Give me your best recommendations for an anime beginner!!

Hi! I just started getting into anime. My fiance talked me into watching AOT, despite me thinking I wouldn’t like it. (I’m not the biggest cartoon/animated series fan, although it’s starting to grow on me. Here’s what I’ve watched so far:

AOT: LOVED it. Loved the dark tone, story line, character dynamics, really everything about it. It ruined my life for like two straight weeks after finishing it lol. Animation at the beginning kind of bugged me but it grew on me.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Odd but I enjoyed it. Very dark concept, left me with a “wtf did I just watch” feeling after finishing.

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas: Was feeling very sappy that day and this didn’t disappoint. Very sad, I cried like a big baby, but I really enjoyed it.

Demon Slayer: I’m about halfway through this currently and I’m loving it so far. I LOVE the animation in this. I also enjoy the humor that’s sprinkled in here and there.

Outside of anime I’m a big horror/psychological thriller movie buff, if that helps in giving recommendations. TIA!!

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AutoModerator2026-01-30 21:31

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N7CombatWombat2026-01-30 21:33

>Outside of anime I’m a big horror/psychological thriller movie buff

Then you have to check out the movie Perfect Blue, it's an amazing psychological thriller.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 21:33

Cool! I’ll add that to my list! Thanks!

N7CombatWombat2026-01-30 21:40

No problem! If you've seen Black Swan, that movie was **heavily** influenced by Perfect Blue to the point the director needed to get permission from the rights holder of Perfect Blue.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 21:41

How interesting, I didn’t know that. I loved Black Swan so I may just have to put that on tonight!

NOMursE2026-01-30 23:10

Aronofsky also borrowed from Perfect Blue in another one of his films, Requiem for a Dream, with the bathtub scene. He has denied many times that Black Swan and Requiem were influenced by Perfect Blue even though he did buy the rights to Perfect Blue before Requiem came out. He bought it for only 59k in 2000. Seems like a crazy low amount.

In contrast to Aronofsky Christopher Nolan has been vocal about his enjoyment of Satoshi Kon’s films and has cited Paprika as a major influence on Inception.

I can easily recommend all of Satoshi Kon’s works. It’s only 4 films (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika), a vignette in Memories and a series (Paranoia Agent). He passed on 2010 of pancreatic cancer. All of his films are masterpieces. Paranoia Agent is a bit lopsided, he said in interviews it was more a collection of disparate ideas that he couldn’t put into films rather than a cohesive story.

gud_fellow2026-01-30 21:33

Chainsaw Man

Hell's Paradise

JJK

NeptuneOW2026-01-30 21:36

Jujutsu Kaisen is pure action at its best. Frieren is a masterpiece

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 21:39

So I watched the first episode of Frieren and I felt like I couldn’t get into it because it felt a bit slow but I will try giving it another shot!

N7CombatWombat2026-01-30 21:42

It is slow, that's part of the narrative of the story, but, it does pick the pacing up a bit after the first 4 episodes or so, and includes some outstandingly well animated fight scenes later on.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 21:43

Alrighty I will give it another go then once we finish DS!

Alt22212026-01-30 22:10

frieren isnt a beginner show. and op just told us why.

dunno why people around here cannot accept that frieren hits harder if you have seen tons of adventure shows over the years. its really really obvious

N7CombatWombat2026-01-30 22:15

> dunno why people around here cannot accept that frieren hits harder if you have seen tons of adventure shows over the years. its really really obvious

Because your opinion isn't everyone's opinion? You need zero background in fantasy or adventure shows to get the most out of Frieren. It's themes on grief, life and death, and regret are universal aspects of the human condition. Provided one doesn't have a neurological issue that effects their ability to feel empathy, the story will have its impact.

NeptuneOW2026-01-30 22:06

If slower, character focused stories aren’t high up on your enjoyment list then you probably won’t love it.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:26

I’m willing to give anything a shot! I can do slow burn/theme building shows. I think when my cousin recommended it, I was expecting it to be like what I’ve watched already. It wasn’t, which is fine! I think I just went in blind. Now that I know that it is slower, I can go in with different expectations.

Known-Aardvark40982026-01-30 21:37

All the Studio Ghibli creations, all of those are amazing, and a lot of anime lovers started from them, that’s a base. Most of them are not so intense and more fairytale-like stories but they’re just beautiful and stunning.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 21:39

Awesome! Thank you!

yworker2026-01-30 21:40

Frieren & Apothocary Diaries

kilimanja742026-01-30 21:42

Death note its #1 recommendation for beginner!

N7CombatWombat2026-01-30 21:54

> Death note its #1 recommendation for beginner!

It's a great pick for the OP, but it doesn't work for everyone.

Timely-Percentage9852026-01-30 21:59

I agree. One of the first I saw and it was so good (up until a certain point anyway.)

kilimanja742026-01-30 22:02

Until N was revealed)

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:27

I have seen this being recommended a lot so I’m gonna put it on my list!

kilimanja742026-01-30 22:29

Hope u will like it 😉

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:31

I’ve seen it stated before that the netflix adaptation sucks, right? I’m more interested in watching the anime anyway, just didn’t know if I should just totally steer clear of that after I watch the anime

kilimanja742026-01-30 22:36

Netflix adaptation is piece of dogs shit!

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:38

That’s what I hear. Will stay away from that!

BadIndependent18732026-01-30 21:49

Apothecary Diaries (Think kind of Dr House but in an ancient china setting, but is much more than just that as well. Beautiful visuals as well.)

Frieren (A more slow paced set in a fantasy world, but this one is just so cozy and beautiful and nice, amazing visuals. tere is a reason this one is ranked #1, so if you when you want something in this vibe this one is perfect and you will love it, I'm sure)

Death Note (Has that dark vibe, pshycological, and just an amazing show that gets you hooked in whats next, or unexpected events happening)

Monster (This one is thriller, pshycological, just so good. Think will suit perfectly your tastes and is just amazing)

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:28

This is great! Tysm!

