The 50+ Best Anime For Beginners, Ranked By Fans

Trying to figure out the best anime for beginners can feel a little like standing in front of
a sushi conveyor belt for the first time: everything looks interesting, you don’t know what
anything is, and you’re low-key afraid of picking the wrong plate. The good news? Millions of
fans have already done the trial-and-error for you. This guide pulls together fan rankings,
critic picks, and community favorites to create a beginner-friendly anime roadmap that actually
makes sense.

Whether you’re curious about action, romance, slice-of-life, or brain-bending psychological
thrillers, you’ll find something here that’s easy to follow, emotionally satisfying, and not
900 episodes long (looking at you, One Piece). Think of this list as your “Anime 101” course:
approachable, fun, and designed so you’ll walk away wanting to enroll in Anime 201.

How We Built This Beginner-Friendly Anime List

Instead of just tossing in our personal favorites and calling it a day, this ranking leans
heavily on what fans are actually watching and recommending right now. We looked at:

• Fan-voted rankings and lists specifically about “anime for beginners.”
• Recent starter-anime roundups from major entertainment and gaming sites.
• Community recommendations from long-time anime fans helping out newcomers.

The result is a list that balances popularity, accessibility, and variety. Most of these
series:

• Have clear, easy-to-follow plots.
• Offer strong emotional hooks, comedy, or satisfying action.
• Are relatively short or broken into clean story arcs, so you’re not locked into a massive commitment.

The ranking roughly reflects how often these shows show up on “best anime for beginners” lists
and how widely loved they are by global fandom. You absolutely don’t have to watch them in
orderbut starting near the top will give you a very smooth entry into the medium.

Top 10 Must-Watch Anime For Beginners

These are the ultra-beginner-friendly series that long-time fans recommend over and over again.
If you only try a handful, start here.

1. 1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

   This is the “if you only watch one anime, make it this one” pick. It’s a complete story
   with no confusing spin-offs, blending action, humor, heartbreak, and big moral questions
   about sacrifice and power. The world-building is rich but easy to follow, the characters
   are lovable (even the tragic villains), and the pacing almost never drags. Great for fans
   of epic fantasy and emotional storytelling.

2. 2. Death Note

   Short, stylish, and incredibly addictive, Death Note feels like a psychological
   thriller mashed up with a supernatural crime drama. The show revolves around a genius
   high-school student who finds a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it.
   The cat-and-mouse battle between Light and L is legendary, and you don’t need any anime
   background to enjoy itjust a love of smart, tense stories.

3. 3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

   If you’ve seen TikToks of jaw-dropping sword fights with gorgeous animation, it was
   probably Demon Slayer. The plot is simpleboy fights demons to save his sisterbut
   the execution is top-tier. It’s emotional without being confusing and has just enough humor
   to balance the darker moments. Ideal if you like stylish action and heartfelt sibling
   dynamics.

4. 4. My Hero Academia

   Imagine a world where having superpowers (called “Quirks”) is normal, and being a
   professional hero is an actual career path. My Hero Academia follows a powerless
   boy who inherits one of the strongest abilities in existence and tries to become a hero
   anyway. It’s basically the perfect bridge between Western superhero movies and Japanese
   animefull of training arcs, big fights, and an emotionally earnest main character you
   can’t help but root for.

5. 5. Attack on Titan

   Dark, brutal, and wildly popular, Attack on Titan is not “light viewing,” but it’s
   one of the most talked-about anime of the last decade. The early episodes play like a
   survival horror story as humanity battles giant man-eating Titans, but the story gradually
   transforms into a layered political and moral drama. If you enjoy complex narratives and
   plot twists, this one will hook you fast.

6. 6. One Punch Man

   Tired of superheroes who struggle? Meet Saitama: a hero so strong he defeats every enemy
   with a single punchand is bored out of his mind because of it. One Punch Man is a
   hilarious parody of action anime that’s still packed with satisfying fight scenes and cool
   side characters. It works perfectly for beginners because it pokes fun at the tropes you’re
   about to encounter everywhere else.

7. 7. Spy x Family

   Want something wholesome and funny with just a bit of action? Spy x Family is
   about a fake familya spy dad, assassin mom, and telepathic kidwho have to pretend to be
   normal. It’s low-stress, charming, and relies more on character interactions than complex
   lore. This is a fantastic starter if you like family sitcoms, found-family vibes, or
   gentle, feel-good comedy.

8. 8. Haikyuu!!

   You don’t have to care about volleyballthis show will make you care. Haikyuu!! is
   a sports anime about underdogs, teamwork, and growth, with some of the best character
   development in the medium. Every match feels like a championship, and the emotional highs
   are ridiculously satisfying. Great if you like ensemble casts and competition stories.

9. 9. Your Name (Movie)

   If you’d rather start with a movie than a series, Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is a
   spectacular choice. It mixes body-swap comedy, romance, and a sci-fi twist, all wrapped in
   stunning animation. It’s emotionally powerful without being confusing, and it’s an easy
   sell even for people who “don’t watch anime.”

