Everyone tells you to watch anime. Nobody tells you WHERE to start. There are thousands of shows, dozens of genres, and the community loves recommending 500-episode series to people who’ve never watched a single episode.
That’s not helpful.
This list is different. Every show here was chosen because it:
- Is easy to get into (no dense lore requirement)
- Has a strong first episode
- Is available on major streaming platforms
- Represents what makes anime special
Let’s go.
Action / Adventure
1. Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
Episodes: 94 | Where: Crunchyroll
The gateway anime of the 2010s for a reason. Humanity lives behind walls to hide from man-eating giants. The premise is simple enough to hook you immediately, and then the story becomes one of the most complex and morally gray narratives in any medium.
Hook episode: The first episode. That’s not an exaggeration. Episode 1 is one of the most effective pilot episodes in anime history.
Commitment level: 94 episodes across 4 seasons. Roughly 31 hours. Completely finished, so no waiting for new episodes.
2. Demon Slayer (2019-present)
Episodes: 55+ | Where: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Beautiful animation, straightforward story, and a protagonist you actually root for. Tanjiro’s quest to save his demon-turned sister is emotionally compelling from minute one.
Hook episode: Episode 19 of Season 1 is where most people become full anime converts. But the show is good from the start.
Commitment level: Ongoing but each season is short (11-13 episodes).
3. Jujutsu Kaisen (2020-present)
Episodes: 48+ | Where: Crunchyroll
If you like horror aesthetics mixed with incredible fight choreography, this is your show. The cursed energy system is intuitive, the characters are immediately likeable, and the stakes escalate fast.
Hook episode: Episode 7. But honestly, if the first episode doesn’t grab you, the genre might not be your thing.
4. One Punch Man Season 1 (2015)
Episodes: 12 | Where: Crunchyroll
A superhero so powerful he beats everyone with one punch. The premise is a joke, and that’s exactly what makes it work. Season 1 is a masterpiece of action comedy with some of the best animation ever produced for TV anime.
Hook episode: Episode 1. If you don’t laugh, check your pulse.
Commitment level: Watch Season 1 (12 episodes). Season 2 exists but isn’t as good. Season 1 works perfectly on its own.
Drama / Emotional
5. Your Lie in April (2014)
Episodes: 22 | Where: Crunchyroll, Netflix
A piano prodigy who can no longer hear the notes he plays meets a violinist who plays with reckless abandon. This show will make you cry. Not might. Will.
Hook episode: Episode 2. When Kaori plays the violin for the first time, you’ll understand why this show exists.
6. Violet Evergarden (2018)
Episodes: 13 + movie | Where: Netflix
A former child soldier learns to understand human emotions by writing letters for other people. Every episode is a standalone story that will absolutely wreck you emotionally. The animation from Kyoto Animation is the most beautiful in all of anime.
Hook episode: Episode 7 or 10. The early episodes are setup, but the payoff is devastating.
7. A Silent Voice (Movie, 2016)
Runtime: 2 hours, 9 minutes | Where: Netflix
A former bully reconnects with the deaf girl he tormented in elementary school. This movie handles themes of redemption, disability, and self-worth with incredible nuance. One of the best animated films ever made.
Hook: It’s a movie. Just watch it.
Sci-Fi / Thriller
8. Steins;Gate (2011)
Episodes: 25 | Where: Crunchyroll, Funimation
A self-proclaimed mad scientist accidentally invents time travel. The first half is a slow burn (some people struggle with episodes 1-12), but once it clicks, it becomes one of the most gripping thrillers in anime.
Hook episode: Episode 12 changes EVERYTHING. If you can get there, you’re in for one of the best stories in the medium.
9. Death Note (2006)
Episodes: 37 | Where: Crunchyroll, Netflix
A genius high school student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between a serial killer and the world’s greatest detective. It’s basically a chess match with supernatural rules.
Hook episode: Episode 1. The premise is so compelling that you’ll binge the first 5 episodes before you realize it.
10. Psycho-Pass (2012)
Episodes: 22 | Where: Crunchyroll
A future society where your mental state is constantly monitored and your “crime coefficient” determines whether you’re a threat. Think Minority Report as an anime, but better. Great for people who like cyberpunk and moral philosophy.
Fantasy / Isekai
11. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023-present)
Episodes: 28+ | Where: Crunchyroll
A thousand-year-old elf reflects on the human companions she’s outlived. This is the anti-shonen: quiet, contemplative, and deeply moving. It won anime of the year for a reason.
Hook episode: Episode 1. The opening sequence covers 50 years and establishes the emotional core of the entire series.
12. Mushoku Tensei (2021-present)
Episodes: 35+ | Where: Crunchyroll
The isekai genre (person transported to another world) done right. A 34-year-old shut-in is reborn in a fantasy world and actually grows as a person. The worldbuilding is exceptional, the magic system is detailed, and the character development is genuine.
Content warning: The protagonist’s past life is intentionally portrayed as pathetic, and some scenes are uncomfortable by design. This isn’t a power fantasy. It’s a redemption story.
13. Spy x Family (2022-present)
Episodes: 37+ | Where: Crunchyroll
A spy, an assassin, and a telepath form a fake family, and none of them know each other’s secrets. It’s a comedy, it’s wholesome, it’s got incredible action, and Anya is one of the most beloved characters in modern anime.
Hook episode: Episode 1. You’ll love the Forger family immediately.
Sports / Competition
14. Haikyuu!! (2014-2024)
Episodes: 85 + movies | Where: Crunchyroll
Volleyball anime shouldn’t be this good. And yet Haikyuu makes you care about every single point in every single match. The character development, the rivalries, the animation during key rallies. It’s genuinely one of the best anime ever made, regardless of genre.
Hook episode: Episode 1 sets it up, but Episode 8 (the first real match) is where the addiction kicks in.
15. Mob Psycho 100 (2016-2023)
Episodes: 37 | Where: Crunchyroll
A psychic middle schooler who just wants a normal life. From the creator of One Punch Man, but with deeper themes and even more creative animation. Three seasons, each better than the last.
Hook episode: Episode 5 of Season 1. But honestly, the art style is the barrier for most people, and if you push past that, you’re rewarded with one of the best character arcs in anime.
Where to Watch
| Platform | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Largest anime library | $7.99/mo |
| Netflix | Exclusive originals + classics | $6.99+/mo |
| Funimation/Crunchyroll | Merged library | Same as Crunchyroll |
Most shows on this list are available on Crunchyroll. Netflix has a few exclusives (Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice). You really only need one subscription to start.
How to Pick Your First Show
- Want action? Start with Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer
- Want to cry? Your Lie in April or Violet Evergarden
- Want a quick watch? One Punch Man (12 episodes) or A Silent Voice (one movie)
- Want something smart? Death Note or Steins;Gate
- Want wholesome? Spy x Family
- Want sports? Haikyuu
Don’t overthink it. Pick one, watch 3 episodes, and if it’s not clicking, try the next one on the list.
Welcome to anime. You’re not leaving. 🍥
Last updated: February 2026