By Alejandro Medellin
Though once regarded as a niche genre of animation, Japanese animation — anime — is now a bona fide medium worldwide, and it’s inescapable. Its reach, whether it’s a “Pokémon” collaboration with McDonald’s or anime tees at your favorite clothing store, is everywhere, but although anime is seemingly everywhere you look, it can be alienating to enter a world so rich with its own language and insider references. Combine that with the sheer quantity of series available to stream on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu, and it’s understandable why it can feel so difficult to jump in. But you’re in luck.
We’ve curated a list of anime series perfect for beginners, hand-picked by a few certified anime fans on our team (myself included), so this list holds merit. We’ll also update it frequently to reflect new series and changing tastes. From high-action series that never take their foot off the brakes to ones that will leave you in tears, these are the 25 best anime series for beginners.
Editor’s Note: We’ve listed the English voice cast for these picks (except one), but depending on which streaming service you use and your personal preference, you can find the original Japanese dub with English subtitles.
‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009 to 2010) — Editor’s Top Pick
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Dark Fantasy Steampunk | Length: 1 season, 64 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 9.1/10 | IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
Voice Cast: Travis Willingham, Maxey Whitehead, Colleen Clinkenbeard
Watch the trailer for ‘‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”
If anyone asks what the best anime of all time is, most anime fans would say that it’s “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.” The show follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are on a quest to find the Philosophers’ Stone in order to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life using alchemy. It’s a complex and thought-provoking anime that explores themes such as the nature of sacrifice, the value of life, and the dangers of ambition. With each episode, you won’t be sure what to expect, and you shouldn’t get too attached to characters (even though it’s really hard not to!) because you might not see them again. Whenever someone who doesn’t normally watch anime asks for a show recommendation, I introduce them to “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” because it’s such a perfect entry point for new viewers.
‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024 to Present)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Cooking | Length: 1 season, ongoing
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.71/10 | IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Voice Cast: Damien Haas, Casey Mongillo, Emily Rudd, SungWon Cho
Watch the trailer for “Delicious in Dungeon”
In the fantasy world of “Delicious in Dungeon,” culinary cravings collide with monster mayhem. After Laois and his party are teleported away from a battle with a red dragon, he and two party members must head back into the depths to rescue his sister. However, with no money to replace the supplies left behind, Laois, Marcille, and Chilchuck resort to eating the monsters they hunt. Sounds gross, right? After a terrible first attempt at cooking dungeon monsters, the group is joined by the dwarf, Senshi, who’s the Gordon Ramsay of cooking monsters.
Each adventure unfolds as a delectable dish, expertly prepared by Senshi and enjoyed by the group, showcasing the transformative power of food. With an approachable tone and lighthearted comedy, “Delicious in Dungeon” is a heartwarming fantasy adventure anime that’s easy to watch.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Fantasy adventure | Length: 1 season, 28 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 9.2/10 | IMDb Rating: 9/10
Voice Cast: Mallorie Rodak, Jill Harris, Clifford Chapin
Watch the trailer for “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”
No matter the medium, fantasy can seem oversaturated with the same stories, characters, tropes, and themes. That doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy them, but if you’re looking for a fantasy show that balances the fast-paced action with quiet moments, give “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” a try. Anime stories often follow the hero and their party on their journey as they defeat the forces of evil, but what happens after? This show answers that question, and it does a fantastic job of reminiscing about the past while being in the present and examining what the future holds. The animation by the studio, Madhouse, is impressive and grounds us in reality with the characters’ subtle movements. It’s a show deserving of a watch, even for first-time anime viewers.
‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Historical mystery | Length: 1 season, 24 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.83/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Voice Cast: Kaiji Tang, Emi Lo, Molly Zhang
Watch the trailer for “The Apothecary Diaries”
Anime comes from Japan, but that doesn’t mean the stories have to be Japanese. Take “The Apothecary Diaries” as an example. The author of the source material and anime production staff are Japanese, but the story and characters are rooted in ancient China. It highlights life in the imperial palace, especially for servants. The protagonist, Maomao, gets sold off to work in the palace as a taste tester for poison for one of the emperor’s concubines. After witnessing Maomao’s skills as an apothecary and her sharp wit to deduce all the mysteries occurring within the palace, one of the eunuchs, Jinshi, takes an interest in her and requests her aid with secrets of his own.
