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 covers universal themes that any viewer should be able to get behind. These series range from action to romance to thrillers to comedy, delivering a wide variety of anime sure to fit any one person’s tastes.
Bleach
Bleach is a long-running shonen anime series, adapted from the manga by Tite Kubo. Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a boy who can see spirits, as he’s suddenly thrust into the role of a Soul Reaper, whose job is to fight dangerous negative spirits known as Hollows and guide righteous spirits to the afterlife.
When Ichigo’s friend Rukia is punished for giving him her power, he goes on an extreme mission to rescue her, pitting him against other Soul Reapers so powerful that he can scarcely imagine it.
Bleach is a long series, and it has more than its share of filler (and Bleach filler you can and should skip). Still, it’s a perfect representative of what a shonen series can be like, full of exciting battles, insane powers, and dramatic turns in the plot that change everything.
Pluto
Pluto is a series based on a manga by Naoki Urasawa, which is in turn an adaptation of a story arc from Osamu Tezuka’s original Astro Boy. That gives Pluto strong ties to the very foundations of anime as a medium, and the story has persisted for so long because it’s just that entertaining.
The story follows Gesicht, a robot detective, tracking a serial killer of both robots and humans who leaves a bizarre trademark: objects jammed into their heads, as if to look like horns.
Pluto is a beautifully animated new series, and its mystery is a compelling one, with a story worthy of standing alongside classics of the sci-fi genre. It tackles the ideas of robots and humans and what separates the two, but does so in unusual and innovative ways that make it stand out.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is an infamous anime series by Gainax that delves deeply into psychology and bizarre symbolism. On an Earth that’s under endless assault by beings known as Angels, Shinji Ikari is recruited by his estranged father to serve as a pilot for an EVA, a kind of bio-robot designed specifically to kill Angels.
Shinji has little desire to fight, but circumstances force him to take part, with disastrous consequences. Joined by the emotionless girl Rei and the fiery Asuka, Shinji is the front line of defense against the Angels, but are these kids really equipped for what they’re about to experience?
Evangelion is admittedly a deconstruction of the mecha genre’s tropes, and is thus enhanced by some familiarity with other mecha series. However, it can just as easily be watched and enjoyed by those who have no experience with mecha at all, as its focus on characters and their psychologies is what’s really important.
Berserk
Berserk is a dark fantasy anime series based on Kentaro Miura’s manga of the same name. It’s from the 1990s, but don’t let the age scare you away, as it’s widely regarded as an excellent anime.
The story follows Guts, a swordsman who joins a mercenary group known as the Hawks, led by Griffith. Guts earns their trust, but eventually decides to go his own way, prompting Griffith to make a terrible mistake that sends the course of both of their lives, and the fate of the world, into turmoil.
Berserk is extremely dark and deals with graphic content that may be disturbing to some, such as sexual assault and torture. However, for those who enjoy darker fantasy stories, Berserk is renowned for its high-quality character development and a compelling story that dissects the quest for revenge.
Delicious in Dungeon
Delicious in Dungeon is a unique fantasy anime based on a manga by Ryoko Kui. It follows Laios, a young adventurer whose sister was eaten by a dragon, but might still be alive.
Questing to save her with little resources, Laios, Chilchuck, and Marcille head into the dungeon, planning to eat monsters to stay alive (which Laios is secretly excited for). On the way, they meet Senshi, a Dwarf who specializes in cooking monster meat, and together they resolve to delve deep and save Laios’ sister before it’s too late.
Delicious in Dungeon’s gimmick of cooking monsters is an amusing one that gives it a tone quite unlike any other fantasy anime. The characters are quite lovable, and the series draws heavily from Western fantasy sources, such as Dungeons and Dragons, making it relatively easy for those unfamiliar with anime to watch.
Mob Psycho 100
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.
Jujutsu Kaisen
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.
Hunter x Hunter
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.
Pokémon
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.
One Piece
Another long-running anime that’s easy to recommend for beginners is One Piece. With its goofy characters combined with surprisingly mature, intense writing and fight scenes, One Piece has long been established as one of the best and notorious anime in the entire world.
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. 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.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
