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13+ Best Anime for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Get You Started

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So, you’ve finally decided to dip your feet into the anime wormhole? Good choice. Excellent choice, in fact. 

Given that anime has been around for decades, things can get slightly overwhelming for beginners. You get hit with a firehose of recommendations, some of which sound interesting, some confusing, and some just feel like you need a Master’s degree in physics to make sense of the story.

Don’t worry. This guide keeps things simple just for you.

Here are some of the best anime for beginners, focused on stories that are easy to follow, characters you’ll love, and arcs that will have you hyped for days to come. The list mixes many genres, so you’re sure to find the right fit.

14 Best Anime for Beginners to Get The Hype

1. My Hero Academia

A split image featuring two characters from the anime My Hero Academia. On the left, a determined-looking Izuku Midoriya with green hair. On the right, a sinister-looking Tomura Shigaraki with white hair and pale skin, surrounded by debris. The title "MY HERO ACADEMIA" is prominently displayed at the bottom of the image.

Genre: Superhero, School Life

My Hero Academia is in its final stretch, with the last season airing currently. What better time to get into this anime than now?

Watching this series is like watching the origin stories of all your favorite heroes with the added anime flair, hype, and heart. Wait till you reach the U.A. Sports Festival Arc and you find yourself cheering on everyone.

2. Demon Slayer

A close-up shot of a young male anime character, Tanjiro Kamado from the series Demon Slayer, in a snowy landscape. He has dark red hair with a hanafuda earring on his left ear and a scar on his forehead. He is wearing a checkered green and black haori over a black uniform. He has wide, determined purple eyes and is holding a large, sharp, metallic sword with a black blade diagonally across the frame.

Genre: Action, Supernatural

If you want a visual treat with fights that seem almost illegally good, then Demon Slayer has your back. No complicated storylines are just the cherry on top.

Fair warning: Once you get to the Mugen Train Arc, you can’t sue for the emotional damage you are bound to sustain.

3. Attack on Titan

An illustration of four main characters from the anime series Attack on Titan in their Survey Corps uniforms, posed dynamically for battle. From left to right: Levi Ackerman, Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert, all holding their swords with determined expressions.

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Mystery

This one starts off with a simple premise. You’ve got giant man-eating creatures threatening humanity and a group of trained fighters to go against them.

By the time you reach the Female Titan Arc, you’ve probably acclimatized yourself to the story enough to take on the major plot twists that the story has in store for you. This arc is tense, dramatic, and one of the major reasons the anime took on the world by storm.

4. Haikyuu!!

A group of male anime characters from the series Haikyu!!, wearing black and orange volleyball uniforms, are posing together. The character in the center foreground has bright orange hair and is smiling widely. The title "Haikyu!!" is visible in the top right corner.

Genre: Sports, Comedy

This one works best for beginners who don’t want to get involved with anime with complicated lore too early on. Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about volleyball; you’ll catch up soon enough.

Just a few episodes are enough for you to fall in love with the entire cast and their hilarious dynamics and fiery determination. By the Inter-High Preliminaries Arc, you’ll be cheering on Karasuno like they’re your local volleyball team.

5. One Punch Man

Saitama from the anime series 'One-Punch Man', a bald man in a yellow superhero suit with red gloves and a white cape, is looking down.

Genre: Comedy, Action

The short episodes and the comedy really make this anime the best fit for newbies. The jokes land instantly, and even the fight sequences are comedic. 

Of course, not everything is to be taken as a joke. The Deep Sea King Arc, for example, blends hero moments, tension, comedy, and animation so perfectly you’ll feel like you’re watching a movie.

6. Spy x Family

The Forger family from the anime series Spy × Family, featuring Yor, Anya, and Loid, standing outdoors. Anya is pointing up with an excited expression.

Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Spy Adventure

This one is too whole for an anime with a cast that has a spy, an assassin, and a telepath. You brace yourself for drama and get a show that you would love to watch from under the comfort of your blankets with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands.

7. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Promotional image for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist featuring main characters Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric, Roy Mustang, and Riza Hawkeye in a dynamic action pose.

Genre: Action, Adventure

A classic that had dominated the anime scene for years, FMAB is just that one show everyone seems to have watched at least once (or a hundred times) in their lives. The clean storytelling, combined with satisfying arcs, leaves viewers completely satisfied.

Once you reach the Promised Day Arc, you’ll understand the true genius of the storytelling. Everything that the arc had built up slowly gets delivered in one of the most satisfying emotional payoffs.

8. Your Lie in April

A young woman with blonde hair, identified as Kaori Miyazono, smiles at a young man with dark hair, identified as Kousei Arima, who has his back to the viewer. Kaori holds a violin case, and they are standing on steps in an outdoor, dimly lit setting with glowing green lights around them.

Genre: Romance, Drama

Make sure you keep a box of tissues ready by your side before starting Your Lie in April. The beautiful music and stunning animation almost lull you into a sense of security before the story punches you in the emotions.

9. Jujutsu Kaisen

An image featuring four main characters from the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen.

Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy

Love stylish action and overpowered characters? Then Jujutsu Kaisen will be perfect for you.

The power system is easy to decipher once you understand the world better. Once you get to the good part (read: Sister School Exchange Event Arc), you’re bound to look up the fight sequence replays.

10. Naruto

A group photo of eleven anime characters from the Naruto series standing side-by-side. The characters, known as the Konoha 11, are in their respective outfits. From left to right, the characters include: Rock Lee, Tenten, Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka (with Akamaru on his head), Shikamaru Nara, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Ino Yamanaka.

Genre: Action, Adventure

Okay, you might be hesitant about this one, considering the number of episodes you have to cover. But it’s a classic shounen for a reason. 

Several of your friends who grew up watching anime will swear by how good this is. Trust them. It has everything you could ever ask for – great fights, emotional moments, underdogs, amazing villains, and even outstanding soundtracks.

11. Death Note

A young man with light brown hair, Light Yagami, is shown from the chest up, looking slightly to his left. He is holding a black notebook titled "DEATH NOTE" in front of him.

Genre: Psychological Thriller

If you’re not one to binge multiple seasons, consider picking up Death Note. There are no complicated powers, no complex worldbuilding, or action.

So, what is this anime’s biggest draw? The mind games, insanely tense moments, and the extreme need for you to know the conclusion of the cat-and-mouse chase.

12. Blue Lock

Promotional key visual for the anime Blue Lock, featuring several main characters.

Genre: Sports, Psychological Competition

Here is another sports anime for sports enthusiasts, and this time, it is soccer! Add a sprinkle of drama and ego to it, and you know you’re in for a ride.

Things start getting crazier once you hit the Second Selection Arc. Get ready for crazy twists and inspiring rivalries.

13. Fruits Basket (2019)

A promotional image for the anime Fruits Basket featuring four main characters.

Genre: Slice of Life, Romance

The series starts off pretty wholesome. The pacing is gentle, and the characters are lovable. That’s why you’re not prepared to deal with the heavy topics that come up later in the series. The story is all about compassion, healing, and acceptance. You might finish the series, but the characters remain with you long after.

14. Mob Psycho 100

Shigeo Kageyama from the anime Mob Psycho 100 in a state of intense emotion, with glowing white eyes and a powerful green and red aura surrounding him.

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural

This anime is a feast for the eyes. The unique animation is already one of its strongest draws. 

Add to that the funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly deep moments, and you’ve got the whole package. Besides, the protagonist, Mob, is just too lovable for his own good.

Why These Are the Best Anime for Beginners to Start With

Getting into anime should feel as simple as “Oh! I get why people love this.” That’s all. No overanalyzing or tough debates. You can get to those later.

The titles in this list are easy to follow and have some great moments that have been immortalized in the anime community. So grab your popcorn and get ready to make your weekends more fruitful.

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