5 Anime to Watch for Beginners
Anime has been around for decades. Slowly transforming its artwork, themes, and music while continuing to do what it’s always done, touch people on a deeper level than most other forms of entertainment. And over time, it has continued to grow in popularity. New anime lovers are produced every day, but a common theme is a lack of direction in what anime to watch next. Some (most) start off with shows like Death Note or Sword Art Online and then have no idea where to go. Luckily for you, I’ve created a basic list of anime every beginner should watch when first diving into the anime world. Before I jump in though, I want to give a disclaimer that this is not saying these are the best anime, so to speak, but rather the most welcoming and easy to transition into for new anime connoisseurs.
1. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is one of the most popular anime in the world right now, and for good reason. It has a great story line, action, and feels a bit different than other anime. It is less about an internal struggle of good vs. evil within oneself (Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul *cough*), and more about an actual good vs. evil mentality within the real world — heroes vs. villains. It also has a unique outlook on what a hero is and what a society would look like with paid heroes. It is simple, yet complex at the same time.
MHO also has one of the best characters in anime, All Might. All Might is charismatic, powerful, and overall a great person. He is the embodiment of hope in society, which is actually refreshing in terms of anime. He doesn’t have a demon within himself or some evil side that he has to resist, he is good. In most anime there appears to be a major character flaw in people like All Might. For newbies, MHO is easy to watch and is still in development, meaning you can watch new seasons when they are released alongside everyone else in the anime community.
2. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is another hugely popular anime right now. It has a complex story line, jaw dropping endings in nearly every episode, and is approaching its final season this year. The animation is beautiful and the fight scenes are out of this world. It is the only anime with such a lame protagonist with such great reviews from the anime community. The “supporting” cast are one of the best I have seen in an anime.
For those considering delving into the AOT universe, it is important to note that it is very graphic. When I first watched AOT I was a bit shocked by the gore that was portrayed, but like a traffic accident, couldn’t stop watching. One thing you could get out of AOT is that people die. A lot. Anyway, don’t let the intense gore dissuade you from watching one of the best anime of the modern era.
3. Your Lie in April
For those that enjoy slice of life and would rather not watch people be eaten by giant titans, I would encourage you to watch Your Lie in April. Your Lie in April follows a middle school piano prodigy named Kōsei Arima. Arima lost his ability to perform because of the haunting memory of his abusive mother. That is, until he meets a young violinist named Kaori Miyazono. Miyazono teaches him what it means to play with emotion and helps him overcome his past. With many plot twist, romantic interest, and the navigation of middle school life, you will not want to stop.
On top of this, the animation is beautiful and the music is pleasing to say the least. This is also a great anime for those considering jumping into the slice of life category as it is short, engaging, and has a captivating conclusion. Just don’t blame me if you cry like I did…
4. Fate/Zero
Fourth on my list is Fate/Zero. Not Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blades Works or one of the million other Fate movies or shows. Just Fate/Zero. Fate/Zero takes place in a world where magicians compete in a competition called the Holy Grail War. A battle between seven mages and their summoned heroic spirits called servants. The last one alive is able to claim the holy grail and have any wish granted. Fate/Zero has a healthy blend of action, suspense, and drama as you follow the lives of seven very different characters. Each character has their own reason for participating in the holy grail war, as well as varying tactics and strategies. Some are very calculated, while others don’t seem to have a care in the world.
An aspect of Fate/Zero that makes it great is that while you have an idea of who wins in the end, you never really know who will be the final victor. It also has a complex idea of what right and wrong is. Some characters you want to see succeed one moment and then are unsure the next. It truly has a free for all feel to it where you mostly understand the motivation of every character and honestly don’t know who to cheer for. With that said, I would suggest not getting too attached to anyone since, after all, only one can be the victor…
5. Death Note
Finally, last but not least is Death Note. Like many other anime lovers, Death Note was the first anime I watched in its entirety. Death Note was what opened myself up to the anime world and for that I will always be grateful. Death Note follows the story of Light Yagami, a teenager that stumbles upon a book called the death note. He soon discovers that he can kill anyone with the death note simply by writing their name while imaging their face. Starting off with good intentions, Light starts to cleanse the world of evil and soon views himself as a god. As the story unfolds, you find yourself in the midst of a mental chess match between Light and the Japanese police department. Like Fate/Zero, you aren’t entirely sure who is in the right or wrong in Death Note. You understand the perspectives of both sides, but gain a clearer picture of who is truly evil in the end. Death Note is a must watch for anime beginners and veterans around the world.
For anime veterans, you may be thinking this list is too basic. Well, that is the point of this after all. A basic list for new anime watchers. However, if you have any other anime that you think should be on this list, I would love to hear by leaving a comment below!
