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Note: We have only considered titles officially
confirmed for release in 2005 when compiling this list, which is why
several titles we are itching to see - such as One Piece and
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children - have been omitted. The list
counts down to our most wanted title from 10. |
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Despite neither of us being huge Gundam fans we have been won over by what we have so far seen of Gundam SEED. Packed with high class mech action, an intriguing plot with a dramatic emotional theme typical of the franchise and first rate animation and sound... who could not be interested in seeing it? 9: Project A-KO (Animazing)
Yes, believe it or not we want to see this more than Gundam SEED!!! Project A-KO has always been considered a classic of anime comedy, and has been a firm favourite with old school anime fans, yet neither of us have ever seen it! The clips we have seen make the series look like great fun and we are truly looking forward to the UK release. 8: Yu Yu Hakusho (MVM)
Both of us are big fans of the manga so the announcement that MVM were going to release the entire series with Japanese and English language tracks and a limited edition art box was like music to our ears! Yu Yu Hakusho looks like it could match Dragonball Z in the addictive enjoyment stakes, and we are hoping that MVM will get their way and get it on telly. 7: Full Metal Alchemist (MVM)
Probably MVM's major release of the year, Full Metal Alchemist has a lot of crossover potential and both of us are looking forward to the game as well as the series! We saw plenty of stuff to do with Full Metal Alchemist when in Japan and we liked what we saw, it seems to combine an interesting story with some great animation and seems like it will have plenty of action too. 6: Chrono Crusade (ADV Films)
There is something about gun-toting nuns that just rocks!! Chrono Crusade looks to be another action packed title with superb art and animation, but the story seems to be a lot more interesting than the average supernatural actioner. We are also intrigued by the premise of a nun and a demon working side by side to fight the forces of evil, and we like the idea of attractive gun-toting nuns! 5: Haibane Renmei (MVM)
One of our Essential Series, Haibane Renmei is one title we never expected to see the light of day in the UK for a very long while. Whimsical and philosophical with an unusual premise, Haibane Renmei combines beautiful animation with an intriguing storyline and great characters. We are big fans of Yoshitoshi ABe's distinctive artwork too. 4: Trigun (MVM)
Another of our Essential Series, Trigun is an absolute anime masterpiece and another title we didn't expect to see here for a while. Switching effortlessly between comedy and drama, Trigun always manages to surprise with near enough every twist and revelation, and the tension towards the end of the series is palpable. Its UK release is a great sign of how far the UK market has come. 3: Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition (ADV Films)
The best just got better. Both of us are huge fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion so the news that we would be getting the remastered directors cut of the whole series just a few months after the US was absolutely great news! Far better visuals, far better sound, newly commissioned covers from Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, added scenes... We're drooling just at the thought!!! 2: Steamboy (Columbia TriStar)
It's been long enough in the making, and now Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo has finally finished his steampunk epic Steamboy. There's just something about retro styled anime that really appeals to us, and Steamboy has an air of Laputa, Castle in the Sky about it too, which is no bad thing. The trailer is absolutely stunning, with a beautifully rendered Victorian London providing the backdrop for high speed chases and stunningly imaginative machinery. We are really looking forward to this one. 1: Howl's Moving Castle (Optimum Asia)
We are totally and utterly unashamed Ghibli fanatics
and the release of any new film by Hayao Miyazaki is nearly enough to give us a
hernia from sheer joy. With this in mind our most wanted film for 2005 was
never in question from the second Howl's Moving Castle was announced by
Optimum Asia. Miyazaki brings his magic to a fun action-packed tale
which should translate into a highly entertaining adventure film, and there is
no doubt that Ghibli's trademark stunning animation will be present and
correct along with another glorious score from Joe Hisaishi. We are
salivating at the mere thought, Optimum Asia have secured a major coup by
licensing this film and we think it'll hit even bigger heights than Spirited
Away did. Epilogue! Well that's it, our top 10 anime title from the ones confirmed so far. Obviously there are several that came close, alas had we but fifteen spaces we may also have found room for The Cat Returns, Gungrave, Cowboy Bebop, Cyborg 009 and Chobits (not necessarily in that order) too, but we didn't, so there you go. Remember these are our most wanted, so what about you? Post on our messageboard with your own lists if you feel we have wrongfully omitted something - remember we are always happy to argue the toss over anime!!! All in all it looks like 2005 is going to be the best year the
UK has seen for a very long time anime-wise, so keep an eye on our News &
Rumours section for further announcements and release updates! |
