- Updated on: July 23, 2022
- by Ernie
We all started watching anime at one point of our lives, and we all had to start somewhere, am I right? Back then it was much simpler for me, I had Cable TV and there was a limited source from where I could watch. Nowadays, with the internet being an everyday thing in almost every household, the resources are present for anyone to become an anime fan.
However, most people don’t have someone like an older sibling to give them some guidelines over what to watch. They need the help of ”The more Experienced” wherever they can find them.
Table of Contents
The real problem is that I mostly see lists for beginners that consist of anime that are almost exclusively for intermediate-level fans, not beginners.
Therefore, I decided to put together a list of my favorite anime series that I think are great for beginners. The most important criteria are for the anime to be relatively short, easy to understand and not too complicated so anyone can get into it. So ready your pen and paper, and let’s get this list on!
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Table of Content
Which Anime Should I Watch Next?
37. Animegataris
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
7/10 |
10/10 |
9/10 |
41/50 |
Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
What happens if you combine being an anime fan with some crazy fantasy story taking place in modern Japan? My tip would be Animegataris. The premise of the story is simply that the main character could be you yourself, and it brings together hundreds of different fandoms in one. There is no end to the references to real anime and manga legends, and modern day favorites where every episode is a new adventure on its own.
Now, if you ever wanted to know what being a true witness to the word anime fan is like… Well, Animegataris can give you a taste of that. Combined with the beautiful graphics, the lovable characters, the tons of references, which if you catch all of them, you basically have a set list of different anime to watch and manga to read. This series has everything you could need as a beginner anime fan.
36. Baby Steps
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
7/10 |
42/50 |
Genre: Romance, Sports
Episodes: 25 Per Season
Anime Storyline:
Eichiro, referred to by his friends as Ei-chan, needs to find a new hobby that involves physical exercise. He’s a straight A student, so he feels like he could use the exercise, so taking a tip from a girl he only just met, he joins the local tennis club. He’s never played tennis before, but he’s a fast learner and eager due to a certain someone, the girl named Natsu, who inspires him. From zero to hero, Eichiro becomes a promising and highly skilled player, thanks to his ability to learn almost anything in no time. And if that wasn’t enough, he and Natsu soon start going out as well.
I have rarely seen anime ever depict sports this realistically and accurately. The sense of realism is only outdone by how much fun the story and the development of Eichiro goes through. It’s simple enough to be enjoyed by anyone, you get an in depth explanation of everything. This, the fun story, the lovable characters, the unique and simple graphical details, and the excellent depiction of tennis makes it easy to get into. If you want to pick up a sports anime, this is one I can highly recommend.
35. Shirobako
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
42/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Episodes: 24
Anime Storyline:
An Anime about anime making? YES! Aoi Miyamori and her four friends decide to live for their dreams and become artists in the world of anime. Aoi becomes a production manager at the studio, Musashino Animation (obvious reference to Kyoto Animation).
The story focuses around the industry and the anime depicts all of the most important fields related to making animes through two (with the movie, now three) grand projects. Aoi and her friends in the meantime, strive to fulfill their dreams to make their own original story, “The Seven Lucky Wargods” into a fully fledged anime.
If you’ve ever wanted to know how anime is made, you’ve come to the right place. Shirobako will give you everything you could want and even more.
34. Grimoire of Zero
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
43/50 |
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Our main hero, the Mercenary, whom we never learn the real name of, has to put up with a small witch known as Zero, who has written a codex about the basics of true magic. However the codex or Grimoire, ended up in the wrong hands and Zero and her new unlikely partner are out to get it back.
Magic, anthro animals, action, fantasy, fairy tale like qualities… Need I say more? If you like unique stories about witches and magic, this anime is made for you.
33. Record of Grancrest War
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
43/50 |
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
A young sorceress and a nobleman join forces to change the world, and unite a kingdom that has fallen apart. Although Theo isn’t nearly as ambitious, Siluca pulls him along into a war for conquest which has both noble and personal reasons behind it. If that isn’t enough, Theo and Siluca’s relationship gradually evolves into love which just adds to the beauty of the story.
