Sometimes it happens so fast you can't even control it: the anime hooks you instantly, steals your attention, and glues you to your seat from the very first episode. When that happens, it's thrilling, but it doesn't happen often. After all, it's hard to fall in love at first sight.
But there are some series that can have that effect on people, simply because their first episodes are filled with interesting details or mind-blowing action you just can't ignore. We've got a list of 10 anime like that.
Initial D
This anime has something other shows don't: a eurobeat soundtrack. Before this one, no one even thought about using tracks like these in anime, but hearing "No One Sleep in Tokyo" sets the vibe. The panning shots of mountains with "Space Boy" playing in the background? Amazing. The first driving sequence with very realistic car sounds? Awesome.
Kyoto Animation is a studio that can sell you the general mood of the show from the first seconds, and Hyouka does exactly that. It transfers you into that picturesque setting, it ties you to the story with the mystery and Chitanda's excitement as opposed to Oreki's calmness. The balance is right, and the mood of the show is already palpable: a mix of eerie tension with youthful curiosity.
The first episode forces you to pay attention to the tiniest details and then leaves you with a mild cliffhanger, one that you want to satiate. The gradual build-up to it feels great, and the little hints about what's really happening make you want to learn more about this setup.
The lore. The world described in the first episode is so lush and beautiful, and the soundtrack that supports it paints a wonderful picture. You want to be a part of the adventure that is promised in the very beginning; you want to explore this green fantasy world with its weird rules. It's a very captivating premise.
The scene in Odd Taxi that features a dialogue between a pretty uninterested walrus taxi driver and a pretty hyped hippo passenger striving for attention on social media really sets the mood for the upcoming story. But the banter of the comedy duo on the radio that precedes that also works as a great hook, setting up the flow of the whole work and hinting at the topics it will cover.
Summertime Rendering
This show has cheated a bit, as it leaves the first episode on such a huge cliffhanger that you just can't stop yourself from wanting to know how it's gonna be resolved. But still, even without it, this anime has a captivating art style. Still, you stay for the mystery, and mystery has been done well, it hooks you straight away.
The thing that hooks you in the first episode is not the story but the characters: the dynamic between Mob and Reigen is something that you want to explore further because they are completely different, and you want to know what kind of adventures they'll end up in. The way Studio Bones adapted ONE's art style is also something that is an instant hit-or-miss for some people. Still, the first episode sets the mood pretty well, showcasing its distinct brand of humor and hinting at the larger events.
Seeing Mugen breakdancing while he slices the bad guys is thrilling. And the soundtrack, this mix of the historical vibes with mellow beats is a combination that no one thought would work — but it did, and did so perfectly. The contrast between old and new, the dull palette, and the characters that are introduced through the fights — the first episode has it all and keeps you entertained.
From the first episode you start questioning whether it was something you actually watched or it was just a fever dream. And if you're into this brand of insanity, you wouldn't want to miss whatever's gonna happen next. Studio Trigger is great at hooking the viewers with the style and craziness, and they keep its level throughout the whole series. Kill la Kill had plenty of interesting moments, but honestly, the first 5 minutes are enough, with that Gamagoori scene.
Psycho-Pass
The first episode sets the tone for this dystopian cyberpunk society, and if that type of universe is something you like, then you're in for a treat. It's interesting to explore this world, to see how exactly this omnipotent surveillance system works and affects people. It's not mainly about the characters: the universe drives the interest.
Forget the three-episode rule.
Sometimes it happens so fast you can't even control it: the anime hooks you instantly, steals your attention, and glues you to your seat from the very first episode. When that happens, it's thrilling, but it doesn't happen often. After all, it's hard to fall in love at first sight.
But there are some series that can have that effect on people, simply because their first episodes are filled with interesting details or mind-blowing action you just can't ignore. We've got a list of 10 anime like that.
Initial D
This anime has something other shows don't: a eurobeat soundtrack. Before this one, no one even thought about using tracks like these in anime, but hearing "No One Sleep in Tokyo" sets the vibe. The panning shots of mountains with "Space Boy" playing in the background? Amazing. The first driving sequence with very realistic car sounds? Awesome.
Kyoto Animation is a studio that can sell you the general mood of the show from the first seconds, and Hyouka does exactly that. It transfers you into that picturesque setting, it ties you to the story with the mystery and Chitanda's excitement as opposed to Oreki's calmness. The balance is right, and the mood of the show is already palpable: a mix of eerie tension with youthful curiosity.
The first episode forces you to pay attention to the tiniest details and then leaves you with a mild cliffhanger, one that you want to satiate. The gradual build-up to it feels great, and the little hints about what's really happening make you want to learn more about this setup.
The lore. The world described in the first episode is so lush and beautiful, and the soundtrack that supports it paints a wonderful picture. You want to be a part of the adventure that is promised in the very beginning; you want to explore this green fantasy world with its weird rules. It's a very captivating premise.
The scene in Odd Taxi that features a dialogue between a pretty uninterested walrus taxi driver and a pretty hyped hippo passenger striving for attention on social media really sets the mood for the upcoming story. But the banter of the comedy duo on the radio that precedes that also works as a great hook, setting up the flow of the whole work and hinting at the topics it will cover.
Summertime Rendering
This show has cheated a bit, as it leaves the first episode on such a huge cliffhanger that you just can't stop yourself from wanting to know how it's gonna be resolved. But still, even without it, this anime has a captivating art style. Still, you stay for the mystery, and mystery has been done well, it hooks you straight away.
The thing that hooks you in the first episode is not the story but the characters: the dynamic between Mob and Reigen is something that you want to explore further because they are completely different, and you want to know what kind of adventures they'll end up in. The way Studio Bones adapted ONE's art style is also something that is an instant hit-or-miss for some people. Still, the first episode sets the mood pretty well, showcasing its distinct brand of humor and hinting at the larger events.
Seeing Mugen breakdancing while he slices the bad guys is thrilling. And the soundtrack, this mix of the historical vibes with mellow beats is a combination that no one thought would work — but it did, and did so perfectly. The contrast between old and new, the dull palette, and the characters that are introduced through the fights — the first episode has it all and keeps you entertained.
From the first episode you start questioning whether it was something you actually watched or it was just a fever dream. And if you're into this brand of insanity, you wouldn't want to miss whatever's gonna happen next. Studio Trigger is great at hooking the viewers with the style and craziness, and they keep its level throughout the whole series. Kill la Kill had plenty of interesting moments, but honestly, the first 5 minutes are enough, with that Gamagoori scene.
Psycho-Pass
The first episode sets the tone for this dystopian cyberpunk society, and if that type of universe is something you like, then you're in for a treat. It's interesting to explore this world, to see how exactly this omnipotent surveillance system works and affects people. It's not mainly about the characters: the universe drives the interest.
