Clephas

I have to majorly disagree with kivandopolus on which anime are the best for this particular season. Slayers- Slayers is one of those odd anime that, though the animation itself hasn't aged well, manages to maintain a certain level of attraction even today. It is one of the anime I most often use to introduce people to anime, for a few reasons. One of those reasons is that the english dub is actually one of the best from that period of time, thus making it an ideal entry-level anime. Another reason is that the humor is straightforward slapstick for the most part, meaning there is no need for the watcher to be familiar with Japanese humor to be able to enjoy it. While I won't say the story of this particular anime is great, it is more than enjoyable enough to be worth watching to the end. Best of all, it is a series that kids and adults (anime fan adults, anyway) can watch together without either side getting bored. Fushigi Yuugi- I have to say that Kivan's assessment of this anime is waaay off. While the otome-style format of this particular fantasy is mostly not done anymore in anime, at the time it was a moderately popular style, of which Fushigi Yuugi was one of the most famous at the time. If this one were to be remade today, it would probably achieve a reasonable level of popularity, in my opinion. Gundam Wing- of the Gundam series, this one is one of the top three (and considering there are like twenty Gundam series, that actually says a lot). Like all the Gundam series, it is a bit heavy-handed in using the odd dichotomy of being a series about war that is heavily anti-war (this peculiarity is only rarely mentioned by reviewers for some reason, though). However, the characters are excellent, and the series has aged very well. The only downside to it is that, three decades after the Soviet Union's fall, it is a bit hard to relate to some aspects of the setting for younger people. For younger people who want something they are more likely to be able to relate to, Gundam 00 is similar with a more modern set of references in the setting.

Blue Seed- Blue Seed is one of the early relatively long series I remember the most. Currently, I find it unwatchable (my tolerance for Victim A main characters in serious stories is virtually zero nowadays), but at the time it was quite enjoyable. Like a lot of the classics from this era, its setting was kind of iffy and poorly explained even within the story. That it was still enjoyable at the time was primarily due to the aesthetic and the male lead. Rayearth- My first experience with Magic Knight Rayearth was actually the Sega Saturn game, which had an excellent story and was one of the few early-era jrpgs to have voice-acting. The anime is also fairly good, even if it glosses over some details. The ending of the first season is pretty sad as the result of a particular plot twist. Darkside Blues- One of several movies from this decade I wish they had a sequel for. An enjoyable experience at the time, though sadly short.

http://mineallminenew.fc2web.com/ongoing/paradisecapture.htm I suggest you go ahead and copy this down into notepad, as it is likely to vanish any day now.

Paradise Lost is spoiled to some extent by KKK. I recommend playing PL first. Unless you plan to never play it at all.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8490cj/ https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4499fl/ This series is the latest gem I came across. It isn't the only one I came across, but I've decided to only present ones that have gone over 200 chapters without getting boring, which is a very small proportion of the web novel population, lol. In this series, Earth's greatest bare-handed fighter, a master of qi and warfare unmatched on our planet, walks through a tunnel to an alternate version of Earth where magic exists and an ongoing war between monsters and humans is threatening to end humanoid civilization. Armed with his large variety of chuunibyou combat techniques (even he admits it), his iron-like body, and his inherent immunity to magic-based attacks, he cuts a swathe through monsters and evil cultists alike. Generally speaking, this story is one where the protagonist constantly flips people's conceptions over on their heads while consistently pursuing his own personal sense of honor and style of life. In a world where magical power is everything, he is the opposite, the most powerful mortal in existence while also not having a drop of magical power. The first story begins a bit slowly, with him faking it a bit to get a grasp on how his new world works. However, it quickly accelerates after the initial 'adventures' with the temporary party he meets after his initial arrival. It needs to be said that the protagonist is essentially a 'Goku' type of character combined with the archetype of the stoic and ruthless warrior monk. He is extremely harsh with his enemies and those who are hostile toward him, while being incredibly forgiving and easy on his friends and allies. He can also get along with a wide variety of types, including kind-hearted and clumsy catgirls and cold-hearted avengers. However, he is also very judgmental toward those who don't even make the effort to be better, and downright cold and brutal to those who don't understand honor or even simple straightforward social mores that are nearly universal. Overall, the series is immensely fun to read, though the second story is only coming out slowly, so it will be some time before it is complete.