Prince-of-Thule2026-01-30 21:50

I'll trot out my default Top Ten (including NGE):

1. Cowboy Bebop
2. Record of Lodoss War
3. The Vision of Escaflowne
4. Outlaw Star
5. Dragon Ball
6. Sailor Moon
7. Mobile Suit Gundam
8. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
9. Neon Genesis Evangelion
10. Legend of the Galactic Heroes

This is the list I would hand any friend who said "What is this anime thing? What is essential? Where should I start?" I'd tell them to watch these series, in that order.

For *new* or current series - Frieren and Delicious in Dungeon are best, easy.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:28

This is extremely helpful thank you!

ibenjaminmoore2026-01-30 22:01

Little Nemo - Adventures in Slumberland was a classic and is still a great show!

Timely-Percentage9852026-01-30 22:02

I agree with Death Note.
Also, Solo Leveling.
Also, I loved Parasyte.

Alt22212026-01-30 22:08

**From the new World** (2012) Fantasy, Drama - 25 eps

**Darker than Black** (2007) sci fi - 37 eps

**Gundam 00** (2007) Mecha - 50 eps

**Gunbuster** (1988) sci fi - 6 eps

**Midnight Eye Goku** (1987) Mystery - 2 movies

**8th MS Team** (1996) Mecha - 12 eps

**Cross Ange** (2014) sci fi - 25 eps

**The Irregular at Magic High School** (2014) action - 50 eps

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:30

Awesome thank you! I appreciate you putting the ep count on there too.

DEM_MEMES2026-01-30 22:10

I’m surprised it’s not being mentioned more, but I’d highly recommend Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I still think it’s one of the only Shonen that’s actually stuck the landing. It’s such a good piece of literature I kinda think it transcends anime. Also while not a horror or thriller, it has some elements from those genres you’d probably like. If you check it out, let me know what you think!

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:23

Will do thank you!!

MediumRare_Steak182026-01-30 22:36

Horror - Another, Dark Gathering
Drama - AnoHana, Violet Evergarden, Clannad
Action - Mirai Nikki, Hunter X Hunter
Comedy - Asobi Asobase, Konosuba
Romance - Your Lie in April, The Dangers in My Heart

rozzingit2026-01-30 22:42

A few you might enjoy based on what you've liked:

* The Summer Hikaru Died
* Monster
* Pluto
* A Silent Voice -- if you have another sappy day and feel like a good cry!
* Link Click

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:55

Thank you! Thank you for the sappy one too. Some days I really just need a good cry 😂😂 he won’t watch sad ones with me because he’s an even bigger baby than me. So it’ll be a good me time watch 😂

NOMursE2026-01-30 22:53

**Akira**

It’s just 2 hours and 4 minutes of your life and it’s one of the best films ever made.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-30 22:56

Thank you!!!

Regular_Ad_46092026-01-30 23:42

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Was my first anime and I hated anime at that time. Has great themes, no filler, and the dark concepts that you're looking for

This-Fix10582026-01-30 23:48

'Tate no yuusha no nariagari', 'Munou na nana'.

SleepyDragon782026-01-31 01:31

You might enjoy **Gantz**. It's a little older but might tickle your horror/psychological thriller side a little bit. Actually I need to give that one a rewatch myself. Been years since I watched it.

You may also like **Death Note.** This is actually not one that I, myself, have not watched. My son (he's 20), absolutely loved it. Pretty sure it's classified as a Psychological Thriller.

Lord of Mysteries is another one. I've not gotten to this one yet but looks very interesting. AI Overview classifies it as steampunk/lovecraftian dark fantasy.

If you like giant robots/mechs and dark stories the **Mobile Suit Gundam, Iron Blooded Orphens** may be up your alley. This one does a pretty solid job of exploring the child soldier theme and how it messes them up.

Another one that I enjoyed, that is a bit older, is **X**. That's it, just the letter **X** for the title. It's on Crunchyroll. Not really sure how to explain it. Probably easiest to just read the synopsis they provide and see if you think it'd be your thing.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-31 01:33

Thank you!!!! You guys are all so awesome. I have a big list now!

SleepyDragon782026-01-31 01:35

Heads up. I just started to re-watch Gantz. I completely forgot that there is apparently nudity right out of the gate. It's kind of a weird one.

Swimming-Motor-22102026-01-31 01:37

Oh that doesn’t bother us at all. We do have a little one at home but we obviously wait to watch when she’s in bed. I appreciate the heads up though, that was very thoughtful of you

FearlessFoundation562026-01-31 09:07

Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, The future diary and Summer Time Rendering should be also good for you to watch, both of them are kinda horrors and mysterious.Summer Time Rendering is in my first place.

Federal-Stranger18242026-01-31 09:58

Parasyte , Monster , Death Note amazing animes

LawEnvironmental38942026-01-31 11:28

What’s great about anime as an art form is that they don’t play it safe with the themes and are not afraid to address stuff that may be taboo in Western animation. here’s some beginner recs:

Hunter x Hunter

86

Vinland Saga

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Mob Psycho 100

Death Note

Death Parade

Odd Taxi

Cowboy Bebop

The Summer Hikaru Died (Horror)

Here’s an additional rec that may not be for beginners, but I highly suggest if you enjoyed AOT that much:

Golden Kamuy

Gullible_Bat_54082026-01-31 13:28

>big horror/psychological thriller movie buff,

Dark Gathering

Shiki

Ghost Hound

Ghost hunt

Parasyte the maxim

Monster

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

Kakurenbo