The term “anime” refers to animations that originate from Japan, similar to cartoons. Much like other forms of entertainment, they fall into different genres; horror, comedy, slice of life, action, and adventure. Although animation is usually associated with younger audiences, anime can depict mature subjects and have complicated plots not targeted toward children. It can be hard to find anime to watch, as social media tends to advertise only the most popular ones. The following paragraphs provide my personal recommendations for people struggling to find new anime shows to watch.
Vinland Saga is an anime that has gained some popularity over recent years and for good reason. The manga was released in 2005 and earned an anime adaptation in 2019. The story takes place in England, 1000 A.D. The main character Thorfinn initially starts off as a naive boy who wants to battle in war. His father, Thor, is the strongest man alive who faked his death to get out of war. Thor advocates for empathy and believes that there is strength in vulnerability, a concept that was ridiculed in that time period. He eventually dies while protecting Thorfinn. This forces Thorfinn to become a mercenary for the very people who killed his father, as he looks for opportunities to become stronger and avenge him. The story follows Thorfinn as he learns forgiveness and adopts the same mindset that his father once had; no one has enemies. This anime is the perfect blend of philosophy and action, which could be appealing to some audiences.
Another good anime is Noragami. This anime is based off concepts present in Japanese culture, such as gods and divine weapons called Shinki. Shinki are souls who are able to take the form of weapons. The story features a girl named Hiyori who unlocks the ability to see divine creatures that are not normally visible to the human eye. She befriends a man named Yato and his weapon Yukine. Yukine died at a young age for tragic reasons, and the beginning of the story focuses on the growing bond between him and Yato. Hiyori becomes involved in godly affairs as a human, endangering herself and the people in her life. This anime showcases themes of forgiveness and kindness, while also addressing the cruelty of humanity.
If you are not into action, the anime Horimiya might appeal to you. It’s lighthearted and fun, as it mainly follows the relationship between high schoolers Hori and Miyamura. The story explores the difficulties of high school life and the joy that comes with youth. This anime is perfect for those looking to cheer themselves up or people who like romance.
These anime recommendations may be helpful for those looking to expand their watchlist. They may be good shows to sit down and watch after a long month of preparing for finals!