Although Grancrest Senki is a war anime, and therefore isn’t necessarily the best choice for a beginner, I’ll admit, even war anime could be a good choice for a newbie at this. While it also has nice little romantic vibes to it, the politics and warfare side of it is also easy to see through. The battle scenes, although not nearly as visually impressive as one would expect from a fantasy story, are still intense, fast paced and epic in their own right.
Out of the many war anime I could think of, I believe this one is the easiest to get into. Add this, the pleasing visuals, the great choice of characters, the well written, straight forward story, and you have an excellent first gateway into anime in general.
32. Ancient Magus’s Bride
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
10/10 |
8/10 |
10/10 |
43/50 |
Genre: Fantasy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 24 Per Season
Anime Storyline:
Chise has been orphaned at a young age and she’s sold herself to a slaver, since she doesn’t have any hope in life. She’s purchased by Elias, a powerful mage who not only takes her in as an apprentice, recognizing her magical capabilities, but also gives her a loving home and the prospect to even become his wife one day.
Although this unlikely love story has some bumpy beginnings and Chise has to go through a lot, ultimately she not only warms up to Elias but the two of them really make for a nice couple. The way Elias handles Chise is truly out of caring and love and Chise, although she starts off broken and hopeless, through all the crazy but beautiful adventures she has, becomes a much more positive, loving person, something she thought she’d long become unable to be.
Although a little heavier on the visual and story side, this anime is definitely one of the bigger success stories. In a way, it’s a twist on Beauty and the Beast, and that’s exactly what makes it so great.
31. Bofuri – I don’t want to get hurt, so I maxed out my defense
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
10/10 |
7/10 |
10/10 |
43/50 |
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Kaede Honjou is invited by her best friend to play the exciting new VRMMORPG game, New World Online. With her being an inexperienced player, she creates Maple, an in-game avatar that is simply ridiculously overpowered. Like the title says, she maxes out her defense.
Forming a guild with her already present and newfound friends, they set out to conquer the world of MMO gaming.
What’s simply awesome about this anime is that it’s not shy to admit that the main character is OP, and builds its humor on this fact greatly. While Maple may be just a cute, small girl, she’s so OP that it just breaks the game.
Surrounded by so many lovable characters that you’ll lose count after some time, Maple’s adventure is probably the best entryway to someone who wants to see what an anime about gaming could look like. I simply loved this one, and I’m sure you will also.
30. Comic Girls
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
10/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
44/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Kaoruko Moeta is a small, but courageous high school aged girl who is also an aspiring manga artist. Her biggest problem is, she just can’t find her own way, always keeps going from one style to the other, but never finds her own voice in the art. By the suggestion of her editor, she starts going to a school and living in a dorm where other aspiring manga artists live their daily lives.
Kaos-sensei, as she’s referred to, finds herself in the company of three incredibly famous artists, who are actually the same age as her. Eventually, her life with them helps inspire her work.
I think there aren’t many anime that can make you feel like you could get diabetes, as much as Comic Girls. All of the main characters and even the supporting cast are really giving it their all to support our cute little heroine, friendships for life are born.
It’s overall a really smooth, feel-good experience, you’ll grow to forever love it, and in case you wanted to know how a manga artist works, this is your golden opportunity to find out.
29. Rifle is Beautiful
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
44/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Yet another sports anime, Rifle is beautiful, takes us into the world of shooting sports. Hikari, our main character, is a carefree and slightly air-headed high school girl who creates a club based around what she’s best at, with her friends and old rivals.
She can be a klutz and lacks the fire during practice, but Hikari can really throw herself into it when push comes to shove. The story follows the Chidori Highschool Marksman Club as they go all the way to the national finals. And Hikari shows what she can really do, leading her team to almost winning the competition.
Unbelievably beautiful and charmingly cute, this anime, much like Baby Steps, represents the chosen sport excellently and realistically. A nice zero to hero story, fun and always with a moral lesson at the end. Don’t miss it!
28. Outbreak Company
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
10/10 |
8/10 |
10/10 |
45/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Shinichi Kano is an Otaku, but one day he’s tasked with becoming our world’s ambassador in another world. His job: Spread our culture in the other world, which he actually succeeds in. Making friends with a number of people there, including an elven maid, an imperial princess and lizard men. His adventures aren’t necessarily your typical isekai fun, but fun is still the right word.
