CATDOLL: College students vote for "anime with deep plots" and Fate is definitely one of them

When it comes to animations with "content", many anime fans will first think of the benchmark "Fate" series. What else are there besides this? Recently, a survey on Japanese college students revealed the answer for us.

Many late-night animations have many cute or handsome characters for the audience to appreciate. In addition, the depth of the plot is also an important reason to attract different types of audiences to watch. Different people have different preferences. Some viewers like the cuteness of daily life, some like to open up and collect harems to save the world, and some like to read deeper connotations from the animation.

Generally speaking, this type of animation with deep plots and connotations is mostly adapted from comics, and there are also some original stories. According to a survey of Japanese college students, they prefer the following animation works:

1. The City Where Only I Am Missing

The protagonist of the story, Fujinuma Satoru, has the ability to "go back in time", but this singularity makes him deeply dissatisfied with his life. Finally one day, Fujinuma Satoru used his ability to witness the murder of his elementary school classmate Hinazuki Kayo, and after many obstacles, he finally brought the murderer to justice.

The reason why this work is highly praised by some college students is that the protagonist's age is similar to theirs. At the same time, the social issues involved in the play also make college students feel a strong sense of reality and are extremely ironic.

"I felt the social nature of this work." (21-year-old male senior in college)

"There are a lot of details and a strong sense of story." (From an 18-year-old junior college male)

"The story was very interesting, so I continued to follow it." (19-year-old female junior college student)

"The mystery-like plot and the sense of fear make my heart beat fast." (19-year-old female college sophomore)

2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

At first glance, it seems to be a story about cute girls who transform themselves to eradicate evil, but little do they know that the "evil" itself is themselves. Although this work, which brings together Akiyuki Shinbo and Gen Urobuchi, was first released on the screen in 2011, it still arouses public opinion in the animation industry today. Various analytical articles on "Madoka Magica" have continued to increase, forming a new school of thought - "Madoka Studies".

For the college students interviewed, finding "humanity" in this ordinary yet not simple work is the biggest motivation for watching this work. After experiencing this baptism, the audience in front of the screen can't help but ask themselves.

“Every time I revisit it, I discover something new.” (20-year-old female college junior)

“The characters are all lovable, but the plot is very cruel.” (18-year-old female freshman)

"The more I watch, the deeper it feels. The various subtle settings are really amazing." (21-year-old female junior college student)

"The foreshadowing is very well recycled." (from a 19-year-old female sophomore)

3. Steins;Gate

The animation "Steins;Gate", adapted from the game of the same name, presents to the audience a series of problems caused by changes in the world line. The complex worldview is deeply loved by college students, who are happy to sort out the plot while watching the animation.

"The worldview is so complex, it's amazing." (22-year-old female sophomore)

"It was really interesting and touching." (19-year-old female college sophomore)

"I like SF-themed works, and this animation has great foreshadowing and the plot is very interesting." (22-year-old graduate student)

"The animation was made with great care and I was completely attracted to it." (22-year-old female senior in college)

4. Fate series

When it comes to works with grand settings and connotations, "Fate" cannot be missed. This series not only integrates many famous figures in history, bringing them together on the same battlefield to ignite the Holy Grail War, but also interprets some concepts related to human nature. With a strong historical setting and full-bodied characters, how can such a work not be loved by college students?

"The battle scenes are cool and the setting is very solid." (20-year-old male, second year of college)

"The work connects stories from different eras, which is very interesting." (22-year-old female senior in college)

"The plot is very thought-provoking." (21-year-old female senior in college)

"The characters are rich and varied, and each one is very appealing." (19-year-old female junior college student)

5. Fullmetal Alchemist

As a group drama, it is rare that "Fullmetal Alchemist" can perfectly balance the uniqueness of each character. In addition, the heavy world view setting and wonderful battle scenes are also important reasons for attracting college students.

"The setting and worldview are very complicated." (from an 18-year-old male freshman)

"It's a shonen manga, but the setting is quite heavy." (from a 23-year-old female senior in college)

"The battle scenes are well designed and give you a lot to think about." (19-year-old female junior college student)

"Each character has a different way of thinking, and the balance is very good for an ensemble drama." (24-year-old graduate student)

In addition to the above examples, the college students interviewed also listed more animation works with profound settings, each of which seems to have a rigorous plot and thought-provoking connotations.

"Codename D Agency": "I was attracted by its cold feeling. Although it was very brain-burning and tiring to watch for a long time, it was also very satisfying. (From a 21-year-old female third-year college student)

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure": The story is very profound and the style of painting is also very unique. (From an 18-year-old male freshman in college)

"Farrana of the Blue Sky": There are too many foreshadowings, and they are slowly recovered in the second half. This feeling is really great. (From a 19-year-old male in his second year of college)

"EVA": It perfectly shows the inner side of human nature. (From a 23-year-old female senior in college)

Tokyo Ghoul: There are many foreshadowings and the story is rich. (From a 19-year-old junior college girl)

"Penguin Jar": Each character has an unknown past and mission. (From a 21-year-old female senior in college)