The Promised Neverland has a damn good first episode especially if you go into the series blind. The building feeling of unease with the growing sense that 'something' is not right and 'something' is going to happen makes the ending of the first episode really stand out as a modern psychological horror anime.
I think Shinsekai Yori did this but better. Where TPN makes you feel something is not right, and after a while you learn the truth. Sure, it sucks for the characters, but didn't affect me really much. While SY makes you feel something is not right, but it is so much worse than you expect. And it keeps getting worse and worse.
" Erased " -starts off with a ordinary boy with a quirk, a murder and what else could go wrong that day. " Ghost in the shell " first episode gets us started with section 9 and the major.
He looks better than other people his age, but he is still aging. Not that it matters, it is a fact of life. I'm sure he likely takes care of himself considering his clean cut persona.
I thrive on relying on top comments so my favourite first episode is dr.stone since it shows exactly what the series will be and how its science in it is based on reality which helps ground the series.
For me gotta say Steins;Gate because it draws you leaving you with so many questions and intrigue, but i think what elevate it, is when you rewatch the show and yor realize that every single detail and weird thing had a meaning and a reason.
Steins;Gate really shows the balance between the plot and the humour of the whole series well, and sells you one the art style and the atmosphere, I love it!
Definitely agree with this, even when compared to the original VN I always felt the earlier parts of the anime were much better paced as an introduction.
Steins;Gate's first episode is quite literally one of the best out there. It meticulously lays a ton of groundwork details while also layering an aura of mystery and suspense to keep you perfectly hooked.
Am I the only one who can’t make it through the first episode of Steins;Gate? I’ve tried twice, I got bored. I dunno, it’s supposed to be really good, so I feel like I’m missing something.
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 I feel like one would have to have a really low attention span to get bored during that episode. There's a ton of crazy stuff going on.
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 I was the same way. I watched an episode and dropped it cause it was so confusing but I later came back to it. It's definitely a show that builds momentum. Things make a lot more sense after episode one. I definitely recommend the show
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 its one of those shows where i think you gotta get through the first 5-6 episodes before you can really see the genius. The whole thing is 25 or so episodes, and the first 5 eps dont make a lot of sense. But then the next 20 episodes are mindfuck after mindfuck, and its a BRILLIANT journey, very much worth it,
Attack on titan’s first episode is literally one of the best ever. We learn so much of the world building, characters, motivations, stakes, lore, and SO MUCH foreshadowing. This first episode only gets better after further context of story and I cannot wait until the anime covers *those* portions of the manga.
1. Code Geass: Sets up the politics/setting of the world, introduces the main characters and makes us understand their motivations. Also, amazing ending hook. 2. FLCL: Simply mesmerizing. 3. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor: Sets up the story, shows how everyone in the story views things while also showing us how the main character operates and undercuts the tension. Also, one of the funniest first episodes. 4. Yu Yu Hakusho: Great opening hook, establishes who the characters are and shows us some decent emotional charcter moments. 5. His And Her Circumstances: Gives us an atypical start to one of the best romance series of all time. 6. Ouran High School Host Club: Makes us feel like we're members of the club ourselves and instantly defines who the characters are. 7. Baccano!: While not the best for character introductions, it sets the tone of the story with it's nonlinear nature and hooks us with questions about the characters. 8. Pokemon: The show that defined so many 90s kids and contributed to a worldwide phenomenon while also bringing us into an easy to understand fantasy world with clear character motivations. Ends on a sweet and hopeful note. 9. InuYasha: Intriguing opening with a decent setup for a story. Gives us enough to hook the audience. 10. Madoka Magica: Even with the third episode twist, this first episode introduces the characters, while also giving us a bizzare and sinister tone that will be revealed more later on. 11. The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya: The first episode doesn't really explain what the story is or who the characters are, but it sets the tone and gives us the characters' personalities. Also, Kyon's narration is priceless. 12. Dragon Ball: While pretty basic, it is the standard for all classic shonen storytelling. Sets up the characters, motivations, and world pretty easily. 13. Tamako Market: Introduces The characters and setting very nicely and makes us feel like we're a part of this charming community. 14. Nadia: The Secret Of Blue Water: Introduces us to the characters and gives us this great adventurous tone that makes us want to go along for the ride. 15. Haibane Renmei: Sets up the characters and gives us an intriguing mystery.
I’m very surprised he missed The Promised Neverland. The first episode sets up the second episode wonderfully and keeps you hooked. What we see is tragic and how it unfolds later makes the first episode even better. Another one is Darling in the FranXX. He did mention it but I think it deserved its own spot on this list. The first episode is a roller coaster ride of cute anime girls, loli mechs, and a wonderful introduction to what would be a fantastic series.
the first episode of Dororo (2019) set up everything pretty damn good - the bleak atmosphere brought about by the unique art style and character designs, the sound design and gorgeous animation, and the fact that it looked like it had already brought justice to Osamu Tezuka's original 1969 version.
The first episode of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! immediately set the tone for everything that followed - the fantastic art and presentation, sound design, everything. Had to watch the rest after that.
Bunny-girl senpai: excellent set up of the characters, supernatural force, and several of the arcs they go through. I'm impressed by the great 1st parts of 2 parts but an equally satisfying part 1 of 3 deserves mention.
Promised Neverland! After the first episode you know exactly what it’s about, why you should be invested in the characters, and ends on the perfect record scratch moment.
SAO definitely belongs on this list. After all, if not great first 2 episodes, this show would be just another mediocre isekai. But one of the reasons why it is hated by so many, is that it pulled us in with a great set up, and than betrayed our expectations.
@@jadetigress9636 Bofuri didn't have really good first episode. It was mediocre but fun and memable for most of the time, with dropping ball completely near the end.
I'd give a shout out to Samurai Champloo. It is a 10/10 in setting the tone for the series, as well as perfectly setting up the personalities of the main cast. The fight in the tea house is one of my favorite sword fights of all time, and it doesn't waste time getting the main plot rolling.
My immediate first thought too! The twist is really obvious going in, given the whole "we don't get letters" thing plus the title plus the cover art plus all the other red flags but the intrigue just builds and builds, and it's impossible to not get sucked in by the endearing characters! Not to mention how fascinating Isabella is!
Shinsekai yori (from the new world): Throws you right into it’s world without much explanation, yet captivates you enough in its first episode to leave you wanting more.
Oh my god, I can't believe I forgot about TIR's first episode! Really amazing stuff, it's why I stuck through the rest of the series even though this genre wasn't (at that point) my cup of tea.
"The Devil Is A Part-Timer" had a pretty funny first episode that always stuck with me. Not so much the first ten minutes, but as soon as they get to Earth and the hijinks ensue, I was pretty much hooked.
Ah, a person of culture, I see. Paranoia Agent's first ep is CRAZY good. Additional suggestion elsewhere of Bakemonogatari I'd also agree with, along with Flip Flappers
Seems like a good time to let everyone know that Paranoia Agent is finally getting a new physical release in December, in case anyone doesn't know! Seriously anyone that hasn't seen it REALLY SHOULD!
I think Monster had a really good first episode. The first minute leads with an ominous and spiritual quote which lends well to the pseudo supernatural elements later in the series. It’s followed almost immediately with contrasts between triumph with tragedy and corruption with how well Dr. Tenma’s life is going versus the going ons with the hospital and the world around him that would later become core to its premise. These events show us how Dr. Tenmas life slowly starts unraveling and how his world view slowly shatters which does well for character building and adds a lot of tension to the story by introducing different kinds of evils as the Dr. makes his biggest mistake.
1) Kotoura-san. It went down hill quickly, but the first episode was one of the darkest and most depressing anime episodes I have ever seen. It was about a little girl who could read minds and how she exposed people's lies which ended up destroying her friendships and family. Her mom even abandoned her. 3) Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor. Highly underrated. It puts you on the edge of your seat. The main character is constantly struggling to keep his head above water. 2) Monster - for obvious reasons.
YuYu Hakusho has an AMAZING first episode. I didn’t know it was possible to feel for a character in the first episode. But when everyone griefs for Yuske’s death, I felt their grief and sorrow too. I felt like “damn even I feel like I’ve known the guy forever now....and he’s really gone” type of vibe. Long story short, it does a great job making the viewer love the protagonist first episode.
Came here to mention Yu Yu Hakusho. Was worried I was biased, it being my favorite anime but glad someone else mentioned it! Seeing Yusuke's mom cry at his funeral gets me EVERY time, especially as Yusuke didn't think anyone would really care. And the look on Yusuke's face when Kuwabara has his breakdown.......damn
My pick is gonna be Ajin, an extremely underrated show. Say what you will about the animation/CGI (personally, I think it looked completely fine), but I think that it had a stellar first episode. It does a fantastic job of introducing the main character, Nagai Kei, as well as his personality and relationships. We can see his apathy for the world and other people, something that is very important to his character development. We see his relationship with his hospitalized sister, as well as his old best friend, Kai. Throughout the episode, we see how the world views Ajins, despite them looking just like regular humans. When Kei then discovers that he is an Ajin, his whole world crumbles around him, the fragile relationships he had, his views on simply just being an upstanding member of society, everything is dashed. This first episode (and honestly, the show as a whole) is pretty amazing and it displays the core themes of the show: the fickleness of humanity and the idea of having your own values to live by.
It's really sad how many people turned this series down just because it's CG. Man am I glad I'm open minded and decided to watch it. Cuz it's really good. The OST, openings and endings are also good
Monster is a brilliant series, but it takes 2 or 3 episodes for the fugitive doctor scenario that is the crux of the series to start. The first episode was totally enough to get me on board, but the show (and manga) is methodical and so it justifiably takes its time laying the groundwork.
