Three anime series with amazing animation (part 1)

A few weeks ago I published a post about three of my favourite manga artists, so I thought it was time for me to choose three anime series that have some amazing animation and art (at least in my opinion). For this list I won't be including films by directors such as Hayao Miyazaki, Mamoru Hosoda and Makoto Shinkai as they will all eventually have their own posts (you can see the post I've already published about Makoto Shinkai here). I've limited myself to just three series for this post as I might write a few more in the future and want to save a few favourites for then. 

Kyoto Animation: Free! Iwatobi Swim Club (2013) & Free! Eternal Summer (2014)

Free! Eternal Summer- episode 12: Haruka Nanase & Rin Matsuoka

Whilst I had enjoyed many of Kyoto Animation's series in the past (Lucky Star (2007), Clannad (2007 - 2008), The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006 & 2009), etc.) it wasn't until they brought us both Hyōka (2012) and Tamako Market (2013) that I began appreciating their animation, not just their series plot lines or characters. Then, KyoAni announced their summer anime of 2013, Free! Iwatobi Swim Club (humbly referred to as "Swimming Anime" at the time) with a short trailer to show off their animation skills that sent anime fans wild (you can watch that trailer here). To be honest, I was pretty negative about the whole series at the start. Sure, the trailer's animation was pretty amazing but the anime would no doubt be a whole bunch of fan service and not much else. Of course, everything changed when the first episode aired and I was instantly hooked. Plot about swimming, goals and friendship aside, the animation is seriously amazing. I definitely think Kyoto Animation takes the cake when it comes to animating water because boy, do they know their stuff! The animation is very clean, clear and refreshing and I'll happily recommend this series to anyone that enjoys an anime with fantastic animation (fan-service plot aside). 

Production I.G: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle OVA's- Tokyo Revelations (2007 - 2008) & Spring Thunder (2009)

Spring Thunder- episode 1: Fai D. Flourite

I'll be the first to willingly admit that Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle probably had one of the worst anime adaptions of all time. Bee Train Animation did an atrocious job with CLAMP's characters, storyline and art. Luckily enough, CLAMP wasn't too impressed with Bee Train's adaption and quickly pulled the plug before we had to suffer a third season. Eventually, Production I.G. bought us two OVA mini series in 2007 and 2009, Tokyo revelations and Spring Thunder. Basically, these OVA's are exactly what the anime should have been like and I was so impressed with Production I.G's efforts the first time I watched them (and to this day I'm still impressed). The animation is beautiful, the characters look like their manga counter-parts, the backgrounds are stunning and the music is phenomenal. I, along with many other Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle fans, are hoping that maybe one day, Production I.G. will decide to animate a re-boot of the original anime and have the series looking as amazing as it should (we can only hope). 

Bones: No. 6 (2011)

No. 6 Opening song "Spell"- Nezumi

No. 6 is a series that I only recently watched and I definitely regret not watching it sooner. We all know Bones for series such as; Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 - 2004), Ouran High School Host Club (2006), Darker than Black (2007), Soul Eater (2008) and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (2009 - 2010) and they definitely didn't disappoint or lower their high standards with No. 6. Set in a dystopian future, No. 6 is an eleven episode anime that will not be easily ignored or forgotten. Based on the visual novels by Atsuko Asano, the series explores a utopia that exists upon the foundation of government lies and secrets. Whilst I am yet to get my hands on the visual novels, it has been said that whilst the anime adaption is amazing, the novels explore the plot in a lot more depth and the anime became a little rushed with the eleven episode limit. Despite this, many of the visual novel fans have praised this series and believe that Bones has done a wonderful job at brining No. 6 to our screens. As with majority of Bones works, No. 6 is incredibly detailed and the animation is spectacular, definitely a series you must watch if your a fan of fantastic animation and anything within the sci-fi/dystopian genre.

Thank you for reading! Love, Maddie ♡♡♡