I agree, I've gotten my mom into Deathnote by watching it constantly in the living room so she'd be forced to sit through some of it if she has nothing better to do XD
I think Ouran normally would be a good starter, but I think it has a lot more culture and genre jokes you wouldn't really get if you haven't been immersed in anime that long. Be careful with that one.
Yeah, I like the Miazaki thing. Spirited Away was my first one. But I have to admit, I'm a sucker for Christian Bale and his gorgeous voice. Not to mention the gorgeous rest of him. Anyway, a lot of my non-anime liking friends get hooked with that one.
I also agree with what you start beginners with depends on their personal tastes. Besides Miazaki, I find that Ouran High School Host Club is a good starter. Then again, not everyone is attracted to this one because they don't like the genre. For more shonen stuff, I'd definitly say FMA or Rurouni Kenshin.
Some people I've talked to are just looking for something totally different and a little darker. For those people, I recommend Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. My personal fav. Not an anime for people who can't stand a little weirdness. But it's great because it pretty makes fun of everything in anime plus culture in general. However, I still would only suggest this to a few people.
yup so good article overall! You have a lot of good suggestions ^_^.
i guess i tend to follow that subconciously, but as i think someone has said earlier, people need to understand who their audience is.
like my parents, i don't show them stuff like cowboy beebop (they would kill me) instead i show them like "my neighbor totoro" and stuff. but they do occasionally watch one piece, or naruto with me. i find that a great series to start off any girl, no matter how old, is sailor moon. hands down, 3/4 girls will like it. and for guys, start them off with YYH or DBZ. it's a bit cliche, but it's great way i've found.
great essay though, ur points are very valid and are great advice to anyone trying to introduce anyone into anime.
It depends a lot on their likes and dislikes. If they really are a fan of mostly action series, it's ok to bring either of those early on. If they seem to like things with more substantial plot and character development, probably introduce them to something else. Don't get me wrong, I love both Naruto and Bleach. I think Shippuden is especially good in terms of plot development and characterization (as opposed to regular Naruto), but for someone who's never seen either, it's a bit difficult to shift through the filler episodes and "same thing happens every episode" type of episodes, unless you show them the series from the beginning, confusion-free.
Naruto's great also if the person is younger. College-aged and up may not be too interested in it.
This is really helpful, I'll keep it in mind. Another way- (Usually sort of a off-chance) Watch anime. The person may become interested in the anime/ manga, and ask you about.
Worked beautifully with I love Candy XD & my dad. :D
I like the idea of people introducing themselves to anime. That is, after all, how I became acquainted with the whole genre (or to borrow someone else's apt term "medium"). And if this is the case with those who do take that trip, I believe that any sort of anime is up for grabs. I remember taking the plunge directly into the deep end of the pool, after dipping my toes in the shallow end for some time (throughout my earlier years, I've watched various anime, but never seriously). What hooked me? Simply these: Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It seems as if I needed to watch these ultra mindbending anime to appreciate what anime can offer me, besides the usual startling, pretty visuals. I knew that I was on to something quite different when I sat down and began watching my VHS tape of the first GitS movie. I just knew right away that this was a medium that had the potential to speak to me. Still, I suspect that I would love anime even if my first experience with it had been, say, Cowboy Bebop.
I suspect that certain personality types are drawn to certain anime. If you happen to find or be introduced to an anime for the first time in your life, that first impression is the one that stays with you. So I don't necessarily see any reason to exclude the more esoteric in favor of the exoteric. At the very least, have a nice balance to show the range that anime has--allow it to show its horizonless sky.
I don't know about nott suggesting "Akira" to newbies. I mean, this Anime has an important part in the long history of Anime and its fandom. Same goes to many classics from the 1960s-1990s ("Speed Racer" and "Star Blazers" for examples).
Last edited by stararnold at 8:13:43 PM EST on February 27, 2009.
Pretty much agree with not suggesting Akira to the newbies, the movie is dull and some parts can scar many... I'd rather give them a summary for Death Note. The story is attractive and both the anime and manga are easy to get used to.
Vagrant AI (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 02/26/09 | Reply
Heck, I thought you already had submitted it for pooblikashun.
I say do it. I think a lot of people try to think of ways of how to introduce their friends or family members to anime. I myself have attempted a couple of times with my father, my most recent attempt being Mushi-Shi.
But yes, I think this could be useful, so why not? :P
P.S. My dad said Mushi-Shi was interesting, and I believe he meant that in a good way.
PuppylovePyro
Otaku Eternal | Posted 05/22/09 | Reply
@jannycats:
I agree, I've gotten my mom into Deathnote by watching it constantly in the living room so she'd be forced to sit through some of it if she has nothing better to do XD
red tigress
Raid Boss (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
@theblackERspot:
I think Ouran normally would be a good starter, but I think it has a lot more culture and genre jokes you wouldn't really get if you haven't been immersed in anime that long. Be careful with that one.
theblackERspot
Otaku Eternal | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
Yeah, I like the Miazaki thing. Spirited Away was my first one. But I have to admit, I'm a sucker for Christian Bale and his gorgeous voice. Not to mention the gorgeous rest of him. Anyway, a lot of my non-anime liking friends get hooked with that one.