10. 10. A Silent Voice (Movie)

    Another excellent movie starter, A Silent Voice deals with bullying, disability,
    regret, and forgiveness. It’s slower and more introspective than most of this list, but it
    shows just how emotionally mature anime can be. If you prefer character drama over battles,
    this film will hit hard in the best way.

More Great Starter Anime (#11–#30)

Once you’ve sampled the heavy hitters above, here are more fan-favorite series that are still
very beginner-friendly.

11. 11. Jujutsu Kaisen – Modern supernatural action with stylish fight scenes,
    cursed spirits, and a charismatic cast. If you liked Demon Slayer, this is a natural
    follow-up.
12. 12. Mob Psycho 100 – A deadpan psychic kid just wants a normal life, but his
    emotions literally explode into wild, psychedelic battles. Funny, heartfelt, and visually
    unique.
13. 13. Cowboy Bebop – A sleek, jazz-soaked sci-fi classic about bounty hunters
    in space. Episodic, cool, and timelessespecially good if you like Western sci-fi and noir.
14. 14. Naruto (Original Series) – Long, but a core gateway show for many fans.
    If you like big coming-of-age stories with rivalries and training arcs, starting with the
    original run (and maybe a filler guide) is a great option.
15. 15. One Piece (Early Arcs) – Yes, it’s famously long, but the early arcs are
    surprisingly accessible and emotional. Treat it as a “see if you vibe with this” sampler,
    not an obligation to finish 1,000+ episodes.
16. 16. Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Starts as a light adventure about a boy who
    wants to be a Hunter, then slowly turns into a complex, emotionally rich epic. Very rewarding
    if you’re okay with a bit of a slow burn.
17. 17. Fruits Basket (2019) – A gentle, emotional drama about a girl who
    befriends a family cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac. Perfect if you prefer
    character relationships over combat.
18. 18. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – Two genius students are in love but too proud
    to confess, so they wage psychological warfare to make the other admit it first. Smart, sharp
    romantic comedy.
19. 19. Toradora! – A classic high-school romance with memorable characters and
    a surprisingly emotional payoff. Short, sweet, and easy to recommend.
20. 20. Violet Evergarden – Gorgeous, slow-paced, and emotional, this series
    follows a former child soldier learning how to write letters that express other people’s
    feelings. Great if you love beautiful visuals and quiet character drama.
21. 21. Horimiya – A warm, grounded romance about two classmates who are very
    different at home than they are at school. Relatable, modern, and not overly dramatic.
22. 22. Dr. Stone – Humanity turns to stone, and a teen genius wakes up thousands
    of years later determined to rebuild civilization with science. Fun, educational, and
    surprisingly inspiring.
23. 23. Konosuba – A parody isekai (other-world) comedy where the hero’s party is
    hilariously dysfunctional. Great if you like fantasy games and dry, chaotic humor.
24. 24. Sailor Moon (Crystal or Classic) – One of the original magical-girl
    gateway shows. Heroic transformations, friendship, romance, and iconic aesthetics.
25. 25. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (Movie) – If you enjoy the series, this movie
    is a perfect “next step” that feels like a high-budget bonus arc.
26. 26. Tokyo Ghoul (Season 1) – Dark, tragic, and stylish, this series explores
    identity and humanity through the story of a student who becomes half-ghoul.
27. 27. Assassination Classroom – A yellow alien teacher threatens to destroy the
    Earth unless his misfit students can kill him first. Somehow, it’s one of the most wholesome
    shows about growth and education.
28. 28. The Promised Neverland (Season 1) – Best approached knowing as little as
    possible. Starts as a sweet orphanage story, then flips into a tense escape thriller.
29. 29. Cardcaptor Sakura – A classic magical-girl story with charming characters
    and a light, adventurous tonegreat for younger viewers or fans of gentle fantasy.
30. 30. Blue Exorcist – A teenager discovers he’s the son of a demon and decides
    to become an exorcist to defeat his own father. A solid mix of action, school life, and
    supernatural drama.

Even More Fan-Approved Starter Anime (#31–#52)

At this point you’re spoiled for choice, but if you’re still hunting for something that matches
your exact taste, try one of these widely loved picks:

31. 31. Neon Genesis Evangelion – Mecha plus intense psychological drama.
32. 32. Trigun (1998 or Stampede) – Space Western with comedy and hidden depth.
33. 33. Samurai Champloo – Edo-era samurai story with hip-hop flair.
34. 34. Steins;Gate – Time-travel thriller that starts slow and ends brilliantly.
35. 35. Parasyte: The Maxim – Creepy body horror with strong character growth.
36. 36. Erased – Short, gripping time-travel mystery about preventing a tragedy.
37. 37. Code Geass – Political mecha drama with lots of strategy and twists.
38. 38. Fairy Tail – A magic-guild adventure full of friendship and long arcs.
39. 39. Black Clover – Classic underdog shounen that gradually becomes very strong.
40. 40. Dragon Ball Z – A foundational action series; iconic fights and transformations.
41. 41. Kill la Kill – Over-the-top action and satire, best for viewers okay with fanservice.
42. 42. Little Witch Academia – Cute, magical-school series with Pixar-like energy.
43. 43. My Dress-Up Darling – Sweet romance centered on cosplay and creativity.
44. 44. Ranking of Kings – A fairy-tale-style fantasy about a deaf prince with a huge heart.
45. 45. Mushishi – Slow, atmospheric stories about a wandering expert in spirit-like beings.
46. 46. March Comes In Like a Lion – Deep, emotional slice-of-life about depression, healing, and shogi.
47. 47. Nichijou – Absurd, high-energy comedy that turns everyday life into chaos.
48. 48. Hellsing Ultimate – Gothic vampire action for fans of darker, bloodier stories.
49. 49. Madoka Magica – Looks like a cute magical-girl series, turns into something much darker and smarter.
50. 50. Barakamon – Cozy story about a calligrapher finding himself on a remote island.
51. 51. K-On! – Light music-club slice-of-life; all vibes, tea, and guitar practice.
52. 52. Komi Can’t Communicate – Sweet school comedy about a girl with social anxiety trying to make 100 friends.

