If you're just getting started in the anime world and want to be recognized as a true otaku (or at least pretend to be), you've come to the right place! With that in mind, we've put together a list of the 10 best anime recommended for young otaku beginners . From must-watch classics to recent hits dominating timelines, this selection will give you the perfect foundation to join any otaku conversation without embarrassing yourself.
Best anime for otaku – Top 10
10. Mob Psycho 100
- MAL Rating: 8.49 (Season 1)
- Year: 2016
- Studio: Bones
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
From the creator of One Punch Man , Mob Psycho 100 blends insane action with a psychedelic visual style that looks like it's straight out of a crazy sketchbook—and it works perfectly. We follow Mob, a teenager with absurd psychic powers, trying to lead a normal life... but of course, it never works out.
Thus, the anime goes beyond fighting: it touches on themes such as self-awareness, self-esteem, and emotional growth, all with plenty of humor and charismatic characters. If you're looking for an anime that balances fighting and reflection, Mob is the right choice to start with style.
09. Your Lie in April
- MAL Grade: 8.64
- Year: 2014-2015
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Episodes: 22
Get your tissues ready, because Your Lie in April is that anime that will burrow into your heart, tie it in knots, and even play the piano while doing it. Initially, the story follows Kousei, a piano prodigy who lost his desire to play after a trauma. That changes when he meets Kaori, a lively violinist who draws him back to music—and to life.
Beyond its wonderful soundtrack and poetic animation, the anime is an emotional punch that touches on love, loss, resilience, and how art can transform people. It's the perfect way to show that not every otaku lives solely on fighting and shouting for power.
08. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
- MAL Grade: 9.03
- Year: 2011-2014
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 148
This is a true gem among shounen. Hunter x Hunter starts out as a lighthearted adventure about a boy trying to reunite with his father, but it gradually becomes more intense, intelligent, and even dark. Gon and Killua form one of anime's most captivating duos.
Furthermore, the power system, called Nen, is one of the most well-designed in the genre, and the arcs are so well-constructed that it's hard not to get hooked. Ideal for those who want an anime with action, strategy, and a healthy dose of emotional suffering.
07. Cowboy Bebop
- MAL Grade: 8.75
- Year: 1998-1999
- Studio: Sunrise
- Episodes: 26
On the other hand, if you want to enter the otaku world with style, Cowboy Bebop is a must-see. Imagine a space western with jazz, charismatic bounty hunters, and a noirish atmosphere that borders on philosophical. All this in just 26 episodes—and each one is a masterpiece.
In fact, even though it's from 1998, the animation remains incredible, and the themes it addresses are timeless. Loneliness, redemption, identity… all set to a legendary soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. Ultimately, Cowboy Bebop is pure style, and yes, you'll want to say "See you, Space Cowboy" afterward.
06. Jujutsu Kaisen
- MAL Rating: 8.55 (Season 1)
- Year: 2021-present
- Studio: Mappa
- Episodes: 24 (Season 1)
If you enjoy exorcisms, insane demons, and absurdly choreographed fights, Jujutsu Kaisen will go straight to the top of your list. Starring Itadori, Fushiguro, Nobara, and the charismatic Satoru Gojo, the anime delivers: action, humor, and drama in just the right amount.
What really stands out here is the fluid animation (thanks, MAPPA!) and the way the characters evolve, even amidst the chaos. It's a modern shounen with a classic feel—perfect for those looking to start with something fresh but with the soul of a veteran.
Best anime for otaku – Top 5
05. Death Note
- MAL Grade: 8.62
- Year: 2006-2007
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 37
Few anime have had as much impact as Death Note . In short, the intellectual battle between Light Yagami, a student who finds a deadly notebook, and L, anime's most eccentric and brilliant detective, is simply addictive. Each episode ends with you more tense.
The best part? You don't have to like action to enjoy it. The battle is mental, with brilliant twists and turns and moral dilemmas about justice, power, and ego. It's perfect for demonstrating that anime can be as intense as any respectable police procedural.
04. Demon Slayer
- MAL Rating: 8.43 (Season 1)
- Year: 2019-present
- Studio: Ufotable
- Episodes: 26
At first glance, Demon Slayer seems like the kind of anime that arrived with a bang. With some of the most beautiful animation in recent history, it follows Tanjiro, a kind young man who joins the demon slayer squad after his family is massacred. Family drama + swords + monsters = guaranteed success.
Beyond its impeccable aesthetic, the anime touches the heart with bonds of brotherhood, honor, and resilience. Thus, it's a great anime to kick off your otaku journey with visual and emotional impact, and it also prepares you for the many references that keep popping up.
Best anime for otaku – Top 3
03. Steins;Gate
- MAL Grade: 9.07
- Year: 2011
- Studio: White Fox
- Episodes: 24
Time travel anime? We have it! Steins;Gate starts off slow, but then picks up an emotional and scientific rollercoaster ride that's worth every second. In short, we follow Okabe Rintarou, a self-proclaimed "mad scientist," who accidentally creates a way to send messages to the past.
With captivating characters, a clever script, and a healthy dose of temporal theory, it's the kind of anime that sticks in your mind. Ideal for those who enjoy soulful science fiction and want something beyond the classic shounen.
02. Attack on Titan
- MAL Rating: 8.56 (Season 1)
- Year: 2013-2021
- Studio: Wit Studios
- Episodes: 25 (Season 1)
On the other hand, if you want to start with a bang, Attack on Titan is almost a must. Man-eating giants, political mysteries, epic battles, and a plot full of twists and turns… all of this awaits you in this anime that has become a global phenomenon. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are just the beginning.
Furthermore, throughout the seasons, the story radically transforms, going from survival to war to profound questions about freedom and humanity. It's intense, it's brutal, and it's guaranteed to make you scream "Tatakae!" at some point.
01. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- MAL Grade: 9.10
- Year: 2009-2010
- Studio: Bones
- Episodes: 64
The top spot couldn't be any other. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is that anime that manages to perfectly blend philosophy, action, humor, and drama. In short, the story of the Elric brothers, who try to recover what they lost after an attempt at forbidden alchemy, is captivating from start to finish.
With memorable characters, compelling villains, and a plot that wraps up all the loose ends, it's the kind of anime that appeals to any audience—whether veteran or newcomer. In fact, if you're looking to get started in the otaku world on the right foot, Brotherhood is the ideal gateway.
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