I've been getting the suspicion that there's alot of great recent anime that I've not noticed in the deluge of trash.
Would appreciate any suggestions as to stuff really worth checking out.
To give an indication of anime that I've loved/liked:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Studio Ghibli
- Ghost in the Shell
- Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Akira
- Cowboy Bebop
- Samurai Champloo
From the top of my hat - Odd Taxi, Nichijou, Aggretsuko, Mob Psycho all these shows are pretty sfw and I like them.
If you want more or anything specific im gonna need a bit more. What do you like/dislike any no goes. etc. Just saying you cast a pretty wide net with the shows you mentioned.
Oh and Spy x Family is cute
Upvote for Nichijou. I'm not huge on anime but holy fuck Nichijou is one of the best things ever made. Just the best vibes.
Cool thanks for the suggestions. They all look great. Knew about Mod Psycho but never checked.
Yeh I guess I did cast a wide net.
I'm down in principle for more cute, laid-back stuff as well (recently watched Carol and Tuesday with a friend).
That being said, generally what I love about animation (and I've been struck by it more strongly when watching anime as opposed to western animation) is the ability of the medium to really convey mind-bending ideas about reality and subjectivity in (often strange) ways that film struggles to do (Lain, NGE and Ghost in the Shell all fit here, I'd say Akira as well due to the Buddhist influences/interpretations). Series that engage in metaphysical/philosophical questioning or themes, that explore psychological ideas. Also a good dose of moral dilemmas. I have a penchant for cyberpunk (and sci-fi or fantasy more generally) and Lovecraftian stuff (loved Berserk, the manga and the 90s anime) so no worries on sfw or CW as I'm okay with pretty much anything (unless really beyond the pale, but obvs people on here won't suggest those). One thing I loved in Lain was the taking advantage of the cinematic form (composition, editing, pace, mood, etc.) to convey the changes (but also repetition and eventual ambiguity regarding time, chronology, and identity) in the POV, thus subjectivity we share in as the viewer.
I think Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica is a great show. (Avoid spoilers) Same with Devilman: Crybaby (2018 version) if you like dark and bleak shows like Berserk...just as a warning its really bleak and dark.
Also since you mentioned Mecha "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" is a recent show that is going to get its 2nd season very soon and I think its neat.