It can often be tricky to get your significant other into anime. Many people who haven't watched anime before harbor some seriously weird misconceptions about the genre, and refuse to watch anime on principle alone. Others are willing to try a particularly acclaimed series, but still approach the show with a skeptical eye. If you want your loved one to actually come away liking anime, the first series you expose them to must be carefully chosen.
Luckily, there is a wide range of anime for your girlfriend, boyfriend, or non-binary date to try out. Within the medium, different shows span a variety of moods and genres, which means that most people can find a show that relates to their outside interests. If you're not pushy, and remember to keep your partner's preferences in mind, hopefully the two of you will have a great time exploring anime as a couple.
Even if your significant other isn't into anime, there's a good chance that they've at least heard of Fullmetal Alchemist. Luckily, the story of the Elric brothers' quest to get their bodies back is engrossing enough to live up to the hype that surrounds the series.
While many fans would start by showing their partner the 2003 version of the show, the updated, considerably more manga-faithful Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood might be a better choice if you want to guide your sweetheart towards a recently released series.
If your significant other is into superheroes, My Hero Academia is a great first anime for them to check out. In the show, Izuku Midoriya is one of the few people to be born without a "quirk" (AKA a superpower), but he's determined to become a superhero anyway. When he meets his idol, All Might, he's suddenly given the chance he's been waiting for.
The show is accessible to non-anime fans who are familiar with Marvel and DC, while also doing an excellent job of showcasing what's great about shonen anime.
If your date is into psychological thrillers, ERASED is a great entry point into anime. In the show, Satoru Fujinuma is sent backwards in time to prevent his classmate Kayo Hinazuki from being brutally murdered. The story is filled with high-tension encounters that leave viewers wondering who is behind Kayo's death, and whether Satoru will succeed in saving her. At only 12 episodes long, it's the perfect show to binge-watch over the weekend.
My Love Story!! is one of the most adorable romance anime in existence, which is why it's a great show to watch with your significant other. The show's protagonist Takeo Gouda is so utterly smitten with his girlfriend Rinko Yamato that it's impossible not to root for them. Not only will this series show your significant other how heartwarming and funny anime can be, your viewing is bound to end with a shared feeling of romantic bliss.