"Starter" anime

[Winry]

Agreed.

[ich1990]

Paprika is an especially bad recommendation. It's practically a David Lynch or Terry Gilliam film, and really takes a certain sort of person to watch and enjoy it, regardless of its status as an anime. I would only recommend it as a good first anime in the case of the persons favorite movie of all time being Eraserhead or Brazil though.

Those were the kinds of people I was referring too. Perhaps I hang out with an odd crowd but a lot of people I know like that style of movie. If not, like TSD said you could sub in Millennium Actress for a more widespread appeal.

[mysngoeshere56]

For me, it'd really depend on which friend I was recommending anime to and what he/she would be looking for. The titles that got me into anime were Tsubasa Chronicle and D.N.Angel, but I don't think those are common "first anime"... Well technically Pokemon was my first anime, but I only watched a little bit back when I was in 1st grade and figured it was just a cartoon. XD The other two were the first ones I watched in the actual knowledge that I was watching anime.

As for my friends, I'd say they'd probably think that Rurouni Kenshin, Naruto, and/or Fruits Basket would be good ones.

[ShiroiHikari]

Paprika never really seemed "David Lynch" to me. They both use trippy imagery but the tone and feel of Paprika is worlds apart from, say, Eraserhead. (Yes I have seen Eraserhead; no I do not recommend it.) Regardless, I do agree that one should be cautious recommending Paprika (or any Satoshi Kon) to people whose tastes lean toward more conventional fare.

[mechana2015]

I say that mostly because I love Paprika, but a lot of anime fans I recommended it to didn't like it, let alone the reaction I got when some non anime fans saw it and I asked about it. The reactions were pretty similar to ones I've heard for Brazil and Eraserhead. : /

[ShiroiHikari]

That's kind of sad. :<

[Lilac#18]

[color="Plum"]Tenchi Muyo/Universe, Sailor Moon, like others had said. Also Fushigi Yugi, HeartCatch PreCure, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.[/color]

[adam.skinner]

I think movies like Spirited Away, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Summer Wars are great introductions to anime. However, people who might watch a movie still wouldn't watch a series.

Having a good dub is definitely a plus, since one of the main reasons (aside from a general prejudice based on their experience with American cartoons) they shy away from anime is the fact that they're subtitled.

While each person has their own level of interest in different anime genres, I think comedies are your best bet to start with. They have a wide, general appeal.

Some of my pics would be:

Azumanga Daiou*
Minami-ke
Ichigo Mashimaro
School Rumble*
Toradora!
Kannagi
Nodame Cantabile
Rec (this series is particularly short)
Working!

* = decent dub

These are all solid, enjoyable comedies, ranging from wacky, random and episodic (Azumanga Daiou) to fairly romantic plot continuity (Toradora!, Nodame Cantabile).

[TheMewster]

I got started on Pokemon, but it's not a good idea for introducing anime to teens and adults, as they will think anime is just little kid junk. And considering the stuff out there, you DO NOT wanna introduce anime to kids. Azumanga Daioh is mah fave anime. Don't use Lucky Star to introduce people to anime ever. I'm an anime fan (Meh, I was LIVING for anime before I started living for Christ) and I don't get most of the jokes (which usually have to do with obscure anime). Haven't finished Lucky Star or really watched it in forever, though, so check it yourself. Haven't watched any Miyazaki movies, but they sound good.
Like ShiroiHikari said, WATCH IT WITH THEM. Sorry to rain on your anime parade with a dose of religion, but it would also be a great opportunity to evangelize if anything in the movie or show reminds you of God or Jesus as well as get them actually watching it. God bless you all!

[Atria35]

And considering the stuff out there, you DO NOT wanna introduce anime to kids.

As long as you're monitoring and talking with kids about what they're watching, that's not much of a problem. After all, most anime a kid watches will be on tv (pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, various others shown on Saturday morning) and those are aired to the general public.

[rocklobster]

I think Miyazaki movies are great starters for kids, as well as Pokemon.

[mechana2015]

And considering the stuff out there, you DO NOT wanna introduce anime to kids.