‘Blue Lock’ (2023 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Sports | Length: 1 season, 24 episodes
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.29/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Voice Cast: Ricco Fajardo, Drew Breedlove, Aaron Dismuke, Bryson Baugus, Matt Shipman, Derick Snow
Watch the trailer for “Blue Lock”
Determined to find the ultimate striker, Ego Jinpachi imprisons 300 of Japan’s best young forwards in a facility resembling a prison. Their only goal: eliminate the weak and emerge as the sole striker, claiming a guaranteed spot on the national team but forever barred from playing alongside any player they defeat. Isagi Yoichi, a passionate but indecisive forward, finds himself thrown into this cutthroat environment. Driven by the hunger to become the world’s best striker and haunted by a crucial missed goal, Isagi must adapt, sharpen his skills, and unlock a ruthlessness he never knew he possessed.
“Blue Lock” is an intense sports anime with a lot of overpowered moves and last-minute feats of skill, but it also explores the cutthroat nature of competition and what one must do to be the best. Whether you like soccer or not, “Blue Lock” offers a gripping narrative and nonstop action that will have you hooked after the opening episode.
‘Pluto’ (2023)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Mystery, Drama | Length: 1 season, 8 episodes
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.56/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Voice Cast: Jason Vande Brake, Laura Stahl, Keith David, SungWon Cho
“Pluto,” Netflix’s dark anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki’s gripping arc within Osamu Tezuka’s classic “Astro Boy” series, is a sci-fi mystery set in a future where robots and humans coexist harmoniously. When seven highly advanced robots and their human allies are systematically murdered, Inspector Gesicht, a robot detective and one of the potential targets, is tasked with finding the culprit. As the investigation deepens, Gesicht uncovers a sinister plot that challenges the very foundation of robotic existence and forces him to confront his own purpose and identity.
This thought-provoking and action-packed series explores themes of artificial intelligence, the nature of humanity, and the cost of progress. If you like science fiction, murder mysteries, and gruff, no-nonsense lead detectives, “Pluto” delivers on all of that and more.
‘SPY x FAMILY’ (2022 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Action Comedy | Length: 2 seasons, 27+ episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.58/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Voice Cast: Natalie Van Sistine, Alex Organ, Megan Shipman
Watch the trailer for “SPY x FAMILY”
“SPY x FAMILY” is a wholesome anime based on the manga series of the same name by Tatsuya Endo. The series follows Loid Forger, a spy who must “build a family” to execute a mission, not realizing that the girl he adopts as his daughter, Anya, is a telepath, and the woman he agrees to marry, Yor, is a skilled assassin. None of them know about the others’ double lives and they all pretend to be a normal family while also carrying out their secret missions. “SPY x FAMILY” is a more recent anime that has gained popularity for its comedy, wholesomeness, action, and likable characters.
‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022 to Present)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Dark Action Fantasy Horror | Length: 1 season, 12 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.55/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Voice Cast: Ryan Colt Levy, Suzie Yeung, Reagan Murdock, Sarah Wiedenheft
Watch the trailer for “Chainsaw Man”
If you love gore and horror, then “Chainsaw Man” will be right up your alley. It’s based on the manga series of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Denji, a teen boy who’s forced to merge with his pet devil, Pochita, becomes a human-devil hybrid known as Chainsaw Man. Denji is then recruited by the Public Safety Devil Hunters, a government organization dedicated to hunting and controlling devils. With violent action scenes that feature plenty of gore, “Chainsaw Man” isn’t for the squeamish, but if you can get past that, the series’ excellent story and nuanced characters are rewarding.
‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury’ (2022 to 2023)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Mecha | Length: 1 season, 24 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.89/10 | IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Voice Cast: Jill Harris, Natalie Van Sistine, Bradley Gareth
Watch the trailer for “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury”
The Gundam franchise is known for its pilot-driven, gigantic robots (there’s a real, life-size Gundam in Japan!), and “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” is the 15th mainline entry. It’s the latest in the series, and the first one in the franchise’s 40-year history to star a woman as the lead pilot. It’s set in a world where humanity has expanded to space and is divided into multiple corporations. Suletta Mercury is a young girl who pilots a mysterious mobile suit called the Gundam Aerial.
