UK’s most wanted anime (10 through 6)

It’s pretty shocking looking around the UK anime scene and realizing we still lack many of the landmark anime releases that other countries have been able to take for granted for years now.

And so in the spirit of, well… blind hope, I bring you our most wanted UK anime releases.


10. Full Metal Alchemist
The first of two anime series that are yet to be licensed by even North America, Full Metal Alchemist is a popular series that tells the sad, yet strangely uplifting tale of 2 brothers and their quest for the philosophers’ stone, a powerful tool that can make their dreams come true and heal their mutilated bodies.

Predicted UK appearance: Maybe late 2005?


9. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Given the popularity of the original Vampire Hunter D movie, it’s amazing to think this fantastic continuation of the D story is yet to get a release over here.

In this movie, D is called upon to find a young woman kidnapped by an incredibly strong vampire and his band of servant monsters. With vampires basically feeding on humans, why as one gone to such lengths to just kidnap this young girl?

The animation, created by the highly acclaimed Madhouse Productions, is stunning and the story is a great, fast moving action adventure.

Predicted UK appearance: Late 2004


8. Wolf’s RainProduced by Studio BONES (RahXephon, Full Metal Alchemist) and music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne) comes this amazing tale of the search for ‘paradise’ as the final curtain is being drawn on civilization.

Despite all of the negative buzz this built up last year due to its infamous lack of funds towards the end of the series, Wolf’s Rain is a fantastic fantasy adventure that had me enthralled from the beginning and is a series that I can only see gaining in popularity in the future.

Predicted UK appearance: Mid 2005


7. Grave of the Fireflies
Commented by Roger Ebert (movie critic) as perhaps the most realistic war film ever made, Grave of the Fireflies is without doubt the most depressing anime I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.

Telling the tale of 2 war orphans as they try to survive in a war torn, WWII-era Japan – images from this anime will stay with you for a long time. Not for the faint of heart, Grave of the Fireflies is a true story that never shies away from the harsh truth of modern war and what it can do to society.
It’s an absolute travesty of justice this has yet to see a UK DVD release. The campaigning starts now.

Predicted UK appearance: Late 2004


6. Gungrave
Love, friendship, ambition, betrayal and revenge – Gungrave has it all, and is by far the best anime to appear in 2004 so far. Following the adventures of a group of young punks as they progress through the ranks of the mafia, Gungrave gradually weaves us deeply into the story of these young hooligans and slowly makes us truly care about the many characters that become involved along the way.

Ideals and motivations are often brought into question, along with the questionable philosophy of the mafia. Do you believe in what they stand for? This is a mature anime for adults. I love it.

Predicted UK appearance: Mid 2005


[Click HERE] to continue the countdown and view numbers 5 down to 1.

Paul

Washed up on the good shores of Anime UK News after many a year at sea, Paul has been writing about anime for a long time here at AUKN and at his anime blog.

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