Updates!

Hello all! I know it's been a while since I've posted anything and I apologize for that! But I am planning on making more posts. Below are a few gifs of the new things I'll be writing about. If you know what they are leave a comment!

#16 Stop Motion Animation!

We've all heard of stop motion animation, but here's a little video about it. 

(It includes a tiny robot!)

#14 Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto?!

          You remember that cool guy from school? The one that everyone wanted to be friends with? And the one that some people hated because he was too cool? Sakamoto is that guy. Even if you were someone who hated that one guy it's pretty funny when you get to watch it from afar.

          Sakamoto is loved by all of his classmates and all of the girls have a crush on him. The only problem is the bullies. They don't see why everyone loves him, no one is that cool. So they come up with a few plans to embarrass him or to make him drop his cool. However, nothing fazes Sakamoto. From a falling eraser, to having his chair pulled out from underneath him, he's always cool. No situation puts him on edge or disrupts his day. Not even a ride through the hall in a mop cart.

         Sakamoto also goes out of his way to help people, even if those people are trying to prank him or get him into trouble. Sakamoto isn't even fazed by a fire or rescuing someone from falling off a balcony. Though when he does help he always adds an extra flair.

          This anime is over the top ridiculous and that's what makes it funny. The silly reactions and responses are worth watching just because of how impossible or perfect they are. It also doesn't skimp on the sparkles. Lots and lots of sparkles. But hey, it's a light anime it's not supposed to be serious. Maybe we should try to be more like Sakamoto, if only to keep life interesting. If you want to read more about Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto? click here. 

         Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto is an anime that you would watch if you've had a bad day or if you just want to watch something funny. Even if you don't usually watch school life anime I would definitely give this one a try.


I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

#13 Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation!

          "Even in death the bones remain. Bones symbolize life, and embody death."

          If you love the crime tv show Bones then this is the anime for you! Just like Temperance Brennan, (from Bones) Sakurako isn't the best with people, and throws herself into her work. (Which can involve assisting the police when they find unidentified corpses.)


          The main character in the anime is actually a high school boy named Shotaro, who happens to stumble upon Sakurako and ends up becoming her assistant. They work together to resolve unidentified remains and she teaches him more about bones and death itself.

           Sakurako is an osteologist and likes to spend her time reassembling the bones of animals. While this pastime may seem macabre she does it because she really finds bones to be beautiful. (which is totally understandable)

          Beautiful Bones also includes a lot of good quotes and ideas like "Real death gives people pause." They make you think about how we see the dead, and how we view death in general. How we don't really want to think about our bodies once we're dead even though our bones can still tell our stories. 
          Although this anime does revolve around death, I wouldn't say that its dark or depressing overall it's mostly positive.

          Beautiful Bones includes a reverie for the dead and the willingness to solve how they died. Nothing gets over looked in this animation including scientific facts and figures. Beautiful Bones is not a fast paced anime nor does it have much action, but it holds unique ideals that I haven't seen in other shows.

If you want to read more about Beautiful Bones click here.

       I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

       

#12 Drifters!

          Drifters involves A LOT of violence and it also includes a lot of historical figures. Drifters takes place in a world that's in between life and death. Renowned warriors on the brink of death are taken to this world to fight in a war to end all wars. They're called Drifters.

          All of the warriors are well known somewhere, if not everywhere in the world. The three main characters are, Shimazu Toyohisa, Oda Nobunaga, and Nasu no Yoichi. All three are from Japan but there are others from different countries like Joan of Arc, Grigori Rasputin, Hannibal Barca, Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, and many others. If you want to look at who all is included click here.

          The animation style isa lot like Hellsing, the faces, teeth, and shading for example are very much alike. The only large difference is that in Drifters the animation style switches back and forth between hyper realistic and cartoonish. 
          The clothing and characters are extremely detailed and engaging thoughout the entire anime. The opening is especially highly detailed and includes a storyboard-like introduction.

          Many of the historical figures you might not recognize. (I know that I had to google some of them.) Even though these characters were once real people some of them are given supernatural powers. An example would be Joan of Arc, who is given the ability to control flames. If you're not familiar with Joan of Arc she was a heroine in the 100 Year War but was then betrayed by the people she was fighting for and was burned at the stake. Her anger at the betrayal sparked her hatred for people, causing her to join the Ends, instead of the Drifters.

          (If you want to read more about the actual Joan of Arc click here. If you want to read more about the character click here.)

