Alright, so you’ve finally decided to dip your toes into the wild world of anime. Good choice. But let’s be real—some anime out there can be a lot. You don’t want your first experience to be a 1000+ episode commitment (cough One Piece cough) or something so weird that you start questioning your life choices (looking at you, Dandadan).
So, here’s the deal—I’ve put together a list of anime that are actually watchable for beginners. No overwhelming episode counts, no extreme culture shocks, just solid stories with amazing animation that’ll get you hooked. Let’s go:
1. Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK) - Peak First Anime Energy
My first anime. My gateway drug. And now I’m obsessed.
Why is it a great starter anime?
Action-packed from episode one—no slow burns here.
Cool powers and fights that don’t need an essay to explain.
Just the right amount of anime weirdness without being too cringe.
Plot:
Yuji Itadori, a dude with insane athletic skills but no real ambitions, accidentally eats a cursed finger (don’t ask) and gets possessed by a crazy-powerful demon. Instead of dying, he’s recruited into Jujutsu High, a school for sorcerers who fight curses—basically evil spirits that mess with people. Cue insane battles, dope animation, and one of the best sensei characters ever (Gojo supremacy).
2. Kaiju No.8 - JJK’s Sci-Fi Cousin
If you like shows like JJK, you’ll love Kaiju No. 8 as well. It’s got the same high-energy action but with monsters.
Why is it a great starter anime?
Fast-paced and easy to follow.
New episodes are dropping, so you’re getting in at the right time.
Each character has a distinct design and personality—nobody fades into the background.
Plot:
Kafka Hibino dreams of joining the Defense Force to fight kaiju (big Godzilla-type monsters), but he’s stuck cleaning up their remains instead. One day, he literally becomes part-kaiju and suddenly gains insane strength. Now, he has to hide his secret while trying to achieve his dream.
3. Mob Psycho 100 - Weird But in The Best Way
If JJK is high-energy chaos, Mob Psycho 100 is the quirky, emotional cousin you didn’t know you needed.
Why is it a great starter anime?
It’s short and won’t eat up your life.
The animation is insane—seriously, it’s like watching an acid trip.
Surprisingly deep story wrapped up in hilarious moments.
Plot:
Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama looks like the most average middle schooler ever, except for one thing—he’s an insanely powerful psychic. His mentor (a total fraud, btw) runs a ghost-exorcism business, and Mob just goes along with it. But the more he suppresses his emotions, the stronger his psychic abilities get… and when he reaches 100%? Yeah, things get wild.
4. Death Note -The Ultimate “What Would You Do?” Anime
This is the anime equivalent of a psychological thriller that messes with your head.
Why is it a great starter anime?
It’s only 37 episodes. No “episode 300 gets good” nonsense.
Super easy to follow, even if you’ve never watched anime before.
You will argue with people over whether Light was right or wrong.
Plot:
Light Yagami, a high school genius, finds a notebook that lets him kill anyone just by writing their name in it. Instead of, I don’t know, being normal, he decides to play God and “cleanse the world” of criminals. Enter L, a mysterious detective trying to catch him. The result? A battle of wits that’ll have you questioning your own morals.
5. Your Name - The Movie That’ll Wrech you emotionally
If action isn’t your thing, Your Name is the way to go.
Why is it a great starter anime?
It’s a movie, so no episode commitment.
Visually stunning—you’ll pause just to admire the scenery.
The romance is actually good, not cringey.
Plot:
Two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, mysteriously start swapping bodies without warning. As they try to navigate each other’s lives, they slowly form a bond—until things take a dramatic turn that I won’t spoil. Just know you will cry.