Top 10 Wonderful Moments In Anime

[populuxe]

I was thinking about some of the truly wonderful moments in anime, those moments that aren't just beautiful, but uplifting as well. I've done my best to make them spoiler-free, but you should beware just in case. Here's my list:

10. Martian Successor Nadesico - Akito finally realizes who Inez is. Underlying the main plot of the show, there is the mystery of Inez Fressange, a mystery that goes all the way back to the beginning of the show. When Akito finally realizes who she is, a lifetime of tragedy and hardship is finally rewarded.

9. Cardcaptor Sakura - Meilin, Sakura, Tomoyo and Shaoran go out on the town together. There's nothing deep or significant to this scene. It's simply four friends having fun together. Most importantly, though, it emphatically shows that Meilin has made the long trip from highly antogonistic rival to dear friend.

8. Azumanga Daioh - Sakaki finds Maya. The long running joke about Sakaki and cats is finally paid off when the class travels to Okinawa. The look on Sakaki's face and everyone's reaction is beautiful.

7. Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid - Sousuke falls asleep while Kaname cuts his hair. With the life Sousuke has led, it's no wonder he overreacts to the most mundane of situations. So to see him not only accept Kaname's offer to cut his hair, but be so trusting of her that he falls asleep while she holds a "dangerous weapon" near him shows the depth of his trust of her.

6. Kamichu! - Yurie confesses to Kenji. In the very first episode, Yurie finds the strength to confess to Kenji and it sets the tone for the rest of the series. It's a beautiful moment in a show full of beautiful moments.

5. Kaleido Star - Sora and Layla perform the Great Legendary Maneuver. It's the climax of the first season, a moment that pays off all the highs and lows, failures and successes that both Sora and Layla have endured. It's a moment that makes you glad to be alive.

4. Petite Princess Yucie - Yucie remembers. A common theme in anime is the importance of memories. When Yucie's memories of her friends is taken from her, it's heartbreaking. So when she regains them, the joy is just as great.

3. Fruits Basket - Tohru unexpectedly visits Saki. Despite her "cool" demeanor, Saki is actually one of the most sensitive people in the show. Tohru's new life with the Sohma family is taking her away from Saki. She tries not to let it bother her, but it does and she hates herself for feeling that way. So when Tohru skips work just to visit Saki at the end of a terrible, frustrating day, she is so overwhelmed, she's speechless. It's one of the most wonderful moments in anime.

2. Battle Athletes Victory - Kris Christopher: "Today I will abandon my faith for 10 seconds." The greatest moments in drama come down to a decision. And Kris makes a decision that will change her life forever. Her love of Akari outweighs everything, even her faith. Her faith is the one thing she's refused to forsake before. It's the greatest source of strength and motivational force in her life. And now, for the sake of her friend, she will abandon her faith. It also completes the evolution of Kris, who started as little more than a one-joke lesbian into a complex and fascinating character. Even before the race has been run, the greatest, most beautiful moment in the show has already happened.

1. Princess Tutu - Luci Christian watching the final scene. Okay, so maybe this is cheating a little bit since it's not actually a scene in the show, but one of the extras. Luci, the voice of Duck is in the recording studio. Even though she has no lines, the ADR director shows her the final scene in the show. And she starts crying because it's so beautiful. Anime really is beautiful.

[something]

Really doubt I could put together a list, much less rank them. Too much to say, and too many I'll forget. A number of them would be endings, such as the last scene of Heroic Age or Full Moon wo Sagashite or part of Chrono Trigger's ending. Both Kaleido Star season climaxes would make it, particularly Layla's last line in New Wings. Obviously, 「God　Knows」 is a must. ef had a few, particularly the end of the phone call. One that would always make the list would be Episode 9 of Aria the Origination - I can't even vaguely allude to what it is without spoiling it, but I cried and cried and cried some of the happiest tears ever.

Yeah I probably shouldn't even try... I'd never be able to remember the ones I want to.

Edit: And so I just keep coming back and editing this post over and over as I think about things.

[Fencedude]

Ahhhhh...oh man. I don't even know where to start. I'll have to get back to you on this.

[populuxe]

Originally Posted by something

Obviously, 「God　Knows」 is a must.

That's more an awesome moment. The wonderful moment comes as soon as the song ends and Haruhi realizes everyone is cheering. People are appreciating her, something that's never happened to her before.

[vtr9kvictor]

For my top 10 I offer the scene from GTO when Tomoko does her performance at the talent show giving her 'friendship speach' to Miyabi's answering machine and the subsequent reactions of the crowd (and Tomoko's reaction to them) it makes me cry like a baby everytime I watch it.

DEFINATELY agree on the Luci Christian one though. That extra ALONE was worth the price of all six dvd's.

The "God Knows" scene from Haruhi was breath-taking. (And I recently ordered Linda Linda Linda just to see what that was all about).

The Akito/Inez scene from Nadesico was a good choice.

Sosuke's haircut was a really beautiful moment.

Asuka waking up in Unit 02 in EoE. I DEFY ANYONE to say that scene did not fill you with AWESOME!

