A common question among anime fans is what titles would be good for introducing someone to anime. It’s actually something I haven’t given much thought to since all my friends are into anime themselves or at least familiar with it. So, for the person who doesn’t have a clue about anime but is willing to watch, what would be good titles to show them?…
Here in America, whenever I’m brought into a conversation where I’m asked about my hobbies with people who I’m 99% sure aren’t into anime, I tend to say “I like anime…do you know what that is? Japanese animation?” Usually the person vaguely nods or gives a casual “Oh, yeah…” while I think to myself “Even though they say that, I’ll bet they have a very distorted idea of what anime is.” Unless they indicate otherwise, these people probably have any number of misconceptions about anime – they could think it’s just Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh!/Bakuman kids stuff, it’s just pornographic/really violent cartoons for creepy nerds, or, if I’m lucky, they might have a slightly more positive idea about it from the shows that used to air on Toonami, Adult Swim, or even the Ghibli movies that have been brought to US theaters.
From the people who admit they have no clue about anime to the people in my above example who think they know what it is but really don’t, what would be good titles to show them that would enlighten them about anime? (in a positive way of course XD)
Since anime covers such a wide variety of genres and styles, I think it’s only necessary to point out what not to show new viewers as opposed to what to show them. Probably the most important thing to avoid is anime that has a lot of otaku references and revolves around appreciating otaku character tropes, since obviously a person new to anime is not going to understand any of it. So shows like Lucky Star, Angel Beats!, OreImo, and The World God Only Knows would be out. I’d even question something like Steins;Gate and Bakuman, since both aren’t explicitly focused on the otaku world but might have enough of it to deter someone completely unfamiliar with it.
Going along with that, anime that relies on an understanding of Japanese cultural or historical references might not be good either. Something like Ouran that relies on understanding the host club concept in Japan, Durarara!!’s emphasis on Ikebukuro’s culture, and Eden of the East and its focus on Japan’s NEET-dom, are examples. But in this case, it might not matter if the person is open minded enough. It just depends. For anime that’s very immersed in Japanese history/culture, such as Inuyasha, Rurouni Kenshin, and Katanagatari that are set in ancient Japan, their foreignness will either entice or deter the average American depending on that person’s taste.
Saying whether the anime-specific slice-of-life genre would be good for a newbie is hard. For the comedic titles, I’d say the ones with humor that’s at least somewhat universal would be fine, Azumanga Daioh and Chi’s Sweet Home for example. Likewise, for the dramatic/romantic ones such as Toradora! and Fruits Basket, as long as the source of drama and romance is universal, which it usually is, there shouldn’t be a problem. But for the slice-of-life series that are very slow-paced and character-driven, such as Aria, True Tears, Ikoku Meiro, and even K-ON, the average American who’s used to their entertainment being either funny, action-packed, or dramatic probably won’t go for these.
One last thing I would avoid in anime used as introductory series is very radical, avant-garde art styles or methods of storytelling (unless you know the viewer is into that stuff). Ikuhara’s titles such as Utena and Mawaru Penguindrum would certainly fall into this category, and perhaps other symbol-heavy series like Bakemonogatari. And obviously, you’d want to avoid niche genres that are even niche among anime fans, such as yaoi, yuri, and hentai, again unless you know the person likes that kind of thing.
I’ve heard fans say that original anime movies are good ways to introduce people to anime. They take up less time than watching a whole series and, like I discussed in a previous post about original anime films, they tend to be more universally appealing than the average anime TV show. I definitely think they’re good for giving people a better idea about anime, but ultimately it’s the anime TV shows that make up the majority of what the fandom is about. So watching a Ghibli movie or two is good, but watching an anime TV show would offer a better understanding of what defines anime for most fans.