          The Ends consist of people who have given up hope in humanity and would rather see them all dead. Rasputin, Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova, Gilles de Rais, and Hijikata Toshizo all joined the Ends. They are led by The Black King and their only goal is to destroy mankind and let the creatures and beast 'inherit the world.'

          The Drifters chose Shimazu Toyohisa as their leader, for his unmatched war expertise. From poisoning the enemies water, to setting death traps, he can come up with ideas whenever they're needed. The Drifters goal is to take back the world from the Orte Empire and free all of the people who have been enslaved, essentially liberating the entire country from the inside out.

          Drifters also included spots of comedy and characters who literally act insane. The comedy helps keep the show from becoming just another war anime and helps break up the dark overtones.

If you want to read the full description click here. If you want to watch the first episode click here.

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#11 One Punch Man!

          Recently added to Netflix, One Punch Man follows Saitama, who can win any fight with just one punch. Because he's so strong nothing is challenging to him no matter how impossible it seems to us. His strength and power aren't obvious from the outside and he doesn't even look like a hero. His red gloves and yellow body suit are more like a Ronald McDonald outfit. His shiny bald head also doesn't scream super hero. 

         (One of the best things about this anime is that the artist switches between styles easily and effortlessly as shown in the first picture.)

          All of the characters are unique and over the top. They also love to talk about themselves and share their backstories. 
          Because they tend to do this often, Saitama will tell them to shorten their back stories to "20 words or less." 
          
          Saitama chose to be a super hero for the fun of it. He could be considered a casual hero. He isn't really known or recognized by other heroes or by the government . In this show the other heroes try to do everything they can to be recognized and remembered. While Saitama would rather go to the grocery store during a sale.

          Since Saitama's fights end so quickly he often takes the time to listen to his opponents for awhile. One of the best examples is the fight between him and Carnage Kabuto. (Click here to watch it.)

         

One Punch Man does involve gore, blood, and violence. It's abrupt and up front, so if that's not your thing don't be fooled by its ability to seems family friendly. If you want to read more about One Punch Man click here.

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

Where to Watch?

If your wondering where you can watch some of the things on my blog here are a few options.

A= anime
B= both
C= cartoon

• netflix (B)
• hulu (B)
• anime planet (A)
• crunchy roll (A)
• funimation (A)
• kiss anime (A)
• kiss cartoon (C) 
• cartoonson (C)
• gogoanime (A)

Think I'm missing some? Leave a comment and I'll add a website after I check it out!

#10 Tom and Jerry!

          If you've ever watched Saturday morning cartoons then you've definitely watched a few episodes of Tom and Jerry. These two crazy animals can make just about anyone laugh just by throwing things at each other or getting caught in each other's traps.

          If you don't already know, Tom and Jerry is about a cat and a mouse who just can't seem to get along. Tom, the cat, is always trying to either eat or get rid of Jerry, the mouse. While it might seem easy enough for a cat to catch a mouse, Jerry is smarter than he looks. No matter how hard Tom tries he can never catch Jerry, even if he does, Jerry always finds a way out of what Tom has planned.

          Tom and Jerry was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera who also created Scooby-Doo, the Jetsons, The Flinstones, Yogi Bear, and The Smurfs, to name a few. (If you want to read more about them and their business click here. ) The first episode aired in the 1940's in a movie theater.

          Even though they're known for tormenting each other they do sometimes find common ground, usually when another character steps in and causes problems for the both of them. 

         
       One of my favorite episodes is called The Zoot Cat. It was released on February 26, 1944. I'm not completely sure why it's one of my favorites but it's probably because of the music. It takes place on Valentine's Day when Tom tries to give Jerry as a gift to his girl. Tom tries to impress her by serenading her and by giving her flowers. He ends up embarrassing himself and she laughs at him. While feeling sorry for himself he hears an ad on the radio about a Zoot suit. He thinks that if he gets a Zoot suit it would solve all of his problems, so he decides to make his own suit out of her hammock and a lamp shade. 


          Tom and Jerry could be considered an American classic. These classics can be fun to watch and you might just find your old favorite episode.

Did you know?

 Tom and Jerry were originally named Jasper and Jinx in their first debut episode!

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#9 Black Lagoon!

          From kidnapping to killing the Black Lagoon crew will do anything if they're paid enough. 

          The crew on the Black Lagoon are pirate mercenaries who aren't afraid to shoot anyone who tries to mess with their cargo. The members of Lagoon Company include Revy, our gun crazy, short tempered, foul-mouthed protagonist; Rock, a former salaryman, diplomatic, one time hostage, male protagonist; Dutch, the captain of the Black Lagoon, former marine, and cool character; and Benny, the mechanic, computer specialist and researcher. (If you want to read more about Black Lagoon click here.)

