Anime is a medium of storytelling, and it has everything that any other medium can offer. Maybe some bits of it seem strange or uncomfortable to some people, but it’s such a diverse medium that you’re able to’t just paint it all with one brush.
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Fortunately, there are some great anime shows that even an ardent hater would have ahard time dropping.Some of these explore stories that break cultural barriers, while others use the creative freedom of animation to hook you in. These brilliant gateway shows are for people who usually hate anime.
10One-Punch Man
You can’t escape the hype surroundingOne-Punch Man, even if you’re not an anime aficionado. From bodybuilders attempting to replicate Saitama’s 100 pushups, squats, and sit-ups fitness regimen to cosplayers going all-in on his signature bald dome, this show has permeated every corner of the internet.
For any Marvel or DC fan, if you’re fed up with all the power fantasy tropes, One-Punch Man is a refreshing take on the superhero genre for its satirical humor.
9Ping Pong The Animation
If you’re looking into thesports genre, then Ping Pong the Animation should be your stop. It’s less about fan service and more about a tight story with a loose unconventional art style. The anime follows two table tennis players who bond over their love for table tennis.
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But it’s not just about the sport itself; the show puts big lenses into human passion, adolescence, and everything in between. A story that brings these 2D wobbly characters to life with feelings and emotions, Ping Pong The Animation is a unique look into human experiences.
There is never a dull moment in Baccano. The anime has a 1930s American setting, focusing on the underworld of organized crime, with gun-wielding gangsters, deadly assassins, and smugglers. It, however, adds an extra supernatural ingredient to complement the historical setting.
There are multiple storylines from different perspectives and timelines. And the most ingenious thing about this narrative is that they don’t seem to be related at all, but ultimately, in the end, they interconnect and seamlessly synchronize.
7Grand Blue Dreaming
Grand Blue Dreaming is one of the few shows that will give genuine laughs to any people from a diverse culture. And it’ll definitely dispel all the prior negative notions about the genre. The anime follows first-year college student Iori, who joins the diving club, but ends up getting roped into partying with a wild group of seniors.
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He has swapped his hydration habit for a more spirited one, opting for booze over water. His cousin Chisa Kotegawa, who’s in the same college, gives him grumpy looks, and it’s hilarious when Iori pushes her into awkward and ridiculous situations.
6Haibane Renmeia
The cult-classic Haibane Renmei was released almost two decades back, and its premise revolves around angel-like beings who are born from a cocoon. They have no past recollections and no knowledge of why they exist or what their purpose is.
The anime makes use of these Haibane creatures to dig into deeper aspects of existentialism. It also leaves a lot of ambiguities in between, which may be better left unanswered.
5Space Dandy
Space Dandy is a genre parody anime that satirizes the classic space opera and other sci-fi tropes. It’s an episodic series with alien hunter Dandy as he bounces from planet to planet in search of his next sale. The aliens he encounters are often more wacky than scary, and the show is a mashup of different genres with upbeat rock tunes, fusion jazz, and more.
It’s perfect forStar TrekorStar Warsfans who want to see somethingunconventional. You don’t necessarily have to watch the entire series to appreciate its gold humor. First released in 2014, Space Dandy has been racking up positive reviews ever since – even from the critics!
4Attack On Titan
Often considered a modern classic,Attack on Titanis probably the most hyped anime of this decade. It depicts an apocalyptic world where humans live within three walls in fear of giant man-eating titans. The protagonist, Eren, longs for the sweet taste of freedom and wants to go beyond these walls.
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This desire is a driving force in the show,throwing curveballsthat challenge the viewers' fundamental understanding of the story. In the final season, Eren’s call for genocide and the infamous Rumbling he unleashes is his way of fighting back against those threatening his freedom. Anyone who dislikes anime may relate to Eren, who hates his own story.
3The Tatami Galaxy
Anime isn’t just for kids, contrary to what some may suggest. This is true for The Tatami Galaxy, which has a mature plot offering life lessons for all ages. It follows a college student dissatisfied with his life. He gets to rewind time to make different choices, and yet still feels unhappy.
Its use of psychedelic imagery further exposes the mental turmoil of the student. For instance, in one episode, the protagonist is shown trapped in a room with a giant hole in the ceiling. The room is surrounded by a spiral staircase that he must climb to reach the hole, but each step only leads him back to the same place, representing his feeling of being trapped in life.
2Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Passis somewhat similar to HBO’s Westworld TV series in that both of their advanced societies make use of technological systems to control the lives of their citizens. The 2012 cyberpunk anime features a group of officials from the government’s Criminal Investigation Division who fight crime.
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The mental states of people are constantly monitored to determine whether they are likely to commit a crime. Psycho-Pass focuses on the negative use of such technologies, especially when governments use them to control society. It raises questions about free will and the fuzzy line between morality and ethics.
If you find stereotypical anime and its fan service distasteful, Aho Girl is worth a chance. It’s full of clichéd moments, with an annoying dumb student, Yoshiko. But that’s the good part. The series combines those tired tropes anime critics hate and turns them into an entertaining narrative.
Throughout the show, Yoshiko’s absurd behavior constantly drives her childhood friend Akkun up the wall, whether it’s her attempts to sneak a peek at him in the changing room or her bizarre obsession with bananas (a recurring gag in the anime that puts her in all sorts of hilarious mess).
