Don't Quit These 6 Anime after First Episode

First episodes don’t always reflect an anime’s full potential. Some series start slow, focusing on world-building or character introductions before diving into the real action. Others may seem confusing or underwhelming at first but later reveal deep storytelling or emotional payoffs.

If you’ve ever dropped an anime after just one episode, you might have missed out on something great. This list highlights 6 anime that deserve more than a single-episode chance. Give them time, and you’ll see why they’re worth watching.

6. Erased

Time Leaps That Mend Broken Hearts

Erased opens with Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist, who possesses the unique ability to “rewind” time just before a disaster occurs, allowing him to prevent it. It’s an intriguing premise, but don’t let the first episode’s seemingly slow pacing fool you, there’s so much more to the plot that unfolds brilliantly.

After the shocking murder of his mother, Satoru finds himself thrown 18 years into the past, back to his elementary school days, where he must solve a string of kidnappings that were never fully resolved. The first episode might seem like it’s only setting up the story, but it’s actually laying the groundwork for an emotional rollercoaster. The stakes grow higher with each passing episode as Satoru navigates the complexities of time travel, loss, and the fight for justice.

5. Terror in Resonance

The Symphony Behind The Chaos

Terror in Resonance introduces viewers to a Japan rocked by terrorist attacks orchestrated by two teenagers who go by the aliases Nine and Twelve. The first episode presents them as cold, calculating individuals planting bombs in a government building, potentially painting them as straightforward villains.

Stick around beyond this initial setup and you’ll discover one of the most nuanced examinations of trauma, government corruption, and the cost of genius in anime. The show’s director, Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop fame, deliberately sets up these characters in ambiguous moral territory before peeling back their layers to reveal the tragic circumstances that shaped them.

Skipping past this series after only one episode would mean overlooking an intriguing examination of how society deals with gifted children and the repercussions of governmental experiments. Given its compact 11-episode length, it’s an ideal weekend viewing that will keep you pondering its ideas well beyond the end.

4. Migi and Dali

Twins, Lies, And Family Ties

Migi and Dali introduces viewers to what appears to be a charming story about a young boy named Hitori being adopted by the kindly Sonoyama couple. The premiere episode sets up what seems like a simple premise of a child finding a new loving home with adoptive parents. But this pleasant facade hides one of the most intricately crafted mysteries in recent anime.

What the first episode only subtly hints at is that “Hitori” is actually identical twin brothers Migi and Dali, who take turns playing the role of a single child. Their seemingly innocent adoption conceals a much darker motive, they’ve returned to Origon Village to solve their mother’s murder from years ago, with only a distinctive snowflake button as their sole clue.

The true brilliance of this Geek Toys and CompTown production emerges gradually as layers of deception peel away. While the initial episode presents the twins’ secret identity as the main twist, it’s merely the first thread in an increasingly complex tapestry of family secrets, hidden identities, and buried truths. The show transforms from a quirky premise into a psychological thriller that continually subverts expectations.

3. Your Lie in April

A Song of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

If the title alone doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, the opening episode surely will. Your Lie in April introduces us to Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy who has lost his ability to hear the sound of the piano following his mother’s death. It’s a melancholic premise, and the early episode might seem like it’s about a young boy moping around in a world full of colorless music.

However, stay with it. The story shifts from Kousei’s internal struggles to his encounters with the vibrant, violin-playing Kaori, whose free-spirited personality brings life back into his world. What seems like a simple romance initially soon blossoms into a profound exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the emotional healing that music can bring.

The show beautifully blends music with raw emotions, and by the end of the first few episodes, you’ll see the layers of the plot unfold in a way that makes each note resonate deeply with you. Don’t quit after the first episode, you’ll miss out on one of the most emotionally gripping stories of growth, love, and loss.

2. Black Bullet

Monsters Aren’t the Only Thing to Fear

In Black Bullet, humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a virus that turns humans into monstrous creatures called Gastrea. The world’s survival hinges on young girls known as “Promoters,” who possess the ability to fight these creatures.

In the opening episode, you’ll be introduced to the essentials: a dystopian society precariously balanced, with the Promoters standing as humanity’s final salvation. Yet, it isn’t until the narrative unfolds that you truly grasp the complexity and darkness of the political machinations, witness the intricate character growth, and uncover the grim truths of life in a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Keep watching as Black Bullet’s plot thickens with each episode, seamlessly integrating action, suspense, and potent themes of sacrifice and loyalty. Once you’ve moved past the initial episodes, you’ll comprehend why this series stands out from other apocalyptic narratives.

1. Id: Invaded

Solving Murders Inside a Killer’s Mind

Id proposes an intriguing idea from the get-go – a sophisticated technology that allows detectives to delve into the minds of suspects to crack cases. The first episode may initially perplex you as it establishes the convoluted universe of “The Id Well”, the psychological terrain of a criminal’s mind.

But as the story continues, the pieces slowly come together. The protagonist, Akihito Narihisago, is a brilliant but troubled detective who must face not just the criminals’ minds, but his own. The story delves into the concept of identity, trauma, and the idea of justice in a world that blurs the lines between right and wrong.

What makes Id: Invaded unique is the way it combines mystery with psychological horror. It’s a gripping experience that takes time to unfold, and quitting after just the first episode means you’ll miss out on the mind-bending twists and turns.

2025-03-18 01:42

Don’t Quit These 6 Anime after First Episode