An Idiot's Guide to Anime

...Being a tale of series.

• Nadesico: Anime for wimps. The series follows a sci-fi plot with all the elements that make up a classic Anime, just watered down (apparently an intentional move on the part of the creators, it being part spoof). Yes, there ARE big robots with guns.
  
• Evangelion: Absolutely marvelous. THE Anime against which all others are judged. The viewer is exposed to an extraordinarily intense plot that twists around epic battles, brilliantly portrayed characters, Judeo-Christian symbolism and big robots with guns. This WILL crush your soul.
• FLCL (Furi-Kuri): A rather short (six episodes) series that will befuddle and confuse you until the very end (and even then, questions are left unanswered). Despite the seemingly random sequence of events, however, this mini-series is definitely worth watching for the fantastic story-telling, the great art and the exceptional music (a note on the music: the soundtrack for the series is done by a Japanese rock band called the Pillows, which I am now rather fond of). The latter is rather important as the series is, thematically speaking, deeply involved in music, especially guitar symbolism (the creator of FLCL is, I gather, a bassist). It's a great ride - and yes, there ARE big robots with guns (though quite different from the standard mech type found in Nadesico and Evangelion. These robots come out of cranial cavities - don't ask, just watch). Do I sense a theme?
• Kino's Journeys: (Have not finished watching) My favourite non-combat-oriented Anime. Follows a traveller and her motorcycle through country-after-country, each episode illustrating some theme or concept. It's a quiet kind of Anime, with a greater emphasis on cognitive imagery rather than action. Rather endearing about the series is the style of art used to portray scenes: there is a lot of emphasis on lighting, especially with what I might term 'overglows' - the effect obtained by the filling of a scene with light that seems to exude from every point. Also prevalent is a fascination with early-to-mid 20th Century technology, a fascination that I share - the motorcycle is absolutely gorgeous. So far, I rather like it.
• Gunslinger Girls: Just two episodes down, but I have this to say: no big robots with guns here. Instead, this show features little girls with guns. Hallelujah.
  

Here endeth the lesson.