I have watched anime for as long as I can remember, most notably as a kid when I sprinted off the bus and into the house to catch the latest episode of Dragonball Z, or when I stayed up late to watch Sailor Moon or Bleach on Toonami (core memory unlocked for some of you, eh?).
Fast forward to adulthood, when upon revisiting these childhood anime favorites, I’ve discovered there are key things kids may miss when watching these shows, such as the grit, determination, and adaptability of the characters; how some of the “bad guys” might actually have had a few good points, like they were actually right (not Shou Tucker, still the worst of all time, IYKYK).
Good anime can be peak storytelling. Don’t believe me? Here are two recommendations to get you started, all free to watch with your library card!
Hunter X Hunter follows Gon Freecss as he wants to get his Hunter license to find his father, whom he recently found out isn't dead as he originally thought.
While making his way to the Hunter Exam, he makes some new friends, Killaua Zoldyck, Leorio, and Kurapika, all with aspirations of their own.
One of the most iconic scenes in the show is captured below.
Were you/are a duelist back in your day? I was. I even played in tournaments (activate nerd alert). Yu-Gi-Oh!, in my opinion, was a much simpler card game to learn compared to the other ones floating around at the time.
Yugi Mutou is a high school boy who lacks friends. His grandfather, Solomon Muto gives him the Millennium Puzzle, something he found during an archaeological expedition in Egypt and told Yugi if he is able to put the puzzle back together, he will unlock its secrets.
Yugi is able to complete the puzzle and hopes he can make a wish. Instead, he is possessed by a pharaoh, Yami Yugi. Yami Yugi protects Yugi Mutou whenever he or his friends are in danger. Later in the show, Yami and Mutou can switch without Mutou being provoked.
Check out NPL Anime Unleashed hosted by NPL Staffer Jamal!
Email him at jamal.park@nashville.gov to learn what they are watching next.
