500 ESSENTIAL ANIME MOVIES:The ULTIMATE GUIDE
Many of you don’t know that I’m quite the otaku (anime fan). But having been exposed to it early, (see the Astro Boy book review) I’ve loved both anime and it’s live action cousin, Tokusatsu.(ok, Super Sentai too) So finding this book in the library thrilled me greatly. 500 Essential Anime Movies:The Ultimate Guide by Helen McCarthy(who buy the way co authored The Essential Anime Encyclopedia another worthwhile book for any anime lover)
I have seen about three quarters of the movies or OVA (Original Video Animations) and she listes a few I’d like to yet see. But are now very hard to find.
I don’t always agree with her choices, but I respect her giving non-otaku a great guide for what to look for in some great “starter” anime.
The book is divided into multiple chapters depending on the genre of anime covered. So many people think anime is all the same, or only for children. Trust me, it’s not, and Ms. McCarthy includes some examples of adult (non-hentai) titles. We all have our favorite genres, but it’s nice to know that there are so many types to choose from. I even found titles I’d never heard of. And would love to get a hold of.
Ms McCarthy has a great way of giving you a good idea of what the movie is about without giving away plot points or spoiling the endings. Which as a book reviewer I can tell you isn’t as easy as you’d think. She also plays no favorites, if she finds a movie good, yet, derivative, she’ll say so. Or point out a movies flaws as well as it’s strengths. She is also aware that different people have different tastes and covers movies which while popular, have deficiencies.
500 Essemtial Anime Movies:The Ultimate Guide by Helen McCarthy is highly recommended. And belongs on the shelf of any anime lover next to The Essential Anime Encyclopedia
