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What anime was most instrumental in influencing your taste? (IE: introduced you to your favorite genre, made you want to watch more anime)

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Yesterday, 2:10 PM
#1

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Jun 2017
5380
Basically the series that made you say "I want to see more stuff like this"

Please Teacher - my first foray into the genre "Magical Girlfriends", i saw one and immediately wanted more, my plan to watch list was actually originally built off of adding that shows recommendations

Strawberry Marshmallow and Azumanga Daioh - they got me into the slice of life genre, i saw both at the same time and they were the series that made me realize "There's more to anime then just fighting shonen series"
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Yesterday, 2:13 PM
#2

Online
Dec 2021
2518
Didn't I see a thread like this before? Anyway, Urusei Yatsura is responsible for just about everything I enjoy taste-wise.

'Say the line, Bart' meme, but with Suiseiseki saying 'NTHE''Here it comes' meme, but with a tornado containing 'Near Term Human Extinction'
Yesterday, 2:17 PM
#3

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Jun 2022
701
I am not certain but something on television or DVD at the time, likely The Big O since it had a television rating of TV-PG for most episodes, though Knights of the Zodiac, Ronin Warriors, Dragon Ball and Gundam Wing were all influential as well. Not to mention Transformers as a kid, since the series at the time were dubbed anime.
Yesterday, 2:21 PM
#4
Tomato

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Feb 2020
96129
Probably Love Live!, Yuri Yuri, K-On!, and Star☆Twinkle Pretty Cure.



SerafosYesterday, 2:28 PM
Yesterday, 2:27 PM
#5

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May 2019
7495
Queen's Blade and Bikini Warriors.

Yesterday, 2:28 PM
#6

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Apr 2024
376
The following titles come to mind:



Yesterday, 2:30 PM
#7
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Apr 2021
37
Grew up with DB kai and Naruto, so yeah, I guess thats the reason I like action/adventure things.
Yesterday, 2:32 PM
#8
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May 2024
125
Space Battleship Yamato under the old Star blazers dub as my uncle rented tapes of the show when i would visit him as it was his favorite as a kid & he wanted to show me.
Yesterday, 2:47 PM
#9

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Jul 2022
1227
Quintessential Quintuplets was my introduction to both harem and romance anime, so I go out of my way each season to see what new shows have one or both of those tags.

Sailor Moon is the show that got me excited about the magical girl genre, so I'm glad to see it making a comeback.

Eyeshield 21 (manga) was when I learned that anime could be about sports, although I don't watch nearly as much of those anymore.
Yesterday, 2:59 PM

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Oct 2015
270
Nichijou and Barakamon made me discover my taste for the Slice of Life/Comedy genre


Stepped out from the darkness I contained in me.
Released myself form the shackles I helped create.

I've got the power of life in my hands,
and I intend to keep it.

My life has meaning after all.





Yesterday, 3:05 PM

Online
Feb 2020
6940
Needless - Was how I discovered that pantyshots were a thing that Anime has, and was in quite abundance in Needless. This was my very first Anime, and my first exposure to ecchi Anime also.

Danganronpa - I was already in love with mutual killing/death game genre anyway, but this was the first one I saw.

Jashin-chan Dropkick - I think initially this was just a random watch, but quickly found out I loved the explosive dark gory comedy and humour in it, although finding others like this has proven to be difficult.
Yesterday, 3:08 PM

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May 2018
864
mushishi and barakamon -> slice of life
can't yuck my yum




Yesterday, 3:12 PM
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Apr 2024
1198
Digimon tamers, everything returns to it
Yesterday, 3:25 PM

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Jun 2024
2417
Noir- Girls with Guns
Azumanga Daioh- Slice of Life
Retro Anime- Bubblegum Crisis
MyCandies:
Yesterday, 3:39 PM

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Aug 2010
2335
Card Captor Sakura - I want to see more shoujo / anime with female MC and romance.

Angel Beats! - tearjerker, drama.
Yesterday, 3:45 PM

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Sep 2018
4421
JoJo changed my way of seeing battle shounen. I couldn't see any battle shounen without strategic battles but just "I hit you, you hit me until someone wins" in the same way as I did before.

Usagi Drop introduced me to slice of life and female targeted anime, opening up a wide range of anime that a lot of people who claimed to have "run out of anime" never touched.
Yesterday, 3:49 PM

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Dec 2018
393
Kekkai Sensen and Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru. Both of their overarching themes resonated with me in different ways & made me have more interest in anime.
Yesterday, 4:09 PM

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Oct 2021
798
Initial D made me a weeb, greatest series ever.
Yesterday, 4:14 PM

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Aug 2020
8573
Neon Genesis Evangelion and Jojos.