The first episode of GTO does such a great job showing the audience what kind of person Onizuka is, and what his morals are, that it is one of the few episodes of anime that I fully remember, even though I watched it 8 years ago.
100% Baccano. The first episode of Baccano is roller coaster and its meta as heck. Not only is there a conversation about where to start the story, but there's also a discussion about who the main character of said story is. That basically sums up Baccano,"Where(and when) the f are we this episode" and "what crazy characters are we following today"
Code Geass. The entire first episode seems like a case of being in a bad place at a bad time for the main character, but at the very end we realize just who is this, at a first glance, normal student, and what will be his place in the world.
Beastars also has a fantastic first episode, as both the start of the series, but also it’s own little story. It tells you so much about the three protagonists, goes out of its way to show off the amazing animation, and (most importantly) showcases both the facade of its world and the cracks in it
Terror in Resonance has and amazing and gripping first episode. It established the main and supporting characters and the relationships between them. The pacing is perfect for the amount of things that happen within the first episode. Definetly my favorite first episode of any series.
Eh, I've seen anime pull off the first episode twist better. It's nothing but a "gotcha" moment in Nana, there was never an indicator of what would happen. No indicator or anything wrong at all, which just made me expect something to happen all the more. kind of just sat there like "oh so that's what the act was covering up for". Hell, the twist becomes hilarious when you realise Nakajima was such an easy mark and could've been her most powerful asset.
@@raijinwolf2248 could you name some of the series where this is pulled off better?? Just to back up the critisism. For me was a shock when the twist is revealed but confirms the doubs i was habing along the episode that after lookted so clear i don't understand how the hell i missed them
This is probably a weird pick, as most people seem to think it’s too slow. I think Fate/Zero has an incredible first episode. It introduces almost everyone important, gives them ample stakes in the story and gives their motives. As well as throughly explains the concept in a comprehensive way, for a series that is infamous for not being this way. The main cat and mouse chase between Kirei and Kiritsugu comes in full force, as well as foreshadowing certain aspects (Such as the air craft getting shot down) that will be re contextualized later. Then, it ends on the summoning of almost every servant. Thus initiates the beginning of this grand war of ideals. I was personally on the edge of my seat for the entire episode, and I sympathized with the plights of almost every character shown. It is a lot of dialogue, but even this is something it prepares you for as the entire show is rich in dialogue. Needless to say, I was hooked from the very beginning and ready to see the war to its end.
@@Rancli I mean, I can respect that. But I dunno, it honestly hooked me in right away with the character motives. I could see how some of the exposition about the Grail War itself would be kinda a snooze. But the actual setup for Waiver, like before hand I think has a lot of promise. Just to give an example.
For any Type Moon fan who loves the world building and understands that this is all just a prologue to set the stage for an epic, it's not bad. However, it's actually one of the worst starting episodes for an otherwise amazing show I've ever seen. So little actually happens beyond dialogue even though the episode has an extended running time. I've had to bribe friends I've wanted to show the series to keep watching after they made it through that first episode lol
Saiki K is one of the best first episode for comedy anime. You get to know his whole backstory from the start and set up some expectation just to be blown away by what happen next
Steins;Gate epsiode one is great when recontextualized by its ending. Little details that are so confusing and hard to follow intially but pay off so well in the final episodes. It is because of Steins;Gate's first episode that I feel the ending wraps so completely and satisfactorily. Something that is rare to see with anime.
I came here to talk about Steins;Gate too, though I feel Arkada would’ve definitely included this one if he agreed. Sure, it doesn’t give a full look into what to expect, but you get a good look at the cast and their personalities and interests, you get the crazy science talk that sets us up for what to expect and what the level of understanding should be, you get Kurisu’s insistence that time travel is not a thing, basically telling us where the show will go, and you get Okabe’s utter confusion and fear at the end of the episode. I feel like the only thing it really lacks compared to others on the list is the view of the world, but when all things are said and done, it’s really very similar to ours, so the science and time travel talk feel like enough of a set up for me.
The first episode of the original "Fullmetal Alchemist" where they try to resurrect their mother hooked me into anime altogether. It should be the first episode of brotherhood too.
Shocked he didn't put Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex in this video it shows us a great world has a solid intro to the main cast and the story sets up what you can expect from the series.
I've been 'thinking about many of the anime I've 'watched in my life and I got to suggest the original Pokemon. It showcases one of the most important moments in of the games, getting the first Pokemon, it shows how a friendship that has lasted for decades began, and it ends with the majestic Ho-Oh moment that painted how mystical the journey could be.
It's a very recent series but Akudama drive has a really good first episode, the world building is top notch, the characters that are introduced are all unique and interesting and the mystery of who is behind the entire premise of the episode keeps you intrigued and wanting to know more
1. Re Creator: first episode introduced us to both main characters and the villain and how the main conflict was going to occure. Plus the animation and the music was top tier. 2. Guilty Crown: Even if the later parts of the series felt flat and the ending was questionable, the first episode was amazing; it introduced the main conflict, main characters and their personalities and gave us a look on how the power dynamic was going to influence the world. Plus the sound track by Egoist is still awesome to this day.
Inori's opening scene had me lost for words! I thought to myself, "this anime's ost is gone be 🔥!" Well.......I wasn't wrong. It was the highlight of the whole series from none other than the master himself, Hiroyuki Sawano! lol
Agreed, I felt so bad for the MC. He was treated like shit up to EP21 where he finally received justice. Imo EP4 was gold, the scene with Raphtalia was heart touching and uses symbols so well.
Sangatsu no Lion also has one of the very best first episodes. The episode introduces Rei Kiriyama as a pro shogi player with apparently a difficult relationship with his foster family and also shows the lighthearted side of the series in the Kawamoto residence. Sure, it's not an action epic like FMA or Made in Abyss, but it shows spectacularly what the series is about.
Log Horizon, Code Geass and NoGameNoLife - Each makes you want to watch the next episode, could be to learn more about the world, then about the characters.
Samurai Champloo: great job at introducing the main trio, general attitudes, motivations for traveling together, fighting strength and style. Also, the fight between Mugen and Jin is just pure eye candy and still holds up well today.
I personally think that The Ancient Magus Bride has a fantastic first episode. It explains just enough to get you hooked, so that you want to know more about its world and the two main characters.
I remember the first episode of darker than black hooked me right away. The noir tone, the mystery of the world, and the fact that a lot of the earlier parts of the show arent from the protagonists POV. It had a good blend of "i wanna see more of this action" and "i gotta know what exactly is going on here"
0:00 I Am A Reader 0:46 What are the objectives of the 1st Episode? 2:05 #1 3:27 #2, twice as long 4:51 #3, 2003 6:26 #4, Did this become a hidden gem? Not yet? 7:55 #5, This is recent 9:20 #6, Power corrupting 10:42 #7, character on display 12:32 #8, 13:41 #9, Abyss 15:18 #10, The Best for Last? 17:07 End of the video 17:54 The Weekly Patrons Shoutout
I believe that Dororo (2019) should be up there. The first episode encapsulates the essence of the show perfectly. Especially the old samurai story and the characteristics of the main characters. And that ANIMATION 👌🏽👌🏽
One Punch Man - I'm guessing you just forgot this one, the first episode is so good it could be an entire series on it's own. If you remember something from the show, id bet it's likely one of the moments of the first episode. I was basically hooked in the first 5 minutes after Saitama protected the kid with balls for a chin.
This is a great choice. The first episode is great at hooking the audience into the show and its (meta)humour. It doesn't show us much of this world with superheroes as it might, which might have kept it off this list.
I tend to disagree, the first episode does not have enough plot anticipation for me. It just felt too much like slapstick comedy. I tried watching this series twice before I managed to get to episode 2.
I really loved the opening scenes of SukaSuka. It introduces the main characters and the fantasy setting perfectly and has the most captivating version of Scarborough Fair that sold me on the show instantly.
I really like the first Episode of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic. It introduces the Characters and their personalitys quied well. It does enough wordbuilding to spark a sense of mystery and excitement and introduces the concept of Dungeons. I watched it several times and always enjoyed myself
While I wouldn't agree with you for it to be one of the best first episodes ever, I can see why you like it. I myself found it boring everytime I rewatch the series, but that's only because what's next on the story, I think it evolves pretty well. Regardless, that very moment where Alibaba snaps and punched the fat guy and then almost sacrifice himself for saving that little girl, damn, goosebumps.
As a manga reader, I can't really agree that the first episode of Magi is a great watch because A1 picture decided to condense 14 chapters in 3 episodes. They skipped chapter 1 entirely and even completely redesigned the first dungeon completely. They even added bits of filler with Morgiana that made no sense. In isolation, I do think from production value standpoint, it is good.
Magi is such an underrated show. The world building and plot complexity are both on par with some of the best anime out there. It's definite a good watch for anyone who still hasn't seen it.
Just to name a few: Zankyou no terror - the intrigue, charcaters, and the music which send shivers. I knew as soon as I saw the first episode that I would never forget the show Baccano! - although on first watch it can be confusing, it is one of the only first episodes in anime where every time I watch it, I find new Easter eggs and gained such a greater appreciation for it after re-watching Aldnoah Zero - regardless of the fact that the show quickly took a nose dive, it's hard to argue against the fact that everyone who saw that first episode became really invested in the world (shame we were all mostly disappointed a few weeks later) Tokyo Ghoul - a really intriguing plot with lots of unanswered questions really made this episode stand out when TG first came out (pretty much the same effect of Aldnoah with a similar end result of just why) SAO - yes, I know, it sucks. But admit it - the first episode made SAO seem like it was going to be an awesome show. It really grabbed everyone's attention! It is the reason so many people got upset with SAO when things started going south; because we thought it had so much potential, just to end up the way it did. Psycho Pass - awesome intro. Introduced to such a novel idea, and interesting characters / villain. Instantly hooked
I really debated my self between Baccano! and Durara!!!´s first episode, I finally went for the later mostly because I liked the cast better. But Baccano!´s first eisode is brilliant in its own rigt; I feel is a lot like Sawn of the Deads first minutes where they tell you the whole movie, Baccano shows s many little nipets of whats to cme is mind bending
Samurai Champloo. Introduces you to it's off beat humor, the 3 main characters *so well you don't even need dialogue* the fight scene between Jin and Mugen. And Fuu's reactions. You know what you are in for from the first episode.
