Top 10 Anime for People Who Don't Like Anime

If you ever thought about starting to watch Anime and want to find your first Anime to watch, these might be some choices to consider!

Also these are not the greatest Anime, just the ones that best work as a start for watching Anime!

The Top Ten

1 Death Note Death Note Death Note is a Japanese television drama series based on the manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The show is centered around Light Yagami a promising highschooler and aspiring detective with a strong sense of "justice".

Not as annoyingly childish as lots of other anime, even though those animes are for teens at least, I feel Death Note is like its own show/manga. You don't have to be into anime just to like Death Note since I see it as a series of its own without all those annoying anime scenes in it that you wouldn't see outside of anime, like when they get those exaggerated facial expressions or overly cute feminine reactions. Don't get me wrong, I like anime and I personally see it as something to be proud to embrace since it's so unique and fun to embrace, but if you're a Westerner like me and don't like all those anime-only annoying stuff or aren't attracted to Japanese-only things, watch Death Note. It's a Japanese anime and all, but I feel this is the most REALIST of animes and one of the few that can be taken as an universally ordinary but excellent series to watch, but with the anime format over real life dramatizations.

Death Note is the main reason I got introduced into anime and became my favourite.

Mostly for mature teens. But overall it is very interesting.

Death note is the first Anime I watch and after that love anime.

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2 Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series adapted from the manga of the same name by Hiromu Arakawa. It is about two brothers, Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric, trying to restore their bodies after failing at bringing their mother back to life. It aired in 2003 and was remade as Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood ...read more.

This show is fantastic! - TheDarkOne_221b

It has a well made story that is engaging and likeable. It will probably change your perception of anime, too, but I do recommend watching the FMA Brotherhood remake of this anime first because the Brotherhood anime goes by the manga better.

Hey, it got me into anime. Might do the same for you. - Skullkid755

The best.

3 Cowboy Bebop Cowboy Bebop Cowboy Bebop is a 1998 anime television series animated by Sunrise featuring a production team led by director Shinichirō Watanabe, screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto, character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto, mechanical designer Kimitoshi Yamane, and composer Yoko Kanno.

Many western themes used in an awesome way - Elilacky

Considered a classic by basically everyone, even people who don't like anime like this series. If you think anime is just for little kids, watch this series. It will prove you wrong. It is extremely mature and doesn't sugarcoat anything. It is something that can be recommended to anyone who not only likes anime, but likes the fiction medium. Why are you still reading this? Go watch this masterpiece and watch it now! - Elric-san

Cowboy Bebop is an anime legend revered among both anime fans and non-anime fans alike. Great characters and plot put into Western storytelling by Shinichiro Watanabe makes this anime a masterpiece. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I highly recommend this anime for newcomers. Great action and good ol blues and jazz. Plus, it has a very awesome plot.

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4 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, written by Gen Urobuchi, music by Yuki Kajiura, opening sang by ClariS, ending by Kalafina (sometimes by the seiyuus) and original characters by Ume Aoki. It also has 3 movies, ...read more.

It messes with the formula of a magical girl anime in such a great way. - kempokid

I love anime but this is perfect for anyone even if you love anime or not Warning:it will make you cry.

One thing is for sure, it's 10 times better than Sailor Moon by a long shot! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

5 Angel Beats! Angel Beats! Angel Beats! is a 13-episode Japanese anime television series produced by P.A.Works and Aniplex and directed by Seiji Kishi.

Best anime ever in my opinion! So sad yet so hilarious.

6 Soul Eater Soul Eater Soul Eater is an anime series directed by Takuya Igarashi and produced by Bones, Aniplex, Dentsu, Media Factory, and TV Tokyo, which adapts the Soul Eater manga written and illustrated by Atsushi Ohkubo.

While I did hate the ending, the anime is chock-full of great characters and a unique premise and story. Only 51 episodes and Soul Eater is bound to make you fall in love with the series. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I'm stay watch it.

Very boring, seriously.

7 Ghost in the Shell Ghost in the Shell

Who gave me a thumbs down? My comment was obviously a joke. - RalphBob

The name says it all.

The dub is beautiful.
"Even electronic brain pancake crystals elderly" ~ some guy from the aime. - RalphBob

8 Dragon Ball Z Dragon Ball Z Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku who, along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil. The action adventures are entertaining and reinforce the concept of good versus evil. Dragon Ball Z teaches valuable ...read more.

