How did you get into anime? 🎬

[Nous]

Hey everyone!
I thought this would be a fun thread to kick off some nostalgia and stories

How did you first get into anime?
Was it something you stumbled on as a kid, or did a friend pull you in later on?

For me, it all started with Pokémon, waking up early just to catch new episodes before school. I didn’t even realize it was “anime” back then, it just felt different, the colors, the emotion, the way stories hit harder than regular cartoons. Eventually that opened the door to Dragon Ball Z, and the rest just spiraled from there. Although I did take a hiatus for quite some time since high-school. Back on the anime grind with Demon Slayer.

Now I’m curious to hear from you guys:
What was your very first anime?
What made you fall in love with it?
And if you could recommend one show for someone new to anime, what would it be?

Drop your story below, doesn’t matter if it’s short or long, everyone’s anime origin story is unique.

 

[Saya2091]

Mine was probably Card Captor Sakura or Yu-gi-oh!

It's started in 2000 or 2001 I think at tv in Canada.

During the week, they showed Yu-gi-oh at 6h30 am. After that, I think it was Pokemon.

On the weekend it was, Card Captor Sakura, Beyblade, Medabot, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon and Digimon at Teletoon. It was fun because I reminded that I was saving it on a tape video for the tv.

Like "Nous" said, I didn't know that was anime at that time.

My ex step-brother shared with me and my sister Bleach, it was maybe in 2005-2006. It was my first time that I realised that was an anime. So I started to search on that.

I've tried so much anime at the beginning : Blood +, Final Fantasy Unlimited, Love Hina, Ah! My goddess and some other.

The first thing that make me fall in love with anime it's the art, the visual artwork and in second position maybe the OST. I'm a huge fan of music like the OST of anime. When i work (accounting), I put an OST of my favorite anime.

I wonder if I can recommend something because I've seen so much anime that I like/love.

Actually, I rewatch non-stop Apocathery diaries. I would recommend it surely!

 

[Laifot]

I don't remember clearly how it started, but i can tell that i was always interested in anime. When all that i would know was aired on TV, i watched captain tsubasa, pokemon, gundam wing, evangelion, trigun and rurouni kenshin.

When i had the possibility to reach series through anime boards like this, my interest in anime shows grew exponentially. After graduating from highschool i marathoned tons of master pieces like gundam seed, chrno crusade, saber marionette and slayers, to name a few.

Somehow, everything led to cosplay and figure collecting too.

My recommendations for anyone who's starting in this amazing universe:

- Full Metal Alchemist (OG) - 2004
- Death Note
- Trigun

 

[Nous]

I have been getting a lot of recommendations for Death Note tbh. Definitely will check it out!

I had an era in my life where I did not understand why people watched Anime, until I started watching it and got hooked. Currently finishing off watching Spy Family, such a cute series.

 

[Laifot]

I have been getting a lot of recommendations for Death Note tbh. Definitely will check it out!

I had an era in my life where I did not understand why people watched Anime, until I started watching it and got hooked. Currently finishing off watching Spy Family, such a cute series.

I didn't get to watch spy family yet, my mind has been focused on One Piece. I won't stop till i get up to date.

Death Note is a classic, Code Geass is another master piece from that era. Maybe Lucky Star can be for a seasoned otaku, maybe Genshiken can be mentioned too.

 

[Nous]

After debating with myself whether to invest into start watching One Piece, I did get started on watching it on Netflix last weekend. With over 20 seasons, I will probably be stuck watching One Piece for the coming months, I assume.

I wouldn't call myself a seasoned Otaku however would love to try to get there haha.

 

[Saya2091]

I was wondering something. I'm really artistic so I love a great artwork style anime.

Does anyone had ever been bothered by the "elastic style" of Luffy or the big weird nose of some character in One piece? Can it be pass over it?

I know many people said it's a good classic to watch but I've never wanted to watch or read it because of the "art" of the character.

 

[trainof.foxes9]

My first one from what I can remember was jojos. I was around 10, I just stumbled upon it while watching videos on my mom's computer. (But for all I know it could've been earlier than that)

Personally I'd recommend hellsing. But if they want something more lighthearted and innocent then love live and lucky star are great picks

 

[Laifot]

My first one from what I can remember was jojos. I was around 10, I just stumbled upon it while watching videos on my mom's computer. (But for all I know it could've been earlier than that)

Personally I'd recommend hellsing. But if they want something more lighthearted and innocent then love live and lucky star are great picks

Hellsing is a very cool show. K-On! should also be an option for beginners.

 

[Zack]

Technically, Doraemon and Shin Chan lol.
But culturally, it was during the times the four great - Naruto, Bleach, One Piece and Fairy Tails

 

[Heatman]

I've always been a Naruto fan from day one, so I would say that's my going to be my favourite anime. It was my cousin brother who introduced me to anime because he always watches it whenever I come visiting. It was how I picked up interest and never stopped.

 

[Steve]

My interest in Anime is a recently discovered hobby. I never took any interest but my nephew and niece were very much into it. Out of curiosity, I once looked into it, and after a few episodes, I got hooked into it.

 

[Tanla]

It was a cartoon network that trapped me.
After school then, I watched Ben 10 and Naruto back to back. Before I knew it, I was even downloading the episodes with the 2go browser. Anime just felt deeper than normal cartoons in terms of story and emotions.

