Hi MeetPotential5133, it seems like you might be looking for new anime to watch!
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
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lunadiparmigiano2026-01-02 19:47
Frieren. It’s an essay on how to subtly convey worldbuilding, magic system and character devellopment.
Spartan050892342026-01-02 19:48
Code Geass is good for this. Certain powers and tech have one character explain it to themselves or each other because they genuinely wouldn't know and are figuring it out and it doesn't feel forced. Not the "Ah yes, *that* technique. Let me tell you how it works" speeches. And more often they throw in a name or event etc that you have to figure out from the context and may not be apparent until many episodes later.
Death Note may or may not be this for you. There is a lot of explaining but it's because there are lots of mysteries and trying to figure things out so again it doesn't feel forced.
Z3r0sama20172026-01-02 22:27
Yep. Character uses his power and thinks it has no limits, then when he meets the limits the audience get to watch him test it's limits.
MacaroonCalm21922026-01-02 19:49
Monster
skullpocket2026-01-02 19:50
Dandadan does this exquisitely in episode 7. One of the best episodes of anime IMHO.
notyoou2026-01-02 20:11
It was the best episode I watched that year.
I would also add orb here, it is just a magnificent journey
tacos2dayy2026-01-02 19:50
Not many come to mind, maybe Lord of Mysteries but you almost want the exposition with that show lol. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood doesn't have too much exposition.
If you want to see exposition done right, Hunter X Hunter
Nyte_Crawler2026-01-02 19:51
The reason why anime is usually exposition heavy is because.
A) usually the source material is manga or light novels where authors find it easier just to explain something straight out rather than hint at it.
and
B) it's so ingrained in the medium at this point that a lot of authors do it because it's the way everyone else does it.
I would say Freiren does it well but its a slower paced show in general so it is still more dialog heavy than most action shows.
its_hipolita2026-01-02 19:51
Pretty much anything that isn't battle shonen stuff or otherwise marketed at children/teenagers will have more subtle, nuanced storytelling that treats its audience with respect. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a great example, it leaves so much unsaid except in subtle gestures, turns of phrase and brief glances.
There's even a lot of heavily implied feelings and expectations that get sadly lost in translation because they depend so heavily on, for instance, recognizing the very subtle ways in which a geisha or courtesan might imply she seeks to deepen her relationship with a customer. The localization for it is excellent though, and I can't fault them for not adding a long-ass T.N. to such scenes. Definitely recommend this show if you want something that cares about showing and not telling.
mamimumemo22026-01-02 19:52
It may be hard to believe, but Chiikawa. It is a slow burn reveal about their world that things are not as cute and happy as they seem under the surface. Most obvious example is the origin of Momonga. Also Anoko. The details are there to let you piece it together, but not spelled out directly.
Crafty-Ad30212026-01-02 20:03
Frieren.
Dull_Spot_82132026-01-02 20:07
Mononoke.
LurkingMcLurk2026-01-02 21:13
Texhnolyze
LatinaMom322026-01-02 21:27
Ghibli movies tend to very follow the show don't tell rule.
SouekiSennoSTM2026-01-02 21:44
Some mystery series can excel in this.
Tengoku Daimakyou, from 2023, stunned me by how well it executed it and I found it perhaps the most well-written series of the past five years or more as a result.
bravetailor2026-01-02 21:49
Girls Last Tour
Z3r0sama20172026-01-02 22:24
Shinsekai Yori l. I'm going to be honest, I had zero idea wtf was going on during my first watch, because it's 100% show, 0% tell and seems like a fever dream for most of it.
noobjaish2026-01-02 22:26
- Mononoke
- Girls Last Tour
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Haibane Renmei
- Mawaru Penguindrum
- Arakawa Under the Bridge
- Heavenly Delusion
- Odd Taxi
- The Wind Rises (movie)
- Paranoia Agent
- FLCL
- Tatami Galaxy (kinda not)
- Texhnolyze
- Ergo Proxy
- Angel's Egg
- Beladonna of Sadness
- Shinsekai Yori
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjou
- Mushishi
Satoshi Mizukami's manga and also most stuff by Ghibli are lighter on exposition
ExpensiveJoe2026-01-02 22:42
Gonna throw a downvote magnet - Mushoku Tensei.
Showing and not telling is the very reason a lot of people are dismissing the show/ln - it's pretty controversial if you take it at face value and don't pay attention to the details.
But it's so, so good if you can think for yourself. Or at least read LN, they explain a lot more and give more context.
lazybeary2026-01-02 23:23
A lot of Kyoto Animation stuff follows 'show, don't tell' to some degree, but it's usually slice of life or drama anime.
My personal favorite is Hibike! Euphonium. The movie Liz and the Blue Bird is a masterpiece of show don't tell and tight storytelling IMO.
Commentaires
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Death Note may or may not be this for you. There is a lot of explaining but it's because there are lots of mysteries and trying to figure things out so again it doesn't feel forced.
I would also add orb here, it is just a magnificent journey
If you want to see exposition done right, Hunter X Hunter
A) usually the source material is manga or light novels where authors find it easier just to explain something straight out rather than hint at it.
and
B) it's so ingrained in the medium at this point that a lot of authors do it because it's the way everyone else does it.
I would say Freiren does it well but its a slower paced show in general so it is still more dialog heavy than most action shows.
There's even a lot of heavily implied feelings and expectations that get sadly lost in translation because they depend so heavily on, for instance, recognizing the very subtle ways in which a geisha or courtesan might imply she seeks to deepen her relationship with a customer. The localization for it is excellent though, and I can't fault them for not adding a long-ass T.N. to such scenes. Definitely recommend this show if you want something that cares about showing and not telling.
Tengoku Daimakyou, from 2023, stunned me by how well it executed it and I found it perhaps the most well-written series of the past five years or more as a result.
- Girls Last Tour
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Haibane Renmei
- Mawaru Penguindrum
- Arakawa Under the Bridge
- Heavenly Delusion
- Odd Taxi
- The Wind Rises (movie)
- Paranoia Agent
- FLCL
- Tatami Galaxy (kinda not)
- Texhnolyze
- Ergo Proxy
- Angel's Egg
- Beladonna of Sadness
- Shinsekai Yori
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjou
- Mushishi
Satoshi Mizukami's manga and also most stuff by Ghibli are lighter on exposition
Showing and not telling is the very reason a lot of people are dismissing the show/ln - it's pretty controversial if you take it at face value and don't pay attention to the details.
But it's so, so good if you can think for yourself. Or at least read LN, they explain a lot more and give more context.
My personal favorite is Hibike! Euphonium. The movie Liz and the Blue Bird is a masterpiece of show don't tell and tight storytelling IMO.