20 Animes with Exciting First Episodes Full of Twists and Turns!

If you are an anime fan or just starting to explore this fantastic world, you know that the first episode of an anime can be a real rollercoaster of emotions! It needs to capture your attention, immerse you in the story, and, of course, leave you wanting to watch the next episode.

Today, we’ve put together a list of animes that, in a unique and intense way, have some of the most thrilling first episodes you can imagine.

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Warning²: Contains Spoilers!

Monster

- Synopsis: Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a neurosurgeon who saves the life of Johan, a boy who later turns out to be a manipulative psychopath. The plot revolves around Tenma's quest to stop Johan and deal with the consequences of his decision.

- First Episode: In the first episode, the tension is palpable as Tenma faces a moral dilemma in saving Johan’s life, a boy who would later become a ruthless villain. The way the anime explores guilt and responsibility is captivating and completely immerses the viewer in the story.

Sword Art Online

- Synopsis: In a future where virtual reality games are popular, Kirito finds himself trapped inside an MMORPG, where dying in the game means dying in real life. Alongside other players, he must find a way to escape.

- First Episode: The first episode is a real adrenaline rush! The revelation that players are trapped—and even worse, that dying in the game means real death—creates an atmosphere of suspense and urgency.

Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)

- Synopsis: In a world where humanity lives surrounded by walls due to the threat of titans, Eren Yeager, after witnessing his mother’s death, decides to join the military to avenge his loss and fight the giant monsters.

- First Episode: The episode begins with a devastating tragedy and a titan invasion, showing the brutality and despair of the situation.

Yu Yu Hakusho

- Synopsis: Yusuke Urameshi, a troubled teenager, dies while saving a child and is unexpectedly brought back to life to become a spirit detective, fighting supernatural threats.

- First Episode: The first episode is an emotional rollercoaster! Yusuke’s unexpected death and his return to life quickly make you connect with the character.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

- Synopsis: Frieren, an elf who was part of a group of heroes that defeated a demon, deals with the loss of her human companions over time and reflects on her journey.

- First Episode: The first episode is sensitive and introspective, exploring grief and the passage of time in a touching way.

To Your Eternity

- Synopsis: Fushi, an immortal entity, is sent to Earth and goes through various lives, learning what it means to be human while defending himself from enemies and seeking understanding.

- First Episode: The episode is an emotional whirlwind! Fushi embarks on a journey of learning while witnessing both the pain and beauty of human life.

Oshi no Ko

- Synopsis: After being reincarnated as the children of a famous idol, a doctor finds himself immersed in the dark side of the entertainment industry.

- First Episode: The first episode is a whirlwind of emotions and surprises, featuring shocking twists and revelations.

Made in Abyss

- Synopsis: Riko, a brave girl, descends into a mysterious and dangerous abyss to search for her mother, who disappeared while exploring its depths.

- First Episode: The episode is enchanting at first but soon reveals itself to be dark and distressing.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

- Synopsis: After a zombie apocalypse, a man decides to make the most of life by fulfilling a bucket list while facing the undead.

- First Episode: The episode starts with an energetic and fun vibe, mixing humor with zombie chaos.

Tokyo Revengers

- Synopsis: Takemichi, after traveling back in time, tries to save his ex-girlfriend and change the future while fighting against delinquent gangs.

- First Episode: The episode conveys a sense of urgency as Takemichi tries to understand his new mission.

Steins;Gate

- Synopsis: Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, accidentally discovers a way to send messages to the past. However, his experiments attract the attention of a dangerous organization, putting his life and the lives of his friends at risk.

- First Episode: The episode introduces Okabe and his eccentric personality as he attends a conference on time travel. However, everything changes when he finds the body of Kurisu Makise, who appears to have been murdered. When he sends a message about it, he discovers that the past has been altered, initiating an intriguing mystery.

Death Note

- Synopsis: Light Yagami, a brilliant student, finds a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone just by writing their name in it. With this power, he decides to rid the world of evil and become a god of justice, but he soon attracts the attention of a legendary detective known as L.

- First Episode: The episode introduces Light discovering the Death Note and testing its powers for the first time. The meticulous way he uses the notebook and the introduction of Ryuk, the shinigami owner of the Death Note, leave the viewer intrigued by the consequences of this discovery.

Vinland Saga

- Synopsis: Amid Viking invasions, Thorfinn, a young warrior, seeks revenge against his father’s killer, plunging into a brutal world of battles and betrayals.

- First Episode: The episode offers a glimpse of Thorfinn’s peaceful past with his family before they are dragged into war. The tension rises as his father, Thors, faces a deadly dilemma.

Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)

- Synopsis: Satoru Fujinuma has the ability to go back in time just before tragedies occur, but when his mother is murdered, he is involuntarily sent back to his childhood to prevent a crime that changed his life forever.

- First Episode: The episode builds an engaging mystery, showing Satoru’s life as a disillusioned adult before everything changes with his mother’s murder. When he wakes up in the past, the shock of the moment captivates the audience.

Code Geass

- Synopsis: Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled prince, gains the power of Geass, which allows him to give absolute orders to anyone. With this ability, he starts a rebellion against the tyrannical Britannian Empire.

- First Episode: The episode introduces a dystopian world where Japan has been conquered by Britannia. Lelouch, intelligent and strategic, accidentally gets involved in a military conflict and receives the Geass from a mysterious girl named C.C. His first use of the power already demonstrates its devastating potential.

No Game No Life

- Synopsis: Sora and Shiro, prodigious gamer siblings, are transported to a world where everything is decided through games. With their strategic skills, they seek to become the supreme rulers of this universe.

- First Episode: The episode establishes the protagonists' genius, showing them defeating dozens of opponents in online games. When they are challenged to a chess match by the god of this new world, Tet, they accept and are transported to a reality where they must use their abilities to survive.

The Promised Neverland

- Synopsis: Children raised in a perfect orphanage discover that they are actually being bred as food for monstrous creatures. Now, they must devise a plan to escape before it’s too late.

- First Episode: The introduction to the orphanage seems innocent until Emma and Norman discover the horrifying truth about their fate. The episode ends with a sense of despair and urgency, immediately gripping the audience.

Psycho-Pass

- Synopsis: In a future where crime can be predicted by a system called Sibyl, rookie officer Akane Tsunemori joins the police force to maintain order but soon realizes that justice is more complex than it seems.

- First Episode: The episode follows Akane handling her first case, where a man is judged as a potential criminal before committing a crime. The protagonist’s moral dilemma and the world’s brutality set the tone for the series.

Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World

- Synopsis: Subaru Natsuki is transported to a fantasy world and discovers he has the ability to go back in time whenever he dies. However, this power comes with intense suffering.

- First Episode: At first, Subaru is excited about his arrival in a new world, but he soon finds himself entangled in a series of brutal events. The episode ends with his first death and an unexpected return to the beginning, leaving the audience in shock.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

- Synopsis: Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to bring their mother back to life using forbidden alchemy but pay a terrible price. Now, in search of the Philosopher’s Stone, they face dangers and dark secrets.

- First Episode: The Elric brothers adjust to military life and take part in a manhunt for Isaac the Freezer, a former State Alchemist bent on ending the reign of Fuhrer Bradley.

These first episodes are not just great introductions to their respective stories; they are emotional experiences that instantly captivate the viewer. They make us laugh, cry, and often leave us speechless with surprising twists!

Now, tell us: What are your favorite anime first episodes? Which one impacted you the most?