At least Hatsumira got released earlier this year. It is one of their better non-Grisaia works.

Sakura Moyu is Favorite's greatest masterpiece. I recommend that anyone who can read Japanese well-enough to play VNs untranslated play it.

Keep in mind that Kamishino had over a decade to get translated, and yet it was only finished recently as a passion project. Moreover, though the initial translation was done some time ago, it was only recently that it was actually released. I imagine if a potential translator plays the translated version and wants the two remaining paths, it might be a possibility. However, keep in mind that most fan-translations fall apart for a reason, and those two paths are a prime candidate for manufacturing such a reason (they are unnecessarily long for the actual content contained within the path, as well as having a more H focus than the other four paths).

As an answer to the question above, I'm not interested in tlcing the remaining two paths. I more or less agree with Ittaku about those two paths, from personal experience. In addition, those two paths are ridiculously long despite the lack of any real content to them, so in this case it really isn't worth the effort. It is painful to read those paths, it would be even more painful to have to help translate them.

I played Tonoko's route first of the three the first time I played the game. Admittedly, the route is slower-paced than either Miyabi or Shino's routes, but it has its own charm. On my second playthrough I found Shino's route to be the best of the three, a route that got tastier on the second playthrough. Miyabi's is a good route no matter how many times you play it. Playing Tonoko's route the second time was not as good as the first, but it was still a good experience. The route that I had the most trouble playing the second time was Yuuna's, because all the shocking revelations were already over with. It's the kind of route that is godly the first time you play it, but has little to offer on a second playthrough, in my opinion.

Haruka ni Aogi, Uruwashi no, is on a shortlist of kamige that I tend to recommend to newbies to VNs or those who missed it during their first rapid obsessive blasting through the 'classics'. For some reason, people are making excuses not to play the newly-fantranslated game. I'm going to first pick apart the reasons that have been given for not playing it, even if it falls into the realm of their tastes. Number one reason, the one that is hardest to speak against, is that the game itself is practically ancient and as a result the visuals seem dated. That isn't something I can entirely refute, but I can say this... Kamishino has some of the best visuals for its time, and its sprites and character designs are truly exceptional. While it does show its age, this isn't a truly good reason not to play it, in my mind. The second reason people give me is that 'only four of the six routes are translated'. I find this to be the silliest reason... since anyone who has played the game in Japanese can tell you that the two routes that aren't translated fall so far behind the other four in quality that the game is actually better off without them. Frankly, the 'main school' routes are simply more emotionally powerful than the other three routes, which is the point of a nakige (which this is). I'm going to go ahead and explain why you are better off without the two untranslated routes... for one thing, the routes are much shallower in terms of characterization and emotional depth. For another thing, the twin heroines are just... not really a good match compared to the other four heroines. A large part of the point of the story is how Tsukasa heals himself by healing the hearts of the girls, and there really isn't that much of that in those two paths. In fact, Tsukasa's issues are ignored for the most part, making those two routes feel like they aren't even part of the same game. The only translated 'branch school' route is good for a different reason than the other three translated routes. It strikes much more to the heart of how high society functions in general, with more of a focus on the heroine's ambition and Tsukasa being more of an accomplice than a savior/healer as he was in the other three translated routes. The third and last reason people give me is 'no one is really hyping it' or 'I'm waiting for reviews'... to be honest, this is a fairly silly reason. If you look for them, ancient reviews for this VN are all over the net. The reason it didn't get hyped that much is frankly because the translator (Ittaku) thought people would pick it up without the need for excessive hype. I felt the same way, since normally the community jumps on 'classics' when they get fantranslated or localized. This is probably more of a shift in how the VN community is now, as I've noted there is even more art bigotry in recent years than there was when the community was at its most passionate. Now the reasons to play it... the first reason, which is fairly obvious, is the sheer emotional depth of this story. The three 'main school' heroines (Miyabi, Tonoko, and Shino) all have incredibly emotional paths with a completely unique story progression and deep character development. This is, in fact, the main reason I replayed this game twice, despite it not being a chuunige or a straight-out plotge. The second reason is the setting. While a girls' school might seem like a common setting, it should be noted that this game's setting served as an inspiration for a number of later games that you have probably played or even just heard of. Two that stand out are Grisaia no Kajitsu and Koisuru Natsu no Resort. The situation for four of the heroines (the ones that are translated) is very similar to that of several of the heroines (specifically Makina and Yumiko) in Grisaia, and Koisuru Natsu no Resort essentially steals the game's theme and waters it down significantly. The main reason I say this is because the school setting in this case is, just like the previously-mentioned titles, one that is meant to essentially be an exile or holding pen for the heroines by those who sent them there. Last of all... I should note that the four translated routes are some of the most well-paced routes I've seen outside of works by Masada, Shumon Yuu, or Higashide (which it is unfair to compare to in the first place, lol). While this post is full of my personal opinions, I should note that this is one of a small number of VNs I use for my gold standard in VNs in general and have so for over a decade. Missing out on playing this VN means missing out on one of the best nakige in VN history.

