My guilty secret is that I like a lot of shows aimed at younger viewers. After I finally saw several episodes of DBZ in a row I got hooked on that (years and years ago) and I've also enjoyed Yu Yu Hakasho (sp?) and Cardcaptor among others.

Recently I've been watching One Piece and have really been liking the show. Very over-the-top and silly, but quite imaginative. It's hard not to be won over by Luffy's constant optimism. He's cheerful no matter how desperate things look.

Am I alone in this? Anyone else secretly (or not so secretly) loko forward to the latest Shonen Jump-style shows being released?

I have no problem whatsoever admitting on a message board that I enjoy shows such as Petite Princess Yucie and Strawberry Marshmallow. However, doing so to someone I know is another story.

I'm loving One Piece. I'm watching the sets as FUNi release them. As to the Shonen Jump-style series, it's not something that I watch as often (comparing to other genres). And one of these days I will watch DBZ or YYH...

I've got no problem admitting to a few. Strawberry Marshmallow and Card Captor Sakura for a couple that have been released into the US market. Ojamajo Doremi for one that hasn't.

Strawberry Marshmallow, Kaleido Star and Sugar, Snow Fairy come to mind. You could argue that Azumanga daioh was for a younger crowd as well.

I don't know--having seen all 51 TV episodes plus the first OVA that is the Kaleido Star Complete Collection box set, I find it aimed at a slightly older viewership--maybe 13-15 years old (there's good reason for this: the main character--Sora Naegino--is 16 years old when the series starts, about two years older than a huge number of anime where the main character is around 14 years old when the show starts).

The Pokemon movies are some of the best animated features aimed at children that I've ever seen. Esp. movies 1, 4, 6, 7 & 8.

I'm a huge Shonen Jump fan from back in the days of Saint Seiya and Kinnikuman, so even though I'm older I still like juvenile fighting manga/anime (mostly manga, though, since it cuts through all the filler and it's much easier to read a chapter of manga than sit through a 30 minute episode). They all basically have the same themes: young boy strives to be the best because some cause compels him, usually with eternal optimism. His initial enemies become his lifelong comrades. He has no time or inclination for a love life yet (he is a young boy after all). At some point, he enters some kind of tournament or a situation where he fights a series of increasingly escalating opponents, growing stronger and stronger.

One Piece is great, I really wish it would've done a little better here. Like most of these titles, however, it takes a while to get going, so that may have been it's downfall here.

Naruto is like the new Dragonball Z when it comes to "sophisticated" fans hating it, but I still enjoy it.

Hunter X Hunter, by the same author as Yu Yu Hakusho, is really good too when it comes to really inventive ways to continue the story, though I believe they stopped animating it.

anyone know if there are any other Tokyo Pig DVD's - the series is really REALLY out there and is quite addictive, the random musical moment when the pig just dances for no apparent reason is just bizarre and funny.

Stunning that someone with your username would say that.

As an aside: WTK, I've been away from the anime threads for a while (since my daughter was born in April), so I don't know how long you've had it, but I love the Nagisa avatar.

First of all, congrats is in order. Secondly I had the avatar for a couple months now. And I'm really looking forward to the first set of Clannad After Story.

After Story is my favorite of the two series. From episode 16 on it's probably the most emotionally moving anime I've ever watched.

Back on topic: Forgot to add A Little Snow Fairy Sugar. Wow, that's a girly title. But it really is a good series.

I would appreciate some recommendations for manga. My 11 year old niece is entering the 6th grade. she is smart but very lazy. she hates to read and spends way too much time watching really bad Disney channel programs. she does enjoy fantasy movies (like Labyrinth, Dark crystal, Willow,Totoro, etc) when i show them to her. i am looking for some girls manga with themes of romance and/or fantasy to try and get her to start reading and using her imagination more. i thought about some Rumiko Takahashi but that may be a bit too weird for her. maybe something set in high school with some fantasy aspects. any suggestions?

thanks so much,

Will

Fushigi Yuugi? Not exactly set in highschool, though. Fruits Basket?

I'd agree with Fruits Basket, and add Full Moon as well.

Azumanga Daioh is another great one. It's set in high school, I think, and I don't think there's anything inappropriate for tweens or thereabouts. I like Cardcaptor Sakura as well.
Doki Doki School Hours, as well. All three of those are likely oriented more toward the feminine youth demographic, but are good stories and good characters and enjoyable by both genders.

I got really tired of Fushigi Yugi about halfway through. But it's also a long story, and I start hitting a wall around episodes 17-20 of most series.

thanks for the quick replies. i will get her a couple issue #1s and she if i can get her hooked.

- Will

Is it too obvious to mention the Miyazaki manga?

My children and I enjoy watching filler free Naruto

I know its the popular choice, but Naruto and Bleach are hands down the best Shonen Anime's out there. Although they are getting more mature as the series' progress (death, love, etc.).

Another good shonen anime for football fans is Eyeshield 21.

I stopped watching cartoons right before the big US anime splash of Dragon Ball. But before that, I was hooked on Ronin Warriors and Sailor Moon.

least inuyashas coming back soon

Pokemon!

I'd suggest trying her out with Rumiko Takahashi anyway--Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura, to be specific. She just might take to them. And no harm done if she doesn't. My daughter ate those up, although she was a little older than 11 when she started on them (12? 13?). Inuyasha's a little less wacky and a little more age appropriate, i.e., it follows a more defined narrative and doesn't have the wild, edgy humor that the other two have, but it's also a little duller, at least to me, who treasures Takahashi for her humor.

Don't really know if it would count but I've been hooked on Pretty Cure (subtitled) for some time now. I could watch that show all day and not get tired of it.