Having been doing the reviewing gig when it comes to anime in particular since 1998, it’s safe to say as we close in on fifteen years that there’s little that we won’t watch. While there are things we prefer over others, one of the best things I’ve discovered about “forcing” myself to watch everything that comes through is that I can discover things I would not have seen otherwise because I wouldn’t watch a genre like that. Some things come and go with what’s appealing, especially when life throws things at you. Sometimes when you’re in a rocky relationship moment or single, you certainly aren’t keen on watching romances. Sometimes you just don’t want to get into something in particular for awhile for no reason. But the real question is, what’s off limits for you? What will you absolutely not bring yourself to watch because the genre or style simply doesn’t do anything for you at all? Most people tend to throw porn/hentai into that realm, but even there we’ve discovered a number of shows that are simply amazing, beautiful and heartwarming that could easily change opinions if given the chance.
So first, let’s look at the main two categories of answers:
1. I watch everything. (Note: watching everything does not make your superior.)
2. I will watch anything. (Doesn’t mean everything, just that I have no limits to the types of shows I will watch.)
Those two are certainly interesting ones as especially with anime, you have fans that will watch every show that hits every season and devour it. I’d do that if I didn’t have to spend the time writing about them too! Taking those folks out of the equation though, there are plenty of genres that people will avoid. One of the folks on staff handily wrote up a fun little breakdown of them with some colorful commentary. Do you fall into any of these that are off limits?
3. No hentai. Tentacles, “step”-sisters, “23-year-olds” who look 12. No thanks, sickos.
4. No giant robots. They’re all just bad informercials for toys and model kits anyway.
5. No slice of life shows. BORING. Watching people sit around talking…that’s entertainment?
6. No harem romantic comedies. If the guy cannot make up his mind while surrounded by beautiful babes…he might as well cut it off, since he’s not using it anyway. That’s if he had a pair to begin with.
7. No shounen action shows. Please tell me again why I need to watch 5 episodes just to see a single fight between two characters who do nothing but yell at each other?
8. No kiddie shows. I mean, c’mon, isn’t it supposed to be right that I stop watching shows for 10-year-olds when I’m 26?
9. No horror shows. Cartoon ghosts and cartoon serial killers just don’t scare me.
10. No sports shows. See above on shounen action shows.
11. No space shows. If there is something worse that cartoon ghosts and cartoon robots it’s cartoon space ships, filled with boring, two-dimensionals attempts at personalities.