I checked it out, but the lyrics were off. It looks like whoever it was that did it transcribed the lyrics in a hurry and missed a lot of it. I could probably use the sound alone to translate it, but I can't say I really liked the op, so I don't have much motivation. I absolutely loved the VN, though.

Possibly? It would take longer, because I wouldn't have access to the kanji and a lot of music lyrics ignore grammar, thus making guesswork inevitable.

Come into being, oh starlight written across the heavens... for we are a shining falling star. Oh how foolish, you blind and ignorant master of the throne! How could you believe that you could take from my heart hope for the future with a mere prison at the bottom of the sea and an endless labyrinth? Look within these two eyes. Know the fierce and undying flame within my gaze. I already fly far into the distant sky, seeking the solemn flame (the sun). Even though my wings burn and melt away, there is nothing for me to fear. Fly oh Icarus, that you might obliterate the sins. Rage, smash, and burn everything away! Let us bring down judgment upon all that is impure as we burn in the light of victory! Upon my fall, so shall the flames of creation arrive! For that reason, oh all that is evil. Submit and quietly die out. Metalnova-- MkBlaze Hyperion! Shine brightly in the heavens, oh my guardian star, that I might raise up the iron flame. You are so beautiful, oh treasure that stretches as far as I can see. The jewels I stole when I killed my father, the mount of gold wet with crimson... oh why do they shine as they grab hold of my heart and never let go? Now nothing is reflected in my eyes but what shines oh so brilliantly. I won't hand it over to anyone, for it is mine! The dragon relishes his joy as he breathes poison breath upon it. Oh steel sword that pierces and tears apart that joy. Oh death scream that resonates through my nest. The evil creature is slain, and the epic saga begins! Oh immortal hero who knows not fear. I acknowledge that you are true treasure of mankind, and the true form of the gold I desire! Before the solemn light, my overflowing desire brings life to my dead flesh! For that reason, I will devour you whole. For you are mine, I will hand you over to no other! To speak a prophecy of ruin and endings, I will thrust a sword into your back! Metalnova--- Sigurd's Bane, Dainsleif! (Demon dragon's war story, the hero-slaying sword of ruin)

... you chose something other than Yuyu Hakusho?

Fall from the heavens, oh my guardian star. Obliterate everything within the iron abyss. I have served at the side of Hades for many ages. I am the beastly and arrogant wolf who prays for the fall of all that is bright and noble while easing my hunger with the flesh and blood of the dead. Spit out curses, devour hope, grind the jaws of despair. The deadly poison that drips from my fangs desperately, oh how desperately desires the collapse of the heavens. Let the shining brilliance be corrupted, without exception. Go extinct, go extinct, let everything be reduced to garbage. The shrieks and tears have fallen into the abyss. The only thing I have left to cling to is the sound of the harp that plays within the darkness. For that reason, sleep for now within the depths of the dead sea at the side of your love's corpse, oh minstrel. Oh my grudging scream, reach the heavens. Howl out to the empty moon! Metalnova- Howling Kerberos (Shriek in madness, oh accursed silver wolf!)

... I know that Bethesda loves to milk their games until the fanbase withers and dies, but I'm tired of hearing about Skyrim releases when it's been so long since the last real ES game came out (MMO's aren't games, they are traps for the latent obsessive people). Oh... and I find it hilarious that the fan-made storylines are so much better than the original one, hahaha.

