First episodes don’t always reflect an anime’s full potential. Some series start slow, focusing on world-building orcharacter introductionsbefore diving into the real action. Others may seem confusing or underwhelming at first but later reveal deep storytelling or emotional payoffs.
Top 11 Anime Studios (And Their Best Show)
Anime studios bring stories to life, turning books into stunning animations. Here are some of the best studios and their most iconic works
If you’ve ever dropped an anime after just one episode, you might have missed out on something great. This list highlights 6 anime that deserve more than a single-episode chance. Give them time, and you’ll see why they’re worth watching.
Time Leaps That Mend Broken Hearts
Erased opens with Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist, who possesses theunique abilityto “rewind” time just before a disaster occurs, allowing him to prevent it. It’s an intriguing premise, but don’t let the first episode’s seemingly slow pacing fool you, there’s so much more to the plot that unfolds brilliantly.
After the shocking murder of his mother, Satoru finds himself thrown 18 years into the past, back to his elementary school days, where he must solve a string of kidnappings that were never fully resolved. The first episode might seem like it’s only setting up the story, but it’s actually laying the groundwork for an emotional rollercoaster. The stakes grow higher with each passing episode as Satoru navigates the complexities oftime travel, loss, and the fight for justice.
5Terror in Resonance
The Symphony Behind The Chaos
Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance introduces viewers to a Japan rocked by terrorist attacks orchestrated by two teenagers who go by the aliases Nine and Twelve. The first episode presents them as cold, calculating individuals planting bombs in a government building, potentially painting them as straightforward villains.
Stick around beyond this initial setup and you’ll discover one of the most nuanced examinations of trauma, government corruption, and the cost of genius in anime. The show’s director, Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop fame, deliberately sets up these characters in ambiguous moral territory before peeling back their layers to reveal the tragic circumstances that shaped them.
Abandoning this series after just one episode would mean missing out on one of the most thought-provoking explorations of society’s treatment of “gifted” children and the consequences of governmental experimentation. Its short 11-episode run makes it aperfect weekend bingethat will leave you contemplating its themes long after the credits roll.
4Migi and Dali
Twins, Lies, And Family Ties
Migi and Dali introduces viewers to what appears to be a charming story about a young boy named Hitori being adopted by the kindly Sonoyama couple. The premiere episode sets up what seems like a simple premise of a child finding a new loving home with adoptive parents. But this pleasant facade hides one of the most intricately crafted mysteries in recent anime.
What the first episode only subtly hints at is that “Hitori” is actually identical twin brothers Migi and Dali, who take turns playing the role of a single child. Their seemingly innocent adoption conceals a much darker motive, they’ve returned to Origon Village to solve their mother’s murder from years ago, with only a distinctive snowflake button as their sole clue.
10 Most Underrated Anime That Deserves More Recognition
With so many anime out there, many gems go unnoticed. Here are some underrated anime that deserve more recognition.
The true brilliance of this Geek Toys and CompTown production emerges gradually as layers of deception peel away. While the initial episode presents the twins' secret identity as the main twist, it’s merely the first thread in an increasingly complex tapestry of family secrets, hidden identities, and buried truths. The show transforms from a quirky premise into a psychological thriller that continually subverts expectations.
3Your Lie in April
A Song of Love, Loss, and Letting Go
Your Lie in April
If the title alone doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, the opening episode surely will. Your Lie in April introduces us to Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy who has lost his ability to hear the sound of the piano following his mother’s death. It’s a melancholic premise, and the early episode might seem like it’s about a young boy moping around in a world full of colorless music.
However, stay with it. The story shifts from Kousei’s internal struggles to his encounters with the vibrant, violin-playing Kaori, whose free-spirited personality brings life back into his world. What seems like a simple romance initially soon blossoms into a profound exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the emotional healing that music can bring.
The show beautifully blends music with raw emotions, and by the end of the first few episodes, you’ll see the layers of the plot unfold in a way that makes each note resonate deeply with you. Don’t quit after the first episode, you’ll miss out on one of the most emotionally gripping stories of growth, love, and loss.
2Black Bullet
Monsters Aren’t the Only Thing to Fear
In Black Bullet, humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a virus that turns humans into monstrous creatures called Gastrea. The world’s survival hinges on young girls known as “Promoters,” who possess the ability to fight these creatures.
The first episode will give you the basics: a dystopian society on the edge, with the Promoters as humanity’s last hope. However, it’s only as the story progresses that you realize just how deep and dark the political intrigue goes, the layered character development unfolds, and the horrific realities of living in a post-apocalyptic world are revealed.
Stay with it, as Black Bullet’s plot turns more intense with every episode, blending action, suspense, and powerful themes of sacrifice and loyalty. By the time you get past the first few episodes, you’ll understand why this show is not just another apocalyptic tale.
1Id: Invaded
Solving Murders Inside a Killer’s Mind
ID: Invaded
Id: Invaded introduces an intriguing concept right from the start: a high-tech system that allows detectives to dive into the minds of criminals to solve cases. The first episode might confuse you as it sets up the complicated world of “The Id Well”, the mental landscape of a criminal mind.
But as the story continues, the pieces slowly come together. The protagonist, Akihito Narihisago, is a brilliant but troubled detective who must face not just the criminals' minds, but his own. The story delves into the concept of identity, trauma, and the idea of justice in a world that blurs the lines between right and wrong.
What makes Id: Invaded unique is the way it combines mystery with psychological horror. It’s a gripping experience that takes time to unfold, and quitting after just the first episode means you’ll miss out on the mind-bending twists and turns.
15 Best Anime With Under 100 Episodes, Ranked
Explore some of the best short anime like Death Note and Made in Abyss, which feature less than 100 episodes.
