Many folks are hesitant to dive into the world of anime, a Japanese style of film and television animation, because of the prejudices against and biases toward the genre. In general, animations have long been interpreted as entertainment tailored for children, and accordingly, one’s obsession or preferences for anime are often regarded as immature. In truth, a lot of anime’s contents are not fitting for children at all. Fortunately, with the rising awareness and acceptance of individuality and cultural identities, anime has grown exponentially in popularity.
Although I am no professional in critiquing anime, I have a few recommendations based on my own experiences for those considering watching an anime for the first time. If you are bored of consuming repetitive media, take a chance at anime. They are truly entertaining and may resonate with you more than you might believe.
- Attack on Titan
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Attack on Titan has been extremely popular since its premiere in 2013. Set in a fictional world where humanity is preserved by cage-like walls away from cannibalistic titans, the protagonist’s journey is to figure out how humanity came to such fates. Accordingly, the visuals are honestly gruesome, but the show’s beyond-horrific depictions show the growth and camaraderie of distinct individuals. The real fun lies in resolving the mystery of humanity and of the titans. And soon, the series will meet its end with the final episode of season 4.
- Demon Slayer
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Demon Slayer is a relatively new anime series that launched in 2018. Set in the early 1900s of Japan, a 15-year-old boy loses his whole family to a demon’s slaughter except his sister, who turned into a demon herself. Following that, he enlists himself to become a demon slayer to avenge the deaths of innocent people and to demolish the spread of evil. This series also has some gory depictions now and then, but the show mainly dissects the skill and mental maturity of the characters as they face more and more evolved demons. Notably, the series has an interesting approach to viewers as the most recent release was a film adaptation instead of another TV episode.
- The Promised Neverland
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The Promised Neverland is a suspenseful and thrilling anime of a group of young children at an orphanage. The characters have lived in peace and happiness for a long time until they figure out the dark truth of what happens to those who are supposedly adopted. The show presents the striking genius of young adolescents as they strategize an escape from their doom.
- Tokyo Ghoul
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Tokyo Ghoul is a classic Japanese anime that received its TV adaptation in 2018 in response to the intense popularity of its manga series. Based in modern Tokyo, Japan, the protagonist is forced into a new course of life following his initial encounter with a ghoul. In the story, a ghoul is defined as a cannibalistic human-species that has dangerous inhuman powers. In some ways, the series has a similar premise to that of Demon Slayer, but Tokyo Ghoul really highlights the human empathy and need for communication above rivalry.
- Haikyu!!
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Haikyu!! is a unique anime series specifically focused on volleyball. Without a doubt, it is one of the most famous anime series right now. The story beautifully combines the intense sport matches along with diverse storylines of each character. Although the show may seem targeted to volleyball players or athletes in general, it actually touched the hearts of many as viewers felt inspired and connected to the raw passions within the characters. To date, fans are awaiting the release of season five!
All of the recommended series are available on Netflix as they have been intensely popularized for a long time, and the fame is in response to each work’s excellent artistry and story-building. As a result, these shows may best represent the genre for those who are taking their first step into the realm of anime. If you are already an avid viewer of anime, I would suggest reading the original mangas to further your interests.
Across the globe, international films and TV shows are often unintentionally dismissed due to cultural differences and barriers, but there are a lot of phenomenal works out there. As Bong Joon-Ho, the director of Parasite has mentioned, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” But we should extend that suggestion beyond films to other forms of entertainment for a richer experience of art.
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