Ask ten people how they got into anime and you will get ten different answers. Someone watched Naruto on TV after school. Someone else saw a clip on Instagram and got curious. And a lot of people simply tried a random show, did not enjoy it, and gave up. That last part is the real problem. There are thousands of anime out there, and picking the wrong first one can put you off for good. So here are seven shows that are easy to start and hard to dislike.
Death Note
A school student finds a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Soon a clever detective starts chasing him. The whole show is basically a chess game between two sharp minds. It has 37 episodes, which is short by anime standards. The first few episodes are usually enough to hook you, because you keep thinking about what you would do in his place.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Two brothers lose something precious while trying to use alchemy, and they spend the rest of the story trying to set things right. There is action, some humour and a lot of heart. It runs for 64 episodes, so it is not a small commitment. But the story never wanders off, and the ending is satisfying. Many fans keep it at the top of their lists, and it is hard to argue.
Your Name
Not in the mood for a series? Watch this film instead. A boy in Tokyo and a girl in a small village keep waking up in each other’s bodies. It sounds silly, but it slowly turns into something very emotional. It runs under two hours, and the visuals are lovely. Keep a tissue nearby, just in case.
Demon Slayer
A boy’s family is attacked by demons. His sister survives but turns into one, so he sets out to find a cure. The story is simple, and the fight scenes are among the best-looking you will see anywhere. Because it is so easy to follow, many people use it as their very first anime.
Spy x Family
Try this one if you want to laugh. A spy needs a family for a secret mission, so he takes in a little girl and finds a wife. What he does not know is that the girl can read minds and his wife is an assassin. It is light, funny and safe to watch with parents or younger cousins around.
One Punch Man
The hero can beat any enemy with one punch, and that is exactly his problem. He is bored. The show pokes fun at usual hero stories while still giving you proper action. The episodes are short, so you can watch one with your evening chai and not feel guilty about it.
Haikyu!!
It is about a school volleyball team, but you do not need to know the rules. At its heart, it is about friendship, rivalry and trying again after a loss. By the third episode, you will probably be cheering for them. There are several seasons, so if you like it, you will have plenty to watch afterwards.
How to Choose Your First One
Do not overthink it. Like thrillers? Go with Death Note. Want a big adventure? Try Fullmetal Alchemist. Short on time? Watch Your Name. Want action? Demon Slayer is a safe bet. Need a laugh? Pick Spy x Family or One Punch Man. Enjoy sports and friendship stories? Haikyu!! is waiting.
Subtitles or Dub
Subtitles bother many first-timers, and that is completely fine. If that sounds like you, try a Hindi or English dub where it is available. Watch one episode both ways and see what feels better. A show you enjoy in dub is better than one you quit in subtitles. Many of these titles can be found on platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix and Prime Video, but availability keeps changing by country, so check once before you plan your weekend.
A Few Simple Tips
Give any show three episodes before you decide. Some of them start slow and only then get interesting. Stay away from the very long ones, the kind that run to hundreds of episodes, until you are comfortable with the style. And if you can, watch with a friend. It is much more fun when you can argue about a character the moment the episode ends. Anime is not just cartoons for kids. There is something for almost every mood, and you only need one good show to see that. Pick a title from this list tonight and see how it goes.