Now that I’ve discussed what I feel is best avoided when picking an introductory anime series for someone, I’m going to list examples of series I think would be good choices from a few broad genres. The reason I’m listing them by genre is because you of course want to know what genre the person likes before deciding what first anime they should watch. After all, you don’t want to recommend Clannad as a first anime to someone who mostly likes action movies/TV shows. All of the titles I’ve listed below have plots, characters, and styles that aren’t too deviant and can be appreciated by viewers who aren’t necessarily knowledgeable about Japanese culture or otaku tropes. These are all my opinion of course so feel free to disagree.
Action/Fantasy
Shakugan no Shana
Fate Stay Zero/Night
Fullmetal Alchemist
Madoka Magica
Wolf’s Rain
Action/Sci-fi
Cowboy Bebop
Darker than Black
Code Geass
Evangelion
Death Note
Comedy
*comedy is kind of tricky since the Japanese idea of humor (jabbing at character flaws) is very different from the American idea (sarcasm and slapstick). Plus a lot of anime humor relies on recognizing anime iconography and other Japanese concepts, and most romance/comedies tend to be fan service/harem-y. The best I can come up with are…*
Azumanga Daioh
Haruhi
Slayers
Love Hina
Romance/Drama
Toradora!
Fruits Basket
AnoHana
Itazurana Kiss
Fushigi Yuugi
Kids
*like with comedy, kids series can be tricky since Japan’s idea of what’s appropriate for kids is extremely different from America’s. Just about all Japanese kids anime I’m aware of would need to be censored for American kids. The best I can come up with are…*
Pokemon
Digimon
Chi’s Sweet Home
Other
Usagi Drop
Paranoia Agent
Trigun
Noir
Kemono no Souja Erin
If you have ideas for other good introductory series (especially for the comedy and kids genres) feel free to share. To summarize, I think just about all anime outside the slice-of-life/harem/comedy/otaku pandering shows could make good introductory titles. I actually think showing the person an anime from their favorite genre is your best bet, as long as it doesn’t require too much knowledge of Japanese/otaku culture of course ;)
The two intro anime I always, always use for people who express an interest, but are not familiar with Japanese culture or common anime codes and conventions, are Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. I know they’re both quality anime in every sense of the word, and I have no problem recommending them in dub if the person doesn’t want to or isn’t used to subtitles. I think the best thing about the titles, other than the fact that they’re easy to follow but still reasonably sophisticated in terms of storytelling, is that they combine a lot of genres into one neat, usually episodic package. It means they don’t necessary need to watch the anime quickly, but are still treated to some of the best of comedy, action, and drama that anime has to offer.
I think Read or Die TV might also be a good bet, because again it’s not too heavy on just one genre style. I’d probably consider putting Eureka 7 on the list of good intro anime as well – one of the only drawbacks I can think of for that title is its length, since 50 episodes and a fairly complex story arc in the second half means that the viewer would have to be quite committed to be bothered getting through it all.
I haven’t seen Samurai Champloo but Bebop is a definite winner. Not only for the reasons you mentioned, but also because it has such a “Western” feel to it with the character and setting designs, as well as the music. More accessible than any number of anime that take place in Japanese high schools for example.
I agree with Eureka 7 too, but like you said, its continuing story over 50 episodes would take a lot of commitment, unlike Bebop’s episodic style.
I think I would probably even recommend Samurai Champloo over Bebop for an introductory anime – it has the same episodic style, but is not quite as serious in tone (although it definitely still has it’s dark and dramatic moments). The artwork is also a bit sharper, with a more contemporary feel to it.
Definitely agree with FMA as a good introductory anime (I personally prefer Brotherhood). Further to your list, I’d add The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Honey and Clover and (for the older geeks out there) Ghost in the Shell as good first animes. In terms of a good “second anime” I’d go for Soul Eater or Vision of Escaflowne. For a “third anime” I’d say Full Metal Panic, but that kinda depends on the person.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time would be good as well (probably more than Summer Wars since it’s less “Japanese-y.”) It’s been years since I watched Escaflowne but from what I remember, I think it would also be a good one. And for anyone who likes action and/or horror anime, especially if they’re a Tim Burton fan, Soul Eater would be great ;)
Choosing the right introductory anime can be the difference between making somebody into a fan, and having them get the completely wrong impression about anime. I know people who think that anime is either all childish crap, or that it’s all like Naruto and Bleach (that thought in itself horrifies me). However, most of these people just haven’t been exposed to much anime or Japanese culture, so I don’t particularly blame them.