To me, this is the all time best isekai anime. I think that is about all that needs to be said, but it’s simple, it’s fun, great characters, beautiful visuals, and a nice, immersing story. If you want to get into isekai, or just anime in general, this one is one of the best possible starts.
27. Edens Zero
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
45/50 |
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 25
Anime Storyline:
Shiki Grandbell was raised on a planet with only machines on it, but one day, Rebecca, a human comes to explore the place, and the two of them end up setting out to find Mother, the mighty deity who can grant their greatest wish. However, they need powerful allies to be able to get to her. The adventure begins and there’s nothing stopping Edens Zero from reaching his ultimate goal.
If I had to choose one shounen anime to begin my career with, this would definitely be it. The story is capable of playing the chords of your soul and it’s still insanely fun all the way along.
26. Release the Spyce
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
45/50 |
Genre: Action
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Ninja Spy Girls? James Bond fashioned theme music? High rev action? Classic, cliché but still fun villains? Yes! This is Release the Spyce.
Momo, a high school girl was born with a special ability to be able to tell if someone is a good person or not by literally tasting them. She’s also keen eyed, smart and inventive, thanks to which she’s recruited by Tsukikage, a secret anti-terrorism and spy group operating from the shadows.
Becoming apprentice of the team’s leader, Momo is put into the unlucky, but still epic situation of having to save the world from a nefarious organization, who have already been able to kill the leader’s mentor and almost kill her as well. Will they be able to win in the end?
I think already the story description speaks for itself. Release the Spyce is a little unknown, but very high quality anime that deserves a lot more love. If you want an action packed series with ninjas if possible, don’t miss this one!
25. Chi’s Sweet Home
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 104
Anime Storyline:
A small kitten gets lost from their family and while bumbling around in the streets, a mother and her son find it. Although they aren’t allowed to keep pets, they adopt the kitten and give it the name Chi. The story follows the adventures of Chi and the family in their everyday lives.
Now, honestly, if you have a pet, be it a cat, a dog, or a hamster (speaking of hamsters, Hamtaro is also one I could recommend here), I’m pretty sure you’ll love this one. Animals are always a source of joy in real life and anime alike. The simplicity and adorable nature of this anime will definitely charm you in no time.
24. Restaurant to Another World
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Fantasy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
It is easily the most immersing isekai anime ever. Aletta is homeless, because she lost all of her previous jobs and homes due to being a demon. This all in spite of her being a diligent worker and not even the least bit like demons, that are falsely known.
One day, she finds a mysterious door that leads her to a strange, and unusual restaurant. The restaurant is called the Western Nekoya Restaurant, but by its regulars, it’s referred to as “The Restaurant to another world”. Aletta finds work thanks to her experience as a waitress and later on even finds a regular job and a home with one of their regular customers.
A gastro anime that is also isekai? Yes. The door of the Nekoya restaurant opens to a beautiful fairy tale world every single Saturday. Simply marvelously beautiful in all possible ways, and the fantasy world is introduced in intricate detail whenever needed. All the characters are very much human, and each of them is a unique new world of their own. Do not miss the chance to watch it!
23. Monster Rancher
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 48
Anime Storyline:
If I said the anime was based on a video game series about monsters that can talk, and fight for life or death to save their world from an unspeakable evil, what do you think the title would be?
Yes, most people probably think of Digimon, but in truth, Monster Rancher is probably an even better example. Genki, a kid with rollerblades, ends up transported into the world of his favorite game and here, gathering a team of very unique individuals in monster bodies, he fights the evil forces of Mo. This is all in hopes of finding the legendary Phoenix, who could save the world.
I could’ve suggested Digimon or Pokémon instead, but here’s the catch. Monster rancher has higher quality in basically every aspect possible. It has an excellent cast of characters, insanely action packed story, beautifully animated, and grandiose music to boot. (and here I mean the original Japanese, not the English dub.) I could say it’s a must see, but I’ll just say, watch it, and you’ll see why I love it so much myself.
22. Zombieland Saga
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
10/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Episodes: 12 Per Season
Anime Storyline:
If you die, you’re dead. But what if you’re revived for a grand purpose later on? Take Sakura for example who dreamed about becoming an Idol, but died the day she wanted to apply to become one. She’s revived ten years later as a zombie and along with a team of others, she’s tasked with becoming idols and saving the Saga prefecture.
