There’s a special kind of magic that comes withwatching an anime for the first time. The unexpected plot twists, emotional arcs, and memorable characters make the first viewing experience unlike any other. They are so impactful that fans would trade just about anything to experience them for the first time all over again.
Whether it’s the suspense of not knowing who or how the characters will survive, the thrill of watching a protagonist rise against seemingly insurmountable odds, or the emotional rollercoaster that some shows put viewers on, leaving them with a lasting and impactful impression, these animeleave viewers wishing they could erase the series from their memory just to fall in love with it all over againand relive every moment as if it were the first.
Erasedfollows Satoru Fujinuma, who is a struggling manga artist with a strange ability known as Revival.This ability sends him back in timeto moments before a life-threatening incident occurs. However, when a tragedy strikes close to home, he is framed as a murderer. Desperate to save the victim and clear his name, Satoru is sent eighteen years into the past on a new quest involving a string of child abductionsin order to prevent the murder that completely altered his future.
What makesErasedso worthy of a first-time rewatch wish is how it balances emotional depth with powerful tension. The story slowly unravels and gathers pieces of an intricate puzzle, and knowing what comes next dulls the storyline and emotional current the story delivers. Watching Satoru navigate childhood with adult awareness hits hard, especially since he’s fighting to protect his friends. The emotional payoff ofErasedis unforgettableand makes fans wish they could feel the tension and suspense all over again.
Death Notetells the story of Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who stumbles upon a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written inside. What begins as a self-righteous crusade to rid the world of criminalsquickly spirals into a high-stakes psychological game of cat-and-mousebetween Light and one of the world’s most renowned detectives, L. The series covers themes of morality, justice, and power with a mix of supernatural elements and mind games to keep audiences on the edge of their seat.
After 7 Years, We Admit It: Netflix’s Death Note Is Not as Bad as We Originally Thought It Was
Netflix’s Death Note, despite its controversies, deserves another look for its reinterpretation of the original themes with a Western framework.
There are few anime that manage to grip viewers from thevery first episode likeDeath Notedoes. The tension is immediate, the stakes sky-high, and the intellectual duels between Light and L are nothing short of memorable and iconic. Watching the anime for the first time meansbeing constantly caught off guard and questioning the morality of each decisionLight makes. It’s one of those rare shows that truly makes you wish you could go back in time just to experience it for the first time again.
Nanafollows the lives of two young womenwhoshare the same name but are polar opposites. Nana Komatsu is a naïve, hopeless romantic who moves to Tokyo to pursue love and adventure. Nana Osaki is a fiercely independent punk rock singer who moves to pursue her dream of hitting it big in the city. Fate brings them together on the same train, heading to the same city and ultimately to the same apartment, where they become roommates.
Nanais an anime that pulls you into its characters’ worlds and will break your heart without warning.The emotional realism of the story hits hard, especially since it doesn’t need to rely on dramatic twists and instead focuses on slow-burning, relatable hardships. While rewatchingNanastill offers the same emotional core, the first time watching it feels heartbreakingly magical and unforgettable.
Vinland Sagais ahistorical epic that’s set in the brutal and war-torn world of the Viking age. The story centers on Thorfinn, a young warrior who is driven by revenge after witnessing the death of his father at the hands of Askeladd. As Thorfinn embarks on his journey, he quickly discovers the harsh realities of conquest and survival. The series gradually evolves into a story that reflects upon violence, purpose, and what it truly means to be free.
What makesVinland Sagaso powerful the first time around is how unexpectedly it shifts. Whatstarts out as a tale of revenge turns out to be a prologue for an even greater journeywith profound character depth and development. The emotional weight and philosophical undertones help makeVinland Sagastand out among anime. Pairing with its stunning first-season finale,Vinland Sagais a story that hits viewers hard.
Code Geasstakes us to an alternate future where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan and renamed it Area 11. The story follows Lelouch vi Britania, an exiled prince who gains the power of Geass, which grants him theability to command anyone to obey his orders without question. Lelouch then disguises himself as the masked leader of the Black Knights, Zero, and sets out to dismantle the empire to create a world where his little sister, Nunnally, is safe and happy.
7 Anime Series With Absolutely Flawless Finales
Flawless anime finales often tie themes and character arcs together, delivering an earned and unforgettable finale that’s true to the story’s vision
Code Geassmasters weaponizing plot twists. The first time experiencing the story is a wild rollercoaster of alliances turned upside down, victories that feel too good to be true,all topped off with an ending that is heartbreaking yet beyond perfection.Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellionis cemented as one of the greatest anime finales and serves as an unforgettable experience for first-time viewers. Witnessing Lelouch’s genius at odds against an empire,without knowing how far he’s willing to goor who he’ll sacrifice, is an experience that doesn’t hit the same once all the cards are on the table.
Clannadbegins as a seemingly lighthearted high school drama that follows Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa. One is a young, disillusioned boy, and the other a sweet, fragile young girl with dreams of reviving their school’s drama club. As the story unfolds, especially during the second season inAfter Story,it takes a sharp, emotional turn, exploring themes of family, loss, and belonging.
ClannadandClannad After Storydon’t just pull at fans’ heartstrings. It tears them apart and recreates them into something entirely new and extraordinary.The first watch is a complete emotional ambush, especially after the second season, when the tone shifts toheartbreakingly real portrayalsof family, life, and loss. Knowing what’s coming dulls some of that impact, making it impossible to recreate that original feeling of first finishing the series, but if it were possible, rewatching this one from a fresh perspective would be beautiful.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titanimmerses viewers in a world wherehumanity survives only within enormous walls to shield themselves from man-eating giants known as Titans. What begins as a struggle for survival swiftlyevolves into a profound, politically charged conflictfilled with betrayal, shifting loyalties, and shocking revelations. The narrative centers on Eren Yeager, a young man determined to protect his friends at any cost, and his awakening to the true costs of freedom.
The beauty of experiencingAttack on Titanfor the first time is the fact thataudiences never know exactly what will come next. Every new reveal changed everything about fans’ understanding of the story and kept viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next big revelation. The first time watchingAttack on Titanis a tense and shocking experience that can never be recreated.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endbegins where most fantasy stories end: after the heroes have defeated the Demon King. The story is centered on Frieren, an elven mage whoages infinitely slower than humans and experiences time very differently. Her journey is a reflective one as she travels alongside Fern and Stark and slowly unravels her past memories and discovers the depth of human connections.
The anime presents a gentle, philosophical story with strong character and world-building, complemented by breathtakingly stunning animation. What makesFrierenso unforgettable on a first watch is its emotional resonance and unique pacing. Viewers witness Frieren evolve and uncover more about Himmel and human experiences alongside her. RewatchingFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis absolutely lovely, butexperiencing it for the first time was a breath of fresh air, visually stunning, and emotionally magnificent.