The first episode of "Pandora Hearts" will always be one of my favorites! The anime has a slight sickness of overused flashbacks in later episodes, but it's still my favorite anime! (So yeah, I might be biased.) I love the first episode and have rewatched it quiet often! It starts with this dark setting, opening up a can of questions that will hount our protagonist for the entire series, just to than go back in time to a light hearted setting, introducing the characters and what is expected to be known to the common folk in this world. It directly allows us to see what lead to the events that we saw in the beginning without having to wait 10 episodes, while still managing to answer pretty much non of the questions we had and instead just feeding us more mysterys! There where so many unanswered questions and mysterys lingering in the background of the first episode alone, but in a way where it still wasn't to confusing. Instead of getting a "wtf did I just watch" feeling, which can happen often if there are to many unanswered questions, Pandora Hearts managed to balance it so that I was extremly interested in figuring out the answers without beeing lost and confused!
@a b so far, since I don't know how it continues yet, the only thing making the manga superior is that there aren't ten million flashbacks xD Ignoring the anime original ending (which wasn't bad in my opinion) the anime actually stays really close to the manga. There are just slight changes like turning down gorry scenes. Other than that, most things are the same.
@a b If you want to know the full story and answers to the questions the anime never answered the manga is definitely worth a read. The anime pretty much ends right before we actually get into the meat of the series and the plot starts moving forward. I will say that it gets really emotional so be prepared for some feels if you want to get into the manga.
Honestly the first couple minutes of the first episode of Re:Zero up until the title drop is still one of my favorite parts of the whole show. The sound directing, contrast between the convenience store and the first death, and the creepiness of the moment he teleports to Lugunica all completely sucked me in instantly. Then the creepy harmonization as you stare at an obscure symbol carved in a stone sends chills down my spine, every time.
Michiko and Hatchin's intro is pretty dope in how it shifts you from a somewhat setting into one that completely consumes the prior one and steals your attention. It's a really attractive way of starting the show imo.
There are three that really stand out to me: Plastic Memories: a truly perfect first episode, we meet our cast and learn about their motivations and where the story is going, and you will be bawling by the end as the show reveals just how sad it's going to be Revue Starlight: the intro to this world of stage girls engaging in an underground fight club really hooks you, wakarimasu SukaSuka: just the very first *scene* before the title card even pops up should be enough to hook anyone on this show There are some other great first episodes that Arkada has of course talked about before as well like Kabaneri and No Game No Life.
Hello, yes, can we talk about D.gray-man? The first episode, with its dark, mysterious atmosphere, quickly shows us what our heroes will deal with. Allen is a capable character from the start, as we meet him after he started his training to be an exorcist and on his way to the Order. The mystery mixes with comedy, the infodump makes sense as it's explained to outsiders. I think it's a well-paced and solid first episode, that shows you what you will get if you start watching the series.
@a b it did and it makes me sad as heck, because it deserves love. There are 20-sth filler episodes, so I'd say that, given how rampant fillering was back then I'd say that DGM got off easily enough. I've read somewhere, that some of them were adaptations of novels? My main problem is that watching DGM right after reading the manga makes up for a frustrating experience, as many things get slightly changed, it's nothing that would alter the main story but the details get scrambled...
@a b I've never finished the anime, but since I finished the manga (or what is out rn) I'm rewatching it with the intent of finally finishing, but anime mixes up a bit of the chronology (for example allen regained sight in his eye during the fight with Krory, not before, although the anime backpedaled and blinded him once again xD) or ramps up certain antics of characters (Cross) and from what I've seen in the snippets of Hallow they mix up what character does what. Johnny, in the manga, was the one talking with Allen on that ship, not Lavi. It ended after Allen left the Black Order, Kanga drank Mugen etc, right? So that would be... somewhere at the beginning of 23rd volume... I'd say till chapter 208, so there are 30 chapters not adapted. You would have some Allen, Kanda, Johnny shenanigans in trying to avoid Apocryphos and The Black Order and some crisis regarding the 14th... (yeah, saying it moves at a snail's pace is to put it mildly... a chapter every 3 months, or at least that how it should be I think)
Mushishi: First you get introduced to the beautiful landscapes the show has to offer and suddenly you are already seeing that there are mysterious things happening in the world. On top of that you get to see how knowledgeable and willing to help the main character is and how relaxing the overall atmosphere in the show is. I instantly wanted to watch more after the first episode. Girls Und Panzer: First episode starts with a bang showing the viewer some of the tank combat and then the show suddenly changes to a what seems like an ordinary school day. The characters get introduced and you get to see that the main character has some worries of her own regarding the tank activities. As the episode ends there comes the zoom out that reveals the massive air craft carrier that has an entire city on it and it makes you wonder what kind of crazy show is this. Those two came up to my mind first, I'm sure I could come up with more if I wanted to spend more time thinking but I'm sure someone else has those covered.
As much as people hate on the series, personally, I think Tokyo Ghoul's first episode really sold me on the show(until it started to decline in quality). The world is full of terrifying ghouls that resemble and act just like humans. Kaneki just wanted to do something as ordinary as going on a date with a beautiful woman, that woman turns out to be a deadly ghoul that wants to eat him, then they get crushed by steal beams and her organs get transferred into his body which turns him into a ghoul. Afterwards, we get a glimpse of the struggle of being a ghoul in this world and all the hardships they go through to survive in this twisted reality. If that doesn't make you want to keep watching the series(at least reading it cuz the anime is pretty meh), then I don't know what will.
March comes in like a lion. Beautiful aesthetic, beautiful soundtrack, clear characters, clear character struggles defined, cute cats that talk. Great op and ed. immediate hook from the first few words of dialogue into silence leaving us on that hook whilst the environment tells us about the main character, all the way until the middle of the first half with three words then some how almost immediately see saws into wholesomeness without giving much whip lash. The balance it pulls off in the first episode is fantastic. Psycho pass. Brilliant world setup, thematic questions and ideas posed quickly, pondered and a first answer is given by akane. And akane will still have to question the choice makes later. Also quick tangent but people keep saying akane makes a good choice in the end, NO SHE DONT. She just passes off the responsibility of the choice onto someone else and fails makishimas test again lacking the conviction to do anything, which got yuki killed. She failed , this isn't me criticising the writing just people's occasional reading of it. Tangent over. Abnormalize is a great track. Colour design is fitting all the environments really nicely. Deltora quest And here goes my credibility, I just enjoy this episode having grown up with the books. Code geass Immediate setup before the op even starts thru a short enough info dump, then we get colors. Strong characterisation of lelouch in the first episode and hook of a supernatural element coming into play.
What I'd really like to see is a list of the best THIRD episodes in anime. Studios are aware of the 3-episode test now, and they often seem to "hook" the viewer at the end of number three with a cliffhanger or a bangin' scene that makes you want to commit. I put Bunny Girl Sempai and Land of the Lustrous in this category.
Episode 1 of Season 1 of Sword Art Online I personally do not like SAO as a series. If I tried I could even say that I hated it, as harsh as that sounds. But, I will say that the first episode of this anime was pretty fantastic. That dreadful scene where all of the players are informed that they are trapped in the game- It just has this awesome horror vibe that I just think is SO cool. If only the rest of the series kept up the quality, which it unfortunately didn't...
1: Steins;Gate :- 1st episode literally starts with philosophy (since the anime itself is based on philosophy), gives many pieces of clues to the viewers later used in anime, is crucial for ending for both Steins;Gate & Steins;Gate 0. 2: Your lie in April:- 1st episode begins with magical piano sound track with amazing spring weather, OP has the spoiler of the end of story, uses black cat & dove as metaphor for Arima(reserved) & Kaori's(free-spirited) nature.
To be honest, in the first viewing Steins Gate first few episodes few like such a drag I almost didn't even finish the series. But it does get immensely better during the series, and on the second viewing you can really appreciate how good the first episode is. But for that reason, I don't feel like it should be considered one of the best first episodes.
@@nightmagister Thats the point, It looks crazy, unclear & feels like it does not belong there but we find out it's the same episode it finishes. Protagonist feels weird & strange moments like Suzuha making cross signal, Makise calling Okabe, etc felt unusual but as soon as the world glitch happened, it started to become intresting. Makise is alive. For somebody like me who loves clues & thinks overly(& also unnecessarily), I was expecting that this anime might suprise me as soon as Makise told Okabe that he called her by her name.
Steins;Gate feels like the oposite. The first episode is waay too cloged (I had to watch it 5 times before I was able to finish it in one go.... And as good as the series is, it takes 6 Fing episodes to get going, wich is too much for some
@@DungeonBricks Steins;Gate already starts going from the first episode, just because there are no epic fight scenes with swords and big tits doesn't mean it doesn't go anywhere lmao
*SPOILER AHEAD* Steins;Gate's first episode is in a way also the last episode of the first season and the last episode of Zero, and that makes Steins;Gate's first episode very special in its own right.
the first episode of Symphogear GX is by far one of the best first episodes in anime and also one of the craziest in my opinion, i love that intro at the beginning of the episode
ERASED! Had me hooked instantly, that scene at the end just forced me to click next episode. It set up who satoru is the horrific things that happened in his past his power and then the end happened!!!!
