Top 10 Greatest First Episodes in Anime

“Death Note” (2006-07)

Every deity has its genesis, and in the case of the God of the New World known as Kira, his stemmed from when a Shinigami’s notebook fell from above and landed before him. Not only do we get to meet Ryuk and learn a little of the nature of the Death Note, but it’s the perfect introduction to Light Yagami’s character; one of great intelligence, growing ego, and an unshakeable belief that his ideology is truly for the betterment of the world. The cat and mouse game with L may not have started, but it was one hell of a way to build-up to one of its key players.

“Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96)

Who could forget the first time that Shinji got in the robot? While not as philosophically hefty as its later episodes, this was still quite the action-packed, angel-smashing episode. You’ve got the sinister yet gorgeous opening shot that sees Sachiel swimming under the submerged city, afterimages of Rei lurking just outside Shinji’s view, Gendo’s asshole parenting 101, not to mention EVA-Unit 01 making it’s debut. Throw in the odd sprinkling of thematic, Christian iconography and the growing mystery surrounding SEELE and there is more enough here to get you hooked.

“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” (2006-07)

Mecha, oppressed masses, classism, and one vengeful young man who gains an all-controlling pair of peepers. While the full breadth of Britannia’s atrocities and prejudice wouldn’t be felt until much later, this opening episode serves as an excellent set up for Lelouch’s new path from cloistered noble all the way to radical, masked rebel. We still get chills as we see him unlock the Geass, and issues his first deathly command against the royal dogs. Hot damn.

“Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” (2000-04)

Aka, how to take a children’s card game and turn it into the most epic sporting event that will sadly never be made into a reality. Sure, the whole thing is kind of bonkers, especially since without context, within the space of a single episode, we meet Yugi with his impossible hair, his transformation into an apparent older version of himself with way more swag and equally impossible hair, holographic monsters fighting it out, the logic-defying heart of the cards, not to mention that duel-ending twist where Yugi traumatises Kaiba by summoning Exodia. It’s utter chaos for newcomers, and we love it!

“Berserk” (1997-98)

There’s a duality to this opening that’s as dark as it is brilliant. When we first meet Guts, he slices a man in half with the biggest sword you’ve ever seen, all to protect a group of terrified civilians, before declaring himself as the Black Swordsman, and promptly heading off to slice apart the demon snakeman masquerading as the town’s leader. It’s bloody, it’s intriguing, Guts’ ferocity and unwavering drive to destroy his hellish foes is on full display…and the potency of it all isn’t clear until we learn what went down with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk. By itself, its all kind of gory fun, but in hindsight, it's hauntingly magnificent.

“Gurren Lagann” (2007)

Gurren Lagann wasted no time in grabbing our attention with it’s opening teaser, setting the stage for the grand epic to come. The rest of the episode is dedicated to Simon and Kamina’s origins as they find themselves roped into the war with the beastmen. You’ve got crazy mecha action, Kamina showing off his endearing charisma, all that Yoko goodness and a weird fascination with drills. Why wouldn’t we keep watching?

“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99)

We’re not sure it’s possible for Spike Spiegel’s debut to be cooler than what we got. Hunting down a desperate, drugged up bounty, the brief yet tragic relation he builds up with said bounty’s misguided lover, the sensational soundtrack, the chase scene across the asteroid colony, that kick-ass fight scene between Spike and Asimov, the bitter ending, all of it culminates into one smooth ride that could only have come from having the Space Cowboy at the helm. Great, now we need to go binge it all again.

“Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80)

Before everyone and their grandparents had a Gundam to their name, we had Amuro and the RX-78. No mecha siege war like in Iron-Blooded Orphans, no Gunpla battles like in Build Fighters, no time-travelling Char clone like in Unicorn, just one desperate kid who randomly finds himself piloting an experimental Mobile Suit in order to save his fellow Space Colonists from extermination. It may not be the flashiest giant robot fight every put to animation compared to something like Thunderbolt, but the RX-78 clashing beam sabers with the Zaku is still arguably one of the most iconic scenes in classic anime!

“Naruto” (2002-07)

All legendary ninja need to start from somewhere. Introduced as nothing more than a prankster with an impossible dream, Naruto’s character was one presented to us in equal parts comedy and tragedy, given his isolated childhood, unaware that he was a vessel for the Nine Tailed Fox. This sudden revelation leads the way to Naruto taking the first step towards achieving that impossible dream - unlocking his signature technique of Shadow Clone Jutsu, saving his teacher, whooping a traitor shinobi’s ass, and earning his headband in the space of one night.

“Pokémon” (1997-)

Say what you will about the longevity of the series and the perpetual burnout, there is no getting away from the fact this first episode introduced us to Ash, Pikachu and the world of Pokemon. It cemented itself as one of the most recognised, nostalgic and beloved anime episodes to date. You tend not to forget the first time you saw a little yellow mouse light up the sky with electricity, scorching a horde of killer birds to protect his eternal ten year old trainer from being pecked to death. What a walk down memory lane. Oh, and Gary’s in it too.