anime

How to start watching anime: a beginner’s guide

Entering the world of anime can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. With an endless variety of genres, styles and audiences, taking the first steps can seem complicated. From popular shonen to romantic shoujo, in this guide we explain the essentials to get you started enjoying anime and find your next favorite.

Beginner’s Guide: How to start watching anime and not die trying.

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Anime is not just a style of animation, it is an entire universe that combines unique stories, complex characters and an immense variety of genres. For those taking their first steps into this world, the amount of choices can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, in this guide we’ll break down everything you need to know to enjoy anime like a true fan.

Anime is designed for all audiences, from young children to adults, and its main categories reflect this diversity. Here are the five main ones:

  1. shoujo: Aimed at young girls, this genre focuses on themes such as romance, fantasy and human emotions. Series such as Sailor Moon are not only iconic, but also stand out for having strong female protagonists who often deal with their own emotional challenges and adventures. Other recommendations: Fruits Basket, Banana Fish Orange, Ore Monogatari!!! and Ao Haru Ride.
Sailor Moon

Shounen: This genre is geared towards young boys and is usually full of action, epic battles and lessons of friendship and self-improvement. Naruto and Dragon Ball Z are classic examples that have captivated generations with their exciting stories and heroic characters. Other examples: Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, Black Clover, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Haikyuu!, Hunter x Hunter and One Piece.

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Kodomouke: Designed for the youngest children, this genre is lively, educational and full of fun. Titles such as Pokémon and Doraemon not only entertain, but also teach values such as friendship and perseverance. Some recommendations: Astro Boy, Sakura CardCaptor, Hamtaro and Digimon.

Pokémon Horizons Y Estudio De Animación Mexicano En Colaboración

Seinen: With a more mature approach, seinen is aimed at adult men. Here we find more complex stories and deep themes, from the psychological thriller of Monster to the visual charm of Skip and Loafer. Other recommendations: Devilman Crybaby, Ajin: Demi-Human, Psycho-Pass, Death Parade, One-Punch Man, Bungou Stray Dogs and Tengoku Daimakyou. This genre stands out for its rich narrative and characters with solid emotional development.

Skip To Loafer Anime Min

Josei: Similar to shoujo, but for adult women, josei deals with relationships and emotions from a more realistic perspective. Although less popular, it offers endearing stories such as Honey and Clover, Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashi (Love Is Hard for Otaku), Kuragehime and Paradise Kiss.

Wotaku Ni Koi Wa Muzukashii

Today, anime is more accessible than ever before thanks to various streaming platforms. Some of the most prominent ones are:

  • Crunchyroll: It is one of the most complete platforms, with a wide variety of titles in Japanese and other languages.
  • Funimation: Ideal for those who prefer to watch anime dubbed in English.
  • Hulu: Although not exclusive to anime, its catalog includes several popular series.
  • Viz Media: Free and very popular among fans in North America, it offers anime and manga in abundance.
  • MyAnimeList: Perfect for those who want to explore the world of anime in depth. Its database is one of the most complete.
Maestro Roshi Dragon Ball

To fully integrate into the community, it is useful to know some key terms:

  • Otaku: A passionate fan of anime and manga.
  • Ecchi: Stories with touches of humor and slight sexual overtones.
  • Kawaii: Something lovely or charming.
  • Waifu/Husbando: Ideal characters that fans consider “couple material”.
  • Tsundere: Characters that seem tough or aggressive, but hide a tender side.
  • Yandere: Characters obsessively in love, to an extreme point.
  • Mecha: Un género que presenta robots gigantes, como Neon Genesis Evangelion.
  • Isekai: Stories where the protagonist is transported to a fantastic world, such as Sword Art Online.
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For maximum enjoyment, start with genres that align with your personal tastes. It is also advisable to opt for anime with subtitles instead of dubbing, as this allows you to better appreciate the original language and Japanese cultural references. Plus, if you’re consistent, you might even learn a few Japanese words as you immerse yourself in the experience.

Anime has something for everyone: action, drama, comedy, science fiction and much more. Explore at your own pace and enjoy the journey – who knows! Maybe you’ll find your next favorite series and become a true fan of this exciting universe.