’s new robot can be a problem. We have robot protagonists in Karakuri Odette and Dekiai Robot. The two want to find the meaning of being human by interacting with, well, humans. The main difference is the “gender” of the robots. Also, Dekiai Robot is a brief tale in comparison to Karakuri Odette. The style of both manga is different as well, with Dekiai Robot illustrated in a style more like the nineties’ shoujo (think about a lot of screentones and curly details), while Karakuri Odette’s characters have taller and slimmer proportions and the lines are cleaner. Anyway, if you like Valentine’s Day stories or are looking for a quick read (or both), this one might be a good option for you.

Arata Yoshikawa has some experience with shoujo manga. In Sleeping Beauty, we meet Kanna, who is in her first year in high school. This girl is independent, but there is something in her childhood that has been bothering her. One day, Kanna receives a big package that contains Motoi, an android which was built to replace her friend who moved away a long time ago. This Motoi is cool and basically, everything that a girl would wish from a boyfriend, but is everything really as it appears? It looks like in Japan, androids and schools go well together. At least that is the impression we receive from Odette and Motoi. Both are involved in romances, and their stories have comedy. The main difference is that Motoi was programmed by default to be Kanna’s ideal guy. The style is also different with Sleeping Beauty’s characters shorter in proportion to Odette’s characters, and the first manga using a lot of screen tones and tiny details to amuse the readers. If you always have wondered what it would be like to have a cybernetic boyfriend, don’t miss out Sleeping Beauty!

Umi Ayase is also a mangaka with some experience in the shoujo realm. Her most famous work so far is Haru, which became a movie in 2013. This story starts in a rather depressive note. The boyfriend of the protagonist is dead and she secludes herself in her own home. Therefore, an android with her boyfriend’s looks is sent to look after her, but will Haru be capable of replacing the real person? Would that actually be OK? Yes, we can expect some drama development here... What is humanity? What makes us human? These questions are at the center of Karakuri Odette and Haru. The illustration style is different, as again, Karakuri Odette has cleaner lines and less shades usage than Haru, which has a rather cute style. Although the later has more drama since the beginning, they both have endearing scenes that touch the soul. We should warn you that you might shed a tear or two, so keep your tissues at hand. If you think androids are more than just machines, this is the manga for you.

Suu Morishita has some experience with shoujo manga about unconventional protagonists, although most of it has been in short stories. Her longest work so far has been Hibi Chouchou. The protagonist is Suiren Shibazeki, a cute girl who is so popular in elementary school that she rarely speaks throughout middle school in order to not catch attention. In high school, she falls for Kouha Kawasumi, a silent karate student. Will this awkward pair be able to match? You will have to read Hibi Chouchou to find out! Although the art in Hibi Chouchou is more modern and has a dab for the unconventional, it is the most similar to Karakuri Odette so far. Both stories also have a slow pace, which let us understand the characters first. Although we do not have androids in Hibi Chouchou, human relationships are the most important part of the story as well. If you like shy protagonists and love stories, this might be a good option for you.

Yuu Watase is a mangaka who does not need introduction. Creator of several successful manga adapted into anime, OVAs, light novels and other media, we assure you that anything she does will have what we girls want. The best thing is that she is still active! Zettai Kareshi might not be her most recent work, but it is funny and witty. The protagonist is Riiko Izawa, who is tired of her failures in the love department, buys a boyfriend online and receives the android of her dreams. He is simply perfect, as he cooks, cleans and adores her! However, the guy might be pricey if she does not return him in time… This is one of the most similar manga to Karakuri Odette. We have the same awkwardness in school, androids and how they learn to interact with humans. The illustration style is a bit different, but the storytelling is full with surprises in both manga. If you have ever wondered how life would be if we could get a boyfriend online, look no further than Zettai Kareshi!

Hitoshi Ashinano has been on the manga scene for a long time. Although he is not super famous, he has had his share of glory with the adaptation of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou to anime in 1998. The author imagines the future of Japan, with much flooding going around, a reduced population and no telecommunications. Therefore, the people have adopted a different and simpler way of life, coexisting with humanoid robots. One of them is called Alpha, the owner of a coffee shop, a scooter and a camera. She travels and makes friends, reflecting in what she experiences. So, did anyone combine Karakuri Odette with Kino’s Journey? Because the vibes we get from Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou are intensely like both of these manga. The slow pace, the attention to human emotion, and the female protagonist… Everything is carefully crafted to make us reflect about the nature of being alive on this planet. If what you like about Karakuri Odette is reflecting about the meaning of being human, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou might be the right manga for you.

Choboraunyopomi is the creator of Somera and company. Maybe you do not recognize the name, but they have done other works for television and manga. Somera-chan began as a four panel comic, pretty much in the same fashion as Doraemon. Anyway, the story presents us the daily life of Somera Nonomoto. She has a special ability called the Nonomoto Mahou-ken, which she inherited from her mother. Oh, so something runs in the family of Somera and Nobita, something special. Both stories are about two youngsters that are, well, far from ideal. They also have cute unconventional mascots. Also, their stories are very funny, although sometimes they can be too ridiculous or bizarre. Do you like sci-fi and trinkets? Just watch Fushigi na Somera-chan! This special episode is packed with extra cuteness.