God, this is nostalgic. I still remember watching your Death Note review. Anime as a medium in general acts as a sort of nostalgia trigger for me, alongside Gameboys, Minecraft, and other stuff. I want to thank you for being a part of getting me into anime. I don't watch it nearly as much as I used to (or games, books, etc., either), but your passion for different shows really influenced what I watched, and so partially because of you, I had countless hours of enjoyment watching anime - something I otherwise might not have done. Without getting then into the butterfly effect of how some shows have impacted me, you were one of the content creators along the studios themselves that exposed me to so many things and concepts and views through anime. Sorry if this comment is a paragraph and a half. I have trouble expressing myself sometimes and really wanted to convey how much I appreciate your content. So, in summation: Thank you. And stay frosty.
Of all the shows that I have watched, I think Yu Yu Hakusho's first episode is as good as it gets. SPOILERS: - opening your show with your MC dying is very effective in hooking the viewer to see what comes next - the first half in general did a great job in characterizing him (Keiko and Kuwabara get some too) by showing how a usual day for Yusuke looks like, how his life in general be like, how people react to him, how he reacts to them, etc. - the second half is then set after his death showing you the reaction and consequences of his death with some strong emotional scenes (funeral) and how it changes Yusuke's perception of the people around him - the eps. ends in a way that makes you interested in how it continues
This was a very good list. If I had to throw an Honorable Mention (partly due to nostalgia) is Yu Yu Hakusho. In the first episode I already felt for the Main Character and was genuinely interested in how the story was going to go.
1. Evangelion - already mentioned, but absolutely amazing still. The worldbuilding, the despair, all the fuckery, absolutely amazing. 2. Erased - Great set up during the episode for the series to come, the final twist in particular is absolutely amazing. 3. Akame ga Kill - The anime has a lot of problems, but the first episode is absolutely amazing. It starts as your average adventure, but twists all the expectations and don't get shy about how gruesome it can be (too bad they forced it too much during the series). 4. Gundam SEED - It is simply fantastic, it sets up the sides of war, the characters, the gundams and main storyline. It introduces the conflict between Kira and Athrun, and its ending is extremelly thrilling.
I absolutely agree with akame ga kill. I loved so much that episode and the three or four that followed it, that the rest of the anime being mediocre genuinely stressed me.
Whenever someone asks me what my favorite first episode of anime is, I always have two answers: Psycho-Pass and Samurai Champloo. Psycho-Pass just shines in its execution. It introduces our world, our main ensemble cast, and the moral questions that drive the themes of the show, while also having time to show off the fun and games of the series and hooking the viewer in with what’s going to happen next. Samurai Champloo is also just a flawlessly executed formula. I’ve never seen a show be so complete right from the jump. We understand our three main characters and their motivations right away, we get to see some awesome sword fighting action, and we’re curious about whether or not they’ll ever reach their goal. The rest of the series follows the first episode’s formula to a tee because it just works so well. Anyways, those are my two picks :)
I actually think the better episode is the 2nd; it personally was very hard to connect with anything in the first episode throw at you like that. I actually dropped it at the start, and some weeks later tried the 2nd, which hooked me. People really see things differently 😅 Then again, I think Suzumiya Haruhi has the best first episode (the filming attempt), so my judgment might be not to be trusted 😖
I love Psycho Pass. Its my fourth favorite anime. But I actually dropped it after the first episode. Its a really bad introduction imo. The standalone nature of the first episode and the fact its basically one long chase scene made me think it was just gonna be a generic police procedural with a different action set piece each week. It wasnt until I saw Ark's review for the show a year later that I got intriguef again and actually devided to watch beyond episode 1. Episode 2 I thought was much better but it still wasnt until ep4 that I actually got hooked.
@@tardifan EXACTLY my thoughts on episode one! The gory shock value in the show puts me off. The second was the one that gave me hopes. Is the 4th the virtual reality one? If so, then no surprised there.
@@waltworks8389 Yup. Its the one that properly introduces Makishima and gives a clear indication of where the story is going to go. And yes its also the one with "Spoooky Booogie"
A few really solid first episodes off the top of my head: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, The Promised Neverland, Kaiba, Monster, Terror in Resonance, Hakumei to Mikochi, Violet Evergarden.
The Promised Neverland has a damn good first episode especially if you go into the series blind. The building feeling of unease with the growing sense that 'something' is not right and 'something' is going to happen makes the ending of the first episode really stand out as a modern psychological horror anime.
I think Shinsekai Yori did this but better. Where TPN makes you feel something is not right, and after a while you learn the truth. Sure, it sucks for the characters, but didn't affect me really much.
While SY makes you feel something is not right, but it is so much worse than you expect. And it keeps getting worse and worse.
I didn't trust the cute nature of TPNL at all cause right from the start I knew something was off. Everyone was WAY too happy.
@@Drakonflare this is how I felt when a character disappeared and no one questioned it
I was surprised this wasn’t on the list
I think it would go on the same category where the first episode is the best, personally by far.
" Erased " -starts off with a ordinary boy with a quirk, a murder and what else could go wrong that day. " Ghost in the shell " first episode gets us started with section 9 and the major.
Erased is a good show that people hate on but the first episode will forever be weird to me by how fast the cops show up
Now you'll have to do the opposite of this: The Worst First Episodes (maybe of otherwise good anime)
I would probably say Cowboy Bebop.
This is actually a pretty good idea!
Oh like FMA Brotherhood
Steins;Gate
Konosuba
This guy does not age at all. I swear he looks the same as 10 years ago.
He looks better than other people his age, but he is still aging. Not that it matters, it is a fact of life. I'm sure he likely takes care of himself considering his clean cut persona.
He did gain some weight a while back but he seems to have lost it. He looks great now, and yeah surprisingly similar to like 7-8 years ago.
Yeah cause he looked 40 when he was 17
"This list might just be an excuse to talk about my favorite anime again."
Me: "He's going to talk about Made In Abyss again, isn't he?"
I thrive on relying on top comments so my favourite first episode is dr.stone since it shows exactly what the series will be and how its science in it is based on reality which helps ground the series.
I ruined your 69 likes. You're welcome.
As he should. The show is just that good. Not very uplifting though.
@@justsomeguywithaforeheadmu6209 I agree, but dr. stone is a good example of a great start turning into a never watch after a couple of episodes.
What can he do it's that good of a show
Really Made is Abyss is great
Re Zero's first ep was one of the most mind blowing episodes I have watched in a while
For me gotta say Steins;Gate because it draws you leaving you with so many questions and intrigue, but i think what elevate it, is when you rewatch the show and yor realize that every single detail and weird thing had a meaning and a reason.
Steins;Gate really shows the balance between the plot and the humour of the whole series well, and sells you one the art style and the atmosphere, I love it!
couldn't agree more my fave anime of all time
Steins;Gate 1st episode is great on a first watch. It becomes a masterpiece on a rewatch.
When the first episode is the end episode
Definitely agree with this, even when compared to the original VN I always felt the earlier parts of the anime were much better paced as an introduction.
Steins;Gate's first episode is quite literally one of the best out there. It meticulously lays a ton of groundwork details while also layering an aura of mystery and suspense to keep you perfectly hooked.
I think the first episode of Steins;Gate has the benefit of hindsight. Watching the first episode without any context is so confusing
Am I the only one who can’t make it through the first episode of Steins;Gate? I’ve tried twice, I got bored. I dunno, it’s supposed to be really good, so I feel like I’m missing something.
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 I feel like one would have to have a really low attention span to get bored during that episode. There's a ton of crazy stuff going on.
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 I was the same way. I watched an episode and dropped it cause it was so confusing but I later came back to it. It's definitely a show that builds momentum. Things make a lot more sense after episode one. I definitely recommend the show
@@mayonnaiseaddict4676 its one of those shows where i think you gotta get through the first 5-6 episodes before you can really see the genius. The whole thing is 25 or so episodes, and the first 5 eps dont make a lot of sense. But then the next 20 episodes are mindfuck after mindfuck, and its a BRILLIANT journey, very much worth it,
Attack on titan’s first episode is literally one of the best ever. We learn so much of the world building, characters, motivations, stakes, lore, and SO MUCH foreshadowing. This first episode only gets better after further context of story and I cannot wait until the anime covers *those* portions of the manga.
And some would say its not even the best ep in the show
And the episode title........
“To you 2000 years ago “
Yes I love it so much
Shonen trash go brrrrrrrrr
1. Code Geass: Sets up the politics/setting of the world, introduces the main characters and makes us understand their motivations. Also, amazing ending hook.
2. FLCL: Simply mesmerizing.
3. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor: Sets up the story, shows how everyone in the story views things while also showing us how the main character operates and undercuts the tension. Also, one of the funniest first episodes.
4. Yu Yu Hakusho: Great opening hook, establishes who the characters are and shows us some decent emotional charcter moments.
5. His And Her Circumstances: Gives us an atypical start to one of the best romance series of all time.
6. Ouran High School Host Club: Makes us feel like we're members of the club ourselves and instantly defines who the characters are.
7. Baccano!: While not the best for character introductions, it sets the tone of the story with it's nonlinear nature and hooks us with questions about the characters.
8. Pokemon: The show that defined so many 90s kids and contributed to a worldwide phenomenon while also bringing us into an easy to understand fantasy world with clear character motivations. Ends on a sweet and hopeful note.
