Wired lists 12 anime for skeptics to try

Anime fans got a powerful new argument for the medium this week when Wired published a list called “The 12 Best Anime to Watch if You Think You Hate Anime,” pairing titles like “March Comes in Like a Lion” and “A Silent Voice” with a simple pitch: these shows can win over even the most skeptical viewers.

Behind the story is a shift in how the Western press talks about animation. Just a decade ago, anime was often dismissed as niche or childish. Streaming services, film festivals and critical praise—think “Spirited Away” winning an Oscar—have quietly changed that. Editors now publish “gateway anime” lists as bridge pieces, helping curious readers cross into a world of 150,000-plus episodes.

The Wired list leans on quiet, human stories: a chess prodigy fighting depression, a former bully seeking redemption. Ratings data from MyAnimeList show these dramas draw older demographics and women at above-average rates, which helps explain why mainstream outlets are finally giving them space. Social media echoes the trend: TikTok and YouTube essays now push these same titles to new audiences daily.

What comes next is a feedback loop. As more gateways succeed, editors will commission deeper lists, festivals will program more anime panels, and streaming algorithms will surface these titles to people who never searched for “subtitles.” For anyone who still thinks anime equals giant robots or schoolgirls, the next click might be the one that changes their mind.