Hi Aint_Got_Weed, 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 \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
FetchFrosh2026-01-03 16:01
What do you mean by new gen?
Realistically though, it doesn't matter when the shows came out. The best option for newcomers to anime is to help them find the type of thing they're looking for.
zool7142026-01-03 16:02
What are the older classics ?
ChamberHP2026-01-03 16:09
DBZ, Naruto, Bleach(debatable)
Penguin-Dust2026-01-03 17:49
Really? See, I would have said Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Ashita No Joe, Lupin the 3rd, and Mobile Suit Gundam. I guess how old something is to be considered "classic" is a matter of perspective. I consider DBZ and the "big three" pretty contemporary. I'm not criticizing your viewpoint. They are certainly central to western anime fandom and worth mentioning. I am surprised when people describe Nirvana as "classic rock", too. It really is semantics, but for me, anything from the 60's to the 80's is classic, 90's through 2010 would be contemporary/modern and 2010 to present would be current.
ChamberHP2026-01-03 17:54
I share your view point but unfortunately, the majority doesn't share the same, they'd rather keep the big 3 on the pedestal than the actual older classics js cuz it's the big 3. I personally don't consider them as part of the older classics, but the same cannot be said for everyone.
SnooWoofers1862026-01-03 17:16
Mezzo Forte
sadReksaiMain2026-01-03 16:05
Its just tv-shows? What does beginner friendly tv shows even mean?
Would you ask the same question about western live action shows like got, breaking bad etc?
_UnwyzeSoul_2026-01-03 16:15
Some people might not like the older art and animation style. They are also longer seasons compared to the 12/24 episode seasons that is common right now which makes it easier to binge.
sadReksaiMain2026-01-03 16:22
Non of what you said has anything to do with my question
_UnwyzeSoul_2026-01-03 16:30
Beginner friendly shows means anime for people who had never watched anime before and want to get into it. For a first time anime viewer, would you recommend them to watch an episode of MHA or an episode of Rent a Girlfriend first?
sadReksaiMain2026-01-03 16:46
Neither, i would reccomend something good. Also highly depends on what kind of show they are looking for
Durinthal2026-01-03 17:44
Depends on what they're interested in. Going by what I've seen in other discussions there have been plenty of people that got into anime through ecchi series.
What drew me in wasn't Pokémon, DBZ, or Sailor Moon but Serial Experiments Lain and Crest of the Stars.
Charming_Figure_90532026-01-03 16:08
Some and some, flinging you into Neon Genesis Evangelion may be rough (it was my intro) but something like the original full metal alchemist, should be fine
Some anime are 'beginner friendly' some aren't but age isn't the defining factor, some of the older anime are simpler in some regards, some are more naval gazery - some are full of meta/fan service nonsense, some aren't
ChamberHP2026-01-03 16:08
Do not fall into the shounen cult, it's just flashy fight scenes amplified times hundred, if you just want fight scenes which look cool and run of the mill overpowered Mc, I'm sorry there's no saving you.
Comprehensive_Dog6512026-01-03 17:13
What is this gatekeeping 💀
ChamberHP2026-01-04 08:04
To prevent the reduction of attention span of shounen punks
NNL_THE_BOSS2026-01-03 16:13
anime is not something you learn or practice. There is no beginner friendly or not, when it released is irrelevant, its simply entertainment nothing else. You don't have to start with a certain anime same as you don't have to start with a "beginner" friendly Hollywood show
_UnwyzeSoul_2026-01-03 16:14
I think the newer show, shows after 2010, are better as a gateway anime. The animation is definitely better for most shows and they are shorter seasons.
WakandaNowAndThen2026-01-03 16:14
Maybe? Idk. If one important aspect to you is *joining the community* then on that criteria alone they're worth starting out with. Watch what you find interesting.
mekerpan2026-01-03 16:21
You look for anime that corresponds to the sort of cartoons, TV shows, movies, books, comics you *already* enjoy -- and seem to have an art style that looks good. No single answer for a generic newbie (a mythical creature with no actual existence).