We have seen any type of strange creature as pet in anime (Go look for “How to Keep a Mummy” if you don’t believe me). In Wasurenagumo, we find out about the legend of a powerful spider who was defeated by a monk. In the present day, we see a shop which sells only historic books. The shopkeeper is Suzuri, and Mizuki is the granddaughter of the land owner. The shop is also the home of a cute spider demon that will bring her humans joy and adventures. This film is short but sweet, just like most of Doraemon’s adventures. In both stories, ordinary humans have to take care of a special pet that yes, makes their lives interesting… However, sometimes the relationship will not be easy and drama will follow. All in all, you can have a good laugh with both films. Also, it helps that they are recent, as animation quality is great in the two. If you like old stories about Japan combined with a modern point of view, you cannot miss Wasurenagumo.

This series has become a success in recent years in Japan. Following the tradition of Doraemon, Pokemon, Digimon and other similar anime, Youkai Watch presents us a whole universe of cute friends. Only that this time, they are not monsters or robots: they are youkai! The protagonist of Youkai Watch is Keita Amano, the owner of the first Youkai Watch which enables him to see youkai and befriend them. In this movie, his watch is stolen by Youkai Kin and Gin. Will Keita and his youkai friends be able to recover it? You will have to watch the movie to find out! Lots of fun stories? Check. Cute co-protagonists that look like cats? Check. An anime film made especially for kids but that can be also enjoyed by adults? Check, too! Youkai Watch even has one robot cat youkai. If you like Doraemon because of the magic and the friendship, you will also love Youkai Watch. The adventures here are also endless, so you will have hours and hours of fun.

Beware, because the culture that has brought us such horrors like Godzilla or the Angels from Evangelion has outdone itself with… a squid. A squid girl who cooks the best squid ink spaghetti, to be more precise. Her mission is to punish the dirty humans for polluting the sea, as well as to conquer the Earth… whenever she can run away from the rough Aizawa sisters who own the seafood restaurant where she works, of course. A bit weird? Yes, Ika Musume has curious abilities, just like Doraemon. Is she as adorable as he is? Again, yes. Particularly in these specials, Ika Musume appears in all her Super Deformed glory. Although she is powerful on her own, she also learns about the human world and has adventures with her humans (the Aizawa sisters), again, just like Doraemon. If you want more comedy of the likes of Nobita and company but with female protagonists, this little squid is your option!

Another little one who came from outer space since a long time ago is Sargent Keroro. He came to Earth to invade us, although he himself does not know how he is gonna pull that one. Keroro never gives up, so he keeps trying while entertaining us and teaching us good morals on the way. In this movie, mysterious giants called dragon tails have appeared. Meanwhile, Keroro infiltrates de Hinata family house to prepare his world domination despite of the dragon tails menace. Be prepared to laugh at virtually everything! Keroro is a little comedic jewel just like Doraemon who is targeted to children. And well, that is why both characters have children sidekicks. Both anime also have been around for a long time. The main difference is that Doraemon is a good guy, while Keroro is a dark, more adult version of an adventure companion. That is why his adventures can get pretty suspenseful, while Doraemon’s extreme emotions have been dramatic and sad.

Warning: some content on this anime is not for children. Proceed with caution. This is an alternative telling of the Edo period in Japan, where the Earth was invaded by alien creatures called “Amanto”. The shogunate makes a pact with the aliens and the samurai go into decline. Now the only rogue samurai left with a wooden sword is Gintoki Sakata, who is forced to do odd jobs to sustain himself. In this movie, Shinpachi and Kagura are investigating a murder while Gintoki is trying to recover a sword called Benizakura. Gintama was adapted from a highly successful manga, just like Doraemon. We also have lots of comedy here, as well as interactions between humans and a different but intelligent form of life. There is friendship and a weird mascot called Elizabeth to fill in for the same role as Doraemon. The greatest difference is that Gintama is a series with an adult humor, so please do not watch it if you are still a kid. Wait until you can catch up all that doble sense!

Naota Nandaba lives a typical and mundane life in the city of Mabase. Naota's life changed after being hit by a woman riding a Vespa named Haruko Haruhara. Haruko ends up taking residence in the Nandaba household, which is only the beginning of the strange happenings that start to befall Naota. After being hit with Haruko's guitar, Naota starts having strange intergalactic beings come out of his forehead. Now with aliens, government agents, and a war that will decide the fate of the universe all in Mabase, Naota's life has become anything but mundane. To say FLCL is a strange anime would be an understatement. The sheer absurdity of the plot is one of the things that makes the show great. On your first watch through of the show, it's easy to see how fantastic the animation, music, and action scenes are. The story, on the other hand, can't be fully appreciated until you've watched the show multiple times and are able to see everything that is happening. FLCL was the first anime that I saw that wasn't a shonen or fanservice filled show; this ultimately led me to branch off into other genres of anime, showing me just how the vast the world of anime could be.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood takes place in an alternate history where alchemy has become a major part of life. The brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, are alchemists that attempted human transmutation to bring their mother back to life and paid the ultimate price. Alphonse lost his entire body, while Edward lost his leg and then subsequently his arm in order to bond Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor. The story follows Edward as he becomes a state alchemist and together with Alphonse, they research the secrets of the philosopher's stone in hopes of getting their bodies back. With FLCL being the anime to get me to leave shounen anime behind, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was the anime that made me come back to the genre. With a great combination of beautiful actions sequences and a deep emotional plot, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood shows how wonderful a shounen anime can be. While many similar shows seem to have their characters fighting with no real consequences, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood wasn't afraid to have serious injuries befall many of its characters and it even goes as far as to kill off many of its major characters. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood set the bar for me as to what an action shounen anime is and I'm still waiting for a show to come close to what Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood gave me.