Admittedly, I don’t have a huge amount of experience with converting people to anime fans, I’ve been lucky enough to have a good amount of my friends already be at least casual fans. However, the shows that I always fall back upon when talking to people who are inexperienced about anime are Code Geass, Death Note, and Fullmetal Alchemist. All three of those appeal to a broad audience and are excellent shows in their own right. I feel safe giving those to people to check out, unless they have unusually specific tastes.
I agree that first impressions are important, especially for something like anime that’s already distorted in Western society.
FMA, Geass, and Death Note definitely have universal appeal, particularly Death Note. FMA is great but not for anyone who dislikes intense violence and gore in their entertainment. If they’re an action/fantasy fan though, it’s great. The complex politics of Code Geass might deter some people, but again, if they like action, suspense, a cool robots, it would be a good choice. I think Death Note would be the safest of the three because it a great mystery/suspense story with surprisingly little gore, violence, and action yet it’s incredibly engrossing.
You won’t recommend K-ON!? I bet them boys would love the moe once they’ve seen it and quickly becomes addicted to it :P
I don’t give much thought about this one either. I usually recommend what I think is best and enjoyable, regardless of what they think. I mean, I once recommended Detroit Metal City to my minions at work and we ended up watching the episodes week after week together during lunch. Guess what? They want more fucked up anime like that :D
I think it’s “what I think best for you” instead of giving any thoughts of what they think they wanted to see.
Maybe guys would like K-ON where you live, but only certain open-minded American guys would willingly watch a show about cute cartoon girls. Peer pressure pushes them to like “macho” things like sports, cars, and action movies. I’d have to know the guy well to see if K-ON is something he’d appreciate.
I agree that if I get to know the person, I’d probably be a better judge of what would be good to show then rather than let them pick.
I don’t think Fullmetal Alchemist is a good first series. A great starting point for manga, but the original series starts with a really clumsy expansion that hangs its first cliffhanger on what looks like a mutant chicken, while Brotherhood came up with an original story for its first episode that was really clumsy.
Madoka also thrives on its audience’s familiarity with what it sets up. The whole reason for its success is that it starts out very obvious and quite silly, then rapidly changes several times and inverts expectations. Madoka is best enjoyed by someone who knows what it’s subverting.
And I remember watching the first episode of Azumanga Daioh when the visual language of anime was very new to me. It was incredibly confusing. That first episode is so much more zany and oddly-paced than the rest of the series.
Haruhi would work if you explained it’s intentionally supposed to look that bad. A friend of mine who was new to anime tried it out, didn’t get that it was supposed to be replicating terrible student filmmaking, and ended up thinking it was just bad on its own.
Some brilliant first episodes include ROD the TV’s, Mai-HiME’s, Tiger and Bunny’s, Scrapped Princess’s, Seirei no Moribito’s and Eureka 7’s. For comedy I would go with Detroit Metal City (unless the audience was…delicate), Manabi Straight or Genshiken (so they could see what they were getting into).
But yeah, for those who need initiating from the very, very beginning, and possibly being won over, it’s gotta be Ghibli.
For FMA, the reason I think it’s a good intro series is because it has a lot of action, suspense, an interesting fantasy setting, a unique premise about alchemy, and it’s also very dramatic and emotional – these are all things I feel the average Westerner, or at least American, likes to see in their entertainment. Unless they’re movie buffs or critics, the average person isn’t going to scope out how clumsy the cliffhanger in one episode is (they should probably marathon the first two episodes anyway) or if there’s a few other minor flaws here and there. Not true of everyone of course but I think it’s true generally speaking.