I started with Princess Mononoke (movie) followed by Serial Experiment Lain (a series). These turned out perfect for ME, but might not be a good recipe for others. Don't be constrained by "general opinion", chart your own course.
BambooGentleman2026-01-03 16:28
I can recommend 2004 - 2008 for getting into anime. With a few titles from the 1980s and 1990s sprinkled in here and there.
soracte2026-01-03 16:29
No. Rather, it varies by the audience of the thing in question.
Laputa / Castle in the Sky was made for family and general audiences and anyone can enjoy it easily nowadays even though it was made in 1986. You can show it to your grandma.
GQuuuuuuX aired last year but was made for maniacs who know that the Kikeroga is mentioned in the Tomino Memo. (Don't be concerned if that phrase means nothing to you. That's probably healthy.)
MonsterKiller1122026-01-03 16:30
Yes ofcourse. The newer shows are more up-to-date with the times and will feel more relatable to modern audience. Older anime aren't bad for beginners but you do feel a generation gap when watching older anime.
timpkmn892026-01-03 17:10
What you mean by "new-gen"? Do you mean like natively in widescreen/HD?
Comprehensive_Dog6512026-01-03 17:14
Don't worry about that, just base your decision on what kind of entertainment you like right now
Affectionate-Can-2312026-01-03 17:41
Yes. Is it mandatory to start in new gen? No. but it’s more beginner friendly as far as the visuals and just the relevance your gonna see it more, you may even know someone who’s watching or meet someone, and it’s more content on it outside of the show which just keeps you more engaged. Do not let these guys tell you to start with some late 90s slop. It’s okay to start with the meta and branch off from there and develop your own watchlist.
North5142026-01-04 02:17
Ghost on the Shell is not slop lol.
Usernaymeme2026-01-03 17:49
If by beginner-friendly you mean "easier to get into", then I would say that there isn't much of a difference & not to worry too much. Go by "rule of cool" and watch whatever has an interesting premise and art style. You can't go wrong with that.
Story-wise, until you've watched a significant number of anime, the tropes might not be immediately obvious, and might not turn you off the way it *might* turn off someone who has watched *every single* Shonen Jump anime adaptation.
If you're worried about the production value in older anime, then I understand. You might find modern series more consistent in that regard, though not all new shows stay consistent the entire time (ex. Zom100) or have good production value, even when compared to older series.
abandoned_idol2026-01-03 18:59
"Classics" is a euphemism for dated animation.
Yes, dated anime can also be very well written. Nothing wrong with going out of your way to watch old animation. (Personal preference, not the norm).
JJK and CSM aren't what I'd call "new gen". I'd call them recent. When you say "generation", I always think about the most recent season. Winter 2026.
I'd never recommend JJK. I prioritize well written characters and don't give much value to choreography.
Chainsawman is great. Good comedy. Consistent character behavior. Rule of cool.
For beginners, I'd recommend low hanging fruit. Anime with relatable characters, fun comic relief, good writing (depth), and high visceral production values (fluid animation, on model character designs, soundtrack, songs, SFX, etc).
1). "Dandadan". (Go ahead and flame me Dandadan bashers, it's incredibly conventional)
2). "Frieren" (, beautiful and hilarious, the 4 episode prologue is brutally slow though)
3). "Dungeon Meshi" (worldbuilding)
4). "Apothecary Diaries" (mystery/intrigue)
5). "Made in Abyss" (immersive soundtrack)
And of course, YOU get to decide what you want to watch. Watch JJK and ignore me, I'm just one insignificant voice. If you liked JJK, follow it up with Solo Leveling (tons of overlap).
Don't fall for the pitfall of "old is better". If you assume that all recent anime adaptations are mediocre, you're shooting your foot off with a shotgun.
