9^th Place: Geobreeders, 1997. (25 points) An action-packed series about the almost-all-girls (and one guy) Kagura Security Corporation, and their drag-out, knock-down fight against the Phantom Cats. Those who've read the manga, or simply like cute girls with guns, may love this. A heavy favorite among some members of the club, though perhaps the reviewing staff is holding out on this one for a reason ...

8^th Place: Ozanari Dungeon, 1991. (25 points, one first-place vote) A surprise entry in the top ten, this fun fantasy series features a dungeon crawl as only anime characters can do it - crazed, frenetic, and silly beyond belief. This anime also features a hilarious homage to Silverhawks. No, really, I mean it.

7^th Place: Macross Plus, 1994. (26 points) A masterfully animated side-story of the Macross universe, involving a love triangle between two hot-headed fighter pilots and a music producer who manages an AI idol singer, whose presence may change the universe forever. If you think all Macross series are cheesy, frivolous nonsense, then this serious sci-fi action drama will make you think again.

6^th Place: Oh My Goddess, 1993. (27 points) This wish-fulfillment series about a college freshmen and the goddesses in his life is an oft-recommended romantic comedy that is charming, sweet, and wonderful. And if you haven't seen this series yet, THEM is going to recommend it again for you! Based on Fujishima Kousuke's manga, this has since been followed up by a comedic series of shorts as well as a movie which may very well find its place in next year's movie awards.

5^th Place: Gunbuster: Aim for the Top!, 1988. (39 votes, two first-place votes) Though this giant robots-meets-girls school title is the origin of the term "Gainax Bounce", that's not precisely the reason it's here. In fact, then-neophyte Studio Gainax delivers a subtle intro to an ultimately powerful sci-fi masterpiece that delivers action and animation as well as likable characters and a well-written storyline.

4^th Place: Mahou Tsukai Tai (Magic User's Club), 1995. (40 points, one first-place vote) A rare look at the magic girl genre from a male point of view (but with appeal for both shoujo and shounen audiences), this series about a high school magic club and its struggle against alien invaders is at once hilarious and at the same time touching, poignant, and exciting. Now available on DVD, so go out and watch it already!

3^rd Place: Tenchi Muyo, 1992. (40 points, two first-place votes) A classic in science-fiction, featuring one seemingly normal Japanese high-schooler, and a LOT of extraterrestrial females, most of which want him in some way or another. This series sparked numerous lookalikes as well as its share of alternate universes, but the original OAV series is the one that THEM members keep coming back to.

2^nd Place: Dragon Half, 1994. (44 points) This fantasy parody features a teenage half-dragon, Mink, and her quest to win the love of a rock star, Dick Saucer, who, unfortunately, is also a dragon-slayer. Oops. If you haven't seen this crazy comedy yet, you're really missing out. And if you have, then aren't you ticked there isn't any more of it?

And now presenting...

1^st Place: El Hazard the Magnificent World, 1995. (45 points) It was a close one. However, El Hazard clearly deserves the win, as it has all the elements needed for a good OAV series: a LOT of memorable characters, a fun plot and storyline (if not necessarily a cerebral one), great animation, and best of all, it's just as good in English as it is in Japanese!

And that's it for our Top 10 List of Anime OAVs!

Back to the Millennial THEM Anime Awards home page!