The Best Of All Time!

Honestly, dragon ball Z was the reason I didn't see anime. - zxm

This should be edited to Dragon Ball Super

Failure of an Anime

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9 One Piece One Piece One Piece is a manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. The manga has been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Production I.G in 1998, and an anime series produced by Toei Animation, which began broadcasting in Japan in 1999 and has aired 851 episodes to date.

Funny, awesome, cool, exiting, makes me scream, laughter my head off, and the uniqueness... ITS AWESOME

<-- Whys everyone screaming so much?!

10 Baccano! Baccano! Baccano! (バッカーノ!), which Narita translates as 'stupid commotion', is Italian for 'ruckus'. An ongoing light novel series with over twenty volumes published, it takes place across three eras – the early 1700s, 1930s, and 2000s – and presents its story arcs in anachronistic fashion. Though ...read more.

It's really fun! - MLPFan

It’s about gangsters and immortals... enough said.


Jk I’ll say more because this show is amazing. At first, you’ll be like “what the heck is going on” then watch as it slowly unwinds, making more and more sense as it goes on. When it reaches the final episodes, everything clicks in the more satisfying way. Why isn’t there more Baccano? Seriously, the suspense and action is gritty and great. Isaac and Miria are hilarious additions that make the show pleasantly whacky. If you love crime dramas, or gangster movies, or just dramatic, convaluted plot, check out Baccano!

Also, characters are named Jacuzzi, Nice, Ladd and Luck. How could you not love it?

THIS ANIME IS WAY TOOO SCARY - leafstar

The Contenders

11 Attack on Titan Attack on Titan Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese, created by Hajime Isayama, is one of the most popular Japanese anime series to be released. It was first watched in Japan during 2013 and was dubbed in English to be watched in America in 2014. It is best known for its emotional moments, ...read more.

This anime literally takes what looks to be a generic and unoriginal plot and puts it into great execution. With fantastic characters, awesome animation and music, brilliant plot twists and some of the best acts of tragedy put on an anime series, Attack on Titan is sure to please people hungry for horror and tragedy. Truly one of the greatest masterpieces of the decade. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

Why the dislikes? Is it because Attack on Titan is too violent for anime beginners? - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I only like the theme song. - Brobusky

ATTACK ON TITANS IS AN AMAZING ANIME
I can't WAIT TILL SEASON 2 by the way THE MOVIE
SUCKS IN CASE YOU WANNA KNOW THERE IS
A AN ATTACK ON TITANS MOVIE TWO(NOT ANIMATED IT SUCKS
don't WATCH IT) - leafstar

12 Wolf's Rain Wolf's Rain Wolf's Rain is an anime series created by writer and story editor Keiko Nobumoto and produced by Bones Studio.
13 Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann, known in Japan as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, is an anime series animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. It was also directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by veteran playwright Kazuki Nakashima.

On Most Disappointing Anime of All Time, this is in the top 5... whatever! I don't care! Gurren Lagann is one of the most action-packed anime that I have seen. It has mechas, over-the-top action, awesome animation, and the tale of a man who continues to find his destiny. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I like the ideas but all got ruined when the messages of "never giving up" and "believing in yourself" were shouted out really loud that it annoyed the hell out of me. - SelfDestruct

Just what the hell do you think this series is? Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

14 Blue Exorcist Blue Exorcist Blue Exorcist is an anime series directed by Tensai Okamura and produced by A-1 Pictures, which adapts the Blue Exorcist manga written and illustrated by Kazue Kato.

I remember this show! Rin Okumura is such a cool guy and is one of the best anime I have ever seen from A-1 Pictures (my most favorite being Sword Art Online). Anyways, Blue Exorcist has some of the most interesting characters in anime and puts it into a 25-episode anime series! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I LOVE RIN don't LIKE YUKI THOUGH I FIND HIM KINDA GAY - leafstar

I am tring to watch it.

15 Sword Art Online Sword Art Online Sword Art Online is a series of Japanese light novels written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. In 2012, it received an anime adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures and the SAO Project, and is directed by Tomohiko Ito . The first season is divided into two arcs known as "Aincrad" and "Fairy Dance". ...read more.

