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Mite Kudasai! (Watch!) Yonde Kudasai! (Read!)

           

Welcome to another Mite Kudasai! (Watch!) Yonde Kudasai! Each week, I’ll pick two anime series or films for fans to watch and I’ll give my reasons why. One pick will be a classic anime and the other will be an anime that’s current/popular. I’ll also pick a manga that fans should read and give my reasons why. So let’s begin!

Mite!

Paprika (2006)

Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi

Based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s 1993 novel of the same name,  Paprika is about a research psychologist who uses a device that permits therapists to help patients by entering their dreams.When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient’s dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist can stop it: Paprika.

Why You Should Watch:

It’s directed by the late Satoshi Kon-a promising director. This is one of the things that influenced director Christopher Nolan to create the film Inception. It’s an excellent film, there are moments of humor, it’s visually stunning, and its just an amazing concept.

Cowboy Bebop (Original Airdate: 1998, English: 2001)

Genre: CrimeFiction, ScienceFictionFilmNoir, SpaceWestern

The series is set in the future, the year 2071, when the entire Solar System has been made accessible through reliable hyperspace gates. As a result of an accident in the year 2022, many survivors abandoned the barely habitable Earth to colonize the inner planets, the asteroid belt and the moons of Jupiter. Mars has become the new central hub of human civilization, and interplanetary crime syndicates-which are somewhat like mobs-exert influence over the government and the Inter-Solar System Police (ISSP), limiting their effectiveness in dealing with crime. As a result, a bounty system similar to that in the Old West is created to deal with fugitives, terrorists, and other criminals. The bounty hunters are called  “cowboys”.

The 26-episode series revolves around the often violent adventures undertaken by the arguably mismatched crew of the BeBop starship. The crew is made up of four unique characters: Jet Black, Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, Radical Edward, and Ein, a hyperintelligent, genetically-engineered stray Corgi hound. Throughout the series, Bebop crew members’ pasts catch up with them, and the show regularly utilizes flashbacks to illustrate the history of the main characters. The day-to-day life of the crew is also explored throughout the series.

Why You Should Watch:

This was the first anime title to be broadcasted in the United States on Adult Swim. This anime has an awesome plot, compelling characters, and an amazing musical score (you must get the soundtrack to the series! Yoko Kanno is an excellent musician!). This series will definitely get you hooked on anime!

Yonde!

Yu Yu Hakusho (Original Run: 1990-1994, English Run: 2003-2010)

Genre: Martialarts, Bangsianfantasy

Written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi (he’s married to Sailor Moon author Naoko Takeuchi), the series tells the story of “Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and killed by a car while attempting to save a child’s life. After a number of tests presented to him by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the afterlife Underworld, Yusuke is revived and appointed the title of “Underworld Detective”, with which he must investigate various cases involving demons and apparitions in the human world.”

Why You Should Read:

This is another favorite manga of mine. It’s only 19 books and it’s just a funny, action-packed story. The characters are great and you’ll definitely enjoy it. Also the 112 episode anime is also an interesting thing to watch. The story is a little bit different from the manga but it’s still excellent! 

And that concludes another Mite Kudasai! Yonde Kudasai! Stayed tuned for next week’s! Ja mata ne! Later!