by Chaos Angel » Thu Aug 22, 2002 5:49 pm
Akira - Definitely R. It has some very graphically violent scenes. One scene of brief nudity, but I doubt that counts for much.
Berserk - I haven't truthfully seen it myself, but I have heard that it is quite bloody.
Fushigi Yuugi - Haven't seen it at all, but I highly recommend the manga. Just throwing that out there... (If any bookstore carries graphic novels in your area, they may have it.)
Ghost in the Shell - Saw this a long time ago. It has some nudity and violent content. Probably R.
Serial Experiments Lain - Lain is one of my favorite series. It has some violent content (a suicide in the very first scene of ep 1, another suicide in ep 2, although not too graphic) and some drug use. Probably somewhere between PG-13 and a mild R. Lain will give headaches (^_^), but in terms of ratings, it should be ok.
Outlaw Star - Only actually seen it on CN, but from what I hear, the uncut version (which I have preordered the box set for, so if you decide on OS, I'd hurry) has some violent content, although not too graphic, some implied and some actual nudity; however, the edits primarily focused on Gene's lecherous nature and alcohol imbibing. Again, this is from what I have heard in my own research. Personally, I'd say it sounds like a PG-13, but use your best judgement.
Hellsing - Probably R for some graphic violence. It's a gothic horror vampire-based series, R is practically a necessity for that genre.
Of what you've listed, I highly recommend Lain. It's surreal and mind-twisting, very deeply psychological in nature, and uses a lot of visual imagry and aural subtlety. It moves slowly, but it grips you from the beginning and makes you want to finish it. I loved it from the start, but that's me. We may be completely different people, so take my opinions with a grain of salt.
Good luck!