I (26M) love anime and my dad (59M) Doesn’t understand why

Hello everyone! First time posting, like, ever, so I’m hoping not to get grilled too harshly.

Anyways,

I (26m) would like to get my dad to understand why I love anime so much. I’m a huge shonen kind of guy so Attack on Titan (I’m part of the minority that enjoys final season(mostly cause soundtrack)) Solo Leveling, and Soul Eater are on my set of repetition watches. I’ve been watching since about 2018 and have been expanding ever since. Not much of a slice of life kind of guy, as reality just fuckin sucks, lmao. But if you can recommend something actually REALLY good, I’m open to recommendations

Meanwhile, as for my dad (59M) he’s never seen a single episode of any anime ever. To paint a clearer picture, he’s a very conservative, traditional, Caucasian who…\*sigh\*…”loves the American dream”. He’s a fan of shows like land man, the sopranos, house of cards, black list, and mad men. He believes all animated work is cartoons and kid shows and doesn’t see the powerful meaning and impact behind the story, maintaining his closed minded views.

If at all possible, are there any recommendations anyone can make for an older guy that’s NEVER watched anime before.

Tho he’s a PITA, I’d love to finally have a father son moment and bond over SOMETHING. So if there’s anything olive branch worthy I can watch with him, it’d mean the world to me.

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Commentaires

AutoModerator2026-01-10 00:11

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gravemistakes2026-01-10 00:16

Hey man. Some things can just be yours. I get loving something and wanting to share it and believing that if they give it a shot someone will love it too.

As someone who has tried to get loved ones into things, I assure you, it's an uphill battle. And anime is an uphill battle on roller blades.

VordovKolnir2026-01-10 01:58

Interestingly, my daughter's mom had a friend who thought video games were for kids and couldn't fathom why anyone would play them as an adult.

She came over to visit just as I had inserted Dragon Age Origins for the first time and was flabergasted. She just sat there getting more and more engrossed in the game and wanted to come over more often just to watch me play it.

She eventually got the game herself and is now a hardcore gamer.

So it IS possible.

kormitgrog2026-01-10 00:18

Monster - very good, grounded story - a little bit of a slow burn - animation not the highlight

The Wind Rises - another more grounded story - historical drama - Miyazaki

Maybe try finding one that has a connection to a subject he already likes.

Dennma2026-01-10 00:19

Do yourself a huge favor and don't bother. I know it sucks, but a dude in his 60s isn't about to change his mind about "cartoons," especially if he's conservative.

It's ok. It's enough that you like it and other people don't need to understand it.

Brokenpipeisbroken2026-01-10 01:58

> but a dude in his 60s isn't about to change his mind about "cartoons," especially if he's conservative.

It has NOTHING to do with being conservative. My dad is liberal person (unlike me), he is hitting 70s and he is almost exactly as same as OP dad.

VordovKolnir2026-01-10 00:23

Copcraft.

Ghost in the Shell

Golgo13

Requiem for the Phantom

Those sound right up his alley.

Few_Inspector_65972026-01-10 00:24

Honestly don’t force him to watch it cause he might just end up hating it even more. If you think he’d like some of it though- maybe start off with an adult US cartoon that’s relatable to miserable middle aged men like American Dad or some other relatable blue collar “anime” king of the hill is also really relatable and then once he gets the concept that it’s okay for adults to like animated shows/movies show him like similar animes

Jujube00552026-01-10 05:08

american dad is complete horse shit.

Few_Inspector_65972026-01-10 17:27

Agreed but for whatever reason that’s what they like

Cipher-IX2026-01-10 00:28

Show him Vinland Saga.

My fiance stepdad isnt into anime and sort of scoffed at it. He loves viking stuff/that history so we recommended Vinland Saga.

Boom, hes in.

