Anime is now a global phenomenon, with thousands of series providing stories that appeal to everyone. Whether you haven’t yet watched anime or are a longtime fan, there is something for everyone here in this list of some of the best anime to watch with ratings, IMDb ratings, and pretty straightforward pros and cons to help you decide what to watch next.
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9 Anime That Newcomers and Longtime Fans Will Love
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Rating: ★★★★★ (9.7/10)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
The series follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy to bring their mother back to life. The experiment goes awry, and the brothers must now travel the world in hopes of finding a way to save what they have lost.
Strong Points:
– Great character development and emotional depth.
– Amazing world-building and action.
– Combines humor and drama in a perfect balance.
Weak Points:
– It seems to drag out at the beginning for some viewers.
– Some darker themes might be intense for beginners.
2. Attack on Titan
Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.9/10)
Genre: Action, Mystery, Horror, Fantasy
In a world where giant creatures called Titans are menaced by humans, a young man named Eren Yeager fights against the odds after a Titan destroys his hometown. It’s known for its unnerving turns and gruesome fights.
Strong Points:
– Packed with action and unexpected twists
– Complex characters and political themes.
– High-quality animation.
Weak Points:
– The plot can be confusing due to its many different story arcs.
– The violence can be overwhelming for some viewers.
3. Naruto / Naruto Shippuden
Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.3/10)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Naruto (Uzumaki) is a young ninja hoping to become the strongest ninja and become Hokage. He walks through the story as he grows up, fights his way through difficulty, and makes some great friends.
Strong Points:
– Strong character growth and emotional moments.
– A huge, immersive world full of unique ninja techniques.
– Exciting action scenes.
Weak Points:
– Because of some of the filler episodes, the story can get really long.
– Not as heavily explored for certain character arcs
4. Death Note
Rating: ★★★★★ (9.0/10)
Genre: Psychological, Thriller, Supernatural
Light Yagami is a smart student who finds a notebook that gives him the powers of killing anyone just by writing whoever wrote his/her name and place. He uses it to try to create utopian worlds by killing criminals, whereas he has to put up with a genius detective named L.
Strong Points:
– The high-stakes mind games followed by a cat-and-mouse chase between Light and L.
– Deep focus on justice and morality.
– Very suspenseful and tension-filled all throughout the series.
Weak Points:
– The end begins to slow down.
– A certain group doesn’t like the ending of the anime series.
– It’s more focused on dialogues than action.
5. My Hero Academia
Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
Genre: Action, Superhero, Drama
In a society where nearly all people have some sort of superpower, or “”quirk,”” Izuku Midoriya was born without any. But he still has a hope to be a real hero like his idol, All Might. The anime follows a young boy’s journey from being as normal as it gets to a hero in training.
Strong Points:
– Very motivating story of resolve and heroism.
– Fun and exciting battles.
– Good character development, especially from the not-so-main characters.
Weak Points:
– Some storyline elements appear predictable.
– The pacing seems uneven on some episodes.
– Not all characters receive sufficient screen time.
6. One Piece
Rating: ★★★★★ (8.8/10)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy
Monkey D. Luffy and his band of pirate crew voyaged across the world in their quest to uncover the legendary treasure known as One Piece. Meanwhile, they are getting introduced to the original cast characters, fighting powerful enemies, and uncovering deep secrets.
Strong Points:
– Wonderful worldbuilding and creative characters.
– Very well-placed combination of humor, action, and emotion.
– Very deep with a rich history and backstory.
Weak Points:
– This one goes on a bit, as there are more than a thousand episodes, and it can get kind of boring.
– A few curves in the story seem repetitive.
– Flow interrupted by the filler episodes.
7. Spirited Away
Rating: ★★★★★ (8.6/10)
Genre: Fantasy Adventure Drama
Chihiro and her parents are sucked into entering a magical world of spirits while Chihiro takes a job in a bathhouse run by a freak witch so that she can save her parents and figure out a way out. Beautiful film, Oscar winner, Best Animated Feature.
Strong Points:
– Breathtaking imagery ticked off by brilliant animated fantasy.
– A fantastical, whimsical world fun for all ages.
Pros:
– Beautifully crafted tale of growth and determination.
Weak Points:
– Some subjects may be too hard for younger viewers to understand.
– Some cultural references can be lost on foreign audiences.
8. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
Genres: Fiction, Psychological, Drama
Shinji Ikari is made to pilot a giant robot to fight against mysterious creatures called Angels. This anime deals with some weighty psychological and philosophical themes as Shinji deals with his own demons.
Strong Points:
– Boardrooms of intelligent discourse and deep narrative
– Complex characters with weighty amounts of emotional turmoil.
– A radical show in its time with revolutionary animation.
Weak Points:
– The story goes way overboard—if you’re a complete beginner, the whole plot will seem too complex to follow.
– Ending does not satisfy many viewers.
– Just as with depressing shows, the narrative does touch on beautiful yet tragic ideas.
9. Sword Art Online
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (7.7/10)
Genres: Action, Adventure, Romance, Science Fiction
In a virtual MMORPG world, the players find themselves trapped in the game and have to fight their way out. A veteran player, Kirito, defends his friends while leading a quest to solve the mystery involved.
Strong Points::
– A concoction blending action and virtual reality.
– Very engaging and fast-paced during the recollections of the battles and touching emotions.
– Great animation
Weak Points:
– A couple of redundant slow arcs along the timeline in certain discourses of the story.
– Fortunately, in certain story settings, weaker character developments are overlooked.
– The pacing in certain seasons might feel superfluous.
Conclusion:
The series here is a heterogeneous collection from action adventure to psychological drama, heartwarming stories to epic battles, deep philosophical themes, and something for everyone on this list.
These are truly eye-candy shows in every sense of the word—thanks to their compelling character growth and intriguing worlds. Watch these epic shows and discover the epicness that marked them.