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The List - 7 "Gateway" Anime Sure to Get Newbies Hooked


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Kadmos1



Joined: 08 May 2014
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Location: In Phoenix but has an 85308 ZIP
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:07 am Reply with quote
AoT has also become a gateway anime but maybe Lynzee didn't include it on the list as how popular/somewhat overrated it is/can be. This also applies to Eva.
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FireChick
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Joined: 26 Mar 2006
Posts: 2382
Location: United States
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:10 am Reply with quote
Eh. I can understand Cowboy Bebop, FMA, and Fruits Basket being good gateway anime. But even those anime might get viewed the wrong way depending on the individual's tastes, especially if said individuals get the impression that all anime are either full of gore, violence, and sex, focus completely on its negative points, and joke about it forever. I've tried introducing some people to anime and manga when I was young, but they kept making crude jokes about it and refused to let it go, so as of now, I'm wary of introducing people to anime, even my own family. I'm also afraid if people are watching they ask weird questions and refuse to shut up about it such as "why is so and so doing this? Isn't this a bad thing? Why do they let it go and not bat an eye at it?"
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varmintx



Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1196
Location: Covington, KY
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:11 am Reply with quote
Heads up: the new poll is the old poll.
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Ranho



Joined: 04 Apr 2014
Posts: 68
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:17 am Reply with quote
*removes Psycho Pass, Tenchi-Muyo and Fruits Basket*

*adds NANA, Claymore and Steins;Gate*

If you want real gateway anime, give the anime-newb somethingwith story and heart... that'll get that junkie hooked.

(Cowboy Bebop gets a pass because its atmosphere pulls you in despite its episodic nature)

(Anything by Gen Urobuchi gets a triple thumbs down seeing as it promotes the image that anime is nothing more than violent, perverse, depressing and overly serious to the point of ludicrous cartoons not dispels it. Especially Fate Zero...if they can make it past episode 1 of that 40 minute borefest)

EDIT: firechick had a good point, Claymore probably shouldn't be in there should it? Dat Theresa x Clare storyline though...
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Themaster20000



Joined: 05 Aug 2014
Posts: 863
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:21 am Reply with quote
I would've put Outlaw Star somewhere on the list.
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Touma



Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2651
Location: Colorado, USA
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:26 am Reply with quote
I am happy that Maka was at the top of the old poll, because I voted for her. It was also nice to see Eri at number 4. She was my second choice.

And we need a new poll.Smile

I thought that the list of gateway anime was very good.
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Ranho



Joined: 04 Apr 2014
Posts: 68
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:26 am Reply with quote
About the list: Black lagoon was the very first anime I ever watched and oh my God that was it for me.

I thought "Woah, there's HUNDREDS of shows! Are they all like this one?! Gimme!"

Funnily enough I followed that up with Cowboy Bebop, another show that blew me away with how realistic cartoons could be ("Dirty, beat up spaceships? Fuckin-A, maaaan!).

You just can't avoid these two shows (and Evangelion) when googling about "top whatever anime" (when searching for anime as a newb as I was three or four years ago).

Honestly, anime, man: it's got some gems among all the crap, you know...
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Aquasakura



Joined: 01 Jan 2014
Posts: 700
Location: Chesterfield, Virginia, U.S.A
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:32 am Reply with quote
I remember watching Cowboy Bebop on Adult Swim, but I don’t remember the story entirely or how much I liked it at the time. From what I’ve heard Cowboy Bebop is one of the common shows people use to introduce others into Japanese animation, and while I don’t remember the story entirely I can understand why that’s the case. However, I think it would have a high chance appealing to those who like science fiction and/or westerns.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is another good choice. However personally if I was going to recommend Brotherhood I would also recommend the first anime adaptation along with it, but that’s because I like both adaptations. Their one of my top favorite anime I have seen in my life so far. Definable good for people who like fantasy, historic fiction, and /or some mystery. As for both Fruits Basket and Tenchi Muyo I agree that they are nice choices, but for people who like romance comedy.

For the other anime listed I have not seen so no comment. For me if I was going to introduce someone to an anime show I would look at their preference first, like favorite genre or theme, etc.


