The 14 best anime for beginners

Cassie Mammone

29.5.2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

Anime is a dime a dozen, making it difficult to find a foothold in the medium. So to help, here’s 14 anime best suited to welcome you in.

As a child, I loved watching a wild mix of shows during the morning serials. These included the very much obligatory Pokémon, Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh! anime. Years later, as a teenager, friends of mine recommended a certain anime you had to specifically find on the internet. It was the first time I took a closer look at the medium.

Today, I know that starting with Elfen Lied wasn’t exactly easy to digest. The animated series uses its artistic freedom to depict violence in a detailed and gruesome way. It’s primarily directed against humans, but against a defenceless puppy too.

To prevent the same thing from happening to you, here’s 14 anime for a perfect introduction to the medium. The selection includes popular picks from the anime community, genre kings, but also lesser-known titles. All years of release correspond to the debut in Japan. Over here, older anime in particular usually came out much later. If you already know and like an anime from this list, it might be worth taking a look at my recommendations for similar titles.

Attack on Titan (2013-2023)

Number of episodes: 89
Genre: action, fantasy, horror, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Attack on Titan is THE anime if you’re new to the medium. The plot is equally accessible and gripping, without requiring familiarity with the medium. All of this releases Attack on Titan from the usual clichés such as panty flashes or hours of characters shouting.

The plot begins in a straightforward manner: protagonist Eren Jäger lives with his parents as well as his friends Armin and Mikasa in a mediaeval town surrounded on all sides by walls. Why? Simple: they’re hounded by massive beings dead set on killing all humans – Titans.

One fateful day, when a wall is torn down by two Titans, the rest of their kind flood into the city, forcing the population to flee. So do Eren and his family – only, his father suddenly disappears and his mother is eaten by a Titan before his eyes.

From then on, Eren vows to destroy all Titans and begins training to do so. What begins as a plot with a clear motivation opens up over time and takes unexpected and no less exciting directions.

Death Note (2006-2007)

Number of episodes: 37
Genre: drama, fantasy, mystery, shonen, thriller
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Before Attack on Titan, Death Note was long considered THE anime recommendation for anyone new to the medium. No knowledge of anime or Japanese culture is needed to be swept away by the exciting crime story.

During class, young Light Yagami sees a book fall from the sky into the schoolyard. Taking a closer look, he sees that it’s the Death Note of Shinigami Ryuk, a kind of grim reaper. Every time Light writes down a person’s name and imagines their face, they die. The only logical next step for our student? To rid the world of criminals. Only, his vigilante justice isn’t quite so morally simple. Within a short space of time, he becomes the feared mass murderer Kira.

In an exciting game of cat and mouse, eccentric detective L stumbles into Light’s life and enlists the help of the clever student – who happens to be the son of a policeman – in the search of the villain.

If you like Death Note, try out the following anime:

Dragon Ball (1986– 1989)

Number of episodes: 153
Genre: action, comedy, martial arts, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Dragon Ball is the definition of a classic: a massive success in Japan while establishing the genre in the rest of the world. Telling tales of adventure, the show’s primarily aimed at children and teens, but thanks to the humour and likeable characters, it’ll also make an adult audience happy.

Young Son-Goku grows up in the mountains with his grandfather, far away from civilisation. One day, Bulma appears at Son-Goku’s door looking for a ball owned by his now-deceased grandfather, one of a total of seven Dragon Balls. Once they’re combined, the dragon Shenlong appears and grants a wish. Son-Goku doesn’t give Bulma the Dragon Ball, but instead plunges into an adventure bursting with action and fun alongside her.

One Piece (1999–today)

Number of episodes: 1,129+
Genre: adventure, action, comedy, drama, fantasy, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

If you like One Piece, try out the following anime:

Hunter x Hunter (2011-20??)

Number of episodes: 148
Genre: adventure, action, fantasy, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

The only information young Gon Freeks has about his father is the knowledge that he’s a Hunter. Hunters are particularly powerful humans who pursue dangerous tasks in the world of Hunter x Hunter, such as protecting important personalities, finding lost treasure or slaying monsters. As a result, they enjoy a high reputation in society.

In order to find his father, Gon wants to become a Hunter himself. However, he first has to pass the Hunter test. So, he sets off and meets his friends Kurapika, Leorio and Killua, who all accompany him on his adventures.

Until here, the plot description might sound like a typical shonen anime. However, what makes the work stand out is the harsh world filled with consequences that mangaka Yoshihiro Togashi created. While Dragon Ball and One Piece fights are fun, Hunter x Hunter introduces a clever combat system and doesn’t hold any armour in front of its protagonists.

The creator of Hunter x Hunter has been suffering from chronic back pain for years, resulting in sometimes three-year breaks in publication. Although the 2011 anime adaptation works, it doesn’t tell the full story since the original still hasn’t been completed.

If you like Hunter x Hunter, try out the following anime:

Odd Taxi (2021)

Number of episodes: 13
Genre: mystery, crime thriller
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Odd Taxi tells the story of taxi-driving walrus Hiroshi Odokawa, who encounters the most bizarre customers on the job. For the same reason, our unusual loner is targeted by the police. When a girl suddenly disappears, suspicion falls on Odokawa, and a thrilling whodunit with anthropomorphic animals in the leading roles takes its course.

With 13 episodes and an accessible crime story, Odd Taxi offers a short, casual introduction to the medium. If the plot intrigues you, you can see everything through in one go. What’s more, unlike the other entries in this list, Odd Taxi’s Tokyo setting conveys the interesting landscape of a major Japanese city. Due to its special aesthetic, the anime should appeal above all to people who like quirky and artistic settings.

If you like Odd Taxi, try out the following anime:

Delicious in Dungeon (2024-today)

Number of episodes: 24+
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy, gourmet, horror
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

If you like Delicious in Dungeon, try out the following anime:

Cowboy Bebop (1998)

Number of episodes: 26
Genre: action, comedy, science fiction, space western
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

It’s 2071. Humanity has conquered the universe. The crew of bounty hunters around Spike is right there, travelling through space to catch criminals. Mind you, the show doesn’t just focus on the adventures of these cowboys, but also on the individual stories of the crew on ship Bebop.

Compared to many other action anime, Cowboy Bebop occasionally takes its foot off the gas. The stories are told in a credible way and will make you smile as well as jerk the odd tear. However, this doesn’t stop the anime from having wonderfully choreographed and animated fight sequences. This classic will also appeal to people who otherwise struggle with cartoons in general.

If you like Cowboy Bebop, try out the following anime:

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)

Number of episodes: 26
Genre: action, mecha, science fiction
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Neon Genesis Evangelion mixes science fiction with religion and psychology, turning it into one of the most acclaimed anime ever despite a tight production budget at the time. Religious concepts drive the entire plot: humanity is attacked by unknown beings they call Angels. The Evangelions – combat robots controlled by young pilots – have been created to defend the planet.

One of these youngsters is protagonist Shinji Ikari, son of the commander of the facility fighting these very angels. Their strained father-son relationship simmers in the background, saving the world takes priority.

If you like Neon Genesis Evangelion, try out the following anime:

Edgerunners is set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077 and shows what exciting stories can be told in CD Projekt RED’s fictional universe outside of the video game. It makes the anime a perfect introduction for fans of the game world. But even viewers with less of an affinity for video games will get something out of this futuristic anime, whether you laugh, cry or think. The upbeat animation of the action is fun too.

If you like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, try out the following anime:

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)

Number of episodes: 64
Genre: adventure, science fantasy, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, alchemy, i.e. the transformation of substances, is an actual science. Same for the principle of equilibrium, which demands corresponding sacrifices to produce something specific. Brothers Edward and Alphonse lose a leg and their entire bodies respectively while trying to bring their deceased mother back to life.

But this doesn’t deter the pair from alchemy. Ed and Al – the latter now inside an empty suit of knight armour – continue their research to reclaim their bodies. In doing so, Edward becomes a so-called state alchemist and later becomes embroiled in political intrigue searching for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. The dark fantasy setting with supernatural elements also offers exciting action battles full of magic.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second anime adaptation of the manga. The first attempt is simply called Fullmetal Alchemist and, unlike Brotherhood, deviates from the plot of the original. While this version also has its fans, it’s generally less well received than Brotherhood.

If you like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, try out the following anime:

Yuri!!! On Ice (2016)

Number of episodes: 12
Genre: sports, romance
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

Yuri!!! On Ice was so popular in 2016 that the servers of streaming service Crunchyroll ironically froze when the last episode was released. Along with thousands of other fans, I had to wait before finally finding out who’d win the gold medal in ice skating in the final of the Grand Prix. With no knowledge of figure skating, I sat in front of the screen eager to see who’d master their flips, lutzes and toeloops – all familiar basic jumps in the sport.

Yuri!!! On Ice even has a connection to Switzerland. Former world champion figure skater Stéphane Lambiel appears in the final as a guest commentator and also dubs the role in the anime original in French himself.

If you like Yuri!!! on Ice, try out the following anime:

Haikyuu!!! (2014–2020)

Number of episodes: 85
Genre: comedy, sports
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

If you like Haikyuu!!, try out the following anime:

Spy x Family (2022–today)

Number of episodes: 37+
Genre: action, comedy, shonen
Language: Japanese with subtitles, dub

What at first sounds like a dramatic political thriller is actually a funny, action-packed series with touching everyday moments in the lives of this unusual family. The anime invites you to switch off and smile. Unlike other representatives of the comedy genre, the humour in Spy x Family is accessible. Both the manga original and the anime adaptation haven’t yet been completed.

If you like Spy x Family, try out the following anime:

Honourable mention: Studio Ghibli films

Although they aren’t series, I will always recommend Studio Ghibli’s films to anyone interested in anime. It isn’t without reason that most anime fans have seen at least a few films – they’re also loved by non-anime fans. It’s best to take a look at which of the numerous films would appeal to you and give them a chance – the probability of a great movie night is high enough given the selection.

What was or will be your first anime?

Cassie Mammone

Freelance Editor

cassie.mammone.freelance@gmail.com

I wrote my first text about video games when I was eight years old. I haven't been able to stop since. The rest of my time is spent on my love for 2D husbandos, monsters, my cats and sport.

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