I heard you like lists: Five anime ideas that I’d think would be cool.

As I’ve said before, the best thing about anime, one of its (many) secret sauces, is the ability to take any idea or concept and make it compelling. Yes there are many clunkers, but when an anime hits it right, it can really hit it right. How many thought a series about working at a burger place would be compelling? The Devil is a Part Timer says yes. An anime about girls fighting with their boobs and butts? Keijo!! says hi. A story about one dude being a bartender? Look no further than Bartender. And the list goes on. But there are some ideas that I think would be really cool that (to my knowledge) haven’t been done yet. After the cut, let’s take a look at five of my own ideas!

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1. An anime about Poker (and just poker)

I loved Kakegurui, and it’s gamble of the week kept things interesting (if you enjoyed that premise), but I think anime could make a really good show just about poker. It lends itself so well to the over-the-top expressions, bullshit powers, and hilarious character archetypes. Hell you could just do Kakeguri again: load the series up with hot girls and have them make the most ridiculous faces of all time. I think it would be a great story, and this is coming from someone who hates sports anime.

2. An anime about the Japanese Government.

Did you ever watch Yes Minister? It was an old British comedy about government workers. It was a great show, and I think anime could do something like that too. I mean who wouldn’t want to at least check out a show called “Our Prime Minister can’t possibly be this cute?!” It doesn’t even need to be a comedy. You could do something ala The West Wing. I’d love to see something about the day to day minutia about the Japanese’s government

3. A romance Story, but after the confession or marriage.

Most romance anime or manga end when the couple either become a couple, or they get married. Few stories really take things being once ‘the mission’ has been accomplished. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a show about what happens after that? Once all the joy, short term euphoria, and ‘the hunt’ is over? How would the couple actually function? Would feelings change? Would dreams or goals pull them in different directions? Or would they just get bored? Make it a comedy, or a drama. I think it would warrant an interesting watch!

4. A anime about High School (and just High School)

There is a reason that high school is used so often as a setting. It just checks so many boxes. But is there an anime just about high school? The journey through the grades, the ups and downs of puberty, the thoughts about the future, or perhaps the neglect? I think that would be a cool idea, watching several students just grow up through those high school years. No super natural elements, no central love story, just a walk through life.

5. A horror anthology

I loved Higurashi’s first season, and one of the reasons was because it decided to take an almost episodic approach to its horror. Things constantly changed despite being in the same setting, which meant things were always fresh. You never knew what you were going to get. I think a general horror show would be great for anime. Set it in a town, have rotating cast of characters, load up on the gore and blood, and just go wild. If it has good animation, I think it would be a real hit.

Those are my ideas. I’d love to see what my fellow anime bloggers would think of. Consider this a little sharing spree! Crow, Irina, Lynn, Scott, Yomu , Jon Spencer, iniksbane and infinitezenith. What shows or ideas would you like to see anime tackle?