I agree that Madoka can only be fully appreciated by someone familiar with the magical girl genre, but I certainly think its tale of innocent girls being suckered into gaining magical powers by a strange alien creature only to realize the true horror of it all, could be shockingly entertaining for anyone. I can actually speak from experience with this one, having shown Madoka to my mom not too long ago and she liked it (she only had a vague idea about magical girls).
If I were to show Haruhi to a newbie, I certainly wouldn’t start with the movie making episode – I’d start with the chronological episode 1 (Melancholy I). Kyon’s narration is what makes the series so accessible, though probably more in novel form than anime.
I haven’t seen most of the series you mentioned as good firsts except for Eureka 7 and Seirei no Moribito. Both would be good, unless the slow-pacing and/or Japanese-ness of Seirei wasn’t to the person’s liking.
But yes, when in doubt, go with Ghibli! ;)
In my experience it’s just being tactful and mindful of the other person’s tastes. I’ve had people thank me just because I recommended something they’d actually like, as opposed to just hyping some popular show or my own personal favorites. If a show is “very anime” you can still recommend it to non-anime fans if they’re in the right mindset and it’s not REQUIRED that they know a lot of anime cliches/etc.
I think half the battle is getting over one’s inner fanboy and pitching something that someone will like given their situation in life (mostly age, profession, hobbies, and tastes in movies/TV/music/etc). I’ve even recommended Angel Beats to favorable results.. and my stance on Angel Beats in general isn’t pretty.
My only real bias is toward lesser-known anime, because any idiot can hop online and get a recommendation for Cowboy Bebop or whatever’s popular at the time.
My favorite reaction was when I heard someone playing the Power Rangers theme song at work.. we ended up laughing about how ridiculous that show was, and when I decided to rewatch an episode or two of Tentai Senshi Sunred on a whim, they ended up watching it too and cracked up more than I did when I first watched it.
I totally agree that showing the person something they would like, in other words, something that would give them a good impression of anime, is a much better tactic then showing them what you like or what’s popular at the time. Even though Madoka is the popular anime this year, I wouldn’t show it to a guy who likes action and sci-fi…I would pick something like FMA or Code Geass for them.
That reminds me that I tend to cherry-pick anime that I show to my mom. Even though Inuyasha and Haruhi have been my favorites for years, I’ve never shown her either since I know her and know what she’d like/understand.
Good topic! My top picks would be Gundam 00, since it’s very neutral, and action based. The girl who leapt through time is a very nice choice too. Full metal panic has a nice mix of comedy, action, romance, and is pretty good all around.
I would definitely not recommend something like Evangelion. The first 12 eps maybe, but after that it goes far to much into the obscure.
That’s the few that I would recommend to start off. Not to scare people of Anime too much.
Ooh!! can’t forget Sakura Cardcaptor! I actually can’t believe you did not list that one :P
I was thinking Gundam…maybe not for the totally average viewer, especially women, but for an action/sci-fi fan, definitely.
The reason I think Evangelion is a good choice is because the characters have very universal issues and motives, plus the setting, battling robots and what not are great sci-fi elements. Delving into the characters’ psyches the way the show does in its latter half is something novel for Westerners, but at the same time, not completely bizarre. But yeah, it would probably depend on the person and if they prefer more “tame” entertainment.
I thought I put CCS on the list…I think I did at first but then had too many listed under action/fantasy and removed it. But it would a good choice too :3
Unless I want to introduce them to the medium in the first place, I probably won’t introduce them to movies because their storytelling methods are usually very different from TV series. Someone who would like anime movies might not necessarily like the TV series, unless it’s the animation styles that they ended up liking.
Aside from top titles like CG or MoSH, I’d prefer to break their stereotype with something totally out of their expectations. Like…
Elfen Lied
Black Lagoon
Samurai Champloo
Nodame Cantabile
Kuragehime
Well depending on the type of person, I might try to inject them with the moé poison instead (lol)
I agree that movies and TV shows are very different. An animated movie is nothing new for Westerners, but an animated TV show that takes itself as seriously as any live-action show – that’s something new!