I think this is a bit too broad a statement.
Most media have a dark or 'bad' side to them. Live action movies, live action TV, non japanese animation, video games, even books and comics. Unless you're willing to refuse kids access to ALL media for this reason I see it as an unreasonable and biased stance to single anime out for having content that isn't child safe. The US movie market is much worse than the anime market, considering it produces about 5 G rated movies to theaters per year (several of which are cartoons anyways). Would you not introduce anyone under teen age to live action movies?

[Winry]

I agree. I think it's unreasonable to say anime is any worse than anything else out there kids watch. It's like generalizing all American cartoons are bad for kids because the Simpsons and Family Guy, etc exist. Not all "cartoons" and anime are made for children. I think there are definitely anime series out there appropriate for kids. Of course, I wouldn't let them run wild and watch just any anime series, just like I wouldn't let them watch any tv show they felt like.

[Maokun]

Pokemon is absolutely harmless entertainment for kids. In fact, every episode drives a positive value such as courage, loyalty, kindness, etc. If I had a kid, I'd sit down with him to watch it and then discuss it with him to make sure he got all the good stuff.

For young teens I'd pick something like Naruto. It has action and comedy that appeals to them but also deals with important themes for that age such as the need to belong, the importance of sticking to your guns, etc.

For older teens I'd suggest something brainier and more serious. People at that age is very insecure and will shoot down anything that might seem like insulting their intelligence or make them appear uncool. Death Note, Paranoia Agent or The Girl Who Leapt Through Time seem spot on for them. Also, That Series That Shall Not Be Discussed In This Forum, though some would obviously disagree.

For adults I'd go with Cowboy Bebop, Monster or Black Lagoon, i.e. a quality TV series where the fact that it's Japanese or animated is secondary.

Then again, generalizations are useful only to a extent. Each person's taste and personality also should be considered. For example, for the right person, Haibane Renmei would be an awesome entry to the anime world but most likely a turn off for everyone else; for others, something really dark like Hellsing would do the trick, but that's obviously not for everyone, and so on.

[Atria35]

Pokemon is absolutely harmless entertainment for kids. In fact, every episode a positive value such as courage, loyalty, kindness, etc. If I had a kid, I'd sit down with him to watch it and then discuss it with him to make sure he got all the good stuff.

My grandma thought it promoted animal cruelty. And said so loudy to everyone.

And then my six-year-old self looked at her and told her it was just a cartoon.

[Yamamaya]

Show your little kids End of Evangelion. This will make them grow up to be fantastic people and it will not scar them for life.


School Days is also a good show to give your kids the talk.

[Juliannesan]

I heard that Honey & Clover was made for people that had never watched or had an interest to anime before. and I've been watching it recently, and I think for maybe mid-teens and up would find that show interesting if they're into drama at all.

[Narnian]

Last Exile hands down. Better to spoil new anime converts on one of the best animes ever than introduce them to a half baked hentai prone anime. My first introduction to anime was Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Wolf's Rain. While they are good stories, for the most part, they are not something a twelve or thirteen year old should be watching no matter how mature he/she is mentally. (No wonder I have such a high tolerance for drugs, sex, and violence now. Sorry, mid-post realization.)

Last Exile is my first choice, but Fullmetal Alchemist and ARIA are other good choices. The age and maturity level of the viewer is also important as well. For instance, I started my younger sister on anime with ARIA since she's not yet mature enough to completely understand the violence in Last Exile, but I usually suggest Last Exile and/or FMA to my older college friends as they are more mature and, often, able to handle the violence better. That's my philosophy regarding anime introduction anyway.

[Tamachan319]

My first thought when I read this thread was: "Fruits Basket would be a good one."
Then I read through the entire thread. And guess what? Fruits Basket has been recommended many times already. So I'll just...add my recommendation.

[Darth_Kirby]

Show your little kids End of Evangelion. This will make them grow up to be fantastic people and it will not scar them for life.


School Days is also a good show to give your kids the talk.

uh... you know, some people might not know you're being sarcastic. lol

To Winry: My first animes were as follows

Card Captors
Yu-gi-oh
Pokemon

As for what I think are the best starters I thinkg that Card Captors, K-ON, Nastume Yuujin Chou, and Death Note are great starters depending on your taste in media.

