#22 Bakemonogatari!

        If you've been paying attention to any currently airing anime then you might have seen something about Kizumonogatari Part 3 or Owarimonogatari. If you have, then you probably know that they're a part of the Monogatari universe. I'm going to say right now that the universe is a little confusing when it comes to figuring out which order to watch the different shows in. Luckily there are some lists out there to help you. (which are listed at the bottom) This post however, is going to focus on Bakemonogatari, which is the first season in the Monogatari series and came out in 2009. (in airing order)

        Bakemonogatari follows a high school boy named Araragi, and his interactions with the supernatural world. He finds himself in dangerous situations when he tries to help others who are experiencing supernatural problems. Bakemonogatari would fall under the genres of supernatural, comedy, mystery and romance. (Although, it's not romantic in the way you might think.) If you want to read the official description click here!

       Bakemonogatari's art style is unprecedented when it comes to the background art and character movements. Studio Shaft is now known for this style and it's sometimes referred to as the shaft head tilt.


      One of the interesting aspects of Bakemonogatari are the differences between the originally aired version, and the Blue-Ray version. If you've watched Bakemonogatari, and you're not sure which version you watched, it's pretty simple to figure out. If the background looked like the picture to the right, then it was the Blu-Ray version. If you want to see a few more examples, you can click here. If you want to watch a side by side comparison of the TV version V.S the Blue-Ray version, click here. (just so you know, it does include spoilers)


        A few more really great things that make Bakemonogatari unique are the eye fixation, head tilts, body pans, screen flashes, weird color templates, abandoned locations and real footage and or pictures. (If you want to read more about them click here.) Bakemonogatari also has an amazing music score. We get some elevator music like "Date" and some synthesizer songs like "Uzu". We also get some cool percussive music like "Rainy Devil". Most of the tracks include either piano, Xylophone, or marimba as the base with multiple other instruments and electronic mixing. We sometimes get to hear some vocals. There's also a song that's reminiscent of Ghost In The Shell's  "Making of Cyborg" called "Kekkai". If you want to listen to the entire Bakemonogatari soundtrack click here. 

        Bakemonogatari is such a unique anime, visually and story wise. It's story doesn't have a particular end other than helping each person with their problems, but it's definitely entertaining and worth a watch. (Bakemonogatari is also the anime used in one of my favorite AMV's and it's amazing, you should go check it out here.) Just a side note Bakemonogatari does include some violent and unexpected gore, as you can see in this iconic scene. 

If you want to watch Bakemonogatari it's on crunchy roll, hulu, and amazon prime.

(If you're wondering what order to watch the Monogatari series in, here are a couple of choices (here) and (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

#19 Hozuki's Coolheadedness!

Hell. A common theme in anime, but I'll bet that the other anime didn't have a rabbit torturing the deceased.

          Hozuki's Coolheadedness focuses on the different parts of hell and how they, the hell minions, deal with the people that end up there. Since this hell can be a little confusing you might want to click here to learn more. (this link does include some extra information)

          Hozuki, our main character, is the chief of staff for King Enma, and he typically has on a poker face. He's a pretty serious character but he does like to make puns every once and awhile and, since this show includes parody, he's usually the one referencing other anime. 
          Much like Gintama, Hozuki's Coolheadedness has its own story with a sprinkling of references to other shows. Although, as the show goes on we see less and less of other shows and it begins to focus more on its own characters.

          Offsetting Hozuki's serious and cold attitude is King Enma, who is sort of like a fluffy teddy bear. He's kind and happy-go-lucky and is much warmer than Hozuki. He is tough on the deceased but can be lenient towards his staff.

          A few other characters in Hozuki's Coolheadedness are the working demons and animals that help run hell. For example, in animal cruelty hell the deceased are attacked and mauled by animals for having hurt animals while they were alive. Some of these animals may seem soft and cute, but they take their jobs seriously and definitely make the deceased pay.

          Each of the episodes is split into two segments consisting of 10 minutes each. Since the segments are so short there really isn't an underlying plot, and the episodes could technically be watched out of order.    

  
          Speaking of episodes, one of my favorites is episode 5 of season 1 "The Instrumental Duo of the Mighty Rivals / Mental Sports Day". I found it hilarious but I'm not going to tell you about it because you have to see it for your self. 

          Right now there are 2 seasons out with a third season coming out October 7th 2018. I know I'm excited for it!

          Another awesome thing about Hozuki's Coolheadedness is its opening themes. In season ones opening there's a weird mistake or easter egg concerning one of the characters in the lineup at the end (if you know what I'm talking about leave a comment!) Season 2 has an awesome ending song and animation sequence. 

          (Unfortunately the season one opening animation does not exist on youtube but click here if you want to just listen to the song. And I can't find a link to the season 2 ending song so it looks like you'll just have to watch the show!)

          If you have seen the show comment with your favorite character! Mine's definitely Shiro! 

(If you want to read the official 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 

#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