This was the first fighting game I was ever introduced to. It has a bit of a learning curve, but there's so many characters that there's bound to be one for every level of player. The artwork is great, there's an interesting story, (although it's really complex and spans a TON of other games), and is fun to play. Some characters, you can get by with button mashing, but there's incentive to improve and get better, with great tutorial sessions to help you get the ropes of the techniques.I play with my friends all the time and have spent hours just having a grand old time.

It's a great game, VERY anime, and made better with friends.