Anime Review Hub #1 (Classic Sci-fi edition)

I've been meaning to start this for a long time now, but only now have I had the time to do so. While some of you might have already seen a few of the series I intend to go over hopefully some of you might find some new ones to follow. Ever so often you can expect one of these from me, provided I don't eventually run out of series to review. Which is also highly unlikely. :P

So sit back, pull up a chair, and enjoy the next few minutes.

The first series on my list, and one of the greatest in my humble opinion. This one is kinda old, but even now serves as an example of what a great anime could be, sci-fi or otherwise. The series spans 26 episodes, all revolving around the crew of the Bebop, which grows to 4 (five if you count the dog) as the series progresses.The story initially revolves around the first two members of the crew, Jet Black and Spike Spiegel.

The two attempt to make a living as bounty hunters, but run into problem after problem as they go after each bounty. Once the series progresses a bit it becomes less about the bounties and more about the past of each individual character. The series continues with this approach all the way to the climax, and through to the epic conclusion.

Speaking of which, yah, it's quite the ending. Each episode references various styles of music which add a subtle vibe to each individual story. The series itself boasts an impressive soundtrack as well. If you're either new to anime or you just haven't seen this work of art I highly suggest you do so the first chance you get.

This one is kind of old as well, and similar to Cowboy Bebop such that I wanted to talk about this second. Like the Bebop in Cowboy Bebop the ship in this series shares the title of the anime. In this case, the entire title. Like Cowboy Bebop it is set in a future where man has traveled far from earth and into the stars. Space is treated as an open frontier, and piracy abounds.

The story here revolves around Gene Starwind and his partner Jim Hawking and their growing crew aboard the Outlaw Star in search of the fabled Galactic Leyline.Without giving too much of the plot away the two eventually acquire the titular spaceship, which interfaces with another member of their crew, Melfina, a bio-android. They are also joined by an assassin, as well as an alien from a species of cat-like humanoids. Heck, even the Spaceship itself is just as much a character as the rest of the cast.

While this series didn't have as large a following as Cowboy Bebop I personally would recommend this to someone who might have just started watching anime. It has your basic sci-fi conventions, faster than light travel capable spaceships, its own form of "magic", and a varied cast. I find Outlaw Star to be a younger sibling of sorts to Cowboy Bebop. It's a little less serious than the former, more light-hearted, but still in the same vein of storytelling.

In keeping with the theme of classic Sci-fi anime I'd like to introduce you to Neon Genesis Evangelion. One heck of title...and it offers no insight to exactly what's going on here. Admittedly there are a few things that come to mind upon seeing the series' giant robots, called Evangelion, that might place it in a stereotypical category of mecha anime.

Having actually seen the series I greatly discourage trying to pin this series down until you at least see a few episodes. Sure, like the other two series discussed prior to this one it is a little old as far anime goes but totally worth the watch. To begin with, the protagonists defend earth from an extra-terrestrial/supernatural threat. The threat, or threats rather, are referred to as angels. The only means of combating them (they are immune to conventional weapons) are the Evangelions, piloted by three children: Shinji, Rei, and Asuka.

Things seem simple from the outset, but as the series progresses each of the characters change a great deal from their original selves, and the true objectives of what at first appears to be a benevolent organization begin to surface. By the end, you might forget just how it all started. Speaking of the end, there are two movies to go along with the series. Death and Rebirth and End of Evangelion. There has also recently been a remake of the anime airing in theaters, though I highly recommend that you watch the original first. All in all great series, though not what it at first appears to be. This series would be more suitable for someone who has already seen a few other anime before watching this.