The video below starts in the middle of a side-story where Valzeride (the antagonist and hero of Silverio Vendetta) confronts Gilbert over his ideals. They begin to fight because their ideals, while both based on goodness and light, are inherently opposed. Valzeride ultimately sees himself as inhuman garbage and strives to slay evil and bring happiness to the people of Adler, whereas Gilbert wishes to create a world where people like Valzeride are free of jealousy and judgment of the masses. In Gilbert's words 'A proper reward for hard work and goodness, and a proper punishment for weakness and evil.' In order to incentivize good and hard work, he wishes to create a social system where hard work and good behavior are instantly rewarded, and where there is no way to gain from doing evil or being lazy. It sounds great... if it weren't for the fact that it is predicated on the elimination of all weakness in human society. "It is my victory. Let us walk into the future together." Having lost his weapon and any chance of escape, the zealot's powerful sword is thrust through Valzeride's body. Torn, crushed organs, a blow that should instantly have ended his life. However, he was absolutely sure that the miracle in man's form in front of him would definitely survive. If he didn't strike with the intent to kill him one hundred times over, it wouldn't even be possible to make him take a knee. For that reason, Gilbert had no mercy. He twisted the handle of the sword piercing Valzeride's body and gouged his body vertically with the blade's edge. The wound was forced open, his organs, already pierced, further ripped apart. His perfectly trained muscles were ripped open and blood flowed like a waterfall. It was over. Having most of his major organs destroyed and lost this much blood, even the hero should be unable to continue fighting. Gilbert gained a certainty of his victory from the sensation of the sword in his hand. In truth, it was just as he thought. The moment the challenger of light threw aside defense to strike, the duel's outcome was decided. Gilbert had not failed in any respect. Every move he made with his deep insight and brilliant brain created a brilliant outcome at this moment. However... "No, I will absolutely stop you here. I now know you to be the most dangerous man I've ever met. For that reason, I will crush you, no matter what... I will not let go. I will be the victor!" So this was it, a retaliatory blow that should never have been released smashed into Gilbert's face. It was an impact equal to a direct hit from a meteor. An impact sufficient to make him think heaven and earth had been reversed resonated from Gilbert's jaw to his brain. "Guagh!" The true form of the meteor was reflected in Gilbert's startled yes... a fist. Yes, the hero continues to fight as if nothing had happened. Undying, standing, his knees not even bending, ignoring the sword piercing his guts and the organs spilling out, as if to say it was not nearly enough. And this was with him disarmed of his catalyst, his body back to basic standards... Valzeride retaliated with the force of his will and bare hands alone. This was, of course, not a measure of last resort taken on the edge of absolute defeat. From the very beginning, with the belief that where there is a will there is a way, he aimed for that moment when his enemy stepped within range to finish him off. The combo that came after was unbelievably fast, accurate, and perfectly calculated to shake and crack Gilbert's skull. If the fists were unleashed just a little bit too fast or slow, Gilbert would have been able to avoid them. This truth illustrated the fact that this retaliation was a part of pre-established harmony. No matter how well Gilbert used his Elysium's Astral to control the fight, to deal the final blow, he would have to step within Valzeride's range. At that moment, no matter how well-planned his chess moves were calculated, he had no choice but to take a risk. For that reason, he had thought he took all precautions... or so he thought... but the King of Light easily and bravely trampled upon his preparations. With burning, brilliant fighting spirit. "I fully understand your ideals. You bewail the fact that the world makes it so that pursuing justice has too little reward. In this current world, there simply aren't any benefits to walking the straight and narrow path. That's what you wanted to say, wasn't it?" To Gilbert as he wavered and was defenseless, Valzeride threw words instead of fists. To use this opening to deal a fatal blow and bring things to an end would be easy. However, as he was a hero who could not forgive evil, he explained his comrade's mistake to him. With the sword still piercing his belly, he calmly, with hawklike eyes, looked down upon Gilbert. "I understand. It is true that the world being full of evil at present is a matter of course. This is because good is painful, hard, and has little benefit. Even if someone puts their nose to the grindstone to walk the correct path, there is in truth no guarantee they will be rewarded. People seek perfection from hard workers, after all." The absolute victor acknowledged the words spoken by the warrior of the transient world. It was easy for evil to prosper in the current world. That the world's very structure, the nature of creation made it so. "In this state, those with the ability to do so wouldn't even consider walking the correct path. Lifeforms, without exception, try to take the most efficient actions to adapt to their environment. This is no different for humans." Plants grow upward to take in more sunlight. If there are multiple sources of sustenance, even slime mold will stretch itself out in the most efficient path to reach it. It need not be said that animals - humans in particular - were the same. Even in the world after the Casastrophe, they managed to adapt over the course of a thousand years. They adapted to their environment and recreate themselves to gain more food. That is the true nature of life. Then... "For that reason, humans staining their hands with evil and indulging in laziness is quite natural. The reason is that one can merit more efficiently by doing so than walking the straight and narrow. If one tries to balance good and evil, it is only natural they will slip toward evil. This is just a grave reality, and it is incorrect to ask whether this is right or wrong." "For that reason, seeking to make hard work and justice equivalent to one another and create a society where, as long as you work hard, you will be saved, is a quite natural way of thinking." It was a goal that lay on the other side of a labyrinth that would benefit the race as a whole more than the individual. Simply place rewards on the correct path and punishment on the incorrect ones. If he did that, then as a matter of course, all humans would walk the path of collective prosperity and evolve into a terrifyingly correct race... that was Gilbert's logic. "However..." At that instant, the pressure on Gilbert was multiplied. A shudder made its way through Gilbert's body, even though he had yet to recover his sight. He staggered as he tried to step back and evade, grasping at his fading consciousness. To step back into the territory of Elysium, where his impact manipulation still functioned. However, at the moment he tried to take a step