Animehas a higher barrier to entry than some may think. Its most popular series, likeDragon BallandOne Piece, have penetrated pop culture,and yet are two of the more difficult to recommend to newer viewers. Iconic anime can span years, with stories that are told over several different series consisting of hundreds of episodes. They may be the most well-known, but these shows are typically not where budding fans will want to begin.
Luckily for viewers trying to sink their teeth into the art form, there are several options that are ensured to spark a love for anime. From fantasy worlds that inspire courage and growth, to mystery thrillers or even space operas guaranteed to leave the most skeptical in awe,anime has a little something for even those with major reservations about it. And for those already experienced, even the longest-tenured fans have found something to enjoy from these easily approachable works.
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline,Demon Slayeris one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Demon Slayer, based on the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge,has dominated anime in the 2020s. Its first season became an instant sensation in 2019, and the release of 2020’sMugen Trainmovie ushered that popularity to previously uncharted heights, becoming the highest-grossing anime film ever. Following Tanjiro Kamado, the prototypical shōnen protagonist,Demon Slayerfeatures many of the tropes prominent in the genre, and executes them with perfect precision.
Top 10 Anime to Watch If You Like Demon Slayer
While Demon Slayer’s impact is unbeatable, several animes share similar themes, giving plenty of options for fans in their next binge-watch.
Featuring an excellent blend of action and drama,the series has everything a fan could want from a dark fantasy anime, all packaged into seasons and films that never overstay their welcome. The lovable sibling duo at the heart of the story have kept audiences coming back for each new release, andDemon Slayeris now entering its final stretchin an upcoming film trilogy set to begin in 2025. Now is no better time for new anime fans to catch up on Tanjiro’s action-packed journey.
Death Note
Cast
Death Note follows high school student Light Yagami, who discovers a mysterious notebook granting the power to kill anyone by writing their name in it. As Light uses the notebook to enact his own sense of justice, he attracts the attention of the enigmatic detective known as L, leading to a complex game of cat and mouse. This Japanese anime series explores themes of morality, power, and the consequences of absolute authority.
Death Noteis one of the few anime to have survived, and even thrived through the passage of time. Nearing 20 years old,the series helped to usher an entire generation of future fans to anime and manga, with its unique premise and unforgettable cast of characters. From the very jump,Death Notegrabs its audience’s attention, and doesn’t let go until the decisions of the divisive Light Yagami drive the protagonist to his fate.
Spanning a relatively concise 37 episodes,Death Noteis the perfect experience for those looking to just get into anime. Using gripping thriller elements to explore a variety of themes and ask lasting philosophical questions, Light’s self-appointed law enforcement and the fallout from gaining more power than any teenager should ever havemakes for an entertaining watch all the way through. Fans have raved aboutDeath Notefor the better part of two decades, and for good reason.
Animated by MAPPA, 47 Episodes (2020 - Ongoing)
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
Jujutsu Kaisenmay very well be the hottest anime series currently airing. The manga on which the show is based, written and drawn by Gege Akutami, came to its conclusion late in 2024, only adding to the anime’s already massive popularity. LikeDemon Slayerbefore it,Jujutsu Kaisenis a battle shōnen that makes excellent use of all the genre’s greatest tropes. With epic and wonderfully animated fight sequences to pair its unique fighting system, the series is an endless feast of high-octane action.
Top 5 Lessons in Jujutsu Kaisen Every Anime Fan Should Take To Heart
Jujutsu Kaisen does not just provide entertainment, thrills, and heartbreak to viewers, it offers valuable life lessons every fan should take note of.
Its unique premise helps to keep an otherwise familiar story structure refreshing, implementing sorcery abilities into its endlessly entertaining combat. Yuji Itadori,Jujutsu Kaisen’s protagonist, becomes the physical host of the story’s antagonist, a powerful cursed spirit named Sukuna, causing each confrontation to carry significant weight by keeping the two connected. There may be no better place to find breathtaking action than in the ongoingJujutsu Kaisen.
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is a Japanese anime series that follows the titular character, a former child soldier, as she reintegrates into society by becoming an Auto Memory Doll, a professional letter writer. Through this role, Violet embarks on a journey to understand and convey human emotions, seeking to comprehend the words of her late commanding officer. This series explores themes of love, loss, and healing within a post-war setting.
Many of the series recommended for newer anime viewers fit snugly into the shōnen action genre,but anime has quite a bit more to offer than its often interchangable battle shows.Violet Evergardenis a steampunk drama set in a fantasy world that brings all the emotional storytelling and beautiful visuals that Kyoto Animation has become known for. Its extremely digestible length and compelling cast of characters are able to tell a moving coming-of-age story that will only leave its audience asking for more.
The titular protagonist, Violet, is a teenage girl who was raised to be a ruthless killing machine during a period of war. And once the conflict ends and the fighting ceases, she must learn how to live and find purpose when hers has run out. Capped off with a feature-length film that rivals Kyoto Animation’s best work,Violet Evergardenis a story thatuses themes of love and loss to leave its audience in a puddle of tears and a mess of emotions.
