Getting intoanimecan be quite the intimidating task for those on the outside of the community looking in. There can be hundreds of series released every year, witha select few consistently stealing the spotlightand catapulting themselves to unfathomable heights of popularity. However, many in the community might recommend viewers avoid those shows. After all, not every anime that becomes successfulis necessarily good in the eyes of a certain audience.
There will be noise from all corners of the internet about which shows are worth the time and which aren’t, and that can be stressful for anyone attempting to step foot into the world of anime. Which is why the best recommendations are typically series that stand atop their respective genresin terms of storytelling, action, influence, or pure entertainment factor. Some anime are so unique they can only exist within the art form, and there are few better ways for a budding fan to become acquainted with anime than by experiencing those titles.
One Piece
The oldest ofShōnen Jump’s “big three” and still the most popular,One Pieceis a triumph in epic storytelling. Spanning 25 years of activity, the series has amassed a whopping 1,122 episodes and 15 theatrical films, yet remains one of the most popular anime series among newcomers to the art form.The reason for its sustained successis relatively simple, and can be chalked up to great characters, an engaging narrative, and flashy, often lighthearted action.
April Is Going to Be a Great Month For One Piece Fans
One Piece’s anime has been on hiatus for about half a year now, and with its upcoming return in April 2025, there’s plenty to be excited about.
There may be no better representative of shōnen anime thanOne Piece, which has taken its hero’s journey to newer heights with each passing year. The only thing holding the series back from being a better recommendation to newer anime viewers is its length, which can be incredibly intimidating even to those who have long been fans of the medium. However,One Piece’s ever-growing fan base is proof that setting aside the time to experience the series is well worth it.
Demon Slayer
WhereOne Pieceoffers a taste of shōnen’s best qualities over a period of nearly three decades,Demon Slayeroffers viewers a taste of shōnen’s current landscape. Based on the original manga that brokeOne Piece’s 11-year streak as the highest-selling series worldwide in 2019,Demon Slayerushered in an entirely new generation of anime fans in the 2020s. Featuring high-energy combat, a likable cast of characters, and some of the prettiest visuals the art form has to offer, there may not be a better entry point into anime.
Demon Slayerrarely strays from the typical shōnen framework, focusing on an inherently good protagonist chasing a clear-cut goal, who also just so happens to be pretty skilled with a sword. Though it may not be overly willing to take creative risks,the series offers a safe yet highly enjoyable and refined shōnen battle experience.Demon Slayer’s 63-episode length isn’t quite as intimidating as some other shows, anda trio of filmsis set to bring the series to a close beginning in 2025.
There may not be a more iconic series,not just in shōnen, but in anime history, thanDragon Ball Z. Helping to deliver anime to a global stage in the early 2000s, the story of Goku and the rest of Earth’s greatest heroes inspired generations of fans and artists alike. Though it’s been over three decades since the series' premiere, there are few better ways to become acquainted with anime than through the same series that pulled countless others into its grasp.
Dragon Ball Z’s 5 Most Epic Transformation Scenes
Dragon Ball Z has offered fins a plethora of transformations over the course of the series and here are five of the best.
It’s no secret thatDragon Ball Zhas aged. Some of its visuals leave quite a bit to be desired in some places, it has its share of pacing issues, and an abundance of filler episodes are littered throughout its 291 episodes. However,the series still offers enough of what made the original manga so special, and any newcomer to the medium of anime owes it to themselves to become familiar withanime’s most iconic heroes.
Consistently ranked among the greatest anime of all-time,Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodhas received little else aside from universal acclaim since initially premiering in 2009. Setting itself apart from its shōnen battle competition by making use of a largely unique alchemy-centered battle system, the 2009 series succeeds by following a compelling narrative that explores themes of family and grief through two incredibly well-written brothers.
The existence ofFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis somewhat of a rarity, being a reboot of the series tasked with accurately depicting its source material after 2003’sFullmetal Alchemistanime adaptation followed its own original ending.Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s final act is often cited as one of thegreatest conclusions in anime history, delivering gut punches in rapid succession until the audience is left in a pool of tears. The anime is a great watch for those who enjoy shōnen,but are looking for something with a bit more emotional depth.