9. InuYasha: Intriguing opening with a decent setup for a story. Gives us enough to hook the audience.
10. Madoka Magica: Even with the third episode twist, this first episode introduces the characters, while also giving us a bizzare and sinister tone that will be revealed more later on.
11. The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya: The first episode doesn't really explain what the story is or who the characters are, but it sets the tone and gives us the characters' personalities. Also, Kyon's narration is priceless.
12. Dragon Ball: While pretty basic, it is the standard for all classic shonen storytelling. Sets up the characters, motivations, and world pretty easily.
13. Tamako Market: Introduces The characters and setting very nicely and makes us feel like we're a part of this charming community.
14. Nadia: The Secret Of Blue Water: Introduces us to the characters and gives us this great adventurous tone that makes us want to go along for the ride.
15. Haibane Renmei: Sets up the characters and gives us an intriguing mystery.
A great list + Captain Tylor = An Amazing list.
TAMAKO MARKET lets go
FLCL, BABY!!!!
I’m very surprised he missed The Promised Neverland. The first episode sets up the second episode wonderfully and keeps you hooked. What we see is tragic and how it unfolds later makes the first episode even better. Another one is Darling in the FranXX. He did mention it but I think it deserved its own spot on this list. The first episode is a roller coaster ride of cute anime girls, loli mechs, and a wonderful introduction to what would be a fantastic series.
Darling in the Franxx is not a fantastic series, it's decent but not fulfilling.
I completely agree with Yakusoku no Neverland.
Totally agree with TPN.
Yeah Neverland is a very good show and with many twists
How TF DitF's first episode is good? It's has nonsensical dialogue and shameless fanservice
the first episode of Dororo (2019) set up everything pretty damn good - the bleak atmosphere brought about by the unique art style and character designs, the sound design and gorgeous animation, and the fact that it looked like it had already brought justice to Osamu Tezuka's original 1969 version.
The first episode of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! immediately set the tone for everything that followed - the fantastic art and presentation, sound design, everything. Had to watch the rest after that.
This is a *great* choice.
YES YES YES
YES. This anime ain't even my style, but that episode got me hooked to my laptop for a whole day
Bunny-girl senpai: excellent set up of the characters, supernatural force, and several of the arcs they go through. I'm impressed by the great 1st parts of 2 parts but an equally satisfying part 1 of 3 deserves mention.
I'm so happy someone mentioned this.
I agree. It's an amazing series
Erased had a crazy first episode
Nah ep3 to ep8 made erased my all time fav
shame it tanked so hard later on
I can't actually remember much from episode 1. I think Erased gained more traction as it went along.
@@thobiazz I don't understand the hate for the ending lmao. I loved the ending.
@@dpage446 well not as much the ending itself, just the last three episodes or so, it felt like it lost the traction that the show built
Promised Neverland! After the first episode you know exactly what it’s about, why you should be invested in the characters, and ends on the perfect record scratch moment.
SAO definitely belongs on this list.
After all, if not great first 2 episodes, this show would be just another mediocre isekai. But one of the reasons why it is hated by so many, is that it pulled us in with a great set up, and than betrayed our expectations.
Very true from start to finish
Bro, like, 8 minutes of episode 1 is an exposition dump with a bunch of people standing around,
Yes, thank you for finally saying this‼️
I would agree with BOFURI but SAO nope
@@jadetigress9636 Bofuri didn't have really good first episode. It was mediocre but fun and memable for most of the time, with dropping ball completely near the end.
I'd give a shout out to Samurai Champloo. It is a 10/10 in setting the tone for the series, as well as perfectly setting up the personalities of the main cast. The fight in the tea house is one of my favorite sword fights of all time, and it doesn't waste time getting the main plot rolling.
i give a shout out to seraph of the end
Promised Neverland has the most intriguing first episode
This was my first thought also!
My immediate first thought too! The twist is really obvious going in, given the whole "we don't get letters" thing plus the title plus the cover art plus all the other red flags but the intrigue just builds and builds, and it's impossible to not get sucked in by the endearing characters! Not to mention how fascinating Isabella is!
Can't agree more!
Things go 360 way too fast.
Yea its almost a shame I loved promise Neverlands first episode almost as much as made in abyss
Shinsekai yori (from the new world): Throws you right into it’s world without much explanation, yet captivates you enough in its first episode to leave you wanting more.
^This
Terror in Ressonance has a brilliant first ep
Yeah
Oh my god, I can't believe I forgot about TIR's first episode! Really amazing stuff, it's why I stuck through the rest of the series even though this genre wasn't (at that point) my cup of tea.
@@catbot158 no worries man :)
"The Devil Is A Part-Timer" had a pretty funny first episode that always stuck with me. Not so much the first ten minutes, but as soon as they get to Earth and the hijinks ensue, I was pretty much hooked.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu had a phenomenal first episode. Also the Tatami Galaxy, Baccano! and Paranoia Agent. 🤩
Ah, a person of culture, I see. Paranoia Agent's first ep is CRAZY good.
Additional suggestion elsewhere of Bakemonogatari I'd also agree with, along with Flip Flappers
I think March comes in like a lion first episode is best .
Tell 'em!
Seems like a good time to let everyone know that Paranoia Agent is finally getting a new physical release in December, in case anyone doesn't know! Seriously anyone that hasn't seen it REALLY SHOULD!
Man you, good sir, are a person of culture. All the series you noted due quite have amazing first episodes.
I think Monster had a really good first episode. The first minute leads with an ominous and spiritual quote which lends well to the pseudo supernatural elements later in the series. It’s followed almost immediately with contrasts between triumph with tragedy and corruption with how well Dr. Tenma’s life is going versus the going ons with the hospital and the world around him that would later become core to its premise. These events show us how Dr. Tenmas life slowly starts unraveling and how his world view slowly shatters which does well for character building and adds a lot of tension to the story by introducing different kinds of evils as the Dr. makes his biggest mistake.
I just recently started watching Monster and I thought the first episode was fantastic.
I actually think he probably avoided it due to how much he's brought it up in the past, 10 years later and Monsters still incredibly underrated
The Promised Neverland, Code Geass, The Ancient Magus Bride, and JoJo Parts 1 and 3 all have great first episodes.
Yes, yes, yes. Especially Code Geass and Ancient Magus Bride. Both had a long gap to cross for the first episodes and handled them perfectly.
I don't think code gas had the best first episode
really i almost dropped code geass because i was really underwhelmed by the first episode
Really? I didn’t like the first episode of Code Geass so much.
@@Sharma-xw6ml never heard of code gas
1) Kotoura-san. It went down hill quickly, but the first episode was one of the darkest and most depressing anime episodes I have ever seen. It was about a little girl who could read minds and how she exposed people's lies which ended up destroying her friendships and family. Her mom even abandoned her.
3) Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor. Highly underrated. It puts you on the edge of your seat. The main character is constantly struggling to keep his head above water.
2) Monster - for obvious reasons.
YuYu Hakusho has an AMAZING first episode. I didn’t know it was possible to feel for a character in the first episode. But when everyone griefs for Yuske’s death, I felt their grief and sorrow too. I felt like “damn even I feel like I’ve known the guy forever now....and he’s really gone” type of vibe. Long story short, it does a great job making the viewer love the protagonist first episode.
Yes. Yu Yu did super good with that. Who character and why you should give a damn he's dead. And cheer when hey maybe he's only mostly dead.
Yes I must agree
Yu Yu Hakusho 1st episode should be on the list of best anime episodes period, not only limited to first episodes.
But I think he didn't watch it.
Came here to mention Yu Yu Hakusho. Was worried I was biased, it being my favorite anime but glad someone else mentioned it! Seeing Yusuke's mom cry at his funeral gets me EVERY time, especially as Yusuke didn't think anyone would really care. And the look on Yusuke's face when Kuwabara has his breakdown.......damn
@@Sunakta EXACTLY.....hits different
My pick is gonna be Ajin, an extremely underrated show.
Say what you will about the animation/CGI (personally, I think it looked completely fine), but I think that it had a stellar first episode. It does a fantastic job of introducing the main character, Nagai Kei, as well as his personality and relationships. We can see his apathy for the world and other people, something that is very important to his character development. We see his relationship with his hospitalized sister, as well as his old best friend, Kai. Throughout the episode, we see how the world views Ajins, despite them looking just like regular humans. When Kei then discovers that he is an Ajin, his whole world crumbles around him, the fragile relationships he had, his views on simply just being an upstanding member of society, everything is dashed. This first episode (and honestly, the show as a whole) is pretty amazing and it displays the core themes of the show: the fickleness of humanity and the idea of having your own values to live by.
I love that show and it is very much underrated....
It's really sad how many people turned this series down just because it's CG. Man am I glad I'm open minded and decided to watch it. Cuz it's really good. The OST, openings and endings are also good
I hate to be that guy but...
The manga’s better
@@thedban1206 once I find the time, I'm definitely gonna have to read it
@@thedban1206 once I find the time, I'm definitely gonna have to read it
The first episode of Monster is brilliant. Very well paced, showing the moral dilemma of the entire series, and it really hooks you.
Monster is a brilliant series, but it takes 2 or 3 episodes for the fugitive doctor scenario that is the crux of the series to start. The first episode was totally enough to get me on board, but the show (and manga) is methodical and so it justifiably takes its time laying the groundwork.
Grand Blue's first episode taught me alot about diving!!
The first episode of GTO does such a great job showing the audience what kind of person Onizuka is, and what his morals are, that it is one of the few episodes of anime that I fully remember, even though I watched it 8 years ago.
Right. I was expecting it on this list.
I was going to mention this as well, its legendary in my opinion.
@Mandar Sadye Look up _Great Teacher Onizuka_ (GTO)
@Mandar Sadye I just tried a search on GTO anime and it's all the top results.