There’s hardly any other idol anime that is as funny and still very thoughtful as Zombieland Saga. If you want to get into this kind of fun, or just want to enjoy the music, dip in!
21. ReLife
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
Episodes: 13
Anime Storyline:
What if you were offered to remake your entire life? If you could redo your studies, make friends where you couldn’t and even find a great job afterwards that will surely be better than the one you currently have?
Arata, our main character, receives this very opportunity and he goes back to high school. Thanks to his experience in life, he not only manages to redo a lot of things he did wrong in life before, but also manages to help others with their problems at the same time, while also successfully falling in love for the first time.
A beautiful and unique romantic anime, ReLife takes a lot of liberties with the theme itself, but it’s also important to note that it’s still a great way of getting into this style of anime and due to its unique concept, it’s also an interesting take on this genre in general. I personally loved it, and the OVA just makes it even better.
20. Dimension W
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
46/50 |
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
In a world where everything is driven by electric power, a mercenary and private investigator of sorts, Kyouma Mabuchi works with old fashioned, manual weapons and drives a petrol powered car. He has a reason to, and as a so called numbers collector he fights elements of the underworld.
On the other side of the table, we have New Tesla Energy, a corporation who invented a way of using the unlimited power of the fourth physical dimension, Dimension W, as a source of unlimited power. Utilizing the New Tesla Coils, they create perpetual power sources.
One day, during a job he took on, Kyouma comes across an Android girl named Mira Yurizaki, who was created by Professor Yurizaki, wife to a brilliant scientist working with the legendary Numbered Coils and creator of the so called Genesis Coil that can give life to anything. The two of them are forced to form an unlikely alliance.
If you’re into the cyberpunk theme, I believe Dimension W is the type of anime you’re looking for to warm you up for it. It has a strong story, excellent characters with some heartbreaking backgrounds, an epic world, grandiose action and great interactions between our two main heroes.
19. Super Cub
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18/20 |
10/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Cute girls doing cute things, it never gets old. The beauty of this story is that our main heroine is your average high school student. She rides to school every day on her bike, but one day she gets fed up with it all and decides to buy a moped. However she can only afford one, and that is the legendary Honda Super Cub.
This wonderful little motorcycle is one of the most important and useful little tools in the center of the story. Thanks to this, our main character makes new friends and finds something to look forward to every day.
From going to school every day all the way to traveling halfway across the country to see the cherry blossoms blooming for the first time of the year, the super cub goes beyond all the limits imaginable. By the end of it all, our three adorable heroines all ride everywhere on their Super Cubs.
Why would I suggest that, you have a look at this anime? Well, the Super Cub is a legend among automotive fans. Think of a small, seemingly fragile little moped, one which you can drop from the top of a six storey building and it will still be able to start up and run. In a sense, the anime is a tribute to this, and the fact that it has such a simple premise and the cute heroines make it a wonderful first taste of the anime world.
18. Arte
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18/20 |
10/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Cute girls doing cute things, it never gets old. The beauty of this story is that our main heroine is your average high school student. She rides to school every day on her bike, but one day she gets fed up with it all and decides to buy a moped. However she can only afford one, and that is the legendary Honda Super Cub.
This wonderful little motorcycle is one of the most important and useful little tools in the center of the story. Thanks to this, our main character makes new friends and finds something to look forward to every day.
From going to school every day all the way to traveling halfway across the country to see the cherry blossoms blooming for the first time of the year, the super cub goes beyond all the limits imaginable. By the end of it all, our three adorable heroines all ride everywhere on their Super Cubs.
Why would I suggest that, you have a look at this anime? Well, the Super Cub is a legend among automotive fans. Think of a small, seemingly fragile little moped, one which you can drop from the top of a six storey building and it will still be able to start up and run. In a sense, the anime is a tribute to this, and the fact that it has such a simple premise and the cute heroines make it a wonderful first taste of the anime world.
17. Tamako Market/Tamako Love Story
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
A Picture perfect example of Kyoto Animation’s cute and very strong creations. Tamako Kitashirakawa is a cute high school girl who seems to have no worries in the world. She loves cheerleading, mochi and her childhood friend, Ouji.
However, when their graduation is nearing, she has to realize that the world is slowly passing her by, and has to realize her real feelings for her childhood best friend, who opens up to her about his own.
