The best way to approach anime is by watching them. After getting some experience, you will be able to understand what you like and what you need to catch up with.
But first, we want to give you some pieces of advice about the best anime for beginners. So if you are at the start of your journey to explore Japanese animation, we recommend you watch the following shows.
Before we start: rankings are based on our experience and personal taste.
Table of Contents
25. The Promised Neverland
The setup for this anime is as simple as it is frightening. Humans and Demons ended a long war by coming to an agreement named The Promise.
According to this agreement, humans and demons won’t invade each other worlds but demons will have to be granted a steady supply of food in the form of human flesh.
The humans will be bred in these fake orphanages where a human Mother would make sure that the children would grow up and then be adopted, meaning they will be fed to high-ranking demons.
The story follows three children who live in one of these orphanages, the Grace Field House, as they slowly unravel the chilling mystery of the place where they grew up in.
A perfect starting point for mystery and horror lovers.
24. Tokyo Ghoul
One of the most famous and talked-about anime of recent years, which has been at the center of attention for a variety of reasons, mainly because of its fluctuating animated adaptation.
Still, it’s one of the best anime to start with, for its simple and effective plot and its great character design.
The story revolves around Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college-going boy who lives in a town where strange and violent murders are happening.
According to the police investigation, these deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious and unknown creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims. No one has ever seen them even in passing.
As already mentioned, Tokyo Ghoul is a much-discussed anime because of its uncertain and not exactly faithful animated adaptation, which on more than one occasion turns out to be confusing and inaccurate.
So we recommend approaching the work through the manga, although the anime deserves to be watched for the good animation and soundtrack.
23. Code Geass
A famous anime released between 2006 and 2007 by the collaboration between Sunrise studio and the world-famous female mangaka group CLAMP.
Japan has become a colony of Britannia and is now known as Area 11. Lelouch gets caught in the crossfire of a terroristic attack and manages to escape after receiving the Geass from C.C., a mysterious girl.
This power enables him to have absolute power over others simply by direct eye contact, allowing him to control their minds. This is where his revenge against the empire begins, sparking a war between the two factions.
An anime that you must watch for its deep psychological and tactical approach to warfare, perfect to start with for its solid plot and themes.
22. Toradora!
Toradora began as a light novel series written by Yuyuko Takemiya and a manga adaptation by artist Zekkio.
The main character Ryuji Takagi, because of his creepy look and being the son of a yakuza, is kept at a distance and feared by his schoolmates.
In reality, he is a quiet and responsible boy, as well as fixated on cleanliness. Opposed to him we have Taiga Aisaka, feared for his heated disposition despite being of petite stature.
An excellent romance, capable of gripping you and melting your heart, perfect for those who want to start with something light and emotional.
21. My Hero Academia
Turning now to something more modern, we see My Hero Academia, one of the best examples of today’s fighting anime. The author this time is Koei Horikoshi, and the manga, like the anime, is still ongoing.
The plot develops on the concept of Quirks or, in jargon, superpowers.
In a world whereby a genetic mutation 80% of the population possesses a power, the figure of the Pro Hero, or superheroes who perform benevolent actions as their job, has arisen.
Opposed to them are the Villains. The protagonist of the events is Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, who dreams of becoming a superhero to follow in the footsteps of All Might, his idol as well as hero No. 1.
But ironically, the boy is born without superpowers. But it’s his chance encounter with his idol one day that shakes things up, beginning the events narrated.
If you want to see an excellent blend of modern elements with storytelling techniques typical of classic shonen, you are on the right track.
20. Your Name
A real media phenomenon, hated by some but loved by many more. We are talking about Your Name, one of the most famous Makoto Shinkai movies.
Mitsuha is a high school student living in a rural town nestled in the mountains who dreams of life in Tokyo.
Taki is a student living in downtown Tokyo in its hustle and bustle. One day, they both dream of being in each other’s bodies. But is it really just a dream?
Your Name features a beautiful setting between city and countryside while boasting solid and fluid animations.
