Despite being one of the most underrated genres, avant-garde is home to anime that requires multiple viewings to fully comprehend. While the presence of this genre does not guarantee a complex series, it does add depth to the overall story.
In basic terms, avant-garde refers to innovative storytelling where the author/scriptwriter does not provide answers to most questions about the story. As more questions arise, the true meaning behind the series becomes ambiguous, often requiring fans to watch it multiple times for full comprehension. This genre is commonly associated with “horror”and “psychological”themes.
Despite its decline in the modern era, this genre continues to captivate fans who can only rely on existing series for consumption. In this article, we will share 10 anime that require multiple viewings to fully grasp their deeper meanings. While not all may be considered “avant-garde,”comprehending their significance in one sitting would be an impressive feat.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
Must-Watch Anime That Require Multiple Viewings for Full Understanding
1) TV Show: Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain is a series that revolves around the protagonist who assumes a “virtual”persona, abandoning her true identity. The show follows the journey of Lain, whose life drastically changes after she discovers the internet and becomes deeply immersed in it, risking the loss of her own self.
Despite the seemingly simplistic plot of a girl becoming addicted to the internet, this anime offers much more depth than just its appearance. As a result, it is a must-watch for fans who may need to watch it multiple times to fully grasp its message.
2) Wonder Egg Priority
Despite the loss of her best friend Koito, Ai remains the central focus of Wonder Egg Priority as she continues to save others through the use of Wonder Eggs, all in the hopes of reuniting with Koito. However, as the story progresses and the narratives of the four protagonists intertwine, the situation becomes increasingly complex.
Furthermore, the series delves into even greater intricacies once the origins of the Wonder Egg are unveiled, making it a must-watch for anime enthusiasts who may need multiple viewings to comprehend fully.
Tatami Galaxy
The anime Tatami Galaxy is adapted from a novel series with the same title. It follows the story of Watashi, a young man who is constantly torn between wanting to savor life’s pleasures and being unsure of his next move.
The quick pace of dialogue in the series is a major factor contributing to its confusing nature. To fully comprehend the series, it is best to watch it in one sitting. Otherwise, viewers may need to rewatch it multiple times in order to grasp the lessons it is trying to convey.
Monogatari Series
The Monogatari series, adapted into an anime by animation studio Shaft, is the masterpiece of NISHIO ISHIN. It consists of a collection of anime series that revolves around the protagonist, Araragi, and his efforts to assist individuals who are struggling with their supernatural abilities.
The popularity of this series is largely attributed to its puzzling sequence and clever humor, which is tailored for those who are familiar with Japanese. Furthermore, the subtitles for this anime are exceptionally thorough, providing explanations for every Kanji in accordance with the writer’s intentions. As a result, many viewers find themselves needing to rewatch the series in order to fully comprehend it.
Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a series that heavily utilizes metaphors and puns to convey its plot. It revolves around Mayer, a detective whose tranquil existence is disrupted by the coexistence of humans and robots.
Despite the synopsis of the series seeming like the typical one, the most fitting word to describe the experience is “perplexing,”mainly due to its method of storytelling. The answers gradually begin to unravel, but it requires multiple viewings, making Ergo Proxy a must-watch anime that requires more than one viewing to fully comprehend.
Re: ZERO – Starting Life in Another World
Despite continuously dying and restarting from a certain point, the story of Natsuki Subaru’s attempts to avoid a tragic ending makes Re: Zero one of the most perplexing isekai anime series.
Upon initial viewing, the first season may seem like a one-time watch, however, the second season delves deeper into the plot and reveals a significant amount of information that can be difficult to comprehend in just one viewing. As the third season approaches, it is evident that the series has even more lore to uncover beyond what has already been revealed in the first two seasons.
Sonny Boy
The story of Sonny Boy follows a class that is suddenly transported into another dimension where they all gain superpowers. However, as the episodes progress, the plot becomes increasingly convoluted and difficult to follow.
The dimensions constantly shift, the rules become increasingly convoluted, and people change rapidly, making it difficult to fully comprehend any given situation upon first viewing. It may take several attempts for fans to fully grasp the intricacies of this anime.
Paranoia Agent
The plot revolves around an unusual outbreak that has swept through Tokyo, focusing on a enigmatic boy wielding a bat who targets those with personal struggles. Although the anime has a dark tone, it leans more towards being unsettling rather than purely grim, with this feeling becoming more prominent in the latter half of the story.
Combining a chaotic and enigmatic atmosphere, Paranoia Agent is a must-watch for fans who may need to view it multiple times to fully grasp its meaning.
The Science Adventure Series: Steins; Gate
The Science Adventure Series: Steins; Gate
Steins; Gate, a highly acclaimed time-travel series, centers around Rintaro and his companion as they unravel the mysteries of sending messages to the past in order to prevent disasters. However, their attempts to avert one issue only leads to the emergence of more challenges.
The show begins by placing a banana in a microwave as a way to explore the practical application of time travel in our daily lives, perhaps explaining why viewers may need to rewatch it in order to fully grasp its significance.
10) Neon Genesis Evangelion
Shinji’s journey in Neon Genesis Evangelion centers around his efforts to impress his father by piloting a unique robot for experimental purposes. As the story unfolds, Shinji discovers the dark intentions behind his father’s actions, which were far from what he had anticipated.
The scriptwriter, Hideaki Anno, was the driving force behind this series, drawing inspiration from his own depression during the majority of its creation. This could explain the many enigmatic and somber themes present in his magnum opus, for which he himself may not have all the answers. Upon rewatching, viewers may discover new insights and solutions to the mysteries presented, making it a must-watch for anime fans seeking a deeper understanding.
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