If for nothing, at least watch this anime for the cuteness. Kyoani’s mega high quality graphical detail is guaranteed to make you go “Aww” all the time, and the simple, but charming story will captivate you.
16. Pet Girl of Sakurasou
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
Episodes: 24
Anime Storyline:
Sorata is a high school student who has to live in a dormitory since he’s far away from home, and just accidentally meets Mashiro, a sweet girl who is a brilliant painter but also can not care for herself at all.
Sorata, although no one forces him to, takes it upon himself to become her caretaker, while also falling in love with her. And this in the middle of the delightfully strange, but loving conditions that you are greeted with when entering Sakurasou.
Another fine example of J. C. Staff‘s brilliance, with its simple, pretty straight forward story about friendship and love, Pet Girl of Sakurasou is one anime you will not regret watching.
15. Noukin – Didn’t I tell you to make my abilities average in my next life?
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
God Bless me! Mile is actually a girl reincarnated from another world, and was born with the average abilities… of a dragon. She’s powerful as a mage and as a sword fighter alike and due to her extensive knowledge and memories from her previous life, she takes her new friends on wild and funny adventures.
One isekai anime that doesn’t take itself seriously for one moment, once more an OP main heroine, and cute girls doing cute things. This I think says it all.
14. Poco’s Udon world
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
9/10 |
47/50 |
Genre: Fantasy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
The better part of the 2010’s was probably best known for its focus on family centered anime series. Great examples to this were Barakamon, Sweetness and Lightning, Flying Witch, and probably foremost, Poco’s Udon World.
Taking place in the breathtakingly beautiful lands of Kagawa, this family themed masterpiece is one of the most beautiful examples of the quality of anime this decade.
With a star studded cast, simply awe inspiring visuals, and a powerful, dramatic story, Poco’s Udon World depicts the hardest part of growing up, losing your parents, and having to stand on your own in life. Luckily enough, with friends and family like his surrounding him. Souta is one very lucky man, and this anime is an excellent way to start your career as an anime fan.
13. Sweetness and Lightning
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
48/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Inuzuka Kouhei is a high school teacher, and father to a small girl, Tsugumi. He does everything he can to make his daughter happy, but he’s missing the skill most important to raise a child happily: cooking. Sadly he lost his wife, Tsugumi’s mother, and until one day, they live off of convenience store food. That day however, they meet Kotori, a teenage girl who loves to eat a lot, but also doesn’t know how to cook. This and her will to save her mother’s restaurant from closing down, brings the three of them together and they learn cooking as a team… Or rather like a small family.
What do you get if you combine a family centered, fluffy, ever sweet, child friendly family comedy, and gastronomic pleasures? It’s called Sweetness and Lightning. The story’s point is to give us a bit of a moral story while also having fun giving something to get us hungry. Tsugumi’s adorable, adventurous nature, her father’s kindhearted, but also ever-worrying love for her, and Kotori’s sweet caring and love for both of them, makes for a great dynamic between the easily relatable main characters.
The catch of this anime is no less than that it was made for families, children, teenagers who are yet to have children, and adults who already have kids, alike. A simple, but nice story, great choices for characters, and most importantly, it draws your attention in with the food that is made every episode.
12. Null Peta
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
10/10 |
48/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
After losing her beloved sister in a tragic accident, brilliant inventor Null decides to revive her lost beloved. It kind of backfires and the robot born instead is more than a bit annoying to her. But, in spite of this, the two of them make for a wonderful dynamic duo, and at the end, a small twist is also revealed.
Unbelievably cute and beautiful, this anime is made up of 12 short episodes and each one is based around some gag. In a sense, it’s a bit like Dexter’s Laboratory (and was likely intentionally made so) but in the way cute girls doing cute things. It’s a win-win.
11. Hinamatsuri
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
48/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
One of the best Comedic anime of all time. Hina is an esper, a powerful individual with incredible mental abilities who is found by a Yakuza, who also oddly enough, has a really kind heart. Although the beginning is a little shaky and there are some awkward moments, Hina becomes more and more of a lovable and loving daughter-like figure to the one who freed her from the capsule she was in.
