[Gladly]

corgis love finding their own animu

Introduction
With the vast amount of recommendation threads regardless of the presence of stickies, I figured this relatively short guide could serve as a "how to" to those searching for recommendations or advice on what to watch.

Tools
We'll mostly be using a few key websites, some you may already recognize.

Google
MyAnimeList (MAL)
Hummingbird
Anime-Planet

So, you've just watched a series (in this example, Baka to Test) and your first instinct is "I want more like this anime!" There are a few different ways you can find something you're into, either in general or specific searches.

Method 1: MAL
So on the premise that you want more shows like the one you just watched, your best bet would be MAL. The beauty of MAL is the vast amount of information that is provided for each show, both by user and the site itself.

Step 1: Find the desired page for the show you want similar anime to.
Step 2: On the right are tabs labelled "details", "reviews", and more. Click on the "recommendations" tab. A list of user suggested recommendations is provided, making your life easier.
Step 3: Read through and you will definitely find something you will enjoy.


Here's what it looks like:
Spoiler (Click to View)

Method 2: Hummingbird
Maybe you're not searching for anime that are just like something you just watched, maybe you want something completely new or different; or maybe you just want to look in a specific genre. Hummingbird is a great alternative, with a page that lets you sort anime into different groups.

Step 1: Click on the Hummingbird link given earlier.
Step 2: Sort anime in whatever way you want. Easy right?
Step 3: Once you've sorted by genre, rating, popularity, or even year, click on what you're interested in and give it a go.

Here's what it looks like:
Spoiler (Click to View)

Method 3: Anime-Planet
Your third alternative is Anime-Planet. We will be using this site's "reviews" section as another way to find anime. Reviews can be sorted by newest, most helpful, and a few other ways so give each a try. If you have an account, you can even set it to find reviews based on your favorite genres!

Step 1: Head over to the provided Anime-Planet link.
Step 2: Browse and sort reviews based on your interests, or pull up a completely random review.
Step 3: Click on something you like, and enjoy.

Here's what it looks like:
Spoiler (Click to View)

Method 4: Google
This really isn't the best method to use by any means, but you never know what you'll find. Not really going to put any instructions here, just use your noggin. Keywords "anime like", "action anime", "anime made by", or "[descriptive word] anime" all work well.

Here's what it looks like:
Spoiler (Click to View)
searching for anime is fun and easy.


Conclusion / Recommendation Threads
If you still can't find anything using the above methods, make a recommendation thread. Be sure to include specific tastes, things you're looking for, genre, and other things that will make giving a recommendation easier. Also, LINK YOUR MAL OR "ANIME WATCHED" LIST. I can't stress this enough, this will make it easier for everyone recommending you anime and prevents you from getting a recommendation you've already watched. Also, be sure to read the stickies, they contain a huge amount of recommendations based on genre, they're very well written and their authors know what they're talking about.

I hope this helped anyone searching for new anime, feel free to PM me any questions or further advice on what to watch.

[Noiz]

That image in method 4 really made this guide amazing, thanks OP!

[§pyware]

There is no anime like Boku no Pico, but Wonderful guide. I vote for a Sticky on this!

[Professor Pantsu]

I doubt the people this is targeted at are even going to read this. People who blindly ask for recommendations are pretty stupid and incapable of helping themselves. But that aside, nice tutorial, I just hope people actually use it.

[ℳanny]

Well finally someone directed all little noobies to this. Great thread Gladly. ♥

[Black Hole]

This is beautiful and is going in the sticky.

[Gladly]

Thanks for the feedback guys, if I missed anything or you have something you want me to add, let me know and I most definitely will!

[Osuka]

nice thread ill read later, but id rather just post "recommend me a anime" and make them look one for me >.<

[Lone]

I like talking to people and hearing their suggestions, not just the first things that pop up on google. Everyone acts as if someone asks for a recommendation its the end of the world. Maybe I need to create a guide on how to overlook threads like that if they bother you.

[Black Hole]

I like talking to people and hearing their suggestions, not just the first things that pop up on google. Everyone acts as if someone asks for a recommendation its the end of the world. Maybe I need to create a guide on how to overlook threads like that if they bother you.

General consensus around here is that rec threads suck. Quit being a hipster and conform you hippy.

[Gladly]

I like talking to people and hearing their suggestions, not just the first things that pop up on google. Everyone acts as if someone asks for a recommendation its the end of the world. Maybe I need to create a guide on how to overlook threads like that if they bother you.

I didn't trash on recommendation threads, nor did I advocate just Google searching. I just personally feel that making new recommendation threads should be used as a last-ditch backup, or if you're looking for something extremely specific. The issue isn't recommendation threads, it's the fact that identical recommendation threads are posted pretty often (i.e., plenty of "I've watched Clannad, gimme something to watch" type threads), and even more, unspecific threads with little info are made. If I thought they were "the end of the world", I probably wouldn't throw out tips on making a good recommendation thread:

Be sure to include specific tastes, things you're looking for, genre, and other things that will make giving a recommendation easier. Also, LINK YOUR MAL OR "ANIME WATCHED" LIST. I can't stress this enough, this will make it easier for everyone recommending you anime and prevents you from getting a recommendation you've already watched.

So I don't hate them, I just think the way and frequency they're made could be improved, and I respect your opinion on them, this is just what I think.

[Professor Pantsu]

General consensus around here is that rec threads suck. Quit being a hipster and conform you hippy.

Hippy pride!

[Nonon Jakuzure]

General consensus around here is that rec threads suck. Quit being a hipster and conform you hippy.

I have to agree a lot of recommendation threads suck. However I do have a couple and I tried to be as specific as possible. Even though the stickies and other threads are a great starting place I also sometimes like to get feedback from people. Not to mention some stickies don't mention newer anime.

[Lone]

General consensus around here is that rec threads suck. Quit being a hipster and conform you hippy.

If being a hipster is believing in my own ideas then your "general consensus" then fuck it I must be a hipster.

I see you posting in rec threads and find it disgusting how you treat other members.

[Professor Pantsu]

If being a hipster is believing in my own ideas them your "general consensus" then fuck it I must be a hipster.

I see you posting in rec threads and find it disgusting how you treat other members.

Now a day's hipster is thrown around more than geek, it's lost it's meaning.