Good anime vs. bad anime; what qualities define a good anime in your opinion?

To me, a good anime has a plot that makes the viewer think and learn (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments: lain, Kino's Journey, Earth Maiden Arjuna, etc.),has well-developed characters, great animation, and isn't over 50 episodes long; when a story has too many filler episodes/seasons and/or storylines, it can get ruined. The story should also not copy other anime shows too much (for example, RahXephon copies Evangelion in a lot of ways).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangeli...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Experiments_La...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kino_no_Tabi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Maiden_Arjuna

I think a truly good anime is one that appeals to everyone. These are rare if they exist at all. Just generally good anime is different for everyone. It depends on what they're looking for. It's like asking what good music is. :]

Although it's often debated whether or not these qualify as anime (as they are not serialized), Miyazaki's films are extremely well done and reach a wide audience. I think they're pretty solid examples of "good" anime.

For me, personally, a good anime should have a fluid storyline and half-decent characters that go through some form of character development. I don't mind length as long as the plot remains interesting.

Here are some recommendations. I tried to list more original anime (but those are rare). If they're unoriginal, I listed them more for their amazing plot/characters.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Yes, it's a school anime. Yes the girls are magic. However, the protagonist is interesting, and it provides an interesting twist on the traditional magical school girl anime.

Axis Powers Hetalia - It's about countries (represented by people) during WWI and WWII. There are also side stories about the Renaissance, the American Revolution, and stereotypes about each country. It's extremely entertaining and will make you much more politically aware of things. Also, the fanbase is amazing.

Spice and Wolf - I haven't really seen enough of it to give you a good summary, but basically a man takes a wolf spirit (in the form of a girl) under his wing, and the church doesn't like the wolf spirit. Drama ensues.

K-ON! - Even if you don't like the anime, the soundtrack is amazing. The anime is about schoolgirls. Sorry. But it's cute and brief. Great songs. Amazing animation (you'll really appreciate it if you play guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard).

Soul Eater - Slightly unoriginal. But the characters are interesting. The plot plays out kind of like a videogame. And talk about amazing fight scene animation!

Fullmetal Alchemist - Best plot ever. Decent animation, but nothing to gape over. Semi-interesting characters. But again, amazing plot.

Air - Very bittersweet. Cute animation. But nothing to die over.

Air Gear - Interesting concept. Pretty brief series. Characters are decent. It's mostly the fact that it's a skating manga, and yet, it's not really a sports manga, that interests me.

Zombie Loan - Very interesting. Animation is decent, again. But the themes and plot are very good. Very original.

Rozen Maiden - Same studio that did Zombie Loan. It's a story about fighting dolls. I would actually recommend the manga for this one. I just like it better.

Death Note - I was hesitant to put this here, because everyone has seen it. But Death Note definitely has the most complex and engaging plot in anime history. Definitely worth watching (and reading).

Higurashi - A horror anime that actually is worth watching? Blasphemous! But honestly, Higurashi is a must for horror fans.

What I call good anime:

Good animation quality with characters that have good body proportions. Even old anime are more awesome since they're worked on much more longer and harder than nowadays. Examples, Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin, and DBZ. The newer type anime series are worked on computers, such as Bleach, Naruto, Clannad, 07 Ghost, and Code Geass.

In action series, the animation needs to be well balanced and focused. If not, it's basically just flying pixels. Such as samurai based anime with sword fights, like Bleach, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Champloo, and Kara No Kyoukai. These series are great in action in animation. It's one of the best things to watch since you're basically mesmerized.

Character development is always a must. How a character changes and evolves emotionally and mentally from episode 1 to the end. Such as Naruto being a Hokage, who learns the hardships of missions as he strives for a goal, or how Ichigo fights for his friends. Luffy from One Piece has grown as well. He matures from episode 1 to the current, being a captain, and being influenced by the set of events as he travels with his crew.

Plot and storyline consistency. This is what I call the most crucial part of the entire anime series. Not many series have it, but it's hard to find the best ones out there. Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, Rurouni Kenshin, and etc have the best plots ever made with the characters being set in motion being a part of the plots that opens into the series.