It’s hard to find any words that describe this anime better than simply perfect. It’s visually very satisfying, has a story that just leaves you with an aching funny bone, and has generally very well written and adorable characters. Each episode comes with a bit of a moral story to it, and will definitely keep you and your humorous side occupied.
10. Flying Witch
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20 |
10/10 |
8/10 |
10/10 |
48/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
In a world where witches actually do exist, Makoto, a witch in training, moves to the countryside to live with her cousins and their family. All kinds of fun shenanigans ensue as we get to know the magical world of witches closer, along with all the magical creatures that inhabit it, while also meeting other witches. Makoto’s little cousin, Chinatsu, applies to become an apprentice witch and the rest of the series focuses on her adorable adventures.
There really isn’t much that needs to be said about this unbelievably adorable anime series, as it’s one of the best feel good anime ever. Made by J.C. Staff, it’s safe to say we’re talking about another masterpiece. Without a doubt, everything about it makes it ideal for beginners.
9. Amagi Brilliant Park
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19/20 |
10/10 |
9.5/10 |
10/10 |
48.5/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Episodes: 13
Anime Storyline:
What would you do if the hottest girl in your school would point a gun at you and demand a date? Well, Seiya’s day couldn’t have been weirder, or at least so he thought. When going on a forced date to a run down junkyard of a fairy themed theme park, he, the former child actor star is asked to take charge of the park and make it successful once again. Although the path to that is difficult, the once decrepit theme park that’s seen better days ultimately becomes every child’s dream once again. All this, thanks to the combined efforts of every fairy working there.
Another one of Kyoto Animation‘s masterpieces, charmingly easy to get into, hilariously funny and awkward at times and of course a moral lesson of… ”All it takes is for everyone to put in a bit of effort and it will work out somehow.” Definitely worth a watch for everyone.
8. Recovery of an MMO-Junkie
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19/20 |
10/10 |
9.5/10 |
10/10 |
48.5/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 10
Anime Storyline:
Moriko Morioka is a shut-in. She’s 30 years old and works from home, but this is likely due to a deep mental scar she can’t get over. Her old favorite game was shut down and she finds the new game, Fruits de Mer, with a breathtakingly beautiful world.
Creating a male character, she meets a cute girl, Lilly, and makes friends with her, and soon they both become members of a guild of friends. Little does Moriko know that Lilly is actually owned by a young man who is connected to her past.
A beautiful modern romance anime with one of the most popular modern day themes to it, gaming. It takes place on both the planes of reality and the game, and the two beautifully intertwine. Naturally, the happy ending is guaranteed, and it’s an anime with all of its aspects well in place.
Simple, straight forward, not one bit over complicated, just perfectly balancing everything you could love about an anime like this.
7. Matoi the Sacred Slayer
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
49/50 |
Genre: Supernatural
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
A Magical Girl anime? Yes, that’s right. Matoi was born to be an exorcist, and has inherited incredible magic powers from her mother who disappeared years ago. With an attack from another dimension on the doorstep, Matoi, and her old and new found friends, need to take up arms against the invasion.
A simply marvelous masterpiece. If you want a great story, and even greater characters, with an incredible world, and make it Magical Girls, definitely go for this one, I can only highly recommend it.
6. Irozuku, The World in Colors
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19/20 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
49/50 |
Genre: Drama, Romance
Episodes: 13
Anime Storyline:
One of the most beautiful anime of all time, and in my opinion the most beautiful anime of the 2010’s, Irozuku (yes, it’s spelled Irozuku, because the word means Colorful in Japanese) is a beautiful modern fairy tale like not many others.
Hitomi Tsukishiro is always lonely. It’s not that no one cares about her, or locks her out of everything, it’s just that she is colorblind. Her colorblindness causes her to not be able to enjoy the simplest things in life, like fireworks, so she always seems sad.
Her grandmother, Kohaku, can’t take it anymore and sends her 60 years into the past, to a time when she herself was the same age as her granddaughter. Hitomi meets her extended family, meets wonderful friends and for the first time ever, falls in love. She and Kohaku in the past become like sisters, and share in all their happiness and sorrow, which just brings them even closer in both timelines.
There is a reason I chose this anime to be the top of the 2010’s. Its simplicity, the themes it uses and the charming, very human story and sheer beauty is unparalleled. For beginners who need a bit more than just a nice looking anime, this one is ideal.
