First time watching anime, what do i start watching?
I have kinda wanted to get into anime because some friends have recommended it and so i just want some suggestions on what is a good anime to start watching. Thanks.
Hi Low_Departure_4825, 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.*
OberixKane2026-01-10 19:11
Berserk
Ok_Bench38522026-01-10 19:24
NONONO don't, really, serious, don't ∑( 口 ||
No_Cockroach24672026-01-10 19:12
Whatever you want, dude. Find something that looks interesting, press play, see if it clicks.
chilidirigible2026-01-10 19:14
Before everyone and their cousin shows up in here to shill their favorite shows without any idea of what you might already like, that *is* the question you should be asking yourself.
A *lot* of anime has been produced over the course of more than half a century. A lot of it is "mainstream", a lot of it is niche. What do you like watching now? Drama? Comedy? Action? History?
There are [sites](https://myanimelist.net/) which [index](https://anilist.co/) shows; you can search the broad subject matter categories there for things which might interest you.
Mitsuyan_2026-01-10 19:58
Can we make this the pinned message for these kind of threads if it's decided they shouldn't be banned
green_meklar2026-01-11 01:02
>Before everyone and their cousin shows up in here to shill their favorite shows
The worst part is that often their favorite shows are not good *beginner* shows. They're the shows that dive deep into tropes and play with them and pull them apart, which makes no sense for people who haven't been initiated on those tropes yet.
Low_Departure_48252026-01-11 10:14
This one helped really much so thank you, I used the anilist to look at different ones and found the one im gonna start with thank you so much have a blessed day😊
chilidirigible2026-01-11 11:45
You're welcome!
Username19919122026-01-10 19:14
Whats even the point of asking this without any kind of information about what genres interest you or anything? Just go to mal and look up some highly rated show that interests you, and delete this shit post.
Low_Departure_48252026-01-10 19:38
No need to be so rude dumbass but for your information i like whatever genre when it comes to movies and shows
GreyKMN2026-01-10 19:15
Start with something simple.
You can try Jujutsu Kaisen, great animation and action. It is not completed though.
Death Note and Code Geass are great classics, and probably some of the best anime out there of that genre. Both are completed.
One of my personal favourite Mob Psycho 100, probably not best for a first watch, but it is really good and the anime is completed.
Open_Light95092026-01-10 19:19
It's a hard question to answer, because there's so many different types of anime. Here's a couple (that aren't a marathon) suggestions from different genres that I enjoyed:
-Orange
-86
-The Apothecary Diaries
-With You and the Rain
-To Be Hero X
-A Sign of Affection
-ODDTAXI
-Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Dull_Spot_82132026-01-10 19:21
Pick one that catches your eye for whatever reason, maybe read a synopsis, but generally just jump in to what you’re interested in.
Keep an open mind, figure out if you like original Japanese subs or your native language dub. Try different genres and styles.
Put your phone/distraction of choice away for the 20 minutes it takes to watch an episode. Visuals arts are meant to be watched, preferably with some basic attention.
Without knowing the genres you like, my entry point for the average person is always Death Note.
Low_Departure_48252026-01-10 19:45
I probably like action the most and comedy i would say but also where you really get attached to the characters
Dull_Spot_82132026-01-10 20:19
You might like a lot of the “battle shonen” types of shows. These are your action and power of friendship types that you love to route for and usually have really good production and will have sub/dub options. I recommend the Japanese subs for most things for more variety in voice actors and general performance quality.
The foundational “battle shonen”shows are things like Dragonball, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Naruto, but if you’re not up for trying these older styles, you can try one of the newer versions with My Hero Academia. This one just recently concluded and is a solid show to invest in you end up liking the world and characters. There’s a huge cast and it’s got a good balance of action and heart.
ThrowawayyTessslaa2026-01-10 19:22
Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood
OberixKane2026-01-10 19:31
Something light hearted like clannad
Perfect_Chipmunk_6342026-01-10 19:31
Well , that'll totally depend on what excites you
raceryrace2026-01-10 19:33
Watch Parasyte the maxim!!!
SmileyFella2026-01-10 19:33
One punch man
Ok_Bench38522026-01-10 19:36
Snow White with the Red Hair - shoujo romance, medieval world, mc's an herbalist
Low_Departure_48252026-01-10 19:39
Since someone pointed out that i didnt say what genre i like i like whatever honestly but i guess something with much action but also some sentimental calm moments
SaintevilSA2026-01-10 19:41
What shows or movies do you like? Do you have any genres you enjoy?
