1. The incredibly diverse, quirky and talented fandom.
Meeting someone new and bonding with them over your favorite characters or show is an awesome experience, and anime watchers take recommendations very seriously. You'll meet anime fans from all walks of life, specializing in all kinds of awesome careers and random hobbies. Best of all, your fellow anime-watchers will be able to relate to you and get excited over your favorite shows, too – sometimes just as much as you can. No matter what your preferences are, your anime buddies will be sure to find the perfect new show just for you… which leads me to the next reason:
2. There’s something for everyone.
Searching for incredibly specific anime to watch can be as easy as finding the app you never knew you needed. Whether you like epic supernatural fantasy battles set in medieval times or a high school romance with time travel, there’s anime for everyone.
3. The beautiful and bittersweet.
I admit it. I cry during movies, and even music, too. Beauty expressed through passionate art can overwhelm me. I know that it’s not common, but I can’t count how many times I’ve heard grown men and women say, “I never cry, but (insert name of anime here) definitely had me sobbing at the end.” Don’t be afraid of a heart-wrenching death or surprise ending every time you watch a show, though. Most anime isn’t as emotionally distressing as that, but I love how it has the ability to evoke such a powerful reaction in an audience.
4. Aesthetic.
You might think that "Japanese cartoons" don't have much to offer in terms of art, but you'd be very wrong. Some of the most beautiful media I've ever seen has come from anime. Even though the scenery and fight scenes are digital, the best anime have just the right amount of realism and breathtaking fantasy to wow any viewer. The amount of detail that goes into one episode is incredible, and there's more effort and energy to character and costume design than one would think. From my experience as an anime enthusiast, I'd say the work definitely pays off when the quality speaks for itself.
5. Music.
A great anime has not only amazing art but an incredible soundtrack and theme song. The mood has to fit the scene just right, and the lyrics should completely embody the heart of the series. It shouldn't just be music that you listen to in the background of the action, but good anime music can be played even without the show itself. Symbolism and beauty is deeply valued in Japanese culture, and this tradition is carried out with the perfect music to go along with the anime. Some of my favorite songs have come from my favorite anime.
So try it out! Ask your friends look up some reviews to find a show you might be interested in. I'll probably put out another list of recommendations, too. I hope you try watching anime, and if you enjoy it... welcome to the fandom!