_thewayshegoess_2026-01-10 00:29

He's probably equally as disappointed that you aren't interested in his interests too. That's just how it goes. You're a 26 year old guy and hes a 60 year old man.. you're bound to have your differences.

hiimneato2026-01-10 00:30

Unless you can arrive at a place where he *wants* to understand what you like, it doesn't matter what you show him. (Especially not battle shounen, because, look, I don't know how to tell you this, but it actually *is* for kids. Or teens, whatever. It's right there in the name, you know? I fully understand that shows for younger audiences can have unexpected depth but that doesn't change the fact.) The best you could do would be to think in some more detail about who he is and what he likes, and try to figure out something he'd actually enjoy on its own merits, rather than something you can use to try to prove a point, but even then, it won't matter if he isn't interested.

A lesson you will need to learn - and the sooner you get it out of the way, the better - is that it is perfectly okay and normal if other people don't like the things you like. You will encounter this situation often in your life and if you take it personally you are gonna become both insufferable and unhappy*.* And if you're going to try to bond with someone over something, that starts with engaging with them in a meaningful way and reaching a point where they actually want to understand why you like what you like. Are you interested in what he likes?

This sub really oughta put questions like this in rules or the FAQ. "What can I show my \[person\] to make them like/get anime?" "You can't."

michaelkeene3542026-01-10 00:34

If your goal is to bond over something, then why not make the first step? How about watching one of the shows he likes, the ones you listed are very high rated and acclaimed shows. You might like them.

My point is, maybe he would also like to bond over shared interests and is in your same boat. All it might take is you being the bigger person, bending the knee, whatever you would call it.

Aside from that, to answer your question, I would agree with the other comments and recommend Monster if you really are dead set on getting him to watch anime.

michaelkeene3542026-01-10 00:34

Objective_Unit_73452026-01-10 00:35

Based on what you mention about his favorite shows, then it’s evident that he enjoys shows that have a sense of realism and are edgy:

The Sopranos, for example is considered a Crime and Psychological drama, with Black comedy

House of Cards is a Political and Conspiracy thriller

Etc.

In other words, when you’re recommending anything to someone, your argument is ‘Anime is a medium, like theatre, novels, movies, TV and there are many productions covering many genres for many different demographics.’

… and then recommending series that best fit the person’s preferred genres.

In other words, your father is not going to enjoy any of your favourite Shonen and Battle series. Ever - if he’s as ‘conservative’ as you presume he is.

So, … the question is what kind of series is he actually likely going to enjoy?
Ghost in the Shell and Psycho Pass are two that immediately comes to mind.

affnn2026-01-10 00:36

All the stuff you listed that he likes are very grounded, realistic shows while what anime excels at is fantasy or science fiction genre stories. If there’s any sort of sci-fi or fantasy that he likes, maybe you can explain it as similar to that.

But realistically, it sounds like your best path to a bonding moment will be through watching something he likes that you might enjoy too. Shōgun (not anime, the Hulu series) is really good and might be a window to Japanese culture for him.

gcplz2026-01-10 00:43

38M beautiful wife, beautiful daughter, good job. I don’t give a single fuck what other think I enjoy my Japanese cartoons

hal42642026-01-10 00:45

Watch sports with him lol. It’s the easiest way to bond with your dad unless he doesn’t follow any

And if are unwilling to watch sports to bond with him because you think sportsball is dumb, then well he probably thinks the same of anime

BambooGentleman2026-01-10 00:52

My dad doesn't enjoy animation in general. There's no reason to get someone to engage with something they don't enjoy.

Instead, pick a hobby he likes and then try to get into it.

TaskForceHOLO2026-01-10 01:01

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

SpacePres_McAwesome2026-01-10 01:21

"He does not respect your opinion about that subject matter (visual media) . It's not worth the toll you place on yourself to change his mind."

Said to me by my diabetic father's doctor when I went to see what this"quack" had been telling my dad.

She dies a little every time a patient believes a self confirming social media post instead of a medical professional.

I watched my dad go pre diabetic to 2 cardiac surgeries to complete insulin dependence. All the while trying to get him to make the smallest life style changes to no avail.
I've led, dragged, carried that horse to the river. Shoved it's head in the water, yet it would sooner drown than to drink.

Tldr: that endeavor is not worth your trouble.

Snoo_58082026-01-11 03:59

*" Attack on Titan (I’m part of the minority that enjoys final season(mostly cause soundtrack)) "*

You're part of the majority my friend.