Top 10 Best Anime to Watch for Beginners

Hunter x Hunter (2011)

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

This anime is all any anime hater would need to fall in love with anime.

This is what got my friend into anime.

This is what got me into anime.

Bleach

Bleach is a Japanese anime series based on Tite Kubo's manga of the same name. The anime adapts the first 54 volumes of the manga and includes four anime-original arcs that aired alongside and between the main story arcs.

The story follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student with the ability... read more

Tite Kubo's Bleach places heavy emphasis on spirituality and neighboring planes and realms beyond our own.

I like fighting anime.

Tokyo Mew Mew

Originating in Japan, Tokyo Mew Mew is an anime series that aired in 2002. It was adapted from a manga written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. The story follows five girls who gain animal-based powers to become the "Mew Mews," defenders of Earth against alien invaders.... read more

Kanon (2006)

Lucky Star

Lucky Star is a slice-of-life anime television series that originally aired in Japan from April 8, 2007, to September 16, 2007. The story follows the everyday lives of four high school girls: Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. It is known for its charming "moe" characters... read more

Pokémon

Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title Pocket Monsters and currently marketed in English as Pokémon: The Series, is a Japanese anime television series adapted for international audiences. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997, and in the United States on September 8, 1998.... read more

Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors as they protect Earth from various villains. The series emphasizes themes of good versus evil and teaches values such as teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance.

Can't believe it wasn't added here sooner! It was practically everyone's first anime.

This is the father of all anime and manga. Pretty much everyone's first anime.

Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan, known in Japan as Shingeki no Kyojin, is a widely acclaimed anime series created by Hajime Isayama. The series premiered in Japan in April 2013 and debuted in English in the United States in 2014. It is recognized for its emotional storytelling, post-apocalyptic setting, and thrilling... read more

This was the first anime I ever watched, and I kind of regret not watching something else first, since Attack on Titan just makes you really used to people dying. Any other anime you watch after will seem happy and cheerful (unless you're watching another anime where just about everyone dies). So, based on personal experience, not recommended for starters.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series adapted from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga by Hiromu Arakawa. It closely follows the original manga storyline, in contrast to the earlier 2003 adaptation. The series is highly acclaimed for its animation, character development, and faithful adaptation... read more

I couldn't agree more. It's got something for everyone. The animation is amazing, the characters feel like actual people, some of the openings are arguably the best in all of anime, and the magic system actually makes sense and has logic behind it.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

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To Your Eternity

To Your Eternity (Japanese: 不滅のあなたへ, Hepburn: Fumetsu no Anata e, lit. "To You, the Immortal") is a Japanese anime series based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ōima. The story centers on an immortal being, Fushi, who takes on multiple forms and freely utilizes their... read more

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Beastars

Beastars (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. It was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion from September 8, 2016, to October 8, 2020, and collected in 22 tankōbon volumes. Set in a modern society populated by civilized anthropomorphic... read more

Hetalia: Axis Powers

Hetalia: Axis Powers is a Japanese webcomic-turned-anime created by Hidekaz Himaruya that debuted in 2009. The series anthropomorphizes countries and depicts them as characters interacting in both humorous and historical scenarios, primarily set during World War I and World War II.... read more

Nichijou

Airing in 2011, Nichijou is a Japanese anime based on a manga by Keiichi Arawi. Unlike typical plot-driven shows, it focuses on the surreal and comedic daily lives of three high school girls. It received praise for its inventive animation techniques and absurdist humor.

It's funnier if this isn't your first anime because of all the hilarious things that poke fun at other animes, but it's overall a funny and cute anime that's definitely a must-watch!

Definitely. It has a very different art style than most animes but it will make you cry laughing from episode one.

Hilarious and great for newcomers.

One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man is a webcomic created by ONE in 2009 that was later adapted into both a manga and an anime series. It gained widespread popularity and went viral in 2012, amassing millions of views. The story follows Saitama, who is named after Saitama Prefecture, as he seeks an opponent strong enough... read more

Understandable storyline, funny, a parody, and it has superheroes.

Death Note

Death Note is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The story follows Light Yagami, a gifted high school student with a strong sense of justice who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it. His actions as... read more

Unless you are someone who only likes action and stories where the heroes always get into fights and always win, Death Note is the perfect anime to introduce someone to. It doesn't have an overwhelming amount of content (only 37 episodes, a few live-action movies, and a musical, but you don't need to watch the movies or musical to experience the entire story). It has a fantastically written main character whose dynamic with his rival is one of the best in all of fiction.
It's got its fair share of depressing moments, but when it's funny, it's really funny. And it has a really good dub. The only problem I have with it is one of the side characters. They have an understandable motivation and backstory, but the show rarely brings it up other than the first time it's mentioned, so most of their screen time is them being immature and annoying.

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is an adventure and superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2014. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where they are common, as he trains to become a professional hero.

Perfect for people who like superhero movies or shows. And, even if you don't, it's still a great anime with great characters and a great plot. It also has some great comedy, and the fight scenes are incredible. It is one of the most overhyped animes to come out recently, but that hype doesn't come from nowhere.

The perfect starter anime.

Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime television series that premiered in 1998 and was produced by the animation studio Sunrise. The series was directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and featured character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto and mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane. The music... read more

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series adapted from the manga of the same name by Hiromu Arakawa. It follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their mother. The original series aired in 2003, and a more faithful... read more

Naruto

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

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation and based on the manga of the same name by Akira Toriyama. It helped popularize anime in the United States and was dubbed in English on Cartoon Network's Toonami block. The franchise has remained highly influential, spawning... read more

One Piece

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

Doraemon

Doraemon is a fictional character in the Japanese manga and anime series of the same name created by Fujiko Fujio, the pen name of the writing team Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko. The story follows a robotic cat named Doraemon who travels back in time from the 22nd century to help a young boy named... read more

Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail is a manga franchise created by Hiro Mashima. It was adapted into an anime series produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, which first aired in Japan on October 12, 2009. The franchise also includes several original video animations and a feature film titled Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess... read more

Kaichou wa Maid-sama!

Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online is a series of Japanese light novels written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. In 2012, it was adapted into an anime by A-1 Pictures and the SAO Project, directed by Tomohiko Ito. The first season features two arcs, "Aincrad" and "Fairy Dance," and it was followed by a second... read more

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a 2011 Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. It was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi, with music composed by Yuki Kajiura. The series features an opening theme by ClariS, ending themes by Kalafina and occasionally the voice... read more