How to Choose Your First (or Next) Anime

With 50+ options, how do you pick where to start? The trick is to match the show to the kind of
stories you already enjoy:

• If you like superhero movies: Try My Hero Academia, One Punch Man, or
  Jujutsu Kaisen.
• If you want emotional drama: Check out A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden,
  Fruits Basket, or March Comes In Like a Lion.
• If you love sci-fi and mind games: Start with Death Note, Steins;Gate,
  Code Geass, or Cowboy Bebop.
• If you just want cozy vibes: Go for Spy x Family, Barakamon, K-On!,
  or Komi Can’t Communicate.

You don’t have to “earn” complicated anime by watching simpler ones first. The best anime for
beginners is whatever keeps you pressing “next episode” without stress or confusion.

Real-World Experiences: What It’s Like Starting Anime With These Shows

If you talk to long-time anime fans, you’ll notice a funny pattern: almost everyone has a very
specific memory of their “gateway” show. For some, it was stumbling on Dragon Ball Z or
Naruto on TV after school. For others, it was a friend forcing them to watch
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood or Death Note “just one episode, I promise.”
The first anime that really hooks you doesn’t just entertain youit quietly rewires how you
think about animation and storytelling.

One common beginner experience is underestimating anime emotionally. People start something like
Demon Slayer or Haikyuu!! expecting cool fights or sports moments and end up
unexpectedly attached to side characters, family dynamics, or the sheer effort the cast puts
into their goals. Before you know it, you’re tearing up over a volleyball tournament or a
backstory about a demon’s tragic past and thinking, “Oh, this hits way harder than I thought
cartoons could.”

Another shared story: watching anime with non-anime friends or family. Shows like
Spy x Family, Your Name, and A Silent Voice are especially good for
this. They’re easy to follow even if someone misses an episode here or there, and the humor or
emotion translates well across cultures. Many fans report that their “anime-skeptic” partners or
parents were won over by a single movie night with Your Name or by casually joining in
on Spy x Family episodes playing in the background.

Watching in small bursts is another beginner strategy that works surprisingly well. It’s easy to
feel intimidated by the idea of a 24-episode season, but most anime episodes are around
22–24 minutes. A lot of new fans treat their first show like a live-action series: one episode
with lunch, one episode before bed, maybe a few extra on the weekend. This slow and steady
pace makes it easier to absorb unfamiliar names, settings, and tropes without feeling
overwhelmed.

Sub vs. dub (subtitled Japanese audio versus English voice acting) is also part of the beginner
experience. Many of the titles on this list have excellent dubs, so if reading subtitles sounds
exhausting, you can absolutely start in English and switch later if you become curious. Some
fans even rewatch their favorite anime in the other format to catch nuances they missed the
first time.

Over time, the best part of starting with beginner-friendly, fan-approved series is how they
act like genre “gateways.” Haikyuu!! might lead you deeper into sports anime,
Death Note might unlock a love for psychological thrillers, and Fruits Basket
might introduce you to the world of shojo romance. Before you realize it, you’re no longer
asking “What’s the best anime for beginners?”you’re the one recommending starter series to the
next curious friend.

However you beginwhether with a single movie, a short series, or a big shounen classicthe key
is to pick something that genuinely excites you, not something you feel like you “have to”
watch to be a “real fan.” Anime is a huge, diverse medium. This 50+ list is here to make your
first steps less confusing and a lot more fun. Start anywhere that matches your mood, hit play,
and let the fandom handle the rest.

Conclusion: Your Anime Journey Starts Here

Anime isn’t a genre; it’s a whole ecosystem of genres and styles. That’s why no single “best
anime for beginners” existsbut fan-favorite starter lists like this one make it much easier to
find your lane. Whether you want gut-punch emotion, clever mind games, cozy slice-of-life, or
big shounen battles, there’s a perfect gateway show waiting somewhere on this ranking.

Start with one series that fits your taste, give it 3–5 episodes, and pay attention to how it
makes you feel. If it clicks, enjoy the ride. If it doesn’t, drop it guilt-free and try another
from the list. There’s no wrong way to get into animeonly different paths to the same
destination: finding stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.