It’s perfect if you want to watch a romantic movie, even though we warn you that the plot isn’t the most consistent ever.
That’s why it deals with time travel and skips so it’s quite predictable that there will be some incongruences. We still recommend you give this movie a try if you are new to romance.
19. Parasyte
A dark anime with plenty of plot twists and interesting fights, with the power of letting you think about sensitive themes like ethics and what it means to be human.
The protagonist of the opera is Shinichi Izumi, an ordinary student whose right hand is infested by a mysterious alien parasite interested in taking over his body.
Migi, a nickname given to the parasite, is just one of a race of parasites intent on taking over human bodies to conquer Earth.
The forced coexistence between the two leads them to clash with other malicious parasites in an ongoing struggle for their survival and that of humankind.
A perfect entry point if you’re searching for fighting scenes along with solid mature themes and a good amount of gore.
18. Ancient Magus Bride
A 24-episode anime series based on the manga of the same name by Kore Yamazaki and animated by Studio Wit.
The protagonist of the story is young Chise Hatori, a girl who, after losing her entire family in previous years, decides to sell herself off at an auction to change her life and find some light in her life after many years of suffering.
She will then be purchased by a man who stands out mainly because of his tall height and head shaped like a canine skull to make her a magician.
If you’re a big fan of fantasy series, this is probably the best choice you can make because the plot is quite good and the character development is on point.
17. Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass is set in a futuristic society where it is possible to monitor and control an individual’s mental state and personality. It is then possible to assess the probability of a person committing a crime or not, the so-called Crime Coefficient.
This anime is filled with anxiogenic moments where right and wrong are constantly discussed. One of the central themes of Psycho-Pass is fear, as stated by the author himself in an interview.
Perfect for beginners who are looking for mature themes and love dystopic novels. Psycho-Pass is one of the best series in general for us, and not just for beginners.
Nonetheless, novice anime fans should still watch it as it’s a good entry point to mystery and crime shows.
16. Samurai Champloo
Let’s start right away with a great masterpiece of animation by master filmmaker Shinichiro Watanabe, former author of cult hit Cowboy Bepop, Samurai Champloo is a 26-episode work produced by Manglobe.
The work stars Mugen and Jin, two samurai warriors with opposing characters, and Kasumi, a girl who has hired the two warriors to search for the “samurai who smells like sunflowers”.
The story revolves around their adventures, and they are often self-contained, generally with a few elements present that drive forward the overall plot of the whole.
The anime also features a very relaxed and Lo-Fi atmosphere, which goes well with the dynamics and fighting of the series.
This is also due to the respectable soundtrack, which is apt at all times. If you want to start with a light and Lo-Fi anime, here you go.
15. Erased
Erased is a fully immersive 12-episode anime that merges Mystery/Crime, Psychological, Supernatural, and Thriller elements.
The main character is Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old mangaka without any success, mostly due to suffering from the notorious writer’s block.
However, following mysterious happenings, he obtains a power called Revival that allows him to go back in time just enough to save people’s lives.
During his far from a happy childhood, one of his classmates had been murdered, and this is where his mission begins. What does this have to do with his mother’s murder?
A great place to start if you are a more mature audience given its themes covered and want to start with an anime that is not about fighting, but more psychological and thriller.
14. Death Note
If you are a fan of psychological confrontations or the detective genre, Death Note is the anime made for you to start with.
The work is the perfect example of a psychological thriller, able to perfectly tie together elements of the fantasy and gothic worlds.
Light Yagami is a young model student, who nevertheless harbors strong disgust and disappointment with the world around him.
His life will change drastically when one day he sees a mysterious notebook, the Death Note, fall from the sky, capable of causing the death of anyone simply by writing his name.
Light’s plans are clear, to use the notebook to kill as many criminals as possible to purge this world of evil. But soon he will have to deal with L, one of the greatest private investigators, hired to unravel the mystery of the continuing deaths among criminals.
The work will be able to keep the viewer glued to the screen, hungry to know the developments of an overwhelming story.
Since Death Note is a cult and a classic, you should watch it just because you need to be able to talk about it.