Okay, you're probably rolling your eyes right now at why I added Sword Art Online here. But let me try to explain why I recommend this anime. Let's begin. Sword Art Online has one of the most interesting premises in anime, mixes a good balance of action and romance, awesome animation and fighting scenes, a diverse arc-storytelling ranging from a survival game with two star-crossed lovers to a classic rescue-the-princess story with a satisfactory ending, cyberpunk mystery, a tearjerking arc between Asuna and an exclusive-arc character, and a little touch of comedy and drama. While incest, poor execution, fanservice and Gary Stu are what a lot of haters like to bash the series for, Sword Art Online is truly an enjoyable anime. And the villains (yes, even Sugou) are some of the best villains I have seen in anime. Highly recommended for gamers and everyone alike. It's too sad that this anime gets a lot of hate, unfortunately. I would rank this as great as Fairy Tail. While Sword Art ...more - ModernSpongeBobSucks

Won't ever be as much of a gem like Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo or Ghost in the Shell, but Sword Art Online is one of those anime that gets you interested in anime. For me, after watching awesome anime like Attack on Titan and Gurren Lagann, this was the anime that finally made me a fan of anime. While it may not be the best anime ever, that doesn't mean it's bad. Sword Art Online has about everything you'd expect in anime. Like I said, might not be as good as Cowboy Bebop, but DEFINITELY a great way to get into anime. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

Tired of long transformation sequences and long fights?
Tired of stupid filler episodes?
Need an anime that has only 25 episodes for first season?
Do you love video games?
Do you love fast-paced, action-packed sword fights?
Do you love romance?
Do you love awesome animation and soundtrack music?
If the answer is yes to all of them, then Sword Art Online is the anime for you! One of the best anime I have ever seen since Gurren Lagann and Attack on Titan! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

Screw that Most Disappointing Anime of All Time list. Sword Art Online is an anime that, while it may not be a hack and slash anime series, it still manages to be enjoyable for what it is. It's a solid anime despite all the hate for it. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

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16 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series adapted from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga by Hiromu Arakawa.

Better than the original series! As in, it adapts the manga better then the original FMA anime adaptation. Whilst both are great, I think this one deserves the second spot as it's paced better and genuinely has a plot more faithful to the manga than the original FMA. So just remember to finish watching the 2009 FMA: Brotherhood before you watch the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist! Yeah, that's all. I mean, it got 1st place in the Anime Man's top 100 anime of all time for a REASON, people.

Whether you like anime or not, you'll love FMAB.

17 Neon Genesis Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion, commonly referred to as Evangelion or Eva, is a Japanese animated television series produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production, and directed by Hideaki Anno.

Please keep it above Boku no Pico! Please! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

18 Sailor Moon Sailor Moon Sailor Moon is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Nakayoshi from 1991 to 1997; the 52 individual chapters were published in 18 tankōbon volumes. ...read more.

I love sailer moon!

Whys this on here? - Skullkid755

19 Black Butler Black Butler Black Butler is a Japanese anime television series produced by A-1 Pictures and premiered in October, 2008.

One of the most serios silly animes

Awesome setting

It's great.

I want to watch it,but it pg 13.

20 Pokemon Pokemon Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title of Pocket Monsters and currently advertised in English as Pokémon: The Series, is a Japanese anime television series, which has been adapted for the international television markets.

yea

It usually feels different from most anime, so even if you don't like anime, if you like cartoons, then maybe perhaps then you should like this then in my opinion then. - HeavyDonkeyKong

I'm pretty sure most people who don't like anime don't like Pokemon. Come on, vote Cowboy Bebop or Death Note instead of this. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I don't like anime, but I loved pokemon as a kid

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21 Naruto Naruto Naruto is an anime and manga franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga was later adapted into a television anime, which was produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo and other TX Network stations on October 3, 2002. The first series ...read more.

My friend used to not like anime but then I got her to watch the anime and now she loves anime. Naruto is an amazing anime that can speak to anyone because it has so many diverse characters and the plot is so intricate and well thought out.

It's a good starter anime but the fillers ruin life.

