Summary
- Beginner-friendly anime series offer a range of genres that cater to different tastes, ensuring there's something for everyone. (94 characters)
- Series like Mob Psycho 100 and Jujutsu Kaisen strike a balance between action, humor, and heart, perfect for new fans. (120 characters)
- Long-running series like One Piece and Pokémon have standalone episodes, making them easy for beginners to jump into. (117 characters)
Anime has rapidly become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, naturally leading many to wonder what the best anime for beginners are. The medium has a long and storied history, with some series quite difficult for new viewers to get into due to references to other anime, cultural differences, and quirks of the medium.
However, just because some anime might be difficult to understand for new viewers, doesn't mean all anime are. The best anime for beginners cover universal themes in a way that any viewer should be able to get behind. These series range from action to romance to thrillers to comedy, meaning that there should be a wide variety of anime available to fit any one person's tastes.
10 Best Anime to Introduce Kids to the Medium
Anime is something that can best be experienced while someone is at a young age, and here are the 10 best anime for introducing kids to the medium.30 Mob Psycho 100 Has Heart to Spare
2016 Anime Series By Studio Bones
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Release Year |
2016 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
37 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
Mob Psycho 100 is a perfect introduction to the world of anime. The series focuses on a young boy named Mob whose psychic powers are so immense that he has to close off his emotions to avoid setting them off. Together with his conman mentor Reigen, Mob battles evil spirits and other psychics obsessed with world domination.
More so than almost any other anime, Mob Psycho 100 is a series that balances action, humor, and heart. The bond between Mob and Reigen is genuinely sweet and is sure to resonate with new fans of anime.
29 Jujutsu Kaisen Created a New Generation of Anime Fans
2020 Anime Series By Studio MAPPA
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Release Year |
2020 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
47 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
Currently one of the most popular anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen is easily approachable for beginning anime fans. The series follows a young man named Yuji who is inducted into a secret society of sorcerers who are involved in a never-ending quest to destroy cursed spirits.
Right alongside current hits like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen is undeniably responsible for ushering in a new generation of anime fans with its thrilling fights and breathtaking animation. Beginning anime fans certainly can't go wrong with Jujutsu Kaisen.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is a supernatural action anime that follows high school student Yuuji Itadori as he battles against magical curses. After Yuji selflessly saves a classmate by taking a curse into his own body, he is discovered and trained by a powerful sorcerer named Satoru Gojo. Gojo, who also happens to be a faculty member at a high school, enrolls Yuji there to help him and other students prepare themselves against the supernatural forces that plague humanity.
28 Hunter x Hunter Has a Lovable Cast of Characters
2011 Anime Series By Madhouse
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Release Year |
2011 |
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Number Of Episodes |
148 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu |
Hunter x Hunter is a beloved shōnen series about a young boy named Gon who uses the search for his father as a springboard to become a Hunter and go on an adventure. With a lovable cast of characters and an approachable story, Hunter x Hunter is easy to jump into without much knowledge of other anime.
The series is well-paced, as well, starting rather simply before unveiling one of the most intricate and fascinating power systems in anime history. Potential anime fans who want an entry point into classic shōnen battle anime shouldn't pass up Hunter x Hunter.
27 Pokémon is Easy to Watch For Any Fan of the Game
1997 Anime Series By OLM, Inc.
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Release Year |
1997 |
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Number Of Episodes |
1273 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime |
One of the longest-running anime series ever, it's no understatement to say that Pokémon is at least partially responsible for anime growing as popular as it is outside of Japan. Despite its lengthy episode count, each season of Pokémon is largely standalone, so new viewers can jump into the charming and simplistic series at any point.
Pokémon is especially beginner-friendly thanks to its recent soft reboot, Pokémon Horizons, so new fans can get into the series there and see why it's been so beloved for decades without getting bogged down by what little continuity there is.
26 One Piece is One of the Biggest Shonen Series Ever
1999 Anime Series By Toei Animation
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Release Year |
1999 |
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Number Of Episodes |
1092 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix |
Another long-running anime that's easy to recommend for beginners is One Piece. With its goofy characters and world combined with surprisingly mature and intense writing and fight scenes, One Piece has long been established as one of the biggest anime in the entire world, and the incredibly vibrant art and animation of recent One Piece seasons have done a lot to sell its strengths to its best degree in years.
With over 1000 episodes, One Piece certainly does warrant a lot of investment on the part of the viewer, but the incredible story it tells makes that more than worthwhile.
One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history's longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix's 2023 adaptation.
25 Odd Taxi is an Crime Thriller With a Unique Hook
2021 Anime Series By OLM, Inc.
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Release Year |
2021 |
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Number Of Episodes |
13 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
Odd Taxi is an incredibly original anime series about a walrus taxi driver who becomes embroiled in a criminal conspiracy involving the yakuza that threatens to break his normally chill demeanor.
Despite the odd nature of its setting, Odd Taxi's writing makes it comparable to something like Pulp Fiction, and with its vibrant animation, impressive musical score, and relatable and all-around interesting characters, it was quick to receive praise from fans and critics alike. Odd Taxi was one of the biggest anime to come out in 2021, so new anime fans are sure to get a lot out of it.
