Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I think if someone wants an easy introduction to a large chunk of what anime is like, FMA:B delivers while standing alone as a very solid piece of media regardless of medium.
I did that as a newcommer... FMA just loses all sense at ep25 or so.... and characters in FMAB feel flanderized till ep11. Anyway, it feels off to recommend someone to watch a show and then switch.
For me, it's gotta be none other than Cowboy Bebop!
It's a fantastic sci-fi series that's gritty and realistic without taking itself too seriously.
The world-building is top notch, the cast of characters are extremely likeable, and the dialogue is memorable.
It's truly got something for everyone--kung fu, gunplay, ship battles, western, noir, comedic moments, drama, supernatural elements, immaculate vibes, etc.
One of the best soundtracks of any show ever, famous for "jazz" but actually mixing a wide variety of genres and styles.
Some of the best cel animation and painted backgrounds from the legendary studio Sunrise, with tasteful uses of early CG.
Only 26 half-hour episodes, plus one optional film and one optional bonus episode.
Mixes stand-alone episodes with a extremely satisfying longer story arc that will certainly leave you feeling something.
Good performances in both the native Japanese, as well as the stellar English dub that was ahead of its time.
Cowboy Bebop seems to be the anime that transcends the genre more than almost anything else, and appeals to people even if they don't typically gel with more tropey anime. I really think that Bebop is a triumph of the medium and one of the best television shows period, so I really can't recommend it enough to everyone!
I know im the odd one out, but i hated that show since it was on cartoon network as a kid. Like why is Spike so bad at his job. Hes just so incompetent. I guess it would be rather realistic in the fact that most people are idiots. I liked all the other characters, but spike always ruined it for me.
I get it. Spike definitely comes from that lineage of manga/anime characters like Arsene Lupin III and Ryo Saeba who oscillate between 20th century coolness and total goofiness depending on the needs of the moment. Just like Lupin, things don't usually go his way, and even when he does a good job he'll still usually get fucked over.
Oooh no no no, he’s not incompetent at all. He’s got a very similar vibe to Dash from Trigun (pls watch if you haven’t) where he’s extremely skilled while looking incompetent, and wins fall right into his lap.
I’m sure there’s a term for this type of character, but I implore you to rewatch Cowboy Bebop with new eyes. The point of the show is not to watch bounty hunters succeed at catching bad guys, and if you watch it for this you’re not going to enjoy it.
I'm gonna say Frieren (woa big surprise). It appeals to a lot of people, doesn't have odd anime tropes, and has a great dub. It also has some action scenes so someone can see if they want to watch more action animes.
I love Frieren and definitely recommend it, and that's part of the reason I'm not sure I'd recommend it as a first anime.
Not because it's challenging for a newcomer in any way, but rather because it oftentimes plays with expectations and trope subversion, and that would most likely be lost on someone that hasn't watched other (similar) animes before.
I think Death Note is the most recommended entry point because it’s not too long, the plot isn’t hard to follow, and it happens in a “realistic” world.
It's a movie so newcomers don't need to invest a lot of time to finish it. It's visually stunning, the soundtrack sticks with you, the narrative starts simple but becomes increasingly complex and memorable. It fits into most age brackets and its not marketed toward one gender only.
I think it's still widely available for streaming too so it should still be pretty accessible.
Your favorite slice of life anime, since this is a genre an anime newbie is unlikely to be used to. I'd personally nominate City: The Animation, but I understand Nichijou would also be a popular recommendation.
If I get to force them watch whatever I want, and my goal is to introduce them to the medium as a whole, I'd be tempted to show them Code Geass. It's one of the MOST anime anime shows, if you know what I mean. It's got:
high school students!
magic powers!
giant robots!
a mysterious girl who immediately moves in with the main character!
political intrigue!
an evil empire!
frenemies!
scenes you'd be embarrassed to watch in front of your parents!
taking philosophy too literally!
If my goal was to show them something that I think they'd like, I'd probably pick Frieren. Partially because it's one of the best recent animes, and partially because it doesn't have any scenes that are going to make them ask "What the hell are you making me watch?"
