Have you recently become interested in watching anime, but aren’t sure where to start? If yes, then you have come to the right place! Here, I will give my recommendations of anime that are great choices for the anime newbie.

Naruto

Often, when people talk of manga and anime they speak of the “big three” of Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. These are the biggest (longest) and most popular anime out there. Personally, I feel like Naruto is the most relatable of the “big three”. The story follows the outcast of the Village of the Leaf as he learns to become a ninja and aims to become his village’s hokage (leader). This show has characters with energetic personalities and true character growth. Also, this show has many action sequences that will keep you entertained. I recommend this show to those who are new to anime because it is easy to follow and has a large fan base.

Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon follows the life of Usagi Tsukino as she discovers her true identity as Sailor Moon and fights alongside her fellow sailor scouts in order to save the world from multiple evil threats. This show equally features Usagi’s everyday life and her magical crime fighting life, so viewers will fill their craving for action while also experiencing aspects of Japanese culture. Viewers get a peek at Japanese school life, shrines, game arcades, and family dynamics. Most importantly, Sailor Moon displays the values of friendship and hard work. Sailor Moon was actually the first anime I ever watched as a young girl, and I still enjoy it greatly today.

Dragon Ball Z Kai

Dragon Ball is arguably the biggest anime franchise. It spans multiple anime and game series. Often, shows like Dragon Ball seem too big and daunting for a beginner to take on. However, this is exactly why the anime Dragon Ball Z Kai was created. This show streamlines the most popular of the Dragon Ball series, making it much more enjoyable for new anime fans to watch. Dragon Ball Z Kai follows the story of Goku and his friends as they work to become stronger fighters and save the world from evil threats like Saiyans, Androids, and other alien creatures. Dragon Ball Z Kai features a cast of odd but lovable characters and a story-line that is as fun as it is silly.

Noragami

Noragami is a story about a high school student, Hiyori, who tries to save the life of a stray god. This anime gives viewers a peek into the many gods of Japanese Mythology, and the far shore where they live. Hiyori is a rare human who can walk the fine line between the near and far shore and can see how emotions truly affect people. She interacts with some of the gods and works to help Yato, who she saved, become the god he’s always wanted to be. I recommend new anime viewers watch Noragami because it offers a unique style that I have yet to see in another anime.

Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is the science fiction anime classic that is on every anime recommendation list. The story follows Spike and his crew of bounty hunters as they solve cases and run from their pasts. Cowboy Bebop episodes are self-contained and often the story from one episode does not affect the next episode. The retro science fiction jazz vibe that Cowboy Bebop gives is highly unique, however the pacing of the show can be quite slow for viewers who are not used to classic science fiction shows. However, the characters like the best dog in all anime, Ein the corgi, make this show a must watch for all anime fans.