One For The Anime Newbs
Updated: Oct 8, 2020
I take great delight in welcoming people into the world of anime. I know how much joy I get from watching anime and wish more people were into it, so whenever there is an opportunity to give recommendations of what to watch, I always send people "The List". It's a 80 plus long list of anime shows I have either watched, still watching or plan to watch at some point. But I've found the list can be a little overwhelming for some, so here are some shows I recommend to anyone looking to get into anime.
Attack On Titan | Shingeki no Kyojin | 進撃の巨人
So I'm starting things off with one of the most talked about and frankly goriest anime shows out there, Attack On Titan. The show revolves around a dystopian world were the last survivors of the human race are living behind giant walls in fear of being consumed by the ravenous titans. With each episode more and more questions arise; where do the titans come from? Who built the wall? What can be done to fight off the Titan menace? If you can handle watching bodies being ripped apart and eaten while engaging in the mystery, you will be fully equipped to handle any other anime show out there. Season 3 starts in 2018 so if you are planning to catch up, better do so quickly.
Death Note | Desu Nōto | デスノート
Did you know gods of death love apples? Death Note follows the life of student Light Yagami who upon discovering a Death Note decides to rid the world of all evil and build a better one in his own image. What's a Death Note I hear you ask? It's a book in which should a person's name be written in it, they will die. Simple enough, right? The series provides countless twists and turns as Light uses the Death Note while trying to avoid being caught by the authorities. If you enjoy drama and mystery, this is the show for you.
Cardcaptor Sakura | Kādokyaputā Sakura | カードキャプターさくら
One of the most well known animes under the 'magical girl' subgenre (think Sailor Moon), Cardcaptor Sakura is a show from the late 90's that is both sweet and action packed. In true magical girl fashion, Sakura tries to balance school life while trying to protect the world and collect the escaped Clow Cards with help from her friends Kero, Tomoyo & Li. It's a decent enough show that has enough to keep you engaged right to the end, and with the release of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, the story continues!
Food Wars | Shokugeki no Soma | 食戟のソーマ
Who knew good food could be so...orgasmic? From episode one, Food Wars drops you into a world where cooking is everything. Son of a diner owner, Soma enrols in Japan's most elite culinary school, learning and competing against other students all aiming for the top of the culinary ladder. The dishes produced on the show are so good that the visuals displayed by those eating range from running in beautiful fields to being naked and experiencing pure pleasure. Its not as pornographic as it sounds, I promise, but the show is definitely one to look out for.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: no Kyōdai Ai | 鋼の錬金術師
Action, drama, suspense, mystery, comedy, emotion. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has it all and then some. To me, this is the most perfect anime ever made. It's the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric on a journey to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone in order to restore the bodies they had lost from an alchemy experiment gone wrong. Along their journey they uncover countless clues that lead them towards the truth of the Philosopher's Stone and the truth about Alchemy & the world they live in. It has an array of characters that are incredibly likeable and memorable with a fantastic ending. All is one. One is all.
No Game No Life | Nōgēmu Nōraifu | ノーゲーム・ノーライフ
You'll soon come to realise that some of the best anime have very simple concepts and don't necessarily have to be full of fighting sequences. Take No Game No Life for example; a brother/sister duo who have never lost a game in their life are transported to a world where all matters are sorted out by games, all thanks to the god Tet. Sora and Shiro quickly become accustomed to the ways of this new world and plan on leading Imanity (humanity) against the other 15 races that dwell there for power, knowledge and land. It's a short anime that will crave you wanting more once its over. The ingenuity of Sora and Shiro is enjoyable to watch and even though you know they will always come up on top, its the how that keeps you engaged.
My Hero Academia | Boku no Hīrō Akademia | 僕のヒーローアカデミア
"When there's nothing to be gained, rising to the challenge at those times... is surely the mark... of a true hero!!" My Hero Academia has grown rapidly in popularity since season one, rivalling the likes of Bleach and Naruto in terms of becoming a truly iconic anime. It's the tale of how Izuku Midoriya (Deku) becomes the world's greatest hero, even though he was born without a Quirk (powers) like the majority of the population. There are plenty of heroes with amazing powers and personalities as well as truly compelling villains who challenge the heroes at every turn. A definite must watch.
Seven Deadly Sins | Nanatsu no Taizai | 七つの大罪
Seven Deadly Sins has proven itself to be a show with surprising depth to it. The series follows Elizabeth, who is in search of the Seven Deadly Sins, a group of former Holy Knights who were disbanded after the kingdom was overthrown. Demons, goddesses, giants and fairies all help make this anime action filled, funny and worth repeated watching.
Ben-To | Ben Tō | ベン・トー
Because who doesn't love a show where people fight over discounted food? Ben-To is one of those shows that are so dumb but so fun to watch. Its all about getting half-priced bento in an all-out brawl between customers. Yō is invited to the Half-Priced Food Lovers Club by one of the top fighters, Sen Yarizui, in order to train to compete in these battles. It's a fun show to watch and one for those who may need a break from magic and monsters.
Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works | Feito/Sutei Naito Anrimiteddo Bureido Wākusu | フェイト/ステイナイトアンリミテッドブレイドワークス
An anime known for its amazing fight scenes, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is probably one of the more visually pleasing anime shows out there. The premiss? Individuals fight in battle in the legendary Holy Grail War in order to come up on top to win The Holy Grail itself. While the Fate/Stay Night series itself is somewhat confusing in regards to its viewing order, but Unlimited Blade Works makes for good watching.
So there you have it! These are loose suggestions but definitely ones I highly recommend. And should you wish, I have provided a link to my full anime list here! Happy watching!
Timi, The Nerd Council