As for favorite blonde-haired, twin-tailed heroine I wouldn't know personally because that never once crossed my mind. In fact, I’m starting to wonder who comes up with these strange categories. I've been seeing these polls pop up in recent months. Well it shows that their are people out their who have these very specific preferences.
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Ulinox



Joined: 22 Aug 2009
Posts: 687
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:34 am Reply with quote
Hellsing Ultimate and Samurai Champloo should be on there somewhere. Personally, Tenchi Muyo is the last anime I'd recommend a newcomer, though.
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srlracing



Joined: 28 Feb 2013
Posts: 87
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:37 am Reply with quote
Tenchi Muyo! was indeed my gateway show. I had previous anime experience, grew up with it really, but it was the first show that I watched and said "so this is anime?" and launched me into watching more shows for a more mature audience like Outlaw Star, Eva, and later Cowboy Bebop. The art and setting of Tenchi Muyo! is still top notch to this day.

Last edited by srlracing on Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:40 am; edited 1 time in total
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immblueversion





PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:37 am Reply with quote
I remember when the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime rocked the world. Now that the more manga-accurate Brotherhood came out, I barely hear anyone talk about the first anime anymore. Now, while I did enjoy Brotherhood more in the end, it zipped right through its first thirteen episodes to get through the stuff the first anime covered. As a result, it got off to a mediocre start, which is a shame. The first anime, while slow in places, did devote more time to developing its scenes beyond what was shown in the manga. Not to mention the villains, while developed differently, were more interesting characters in the first anime (except King Bradley; the first anime's version can't hold a candle to Brotherhood's). So really, I think it'd be better to introduce the first anime to people (and Conqueror of Shamballa), then let them see Brotherhood after that if they'd like. That's what I did with my dad, as one of the few anime he's seen; funnily enough, he liked Brotherhood more because, in his words, it had more character development. Now it's one of his favorite shows.
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Cyclone1993



Joined: 05 Jul 2011
Posts: 947
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:41 am Reply with quote
I can agree with some of the things on this list. Brotherhood is a great gateway series, and one I've used to get a friend deeper into anime.

Cowboy Bebop, the only other thing I've seen on this list, wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't really find much about it appealing. But maybe someone out there can be pulled into it? I think Space Dandy, as weird as it is, has a western flair that can get people hooked as well.

I would add Steins;Gate, and Madoka Magica. (Despite what some people will say) I would also add Death Note. Death Note is the one series that I've gotten so many people hooked on. It hits all the interesting buttons that can make people watch a show, and doesn't alienate them by being "too Japanese".

However, I've always been more interested in what series NOT to show newbies! Shows that are so weird, and strange that they just wouldn't make for a good watch for someone who is new.

I'd have to say some series who fit this bill are the Monogatari series (Which I adore), and Gintama. Both are incredibly strange and full of so many references that they would be really hard for people to get into, who aren't well versed in anime.
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Roxas4ever



Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Posts: 152
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:41 am Reply with quote
Fruits Basket is the show I've been using to introduce friends (as it was my gateway anime). However, I've also hooked a few people with Ouran High School Host Club. It's got a ton of otaku-related humor that doesn't make sense to newcomers, but the English dub is so funny and accessible that every person I've shown it to has enjoyed it.

Last edited by Roxas4ever on Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:45 am; edited 1 time in total
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srlracing



Joined: 28 Feb 2013
Posts: 87
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:43 am Reply with quote
Kadmos1 wrote:
AoT has also become a gateway anime but maybe Lynzee didn't include it on the list as how popular/somewhat overrated it is/can be. This also applies to Eva.


More than anything with AoT and Eva is the high barrier for entry because of the extreme violence and psychological horror.
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meiam



Joined: 23 Jun 2013
Posts: 3442
PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:53 am Reply with quote
Anything can be gateway anime, mine was serial experiment lain. Laughing

I'd say FMA would be the best one very good balance of humor, action drama and it knows how to transition from one to another. I don't know if cowboy bebop is a good choice, amazing show but it does a lot different from most anime so I could see someone that doesn't like anime still being into bebop.

Oh and Madoka? No Madoka is the anti-gateway anime, it's the anime you tell the person who's watch most popular anime but is starting to think they can't get very deep and all function on the same basic plot to watch. I don't think you can appreciate Madoka without having seen a few magical girl show. On that note sakura could be a pretty good gateway anime for younger audience.
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