Never watched anime before – what should I start with? No rules

Hi everyone,

I’m 25, from Amsterdam, and I’ve just never really gotten into anime until now. Feeling like it’s finally time to give it a try!

I’d love your recommendations for a great first anime. Doesn’t matter if it’s short or long, old-school or brand new – just tell me what you think is the perfect one to start with when youre coming in completely fresh.

Why do you love it as a first watch? What makes it special?

Thanks so much in advance

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Commentaires

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Icy_Guarantee68002026-01-15 13:31

DEATHNOTE

PlusFarmer34432026-01-15 13:32

Great recommendation

animegatari2026-01-15 13:31

小林さんちのメイドラゴン
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid👌👌👌👌

Uma-apreciator2026-01-15 13:31

Uma Musume Cinderella Gray, It is a epic shounen sport anime about horse girl racing

Unbegrenzt112026-01-15 14:02

Ehhhhh, I think it'd be a lot more fun to watch with atleast some knowledge of the IP and Japanese racehorsing in general, or atleast I'd attribute a lot of the fun I had watching it to me playing the game extensively before hand and being fed a ton of japanese racehorsing information and fun facts by my brother

Uma-apreciator2026-01-15 14:32

You don't need any knowledge about racehorsing, the show itself is pretty good (if you not count the season 1, It is the worst)

kingdevil6522026-01-15 13:32

Probably death note

Spidermanbuddy2026-01-15 13:33

Try one of these-

**Action**\-

Death Note

One Punch Man (watch upto the 2nd season, then read the manga whenever you start reading)

Attack on Titan

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

**Romance**\-

Kaguya-sama

Horimiya

Toradora

Oregairu

**Comedy**\-

Grand Blue (this is a must watch, but I'd advice to know a bit about magical girls before watching it)

Konosuba

Shimoneta

**Mentally/Emotionally devastating**\-

Made in Abyss

Violet Evergarden

Re:ZERO

SecretHoboHerbs2026-01-15 13:39

> Grand Blue (this is a must watch, but I'd advice to know a bit about magical girls before watching it)

Uhh...what about Grand Blue requires knowing about the magical girl genre?

Nihilus882026-01-15 13:59

Might be related to Kohei but I don't see the relevance

Spidermanbuddy2026-01-15 14:19

Kohei, I recommended Grand Blue to my friend, and he said he didn't understand what Kohei was saying at all

Ecclesiasticus-6132026-01-15 13:36

BOT BOT BOT BOT BOT

faynfvx_2026-01-15 13:38

Because my first anime was Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I would recommend the same for you

deeznutz111162026-01-15 13:39

nah might be too peak

Fluffy_data_doges2026-01-15 13:39

If you like fantasy then Frieren.

If you like comedy then Love is War. I avoided this as I thought it was all about mind games but it's mainly played for laughs.

If you like action then Chainsaw Man. It's a little crazy though.

All of which have very good English dubs so are much easier to get into. Also if you asked me 5 years ago I would also have said Death Note as it was the OG beginner anime.

Dixenz2026-01-15 13:50

Do you have any favorite genre of movies or series you usually enjoy ?

Silver_Estimate33502026-01-15 13:53

I see everyone is suggesting death note and to be honest it is the greatest entry point anime....You should watch Death Note for its gripping psychological cat-and-mouse game between geniuses Light Yagami and detective L, its exploration of morality and justice through a thrilling supernatural premise, its excellent pacing as a great starter anime (37 episodes, no filler), and its addictive suspense that makes you question right and wrong, all wrapped in compelling characters and a dark, atmospheric style.

Melodic-Bend65502026-01-15 14:01

For a nice start try Death note or Aot they'll blow your mind. If you want sme romance in there try '86' it's unbeatable and pretty easy to get through, makes u feel shit tho.

dhruvchopra-2026-01-15 14:06

Don't start now, go out and touch some grass.
Come back in and watch one piece.

DueSeaworth2026-01-15 14:30

Try the more mainstream ones:

Attack on Titan (Action/Fantasy/Drama) - my first gateway drug to this rabbit hole. Its about a world wherein the last remnants of humanity are behind walled cities which protects them against titans.

Frieren (Fantasy) - great fantasy anime. Talks about the passage of time. It follows an elf reminiscing her past journey with a new group of adventurers.

Kaguya-sama Love is War (Romance/Comedy) - two people trying to get the other to confess first. My personal favorite romance anime.

Rezero (Isekai/Fantasy) - guy get transported to another world. Great way to get into isekai (just be patient with the mc, some people get put off by him at the start but he changes)

Oshi no ko (Drama) - goes into different sides of the entertainment industry (also has a mystery element)

Steins;Gate (Sci-fi) - has a "slow" build up but its great.

You can slowly branch out to other shows from these (theyre from different genres since I dont know your preferred one).

King0fthewasteland2026-01-15 14:30

Just chill out with one piece buddy. You have great adventures for years to come

TheRealHoodAvatar2026-01-15 14:41

Can't go wrong with Pokémon to be honest but you've more than likely already seen that maybe even an episode or scene once. So I would say My Hero Academia or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Old-Gazelle-12392026-01-15 14:48

Start with aot and then watch death note that will be much better

Inside-Battle-4482026-01-15 14:50

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, Yu Yu Hakusho, G Gundam, Sword art online, reincarnated as a slime, Netflix Castlevania, Porco Russo (Ghibli film), Princess Mononoke (Ghibli film), Log Horizon, sword art online, Saga of Tanya as he Evil, Gate, Highschool of the Dead,

sake6662026-01-15 15:04

Steins;Gate for light Sci-Fi and emotional devastation is a good newbie-friendly one.

Gold-Tone-43972026-01-15 15:07

I started with Naruto and I think it's the perfect anime for beginners since it has everything from characters to world building to iconic fight scenes.

Brokenpipeisbroken2026-01-15 15:14

Kiss x sis

> What makes it special?

It's fun for entire family

GothSparkles2026-01-15 15:15

vinland saga, FMAB and attack on titan are GREAT and its how I got my mom into anime. alot of people avoid recommending these as a first anime though because it could set expectations to high.

Gamerunglued2026-01-15 16:00

Everyone is recommending you popular shows aimed at teenagers. I figure it might be worthwhile to talk about some series and films for adults so you're not stuck into a single demographic. Here are a few worth looking at:

- Vinland Saga
- Mushishi
- Monster
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Perfect Blue (check Satoshi Kon's whole filmography, he's one of the greats not just in anime)
- Ghost in the Shell
- Akira
- In This Corner of the World

PerplexedAsian2026-01-15 16:05

Spy x Family. It's an extremely wholesome and funny story of three very unique individuals who form a "fake" family to bring world peace!

Repulsive_Ad_85832026-01-15 16:32

Thanks so much for all the recommendations!
Death Note got suggested the most, so I’m starting with that tonight.

Thank y’all

faynfvx_2026-01-15 17:25

Hope you like it, OP!

Mr_Rock-haley2026-01-16 02:42

Please watch Little Witch Academia, this series doesn't get the attention it deserves.

I also recommend My Hero Academia (great for beginners).

DataUserOne2026-01-15 17:37

I won't make a list because I want to recommend and highlight an anime I don't see mentioned enough, and that is Gurren Lagann. It's a masterpiece in my opinion. The whole thing is only 26 episodes or so, so it's not a huge commitment and it won't drag it's feet or take an eternity to finish

Shashank_kage2026-01-15 18:06

Try clannad or anohana. They are slice of life anime and could be nice start before moving to something obscure

nico_juro2026-01-16 02:50

Jujutsu Kaisen