It's not in my top 5 or near it, but I genuinely feel that Erased is such an amazing series for a first time viewer. It's darker and explores darker themes, but I think a lot of non-anime viewers have an opinion that most anime is childish or nonsensical. I think the seriousness of it can show a new viewer that anime is a medium and not a genre. I'm a romance and slice of life enjoyer, so I'm definitely putting aside my preferences with that recommendation.
There's sooo many things in anime that I believe take a bit of time to get comfortable with for new viewers: fan service, weird relationships between adults and children, tropes and metas, just the kind of gross way women are often portrayed, different character archetypes, the loudness of certain characters etc. I think after enough time with the medium you kind of develop a better understanding of certain things and it becomes easier to recognize why characters and themes that seem insufferable are part of a story.
Honestly, everything that isn't a (battle) shounen should be great. The most important thing is to firmly establish that anime is a "medium" and not a "genre". And since almost every outsider thinks every anime is a battle shounen, it's important to correct that misconception early on.
AnoHana would be my recommendation. It's short for a series, it doesn't take any Japanese cultural knowledge to enjoy it, and the themes are universal regardless of personal background, age or gender.
It's pretty much the epitome of the genre. It has all the tropes. It even crosses genres of anime depending on the episode. Most of the time it's action, but they throw in plenty of comedy, romance, even slice of life.
I liked Kimi Ni Todoke (apparently translates as from me to you) and think everyone should watch or read it.
I find that SpyXFamily and the Ghibli movies are what most people best relate to though, so if it's a question of getting someone hooked start with *Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service or Howl's Moving Castle. *
My non weeb friends liked Frieren, Cyberpunk Edge Runners, and Deathnote. I'd also recommend Serial Experiments Lain if you want something that forces you to think about it to understand it.
Not easy to pick only one title that will match the taste of every newcomer. Will be way easier if said person pick a few titles then give them seal of approval.
It can't be anything long, has to be something they can reasonably finish. No One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z. Ideally one season, no longer than two.
It also shouldn't be anything that's still ongoing, has to be something they can literally finish. I'd really like to say Frieren, I think it hits a lot of the right beats to appeal to someone who has never watched anime before, but I wouldn't want to leave them hanging. And we don't even know how long it's going to be in the end, I already said no longer than two seasons anyway.
Has to have a dub. Someone who does not watch anime is not going to read subs. I'm so close to wanting to recommend Apocalypse Hotel as a short and sweet 12 episode masterpiece, but the lack of a dub will be a dealbreaker to your non-weeb friends.
With how much I'm emphasizing that it has to be short, movies would be better than television shows. Which leads us to the extremely obvious answer of Ghibli, anything Ghibli. But maybe Ghibli is too obvious an answer, I know plenty of people who watch Ghibli but have never seen anything else, so maybe we'll say Ghibli doesn't count.
So then I'd say my next answer would be A Silent Voice. Not just because it's my favorite movie, but it's a good example to show that there's so much more to anime than just battle shonen. I imagine most people who don't watch anime may have only ever heard of popular shonen and might not know what else is out there.
Netflix and Crunchyroll have both released data confirming that more viewers watch dubs than subs. Even on Crunchyroll, which only serious anime fans are gonna subscribe to, sub viewers are still in the minority.
If the goal is to pick something you can convince your non-anime watching friends to try out, there's gotta be as little friction as possible. Subs will be a turn-off for a lot of people, that's for nerds.
I'm also pretty new, loved Solo Leveling (watch it slower than i did, burned thru it in a monthl) and One Punch Man (haven't finished it yet). Attack on Titan is also very good but a lot of body horror which isn't for everyone - not quite my favorite thing but the storyline and voice acting are top notch (I watch dubbed sometimes sorry true anime fans lol).
Decades ago I used to watch DBZ and Inuyasha but that was it, starting to pick back up on some DBZ and other Dragon Ball series as well now. Can't speak to any other shows, but bookmarking this thread for myself so thanks OP!
66 Comments
djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 36 pts · 129d
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I think if someone wants an easy introduction to a large chunk of what anime is like, FMA:B delivers while standing alone as a very solid piece of media regardless of medium.
popekingjoe@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 129d
Hell yeah it's my favorite anime for a reason. It tells an exceptionally compelling story with likeable characters who have actual growth too.
Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com · 4 pts · 128d
It annoys me that FMA has a better beginning than Brotherhood. Ideally you switch shows in the middle.
Siegfried@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 128d
I did that as a newcommer... FMA just loses all sense at ep25 or so.... and characters in FMAB feel flanderized till ep11. Anyway, it feels off to recommend someone to watch a show and then switch.
The only thing i missed from FMA was the music.
mrmaplebar@fedia.io · 27 pts · 129d
For me, it's gotta be none other than Cowboy Bebop!
Cowboy Bebop seems to be the anime that transcends the genre more than almost anything else, and appeals to people even if they don't typically gel with more tropey anime. I really think that Bebop is a triumph of the medium and one of the best television shows period, so I really can't recommend it enough to everyone!
RamenJunkie@midwest.social · 5 pts · 128d
Yeah definitely.
Its not insanely long.
Its not full of weird shit.
Its not depressing as fuck like Evangelion.
pastermil@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 127d
I get the other part, but they're more or less the same length.
Breezy@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 129d
I know im the odd one out, but i hated that show since it was on cartoon network as a kid. Like why is Spike so bad at his job. Hes just so incompetent. I guess it would be rather realistic in the fact that most people are idiots. I liked all the other characters, but spike always ruined it for me.
mrmaplebar@fedia.io · 3 pts · 128d
I get it. Spike definitely comes from that lineage of manga/anime characters like Arsene Lupin III and Ryo Saeba who oscillate between 20th century coolness and total goofiness depending on the needs of the moment. Just like Lupin, things don't usually go his way, and even when he does a good job he'll still usually get fucked over.
Still, I think that Bebop is a must watch!
notwhoyouthink@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 128d
Oooh no no no, he’s not incompetent at all. He’s got a very similar vibe to Dash from Trigun (pls watch if you haven’t) where he’s extremely skilled while looking incompetent, and wins fall right into his lap.
I’m sure there’s a term for this type of character, but I implore you to rewatch Cowboy Bebop with new eyes. The point of the show is not to watch bounty hunters succeed at catching bad guys, and if you watch it for this you’re not going to enjoy it.
GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 129d
This one. I love the Bebop. Tank! is my ringtone.
notwhoyouthink@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 128d
If you’ve ever played Beat Saber…this song is a really really good time.
GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 128d
If you have ears that song is a really good time 😄
Nefara@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 128d
Do you have a link to the map you like?
notwhoyouthink@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 128d
Shoot I don’t, it’s not my system. Sorry!
tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 127d
How'd I manage to miss this after all these years?
Still haven't gotten around to the manga. But I think I might be the only person who actually liked the live action series
Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com · 27 pts · 129d
I'm gonna say Frieren (woa big surprise). It appeals to a lot of people, doesn't have odd anime tropes, and has a great dub. It also has some action scenes so someone can see if they want to watch more action animes.
OpenHammer6677@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 129d
+1
Watched Frieren with someone who's not usually an anime person. They're devastated that we have to wait for more than a year to watch season 3
Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com · 7 pts · 129d
I'm struggling too! 😭
missingno@fedia.io · 6 pts · 129d
That's probably a good reason not to have a new viewer start with anything that's still ongoing, pick something they can watch start to finish.
thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de · 4 pts · 129d
I love Frieren and definitely recommend it, and that's part of the reason I'm not sure I'd recommend it as a first anime.
Not because it's challenging for a newcomer in any way, but rather because it oftentimes plays with expectations and trope subversion, and that would most likely be lost on someone that hasn't watched other (similar) animes before.
scytale@piefed.zip · 19 pts · 129d
I think Death Note is the most recommended entry point because it’s not too long, the plot isn’t hard to follow, and it happens in a “realistic” world.
hitagi@ani.social · 16 pts · 129d
Your Name is always a good choice.
It's a movie so newcomers don't need to invest a lot of time to finish it. It's visually stunning, the soundtrack sticks with you, the narrative starts simple but becomes increasingly complex and memorable. It fits into most age brackets and its not marketed toward one gender only.