back, his body shuddered to a stop. Rather than stepping away from him, he moved closer to the hero's side. This was because Valzeride grasped the large sword piercing his body and thrust it deeper into his body. The blade would not come out of Valzeride's terrifyingly powerful spinal muscles, and as a matter of course, Gilbert was pulled out of the paradise controlled by his star. The next blow of the fist shattered his cheekbone. When he staggered, his head was grabbed in one hand, and in the next moment, a knee strike slammed into his face. "Guagh...!" "What you are lacking is self-awareness." He desperately kept his brain, which was trying to shut down from the impact and pain, using the sound of Valzeride's austere voice as a guide. "Understand this, we are madmen. For that reason, no matter how much we offer up correct logic, it isn't a madness the common people can follow. We must first acknowledge that truth and strongly admonish and restrain ourselves." From agove the collapsing Gilbert, his voice rained down. To his messed up sense of hearing, that voice sounded many times bigger than it was, and it was as if it came down from a place far above. In addition, he was kicked so hard in the belly that his organs liquified. While he was still bent over, a combo of meteoric blows struck him, the destructive actions continuing. "Those that can bear true correctness are extreme fools like you and I. This is no joke or metaphor... your ideals will ruin humanity." Sure punishment and reward. Karmic justice. That beautiful order would drive humanity to extinction. "Urgh... Not... yet...!" The words of judgment were accompanied by a rain of fists. Even facing that baptism of fire, Gilbert refused to collapse. Every bone in his body was broken, his organs pulverized, and his consciousness was cutting out moment to moment. Still, the apostle of Light continued to stand through force of conviction... However. "Understand this. We are the true disciples of contradiction. The sinners who should be punished beyond good and evil are none other than heroes who known not darkness." However, at last, his broken hands fell from the grip of his sword, and his star of white night faded. "That future is a hell masquerading as a paradise. Ally of justice? Howl all you want." Valzeride took hold of the grip of the sword piercing his body and ripped it out. He threw the sword with overwhelming strength, causing the blade to pierce through Gilbert's body. His body, thrown off its feet, was slammed into the opposite wall with the force of a meteor. "Urgh... ga...!" The seeker of ideals was crucified with his own sword, shards of metal flying from the point of impact. From his lips came a groan of pain. His voice refused to come out in the face of this absurdity. "What you desire is a universe composed only of stars... it not only denies darkness but all those stars that don't shine. In paradise, there is no place for the common people." Yes, Gilbert's paradise denied those who fell outside the rewards of justice. Of course, this included in that were those who weren't correct but were not truly evil. There are those in this world, of course, who neither hold onto the past nor aim for the future, just trying to live peacefully in the present. Those who stood between night and day, on the line of twilight were the same. Most people in the world were neither good nor evil but those who dwell in the between. For that reason, this conflict was inevitable. For the ally of justice's ambition was a future that the enemy of evil could not tolerate. "I will say it again, be aware of your flaw. To create a society where correct logic is carried out absolutely is to cut off all those who are not correct." Before the pathetic loser, the hero nonetheless walked forward without letting down his guard and picked up his twin katanas. What moved him forward was invincible force of will. His body should have been in critical condition, but he had yet to even stagger. "I will absolutely bring light to the people of this country. For that very reason, I can't acknowledge an ideal that discards the majority of them. I will give evil the appropriate punishment, but I have no intention of denying those who have yet to take a step forward. I am willing to be enough of a hypocrite to watch over the late-blooming flowers." Valzeride took a stance with his sword, as if to say 'if you still want a fight, come!'. "... if you seek to be the protector of a heaven that exists not on this earth, then call yourself Rhadamantis." At that moment, the oracle was spoken, and the man's fighting spirit surged. For he knew that to correct the man driven to madness by looking at the hero was his responsibility and atonement. "But, even so!" Gilbert forcefully pulled the sword impaling him on the wall and once again activated his Astral. Even in a hand whose bones were broken, his nerves were still connected, his muscles alive. Then if he just ignored the agony and grasped the grip, then it was still possible to wield it. As such, he fiercely defied reality. Without the plug keeping it inside his body, blood gushed forth. From his severed major arteries and punctured major organs a massive spray of crimson spread through the air. It was apparent that this was enough blood loss to endanger the life of even enhanced men like them. Even without that, he was wounded all over and his arms and legs betrayed him. However, he... no, he as well displayed unbelievable strength of will by forcibly keeping his consciousness awake and showed the stubbornness of the Light. "I want to see a world where those who shine are rewarded...! Yes, I want those such as you to be rewarded!" He cared nothing for the consequences as he enhanced his body. He forcibly moved his broken arms and legs, running straight at the hero. That was the true feelings of the zealot of Light. It was the fruit born of the roots of his ambition. His insight showed him the future awaiting the iron hero. He saw the end where the hero shaved away at his life, threw everything away, and without any thought of reward offered himself up as a sacrifice... for the sake of the unseen masses, a story of self-sacrifice and death. Gilbert was enraged at that pre-determined future. The heroic story of a noble being must not be a tragedy under any circumstance. At the end of the path followed by the Light, there must be paradise... At that moment, that was all Rhadamantis the Judge desired and offered up to the shining star he saw as the ultimate. 'I want you to find happiness', the cry of his soul screamed. "Don't make me laugh!" In response was the ferocity of the hero. Valzeride awaited the approaching swordsman with composure, a katana in either hand. The destructive light of his star enveloped his sword blades. "I need no salvation whatsoever. I will go to hell of my own free will. I will live and die for someone else. Know that it is only for that reason that my heart beats." Stepping forth from the shattered steel of the floor, the hero swept toward his opponent like a tornado, his weapons glowing with the aurora of judgment. "Come into being, oh starlight engraved upon the heavens, for we are a shining falling star." He drew the divine blade. Oh Rhadamantis, surrender to the fires of heaven! From here on, the results really don't need any words, now do they?

