10 Best Anime for Newbies

If you are looking for the best anime for newbies (both movies and series), we have summarized a few stuff for you here. For fans that are new to anime, we always recommend watching movies. Anime series usually have hundreds of episodes. In fact, great ones have thousands. So, it will be an overwhelming commitment (*cough* *cough* addiction) to start watching a good series. However, you will never really be into anime unless you watch the best series.

What anime should I watch for a beginner?

Just a brief background, there are five different types of anime. Each of these genres is focused on a specific viewer target. Knowing anime genres can help you identify what anime you should watch as a beginner.

So, we could recommend the greatest animes of all time. But you can always find hidden gems by exploring the anime genre you really like.

Shonen – This is the anime stereotype as it is the most popular. Literally means “for boys”, lots of great anime are classified under this genre. It focuses on topics on fantasy, sports, science fiction, and even horror. Some classic examples would be My Hero Academia and Slam Dunk.
Shojo – If you are the rom-com loving type, this genre is for you. There is an emphasis on relationships and connections with a touch of adventure, magic, and even fantasy. Good examples are Fruits Basket and Sailor Moon.
Seinen – This is a bit like shonen but a more r-rated type. There is a higher level of violence and even sexuality. This genre focuses on topics like crime, psychological horror, suspense, and more. One Punch Man and Ghost in a Shell are good examples of this genre.
Josei – This genre is also a more pumped-up version of the Shojo genre. Shojo focuses more on high-school puppy love and romance. Josei is more explicit with more melancholy, affairs, heartbreak, and the like. Great anime to watch for this genre is Paradise Kiss and Gokusen.
Kodomomuke – Literally means kid’s stuff, this is the genre best suitable for the youngest of viewers. Although honestly, who’s to say adults won’t enjoy the innocent goodness in this stuff right? If you’re really into it good ones are Doraemon and the classic Anpanman.

The best anime series for newbies OF ALL TIME

We can’t speak for all the anime lovers out there, but if you know anime you probably know all these titles and then some. These have different seasons, manga, movies, spin-offs, and merch. If you are looking for an anime franchise you want to be a fan of, try these.

Full Metal Alchemist

PRO TIP: One of the most-watched anime of all time. With two seasons totaling about 64 episodes, each episode is surely packed with exciting, well-animated scenes. Each episode will make you question why you just started watching anime now.

Number of Episodes: 64

Attack on Titan

PRO TIP: You have probably heard of this before, seen some news about it on the internet. This franchise has four seasons in total and multiple live-action adaptations. Good news – it is available on Netflix.

Number of episodes: 86

Dragon Ball Z

PRO TIP: If you want to be an anime lover, you have to watch this. Every anime lover MUST know or watch this show. You may think it’s old but the animation is timeless and the action scenes are just intensely exciting! With nine seasons in total, live-action films, movies, and manga – there is just so much about DBZ to watch.

Number of Episodes: 291

My Hero Academia

PRO TIP: Anime series has not ended yet, the 2022 season is still TBA. Impatiently waiting for the next episode of an anime series is part of being an anime lover and is something every beginner must learn to take.

Number of Episodes: 113 and counting

One Piece

PRO TIP: One of the longest-running of all time. If you are looking for an anime series to binge-watch for long – One Piece is there for you. A unique story about pirates, friendship, and leadership – with bits of quirk and fun.

Number of episodes: 1014 and counting

Bleach

PRO TIP: A good anime for newbies, it has a great storyline that cannot classify under any shonen anime.

Number of episodes: 366

Death Note

PRO TIP: This is a pretty popular anime series and it has been adapted multiple times across different countries. There are live-action adaptations aside from the manga and the animated series. Interesting and unique story, with a little bit of terror and suspense.

Number of episodes: 37

Cowboy Bebop

PRO TIP: Old school but still cool. You can see how well-styled this anime is and how the storyline is timeless, regardless of the anime’s age.

Number of episodes: 26

Neon Genesis Evangelion

PRO TIP: Right at the time it was released, it was one of the first modernized mecha series in its style and quality. It was and still is, popular that it somehow became a template for animated series of its kind for years. It has a truly deep storyline paired with incredible artistic animation.

Number of episodes: 26

Chobits

PRO TIP: It is unique as it is slightly Shojo with a mix of mecha style. Out of all the popular ones, this is probably the only one that is a rom-com type. It is a great watch, if you are into that genre.

Number of episodes: 27

Rurouni Kenshin

PRO TIP: It is so popular that it has its own Hollywood adaptation and so many spin-offs. Unlike other popular anime series which don’t have specified timelines and settings on earth, Rurouni Kenshin gives us all a glimpse of Edo-era Japan.

Number of Episodes: 94

BONUS: What is the best anime on Netflix for beginners?

There used to be a lot of legitimate sources of anime on the internet once upon a time, thousands of titles from countless genres. But as of late, it has become quite hard to chance upon a good platform to watch anime.

Do you want to watch anime but don’t know where to start? Thankfully, Netflix hosts some good ones for us to watch. If you are asking – what is the best anime on Netflix for beginners? Of course, you have to start with the classics!