Don’t Start Here, These 10 Anime Are Way Too Much for First-Time Fans

When first dipping your toes in anime, it can be surprisingly difficult to figure out what series would be a great icebreaker. As a Japanese medium, the writing and aesthetics will also require getting used to, as some genres and directors don’t believe in the standard happy ending.

As a rapidly evolving industry, anime is sure to have a genre, show, or movie that is bound to appeal to just about any type of fan, no matter their interest. But these shows may not be the best to break out for a person’s first watch.

This list was compiled not to focus on what may be an anime’s lesser qualities, but rather what makes it a poor introduction for beginners. Taste and appreciation differ from person to person. While it may be included, it doesn’t count as a show or movie that shouldn’t ever be watched.

10

Mushoku Tensei

The Most Unlikable Protagonist in Anime History

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation was originally a light novel series by Rifujin no Magonote that was eventually adapted into an anime in 2021. The story follows an unemployed and overweight recluse who is reincarnated after his death in a fantasy-based world of beasts, spells, and powerful magic arcana.

While a fascinating premise for the protagonist to get a second chance at life, what can make this a hard watch is the unlikable main character. Rudeus Greyrat can come across as unreliable and continues to make poor decisions, starting with his perverted nature even as an infant, to the infatuation with his teacher and infidelity in his later life.

Mushoku Tensei is notorious for its controversial nature due to the constant mishandling of character growth among its main cast. And while the anime may have some stunning animation, the writing and frustration with Rudeus may not strike a chord with first-time anime viewers.

9

Gintama

Hilarious Hijinks That May Hit or Miss

Gintama is an absurd classic that continues to stand the test of time today. The story attempts to follow Gintoki Sakata, a samurai who freelances by taking up any kind of weird or oddball job as long as it pays him well enough. The anime combines science and historical fiction with ‘What the hell? Why not?’ scenarios in each episode.

For people who love random humor and shenanigans, Gintama makes for a great anime to invest in. But its style isn’t for everyone. For those who want more out of a story likely won’t find it until well into the anime. The plot in Gintama is good but slow, and the writers will always readily hop right back into insanity.

8

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Characters, Plot, and World-Building Are Overwhelmingly Absurd

On the flip side of the same coin, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is infamously ridiculous and takes pride in standing out while delivering an excellent story full of lovable characters. The series itself is divided into multiple installments, all following the journey of one character who carries the name “JoJo.”

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is definitely worth investing in, especially since Steel Ball Run‘s anime has officially been announced. However, it can be a doozy of a series to start for someone who has never been exposed to anime or manga prior to this.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s artstyle, character posing, and power system have often broken past meme-worthy that make it recognizable to the everyday Joe, but it probably shouldn’t be his first anime.

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Fitting for its name, JoJo is full of compelling but absurd narratives that differ between each of its protagonists, but never lose the characteristics that make the series a standout. It’s artstyle, character posing, and power system have often broken past meme-worthy that make it recognizable to the everyday Joe, but it probably shouldn’t be his first anime.

7

Monogatari

A Mess of Supernatural Fanservice Chaos and That’s Just the Start

Monogatari is a mixed bag of contradictions that have earned it praise just as much as criticism. The anime explores a diverse range of layered psychological issues within its cast through Konami Araragi, who serves as a supernatural therapist and catalyst for the audience to learn about the female entities that come into his life to throw it into disarray.

While a solid premise that only continues to deliver with its stellar animation, which is captivating and psychedelic at times, the anime has a reputation. One that is hard to define, depending on what fan you ask. What is equal parts fascinating is that such a work is able to handle sensitive topics like mental illness, trauma, and hard-hitting subjects.

On the other hand, you are experiencing these novel ideas through a less-than-pure protagonist who gets caught up in a lot of scenarios that depict these same troubled individuals in promiscuous positions. The amount of fan service can send the wrong message to a first-time anime watcher, so while certainly a piece of history, it’s not the best icebreaker.

6

School Days

Communication Can Go a Long Way to Prevent an Outrageous Plot Twist Ending

School Days, oh School Days. This series is the best example of how not to handle your first relationship in high school. Makoto Itou has a crush on one of his classmates he sees every day on the train, and when another student, Sekai Saionji, offers to help him win her heart, he readily takes her up on the deal.

