Animeare animated TV shows from Japan, and if you’re here for recommendations, it has probably caught your attention too! Just like Western shows, anime has a wide range of genres, from action to romance. Thus, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick your first one.
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There are old and new anime shows, as well as iconic ones and some that are completely timeless. But before sticking to specific categories, it’s always best to try a few different ones out. Below is a list of carefully chosen shows fromdiverse genresto make your anime journey worthwhile!
8Tokyo Ghoul (2014 - 2018)
4 Seasons, 48 Episodes, 2 OVAs
With a proper balance of well-choreographed fighting scenes, beautiful animation, and relatable characters,Tokyo Ghoulis a great gateway anime. And chances are you’ve already heard the earworm opening theme, “Unravel,” everywhere from TikTok to YouTube shorts.
The series revolves around these monsters who chow down on human flesh, AKA ghouls. They struggle to find their place in a world that wants nothing to do with them. Ken Kaneki, the main character, is now one of the human-turned-ghouls who empathizes with this marginalized species and fights for their existence.
7Darling In The Franxx (2018)
24 Episodes
Anyone who has watched thePower Rangersor the Japanese Super Sentai TV show will likely remember the giant humanoid mecha robots with human pilots. There aredark, depressing, chaotic, and all sorts of mecha animes. But Darling In The Franxx is a great one to start with. The series initially takes place in a post-apocalyptic universe, where in a bid to safeguard humanity from the monstrous Klaxosaurs, a group of kids must hop into their gigantic mechas known as Franxx.
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The later part of the story changes its track drastically and becomes much more complex as the main character Jiro and his co-pilot, Zero Two, discover that they’re mere pawns in a bigger conspiracy. The two must make sacrifices to be with each other, and if you love emotional and heartbreaking stories, you’re able to’t go wrong with this one.
6Toradora! (2008-2009)
25 Episodes
Arguably one of the bestromcomsever, Toradora has inspired several others anime shows in the genre to follow in its footsteps. Toradora translates to Tiger and Dragon, and true to the name, it follows an intimidating-looking (but soft-hearted) high school boy named Ryuuji and a hot-headed girl, Taiga. She is famously referred to as the “Palm Top Tiger” for her hostility and small height.
Initially, both characters seek each other’s help in pursuing their crushes. However, as they spend more time together, they gradually begin to develop romantic feelings. Taiga and Ryuuji embrace each other’s insecurities and imperfections, and in doing so, they become a “perfect” couple in the anime community.
5Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War (2019 - Ongoing)
3 Seasons, 37 Episodes, 1 Movie
Kaguya-Samais all about a hilarious high school rivalry between two elite students, Kaguya and Shirogane. These two see competition in everything, even in matters of the heart. Throughout their time in school, the duo engages in never-ending schemes and verbal sparring battles to checkmate the other into confessing their love.
After the third season dropped, Kaguya-Sama shot up to the #6 spot on MyAnimeList with a record-breaking 9.06 rating. Romcom is not for everyone, but this one will surely give you warm fuzzies and make you utter the words “Ultra Romantic.”
4Demon Slayer ( 2019 - Ongoing)
2 Seasons, 37 Episodes, and 2 Movies
Yukatas, rice cakes, cherry blossoms — the anime journey is incomplete without the taste of traditional Japan. And, of course, asamurai animerecommendation is a must. Set in the Taisho Era,Demon Slayer, however, has a darker tone compared to the usual upbeat vibe of Japanese culture.
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The series follows our main character Tanjiro, whose family has been brutally murdered by demons, except for his sister Nezuko, who is now a demon herself. Determined to turn her back into a human,Tanjirojoins the Demon Slayer Corps and sets out on an adventure to eliminate all the demons. If you’re looking for an anime withexceptional animationand a great overall experience, it’s hard to find one that can surpass Demon Slayer.
3Death Note (2006-2007)
37 Episodes, 2 Movies
Death Noteis one of the few psychological thrillers with a clear direction in the story, and it’s easy for beginners to get involved with the main character in his journey. The series starts with a high school student, Light Yagami, who finds a strange notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.
Light has only one aim, and that is to wipe out all the criminals to make the world a better place. His twisted thinking and decisions will make you rethink the difference between good and evil. Moreover, It’s almost a given that you’ll be binge-watching this show from start to finish as you witness the world’s greatest detectives attempting tocatch Light Yagami, the mastermind behind thousands of mysterious deaths.
2Cowboy Bebop (1998)
26 Episodes
The classicCowboy Bebopis a science fiction series with a Western flair. It has a lot of cool soundtracks with a mix of rock music, jazz, and blues, which enhances the show’s overall appeal to the new generation of fans. The anime tells the story of Spike Spiegel and his team of bounty hunters in the year 2071 when humanity colonized the solar system.
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Each episode brings new challenges for the crew to tackle, which keeps things exciting and unpredictable. Cowboy Bebop is often considered the best anime since its 1998 debut and still holds up as an awesome show today.
1Steins;Gate (2011)
2 seasons, 48 Episodes, 2 OVAs, 1 Movie
Many experienced anime watchers typically follow the three-episode rule to decide whether an anime is worth their precious time; if the first three episodes spark interest, then they continue watching. But that rule just doesn’t work for the slow-burn approach ofSteins;Gate. If you are starting on this mind-bending series, don’t drop it until you’ve made it to Episode 12.
The anime is about Okabe Rintaro, a self-proclaimed scientist, who has invented the time machine, and now all the political organizations are chasing him to get their hands on the technology. The show starts off building a foundation of seemingly insignificant moments that ultimately create a complex web of unimaginable cause and effect; the later episodes will give you a massive adrenaline rush. To say more would be to give away spoilers.
