Yeah, another anime request...!

See, I want an anime series to watch with my fam. But they don't like anything violent/scary/graphic/sexual. The viewers are all adults or young adults, so the themes should be complex, interesting, philosophical, intellectually challenging and adult-oriented - but not adult-rated. You know what I mean?

Like, I tried showing them Monster, which they thought was brilliant, but decided to discontinue watching because it was too dark/scary/violent. My (very adorable) mother, in particular, said, "I can't handle this, dear! Especially... the children! Those poor children!" So. Yeah. BUT my family loved Guardian of the Sacred Spirit, so that level/type of violence (non-gory, non-creepy, non-vicious, only occasional fights, not much blood) was okay. I think it's internal/insidious/psychological violence that really freaks my mother out, rather than simple outward outbursts that don't signify genuine malice/viciousness in the characters involved. I tried asking my mother what really bothered her and what didn't, and she said that it's the difference between the violence of a war scene depicting a soldier trying to survive (acceptable, as it's non-creepy) as opposed to the violence of a crime scene depicting a serial killer at work (WAY too dark and creepy!).

Basically, non-dark, non-vicious violence rated at a PG-13 level is okay, BUT I still need themes that would be interesting/captivating to adults. Like the complex and interesting plot of Guardian of the Sacred Spirit, which dealt with themes like politics, environmentalism, myth vs. religion, spirituality, ethics, duty and personal growth with a great deal of depth - but without resorting to 'dark' themes or 'mature' content.

Are there any more series like that? NOT generic shoujo/shounen anime, please... I'm looking for a josei/seinen kind of atmosphere, but without the graphic content. An involving plot with thematic depth would also be great. Something a bunch of adults (or mostly adults!) can sit together and enjoy, without offending the more delicate sensibilities of a few of the adults in that group (read: my mother).

Please recommend! The welfare of our family evenings rests in your hands!

Well I've recently watched Eden of the East which I thought was brilliant. This sounds like it suits your needs, beautifully animated, engaging characters revolving around a well driven mystery filled plot.

It can be a bit slow at times and I haven't watched the conclusion yet so I can't tell you whether it has a satisfying ending, but this seems to fit the bill of what you're asking for.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'm getting it now! And I'm quite happy with slow-paced anime, since my parents (obviously) are more used to slower-paced storylines and sometimes have difficulty keeping up with the new-fangled, super-fast storylines that have jerky flashbacks and things. Bless 'em. In anime like that, I often have to pause in the middle of an episode and explain things... Not that I mind (at ALL!), but in slower-paced anime, I won't have to pause and explain!

i could make a live-action suggestion: liar game
anime, mh,.. my parents like Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, it has a western ambience and it´s story doesn´t progress to fast or to slow (says my dad)... maybe Senkou no Night Raid... Shion no Ou and Death Note are both accepted from my parents... maybe Hotaru no Haka (grave of fireflies)

EDIT: my aunt likes Kuroshitsuji (but only the first season)

Last edited by ShadowSakura at 5:12 am, Nov 16 2010

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currently reading: Nyotai-ka
please support me

My parents loved Miyazaki's movies, and, as Hijikata in person said (1
2) "they are movies that appeal to adults too. No, they are movies adults should watch"

these are my favourites
Howl's Moving Castle
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Princess Mononoke
Porco Rosso
Spirited Away

as for anime series

Time of Eve is perfect
Eden of the East
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Arakawa Under the Bridge]



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Oriolidae & Sparviero

Princess Tutu ... I'm serious! It's shoujo but it's intelligent and deals with a lot of interesting themes maturely. It has a fairly strong fanbase with the seinen-oriented crowd (over on /a/, anyway - not sure how far that extends). I'm not sure how much luck you'll have convincing people to watch it given its name and premise, but it's well worth it.

Well, I'm too much into dark / fast-paced / creepy anime myself to be able to suggest something to fit here - but I'll try

I definitely second the Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke animated movies.

As for my suggestions in that section; Tokyo Godfathers. Unless the presence of a transvestite as one of the MCs bothers your mother? But that is NOT the focus of the story and is only used to define that person's behaviour / life-style; so she can overlook it...I think.

These two short films are definitely worth the half-hour apiece you invest in watching them; La Maison en Petits Cubes and Atama Yama. The former is an excellent slice-of-life piece while the latter is very weird and funny.

For series;
Mushishi - This is brilliant, of course. Lovely animation and a quiet, dream-like pacing.

Kino's Journey - Closely resembles Mushishi in terms of themes, mood etc.

Kappa no Kaikata , Fantastic Children , Shinreigari: Another Side - I'm a little hesitant about these since they might be too childish...but take a look and decide for yourself!

Mononoke and Gankutsuou might possibly be a tad violent for mum's tastes. Still, they're classics in the anime world - so it's worth a shot letting her try them.

Your mother is so cute! I had no idea people like that even existed nowadays!

Last edited by calstine at 5:56 am, Nov 16 2010

Hmm i def. second Eden of the East.
My mother enjoyed: Yukikaze and Jyu Oh Sei
As well as Cowboy Bebop

Wow, thanks everyone! I've actually showed the whole Studio Ghibli omnibus to my parents, and every single Miyazaki film. Twice. But I really appreciate the suggestions, especially because it might help others with the same family-viewing dilemma...

@calstine, my mother LOVED Tokyo Godfathers! And given my, um... Well, let's just say that the trans thing wouldn't bother her.

Those short films I haven't heard of! Will DEFINITELY get my hands on them, they sound excellent!

I'll also check out Kino's Journey (Musashi I am already in the process of, er, procuring ).

@Aikanaro, that's a fascinating suggestion! Thanks to you, I checked it out on YouTube and it looks GORGEOUS... I think I'll keep it for my personal viewing, though, rather than family viewing... I know my mother would love it, but I think my Dad might freak. Lol. Just the words "Princess" and "Tutu" in close juxtaposition with each other might cause him to break out in hives (he's one of those ultra-manly men). Still, it'll be worth a try! Plus, I kind of want to see him break out in hives...

@sparviero-92, Arakawa Under the Bridge (the manga) had intrigued me already but I hadn't realized there was an anime! This is great, thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely get it!

And thanks to everyone else, too... You guys are so sweet!

Haibane Renmei

I really think this fits into what you're looking for

texnolyze
ghost in the shell
gurren lagann (childish and mature at same time)
darker than black (intersting plot but light bloodshed)
kindaichi case files


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best shonen manga couples :

shinichi X ran
natsu X erza
ippo X kumi
naruto X gaara

If they like Miyazaki, Future Boy Conan? It's the best thing ever, better than any of his films.

Twin spica
Figure 17
Kemono no Souja Erin
The Daughter of Twenty Faces

Well, my mom watched "spirited Away" and she liked it. But it's still an anime for children and some people may not like it...

I've always thought that Millennium Actress by Satoshi Kon is a film that can show people who are not fond of anime how interesting, beautiful and non-stereotypical it can be. I think it fits your request perfectly. The only problem is that at first it may seem a bit chaotic, you probably know what I mean if you've watched some of Satoshi Kon's movies.

Also, you may try Hotaru no Haka. But it's very sad (it's about two lonely children trying to survive the war) and I've seen it a long time ago and don't remember if there are some violent scenes. There is death, for sure.

edit: oh, I just noticed the "I want an anime SERIES" part... well, maybe my recommendations could be useful too ^^'

i dunno one i watched and maybe fit it is 5 Centimeters Per Second it is a little slow but its fine i guess