Interest Stacks

Anime Starting Pack for Beginners

Anime
byJohn_Hakusho
Oct 05 2024, 9:16 PM | Updated Mar 14, 10:11 PM
Shows good for starting off on anime and getting into the culture. My ratings are a bit harsh so ignore low scores for things you're interested in.
Death Note
TV, 2006, 37 eps Me:- Author:6
A very intelligent show with great characters and an amazing plot line full of twists and turns.
Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho
TV, 1992, 112 eps Me:- Author:6
A very old series, but one with great action, story and characters. It also has amazing villains and never loses focus on emotional moments and character development in exchange for mindless action like a lot of other series. It unfortunately has an abrupt and lackluster ending, but this was due to the author Togashi's mental and physical health problems at the time.
Shingeki no Kyojin
TV, 2013, 25 eps Me:- Author:5
A very dark, mature series, but one with beautiful animation, amazing characters and an incredible plot that keeps you hooked all the way through. Highly recommend if you're okay with heavy gore and mature themes. Has several seasons
Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
TV, 2016, 120 eps Me:- Author:5
First off, don't let the episode count fool you; its only 24, but has tiny short stories in each episode.
A funny, cute slice of life that's easy to watch and has fun characters. It also contains many references to other anime. Has a second season and a TV special that wraps up the story.
Mob Psycho 100
TV, 2016, 12 eps Me:- Author:5
A really funny show with great animation and action that turns into an emotional journey full of life lessons and amazing character development. Has 3 seasons in total, and a TV special in between seasons 2 and 3.
Kill la Kill
TV, 2013, 24 eps Me:- Author:5
If you're ok with more sexual material, including partial nudity then this is an amazing show. Amazing characters and action with a good story and great villains.
Blue Period
TV, 2021, 12 eps Me:- Author:7
Despite the wonky pacing in the first half it's an incredible story with amazing characters with incredibly deep ideas exploring art as a whole, and the process in which one goes through to become an artist. Manga is currently ongoing.
Cowboy Bebop
TV, 1998, 26 eps Me:- Author:5
Following a more episodic structure, Cowboy Bebop has become one of the most critically acclaimed anime series in the west (surprisingly is not talked about much in Japan). It has a very unique style with a sort of sci-fi western blend, mixed with a jazzy soundtrack. It also has very fluid animation and choreography for its time, and good character writing.
Samurai Champloo
TV, 2004, 26 eps Me:- Author:5
Directed by the same guy behind Cowboy Bebop (Shinichiro Watanabe), it's very similar in story structure but rather set in Feudal Japan and I personally consider it to be more consistent. Also has good animation and action sequences.
Space☆Dandy
TV, 2014, 13 eps Me:- Author:5
Also by Shinichiro Watanabe, an almost fully comedy focused show (again with his classic episodic structure). The animation is really good and the show is really funny, but there are some episodes that are not that great. This problem is fixed in season 2 which is better in every way.
Trigun
TV, 1998, 26 eps Me:- Author:5
Death Parade
TV, 2015, 12 eps Me:- Author:6
A bit mature, but not super disturbing for the most part. It's a good show with a really interesting premise that follows a more episodic structure. As a result, some episodes will leave a lasting impact on you and others may fall short. Regardless, it's a pretty good show that is worth watching.
Violet Evergarden
TV, 2018, 13 eps Me:- Author:7
Some of the most beautiful animation in a weekly tv aired series. Great characters, a good plot and some incredibly emotional scenes. Has two movies.
Dungeon Meshi
TV, 2024, 24 eps Me:- Author:5
A series with a fun, well done gimmick and fun characters with a great dynamic, that slowly becomes more serious as the story progresses. Also has good action and animation. Manga is finished, but the anime has yet to make a second season.
Akira
Movie, 1988, 1 ep Me:- Author:8
Very mature, with some intense violence and some sexual themes. An incredibly influential film with some of the most beautiful art and animation I've ever seen. The plot is amazing, and its overall one of the highest rated movies ever that is also one of the most influential and important pieces of anime media ever created.
Shinseiki Evangelion
TV, 1995, 26 eps Me:- Author:7
A classic series that inspired countless others; because of the nature of its characters, story themes, and how abstract it can get the show is often divisive, but I think its a beautiful artistic piece with amazing writing. Has a sequel/alternate ending movie called "The End of Evangelion", and 4 other movies reimagining the original series with updated animation.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
TV, 2007, 27 eps Me:- Author:5
An adrenaline pumping adventure with incredible characters and unforgettable fights. Give it a proper chance and you'll be rewarded heavily.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
TV, 2011, 148 eps Me:- Author:7
Sakamoto Days
TV, 2025, 11 eps Me:- Author:5
FLCL
OVA, 2000, 6 eps Me:- Author:6
An incredibly stylised show with some of the most unique art direction ever. It's incredibly confusing and doesn't make much sense, but there are story themes and the characters are decently written. Also a very funny show. Don't watch the sequels, they don't capture the vibe in the same way.
Chainsaw Man
TV, 2022, 12 eps Me:- Author:6
A wild show full of insanity that also covers some very dark and mature topics (including heavy sexual themes). Has amazing character writing, great fights and some crazy ideas. The manga is ongoing and the anime is releasing the next part of the story as a movie soon.
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
TV, 2016, 10 eps Me:- Author:6
A hilarious parody of the Isekai genre (Isekai is when a character is transported to another world) full of great characters with an amazing dynamic. It's some of the most fun I've had watching a show. Has 3 seasons and a movie in between season 2 and 3. The series is still ongoing.
Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu
TV, 2014, 24 eps Me:- Author:6
Steins;Gate
TV, 2011, 24 eps Me:- Author:6
A confusing series with a slow start, but if you stick around you'll be rewarded an incredibly compelling story. Has an alternate version called Steins;Gate 0 and a movie (watch the movie after S;G 0).
Grand Blue
TV, 2018, 12 eps Me:- Author:8
One of the funniest shows I've ever seen, had me dying laughing multiple times each episode (Which is very rare for me). The humour is more adult and covers themes of sex (hehe). The anime has yet to start a second season, but the manga is still ongoing.
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
TV, 2010, 13 eps Me:- Author:6
A classic of dirty, sexual, disgusting, downright idiotic humour, stylised art, and some of the weirdest episode plots I've ever seen. Allegedly has a second season coming out but who knows if that'll ever happen.
Dandadan
TV, 2024, 12 eps Me:- Author:5
A batshit wild show with super fun characters, good fight scenes and cool powers. It can occasionally touch upon some more serious topics, but is mostly a wild comedy that is completely unpredictable. The manga and anime are both currently ongoing.
Vampire Hunter D (2000)
Movie, 2000, 1 ep Me:- Author:5
A cool, dark gothic action movie with impressive animation and a sick world. Not amazingly written, but the writing is good enough to be enjoyable and the action is cool.

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