Introducing someone else to Anime
 

In your opinion, what is the best way to introduce someone to anime in general?

I have a friend who has next to none knowledge at all about anime. But he seems interested in seeing some stuff. Some other friends of his started telling him that Evangelion was the best anime of all time and it was bar none...

That's when i decided to step in...

So, since i'm starting to catch up some animes old and new that i like very much, i told him that as i was getting them i would pass them on to him. I decided to offer him a mixed bag of offering, instead of pushing any one single story or pop product.

So, i'm mixing some OVA's with some short series and a few old ones with a few new ones, from comedy to drama to let him find his own taste... what you guys suggest?

The current list looks like this:

Evangelion (the original TV run)
00 Gundam
Gundam Wing
W Gundam Endless Waltz (3 Ovas)
Macross Frontier
Macross Plus ( 1 OVA)
Macross Zero (1 Ova)
Saint Seiya Hades : Sanctuary Chapter (13 Ovas)
Azumanga Daioh
Persona Trinity Soul
Death Note Compilation ( 2 Ovas )
Street Fighter IV (1 Ova)
Blassreiter
Disgaea
Valkyria Chronicles
Devil May Cry

Anything i should add or remove? What would you guys compile to Introduce someone to Animes in general?

There's a disturbing lack of FMA and Gurren lagann in that list
Edit: also, it's best to figure out what he actually likes in non-anime anything, books tv shows, movies, and start with things in that vein instead of just giving him all your favorite stuff. Go for the more "realistic" and "mature"(not "adultXXXXXX") stuff in those genres to begin with, since it should have less sweatdropping and whatnot, then go from there into the more typical "anime: type of thing, the basic message you want to convey is that "anime" actually encompasses a vast variety of different programs and is almost certain to hold Something he/she likes.

The Street Fighter II movie as well.

Cowboy Bebop should be the first thing he watches, hands down. It's absolutely amazing, and can be easily enjoyed even if you aren't into anime that much. Maybe do Black Lagoon after he finishes Cowboy Bebop.

Also, Trigun is pretty great for the most part.

FLCL, but only after he's watched a bit of anime.

Excel Saga.

His super robot experience should be Gunbuster, Evangelion, Eureka Seven, Diebuster, and Gurren Lagann, in that order.

Maybe some Chobits. Definitely some Haruhi. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei for sure. Hellsing. Afro Samurai. Toss in some Yakitate Japan. Keep in mind that with a lot of these timing and how much he is used to the medium is crucial.

Are you only interested in television series?

Because if movies can be included too, I suggest Hayao Miyazaki. Show them Spirited Away first since you can say it won an Academy Award.

Or Lupin the 3rd since it's such a cool series of movies or a television run.

The Wandering God

Samurai Champloo, what? How about Ghost in the Shell? I liked the TV series the most but the movies were decent too. I also enjoyed the original Tenchi Muyo series, but any of the spinoffs were pretty bad. For starting a person on anime I would go with Cowboy Bebop as well. Hands down the best overall series without too much of the "anime" feel. Stick with shows that aren't too horribly over the top insane (FLCL or Excel Saga).

As an aside: God Damn I hated Death Note. It just could not hold my attention and after the first dozen episodes I just did not give a damn about anyone in the show. I would not show it to anybody really.

I've gotten a lot of friends into anime just by finding anime about topics they enjoy. It may be a little hard but ask your friend what kind of shows he likes to watch and find an anime that fits the bill. I stand by my position that there is literally at least one anime out there for every kind of viewer. Hell I even managed to find a show about high school basketball for my friend who's into sports.

Anyway, I'd not really suggest making an extensive list of "anime classics." That can come later after you've got them hooked. Noncon is right though in that pretty much everyone can sit back and enjoy Cowboy Bebop for a number of reasons.

Additional information is required.
 

Jesus Christ, NonCon, are you trying to kill him? I ain't saying that stuff isn't good, but it sure as hell isn't bright. Man could kill himself watching too much grimdark in a row, even if it IS really good grimdark. Like getting alcohol poisoning from Scottish Whiskey.

Before I offer my opinion, I'd like to hear more about your goals here: Are you acting as an educator, or an evangelist? If you're trying to sell him on this stuff, you're gonna make different choices than if you want to be honest and informative.

Kyo Kara Maou is a good comedy series. It's about a normal guy who gets flushed down a toilet and finds out he's really the demon king of an alternate world where the demons are the good guys. Actually, the entire world is hilariously ass-backwards, with pandas being vicious killers, wonky customs that end him up engaged to another guy (he's straight) and all sorts of other stuff. It's a delightful romp that's sure to have you laughing, but I wouldn't start him on it if you want to expand his horizons.

Also, no FMA? I've never SEEN FMA (well, I caught an episode or two), but even I know it's great.

He has a bit of fascination with RPG's and Religion, but he is totally the "Shonen" type that woes for the "cool" factor in things and can get easily excited about weird premises.... thus, Evangelion.

But he also seems very excited about interesting stories (he liked Baldur's Gate, even though he can't follow the story completely), So i decided to push Gundam and Macross into his way, as those have a decent balance... i guess i would have to add Gurren Lagan there too!

He also found King of Fighters: Another Day to be really cool... also liked Rurouni Kenshin (even though never watched it all)

I'm really trying to give him an open experience that dosen't rely on Main Stream factor nor requires that much of an attention spam (Thus why no Gintama, Bleach, Needless or Naruto or most Jump stuff... even though those ARE big hitters)

I'm also avoiding at first to hit him with unfinished series mostly because i don't want to become a supplier.

I was thinking about being really cruel and giving him Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Death Note, Black lagoon in that order and finishing off with Higurashi no Naku Koro ni... but i have a honest feeling that he (or any sane human being) would stop talking to me after that.