Which anime would you recommend to your parents?

In a recent discussion thread on a well-known Reddit forum, members debated which anime series they could recommend to their parents. The conversation revealed a variety of opinions on what characteristics a series should have to appeal to a larger audience and why this demographic might be interested in anime.

One of the main features mentioned was the need for mature and complex plots. Users noted that series with deep, well-developed stories, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, family, and self-improvement, are more likely to resonate with a larger audience. These plots can connect emotionally with parents, who can appreciate a rich and nuanced narrative.

In addition, the importance of proper narrative pacing was highlighted. Series with a leisurely pace and progressive evolution of characters and story tend to be more appealing to older people, who might not be used to the fast-paced, frenetic style of many modern anime productions. A calmer and more thoughtful development allows for greater immersion in the story and characters, facilitating a deeper connection with the content.

Realism in characters and situations was also a key point in the debate. Forum users agreed that series that feature well-developed characters and believable situations, even if they are set in fantastical worlds, are more likely to capture the interest of parents. Relatable characters, who face real challenges and emotions, help create a bridge between the viewer and the story.

Finally, accessibility and ease of understanding the cultural context are crucial aspects. Series that manage to present elements of Japanese culture in an accessible and understandable way, without requiring in-depth prior knowledge, may be more appealing to parents. This includes a proper balance between the exotic and the familiar, allowing older viewers to enjoy the content without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

"My parents are in their 50s, Dad likes action while my mom likes romance and suspense. They asked my brother about Shingeki no Kyojin and he said they wouldn't like it. They want to watch something longer, so nothing like a 12-24 episode anime. Something they can finish watching without having to wait for another season. The choice was Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood."
"My parents loved watching Odd Taxi."
"They better start with a movie, like Mononoke Hime."
"Monster is the perfect choice."
"Tokyo Godfathers, Your Name, SPY x FAMILY, Nodame Cantabile, Violet Evergarden, Cowboy Bebop, Silver Spoon, Erased, any of those would work."
"I showed my dad a few episodes of HUNTER x HUNTER and he loved them."
"Odd Taxi is definitely a good choice."
"I would choose SPY x FAMILY, without a doubt."
"Unfortunately, the length requirement will limit your options, because the vast majority of anime are made with between 12 and 24 episodes; It's a different beast than American network television, and I've seen people recommend stellar series that unfortunately don't follow that rule."
"If the number of episodes is higher, chances are it's something that's defied the production climate to have multiple seasons, or one of the older Shonen titles geared toward younger teens. You also won't have much of a chance of finding a romance that isn't a mere subplot."
"Violet Evergarden. It's one of the most beautiful anime of all time in terms of visuals, and its story is pretty easy to follow. From what I've seen on the internet, episode 10 is always a hit with parents."
"Akira and Ghost in the Shell (1995) were made specifically to appeal to audiences outside of Japan, so I think they're both good 'get your feet wet' movies. Also, any Hayao Miyazaki movie is good. He usually makes movies for specific genres and ages, so you can choose the movies that you think will appeal most to your parents. He's considered one of the great filmmakers (of cinema in general, not just animation)."
"My mom (60) has always known that I watch anime, but she's never gotten to watch a full season of anything. Recently, his group of friends watched My Happy Marriage (I guess because it was on the cover of NFC). It would never have occurred to me to recommend it to him, but he loved it, so that's it."
"My 60-year-old parents enjoyed Attack on Titan. I didn't show it to him until the end. But they liked it. They also liked Parasyte. They also enjoyed the live action of Death Note, much to my dismay. So I couldn't convince them to watch the anime version. They liked Your Name or A Silent Voice. I don't remember which one they saw. But I recommended both of them."
"The best would be Cowboy bebop, mature setting and storytelling."
"Legend of Galactic Heroes".
"I'm in my 50s and I was introduced to Space Battleship Yamato/Star Blazers and the superrobot wave of the late '70s and early '80s when I grew up in New England, where a lot of anime was distributed (that's why I loved Bravern last season). This was actually a pretty common (and nostalgic) experience for Gen X and could influence their initial preferences."
"Odd Taxi and Psycho-Pass could be good starters for your parents if they're starting from scratch. Frieren also hits differently when you're older (and has all the things your parents are looking for)."
"Cowboy Bebop was my gateway drug. It's heavily inspired by American and Western media, so it should be an easy entry point, but it also has its own unique flavor that shows what anime can be in its own right. To this day it's still my favorite anime, although I understand that it doesn't look much like the current anime. The anime of the 90s had a different air. Gunsmith Cats is another good '90s action anime that could serve as an introduction. Studio Ghibli is also always a safe bet."
"Pluto. I don't have words to describe that series."
"Perhaps Steins; Gate or Death Note? Potentially Code Geas. While the first two aren't classic action, watching them with a friend who also doesn't usually watch anime, we coined the term 'spoken action' for them, as every conversation is like a fast-paced strategic battle."
"Natsume Yuujinchou".
"You could teach them Dororo. I personally love the remake and it's complete with no loose ends."
"A decade ago, my mother and I were penniless and shared an apartment. I asked him to use the TV to watch anime and decided to put on JoJos Bizarre Adventure, Season 1, Episode 1. My mother was hooked right away. I think the setting of the first season is very accessible to those who don't watch anime, and it makes it easy to enter the absurdity of later seasons."