Yesterday, 4:37 PM

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Apr 2012
3253
Probably KareKano, actually. The idea that I might watch a "high school romantic comedy" or anything remotely like that was utterly inconceivable until my university's anime society showed it. Without that, I could easily imagine myself sticking to high concept sci-fi and fantasy.
logopolisYesterday, 4:41 PM
Yesterday, 4:40 PM

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Apr 2024
557
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann introduced me to specifically Super Robots, and that's probably my favorite genre, so that
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Yesterday, 4:56 PM

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Oct 2013
7175
My taste in anime was already set when I started getting into cartoons like Teen Titans and realizing I need more action focused animation in my life, which my cartoons were greatly lacking in. Also got me to realize I need more attractive animated characters in my life, which cartoons also lacked. FMA 03 was the series to point me in the direction of anime, which had both those things, and lots of both those things.

To be clear, I had seen other anime before that, I just didn't know they were "anime". FMA specifically opened that door, because after catching some random episodes on Toonami, I wanted to see it from the start, which led me to find out it was originally Japanese.
Yesterday, 5:50 PM

Online
Jun 2024
1354
I think Haruhi Suzumiya and other KyoAni shows have set the standard too high for me in anime.

Now, I can’t watch anything without comparing it to the masterpiece they call Haruhi.
Yesterday, 6:55 PM

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Oct 2022
1293
Ehh.. it's been so long there's been changes in genres so I can't say I want more of a certain genre if it completely gone

I became a fan during the "Space Opera" era of the late 90s, and watched Outlaw Star and Cowboy Bebop (and later old episodes of Dirty Pair) and wanted more space anime. Then space anime died.

I discovered Buddy Cop anime and was satisfied by Cop Craft a few years ago, but then Buddy Cop anime died. (One exception- Police in a Pod from a few years ago I loved)

I discovered Made in Abyss and it totally changed my ideas about fantasy; but the industry hasn't produced more like it.

All they produce now are really bad D&D fantasy with isekai elements (or without them) or level grinding/dungeon crawl/reincarnation stuff I just don't want. So if a Space anime, or a Buddy Cop, or an otherworldly toad-stool fantasy anime comes out, I will jump on it.
They just added Gundam Seed Freedom and it's mecha but Seed had some space/other society elements so I will probably watch that.


Yesterday, 8:12 PM
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May 2024
41
I got clickbaited into watching a "top 10 romance anime" on YouTube and the ship has sailed from there lmao.
The first anime that got me into anime was Toradora. The scenes, the romance, the goofy chibi characters, every day mundane life, etc
I enjoyed the show so much that it's a tradition to me to watch it every Christmas! It's been 8-9 years since
I would see clips of dragon ball, Naruto, Pokemon, etc on TV but those didn't make me want to actively watch it.
Yesterday, 8:55 PM

Offline
Feb 2016
11796
Reply to SuperAdventure
Ehh.. it's been so long there's been changes in genres so I can't say I want more of a certain genre if it completely gone

I became a fan during the "Space Opera" era of the late 90s, and watched Outlaw Star and Cowboy Bebop (and later old episodes of Dirty Pair) and wanted more space anime. Then space anime died.

I discovered Buddy Cop anime and was satisfied by Cop Craft a few years ago, but then Buddy Cop anime died. (One exception- Police in a Pod from a few years ago I loved)

I discovered Made in Abyss and it totally changed my ideas about fantasy; but the industry hasn't produced more like it.

All they produce now are really bad D&D fantasy with isekai elements (or without them) or level grinding/dungeon crawl/reincarnation stuff I just don't want. So if a Space anime, or a Buddy Cop, or an otherworldly toad-stool fantasy anime comes out, I will jump on it.
They just added Gundam Seed Freedom and it's mecha but Seed had some space/other society elements so I will probably watch that.


SuperAdventure said:
All they produce now are really bad D&D fantasy with isekai elements (or without them) or level grinding/dungeon crawl/reincarnation stuff I just don't want.

You should watch Rage of Bahamut: Genesis. It is a fantasy that is unlike the sort you dislike. I wish I could find more. 😢
その目だれの目?
Yesterday, 8:57 PM

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Feb 2016
11796
My answer is a visual novel rather than anime. I went looking for more to play, only to find that many popular titles had been made into anime!
その目だれの目?
Yesterday, 9:15 PM

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Feb 2023
327
Y'all already know what I'm going to say. *inhales...Birdie Wing: Golf Girl's Story. . .
fr tho...Birdie Wing got me hooked on Yuri and I've been searching for the perfect yuri anime ever since. If anyone has recommendations hmu
Yesterday, 9:25 PM

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Jul 2024
12
Probably Kare Kano.
There's still probably not enough of them but dark, psychological romance would so be my genre.
Yesterday, 9:34 PM
鋼鉄乙女

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Aug 2016
345
Definitely Code Geass for me, basically got me into anime. I still love mecha anime and the original Geass series to this day.
"Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!" - Bill & Ted´s Excellent Adventure

Check my introduction to Char´s Counterattack interest stack if you´re interested in watching UC Gundam. Also check my Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA Chronological Watch Order for LoGH info!
Yesterday, 9:38 PM

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Feb 2018
2439


Probably my First, "Proto-Moe" exposure sometime in the latter-1990's; "Galaxy Fraulein Yuna" such irresistible, Puffy-Fluffy Hunnies♥






MasterTasukeYesterday, 9:47 PM
Yesterday, 9:52 PM

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Sep 2023
71
well i think it would be bleach.. i started watching anime seriously after bleach
Yesterday, 10:11 PM
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Feb 2021
133
  • Dragon Ball Kai for Japanese shows
  • Mirai Nikki for yanderes
  • Either Higurashi or Steins;Gate for big-brained emotional stuff
  • Madoka Magica for cute girls doing cute things getting absolutely fucked over
  • Yuri Kuma Arashi for yuri
10 hours ago

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Jan 2023
2277
In my case, I don't think there really was any series like that as the genres I'm waching are, for the most part, the same ones I did with live action movies and series :)
10 hours ago

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Jan 2021
1427
Every show in my favorites, tbh. ...
10 hours ago

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Jun 2020
777
Sailor Moon and Robotech - Introducing me to the concept of Japanese animation
Digimon and Dragon Ball - Introducing me to Shonen anime
Naruto - Because it made me go and search for later episodes when they stopped localizing the anime mid Chunin Exam. This has introduce me to the world of online anime and manga.
Interstella 5555 - Introduced me to anime related music and their soundtracks (also Daft Punk).
Ascendance of a Bookworm - Introduced me to the world of Japanese light novels
Technopunk9 hours ago

"Don't let your memes be dreams."- Ancient Japanese proverb, probably
9 hours ago
Offline
Dec 2015
45
I had to think hard for this.

The most influential anime for me growing up I think was full metal panic. Season 2 especially
The show opened me up to slice of life and romcoms, eventually getting me away from action anime.
9 hours ago
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Oct 2019
1915
Ben-To
High School DxD
High school of the dead
No Game No Life
Love Live School Idol Project
4 hours ago

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Dec 2007
513
Hmmm... probably Rurouni Kenshin and InuYasha. When I first really started getting into anime they were two of the first shows I feel in love with and ever since then action series that also have a strong focus on romance have pretty much been my bread and butter. One other one I can mention is FLCL just because I think that opened me up a lot to just, anime can be anything and so much of it is good so I should try more.
4 hours ago

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Sep 2017
321
Hmmm... I'm not really sure if it's because of "it" or it may really just well be, intrinsically, "good" that regardless if I preferred that genre or not, I still would've liked it. The same way I'm not into action in general but if it's well-made, I continue watching them like Attack on Titan.

But anyway, with that said, I think my favorite genre right now is slice of life with a bit of fantasy elements, and I think it started with Nagi no Asukara.

"The universe was made, just to be seen by my eyes."
3 hours ago

Online
Mar 2012
8015
It was Kyo Kara Maoh, it influenced both my likes and dislikes. Till this day I'm searching for a character similar to Conrad and prefer wholesome interactions like the ones between Conrad and Yuuri. It was Conrad that made me realize that I'm a simp for loyal protective anime guys. I also started liking guys like Gwendal who on first glance have a tough exterior but underneath have cute hobbies like knitting stuffed toys. And I absolutely love cunning, sly and manipulative villains like Saralegui. My hate for tsunderes and BL started from this series as well, of course it wasn't just blind hatred but I could see a lot of similarities which made me hate both of them.



「あなたのためなら世界中を敵にしてもかまわない」
"If it was for your sake I wouldn't mind even if I had to turn the whole world into my enemy"
3 hours ago

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Apr 2020
2781
Dorohedoro made me realize I like obscure, crazy stuff and that Anime doesn't have to be serious and logical, all the time. Fun is the most important thing.

2 hours ago

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Feb 2022
358
Probably Kaguya-sama, I remember at the time my list had mainly just been battle shonen/adjacent shows but it really got me to branch off my taste and get it closer to where it is now.
2 hours ago

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Aug 2020
81
..."gunslinger girl" was the most important title in my life. it untroduced me to honesty, — which i then processed for several years until found out how it works.
and that affected me completely; making me understand tragedies and what dramaturgy is.
also, it made me split everything into a "form" and a "meaning", — which had tremendous consequences in how i process any title of any genre (in a nutshell, it allows me to watch literally anything — without a bunch of stupid prejudices)
2 hours ago

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Jan 2022
907
Violet Evergarden made me want to watch more anime

Your Lie in April and Liz and the Blue Bird made me think "I want to see more stuff like this"
1 hour ago

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Dec 2023
51
One Punch Man was my biggest influence for the action genre and interest in overpowered protagonists.

Kaguya-sama and Horimiya made me interested in highschool romance.

Kakegurui and Classroom of the Elite got me into the psychology genre.

For the most important one, The Eminence in Shadow got me hooked on the fantasy genre and made me want to watch more anime. It's like the author knew my tastes and exactly what I wanted to see.
1 hour ago

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Jul 2014
719
As cliché as it might be, I honestly think Neon Genesis Evangelion was the reason I ended up getting really into both psychological and mecha anime.
"Most anime makers are basically autistic" - Hideaki Anno
50 minutes ago

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May 2020
1342
I guess death note fits the bill for me. It cursed me with an insatiable hunger for the "mind game" "psychological battle" genre.

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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