If you're just starting out in the world of online anime and want to stand out in conversations with friends, you've come to the right place. With you in mind, we've put together a list of the 15 best anime of all time for beginners. From must-see classics to recent hits dominating social media, this selection will give you the perfect foundation to join any otaku conversation without embarrassment.
Best anime for beginners – Top 15
15. KonoSuba
14. Yu Yu Hakusho
13. Reborn
12. Bleach
11. Naruto
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 came 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, that never works out.
Thus, the anime goes beyond just fighting: it touches on themes such as self-discovery, self-esteem, and emotional maturity, all with plenty of humor and charismatic characters. If you want an anime that balances action and reflection, Mob is the right choice to start in style.
9.Your Lie in April
- Note MAL: 8.64
- Year: 2014-2015
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Episodes: 22
Get your tissues ready, because Your Lie in April is the kind of anime that gets into your heart, ties a knot in your stomach, and plays the piano while doing it. Initially, the story follows Kousei, a piano prodigy who lost the will to play after a traumatic experience. This changes when he meets Kaori, a vibrant violinist who draws him back into music—and into life.
Beyond the wonderful soundtrack and poetic animation, the anime is an emotional punch that speaks of love, loss, overcoming adversity, and how art can transform people. Ideal for showing that not all otaku live only for fighting and shouting about power.
08. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
- Note MAL: 9.03
- Year: 2011-2014
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 148
This is a true gem among shonen anime. Hunter x Hunter starts out seeming like a lighthearted adventure about a boy wanting to find his father, but it gradually becomes denser, more intelligent, and even darker. Gon and Killua form one of the most captivating duos in anime.
Furthermore, the power system, called Nen, is one of the most well-developed in the genre, and the story 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
- Note MAL: 8.75
- Year: 1998-1999
- Studio: Sunrise
- Episodes: 26
On the other hand, if you want to enter the otaku world in style, Cowboy Bebop is a must-see. Imagine a space western with jazz, charismatic bounty hunters, and a noir atmosphere bordering on the philosophical. All this in just 26 episodes—and each one is a masterpiece.
Moreover, even though it's from 1998, the animation remains incredible, and the themes it addresses are timeless. Loneliness, redemption, identity… all wrapped up in a legendary soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. In short, Cowboy Bebop is pure style, and yes, you'll want to say "See you, Space Cowboy" after you finish watching it.
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 everything: action, humor, and drama in just the right measure.
What really stands out here is the fluid animation (thank you, MAPPA!) and the way the characters evolve, even amidst the chaos. It's a modern shounen with a classic feel—perfect for those who want to start with something current, but with the soul of a veteran.
Best anime for otaku – Top 5
05. Death Note
- Note MAL: 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, the most eccentric and brilliant detective in anime, is simply addictive. Each episode ends leaving you more tense.
The best part? You don't need to like action to enjoy it. The conflict is mental, with brilliant plot twists and moral dilemmas about justice, power, and ego. It's ideal for showing that anime can be just as intense as any respectable police series.
04. Demon Slayer
- MAL rating: 8.43 (Season 1)
- Year: 2019-present
- Studio: Ufotable
- Episodes: 26
At first glance, Demon Slayer is the kind of anime that burst onto the scene. With some of the most beautiful animation in recent history, it follows Tanjiro, a kind young man who joins the Demon Slayer Corps after his family is massacred. Family drama + swords + monsters = guaranteed success.
In addition to its impeccable aesthetics, the anime hits the heart with themes of brotherhood, honor, and overcoming challenges. Therefore, it's a great anime to begin 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
- Note MAL: 9.07
- Year: 2011
- Studio: White Fox
- Episodes: 24
Time travel anime? Check! Steins;Gate starts off slow, but then kicks into an emotional and scientific rollercoaster that's worth every second. In short, we follow Okabe Rintarou, a self-proclaimed "mad scientist," who unwittingly creates a way to send messages to the past.
Thus, with captivating characters, a clever script, and a good dose of time theory, it's the kind of anime that sticks in your mind. Ideal for those who enjoy science fiction with soul and want something beyond 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 an impact, Attack on Titan is almost mandatory. Giant, man-eating creatures, political mysteries, epic battles, and a plot full of twists and turns… all 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 and profound questioning of freedom and humanity. It's intense, it's brutal, and it will definitely make you shout "Tatakae!" at some point.
01. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Note MAL: 9.10
- Year: 2009-2010
- Studio: Bones
- Episodes: 64
The top spot couldn't be anything else. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the kind of anime that perfectly blends philosophy, action, humor, and drama. In short, the story of the Elric brothers, who try to recover what they lost after a forbidden alchemy attempt, is captivating from beginning to end.
Thus, with memorable characters, striking villains, and a plot that ties up all loose ends, it's the kind of anime that appeals to any audience—whether veteran or beginner. In fact, if you want to start off on the right foot in the otaku world, Brotherhood is the ideal gateway.
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