 

[Zack]

It was a cartoon network that trapped me.
After school then, I watched Ben 10 and Naruto back to back. Before I knew it, I was even downloading the episodes with the 2go browser. Anime just felt deeper than normal cartoons in terms of story and emotions.

Watching shows after school just hits differently. Naruto especially had that emotional storytelling that made it feel deeper than regular cartoons. Downloading episodes back then was part of the experience too - it felt like discovering something special.

My interest in Anime is a recently discovered hobby. I never took any interest but my nephew and niece were very much into it. Out of curiosity, I once looked into it, and after a few episodes, I got hooked into it.

Sometimes it just takes one show to pull you in. It’s cool that your nephew and niece introduced you to it.

I've always been a Naruto fan from day one, so I would say that's my going to be my favourite anime. It was my cousin brother who introduced me to anime because he always watches it whenever I come visiting. It was how I picked up interest and never stopped.

Naruto really is one of those anime that stays with you once you start it. Being introduced through family makes it even more memorable. It’s interesting how one person sharing what they love can spark a long-term interest like that.

 

[Senkusha]

The year was 2002. I was at work, just got a new computer upgraded with Windows XP. Sure the wallpaper was pretty, compared to what came with Windows 98, but I wanted something novel to glance at in between duties. So, I began searching the Net, and after a couple of minutes, I was looking at a red-haired girl staring back at me with those iconic, large eyes. Fifteen minutes later, I discovered the name of this person: Ranma Saotome, and two hours after that, I discovered fan-fiction (since I obviously couldn't watch the anime while I'm at work). The written word is second best, because I can Alt-Tab quickly. I even remember the name of the fan fiction: The Magical Mystery Hibiki Tour. It was this title that introduced me to Kiyone, a Galaxy Police officer from the series Tenchi Universe (my first favorite anime and website fan-shrine).

I could ramble on for hours about this, so I'll go distract myself with other things now.

 

[Zack]

The year was 2002. I was at work, just got a new computer upgraded with Windows XP. Sure the wallpaper was pretty, compared to what came with Windows 98, but I wanted something novel to glance at in between duties. So, I began searching the Net, and after a couple of minutes, I was looking at a red-haired girl staring back at me with those iconic, large eyes. Fifteen minutes later, I discovered the name of this person: Ranma Saotome, and two hours after that, I discovered fan-fiction (since I obviously couldn't watch the anime while I'm at work). The written word is second best, because I can Alt-Tab quickly. I even remember the name of the fan fiction: The Magical Mystery Hibiki Tour. It was this title that introduced me to Kiyone, a Galaxy Police officer from the series Tenchi Universe (my first favorite anime and website fan-shrine).

I could ramble on for hours about this, so I'll go distract myself with other things now.

I got hooked through after-school TV. It started with Doraemon and Shin Chan, pure chaotic fun, then escalated fast when Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z came into my life. The power-ups, the training arcs, the rivalries, that intensity pulled me in. Not long after, I was deep into Fairy Tail, Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece, completely invested in their worlds, dreams, and brotherhood themes. At the same time, I was watching everything from Slam Dunk, Digimon, and Pokémon to Slayers, Yakitate!! Japan, and even Midori no Hibi. It wasn’t just one series, it was the variety of action, comedy, sports, fantasy, and romance that made anime feel limitless. Before I knew it, it wasn’t just something to pass the time; it became a huge part of my imagination growing up. There's a lot more animes that got me into anime, but I can't recall them off atm.

 

[Korok]

What was your very first anime?
As a child: pokemon, Sailor Moon, or Tenchi Muyo. Not sure which came first.
As an adult: Ghost in the Shell

What made you fall in love with it?
Netflix. It was the first time I could watch an anime from start to finish in a way that made sense, so I became a big fan in my 20s.

And if you could recommend one show for someone new to anime, what would it be?
Ghost in the Shell or Cyberpunk Edgerunners just so they understand anime =/= for children only lol

Edit: I typo'd pokemon LOL

 

[Zack]

That is how Netflix manage to provide for fanbases, so far

 

[Laifot]

What was your very first anime?
As a child: cokemon, Sailor Moon, or Tenchi Muyo. Not sure which came first.
As an adult: Ghost in the Shell

What made you fall in love with it?
Netflix. It was the first time I could watch an anime from start to finish in a way that made sense, so I became a big fan in my 20s.

And if you could recommend one show for someone new to anime, what would it be?
Ghost in the Shell or Cyberpunk Edgerunners just so they understand anime =/= for children only lol

Very sharp recommendations imo, though i'm not sure if i'd come up with a really deep show like GITS, maybe I'll go with Blood+, Trigun, more easygoing , maybe Cowboy Bebop?

 

[Look At Me]

Vocaloid is what dragged me into this mess!! I didn't know what anime was when I first found Vocaloid (well, I was seven.), but upon exploring the world of Vocaloid through songs such as Teto Territory, Triple Baka and Popipo, I slowly learnt what anime was and fell in love with it. Maybe due to anime being so bright and flashy? Not sure. It just clicked

Now, my very first anime actually came before I even knew what anime was thanks to my brother. That being, Sailor Moon. Classic, obviously. I don't remember much given that I was five at the time, but I remember I had a preference for Sailor Mercury. It might also be why I love space so much.

Finally, if someone were new to anime or hadn't even heard of it, I'd actually recommend them something classic, playful and hooking! Something like Pokémon, DBZ, Hamtaro, or even Sonic X.