If you are new to anime, you might be wondering how to start exploring this vast and diverse medium.
Here are some tips and recommendations that can help you get started:
1. Know the basic terms and concepts
Anime is not a genre, but a medium that can have many genres within it. Some of the common genres are:
- Shounen: Anime aimed at young male audiences, typically featuring action, adventure, comedy, and friendship. Examples: Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball.
- Shoujo: Anime aimed at young female audiences, typically featuring romance, drama, fantasy, and slice-of-life. Examples: Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Fruits Basket.
- Seinen: Anime aimed at adult male audiences, typically featuring more mature themes, violence, psychological elements, and realism. Examples: Death Note, Monster, Berserk.
- Josei: Anime aimed at adult female audiences, typically featuring more realistic romance, drama, social issues, and slice-of-life. Examples: Nana, Honey and Clover, Chihayafuru.
- Isekai: Anime that involves the main character being transported to another world, usually a fantasy or sci-fi setting. Examples: Re:Zero, Sword Art Online, Konosuba.
- Mecha: Anime that features giant robots or machines that are piloted by humans or other beings. Examples: Gundam, Code Geass, Evangelion.
There are many more genres and subgenres of anime, but these are some of the most common ones. You can also find anime that mix different genres together or create their own unique genre.
Another term that you might encounter is manga, which is the Japanese word for comics or graphic novels. Manga is often the source material for anime adaptations, but not all manga have anime versions and vice versa. Manga can also have different genres and styles than anime.
2. Find your preferences and interests
One of the best ways to discover anime that you might like is to think about what kind of stories, characters, themes, and aesthetics you enjoy in other media forms. For example:
- If you like superhero movies or comics, you might enjoy anime that feature heroes with special powers or abilities. Examples: My Hero Academia, One Punch Man, The Promised Neverland.
- If you like horror movies or books, you might enjoy anime that feature scary or creepy elements. Examples: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry), Another, Elfen Lied.
- If you like musicals or music in general, you might enjoy anime that feature music as a central theme or element. Examples: Your Lie in April, K-On!, Carole & Tuesday.
- If you like historical fiction or documentaries, you might enjoy anime that are set in different periods of history or based on real events or people. Examples: Vinland Saga, Samurai Champloo, Grave of the Fireflies.
Of course, these are not strict rules or categories. You can always try something new or different from your usual preferences and interests. You might be surprised by what you find.
3. Use online resources and platforms
There are many online resources and platforms that can help you find and watch anime. Some of the most popular ones are:
- MyAnimeList: A website that allows you to browse, rate, review, and track anime and manga titles. You can also join forums and clubs to discuss and share your opinions with other fans.
- Crunchyroll: A streaming service that offers a large library of anime titles with subtitles in various languages. You can watch anime for free with ads or pay for a premium subscription that removes ads and gives access to more features.
- Netflix: A streaming service that offers a variety of movies and shows from different countries and genres. It also has a growing collection of anime titles with subtitles and dubbing in various languages.
- YouTube: A video-sharing platform that allows you to watch clips, trailers, reviews, reactions, and other content related to anime. You can also find some full episodes or movies of anime on YouTube.
These are just some examples of online resources and platforms that can help you find and watch anime. There are many more options available depending on your location and preferences.
4. Have fun and be open-minded
The most important thing to remember when watching anime is to have fun and be open-minded. Anime is a diverse and creative medium that can offer you many hours of entertainment and enjoyment. You might not like every anime you watch or agree with every opinion you hear but that’s okay. You can always find something that suits your taste and mood.
What are your opinions on this matter?
Do you agree or disagree and why?