North5142026-01-04 02:18
And if you say older anime is “dated” and therefore inferior, you are also shooting your foot off. There are plenty of beautifully animated works from the past. I mean the 2000s are old now, at this point, and nothing in modern day has ever touched Redline in terms of animation quality. But even many notable 80s/90s works are better animated than modern works. Of course you can do the same if you compare well animated works today, to some average works in that period too. That is why you watch a wide range, and focus on acclaimed titles on a new fan to anything.
North5142026-01-04 02:15
It depends on what genres you are interested in honestly, and if you don’t mind pre digital art (though the 2000s are old anime too now). If you are a big sci fi, if anything I would encourage you to rely on older anime.
Ideally I think a mix is good, which is why I throw in a mix of recommendations to newcomers. There are a lot of classics, essential to the artistry in this medium. There are plenty of new fans who would rather watch tons of meh seasonals, than check those out. While it is their choice, it also isn’t shocking to me, that I later find those fans complaining about burnout.
Commentaires
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 \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Realistically though, it doesn't matter when the shows came out. The best option for newcomers to anime is to help them find the type of thing they're looking for.
Would you ask the same question about western live action shows like got, breaking bad etc?
What drew me in wasn't Pokémon, DBZ, or Sailor Moon but Serial Experiments Lain and Crest of the Stars.
Some anime are 'beginner friendly' some aren't but age isn't the defining factor, some of the older anime are simpler in some regards, some are more naval gazery - some are full of meta/fan service nonsense, some aren't
I started with Princess Mononoke (movie) followed by Serial Experiment Lain (a series). These turned out perfect for ME, but might not be a good recipe for others. Don't be constrained by "general opinion", chart your own course.
Laputa / Castle in the Sky was made for family and general audiences and anyone can enjoy it easily nowadays even though it was made in 1986. You can show it to your grandma.
GQuuuuuuX aired last year but was made for maniacs who know that the Kikeroga is mentioned in the Tomino Memo. (Don't be concerned if that phrase means nothing to you. That's probably healthy.)
Story-wise, until you've watched a significant number of anime, the tropes might not be immediately obvious, and might not turn you off the way it *might* turn off someone who has watched *every single* Shonen Jump anime adaptation.
If you're worried about the production value in older anime, then I understand. You might find modern series more consistent in that regard, though not all new shows stay consistent the entire time (ex. Zom100) or have good production value, even when compared to older series.
Yes, dated anime can also be very well written. Nothing wrong with going out of your way to watch old animation. (Personal preference, not the norm).
JJK and CSM aren't what I'd call "new gen". I'd call them recent. When you say "generation", I always think about the most recent season. Winter 2026.
I'd never recommend JJK. I prioritize well written characters and don't give much value to choreography.
Chainsawman is great. Good comedy. Consistent character behavior. Rule of cool.
For beginners, I'd recommend low hanging fruit. Anime with relatable characters, fun comic relief, good writing (depth), and high visceral production values (fluid animation, on model character designs, soundtrack, songs, SFX, etc).
1). "Dandadan". (Go ahead and flame me Dandadan bashers, it's incredibly conventional)
2). "Frieren" (, beautiful and hilarious, the 4 episode prologue is brutally slow though)
3). "Dungeon Meshi" (worldbuilding)
4). "Apothecary Diaries" (mystery/intrigue)
5). "Made in Abyss" (immersive soundtrack)
And of course, YOU get to decide what you want to watch. Watch JJK and ignore me, I'm just one insignificant voice. If you liked JJK, follow it up with Solo Leveling (tons of overlap).
Don't fall for the pitfall of "old is better". If you assume that all recent anime adaptations are mediocre, you're shooting your foot off with a shotgun.
Ideally I think a mix is good, which is why I throw in a mix of recommendations to newcomers. There are a lot of classics, essential to the artistry in this medium. There are plenty of new fans who would rather watch tons of meh seasonals, than check those out. While it is their choice, it also isn’t shocking to me, that I later find those fans complaining about burnout.