Show 'em Death Note, it's always a safe bargain. Hell it's the only anime I've ever seen a few episodes of then wanted to keep watching, so that's gotta give it some points.
Anime Virgins
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speaking as an anime outsider, I have watched, or atleast tried to watch, quite a few anime. I say, the less tropes the better. Anything with school girls is a no, anything that occasionally goes into...super-deformed mode, I think? Not sure what you call it, but it seems to be used for occasional "comedy" scenes. That's also out, because that shit is just weird, and Japanese humor really isn't that funny to outsiders. Most of it seems to be based around either Japanese culture or awkward slapstick. Hell, I had to do a few google searches to find out that a nose-bleed is a symbol for being aroused. Shit is weird. Also, something with a simple title is good. Japanese words, and some names, are just difficult to say/read to non-Japanese versed folk.
So yea, Cowboy Bebop. That being said, don't expect it to suddenly make them want to watch other anime. It was an excellent show, but it is also the least anime-like anime there is, which is why it's so appealing to outsiders. After watching that, I watched FMA (the original!) and Death Note. They were both good, but they still had some damn annoying things about them. And don't even get me started and FMA: Brotherhood...
Again, this is all from an anime outsiders point of view. I figured my input would be helpful, since I'm really part of the group you seem to be trying to appeal to. Most importantly, do not try to force it on people. Anime is not for everybody, and having people keep telling you "Oh, you just need to watch THIS one! And then THIS one!" is just really fucking annoying, and is a fantastic way to forever turn them off the medium. If they ask for recommendations, go for it, but don't start bothering people about it.
So yea, Cowboy Bebop. That being said, don't expect it to suddenly make them want to watch other anime. It was an excellent show, but it is also the least anime-like anime there is, which is why it's so appealing to outsiders. After watching that, I watched FMA (the original!) and Death Note. They were both good, but they still had some damn annoying things about them. And don't even get me started and FMA: Brotherhood...
Again, this is all from an anime outsiders point of view. I figured my input would be helpful, since I'm really part of the group you seem to be trying to appeal to. Most importantly, do not try to force it on people. Anime is not for everybody, and having people keep telling you "Oh, you just need to watch THIS one! And then THIS one!" is just really fucking annoying, and is a fantastic way to forever turn them off the medium. If they ask for recommendations, go for it, but don't start bothering people about it.
If I remember correctly it was either Deathnote or Hellsing that got me into anime, I like horror and action. People that like comedy or light-hearted stuff should watch Love Hina (Never seen it myself but got many recommendations) or another light-hearted anime
Take some time to figure out the person, some people like that dark and edgy of Death Note and some people like funny comedy anime
Dark: Deathnote
Funny/Action for a new person: Yu Yu Hakasho
It's got an easy concept, and basically walks you through basic anime principles.
NOTE: STAY AWAY FROM GENRE ANIME!
EXamples: Gundum, Magical small girl anime, harem anime.
Dark: Deathnote
Funny/Action for a new person: Yu Yu Hakasho
It's got an easy concept, and basically walks you through basic anime principles.
NOTE: STAY AWAY FROM GENRE ANIME!
EXamples: Gundum, Magical small girl anime, harem anime.
Full metal is a good start, but is quite anime-esque in a way, which I found off putting at first (I loved it by the end though)
Baccano or Cowboy bebop I'd say. Actually, just Baccano. What a show.
Baccano or Cowboy bebop I'd say. Actually, just Baccano. What a show.
It all comes down to a person's particular interest in general.
If a person was a fan of noir-paced shows then I would've suggest Cowboy Bebob or Big O.
If a person favored a Harry Potter-sense of wonder, then I'd say One Piece.
An over-thinker who likes to evaluate the psychological aspect of shows (I've met a few), then I'd point to Evangelion.
Same as above, only from a socialogical perspective... Fooly Cooly. (The anime was actually analyzed by a friend's college class)
Tengen Toppa Gurren Langann is usually suggested by me for the Mecha anime haters, but I suppose it could be great for those who like the adrenaline rush of over-the-top battles.
If a person was a fan of noir-paced shows then I would've suggest Cowboy Bebob or Big O.
If a person favored a Harry Potter-sense of wonder, then I'd say One Piece.
An over-thinker who likes to evaluate the psychological aspect of shows (I've met a few), then I'd point to Evangelion.
Same as above, only from a socialogical perspective... Fooly Cooly. (The anime was actually analyzed by a friend's college class)
Tengen Toppa Gurren Langann is usually suggested by me for the Mecha anime haters, but I suppose it could be great for those who like the adrenaline rush of over-the-top battles.
