I want to get my first tattoo. I'm sure of what, but, I feel like it's not exactly.....normal? It's a screenshot from an anime. I don't know, I love it but still feel weary.

What about you guys? What was you first? How did you feel and deal with it?

I don't have any yet but for my first one I'm planning on getting two little stars on my hand to represent the second star to the right from Peter Pan because of nostalgia and personal significance

since I don't have it yet I don't really have personal experience yet but my general advice would be:

• if it means something to you, and you like it, that's what matters the most. "normal" doesn't matter. your body is yours and what you choose to do with it is up to you
• I would suggest getting something small for a first tattoo, but everyone's different!
• hang onto the idea for a while- tattoos are pretty permanent, and something that sounds great today might not in a couple months; however, if a fair amount of time passes and the idea still feels right for you, maybe it is!
• maybe look up images of similar tattoos to get a sense for how it might look and if that's something you feel is right for you

For me personally I would probably be cautious about getting tattoos from an anime or a TV show just because my tastes change so often; like, Naruto was incredibly important to me when I was younger, but has lost its meaning for me over time- but that's just me, though!

I'm also thinking of getting my first tattoo. I am thinking of getting a song lyric I love, and my kids names and/or birthdays. I suggest not worrying about what's normal or not. If you love that anime and think you always will, then go for it. Who cares what others think.

When I get a tattoo, I think of: personal significance, and whether I'll like it in 5+ years. I would recommend against getting it because maybe you won't like that show in 5 years. I used to have tattoo ideas of bands I liked and similar things, but now I don't like them anymore and would hate having that tattoo on me now.

My tattoos are timeless to me. I have one of a deer; I'll never stop liking deer or thinking they're cute. I also have flowers and bees: the flowers are ones I grew up from little seeds in my backyard, and bees are just downright cute. This one is a fond memory of beautiful plants and another cute animal.

That's just my 5 cents however. If you think it's right, go for it!

I would definitely hold off and wait before getting your first tattoo. I think people can get whatever they want, but sometimes an idea seems great one minute, and then a few months later you're like... ehhhhh (speaking from personal experience). I personally believe that your first tattoo should be something meaningful, and small (but I mean, that's just me, in the end people can do what they want, haha!) Smaller tattoos are also good just to see how you handle the overall pain, and how your skin takes ink.

I went through a few ideas before I got my first tattoo, and my mom made me wait haha! I had an idea of a phoenix feather with a pen tip, and it stuck with me for almost a year, and then I knew that that was going to be my first tattoo. I've had it for almost four years now and am still in love with it.

Your advice is really good ^^! I actually have liked the anime(attack on titan) since 2014, but just decided on an aot tattoo recently. I think it will still mean a lot to me in a few years, but I am waiting and giving myself time on the tattoo.

I completely agree with you!! Who cares what others think! I got a different tattoo instead that I've wanted since Oct, just to be safe, but I feel like in 6 months I'll still want the anime one :P. The names and lyrics sound really sweet though :) It's good to have something mean so much to you!

I know what you mean about liking it in a few years! Although I think I'll still love it, I'm concerned about a child's opinion if I have a child within a few years (probably will). I got something instead from a video game I've played since I was like...5. It's been a big part of my life ^^

I really love your advice ^^ I think it led me to the right choice. While I would still LOVE the tattoo I wanted (I still want it btw but we'll see), I went with a tattoo I've wanted since October of last year. It's an animal crossing tattoo of my favorite villager -Grizzly. It means a lot to me because I have SO MANY good memories with my mom and sister playing the game, or just me by myself. And Grizzly was my absolute favorite. I loved Grizzly and still do lol! It makes me really happy to think about bc I love his character and especially love the memories it brings up :)

I had picked out a design I liked and carried it around with me for a while before I got my first tattoo. I liked it, but I wasn't 100% sure if I really wanted it. I wound up getting it and the artist messed up. Make sure you check out the artists previous work and see how long they have been in business. My 2 favorite tattoos are ones that I was 100% sure I wanted and knew exactly where I wanted them. (Also done by established tattoo artists) I would say if you are 100% sure about style and placement, you're good to go. Just make sure to find a competent tattooer!

I've wanted to get a tattoo for a while now, and I'm thinking I might have settled on one.

It has to do with the movie Arrival and there's not much else I can say without spoilers lol Just letting it simmer now to make sure I'll still think it's cool after a year or so. In the meantime I have to keep talking myself out of various arrow designs cause they're so cliche right now but I like 'em anyway.

I'm glad you got one you really like! It sounds cute, and more importantly it means a lot to you!

Some little stars on my feet, to match my older sister n-n Hers were a tiny bit bigger because she is the older sister xD It just made sense to us. Ironically my older brother paid for it LOL

Aw, I'm really glad I could help! I'm happy you got what you wanted and that it has such fond memories for you :D

I have one main rule for tattoos. I enjoy tattoos that have a lot if meaning behind them. I have a lyric tattoo. But my main rule is, even if in 15 years I don't personally connect with the meaning or care about that band anymore (or anime in your case) can I still say it's a beautiful piece of art? I wouldn't say what you want is weird. I have a few odd tattoos. But ask yourself will you be able to say it's a beautiful piece of art, even if the art ends up meaning nothing significant down the line. Or do whatever you want because tattoos are not like THAT big of a deal.

I have a couple tattoos. Thankfully I didn't go crazy with them when I was younger because I feel like for the most part I've grown out of that phase. If there's any advice or info I can give I'd say:

• For your first one at least, get it in a place you can easily conceal it. Like on top of your foot, shoulder blade, etc.