There was once a time when the name Haruhi Suzumiya dominated discourse within the anime community and helped to deliver otaku culture to the west. Though those days have largely passed,The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiyaremains an incredibly important series that helped to further popularize anime worldwide once theDragon Ball ZToonami craze of the early 2000s slowed down. The anime also acted as countless fans’introduction to shows outside the shōnen action genre.
If You Love Chainsaw Man, You Have a Popular ’00s Anime to Thank For Its Existence
Chainsaw Man is one of the biggest new-gen shonen anime and manga, and its creator was inspired by an incredibly popular 2000s anime.
A supernatural slice of life series,Haruhitells a story uniquely suited to the medium,weird and compelling in a way only anime can be. One girl’s boredom and dissatisfaction with the monotony of everyday life sends the cast on multiple strange high-stakes journeys in need of increasingly complex solutions. It may not be the presence it used to be within the anime community, butThe Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiyais still an excellent entry point for viewers ready to explore anime’s many genres.
For any fans of medieval dark fantasy that are searching for anime’s best in the genre, there’s no need to look any further thanBerserk. Based on themasterpiece manga series by Kantaro Miura, “Berserk'97”, as fans have come to call it, adapts the source material’s most popular arc, while making enough minor changes to allow the anime to stand on its own. When it comes to dark fantasy, few series in all of fiction can stand toe to toe withBerserk’s original manga,and its anime counterpart is able to capture much of its magic.
Packed with action, drama, shocking twists and turns, incredibly well-written characters, and one of the best soundtracks in anime history,Berserkis the perfect seriesfor those who enjoy diving into darker subject matter. The anime is not for the faint of heart, but its continued success is proof that the struggle is worth it, and its abrupt ending may just inspire viewers to dive into the medium of manga as well.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis a series that also tackles more mature themes, though unlikeBerserk, bundles them in a much more family friendly product.A gripping yet easy-going fantasy adventure,Frierenis anime’s new hottest thing, and has received nothing but praise from fans and critics alike since its premiere. The titular mage Frieren’s elven nature grants her an incredibly long lifespan, and the series follows her centuries-long journey of practicing magic.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Totally Redefines What Makes a Good Fantasy Series
Frieren redefines fantasy by focusing on introspection, emotional growth, and the quiet passage of time instead of high-stakes battles or adventures.
In a unique spin on the fantasy genre,the anime takes place decades after Frieren’s defining heroic journey, and after all the accolades and fame earned from becoming a legend. Her long lifespan turns human encounters and relationships into fleeting moments, and the anime capturesFrieren’s latest journeyof learning to appreciate the people and moments as they come.Frierenis only one season in length so far, but it is the perfect series for those seeking out mature themes packed into a relatively lighthearted experience.
The influenceNeon Genesis Evangelionhas had on the anime industry is immeasurable. From a production standpoint, to its narrative structure, and its total unwillingness to compromise on its own weird vision,Evangelionchanged the landscape of anime forever. A sci-fi series set in the mystical far-away future of 2015, the anime is set in a world where monstrous beings called Angels have arrived on Earth, and three teenage pilots are the only hope humanity has left.
Evangelionhas a little bit of everything, from its beginnings as another ordinary mecha series to its apocalyptic, philosophical ending packed with ambitious creative direction. The show’s highly stylized ’90s visuals and masterful soundtrack make for an incredibly enjoyable viewing experience from start to finish, and culminate in a series thatcould only work within the medium of anime. No viewer can truly call themselves an anime fan until they’ve labored over piecing togetherEvangelion’s controversial final act.
Attack on Titanis another series which played a pivotal role in the growth of anime outside of Japan. Helping to transform the mediumfrom a niche interest into a mainstream form of entertainment,Attack on Titanushered its own generation of fans into the world of anime and manga during the mid-2010s, while breaching barriers and finding its way to audiences who had never sought out anime before.
Set in a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy setting threatened by enormous titans, viewers follow protagonist Eren Yeager’s journey through a cold and unforgiving world as the series touches onthemes of war, revenge, freedom, and oppression. Considered a classic years before reaching its final act,Attack on Titandraws in fans of all different genres, and refuses to let them go until Eren Yeager’s story has reached its end.Like theEvangelionof a new generation,Attack on Titanwill remain relevant for years to come, and is the perfect series for those looking to fall in love with anime.
