Not every anime series watchthrough is experienced in the same way. Due to how prevalent and vocal the anime community is on the internet, it's pretty common for anime (especially older or ultra-mainstream series) to be spoiled for many unsuspecting potential viewers. This isn't always a problem, of course, as some series manage to still be just as enjoyable even after main plot details have been spoiled.
However, some series feel as if they're specifically designed to be viewed completely blind. That way, every twist and turn of the series can impact and shock the viewer as much as it's meant to. And while this doesn't mean that they aren't fun to go back and re-watch once viewers are aware of any given shows' secrets, it does often ruin the experience for potential new viewers who can't have the coveted experience of going in blind.
Of course... SPOILERS AHEAD!
10 It's Best To Experience Madoka Magica Expecting A Cute, Wholesome Magical Girl Anime
Madoka Magica initially seems like a run-of-the-mill magical girl anime, covering the topics of wishes and friendship. Up until the end of the third episode, it seems as if it's simply going to be a sweet story about Madoka contracting to help ease Homura's burden and Mami's loneliness.
However, fans of the series will know that this is anything but true, and the series hides an incredibly dark interior underneath its cutesy animation style and opening episodes. Being aware of just how dark the show is before one starts sadly takes most of the fun out of the experience.
9 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Can Only Truly Be Experienced Once
If there's one anime that countless fans state they wish they could go back and experience blind once more, it's Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It starts as a simple quest to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone in order to restore Edward and Alphonse's bodies.
It turns into so much more than that, with military corruption, secret alliances, and far too many sacrifices by the time viewers reach endgame. It's an incredibly enjoyable show to re-watch, as the action and relationships never get old, but it doesn't have the same effect if first-time viewers are already spoiled.
8 Attack On Titan Is Meant To Be A Thrilling, Unexpected Rollercoaster Of A Series
Attack On Titan is a series that is absolutely made for a completely blind first-time viewing. After all, for the first large portion of the show, it feels as if the main characters are left in the dark just as much as the viewers.
It's thrilling to try to piece together situations, motivations, and potential outcomes with only the limited knowledge that the main cast of cadets have, while viewers watch them attempt to do the same on-screen. While there are some small spoilers that might not totally ruin the experience, it's definitely not worth it for anyone who's already had the ending and Eren's fate spoiled.
7 The Cat-And-Mouse Game Of Death Note Is Made To Be Viewed Blind
Death Note is another series that feels like it was made to be experienced blind, and for good reason. It's a suspenseful psychological cat-and-mouse game between Light and L... and later, between Light and L's successors.
The series is set up in such a way that the characters often feel several steps ahead of the viewing audience, and fans are then later given all the information they need to catch up. It's an incredibly intriguing style of storytelling that isn't done often and also doesn't feel nearly as impactful if the end result's already been given away.
6 Kakegurui Needs To Be Experienced Blind To Keep The Tense Atmosphere Alive
Kakegurui is an anime that loses a lot of its impact and weight after being spoiled. This is due to the nature of its protagonist, Yumeko Jabami, and the outcome of the gambles that she participates in throughout the series.
Many of the games are high-stakes bets, and in many games, it's a person's livelihood on the line. For instance, Yumeko agrees to become an idol if she loses to Yumemi. However, as Yumeko almost always wins, it doesn't feel nearly as suspenseful to watch the series after being spoiled.
5 Angel Beats! Is A Heartbreaking Afterlife School Life Anime That Hits Hardest Blind
Angel Beats is an incredibly unique anime that doesn't feel the same if it's experienced after being spoiled. Thankfully, spoilers for this particular series aren't very openly discussed, and it feels much easier to remain oblivious to its twists.
A group of high school students in the afterlife want to provoke and get back at God for their unfair lots in life, but they realize by the end that the true purpose of being stuck in the afterlife is so they can find peace and eventually pass on. The relationship and ending for the protagonist and the main "antagonist" for most of the series, Otonashi and Tenshi, simply doesn't have the same impact if it's been spoiled.
4 The Twist In The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Only Lands If It Hasn't Been Spoiled
When viewers first stumble upon The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya, it feels like one's standard high school comedy. Haruhi Suzumiya, an energetic high schooler, starts a club of her own and drags Kyon into it alongside her.
And while the other members certainly seem eccentric, there's a very good reason for that. They all revolve around Haruhi's true nature that even she herself is completely unaware of. It's a series that simply doesn't feel the same if one goes into it already knowing the truth behind everything.
3 Vampire Knight's Viewers Should Be As Oblivious As The Protagonist On A First Viewing
While it may not initially seem like it, Vampire Knight is a series that's best experienced without knowing much of anything about it. A young girl named Yuuki has her life saved by a pureblood vampire named Kaname, and she seeks peaceful co-existence between humans and vampires.
The main aspect of this show that makes it best experienced blind is the fact that the protagonist, Yuuki, is suffering from amnesia due to her past memories being sealed away. The story is most impactful when the audience is able to expereince the big revelations alongside Yuuki.
2 Soul Eater's Subpar Anime-Only Ending Makes The Manga A Better Choice If Spoiled
While Soul Eater's fight scenes remain memorable and enjoyable no matter how many times they're viewed, the anime in particular doesn't hold the same weight if the ending is spoiled. This is due to the fact that the series' anime ending is actually an anime-only, non-canon one.
Not only that, but there are several other major plot points that are exclusive to the anime. This means that if the anime is spoiled for any potential new viewers, the manga is a much more solid choice, as things play out much differently.
1 Persona 5: The Animation Is Entirely Skippable For Anyone Who's Played The Game
Persona 5's story is highly engaging and enjoyable, so it's only natural that it would later be adapted into Persona 5: The Animation. Sadly for fans of the series, however, it doesn't provide anything worth watching if one had already experienced the game and knows the major plot points.
This is especially true given just how much player choice one has within the game that's completely absent from the series. Not only that, but many social link scenes that develop the characters and even more vital scenes are either removed entirely or cut short due to format-specific time constraints.