Watch order guide
Best First Anime to Watch: 15 Easy Picks
New to anime and not sure what to watch first? The best first anime is one that’s easy to follow, finished (or close to it) and fun from the first episode. Here are 15 beginner-friendly picks by genre, plus short shows you can finish overnight. Part of our anime watch order guides.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
15 best first anime to watch
| # | Anime | Genre | Length | Why it’s a good first anime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Death Note | Thriller | 37 episodes | A gripping cat-and-mouse story; complete |
| 2 | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Adventure | 64 episodes | A complete story that does everything well |
| 3 | Spy x Family | Comedy, action | Ongoing (Season 1: 25 episodes) | Funny, warm, easy to love |
| 4 | Haikyu!! | Sports | 85 episodes + films | Pure hype, even if you don’t like sports |
| 5 | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End | Fantasy | Season 1: 28 episodes | Calm, emotional and beautiful |
| 6 | Demon Slayer | Action | Season 1: 26 episodes | Stunning fights, simple story |
| 7 | Jujutsu Kaisen | Action | Season 1: 24 episodes | Modern, stylish, very popular |
| 8 | Attack on Titan | Dark action | 4 seasons | Huge mysteries; complete |
| 9 | Mob Psycho 100 | Action, comedy | 37 episodes | Big heart, amazing animation |
| 10 | Cowboy Bebop | Sci-fi | 26 episodes | A classic with a jazz soundtrack |
| 11 | Kaguya-sama: Love Is War | Romantic comedy | 3 seasons + film | One of the funniest anime ever |
| 12 | Violet Evergarden | Drama | 13 episodes + films | Beautiful and moving |
| 13 | One Punch Man | Action comedy | Season 1: 12 episodes | A superhero parody that’s easy to binge |
| 14 | Erased | Mystery | 12 episodes | A tight, complete thriller |
| 15 | Your Name | Film | ~1 hour 46 minutes | Perfect one-night introduction |
Anime to watch overnight
Want to finish something tonight? These are short and complete:
- Your Name (film) or Spirited Away (film)
- Erased (12 episodes)
- One Punch Man Season 1 (12 episodes)
- Violet Evergarden (13 episodes)
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (10 episodes; for adults)
What anime should I watch first? It depends on what you like
| If you like… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Marvel and superhero films | One Punch Man, Jujutsu Kaisen |
| Crime and detective shows | Death Note, Erased |
| Sitcoms | Spy x Family, Kaguya-sama |
| Fantasy books | Frieren, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
| Sports dramas | Haikyu!! |
| Pixar or Disney | Spirited Away, Your Name |
Sub or dub?
Both are fine. Most of these shows have good English dubs. Try the first episode both ways and keep whichever you enjoy more.
Anime series to watch next
Once you’ve finished your first show, our watch-order guides help with longer series: Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Naruto and Fate.
Where to watch
Crunchyroll and Netflix carry most of this list, and Studio Ghibli films are on Netflix or HBO Max depending on your country. Availability varies by region.
Best first anime by genre
Choosing the first anime to watch is easier when you start from what you already enjoy:
| If you like | Try this first anime | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Action films | Demon Slayer | short seasons and stunning fights |
| Mystery and thrillers | Death Note | 37 episodes with a complete story |
| Fantasy adventures | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | a finished, highly rated story |
| Animated family films | Spirited Away | a single Studio Ghibli film |
| Comedy | Spy x Family | light, funny and easy to follow |
| Sports | Haikyu!! | exciting even if you do not play volleyball |
| Science fiction | Steins;Gate | time travel with a satisfying ending |
How to choose the first anime to watch
- Start short. A 12 to 26 episode series or a film is easier to finish than a 500-episode show.
- Pick a completed story. Finished series let you reach a real ending without waiting for new seasons.
- Give it three episodes. Many anime need a few episodes to show what they are really like.
- Do not worry about “rules”. You do not need to watch the classics first.
- Choose your language. Subtitles and dubs are both fine for a first anime.
Anime to avoid as a first watch
Very long series with lots of filler, sequels that need earlier seasons, and franchises with confusing watch orders are better left for later. Once you know what you like, our watch order guides make those series much easier.
Watching anime with friends or family
If you are introducing someone else to anime, start with a film or a short comedy. Studio Ghibli films and light series like Spy x Family work well for mixed groups and younger viewers.
Why use our first anime to watch guide?
Our first anime to watch guide matches beginners with short, popular and finished series, so your first experience is fun instead of confusing. Use the table above to pick your first anime to watch by genre, try the first three episodes, and then come back to find your next series.
