How long has it been since you're sat down and treated yourself to a little anime? Whether you've kept up with all the new shows or you're a fan of the old-school favorites, there's one that you should sign yourself up to watch again. Since we know how hard it is to choose, we thought we'd have a little fun helping you decide. During this quiz, we're going to ask you about your love of anime, your personality, and your general watching preferences. By the time you've answered each question honestly, it will be easy for us to figure out the best anime recommendation for you. Will it be an anime that you've already seen a million times, or will your recommendation point you in the direction of something new to you? Grab a few snacks and get ready for a cinematic treat! Let's find out which anime you should watch!
History lesson
Ask your parents which Saturday morning cartoons they watched
The history of Saturday morning cartoons dates back to the early days of television in the 1950s and 1960s when networks began to recognize the potential of children as a lucrative demographic. One of the first successful Saturday morning cartoons was The Ruff and Reddy Show, which premiered on NBC in 1957. This paved the way for a golden era of animation, with iconic shows like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! capturing the hearts and imaginations of audiences across the United States.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Saturday morning cartoons continued to flourish, with the emergence of popular shows such as Super Friends, The Smurfs, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These programs often incorporated valuable life lessons and moral messages, reinforcing positive values and fostering a sense of community among viewers.
One significant trend that emerged during this period was the introduction of cartoons based on popular toy lines, such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. These shows entertained children and served as an effective marketing strategy for toy manufacturers, further solidifying the commercial appeal of Saturday morning cartoons.
As the years progressed, the landscape of Saturday morning cartoons began to evolve with the rise of cable television and the introduction of dedicated children's channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. This shift led to a diversification of animated programming and an increase in the production of anime, or Japanese animated shows, which gained widespread popularity in Western markets.
Anime has played a significant role in the evolution of Saturday morning cartoons, offering a diverse array of genres and themes that cater to a broad audience. From action-packed series like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto to more lighthearted and whimsical shows like Pokémon and Sailor Moon, expanded the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of animation.
One notable feature of anime is its ability to tackle complex and mature themes, often delving into issues such as personal identity, societal expectations, and the nature of human relationships. This has led to the creation of thought-provoking and emotionally resonant shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop" which have garnered widespread acclaim and inspired countless fans.
In recent years, streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu have continued to reshape the landscape of Saturday morning cartoons, allowing viewers to watch their favorite animated shows on demand. This has led to a resurgence in the popularity of classic series and the development of new and innovative programs that push the boundaries of animation.
Quiz Writer
Jake didn’t think he’d become a writer when he was growing up in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, but fate had another idea. After barely squeaking through grade 9 English, by the luck of the draw Jake found himself with the most inspiring literature instructor his small town had ever known, and grade 10 English changed his life! Suddenly, evenings once spent at the hockey rink were spent curled up on the couch with the best of Hemingway, Dickens, and John Grisham. A valedictorian address and English degree at the University of Regina later, Jake is proud to call Heywise his favorite place to pen informative quizzes about all his passion projects. If you’re reading a post and pick up a hint of classic English literature, you’re probably reading something by Jake - especially if you come away feeling like a slightly better person for it.
Did you know?
Anime has a long history... longer than you might think
Although Dragon Ball Z is ranked as the most popular anime series of all time, anime's roots run a lot deeper than the late 80s production. Short of animation, anime started all the way back in 1945 when the first anime, Momotaro: Umi no Shinpei, was released as Japanese war propaganda. Flash forward a couple of decades, and the next big anime series was dubbed into English and released in the United States under the name Astro Boy in 1963. While many people think anime sticks to one basic evil-force fighting trope, it's not true. Each anime varies from romance to drama to action and every other film and TV genre in between. When combined with the incredible talent of anime animators, it's no wonder that so many people love this long-standing tradition. Keep your eyes open, too. There are new anime series popping up all the time.
How to Play?
Our personality quizzes are set up a little differently than your basic trivia quiz, but you’ve probably seen their kind around. Rather than having to choose the right answer from a list of multiple choice options, in this case, there is no “right answer”! (Two plus two will always be four, but every Golden Girls character is equally awesome.)
So, stop stressing. Just click on the answer that suits you best, and enjoy the ride. These quizzes are just for fun but who knows – you might just learn something about yourself along the way!
About Heywise
Get knOwledgeable! Heywise is where entertainment and trivia meet, like a turducken of fun. Anytime. Anywhere. Since 2017, Heywise has been a leader of quizzes on the web, on mobile devices, and across social media.
We explore a broad range of topics – from sports to history, language to pop culture, personality to health. Our quizzes motivate readers to test their knowledge and learn new and exciting facts.
We’re inspired by food and unique destinations around the globe. We love movies and TV shows, but most of all we love having the opportunity to share these passions with you.
Have you ever wondered what color represents your personality? Do you know which Hogwarts House you belong to? Are you a Pessimist or an Optimist? Our unique personality quizzes will help you find out! We want to share the knowledge of all things awesome with you.
We’re the best quiz site on the internet. That might be our opinion, but it’s pure fact that we get up in the morning expressly to share awesome, eye-opening knowledge with you. So, come get your brain pumping.