22 One Punch Man One Punch Man One-Punch Man is an ongoing, online, web comic, which was later adapted into a Manga and Anime series . Created by ONE in 2009, It gained popularity, and soon after, went viral in 2012, surpassing 7 . 9 million views . One-Punch Man (OPM for short) focuses on the protagonist Saitama (Who is named after ...read more.
23 Fairy Tail Fairy Tail Fairy Tail is a manga franchise created by Hiro Mashima. The manga has been adapted into an anime series produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, which began broadcasting in Japan on October 12, 2009. Additionally, A-1 Pictures and Satelight have developed seven original video animations and an animated ...read more.

It took me a few episodes to get into it, but once I was in I've been hooked ever since, definitely one of my top five

Best anime that I ever seen

It was breaking my friends heart that I hated anime. So I thought, hey! 1 episode can't hurt right? So, she suggested I watch fairy tail, and I watched 1 episode, then another, then another. This anime, really REALLY gets you into anime, with all the characters, there humor, things like that. This is a good anime.

I hated, and I mean HATED anime! Fairy tail wasn't my first, more like third or fourth, but it's my favorite! You really bond with the characters and the story! I was hooked from the start!

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24 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is an anime and manga franchise originally written by Hirohiko Araki. It centers around the perilous journey of the members of the legendary Joestar bloodline.
25 Inuyasha Inuyasha InuYasha is a manga franchise created by Rumiko Takahashi. It was adapted into two anime television series produced by Sunrise. The first was broadcast for 167 episodes on Yomiuri TV in Japan from October 16, 2000 until September 13, 2004. The second series, called Inuyasha: The Final Act, began airing ...read more.

Inuyasha show is so funny and you guys sould watch.

26 Parasyte Parasyte The anime was simulcast by Crunchyroll outside of Asia. Aside from the manga and anime, the series also has two live-action film adaptations. The Chinese Ministry of Culture blacklisted Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu as well as 37 other works on June 9, 2015. ...read more.

This should get horror drama fans into liking such horror anime. Well it probably will. - SelfDestruct

A great anime, it's like Death Note. There are lots of mind games about surviving.

Made by the same people who produced Death Note. Parasyte is a masterpiece. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

27 Hunter x Hunter Hunter x Hunter Hunter × Hunter is a manga franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. In 1999, Hunter × Hunter was adapted into a 62-episode anime television series produced by Nippon Animation and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The show premiered on Japan's Fuji TV and ran until 2001. Three separate original video ...read more.

SAO got me interested in anime, Hunter x Hunter got me hooked to anime. This one is so well-made and deserves more recognition. - Mcgillacuddy

28 Hetalia

If you like stereotypes, personifications of countries, and are on a time crunch, Hetalia is the anime for you. - OvoJeBalkan

29 Samurai Champloo Samurai Champloo Samurai Champloo is a Japanese anime series developed by Manglobe. Samurai Champloo is set in an alternate version of Edo-era Japan with an anachronistic, predominantly hip hop, setting. It follows Mugen, an impudent and freedom-loving vagrant swordsman; Jin, a composed and stoic rōnin; and Fuu, a ...read more.

How is this so low and Sword Art Online so high. SAO has all the corny, cheesy, bull that many animes consist of. This and Cowboy Bebop should be at the top.

I'm sorry, but I think Samurai Champloo AND Sword Art Online are amazing shows. Still, Samurai Champloo deserves to be higher! - ModernSpongeBobSucks

30 Erased Erased

Awesome Start-Finish

31 Cardcaptor Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga group Clamp.

A classic anime with NO meanness/excessive tsunderes and sex scenes involved. great for non-anime fans - wariolady

32 Psycho-Pass Psycho-Pass Psycho-Pass is an anime television series that was produced by Production I.G, directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani & Katsuyuki Motohiro and written by Gen Urobuchi.

I agree with this. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

33 Fate/Zero Fate/Zero Fate/Zero is a series of light novels written by Gen Urobuchi, illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi, and is a prequel to Type-Moon's visual novel, Fate/stay night. An anime adaptation of Fate/Zero was jointly produced by Aniplex, nitroplus, Type-Moon, Seikaisha, and Ufotable that ran from 2011-2012.
34 FLCL FLCL FLCL is an anime original video animation series written by Yōji Enokido, directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and produced by the FLCL Production Committee, which consisted of Gainax, Production I.G, and King Records.

