Every anime fan knows someone who doesn’t know much, if anything, about anime. At best, they think it’s a hobby, or, shudder, a cartoon, or a dumb kids thing. There are always people who won’t share your interests, but for those who show at least a little curiosity, you need a way to introduce anime to them and invite them into this wonderful, wide world of possibility.
Introducing Anime – Baby Steps
The fact that a person has shown interest in anime, whether to better understand you, because of a recent movie that is inspired by Japanese media, or just out of curiosity, is a good first step. Even if someone hasn’t actively talked to you about anime, you also know the people in your life, and can probably make some guesses about who would enjoy anime thanks to their appreciation for other nerd hobbies, or over-the-top storytelling, or even just foreign pop music. I would hesitate to try and convince just anybody to watch anime though, and this advice is written with that in mind.
Hook…
So the explanation: Anime is an animated genre of television and movies from Japan, that is written for people of a variety of ages, and in a variety of genres. Unlike classic cartoons, anime isn’t just for kids. It can tell anything from big stories, with serious consequences, in fantastic settings like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, to simple and heartfelt stories about school life and leaving childhood behind similar to the Azumanga Daioh series. Anime teaches things like relying on your friends, and asking for help if you need it, but it also teaches you to enjoy life while you can, and take responsibility for your actions and decisions. Of course, if your friend or family member enjoys special effects, nothing can beat an animated story and its ability to show off the fantastic and visually stunning without a big budget.
Line…
Let’s say you’ve explained anime to someone, and preconceptions don’t get in the way: the next step to explaining anime is experiencing anime. Time to watch a show or movie. But what to watch?
The first big hurdle I tend to encounter is the language barrier. Telling someone they better be ready to read can really kill interest, and some people may not be able to read fast enough to follow a show. No matter where you stand on the dub vs. sub argument, you should introduce non-fans to anime dubbed in their native language, or at least a language they use regularly. It’s more important that they can understand what’s going on than picking the perfect genre is. Not having to deal with a language barrier on top of the culture barrier and anime style is helpful.
…and Sinker
Ideally, pick a show related to their other interests, whether it’s their favorite movie, or the genre of books they buy. Something not too crazy when it comes to effects may be a good idea to start with, and something not relying on too much knowledge of classic anime tropes or visuals. The less that’s strange, the more attention they can pay to the story, and whatever strangeness they do encounter. You can’t go wrong with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It has a quality English dub, it doesn’t use many anime tropes or cliché, and it’s very plot-driven, so anyone can follow the plot and enjoy the story.
There are some shows which are riskier as introductions, which I think a few shows highlight as well as Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma. It’s an amazing show, and is an obvious choice to show people who are fans of competitive cooking shows, but it’s swimming in anime stereotypes. Fan service literally bounces throughout the show, chibi animation is used, there is a school council, a tournament arc, and other typical elements of Japanese high schools that Westerners aren’t familiar with. It’s a foreign-feeling show, and the noise that creates makes it harder to follow the plot for someone new to anime.
Anime is very flavorful, and a lot of us like it precisely because it is a taste of tropes, graphics, and cliches that are strange to our culture, but commonplace in anime. Most of us didn’t start out understanding all of them though, it’s a learning process. Introducing people new to anime to only a few elements at a time can help them get comfortable with those elements at a more relaxed pace. Who knows? Before long they might be the ones demanding you switch on the subtitles, and go back to the Japanese dub, because the Japanese voice actors just do a better job.
What are your top choices for introducing anime to someone? Let us know in the comments, or on Facebook. Is there one show, or movie, that stands out as your best choice, or do you have a few options to cover a variety of common genres?
Image sources: Himouto! Umaruchan (title image), Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
