With Netflix adding more and more big name anime to its roster, the tired excuse of not wanting to spend money on what is considered a gamble among your average nerds is no more.

With all the options available however, the choice becomes tough. What should you pick? I’ll clear up two series for this week and let you know what may appeal to you.

For the gore-lovers:

Basilisk is  a dark, bloody tale of Feudal warring, greed, and really insane ninja action. When an ancient shogunate grudge spills over into political matters of succession, the powers that be cancel an order of cease fire to play two rival clans against each other for prestige. Unfortunately for Gennosuke and Oboro, the two respective heirs of the Kouga and Iga ninja clans once betrothed to bring further peace, must now fight at odds with each other.

Let’s just say right off the bat if you didn’t know already, just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s for kids. Basilisk is exceedingly violent, and downright shocking in some parts. While you won’t find many super strong sex situations, not only is this one very bloody, but some of the manners and events leading up to certain deaths can leave a pretty strong impression on you.

After all that, Basilisk is highly stylized and entertaining, and the story chugs nicely along without too much slowdown. It never fails to get the heart pumping, and can keep you on the edge of your seats like any good thriller. If you like blood, and fast-paced combat, you’ll like this title.

For the deep thinkers:

Gunslinger Girl takes place in an Italy from a not too distant future. While it may seem at first glance to be a completely brainless action  show, firefights take the backseat in this deep, moving title. You see, these girls are trained assassins for an Agency sponsored by the Italian Government. Employing “conditioning”, cybernetic enhancements, and then paired with Handlers responsible for their care, these girl become the perfect killing machines. However, there is a cost to the conditioning and implants… The girls lifespans are cut dramatically short by the procedures. Take into account the fact that these are still little girls at heart, and couple that with the father-like bond the Handlers develop for them, and you find the meat of the plot in Gunslinger Girl.

It’s moving, and the score accompanies this show nicely. If you want a thinker, try out this one.

So now you have two great starting points from two basic kinds of viewing pleasures. Of course, this is only scratching the surface of what’s available on Netflix, but I will refer more in the coming weeks.

Did you watch them? What did you think? Tell us about it in the comments below!