It's hard to believe 2005 is a decade ago, but for me, and I'm sure a lot of you. The anime from that year still feels like it just aired a few months ago. Now the newer anime fans might never have heard of some of these shows. And that's fine. 2005 was a big year for anime and a very hard year to pick a top 5 for. With shows like Basilisk, Eureka 7 and Honey and Clover being firm favorites of a lot of anime fans. The following is a list of the 5 timeless classics from the year 2005.
Aria the Animation
Synopsis : On the planet Aqua lies the watery city of Neo Venezia, a tourist hub in which people travel around in gondolas. Professional gondoliers known as Undines are well-revered as they act as tour guides for the people. Akari Mizunashi is a gondolier in training and also an employee of Aria Company. She gets to meet all sorts of people as she takes them on the gondola rides, from friendly mentors to special individuals, all this admidst the beautiful scenic backdrop of the entire city.
PV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NraaWUZxWZw
AniDB : http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=2659
Thoughts : For the people that know me, seeing Aria the Animation in this list is no surprise. I can't stop praising this anime. If there ever was a perfect example of how a Utopian future should be, Aria the Animation would be it. It's a slow paced show, but the fantastic scenery and heartwarming characters will have you smiling in no time at all.
Capeta
Synopsis : Taira Kappeita, or Capeta, was a 4th grader boy. He had lost his mother when he had been very little. Although he pretended to be tough in front of his father, actually he felt lonely. One day, his father brought junk parts home from his workplace and made a racing cart. Soon, they went to a circuit to drive the cart. However, Capeta found that its frame was bent and it could hardly run straight. But, with his technique he managed the cart. Furthermore, he followed soon after the fast cart and he could nearly leave it behind. The driver in the cart was Minamoto Naomoi, the champion of the East Japan Junior Cart. Looking at their chase, Naomi's mother, Minamoto Nanako, advised Capeta to take part in the official race.
PV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH4qzTbTtMc
AnidDB : http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=3463
Thoughts : Capeta is more than just your average coming of age sports show. It tells the brilliant story of a kid that isn't afraid to go after his dreams, no matter what dangers he faces. Capeta also features some really cool racing and tons of edge of your seat moments.
Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai
Synopsis : On a cold and stormy night, Akagi Shigeru crawled out of the ocean, stumbled into a dingy waterfront Mahjong parlor and into a rough Mahjong game. Nangou was heavily in debt and had been offered a chance to gamble it away by the yakuza. If that did not work, they had made sure that his life insurance policy would more than cover what he owed them. That evening's tiles had not been kind to Nangou and with nothing left to lose, he decided to take a chance and let the thirteen-year-old Akagi play in his place. The events of that evening are still quietly spoken about, of how a rank beginner beat the yakuza rep (or professional) player. It was that night that the legend of Akagi - the genius or monster of the Mahjong game - was born.
PV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBpYNS-jucQ
AniDB : http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=3446
Thoughts : Akagi is more than just a "Mahjong" anime. It's a gritty look at the world of underground gambling, with dangerous bets that can costs you your life. If you liked No Game No Life, imagine that without any cute girls or heck any girls for that matter, and a lot more hardcore bets. And you end up with Akagi. The manliest gambling anime out there. Well alongside Kaiji.
Aa! Megami-sama!
Synopsis : Morisato Keiichi is looking forward to university life. But he does not have much luck with anything, be they clubs, love, or daily life. And as it turns out he actually was born under an unlucky star.
One day Keiichi is stuck with having to watch the dorm while his fellow seniors are away at some party, and to make things worse a mountain of work was forced on him. But good-natured — and easily taken advantage of — Keiichi goes right to work, and after finishing his chores, he makes a phone call. For once fate smiles on the hapless lad, and he reaches the Goddess Help Line. A moment later, a beautiful goddess named Belldandy exits the mirror in his room.
But will the goddess help to finally end Keiichi's unlucky days?
PV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvkaWtF0b9I
AniDB : http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=2533
Thoughts : One of the shows on this list probably everyone has heard of. Oh! My Goddess was one of the shows that converted many friends of mine into anime. A fantastic romantic comedy with colourful characters, great music and a "perfect" women.
Glass no Kamen
Synopsis : Her father passed away very early and her mother lives and works in a crowded Chinese restaurant. Kitajima Maya, a 13-year old girl, has to carry the burden of making ends meet as she fights against her ill fate. However, she is able to overcome the trials and tribulations in her life with her passion and enthusiasm. She happens to encounter the reclusive actress Tsukikage who decides to train and mould her into the foremost actress of her generation.
PV : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYEUMF6c2eA
AniDB : http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=2994
Thoughts : Much like Capeta, Glass Mask is more than just about a girl trying her best, against all odds, to reach her dreams. It's an emotional tour de force that will pick you up and not let go until the all too soon end. Maya is a great main character, her acting in the anime is so convincing I forgot at times that she was an acting out the roles she had.
That concludes my list of top shows form 2005. Which anime from that year was your favorite. Have you seen any of the Anime on this list? If you need a refreshes of what came out in 2005, the image below might help! (Open image in new Tab to view easier)
