With what can seem like an infinite amount of anime in existence, getting into watching them can be intimidating. The key to the whole process is really just trial and error. Try to remember these tips if you’re debating on joining the anime world.
1. Be open minded: Things will probably get weird. The anime stereotype goes to a dark place, sometimes with tentacles, *shivers*, but some are generally pretty normal. There may sometimes be a lot of boobs, short skirts and perverted camera angles that gives anime the weird stereotype it has. Once you get past the initial shock, I promise you’ll be okay.
2. Use Anime Forums: Forums and chats are great places to get started. There are topics typically dedicated to suggesting anime and making friends who will actually understand what you’re talking about (Too many times I’ve been addicted to an anime and tried to explain it to my friends who in turn become thoroughly creeped out). The worst part of not having many friends who like anime is forming an attachment to an anime and having no one to gush over it with.
3. Watch for fun, not to impress people: It can be frustrating as the new kid in the anime community on forums and groups because it is nearly impossible to figure out what chat to dive into. Know that you don’t have to be an anime expert to get in on a conversation. Get yourself acquainted with the community until you’ve seen a few animes that you truly enjoyed. You’ll get there, so don’t force it because then you’ll look like a big phony and nobody wants that.
4. Watch at least five episodes: If you are not immediately drawn into an anime, give it some time. There are a few animes that take a bit to build up before you really get into it. After you’ve watched five epsiodes, again, don’t force it. If you really hate it, drop it – no shame in that.
5. Find a Genre: Just like movies and television, anime has some different genres. I personally end up liking animes with action but based at a school, ie. Soul Eater, Vampire Knight, Madoka Magica. Many animes have different genres mixed together like this, but you’ll figure it out after a while. A pretty accurate list of anime genres can be found here.
6. Look at the Art Style: A side note to genres is how the anime is drawn. Art style has a lot of impact on what you may enjoy. Art style can sometimes ruin an anime for me, which is unfortunate, but true. Take that into consideration when you aren’t sure why you tend to like and dislike certain animes.
7. Don’t feel stuck in a genre: Finding what you like is super helpful to entering the anime world, but explore a little bit once you’ve got a grip on things! You don’t want to miss out on a great anime because it isn’t your “type.”
8. Subbed vs. Dubbed: You can watch anime generally in two ways if it has been out long enough, subbed or dubbed. Subbed anime is when there are subtitles provided while they speak another language. Dubbed is when the anime is recorded over with voice actors in your native language. In the beginning, dubbed will probably be easier because of how fast the characters may talk. For me, looking at the subtitles while trying to focus on what is going on can still be troublesome, but there are many times I like the way Japanese voice actors sound compared to the English dubs.
9. Check out Subscription Based Entertainment: Netflix, at $7.99 a month, is a good place to get started on some anime while enjoying other movies and tv shows. A lot of popular animes are on there, both dubbed and subbed, and it won’t be as confusing to sort through something like Crunchyroll, at $6.95 a month, which has a huge anime collection in their subscription service. You can still watch anime through these, but you have to sit through ads and won’t have simulcasts the day after they air in another country.
10. Keep a List: Logging the animes you’ve watched helps you stay on track. They help other suggest animes for you and help you figure out what types of animes you do and do not enjoy. I suggest using a site like My Anime List. You can rate them, categorize them into what you’ve seen, are currently watching, have put off to the side, or just completely dropped. They also have a manga list you can keep for yourself if you are into that, too. Here’s my list if you’re curious.
Have any other tips for anime newbies? Make sure to leave a comment letting us know!
Feel free to ask questions below or by tweeting at me, @yoogabbiegabba
Good Luck! xox