[ShiroiHikari]

Last Exile, best anime ever?

*tapes her own mouth shut.*

[Maokun]

Card Captors

No, no, no, AAARGH, no!

*weeps for you and for this ugly, sometimes horrible world*

[Atria35]

As for what I think are the best starters I think that Card Captor Sakura... are great starters depending on your taste in media.

Now you might be onto something!

[LadyRushia]

My thought process with recommendations is basically a balance between known classics and series that don't rely too heavily on previous experience with anime tropes. So, it basically goes like this:

-Any Miyazaki, specifically Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Nausica, and Kiki's Delivery Service

-Cowboy Bebop

-Rurouni Kenshin

-Any short series because they take less time to go through

Long-running shonen series are out because 500 episodes is a ridiculous amount for someone to go through unless they become obsessed. I might add Soul Eater as a recommendation, but I'll have to see more of it before I'm sure.

[AngelicTotoro]

Well if you're introducing it to children, I'd say Pokemon is a good choice... just because I think they'd like all the cute little pokemon. =3
Also, Superbook, Flying house, Maple town, Grimms Fairy Tales, Adventures of the little Koala (if you can find them.) Hello Kitty & Friends, Hamtaro, My Neighbor Totoro, Allison and Lillia... and The Mysterious Cities of Gold is classic. (That last one i'd actually recommend to some adults.) All of them are dubbed of course, (Okay, I don't know if A&L is.) since I'm talking about like 3 and up here.
(Also I watched most of these as a child so I know kids like these from experience. Totally the right things to get kids into good, smart, funny, clean anime. ^^)

[Maokun]

Now you might be onto something!

The fair lady reads me like a book.

[Cognitive Gear]

Generally speaking, I don't think that there are really any universally good animes to start on. I generally just recommend them based on what I know about their taste in movies and TV shows. For instance, if someone likes Terry Gilliam movies, then Satoshi Kon stuff is a surefire recommendation. If they like character based serials with a touch of the supernatural, then Baccano! tends to be a great starter.

It really depends.

[ich1990]

Last Exile hands down. Better to spoil new anime converts on one of the best animes ever than introduce them to a half baked hentai prone anime. My first introduction to anime was Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Wolf's Rain. While they are good stories, for the most part, they are not something a twelve or thirteen year old should be watching no matter how mature he/she is mentally. (No wonder I have such a high tolerance for drugs, sex, and violence now. Sorry, mid-post realization.)

Are you specifically attempting to troll, or are you serious?

[Atria35]

Well if you're introducing it to children, I'd say Pokemon is a good choice... just because I think they'd like all the cute little pokemon. =3
Also, Superbook, Flying house, Maple town, Grimms Fairy Tales, Adventures of the little Koala (if you can find them.) Hello Kitty & Friends, Hamtaro, My Neighbor Totoro, Allison and Lillia... and The Mysterious Cities of Gold is classic. (That last one i'd actually recommend to some adults.) All of them are dubbed of course, (Okay, I don't know if A&L is.) since I'm talking about like 3 and up here.
(Also I watched most of these as a child so I know kids like these from experience. Totally the right things to get kids into good, smart, funny, clean anime. ^^)

One more you should add to that list is Erin (AKA Beast Player Erin). While it's really too bad you can only find it on Crunchyroll and it's only subbed, it is right up there with Miyazaki in terms of intelligence and care that went into the story, and it's actually pretty child-friendly. You should check it out sometime!

[AngelicTotoro]

One more you should add to that list is Erin (AKA Beast Player Erin). While it's really too bad you can only find it on Crunchyroll and it's only subbed, it is right up there with Miyazaki in terms of intelligence and care that went into the story, and it's actually pretty child-friendly. You should check it out sometime!

I actually watched Kemono no Souja Erin a few months ago, and I really liked it! The only thing I didn't like was the very last episode, which, imo, really sucked.
Just because they didn't actually clear some stuff up that was importaint to me...

Anyhow, thanks for the recommendation, that one is another good one for kids.