Show By Rock!!

Author: David Weigel

There is no greater hive of scum and villainy than the recording industry, which makes the wonderful scifi/horror/fantasy series Show by Rock all the more impressive. Coming from the good people at Sanrio (who brought you Hello Kitty, among others) it's a delightful story of a young girl called Cyan, who is absorbed by her phone while playing a rhythm game. No, not just not paying attention, but actually sucked into a new world called Midi City. She finds herself as a Gothic Lolita cat girl, and then the dark monsters start. By second season, we're faced with an attack from the Queen of Darkness and Cyan must save the universe. One of the finest pop music animes ever, and based off an excellent rhythm game, Show BY Rock! is a ton of fun, and fits in with classic rock-themed science fiction from the likes of Mick Farrin. The visuals are incredibly well-created, especially in regards to character design and sound, both of which are critical in establishing mood. The fact that Sanrio excels at providing just that should be absolutely no surprise. Why it's on the list: An incredibly fun series and one that will likely have long-lasting impact.