From Dragon Ball Z to Demon Slayer, Fans Reveal the Gateway Anime That Hooked Them for Life
What was your gateway anime? Fans across social media are swapping origin stories, from Saturday-morning staples like Pokémon and Sailor Moon to streaming juggernauts Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer—reigniting the debate over which series hooks first-timers now.
Anime is not just having a moment; it is everywhere. The latest proof: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is shattering box office records in Japan and pulling big crowds in the US. And while that is happening, fans are over on Reddit comparing notes about the first show that dragged them into the anime rabbit hole.
One comment kicked the whole thing off with a sentiment I think a lot of people share:
"Everyone has that first anime that completely hooked them and opened the door to the whole world of anime. For me, it was Death Note: the tension, the mind games, and the unique story just pulled me in and I couldn't stop watching."
From there, the replies basically turned into a greatest-hits playlist. Death Note came up again and again. No shocker. The usual juggernauts followed (also no shocker), plus a few other modern classics that always seem to turn casual viewers into lifers.
- Death Note (mentioned repeatedly)
- Demon Slayer
- Dragon Ball Z
- Pokemon
- Naruto
- Kill la Kill
- One Piece
- Attack on Titan
- Evangelion
- Sword Art Online
- Your Name
It is basically the starter pack for getting hooked: accessible, high-drama, and in most cases wildly entertaining. If you came in through any of those, you are in good company.
Back to Infinity Castle: it is still in theaters, and the ongoing momentum is another sign that anime is not niche anymore. It is mainstream, full stop. We gave the film four stars, and our verdict was pretty clear:
"Despite a frustrating structure, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle storms past Mugen Train to become the series' gold standard - all thanks to another animation masterclass by Ufotable and a gripping, peril-filled story simmering with personal resentment and touching backstories."
If you are already caught up on Infinity Castle and need your next fix, I have a lineup of new anime worth tracking that should keep your watchlist busy.