7 Anime Series That Are Perfect For Beginners To Watch
Japanese animated series, or anime, have steadily gained popularity over the years and now encompass a wide and varied library of content that has something for everyone.
These animated shows, often based on mangas or web comics, feature complex plots, incredible world-building, and stunning art.
Most of us have limited experience with anime, mostly restricted to Studio Ghibli movies and after-school Pokemon reruns on Cartoon Network. More recently, animes like Demon Slayer and Netflix’s recently released live-action One Piece series have popularised the medium once again.
But if you’re a new entrant who is looking to explore these works, the sheer amount of options might seem daunting. On top of that, the cultural differences and unique quirks of these series can intimidate a non-anime fan. However, there are many series that can be your gateway to the world of anime without requiring a lot of insider knowledge about the medium.
Best Anime Series For Beginners
We’ve curated a list of series that are perfect for people who are looking to get into the world of anime. Happy watching!
Death Note (2006)
Death Note (2006)
This one is so popular that there’s a good chance you’ve spotted a meme referencing this anime at least once in the past few years. The series follows high school student Light Yagami who discovers a supernatural notebook that grants its user the ability to kill just by writing someone’s name in it. The young man begins using it to enact vigilante justice, coming under the radar of an elite Japanese Police Task Force led by Detective ‘L’. An American movie adaptation was released in 2017, starring Natt Wolf and Willem Defoe.
Watch it here
One-Punch Man (2015-2020)
One-Punch Man (2015-2020)
If you are exhausted of superhero shows and movies, then this anime series is perfect for you. A satire on the superhero and action genre, this hilarious series is about Saitama, a man with the ability to defeat anyone with just a punch. Saitama earned this after intense training over a period of three years after which he feels chronically bored as there’s no challenge left for him anymore.
Watch it here
Spy X Family (2022-)
Spy X Family (2022-)
A perfect blend of comedy and action, this series offers short episodes that you can binge-watch in one sitting. It follows super spy Loid Forger and his ‘family’, a wife and daughter he recruited as cover for one of his missions. Forger’s new ‘wife’ Yor is actually a deadly assassin and his ‘daughter’ Anya is a mind-reader and the best part is that none of them are aware of the other’s true identities. Except Anya because of her mind-reading abilities. This leads to hilarious misadventures amidst covert spy work.
Watch it here
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019-)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019-)
If you’re a beginner, this ongoing anime series will make you an instant fan. The series follows Tanjiro Kamado who begins training to become a demon slayer after a dreaded demon kills most of his family. The young boy sets out on a journey to avenge his family and to find a cure for his sister who gets transformed into a demon after the attack. The moving story, incredible action sequences, complex characters, and next-level animation make this one a favourite of beginners and veteran watchers alike.
Watch it here
Chainsaw Man (2022-)
Chainsaw Man (2022-)
Another incredible title for your watchlist, this one is about Denji, an impoverished man who makes a deal with the devil to save his life. In return, the boy is cursed with the ability to transform parts of his body into chainsaws. Denji then decides to join the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight demons and protect the world using his unique powers.
Watch it here
Attack On Titan (2013-2020)
Attack On Titan (2013-2020)
Often referred to as the Game of Thrones of anime, owing to its dark and graphic plot, the series is truly epic. In an apocalyptic future, humans have been driven to hide behind a walled city in order to save themselves from the giant, horrifying Titans that have taken over the world. The compelling story and dark themes gained the show widespread critical acclaim.
Watch it here
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Fans of the cancelled-before-its-time cult favourite series Firefly will love this iconic anime series. Widely considered to be one of the best anime series of all time, the Space Western follows a group of mismatched characters who work as bounty hunters while travelling across space in their spaceship. The layered characters and plot have ensured the show’s timelessness.
Watch it here
