Which anime left you most impacted?

Recently, a debate on the popular comment forum Reddit has captured the attention of the otaku community. The question that has generated a wave of responses is: "What is that anime that left you in shock?" This theme has opened a Pandora's box, revealing a variety of opinions and personal experiences that reflect the profound and often unexpected impact anime can have on its viewers.

The discussion began when a user threw in the question, prompting others to share the anime that had deeply impacted them. Within hours, the thread was filled with responses, with users detailing their experiences and the reasons behind the shock they experienced. Commentary ranged from unexpected plot accounts, surprising plot twists, and devastating emotional scenes, to moments of deep introspection and philosophical questioning.

The diversity of opinions in the thread highlighted how anime, with its vast range of genres and narrative styles, can resonate in unique ways with different individuals. Some users mentioned that they were surprised by the emotional intensity of certain anime, while others pointed out that it was the dark themes and unexpected developments that really blew them away. The discussion also touched on topics such as graphic violence, psychological exploration, and tragic outcomes, which many considered key factors in their experience of shock.

"School-Live! was randomly recommended in a Reddit comment, so I saw it completely blind. I watched all 12 episodes in one sitting. I highly recommend watching only the first episode without any clue or context to see if you like it. Start slow, but give it a chance."
"Fullmetal Alchemist during that chimera episode. I saw it during my early adolescence. It was so disturbing that I was a little traumatized."
"Higurashi. There were times when I had to pause a little bit and take a break until the next day to continue."
"Shinsekai Yori comes to mind immediately."
"Just Odd Taxi, for being like a really good anime. I watched it at a time when I was just watching so much trash anime. It reminded me that anime can be really good."
"Made in Abyss".
"I think Steins; Gate had a great impact on viewers."
"Akame ga Kill, because what happened in the end?"
"Happy Sugar Life".
"Monster. I literally couldn't sleep through the night after watching the last episode."
"Devilman Crybaby really made me think deeply."
"Perfect Blue was shocking to me."
"To Your Eternity: The First Episode hits very hard, it could be almost a standalone anime on its own, and the following episodes are really heartbreaking, although unfortunately it then wanes a bit."
"Banana Fish. I entered it knowing practically nothing about what was going to happen. I was very surprised by the sudden mention of sexual assault (in a man), CP, the implication of gay romance, and the number of character deaths. It was really sad but I loved it."
"I wouldn't say I was surprised, but I had no expectations about Shangri-La Frontier and I was pleasantly surprised by the anime so much that I devoured the manga as well."
"The first season of The Promised Neverland. That first episode was disturbing."
"School Days for me. The second half is crazy."
"Ninja Kamui. The first fights hit hard. Then it becomes a mediocre mecha anime."
"Attack on Titan. I never saw it because I always thought it was overrated, then I finally saw it and I was so glad I was wrong."
"Your Lie In April, for me it's the most emotional anime I've seen so far."
"91 Days was pretty intense overall, especially the ending that left me completely emotionally unsettled, it felt like everyone lost."
"Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, that part of the sister was like a bloody garbage truck running over me."
"Neon Genesis Evangelion. I honestly thought at the time that this anime was from the mecha fighting genre like Gundam. Seeing it in the '90s was so shocking to me."
"86: Eighty-Six made me reflect on the illogic of racism and the exclusion of people because of their appearance, such as skin color or ancestry. But for some reason it has happened for as long as humanity has existed and it continues to happen today... It only saddens me."
"Gantz was pretty brutal, but before that Fist of the North Star was pretty gory despite the lackluster editing. Genocyber was quite impactful as well."
"Except for Evangelion, the episode that impacted me the most is definitely episode 1 of Goblin Slayer. The series completely changes tone after that, but the first episode... it was engraved in my mind."
"My last experience of that feeling would be with Attack on Titan, during its first seasons when a lot of questions arose about the anime's story, lore, and twists."