"I have no regrets whatsoever about the fate I chose, bore, and walked to its end." "The reason is that I had only to but bear the burden alone. It was a situation where the madman known as Valzeride was the only one that needed to suffer to the end." "If offering up the Monster of Light as a sacrifice would bring my homeland prosperity, then there need be no hesitation. It truly was a perfect exchange. As I desired, I ran through the infinite hells to their end." "Believing to the end that, beyond the holy war, a shining future where someone would be able to smile awaited..." "My vow to fight using my willpower is unchanged even now. Even though I have fallen and become a Demon Star, I still feel that I must protect the goodness and peace of others." "For that reason, be at peace, Horizon. Oh young man who is worthy of respect and the name of 'hero'" "Ruin will not come to you even in the final battle in two days. As, if it is a matter where I alone must suffer, if the Lightning Emperor of Slaughter need only but suffer to the end..." "... if at the end, I am able to stop someone else's tears, then, as always, there is no need to hesitate." "The garbage known as 'the enemy of evil' is as foolishly invincible as ever." "I know. That is why I wish to show you my answer." "I wish to prove it to my great predecessor." "I find that answer to be bright... no. That's right." "I'll look forward to it."

Lodoss is definitely a classic swords and sorcery fantasy, with a style that resembles D&D settings. It was easily the most popular anime of that year in America, and it showed off the incredibly high quality possible even with a mostly hand-drawn style.

