Anime can be confusing. That’s a blanket statement but that is true for those new to the medium. Japanese shows have a distinct flavor that may come across as too goofy, too thirsty, or too over the top. It takes some time to get used to the anime style of storytelling but once viewers do they should be hooked for life.
The opposite is true too. Some may get scarred for life. These ten, in particular, might be a bit too much to handle as starter anime. The violence, stories, and overall nature may need frequent viewings to fully understand the scope of it all. Once may be too much to handle for some though. In this discussion, there will be no major spoilers.
10 .hack//Sign
.hack//Sign is one of those slow-burn anime shows. It’s an Isekai that takes place in an MMORPG called The World. There is a central mystery but for the most part, the anime is about asking tough questions about everyday life.
For kids and teens that watched it growing up, the philosophical dialogue may have escaped their brains. It’s not the most exciting Isekai out there, but going through it again with more open eyes is something else.
9 Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan is nearing completion. The manga ended in 2021 and the anime will finish sometime at the midpoint of 2022. Now is as good a time as any to start rewatching it from ground zero.
There are a lot of twists and turns. It’s interesting to try and catch foreshadowing pieces in the show. For manga fans that are especially true. There is a giant twist that still hasn’t been revealed completely in the anime. When it does, the rewatch bug will hit fans.
8 Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is one of the all-time classics. It bridges the gap between anime and non-anime fans. It’s a fun, pulpy space anime about bounty hunters. The animation still holds up from the 90s as does the story.
It’s just one of those shows that can be popped on in the background infinitely and something new will always hit viewers. Every episode is jam-packed with little things. It is the ultimate anime on many levels.
7 Death Note
Death Note is a thrill ride. It’s more exciting to read it as a manga as it is a literal page-turner. It would be a miracle if fans didn’t contract a nail-biting habit from worry like L. The anime is good too and sticks relatively close to the source material.
It’s a bit more silly to see an anime dramatically showcase pen movements but it still works. Seeing Light go into madness one time just isn’t enough. It must be watched, or read, at least twice to fully understand the decent.
6 Durarara
Durarara is almost incomprehensible the first time around. The perspective shifts to a lot of characters. It’s hard to understand the connection between mysterious bikers, waiters, students, mobsters, and so many others.
Remembering every name is a chore within itself. Once the first season is over, rewatching it should give fans more appreciation for the setup. The continuing saga after season one is easier to follow.
5 FLCL
FLCL is only six episodes long. Like Cowboy Bebop, it’s an easy anime to rewatch over and over again. It’s a bizarre show that doesn’t make sense no matter how many times someone watches it.
That’s the point though. It’s a parody of anime. It is over, over the top, and prioritizes action and comedy. This is true for the recent two sequel seasons. They are confusing as well but not quite as fun. Stick to the original and bleed that Blu-ray raw.
4 Future Diary
Future Diary is a Battle Royale anime. The god of the world is dying and needs to choose a successor. He invites a bunch of people into his domain to compete for the next spot as a god. Every character is equipped with a cellphone that gives them future sight in different ways.
Like Death Note, it is a thrill ride. Viewers may be constantly wondering how the hero, Yuki, is going to get out of each new predicament. Also, why is Yuno so crazy? There is so much to unpack here but that would require spoilers.
3 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
It’s a fun idea to rewatch every season of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure once they are over. The fourth series, Diamond is Unbreakable, is about a serial killer. The anime takes place in one small town which is like a character itself.
Who is this killer? How are they committing these murders? What secrets is the anime trying to clue viewers into every episode? Rewatching it a second time through should prove to be an eye-opener.
2 Kill La Kill
On the surface, Kill la Kill may seem like a more violent magical girl anime. It supports fan service to a whole new level as the costumes are rather tight and revealing. That’s the central theme of the show though: clothing.
It’s actually a smart takedown of society and anime tropes that are all about titillating images over good action or plot. Kill la Kill has both and is smart about it. The second time through should be more revealing than Ryuko’s sailor suit.
1 Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion might be the most popular and confusing anime of all time. The lore keeps getting changed around and added to. This is seemingly in an effort to make sense of this religious-infused mech show.
The original anime requires many reviews and maybe a guide to figure things out. It only gets more perplexing when the novels, specials, and movies get thrown into the mix. Say goodbye to life after watching this one. It will consume fans.