I actually haven’t seen the titles you listed except for Elfen Lied. But yes, that one would certainly shatter expectations, especially if they like horror XD It would have to be the right person though, as just the first ten minutes of Elfen Lied could scare away the faint of heart.
Like ParanoidAgent above, I’d recommend Ghost in the Shell:SAC and Escaflowne, depending on what kinds of shows the person in question likes. The first is of course more action/cyberpunk, while the second has action mixed with romance and fantasy adventure. I’m still a firm believer in introducing people to anime movies before a series, and I really think Satoshi Kon’s Millenium Actress and Tokyo Godfathers work really well as gateway movies. Maybe because I’m older and often meet older and busier people, and we don’t really have the time or inclination to sit through a 26-episode series, so movies often suit us better.
Like Cowboy Bebop, GitS has a comforting Western feel to it that would make it very accessible to the average American who wants a good action/sci-fi show. Escaflowne also isn’t filled with Japanese-ness either.
Yeah, if time is a problem, anime movies always work. From what I remember of Millennium Actress, there were a lot of references to Japanese history that Westerners might not get…but probably not enough to take away enjoyment of the movie. And Tokyo Godfathers is extremely universal and heartwarming in just about any culture ^_^
True, Millenium Actress does have certain plot and character points related to Japanese history, but you’re right that it wouldn’t detract from the enjoyment of the movie, since the movie is not only a tribute to Japanese cinema but also a tribute to the power of movies to tell stories and shape lives. This one’s really for auteurs rather than amateurs. :)
I’ve had a fair bit of success converting people to anime. The anime that did the job for me were guys like Samurai Champloo, Heroic Age, Madoka Magica, Zone of Enders, Guin Saga and the ever popular sure fire winner Code Geass. I also had some surprising wins with Mushi-Shi of all things and Shounen Onmyouji. I never thought those two would have been of interest to anyone who wasn’t already an anime fan.
Glad to hear you’ve been successful ^_^ Also glad to hear that a new series like Madoka is already helping to convert people.
Mushishi’s episodic structure, unique premise with the mushi world, and easy-to-relate-to stories would make it a good choice too. As long as the person doesn’t mind if their entertainment is slow-paced of course.
Wow — Shounen Onmyouji! Pardon my interruption, but that’s amazing. I thought I was the only person in the world who watched and still remembers that series. It’s completely faded into obscurity, so I’m thrilled someone brought it up again. =)
Nothing too moe. Probably not slice of life. Something that has a little depth to it and not too confusing. Something that’s easily accessible to a new viewer, and something that epitomizes a genre. (Though it kinda does depend on a person’s taste.)
I think a Ghibli movie might be a good starter anime. As would a good shounen like FMA:Brotherhood, though I’m not sure if it’s a smart idea to start off with a really long series like that. But Cowboy Bebop would be a fantastic introductory series because Cowboy Bebop is the best anime ever. :D
A little moe should be fine (like Cardcaptor Sakura) but a show specifically about the appeal of moe (like K-ON) wouldn’t be. And yeah, if a long series is too much then a Ghibli movie or CBB would be good :3
I might be a good example in this – I only discovered that TV series was the main medium anime was broadcast in about July last year. Before then I was a huge Ghibli fan (for about 10 years) and had watched a handful of other anime films. Now I’ve watched about 30 full series.
The first series I watched were Haruhi, K-ON and Shakugan no Shana. I wouldn’t recommend Haruhi to beginners – I thought it was okay, but don’t get what makes it so special to people. The first episode in particular is a very bad introduction. K-ON remains my favourite anime series. I started watching it because I love music, so a show about a band appealed to me – then the moe-ness hooked me – although I don’t like the second series as much because it doesn’t focus on the music at all.
