I wouldn't really call myself a big anime fan (I've enjoyed some of the more known hits), but recently I've found myself really enjoying a few series so I figured I'd open it up here for more recommendations. I'm going to structure this for things I've enjoyed recently as well as things from ~13ish years ago (about the only two times I've really explored the medium).

Recent things I enjoyed a lot:

  • Frieren
  • Little Witch Academia (Movies and Television show)
  • Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
  • Promare

Recent things I thought were decent:

  • Kill La Kill

Past things I really enjoyed:

  • Gurren Lagann
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
  • Code Geass
  • Black Lagoon
  • Cowboy Bebop
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion

Past things I thought were decent:

  • Soul Eater
  • Claymore
  • Monster

To try to help people hone in more I'm a big fan of fantasy settings (no isekai stuff please unless you have a really, really compelling reason for it) and I'm open to most genres. I've found that I like Studio Trigger stuff a good bit so if there are movies/series there that people also feel strongly about I'm especially open to those recommendations but I'm really open to most suggestions from people on this site as I imagine it'll filter out most of the chud-appealing/serviced content.

  • Awoo [she/her]M
    ·
    7 months ago

    Alright judging by this list you're a Trigger fan.

    You will like SSSS Gridman - it's gurren lagann x power rangers x trigger insanity

    You will like BNA - it's a bit different to the usual Trigger protagonist. This character doesn't start as the revolutionary "I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD". This character starts as the obnoxious liberal and their arc is more like a story of what creates a radical who wants to change the world.

    You will like Cyberpunk Edgerunners. It's really really fucking good and has every Trigger element.

    Someone else mentioned Dungeon Meshi below, this is also Trigger but is quite different to the above shows and the formula of the shows you've watched. Good though, just feels more like Bones (studio A) work.

    I don't wanna suggest all Trigger shows so I'll throw out Hisone & Masotan as something a bit different that I think you'll also enjoy for totally different reasons. I know the premise sounds weird but trust me.

    Judging by your tastes I'd say do BNA and Edgerunners first.

      • Awoo [she/her]M
        ·
        7 months ago

        It's great but it's a huge departure from Trigger's usual stuff. It's not revolution. It's a DnD show with heavy worldbuilding elements and should be viewed with that expectation.

        Don't just think of it as a food show, I think that's intended to later subvert expectations as it gets quite serious. I really like the food elements too, the need for the party to eat and regularly have meals gives a strong sense of time passing, stronger than I've had with most stories because you can really feel what amount of time has passed based on your own personal experience with the routine of mealtimes.

        • TraschcanOfIdeology [they/them, comrade/them]
          ·
          7 months ago

          I see what you mean, i'm excited about it! Then again, I think and talk about food all the time, so i'm not as turned off by that as other people would be. It's nice to know that it's not exclusively a food show, though

          • Awoo [she/her]M
            ·
            7 months ago

            I'm sure anyone here would like it tbh, it's at such a high level of writing and execution it stands above the usual level of worrying about personal tastes. Do follow up and let me know what you think I like hearing people's thoughts!

    • LaGG_3 [he/him, comrade/them]
      ·
      7 months ago

      I'm not very keen on late Gainax/Trigger stuff, and I loved SSSS Gridman. Felt like genre reskin of The Big O in a way.

    • riseuppikmin [he/him]
      ·
      7 months ago

      Delicious in Dungeon is where I'm headed next due to the overwhelming number of recommendations here. BNA will likely follow that because of your description.

      I've already seen Edgerunners and was a massive fan (watching it after not watching anime for a long time kinda kick-started this whole thing).

      • Awoo [she/her]M
        ·
        7 months ago

        I'm trying to think a little out of the box in terms of personality and vibes here to try and give you some diversification away from the Trigger anime style... Megalo Box might be a good one to look at. If I were going to compare it to anything in your list I would say Megalo Box is the closest thing to the vibes and groundedness of Cowboy Bebop. It's gorgeous and uses music very similarly.