re: Anime Fans - Recommendations in OP **Awesomeness Edition**

Here are the movies I watched recently (that I can remember):

Howl's Moving Castle
- Phenomenal on all levels. Out of the Miyazaki films I have seen (the more popular ones it seems), Howl's Moving Castle is by far my favorite. Sophie is cursed with the body of an old woman by the Witch of the Waste and she seeks out the strange wizard Howl in an attempt to remove it.

Princess Mononoke
- I had thought that I hadn't seen Mononoke, but I was wrong. I have watched it before, it's just been a while. Great movie all-around, and it deserves all the praise it gets. If you haven't seen it, the story follows Prince Ashitaka as he gets caught up in a war between forest spirits and a human settlement called Iron Town while he tries to remove a curse that was placed on him by a boar demon which attacked his village. It is Miyazaki, so it is a must see.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices
- This movie isn't a Miyazaki movie (directed by Makoto Shinkai), but it does at times very much feel like one. The animation and story is very much similar to the often spirituality/magic-based plots of Miyazaki's work. However, it doesn't quite meet the same level. It was a good movie, but the ending just didn't quite meet my expectations. The story follows Asuna, a girl who lives a normal life in a small town after her father passed, and she soon discovers a hidden world beneath the ground. It is definitely a good movie, I just felt that it could've been better.

Grave of the Fireflies
- What the hell was I thinking buying this movie? I have no problem saying this, I fricking cried. This is by far one of the most depressing movies I have seen in a long time. That in no way detracts from its greatness. Grave of the Fireflies is an amazing movie all-around, but I'm not sure I could watch it more than once.

Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust
- Although I have yet to watch the original Vampire Hunter D, this movie was a great flick. The animation was top-notch and the fight scenes were very well done. A great take on the vampire genre. Plot: Charlotte is abducted by Baron Meier Link, a vampire, and D is hired to get her back.

Berserk - Egg of the King and Berserk - The Battle for Doldrey
- I can't remember who, but someone in this thread was constantly saying, "watch Berserk," well, I watched the movies. I really liked Egg of the King and The Battle for Doldrey. I'm really looking forward to the third movie. Guts is a great main character with an awesome supporting cast.

Redline
- This movie is one that I cannot recommend enough. For starters, it is completely hand drawn, and I will go so far to say that it has some of the best animation I have seen. Now, the story and characters aren't that deep, but that isn't the reason you are watching this movie. It is the action. The movie follows "Sweet JP" as he races in two races, the Yellowline and the galaxy's largest event, the Redline. Seriously, go and buy this movie on blu-ray. You will not regret it.

Justice League - Doom
- A great adaptation of a great DC universe story. Basically, Batman's secret plans to force the Justice League members into submission if they were to go rogue are stolen...and then used. If you like the DC Universe and the Justice League, it is a good movie to watch.

Sword of the Stranger
- A simple tale of a hero's redemption with amazing sword fights and battles. It really is that simple. I really enjoyed it.

Appleseed and Appleseed: Ex Machina
- Going into these two movies, I wasn't sure I would like the animation style. Was I ever wrong. I'd love to see these two movies in high definition or blu-ray. If you like science fiction, these are must watch movies. Think futuristic society with artificial humanoids living alongside regular humans and a plot to destroy it all. What isn't to like about that?

Vexille
- This movies reminds me a lot of the Appleseed movies. The animation is similar and the story sorta follows the same sci-fi lines. I don't really want to tell you anything since a major part of the story is a huge twist about halfway through. Basically, Japan has shut itself off from the world completely in order to research forbidden technology. Vexille, a US soldier, is sent in with her squad to discover what has been going on. It is on Netflix if you want to check it out.

Metropolis
- This is a strange movie. The animation is very "child's cartoon," but trust me, there is nothing childish about this movie. Kenichi and his Uncle have to figure out the secrets behind Tima, the most sophisticated robot built to date. Where does artificial life end and humanity begin? If you can get passed the animation, it is enjoyable. It isn't anywhere near my favorites though.

Blood: The Last Vampire
- This is more of a mini-movie. It is only ~45 mins in length. Don't let that disappoint you though. If you like bloody anime, or you like the series this show inspired (Blood +), it is a must watch. Set in 1966, we follow Saya, a girl who's purpose is to hunt down and destroy bat-like creatures called Chiropterans. It is a quick, but fun ride.

That is all I have for now, as far as movies go. I have a few series that I will post later. It is getting late and I don't feel like doing it now.

Hope some of you get enjoyment out of these recommendations.