Low_Departure_48252026-01-10 19:44
honestly i dont have a set genre that i like, i like almost every genre in movies and series but mostly a lot of action and where you get attached to characters
SaintevilSA2026-01-17 02:04
Black Lagoon + OVAs- Lots of action, fund group of characters and an amazing OVA story
Cowboy Bebop- Classic masterpiece that everyone should watch
Zenshu- Love letter to anime
Roketsu862026-01-10 19:56
There's no skill check, anime isn't a Souls like or something. Find something that looks interesting and watch the thing. Hell, ask your friends for suggestions since they actually know you unlike anyone here
No_Broccoli44922026-01-10 19:56
Welcome to the abyss… fresh meat 😎
ToteAmeise642026-01-10 20:00
I would start with
Deathnote
Naruto
Jujutsukaisen
Sololeveling
abandoned_idol2026-01-10 20:16
There's hundreds of amazing stuff.
Thousands of garbage ones. (repetitive)
Good luck cadet.
Used_Extension81692026-01-10 20:39
Solo Leveling, or maybe a movie like A Silent Voice.
nervouse-bunbun692026-01-10 21:20
Hunter X Hunter is a good one!
Touko_Sumi2026-01-10 21:22
Keijo
One-Knowledge-70722026-01-10 22:06
Don't know if this is a controversial (?) take, but I highly recommend Attack on Titan if you are into action and don't mind some gore. It was one of the first anime I watched and was the one that got me hooked to anime.
I saw you mentioned action and comedy in a comment, so I think Jujutsu Kaisen might be a good starting point too.
Low_Departure_48252026-01-11 10:03
Thank you I’ve heard about both and will probably check those out sometime:)
zappingbluelight2026-01-11 09:41
Remember guys, don't show OP the best anime just yet, you don't want them to come in using high standard and live with lower standard in the future. So your comfy go to anime is better recommendation than AoT, HxH, or MHA.
My personal recommendation is "Restuarents in another world", not a big anime as it is standard 12 episodes per season, there are 2. Filled with enough action, romance, foods, and comfy atmosphere to be in multiple genre.
Low_Departure_48252026-01-11 10:02
Thank you for your suggestion I’ll check that one out:)!
Low_Departure_48252026-01-11 10:06
Thank you all for your suggestions they are actually a lot helpful I’ve checked out almost all the ones you guys mentioned and found some interesting ones so thank you all I appreciate it very much!!!
Slow-Management68502026-01-11 15:57
Death Note - A lot of people's starter, but as it is one of the best it is also pretty hard to find one just as good after :)
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.*
A *lot* of anime has been produced over the course of more than half a century. A lot of it is "mainstream", a lot of it is niche. What do you like watching now? Drama? Comedy? Action? History?
There are [sites](https://myanimelist.net/) which [index](https://anilist.co/) shows; you can search the broad subject matter categories there for things which might interest you.
The worst part is that often their favorite shows are not good *beginner* shows. They're the shows that dive deep into tropes and play with them and pull them apart, which makes no sense for people who haven't been initiated on those tropes yet.
You can try Jujutsu Kaisen, great animation and action. It is not completed though.
Death Note and Code Geass are great classics, and probably some of the best anime out there of that genre. Both are completed.
One of my personal favourite Mob Psycho 100, probably not best for a first watch, but it is really good and the anime is completed.
-Orange
-86
-The Apothecary Diaries
-With You and the Rain
-To Be Hero X
-A Sign of Affection
-ODDTAXI
-Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Keep an open mind, figure out if you like original Japanese subs or your native language dub. Try different genres and styles.
Put your phone/distraction of choice away for the 20 minutes it takes to watch an episode. Visuals arts are meant to be watched, preferably with some basic attention.
Without knowing the genres you like, my entry point for the average person is always Death Note.
The foundational “battle shonen”shows are things like Dragonball, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Naruto, but if you’re not up for trying these older styles, you can try one of the newer versions with My Hero Academia. This one just recently concluded and is a solid show to invest in you end up liking the world and characters. There’s a huge cast and it’s got a good balance of action and heart.
Cowboy Bebop- Classic masterpiece that everyone should watch
Zenshu- Love letter to anime
Deathnote
Naruto
Jujutsukaisen
Sololeveling
Thousands of garbage ones. (repetitive)
Good luck cadet.
I saw you mentioned action and comedy in a comment, so I think Jujutsu Kaisen might be a good starting point too.
My personal recommendation is "Restuarents in another world", not a big anime as it is standard 12 episodes per season, there are 2. Filled with enough action, romance, foods, and comfy atmosphere to be in multiple genre.