New to anime? Overwhelmed by the choices? Here is a curated starter guide based on what genres you already like in Western media.
If you like action/adventure movies:
- Attack on Titan (4 seasons, 87 episodes) — Humanity vs. giant humanoid monsters. Starts as survival horror, becomes a complex geopolitical thriller. One of the greatest plot twists in fiction at Episode 31 of Season 3.
- Demon Slayer (3 seasons + movies) — Beautiful animation, straightforward story, emotional family themes. The Mugen Train movie arc is a perfect entry point for anime skeptics.
If you like crime/thriller/mystery:
- Death Note (37 episodes) — A genius student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The cat-and-mouse between Light Yagami and detective L is the best intellectual rivalry in anime. Watch episodes 1-25 at minimum.
- Monster (74 episodes) — A surgeon saves the life of a boy who grows up to be a serial killer. Slow burn psychological thriller. Based on the manga by Naoki Urasawa.
If you like emotional/character-driven stories:
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (64 episodes) — Two brothers use alchemy to try to resurrect their mother and face the consequences. Widely considered the greatest anime ever made. Perfect balance of action, comedy, and emotional devastation. Source: Rated #1 on MyAnimeList with 9.09 average.
- Your Lie in April (22 episodes) — A piano prodigy meets a violinist who changes his life. You will cry. I am warning you.
If you like sci-fi:
- Steins;Gate (24 episodes) — Time travel thriller that starts slow and becomes one of the most gripping stories in any medium. Episode 12 is where everything changes.
- Cowboy Bebop (26 episodes) — Space bounty hunters with a jazz soundtrack. Style, substance, and the greatest anime ending ever.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll has the largest library. Netflix has select titles. Hulu has some exclusives.
Sources: MyAnimeList ratings, Crunchyroll, personal viewing
Death Note episodes 1-25 are a perfect thriller. I will not discuss what happens after episode 25 because it is a different show and not in a good way.