How do you follow a show like GiTS 2nd Gig/SSS

[Njr Scrawl]

GiTS 2nd Gig & SSS are a hard act to beat!

How do you deal with withdrawal of Motoko & the excellent atmosphere & supporting characters, barring a rewatch loop?

I've lined up Crest/Banner/II of the Stars, then Rahxephon to follow, but then grind to "lesser" shows afterwards.

What I want is sci fi, futuristic, but with serious human issues & likeable but strong leading ladies. (OK there's always Eva - but I'm waiting for the Rebuild movies...)

[aquapermanence]

At one point I went on a cyberpunk anime binge. Here are some of the titles I think would help. Some of these are comedies, but the sci-fi and futuristic elements are strong enough that it shouldn't keep you from taking them seriously.

Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040
Parasite Dolls
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
Planetes
Alien Nine
Patlabor
Animatrix
Blue Gender
Gunbuster
Armitage III
Sol Bianca: The Legacy
Nadesico
Voices of a Distant Star
Roujin Z
Dominion Tank Police
Witch Hunter Robin
Gunslinger Girl
Burst Angel
Key the Metal Idol
Five Star Stories
Lain
Now and Then, Here and There
Gankutsuou
Zipang

[JackProton]

You need Planetes - great characters and very realistic space tech and science with some interesting politics. One of the most accurate portrayals of living and working in space you'll see anywhere.

Patlabor is also a good pick for coming down from GitS - lots and lots of comedy but fairly realistic when the plot gets down to serious business. The movies drop the comedy and have that GitS intensity you're missing.

If you don't mind kids as the main characters, try Noein for a bit of quantum fun and games.

In Gankutsuou, the science fiction setting is just window dressing but the story and characters are top-notch.

The characters in Yukikaze are a bit hard to identify with but it makes for a great science fiction tale with some kick ass aerial chases and battles.

Get Texhnolyzed now!

I can't completely recommend Blame since there's not enough animated to do anything but make you curious about the manga. But it does seem interesting enough.

Figure 17 is an old fashioned kind of science fiction story.

Check out Argentosoma if you haven't already. Adult cast highlights this fairly serious tale of revenge, love, loss and redemption.

[Legion]

You may wanna check out Ergo Proxy. Its story is not quite as complicated and intricate as GitS, but the quality of the presentation and fully realized world of Ergo Proxy is comparable to that of GitS.

[roastedpekingduck]

I wholeheartedly recommend Noein. On one hand, it may appear really cliched since the story revolves around children and alternate dimensions, but it's so well done that it simply surpasses its cliches and becomes a really fantastic and imaginative story with great characters, awesome visuals, gorgeous music, and just plain cool action scenes. Besides, Noein can be had for really cheap right now.

I will also add to JackProton's recommendation of Planetes.

[Legion]

Originally Posted by roastedpekingduck

I wholeheartedly recommend Noein. On one hand, it may appear really cliched since the story revolves around children and alternate dimensions, but it's so well done that it simply surpasses its cliches and becomes a really fantastic and imaginative story with great characters, awesome visuals, gorgeous music, and just plain cool action scenes. Besides, Noein can be had for really cheap right now.

I'll second that recommendation as well. Noein is made up of equal parts awesome and win.

[Senna]

I second Noein, Planetes, and Nadesico. The first two especially are a must for any sci-fi fan ^^

Infinite Ryvius is also a good sci-fi title, though your enjoyment of it may depend on whether or not the characters start to grate on your nerves by the third DVD. But it certainly has the human issues down, and I found it pretty enjoyable.

[roastedpekingduck]

Unfortunately, Nadeisico is quite hard to find. I tried to get the show, but unfortunately was too late.

Infinite Ryvius is one of the things I most regret watching, and I had no qualms about giving it away for free. I was told that Infinite Ryvius was deep, like a Lord of Flies in space, but I ended up not enjoying it at all. I just couldn't take the show seriously. Ryvius has a lot of crying and angst, which I just hate.

[christianlf]

Originally Posted by roastedpekingduck

Unfortunately, Nadeisico is quite hard to find. I tried to get the show, but unfortunately was too late.

Heh, IMO, you didn't miss anything. The only thing that was worthwhile about that show was the whole Gekiganger parody aspect. The rest of it was poorly conceived comedy and lame drama. It watched it once, kind of enjoyed it, tried watching it again years later and found that it had aged rather horribly.

[roastedpekingduck]

Seeing you pan it means that there is a 99% chance I wouldn't have enjoyed it. :D