So few weeks ago I got the chance to attend Anime North, one of the biggest cons to focus almost entirely on Japanese animation, comics and culture. Back in March I was musing about my love of conventions, and Anime North is one of my favorites. This con is fan-run, covers a variety of topics, is 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly and accommodating of various disabilities, and it’s just a great time regardless of how big an anime fan you are.

But here’s the thing about me and anime/manga. I’m definitely a fan… but I’m not a huge fan, at least not compared to some. Chances are if you ask me if I’ve seen a series, the answer is no. Attack on Titan? Nope. My Hero Academia? Nope. Jujutsu Kaisen? Watched the first couple of episodes but nothing else yet. It’s tricky when I’m talking to other anime fans who are so eager to gush about their favorites and I have very few points of reference.

Also I have yet to see a single Miyazaki film. Yes, I hang my head in shame.

But I do consider myself a fan. I find Japanese culture itself very interesting, and I have always been a pop culture history nerd. The history of how anime and manga started in Japan, how it influenced the nation and it’s people, and how it branched out to so many other parts of the world is endlessly fascinating. When I was growing up anime and manga were tough to find, limited to special collections in video stores, or late-night screenings of certain movies on the Space channel, or badly dubbed VHS tapes or fan translations of print, or localized series on TV if the stations could get the rights to it. Now? So many options; streaming services, apps, library collections, merchandise, fans all around the world and massive conventions.

So as a casual fan, what are my big but random entry points in this medium? (Not genre, because anime and manga cover ALL the genres, just in it’s own medium. Important distinction.)

Sailor Moon Crystal. I watched the 90s Sailor Moon as a teen and though I was weirded out by some of the animation at the time it was still a seminal show from my childhood. Usagi/Serena/Sailor Moon was the Magical Girl to really give the genre global exposure and to forever define what it meant for girls to wear pretty dresses but also kick butt when needed. And as much as the original series will always have a place in my heart, I’m going to give today’s shoutout to the more recent remake Sailor Moon Crystal.

Why? Because as much as older anime series are beloved by audiences, there is one aspect of them that can grate. Filler. An anime is often based on source material, mostly manga, and the show sometimes runs out of source material. So while they wait for more, they create episodes to tide everyone over. While not all filler is bad, some of it pushes patience. Crystal trims a lot of that out while using stunning animation to do so. Check both out and see which one you like better.

Black Butler: This is the show I credit for getting me back into the anime medium as an adult. Set in Victorian England, this is a gothic, creepy, mysterious and intriguing tale with occasional humor and silliness thrown in. It very much appeals to the goth side of my heart.

The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, a 12-year-old boy who is also an Earl, inheriting the title after the tragic death of his parents. Ciel was presumed dead as well, but he miraculously returned to his estate, but sporting an eyepatch and with a tall, mysterious butler in tow. This is Sebastian Michaelis, who is Ciel’s shadow and seems perfect at handling every situation and meticulous in his tasks as a butler. Maybe a little too perfect and meticulous. Because Ciel has since taken up the dangerous side-job for the queen his father did, and Sebastian is something other than human…

And those are just two of the characters. This is a rich world, with overarching stories but also insular chapters you can dive into. Props to both Book of Circus and Book of the Atlantic.

Yuri on Ice. It’s hard to explain how huge this show was among anime, ice skating and 2SLGBTQIA+ fans when it was released back in 2016.

This series follows Yuri Katsuki, a pro figure skater for Japan unsure of his next steps after a setback. A video taken of him redoing a routine from famous Russian skater Victor Nikiforov makes its way back to Victor online, and he agrees to be Yuri’s new coach. The two work together, alongside up and coming rebellious Russian skater Yuri Plisetsky (yes, there are two Yuri’s on ice), to compete in the Grand Prix Final among other friends and fellow global figures in the figure skating community.

This show struck a huge chord with professional figure skaters, fans of skating, fans of sports anime and just fans in general. I used to figure skate as a kid, so it was great seeing the routines on screen here beautifully animated after being choreographed by real skaters. But it’s the relationship between Yuri K and Victor that had many viewers tuning in. While the show doesn’t come right out and say it, it’s heavily implied that the two are more than just friends and fellow skaters, and how that all unfolds is sweet, earnest and very watchable.

(And, as this post is being released on Canada day, have to give a shoutout to Jean-Jacques Leroy, aka JJ, the Canadian figure skater on the show. He has his own theme song and everything. No, really.)

I’ll also suggest Bungo Stray Dogs, Spy X Family, Moriarty the Patriot, Twisted Wonderland and One Piece.

So if you haven’t had a chance to really check out the medium, take a look. You may be surprised at what you find. I certainly was.

And you can help answer the eternal question: subs or dubs?