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nejisiili, espy_no_matsuri, those threads from a few days ago got me to thinking about how to do successful recommendations. Here's an experiment! Tell me if it works.Normal
What is it? A made-for-TV movie about a proper Southern Christian family in the US. Family idyll is broken when the husband comes out as a woman.
You might like it if you are symphatetic to and interested in (trans)gender politics and issues yet hated TransAmerica, if you like exploring family dynamics and noticeable character growth, if you are interested in religious culture... in the scientific sense.
Saving Face
What is it? A queer movie about a Chinese-American family (mother and daughter). Social boundaries and acceptance.
You might like it if you are interested in exploring family dynamics, if you like language(s) (English or Chinese or just in general - how the characters in this movie use or fail to use those languages tells so much that is otherwise left unsaid).
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
What is it? Pseudo-Victorian alternate history/fantasy novel written by Susanna Clarke.
You might like it if you enjoy period dramas, historical fiction, racial tension, good, solid writing, lemon with your tea, dry wit, eccentric things.
The Algebraist
What is it? Standalone science fiction novel by Iain M. Banks. At the risk of repeating myself: not tied to the Culture novels in any significant way.
You might like it if you're tired of your beloved genre being invaded by fantasy posing as science fiction, prefer plot over characterization, you approach literature as a challenge of wits and making pieces fit together makes you feel content.
Shiki
What is it? Horror/suspense/drama manga (and anime) based on Fuyumi Ono's horror novel.
Where to find it? SnoopyCool has been translating it, some of the latest chapters can be found on the LJ community.
You might like it if you have seen and enjoyed Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (the suspense parts, as well as the small town atmosphere), dislike stories where it's easy to point out the good and the bad guys, or are just looking for something that's not clear-cut good and evil. The first five episodes (~three volumes) are damn effective as horror, too.
Warning: The artwork is a bit... different and might take time to get used to. I initially couldn't finish the first volume because it was so odd.
Tenpou Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi
What is it? Historical drama/fantasy anime. Monster-of-the-week, but not badly done at all.
You might like it if you are interested in early modern Japanese history, prefer adult main characters, like period awareness in your period drama as well as uncomplicated, honest and serious storytelling.
Hotel
What is it? Post-apocalyptic one-shot manga.
Where to find it? Mangatraders, at least.
You might like it if you are looking for catharsis, like stories about AI entities and humanity dying out, if you liked the recent sci-fi movie Sunshine (before it jumped the shark and went the cheap horror route).
Giant Killing
What is it? A drama/sports manga/anime.
You might like it if you either like or don't mind sports fiction, if you like strong, believable character portrayals, if you've, despite yourself, outgrown shounen but still keep yearning for that special something only shounen could bring.
Vinland Saga
What is it? Vikings as portrayed in a comic book: the historically accurate version.
You might not like it if historically accurate vikings don't make you jump around in childish glee. Otherwise, why aren't you reading this already?
Fafner in the Azure: Right of Left
What is it? An hour-long standalone prequel OVA to the anime series Fafner in the Azure.
Where to find it? Good question! The internet?
You might like it if you like mecha that avoids mecha cliches, child pilot plots done with consideration to what would actually happen if children were pilots. Perhaps more relevant to the anime series, but I like Fafner for pretty much the same reasons that I like Final Fantasy X. Melancholia. Tragedy. And finally, unyielding optimism.
Nabari no Ou
What is it? A fantasy/action(but not really)/drama manga.
Where to find it? Licensed by Viz, the livejournal community (
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nabari_no_ou) has most of the scanlations under tags. They're members only, though.You might like it if you prefer manga and comics telling a story through pictures instead of words, if you like/don't mind whimsical storytelling, if you like art that goes into character quirks and.... I'm gonna say water colours.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
What is it? Horror/drama manga/anime/visual novel, not harem despite how it might appear in the first episode. Can't say which one I'd recommend - the anime is best for most of the first season, but not really for the second.
Where to find it? The VN has been licensed in America, but I've come to understand that the translation quality is a bit... wonky. Anime and manga are easily available through the internet.
You might like it if you like friendships forged in fire! Oh, and gore.
......I could say much more, but when it comes down to it, those are the two main components of Higurashi. Those are the two things you need to like.
Umineko no Naku Koro ni
What is it? A mystery/fantasy(/horror) manga/visual novel (existence of the anime will heretofore be ignored). A large, rich family gathers on a private-owned island to discuss the family head's inheritance, only to end up surrounded by a raging typhoon. But are they truly alone on the island...?
Where to find it? The first novel is available for download on the author's website (link can be found on the translators' site), translations for all the episodes so far can be found here. The rest of the novels, again, from around the internet.
You might like it if you've ever felt that awesome female characters get overshadowed by male characters, or that female characters tend to get developed much less and less interestingly than their male counterparts; if you like
a) mysteries
b) speculative fiction
c) family drama and exploration of family dynamics
d) romance as a subgenre
e) occultism
f) strong, independent, unique and human female characters, all with their own agency
g) narratives that utilize said strong female characters
h) ...more often and effectively than the male characters, even
i) stories that pass the Bechdel test more often than the REVERSE Bechdel test - even when the main character is male
j) climactic scenes that go hand in hand with this kind of music
k) quality trolling
Vagrant Story
What is it? Fantasy/pseudo-historical adventure/dungeon crawler RPG for PlayStation. Part of Ivalice Alliance (together with Final Fantasy titles XII and all the Tactics installments).
Where to find it? PS1 titles are pretty easy to emulate (I myself use PSXeven), and there are still physical copies available around.
You might like it if you like Umberto Eco, Shakespeare, classic Greek drama, old history books, sepia colours, Sakimoto Hitoshi, intelligent one-shots.
Final Fantasy II
What is it? Do Final Fantasy titles really need introductions?
You might like it if you like Suikoden, midified medieval folk music/early Nobuo Uematsu, feeling superior to game designers because damn, some of those gameplay decisions were bloody stupid (but thankfully not frustrating).
Silent Hill 2 and 3
What are they? Survival horror video games for PlayStation 2. Elite of the elite.
You might like them if you are a masochist. If you prefer your psychological horror with a strong narrative, if you enjoy sophisticated symbolism and asthetics that lean to the rusty side of things.
Etrian Odyssey
What is it? ...First-person dungeon crawler for Nintendo DS? I guess. Has no story, but is very, very addictive.
You might like it if you tend to explore all areas in games less they come back to haunt you. 100% map completion: the game.
Persona 2 Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment
What is it? Duology of urban fantasy RPGs for PlayStation, with a PSP port on the way. Basic premise: RUMORS BECOME REALITY.
Where to find it? Second part has been released in America but not in Europe. First part hasn't been released anywhere outside of Japan. PS emulation is your friend again; the ROM(s for both of them) is pretty easy to find, and there's a pretty amazing translation patch for the first installment.
You might like it if you aren't immediately turned off by the combination of Carl Jung and H.P. Lovecraft; if dramatic irony turns you on; if you can stand the PURE AWESOME of these games (yes, this is a bad way of reccing things, I know).
Warning: You might fall in love with Amano Maya. But that's pretty natural, I think. :(
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Hope you got something out of this.
Vagrant Story replay this Christmas? :Dno subject
I was actually going to suggest that. And eating a pie while we're at it. :')no subject
yes fragrant story plz!
....making it a continue of my save, yes/no?
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I think I ought to warn you that Banks has a habit of adding (fairly brief) sex scenes to his works that he might feel are necessary but to me always feel gratuitous. But I still very much recommend them.