I have never watched a single episode of anime in my life. Where should I start?

I have never really been interested in anime ever in my life but lately I been hearing people talk about them like its some divine experience that changes your life. I know that I would love them but which shows have the best experience and storytelling?

Thanks in advance

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AutoModerator2025-12-28 02:40

Hi Orion5198, it seems like you might be looking for new anime to watch!

The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^

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trizxxharaz2025-12-28 02:41

Death Note. Great start.

Previous-Ad76182025-12-28 02:46

Seconded.

Reasons: it's only like 37 episodes long. You can binge it in a week.

It's a classic that most people have seen.

It's not too "out there".

It was my first anime too. No regrets.

Vast_Nothing_14432025-12-28 02:55

Death note is fine, it’s where I started but then I started watching demon slayer and it was an easier watch for me to begin with.

kmsmonoxide2025-12-28 03:36

Id say go with this, if you end up not liking it there are endless other shows but its a great start.

N7CombatWombat2025-12-28 02:42

Anime is basically it's own medium at this point, so it depends on what sort of fiction you already like?

bfg9kdude2025-12-28 02:46

There's a website called MyAnimeList, it has a bunch of rankings and lists based on user engagement and genres. You'll get a bunch of recommendations for beginner friendly shows here, but I think it's worth looking into genres you're already familiar with from other media and pick what looks interesting to you from there.

Mr_A_Knife662025-12-28 02:46

Cowboy Bebop is a great gateway anime.

Studio Ghibli movies.

Few_Highlight11142025-12-28 03:24

Studio Ghibli movies is the answer, especially for someone who is not into anime at all because theyre pretty mature and lack typical anime tropes that turn people off of the medium.

Then its certainly Cowboy Bebop as the intro for similar reasons. I dont think anime fans understand how easily a non-anime fan will get turned off by something like Death Note or AoT.

bunnyman11422025-12-28 02:50

It's hard to recommend anything without knowing genres you like.

Orion51982025-12-28 03:16

What do you like?

bunnyman11422025-12-28 03:52

Action, fantasy, sci-fi

UtsukiUtsu2025-12-28 02:52

Attack on titan youll enjoy it I promise

Admirable_Dig6462025-12-28 02:52

I would start with anime movies first to see if you like the art form. Movies like Your Name, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke (any Studio Ghibli movie really), are good starters. If you enjoy any of those, then you can try getting into the shorter anime series, those that are around 12-24. And then build from there.

ActualRound76992025-12-28 02:53

So what you’re saying sounds like this “I have never listened to music a day in my life, gimme some recommendations.” What are you interested in? Action? Comedy? Romance? Drama? Mystery? Thriller? Sci-Fi? Sports? Musical? LGBT? Historic? Sports?

Orion51982025-12-28 03:16

Is there really all these different types of anime? I had no idea. But I would say anything with good writing,good action scenes and great storytelling.

abandoned_idol2025-12-28 03:24

Books are a medium.

Live action is a medium.

Anime is also a medium. It is not a genre.

Anime has every tone, premise, and execution imaginable.

For good writing, try out "Dungeon Meshi". It has comedy throughput, but also has strong characterization, action, and worldbuilding.

Oh, someone recommended "Mushoku Tensei". Don't watch Mushoku unless you want to see a protagonist sexually assault other characters. Yep, there's an anime like that too... (we also have ones that aren't deplorable, fret not).

ActualRound76992025-12-28 03:24

Yes! Anime is a blanket like “Art”. You can draw with pencils, charcoal, markers, paint, watercolors etc etc.

For what you want try:

Attack on Titan

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Moriarty the Patriot

Black Butler

SoftMop2025-12-28 03:27

Just to stay in the music theme, you basically once again just said you like the C Note and things that have a BPM with some good rhythm. Lol

Yes, anime is a story telling medium like any other, it has as many genres as books and movies.

We could give you recommendations that can be enjoyed by a large portion of people like Frieren, AoT, and FMA:B, but giving examples of your favorite movies/series/shows would help us give you anime that you have a higher chance of enjoying.

mattisyou2025-12-28 03:43

Of the anime I’ve watched I’d personally recommend cyberpunk edgerunners, code geass, mob psycho 100, and jojo’s bizarre adventure.

Cyberpunk is the shortest of the bunch with only 10 episodes but is extremely well written and well animated. It’s pacin’t is super fast and it’s tone is depressin.

Code Geass has two 25 episode seasons that are both pretty good and its animation still holds up despite being made 19 years ago.

quick note that these two (and especially code geass) have a few brief scenes with nudity and fan service. It’s not that much in either show and I personally don’t think it detracts from either show but if it’s something your really adverse too be mindful

Jojo is a very long show with 190 episodes and the anime is divided into 6 parts currently (with a 7th coming out in a few months). The first two parts are pretty slow and the third part is alright but drags on a bit. However parts 4-6 have some of the best written and wildest fights in anime history (part 3 also has this advantage but again it does drag on).

