Anime comes in many different genres making it perfect for everyone. However, there are a lot of anime that can be overwhelming to a general audience. Whether it be the tone, concepts, or the amount of episodes, certain things can turn a newcomer off quickly. Anime like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach are well-known classics that everyone who watches them love, but for a beginner, an anime with hundreds of episodes can make you feel stressed rather than excited. That is why it is important to ease a novice into the anime world. So here are five anime that are perfect to recommend to a beginner to get them hooked on Japanese-styled animation.
Death Note
Death Note is still one of the most beloved anime today. It received an 8.9/10 from IMDB and a 100% from Rotten Tomatoes. Unlike most shonen anime, the premise of this classic is unique. A high schooler named Light Yagami finds a death note that allows him to kill anyone with just a name and face. He plans to use the supernatural notebook to kill the criminals of the world but before he can do that he must avoid getting caught by the world’s greatest detective known only as L. Death Note is not only known for having the most intense cat-and-mouse battle in all of anime but does a great job of flipping the script in storytelling. Having the protagonist play the role of villain and the antagonist play the role of hero keeps the story interesting and unpredictable. If you like drama and crime thrillers then Death Note is for you. If you enjoy Death Note, then you’ll likely enjoy other anime like Gantz, Inuyashiki, and Psycho-Pass.
- Debuted (in US): 2007
- Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Psychological drama
- No. of Seasons: 1
- No. of Episodes: 37
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia
A more recent anime that is very popular is My Hero Academia. It received an 8.2/10 from IMDB and an 8/10 from IGN. My Hero Academia is about a young boy named Izuku Midoriya whose goal is to be the number one hero. The problem is, unlike most other heroes, Izuku was born without powers. However, everything changes when he meets his idol who tells him he can still be a hero. Some western audiences are still not used to anime, but most are familiar with superheroes. Being a superhero-based anime, this is a perfect show for beginners who live in a culture focused on superhero icons. My Hero Academia is an action-packed, coming-of-age journey about a young man on his path to be a great hero. If you are a fan of Marvel, DC, and other western superheroes then My Hero Academia might pique your interest. If you end up enjoying My Hero Academia, you might like other action-packed anime like One Punch Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, Fire Force, and Demon Slayer.
- Debuted (in US): 2018
- Genre: Action-adventure, Comedy-drama, Coming-of-age, Sci-fi
- No. of Seasons: 7
- No. of Episodes: 159
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Attack on Titan
Switching gears to an anime with a darker tone, next is Attack on Titan. When season one first debuted, it blew up among the anime community. It received a 9.1/10 from IMDB and a 96% from Rotten Tomatoes. Attack on Titan follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they live in a world besieged by giant, man-eating creatures called Titans. Attack on Titan is known for its twists, dark elements, action, and most of all its storytelling. The anime contains a complex story but one that is also so immersive that it leaves fans coming back wanting more. The mystery and questions packed so well in this anime left people enthralled with learning more about a world overrun by creepy, human-devouring monsters. It is because of all the crazy twists and insane reveals why Attack on Titan is an anime that even beginners would want to get into. Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy anime filled with intense action, political intrigue, and mysteries to unravel around every corner. So, if you enjoy shows like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Wheel of Time, then you will most likely get invested in Attack on Titan. If you become an Attack on Titan fan, then you’ll also be a fan of Kaiju No. 8, Parasyte, and Kabaneri of Iron Fortress.
- Debuted (in US): 2014
- Genre: Dark fantasy, Sci-fi
- No. of Seasons: 4
- No. of Episodes: 94
- Where to Watch: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Looking for an anime that will really have you thinking about life and your place in it? Then look no further than Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It received a 9.1/10 from IMDB and a 96% from Rotten Tomatoes. This is an anime that you will find somewhere on the top of most ‘Best Anime of All Time’ lists. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, on their search for the Philosopher’s Stone, in hopes that it will restore their bodies that were damaged after attempting to resurrect their deceased mother. There are many mature themes and elements within this anime from corrupted government to the value of life. This is a great anime to show newcomers how deep, mature, and intense an anime can be. Besides being filled with twists and turns, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood kept viewers immersed with its deep questions and philosophical takes within the story. If you like shows that question morale and go into depth about what is right and wrong, then you’ll love this anime. If you like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, then you like other anime like To Your Eternity, Code Geass, and Steins;Gate.
- Debuted (in US): 2010
- Genre: Action-adventure, Comedy, Sci-fi
- No. of Seasons: 1
- No. of Episodes: 64
- Where to Watch: Hulu, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Mob Psycho 100
The final anime for beginners is Mob Psycho 100. From the same creator as One Punch Man, this is another anime that doesn’t disappoint. It received a 8.5/10 from IMDB and an average of 8.5 between its three seasons on MyAnimeList. Mob Psycho 100 follows Shigeo Kageyama, a middle school boy nicknamed “Mob,” who strives to live a normal life while managing his psychic powers. Mob Psycho 100 is a well-made anime that perfectly blends action and comedy together. But what really makes this occult-style anime stand out is the animation. At first glance the animation of this show can be mistaken for a cartoon you would see on Adult Swim, making it very unqiue in its design. Because of this familiarity in animation, Mob Psycho 100 can be a great starting point to ease novices into watching it. If you like Mob Psycho 100, then you’ll like other anime like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, Mashle, and Dandadan. At first glimpse the animation of this can be mistaken for a cartoon you would see on Adult Swim, making it very design in its design.
- Debuted (in US): 2018
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Comedy
- No. of Seasons: 3
- No. of Episodes: 37
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll
Diving into anime for the first time doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With so many different genres and tones, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you prefer intense psychological thrillers, heart-pounding action, or emotionally rich storytelling, the anime on this list offers an excellent gateway into the medium. Death Note, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Mob Psycho 100 each bring something unique to the table, making them ideal picks for newcomers. Once someone gets hooked on one of these titles, they’ll quickly see why anime has become such a beloved form of entertainment around the world.