Yes! Omg yes. I really would love for him to give this show it's own video some day. It's what I voted on for the week of awesome
100% Baccano. The first episode of Baccano is roller coaster and its meta as heck. Not only is there a conversation about where to start the story, but there's also a discussion about who the main character of said story is. That basically sums up Baccano,"Where(and when) the f are we this episode" and "what crazy characters are we following today"
Mushi-shi first episode sets up the world perfectly. Love that anime
100%. A great teaser of what's to come.
Wonderful introduction to the tone, pacing, and color palette of the series.
OH man definitely! Mushishi is insanely underrated, love the first EP!
Death Parade is one of my all-time favourite anime and I am SO happy to see it get some much-needed attention!
Code Geass. The entire first episode seems like a case of being in a bad place at a bad time for the main character, but at the very end we realize just who is this, at a first glance, normal student, and what will be his place in the world.
Yes thank u
It was a good first episode. Shame the show went on to do all the weird and out of place high school stuff.
Yes 100% yes especially the first command scene
code geass starts off slow
@@enoch13th85 true
Beastars also has a fantastic first episode, as both the start of the series, but also it’s own little story. It tells you so much about the three protagonists, goes out of its way to show off the amazing animation, and (most importantly) showcases both the facade of its world and the cracks in it
Terror in Resonance has and amazing and gripping first episode. It established the main and supporting characters and the relationships between them. The pacing is perfect for the amount of things that happen within the first episode. Definetly my favorite first episode of any series.
Yeah
Big O, I just love the main character introduction, the city, and of course Big O's first reveal.
Talentless Nana from this season had one hell of a first episode, but you wouldn't know it unless you watched it to the end.
YES
That’s tru
Eh, I've seen anime pull off the first episode twist better. It's nothing but a "gotcha" moment in Nana, there was never an indicator of what would happen. No indicator or anything wrong at all, which just made me expect something to happen all the more. kind of just sat there like "oh so that's what the act was covering up for".
Hell, the twist becomes hilarious when you realise Nakajima was such an easy mark and could've been her most powerful asset.
The ED feels like a spoiler
@@raijinwolf2248 could you name some of the series where this is pulled off better?? Just to back up the critisism. For me was a shock when the twist is revealed but confirms the doubs i was habing along the episode that after lookted so clear i don't understand how the hell i missed them
Psycho-Pass has one the best first episode ever. Cool songs, good introduction of world and characters and beautiful action scenes
This is probably a weird pick, as most people seem to think it’s too slow. I think Fate/Zero has an incredible first episode.
It introduces almost everyone important, gives them ample stakes in the story and gives their motives. As well as throughly explains the concept in a comprehensive way, for a series that is infamous for not being this way. The main cat and mouse chase between Kirei and Kiritsugu comes in full force, as well as foreshadowing certain aspects (Such as the air craft getting shot down) that will be re contextualized later. Then, it ends on the summoning of almost every servant. Thus initiates the beginning of this grand war of ideals. I was personally on the edge of my seat for the entire episode, and I sympathized with the plights of almost every character shown. It is a lot of dialogue, but even this is something it prepares you for as the entire show is rich in dialogue. Needless to say, I was hooked from the very beginning and ready to see the war to its end.
I would say i disagree, on a rewatch yes the first episode is great but on my first watch through it was boring imo
@@Rancli I mean, I can respect that. But I dunno, it honestly hooked me in right away with the character motives. I could see how some of the exposition about the Grail War itself would be kinda a snooze. But the actual setup for Waiver, like before hand I think has a lot of promise. Just to give an example.
Fate/Zero is one of the best first episodes in anime imo
Yeah, the first episode of Fate/Zero imo is the best first episode for an anime with only Death Note's first episode coming close.
For any Type Moon fan who loves the world building and understands that this is all just a prologue to set the stage for an epic, it's not bad. However, it's actually one of the worst starting episodes for an otherwise amazing show I've ever seen. So little actually happens beyond dialogue even though the episode has an extended running time. I've had to bribe friends I've wanted to show the series to keep watching after they made it through that first episode lol
Black Lagoon. That punch to Rocks face, the intro song, and the consistent moral uncertainties just pull you into the black streaked grey of the show.
My favourite ever first ep is the one to Paranoia Agent
Saiki K is one of the best first episode for comedy anime. You get to know his whole backstory from the start and set up some expectation just to be blown away by what happen next
Steins;Gate epsiode one is great when recontextualized by its ending. Little details that are so confusing and hard to follow intially but pay off so well in the final episodes. It is because of Steins;Gate's first episode that I feel the ending wraps so completely and satisfactorily. Something that is rare to see with anime.
I came here to talk about Steins;Gate too, though I feel Arkada would’ve definitely included this one if he agreed. Sure, it doesn’t give a full look into what to expect, but you get a good look at the cast and their personalities and interests, you get the crazy science talk that sets us up for what to expect and what the level of understanding should be, you get Kurisu’s insistence that time travel is not a thing, basically telling us where the show will go, and you get Okabe’s utter confusion and fear at the end of the episode. I feel like the only thing it really lacks compared to others on the list is the view of the world, but when all things are said and done, it’s really very similar to ours, so the science and time travel talk feel like enough of a set up for me.
Gurren Lagann is truly perfect.
I love the ending and how Simon and Nia live happily ever after. AND NOTHING BAD HAPPENS TO EITHER OF THEM.
The first episode of the original "Fullmetal Alchemist" where they try to resurrect their mother hooked me into anime altogether. It should be the first episode of brotherhood too.
Shocked he didn't put Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex in this video it shows us a great world has a solid intro to the main cast and the story sets up what you can expect from the series.
I've been 'thinking about many of the anime I've 'watched in my life and I got to suggest the original Pokemon. It showcases one of the most important moments in of the games, getting the first Pokemon, it shows how a friendship that has lasted for decades began, and it ends with the majestic Ho-Oh moment that painted how mystical the journey could be.
Oh shit, that's a dope choice. I totally forgot about the Pokemon opening.
It's a very recent series but Akudama drive has a really good first episode, the world building is top notch, the characters that are introduced are all unique and interesting and the mystery of who is behind the entire premise of the episode keeps you intrigued and wanting to know more
Ouran High School Host Club, made even better when you don’t know the reveal beforehand.
Lol haven't heard anyone talk about this show for literally a decade. Glad to see someone who still remembers about this show lol
I love the humor of this show so much. Tamaki casually leaning on the freakin text box makes me laugh every time.
ABSOLUTELY!
Darker than Black.
Chinese, Electric, Batman
1. Re Creator: first episode introduced us to both main characters and the villain and how the main conflict was going to occure. Plus the animation and the music was top tier.
2. Guilty Crown: Even if the later parts of the series felt flat and the ending was questionable, the first episode was amazing; it introduced the main conflict, main characters and their personalities and gave us a look on how the power dynamic was going to influence the world. Plus the sound track by Egoist is still awesome to this day.
Yeah, the first episode of Re:Creators was great... To bad the second half of the series turned out as it did...
Hell, Guilty Crown could be on this list for the theme song alone!
Re:Creators is so underrrated
Inori's opening scene had me lost for words! I thought to myself, "this anime's ost is gone be 🔥!" Well.......I wasn't wrong. It was the highlight of the whole series from none other than the master himself, Hiroyuki Sawano! lol
Mo Doa Zu shi
Its has a very good introduction which feels like. A very good ending
Rising of the shield hero
It creates the rage in viewers to watch and involve with injustice that happens with MC
haha no
Agreed, I felt so bad for the MC. He was treated like shit up to EP21 where he finally received justice. Imo EP4 was gold, the scene with Raphtalia was heart touching and uses symbols so well.
Escaflowne - The whole vibe of the episode along with it's introduction and mystery (From a first episode perpective) just grabs you right away.
Made In Abyss draws you in to the abyss with the first episode
Sangatsu no Lion also has one of the very best first episodes. The episode introduces Rei Kiriyama as a pro shogi player with apparently a difficult relationship with his foster family and also shows the lighthearted side of the series in the Kawamoto residence. Sure, it's not an action epic like FMA or Made in Abyss, but it shows spectacularly what the series is about.
Log Horizon, Code Geass and NoGameNoLife - Each makes you want to watch the next episode, could be to learn more about the world, then about the characters.
What impresses me, is that I recognize every anime by the first look of each scene presented!
First ep of Rage of Bahamut: Genesis was fire!
Nina best girl
oh man I remember that first episode got me into the show even without having seen the original. Great show, I gotta rewatch it.
@@Aa-tg3fr Wait.. I thought RoB:Genesis was original, then what is the first season?
@@user-oj5kg2zl9z Ah shit nvm, I got virgin soul and genesis confused.
@@Aa-tg3fr Oh, that makes it clear then
Samurai Champloo: great job at introducing the main trio, general attitudes, motivations for traveling together, fighting strength and style. Also, the fight between Mugen and Jin is just pure eye candy and still holds up well today.
I personally think that The Ancient Magus Bride has a fantastic first episode. It explains just enough to get you hooked, so that you want to know more about its world and the two main characters.
I remember the first episode of darker than black hooked me right away. The noir tone, the mystery of the world, and the fact that a lot of the earlier parts of the show arent from the protagonists POV. It had a good blend of "i wanna see more of this action" and "i gotta know what exactly is going on here"
0:00 I Am A Reader
0:46 What are the objectives of the 1st Episode?
2:05 #1
3:27 #2, twice as long
4:51 #3, 2003
6:26 #4, Did this become a hidden gem? Not yet?
7:55 #5, This is recent
9:20 #6, Power corrupting
10:42 #7, character on display
12:32 #8,
13:41 #9, Abyss
15:18 #10, The Best for Last?
