Starting anime can feel like walking into a party where everyone already knows each other. There are thousands of shows, some with hundreds of episodes, and every fan has a different "you HAVE to watch this".
The good news: you don't need to know anything to start. The best anime for beginners are complete or easy-to-follow shows with strong stories, such as Demon Slayer, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Spy x Family and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
We've picked 10 shows that welcome newcomers, cover different tastes, and won't ask you to commit to 1,000 episodes on day one. Each one has a "best for" note so you can pick the right first show for you.
How to choose your first anime
A few quick tips before you dive in:
- Start short. Shows of 12 to 64 episodes let you finish a story and see if anime is for you.
- Pick your genre, not the hype. If you love crime dramas, start with Death Note. If you love comedies, start with Spy x Family.
- Give it three episodes. Many anime take a couple of episodes to find their feet.
- Sub or dub is your call. There's no wrong way to watch. We explain the difference in Sub vs Dub: How to Pick.
1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Best for: action fans who want jaw-dropping animation.
After demons kill his family and turn his sister Nezuko into one, Tanjiro Kamado becomes a demon slayer to save her. Studio ufotable's animation is some of the best in the medium, and the story is simple, emotional and fast.
Demon Slayer is a great "gateway" anime because the story is easy to follow and the fights look incredible. The story continues in cinemas with the Infinity Castle film trilogy.
2. Death Note
Best for: fans of crime thrillers and mind games.
A student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, and a genius detective sets out to catch him. It's a cat-and-mouse thriller that feels closer to a prestige TV drama than a cartoon.
At 37 episodes, it's a complete story you can finish in a couple of weeks.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Best for: viewers who want one perfect complete story.
Two brothers use alchemy to try to bring their mother back and lose far more than they bargained for. Their search to fix their mistake uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the top of their country.
It's 64 episodes, with action, comedy, heartbreak and one of the best endings in anime. Many fans call it the best anime ever made.
4. Spy x Family
Best for: comedy lovers and anyone watching with family.
A spy needs a fake family for a mission. He adopts a girl who can secretly read minds and marries a woman who is secretly an assassin. Nobody knows anyone else's secret, except the kid.
Spy x Family has been airing since 2022 and is one of the most purely fun anime around. Episodes are light and self-contained, so it's easy to dip in and out.
5. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Best for: fans of fantasy, and anyone who loves a slow, emotional story.
Most fantasy stories end when the hero beats the Demon King. Frieren starts there. Frieren is an elf mage who outlives her old party, and her new journey is about understanding the people she didn't take the time to know.
It's gentle, beautiful and deeply moving. The second season arrived in January 2026, and a third has been announced for October 2027.
6. Attack on Titan
Best for: viewers who want a huge, twisting story.
Humanity lives behind giant walls to hide from man-eating Titans, until the walls are breached. What starts as a survival story becomes one of the most ambitious plots in anime.
The series is complete (it ended in November 2023), so you can binge it from start to finish. When you're done, here's what to watch after Attack on Titan.
7. The Apothecary Diaries
Best for: mystery fans and anyone who loves a sharp main character.
Maomao, a young apothecary, is kidnapped and sold into service in the imperial palace, where she solves poisonings and mysteries with her medical knowledge. It's clever, funny and often surprisingly romantic.
It's also perfectly timed: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 premiered on 2 October 2026, so you can catch up on the first two seasons and join the conversation.
8. Haikyu!!
Best for: anyone who thinks they don't like sports anime.
Shoyo Hinata is short, but he's determined to become a volleyball star. Haikyu!! is about teamwork, rivalry and the joy of getting better at something, and it's one of the most uplifting shows in anime.
You don't need to know anything about volleyball. By episode five, you'll care about every serve.
9. One Punch Man
Best for: action fans with a sense of humour.
Saitama trained so hard he can defeat any enemy with a single punch, and now he's bored. One Punch Man is a parody of superhero stories that also has some of the best fight animation of the 2010s, especially in its first season.
It's short, funny and a great way to learn the anime tropes it's poking fun at.
10. Solo Leveling
Best for: gamers and fans of power fantasies.
In a world where portals spawn monsters, Sung Jinwoo is the weakest hunter alive, until a mysterious system starts giving him quests and letting him level up. Solo Leveling is pure momentum: every episode, he gets stronger.
Two seasons have aired (2024 and 2025), with a third yet to be dated, so it's easy to catch up.
Long-runners to try once you're hooked
Some of the most loved anime are very long. They're worth it, but they're not ideal first shows:
| Show | Why wait | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| One Piece | Over 1,150 episodes and counting | Our best One Piece arcs guide |
| Naruto | 220 episodes plus 500 in Shippuden | Our strongest Naruto characters ranking |
| Dragon Ball | Several series and films | Our Dragon Ball watch order guide |
Frequently asked questions
What anime should I watch first?
Demon Slayer, Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are the most common recommendations for a first anime. They're easy to follow, well animated and have strong stories.
What is the easiest anime to get into?
Spy x Family is one of the easiest anime to get into. Episodes are light, funny and mostly self-contained, so there's no pressure.
Should I watch anime subbed or dubbed?
Either is fine. Subtitles keep the original Japanese performances, while dubs let you watch without reading. Many fans switch depending on the show.
Is One Piece good for beginners?
One Piece is a great story, but its length makes it a big first commitment. Start with a shorter show, then come back to it.
Where can I watch anime in Australia?
Most major anime are available on streaming services such as Crunchyroll and Netflix, but the shows on each service change, so check what's available in your app.
Welcome to the State
Every fan was a beginner once. When you find the show that hooks you, wear it with pride: browse our Official Collection, including the Demon Slayer collection and the Attack on Titan collection. Then come back and tell us what your first anime was.
Featured image: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End official key visual © Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe / Shogakukan, Frieren Production Committee, via the Frieren official site.