Inspiration can be found anywhere, be it unbeknownst or known. Anime and manga have always spoken to my soul with their detailed graphics, elaborate storytelling, and the way they weave a captivating world, characters, and lore. So, it makes sense that I would use these forms of medias to fuel my creative fire.
So, for my fellow creatives, nerd friends, and otakus, I wanted to share ten anime I think those who are kind enough to read and I hope like my new adult supernatural, sarcastic monster hunting series, “The Hunter and The Bringer.” These are all animes I like too. Valda, my protagonist, is an otaku too; she helped me pick these amazing selections. 😉
If you want to add your OWN suggestions, then please do in the comments! ^_^
Ten Anime For Those Who Read my “The Hunter and The Bringer” series:
Noragami– An anime about a goofy, overconfident minor god who wants to have followers, so he emulates evil spirits for cheap, only FIVE YEN! He runs into a human girl who can see him and after an unfortunate event with a cat, their worlds collide and turn upside down! Katanas? CHECK! Supernatural lore? CHECK! Gripping backstories and engaging characters? CHECK! I saw an instant connection to The Hunters and The Bringers when I watched this last year.
Assassination Classroom– A class of lowest grade average students sent to a country building. The government gives them an objective: to kill their new teacher for a large fortune, assassins sent to help train them. The catch? Their teacher is a crazy fast, powerful octopus mutant that will destroy the world at the end of the world if the students do not first. AND he actually wants to better their education! Training unexpected humans to be assassins. Monsters in hidden forms…and vice versa. The epic combat pieces of training and battles. The zany humor and rapport in the oddest places. Oh yeah, this anime is not only one of the most amazing ones ever, but is “The Hunter and The Bringer” material!
Maid Sama– When tough-as-nails and driven Misaki becomes the school president of what was formally an all-boys school two years prior, she runs it like a demon in order to keep the rowdy boys at bay and protect the girls. She’s not overly liked, but doesn’t care because she is the hardest worker and can get the job done! After work, to support her poor family (her father abandoned them and left them in debt,) she works after school at a Maid Cafe. However, to protect her from breaking the school rules and reputation, Misaki has to keep her job a secret…so when the new, gorgeous, popular boy Usai appears, he decides to use it to mess this devil boss…and loves her being his personal maid, messing with her and graining on her last nerve. Now, a whirlwind rapport swirls between them. Misaki is a badass but has issues asking for help. She’s strong, supportive, and gets flustered with anything involving romance. Usai loves to tease her, is fascinated with her, and has a very calm, dashing flirty nature. He is also good at everything. They clash in so many ways, but also work well as a team, understanding each other better than anyone Plus, their interactions are a riot and can be so sweet. A few of my Otaku friends have said I inspired Val and Jeremey off these two darlings. I didn’t, but I can definitely see it and it’s an honor! Also, they look a bit similar, especially the handsome men that are Jeremey and Usai! *It was on Hulu or Netflix.
Princess Tutu– I understand the title of this one his girlie, but I have gotten almost a dozen of my guy friends obsessed with this show. The watercolor art and ballet and orchestra music draw you in, but the story and beautiful characters keep you. It stars a sweet little duck named… Duck. From the magic of an author, who is supposed to be DEAD, he gives her a magic amulet that turns her into a girl and when the lonely prince she loves is in danger, she can then turn into the ballerina superhero, Princess Tutu. How stories are woven into stories to make a new narrative, the deep morals of if we are pre-destined or can we challenge fate, how foes become friends in a building, rich mystery, it captures your attention and heart.
Spy x Family– This is the newest on the list and man; it is a treat! We have a serious spy who has to get a wife and child in order to get access to a sneaky dictator whose youngest son is attending the school, the only events he will publically attend. My goodness! His fake wife, Yor, is secretly an assassin, a TOTAL BA! But also has a loving and cute clumsy side. Definitely Val vibes. Although Loid is exceedingly straight-laced, his look is like Jeremey and he has the class, spy skills, and sophistication that bring our Bringer guy to life. Plus, the added bonus of the random hijinx, fun abilities, and entertaining characters scream the relationship between my world of “The Hunter and The Bringer.”
Ancient Magus Bride– What a wonderful gothic anime that gives off “Beauty and the Beast” tones. A powerful, but does not show much emotion magus saves a girl who is about to be sold, deciding to make her his student and take her to his world. The darkness, array of mythical creatures and their lore, effects of magic, and orthodox romance brings a level of enchantment and urban fantasy I aim to fuse in a modern setting with Valda, Jeremey, and their respected organizations.
Eden of the East– A government conspiracy show that is so well-balanced for being short! Our main girl from Japan visits the USA capital, determined to throw a coin at the White House for luck. Before she gets in trouble, a naked young man with a cheerful aura and a gun, and an odd, fancy cell phone in his hands waves at her! What a way to open a show for one! Then it becomes a fantastic, involved mystery of how this guy was recruited to be one of the 12 saviors of the world! Seeing how the 12 perceive saving the world, one being a mole, and how the pieces fall into place is like what The Hunters and The Bringers do.
Sailor Moon– Okay! This one is a bit for just fun. ^_- I am a huge Moonie and I made Val one too, lol! Truly though, this show has some scary demons that would make monstrum flee. And the Sailor Scouts show how to save the world in mini skirts while trying to live their lives (and maybe crush on boys, lol!)
Fruits Basket– This is a beautiful manga and anime. The story of a family being cursed to turn into members of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by a member of the opposite sex or are ill/stressed seems unworldly, but the core, the deep characters, and how they deal with the effects of this lifestyle, magical or not, is what sinks you in and you will dive into unknown depths for them all. The curse vaguely reminds me of the Infected in my series and the sorrowful backgrounds and rapport between the characters hit home like I aim to do with my creations.
RWBY– Although not technically an anime, it borrows a lot of the same aesthetics. The WEAPONS in this show are SO CREATIVE! Valda, Galen, Chief, and the other Hunters would be drooling! I even make give a shout-out to the main huntress, Ruby, and her weapon in the second book. The feeling of fighting despite the world becoming bleak and hopeless due to pure evil is something I am sure all field agent Hunters and Bringers have experienced, especially Valda and Jeremey. Also, the Grimm, who are the creatures formed from darkness in the world, are nightmare fuel I know our duo would not want to face. The hardships in this show are real!