What starts as a setup for Makoto to woo his crush ends up in a complicated love triangle that only derails the longer each of its protagonists continues to outright state their true feelings. School Days is truly an experience that shouldn’t be ruined for anyone interested in how the story eventually unravels. But it’s not a great starting point.

Makoto is not the most likable character, especially as he changes throughout the series. The anime also has an estranged agenda by pushing weird scenarios to dark places even before the final episode plays out.

5

Berserk

This Classic Dark Fantasy is Not Rated E for Everyone

Berserk is the best dark fantasy epic, following the tragedy of Guts’ life as he seeks revenge against a man who betrayed him in the past and stole away every bit of happiness and freedom he managed to obtain. Its edgy, gritty artstyle is best enjoyed in the manga, but the anime is a worthy entry for any fan.

Although its narrative is an enticing journey, Berserk has no qualms with delving into dark subjects that include mental, physical, and sexual abuse against children and women alike. Its setting is a breeding ground for the worst in humanity, and it is exactly the trials Guts faces throughout his story.

If viewers are able to stomach the contents listed in Berserk’s warnings, it’s a solid entry in anime. However, it’s not the best for newbie anime fans looking for a harmless starter.

4

Corpse Party

The Game Told the Story Better and Had Larger Stakes

Corpse Party: Tortured Souls is an animated mini-series based on the RPG Corpse Party, which stunned the internet with its brutal deaths and fascinating narratives explored best through the multiple perspectives of its protagonists. While a beloved entry for horror anime and gore lovers, Tortured Souls misses the mark for one sole reason.

Corpse Party is best experienced as a game. By having to actively weigh the lives of these students in your hands, the stakes are so much greater, and the chance for exploration, even at your own risk, is all the more enticing when it comes to uncovering the mystery of Heavenly Host Elementary.

A small group of friends is celebrating the last few days of one of their fellow classmates before she moves away. Naturally, by conducting a supernatural ritual. Whisked away to a hellish nightmare, they must try to get back to the real world and avoid the ghosts of Heavenly Host who very much want them dead.

3

Grave of the Fireflies

A War-Torn Tragedy Sure to Break New Anime Fans

Studio Ghibli’s infamous entry isn’t afraid to show the disastrous effects of war. Seita and Setsuko are left orphaned and on their own in the very cruel aftermath of the Pacific War. Grave of the Fireflies largely explores the slow but brutal decline of the siblings as they struggle to afford food and make it on their own.

Although this film is very much an impactful insight into the exploration of how costly war can be even after it is over, it is hardly a movie that should be viewed by someone just starting out. After all, it’s incredibly difficult to start a second anime if you can’t see it through the tears.

2

Hand Shakers

Nauseating Animation Coupled With a Weird Narrative

Hand Shakers comes from a surprisingly generic premise where the supernatural crosses over into the real world, and the protagonist has to quickly get used to their new powers to avoid something dire happening. After losing his sister, Tazuna Takatsuki comes across Koyori under mysterious circumstances and is lured by some otherworldly force to take her hand.

Once thought to be under a coma, Koyori wakes up, and if Tazuna ever lets go of her hand, she will end up falling back into a deep sleep, never to open her eyes again. Thus starts Tazuna’s entry into a competition where he must fight other Hand Shakers to earn the right to greet God and obtain a wish.

If its story wasn’t wild enough to begin with, Hand Shakers also debuts some of the gnarliest of animations that combine dramatic camera panning with over-saturated colors and patterns that are sure to leave its viewer feeling ill. For people just starting out, this can be impressive, but the anime has a knack for making the experience moreso stomach-churning.

1

Midori

Tragic, Dark, and With No Happy Ending in Sight

Midori is a film that had a difficult time getting approved for production, and based on only the first part of the movie, it’s not a stretch to see why. Much like Berserk, Midori follows the tragic circumstances of a girl who is left alone in the world and only taken advantage of time and time again.

Movies aren’t required to deliver a happily ever after, and Midori will gladly dangle that possibility above its audience’s head only to rip it away just as quickly.

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Even when a beacon of light does shine on her to give Midori hope, it’s not under the best circumstances. Her life never feels like it’s allowed to be her own throughout the entire film.

Movies aren’t required to deliver a happily ever after, and Midori will gladly dangle that possibility above its audience’s head only to rip it away just as quickly. While the movie is morbidly interesting in its own way, it is by far the worst anime to introduce to a new person just encountering the medium for the first time.