The Ultimate Guide to Start Watching Anime

Can you spot the animes?

Welcome to the ultimate guide to start watching anime! If you’re new to the world of anime, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. With so many different series and genres to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones are worth your time. That’s where this guide comes in.

We’ve broken down our recommendations into three sections:

• Starting with a shorter and more accessible series that is perfect for newcomers
• Then moving on to core anime classics that are considered must-watch by many fans
• Finally diving into the realm of hardcore otaku recommendations for those who are already deeply invested in the world of anime.

Section 1: Animes to Watch First

If you’re just starting with anime, it’s a good idea to start with shorter series that are easy to follow and have a wide appeal. These recommendations are all less than 100 episodes and are available on Netflix, making them easily accessible to most viewers. With a focus on shonen series, these recommendations are great for action-packed adventures and compelling character development.

1. Attack on Titan — This action-packed anime follows a group of young soldiers as they fight to protect their village from giant humanoid creatures known as the Titans. With only 25 episodes it is a short series that is easy to follow and packed with intense action.
2. My Hero Academia — In a world where almost everyone has superpowers My Hero Academia tells the story of Izuku Midoriya, a young boy without any powers, trying to become a hero. With engaging characters and exciting action, this shounen anime is a must-see.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood — This popular anime tells the story of two brothers who seek the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemy experiment. With only 64 episodes, it’s a short series that’s easy to follow and has a variety of characters range of genres.
4. Death Note — This psychological thriller tells the story of a high school student named Light Yagami who gains the ability to kill anyone whose name he writes in a mysterious notebook. At just 37 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is considered a masterpiece by many anime fans.
5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — This action-packed anime tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who fights to protect humanity from supernatural threats after his family is slaughtered by demons. With only 26 episodes, it’s a shorter series that’s easily followed along and filled with intense action.
6. Jujutsu Kaisen — This action-packed anime tells the story of high school student Yūji Itadori, who gets caught up in the world of contortionists and must use his special abilities to defeat cursed spirits and protect humanity. With only 24 episodes, it’s a shorter series that’s easily followed along and full of thrilling action.
7. Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden — It tells the story of a young ninja as he trains to become the strongest ninja in his village and protect it from danger. With over 500 episodes, this series is a must-see for any fan of anime.
8. “The Rising of the Shield Hero” — This action-packed anime follows the story of Naofumi Iwatani, a young man who is falsely accused of a crime and becomes a hated hero, as he struggles to clear his name and protect the kingdom from danger. With only 25 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is easy to follow and packed with intense action.
9. “Erased” — In this psychological thriller anime, Satoru Fujinuma, a young man with the ability to travel back in time, uses his power to try and save a classmate from being killed and uncover the truth behind a series of murders in his town. With only 12 episodes, this shorter series is easy to follow and filled with exciting action.
10. “The Promised Neverland” — This action-packed anime follows the story of a group of orphaned children who discover the shocking truth about their orphanage and must escape to freedom. With only 12 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is easy to follow and packed with intense action.
11. “Parasite” — This psychological thriller anime follows the journey of Kim Jin-hyeok, a young man who becomes involved in the world of professional “hosts” and must use his charm and intelligence to succeed in the competitive world of high-end clubs. With only 12 episodes, this shorter series is easy to follow and packed with intense action.

Section 2: Anime Classics

Once you’ve gotten a taste for anime and want to delve deeper, it’s time to check out some of the all-time favorites and must-see series. These recommendations are considered masterpieces by many anime fans and are sure to provide an engaging and memorable viewing experience. While some of these series may be longer, they are all well worth the commitment.