Admittedly, to enjoy this one fully, you have to be slightly insane, making this the perfect one for me - kempokid

35 Maya the Bee Maya the Bee Maya the Bee is a German-Australian computer-animated comedy television series produced by Studio 100 Animation in association with ZDF and TF1. It is based on the character Maya the Bee introduced in 1912. This is the second animated adaptation focused on the character, after the anime Mitsubachi Māya ...read more.

Not an anime.

36 Monster Monster Monster (Japanese: モンスター Hepburn: Monsutā, sometimes referred to as "Naoki Urasawa's Monster") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa. Monster has been critically acclaimed, with the manga having won several awards and its anime adaptation being called one of ...read more.

Arguably one of the best stories in horror fiction.

37 Spirited Away
38 Shigatsu Kimi no Uso
39 Space Dandy Space Dandy

You know the english version aired before the japanese version

Space Dandy is of the first shows that actually got me into anime. Other than the animation, it actually feels more like a western cartoon than an anime. I personally prefer this show to Cowboy Bebop.

40 Mirai Nikki Mirai Nikki Future Diary is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sakae Esuno. It depicts a battle royale in which each combatant has a diary with entries from the future.

This is CastlevaniaFanboy128's favorite anime! The premise of the anime is quite unique and clever and great for people who crave horror and psychological thriller. It's like Sword Art Online, but more dark. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I want to watch it.

41 Bleach Bleach Bleach is a Japanese anime series based on Tite Kubo's manga of the same name. Bleach adapts the first 54 volumes of Tite Kubo's manga series of the same name. In addition, 4 anime-original arcs were broadcast in-between and during the adaptations of original arcs of the manga. ...read more.

Good Story Nice Fights Cool Moves Worth Ah Watch Non Dout

42 Highschool DXD Highschool DXD High School DxD is a Japanese light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero. The series revolves around Issei Hyoudou, a perverted high school student who is reincarnated into a Devil by Rias Gremory after being killed on his first date. He later joins the Occult Research ...read more.

I watched the first episode of it, and everything is so stupid and on the nose, yet I still found the bluntness of it to be incredibly funny. I don't think I'd be able to watch an entire season though - kempokid

Hmm... looks like a guilty pleasure anime. Actually, this isn't really a good anime to start with. Anyone who is just getting into anime would probably be offended by the HUGE amount of fanservice the anime has to offer. I did hear the plot isn't bad, though. Unless someone was perhaps some sort of pervert, by all means, I have no control over them. Otherwise, if you can't tolerate intense nudity, this may not be the anime for you. - ModernSpongeBobSucks

I'm pretty sure this is not a good anime to start with.

Actually this is one of the worst anime to ever watch. - SelfDestruct

43 Kuroko No Basuke

It's so good... Hope u guys out there, if you see this, watch it.

44 Glitter Force Glitter Force

An anime for little girls. - Goatworlds

Hey I am a 17 year old with autism and I love this. It's basically Smile Precure. - Ilovestephanie

45 Afro Samurai Afro Samurai

Pretty impressive

46 Log Horizon Log Horizon Log Horizon is a Japanese novel series written by Mamare Touno and illustrated by Kazuhiro Hara, published by Enterbrain in Japan since 2011. Yen Press began publishing the novels in English translation in 2015. ...read more.

Great anime to start off any gamer. This one really incorporates game mechanics into the anime. Takes creativity in a sandbox type situation to the next level. The dude turns an npc into an adventurer cause he has the right skill set to do it. Such creative plot and thinking. SO GOOOD

47 Corpse Princess

Should be on here. Love it if you love extreme gore and violence. - Nonpointed

48 Little Witch Academia Little Witch Academia Little Witch Academia is a Japanese anime franchise created by Yoh Yoshinari and produced by Trigger.
49 Gatchaman Crowds Gatchaman Crowds Gatchaman Crowds is a 2013 anime television series produced by Tatsunoko Production and directed by Kenji Nakamura.
50 Inazuma Eleven

Best way to get into anime if you're under 15 years

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500 votes
88 listings
3 years, 71 days old

Top Remixes (7)

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2. Naruto
3. Cowboy Bebop
Undistinguished
1. Cowboy Bebop
2. Fullmetal Alchemist
3. Death Note
ModernSpongeBobSucks
1. Wolf's Rain
2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
3. Ghost in the Shell
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