Ryuuji Takasu is an average high school student and despite the vicious looking appearance that made him infamous around the school, he's a pretty nice guy. On the first day of the new school year, Ryuuji bumps into Taiga Aisaka, a girl who's feisty nature and small size has earned her the nickname “Palmtop Tiger.” The meeting between the two ends with Ryuuji getting punched. With their relationship already off to a rough start, it gets worse after Taiga accidentally puts a love note in Ryuuji's bag, thinking it was the bag of Ryuuji's friend Kitamura. After a small scuffle between the two, Ryuuji tells Taiga about his crush on her friend Minori Kushieda. This leads to the two of them bonding over their unrequited love and forming a friendship with the purpose of helping each other out with their crushes. Toradora was the first anime that I watched that made me sad it was ending. For days after completing the series, I felt this overwhelming sadness and a sense of emptiness that the show was over. Despite eventually getting over this, I can never bring myself to finish the series whenever I rewatch it, always stopping right after the ski trip. Toradora is the pinnacle of what a romance story should be. The show doesn't try to trick you with the revelation that Taiga and Ryuji get together after spending the majority of the series trying to impress other people; instead, the focus is on following Taiga and Ryuji as they grow to learn more about themselves and each other, while also realizing what they want out of life and what love really is.

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Yusuke Urameshi lives the life of a delinquent, getting into fights, skipping school, and only cares about himself. While skipping school one day, Yusuke does the unthinkable when he jumps in front of a car to save a little boy at the cost of his own life. After getting hit by the car, Yusuke is greeted by a girl name Botan, who tells Yusuke she is the pilot of the River Styx, that brings souls to the underworld to be judged. Yusuke's act of heroism was so far out of character for him, the heads of the underworld weren't prepared for Yusuke's death and hadn't decided where he would end up in the afterlife. Instead of making a quick decision, Koenma, son of the ruler of the underworld, offers Yusuke a second chance at life. After a series of trials, Yusuke is brought back to life and Konema decides to have Yusuke work as a spirit detective. As a spirit detective, Yusuke is able to put all of his years as a delinquent to use, as he fights against the various demons that end up finding themselves on earth. Even though Yu Yu Hakusho turned 25 years old this year, it still holds up incredibly well. With a dark plot, lots of action, and lot of fantastic character development, Yu Yu Hakusho stood out among the anime of its time. Many of the characters in this show felt relatable, especially early on in the series, with all the emotional scenes dealing with some serious topics like death. Due to Yu Yu Hakusho being one of the first mainstream anime released in America, the nostalgia factor can't be denied when it comes to my feelings for this show. Despite this, Yu Yu Hakusho is still able to stand out when shown to newcomers even today and would be one of my recommendations for anybody looking to get into anime.

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Kenshin Himura is a wandering samurai that has been traveling since the beginning of the Meiji era. After arriving in Tokyo, Kenshin runs into a young woman named Kaoru Kamiya, who is tracking down a man who claims to be the Hitokiri Battosai, and has been tarnishing the name of Kaoru's dojo. After Kaoru is captured by the man claiming to be the Battosai, Gohei Hiruma, it is revealed that Gohei was just an impostor and Kenshin is the real Battosai who vowed to never kill again. Using his reverse-blade sword, Kenshin saves Kaoru and prepares to set out once again. After deciding she doesn't care about Kenshin's past, Kaoru offers to let Kenshin stay at her dojo and being a new life not as the Battosai or as a wanderer, but as the peaceful and caring Kenshin Himura. While I don't believe Rurouni Kenshin is objectively the greatest anime ever, it means more to me than any anime I have ever seen. Many people experienced Rurouni Kenshin during its run on Toonami in the early 2000's, but I wasn't introduced to Rurouni Kenshin until late 2007. At that point in my life, the only anime related media I was consuming was Pokemon related, but after taking part in a conversation with my brother and our friend about Rurouni Kenshin, I wanted to know what they were talking about and found the episodes online. What ensued was a 94 semi binge that would forever change my life. Rurouni Kenshin brought me back into the world of anime that I had left behind, with smooth action sequences, great characters, and a story that went from being an episodic adventure to a serious battle against one of my favorite villains in any anime. Sometimes I question whether the show should be my favorite of all time, but all it takes is watching the opening for me to experience the feelings I have for Rurouni Kenshin all over again.

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