Mature and Unusual Anime Series

So, you're a fan of unusual, well-executed anime, and you're looking for some titles that both pique your interest and engage you. Being something of an avid fan and collector of untypical anime myself, I can offer three series you may not yet have heard of - all gems in their unique contributions to the medium of anime, and each with mature storylines and themes geared towards the less mainstream of audiences.

Melody of Oblivion - If you're up for an often allegorical and thought-provoking series, you will not be disappointed with Melody of Oblivion. This is a series that transcends several genres in its entirety - fantasy, horror, dark comedy, allegorical fable. Decades after humans lost a war to powerful Monsters, people go about their daily lives unaware that these Monsters control the world from behind the scenes and demand frequent sacrifices of human children. Bocca, a listless high school student, wants to become a Warrior of Melos, one of those who fights the Monsters. When subsequent chance encounters with a runaway girl, Sayoko, and the Melos Warrior Kurofune lead to the awakening of his hidden abilities, Bocca's journey begins to seek out the Monsters and save a mysterious girl that appears before him (and is visible only to him), known as the Melody of Oblivion. The creative touches of symbolism woven into almost every major scene are often subtle enough that viewers not familiar with particular references may not catch them, but for those only vaguely familiar with some references (such as Greek Mythology, or Revelations from the Bible, for example) this shouldn't detract from the enjoyment of watching the fluid animation and clever plotline twists. A few of the episodes in the beginning of this series are not quite as engaging as others. The pace quickly picks up after about episode 3, when the viewer has more of a handle on what's going on. It should be noted that there are some gratuitous 'fan service' elements that pop up in the strangest moments during some scenes, but these touches, while sometimes distracting and a bit silly, can be taken as just another component in the often odd and compelling flow of tones Melody of Oblivion has to offer, rather than detracting from it.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo - A unique adaptation of the literary classic, The Count of Monte Cristo, but ingrained with a futuristic twist to the setting of the tale. Through the distinct artwork and CG animation style can take a little getting used to, this title easily belongs in this list for its superb story execution and engrossing characters. The story begins with Albert de Morcerf, a young man born into an aristocratic family in Paris, who has a chance meeting with a mysterious man named the Count of Monte Cristo while vacationing on Luna (Rome in the original novel) during Carnival. Albert finds something fascinating about the Count from the moment he meets him, and offers to serve as the Count's introduction into high society back in Paris after the Count does him a major favor. The series is mostly shown from Albert's point of view, and his character in this adaptation of Monte Cristo is much more likable than the Albert in the novel, if still naive. Again, the story is executed similarly to the second half of the book, but ultimately offers a different, through engaging interpretation on the unfolding of events in The Count of Monte Cristo. The song during the opening credits in this anime is also simply beautiful, and the rest of the music is well-done throughout the series.

Berserk - This dark fantasy anime provides quite possibly one of the most complex and existential story-telling experiences ever to hit a DVD, in no small part due to the massive manga series by the same name that it's adapted from. The anime follows Guts, a young man with a shadowed past who wields a giant broadsword, and the role he plays in the lives of key members of an elite group of mercenaries, the Band of the Hawk, commandeered by the elegant Griffith. The first episode possibly makes less sense than the next several that feature the early days of Guts in his time with the Band of the Hawk, but once I had watched the entire twenty-five episodes and then went back to the first it was more clear upon a second viewing (if still coming off as slightly rushed due to the hints of what was to come hidden throughout the episode). There is a notable aspect of violence, but the story told is so much more than the graphic content, featuring themes of honor and loyalty, ambition, and destruction all weaved masterfully into the unveiling of a series of events that Guts plays some part of. Griffith is particularly memorable on his fateful path to become more than a man, and his willingness to utilize any means necessary on his way to get there. Sadly, Berserk as an anime was only made into a first season that features a rather abrupt ending/cliffhanger to the last episode, but don't let that deter anyone from watching the great epic that is Berserk. The voice acting is very good, with Griffith's listless voice being an especially great match for his character. And while some may write off the artwork as having a dated look with nothing special to it, I disagree. The animation and art style is much better than many other anime series out there from around the same year of release (1997), and the character designs are both appealing and very identifiable as belonging to the series (they are also fairly accurate when compared to the designs of the same characters from the manga's superb and dark-toned art style).