KiraRin

Where to start.... I guess I was a late bloomer coming into the anime scene (living in the UK all my life has meant it used to be difficult to get hold of).

My first forray into otakudom was seeing Akira on VHS when I was about 14-15. After that I was hooked. I saw a few more strange releases (Angel Egg, and rewatched the Mysterious Cities of Gold), but never was my life so much changed as when I met my better half.

After being together for 6 weeks, it was his birthday. Knowing he liked anime, I thought I'd buy him something on DVD. Urotsukidoji had only just been released and a friend recommended it. "Tis anime" thinks I, "how bad can it be for an 18?". I think we all know where this is going >.>;

So, less than 2 months into the relationship, my boyfriend thinks I'm a weirdo who loves demons and tentacle rape. Its all smoothed over now, and we still laugh about it now (or maybe he just laughs at me...)

Years later, after seeing many series dubbed on the Sci-Fi channel, falling in love with Saiko-Exciting, CNX and Toonami, I have reached otakudom. I'm also a huge fan of Asian horror movies and watch as much as I can when I'm not flinging planes around the sky ^^

Anime series that deserve a special mention for not quite making my top 5:

Potemayo - I was extremely sceptical about this series when I first saw the animation style, and the cutesy characters. Then my friend explained to me that the cute fluffy things came with teeth. I was laughing from start to finish at the dry humour, and recommend this to anyone!

Narutaru - No, not Naruto. This is one of the biggest head-fuck series I've ever seen. A lot of people really don't enjoy it, but I liked the fact it was a more realistic version of Pokemon. If kids were given such a destructive power, would they really use it to have friendly battles with each other? This explores the psychological aspects of some very disturbed kids and should probably come with a health warning...

Cowboy Bebop - This is a must see for all anime fans. It is probably what got me so interested in anime in the first place. The music is superb, the characters are brilliant fun, the episodic nature keeps you hooked and I think everyone should see it at least once in their life.

Vexille - An absolutely breathtaking movie for a number of reasons. First, the animation and cg will have you believing the realism of the characters. Secondly, the story has me engrossed the entire way through, and played a wonderful sci-fi twist that was unexpected. And thirdly, the OST is absolutely amazing. Mixed by Paul Oakenfold, and featuring the Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and many more, it is not to be missed.

Azumanga Daioh - From the moment I heard the intensely annoying and catchy OP, I knew I would like this series. There are so many jokes that are very wrong, but you can't help but laugh. I could relate to so many of the characters, and see my school friends acting the same way. A big must for fans of comedy.