Me three. Most of the time i like short animes where it doesn't drag on and on. Like 26 episode animes are kind of my limit. If it is any longer than that most likely it will be to long for me to follow. Now Gundam Wing and Bleach and Naruto Shippuden are differant. I tune into Bleach and Shippuden every once in a while to see whats going on. Gundam and Fullmetal Alchemist are different also. I have the entire series of both of those. They are both 54 episodes + a movie. And i would rate them both 5 stars. If you want some anime show or manga suggestions feel free to contact me. ^_^ I can also stand any anime as long as it has a good story line. If it's just about a plain school and it drags on bast 12 episodes i won't watch it past probably 12. BUT that's just me

The anime has to be nicely animated, with a good, thought-out plotline and an ending that (a) wasn't obvious and (b) summed up everything the plotline was and could be in one immense climax. Soundtrack should also be decent and well-suited to the subject matter and characters should be interesting and relatable. 26 episodes is ideal most of the time, but for plotlines with various complex arcs (rather than one) 50 is acceptable. I watched Naruto and Bleach for a time - and both plotlines intrigued me. However, I prefer finished anime, so I don't have to wait for future episodes, and I resented the fact that battles were so drawn out, wasting precious plot-development time. I LOVE plot and character development. I swear down if Naruto lost half of the flashbacks the series would be just as developed, but shorter.

I've always adored anime relating to gods, angels, demons, the church, world politics etc but with edges. Vampire-related (and demon-related) anime needs to have an original take - eg. "Trinity Blood" features the Vatican as a major military power against the vampires and "Chrno Crusade" has Rosette, a nun with a gun (she works for the Order of Magdalene), battling against demons with special bullets while searching for her long lost little brother. This one has apostles and reincarnation(kindaaaa) things and a demon who's trying to overthrow Heaven and Earth. He's awesome.

While character focus is good, I only fall in love with anime that has plenty of character focus mixed in with a plot that is constantly moving forwards. Gives me things to think about.

im not a really commited person, i cant go on watchin anime/dramas that go more than 40~50 episodes... so i'd prefer the anime to be around 20~30 episodes (quite short right?) another important matter is the OST.. u cant have good anime with crappy OST ;D the colour and the audio is also very important to me, i dont like the anime to look so low quality. if the voice actor is great, then the anime is great XD it would certainly break your heart if the character you like has a voice like a gorilla fufufuu

a million. Whats the worst anime ever? <> Naruto Bonus #a million. Why is it the worst anime? <> decrease out character, repetitive plot and filler arcs #2. Whats the worst anime character? <> i comprehend who multiple persons are gonna say Makoto from college Days, yet I hate Mello from dying word Bonus #2. Why? <> the way he looked, dressed, talked, acted, each little thing approximately him. #3. Worst anime ending? <> Rosario + Vampire and all harlem ecchi animes while..... (see next question) or Chrome Shelled Regios Bonus #3. Why? <> the main character did not chosen everybody of the females on the top. They develop all this suspense greatest as much as the final episode and not something happens Chrome Shelled Regios geared up up all this suspense related to the intercity adventure and multiple different issues and procrastinated the final 4 or 5 episodes then threw multiple information at you that made absolutly no experience and replaced into thoroughly unexpained. The final episode ought to have been approximately 3. specific (non-obligatory)---> To you what defines a terrible anime? <> The plot is prepare badly EDIT: sigh............ I constantly end minus for opinionated questions.....

A good anime is like Naruto. It has humans not werid looking demon and half demon monsters as the main charaters, Good animation is a huge factor as well, Kiddy looking anime, only gives the show funny look and I would not take it serious, no one could die , I'd just laugh until I had my fill then change the channel. Just like tossing a dirty rag.That is a bad anime.

anything that's not to long, has a good plot (doesn't have to be complex), and has a twist thrown in somewhere (ex: everybody dies, the bad guy wins, main character gets killed off, etc.)

i agree i don`t like that some animes take to long to get to the good part but some that are long are good that way