The Best Anime For Beginners
Anime is a phenomenon from Japan, it’s an art style that combines hand-drawings and computer animation. Previously, anime had been a niche outside of Japan mostly because it wasn’t as accessible outside of the country. But now? In 2021, anime is one of the most popular genres of television and film in the world.
Anime not to be confused with animation is known for its distinctive themes such as its color pallet’s vibrancy, dramatic panning and over-the-top facial expressions. Unlike other media, anime has countless sub-genres ranging from themes of love, drama to even intense thrillers and horrors.
There’s something for everyone to watch, that’s why it’s only over gained in popularity as it’s able to engage with different audiences at once. Anime is for all ages, there’s certain content for children and even more content for adults.
With so many series and films constantly being released it may be overwhelming for new watchers to find something to watch. So, here’s a shortlist of anime that you can watch. Don’t worry these are relatively easy to consume and aren’t too long…
My Hero Academia (2016)
Superheroes, that’s the other genre that has taken the world by storm. Over the last decade, we’ve witnessed the progression of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as the DC equivalent. They’ve been very successful becoming the most sought-after genre in the film industry. My Hero Academia is anime’s answer to superheroes. In a world where the majority of mankind has been granted superpowers also known as quirks, some people have used them for evil and so somebody has to defend the world.
Izuku Midoriya is a quirkless teenager but wants to join the renowned U.A, a superhero academy for the next heroes. After saving his high school bully from a villain, Midoriya inherits the quick of the world’s mightiest hero All Might, and has to learn how to use his powers quickly to progress in school. As a Shonen Jump, manga My Hero Academia has a lot of similarities to iconic anime including, Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball: the ongoing themes of friendship, struggle and triumph.
We see characters overcome obstacles in order to achieve their goals with the assistance of some friends. My Hero Academia is great for new viewers, it has great voice actors for both dubbed and subbed versions, interesting characters, and amazing world-building.
I'd think MHA or My Hero Academia is an easy anime to watch with similarities of existing comics with an anime twist. It's a great watch for new viewers in my opinion.
Rating: 8.5/10
Akame Ga Kill (2014)
If you’re into bloodshed and violence, Akame Ga Kill is the anime for you. Unlike traditional action anime, this anime doesn’t have any restrictions on the amount of death shown. An anime that explores action, romance, and drama, Akame Ga Kill seems like one of the more realistic anime and is an emotional rollercoaster for its viewers it won’t disappoint.
Tatsumi, a young man from the countryside travels with his friends on an adventure to The Capital to make money doing heroic deeds for his village (who are in poverty). After being tricked by an evil woman Tatsumi is saved by the perceived villains a group of assassins called Night Raid. Tatsumi joins them and strives to make the world a better place.
Akame Ga Kill has a variety of characters, no character is the same which enables some interesting dynamics. It strays away from traditional anime like Dragon Ball. Main characters aren’t invincible, and anyone can die, potentially causing you heartbreak at any given moment. This is due to the complex relationships between characters and their backstories making you emotionally invested in them. As any anime that balances humor and dark, the anime has a fast-paced style with only 24 episodes. So, it’s definitely an easy watch.
I loved this show, although the themes of love are a little cringe at first it develops into some great nail-biting moments.
Rating: 7.8/10
Sword Art Online (2012)
Gaming is also a popular media in the world currently, and Sword Art Online takes full advantage of this: providing an anime completely based on a fictional game. Sword Art Online is genuinely easy to watch, as it’s fast-paced, and the concept isn’t too difficult to understand. Set in 2022, the virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online.
It uses the NerveGear a helmet that enables users to experience all 5 senses within the game. This allows users to control their in-game character using their mind as the controller. During the first day, 10,000 players had logged into the SAO game but found out they can’t log out.
The game creator appears and tells the players that they can’t leave the game until beat all 100 levels of the game. If they die in-game they die in real life. If someone tries to remove their helmet they also die in real life. We follow our main protagonist Kirito as he tries to beat the game, making allies along the way. SAO, in generally quitter dark due to the serious concept it establishes, making it almost impossible to not watch.
Similar, to Akame Ga Kill the love theme is a double-edged weapon it makes and breaks the anime. Although the characters seem like side characters for the most part the strong relationship between Asuna and Kirito makes the show unmissable.
Rating: 7.6/10
Attack on Titan (2014)
The darkest anime on the list, Attack on Titan. Set in a world prior to electricity, Attack on Titan seems to have a steampunk vibe. Humanity resides in cities that are within 3 separate walls, these walls are all that defends them from the Titans. Giants that exclusively eat humans. The main protagonist Eren, a young boy, vows to join the Scouts.
A military force was used to combat the Titans. Similar to Akame Ga Kill, Attack on Titan doesn’t hold back on its gruesome and will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. It shares themes with most anime, in terms of fighting and the journey towards victory. It’s not just your average anime, it plays on themes of horror, politics, and war.
