Japanese anime has witnessed a meteoric rise globally in recent years. Even more, it has captivated audiences using animation to pass information and evoke emotions outside the comedic realm. The genre doesn’t shy away from humor, romance, history, war, and even everyday life, so relatability is guaranteed.
Shows like Demon Slayer — the highest-grossing movie in Japan — prove how popular anime can be. But outside this rising popularity, the art form can be confusing for newcomers, and rightly so. With a never-ending list to choose from, knowing where to start can be tough. To ease viewers in, these ten anime series are perfect for starters.
‘Demon Slayer’
Image Credit: Ufotable
Arguably the most popular anime in the world right now, this show broke box office records by being the highest-grossing anime of all time. It’s also the highest-grossing movie in Japanese history. Animated by Ufotable, Demon Slayer has since proven to be a revelation. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy whose family was killed by a demon while he was away. Returning home to find his sister as the only living survivor should have been a small relief. However, she’s been turned into a demon so he goes on a quest to find a cure for her.
Tanjiro meets Inosuke and Zenitsu on his quest, and together, the trio join the demon slayers. They train to face the king of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, and his elite army, the 12 upper moons. The remarkable animation and breathtaking fight scenes, which are the benchmark of this show, is the first selling point here.hook viewers. However, it’s the show’s exploration of themes like family, grief, courage, empathy, and sacrifice that take the cup. It’s this depth that makes it distinct from regular Shonen anime and perfect for starters.
‘Cowboy Bebop’
Image Credit: Bandai Namco Filmworks (fka Sunrise Inc)
Considered by many critics as perhaps the best anime of all time, this show also has a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is thought to be the first anime to reach critical acclaim in the United States and it inspired several film directors, including high-profile director Rian Johnson. First released in the late 90s, the show is set in a futuristic world where the Earth is almost uninhabitable and mankind has conquered other planets in the solar system. The protagonist, Spike, teams up with four other characters to form a team of intergalactic bounty hunters.
With a pioneering plot that combines several genres like science fiction, space western, neo-noir, and an unforgettable soundtrack it’s one to watch. It’s worth mentioning that there’s a Netflix series adaptation of this show which was pretty short-lived, as it was cancelled after one season. Over all, Cowboy Bebop is a ride for anyone, especially starters.
‘Spy x Family’
Image Credit: Wit Studio
Critically acclaimed, Spy x Family is one of the best-selling anime in recent times with over 35 million copies sold worldwide. The manga went live in 2019, and the anime in 2022, but it has since become a fan favorite. Lois Forger, the main character here, is a top-level spy. But, his next mission is not your usual case of espionage. He needs to adopt a baby and marry imminently to fulfill his next mission. Naturally – or in this case – unnaturally, he bags himself an extraordinary family.
Spy x Family comes together beautifully as all members of the family have to play their roles despite their secret abilities and personas. These abilities also go a long way to make them a great family. To top it off, the Forgers later adopt a dog with clairvoyant abilities. Combining slice of life comedy, action, and spy thriller genres, Spy x Family is delightful.
‘Death Note ‘
Image Credit: Madhouse
A popular and iconic psychological thriller that has gone on to sell over 30 million copies globally, Death Note is a great choice for anime starters. The story follows Light, a young college student who stumbles on a book that kills everyone whose is name written in it. Determined to use the book for justice, Light decides to kill every criminal in the world to create a utopia of sorts. However, the killing spree deems him a wanted man, and “L“, a brilliant detective, sets out to bring him to justice by any means.
The plot of is perhaps the highlight of Death Note, featuring a hero who kills criminals and a detective that is determined to catch this “killer of killers“. It’s safe to say that the moral conflict and dissonance is peak cinema. With only 37 episodes, the show is also not drawn out or too lengthy, and as such makes a great place to start for amateur anime enthusiasts. As a plus, it features high-quality animation, brilliant quotes, and well-developed characters among others.
‘Hunter x Hunter’
Image Credit: Ufotable
Hunter x Hunter is a huge financial and critical success and is one of the most popular series ever, with over 84 million manga copies sold worldwide, as of 2022. It follows the story of 12-year-old Gon Freccs who wishes to be a legendary hunter like his dad, Ging. Even more, Gon hopes to find his dad on his journey, as he left when he was still a baby. This show has even gone on to inspire other anime writers, such as Gege Akutami who went on to create the highly successful show Jujustu Kaisen. During the examination process to become a licensed hunter, Gon meets and befriends three other people. Alongside these colorful characters, he creates memorable moments and has the adventure of a lifetime.
‘Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood’
Image Credit: Bones
Another member of the anime Hall of Fame, this series is hugely popular across the globe. It’s a touching story of two brothers who try to restore their dead mother using alchemy, but get terrible results. Al, one of the brothers ends up losing his whole body, but he’s bound to some life saving armor by his brother, Edward. However, Edward also loses an arm and a leg. The two brothers set out to restore what they’ve lost. With over 80 million copies of the manga sold worldwide, it’s no secret that this show is a huge fan favorite.
Altogether, their journey leads them on several paths where they discover a state-controlled conspiracy, several adversaries, and hidden truths from their father’s past. A well-written story with strong characters, a justifiable ending, and a great soundtrack all come together to make this highly-rated show.
‘Attack On Titan’
Image Credit: Wit Studios
With over 140 million copies of the manga currently in circulation, Attack on Titan is one of the most successful anime shows released in recent times — maybe even ever. Set in a dystopian society, it chronicles the story of Eren Yeager who vows to kill every living Titan after they destroy his hometown and kill his mother. To achieve this, he joins forces with a special unit trained to take down these destructive giants.
Attack on Titan features plot twists that keep any viewer on the edge of their seats. The show blends genres such as historical-war fiction, dystopian-zombie fiction, action-adventure, and more in a unique way. Over four seasons, the show perfectly highlights several themes crucial to human existence such as – racism, war, existentialism, morality, genocide, and anti-natalism among others. The voice actors, many ranked as some of the best ever, deliver a stunning performance and bring the action to life. A genius story, it deservedly cements its place as a perfect anime series for starters.
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’
Image Credit: MAPPA
Declared by the Guinness World Records as the most in-demand anime in the world on April 24, 2024, this one is a winner. The demand for Jujutsu Kaisen was roughly 71 times greater than the average TV show. The story is centered on Yuji Itadori, an unusually strong high school student who joins a secret organization of sorcerers. Yuji’s mission is to eliminate an evil threat, but there’s a huge twist – his body hosts this evil entity.
Jujutsu Kaisen is famous for its psychological and though provoking plot. The well written story is also home characters that are powerful but also vulnerable. The crowning glory of this fan favorite however, are its visually stunning animation and hard hitting fighting scenes, which are top rated. Altogether, it’s a perfect introduction for anime starters.
‘My Hero Academia’
Image Credit: Bones
A highly successful manga that has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List a couple of times, My Hero Academia can be a great show for first-time anime watchers. It tells the story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy born with no special powers, called quirks, in a world where over 80% of the population are gifted. However, he meets the world’s greatest hero, All Might, who chooses him to be his successor, grants him his powers, and enrolls him in a superhero training school.
Some people decide to use their quirks for evil, so heroes are basically a necessity. Midroya makes friends at the superhero school and together with All Might they fight several villains in this epic superhero story. My Hero Academia takes one of the most common storylines — superheroes vs villains — and executes it to perfection. Boasting of a great cast, quality animation, and a standout soundtrack, this show is one of the best gateway animes ever made.
‘Parasyte: The Maxim’
Image Credit: Madhouse
True to its name, this series has alien parasites arrive on Earth to take over human hosts. How do they do this? Basically they make their way into the body through the brain, nose or ears killing the host and taking control of the body. 17-year-old high schooler, Shinichi Izumi wakes up before a parasite finds it way into his nose, forcing it to burrow into his arm. Plot twist, the parasite takes control of his arm, leading to a symbiotic relationship between the pair. The show uses this interconnected web to raise issues such as the human relationship with other species, morality, love, and environmental philosophy. Needless to say, if you’re new to anime, you will love this.
