Good series to introduce others to anime?

[Tek7]

I've been watching anime since ~1997, so I don't always realize when a series isn't well-suited to introducing someone unfamiliar with anime to the form.

What series would anime novices, fans, and experts recommend to help introduce new audiences to anime?

 

[[toj.cc]phantom]

Although I know you don't like it, I would say that the Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z series would be good for a beginner. Just stay away from Dragon Ball GT...that was horrible.

 

[Atown]

Gundam, outlaw star, and rourini kenshin prolly be the 3 i would recommend for new folks

 

[Elader Arkon]

FullMetal Alchemist

It's what got me into it.

 

[Keero]

I agree with Gundam, you have the action, romance (>_>), light humor, and political struggles. AND THOSE CUTE HAIRDOS. >_<

 

[Neirai the Forgiven]

Full Metal Panic -- or Gundam. If they're not the kind to watch Mecha-genre, I really liked Gensoumaden Saiyuki.

 

[Omega Amen]

For an older audience, I think Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2nd GIG are good.

Although Major Kusanagi needs to dress more modestly, the setting, themes, ethical issues, and plots are more what you would see in sci-fi and cop/counter-terrorism series here. Hence, a new audience can start associating anime with some tv genre that they are familiar with that is not cartoons for young kids.

 

[ewoksrule]

Ruroni Kenshin was what got me hooked on watching animes as an adult.

(as a kid I watched TONS of Starblazer, Captain Harlock, Robotech)

 

[Kidan]

Frankly, it depends on the personality of the person in question.

Someone interested in high-metaphysical concepts? Ghost in the Shell: SAC or Deanau Coil.

Someone who likes romantic/love stories: True Tears or Kanon or Clannad

Someone who likes action/adventure/SF - Gundam, Macross Frontier

Magic/fantasy - FMA

The point is that there's as many divergent types of animes out there as there are books or "regular" tv shows. Something for everyone.... at least everyone willing to bypass the American bias against adults watching animated television.

 

[vibrokatana]

Appleseed: Ex Machina is pretty good, since it is a movie you don't risk getting bored halfway through. It is on netflix's online thingy if you want to watch it.

In all honesty I have forgotten more shows that I have watched then anything. I need to start documenting things so I can look them up later :\

One of the more interesting things to do is look up the writer or directory of anime you like and watch their other works. Sometimes you stumble on less well known or slightly forgotten works that are very good.

For Vampire: Black Blood Brothers, Blood+, Trinity Blood

 

[Tek7]

The point is that there's as many divergent types of animes out there as there are books or "regular" tv shows. Something for everyone.... at least everyone willing to bypass the American bias against adults watching animated television.

QFT.

I should have stated in my original post that I wasn't looking for one "perfect" series, but rather a top 5 or 6.

Thanks to everyone who's posted suggestions so far. Keep 'em comin'!

 

[Bijou]

I really like lucky star!

 

[Tek7]

I really like lucky star!

Lucky Star is a hilarious series, but it's definitely not a "starter" series since it references so many other anime series and tropes. It's funny even without the inside jokes, but a few people might be left scratching their heads unless they've been watching anime for a while.

 

[Elader Arkon]

why has nobody posted Cowboy Bebop? That's such an incredibly well done series...

 

[Tek7]

why has nobody posted Cowboy Bebop? That's such an incredibly well done series...

Good point. I think many anime fans were introduced to the form through Cowboy Bebop.

 

[XionTawa]

Cowboy Bebop was great...but like most Anime to me, the ending left me disappointed...the only thing I dislike about Anime...are the endings...many times I find myself disappointed...

 

[Neirai the Forgiven]

I think that anime often has a different perspective/expectation of what an ending should be like.

Often, I'm more disappointed with an American-style "open-to-continuation" ending on an anime (see: shakagun no shana) than in a fatal-end-of-story ending, such as cowboy bebop. Shakugan no shana SHOULD have ended with the climactic ending, removing the last 2 minutes.

 

[Tek7]

Shakugan no shana SHOULD have ended with the climactic ending, removing the last 2 minutes.

Eh? But there was a second series after the first and (I believe) a third series is in the works.

But I have to agree with XionTawa; most anime series endings are weak. One notable exception in recent years is Dennou Coil.

EDIT: And I LOVED the endings of Mai HiME and Read or Die TV.

 

[Whon]

I like short Anime, Dennou Coil and FLCL so far have been my top 2.

 

[Neirai the Forgiven]

Eh? But there was a second series after the first and (I believe) a third series is in the works.

The second series was weak. It did not have the richness that the first one did.