13. Vinland Saga
One of the most interesting and followed works of recent years, animated in two seasons still running by Wit Studio and based on the manga of the same name by Makoto Yukimura.
The plot follows the life of the warrior Thorfinn, in a precisely Viking world inspired by real historical events.
He is a warrior who became one to avenge the death of his father Thors, who was killed by the pirate Askeladd on behalf of King Sweyd. The motif is that he had deserted years earlier to retire to a quiet life.
An anime with psychological traits that dwells on the choices that must be made when on the battlefield, excellent if you want to start with a war anime with Vikings.
12. Howl’s Moving Castle
One of the best Studio Ghibli productions ever and an everlasting classic of the genre.
The story is set in a fictional kingdom that takes the best of magic and 20th-century technology, currently at war with another kingdom.
The protagonist Sophie will make the acquaintance of the wizard Howl, a young charming man at the service of the king
Our protagonist will be cursed by the Witch of the Waste to become an old lady so Sophie will begin her adventure in an attempt to restore her youth.
For sure one of the best anime productions to start with and perfect to fall in love with Studio Ghibli. The dreamy sceneries and the vivid colors are one of the main features of this movie.
11. Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is a 13-episode series about drama, war, and romance released in 2018.
After four years of uninterrupted conflict between the northern and southern regions of the Telesis continent, peace is finally born.
Violet, a girl who since birth has lived always and only in the army and with the purpose of war, under the orders of Major Gilbert, must now reinvent her life from scratch. Thus will begin Violet’s journey to discover emotions and feelings, trying to leave behind her warlike past.
Truly a great anime, ideal if you love romance and love stories with a bittersweet taste of drama.
If you like intense stories, both emotionally and psychologically, then this is exactly for you, even if you have still to make acquaintance with anime.
10. Naruto Series
No long introduction is needed for Naruto, one of the iconic Shonen Jump big three and one of the most important anime ever.
The events narrated are those of budding ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who carries the burden of being the vessel of the nine-tailed fox, which destroyed the village years earlier.
His dream is to become Hokage, leader of the village, and be respected by all.
One of the great classics of fighting anime, perfect for its narrative structure and themes covered for beginners, somewhat less so for its length, which is a real commitment.
We recommend you watch Naruto as one of your first series because it’s one of the archetypical shonen series that inspired many other works, like My Hero Academia.
9. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth is uninhabitable and follows the story of some bounty hunters aboard a spaceship called Bebop.
This show is deep and focused on psychological elements like regret and thinking about your past. What makes it even more enjoyable is its world-building, which encompasses almost all of the solar system.
The adventures of Spike Spiegel and his fellow bounty hunters will show us what we can only dream of, being a perfect entry point for a mature audience for his equally mature themes.
8. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
An absolute masterpiece of the battle shonen genre and one of the best fighting anime of all time.
Based on the manga written in 2001 by Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the animated series that most faithfully deals with the plot told in the original work.
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two brothers who live in a world where alchemy reigns and is used for a variety of purposes, whether in war, medicine, or even related to everyday life.
They have a very specific purpose, which is to regain their lost bodies.
When they were young they tried to bring their late mother back to life using alchemy, and it went wrong, since as powerful as this magic is, it cannot go against the laws of nature.
One of the most complete and best anime in general, with a very good story and otherwise compelling characters. It’s perfect for beginners due to its clear narrative that gets to the point of both plot and the message.
7. A Silent Voice
A romance movie telling the story of Shouya Ishida and Shouko Nishimiya, two high school students that had a tumultuous relationship in elementary school.
Shouya was bullying Shouko due to her deafness, and he will apologize in high school to prove he’s very sorry about his past actions.
The two will soon become friends but this relationship will be threatened by their issues and the lingering depression of the girl.
Another good romance movie, even though it’s not on the same level as the original source, the manga because many details are missing.
6. Demon Slayer
Tanjiro is the eldest son of a large family orphaned by his father, who leaves his home in the mountains every day to travel to the city to sell coal.