Spy X Family
“Spy × Family” is a popular Japanese manga and anime franchise that blends action, comedy, and spy elements. The story follows Twilight, a secret agent tasked with creating a fake family to carry out a mission, unaware that his “wife” is an assassin and his adopted “daughter” is a telepath. The series, praised for its humor, heartwarming moments, and dynamic characters, has expanded to include anime adaptations, a feature film, and various merchandise.
Spy x Family, based on the manga by Tatsuya Endo, skyrocketed in popularity following the release of its anime adaptation in 2022.Featuring one of the most unique and undeniably fun premisesto come fromShonen Jumpin recent years, the series brings together a trio that each hold their own secrets and uncommon professions. Loid, playing the role of father-of-the-year, is one of the greatest spies to have ever lived, while Yor, the caring mother, is secretly an assassin. Together, they must raise a telepathic child, named Anya.
5 Lessons Every Spy x Family Fan Can Take to Heart
Spy x Family is more than just an entertaining slice-of-life anime, many of its most valuable lessons can apply to real-life situations too.
The antics of the Forger family are endlessly entertaining, while introducing higher and higher stakes in every bizarre situation they find themselves in.Blending comedy, drama, and slice-of-life elements,Spy x Familyhas captivated the hearts of fans worldwide while bringing new viewers to anime with each new release.The series' third season is set to premiere in October 2025, leaving ample time for viewers to catch-up.
Animated by Sunrise, 26 Episodes (1998)
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebopis a Japanese neo-noir space Western anime series that originally aired from 1998 to 1999. The series follows the adventures of the bounty-hunting crew aboard the spaceship Bebop as they navigate the solar system in the year 2071. Renowned for its genre-blending narrative, complex characters, and jazz-influenced soundtrack,Cowboy Bebophas garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase.
A series which has garnered endless praise over the near three decades since its initial release,Cowboy Bebophas become immortalized in pop culture historywhile bringing multiple generations of prospective fans to the medium of anime. With beautifully stylized ’90s visuals, an iconic soundtrack, and an unforgettable cast of characters, the series delivers an undeniably human story underneath its science fiction setting.
Highlighting the personal consequences of a society that has failed its inhabitants,each ofCowboy Bebop’s tragic main characters is able to win the audience’s favorlong before the story’s conclusion. Despite its lack of popularity in Japan, the series has thrived in the West, influencing several Hollywood antiheroes to base their characters on the main protagonist, Spike. Though the series' age might concern anyone unfamiliar withCowboy Bebop, it remains one of the most celebrated anime series in history.
2Ghibli Films
Animated by Studio Ghibli, (1985 - Present)
Though not a series,there may be no better starting point for a new anime viewer than the films of Studio Ghibli. Producing more than a few of the most popular anime films of all-time, directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, there is a Ghibli film for viewers of every differing taste. The studio’s stories are inherently hopeful, featuring lovable characters that are impossible to root against. The studio and its many acclaimed works have become iconic.
This Studio Ghibli Film Is The Perfect Introduction To Isekai And Here Is Why
As surprising as it is, Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away has all of the core elements of an isekai within a short and emotional story.
There’s no definitive best Ghibli movie, though the most suited for new anime viewers is arguably 1989’sKiki’s Delivery Service, which follows the young titular witch on a journey to discover her own powers. Featuring the studio’s trademark gorgeous visuals and captivating music,the film tells a universal tale of self-discovery, growth, and young love. Hayao Miyazaki claimed his retirement following 2023’sThe Boy and the Heron, though there is no doubt that Studio Ghibli will continue to produce timeless anime movies.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titanis a globally successful manga and anime franchise created by Hajime Isayama. The story is set in a world where humanity lives inside walled cities, threatened by giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The series follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they fight to uncover the truth about the Titans and the world. First serialized in 2009, the franchise has expanded into anime series, films, video games, novels, and live-action adaptations.
Since its debut in 2013, the world of anime has been consistently shifted by the events ofAttack on Titan. Following protagonist Eren Yeager in a post-apocalyptic world threatened by enormous titans, the series was considered a classiclong before its final episode aired to near universal acclaim.Attack on Titanis a dark fantasy action anime that uses its cold and broken world to tell a story that touches on themes of war, oppression, freedom, and revenge.
From the moment its first episode debuted, fans became glued to their screens for the better part of a decade, waiting to see where Eren’s arduous journey would take him. With a strikingly unique and gripping premise, alongside characters that have become beloved by thousands of fans,Attack on Titanis the best series for those who remain skeptical about anime.The series' final film is set to release in February 2025, making now the perfect time to get into the franchise.
The amount of universally acclaimed and adored anime series can be a bit intimidating to those who want to enter its vast and wondrous world. Some of the most popular series may not be the best points of entry, though there is no shortage of excellent shows perfect for any newcomers.