Attack on Titan is definitely worth watching, as it’s one of the most spoken about anime in the world with a very loyal fanbase. I suggest you watch this if you can handle its intensity, it’s one of the best anime shows out here to date.
This may be one of my favourite anime of all time and I strongly suggest watching it. The pacing is amazing, the dynamics between characters are so interesting. Every character is well portrayed and everyone seems very important to the plot. As long as you can handle a little bit of blood, maybe a lot I'm sure new users will be hooked to the series.
Rating 9/10
One Punch Man (2015)
One Punch! This is a light-hearted action anime… It’s very popular in Japan and oversees, as its an action and comedy therefore balanced very well. Some episodes maybe fill with action whereas others are hilarious side-stories. The main character is the bald Saitama, he’s looks ridiculous but he’s the strongest superhero in existence. Defeating monsters and villains with a single punch.
Due to this Saitama struggles with depression and genuine sadness as he can’t find anyone out there to challenge him. Funnily, enough Saitama doesn’t enjoy being a hero as it doesn’t entertain him.
One Punch Man is a great series its funny and genuinely easy to watch. There's a range of interesting characters, some highly detailed, some less complex: creating some great scenes. I think One Punch Man is a great anime to start with, i happen to enjoy the superhero genre as well as the comedy. I've had great laughs and loved the intensity of the fight scene as there's some great choreograpy.
Rating: 8.8/10
Your Name (2016)
Unlike the other, anime on the list Your Name. isn’t a series it’s a feature length film, a box office hit.Your Name. tells the story of two high school students Taki and Mitsuha that live in two different places. The city and the country teens swap bodies and need to figure out why it’s happening and how to stop it.
it’s difficult not to mention the incredible world building and the use of the amazing landscapes. It is simply breath-taking. Unlike most movies Your Name makes it difficult for viewers to predict the outcome of the movies with various plot twists.
The movie blends many genres together, genres that wouldn’t necessarily combine well. Your Name is a romance, mystery but still dabbles through the conventions of science fiction. If you enjoy films that aren’t focussed onto one genre this is definitely the film for you.
I recall Your Name posters appearing all over the city, where I reside. This was very rare in 2015, the most portrayed the most beautiful scenery in the background which appears throughout the show. It persuaded me to watch the movie, which I wouldn’t have necessarily done as it’s not really my kind of genre. Although, out of my comfort zone this movie was simply amazing.
Rating: 8.4/10
Haikyu! (2014)
The first sports anime on the list is Haikyuu! Haikyuu is very interested and enables viewers to watch an anime that doesn’t fit in with the other sub-genres that are overused by the anime genre. Haikyuu is one of the most popular sports anime. But what makes it so special? It’s based on the sport volleyball, which is something the majority aren’t familiar with, maybe that’s what makes it so different. A sport tatt hardly ever explored: creating its uniqueness.
Haikyuu is Shonen anime, similar to previous action anime we mentioned like My Hero Academia. Meaning there’s themes of friendship, struggle and triumph. Shonen anime are generally quite easy to watch as they are fast paced. Although Haikyuu isn’t an action is having high intensity volleyball scenes and fierce rivalry.
The anime shows a team call Karosuno High Volleyball Club but focusses on two characters Hinata an oddly small volleyball player and Kageyama who’s more of a solo player. These two characters are very different but their personalities clash and complement each other. That creates some great interactions and a strong friendship, as they stride to become the best team in Japan.
I love Haikyuu it’s a great anime, so exciting too. It’s able to grab your attention from episode one and takes you across various seasons. It has comedy, drama even elements of romance, a very unique anime. I suggest watching this, it’s one of the best anime out there you’ll certainly fall in love with the series.
Rating: 8.7/10
Yuri!!! On Ice (2016)
In 2016 Yuri!!! On Ice had won Crunchyroll’s anime of the year. Like Haikyuu, Yuri on Ice is a sports anime but revolves around figure skating. The anime is one of the most popular sports anime out there, taking on one of the more obscure sports out there.
Yuri!!! On Ice plays on your emotions and really makes you care about these characters and these competitions. Notably, the anime is more targeted towards women with its eloquent choreography and beautiful art style. However, it’s still accessible to men. The show takes on some heavy themes but also has its humours elements. The show is about love and highlights the main character Yuri’s issues with confidence. How he overcomes these problems to skate in front of thousands
I think this show is definitely worth seeing it shows some beautiful scenes and dynamics that were really get you going. This score is amazing, and lyrics seem to reflect on characters dilemmas at a personal level.
Rating: 8.3/10
In summary all of these anime have a different pull point as i purposely selected anime with a range of themes. Just to keep you on your toes. If i were to suggest something to a friend to watch I'd suggest One Punch Man. It's fast paced silly and doesn't really spend much time on serious topics.