          All of the women in Black Lagoon know their way around weapons. From machine gun toting nuns, to a Thai E-nep knife wielding assassin. The women don't need anyone to protect them, even if it's from each other. While in most anime it's more common to see the guys starting violence, these ladies are willing to pick a fight with anyone.

          
          Rei Hiroe; creator of Black Lagoon, said that the series was inspired by Quinton Tarentino, Stephen King, James Ellroy, John Woo, and actual pirate cases in the 1990's in the East China sea. Some of the gun fights were based on spaghetti westerns and cowboy movies. Black Lagoon first aired in 2006 and was well accepted in the US due to the extreme violence and action.

          Black Lagoon is all about violence and money. It also takes the time to get the viewer invested in the characters. They all have a reason for why they do their job and why they act the way they do. Nothing is as simple as it may appear especially the characters. Black Lagoon is fast paced and bloody and I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like violence. But if you don't mind gun fights, explosions, crime syndicates, and kick-ass women then this is the anime for you.

(If you want to watch Black Lagoon click here.)

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#8 Studio Ghibli!

          Studio Ghibli is an animation studio located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka a western city of Tokyo Japan. Studio Ghibli is considered the 'Disney' of Japanese animation. While it is definitely not as big as Disney's Animation Studio it is just as well known.

          (Studio Ghibli is separate from the Studio Ghibli Museum but both are located in Mitaka. I'll talk more about the museum later.)

          Studio Ghibli is a place of imagination and creativity, the founders of Studio Ghibli are Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Isao Takahata. Some of Miyazaki's more well known films are My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Howls Moving Castle; just to name a few. For a full list click here. (This does not include shorts or collaborative works.) Some of Takahata's works are The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbors the Yamadas, and Pom-Poko. For a full list click here.

          Hayao Miyazaki personally designed the museum and made both the interior and exterior as whimsical as can be. With a Catbus room and a little cafe, visitors are never bored and are continuously finding little details that make them smile.

          Studio Ghibli and the Ghibli museum are two places that I want to visit in my lifetime. I want to go there and see where some of my favorite movies were made and where all of the amazing ideas formed and were made into reality.

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#7 Adventure Time!

          "Adventure Time, C'mon grab your friends, we'll go to very distant lands, with Jake the dog and Finn the human, the fun will never end, it's Adventure Time!"

          When I first watched Adventure Time I wasn't really impressed by what I was watching. It seemed like a very crude and weird cartoon. A couple of years later I tried it again and was surprised that I liked it. Adventure Time has it's disturbing episodes but it also has it's relatable and sweet ones. Even though it says that it's rated for ages 10+ it probably appeals more to teenagers than anyone else. But I feel like you're never too old for cartoons, and I know a lot of college students who LOVE Adventure Time.
         
         The setting for Adventure Time is the land of Ooo, it looks like a fantasy world including abrupt climate changes, specific territories and large castles.

          Our two main characters; Finn and Jake, are best friends and brothers. Finn is the only human in Ooo. As a viewer I didn't even notice this until it was brought up in the episodes. Jake is a magical dog and is able to change his shape and size at will. This unlikely duo consider themselves the hero's of Ooo. This mainly consists of saving princesses from the Ice king and any other problem that comes their way. 
          
          Adventure Time has so many unique characters that most people can find at least one to relate to. From Marceline the Vampire Queen, to Tree Trunks, they each have their own personality and views of the world. None of these characters are perfect either, even our heroes have problems. The fact that not everything is happy-go-lucky is something that you can also see in Steven Universe. 
          
          Adventure Time could be considered comedy, fantasy, adventure, and sci-fi, you could also say (in some episodes) there is a weird psychological element to it as well. The episodes are short, only 10 minutes long, and don't usually carry over into the next one unless it's the finale or a more in depth story line. 

          Adventure Time has also won many awards which you can find here. 

(If you want to read more about Adventure Time click here.)

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

#6 Cowboy Bebop!

"This is real mystic and all but do you have anything to eat here?"

          Cowboy Bebop can most accurately be described as a 'space western'. Even the characters call themselves cowboys. It's fast paced and most of the time each episode has its own story without overlapping into the next one. While there is an underlying plot, it seems to only become the center of attention at certain points in the show. Cowboy Bebop also has one of the most interesting music styles. Combining western, opera, and jazz music together. This new style of music was made by one of the most prominent artist in anime; Yoko Kanno. The fast paced and catchy opening isn't only fun to listen to, but to watch as well. 

