Anime is a big thing right now, and you’ve probably heard all about it by now. Anime originated in Japan and consists of animated shows geared towards people of all ages. If there’s a genre you like, there’s probably an anime for it! If you’ve never watched anime before or you really want to get into it, then you’re probably wondering what to start with. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best ten anime for beginners to watch!
Do bear in mind that a lot of different anime exist out there. Just because you don’t like a certain show doesn’t mean all of them are bad, since there’s tons of genres in anime. If you like fantasy, romance, sci-fi, horror, etc… there will definitely be a show for you.
1. Death Note
Death Note is one of the best ways to start out with anime because it feels fairly similar to an American crime show. It’s not far-off a standard TV show, but it still has an element of the supernatural in it. The main character is a bored high school student named Light Yagami. He gets his hands on a notebook from a death god that can kill anyone who’s name is written in it.
Death Note is perfect for people who are fans of dark stories and intense suspense. It’s also got a great psychological aspect to it, and it’s pretty interesting to break down.
2. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a great anime to start with. It’s brutal and terrifying, but it’s got a fantastic story. It’s actually the anime that I started with and I really think it left a lasting impact on me. It’s set in a more European-style world, so that might be interesting for some beginners to anime.
Attack on Titan is about a post-apocalyptic world after man-eating giants called Titans destroyed much of the human population. Now, whatever was left of humanity must survive and face off against the return of the destructive Titans. If you love shows that can destroy your emotions, this is the one for you. It’s actually great as a show for anyone, so you don’t need to like anime to enjoy this title.
3. Naruto
Naruto is one of the best anime to watch as a beginner, as many people who don’t even watch anime enjoy it a lot. Naruto has a great coming-of-age story and showcases just how dynamic some characters can be.
The story of Naruto is about a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki. He’s determined to become a Hokage, which is a ninja in his village that is the strongest of all and most respected. There’s a lot of great characters in Naruto and it’s culturally popular with lots of memes and references.
4. One Punch Man
One Punch Man is a very entertaining story about a superhero named Saitama. He’s so powerful, he can defeat any opponent he comes across with a single punch. However, Saitama quickly grows bored of winning all the time, so he sets out to find a real challenge to face off.
It’s a super popular anime all over the world and it’s got a lot of funny and serious moments alike. Saitama is a cool protagonist, making One Punch Man a cool anime for sure!
5. Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer is one of those anime that really gets to you because of how emotionally powerful it is. It’s got plenty of light and funny moments, but the story looming over the show is dark. Demon Slayer follows the story of a young boy named Tanjiro who must help find a cure for his sister Nezuko after she is turned into a demon.
Demon Slayer is definitely good for people who enjoy emotionally-packed stories. However, it’s dark nature includes plenty of gore. Still, with its story and likeable characters, Demon Slayer is worth a watch.
6. Cowboy Bebop
Old but gold, Cowboy Bebop is one of the best anime you could ever watch. It’s a sci-fi series that tells the story of a group of bounty hunters. Their spaceship is called the Bebop. A lot of different genres influenced Cowboy Bebop, including science fiction, Westerns, and noir films. There’s a lot of pretty interesting themes in Cowboy Bebop and great writing.
The English dub has been regarded as one of the best anime dubs of all time, so if you watch this one in English, you’ll still get the full experience. It’s also a pretty good anime to start with for beginners.
7. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is definitely one of the best anime for beginners to watch. It’s got some great characters and a really interesting story. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a show about two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric and their search for the Philosopher’s Stone. They’re hoping to restore their bodies, which they lost in a failed attempt to resurrect their mother.
It’s been highly regarded as one of the most popular anime out there and a lot of people really enjoy it.
8. Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is definitely that anime that a lot of people break into with. Dragon Ball is honestly a cultural phenomenon and has been popular since its initial release. It recently got a movie this year and a Fortnite crossover event too. Dragon Ball is about a moneky-tailed boy named Goku who goes on an adventure with his friend Bulma to find the seven mystical Dragon Balls. These Dragon Balls can summon a powerful dragon named Shenron, who can grant his summoner their greatest desire.
There’s a lot of funny moments and great action-packed fights. There was a live-action movie once too…but we don’t talk about that one.
9. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is largely considered a psychologically bizarre, but amazing anime. The main plotline is about a young man who joins a small squad of pilots to utilize giant mechas to fight against violent monsters that are attacking Earth. There’s a lot of morality and ethical questions brought up in Neon Genesis Evangelion for sure.
It’s a great anime and is part of the mecha subgenre. Mecha anime are usually based around giant robots piloted by humans. There have been lots of mecha anime before like Grendizer (Goldorak in French), Gundam, Code Geass, Gurren Lagann and more.
10. Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is definitely a great anime for beginners. It’s got a pretty engaging story and it does take a lot of inspiration from VR and video games, as well as RPG-fantasy games. SAO is about a boy named Kirito who plays a Virtual Reality game called Sword Art Online. However, he and the other players are suddenly trapped in the game where the stakes are high: If they die in-game, they die in real life as well.
It’s a safe anime to start with and it’s got some pretty interesting subplots throughout. It’s definitely one you’ll enjoy.
Conclusions
If you really want to get into anime but don’t know where to start, the ten on our list are definitely a great starter list for anyone! There are a whole lot of other absolutely fantastic and great anime, but we’d be here all day trying to list them!
Let us know which anime from this list you’re planning on watching first. If you’ve already watched some, let us know what you thought about them in the comments below!
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