Bastard was another early anime I watched as a kid. Like a lot of anime from that era, there was very little distinction between erotic anime and normal anime, so it had slightly hentai aspects. Tenchi Muyo should not need an intro, as it is one of the most famous science-fantasy series of all time. I will say that the later series are actually better than the initial one (because most of the initial series is love-comedy with violence), but if you like the later series, you can probably enjoy the original. Ushio to Tora is another 'classic' that eventually got a remake. I honestly wasn't that fond of it, but I know a lot of others were.

I'm not willing to put down money for the LN version of a web novel I got sick of half way through... I'll probably grab the english version of Kansha and Fukushuu if they become available though, to support the author. About the only LN versions I've purchased outright are Black Summoner, Death March, Arifureta, Yondome, and Mojitsukai. Mojitsukai and Yondome are the only ones I own in Japanese, whereas I purchased the rest on my kindle.

A few good VNs by Konno Asta Duelist Engage Amairo Islenauts The rest was mediocre though

Isekai Tensei ni Kansha wo This is a warmhearted isekai where an elderly gamer with diabetes and other health problems gets reincarnated while playing a full-dive VR game. In his new youthful body, he sets out to be an adventurer using the skills he purchased at the beginning of the game. In the process, his kind and wise nature draws in a lot of people and eventually results in his first romantic relationships in his life. Overall, this story is easygoing and warm-hearted from beginning to end. A large reason for this is that the setting is one where the constant threat of monsters and the lesson of how monsters destroyed civilization when people got obsessed with fighting each other has pretty much ended nation vs nation warfare. For those with a fondness for fantasy adventure but don't want the political conflicts that are usually endemic to isekai, this is actually a pretty decent choice. The protagonist himself is a gentle and wise man, while having the strength of will to do what is necessary. Fukushuu wa Tenbatsu o Yobi, Majutsushi wa Poyapoya o Tanoshimitai https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8216dt/ This one is a bit of an oddball series. In this case, the protagonist, who just took revenge for his wife and daughter's death at the hands of a rich boy's hit and run, is about to turn himself into the police when a meteor falls on his head. His soul is ripped from his body and forced through the void, gaining power along the way until it accidentally enters the soulless body of a dying young boy named Ricardo. A lot of this story is about the protagonist pursuing various lines of sorcerous research and teaching others with short periods of intense action. The protagonist was a teacher in his previous life, so he has a good deal of general knowledge (better than the average isekai protagonist) as well as the advantage of a growth ability that other people can't access. Throughout the first two-thirds of the story, I wouldn't call him overpowered, though some of the devices he develops are. However, late into the story he basically stops being on a human level and becomes more powerful than the rest of the human race. There is mild romance (slow-burn romance with a younger woman), nepotism (the businesses he starts are mostly dropped in his family's hands), and lots of obsessive research into magic and magic devices. All in all, it is a pretty balanced story, with no single aspect being given too much time. There are a few points where the story slows, but those periods are relatively rare (compared to other isekai that get over 100 chapters). Kurono Senki, Isekai Ten'i shita Boku ga Saikyou nano wa Bed no Ue Dake no you desu This one never got completed, so don't take this as a recommendation for it. Sadly, I can see why the author dropped it toward the end, as it drags on and there is a lot less insight into characters and character motivations as things go on, making it obvious he was just putting one foot in front of the other for large periods of the story. Kurono, the protagonist, is a young man who gets transferred to another world that is full of war and is taken in by a former mercenary turned aristocrat with a military bent. Kurono himself has no real talent for the military, but he has the usual wide and shallow spread of modern knowledge from his high school education. At the beginning of the story, he fights a desperate battle after his superior ran off and left him in charge of the demi-human soldiers (who are considered disposable). He manages to achieve a costly victory and as a result becomes a noble in his own right, where he starts making reforms based on his knowledge of Earth. He also takes a LOT of mistresses along the way, most of them elves and half-elves who were abused earlier in life. His taste for women only gets stronger as the story goes by, and it is probably the reason for the weird title. I will say that the periods where the action intensifies are first-rate, but the periods in between drag on for what feels like forever. There is far too much time spent on other perspectives and his sex life (I won't call it romance, because the only ones he seems to truly love from his heart are Layla the half-elf and the elf twins). Overall, it is an interesting story that never really lives up to its potential because the author kept losing motivation in the middle.