24 Spy X Family is a Wholesome Gateway to Anime
2022 Anime Series By Wit Studio & CloverWorks
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Release Year |
2022 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
37 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu |
Spy x Family is a starter anime series that strikes the perfect balance between action and comedy. The series focuses on super-spy Loid Forger and his "family" that he recruited as part of his cover, which consists of the deadly assassin Yor and the young telepath Anya. The kicker, though, is that no one except Anya is aware of anyone's true identity, leading to plenty of hijinks as they scramble to keep their secrets.
Despite that layer of intrigue though, the Forgers' everyday wholesome interactions make Spy x Family so constantly entertaining and a perfect entryway into anime.
10 Best Anime Movies That Missed Out On Oscar Nominations
Anime has never had a good history at the Academy Awards, to the point that many great films never even got past the submission phase.23 Cardcaptor Sakura Is One of the Best Magical Girl Anime
1998 Anime Series By Madhouse
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Release Year |
1998 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
70 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Netflix |
A classic magical girl anime, Cardcaptor Sakura makes for a good starter anime for those interested in series more aimed at girls. The series follows Sakura Kinomoto, who accidentally releases a deck of magical cards, and with the aid of her friend Tomoyo and rival Syaoran, Sakura embarks on a quest to recapture all the magical cards and put a stop to the chaos they've brought about.
Cardcaptor Sakura is a fun series with an engaging cast and mythology surrounding it, and with a sequel series in Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, there's plenty about the series for people to enjoy.
22 Toradora! is a Great Intro to Anime Romance
2008 Anime Series By J.C. Staff
|
Release Year |
2008 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
25 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Netflix |
Toradora! is a teen romantic comedy that has plenty of dramatic moments. Series protagonists Ryuji and Taiga try to help one another with their crushes, but in true rom-com fashion, they end up falling for one another, instead.
Watching the friendship between Taiga and Ryuji is one of the strongest aspects of the series as they both often proclaim that they can't stand one another, but are clearly the closest of friends. Romance anime often have memorable confessions, but the relatable way in which Toradora! develops Ryuji and Taiga's relationship makes it a uniquely perfect starter anime.
21 Bocchi The Rock! Deals With Anxiety in a Cute & Fun Way
2022 Anime Series By CloverWorks
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Release Year |
2022 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
12 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
For more recent anime to introduce to beginners, a perfect choice is undoubtedly Bocchi the Rock! The anime's exploration into social anxiety through its titular lead, Bocchi, is conveyed in a comedic, yet surprisingly thoughtful and mature way, and thanks to series director Keiichiro Saito the vibrant and often surreal animation of Bocchi the Rock! results in every episode being a visual spectacle.
Add in the incredible soundtrack from both Kessoku Band and the general score, and Bocchi the Rock! was quick to become a major hit among fans and critics, so it makes for a perfect series for newcomers.
20 Lupin the Third Part IV: The Italian Adventure Modernizes an Influential Anime
2015 Anime Series By Telecom Animation Film
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Release Year |
2015 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
26 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Pluto TV |
The Lupin the Third franchise has a long history, but it makes for an excellent starter anime since a viewer can start watching any season without needing information from previous seasons. The series follows the titular master thief Lupin the Third and his associates, the marksman Jigen and the samurai Goemon, as they plan heists, avoid the relentless inspector Zenigata, and occasionally save the world along the way.
The Italian Adventure, naturally, sees the crew in Italy, of course, and is a perfect blend of all the things that make Lupin the Third fun: action, goofy humor, and lovable characters.
19 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is One of the Biggest Modern Anime
2019 Anime Series By Ufotable
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Release Year |
2019 |
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Number Of Episodes |
55 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix |
Anime is well known for its epic, over-the-top fight scenes, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba takes that to an incredible level. The series follows young Tanjiro Kamado, who after losing his family to a demon attack, finds that his sister is still alive, but now a demon herself.
Desperate to save his last family, Tanjiro agrees to become a demon slayer in order to help search for a cure, facing off with fearsome foes with incredible courage. With a moving story, complex characters, and gorgeous art, Demon Slayer is a can't-miss starter anime series for those looking for action.
18 The Ancient Magus' Bride is a Fantasy Take on Romance
2017 Anime Series By Wit Studio & Studio Kafka
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Release Year |
2017 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
48 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
The fairytale-like Ancient Magus Bride takes place in a magical version of modern England, where Celtic and Scandinavian monsters and fairies live unseen in the wilds. No matter how new to anime they are, viewers will recognize the familiar Western cultural touchstones of this series, from a grim church to dragons to the famed Titania and Oberon.
Chise and Elias make for a great pair of protagonists with an interesting dynamic that's always changing, and overall, The Ancient Magus' Bride unique exploration into magic and relationships, platonic or otherwise, makes it great to watch and an easy recommendation for beginners.
17 Cells At Work! is Informative & Hilarious at the Same Time
2018 Anime Series By David Production
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Release Year |
2018 |
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Number Of Episodes |
22 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
Few works of fiction have portrayed the inner workings of the human body entertainingly, but Cells at Work! does it in true anime style. Cells at Work! anthropomorphizes the cells of the human body into people running the human body like a city, and as such, Cells at Work! always balances informative biology and health lessons with absurdist visuals and animation.
It's very rare for a story of any medium to focus on educating people without becoming too heavy-handed, but Cells at Works! does a great job of not falling into that trap, and that makes it perfect for newcomers.
16 Dr. Stone Has Great Characters & an Even Better Premise
2019 Anime Series By TMS Entertainment
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Release Year |
2019 |
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Number Of Episodes |
57 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu |
Another great, and relatively recent, anime for newcomers to the medium is Dr. Stone. Dr. Stone centers around a mysterious energy wave that turns the entire population of Earth to stone, and 3,700 years later, the brilliant teenager Senku Ishigami reawakens to find himself in a transformed world. Senku finds himself in a new Stone Age, and with the power of science, he's going to rebuild everything, one rediscovered invention at a time.
Dr. Stone's cast of odd characters and dedication to realistic science highlights how creative anime can be, and that's exactly why it's an ideal starter anime series.
15 Plastic Memories is a Great Sci-Fi Romance Anime
2015 Anime Series By Doga Kobo
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Release Year |
2015 |
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Number Of Episodes |
13 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu |
Fans of sci-fi and romance alike are sure to get a lot out of the cult series Plastic Memories. In Plastic Memories, realistic androids called Giftias have become a reality, but they have limited life spans and must be manually retired, sometimes against their will.
The male lead Tsukasa Mizugaki is a newly hired robot "spotter," and his companion is Isla, a Giftia who is on the verge of being retired, herself. With Plastic Memories' focus on the heartwarming and tragic romance between the two leads, the series has a lot to offer for anime fans old and new, alike.
14 Chainsaw Man Captures Anime's Darker & Lighter Sides Perfectly
2022 Anime Series By Studio MAPPA
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Release Year |
2022 |
|
Number Of Episodes |
12 |
|
Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu |
As one of the hottest new series in recent years, Chainsaw Man is a great anime to start with. Adapted from the popular manga of the same name, it centers on the single-minded Chainsaw Man himself, Denji, who's saved from a brutal death by a chainsaw devil that is absorbed into his body.
As a result, he ends up merged with the creature and now holds the ability to transform his body parts into chainsaws. Gory, action-packed, and funny, Chainsaw Man manages to capture the darker and lighter sides of anime in a single series with plenty more to come.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is an adaptation of the popular manga written by Tatsuki Fujimoto, airing on Crunchyroll in the west. Denji, a young man working tirelessly for the Yakuza to pay off the debt, his late father saddled him with hunts devils with the assistance of his little friend Pochita, also known as the Chainsaw Devil. When the Yakuza kill him to gain a contract with another devil, Pochita saves Denji, and the two forge a contract, allowing Denji to gain revenge against the Yakuza. Now sought after by an agency known as the Public Safety Division, Denji joins a team led by the mysterious Makima. Denji now relentlessly hunts Devils in service of his newfound crush, Makima, slowly reaching their ultimate goal of facing the ultimate Devil.
13 Little Witch Academia
2017 Anime Series By Studio Trigger
For an easy anime to get into that doesn't heavily revolve around action, there are few better choices than Little Witch Academia. Based off the two anime films of the same name, Little Witch Academia is relatively light in tone, save for the later episodes, and with a quirky cast and the always bombastic animation of Studio Trigger, Little Witch Academia is a delightful fantasy series and one of Studio Trigger's best projects. It's an anime that always wears its heart and themes on its sleeve, and that makes it a perfect choice for newcomers to the medium.
12 Parasyte -The Maxim- is Darkly Compelling
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Release Year |
2014 |
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Number Of Episodes |
24 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll, Hulu |
Based on the classic manga, Parasyte -the maxim- tells the story of a young man named Shinichi who wakes up to find that his right hand has been replaced with an alien parasite. The alien, eventually called Migi, is part of an invading force that has been quietly taking over the world, and Shinichi has to learn to live with the parasitic creature if he is to stand a chance against them.
Though a tad on the darker side, Parasyte -the maxim-'s compelling characters and their evolution makes the series a must-watch starter anime.
11 Yuri!!! On Ice is One of the Best LGBTQ+ Anime For Beginners
2016 Anime By Studio MAPPA
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Release Year |
2016 |
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Number Of Episodes |
12 |
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Where To Watch It |
Crunchyroll |
For sports anime to introduce newcomers to the medium, one of the best shows available is undoubtedly Yuri!!! on Ice. Yuri!!! on Ice follows the titular Yuri, a Japanese figure skater who is considering quitting the sport, but who eventually catches the eye of Victor Nikiforov, one of the world's most renowned figure skaters. Victor becomes Yuri's coach as Yuri rediscovers his love for the sport, and a charming love story develops between the two. Sweet and emotional, Yuri!!! On Ice is one of the best anime to watch for beginners in search of good LGBT+ romance.