Mon psycho is more of a slice of life compared to the other shows and it’s art style is a little weird. However, it has top tier animation all around and has some of the best animated fight scenes in anime history (to the point where it puts pure action anime to shame). it’s story is also very relatable to a lot of people.

and yeah anime is just anything animated that was made in Japan so it’s gonna have a lot of different genres. Hope this was helpful.

Gamerunglued2025-12-28 06:22

Anime are just TV shows and movies. They're the same as every TV show and movie you already know. They're not unique or special or some completely alien experience unlike anything you've ever seen. Anime contains series and films of all of the same genres, subjects, and demographics that all of the TV shows (and books, movies, etc.) you're familiar with contain, and most of the nuances that are unique to anime are subtle and not universally defining of the medium (or even specific to it in particular). I'd just say that, if you enjoy good TV shows and movies, then ignoring anime means ignoring an entire subset of those mediums with some great stuff, and you probably don't want to limit yourself away from an entire category of film and TV. If you must have action scenes, here's a random smattering of well liked anime with action scenes:

- Cowboy Bebop
- Psycho-Pass
- Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
- Baccano
- Vinland Saga
- Princess Mononoke
- Attack on Titan
- Berserk

EyewarsTheMangoMan2025-12-28 02:55

Attack on Titan or Death Note

Raxx3s2025-12-28 02:57

Attack on Titan and Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood. Full metal being accessible thanks to the English dub being fantastic. Give that a go!

WolferineYT2025-12-28 02:58

There's anime for every genre. It would be a lot easier to give recommendations if we knew what genres you prefer.

Otherwise-Waltz-32112025-12-28 03:08

I'd recommend either Death Note (supernatural, psychological) or Attack on Titan (fantasy, action) both are very unique and i was very much captivated by their originality when i first saw them but if you'd rather something lighter maybe try something like Toradora (romance), Saiki Kusuo (comedy) or Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (comedy). These shows are what i found very engaging and i believe you should be able to find most, if not all of them on Netflix or other streaming platforms you use depending on your region.

Orion51982025-12-28 03:38

Im leaning more towards the action/fantasy shows coz that’s usually what I’m into but thanks for the recommendations

Otherwise-Waltz-32112025-12-28 04:03

Then you should definetely check out Attack on Titan! I slept on this series for many years because it was so immensely popular it freaked me out but when i watched epsiode 1, fairly recentely tbh, i couldn't take my eyes off of it. It's just amazing.

kn1g472025-12-28 03:12

I was in your position until two months ago or so. So far I’ve watched, in order, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Madoka Magica, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Frieren, and Made in Abyss. As a former skeptic I have been fully converted. I’m a harsh critic and I give every one of the above shows a solid 9/10 with Frieren being a bonafide 10/10, one of the greatest pieces of media I have ever consumed point blank period

Orion51982025-12-28 03:24

Are they really that good?

kn1g472025-12-28 03:28

I have been extremely impressed. I’ve basically stopped watching live action shows over the last couple months since I’ve been so into anime lol. Keep in mind I am watching shows often considered among the best of the best which obviously warps my view of the entire medium. But the storytelling is excellent and each show is so creative. I’ve cried more watching these shows than live action lately haha

No_Durian_69872025-12-28 03:12

Here are some I personally think are good entry points by genre:

Action - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Adventure - Made in Abyss (though a warning - it gets dark)

Drama - Violet Evergarden

Fantasy - Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Romance/Comedy - Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Sci-Fi - Steins;Gate

Slice of Life - K-On!

Thriller - Psycho-Pass S1

“I want something likely to leave a lasting impression” - Neon Genesis Evangelion + The End of Evangelion

Orion51982025-12-28 03:20

I think action is what id be most interested in. And full metal alchemist seems to be highly rated by everyone

ssnipperr2025-12-28 03:14

death parade

dethomicide3132025-12-28 03:16

Jobless reincarnation

kn1g472025-12-28 03:30

/u/Orion5198 do not watch this

Orion51982025-12-28 03:35

Why not ?? Haha

kn1g472025-12-28 03:35

Terrible introduction to what anime can be

dethomicide3132026-01-03 03:30

It was the first anime I watch 🤷🏼‍♂️

Chaerin_Sistas2025-12-28 03:23

Precute or Studio Ghibli.

Chaerin_Sistas2025-12-28 03:23

\*Precure! Like Doki Doki, Suite, Smile, 5 Go-Go

Hot-Persimmon-48702025-12-28 04:56

Try out One Punch Man, kinda hits all the anime tropes and is easy to get into/watch for a newbie.

checkerpiece12025-12-28 08:15

Define life to me than