5. Senryuu Girl
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20
|
10/10 |
9.5/10 |
10/10 |
49.5/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Nanako Yukishiro is a high school student who has difficulty communicating by speech, so she uses Senryuus, small, catchy poems that really nail her thoughts home. Thanks to this, and her love for senryuus in general, she finds wonderful friends and even love.
Unbelievably adorable, this anime pumps all the love and cuteness you could ask for into animated shorts. Even though it’s short, the story is talkative and was actually one of the few quality products of its season. I loved it, and I’m sure you will also adore it.
4. A Silent Voice
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20
|
10/10 |
9.5/10 |
10/10 |
49.5/50 |
Genre: Drama
Episodes: 1
Movie Storyline:
Shouya is guilty and suffering for it. He’s suffered for years now and he knows it’s his own fault. He bullied a poor deaf girl and he paid the price for it. He’s ready to make the ultimate jump to pay for his sins, but first, he wants to face the girl he hurt back then and properly apologize to her. However, when coming face to face with the girl, who’s grown up into a true beauty, something moves within them both, and the story to ultimate forgiveness paired with redemption, begins.
Talking about some really heavy subject matter, this animated masterpiece takes no prisoners while presenting you with a powerful drama that borrows from very real life issues. Our two main characters go through a lot, before realizing the importance of their own lives, and their feelings for each other.
Kyoto Animation are famous for their pinpoint accurate adaptations and A Silent Voice is no exception from that either. The depiction of the drama, the suffering of both main characters and the visual presentation of one of the most beautiful acts of heroism, saving the life of the girl you’ve fallen in love with, is just breathtaking. It may not be the easiest entry to watch on this list, but with its focus on real life problems, it does a great job at drawing you in.
3. Tada-kun Never Falls in Love
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20
|
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
50/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Episodes: 13
Anime Storyline:
Mitsuyoshi Tada is a simple, but sympathetic young man who, much like the title says, seems to never find true love. However, when the beautiful blonde fairy called Teresa pops into his life, his entire world is flipped upside down.
Not much to really be said in this case. This is one of my all time favorite romance anime and it’s a must see for everyone. It’s funny, weird but heartfelt and beautiful.
2. Barakamon
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20
|
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
50/50 |
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
Seishuu Handa is an exceptionally talented Calligrapher, but after causing a scene and hurting a man severely, his manager and family decide he needs to learn some discipline. So, they send him to the countryside. To a secluded small fishing town where people never seem to be nervous or angry.
Handa makes friends with a bunch of local kids, starts teaching them even, and this experience is good for him as well. Ultimately he proves that he’s an even better mentor than an actual artist.
There are very few anime as adorable as this one in particular. Barakamon is one of those typical series that causes you to crave more. The lovely art, the adorable characters, the beautiful location and the simple and easygoing storytelling make it a great first entry into your list.
1. Snow White with The Red Hair
|
Beginner Friendliness |
Character Personalities |
Plot Storyline |
Animation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20/20
|
10/10 |
10/10 |
10/10 |
50/50 |
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Episodes: 12
Anime Storyline:
After a scandalous offer from the heir to the throne, heir to her grandparents’ pharmacy, Shirayuki escapes her home country, finds a new home in the neighboring country and makes friends with some strangers. One of the strangers however turns out to be the second prince of the country. The two of them together, along with the new friends she made, begin a journey to reach their dream. Shirayuki to become a doctor, prince Zen to become a prince worthy of his country, and of course they fall in love with each other.
Snow White of the Red Hair is a modern and more realistic retelling of the classic Grimm tale. Shirayuki is one of the smartest, most independent and most beautiful women in anime. Her love story with Prince Zen is what anyone would expect from a modernized masterpiece like this, and even though there are a few complications, there is always a bright side to every story. Shirayuki finds wonderful friends wherever she goes, and even though there aren’t any dwarves in this version, if you take into account all of those who help her, one could say there aren’t just seven, but at least a dozen dwarves there metaphorically.
One story that is fairly easy to understand, characters easy to relate to, a simple premise, lovely character designs… There is nothing more you could ask for from one of the all-time most beautiful romance anime.
Comment Down Below
And that is our list. Did I miss any? What series or movies would you add? Leave them in the comments below!
