10 Best Starter Animes

TV & Film

Dec 12

I think one of the most difficult things to get into these days is anime. There are so many different types of anime that it can be really difficult to figure out which ones would be best for you. Plus some of the best anime series such as One Piece, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Naruto have so many episodes and spin-offs that they feel impossible to finish. So, I have compiled a list of 10 of the best anime series to start with if you are just getting into anime. All of these are currently available to stream in English dub format, and they span multiple sub-genres so you should be able to find at least one that you’d like to try out!

10. ‘Buddy Daddies’ (2023)

This miniseries is a perfect starter anime, especially if you love action that is a bit more on the family-friendly side. The show follows two assassins who are also best friends who inadvertently “adopt” a young girl while on a mission. What ensues is part chaos and all fun! This show doesn’t have the most satisfying ending, but with only 13 episodes it is an easy and fun watch.

Buddy Daddies is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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9. ‘Vinland Saga’ (2019-present)

This is my first historical anime, and it is fantastic! It has a different animation style than you typically see which is a nice change of piece. The series follows a young boy, Thorfinn, who is thrust into a world of Vikings that he knows nothing about. After the death of his father, he sets his sights on revenge against those who wronged him. The show also follows the stories of other characters that end up tying into Thorfinn’s story. This show is great, but it is definitely more violent and less family-friendly. It currently has 48 episodes, so it is easy to finish but gives you plenty of content!

Vinland Saga is available to stream on Netflix.

8. ‘My Happy Marriage’ (2023-present)

My biggest recommendation for this show is to go into it as blind as possible! That is what I did, and it made the experience more enjoyable. The show follows a young woman who is forced to marry a wealthy man who has a reputation for being cruel. I can’t say anymore without ruining it, but this show is full of twists and the perfect starter anime if you’re looking for something with a compelling story. The first season currently has 12 episodes, so you can easily finish it in a weekend!

My Happy Marriage is available to stream on Netflix.

7. ‘Fire Force’ (2019-present)

This is one of the most compelling animes I have ever watched! The show follows a group of people known as the Fire Force who fight supernatural fires. The show seems pretty straightforward at first but quickly delves deep into a compelling story that is full of twists and turns. This anime is not family-friendly, but it also isn’t too violent. The show currently has 48 episodes available to stream.

Fire Force is available to stream on Hulu and Crunchyroll.

6. ‘Komi Can’t Communicate’ (2021-present)

This is the most unique anime on this list, and it holds a very special place in my heart. The show follows a young girl named Komi who has severe social anxiety, making it almost impossible for her to communicate with anyone. After making a friend, she confesses that her goal for the year is to make 100 friends. This show is not only family-friendly but it will make you feel so happy and loved. With only 24 episodes, it is the ultimate comfort anime!

Komi Can’t Communicate is available to stream on Netflix.

5. ‘Erased’ (2016)

This is the perfect starter anime if you want to get into the psychological side of anime. Most people don’t realize how many psychological horror animes there are available, and they are honestly some of the best anime content you will ever watch! This show follows a man who can go back in time by a few minutes to stop something bad from happening. After his mother is murdered, he is thrust back to his childhood where a string of murders happened around his childhood neighborhood. This show keeps you guessing until the credits start to roll at the end of the 12th episode!

Erased is available to stream on Hulu.

4. ‘Fruits Basket’ (2019-2021)

This is one of my favorite animes of all time. The show follows a young girl named Tohru who has been secretly living in a tent in the woods while her grandfather’s home is being renovated. She is discovered by the Sohma family and taken into their home until she can return to her grandfather. She soon learns that the Sohma family is hiding a magical secret. This show is mostly comforting and fun, but towards the end, the story becomes so complex that you will find yourself crying along with the characters. This is one of the longer animes on this list with 63 episodes, but it is so worth it!!

Fruits Basket is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

3. ‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022-present)

This is easily the most not-family-friendly anime on this list. The show follows a young man named Denji who works as a devil hunter. After being betrayed and left for dead, he is given a second chance at life and begins working for the Public Safety Office. This anime is violent to the extreme, but the characters are so likable that you will find yourself wanting to watch it over and over again. The show currently has just 12 episodes, so it is a great weekend watch!

Chainsaw Man is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

2. ‘My Hero Academia’ (2016-present)

This is the longest anime on the list with 145 episodes currently available. It is the perfect starter anime though because it gives you the perfect anime formatting. It starts fun and colorful and quickly morphs into a dark and action-packed superhero series. The show follows a young man named Izuku who is born quirkless in a world where almost everyone has a quirk (the show’s version of superpowers). He quickly befriends superhero All Might and begins working towards his dream of becoming the world’s greatest hero.

My Hero Academia is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

1. ‘Spy X Family’ (2022-present)

This is my favorite show of all time. It is the perfect starter anime regardless of what you are looking to get into! It has action, espionage, family-friendly fun, and humor. The show follows a top spy known as Twilight who is tasked with building a family so that he can make contact with a high-value target. He assumes the identity of Lloyd Forger and secures a wife, Yor, and a young daughter, Anya. Little does he know that both his wife and daughter are also hiding their true identities from him. This show is pure perfection and currently has 37 episodes although more are being released each week.

Spy X Family is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

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