How has no one mentioned Moribito yet?
Easily one of the best anime's I've ever seen. The plot is original, the characters are all very well written, and the art and animation are top notch.
Mushi-shi is another really good one. Each episode is a standalone story, but they're all well written and interesting. It would be very good for a newcomer to anime, since it's fairly light and doesn't have a massive, confusing plot.
Seconding everyone who's mentioned GitS or Cowboy Bebop.
Easily one of the best anime's I've ever seen. The plot is original, the characters are all very well written, and the art and animation are top notch.
Mushi-shi is another really good one. Each episode is a standalone story, but they're all well written and interesting. It would be very good for a newcomer to anime, since it's fairly light and doesn't have a massive, confusing plot.
Seconding everyone who's mentioned GitS or Cowboy Bebop.
Until a little while ago, I was an anime virgin, who regarded the medium as completely rediculous. What changed my mind most was Death Note - its serious tone, mostly realistic setting and smart writing shattered my preconceptions.
Because of this, I would say that the most important thing that an "introductory" series needs is realism - it's the fantastical things like brightly coloured ninjas and teenage battlemech pilots that cause culture shock.
Because of this, I would say that the most important thing that an "introductory" series needs is realism - it's the fantastical things like brightly coloured ninjas and teenage battlemech pilots that cause culture shock.
I'll go with Love Hina, that was my first anime!nin_ninja said:
Edit:
I think you should have them watch full metal alchemist (dubbed) and then watch desert punk (dubbed), that way they will LMAO because Edward Elric is screaming about breasts half the time.
Also, i recently went to the local movie rental store and found gunslinger girl (english dub). Maybe people that don't enjoy anime still like it?
You're kidding right? There's nothing even remotely 'serious' about Gurren Lagann at... all!Fiad said:
And that's the best advice I've ever seen, and I'm an anime 'insider' (as it were).Grey_Focks said:
Go for series that tend to buck the general trend of genres, avoiding harem/fight/teen superpower/childhood friend/magical girl/mecha/from another dimension (and a few others that currently escape me)
Most of the good first series recommendations have been made:
Cowbow Bebop - quite a languid series but don't look for an overreaching story
GitS-SAC - as noted, good for fans of crime TV, but ramp up the technology & conspiracy
Samurai Champloo - samurai meets hip-hop scene (it's a bit of an acquired taste though)
Rescue Wings - for lack of a better description, it's very human & down to earth
Darker than BLACK - on a superpower theme, but it's handled much better than most (if not all IMO) other such series (avoid the sequel though)
Baccano - may be a bit heavy (and if watching subbed, and depending on your mate's tendencies) the pseudo-English may get a bit irritating (but that's applicable to a fair few series)
Durarara - made of pure awesome! Sort of like Pulp Fiction, but much wackier and with a smattering of folklore
Nodame Cantabile - a tad tropey, but if you're into classical music, give it a go
Ehm, that's my lot for now. I've excluded slice-of-life stuff since that's a very love-it or hate-it genre.
EDIT:
You could give some psychological trauma doing that! (My god, Freezing was awful!)Neogeta said:
I would avoid having them watch adaptations as an introduction. You don't introduce video games to people by showing a movie-adaption game.
Definitely. It's completely understandable how Bebop is so overrated. People praise it to the moon but I've found there's aspects I dislike about it after my second watching. Curious, though, why did you hate Black Lagoon though?will1182 said:
But mileage will always vary; I was thinking that the best way to get an anime virgin into it would be to showcase something that has minimal anime-isms or is very watchable before introducing them to things with more magical or supernatural elements. I wouldn't jump them in on FLCL or a Magical Girl anime off the bat lol
It's also a matter of the person's predisposition. If they like suspense and thrills, I absolutely say Death Note first. If they're fans of Lord of the Rings or other such epic journeys, Fullmetal Alchemist is fantastic as an introduction. So I guess my list should have been much longer in retrospect, hahahah.
As odd as this sounds: DO NOT START BY TRYING TO SHOWCASE GOOD ANIME, especially not the lighthearted kind.
I'm dead serious, though when I say 'good' I mean more 'indicative of the genre.' I've talked with friends and others about this and we've learned that starting by using the more memorable stuff can very quickly turn someone off of the show, and anime in general; usually causing them to discount anime as a whole.
Why?
Culture shock. While this seems self-evident, Japan has a different culture, which causes a difference in humour, metre, pace, tone and morality. The big problem comes from these things not being obviously different. I have a couple of examples of minor differences with massive end results resulting from this, but it doesn't make for polite conversation.
