Anime Recommendations For New Fans

[The Jim]

So, I just read that we have some members on here using on "Top 7" thread as recommendations for starting to get into the fandom.

So, in this thread, I ask you what animes you would recommend 1 or 2 series for people just starting to get into anime should watch.

Also, while we're here, what anime got you into the fandom?

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For me, I'll recommend Death Note. A psychological and supernatural thriller series originally published as a manga in Shonen Jump, even though Shonen Jump is more famous for simpler action series like DragonBall, One Piece, Bleach and Naruto. I'd recommend Death Note as it has a very strong plot, and I feel it shares a lot of dramatic tension with FX's live action series Dexter. Each episode has it's own story, but as it progresses the overall drama with cliffhangers making you want to keep watching.

As for me, I got into anime in the 90's with the likes of Pokémon and Digimon, although the series I watched that I knew fell under the catagory of "anime" was DragonBall Z.

[Jupitris]

Recommending for new fans generally is hard because they might not like any show you recommend that isn't mainsteam/safe enough.
And then they just cycle round the same big name shows, which may not be bad but they'll sure miss out on some really great stuff that might suit their tastes better.
So i usually end up recommending the original Gundam's , anything by kyo ani and TTGL
Though to people I know its a lot different.

Also what got me into anime was lucky star , I actually heard the op by chance and it was odd I hated it but wanted to listen to it again , then I grew to love it, then I checked out the show gave it a couple episodes it grew on me, then I checked out other things.
I had seen anime sporadically and dubbed versions (As a film fan I've hated dubs since I was old enough to know the concept, some people think its just an anime thing) and so had never been impressed in fact only gundam wing which i later learned to be one of the worst gundam anime, was the only anime on tv that impressed me. DBZ bored me shit less after a while huge non sensible speeches and bragging about your plans and history etc while in the middle of a fight just killed it for me.

[Captain Awesome]

The new DBZ removed all those crap, the remake I mean. They cut the episodes by more than half by doing that.

[The Jim]

Redfox, you may need to expand on some of the animes you listed. Just cos you know what TTGL means, doesn't mean people new to the genre will.

Plus there is that much anime available now in shops, over the internet, etc, that it can be quite daunting. Some people may need help identifying good series from the chaff that exists, which is more so the point of this thread.

[Jupitris]

I don't see the problem with TTGL if your new to the genre or don't even know what it means your going to use google at some point either to find information on the show or to find an online shop to buy the DVD or to stream it illegally anyway and all those names first search result brings up the relevant all mighty wiki page.
As for expanding on any why I'd recommend those i left that out because its pointless to say, there broadly accepted as good, staples of their respective genre's studio's what have you and it doesn't mean i have to drag out the list of DBZ, Bleach, Death Note, and Naruto which pretty much anyone who even knows the term anime or manga know what they are (I just notice there practiacaly what you listed no dig intended or anything, just a fact that these are very big names well known and most newcomers know of/have watched)

[`AdeRin]

It's hard to suggest particular anime, as it always depends what type of anime you're into. For example, to lovers of more girly, shoujo anime, I would suggest Skip Beat! and Kaichou wa Maid-Sama, just because they both have amazingly strong female leads, and the storylines are so funny and interesting, yet they stick to the classic love storylines too.

For shounen lovers, I would highly recommend watching Sword of the Stranger. Seriously - I can't give that film enough praise. The animation is fantastic, and whether you watch the sub or the dub, both are excellent. The story is really interesting, but not too complex, and the characters are lovable without the need for any soppy romance thrown in. It's about a guy, a ronin, protecting a young boy who's running for his life.

I'd also second your suggestion of Death Note. Lots of people roll their eyes at me when I say they should watch Death Note, just because it's so popular. But there is a reason it's so popular. The interplay between the characters is absolutely fantastic. I've always loved crime dramas, so this was a must-watch for me.

As for which anime got me into the fandom, that would have to be Escaflowne. Of course I watched Poke'mon, Digimon etc. when I was little, but that wasn't exactly getting into the fandom, as I didn't know they were anime xD I still love Escaflowne though, mostly because the soundtrack is so amazing

[Captain Awesome]

Yeah TTGL is Gurren Lagann obviously.

and BLACK LAGOON HELL YEAH

[The Jim]

Awesome, can you please give a reason why people should watch Black Lagoon? Please try a little harder.

[`AdeRin]

*Wouldn't have known that TTGL was Gurren Lagann*

[Jupitris]

It doesn't matter , google does your thinking for you!

[The Jim]

Well, the point here is to have a resource or discussion in the thread, and to rely on Google.

[Captain Awesome]

I can give a reason. You guys are all anime fans. Except for redfox.

[`AdeRin]

Seriously dude, mind keeping down the spammage please? And calling people anime fans (whatever the heck that means) isn't really appreciated.

[Captain Awesome]

anime fans = anime fan

[`AdeRin]

Well it's still not nice calling people names, now is it? If you keep doing it, you're gonna end up with an official warning