Upon returning home one evening, he discovers that his entire family has been mauled by a group of wild demons and that his beloved little sister Nezuko has herself become a demon.
Determined to find a cure that can return his sister to normal, Tanjiro will undergo grueling training to become a demon hunter, hoping to shed light on this horrible mystery.
A determined warrior driven by dispassionate love for his sister, a constant struggle for survival, and choreographed, pyrotechnic confrontations.
The formula for a journey among the most sincere on the scene, surrounded by breathtaking animation among the best of the and soundtracks capable of moving the viewer at the most salient moments.
Inevitable then are moments of comedy and lightness that reconcile the work, making it enjoyable for all, including newbies
5. One Piece
Who doesn’t know One Piece, the colossus of battle shonen?
Gold Roger, the Pirate King, before he died opened the great age of piracy to the world, saying that his great treasure, the One Piece, exists and is available to anyone strong enough to find it.
This predictably throws the world into chaos, leading to piracy for anyone brave enough and eager enough to get their hands on such riches.
Among them springs up Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of the events, who once he comes of age sets sail to join the cause and in turn become Pirate King, thus entering legend.
The same was true for Naruto, which was perfect for adventure and fighting but less so for length, which can discourage a beginner.
Must-see but certainly not as your very first anime, but when you feel ready to embark on such a lengthy viewing.
4. One Punch Man
This anime, which initially began as a manga published on its author One’s website, soon achieved notoriety leading it to be compared to titles in the same genre while maintaining its uniqueness.
The story revolves around Saitama, a 25-year-old boy who decides to become a hobby hero and possesses the power to defeat any enemy with a single punch.
However, this power is also a curse, as it forces him into a boring life with no one to challenge him.
If you want to start with an anime with fast-paced fighting but with a large dose of comedy, you’ve come to the right place.
One Punch Man is a satiric take on many shonen stereotypes as you can see from the overpowered protagonist.
3. Spirited Away
One of Studio Ghibli’s absolute masterpieces, which made and still makes fans of Japanese animation and others fall in love.
Chihiro is a 10-year-old girl and her parents are moving to a new town when they find themselves in the middle of the woods in front of a strange building.
Intrigued, Chihiro’s father gets out of the car and insists on taking a look.
The little girl initially opposed, hurries to join them, intimidated by being alone in the car waiting for them.
They drive through the curious building and, once on the other side, find themselves in a curious village, not knowing what awaits them.
Without a doubt one of the best anime movies for newcomers, especially Studio Ghibli’s works.
2. Hunter x Hunter
If you are a fan of fighting-focused anime, you cannot be unfamiliar with Hunter x Hunter, an early work by master Togashi.
We are talking about an immortal work that revolutionized battle shonen upon its release and still sets the standard today.
Hunter x Hunter follows the story of Gon Freecs, a young boy living in the wilderness.
One day he will learn that his father, believed dead, is instead alive and well and is also one of the strongest Hunters in the world.
He won’t think twice before undertaking the examination to become a Hunter himself, to reunite with his father.
A legendary work that everyone should see for several reasons including the exceptional world-building it offers accompanied by the awesome protagonists, breathtaking confrontations and a power system to be envied.
If you want to see where a lot of other famous battle shonen took inspiration and start with one of the fathers of the genre, this is a perfect choice.
1. Attack on Titan
One of the most popular works in recent times, if not the most in the period when his manga was at the finish line. Isayama’s Attack on Titan doesn’t need much of a premise.
In an alternate world, humanity is hunted by giants, huge humanoid life forms that feed on people, becoming natural predators of them. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin will have to live with this threat, training to kill these life forms to get revenge.
A series capable of convincing anyone, even those who are less fond of Japanese animation, making it a perfect anime for those who want to start.
Attack on Titan is far from nice and cute, expect a lot of plot twists and dark turns. This can be considered one of the peaks of modern dark fantasy thanks to its narrative.
![The 30 Ultimate Fantasy Anime Recommendations [2022]](https://staging.nihonime.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/best-fantasy-anime.png "The 30 Ultimate Fantasy Anime Recommendations [2022]")
