So, you're new to the wide world of anime. For beginners, the amount of choices available can seem overwhelming. With so many highly rated and popular options to choose from, it can be intimidating to find a good place to dive in. The series mentioned in this article span various lengths, styles, and topics, but they all are wonderful candidates that audiences everywhere can enjoy.

10. My Hero Academia

This series is currently one of the most popular ongoing anime in the United States and it is not hard to see why! The story follows Izuku Midoriya on his journey to becoming a great hero - not an easy feat for a boy born powerless in a world where everyday people are born with superpowers. My Hero Academia is packed full of visually stunning fight scenes, quality animation, comedy, drama, and a massive cast of interesting characters. This series focuses on numerous plotlines which help to prevent filler episodes. This keeps the audience from ever getting too bored and possibly losing interest in this long-running show.

Similar to: Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse (2018) and Invincible (2021)

9. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

This ongoing anime is also very popular in the U.S. for a multitude of reasons. This series is very gripping and has a much darker storyline than My Hero Academia. In this series, the audience follows Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado after their family is targeted by demons. Driven by a combination of love and a thirst for revenge, these siblings embark on a treacherous journey to find answers and protect others from falling victim to these monsters. This series shines bright with fantastic action, brilliant animation, and well-crafted storylines that captivate audiences everywhere.

Similar to: Kill Bill (2003) and Samurai Jack (2001-2017)

8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Many long-time anime fans will agree that this is one everyone should watch. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a retelling of the original anime that trims unnecessary components away to provide viewers a beautiful and concise story. This anime tells the tale of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who do their best to survive alone in the world after a terrible tragedy befalls their family. This incredible anime contains instances of dark and heavy subject matter while still maintaining the innocent nature of its main characters. This series has it all - action, romance, drama, and comedy - wrapped into one concise and fantastic story. This anime has been fully released for quite some time, so if you don't want to have to wait for answers this is a great choice!

Similar to: Supernatural (2005-2020) and Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

7. Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World

This particular series is a stand-out on this list, as it can get surprisingly brutal at times. It is also the only anime on this list within the isekai subgenre. An isekai is a show developed under the premise that a person from the normal world is taken to another world that is typically full of fantasy and magic. This series follows the story of Subaru Natsuki, an average high schooler who gets taken into another world only to find that no one truly knows why he was summoned there. Apart from that, the entity that brought him there will not allow him to die. This show is gritty with many heavy-hitting themes and episodes that grow more suspenseful as the series continues. Re: Zero is still releasing, so be aware that fans are still waiting to get some answers. Try not to let this fact alone stop you from watching this series though! This is a very worthwhile anime and a perfect introduction to the isekai subgenre.

Similar to: About Time (2013) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

6. Mob Psycho 100

With the recent release of its final season, Mob Psycho 100 is a perfect candidate for first-time anime viewers. This series follows the coming-of-age story of Shigeo Kageyama, a middle-school boy with insane psychic powers. This series has a jovial nature, but it also contains many heartfelt moments and genuine conflicts that keep the audience at the edge of their seats. The unique and beautiful animation style is a treat for the eyes and every scene showcases the love that went into this show. If you're looking for a light-hearted but impactful show for your introduction to anime, this is absolutely the series for you!

Similar to: Wednesday (2022) and Stranger Things (2016-Present)

5. Jujutsu Kaisen

Although only one season has been released of this show, the impression it leaves makes it a wonderful option for new viewers. Jujutsu Kaisen follows the story of Yuji Itadori, an abnormally strong high school student whose world is turned upside down after an encounter with a boy his age who claims to be a monster hunter in search of a cursed object. This anime boasts beautifully choreographed fight scenes, intricate animation, engaging plotlines, and well-developed characters which all come together to make this an excellent viewing experience.

Similar to: Cobra Kai (2018-Present) and Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

4. Cowboy Bebop

This classic anime series is one that anyone can enjoy. The audience follows a cast of bandits aboard the Bebop, a space-traveling cargo ship. This series features an incredible score and aesthetically pleasing animation, plus a stellar story that leaves the audience wanting more. Cowboy Bebop has been well known and loved throughout the United States since it originally aired on Adult Swim in 2001, following its initial release in Japan in 1998 and 1999. It is witty and action-packed with a loveable and diverse cast of characters that have driven the show to fame. Cowboy Bebop is also a relatively fast watch with only 26 episodes, making this show a perfect introduction to the extensive anime genre.

Similar to: Firefly (2002-2003) and Pulp Fiction (1994)

3. Attack on Titan

If you have heard of anime at all, there is a very good chance you have encountered this title. It comes as no surprise considering the quality of the animation and the intense, brutal nature of the show. Although this series can be graphic and gory at times, it is an outstanding example of Eastern animation at its finest. This beautifully tragic story follows the life of Eren Yeager, a young boy whose family is struck by tragedy in an apocalyptic world where humanity faces extinction. Eren is accompanied by his two best friends who are similarly alone in the world, and together they find a way to step into their uncertain future. This anime showcases the talent of its artists with visually stunning fight choreography, unique character design, and impactful action scenes that bleed perfectly into the expertly-crafted story. Attack on Titan is still airing with its final part set to begin releasing on March 3rd, 2023, giving new audiences a chance to catch up on the lengthy show before it finishes releasing.

Similar to: The Walking Dead (2010-2022) and The Maze Runner (2014)

2. Spy X Family

This wholesome series is a perfect example of the slice-of-life subgenre that many anime fans adore. In this heartwarming show, the audience follows the lives of Loid, a spy for the West, Anya, a telepath, and Yor, an assassin for the East, who form the hastily fabricated Forger family. The audience gets the pleasure of watching this family-of-necessity overcome their own pasts and weaknesses to shape a genuinely loving household capable of achieving world peace. Although this series premiered just last year, it was received incredibly well by audiences everywhere. With its lighthearted nature and top-quality animation, Spy X Family can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, making it a fantastic choice for new audiences to try.

Similar to: Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

1. Death Note

This final recommendation was many long-time anime fans' introduction to the medium, and for good reason. Death Note tells the tale of Light Yagami, a high school boy that was accidentally gifted the power of a death god. This series is an incredibly suspenseful crime drama, which makes it a wonderful choice for Western viewers or first-time anime watchers. This series does a fantastic job of introducing what anime can truly be to new audiences with its dynamic animation and dark storytelling which isn't typically present in Western animation. Each episode leaves audiences wanting more, keeping viewers on the edge of their seat to see what happens next. Death Note almost never finds itself falling victim to the tropes that are often present in anime but not representative of the genre as a whole. This fact combined with its easily digestible length of just 37 episodes and masterful storytelling make Death Note a must-watch for new audiences everywhere.

Similar to: Dexter (2006-2021) and Sherlock (2010-2016)

No matter which of these recommendations piques your interest, all of them are well worth a watch if you find yourself enjoying anime. Each of these series brings something new and gratifying to the table, providing audiences with hours of entertainment. There are numerous subgenres of anime- too many to list in this article- so if you find that you like Eastern animation and storytelling do not be afraid to branch out! You likely will find a show that sticks with you for years to come.