I think it's still widely available for streaming too so it should still be pretty accessible.
veeesix@lemmy.ca · 13 pts · 129d
Can’t go wrong with just about any Studio Ghibli film.
mantra@lemmy.zip · 12 pts · 129d
My Neighbor Totoro.
NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io · 11 pts · 129d
Your favorite slice of life anime, since this is a genre an anime newbie is unlikely to be used to. I'd personally nominate City: The Animation, but I understand Nichijou would also be a popular recommendation.
ryven@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 11 pts · 129d
If I get to force them watch whatever I want, and my goal is to introduce them to the medium as a whole, I'd be tempted to show them Code Geass. It's one of the MOST anime anime shows, if you know what I mean. It's got:
If my goal was to show them something that I think they'd like, I'd probably pick Frieren. Partially because it's one of the best recent animes, and partially because it doesn't have any scenes that are going to make them ask "What the hell are you making me watch?"
Endmaker@ani.social · 10 pts · 129d
There is no one must-watch I'd recommend, because it depends on the person.
Vibi@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 10 pts · 129d
It's not in my top 5 or near it, but I genuinely feel that Erased is such an amazing series for a first time viewer. It's darker and explores darker themes, but I think a lot of non-anime viewers have an opinion that most anime is childish or nonsensical. I think the seriousness of it can show a new viewer that anime is a medium and not a genre. I'm a romance and slice of life enjoyer, so I'm definitely putting aside my preferences with that recommendation.
There's sooo many things in anime that I believe take a bit of time to get comfortable with for new viewers: fan service, weird relationships between adults and children, tropes and metas, just the kind of gross way women are often portrayed, different character archetypes, the loudness of certain characters etc. I think after enough time with the medium you kind of develop a better understanding of certain things and it becomes easier to recognize why characters and themes that seem insufferable are part of a story.
NineSwords@ani.social · 7 pts · 129d
Honestly, everything that isn't a (battle) shounen should be great. The most important thing is to firmly establish that anime is a "medium" and not a "genre". And since almost every outsider thinks every anime is a battle shounen, it's important to correct that misconception early on.
AnoHana would be my recommendation. It's short for a series, it doesn't take any Japanese cultural knowledge to enjoy it, and the themes are universal regardless of personal background, age or gender.
Marzanna@scribe.disroot.org · 7 pts · 129d
Frankly speaking I expected a lot of Boku no Pico recommendations. Where are they?
ReluctantlyZen@ani.social · 3 pts · 129d
I'm pretty sure that meme has died out a looong time ago thankfully
darthelmet@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 128d
It was my first thought. I feel old.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 6 pts · 129d
Dragonball Z.
It's pretty much the epitome of the genre. It has all the tropes. It even crosses genres of anime depending on the episode. Most of the time it's action, but they throw in plenty of comedy, romance, even slice of life.
Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com · 1 pts · 129d
My first exposure to anime was a DBZ movie, I think World's Strongest
FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 129d
I liked Kimi Ni Todoke (apparently translates as from me to you) and think everyone should watch or read it.
I find that SpyXFamily and the Ghibli movies are what most people best relate to though, so if it's a question of getting someone hooked start with *Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service or Howl's Moving Castle. *
Sabata11792@ani.social · 5 pts · 128d
My non weeb friends liked Frieren, Cyberpunk Edge Runners, and Deathnote. I'd also recommend Serial Experiments Lain if you want something that forces you to think about it to understand it.
TacticalToothbrush@discuss.tchncs.de · 5 pts · 129d
Not easy to pick only one title that will match the taste of every newcomer. Will be way easier if said person pick a few titles then give them seal of approval.
missingno@fedia.io · 4 pts · 129d
It can't be anything long, has to be something they can reasonably finish. No One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z. Ideally one season, no longer than two.
It also shouldn't be anything that's still ongoing, has to be something they can literally finish. I'd really like to say Frieren, I think it hits a lot of the right beats to appeal to someone who has never watched anime before, but I wouldn't want to leave them hanging. And we don't even know how long it's going to be in the end, I already said no longer than two seasons anyway.
