Elves have always served a special role in fantasy. Fantasy authors, going back as far as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (1954), have juxtaposed elves with humans to great narrative effect. Elven wisdom, stoicism, and longevity have always served as a subconscious reminder that human actions have consequences that reach far beyond the short term. Elves represent the living embodiment of memory, history, and legacy, things that humans seeking fame and glory value the most. For better or worse, they are witnesses to our triumphs and atrocities, valued companions of the noble, and reviled by the forces of darkness.

Given just how ubiquitous elves are in fantasy literature, movies, games, and film, there are few works that try to understand the elven experience to any real depth. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 葬送のフリーレン (2024) is a refreshing attempt to remedy this neglected perspective by telling the story of Frieren, an elven mage who was a part of a group of heroes who defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land.

While the other members of her party—Himmel the Hero, Heiter the Priest, and Eisen the Warrior—wither to time and find contentment in their accomplished lives, Frieren is left behind to carry on their legacy. Even as her status as a living legend is increasingly forgotten by the descendants of those she saved many years ago, Frieren continues to seek new companions, perfect her magic, and come to terms with her own life and those she has lost.

The series is beautifully animated, and Director Saitou Tomohiro's pacing is deliberate, conveying Frieren's elven perspective of time (i.e., she experiences years as weeks), while sprinkling in just enough action to maintain the viewer's interest. The score, by Evan Call, is epic and emotional, invoking action, appreciation, and nostalgia in equal measure.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is an exceptional anime, one that is almost immediately legendary. It is an endearing celebration of life, full of appreciation for the meaning finality and death bring. It bravely explores issues that are rarely seen in fantasy or other genres, for that matter. If you don't break down in tears at least once while watching it, there's truly something wrong with you. Season 2 is due in 2026.

If Dan Da Dan (ダンダダン) were the only thing you knew about anime, you'd probably be a very messed up person. This cacophony of differing visual styles, musical themes, and genres is as fast-paced as it is unapologetic for its raunchy kick-in-the-balls humor and hotter-than-they-should-be grandmothers. (Yes, she's that hot.)

Summarizing Dan Da Dan in just a few sentences is challenging due to its complexity. It covers all the usual elements of a coming-of-age high school anime, but also incorporates supernatural horror, aliens that steal genitals, and profound character development. This depth is maintained even as the plot frequently attempts to strip characters of their clothing.

Dan Da Dan draws inspiration from Eastern classics such as The Ring (2002), The Grudge (2004), and Kung Fu Hustle (2004), as well as American 80s favorites like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Weird Science (1985). This is all complemented by a dynamic hip-hop influenced soundtrack by オトノケ (Otonoke) and Kensuke Ushio.

The creators of Dan Da Dan have taken significant risks, and they have truly paid off. Despite the many elements packed into it, this anime succeeds brilliantly. Season 2 is set to release in July 2025.

Ghost in the Shell (GHOST IN THE SHELL/攻殻機動隊) is a generation-defining anime that every fan of the medium has a responsibility to see. Ghost in the Shell is based on legendary artist Shirow Masamune's manga of the same name.

The visual techniques employed by director Oshii Mamoru are still impactful 30 years later. Even to this day, there are very few works that can match the technical artistry of Ghost in the Shell; the cybernetics, weapons, and even the bullet impacts were revolutionary then and are still imitated today.

Ghost in the Shell's plot is a complex, intrigue-laden spy thriller exploring the meaning of human existence in a world overtaken by corporations, information technology, and artificial intelligence (seems familiar). The film's protagonist, Major Kusanagi, remains a legendary femme fatale icon. (Batou is kinda cool too, I guess.)

Its legacy lives on in movies and games like The Matrix (1999), Deus Ex (2000), and Cyberpunk 2077 (2020), even as follow-on sequels have not lived up to the original's accomplishments.

Akira (アキラ) is perhaps as close as any animation, or any form of art, can get to being perfect considering the technology and resources available at the time.

I recently revisited this masterpiece nearly 25 years after my first viewing, and it still stands as one of the most visually impressive animations ever made. The incredible level of detail is even more astonishing when reflecting on it now, knowing it was crafted by hand without today's computer assistance.

While adult themes were common in Japanese animated works at the time, Akira's dark, violent, and post-apocalyptic cyberpunk vision was unprecedented in Western animation. Only animated cult films like Heavy Metal (1981) and The Last Unicorn (1982) even came close.

If you haven't yet explored this essential piece of anime, or more broadly, the art of film, you owe it to yourself to do so. Akira continues to be the benchmark against which all other anime should be judged.