17:07 End of the video
17:54 The Weekly Patrons Shoutout
You are a blessing
Thx
Thank you 🙏🏼
I believe that Dororo (2019) should be up there. The first episode encapsulates the essence of the show perfectly. Especially the old samurai story and the characteristics of the main characters.
And that ANIMATION 👌🏽👌🏽
One Punch Man - I'm guessing you just forgot this one, the first episode is so good it could be an entire series on it's own. If you remember something from the show, id bet it's likely one of the moments of the first episode. I was basically hooked in the first 5 minutes after Saitama protected the kid with balls for a chin.
This is a great choice. The first episode is great at hooking the audience into the show and its (meta)humour. It doesn't show us much of this world with superheroes as it might, which might have kept it off this list.
I tend to disagree, the first episode does not have enough plot anticipation for me. It just felt too much like slapstick comedy. I tried watching this series twice before I managed to get to episode 2.
I agree!
I've gotta say, even though I watched opm three times... I can't remember what happened in the first episode 😂
@@nahnijotas3596 vaccine man, big crab, giant man, epic dream
I really loved the opening scenes of SukaSuka. It introduces the main characters and the fantasy setting perfectly and has the most captivating version of Scarborough Fair that sold me on the show instantly.
I really like the first Episode of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic. It introduces the Characters and their personalitys quied well. It does enough wordbuilding to spark a sense of mystery and excitement and introduces the concept of Dungeons. I watched it several times and always enjoyed myself
While I wouldn't agree with you for it to be one of the best first episodes ever, I can see why you like it.
I myself found it boring everytime I rewatch the series, but that's only because what's next on the story, I think it evolves pretty well.
Regardless, that very moment where Alibaba snaps and punched the fat guy and then almost sacrifice himself for saving that little girl, damn, goosebumps.
I love the first 2 minutes of that episode! It got me absolutely intrigued. And then straight on to the great Op song
As a manga reader, I can't really agree that the first episode of Magi is a great watch because A1 picture decided to condense 14 chapters in 3 episodes. They skipped chapter 1 entirely and even completely redesigned the first dungeon completely. They even added bits of filler with Morgiana that made no sense. In isolation, I do think from production value standpoint, it is good.
Magi is such an underrated show. The world building and plot complexity are both on par with some of the best anime out there. It's definite a good watch for anyone who still hasn't seen it.
Fist Magi
Honestly I'm shocked that the first episode of psycho pass wasn't mentioned, the moral grey of that episode alone was just crazy imo.
Just to name a few:
Zankyou no terror - the intrigue, charcaters, and the music which send shivers. I knew as soon as I saw the first episode that I would never forget the show
Baccano! - although on first watch it can be confusing, it is one of the only first episodes in anime where every time I watch it, I find new Easter eggs and gained such a greater appreciation for it after re-watching
Aldnoah Zero - regardless of the fact that the show quickly took a nose dive, it's hard to argue against the fact that everyone who saw that first episode became really invested in the world (shame we were all mostly disappointed a few weeks later)
Tokyo Ghoul - a really intriguing plot with lots of unanswered questions really made this episode stand out when TG first came out (pretty much the same effect of Aldnoah with a similar end result of just why)
SAO - yes, I know, it sucks. But admit it - the first episode made SAO seem like it was going to be an awesome show. It really grabbed everyone's attention! It is the reason so many people got upset with SAO when things started going south; because we thought it had so much potential, just to end up the way it did.
Psycho Pass - awesome intro. Introduced to such a novel idea, and interesting characters / villain. Instantly hooked
You putting Zankyou no Terror and Baccano up are heavy indicators that you a real one.💪🏾
I would add Erased to the list. Even though i hated the ending, i was hooked with the plot twist at the end of ep 1
I really debated my self between Baccano! and Durara!!!´s first episode, I finally went for the later mostly because I liked the cast better. But Baccano!´s first eisode is brilliant in its own rigt; I feel is a lot like Sawn of the Deads first minutes where they tell you the whole movie, Baccano shows s many little nipets of whats to cme is mind bending
This list here is pretty solid!!
Im honestly really sad Zankyou no Terror never got more popular, i absolutely loved that anime, one of my all time favorites.
Samurai Champloo. Introduces you to it's off beat humor, the 3 main characters *so well you don't even need dialogue* the fight scene between Jin and Mugen. And Fuu's reactions. You know what you are in for from the first episode.
The first episode of "Pandora Hearts" will always be one of my favorites!
The anime has a slight sickness of overused flashbacks in later episodes, but it's still my favorite anime! (So yeah, I might be biased.)
I love the first episode and have rewatched it quiet often! It starts with this dark setting, opening up a can of questions that will hount our protagonist for the entire series, just to than go back in time to a light hearted setting, introducing the characters and what is expected to be known to the common folk in this world. It directly allows us to see what lead to the events that we saw in the beginning without having to wait 10 episodes, while still managing to answer pretty much non of the questions we had and instead just feeding us more mysterys!
There where so many unanswered questions and mysterys lingering in the background of the first episode alone, but in a way where it still wasn't to confusing. Instead of getting a "wtf did I just watch" feeling, which can happen often if there are to many unanswered questions, Pandora Hearts managed to balance it so that I was extremly interested in figuring out the answers without beeing lost and confused!
@a b I'm working on that. I'm curently in volium 10, which is all new ground for me since the anime doesn't go that far (sadly)
@a b so far, since I don't know how it continues yet, the only thing making the manga superior is that there aren't ten million flashbacks xD
Ignoring the anime original ending (which wasn't bad in my opinion) the anime actually stays really close to the manga. There are just slight changes like turning down gorry scenes. Other than that, most things are the same.
@a b If you want to know the full story and answers to the questions the anime never answered the manga is definitely worth a read. The anime pretty much ends right before we actually get into the meat of the series and the plot starts moving forward. I will say that it gets really emotional so be prepared for some feels if you want to get into the manga.
Honestly the first couple minutes of the first episode of Re:Zero up until the title drop is still one of my favorite parts of the whole show. The sound directing, contrast between the convenience store and the first death, and the creepiness of the moment he teleports to Lugunica all completely sucked me in instantly. Then the creepy harmonization as you stare at an obscure symbol carved in a stone sends chills down my spine, every time.
You’re such a great anime reviewer!! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in your videos.
Michiko and Hatchin's intro is pretty dope in how it shifts you from a somewhat setting into one that completely consumes the prior one and steals your attention. It's a really attractive way of starting the show imo.
There are three that really stand out to me:
Plastic Memories: a truly perfect first episode, we meet our cast and learn about their motivations and where the story is going, and you will be bawling by the end as the show reveals just how sad it's going to be
Revue Starlight: the intro to this world of stage girls engaging in an underground fight club really hooks you, wakarimasu
SukaSuka: just the very first *scene* before the title card even pops up should be enough to hook anyone on this show
There are some other great first episodes that Arkada has of course talked about before as well like Kabaneri and No Game No Life.
This video has the most perfectly placed ads! All are nicely positioned between episodes.
Hello, yes, can we talk about D.gray-man? The first episode, with its dark, mysterious atmosphere, quickly shows us what our heroes will deal with. Allen is a capable character from the start, as we meet him after he started his training to be an exorcist and on his way to the Order. The mystery mixes with comedy, the infodump makes sense as it's explained to outsiders. I think it's a well-paced and solid first episode, that shows you what you will get if you start watching the series.
@a b it did and it makes me sad as heck, because it deserves love. There are 20-sth filler episodes, so I'd say that, given how rampant fillering was back then I'd say that DGM got off easily enough. I've read somewhere, that some of them were adaptations of novels? My main problem is that watching DGM right after reading the manga makes up for a frustrating experience, as many things get slightly changed, it's nothing that would alter the main story but the details get scrambled...
@a b I've never finished the anime, but since I finished the manga (or what is out rn) I'm rewatching it with the intent of finally finishing, but anime mixes up a bit of the chronology (for example allen regained sight in his eye during the fight with Krory, not before, although the anime backpedaled and blinded him once again xD) or ramps up certain antics of characters (Cross) and from what I've seen in the snippets of Hallow they mix up what character does what. Johnny, in the manga, was the one talking with Allen on that ship, not Lavi. It ended after Allen left the Black Order, Kanga drank Mugen etc, right? So that would be... somewhere at the beginning of 23rd volume... I'd say till chapter 208, so there are 30 chapters not adapted. You would have some Allen, Kanda, Johnny shenanigans in trying to avoid Apocryphos and The Black Order and some crisis regarding the 14th... (yeah, saying it moves at a snail's pace is to put it mildly... a chapter every 3 months, or at least that how it should be I think)
Mushishi: First you get introduced to the beautiful landscapes the show has to offer and suddenly you are already seeing that there are mysterious things happening in the world. On top of that you get to see how knowledgeable and willing to help the main character is and how relaxing the overall atmosphere in the show is. I instantly wanted to watch more after the first episode.
Girls Und Panzer: First episode starts with a bang showing the viewer some of the tank combat and then the show suddenly changes to a what seems like an ordinary school day. The characters get introduced and you get to see that the main character has some worries of her own regarding the tank activities. As the episode ends there comes the zoom out that reveals the massive air craft carrier that has an entire city on it and it makes you wonder what kind of crazy show is this.
Those two came up to my mind first, I'm sure I could come up with more if I wanted to spend more time thinking but I'm sure someone else has those covered.
The first episode of Psycho Pass was really amazing. Really hooked me in.
