One interesting aspect is the unique character introductions. In fanfic, combat intros can give a detailed backstory of a character's combat skills and their origin, which might not be fully explored in the original anime. For example, a fanfic might describe how a character learned a special move from a hermit in a far - away mountain during their training.
Study the anime's style. If it's a fast - paced, flashy anime, your combat intro should reflect that with quick descriptions and lots of action words. Also, create a sense of mystery. Don't reveal all of a character's moves or abilities right away. For example, you can say 'She held a strange object in her hand, its purpose a mystery, but the air around her crackled with power.'
One of the best novel intros is the opening of 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' It immediately sets the tone, gives a sense of the society's values and also intrigues the reader about what will follow regarding marriage and relationships in the story.
One great underrated anime with an epic story is 'Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic'. It has a richly detailed world filled with different kingdoms, magic, and djinn. The story follows Aladdin, a young and powerful magician, as he travels and meets various characters, each with their own motives and backstories. It has elements of adventure, political intrigue, and a lot of character development that make its story truly epic.
One great way for a good intro to a story is to introduce a mysterious character. For example, 'There was a man who walked the streets at night, his face always hidden under a wide - brimmed hat. No one knew where he came from or where he was going.' This creates an air of mystery and makes the reader want to know more. You can also start with a relevant quote. If it's a story about friendship, you could start with 'A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.' by Elbert Hubbard. This sets the theme right away.
A good intro for a story could start with a thought - provoking question, like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious. Another option is to begin with a vivid description, such as 'The old, creaky house stood alone at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like empty eyes staring into the abyss.' This sets a spooky mood right from the start. Also, starting with an interesting character action can be great, for example, 'She ran through the crowded market, her heart pounding, clutching a small, mysterious package.'
One intro could be a description of two star - crossed lovers. For example, in a small, idyllic town, there were two young people, Lily and Tom. They came from feuding families, yet they fell deeply in love at first sight. Their love was a secret, and this secrecy added to the allure and the tragic undertones that could lead to a love - death story.
The anime 'Shiki' is also underrated when it comes to plot twists. It's set in a small village where people start dying mysteriously. The story unfolds slowly, introducing the characters and their relationships, and then there are some huge revelations that turn the whole story on its head. It's a horror - mystery anime with a great deal of depth in its plot twists.
One great anime with an epic story is 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'. It follows the Elric brothers' journey to find the Philosopher's Stone to regain their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment. The story is filled with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and intense battles against various villains.
Steins; Gate is also relatively short and has an amazing epic story. It involves time travel and the main character, Okabe Rintaro, trying to prevent a dystopian future. The story is full of mind - boggling time - travel concepts and emotional moments, and it's a great watch for those who like complex stories in a shorter format.