Though Gundam is often (and accurately) portrayed as a series that’s difficult to jump into, “The Witch from Mercury” is a stand-alone series set in an alternate universe, which makes it a great on-ramp to the Gundam universe. If mecha anime interests you, this series’ compelling political narrative and grandiose fight scenes will have you diving deeper into the genre.
Watch “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” on Crunchyroll
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Cyberpunk | Length: 1 season, 10 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.6/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Voice Cast: Zach Aguilar, Giancarlo Esposito, Emi Lo, Stephanie Wong
Watch the trailer for “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners”
If you love video games and you’ve played CD Projekt Red’s “Cyberpunk 2077,” then you’re probably already familiar with “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.” The game is based on the “Cyberpunk 2020” tabletop role-playing game (RPG) created by Mike Pondsmith. But we’re here to talk about the anime, which is set in the same universe as the video game, and tells the story of David Martinez, a street kid who tries to survive in dystopian Night City. When David becomes an edgerunner (a mercenary outlaw who uses cybernetic implants to enhance their abilities) and joins a crew of like-minded outcasts, his life changes completely.
“Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” is dark and violent and explores themes such as cybernetics, transhumanism, and the dangers of capitalism — all characteristics of a cyberpunk story. Fans of the video game or cyberpunk in general will get a lot of mileage out of this series.
‘The Way of the Househusband' (2021 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Slice-of-Life Comedy | Length: 2 seasons, 15 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.23/10 | IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Voice Cast: Jonah Scott, Laura Post, Andres Paul Ramacho
Watch the trailer for “The Way of the Househusband”
You’ve heard of housewives. Now get ready for a former yakuza boss who’s now retired and a househusband. “The Way of the Househusband” follows Tatsu, a legendary yakuza boss who retires from crime to become a househusband and support his wife Miku, a career woman. It’s a heartwarming, low-stakes anime that challenges traditional gender roles. Though the animation doesn’t stack up to its contemporaries, “The Way of the Househusband” is still a hilarious show that will leave you laughing just as often as it leaves you hungry for Japanese cuisine (did we mention it’s also a cooking anime?).
‘Komi Can’t Communicate’ (2021 to 2022)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Coming-of-Age Rom-Com | Length: 2 seasons, 24 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.9/10 | IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Voice Cast: Kyle McCarley, Skyler Davenport, Amber Lee Connors
Watch the trailer for “Komi Can’t Communicate”
Attention all rom-com enjoyers: “Komi Can’t Communicate” is for you. It’s a series about Shōko Komi, a beautiful and popular high school student who struggles with extreme social anxiety, which results in her inability to speak. Komi’s goal is to make 100 friends, but her anxiety makes it difficult for her to communicate with others (hence the title). She’s assigned a seat next to Hitohito Tadano, a seemingly average boy who realizes that Komi has communication problems, and he offers to help her achieve her goal. They slowly begin to develop a romantic relationship as they work together to help Komi overcome her anxiety. This anime is known for its cute and stylish animation, relatable characters, and wholesome humor.
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020 to Present)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Dark Supernatural Fantasy | Length: 2 seasons, 33+ episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.63/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Voice Cast: Adam McArthur, Robbie Daymond, Anne Yatco, Kaiji Tang
Watch the trailer for “Jujutsu Kaisen”
If there’s one anime that’s trending almost every week whenever a new episode releases, it’s “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Based on the manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, this series revolves around Yuji Itadori, a high school student who joins a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers to eliminate a powerful Curse named Ryomen Sukuna, of whom Yuji becomes the host. He enrolls in Tokyo Jujutsu High School to learn how to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer and hopefully exorcise Sukuna one day.
This dark, supernatural fantasy show has incredible world-building and rules for its sorcery that are as convoluted as they are amazing to see in action. It’s known for its stunning animation, complex characters, and exciting fight scenes.
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Dark Fantasy | Length: 1 season, 12 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.05/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Voice Cast: Aleks Le, Reba Buhr, Keith Silverstein, Bryce Papenbrook
Watch the trailer for “Dorohedoro”
“Dorohedoro” takes place in a dark and surreal world where magic users live in a separate dimension from humans. Caiman, a lizard-headed man with no memory of his past, teams up with Nikaido and they set out to find a way to break the curse that gave Caiman his lizard head and caused him to forget his memories. The series is dark and violent, with a unique art style and a twisted sense of humor. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy anime or anime with unique art styles, “Dorohedoro” is worth a watch, as long as you’re OK with mature themes and violence.
‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Historical Dark Fantasy | Length: 3 seasons, 55 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.49/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Voice Cast: Zach Aguilar, Aleks Le, Bryce Papenbrook, Robbie Daymond
Watch the trailer for “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”
If you haven’t heard of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” before, now you have. It’s about Tanjiro Kamado, a kindhearted boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by demons and his younger sister, Nezuko, is turned into a demon herself. Tanjiro sets out to find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human and avenge his family by killing the demon who started it all. Along the way, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, a secret organization that’s been fighting demons for centuries. For the animation alone, “Demon Slayer: Kimtesu no Yaiba” is a must-watch.
‘Dr. Stone’ (2019 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi | Length: 3 seasons, 47 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.28/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Voice Cast: Aaron Dismuke, Felecia Angelle, Matt Shipman
Watch the trailer for “Dr. Stone”
“Dr. Stone” isn’t your average post-apocalyptic sci-fi anime. Senku Ishigami, a teenage science prodigy, is revived after 3,700 years to find that humanity has been petrified by a mysterious light (Medusa, much?). Senku sets out to rebuild civilization from the ground up using his scientific knowledge. The show has been praised for its accurate depiction of science and technology. If you’re a fan of survival video games like “Minecraft” or “Valheim,” you’ll appreciate the show as it progresses through technological ages, such as the Bronze Age.
‘Vinland Saga’ (2019 to 2023)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Historical Epic | Length: 2 seasons, 48 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.75/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Voice Cast: Mike Haimoto, Alejandro Saab, Kirk Thornton
Watch the trailer for “Vinland Saga”
Did somebody say Vikings? “Vinland Saga” chronicles the journey of Thorfinn, the son of a legendary Viking warrior. Thorfinn’s father is killed by the mercenary leader, Askeladd, and the young boy swears revenge before joining Askeladd’s band of mercenaries to train as a warrior. The anime is dark and epic, exploring themes such as revenge, violence, and the nature of humanity. It also has one of the best opening theme songs of all time.
‘Fruits Basket’ (2019 to 2021)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Romance Fantasy Drama | Length: 3 seasons, 63 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.22/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Voice Cast: Laura Bailey, Eric Vale, Jerry Sewell
Watch the trailer for “Fruits Basket”
“Fruits Basket” got what many fans call the “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” treatment. It had an original 2001 anime adaptation that never saw completion, since the manga was still ongoing at the time. Almost two decades later, the series returned for a brand-new adaptation that faithfully follows the manga storyline.
Tohru Honda, an orphan girl, moves in with the Sohma family after their home is destroyed by a landslide. She soon learns that the Sohma family is cursed: When they’re embraced by someone of the opposite sex, they transform into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Tohru meets the three Sohma brothers who live in the house: Yuki, the rat; Kyo, the cat; and Shigure, the dog.
“Fruits Basket” is a wholesome anime series about family, love, and acceptance. Where most popular anime pride themselves on over-the-top fight sequences, “Fruits Basket” is known for its slice-of-life, coming-of-age, and romantic narratives, as well as its dark yet realistic emotional elements.
‘My Hero Academia’ (2016 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Superhero Adventure | Length: 6 seasons, 138 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.88/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Voice Cast: Justin Briner, Christopher Sabat, Luci Christian, Clifford Chapin
Watch the trailer for “My Hero Academia”
If you love superhero shows, then “My Hero Academia” is perfect for you. Set in a world where some people develop superpowers called “Quirks” and others don’t, “My Hero Academia” tells the story of Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, who falls into the latter group. One day, he meets All Might, the number one hero, and his life changes when All Might chooses him to inherit his incredible power. Deku then enrolls in the most prestigious school for aspiring heroes, where he begins to train his Quirk with the rest of class 1-A, the elite class of first-year heroes-in-training.
‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016 to 2022)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Supernatural Action Comedy | Length: 3 seasons, 37 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.49/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Voice Cast: Kyle McCarley, Max Mittelman, Chris Niosi, Michael Sorich
Watch the trailer for “Mob Psycho 100”
With unique art and animation styles, “Mob Psycho 100” is a must-watch for fans of action, comedy, and weird, absurdist humor. It’s about a middle schooler named Shigeo Kageyama, nicknamed Mob, who possesses immense psychic powers. To help him learn how to control his abilities, Mob works as an assistant to Arataka Reigen, a self-proclaimed spirit medium (read: con artist). The show looks into the daily lives of Mob and Reigen as they exorcise spirits, solve paranormal mysteries, and help people in need. Along the way, Mob must also learn to deal with his own growing powers and emotions, because if they get too strong he loses control (and we don’t want that!).