1. One Piece — This famous shounen anime follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his friends in search of the ultimate treasure, One Piece. With over 1,000 episodes, that might be a commitment, but the colorful cast and compelling story will keep you hooked.
2. Cowboy Bebop — This classic anime follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters as they travel through space in pursuit of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals. At just 26 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is considered by many anime fans to be their favorite of all time.
3. Your Lie in April — This touching anime tells the story of a talented young musician named Kousei who struggles to find his passion for music after the death of his mother. At just 22 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is considered a masterpiece by many anime fans.
4. “Tokyo Ghoul” — This psychological horror anime follows the story of Kaneki Ken, a young man who becomes a half-ghoul after a chance encounter with a ghoul, as he struggles to navigate the dangerous world of ghouls and humans. With only 12 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku watchers.
5. Berserk — This dark and violent anime follows the story of Guts a mercenary warrior who seeks revenge against his former friend and fellow evil wizard Griffith. With only 25 episodes it is a short series that is considered a must-watch for hardcore otaku watchers.
6. Hellsing Ultimate — This action-packed anime follows the story of Alucard a powerful vampire who works for the Hellsing Organization as he fights to protect England from supernatural threats. With only 10 episodes it is a short series that is considered a must-watch for hardcore otaku watchers.
7. Gurren Lagann — This action-packed anime follows the story of Simon and Kamina. These two young men oppose the tyrannical Spiral King and his army of powerful mecha known as Gunmen. And only 27 short series are considered must-watch for hardcore otaku viewers.
8. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure — This bizarre and unique anime follows the story of the Joestar family, each with unique abilities as they battle a variety of supernatural enemies. With over 100 episodes it is a long series that is considered a must-watch by hardcore otaku viewers.
9. Bleach — This action-packed anime follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see ghosts as he becomes a Soul Reaper and fights to protect the living world from evil spirits. With over 300 episodes it is a long series that is considered a must-watch for hardcore otaku guardians of the anime world.
10. Fate/Zero — This action-packed anime tells the story of seven mages who engage in a deadly competition in an attempt to win the Holy Grail magical item that can grant will. With only 25 episodes it is a short series that is considered a must-watch for hardcore otaku watchers.
11. “Psycho-Pass” — This action-packed anime takes place in a dystopian future where a person’s psychological state, personality, and likelihood of committing crimes can be quantified and monitored using a device called the Psycho-Pass. The series follows the story of Inspector Akane Tsunemori and her colleagues as they use their Psycho-Passes to track down and capture criminals. With only 22 episodes, It is a shorter series that is considered a must-view for those who are passionate about anime.
12. “Mob Psycho 100” — This action-packed anime follows the story of Mob, a young boy with psychic powers who tries to keep his abilities a secret and live a normal life, as he struggles to control his powers and protect his loved ones from danger. With only 25 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is a must-watch anime series for avid anime fans.

Section 3: The Hardcore Otakus

For those who are already deeply invested in the world of anime and are looking for the most hardcore recommendations, this section is for you. These series are considered must-sees for true otaku watchers and offer a wide variety of genres and styles to choose from. With a mix of shorter and longer series, there’s something for every level of commitment in this list. So, whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned anime fan, there’s something for everyone in this ultimate guide to starting to watch anime.

1. One Punch Man — This action-packed anime follows Saitama, a superhero who can defeat any opponent with one punch as he tries to find the right opponent to challenge him. And only 24 short series are considered must-watch for hardcore otaku viewers.
2. Black Clover — This action-packed animation tells the story of a young orphan, Asta, who dreams of becoming the world’s most powerful wizard and trains and fights to achieve his goal. It’s a long-running series with over 100 episodes and is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku viewers.
3. Hunter x Hunter — This action-packed animation tells the story of a young boy, Gon Freecs, who embarks on a journey to become a Hunter (a special type of elite fighter) and find his missing father. It’s a long-running series with over 100 episodes and is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku viewers.
4. Soul Eater — This action-packed animation follows Maka, a young girl in training as a weapons master, and her living weapon partner, the Soul Eater, as they hunt down evil spirits and protect the world from destruction. With only 51 episodes, it’s a shorter series and is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku watchers.
5. Death Parade — This psychological thriller anime tells the story of bartender Decim, who serves as an arbiter of recently deceased souls who must participate in a deadly game to determine their ultimate fate. With only 12 episodes, it’s a shorter series and is recommended viewing for hardcore otaku watchers.
6. Code Geass — This action-packed animation follows the exiled prince Lelouch who acquires the power of the Geass and uses it to lead a rebellion against the oppressive British Empire. At just 25 episodes, it’s a shorter series considered a must-see for hardcore otaku viewers.
7. Gintama — This humorous anime follows the adventures of Gintoki, a samurai who works odd jobs in a world that has been taken over by aliens. It is an extensive series with more than 300 episodes, and it is a must-see for avid anime fans.
8. “Steins;Gate” — This science fiction anime follows the story of Rintarō Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, and his friends as they discover a way to send messages back in time and become embroiled in a world of time travel, government conspiracies, and personal tragedy. With only 24 episodes, it’s a shorter series that is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku watchers.
9. Dragon Ball Z — This action-packed anime tells the story of Goku, a mighty warrior with magical origins who fights to protect the Earth from various threats and battle powerful enemies. At over 250 episodes, it’s a long series and is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku observers.
10. Nanatsu no Taizai — This action-packed anime tells the story of the Seven Deadly Sins, a group of powerful legendary knights who were disbanded after being falsely accused of plotting to overthrow the kingdom, and who return to clear their name and protect the kingdom from danger. It’s a long-running series of over 150 episodes and is considered a must-see for hardcore otaku viewers.

Where to Watch These Animes?

Many of the animes recommended in this guide are available on streaming platforms like Netflix, making them easily accessible to most viewers. However, some of the more obscure or hard-to-find series may not be available on mainstream platforms. In these cases, you may want to try checking out streaming sites like 9anime.to or gogoanime, which offer a wide selection of anime series and films. There are many options available for watching anime, so do some research and find the one that works best for you.

Remember to keep an open mind and try out a variety of different series and genres to find what you enjoy the most. Anime is a vast and diverse medium with something for everyone, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Whether you’re a newcomer or a hardcore otaku, we hope you find something in this guide that speaks to you and encourages you to continue your journey into the exciting world of anime.

Happy watching!