10 Best Anime Series For A First-Time Viewer

Have you considered getting into watching anime, but never knew where to get started? Check out this descriptive list of manageable, captivating anime!

1. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2003-2004)

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Episodes: 64

Genre: Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction

Alchemy is the magical science of transferring matter from one form into another. This anime follows the tale of two young, gifted alchemist brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric. After being abandoned by their father and losing their mother, the two are left orphaned. In their desperation, they try use alchemy to bring their mother back to life, human transmutation, an act the young boys didn’t realize is forbidden. They pay the ultimate price, as The Truth steals young Al’s physical body and Ed’s arm and leg. Edward becomes a State Alchemist in the military in hopes of finding a cure and redeeming himself, while Alphonse accompanies, his spirit tied to a suit of armor.

This is the quintessential anime. It deals with life, death, ethics, conspiracy and magic. The young characters are lovable, the drawing style is beautiful and the story line comes full circle in the end. If you’re looking for perfection, this anime doesn’t disappoint.

2. Durarara!! (2010)

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Episodes: 25

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Urban Fantasy

Mikado is a meek, but intelligent Japanese student moving away from home for the first time to attend school in the bustling, but mysterious, city of Ikebukuro. He joins his old childhood friend, Masaomi Kida, who gives him the run down about the do’s and don’ts of living in the city. There are some questionable characters that occupy this city: gang members, superhumans, sociopaths, a phantom motorcycle rider. This anime follows Mikado, Masaomi, and new friend Anri as they attend Raira Academy during the day and get involved in the dangerous night dealings of Ikebukuro.

This is an anime for mystery and suspense lovers. The show is essentially a coming-of-age story on the surface with a sinister game of chess being played below.

3. Michiko & Hatchin (2008-2009)

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Episodes: 22

Genre: Adventure, Multicultural, Artistic

Young Hanna has a rough life. She lives as a foster child in a terrible family, cooking, cleaning, and fielding abuse from her spoiled foster siblings. That all changes when a beautiful brown woman riding a motorcycle crashes in through the window and lands on the kitchen table, looking for her. Michiko, an aggressive, foul-mouthed criminal is here to collect her daughter – Hanna. Michiko doesn’t seem equipped to raise a child and seems to exhibit poor judgment at every turn, but her and Hanna are on a mission to find someone.

This beautifully designed anime is set in a fictious South American location resembling the favelas of Brazil. The racial diversity in the characters, the fashion, the music and the drawing style make this a truly unique anime. It is a must-see for anyone who loves a strong (maybe too strong?) female lead.

4. One Punch Man (2015 - present)

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Episodes: 12

Genre: Superhero, Comedy, Action

In a world of superheroes, Saitama is the One Punch Man. He is so strong, without explanation, he is able to destroy any enemy with just one blow. It has rendered him very bored. Saitama yearns for a challenge. When he defeats a few powerful villains and doesn’t receive credit, he is shocked. Apparently, you have to register in the superhero database. Follow the sweet but aloof Saitama and his new apprentice Genos, a super powerful cyborg, as they take the superhero exam and try to become beloved heroes.

5. Azumanga Daioh (2002)

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Episodes: 26

Genre: Kawaii, Comedy, slice of life

This anime follows a group of six quirky high school girls in their day-to-day lives living in Japan. It’s is very lighthearted, kawaii and also pretty funny at times. The youngest girl, Chiyo, is a child prodigy five years younger than the other girls. The older girls are much more air-headed, neurotic, and weird; it’s very charming! Watch this if you’re looking for a simple slice-of-life anime that sometimes breaks into the surreal and is driven largely by the social interactions between the eccentric female characters.

6. Avatar the Last Airbender (2005-2008)

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Episodes: 61

Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy

In this animated world, the land belongs to four nations of people: the Air nomads, the Water tribes, the Fire nation, and the Earth kingdoms. People in this world are typically able to manipulate one of the four elements through a magical ability called ‘bending.’ There is only one person able to bend more than one element, the Avatar, who is able to bend all four. The Avatar is responsible for maintaining peace and balance between the nations, and his/her spirit is reincarnated after each lifetime into a new nation. However, the Fire nation leads an attack, exterminating all the Air nomads, killing and enslaving all the remaining waterbenders and earthbenders. The Fire nation reigns terror for one hundred years. A young girl, Katara, and her brother, Sokka, discovered Aang, the Avatar and last airbender, who had escaped before the genocide of the Air nomads and had been sleeping in an iceberg. Katara, the last waterbender on the South Pole, and Sokka, a young Water tribesman, commit to helping Aang, the last airbender, defeat the Fire lord and return balance to the world.

This is the quintessential American anime.

7. Death Note (2006-2007)

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Episodes: 37

Genre: Dark, Psychological, Thriller

Light Yagami is a hyper-intelligent, albeit discontent, Japanese high school student who happens upon a ‘Death Note’ accidentally dropped by Ryuk, a god of death. The Death Note is a book which will instantly end the life of any individual whose name is written in its pages. When Light learns this, he quickly becomes a vigilante named “Kira”, using the book to magically kill whom he perceives to be worthy of death and leaving no evidence behind for authorities. The police force become involved and are determined to outmaneuver the vigilante, enlisting the help of a consultant named L. This anime follows the cat and mouse game being played between Light, the vigilante killer, and L, who is working with the authorities to stop him.

8. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)

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Episodes: 13

Genre: Supernatural, Comedy

Shigeo is a naïve middle school student with powerful psychic abilities. Due to his gullibility, he is convinced by Reigen a fake spirit counselor to work for him, ridding his clients’ homes of bad spirits. Follow Shigero, or Mob, as he goes from place to place, defeating evil spirits. This is a lighthearted anime about a talentless adult scamming a psychically gifted child into making money for him in exchange for practically nothing. The show is called Mob Psycho 100 because there is a count-up to 100 each time Mob uses his abilities. But what happens when Mob reaches 100?

9. Attack On Titan (2013 - present)

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Episodes: 49

Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Post-apocalyptic, Gore

In this medieval world, humans live safely on a circle of land surrounded by a large outer wall, protecting them from giant human-eating monsters named “Titans.” One fateful day, a giant titan, dubbed the Colossal Titan, breaks through Wall Maria, allowing titans to flood into the settlement, destroying homes and eating humans. We follow Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa, and their best friend Armin who witness the Colossal break through the wall. The children travel as refugees through the inner Wall Rose. However, the wimpy Eren is determined to join the scouts, a division of fighters trained to fight titans using swords and grappling-hook machinery. The powerful Mikasa and intelligent Armin follow him, hoping to keep him alive. This anime follows the trio as they learn about where the titans came from and uncover conspiracies about the walls.

10. My Hero Academia (2016 - present)

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Episodes: 63

Genre: Superhero, Adventure, Fantasy

In this world, the human race has evolved to a point where children develop, or are born with, a magical ability called a “quirk.” And although most humans have a quirk, our protagonist Midoriya is one of the unlucky few with no quirk at all. As a child, he was determined to become a superhero and follow in the footsteps of his favorite hero, All Might. However, when he does not develop a quirk, his chances seem bleak. Nonetheless, he studies hard, trains and applies to U.A. high school, the most prestigious school for heroes. All hope is lost until he receives a special gift, a quirk of his own. Follow young Midoriya as he learns to master his new quirk, butts heads with his childhood bully, and works with his classmates to fight darker forces trying to eliminate the heroes in training.