I like the scene from the original Oh My Goddess OVA when Keiichi and Belldandy confront each other as she is recalled.

The first Christmas episode from Urusei Yatsura when you realize that, yes, Ataru really DOES love Lum.

Lina Inverse's first Dragon Slave in episode 1 of Slayers, the moment I became an anime fan.

Rick Hunter/Hiakru Ihcijo rescues Lisa Hayes/Misa Hayase from the ruins of Alaska Base in Robotech/Macross. Their tearful reunion in the face of the holocaust is glorious!!!

[Lego]

Originally Posted by Fencedude

Ahhhhh...oh man. I don't even know where to start. I'll have to get back to you on this.

Fence read my mind. Although I do want to list one moment..

Planetes - Hachi asking Tanabe to marry him in the last episode during the word association game

[Mr. Nail Bat]

I don't know about top 10... but here are ten wonderful moments.

(I'm only going to allow myself one moment per title... because I could probably get five or six from Irresponsible Captain Tylor all by itself)

Spirited Away - The moment of realization when Chihiro and Haku realize what Haku's real name is: "I knew you were good!"

Genshiken - The moment when Saki unintentionally becomes an authentic Kujibiki Unbalance cosplayer. "Miss President!"

Irresponsible Captain Tylor - Near the very end--the Raalgon are considering Tylor's erratic actions, Dom coolly analyzing it as the dispassionate bishonen observer he's always been. Azalyn asks him to "Bring me Paco-Paco", and Dom reacts with the mother of all faceplants. I almost wet my pants the first time I saw it.

Cardcaptor Sakura - After Meilin releases Shaoran from his obligation, she goes to Tomoyo's house to cry. Beautiful little scene.

Haibane Renmei - "The Beginning of the World." Nemu, and then Rakka narrate their invented folktale of the beginning of the world that is Glie. I think it's a combination of the sudden switch of narrators, not to mention the beautiful wordless singing by Heart of Air that makes it so affecting.

Video Girl Ai - Youta despairs of ever being anything but alone for the rest of his life: the wistful song "Message" plays. And just as he slips into despair, Ai gives him a few whispered words of comfort and holds him (and the song bridges into a more optimistic mode).

My Neighbor Totoro - As Mei and Satsuki ride off in the Catbus, the song "My Neighbor Totoro" plays, and I melt into a puddle of goo. The most beautiful of all happy endings.

Now and Then, Here and There - Like the Baker in "The Hunting of the Snark", Lalaru softly and silently vanishes away, accepting at last a fate she had so long avoided.

R.O.D the TV - At long last, after years and many difficulties, Nenene has found Yomiko Readman. They see each other and... Yomiko runs like hell away. Hilarious way to portray their reunion.

Tenchi Muyo! in Love - Achika realizes that she will never see her son grown up, and so, smiling through tears, she entrusts his care to Ryoko and Ayeka.

[Mr. Nail Bat]

Originally Posted by martialstax

10. Martian Successor Nadesico - Akito finally realizes who Inez is. Underlying the main plot of the show, there is the mystery of Inez Fressange, a mystery that goes all the way back to the beginning of the show. When Akito finally realizes who she is, a lifetime of tragedy and hardship is finally rewarded.

It is indeed wonderful.

8. Azumanga Daioh - Sakaki finds Maya. The long running joke about Sakaki and cats is finally paid off when the class travels to Okinawa. The look on Sakaki's face and everyone's reaction is beautiful.

As wonderful as this scene is, I think it is exceeded by the scene when Maya finds Sakaki.

[populuxe]

Originally Posted by vtr9kvictor

The "God Knows" scene from Haruhi was breath-taking. (And I recently ordered Linda Linda Linda just to see what that was all about).

I bought that movie last month for exactly the same reason. It's a great movie, but as you watch it, you'll be saying to yourself "Hey, that was used in Haruhi! So was that scene! They copied that one, too!"

[populuxe]

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Cardcaptor Sakura - After Meilin releases Shaoran from his obligation, she goes to Tomoyo's house to cry. Beautiful little scene.

There are so many wonderful moments in that show. I considered this particular scene but decided against it since it's such a sad moment and I wanted more uplifting moments. I almost went with a scene earlier in the show when Tomoyo invites Meilin to visit her. It's the single greatest act of kindness Tomoyo could possibly show Meilin. Not only does Tomoyo quietly offer Meilin a place of refuge from the coming heartbreak, but it's also a very gentle warning to Meilin so she'll be prepared when the time comes. It allowed her to keep her dignity.

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Irresponsible Captain Tylor - Near the very end--the Raalgon are considering Tylor's erratic actions, Dom coolly analyzing it as the dispassionate bishonen observer he's always been. Azalyn asks him to "Bring me Paco-Paco", and Dom reacts with the mother of all faceplants. I almost wet my pants the first time I saw it.

I had considered a different scene from that show. Tyler and Yurika on the bridge of the deserted Soyokase, Yurika sitting in his lap and the two of them talking. I think that's such a beautiful, wonderful little scene.