Anime Virgins
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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.
FMA: BrotherHood worked well enough for me, to get me into and get other into anime.
Samurai Champloo has worked well to snag peoples interest.
I personally wouldn't Cowboy Bebop, it seems to be loved by its fans but me and my friends never really got into it
Samurai Champloo has worked well to snag peoples interest.
I personally wouldn't Cowboy Bebop, it seems to be loved by its fans but me and my friends never really got into it
Love Hina, as a LIGHThearted thing to get him interested?? That kind of thing scares me off and weirds me out.
Like others have said, it depends on what he's interested in. If he's stayed away from anime based off general impressions thus far, I think something like Naruto or Bleach would be a bad bet. I stay away from those because they tend to fall into so many common stereotypes anime seems to fall into. Mainly, you could ask him what he DOESN'T want to see in anime (ie, "Whiny 15-year-old girls") and work away from that.
Like others have said, it depends on what he's interested in. If he's stayed away from anime based off general impressions thus far, I think something like Naruto or Bleach would be a bad bet. I stay away from those because they tend to fall into so many common stereotypes anime seems to fall into. Mainly, you could ask him what he DOESN'T want to see in anime (ie, "Whiny 15-year-old girls") and work away from that.
I felt about Cowboy Bebop something akin to what you felt about Black Lagoon. Perhaps not that the characters were unlikable, but that they had no chemistry together at all, and I'm huge on partnerships and camaraderie. The episodic nature of the show pretty much ensured that the show was all filler save for maybe 6-8 episodes and if you didn't like the characters then you're just SOL. And for every awesome "show don't tell" moment there was a pretentious verbiage to counter it. Sometimes it served the noir nature of the show but other times..."Cat that died a million deaths"...Ugh, so thick with cheese.will1182 said:
It's just as understandable that you hated Black Lagoon. I felt that combination of the dubbing (the swearing was very novel for me cause I'd never heard it done to such a wonderfully HBO-styled excess in anime) the artistry, the action, and the characters (That episode where Rock and Revy argue was what sold me on the characters for the rest of the show.) came together really well. It was like Cowboy Bebop but with scoundrels, odd camaraderie, and without the pretentious noir-speak.
Yeah, I'm on your side. A serious work (but not DEEEENSE) that doesn't overly use anime conventions. I'm sure the Fullmetal Alchemist manga is one of the best works to introduce a manga virgin, and the anime would do a fair job at it too.
Although a feature film of the same vibe would probably be even better, due to its smaller time requirement.
Although a feature film of the same vibe would probably be even better, due to its smaller time requirement.
Cowboy Bebop, Hellsing, Death Note, Evangelion, GITS. Saw quite a recent anime called Durarara, which I thought was easy to get into and fun, if a bit stupid. I would steer clear of insanely long anime. Bleach is a good one to start off with but don't continue it. Same with One Piece, which is arguably better, and the anime that got me into the stuff, but is ridiculously long. Once the initial hurdle is overcome, they can move on to the animes with inside references that parody the culture, like NHK, Lucky Star. Then when they've lost all sanity from repeated exposure to anime it's time to watch Gurren Lagan.
I gotta go with Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, but Death Note was the first one I watched and I loved it.
Also, my brother keeps telling me how good Black Lagoon is as well.
Also, my brother keeps telling me how good Black Lagoon is as well.
The only Anime I've ever watched was Full Metal Alchemist. I watched the english version, though, so I don't know if it counts. But yeah, I loved it. T'was brilliant.
That didn't get me into other Animes however. But that was probably just bad timing...
That didn't get me into other Animes however. But that was probably just bad timing...
I'm not into anime but a friend got me to watch Death Note and I ate that shit up. I haven't gotten into any other animes yet since but it did give me a whole lot of respect for the medium.
After watching it finally for the first time a few days ago, Cowboy Bebop is definitely something I'd suggest for a new comer to anime.
Or really to anyone at all, it's just a great show.
Though.... Tenchi Muyo was actually the first anime I ever watched so I have to mention that even if most people probably won't like it.
Or really to anyone at all, it's just a great show.
Though.... Tenchi Muyo was actually the first anime I ever watched so I have to mention that even if most people probably won't like it.
Pretty much that last bit too but as for Clannad, I haven't actually seen it yet. Though, as far as funny/romantic goes, Fruits Basket and the Clamp anime were always my favourites :3Thaius said: