30 Best Anime For Beginners

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.

40 Mob Psycho 100 Has Heart to Spare

2016 Anime Series By Studio Bones

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.

39 Jujutsu Kaisen Created a New Generation of Anime Fans

2020 Anime Series By Studio MAPPA

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.

38 Hunter x Hunter Has a Lovable Cast of Characters

2011 Anime Series By Madhouse

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.

37 Pokémon is Easy to Watch For Any Fan of the Game

1997 Anime Series By OLM, Inc.

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.

36 One Piece is One of the Biggest Shonen Series Ever

1999 Anime Series By Toei Animation

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.

35 Odd Taxi is an Crime Thriller With a Unique Hook

2021 Anime Series By OLM, Inc.

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.

34 Spy X Family is a Wholesome Gateway to Anime

2022 Anime Series By Wit Studio & CloverWorks

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.

33 Haikyuu!! Is a Perfectly Approachable Sports Anime

Anime Series by Production I.G; Based on the Manga by Haruichi Furudate

Haikyuu!! is one of the most accessible sports anime available, with a wholesome plethora of lessons for viewers from all walks of life. Haikyuu!! is perfectly relatable even for viewers who don’t care at all about volleyball, competitive or otherwise, instead focusing on the dynamics between its characters on and off the court, the electrifying qualities of Shoyo Hinata’s lofty dreams, and the power of teamwork.

Watching this series can help remind viewers of the importance of accepting and learning from failure, refining one’s talents, and confronting personal despair. The result is a thrilling series that easily ranks among the best sports anime of all time.

32 Cardcaptor Sakura Is One of the Best Magical Girl Anime

1998 Anime Series By Madhouse

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.

31 Toradora! is a Great Intro to Anime Romance

2008 Anime Series By J.C. Staff

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.

30 Solo Leveling Is a Solid Gateway to Manhwa

2024 Anime Series by A-1 Pictures; Based on the Novel and Manhwa by Chugong & Dubu

Solo Leveling is not groundbreaking, but for anime beginners, that’s not a dealbreaker, since it provides a sense of mounting, unbridled hype. This series is an action anime adaptation of the quintessential urban power fantasy manhwa which helped shape its own niche.

Although Solo Leveling attracts disputes over what manhwa series will overtake it, it’s inevitably a starting point for many prospective readers. The story of Sung Jinwoo, who overcomes adversity and becomes unimaginably powerful as the Player with a new lease on life is exciting, with promises of incredible arcs in the future.

29 Bocchi The Rock! Deals With Anxiety in a Cute & Fun Way

2022 Anime Series By CloverWorks

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.

28 Lupin the Third Part IV: The Italian Adventure Modernizes an Influential Anime

2015 Anime Series By Telecom Animation Film

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.

27 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is One of the Biggest Modern Anime

2019 Anime Series By Ufotable

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.

26 The Ancient Magus’ Bride is a Fantasy Take on Romance

2017 Anime Series By Wit Studio & Studio Kafka

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.

25 Cells At Work! is Informative & Hilarious at the Same Time

2018 Anime Series By David Production

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.

24 Dr. Stone Has Great Characters & an Even Better Premise

2019 Anime Series By TMS Entertainment

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.

23 Plastic Memories is a Great Sci-Fi Romance Anime

2015 Anime Series By Doga Kobo

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. W ith 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.

22 Chainsaw Man Captures Anime’s Darker & Lighter Sides Perfectly

2022 Anime Series By Studio MAPPA

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. From there, Denji joins the Public Safety Department to try and protect Japan from some of the world’s most powerful devils.

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. More than just a gory good time though, Chainsaw Man is willing to tackle darker themes that other series might shy away from.

21 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.

Though Trigger is known for darker series that take on mature themes like Gurren Lagann or Cyberpunk: Edgerunner s, Little Witch Academia shows the rambunctious studio has a softer side to it too. Any fan who wants to see Trigger’s signature style applied to something a little more wholesome owes it to themselves to watch Little Witch Academia. 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.