So You Want to Watch Anime? Part 1 – 10 Shows to Start You Off

People often ask me what they should watch if they want to get into anime or have watched only a couple of shows. Obviously, it pays to ask people what genres they like, as anime is just another sub-medium of television and TV, movie and book preferences are all valid. Some of the shows listed here are often noted to be aimed at people who are very knowledgeable about anime, but they are on the list because they stand on their own, and none of us are rookie media consumers.

This list is designed in part to present you with a variety of genres, so you could watch these shows in order to have a better place to start from when looking for additional material – based on what you like and don’t like. Future posts will cover movies, and some more shows based on genres and themes. All posts will be organized on this page.

Note, unless noted otherwise, episode length is roughly 23-24 minutes, with 3-4 minutes per episode spent on opening song (OP), ending song (ED) and next episode’s preview.

1) Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995):

One of the most influential shows of the last two decades on anime, referenced in many other shows, from small cameos to scene composition, to whole motifs being taken wholecloth, aside from the fact Shinji, Asuka and Rei are the archetypes on which countless other main characters had been modeled. That of course isn’t sufficient, but it’s a well told story about a group of teenagers who must risk their lives, relationships and psyche in order to defend humanity.

The show begins slowly, but as you go, the emotional hits and the mysteries keep ramping up, until you find yourself with nary a time to take a breather in between. This show had been considered a reconstruction of the mecha genre when it aired, but the story stands well on its own, and with how influential it is I think holding off on watching this show can only be detrimental.

The “twist to mystery” which also often includes references to the supernatural and real-world mythologies at times had truly been ever-present in longer shows after NGE. Its effect on the anime world can’t be overstated.

Genres and Notes: Action, mecha, psychological, teenagers, mystery. Give it at least until episode 8, where it truly shows you what it has to offer. Watch the main series and then watch End of Evangelion, an alternate ending to the last two episodes. Skip Death and Rebirth as it is entirely superfluous. “Rebuild of Evangelion”  (Evangelion 1.11, 2.22, etc.) are an alternate retelling via movies, and aren’t as highly recommended. I don’t suggest this show under the age of 15 – blood, violence, psychological wounds, etc. Often referred to as “NGE” or “Evangelion”.
Episode Count: 26 episodes. End of Evangelion is 90 minutes long.
Buy on Amazon: The complete series. End of Evangelion had unfortunately been out of print for about a decade now.

Geek Fashion; A Surprise Encounter.

Well, I’ve recently come across a list with the markers identifying one as an “otaku“, according to a survey held in Japan. One of the items had described “Anime T-Shirts”, as a negative thing, and I thought that impression should be fixed.

I do agree, there are the totally drawn, overdrawn, over-the-top fashion-victim shirts you see people wear, such as the neon orange and yellow 100% drawn Dragon Ball Z T-Shirts, but there are plenty of shirts one can wear, and which look good, even, and perhaps especially when those who view them do not know that they mark one as a geek. Heck, I’m sure many non-geeks will proudly wear them.

Lagann, on one of my new shirts!

I had the “pleasure” of going out and buying some l0ng-sleeved more fashionable shirts yesterday, and to be honest, I felt quite a bit like Madarame, from Genshiken. My older shirts are very comfortable, but being flannel, they tend to give a certain pajama feel. And I decided something had to be done. Well, imagine my surprise when I saw Lagann at a very mainstream shop.

Naruto’s Intelligence; Anime vs. Manga.

I usually prefer watching or reading a show in the original form it was released, book, manga, anime, whatever. The new creation can be valid and good on its own, but for the definitive take on the story, one should look at the original.

In anime and manga, this is quite important. We all know how some shows begin serialization before the original story is finished, and thus have to not only change things, but make up a lot of it as they go along (Fullmetal Alchemist), or that they descend into more and more “Filler episodes” of original and usually subpar material (such as Naruto and Bleach). But sometimes they go beyond.

The infamous "Shadow Clone Technique" in action. Overkill!

Read more:

Month in Review: July

I hope to get to do this every month. Basically an outline and a line on two on what I’ve done the past month. Some of these things will still get their own post.
Stuff done in whole, so I might mention some other things, but we’ll see.

July was a month I was feeling crappy for much of, and had tests in the University, so it may be both more and less than usual. More anime and less books, certainly.

Movies:

• Ice Age 2: Turns out I have this on DVD. Watched this in preparation for Ice Age 3. Wasn’t very funny or good.
• Ice Age 3: Went to the cinema for this one. This one was quite hilarious, which is something I like seeing in movies. A rollicking good fun.
• Don’t Mess with the Zohan (uncensored): An ok movie, I guess. It could’ve been considerably better with some better editing. Cutting a 1-2 minute here, another 1-2 minute there, that were simply awful, would have done the movie good. It did show people what an Israeli accent sounds like though.
• Yes Man. An ok movie, relatively good time. Loved the music, loved Zooey Deschanel.
• Japan: A Love Story. A documentary. Voluntary slavery almost comes to mind, but of course, I’m an outsider looking in.

TV:

• Daily House M.D. re-runs continue, season 3 and 4. I guess when this ends next week or so we’ll get season 5. I’ve watched the episodes before, still, fun.
• Boston Legal season 5 started showing.
• Damages season 2 is showing. I am enjoying it a lot thus far.

Books:

• Wheel of Time 6, large portion of 7. This is where the going begins to get tough, but it’s easier than I remember it, because I was reading it quickly. Then again, barely touched it the last three weeks or so.

Manga:

• Fullmetal Alchemist 19: I had a great time, we’re finally getting to uncover more of the past of the series. Mood considerably different from the beginning of the series, I might need to read it all again when it’s all out.
• Future Diary 1: I did not get to read this one, apparently Tokyopop has issues. I thought the concept was cool, still want to read it.
• Rurouni Kenshin 1-15: I’ve decided to re-read the series.

Anime:

• Mai-HiMe: I’ve really enjoyed this series. I’ve loved Mai, I liked her Seiyu, the art, the story, the emotional impact. A+.
• Gintama: Watched episodes 1-8. Since I’ve had it, decided to watch it already. Highly suggested to Hayate no Gotoku fans. I like this one better, funny.
• Zero no Tsukaima / The Familiar of Zero; Seasons 1-3: I like how they are doing this series right, with the story continuing in its own pace, season by season. Series is nice, series is cute. Series is by no means “something special”. You do get a Yuki Nagato clone in it, and another “Sanzenin Nagi”.
• Tenjho Tenge 1-10. As I’ve covered it during the month, I decided to watch it again. Undecided if I’ll watch it all again or not.
• Onegai Sensei / Please Teacher: A series designed to appeal to teenaged geeks. It has some moments where it can “get you”, emotionally. Its backdrop is especially designed for that effect.

Had been reading bits and pieces of the Transhuman Space RPG.
I also got to eat at “Black Bar and Burger” for the first time. The hot-wings were a bit skinny and tough, the burger was delicious. Medium.