Are you just getting started in the world of web programming or technology and looking for something inspiring to watch? Whether you’re into TV shows, anime, or documentaries, there’s something out there that not only entertains but also educates and motivates.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best series, anime, and tech shows that can help beginners understand the world of web development, startups, coding culture, and futuristic technology.
Best Tech Series and Documentaries (Live Action)
1. Silicon Valley (HBO)
A hilarious and insightful look into the heart of the startup scene in California. The show follows a group of developers as they try to build the next big tech company.
- Focus: Startup culture, coding, and business
- Why Watch: It reflects the real-life challenges of tech entrepreneurs in a comedic way.
2. Halt and Catch Fire (AMC)
Set in the 1980s and 90s, this drama showcases the rise of the PC and internet revolution. It’s less about code and more about vision, disruption, and team dynamics.
- Focus: Tech innovation and early computing
- Why Watch: Learn how ambition shapes the tech world.
3. The IT Crowd (Channel 4)
This British comedy offers a humorous take on the lives of IT support workers. It’s full of inside jokes for tech enthusiasts.
- Focus: IT support culture
- Why Watch: A light-hearted way to get into tech vocabulary and office life.
4. StartUp (Crackle)
A darker, more thrilling story about launching a cryptocurrency startup, with layers of crime, government surveillance, and ethical dilemmas.
- Focus: Cryptocurrency, coding ethics
- Why Watch: Great for understanding tech’s impact on society.
5. The Social Network (Movie)
The film that tells the story behind the creation of Facebook. It’s a fast-paced dive into entrepreneurship, ambition, and the role of coding in shaping our world.
- Focus: Web development, business, social networks
- Why Watch: It’s an inspiring story for aspiring developers.
6. Code: Debugging the Gender Gap (Documentary)
This documentary explores why there are so few women in programming and how this gap affects innovation.
- Focus: Diversity in tech
- Why Watch: Promotes inclusivity in the coding world.
Best Tech-Themed Anime Series
1. Steins;Gate
A time-travel anime grounded in science and tech. The characters hack into a microwave to send messages to the past, combining coding and quantum physics.
- Focus: Science, hacking, timelines
- Why Watch: A gripping story with a tech twist.
2. Serial Experiments Lain
A psychological and cyberpunk anime that delves into the nature of the internet and identity in the digital age.
- Focus: The internet, consciousness, digital reality
- Why Watch: Perfect for exploring tech-philosophical questions.
3. Dennou Coil
Set in a world where augmented reality is part of daily life, children explore the digital world through AR glasses.
- Focus: AR, digital exploration
- Why Watch: Introduces the concept of virtual layers and coding in the real world.
4. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
A must-watch cyberpunk series that tackles hacking, AI, and cybernetics in a futuristic society.
- Focus: AI, security, future tech
- Why Watch: Helps understand ethical concerns around advanced tech.
YouTube Channels for Beginners in Web Programming
If you want to go beyond entertainment and start learning web development hands-on, here are some top YouTube channels:
Traversy Media
- Web dev tutorials from HTML/CSS to React and backend frameworks.
freeCodeCamp
- Offers full courses and coding bootcamps for free.
Crash Course: Computer Science
- A well-animated series covering the history and theory of computing.
Conclusion
Whether you’re into serious documentaries, hilarious sitcoms, mind-bending anime, or hands-on tutorials, there’s a tech show out there for everyone. Watching these can spark your interest, deepen your understanding of web development, and even give you a real taste of the tech world.
So grab some popcorn—and maybe your laptop—and dive into the tech universe from your screen.
