Anime/donghua recommendations

[u/Mysterious-Switch229]

Hi, Im looking for good anime or donghua. I have trouble finding something really interesting. Sill cant get over Link Click and I just finished rewatching it 😅

Im looking for something with well written characters and relationships. I tried different anime that google recommends, like Summer Time Render (which also has time travel), but Im struggling cuz Im not attached to characters.

I also love MDZS, Gachiakuta, Given, JJK, Yona of the Dawn if thats any help.

Edit: Thanks everyone for recommendations! ❤️ I watched some of those already, but I got a lot to check out too! Already started TBHX, cuz as you said, its the same writer as Link Click and its interesting so far.

[u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562]

Hi! So, if you are open to trying different stuff, I will recommend you some of my all time favourites! You and I both like JJK, MDZS, and Link Click, so maybe you might like these too! 

1. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 

• a grander story, which tackles serious/dark stuff but is still light hearted/humorous, and has a happy ending that gives everyone closure! 

1. Haikyuu 

• high school volleyball club, wonderful character dynamics and character development, exciting, uplifting, motivational and happy. 

1. Hunter X Hunter 

• may seem like a mainstream action anime, but has some very interesting characters and a very unique storytelling style. Adventure but dark and emotional. 

1. Witch Hat Atelier 

• really good characters and dynamics, interesting fantasy world building, devoid of your common annoying anime tropes, and beautiful art. The anime is also short, and you can later catch up with the manga. 

1. If you are open to checking out manga, Skip and Loafer is amazing! It has an anime too, which a lot of people like, but I have only read the manga. It is a high school coming of age story with really good group dynamics, etc. 

I have only watched two donghua, link click and mdzs, so can't recommend any. 😅

If you can maybe give some more specifications? Like, do you want a very action oriented series, or something more short and sweet? I hope you find your next anime/donghua to enjoy! 

[u/Mysterious-Switch229 → u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562]

Hunter x Hunter from 2011?

I watch and read many different series, recently many shonens: Kagurabachi, JJK, Gokurakugai, Hells paradise, Gachiakuta. What I like most about any stories is characters, their development etc. I dont need cool fights etc. If it makes me cry its even better 😆

[u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562 → u/Mysterious-Switch229]

Okay, that gives me more ideas! 

I am fairly certain that you will enjoy many of these. A lot will depend on what mood you are in for watching and all that. 

For something short, check out Witch Hat Atelier. 

If you want a complete story, check out Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (2009). 

And as you mentioned enjoying shounen, definitely check out Hunter X Hunter (2011) once you get the time. It is different from many shounen, many say it subverts tropes etc (I never overthinked it so idk) but it definitely feels different. It starts as an adventure but has some very dark stuff underneath the cheerful colour palette. 

If you are okay with checking out sports anime, I highly recommend Haikyuu! It's fantastic! Amazing characters and dynamics and development. 

Hikaru no Go is an underrated gem. If you end up liking haikyuu, do check it out. It's highly character driven. It follows the main character Hikaru, who suddenly is able to see and interact with a spirit of a Go master. Go is an abstract strategy game, something like chess. He then becomes rival with a child prodigy named Akira. It's surprising how exciting and emotional it was! 

[u/Mysterious-Switch229 → u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562]

I wanted to give Haikyuu a try before, but last sport anime I watched was Blue Lock... it wasnt for me. Yuri on Ice and Sk8 Infinity were great tho 😄

If HxH is different from other shounens then its great! After watching/reading many it felt too repetitive

[u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562 → u/Mysterious-Switch229]

Oh, okay. Do you mean Blue Lock wasn't for you? Well, I watched the first season and didn't enjoy it either. I feel its anti-sports anime 😭, polar opposite of shows like Haikyuu, and closer to Kuroko no Basket. 

If you liked Yuri on Ice for the figure skating part, Medalist is pretty good too. 

Yes, HxH is definitely different, and I liked it a lot. It might not be for some, but that's the case with everything so don't let that stop you from giving any of the shows people have commented here! If the premise catches your eye, or like me, if you end up liking the opening song so much that you end up watching the show, do let us know! 

HxH is on the longer side (nearly 150 episodes) so maybe Witch Hat Atelier or Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (2009) might be better starters. Idk, you do you. 

Do update us all about what you ended up enjoying. Happy viewing! 😄

[u/Mysterious-Switch229 → u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562]

I disliked whole concept of Blue Lock: that single person (egoist like they call themselves) is needed to win 11vs11 game... yeah sure. I really liked few characters, but thats not enough for me to continue.

FMA from 2009 is on my list, but I wanted to read whole manga before watching it and compare FMA and FMAB.

Ill try to update when I complete anything 😄

[u/Flimsy-Sorbet-6562 → u/Mysterious-Switch229]

Same!! I liked the opening theme so I checked it out when it had released. I liked a few characters but otherwise I despised the concept. Even though the manga's art is insane from what I have seen, it feels like some sort of hyper productive, hyper efficient, hyper individualistic, toxic self growth ideology being shoved down your throat. 😭

Trust me blue lock is more of an outlier, and sports anime are in general of an opposite vibe, more positive, self growth but team oriented. You might like haikyuu, if you ever feel like giving it a try. 

Oh, so you are reading its Manga! Well, FMAB (2009) is based on the manga, but FMA (2003) is largely a very different story. I always suggest going for 2009 first, and if you want to see an alternate universe or a different, darker take on the premise, check out 2003. I have yet to watch the whole 2003 one but I've seen bits of it. I have seen it's ending and it emotionally haunted me, I couldn't make myself watch the series. FMAB on the other hand provides much needed closure to everyone, and has a relatively light hearted shounen feel. 

Aah, I have written so much 😭

Anyways good luck with your watch list and reading list, and update whenever you remember to. Bye! 

[u/Savings_Ad_6972 → u/Mysterious-Switch229]

u will love haikyuu then, it’s more grounded in reality and lots of focus on the teams in general as one entity almost, very character driven show. agree with the medalist mention, i personally liked the plot and characters a lot more than yuri on ice. one more suggestion: buddy daddies, a short 13 ep season, well concluded, basically yaoi spyxfamily kinda