Anime is wonderful in the sense that there is a series for everyone. Whether you prefer action or romance, long or short, plot-heavy or simple-minded, there is the perfect series just waiting to be watched. The question is, with thousands of series growing increasingly popular going from Japan to the rest of the world, where should you start? Here are eleven anime series, in no particular order, that could get you started on a wild and exciting ride you may never want to get off of. (And may not be able to, from my experience...)
Recommended for you
NOTE: A star means that the show does not have a dub release, meaning that it is only available to watch with Japanese subtitles.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Episodes: 64
Genre: Action/Fantasy
This here is the tale of two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric, who, through the practice of alchemy and in a moment of grief and desperation, try to bring their mother back from the dead. When it backfires, the boys end up losing parts of their bodies, with Edward losing his arm and leg and Alphonse losing everything but his soul. To retrieve their bodies and potentially find the key to eternal life, the two brothers set off on an epic quest to learn about the amazing---and disturbing---truths of the world of alchemy. This is a classic among the anime community, and a must-watch for a gripping story and a wonderful cast of characters.
2. Azumanga Daioh
Episodes: 26
Genre: Comedy/Friendship
A far more relaxing series to watch after stressing out over the Elric brothers, this series follows a group of high school girls and their wacky antics. From the ten-year-old in the group who was smart (and cute!) enough to make it into high school, to the quiet one in the group who only wants to pet a cat, even when cats hate her. The English version of this show is hysterical.
3. Clannad
Number of episodes: 47
Genre: Romance/Drama
Based off of a visual novel available for purchase on Steam, this anime follows Tomoya Okazaki, a troubled teen with a lonely home life. With depression and apathy for his surroundings gripping him, he tries to find purpose in his life, and he finds it in a quiet and frail girl named Nagisa. As the two meet and bond, their love grows stronger...and their lives change, for better and worse. This was actually my first anime, and I learned through this anime how to pace through a series and how a story can be sad, beautiful, and satisfying at the same time. Get a tissue box for this one.
4. Soul Eater
Number of episodes: 51
Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
This anime follows Maka Albarn and her friends in Shibusen Academy, a school run by the lord of death himself dedicated to fighting against the evils of the fantasy world by consuming their souls. Each "student" works as a unit, with one student being a "Demon Scythe" that can transform from a human to a weapon at will, and the other being its "meister," the wielder of the weapon. Soul Evans, Maka's Demon Scythe, and Maka, through their differences and occasional clashes, must find common ground to form a tight bond to defeat the forces of evil. A very popular series in the anime community that you can stream any time on Netflix, this one is surely a blast.
5. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Episodes: 12
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
A shorter, more stylistic series about a girl, Madoka, receiving the opportunity to become a magical girl---a girl who brings happiness to the world by defeating witches. Along with this power, she is granted one wish...but is it worth it? This series has a very powerful method of storytelling through vast changes of style and quick movements. And with it only being twelve episodes, you're bound to go on one insane ride.
6. Death Note
Episodes: 37
Genre: Drama/Mystery
Light Yagami, a seemingly normal high school teen, finds a notebook in the school courtyard called the "Death Note," a book that grants you the power to write anyone's name that you wish to die within a few minutes. Seeing this power, Light wastes no time using it and is thus no longer a "normal" high-schooler, but becomes one of the most dangerous humans in the world. With angsty teenagers, a dark setting, and a suspenseful soundtrack, you can't go wrong with this one. You've probably seen the shirts for this one at Hot Topic. They're EVERYWHERE.
7. Ouran High School Host Club
Episodes: 26
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Haruhi is a bright and studious student at the elite Ouran High School, but when she breaks a vase worth eight million yen, she becomes more than just a student; she becomes the errand boy of the Ouran High School Host Club to repay the debt she cannot afford to pay off with cash. This club's duty is to entertain the girls of the academy through their charisma and swooning, and its eccentric leader, Tamaki, works to impress as many girls as he can---including Haruhi. A delightful, harmless show you can have in the background as you draw, study, or read the manga of the same name.
8. Cowboy Bebop
Episodes: 26
Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama
A classic 90's anime based several years into the future, following bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his band of mercenaries travelling through space to catch the bad guys and get the money. An episodic crime drama, you can catch the suave Spike hunting after his riches, his morality, and the demons of his past at any time. A clever reimagining of the future of criminal activity.
9. DuRaRaRa!!
Episodes: 24
Genre: Action/Mystery
Set in modern-day, gang-ridden Tokyo, DRRR follows a young boy who moves into Tokyo after living a peaceful life in the countryside. He is quickly thrust into a chaotic world of rebellious teenagers, violent gangs battling on the streets, and the notorious legend known only as the Headless Rider. A very fun series to sink your teeth into, and if you were to watch it for any reason, watch it only for the Headless Rider. She's freaking awesome.
10. One Punch Man *
Number of Episodes: 12
Genre: Action/Comedy
The most hilarious addition to this list, this recently produced anime follows Saitama, a man who trained so hard in the gym that he can literally defeat anything in one punch. He doesn't want to be a full-time hero, however; he only wants to be a part-time hero for fun. He nonchalantly saves Tokyo, yet still has the everyday struggles we all have of paying rent and dealing with pesky flies. It's wonderful. Just watch it.
11. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Episodes: 50
Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama
A classic that I can safely say is, by far, my favorite anime of all time. This is the story of Lelouch Lamperouge in a post-apocalyptic society where Japan is only known as Area 11, colonized by the totalitarian Britainians whose mission is to conquer the rest of the world. Having a hatred and bitter vengeance for the Britainian empire, Lelouch lives a double live as a student in high school and a revolutionary with the unlimited power of the Geass, giving him the ability to stare into the eyes of any being and have them do what he commands. I love this one. It has a wide array of characters, an excellently done soundtrack, and thought-provoking commentary on society, race, and social class while having a stylistic and exciting edge to it.
So, there you have it! Some fuel for the start of your anime journey. I hope that you enjoy your experience as much as I and millions of others have and that there are plenty more series to come! Thanks for reading, and happy viewing. :)