Similiarly, many lighthearted animes are bad places to start because of minor things that detract. I've gotten odd looks all throughout showing my family Azumanga Daioh despite my thinking it funny. The same goes for most 'set in the real world' animes.
Point being, if you want to introduce someone to anime remember that for many of the better or more high-concept ones you have to GET anime to LIKE anime. Which, of course doesn't mean that not getting anime is the only reason not to like it. I GET how to drink tequila, but I still don't like it.
My best suggestion is to think of the anime(s) that got you into the genre and dig them up. If you don't think those are good ones for the situation, I recommend a fish out of water or fantastic (literal sense) story. In those cases the culture shock on screen and required explanations help the viewer learn about the world they see, and learn how anime 'works' by osmosis.
Inuyasha, as a recent dubbed example, actually kind of does this really well by being a fish out of water story for Kagome and carting the other fish back with her when she goes home.
More specifically to this: I do not recommend FMA. Never seen brotherhood, but I have read the whole manga. There are a lot of little things that someone unfamiliar with the tropes might find unappealing or jarring. In the original FMA, Mustang and Winry. In the manga, her and Scar. Granted, they're deep in, but the way those interactions played out could (and has been) enough to remove people from the series.
I find for this I have the following suggestions:
Gundams are good (I like wing myself) as they are based on wandering the world and space.
Ranma 1/2, because the curses, rivals and parents are overblown by any standard and are the focus.
Nadesico: Spacefaring, culture shock as a plot point, and Ruri.
Slayers: Fantastic setting, though it did take me years to get a few jokes.
Record of Lodoss War: Also fantastic setting with much explained. For myself, I say the second series first and still prefer it. Take from that what you will.
Final point, and forgive the caps, GET A DUB. There are those who refuse to watch dubbed anime, and I don't know if this applies to you and yours, but don't start people that way. Again with the culture shock, but if you're trying to introduce someone to something and like it, it's your job to minimize that shock. Plus, the above are all fair to decent shows with good English VAs.
I'm dead serious, though when I say 'good' I mean more 'indicative of the genre.' I've talked with friends and others about this and we've learned that starting by using the more memorable stuff can very quickly turn someone off of the show, and anime in general; usually causing them to discount anime as a whole.
Why?
Culture shock. While this seems self-evident, Japan has a different culture, which causes a difference in humour, metre, pace, tone and morality. The big problem comes from these things not being obviously different. I have a couple of examples of minor differences with massive end results resulting from this, but it doesn't make for polite conversation.
Similiarly, many lighthearted animes are bad places to start because of minor things that detract. I've gotten odd looks all throughout showing my family Azumanga Daioh despite my thinking it funny. The same goes for most 'set in the real world' animes.
Point being, if you want to introduce someone to anime remember that for many of the better or more high-concept ones you have to GET anime to LIKE anime. Which, of course doesn't mean that not getting anime is the only reason not to like it. I GET how to drink tequila, but I still don't like it.
My best suggestion is to think of the anime(s) that got you into the genre and dig them up. If you don't think those are good ones for the situation, I recommend a fish out of water or fantastic (literal sense) story. In those cases the culture shock on screen and required explanations help the viewer learn about the world they see, and learn how anime 'works' by osmosis.
Inuyasha, as a recent dubbed example, actually kind of does this really well by being a fish out of water story for Kagome and carting the other fish back with her when she goes home.
More specifically to this: I do not recommend FMA. Never seen brotherhood, but I have read the whole manga. There are a lot of little things that someone unfamiliar with the tropes might find unappealing or jarring. In the original FMA, Mustang and Winry. In the manga, her and Scar. Granted, they're deep in, but the way those interactions played out could (and has been) enough to remove people from the series.
I find for this I have the following suggestions:
Gundams are good (I like wing myself) as they are based on wandering the world and space.
Ranma 1/2, because the curses, rivals and parents are overblown by any standard and are the focus.
Nadesico: Spacefaring, culture shock as a plot point, and Ruri.
Slayers: Fantastic setting, though it did take me years to get a few jokes.
Record of Lodoss War: Also fantastic setting with much explained. For myself, I say the second series first and still prefer it. Take from that what you will.
Final point, and forgive the caps, GET A DUB. There are those who refuse to watch dubbed anime, and I don't know if this applies to you and yours, but don't start people that way. Again with the culture shock, but if you're trying to introduce someone to something and like it, it's your job to minimize that shock. Plus, the above are all fair to decent shows with good English VAs.
I never watched anime, and then watche death note. So I think it really depends on who you're trying to show Anime.