The world of Japanese animation is bigger and better than ever, and anime is now a global sensation for viewers of all ages. The same can be said of the manga industry too, and it's never been a better time to love anime and manga. There are many perks to loving anime, and that includes not just watching new series but rewatching a favorite series for nostalgia's sake.
Watching a new anime can expand the viewer's horizons, and new shows are packed with surprising twists and turns. Still, there are good reasons to rewatch a favorite anime series, even if the viewer already knows what they're in for. For many reasons, anime fans are encouraged to give their favorite series a second or third viewing and enjoy the show all over again.
10 A Complex Plot Becomes Easier To Follow
Some anime series and movies have complex and highly nuanced plots, such as mystery series or psychological thrillers. These anime shows and movies are a real workout for the brain, and after just one viewing, the viewer might still have some questions, or they might have missed a few crucial details.
If so, that fan can catch all those missed details and connect the dots in new ways when they rewatch the anime once again. This makes it easier for the fan to appreciate all the thought put into a series such as Death Note, among many others.
9 Nuanced Character Arcs Can Be Appreciated More
When watching an anime show for the first time, any anime fan can get the gist of the hero's character arc and see how that protagonist evolves and changes over the course of the show. In some anime series, one viewing is enough to get the picture, but some anime are more nuanced.
A gritty seinen like Berserk certainly has nuanced character arcs and dialogue, and on subsequent viewings, the anime fan can more fully appreciate how these characters change on the inside, and that can change the viewer's entire perspective on the plot and themes of a series. No one truly understands Guts the swordsman after just one viewing.
8 Fans Can Relax If There Are No Hidden Details To Catch
On the flip side, an anime fan rewatching a simple and lovable series can take it easy and not concern themselves with catching nuanced details of the character arcs or the overall plot. Some anime fans watch these series not to exercise their detective skills, but to unwind and take it easy.
If so, the anime fan can rewatch a personal favorite that they already know all the plot and character details of so they can, for example, half-watch the anime in the background while doing something else. Some anime shows can be treated like comforting background music during another activity or a hobby.
7 It's Easier To Spot Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are a common sight in anime and manga, often with authors paying tribute to their favorite series with a subtle character cameo or even a specific costume or attack name. Some anime series make these cameos rather obvious, such as Veldora the Storm Dragon from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime crying out "Kamehameha!" before using an energy attack in a reference to Dragon Ball.
Other times, though, these cameos and Easter eggs are far more subtle, and they are much easier to spot when an anime fan rewatches a series. For example, it's possible many My Hero Academia fans spotted Scar the Ishvalan of Fullmetal Alchemist fame seated in the audience during the U.A. sports festival.
6 A Fan Can See Their Anime Through Others' Eyes
There are two perks of rewatching a favorite anime series with a friend who's seeing that series for the first time. One of those perks is being able to enjoy that friend's reactions and comments on the series, which can make it feel fresh all over again to the experienced viewer.
In fact, that friend's insightful comments might totally shift the experienced fan's perspective or interpretation of the anime show, especially if certain elements of that show are intentionally ambiguous or open to interpretation. The experienced fan is ostensibly seeing the series for the first time again.
5 An Experienced Viewer Can Explain Things To A New Fan
The other major perk of rewatching an anime series with a newcomer is that the experienced can fan answer the newcomer's questions while avoiding spoilers as necessary. It's fun to watch a brand-new series together with a friend, but if things get confusing, neither viewer will have any answers.
However, if one of those viewers has seen the series before, they can fill in the gaps for their friend, such as why certain tricky details of the plot are important or how a certain power or ability works. The experienced viewer could even advise the newcomer on which story elements are vital to keep track of and which aren't, especially if there's a lot to juggle.
4 The Fan Can Focus On Stellar Animation Technique
Good animation techniques can be appreciated over and over again. During the first viewing, the excellent animation may come as a pleasant surprise and dazzle them with unexpected tricks of animating and camera work.
During a rewatch, however, the viewer can focus a little less on following the plot and more on the outstanding animation and study the anime's techniques and tricks to fully appreciate what they are seeing. Attack on Titan is known for its great animation, for example, and so is Demon Slayer.
3 The Fan Can Enjoy Their Favorite Soundtracks
Any TV show or anime will need a great OST to set the tone in any scene, from exciting action sequences to heavy drama or romance, and anything in between. An outstanding soundtrack can certainly be appreciated for the first time, but on a rewatch, the fan can pay even closer attention.
A music enthusiast, in particular, can pay close attention to their favorite anime's OST to soak in every last detail and appreciate how the instruments and vocals come together to make a great song and complete a scene. Many anime OSTs are easily worth buying on their own and played in the car or during a study session, too.
2 The Fan Can Switch Between Sub & Dub
Anime dubs have an iffy reputation, and many fans ignore localized dubs entirely in favor of the original Japanese voice acting. There's nothing wrong with that, but dubs have arguably gotten better, and many popular dub voice actors can really bring a character to life in a different language, from Chris Sabat to Steve Blum and Stephanie Sheh.
Once an anime fan watches a great series in the original Japanese, they can rewatch it dubbed and see (or hear) how the characters seem different or the same and uncover a whole new side to those characters with brand-new voices and dialogue. Some anime dubs really are up to snuff.
1 Fans Can Look Forward To Their Favorite Scenes
Some scenes are most enjoyable the first time, when fans don't know what they're getting themselves into. Other times, though, a scene is actually more exciting during subsequent viewings.
During a rewatch, fans can also savor the build-up to that big scene and appreciate how those lead-up scenes tie into the big one to set it up. Fans can also pick out and focus on other, smaller details of their favorite scenes when they already know what's happening, such as during a big fight scene with many characters appearing at the same time.