Has to have a dub. Someone who does not watch anime is not going to read subs. I'm so close to wanting to recommend Apocalypse Hotel as a short and sweet 12 episode masterpiece, but the lack of a dub will be a dealbreaker to your non-weeb friends.
With how much I'm emphasizing that it has to be short, movies would be better than television shows. Which leads us to the extremely obvious answer of Ghibli, anything Ghibli. But maybe Ghibli is too obvious an answer, I know plenty of people who watch Ghibli but have never seen anything else, so maybe we'll say Ghibli doesn't count.
So then I'd say my next answer would be A Silent Voice. Not just because it's my favorite movie, but it's a good example to show that there's so much more to anime than just battle shonen. I imagine most people who don't watch anime may have only ever heard of popular shonen and might not know what else is out there.
ReluctantlyZen@ani.social · 3 pts · 129d
Why not? It's how many people started, no?
missingno@fedia.io · 5 pts · 129d
Netflix and Crunchyroll have both released data confirming that more viewers watch dubs than subs. Even on Crunchyroll, which only serious anime fans are gonna subscribe to, sub viewers are still in the minority.
If the goal is to pick something you can convince your non-anime watching friends to try out, there's gotta be as little friction as possible. Subs will be a turn-off for a lot of people, that's for nerds.
ReluctantlyZen@ani.social · 3 pts · 128d
If you're used to media in your own language, I suppose so
missingno@fedia.io · 3 pts · 128d
Most people are.
ReluctantlyZen@ani.social · 3 pts · 128d
Depends on where you're from. In my country, dubbing in the native language rarely happens unless it's a kids movie.
Whirling_Ashandarei@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 129d
I'm also pretty new, loved Solo Leveling (watch it slower than i did, burned thru it in a monthl) and One Punch Man (haven't finished it yet). Attack on Titan is also very good but a lot of body horror which isn't for everyone - not quite my favorite thing but the storyline and voice acting are top notch (I watch dubbed sometimes sorry true anime fans lol).
Decades ago I used to watch DBZ and Inuyasha but that was it, starting to pick back up on some DBZ and other Dragon Ball series as well now. Can't speak to any other shows, but bookmarking this thread for myself so thanks OP!
lvxferre@mander.xyz · 4 pts · 129d
ReluctantlyZen@ani.social · 4 pts · 129d
I wouldn't recommend it as a first anime to most, but I introduced a friend to anime with Spice & Wolf
Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 129d
All would be solid choices I think, mature and not what one might expect anime to be.
djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 129d
I don't think introducing someone to anime with a time genocide is a great start.
ghen@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 128d
Odd Taxi
zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev · 3 pts · 129d
Throw them into the deep end: Golden Boy.
Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 127d
Golden boy is the perfect one sitting anime.
fallaciousBasis@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 127d
You should read the Manga.
Marshezezz@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 128d
melsaskca@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 129d
"Vash the Stampede".
DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 126d
LOVE and PEACE!!
kandoh@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 129d
Megalobox and Ranking of Kings
jedi@bolha.us · 2 pts · 129d
darthelmet@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 128d
Maybe the show that you could make the most references to while watching other anime? So JoJo’s.
Unboxious@ani.social · 1 pts · 128d
I think that might actually be Mobile Suit Gundam.
darthelmet@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 128d
Anything can be a jojo's reference if you try hard enough. :P
w_tree@ani.social · 1 pts · 129d
Gurren Lagann
themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 125d
Grave of the fireflies
hexagonwin@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 128d
haruhi, hyouka, angel beats, puella magi madoka magica, frieren
your name along with other shinkai makoto films are also great
i guess some of these are too weeb-ish tho, lol
pastermil@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 127d
I would definitely not recommend puella to a newcomer.
HubertManne@piefed.social · 1 pts · 127d
oh man. you know someone said deathnote and you know. Imma go with that.
DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 126d
Psycho Pass season 1 only
OlPatchy2Eyes@slrpnk.net · -1 pts · 128d
One Piece or no balls
OlPatchy2Eyes@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 128d
If no balls then Mob Psycho 100