         
           Cowboy Bebop isn't always fast paced, sometimes it seems downright slow, but keep in mind that there will be fast moments where you might have to rewatch the show to make sure you see everything. 

          'Cowboys' are another name for bounty hunters in 2071. 'Bebop' is the name of the ship that Spike, Jet, Fay, Ed, and Ein live on. 

          



          Spike's our main character and could be considered the one that usually get the rest of them in trouble. He's also a master of Jeet Kune Do, which he almost always has to use when they go after bounties.


           Jet's the captain of The Bebop and tries to keep order between the others. He use to be an investigator for the Inter Planetary Space Police (IPSP) until his former partner betrayed him and led to him losing his right arm. 


          Fay is a thief and joins the Bebop crew after repeatedly running into them. She was put into a cryogenic sleep and woke up 54 years later in 2071 not remembering who she is, and with an insane amount of debt.  


          Ed is a highly renowned hacker and does everything her own way. From walking on her hands, to typing with her feet. She joins the crew when she hacks into the Bebops navigation controls and brings them to her. Ein is a corgi that has the intelligence of a human. Ein joins the crew accidentally when they're chasing after a bounty. Ein is also referred to as a 'data dog' and can do things that other canine can't do; like drive a spaceship, or play shogi. If you want to read more about the characters click here.

          The Bebop crew may be bounty hunters but most of the time they don't have any money. Most of it goes to repairs for things that Spike breaks or is gambled away by Fay. Unsurprisingly that also means that they don't have money for food. Most of them can be bribed with food, especially Spike, into doing random jobs and even helping total strangers.

          Cowboy Bebop was a big step forwards for the sci-fi genre of anime and could even be considered a sci-fi anime classic. While it is old it doesn't lack in action or comedic moments. 

Until next time, 

"See you, space cowboy."

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#0 WELCOME TO ANIMATION NOMINATION!

This blog talks about animation; from studio Ghibli, to Cartoon Network. It's my recommendations to you! It will also include important people of the animation world and up and coming events revolving around animation. If YOU want to recommend something leave a comment!

#5 Baccano!

          "Cast aside the illusion that there is a beginning and end to the story. The story has no beginning. And it has no end. All there is, is a performance of people connecting, living, influencing each other, and departing." 

        One of my favorite things about Baccano is the opening. It has fluid and interesting transitions that go from character to character without missing a beat. It's also fun and quirky without really revealing any of the darkness that resides in the anime. 

          The first episode throws a lot of information at you and it makes so much more sense if you go back and watch it once you've finished the series. Don't get discouraged if it seems like there isn't enough action. When you're watching keep in mind that Baccano! likes to jump between years. 

          Even though the subject and execution of the anime is dark there is still some humor to it. The best example would be the characters Isaac and Maria. They're fun loving and oblivious and are never really tainted by what's going on around them. If you've ever watched Durarara!!! then you would have noticed their cameo appearance in it.

          
          Baccano! mainly takes place on a train called "The Flying Pussyfoot." Although these passengers aren't the ones that you would usually find on a normal passenger train; like the mafia, bank robbers, immortals, a bomb enthusiast, and an extremist group. 

          Baccano! puts together the excitement of a murder mystery, and the ruthlessness of human nature together into one series. It contains the subtle cues of the insane, the drive of the dedicated, and the crazy fun of the innocent. 

          If you want to read more about Baccano! click here. If you want to read the description click here.


          I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

#4 The Aristocats!

          ♪♫ Everybody wants to be a cat! Because the cat's the only cat, that knows where it's at! ♫♪  

           Nobody says it better than a cat. Being one of the older Disney creations, The Aristocats has a very traditional animation style, including left over pencil lines, beautiful hand drawn scenery, and original artistic styling. Even though it's older doesn't mean that it's missing any of the Disney magic. 

          Our main characters, as you may have guessed already, are cats. Duchess and her three kittens, Marie, Berlioz, and Toulouse, live with a retired opera singer named Madame Adelaide Bonfamille and her English butler, Edgar. They're living a sheltered life, not wanting for anything. However, Madame Adelaide is growing older and she decides to name her cats as her benefactors of her fortune in the case of her death. Her butler, Edgar, who has been with her for years finds out that he would receive nothing and hatches a plan to get rid of the cats. That night he puts sleeping pills in their milk and whisks all four of them away. That's where the real adventure begins. Then they meet O'malley. He's not high class like them but from the alleys. His charming and sometimes silly personality helps guide the lost family on a sometimes erratic path back home. 