‘One-Punch Man’ (2015 to Present)
Rated: TV-PG | Genre: Superhero Comedy | Length: 2 seasons, 24 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.5/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Voice Cast: Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar, Robbie Daymond
Watch the trailer for “One-Punch Man”
If you thought Superman was near-invincible, meet Saitama, aka One-Punch Man. He’s the guy who doesn’t take anything seriously but has a serious punch that one-hit-KOs supervillains. And that’s basically his back story in the show. Genos, a cyborg, pairs up with Saitama as they both join the Hero Association and climb up the ranks. All the while, they defeat monsters and villains that threaten Earth — though they don’t stand a chance against One-Punch Man (really, the fights don’t last very long).
‘Haikyu!!’ (2014 to Present)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Sports | Length: 4 seasons, 85 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.44/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Voice Cast: Bryson Baugus, Scott Gibbs, Gabriel Regojo
Watch the trailer for “Haikyu!!”
“Haikyu!!” is a sports anime that follows Shōyō Hinata, a short-statured boy who’s determined to become a great volleyball player despite his height. Hinata is inspired by a player he saw on TV playing volleyball for Karasuno High School, and he dreams of one day playing for Karasuno as well. “Haikyu!!” is great for sports fans, with a coming-of-age and slice-of-life narrative that goes deeper than the game of volleyball.
‘Attack on Titan’ (2013 to 2023)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Dark Fantasy | Length: 4 seasons, 88 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.54/10 | IMDb Rating: 9/10
Voice Cast: Bryce Papenbrook, Trina Nishimura, Josh Grelle, Matthew Mercer
Watch the trailer for “Attack on Titan”
Considered the gateway anime, “Attack on Titan” is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy that’s set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls. These walls protect people from gigantic man-eating humanoids referred to as “Titans.” Eren Yeager, who vows to exterminate the Titans after they bring about the destruction of his hometown and the death of his mother, is the main protagonist. He has a special ability that will turn the tide on humanity’s survival against the Titans.
“Attack on Titan” is dark and suspenseful with fast-paced, jaw-dropping animation and a large cast of complex characters who we see growing up season after season. A decade after its debut, the series is finally coming to a close in 2023.
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998 to 1999)
Rated: TV-14 | Genre: Space Western Neo-Noir | Length: 1 season, 26 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.75/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Voice Cast: Steve Blum, Beau Billingslea, Wendee Lee, Melissa Fahn
Watch the trailer for “Cowboy Bebop”
Not to be confused with the Netflix live-action adaptation, the original anime version of “Cowboy Bebop” is considered one of the greats, alongside many other series that aired in the late ‘90s. It follows the adventures of a ragtag group of bounty hunters aboard the spaceship Bebop. The crew consists of Spike Spiegel, a former hit man; Jet Black, a former police detective; Faye Valentine, a con artist; Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, a hacker prodigy; and Ein, a genetically engineered corgi. “Cowboy Bebop” is not only a stylish and action-packed anime that uniquely blends genres, but also a surprisingly philosophical series that explores themes such as existentialism, loneliness, and the nature of reality. It was revolutionary when it debuted back in the late ‘90s, and it has aged like wine.
‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995 to 1996)
Rated: TV-MA | Genre: Psychological Mecha Drama | Length: 1 season, 26 episodes total
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.35/10 | IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Voice Cast: Megumi Ogata, Kotono Mitsuishi, Megumi Hayashibara
Watch the trailer for “Neon Genesis Evangelion”
Every anime fan considers “Neon Genesis Evangelion” a must-watch, even if they don’t normally watch shows about giant robots. The series is set in a world where humanity is still recovering from a cataclysmic event known as the Second Impact. It follows Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who’s recruited by his father, Gendo, to pilot a giant biomechanical mecha called an Evangelion and fight against beings known as Angels.
“Neon Genesis Evangelion” explores themes such as religion, existentialism, and the nature of humanity. It’s also a visually stunning series with some of the most iconic imagery in anime. Its impact can still be seen in modern anime, so watching it early on will give you a good reference point down the line.