• It's better to wait and look at the image or your rough idea of it for about a year every day. And if you don't get sick of it, go for it.

• I personally wouldn't get song lyrics unless it was a super classic song I've loved my whole life. From experience, I almost got lyrics tattooed on me several years ago and thank god I didn't lol. I would be cringing at it ahaha. Not bc it's a bad song now it's just... ya know, songs usually run their course I guess.

• Tattoos DON'T need a significant meaning behind them. Something that really annoys me is when some people think tattoos must have some sort of significance. Get what you like. It's art, that's it.

• And just in case you want to get your tattoo(s) removed in the future: black ink is the easiest to remove. Light and warm toned colors are the most difficult.

I'd also say pick something that's not too large in size and a spot that isn't going to be excruciating. For example the ribs are much worse than the shoulder blade. Generally tattooing on top of bone is more painful, but it comes down to the individual. I have one on bone and one over muscle and surprisingly the one over bone was less painful, but both were completely manageable.

EDIT: Wanted to add that it's a good idea to pick an artist that really knows the style you're going for. In your case, pick an artist that can tattoo anime and look through their portfolio. Really look at their progress over time and pay attention to how well they do faces, the anatomy being correct, that body parts are in the right place, etc. Example: if the tattoo has somebody holding up their hand, make sure the thumb is where it's supposed to be, etc. Lol I've seen mistakes like that and it's so sad xD

Also make sure the shop is clean, but that's a given. Do you know anybody with tattoos you love? Especially in a style you're going for. Ask them where they got it done and about their experience.

OH and this is actually something that everybody should know before getting tattooed: Please listen to your artist and go with an open mind! They know what they're doing. When it comes to the design, placement, size, etc. If they're recommending your tattoo be changed for whatever reason it's because they know what will look best. Your tattoo should compliment the placement on your body. Give your artist wiggle room and listen to their ideas. They could draw up or add something really cool and unique for your tattoo so it's not just a screenshot of the anime and it could incorporate your personality more. c:

My first tattoo gun was this rabbit because my family nickname is Bunny.

My first tattoo of any kind was a stick-n-poke of morse code for "small" that I gave myself after I dropped out of high school as a kind of commemorative thing. All of my other tattoos are stick-n-pokes I've done myself.

My only pieces of advice would probably be 1) do what makes you happy. That's your body and you make the calls, no one else (this includes people insisting every tattoo needs a "meaning," not all of them do. That's normal and OK) and 2) listen to and work with your tattoo artist. Ask their advice and trust them (but don't let them talk you into anything you really don't want i.e. a bigger tattoo than you had in mind).

Good luck!! I hope whatever your fist tattoo is makes you super happy.

DO IT. It'll probably come out awesome! My first tattoo is a Celtic cross. I'm up to eight tattoos and I NEED more!

I have no tattoo yet but I have one planned for the near future. I want "we're all mad here" written on my left wrist.

I just scheduled the appointment for my 4th this afternoon. I'm getting this with my old dog's paw prints as the flowers. My other three are a shamrock on the middle of my back, a Bladder Cancer ribbon between my shoulder blades, and the words, "Always Keep F;ighting" on my left inner wrist.

I always tell people to make sure you eat a good meal before going. I didn't eat before getting my first one and I got lightheaded. And make sure it's someone you're comfortable with. I didn't like the guy who did the first one. He wasn't very friendly. The guy who did my second and third was great and I've heard great things about the one I'm scheduled with in two weeks (I moved, so it would be difficult to go back to one I liked).

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The two I've gotten tattoos from always show their customer's the package and the needle removal so they know it's a new, fresh needle. And don't be afraid to ask to take a break. You're having someone inject ink into your skin. I'd also recommend a friend or family member go with you. Just having someone you know helps ease the tension.

gave great advice. Ask your friends and even random people you encounter who did their work. A lot of people will be happy to tell you where and where not to go in your area. And check out their facebook and google them too. I got my first one from the place like two minutes from my house and wasn't thrilled with it (it was clean and I love my tattoo from there but they just weren't friendly). And for my others, I asked around and read reviews on both places. I'm really excited for my fourth one because the owner is super nice and we chit chatted for a few minutes.

finally someone who says a tattoo does not need a significant meaning!!! :D

my first tattoo was a black ankh on my left forearm, on the inside. My other tattoo is 5 black stars on the inside of my right forearm. My next tattoo will be the text "Happiness is a Choice" across the outside of my left forearm (it's my mantra), from wrist to elbow. I also want something artsy with a black heart on my left upper arm, but that'll wait til I find a design I like.

Have fun getting your first tattoo! In my experience it doesn't hurt much, not nearly as much as I feared. Personally I like colorless tattoos best; just black ink.

My first was song lyrics on my foot and my last was a black butterfly on my ankle. get it because it makes you happy; don't worry about other people's perception of it.

Haven't gotten mine yet, probably because I'm a total wuss when it comes to pain. I have quite a few ideas floating around though. But a few of them I couldn't get if I want to keep this job, as we can't show body art here. The one I'd really like that I can't get is the Sea Shepherd logo on the back of my neck.

'Cliche' is my problem with a couple that I want. I have always loved feathers, but it seems like everybody and their brother has some kind of feather tattoo. Same goes for dreamcatchers and cats, lol.

DON'T DO IT!!! Clear skin is much nicer!