Horizon in the middle of nowhere has one of my favorite first episodes
As much as people hate on the series, personally, I think Tokyo Ghoul's first episode really sold me on the show(until it started to decline in quality). The world is full of terrifying ghouls that resemble and act just like humans. Kaneki just wanted to do something as ordinary as going on a date with a beautiful woman, that woman turns out to be a deadly ghoul that wants to eat him, then they get crushed by steal beams and her organs get transferred into his body which turns him into a ghoul. Afterwards, we get a glimpse of the struggle of being a ghoul in this world and all the hardships they go through to survive in this twisted reality. If that doesn't make you want to keep watching the series(at least reading it cuz the anime is pretty meh), then I don't know what will.
March comes in like a lion.
Beautiful aesthetic, beautiful soundtrack, clear characters, clear character struggles defined, cute cats that talk.
Great op and ed. immediate hook from the first few words of dialogue into silence leaving us on that hook whilst the environment tells us about the main character, all the way until the middle of the first half with three words then some how almost immediately see saws into wholesomeness without giving much whip lash. The balance it pulls off in the first episode is fantastic.
Psycho pass.
Brilliant world setup, thematic questions and ideas posed quickly, pondered and a first answer is given by akane. And akane will still have to question the choice makes later. Also quick tangent but people keep saying akane makes a good choice in the end, NO SHE DONT. She just passes off the responsibility of the choice onto someone else and fails makishimas test again lacking the conviction to do anything, which got yuki killed. She failed , this isn't me criticising the writing just people's occasional reading of it. Tangent over. Abnormalize is a great track. Colour design is fitting all the environments really nicely.
Deltora quest
And here goes my credibility, I just enjoy this episode having grown up with the books.
Code geass
Immediate setup before the op even starts thru a short enough info dump, then we get colors. Strong characterisation of lelouch in the first episode and hook of a supernatural element coming into play.
What I'd really like to see is a list of the best THIRD episodes in anime. Studios are aware of the 3-episode test now, and they often seem to "hook" the viewer at the end of number three with a cliffhanger or a bangin' scene that makes you want to commit. I put Bunny Girl Sempai and Land of the Lustrous in this category.
Madoka magica needs to be included in this category
Episode 1 of Season 1 of Sword Art Online
I personally do not like SAO as a series. If I tried I could even say that I hated it, as harsh as that sounds. But, I will say that the first episode of this anime was pretty fantastic. That dreadful scene where all of the players are informed that they are trapped in the game- It just has this awesome horror vibe that I just think is SO cool.
If only the rest of the series kept up the quality, which it unfortunately didn't...
1: Steins;Gate :- 1st episode literally starts with philosophy (since the anime itself is based on philosophy), gives many pieces of clues to the viewers later used in anime, is crucial for ending for both Steins;Gate & Steins;Gate 0.
2: Your lie in April:- 1st episode begins with magical piano sound track with amazing spring weather, OP has the spoiler of the end of story, uses black cat & dove as metaphor for Arima(reserved) & Kaori's(free-spirited) nature.
To be honest, in the first viewing Steins Gate first few episodes few like such a drag I almost didn't even finish the series. But it does get immensely better during the series, and on the second viewing you can really appreciate how good the first episode is. But for that reason, I don't feel like it should be considered one of the best first episodes.
@@nightmagister Thats the point, It looks crazy, unclear & feels like it does not belong there but we find out it's the same episode it finishes. Protagonist feels weird & strange moments like Suzuha making cross signal, Makise calling Okabe, etc felt unusual but as soon as the world glitch happened, it started to become intresting. Makise is alive.
For somebody like me who loves clues & thinks overly(& also unnecessarily), I was expecting that this anime might suprise me as soon as Makise told Okabe that he called her by her name.
Steins;Gate feels like the oposite. The first episode is waay too cloged (I had to watch it 5 times before I was able to finish it in one go.... And as good as the series is, it takes 6 Fing episodes to get going, wich is too much for some
@@DungeonBricks Steins;Gate already starts going from the first episode, just because there are no epic fight scenes with swords and big tits doesn't mean it doesn't go anywhere lmao
*SPOILER AHEAD* Steins;Gate's first episode is in a way also the last episode of the first season and the last episode of Zero, and that makes Steins;Gate's first episode very special in its own right.
the first episode of Symphogear GX is by far one of the best first episodes in anime and also one of the craziest in my opinion, i love that intro at the beginning of the episode
Tokyo Ghoul, Erased, Parasyte and Jujutsu Kaisen had really engaging first episode
Yeah
Oh, Tokyo Ghoul, if it had stayed as good as it's first episode it might be the show everyone talks about instead of Attack on Titan...
Hell yeah @ Erased❤️
u damn right
Erased definitely deserves it..
ERASED! Had me hooked instantly, that scene at the end just forced me to click next episode. It set up who satoru is the horrific things that happened in his past his power and then the end happened!!!!
Death note soundtrack still gives me shivers
God, this is nostalgic. I still remember watching your Death Note review. Anime as a medium in general acts as a sort of nostalgia trigger for me, alongside Gameboys, Minecraft, and other stuff. I want to thank you for being a part of getting me into anime. I don't watch it nearly as much as I used to (or games, books, etc., either), but your passion for different shows really influenced what I watched, and so partially because of you, I had countless hours of enjoyment watching anime - something I otherwise might not have done. Without getting then into the butterfly effect of how some shows have impacted me, you were one of the content creators along the studios themselves that exposed me to so many things and concepts and views through anime.
Sorry if this comment is a paragraph and a half. I have trouble expressing myself sometimes and really wanted to convey how much I appreciate your content. So, in summation:
Thank you. And stay frosty.
Of all the shows that I have watched, I think Yu Yu Hakusho's first episode is as good as it gets.
SPOILERS:
- opening your show with your MC dying is very effective in hooking the viewer to see what comes next
- the first half in general did a great job in characterizing him (Keiko and Kuwabara get some too) by showing how a usual day for Yusuke looks like, how his life in general be like, how people react to him, how he reacts to them, etc.
- the second half is then set after his death showing you the reaction and consequences of his death with some strong emotional scenes (funeral) and how it changes Yusuke's perception of the people around him
- the eps. ends in a way that makes you interested in how it continues
I was looking for someone of this same opinon! I love Yu Yu Hakusho’s first ep!
Agreed, I don't know if this would be the "best", but it is effective for sure.
Hyouka has a great fist episode from what I remember.
This was a very good list. If I had to throw an Honorable Mention (partly due to nostalgia) is Yu Yu Hakusho. In the first episode I already felt for the Main Character and was genuinely interested in how the story was going to go.
YES THE FIRST EPISODE STILL MAKES ME CRY, EVEN AFTER WATCHING IT 20 YEARS AFTER THE FIRST VIEWING 😭😭😭❤️
Absolutely! I always cry when I re-watch the first episode. Brilliant first episode for sure!
It's not nostalgia at all!! It's one of the best anime episodes ever.
Code Geass had an amazing first episode. It introduces the main characters and the plot as well as showcasing the intricacies of its world.
I gotta admit, a video about episode ones from the guy behind “the ending is paramount” caught me by surprise.
You’re missing the big picture lol
1. Evangelion - already mentioned, but absolutely amazing still. The worldbuilding, the despair, all the fuckery, absolutely amazing.
2. Erased - Great set up during the episode for the series to come, the final twist in particular is absolutely amazing.
3. Akame ga Kill - The anime has a lot of problems, but the first episode is absolutely amazing. It starts as your average adventure, but twists all the expectations and don't get shy about how gruesome it can be (too bad they forced it too much during the series).
4. Gundam SEED - It is simply fantastic, it sets up the sides of war, the characters, the gundams and main storyline. It introduces the conflict between Kira and Athrun, and its ending is extremelly thrilling.
I absolutely agree with akame ga kill. I loved so much that episode and the three or four that followed it, that the rest of the anime being mediocre genuinely stressed me.
Whenever someone asks me what my favorite first episode of anime is, I always have two answers: Psycho-Pass and Samurai Champloo.
Psycho-Pass just shines in its execution. It introduces our world, our main ensemble cast, and the moral questions that drive the themes of the show, while also having time to show off the fun and games of the series and hooking the viewer in with what’s going to happen next.
Samurai Champloo is also just a flawlessly executed formula. I’ve never seen a show be so complete right from the jump. We understand our three main characters and their motivations right away, we get to see some awesome sword fighting action, and we’re curious about whether or not they’ll ever reach their goal. The rest of the series follows the first episode’s formula to a tee because it just works so well.
Anyways, those are my two picks :)
I actually think the better episode is the 2nd; it personally was very hard to connect with anything in the first episode throw at you like that. I actually dropped it at the start, and some weeks later tried the 2nd, which hooked me. People really see things differently 😅
Then again, I think Suzumiya Haruhi has the best first episode (the filming attempt), so my judgment might be not to be trusted 😖
I love Psycho Pass. Its my fourth favorite anime. But I actually dropped it after the first episode. Its a really bad introduction imo. The standalone nature of the first episode and the fact its basically one long chase scene made me think it was just gonna be a generic police procedural with a different action set piece each week. It wasnt until I saw Ark's review for the show a year later that I got intriguef again and actually devided to watch beyond episode 1. Episode 2 I thought was much better but it still wasnt until ep4 that I actually got hooked.
@@tardifan EXACTLY my thoughts on episode one! The gory shock value in the show puts me off. The second was the one that gave me hopes. Is the 4th the virtual reality one? If so, then no surprised there.
@@waltworks8389 Yup. Its the one that properly introduces Makishima and gives a clear indication of where the story is going to go. And yes its also the one with "Spoooky Booogie"
A few really solid first episodes off the top of my head: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, The Promised Neverland, Kaiba, Monster, Terror in Resonance, Hakumei to Mikochi, Violet Evergarden.