          If you want to watch the preview click here. If you want to read some interesting facts click here.

          I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

#3 The Classic Duo!

          In my opinion these two movies are must see animation classics. If you haven't heard of Akira or Ghost In The Shell that's okay! Akira came out in 1988 and went the extra mile by actually animating the mouth movements to match the words being said, pre recording dialog, and creating detailed background scenery. It was the final breakthrough that got anime noticed in the U.S. Akira is equivalent to The Walking Dead in getting its genre (or type of media style) recognized. While The Walking Dead opened up the zombie theme, Akira was the final step in making anime popular in America.

          If you want to read Akira's description click here. If you want to know more about it, like how it was made and who was involved click here.

           The Ghost in the Shell that I'm talking about is the original one made in 1995. (Ghost in the Shell has a lot of side series and stand alone movies.) If you want to know the best order to watch all of them in click here. 
          The music used in the movie is different than anything I've ever heard in any animated movie. If you want to listen to "The Making of Cyborg", which is the most recognized and (in my opinion) most awesome song in the movie click here.

          Ghost in the Shell likes to hint at deeper questions in its dialogue that you might not catch the first time you watch it. If you want to read more about Ghost in the Shell click here. If you want to read the movie description click here. 

          Both Ghost in the Shell and Akira take place in the future. They're also both in the science fiction scene, specifically the cyberpunk genre. If you're not a big fan of political insurrection, cyborgs, some gore, or military related action then these aren't for you. But if not, then I highly suggest you watch them.

          If you want to take a look at other Japanese animated classics click here.


I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

#2 Steven Universe!

         "We are the crystal gems, we'll always save the day. And if you think we can't, we'll always find a way. That's why the people of this world, believe in; Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, and Steven!"

           Let's be honest, if you've seen Steven Universe you know that it will forever hold a spot in your heart for being one of the cutest cartoons ever. It revolves around family, friendship, and saving the world (or at least your home town). Steven, along with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, put themselves in danger in order to protect each other, their friends, and their home.

 

Steven Universe has gorgeous background scenery and an amazing musical score. If you want to specifically check out the background artists click here. Aivi and Surasshu are the composers for many of the Steven Universe songs. Their music is happy, sweet, and can contain a hint of melancholy. When listening to it you can clearly hear the chiptune and piano influence in many of their songs. 

       Steven Universe is so beautiful, and if you're looking for a fun, quirky, but sometimes deep cartoon this one's for you.

(P.S if you want to make your own gemsona click here)

         I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

#1 Anime of the Year!

          If you don't already know Anime has its own awards given every year. The 2016 nominated Anime Series were: Erased, Joker Game, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Mob Psycho 100, My Hero Academia, RE: Zero, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, and Yuri!!! On Ice. According to Crunchy roll 'Yuri!!! On Ice' was the winner of the 2016 Anime of the Year Award. It also won in the Best Boy, Most Heartwarming Sceen, and Best Opening and Ending divisions. If you would like to see the other categories and their respective anime click here.

          'Yuri!!! On Ice' came out October, 6, 2016, it was so well received by audiences that there was no doubt that there would be a second season. 'Yuri!!! On Ice' would fall under the categories of drama, sports, and comedy. If you would like to read its description or watch it click here.

          Above is the Yuri!!! On Ice trailer if you're interested in getting an idea of what you would be watching.

Moving on to some of the other nominees.

          My personal favorite, 'Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress', is best described as a zombie/steampunk mashup. Instead of the creatures being called zombies they are called Kabane but the same zombie rules apply. If you're bitten you turn into one of them and have an insatiable desire to kill and eat humans. However, unlike zombies, the Kabane are much more difficult to kill. While you can chop off it's head or dismember it, the best way to kill a Kabane is by destroying it's heart, which just so happens to be surrounded by an iron cage. (If you want to read more click here.)

          Next up we have 'Mob Psycho 100', which is about a boy who has strong ESP and works with a fraud psychic. He's good at controlling his powers but not the best at understanding his emotions. When he's pushed too far and his emotions become too much for him, or reach "100% capacity" he loses control. Click here to read more.

          I still haven't watched the other nominees but if you want to watch them you can click on their titles below.


Erased
Joker Game
Hero Academia
RE: Zero
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu