Yeah, the "avoid" section is comically small here given that the whole reason this chart was made is that most anime isn't suitable for watching with "normal" people. I could list dozens of popular, acclaimed shows off the top of my head that I wouldn't show my family.
Assume that any anime that isn't in the 'can watch' section is in the avoid section.
And wtf I don't think I can show my partners HxH scenes where Hisoka gets tuned on by a Child.
You should have made a lot of notes about a bunch of those shows you included on there, lol.
Admirable effort, but this is definitely not a list you can take as is and just watch with anyone.
Honestly this is as true today as it was 20 or 30 years ago, if you want to get someone slowly into anime, just start at studio Ghibli's movies and move from there. A lot of your shows on there will not go well with people not used to anime tropes.
PS: While also not perfect, I would have included Violet Evergarden over many of the shows you put on that list.
I would also tailor it for the person. My mom likes criminal minds and true crime stuff, so something like death note or psycho pass could work for her. If someone was a fan of historical stuff then Yona of the dawn would be good. My dad likes old cheesy kung fu movies or westerns so something like Samurai Champloo or cowboy bebop.
First season, OVA (it's just an addition episode), the Gaiden movie (auto-memory doll something, it's the first of the two movies).
Final movie I would say is optional, some really love it, and it is a definitive conclusion to the story of Violet Evergarden, but it also makes some choices I am not a fan of. It's still overall a good movie.
I honestly wouldn't watch anything that contains a high school or romance and a high school. Ancient magus bride is pushing it. I would honestly cut a bunch from that list, only cause it is normie to our weeb minds. We have been poisoned ecchi isekai power fantasy trash and the compass is skewed.
Love is war was my first anime excluding Naruto or Bleach, but I don’t count those because I watched them years before I started actually watching anime often
Kaguya sama was my first anime, I watched it because technoblade recommended it during a stream (rip), it has a lot for non anime watchers to enjoy, mainly the comedy
It definitely works as an introduction into anime or rom coms
I think it's just as funny to non-anime fans because it plays into how over-the-top and dramatic anime can get. Every scene where 1 slight bit of romance may happen in season 1 being soundtracked and animated like the second coming of Jesus is comedy gold.
Shirobako is a genuinely fun show, but it’s a poor choice if you’re watching it with people that *aren’t* at least somewhat into anime.
It’s an anime about anime! It’s basically a massive tribute to the anime industry, with all of its different practices and kinds of people. If you aren’t familiar with the medium or industry at large, I’m really not sure how enjoyable this show would be. You might just be left with a only comedy series - a very anime-esque one at that.
100%
I loved Shirobako but the whole premise lies in whether or not you’re somewhat interested in the process of making anime while Eizouken, even if it’s about anime, it could be traded with any other art form because at its core it’s a love letter to creativity.
I've been debating showing it to my dad, but I'm afraid he'd pick apart everything that wasn't historically accurate. I have to represent it as a fictionalized revision of the past events, especially in characters like Canute.
It's more historically accurate than any of the live action viking shows though. Not necessarily characterizations as you say, and the author definitely fills in the blanks on unknown history with things that make for a good story, but the way people spoke, what they wore, where certain real people were during real battles, the types of philosophical debates that were happening at the time, all of those are a LOT more accurate than "Vikings' or "The Last Kingdom".
For what it's worth, Vinland Saga is a lot more historically accurate than a show like Vikings.
[Heck, even the bit in season 2 where Canute orders the waves to stop is based on a real story.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Canute_and_the_tide)
I mean … it *is* historical fiction. It’s a made up story that draws a lot of inspiration from history but uses a lot of artistic license. I think some people enjoy it more if they can accept that it isn’t supposed to be a docudrama.
Plus I get almost second hand embarrassment by how loud and dumb these teens act, that it kinda becomes a hassle to explain the non anime viewer that it's something you gloss over.
The extreme, over the top energy of the characters throughout the show can be off-putting too. I like it, but I can see why someone wouldn't want to watch it.
For someone who's never watched any anime, I'd pick Ascendance of a Bookworm over it. It has a similar element of reestablishing some technology based on real-world techniques (although that's not the central thrust of the series) and the characters have more normal personalities.
The way females are drawn and portrayed in dr Stone I’m definitely not showing to someone before Spy x Family. Especially if they don’t know anime well.
Man, people here really not using ghibli as conversion fuel. Everytime I’m with a girl long enough for her to find out I watch anime. I show them ghibli, they at least understand the art.
I feel like a lot of time passed and they're not really a good choice for introduction to anime, at least Spirited away, which is probably most popular recommendation. I think it's just too weird and not really like anything else in anime, I even know couple of people who saw them and that was enough for them to not like anime. Whisper of the Heart though is much simplier and real and can be good.
But I guess it's still better to pick any ghilbi movie than half anime on this list.
More so talking about howls moving castle, Kiki, & princess mono (just noticed that is on this list). I don’t see spirited away as the go to. It is too out there for a first anime. Perfect Blue, your name, girl who lept through time, Patema inverted, barefoot gen would all be better than that.
Perfect Blue isn't a title I would have thought of as a starter anime, but I guess if you know your audience is into psychological thriller mindfucks, it's certainly a good curated choice.
Man, you’ve got one open minded gf if she will watch Mushoku with you. Again I’m talking about average joes. If I showed Mushoku to my exs they would call a pedo.
Surprised no mention of March Comes in Like A Lion, especially given Honey and Clover is there. I personally love it so much more and don't think that there's anything that violates your rules
Also poor Made in Abyss. One of my favorite series that I struggle to recommend
That episode hits everyone.
People who had terrible moms and no reason to have a soft spot for them. People who have great moms. People who had great moms.
I tear up just thinking about the episode.
I'm watching Made In Abyss right now. The world-building is _so_ interesting and the soundtrack and animation is amazing... but yeah, there's no way I'd ever recommend it to anyone I know IRL.
I've started describing it as what would happen if Studio Ghibli and H.P. Lovecraft had a baby, most people find that description very intriguing until I specify what aspects of Lovecraft are present and then they mostly back out.
The protagonists are kids, and very unfortunately, the anime includes some very unnecessary scenes in which they're sexualised, mostly for comedic purposes. There are 2-3 of those per season so it's not like it's very frequent, but definitely they stick out.
To elaborate a bit on "sexualised", as it may have different meanings, it's not that they're made to be appear sexually desirable. Rather, it's more that they joke about their genitals, or find themselves in situations where they touch one another. Honestly, kids their age do act like that, but it's uncomfortable to see it on TV, and since it serves no narrative purpose, you have to wonder why is it included.
Made in Abyss can work for people who aren't clued in about the history of pedo stuff in anime and aren't good are detecting a creator's fetishes working their way to the surface.
I think March Comes In Like A Lion was left out because its premise is centered around a board game that most non-Japanese haven't even heard of.
Not that that ends up being much of a barrier to enjoying it if you give the show a chance. You don't need to know anything about shogi to enjoy the show's character drama.
That's especially weird because I would consider Honey and Clover to kinda violate the rules. A list like that should avoid loli-like character and an eighteen years old girl looking like a eight years old one is definitely a loli character in my book.
I can think of a couple ones that could violate the rules (and by that I mean we could find "better"). Toradora is the most obvious one, especially the whole thing about being flat and at the end of the day Taiga is also a loli. Parasyte has a boob grabbing scene but it's pretty minor I guess. Kaguya and Shirobako have a lot of obscure references. Mostly Shirobako talking about moe style during a lot of time and they work on a magical girl anime at the beginning.
Yeah, not just her looking as young as she does but who she ends up with kinda feels like something I'd generally avoid as well, but at least the rules as given, it doesn't violate it, even if it wouldn't be my pick for an introductory series. I think Sangatsu or Nodame Cantabile would be better personally, but eh
Anime "abstract" doesn't usually get *that* out there. I definitely wouldn't consider arthouse anime to be more weird than the sort of arthouse film you'll get in the English speaking world.
Artsy is not mainstream. If anything it is even further away from mainstream than the horny (look at any raunchy teenage movie like American Pie) or gorey (basically the slasher movies like scream).
The first time I read it as 'history' and was a bit confused why a history professor would be interested in biology. Then I learned just now about the definition of histology.
Very strange list, a lot of these I would most certainly not call “normal”. Also Fate UBW is pretty tame compared to some other but it’s on the do not watch list for some reason??
I would definitely recommend Odd Taxi as a good anime for non-anime watchers. It can feel at times closer to a western adult cartoon like Disenchanted or Futurama than to anime.
Violet Evergarden, march comes in like a lion, Usagi Drop, Hibike Euphonium, Natsume Yuujinchou, Chihayafuru, 5cm/sec, Flavours of Youth, Someone's gaze, Cowboy Bebop, spice and wolf
Haikyuu would be a good one as well I think. Character focused and rooted in reality, and genuinely just some great story telling without much indulgence in more off putting anime tropes.
U sure u want to watch Parasyte with normal people?are u sure? Btw,why Stay night is below there?i understand MIA is not for everyone,but why Stay Night is there?
I think most non anime watchers would be fine with the occasional penis gag scene(if it's the one I think you're talking about).
It's just the more anime specific tropes or Japan related things they don't understand that would weird people out.
Hunter x Hunter is my favorite show, but Hisoka alone makes this not a comfortable watch for someone who isn’t used to anime troupes, hell, people who ARE used to them still find him to be way too…. Yeah…..
Some other titles I think fit:
* Chihayafuru
* Haikyuu
* Campfire Cooking in Another World (probably the one isekai series that doesn’t get into a masturbatory fantasy)
* The Faraway Paladin (okay two)
* Spy x Family
* To Your Eternity (except for that one scene with Hayase that we’ll just avoid)
* Skip and Loafer
* Death Parade
* Deca-Dence
* Girl’s Last Tour
* 86 (dunno about this one)
* Yuru Camp
Also add Mushoku Tensei to the Avoid list. I like it and even *I* wouldn’t recommend it
Mushoku Tensei as a recommendation would be an absolute shoo-in for every fantasy fan but there are too many dodgy scenes for people who are unfamiliar with anime in my eyes.
Yeah, and it’s so tough because, like, if the intention was to show that Rudy grows from a total shitstain of a human being to a better man, you could do that without him being a pervert.
It's worse than that, his sex pest behavior is actively encouraged/rewarded in the story, and used as comic relief.
It's a major shortcoming in an otherwise decent redemption story
I strongly agree with Yuru Camp, especially for anyone who's more into family-friendly shows.
I'd also add Cowboy Bebop and Ascendance of a Bookworm, depending on who it is (if they're OK with violence and more adult themes, Cowboy Bebop, otherwise Ascendance of a Bookworm).
Everyone always forgets the Classics.
Akira
Sailor Moon Crystal up to Cosmos
Romeo x Juliet
Detective Conan
Op forgot JJK, Montecristo and Maquia have the tropes they want to avoid.
Your idea of "normal people" and mine are obviously not the same. Lots of great shows, but some of them still have TONS of anime bullshit and fanservice in them that normal people that I know would be completely put off by.
If anything seriously thinks anime is too gory they haven't seen literally any of the popular shows from the last ten years... game of thrones? the walking dead? Attack on Titan fits alongside quite nicely with current western trends.
I tried watching some with my mom and realized that it's hard to tell what will be enjoyable for non anime person. Especially mom
Once we tried FMA And she just couldn't stand Ed's constant screaming and his general behaviour.
I hadn't realized he was so loud until my mom complained. Guess I just got accustomed to such characters.
I also think shows with tsunderes are not good recommendations.
Violet Evergarden feels like a safe pick imo. Ofc it varies depending on the person but it is beautiful looking, there are no obnoxious characters and 0 references to other anime.
houseki no Kuni also worked with my mom and one non anime friend.
Anime films are honestly the way to go. Ghibli stuff, makoto shinkai stuff, a silent voice. These are really great stuff that anyone who likes good stories will enjoy.
Especially anyone who likes old Disney will enjoy Ghibli's works
Most of those are still pretty stereotypically anime in nature.
I'd go with some of the classics. *Cowboy Bebop*, *Ghost in the Shell*, and *Black Lagoon* are all pretty accessible, action-oriented series that largely focus on adult characters drawn in a relatively realistic style for an older audience. Speaking to that last point, you're generally going to have the best results with *seinen* or *josei* series. It's the same issue as getting adults to watch a Western animated series that's aimed at a child/teen audience.
- *Serial Experiments Lain* suffers from being rather slow and deeply confusing, but it also fits.
- *Eden of the East* falls apart once it goes into the movies and has a deeply unsatisfying ending, but before then it's a pretty conventional conspiracy thriller that could easily be sold to a Western audience in live-action.
- *Spice and Wolf* has *some* anime tropes but is generally going to land for a pretty wide audience.
- Both the *Working!* series and the very similar *Servant x Service* are workplace comedies. The anime tropes *do* exist, but they're not far removed from wacky Western sitcoms and anyone who enjoys *Parks and Recreation* shouldn't have an issue.
- *Yuru Camp* is almost nothing but chill vibes in a realistic setting.
- *K-On* can get tropey but come on, it's about as middle-of-the-road as you could ask for. The high school setting might feel a little too anime to many adults, but that's the biggest hurdle.
- *The Perfect Insider* didn't work for me, but it's a straightforward mystery that shouldn't scare off any fan of the genre.
- Again, I didn't connect with *Joker Game* but it's an episodic spy series set in WWII. Once again, it's a straightforward realistic series without any real anime tropes.
- And going back to classics, *Record of Lodoss War* is *literally* the animated transcripts of a D&D game. If someone isn't already turned off by that, it's likely to work.
Looking further into films...
- *Perfect Blue* is essentially a Hitchcock-esque psychological thriller while *Millennium Actress* is a straightforward drama with Satoshi Kon's usual visual flair.
- *Sword of the Stranger* is a straightforward *chanbara* film well-suited for anyone who enjoys samurai action.
Ancient Magus Bride literally starts with a suicidal girl being sold into slavery and bought as a child bride.
Ain’t no way normal people are just gonna be like “yeah, cool, sounds good 👍🏼 “
People in this thread somehow confuse "normal people" with "people who dislike anything that's slightly offensive", which is just the wrong approach.
Normal people aren't gonna be put off by themes of sexual violence, suicide, slavery, etc. those themes are present in popular media everywhere. They're gonna be put off by weeb shit like sexualization of children, pantyflashes, pervy nosebleeds, tsunderes, harems, etc. - Stuff that makes you roll your eyes when you see it.
Which is why stuff like Toradora should NOT be on a list like this.
Every time a list or discussion thread is posted around this topic it just reaffirms to me that the vast majority of anime watchers are so inured to anime tropes they have no concept anymore of the things "normal" people would find unappealing about the medium.
Also, usually when western media includes depictions of sexual violence, suicide, or slavery those things are usually shown in a realistic if not negative light. Whereas in anime they are at times shown as actually positive things (looking at you the massive glut of pro-slavery isekai).
absolutely, it seems the first thing that comes to peoples minds is the pervy stuff but there's plenty of things baked into anime that put people off that's not even offensive. idk what the trope is called but whenever characters have a "big" reaction to something and it cuts to them making big exaggerated faces and describing what they just saw while yelling is pure cringe to most people and almost every anime does it.
It's possibly unsurprising that the idea that problematic elements in a romance would be offputting to normal people is getting so heavily upvoted in a community that almost by definition wouldn't be filled with normies.
Like, a girl falling in love with her much older captor!? In a **romance** of all places!? Grab me my fainting couch.
I wouldn't really go out of my way to watch many anime with normies, but honestly, I think if anything the type of discourse that labels shows like this as problematic is more common within the online community than outside of it, to a very large degree.
"Girl falls in love with her captor" and large age gaps in romance are both extremely standard tropes in romance, and probably even moreso in supernatural romances. I mean, no normies I've discussed romance literature with have ever been even slightly surprised that they contain dubious consent, because they read romance literature too.
If anything Magus Bride is extremely tame. Nary a single bodice has gotten ripped.
You can't recommend a show like Kaguya to a normie. It's all weeb jokes and barely contains itself on lewdness.
Shin Sekai Yori is waaaay too avant garde to be shown to normies as well, same with Tatami Galaxy.
Along with everything else pointed out, I rate this infographic as 75% attempt to actually pick series in consideration to normies, 25% you just trying to push series you like and be critical of ones you don't.
I’m ngl, Kaguya was one of my first 10 anime and I enjoyed it just fine. One of my favorites now, I feel
like it’s not as exclusive as some people may think. (OVA excluded)
Only read the light novels but yeah, it fits. It's a really wholesome spin on isekai. Basically inventing the printing industry in another world with some fantasy elements. MC is smol but the series has no sexualisation at all.
If you like Doctor Stone, you might also like Ascendance of a Bookworm. They are similar in one major aspect, a hero in a different time rebuilding technology they knew from their own time, only Myne in Bookworm is much more down to earth than the superhuman genius Senku is in Dr. Stone.
So I'd probably pick that one first over Dr Stone if the plan is to show it to a family member who hasn't watched any anime before.
You sure Tatami Galaxy?? Jougasaki is a pervert who climbs walls of breasts in his free time and sucks on baby bottles. He also has a sex doll. I would not show that to my parents.
Also 1000mph subtitles and LCD visuals. Not saying it's a bad thing.
Love the anime tho
I think OP is drawing a distinction between a certain kind of sexual content and not necessarily sexual content altogether. It's a comedy set in college, so that it involves sex to some degree isn't unreasonable.
The character has weird kinks but they're not harming anyone and he's not exploiting anyone to pursue them. They're also played for laughs, but it's still an arguably more mature approach than a lot of other anime.
Seems like an American list. Don't show skin or anything sexual, body horror, extreme violence, non-physical torture is allowed, no biggie. It's a pretty stupid list that's not providing enough context. It's not suitable for people that know anime and it's not suitable for people that don't know anime.
I am 100% certain a lot of moms and "normies" that are not into horror would be horrified by some of those shows. Going into a 100+ episode show with your friends or absolute tear-jerker is also pretty ballsy but man what would they think if they saw some panties ... lol.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, it's always nice if someone puts something like that together but it does leave a lot more to be desired. For instance this could already be improved by mentioning it's a list meant for your more adult friends and not for your kids or general family. Also having some broader categories like "horro", "action" and such to give more orientation for people that don't know the particular shows might be good.
Honestly most of Satoshi Kon's filmography could be included here. Some might be a bit too edgy/graphic to "watch with mom" but his works like *Tokyo Godfathers* and *Paprika* would be great picks.
I'd die with the pool scene watching it with my Mom if I was a teenager.
That is not a show I would watch with someone not familiar with anime. Or my Mom.
I won't recommend Shirobako here not because it is bad (one of my faves in 2014-2015) but you need to have at least known some anime to understand the basics of anime production portrayed in the series.
Kaguya is probably the best romcom I had in years, but it is best watched when you know already some of the tropes in anime romance genre. Of course one can still understand the jokes, but they might fall flat to people who does not know the genre the series is parodying into.
In the 2014 UBW anime? Nah, it's toned down as all get-out. Even the DEEN version was way hornier.
I honestly have no idea why UBW is on the "embarrassing to watch with your parents" list and HxH or Kaguya isn't, other than sub bias.
I think Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a good one too. Just finished it with a friend who hasn't really enjoyed other animes i've suggested before but loved this one. Feel like this one is like a 'normal' drama with a really good story that happens to be an animation. It doesn't have that anime quirkiness that some people dislike.
Solid list but tbh I'm always a bit weirded out by 'normie recommendation lists'.
I feel like often people are going too safe with it (not necessarily the one by OP cus as the comments show they already picked multiple shows that others would exclude) like they're trying to find something they can watch with their church-going aunt who already barely has a passing intererst in tv/movies to start with rather than your friend/colleague/relative who has maybe already watched some western cartoons or is a movie buff. People who are much more likely to look for a recommendation.
The real struggle really is trying to get people to sit down and watch anime in the first place. As far the content goes if you aren't starting off too extreme like Redo of Healer or Inukai-san you'll find 'normies' are a lot more receptive than you expected.
Pretty good list, but damn, I will never understand the stigma about anime having that kind of stuff...
Game of thrones has most of the things on that list, yet no one would be ashamed to watch it with someone else. (Many were worse than these things too, like instead of "pantyshot" it was "full frontal nudity every other episode")
And the usual argument against the anime stuff *'But the anime characters are underage!'* doesn't really work here, because many of the GoT characters were underage too.
I think there’s room for nuance but how it’s framed matters more than the subject itself
Game of thrones has an example that goes each way. For example Cersei and Jaimes relationship is treated as an abomination by the story and the characters and many plots in the story revolve around fights that ensue because of it. Then you have Jon and Danys relationship which is portrayed in a more positive light by the story.
A lot of anime portray those subjects in a way that at worst fetishizes them or portrays it a neutral/positive light or plays it off for laughs. The camera angles, pacing, and character reactions ultimately turn a lot of people off even if some of the same subjects are present in other media, because it’s potrayed differently. Now a lot of western media does this too, but subtle differences in scene composition inspire different reactions
Overall I think it’s a fair thing to take into account. Most people used to western media will have different reactions when you get to something like the toothpaste scene in Monogatari just because there’s different emphasis on certain things in composition and characters reactions tend to be over the top. Game of thrones might be guilty of a lot the same things, but because scene composition/character reaction differ so much between each medium it’s easier for people used to western media to digest
I honestly don't think it's necessarily the explicit content that puts most people off the genre, or else they would have a problem with much more western media. People say it is but it's only because they can't grasp the real thing they feel uncomfortable with. I think like with any genre anime has a body of tropes and conventions that make the dialogue and character behavior feel vaguely foreign and alienating, even after translation, which newcomers read as childish or cringe.
So I think the best shows to show newcomers are ones with plot structure similar to American TV dramas or action movies, and with maturely-written characters, or with some comedic element. Newcomers wont get the subtle appeal of a slice-of-life show or be able to appreciate a show with an innovative animation style. So I think Attack on Titan, Death Note, One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100, are as popular and recognizable as they are for that reason. No one that doesn't already care about anime is going to sit through a Shirobako or Hyouka, even though those shows are peak.
The best explanation I'd say. That's because I flinch at the cringe I'd experience if I watched, for example, Steins;Gate with a normie. There are a fair share of shows with character accentuating traits like ending sentences with different words or sounds, also just Japanese culture being different.
Honestly, the more I get into western media, the less anime's stigma makes sense to me. People complain about anime being too weird and sexual for western sensibilities. Last year's Oscars best picture winner had a scene where a women dressed as a police officer beats up a guy with nunchucks made of dildos, and another where two people who are fighting attempt to get a trophy shoved up their assholes while preventing the other from doing it because it'll help them gain special skills; everyone (including myself) adored this movie. People claim to think forced fetishes and voyeurism ruin an anime, but when Tarantino makes Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood as the ultimate foot fetish movie even by the standards of all his previous work combined (Akebi's Sailor Uniform has nothing on this movie) it wins awards and is critically acclaimed, no vocal backlash. These are recent movies I expect people to be aware of, but it doesn't change when you go backwards.
Whenever a coming-of-age anime explores sexuality, I see people complain that "they didn't have to make it about kids," but I guess Eighth Grade's exploration of teen sexuality is more acceptable because a person is better than a drawing for some reason. They site ecchi anime as bad without caring about film's long history with sexploitation media, and call anime over-the-top flash while getting excited over the next Marvel movie and John Wick's new sequel. People will complain about the pull cute anime girls have on viewers while getting excited over a random movie because the lead actor is hot.
Some people will say Ghibli's work and Satoshi Kon's is different somehow and doesn't count, as if Ghibli and Kon aren't ridiculously influential to anime. Others say anime's influence is too insular and is separate from Japanese cinema, as if Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu didn't inspire half the people who make anime. No one cares to look into the work of Naoko Yamada or Sunao Katabuchi or Shingo Natsume. Maybe they're vaguely aware of Masaaki Yuasa, but his work is weirder than most anime and yet beloved for being artistic. I've literally seen someone say "Akira and Miyazaki movies are different than what you find in and adapted from manga," where the fuck do you think the story for Akira and Nausicaa came from? Comics are better I guess, but a show like Heavenly Delusion or Vinland Saga that's clearly for adults is just some shitty manga. And don't even get me started on video games. The more I experience the world's (especially America's) rich history of film and media, the more I think anime just isn’t unique or special, at least not in the grand scheme of things. There are differences in values and production quirks, but on the whole, anime is not all that weird. Great art is often pretty fucking weird, and anime is no different.
I agree with you, but I also only read the GoT books so I don't know how the show portrayed those scenes. In anime some scenes like that are played for laughs while they shouldn't be, which is the main problem.
But I agree, people who focus on this too much should read some western fantasy and see how common sexual assault is there. I don't think they will like what they find.
There are a lot of problems in anime, but those same problems are pretty common in Western media as well.
E.g. as you said, fanservice or sexual assault played as comedy or for sexualization.
(GoT has sexualized rape and more sexualization in general compared to the novels.)
Hey mom wanna watch a show called "I want to eat your pancreas???"
This list exudes anime elitism, especially the wording in the graph and post.
Sure, watching the smut animes with anyone else is a no no, but half these animes have the stuff you have listed in the 'tropes' section, and most of the wholesome animes arent on here, Nichijou, Spy X Family, etc. I think Spy x Family is something almost anyone can enjoy, way more than something like Parasyte SMH
Nope. A lot of these have too many tropes. Also missing Attack on Titan which is genuinely mainstream appropriate. My parents enjoyed it. Parasyte is a good recommendation though. My parents really enjoyed that one. And it does have sex and gore.
You don't need to avoid sex and gore. You need to avoid weird stuff that isn't understandable or very tropey. Modern TV has a lot of sex, nudity and gore. There is no reason to avoid it especially as those shows are likely to be more mature and will appeal more to normal people. Just don't pick ecchi harem shows with loads of fanservice because those are more in the weird direction.
Don't know if Ancient Magus Bride would be a good show for normal people. The main love interest being the slave of the guy trying to wife her up is probably very off-putting. Hell I loved the show and it was off-putting. The show was beautiful and the story was decent but I just don't know how well that would be handled.
I just google to see if there was a relation between The Tatami Galaxy and Asia Kung-Fu Generation and they made the opening, but is there a reason why a lot of the AKFG album art looks like this anime?
Shinsekai Yori literally has a world where everyone has sex with everyone else, though. Including parents and children, grandparents, etc., in Kamisu 66. And they even use gene editing to make everyone hot even in old age. Still a masterpiece, but it doesn't fit your criteria.
Attack on Titan is the ultimate anime Starter Pack in my opinion. Great story, great characters, great execution. Grips you from the get go. Doesn't rely on the conventional anime tropes that would weird anyone out.
My brother started with it, I on the other hand started with doctor stone and watched attack on Titan way later after watching a lot more anime.
I converted a friend into a weeb by convincing him to watch AOT, which led him to ask for more and more... Untill we finally got to the redo of healer spectrum :)
Since Redo of Healer isn't in the "Avoid" section, I assume it's OK to watch with the extended family at grandma's this weekend?
My Life as Inukai's Dog would go pretty well as a follow up.
Along with Interspecies Reviewers
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Great, my niece LOVE dogs! Good recommendation for next weekend of babysitting!
Yeah, the "avoid" section is comically small here given that the whole reason this chart was made is that most anime isn't suitable for watching with "normal" people. I could list dozens of popular, acclaimed shows off the top of my head that I wouldn't show my family.
many are in this list lol
Assume that any anime that isn't in the 'can watch' section is in the avoid section. And wtf I don't think I can show my partners HxH scenes where Hisoka gets tuned on by a Child.
With the young cousins obviously
I’m a HUGEEE Love is war fan but I couldn’t possibly imagine watching that with someone who isn’t already into anime, especially romance anime’s.
Imagine watching that kaguya ova with your parents lmao
Yeah I might've made a note excluding that OVA...
You should have made a lot of notes about a bunch of those shows you included on there, lol. Admirable effort, but this is definitely not a list you can take as is and just watch with anyone. Honestly this is as true today as it was 20 or 30 years ago, if you want to get someone slowly into anime, just start at studio Ghibli's movies and move from there. A lot of your shows on there will not go well with people not used to anime tropes. PS: While also not perfect, I would have included Violet Evergarden over many of the shows you put on that list.
I would also tailor it for the person. My mom likes criminal minds and true crime stuff, so something like death note or psycho pass could work for her. If someone was a fan of historical stuff then Yona of the dawn would be good. My dad likes old cheesy kung fu movies or westerns so something like Samurai Champloo or cowboy bebop.
Just Violet Evergarden’s first season, right?
First season, OVA (it's just an addition episode), the Gaiden movie (auto-memory doll something, it's the first of the two movies). Final movie I would say is optional, some really love it, and it is a definitive conclusion to the story of Violet Evergarden, but it also makes some choices I am not a fan of. It's still overall a good movie.
Thought the same. Toradora is just so trope heavy and I can’t imagine putting a tsundere heroine in some non-anime-fan‘s face.
Very true, even a lot of veteran anime fans hate tsunderes.
I honestly wouldn't watch anything that contains a high school or romance and a high school. Ancient magus bride is pushing it. I would honestly cut a bunch from that list, only cause it is normie to our weeb minds. We have been poisoned ecchi isekai power fantasy trash and the compass is skewed.
Yeah theres no way. Theres a few major misses on this list.
I’m 50/50. I think it works better if you have seen a few romcom anime but I also wouldn’t say it needs to be avoided by non-anime fans.
Love is war was my first anime excluding Naruto or Bleach, but I don’t count those because I watched them years before I started actually watching anime often
Kaguya sama was my first anime, I watched it because technoblade recommended it during a stream (rip), it has a lot for non anime watchers to enjoy, mainly the comedy It definitely works as an introduction into anime or rom coms
I think it's just as funny to non-anime fans because it plays into how over-the-top and dramatic anime can get. Every scene where 1 slight bit of romance may happen in season 1 being soundtracked and animated like the second coming of Jesus is comedy gold.
Shirobako is a genuinely fun show, but it’s a poor choice if you’re watching it with people that *aren’t* at least somewhat into anime. It’s an anime about anime! It’s basically a massive tribute to the anime industry, with all of its different practices and kinds of people. If you aren’t familiar with the medium or industry at large, I’m really not sure how enjoyable this show would be. You might just be left with a only comedy series - a very anime-esque one at that.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is also "anime about anime" but might be a better choice
100% I loved Shirobako but the whole premise lies in whether or not you’re somewhat interested in the process of making anime while Eizouken, even if it’s about anime, it could be traded with any other art form because at its core it’s a love letter to creativity.
Highschool DxD is a must for a christian family meeting
Personally I enjoy showing my bible study group My Life as Inukai's Dog
Vinland saga could be really good one to show a dad
Megalobox as well. Vikings and boxing are great dad anime
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Virgin revengers Chad I have no enemies
If were talking boxing theres hajime no ippo. Great dick jokes too.
I've been debating showing it to my dad, but I'm afraid he'd pick apart everything that wasn't historically accurate. I have to represent it as a fictionalized revision of the past events, especially in characters like Canute.
Or when Thorkell throws an axe like a boomerang and it cuts 6 guys in half at the waist
That actually did happen. I was there, I was the 6 guys.
You can't prove it didn't happen.
It's more historically accurate than any of the live action viking shows though. Not necessarily characterizations as you say, and the author definitely fills in the blanks on unknown history with things that make for a good story, but the way people spoke, what they wore, where certain real people were during real battles, the types of philosophical debates that were happening at the time, all of those are a LOT more accurate than "Vikings' or "The Last Kingdom".
For what it's worth, Vinland Saga is a lot more historically accurate than a show like Vikings. [Heck, even the bit in season 2 where Canute orders the waves to stop is based on a real story.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Canute_and_the_tide)
I mean … it *is* historical fiction. It’s a made up story that draws a lot of inspiration from history but uses a lot of artistic license. I think some people enjoy it more if they can accept that it isn’t supposed to be a docudrama.
I showed it to my dad. He binged season 1 in 2 days.
Yeah my dad and I watched season two together. Amazing show to recommend to anyone who likes a good bit of history and action.
Dr stone is horny as hell tho.
Plus I get almost second hand embarrassment by how loud and dumb these teens act, that it kinda becomes a hassle to explain the non anime viewer that it's something you gloss over.
The extreme, over the top energy of the characters throughout the show can be off-putting too. I like it, but I can see why someone wouldn't want to watch it. For someone who's never watched any anime, I'd pick Ascendance of a Bookworm over it. It has a similar element of reestablishing some technology based on real-world techniques (although that's not the central thrust of the series) and the characters have more normal personalities.
hisoka from hxh is too and in his context it's much worse
HxH is just a no from the amount of episodes imo. Hisoka and his pedo tendencies also are a hard no.
The way females are drawn and portrayed in dr Stone I’m definitely not showing to someone before Spy x Family. Especially if they don’t know anime well.
Man, people here really not using ghibli as conversion fuel. Everytime I’m with a girl long enough for her to find out I watch anime. I show them ghibli, they at least understand the art.
a silent voice has been my go to
I feel like a lot of time passed and they're not really a good choice for introduction to anime, at least Spirited away, which is probably most popular recommendation. I think it's just too weird and not really like anything else in anime, I even know couple of people who saw them and that was enough for them to not like anime. Whisper of the Heart though is much simplier and real and can be good. But I guess it's still better to pick any ghilbi movie than half anime on this list.
More so talking about howls moving castle, Kiki, & princess mono (just noticed that is on this list). I don’t see spirited away as the go to. It is too out there for a first anime. Perfect Blue, your name, girl who lept through time, Patema inverted, barefoot gen would all be better than that.
Perfect Blue isn't a title I would have thought of as a starter anime, but I guess if you know your audience is into psychological thriller mindfucks, it's certainly a good curated choice.
Meanwhile, I've got my girlfriend of 3 months watching Unlimited Blade Works, Kill la Kill and Mushoku Tensei with me.
Man, you’ve got one open minded gf if she will watch Mushoku with you. Again I’m talking about average joes. If I showed Mushoku to my exs they would call a pedo.
Surprised no mention of March Comes in Like A Lion, especially given Honey and Clover is there. I personally love it so much more and don't think that there's anything that violates your rules Also poor Made in Abyss. One of my favorite series that I struggle to recommend
Violet Evergarden as well.
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That episode hits everyone. People who had terrible moms and no reason to have a soft spot for them. People who have great moms. People who had great moms. I tear up just thinking about the episode.
I'm watching Made In Abyss right now. The world-building is _so_ interesting and the soundtrack and animation is amazing... but yeah, there's no way I'd ever recommend it to anyone I know IRL.
I've started describing it as what would happen if Studio Ghibli and H.P. Lovecraft had a baby, most people find that description very intriguing until I specify what aspects of Lovecraft are present and then they mostly back out.
Aw man, don't tease people like that. You just made me want a mash-up of Princess Mononoke and Bloodborne 😫
I'm "most people". What aspects are you talking about?
The protagonists are kids, and very unfortunately, the anime includes some very unnecessary scenes in which they're sexualised, mostly for comedic purposes. There are 2-3 of those per season so it's not like it's very frequent, but definitely they stick out. To elaborate a bit on "sexualised", as it may have different meanings, it's not that they're made to be appear sexually desirable. Rather, it's more that they joke about their genitals, or find themselves in situations where they touch one another. Honestly, kids their age do act like that, but it's uncomfortable to see it on TV, and since it serves no narrative purpose, you have to wonder why is it included.
The crazy part is that the anime turns the weird shit down from the manga. Like way down.
What do you mean, this alien toilet that licks your butthole clean is absolutely critical to the plot
excuse me what the fuck
Literally me but with Tengoku Daimakyo.
Meanwhile I've had no problem introducing Made in Abyss to friends of mine who just enjoy fantasy works. [](#yuishrug)
Made in Abyss can work for people who aren't clued in about the history of pedo stuff in anime and aren't good are detecting a creator's fetishes working their way to the surface.
March Comes in Like A Lion, was so relaxing, I love all the characters so much!
I think March Comes In Like A Lion was left out because its premise is centered around a board game that most non-Japanese haven't even heard of. Not that that ends up being much of a barrier to enjoying it if you give the show a chance. You don't need to know anything about shogi to enjoy the show's character drama.
That's especially weird because I would consider Honey and Clover to kinda violate the rules. A list like that should avoid loli-like character and an eighteen years old girl looking like a eight years old one is definitely a loli character in my book. I can think of a couple ones that could violate the rules (and by that I mean we could find "better"). Toradora is the most obvious one, especially the whole thing about being flat and at the end of the day Taiga is also a loli. Parasyte has a boob grabbing scene but it's pretty minor I guess. Kaguya and Shirobako have a lot of obscure references. Mostly Shirobako talking about moe style during a lot of time and they work on a magical girl anime at the beginning.
Yeah, not just her looking as young as she does but who she ends up with kinda feels like something I'd generally avoid as well, but at least the rules as given, it doesn't violate it, even if it wouldn't be my pick for an introductory series. I think Sangatsu or Nodame Cantabile would be better personally, but eh
Not sure normal people would make it through Sonny Boy. Probably best not to start with that one, at the very least.
Pretty sure OP just means non-weebs, in which case there are most definitely "normal" people who enjoy abstract works.
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Anime "abstract" doesn't usually get *that* out there. I definitely wouldn't consider arthouse anime to be more weird than the sort of arthouse film you'll get in the English speaking world.
It's weird but not really in an anime-specific way. I can see people who are into artsy stuff really liking it.
Artsy is not mainstream. If anything it is even further away from mainstream than the horny (look at any raunchy teenage movie like American Pie) or gorey (basically the slasher movies like scream).
Cells at Work probably deserves a spot on this list as well. It's educational and episodic. I don't remember if there are any ecchi scenes in it
I showed my histology professor this and she absolutely loved it
The first time I read it as 'history' and was a bit confused why a history professor would be interested in biology. Then I learned just now about the definition of histology.
Cells at Work yeah but not Code Black because of the massive cleavage on the white blood cells
No spy x family??
It's the most family friendly anime ever
The anime that probably convinced some weebs to actually try to start a family.
If Anya can't fix Japan's population problem, I don't know what will.
wording
It's a government conspiracy to boost the population.
Not as family friendly as Kiss x Sis 😏
Where’s Violet evergarden
I don't want to be seen crying...
I yearn for the day someone makes a good anime recommendation list, I think I’ll start one
Very strange list, a lot of these I would most certainly not call “normal”. Also Fate UBW is pretty tame compared to some other but it’s on the do not watch list for some reason??
I would definitely recommend Odd Taxi as a good anime for non-anime watchers. It can feel at times closer to a western adult cartoon like Disenchanted or Futurama than to anime.
Violet Evergarden, march comes in like a lion, Usagi Drop, Hibike Euphonium, Natsume Yuujinchou, Chihayafuru, 5cm/sec, Flavours of Youth, Someone's gaze, Cowboy Bebop, spice and wolf
Haikyuu would be a good one as well I think. Character focused and rooted in reality, and genuinely just some great story telling without much indulgence in more off putting anime tropes.
U sure u want to watch Parasyte with normal people?are u sure? Btw,why Stay night is below there?i understand MIA is not for everyone,but why Stay Night is there?
Parasyte is probably one of the best anime to recommend to non-anime watchers though
What about the weird penis scene?
I think most non anime watchers would be fine with the occasional penis gag scene(if it's the one I think you're talking about). It's just the more anime specific tropes or Japan related things they don't understand that would weird people out.
This wasn't an anime recommendation at all, it was "let's see how many anime i have seen from this list" XD
Hunter x Hunter is my favorite show, but Hisoka alone makes this not a comfortable watch for someone who isn’t used to anime troupes, hell, people who ARE used to them still find him to be way too…. Yeah…..
Some other titles I think fit: * Chihayafuru * Haikyuu * Campfire Cooking in Another World (probably the one isekai series that doesn’t get into a masturbatory fantasy) * The Faraway Paladin (okay two) * Spy x Family * To Your Eternity (except for that one scene with Hayase that we’ll just avoid) * Skip and Loafer * Death Parade * Deca-Dence * Girl’s Last Tour * 86 (dunno about this one) * Yuru Camp Also add Mushoku Tensei to the Avoid list. I like it and even *I* wouldn’t recommend it
Mushoku Tensei as a recommendation would be an absolute shoo-in for every fantasy fan but there are too many dodgy scenes for people who are unfamiliar with anime in my eyes.
Yeah, and it’s so tough because, like, if the intention was to show that Rudy grows from a total shitstain of a human being to a better man, you could do that without him being a pervert.
It's worse than that, his sex pest behavior is actively encouraged/rewarded in the story, and used as comic relief. It's a major shortcoming in an otherwise decent redemption story
> too many dodgy scenes for people who are unfamiliar with anime in my eyes. Even then, some of those scenes are just actively fucked up
I strongly agree with Yuru Camp, especially for anyone who's more into family-friendly shows. I'd also add Cowboy Bebop and Ascendance of a Bookworm, depending on who it is (if they're OK with violence and more adult themes, Cowboy Bebop, otherwise Ascendance of a Bookworm).
Let's gooooo, Girls Last Tour mentioned
W Girls Last Tour enjoyer, but I feel a non anime watcher could be bored by iyashikei, no?
Death note, easy
Everyone always forgets the Classics. Akira Sailor Moon Crystal up to Cosmos Romeo x Juliet Detective Conan Op forgot JJK, Montecristo and Maquia have the tropes they want to avoid.
Your idea of "normal people" and mine are obviously not the same. Lots of great shows, but some of them still have TONS of anime bullshit and fanservice in them that normal people that I know would be completely put off by.
Where's Attack on Titan? It's like the most normie anime out there Inb4 "but the gore!", Princess Mononoke is more gory
If anything seriously thinks anime is too gory they haven't seen literally any of the popular shows from the last ten years... game of thrones? the walking dead? Attack on Titan fits alongside quite nicely with current western trends.
my 50 year old dad enjoyed the first few episodes of attack titan because it was like a zombie movie or something.
>avoid gore >recommend Parasyte
Not like the gun in Psycho-pass explodes someone like the gun from District 9 or anything.
I tried watching some with my mom and realized that it's hard to tell what will be enjoyable for non anime person. Especially mom Once we tried FMA And she just couldn't stand Ed's constant screaming and his general behaviour. I hadn't realized he was so loud until my mom complained. Guess I just got accustomed to such characters. I also think shows with tsunderes are not good recommendations. Violet Evergarden feels like a safe pick imo. Ofc it varies depending on the person but it is beautiful looking, there are no obnoxious characters and 0 references to other anime. houseki no Kuni also worked with my mom and one non anime friend.
Anime films are honestly the way to go. Ghibli stuff, makoto shinkai stuff, a silent voice. These are really great stuff that anyone who likes good stories will enjoy. Especially anyone who likes old Disney will enjoy Ghibli's works
Most of those are still pretty stereotypically anime in nature. I'd go with some of the classics. *Cowboy Bebop*, *Ghost in the Shell*, and *Black Lagoon* are all pretty accessible, action-oriented series that largely focus on adult characters drawn in a relatively realistic style for an older audience. Speaking to that last point, you're generally going to have the best results with *seinen* or *josei* series. It's the same issue as getting adults to watch a Western animated series that's aimed at a child/teen audience. - *Serial Experiments Lain* suffers from being rather slow and deeply confusing, but it also fits. - *Eden of the East* falls apart once it goes into the movies and has a deeply unsatisfying ending, but before then it's a pretty conventional conspiracy thriller that could easily be sold to a Western audience in live-action. - *Spice and Wolf* has *some* anime tropes but is generally going to land for a pretty wide audience. - Both the *Working!* series and the very similar *Servant x Service* are workplace comedies. The anime tropes *do* exist, but they're not far removed from wacky Western sitcoms and anyone who enjoys *Parks and Recreation* shouldn't have an issue. - *Yuru Camp* is almost nothing but chill vibes in a realistic setting. - *K-On* can get tropey but come on, it's about as middle-of-the-road as you could ask for. The high school setting might feel a little too anime to many adults, but that's the biggest hurdle. - *The Perfect Insider* didn't work for me, but it's a straightforward mystery that shouldn't scare off any fan of the genre. - Again, I didn't connect with *Joker Game* but it's an episodic spy series set in WWII. Once again, it's a straightforward realistic series without any real anime tropes. - And going back to classics, *Record of Lodoss War* is *literally* the animated transcripts of a D&D game. If someone isn't already turned off by that, it's likely to work. Looking further into films... - *Perfect Blue* is essentially a Hitchcock-esque psychological thriller while *Millennium Actress* is a straightforward drama with Satoshi Kon's usual visual flair. - *Sword of the Stranger* is a straightforward *chanbara* film well-suited for anyone who enjoys samurai action.
You want people unfamiliar with anime to try and keep up with Tatami Galaxy?
I dunno dude, I love the world of Noragami, but there are a lot of upskirt shots.
There's also the blond lady's outfit
Your idea, and apparently most of the people in this threads idea of normal people is insanely flawed.
Ancient Magus Bride literally starts with a suicidal girl being sold into slavery and bought as a child bride. Ain’t no way normal people are just gonna be like “yeah, cool, sounds good 👍🏼 “
In a world where Game of Thrones is super popular I am not sure that is this such a big issue.
People in this thread somehow confuse "normal people" with "people who dislike anything that's slightly offensive", which is just the wrong approach. Normal people aren't gonna be put off by themes of sexual violence, suicide, slavery, etc. those themes are present in popular media everywhere. They're gonna be put off by weeb shit like sexualization of children, pantyflashes, pervy nosebleeds, tsunderes, harems, etc. - Stuff that makes you roll your eyes when you see it. Which is why stuff like Toradora should NOT be on a list like this.
Every time a list or discussion thread is posted around this topic it just reaffirms to me that the vast majority of anime watchers are so inured to anime tropes they have no concept anymore of the things "normal" people would find unappealing about the medium. Also, usually when western media includes depictions of sexual violence, suicide, or slavery those things are usually shown in a realistic if not negative light. Whereas in anime they are at times shown as actually positive things (looking at you the massive glut of pro-slavery isekai).
absolutely, it seems the first thing that comes to peoples minds is the pervy stuff but there's plenty of things baked into anime that put people off that's not even offensive. idk what the trope is called but whenever characters have a "big" reaction to something and it cuts to them making big exaggerated faces and describing what they just saw while yelling is pure cringe to most people and almost every anime does it.
It's possibly unsurprising that the idea that problematic elements in a romance would be offputting to normal people is getting so heavily upvoted in a community that almost by definition wouldn't be filled with normies. Like, a girl falling in love with her much older captor!? In a **romance** of all places!? Grab me my fainting couch.
Right you want something that seems like a normal drama but animated.
I wouldn't really go out of my way to watch many anime with normies, but honestly, I think if anything the type of discourse that labels shows like this as problematic is more common within the online community than outside of it, to a very large degree. "Girl falls in love with her captor" and large age gaps in romance are both extremely standard tropes in romance, and probably even moreso in supernatural romances. I mean, no normies I've discussed romance literature with have ever been even slightly surprised that they contain dubious consent, because they read romance literature too. If anything Magus Bride is extremely tame. Nary a single bodice has gotten ripped.
You can't recommend a show like Kaguya to a normie. It's all weeb jokes and barely contains itself on lewdness. Shin Sekai Yori is waaaay too avant garde to be shown to normies as well, same with Tatami Galaxy. Along with everything else pointed out, I rate this infographic as 75% attempt to actually pick series in consideration to normies, 25% you just trying to push series you like and be critical of ones you don't.
I’m ngl, Kaguya was one of my first 10 anime and I enjoyed it just fine. One of my favorites now, I feel like it’s not as exclusive as some people may think. (OVA excluded)
Noticing a distinct lack of "Ascendance of a Bookworm" on your list!
I haven't seen it, is it good?
Only read the light novels but yeah, it fits. It's a really wholesome spin on isekai. Basically inventing the printing industry in another world with some fantasy elements. MC is smol but the series has no sexualisation at all.
If you like Doctor Stone, you might also like Ascendance of a Bookworm. They are similar in one major aspect, a hero in a different time rebuilding technology they knew from their own time, only Myne in Bookworm is much more down to earth than the superhuman genius Senku is in Dr. Stone. So I'd probably pick that one first over Dr Stone if the plan is to show it to a family member who hasn't watched any anime before.
Its good for introducing people to anime and then hooking them onto the light novel
Good example of an LN I'd even suggest to a non weeb.
You sure Tatami Galaxy?? Jougasaki is a pervert who climbs walls of breasts in his free time and sucks on baby bottles. He also has a sex doll. I would not show that to my parents. Also 1000mph subtitles and LCD visuals. Not saying it's a bad thing. Love the anime tho
I think OP is drawing a distinction between a certain kind of sexual content and not necessarily sexual content altogether. It's a comedy set in college, so that it involves sex to some degree isn't unreasonable. The character has weird kinks but they're not harming anyone and he's not exploiting anyone to pursue them. They're also played for laughs, but it's still an arguably more mature approach than a lot of other anime.
Am i the only person who hates watching animes with people?
is this trolling or real?
Seems like an American list. Don't show skin or anything sexual, body horror, extreme violence, non-physical torture is allowed, no biggie. It's a pretty stupid list that's not providing enough context. It's not suitable for people that know anime and it's not suitable for people that don't know anime. I am 100% certain a lot of moms and "normies" that are not into horror would be horrified by some of those shows. Going into a 100+ episode show with your friends or absolute tear-jerker is also pretty ballsy but man what would they think if they saw some panties ... lol. Edit: Don't get me wrong, it's always nice if someone puts something like that together but it does leave a lot more to be desired. For instance this could already be improved by mentioning it's a list meant for your more adult friends and not for your kids or general family. Also having some broader categories like "horro", "action" and such to give more orientation for people that don't know the particular shows might be good.
Shin sekai yori Shows 12 year olds almost fucking 💀
I LOVE TOKYO GODFATHERS, severely underrated
Honestly most of Satoshi Kon's filmography could be included here. Some might be a bit too edgy/graphic to "watch with mom" but his works like *Tokyo Godfathers* and *Paprika* would be great picks.
Some choises are so odd that I was looking for a punchiline lol. But I agree with most of these.
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I'd die with the pool scene watching it with my Mom if I was a teenager. That is not a show I would watch with someone not familiar with anime. Or my Mom.
I am absolutely not watching OPM or Dr Stone with a non anime watcher. OPM has mosquito girl in episode 2… Dr Stone has way too much fan service
I won't recommend Shirobako here not because it is bad (one of my faves in 2014-2015) but you need to have at least known some anime to understand the basics of anime production portrayed in the series. Kaguya is probably the best romcom I had in years, but it is best watched when you know already some of the tropes in anime romance genre. Of course one can still understand the jokes, but they might fall flat to people who does not know the genre the series is parodying into.
Me and the normal people always watch I want to eat your pancreas together. But not UBW, that's for the otaku.
My guy, Cowboy Bebop with the English dub is probably the best thing to show to normies. They don't need to like anime to watch sci-fi westerns.
What’s wrong with Fate?
Crestworms
I’d somehow blocked that out
not in UBW tho
Possibly the mana transfer ritual as well but don’t take my word for it.
In the 2014 UBW anime? Nah, it's toned down as all get-out. Even the DEEN version was way hornier. I honestly have no idea why UBW is on the "embarrassing to watch with your parents" list and HxH or Kaguya isn't, other than sub bias.
Yeah I've actually had pretty solid success getting new people into anime with fate.
Just avoid stuff with degen fan service and youll be fine
I think Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a good one too. Just finished it with a friend who hasn't really enjoyed other animes i've suggested before but loved this one. Feel like this one is like a 'normal' drama with a really good story that happens to be an animation. It doesn't have that anime quirkiness that some people dislike.
Definitely. Heike Monogatari too. Every so often a stellar period drama anime comes out.
There are a lot of these that don't fit.
Idk if I’d put ancient magnus bride on here. “Weird man buys female slave to be his wife” Doesn’t exactly fit normal
Solid list but tbh I'm always a bit weirded out by 'normie recommendation lists'. I feel like often people are going too safe with it (not necessarily the one by OP cus as the comments show they already picked multiple shows that others would exclude) like they're trying to find something they can watch with their church-going aunt who already barely has a passing intererst in tv/movies to start with rather than your friend/colleague/relative who has maybe already watched some western cartoons or is a movie buff. People who are much more likely to look for a recommendation. The real struggle really is trying to get people to sit down and watch anime in the first place. As far the content goes if you aren't starting off too extreme like Redo of Healer or Inukai-san you'll find 'normies' are a lot more receptive than you expected.
Disagree with made in abyss watch that with normal people
Just a reminder that HunterxHunter has Hisoka and his perverted obsession with Gon, a child.
Pretty good list, but damn, I will never understand the stigma about anime having that kind of stuff... Game of thrones has most of the things on that list, yet no one would be ashamed to watch it with someone else. (Many were worse than these things too, like instead of "pantyshot" it was "full frontal nudity every other episode") And the usual argument against the anime stuff *'But the anime characters are underage!'* doesn't really work here, because many of the GoT characters were underage too.
Not everyone watches game of thrones tho also I feel like there’s a difference between Vinland saga nudity and fucking high school dxd
Hey, all those scenes are essential to the plot of Highschool DxD!
I think there’s room for nuance but how it’s framed matters more than the subject itself Game of thrones has an example that goes each way. For example Cersei and Jaimes relationship is treated as an abomination by the story and the characters and many plots in the story revolve around fights that ensue because of it. Then you have Jon and Danys relationship which is portrayed in a more positive light by the story. A lot of anime portray those subjects in a way that at worst fetishizes them or portrays it a neutral/positive light or plays it off for laughs. The camera angles, pacing, and character reactions ultimately turn a lot of people off even if some of the same subjects are present in other media, because it’s potrayed differently. Now a lot of western media does this too, but subtle differences in scene composition inspire different reactions Overall I think it’s a fair thing to take into account. Most people used to western media will have different reactions when you get to something like the toothpaste scene in Monogatari just because there’s different emphasis on certain things in composition and characters reactions tend to be over the top. Game of thrones might be guilty of a lot the same things, but because scene composition/character reaction differ so much between each medium it’s easier for people used to western media to digest
I honestly don't think it's necessarily the explicit content that puts most people off the genre, or else they would have a problem with much more western media. People say it is but it's only because they can't grasp the real thing they feel uncomfortable with. I think like with any genre anime has a body of tropes and conventions that make the dialogue and character behavior feel vaguely foreign and alienating, even after translation, which newcomers read as childish or cringe. So I think the best shows to show newcomers are ones with plot structure similar to American TV dramas or action movies, and with maturely-written characters, or with some comedic element. Newcomers wont get the subtle appeal of a slice-of-life show or be able to appreciate a show with an innovative animation style. So I think Attack on Titan, Death Note, One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100, are as popular and recognizable as they are for that reason. No one that doesn't already care about anime is going to sit through a Shirobako or Hyouka, even though those shows are peak.
The best explanation I'd say. That's because I flinch at the cringe I'd experience if I watched, for example, Steins;Gate with a normie. There are a fair share of shows with character accentuating traits like ending sentences with different words or sounds, also just Japanese culture being different.
Honestly, the more I get into western media, the less anime's stigma makes sense to me. People complain about anime being too weird and sexual for western sensibilities. Last year's Oscars best picture winner had a scene where a women dressed as a police officer beats up a guy with nunchucks made of dildos, and another where two people who are fighting attempt to get a trophy shoved up their assholes while preventing the other from doing it because it'll help them gain special skills; everyone (including myself) adored this movie. People claim to think forced fetishes and voyeurism ruin an anime, but when Tarantino makes Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood as the ultimate foot fetish movie even by the standards of all his previous work combined (Akebi's Sailor Uniform has nothing on this movie) it wins awards and is critically acclaimed, no vocal backlash. These are recent movies I expect people to be aware of, but it doesn't change when you go backwards. Whenever a coming-of-age anime explores sexuality, I see people complain that "they didn't have to make it about kids," but I guess Eighth Grade's exploration of teen sexuality is more acceptable because a person is better than a drawing for some reason. They site ecchi anime as bad without caring about film's long history with sexploitation media, and call anime over-the-top flash while getting excited over the next Marvel movie and John Wick's new sequel. People will complain about the pull cute anime girls have on viewers while getting excited over a random movie because the lead actor is hot. Some people will say Ghibli's work and Satoshi Kon's is different somehow and doesn't count, as if Ghibli and Kon aren't ridiculously influential to anime. Others say anime's influence is too insular and is separate from Japanese cinema, as if Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu didn't inspire half the people who make anime. No one cares to look into the work of Naoko Yamada or Sunao Katabuchi or Shingo Natsume. Maybe they're vaguely aware of Masaaki Yuasa, but his work is weirder than most anime and yet beloved for being artistic. I've literally seen someone say "Akira and Miyazaki movies are different than what you find in and adapted from manga," where the fuck do you think the story for Akira and Nausicaa came from? Comics are better I guess, but a show like Heavenly Delusion or Vinland Saga that's clearly for adults is just some shitty manga. And don't even get me started on video games. The more I experience the world's (especially America's) rich history of film and media, the more I think anime just isn’t unique or special, at least not in the grand scheme of things. There are differences in values and production quirks, but on the whole, anime is not all that weird. Great art is often pretty fucking weird, and anime is no different.
... actually there's plenty of people I'd avoid watching game of Thrones with
I agree with you, but I also only read the GoT books so I don't know how the show portrayed those scenes. In anime some scenes like that are played for laughs while they shouldn't be, which is the main problem. But I agree, people who focus on this too much should read some western fantasy and see how common sexual assault is there. I don't think they will like what they find.
There are a lot of problems in anime, but those same problems are pretty common in Western media as well. E.g. as you said, fanservice or sexual assault played as comedy or for sexualization. (GoT has sexualized rape and more sexualization in general compared to the novels.)
The first episode they spent like 6 extra long shots at Dani’s nipples while she was getting sexually harassed by her brother. First episode…
I would never watch GoT with my parents tbh
Makes me happy to see Haibane Renmei there.
Hey mom wanna watch a show called "I want to eat your pancreas???" This list exudes anime elitism, especially the wording in the graph and post. Sure, watching the smut animes with anyone else is a no no, but half these animes have the stuff you have listed in the 'tropes' section, and most of the wholesome animes arent on here, Nichijou, Spy X Family, etc. I think Spy x Family is something almost anyone can enjoy, way more than something like Parasyte SMH
Nope. A lot of these have too many tropes. Also missing Attack on Titan which is genuinely mainstream appropriate. My parents enjoyed it. Parasyte is a good recommendation though. My parents really enjoyed that one. And it does have sex and gore. You don't need to avoid sex and gore. You need to avoid weird stuff that isn't understandable or very tropey. Modern TV has a lot of sex, nudity and gore. There is no reason to avoid it especially as those shows are likely to be more mature and will appeal more to normal people. Just don't pick ecchi harem shows with loads of fanservice because those are more in the weird direction.
Don't know if Ancient Magus Bride would be a good show for normal people. The main love interest being the slave of the guy trying to wife her up is probably very off-putting. Hell I loved the show and it was off-putting. The show was beautiful and the story was decent but I just don't know how well that would be handled.
Parasyte is quite gory and has a lot of body horror which might put off many people.
Normie doesn't mean elderly church lady. Normies watch horror movies all the time.
"with normal people" 💀💀
I just google to see if there was a relation between The Tatami Galaxy and Asia Kung-Fu Generation and they made the opening, but is there a reason why a lot of the AKFG album art looks like this anime?
Doctor stone is kinda sus sometimes
Shinsekai Yori literally has a world where everyone has sex with everyone else, though. Including parents and children, grandparents, etc., in Kamisu 66. And they even use gene editing to make everyone hot even in old age. Still a masterpiece, but it doesn't fit your criteria.
Attack on Titan is the ultimate anime Starter Pack in my opinion. Great story, great characters, great execution. Grips you from the get go. Doesn't rely on the conventional anime tropes that would weird anyone out. My brother started with it, I on the other hand started with doctor stone and watched attack on Titan way later after watching a lot more anime. I converted a friend into a weeb by convincing him to watch AOT, which led him to ask for more and more... Untill we finally got to the redo of healer spectrum :)
I love how the first normy recommendation is just hey guys lets watch the pedophile clown murderer for a few hours together.
Trash list