In a recent discussion thread on a popular Reddit forum, members debated which anime series they could recommend to their parents. The conversation revealed a variety of opinions on what features a series should have to attract a larger audience. and why this demographic might be interested in anime.
One of the main characteristics mentioned was the need for mature and complex plots. Users noted that series with deep, well-developed stories, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, family and self-improvement, are more likely to resonate with an older audience. These plots can connect emotionally with parents, who can appreciate a rich and nuanced narrative.
Furthermore, it was highlighted importance of proper narrative pacing. Series with a slow pace and progressive development of characters and story tend to be more attractive to older people, who may not be used to the fast and frenetic style of many modern anime productions. A calmer and more reflective development allows for greater immersion in the story and characters, facilitating a deeper connection with the content.
Realism in the characters and situations was also a key point in the debate. Forum users agreed that series that present well-developed characters and believable situations, even if they are set in fantasy worlds, are more likely to capture the interest of parents. Relatable characters, who face real challenges and emotions, help create a bridge between the viewer and the story.
Finally, accessibility and ease of understanding the cultural context are crucial aspects. Series that manage to present elements of Japanese culture in an accessible and understandable way, without requiring prior in-depth knowledge, may be more attractive to parents. This includes a proper balance between the exotic and the familiar, allowing older viewers to enjoy the content without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
- «My parents are in their 50s, dad likes action while my mom likes romance and suspense. They asked my brother about Shingeki no Kyojin and he said they wouldn’t like it. They want to watch something longer so nothing like a 12-24 episode anime. Something they can finish watching without having to wait for another season. The choice was Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood».
- «My parents loved watching Odd Taxi».
- «Better start with a movie, like Mononoke Hime».
- «Monster is the perfect choice».
- «Tokyo Godfathers, Your Name, SPY x FAMILY, Nodame Cantabile, Violet Evergarden, Cowboy Bebop, Silver Spoon, Erased, any of those would work».
- «I showed my dad some episodes of HUNTER x HUNTER and he loved them».
- «Odd Taxi is definitely a good choice».
- «I would choose SPY x FAMILY, without a doubt».
- «Unfortunately, the length requirement will limit your options, because the vast majority of anime are made between 12 and 24 episodes; It’s a different beast than American network television, and I’ve seen people recommend stellar series that unfortunately don’t follow that rule».
- «If the number of episodes is higher, it is most likely something that has defied the production climate to have multiple seasons, or one of the older Shonen titles geared toward younger teens. You also won’t have much chance of finding a romance that isn’t a mere subplot.».
- «Violet Evergarden. It is one of the most beautiful anime of all time in terms of visuals, and its story is quite easy to follow. From what I’ve seen online, episode 10 is always a hit with parents».
- «Akira and Ghost in the Shell (1995) were made specifically to appeal to audiences outside of Japan, so I think they’re both good “get your feet wet” movies. Plus, any Hayao Miyazaki movie is good. He usually makes movies for specific genres and ages, so you can choose the movies that you think will be most appealing to your parents. He is considered one of the great filmmakers (of film in general, not just animation)».
- «My mother (60) has always known that I watch anime, but she has never gotten around to watching a full season of anything. Recently, her group of friends watched My Happy Marriage (I guess because it was on the cover of NFC). It would never have occurred to me to recommend it to her, but she loved it, so there it is.».
- «My 60 year old parents enjoyed Attack on Titan. I haven’t shown it to him until the end. But they liked it. They also liked Parasyte. They also enjoyed the live action Death Note much to my dismay. So I couldn’t convince them to watch the anime version. They liked Your Name or A Silent Voice. I don’t remember which one they saw. But I recommended them both.».
- «The best would be Cowboy bebop, mature setting and narration».
- «Legend of Galactic Heroes».
- «I’m in my 50s, and I was introduced to Space Battleship Yamato/Star Blazers and the super robot wave of the late ’70s/early ’80s when I grew up in New England, where a lot of anime was syndicated (which is why I loved Bravern last season). This was actually a fairly common (and nostalgic) experience for Generation X and could influence their initial preferences.».
- «Odd Taxi and Psycho-Pass could be good starters for your parents if they are starting from scratch. Frieren also hits differently when you’re older (and has all the things your parents are looking for)».
- «Cowboy Bebop was my gateway drug. It draws heavily from American and Western media, so it should be an easy entry point, but it also has its own unique flavor that shows what anime can be in its own right. To this day it is still my favorite anime, although I understand that it is not very similar to current anime. The anime of the 90s had a different feel. Gunsmith Cats is another good “American” action anime from the 90s that could serve as an introduction. Studio Ghibli is also always a safe bet».
- «Pluto. I have no words to describe this series.».
- «Maybe Steins;Gate or Death Note? Potentially Code Geas. Although the first two are not classic action, watching them with a friend who also does not usually watch anime, we coined the term “talking action” for them, since each conversation is like a fast-paced strategic battle».
- «Natsume Yuujinchou».
- «You could show them Dororo. Personally I love the remake and it is complete with no loose ends».
- «A decade ago, my mother and I were broke and shared an apartment. I asked her to use the TV to watch anime and I decided to put on JoJos Bizarre Adventure, Season 1, Episode 1. My mother was hooked right away. I think the setting of the first season is very accessible for those who don’t watch anime, and makes it easy to enter the absurdity of the later seasons.».
Fountain: reddit