Shana made quite a good introductory series because it has action, slice-of-life, fantasy, modern day settings, a bit of everything. I’m not sure I would recommend Evangelion the series – I got into it through the modern remakes. The series is very disjointed in feel, and just looks very dated. Actually, when I first saw Evangelion 2.0 I couldn’t believe they had the stupid Rei/Asuka/Shinji scenes – all seemed pointless and childish and I just lived with it because I knew by then what anime was like.
Again, I’m not sure Madoka would be a good choice – like Haruhi, I didn’t see what all the fuss was about – it being my first magical girl anime. Its main draw seems to be its “subversion” which I don’t understand – it seems full of what I’d expect were cliches, especially the ending.
Angel Beats might make a good start – although I’d seen Haruhi by then so all the references may have helped. However, some episodes, like the trapped in a cave one, are excellent to anyone. Usagi Drop is a good call – a brilliant show that anyone over a certain age can relate to.
Watching Haruhi in non-chronological order, which I believe you are referring to when you say it has a bad first episode, would not be a good idea. However, I think the show has a lot more universal appeal if watched in chronological order. A few Japanese/otaku references might go over people’s heads, but not a lot.
I agree about Shana and Usagi Drop but I don’t think Angel Beats! would be a good first only because the characters are very specific anime archetypes and the humor is very anime-ish. The only thing universal about it is the drama, so it might work if you find the right person.
I actually prefer the second season of K-ON because I found the jokes a lot funnier. And I loved the concert episode :3
Only a handful of my friends like anime actually. The rest are pretty unforgiving, very relentless in their hate for it. My hater friends will only watch it as an outing like a movie event or VERY action orientated anime. I introduced Afro Samurai, Samurai Champloo, Perfect Blue, SYD, and Evangelion since it’s so deep and symbolic filled. I like almost everything on the planet so I’m not sure where their dislike comes from, and after HOURS of trying to work it out came to this conclusion… They’re brain says I am not interested when mine says yay! I just happen to be practically preferenceless. Maybe I’ll change their minds at AX this year! A boy can dream can’t he? lol
That’s too bad your friends hate anime. Do they have specific reasons for why they hate it? Since there’s such a variety of anime out there, saying “I hate anime” is almost like saying “I hate TV shows.” You can certainly hate specific anime but hating anime in general when you’ve hardly watched any sounds more like ignorance than anything. If they’re willing to watch anime movies and action anime, and even go with you to AX, they can’t hate it that much.
I think Higashi no Eden is a good introductory anime besides the NEET thing, when I first watched it, I didn’t have an idea of what a “NEET” was, but I still enjoyed the plot.
Anyway, anime movies seem to be the perfect introductory titles to the anime fandom, I think that the fact that they are movies makes the people more open minded, like it’s ok to watch “Japanese cartoons” because it’s only a movie and not a show for freaks.
Good point about anime movies. And I also didn’t know what a NEET was until I watched Higashi no Eden :3
Although I don’t have much to say about the suggestions since my knowledge is pretty limited dispute watching Anime for so many years, I think the reason it’s hard to introduce people to other shows off the bat as the shows are tailored more for the Japanese Audience and of course their culture or rather the Asian culture is completely different from the rest. Not only that, it seems that the preference cuteness has more emphasis with the Japanese Idols thing (which also jump started the idol industry in South Korea) and slice of life shows involving cute girls. It just bothers me that new fans are rather close minded and write shows off when they have a good story life. For me, I have no titles to suggest since the suggestions are good, but starting them off little by little and building/expanding their tastes is probably the best way of bringing them out of the box and have them discover something new that they might like.
Yeah, that’s why it’s good to pick anime that aren’t “too Japanese.” The cuteness factor is another idea to consider, as it’s hard for Americans to understand why characters in otherwise serious anime have to look cute. That’s why shows like Cowboy Bebop are good – the characters aren’t made to look cute and everything about the show is actually more Western than Japanese. Some people might be more open to cute designs than others – you just have to know the person you’re dealing with and pick something that matches their tastes.