I also agree with what you start beginners with depends on their personal tastes. Besides Miazaki, I find that Ouran High School Host Club is a good starter. Then again, not everyone is attracted to this one because they don't like the genre. For more shonen stuff, I'd definitly say FMA or Rurouni Kenshin.
Some people I've talked to are just looking for something totally different and a little darker. For those people, I recommend Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. My personal fav. Not an anime for people who can't stand a little weirdness. But it's great because it pretty makes fun of everything in anime plus culture in general. However, I still would only suggest this to a few people.
yup so good article overall! You have a lot of good suggestions ^_^.
Kastom
Otaku Princess | Posted 03/05/09 | Reply
Personally I was introduced to Anime by Miyazaki. Spirited Away was my first, then Castle in the Sky.
Even if you've seen Mononoke 15 bajillion times.
Definitely have. In the first two weeks of me buying the movie. Hahahahaha...
And yeah, I've introduced Anime with FMA. Definitely one of the best in my opinion for the introduction.
Very good thing you've written here! Very well thought out!
I'd rather see in shades of gray.
haseo luver92
Otaku Legend | Posted 03/02/09 | Reply
this is a really good advice for people.
i guess i tend to follow that subconciously, but as i think someone has said earlier, people need to understand who their audience is.
like my parents, i don't show them stuff like cowboy beebop (they would kill me) instead i show them like "my neighbor totoro" and stuff. but they do occasionally watch one piece, or naruto with me. i find that a great series to start off any girl, no matter how old, is sailor moon. hands down, 3/4 girls will like it. and for guys, start them off with YYH or DBZ. it's a bit cliche, but it's great way i've found.
great essay though, ur points are very valid and are great advice to anyone trying to introduce anyone into anime.
はせお
red tigress
Raid Boss (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/01/09 | Reply
@Markus wolfe:
It depends a lot on their likes and dislikes. If they really are a fan of mostly action series, it's ok to bring either of those early on. If they seem to like things with more substantial plot and character development, probably introduce them to something else. Don't get me wrong, I love both Naruto and Bleach. I think Shippuden is especially good in terms of plot development and characterization (as opposed to regular Naruto), but for someone who's never seen either, it's a bit difficult to shift through the filler episodes and "same thing happens every episode" type of episodes, unless you show them the series from the beginning, confusion-free.
Naruto's great also if the person is younger. College-aged and up may not be too interested in it.
smoking crimson
Sunrise (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/01/09 | Reply
This is really helpful, I'll keep it in mind. Another way- (Usually sort of a off-chance) Watch anime. The person may become interested in the anime/ manga, and ask you about.
Worked beautifully with I love Candy XD & my dad. :D
CrimsonA
*hugs+faves*
Mighty RED RANGER
Pleiades Rising
Otaku Idol (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 02/28/09 | Reply
I like the idea of people introducing themselves to anime. That is, after all, how I became acquainted with the whole genre (or to borrow someone else's apt term "medium"). And if this is the case with those who do take that trip, I believe that any sort of anime is up for grabs. I remember taking the plunge directly into the deep end of the pool, after dipping my toes in the shallow end for some time (throughout my earlier years, I've watched various anime, but never seriously). What hooked me? Simply these: Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It seems as if I needed to watch these ultra mindbending anime to appreciate what anime can offer me, besides the usual startling, pretty visuals. I knew that I was on to something quite different when I sat down and began watching my VHS tape of the first GitS movie. I just knew right away that this was a medium that had the potential to speak to me. Still, I suspect that I would love anime even if my first experience with it had been, say, Cowboy Bebop.
I suspect that certain personality types are drawn to certain anime. If you happen to find or be introduced to an anime for the first time in your life, that first impression is the one that stays with you. So I don't necessarily see any reason to exclude the more esoteric in favor of the exoteric. At the very least, have a nice balance to show the range that anime has--allow it to show its horizonless sky.
stararnold
Otaku Eternal | Posted 02/27/09 | Reply
I don't know about nott suggesting "Akira" to newbies. I mean, this Anime has an important part in the long history of Anime and its fandom. Same goes to many classics from the 1960s-1990s ("Speed Racer" and "Star Blazers" for examples).
Last edited by stararnold at 8:13:43 PM EST on February 27, 2009.
Markus wolfe
Grand Otaku | Posted 02/27/09 | Reply
When do you introduce them to, say, Naruto or Bleach?
jannycats
Otaku Legend | Posted 02/27/09 | Reply
Pretty much agree with not suggesting Akira to the newbies, the movie is dull and some parts can scar many... I'd rather give them a summary for Death Note. The story is attractive and both the anime and manga are easy to get used to.
Miss Anonymous
Vagrant AI (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 02/26/09 | Reply
Heck, I thought you already had submitted it for pooblikashun.
I say do it. I think a lot of people try to think of ways of how to introduce their friends or family members to anime. I myself have attempted a couple of times with my father, my most recent attempt being Mushi-Shi.
But yes, I think this could be useful, so why not? :P
P.S. My dad said Mushi-Shi was interesting, and I believe he meant that in a good way.