Gone are the days when anime used to have a niche following. People who often viewed anime as kids’ material have begun to vanish as anime is exploding in popularity all over the globe. The anime community is filled with not just the general audience but also popular celebrities, content creators, athletes, etc, who have expressed their love for this medium. Whether your friend urged you to start an anime or you are curious about what the hype around anime is, our curated list has got your back. Keep reading to discover the 15 best starter anime across various genres that are perfect to kick off your anime journey on the right foot.
15. Spy x Family – A Bundle of Pure Joy
- Release Year: 2022 – Ongoing
- Studios: WIT Studio and Cloverworks
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Episodes: 37
If you are saying, Hey, I don’t want any complex and action-heavy anime, then Spy x Family is our best pick for beginners who prefer a relaxing comedy anime over any other. A spy, an assassin, and a psychic child form a family without knowing each other’s secrets. The rest of the plot is how they lead their secret lives and are there for each other.
Tatsuya Endo’s comedy manga, Spy x Family, was adapted into an anime in 2022 and instantaneously exploded in popularity with its comical plot and wholesome characters. Studio WIT and Cloverworks’ wonderful animation quality continues to attract more audiences to this day. So far, two seasons and a movie have been released in the Spy x Family franchise, and season 3 is on the way. You are in for a delightful ride if you are going with Spy x Family as your first anime.
14. Re: Zero- Starting Life in Another World – Get Isekai’d
- Release Year: 2016 – Ongoing
- Studios: White Fox
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Episodes: 95
I’m pretty sure you must have heard the term Isekai even before you became aware of anime. For those who are left in the dark, Isekai is one of the sub-genres where the main characters get reincarnated or teleported to another world, primarily in a fantasy setting. If this concept fascinates you, then you must begin with Re: Zero anime, which stands out as one of the most celebrated isekai anime of all time.
Re: Zero is the tale of Subaru Natsuki, who gets transported to a mysterious world. Upon waking up and meeting Satella eventually leads to their merciless deaths. However, Subaru wakes up again in the same scenario, only to find himself trapped in a strange time loop. How will our hero break the loop and get back to his world? Find it out yourself by teleporting yourself into the world of Re: Zero and catch up before the tale comes to an end soon.
13. Fruits Basket – Get a Slice of Shoujo
- Release Year: 2019 – 2021
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance, Supernatural
- Episodes: 63
Shonen is one of the most common terms in anime, which refers to the type of anime primarily targeted at teen boys. Now, Shoujo is the complete opposite of shonen as it is aimed towards teen girls. However, does that mean shoujo anime are catered to only a female audience, big no! Despite their demographic categories, all anime are enjoyed by everyone, such as adults enjoying shonen animanga series.
Therefore, if you have made up your mind to begin your journey with a shoujo anime, we can’t recommend anything other than Fruits Basket. It’s a heartfelt tale delivering a beautiful romantic story filled with endearing characters to root for. Once ranked as the no.1 top-rated anime, and remains among the highest-rated anime of all time on the My Anime List website.
12. Cowboy Bebop – The Definition of Classic Anime
- Release Year: 1998-1999
- Studios: Sunrise
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Episodes: 26
How about we go back in time to pick up an anime that carved its legacy as one of the greatest anime classics? Yes, I’m talking about Cowboy Bebop by Shinichiro Watanabe, which came out back in 1998. This space-western anime was not famous just in Japan; it became a sensation on the Western side, where people enjoyed both the subbed and English dubbed versions.
Cowboy Bebop takes place in 2071 in a futuristic world where Spike Spiegel, a bounty hunter, and his friends chase fugitives across the galaxy. Unexpectedly, Spike’s past soon begins to catch him up. If you are looking for a classic tale with unforgettable characters, Cowboy Bebop is the ideal anime for you, as it is long hailed as a masterpiece by the anime community.
11. My Hero Academia – A Supreme Treat for Superhero Stans
- Release Year: 2016-ongoing
- Studios: Studio Bones
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Superpower
- Episodes: 170
No matter if you are a Marvel fan or a DC fan, if you love superheroes and are currently after a superhero anime, My Hero Academia is the first and must-watch for you superhero lovers. MHA is about the life story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy who loves superheroes but is born without a quirk. But one day, Izuku’s life is changed when his favorite hero entrusts him with his power.
Izuku, aka Deku, joins the superhero academy, where he trains to become a great hero alongside his superhero pals. My Hero Academia is one of the modern shonen titles that continues to amaze the fans with its inspiring superhero tale, thrilling action sequences, and more. I’ve always thought of MHA as Western superheroes reimagined in Japanese style, and I can’t recommend this series enough if you love superheroes like me. The final season of MHA is airing later this year, so make sure to binge-watch the series and be ready for the final saga.
10. Solo Leveling – Enter the World of Manhwa
- Release Year: 2024 – Ongoing
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Episodes: 25
You may be wondering what a manhwa is after seeing the title here. To make things simple, in South Korea, comics are referred to as Manhwa. Solo Leveling is the anime adaptation based on the identically titled manhwa. Solo Leveling follows the life of Sung Jinwoo, the weakest hunter in history. On the verge of his death, he awakens a mysterious system that lets him level up like in video games. With his newfound powers, can he rise to the strongest hunter title and save humanity?
Discover it yourself by streaming Solo Leveling, which was officially revealed to be the most-watched anime in Crunchyroll’s history recently. Solo Leveling is the ultimate power fantasy anime, a trope you will find in a lot of anime, but this anime sits at the top. With its incredibly animated action sequences, Solo Leveling won the anime of the year award and is one of the best action anime ever made. If you are craving some Korean action to begin with, don’t hesitate to pick Solo Leveling as your first anime to watch.
9. Horimiya – Beginner-Friendly Romance Anime
- Release Years: 2021-2023
- Studios: CloverWorks
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
- Episodes: 26
If you would like to indulge yourself in a heartwarming romance drama as your very first anime, Horimiya is the ideal pick for you. This anime is about how Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura fall for each other despite their contrasting personalities. Set in a familiar high-school setting like other rom-coms, this anime wins your hearts with a heartfelt drama featuring endearing characters.
Horimiya was released at the right time when the romance anime got stuck in a loop of clichéd romantic dramas, and it became one of the best in the genre. Don’t get confused by the older adaptation of Horimiya by Hood Entertainment, as it’s an average adaptation. I suggest you watch both Horimiya and Hormiya: Piece to get the best experience out of the Horimiya series.
8. Grand Blue – Absolute Comedy Gold
- Release Year: 2018
- Studios: Liber
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Comedy
- Episodes: 12
If you are not are not looking for a serious anime, then a perfect comedy anime will bring the joy you seek in anime. Let me introduce you to Grand Blue, which is hailed as absolute comedy gold by the anime community. Set in the coastal town of Izu, this starter anime follows Iori’s fun-filled adventures with his new university friends in the sunny seaside town.
Whenever I feel down, switching to a comedy anime always brightens up my mood so quickly. Watching a comedy anime is similar to the experience of watching sitcoms. Thus, Grand Blue anime offers unfiltered fun from start to finish. After a long gap, this anime is returning this July with a brand new season. So, make sure to start binge-watching the Grand Blue as soon as you can to keep experiencing comedy at its absolute best.
7. Jujutsu Kaisen – Brace Yourself for Non-Stop Action
- Release Years: 2020 – Ongoing
- Studios: MAPPA
- Genre: Animation, Action, Supernatural
- Episodes: 48 episodes and a movie
Even before you stumbled upon the term anime, you must have heard about Jujutsu Kaisen. Shortly known as JJK, Gege Akutami’s magnum opus swiftly became the most popular anime, beating juggernaut titles such as One Piece, Naruto, AOT, etc, and received the Guinness World Record. There is no doubt that it is the most in-demand anime on the planet among the Gen-Z audience.
If you are wondering what this anime is about, it follows the life of Itadori Yuji, who gets enrolled in a sorcerer school after he accidentally eats a cursed finger. One of the main reasons for Jujutsu Kaisen’s sky-high popularity is MAPPA’s exceptional anime quality. Gege Akutami’s fantastic fights in the manga were elevated to exhilarating battles that one could ever find in an anime. Thus, kick off your journey with JJK if action is your sole preference.
6. Steins; Gate – Buckle Up to Time Travel
- Release Year: 2011
- Studios: White Fox
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Episodes: 24
Mind-bending time travel stories aren’t just a Hollywood specialty, as there are many brilliant anime that rival Hollywood’s best. Among them, Steins; Gate still stands tall to this date as the best time travel anime. Not just that, Steins; Gate is one of the best anime among many other things that the anime community often recommends to newcomers to the world of anime.
Steins; Gate chronicles the lives of Rintarou Okabe and his friends, who find themselves in a race against time when a shadowy organization named SERN threatens to get their time machine and rewrite history. With smart characters and a compelling narrative, this anime gets everything about time travel right. It is the third-highest animated show of all time and is easily a must-watch beginner-friendly anime for you if sci-fi is your jam.
5. Haikyuu!! – Embrace the Passion of Sports
- Release Years: 2014-2020
- Studios: Production I.G.
- Genre: Animation, Teen Drama, Sports, Comedy
- Episodes: 87 episodes and two movies
Everyone has some love for their favorite sport deep down. Even if you are not a fan of volleyball or don’t know much about the game, don’t worry, as Haikyuu is one of the best sports anime out there, which embodies the true passion and spirit of the game. Haikyuu is about the tale of Shoyo Hinata, an aspiring kid with big volleyball dreams despite his short height.
He unexpectedly crosses paths with his rival, Tobio Kageyama, in his new school. Now, they have to team up to lead Karasuno High to greatness. Don’t consider Haikyuu to be a regular sports drama. It has well-written, emotionally resonating characters, makes every match thrilling for those who are unfamiliar, and everything together is served well with top-tier animation by Production I.G. Haikyuu is one of my favorite anime of all time, and I assure you, it will be the same for you if you can give it a chance.
4. Attack on Titan – Proof That Anime Isn’t for Kids
- Release Years: 2013-2023
- Studios: Wit and MAPPA
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Action, Suspense
- Episodes: 98
You have probably heard people endlessly talking about Attack on Titan, whether in your friend group or online. Attack on Titan, also known as AOT, became a global sensation shortly after its release back in 2013. Without spoiling anything, here is the plot of AOT: The existence of Titans (giant humanoids) pushes humanity to the brink of extinction. After his hometown gets annihilated by the Titans, the MC Eren Yeager fiercely vows to wipe out these monsters from the face of Earth.
Sure sounds like a regular post-apocalyptic monster show, right? That’s where we are proven wrong! Each season of AOT evolves into a complex storyline exploring mature themes that no other shonen anime dares to do. With an intriguing storyline and exceptional characters backed by stunning animation quality from WIT Studio and MAPPA, Attack on Titan is easily a must-watch and one of the best starter anime to commence your anime journey.
3. Demon Slayer – Witness Peak Animation
- Release Years: 2019 – Ongoing
- Studios: Ufotable
- Genre: Animation, Action, Supernatural
- Episodes: 63 episodes and 3 movies
If you are drawn to anime for its visual quality and want to see how far it can go, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the no-brainer pick. After Tanjiro Kamado’s family is slaughtered by demons, he embarks on a revenge journey by becoming a Demon Slayer. While Demon Slayer is known for its clichéd story, it wouldn’t impact your experience as it’s going to be your very first anime.
The key reason behind Demon Slayer’s phenomenal success across the globe is Ufotable’s unmatched animation quality. Demon Slayer anime redefined the limits of what’s possible in animation. It boasts a memorable set of characters and extraordinary battle sequences that leave an indelible mark on your hearts. Rest assured, Demon Slayer is the ideal beginner anime if the visuals are your main preference. The final trilogy of movies is coming out soon, so it is the right time to catch up.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – A Complete Experience
- Release Years: 2009-2010
- Studios: Bones
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Episodes: 64
If you are looking for an anime that has everything the medium has to offer, we have the perfect recommendation for you: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. FMAB is the tale of the Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse, who set out in search of the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies to their original form.
FMAB is one of the classic anime titles that came out in 2009. Since its debut, this anime reigned at the top as the highest-rated anime of all time in MAL until the Frieren anime pushed it down a year back. The anime is still hailed as an all-time great anime for the complete package experience it offers, including compelling protagonists, a well-rounded story, and many more wrapped up and presented with excellent animation quality.
No matter what anime you start with, you will come across FMAB naturally, as it falls under the must-watch category. So, why not begin your anime journey with one of the greatest anime ever?
1. Death Note – The Ultimate Starter Anime
- Release Years: 2006-2007
- Studios: Madhouse
- Genre: Animation, Psychological, Suspense, Mystery
- Episodes: 37
When it comes to introducing someone to anime, Death Note has been the classic starting choice for years. Death Note follows the life story of Light Yagami, who finds a supernatural book that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. With just 37 episodes, it is a perfect limited series for anyone to begin with.
Death Note takes the typical cat-and-mouse plot to the next level with well-written, morally complex characters. It’s a well-crafted anime, in-and-out, and you will be hooked throughout the anime right from the very start. It is the first anime I began my journey with, and it still remains the definitive gateway for all newcomers to date.
And that’s a wrap for our handpicked list of beginner anime from most of the popular genres. If you are an action fan or a romance fan, we hope we assisted you well in selecting the right anime to begin your beautiful anime journey. That said, let us know which was your first anime in the comments below.
