Here Are 5 Anime to Watch for Beginners!
Source; Squarespace/ Unsplash
About Anime
Anime is a style of animation that originated in Japan and has become a global phenomenon, recognized for its distinct art style, vibrant characters, and diverse storytelling. Unlike Western animation, which is often geared toward children, anime spans all ages and genres, offering everything from action-packed adventures and fantasy epics to slice-of-life dramas and psychological thrillers. Known for its exaggerated expressions, detailed environments, and cinematic techniques, anime creates a unique, immersive experience that often explores deep themes like friendship, identity, love, and personal growth.
Anime is taking the world by storm with merchandise for various series making their way to international stores and movies showing in international theaters. From Attack on Titan to Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer to Chainsaw Man, anime is becoming increasingly more popular in the West.
With so many series to choose from, it might seem overwhelming for beginners who want to start watching. Complicated plots, bizarre worlds, and excessive amounts of horror and gore may scare some away from watching. So, if you’re interested in watching anime, here’s a list of 5 anime that are perfect for beginners!
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Kadansha/ Public Domain
sailor moon
Sailor Moon is a magical girl anime that started out as a manga written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. The original Sailor Moon show aired in the ’90s with 200 episodes, but a modern reboot called Sailor Moon Crystal was created in 2014 with 39 episodes. The show follows five schoolgirls as they discover that they’re powerful galactic warriors from the Moon.
The show is about friendship, romance, and has lots of action and adventure in it. It’s perfect for beginners because it isn’t gory or has a complicated plot. The storyline is easy to follow, and the show is episodic, with each episode presenting a new mini battle for the Sailor girls to face. However, the show starts to develop more plot as the episodes progress, with main character Usagi Tsukino discovering secrets about her and the mysterious Tuxedo Mask—a masked man who’s after the same magical crystals as the Sailor girls but who always helps them during battles.
The episodes are about the Sailor girls fighting villains and saving citizens from negative energy as they get used to their new powers. Those who are interested in starting the series should consider watching the version from the ’90s, since unfortunately, the 2014 version did not get any more episodes. The series also has a couple of movies. Sailor Moon is fun, entertaining, and the perfect first anime!
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Alushia/ CC BY 4.0
weathering with you
Weathering With You is a 2019 film that was written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The story follows high schooler Hodaka Morishima who runs away from his home in Tokyo and becomes friends with an orphan girl, Hina Amano, who can manipulate the weather. The two start a business to bring in money, deeming Hina as the “sunshine girl” who will bring good weather and put an end to the endless Tokyo rain to those who pay them. But things start to get messy when Hina discovers a dangerous adverse effect of using her powers.
Weathering With You is a film with stunning animation, a unique storyline, and well-made characters. It’s very easy to follow and understand, so it’s perfect for those who have never watched anime. The theme of the movie is friendship with a dash of romance and a bit of adventure!
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Heroine Production Committee/ Public Domain
heroine tarumono
Heroine Tarumono! Kiraware Heroine to Naisho no Oshigoto (“Heroines Run the Show: The Unpopular Girl and the Secret Task”) is an idol anime that started airing in 2022. The show follows the main character Hiyori Suzumi who moves from her rural home to Tokyo to start high school. Hiyori’s life suddenly becomes a lot more complicated when she gets a part-time job as a manager-in-training for the male idol duo, LIPxLIP who happens to go to her high school. She quickly finds out that the boys are total jerks.
Hiyori’s life becomes even more complicated when someone starts spreading rumors that she’s close with—and potentially dating—the LIPxLIP boys. Suddenly, the crazy, jealous fangirls at her high school turn on her and try to make her life miserable.
Heroine Tarumono! follows Hiyori as she tries to balance schoolwork, being on the school’s track team, her job, and hanging out with her new friends. The show is humorous and contains a lot of friendship and school drama. There’s also a featured soundtrack with catchy songs performed by LIPxLIP throughout the show. The show has a fun plot and is easy to follow, so it’s perfect for beginners!
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by はせつ町民会／ユーリ!!! on ICE 製作委員会/ Public Domain
Yuri!!! on ice
Yuri!!! On ICE is a sports anime that started airing in 2016. The show is about Yuuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater who experienced a crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Final in Russia. After the incident, Yuuri decides to give up on figure skating for good. But things change when famous Russian gold-medalist Victor Nikiforov—Yuuri’s figure skating idol—announces his retirement from the sport and shows up at Yuuri’s family’s onsen asking to be Yuuri’s coach.
Suddenly thrown back into the world of figure skating, Yuuri faces Victor’s challenging training while also having to deal with teenage Russian figure skating prodigy Yuri Plisetsky, who’s keen on taking the gold medal at the next Grand Prix Final.
Yuri!!! On ICE has a gorgeous soundtrack and features many stunning figure skating performances throughout the show. The show also has some romance in it, with Yuuri and Victor’s relationship growing into something more than just trainee and coach. The various competitions will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the show is also very humorous and heart-warming! It’s the perfect entry into the world of anime!
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Hakusensha/ Public Domain
snow white with the red hair
Snow White with the Red Hair is a fantasy romance anime about Shirayuki, a red-haired girl living in the country whose name translates to “snow white.” Her peaceful country life working at an herbal shop is suddenly disrupted when Prince Raji, the prince of Tanbarun, sends guards to retrieve her and bring her to the palace to be his concubine. Shirayuki escapes and meets the second prince of Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, in the forest.
Zen quickly takes a liking to Shirayuki, and Shirayuki eventually becomes a court herbalist in his kingdom. The two face many hardships involving Prince Raji, Zen’s strict brother who is the crown prince of Wistalia, and other dangers that suddenly arise. The show is about adventure, romance, and friendship. It follows a simple fairytale plot, making it a great anime for beginners!
conclusion
Watching any of this anime will be the perfect entry into the world of anime! These shows have simple plots, well-developed characters, and unique storylines that are bound to capture your interest! Anime is multi-genre, so there’s something that everyone can enjoy! If you’re new to anime, consider checking out the ones from this list! Starting out with mainstream shows such as Attack on Titan might confuse and overwhelm you, since they have complicated plots and many characters. But the shows and film on this list are all easy to follow. You’ll definitely want to check them out!
