When picking a favorite series, I don't want to like it just because its popular or well-known, but because it has good meaning and well-executed stories. It's my favorite because it also made me learn something new from it and apply it in real life, makes me feel emotional and connected, and the story drives with a purpose.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD
This animation, personally, has set the standards on what makes a great anime great. It tells the story of the world of alchemists and focuses on two brothers who are set on looking for the Philosopher's Stone to get back Al's body and Ed's one leg and arm. But on the course of their journey, the 'truth' of alchemy and origins of the Philosopher's Stone is not all what it seems to be. This series tackles and explores science and morality, the history of each unique character and captivates us to learn from the characters and the events that take place. This anime is not for kids, it shows the gruesome reality of the brother's world. The lessons shown is applicable to real life, which makes this anime great.
The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques, the story follows two alchemist brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are searching for the philosopher's stone to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life using alchemy.
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER
I have watched this when I was Grade 10, I heard how amazing the show is despite categorized as a "kid" show. Yes, it did look like it, but that is not what it all seems to be. I was mesmerized and astonished with the world building and the story of each character and the development of the plot. No wonder it is dubbed as the "greatest animation of all time" by most fans. FYI, this is not anime, but a cartoon from the west. I encourage everyone to watch this no matter what age, because I read that people older enjoyed this show, too. Magic? Check. Character development? Check. Good world building? Check!
The world is divided into four nations -- the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and and the Air Nomads -- each represented by a natural element for which the nation is named. Benders have the ability to control and manipulate the element from their nation. Only the Avatar is the master of all four elements. The ruthless Fire Nation wants to conquer the world but the only bender who has enough power, the Avatar, has disappeared ... until now. His tribe soon discovers that Aang is the long-lost Avatar. Now Katara and Sokka must safeguard Aang on his journey to master all four elements and save the world from the Fire Nation.
MY HERO ACADEMIA
The reason I love this anime is because it gives us on what makes heroes heroes. It questions the idea of "hero" from the western and eastern sides by placing it all into this anime/manga. This series is not yet finished unlike the other two I have mentioned, but it has an awesome story to tell and we can all learn from!
The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers (called quirks) in a world where they have become the norm, but who still dreams of becoming a hero himself. He is scouted by the world's greatest hero, who shares his quirk with Izuku after recognizing his potential, and later enrolls him in a high school for heroes in training.
YONA OF THE DAWN
I'm in love with this series, especially with the compelling protagonist, Yona. When you though it is just like any typical shoujo (young women) animes, this blew my mind. It seems to be more than a reverse harem, it focuses on the concept of vengeance and betrayal in a disturbing yet charming way. Yona inspires me to be courageous and strong, but it does not have to be physically, but emotionally and mentally!
The story follows: Set in a fictional place that draws inspiration from a mixture of Japanese, Korean and Chinese cultures, the story follows the redemption of Yona, the sole princess to the Kingdom of Kohka. Yona lives the carefree life of a princess in Hiryuu Castle, being sheltered by her pacifistic father, King Il, and protected by her bodyguard and childhood friend Hak. During a party being held for her sixteenth birthday, her other childhood friend and love interest Su-Won comes to pay tribute to her. Intending to tell her father that she cannot forget her love for Su-Won, she visits King Il's chambers and witnesses him being killed by Su-Won, who reveals that he will now properly rule Kohka. Hak intervenes and saves Yona, and they escape from the castle to Hak's birthplace, the Village of Wind. Under the suggestion of Hak's grandfather Son Mundok, Yona and Hak search for an priest named Ik-Su, who then tells them the legend of the first king of Kohka, Hiryuu, and the Four Dragon Warriors who unified the kingdom. Yona and Hak, joined by Ik-Su's assistant Yun, begin a journey to find the descendants of the legendary Four Dragon Warriors in order to survive and save the Kingdom of Kohka.
SAILOR MOON (1992)
And lastly, the very first anime I have watched is Sailor Moon. The power of this anime has influenced my childhood; that any girl can be whoever they want, especially being a heroine of their own story. Sailor Moon also inspired me to start drawing, because of its beautiful 90s aesthetics. From then on, I was able to start reading my very first manga, Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi, her art style, aesthetics and the whole plot is overall enchanting! The nostalgia will continue on! Even though it is known as a kid show, anyone can still start to watch this at any age, because it is that good.
The series follows the adventures of a schoolgirl named Usagi Tsukino as she transforms into Sailor Moon to search for a magical artifact, the "Legendary Silver Crystal" (「幻の銀水晶」 Maboroshi no Ginzuishō, lit. "Phantom Silver Crystal"). She leads a diverse group of comrades, the Sailor Soldiers (セーラー戦士Sērā Senshi) (Sailor Guardians in later editions) as they battle against villains to prevent the theft of the Silver Crystal and the destruction of the Solar System.
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