Regarding the endless discussions already had on this site about how Evangelion *should* be watched, you might choose to click here, here, here and here. My spoiler filled take on my preferred order for Eva-initiates can be found here, but ultimately you'll just have to watch all the content available and decide for yourself how it all pieces together.
Another few entries for the Primer, mainly old favourites that I reckon deserve inclusion…
The films of Studio Ghibli and it's most famous creator, Hayao Miyazaki. Strong points include astounding animation, boundless imagination, peerless storytelling, three-dimensional characterisation (particularly of the many strong female heroines), great soundtracks, the highest standards in voice acting, and complex ethics (seldom a bad guy in sight) that often centre on ecological themes. Weak points are few and far between, this studio has consistently released some of the greatest films I've seen. Many are award winning international box office successes, hugely acclaimed and massively influential. Make sure you only watch them subbed, as even the better dubbed versions of some of the films ruin major storytelling moments. Barbelith discussions to be found here, here and here. I'm constantly amazed that I speak to so many people who have been blown away by at least one Ghibli movie (usually two or three) and have not devoured the entire back catalogue. Movies to rewatch regularly for the rest of your life. They can pretty much all be purchased here, and just the Miyazaki films can be hired here.
Ninja Scroll. This film totally fucking rocks. About as deep as a puddle in the desert, just a great adventure story with some hella cool baddies and fight scenes. Buy it here, rent it here.
Akira. This movie was the entry point to anime for a whole generation. You regularly come across people who seem to be faintly reactionary about it, largely because for many it's one of their only reference points. I guess it's the "Will people just shut up about this movie" effect. It's a sci-fi epic in which the close friendships of a group of teenage bikers are torn apart when they unwittingly become caught up in an unholy mess of politics, terrorism, religious mania, unethical science, bone headed militarism and unstoppable evolutionary forces that are far beyond their ability to understand or control (based on an acclaimed manga series by the same creator, Katsuhiro Otomo, with merciless edits to get the running time down). It's still a staggering achievement of a film in pretty much every department, rightly regarded as a classic and has a massive global influence. Special mention must be made of Geinoh Yamashirogumi's score, some of the most brain-meltingly unique compositions for film I've encountered. Akira deserves its status as an anime core text. Barbelith discussion here. Buy it here, rent it here.
Otaku no Video. This is Studio Gainax' examination of the otaku phenomenon, like a Trekkies for anime obsessives. It's format combines interview footage of a variety of real life fanatics (although some seem a little staged) and an animated through story about a guy ditches a promising tennis career and then gets dumped by his girlfriend when he gets subverted by an old nerd mate of his, and subsequently sets out to become Otaking, the greatest otaku of them all. With informative liner notes and packed with references to other films and shows, it's by turns very funny and cringingly uncomfortable when you recognise yourself and your mates in many of the characters depicted (don't pretend that you don't). Notable for the appearance of Misty May – a character whose name many have taken to use as the unit by which Gainaxing is measured (see the first page of this thread) – as well as some lovely Gunbuster referencing at the end. Along with Mellow Maromi episode of Paranoia Agent it's a fascinating behind the scenes glimpse into anime and the culture that surrounds it. Can be purchased here. |
