When I was younger, I was never under the illusion that I would be an anime fan for life. I thought it was a phase, and I was fine with that. But along the way, during long stretches of time when I would hardly watch any anime (or cease watching entirely), a series or movie would come along at some critical time in my “anime fan development” and push me back in. I was like Michael Corleone: “When I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”
I was thinking about these anime recently because of the new Full Metal Panic series. Though it’s been a disappointment, it reminded me of Fumoffu, which of all series, was one of those that brought my interest back. Others had a heavier impact on me—shows like Tenchi Muyo, which converted me from casual to otaku; Kanon, which had me riveted when I discovered I had Anime Network On Demand; and Toradora, which is largely the reason I started blogging about anime in the first place.
So today, I want to ask you: What are some of the critical anime series in your life? We’re often asked what our “first” was—and you could mention that (Tenchi Muyo could fit that bill for me), but I also want you to dig deeper and name other anime that are significant in your growth as an fan.
Please share with us! I’m looking forward to reading your responses.
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featured illustration by Paja (reprinted w/permission)