Introductory anime for kids? I think stuff along the lines of Angelic Layer or Kaleido Star, sports-themed all-ages stories that emphasize hard work and friendship, are a safe bet. The Precure, Shugo Chara, or CCS franchises are also easy to sell to girls, since they’re made for girls in Japan.
For male teens, I might point them to the Break Blade movies, Last Exile, or something Macross.
Squid Girl is a rock solid anime comedy to recommend.
For an older movie buff or art cinemaphile, I’d start with something Satoshi Kon, like Magnetic Rose or Perfect Blue.
I find this discussion particularly fruitful because I, too, had held some very popular misconceptions about anime. To be honest, for a really long time, I kind of bought into the idea that anime was juvenile and “just for kids”. It wasn’t until recently, that I began to recognize it as a medium and not just a sub-genre of children’s programming.
For me, the turning point was watching AnoHana with my girlfriend. She had made previous attempts to get me to watch K-On!! and other shojou-ey type animes, but they never really got me interested. With AnoHana, I was hooked from the very first scene. I thought that the exposition throughout that whole first episode was exceptionally done; it was subtle, clever and never felt intrusive. In fact, my favourite moment from that episode was when Jintan looks at his reflection and finds Menma missing.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you have to tailor anime recommendations based on a person’s barrier to watching anime. In my case, I was so wrapped up in my preconceived notions of what anime was, that I was unable to see it beyond being inconsequential fodder for children. In this frame of mind, K-On! wasn’t a good introduction to anime, as I kind of just used it to re-affirm the stereotypes I had about anime. It wasn’t that K-On! was bad, it was just that a character-driven anime with little attention to plot could easily be misconstrued as “inconsequential”.
What I needed was an anime that “broke the mold” of what I thought an anime could be and AnoHana did this by being subtle in a way that I thought anime was incapable of. Someone else, however, with different misconceptions about anime, wouldn’t necessarily be “won over” the same way I was. For someone who totally abhors fan service, for example, AnoHana wouldn’t really be the perfect recommendation because, although it is great, it is still prone to fan service here and there. For someone like that, I’d probably recommend a Ghibli film (because it’s more family-oriented) or something like The Tatami Galaxy (which is more plot-driven and has little fan-service). Ultimately, I think that ANYONE can come to like anime and that the people that don’t just haven’t found the right ones yet.
Full disclosure: I have since watched K-On! and did enjoy it. Also, I no longer think of anime as “inconsequential fodder for children”.
Surprisingly enough, I got my mom interested in Shiki when I had it on in the background a couple of days ago. Not enough to watch past an episode, but she kept saying things like “These women actually sound like they’re grown up” or “What’s going on here?”
I find that I have more success with getting people to look into anime when it comes to risque or bizarre comedy. Cromartie High School and Detroit Metal City have piqued just a few of my friends’ interest in anime, so there’s still hope yet.
I’m not too sure I’d recommend Death Note to a newcomer. My family thought anime was just pictures panning because of scene where thoughts took place were like that. Americans just want eye candy so much that they do not know psychological battle-focused show focus more on thought than gratutious violence.
Thankyou for this! I was looking for more anime to watch with my bf, who happens to think anime is incredibly stupid yet is going with me to Sakura-con.
He is really enjoying Death Note. :) I think you hit the nail on the head, a lot of anime comedy just doesn’t appeal to Americans who aren’t already fans. The humor is really different.
I think I’ve been successful with Death Note because it is intense and story driven, if you can pay attention and get into finding out what happens next. :)
I have a friend who is really into anime and I’m very open minded and have always wanted to get into it, but it was so hard. I’m still very, very new and I have no idea what most of the terms you guys are throwing about are but I am constantly googling! My problem has been that there is so much. She tried to show me Death Note first and it killed me. Couldn’t do it. I have since tried it and it’s better. What got me really hooked and trying to find more and more was Kaze no Stigma, Blood+ and School Rumble. My friend showed them to me and her boyfriend is hardcore and told us they were stupid animes?? But I enjoyed them! Hope this helped!