10 Best Short Anime Series for Beginners

I’ve noticed more and more people are getting into anime lately, which is fantastic! When people think of popular anime, titles like *One Piece*, *Naruto*, and *Dragon Ball Z* usually come up first. But honestly, those shows are *huge* – hundreds of episodes long – and can be a bit intimidating if you’re just starting out. If someone’s new to anime, committing to something that takes months or even years to finish can feel like a lot. That’s why I always recommend shorter series – ones that tell a complete story in just one season. They’re a great way to dip your toes into anime without getting overwhelmed.

Many shorter anime series deliver fantastic stories with great characters and beautiful animation, all within just a handful of episodes. You can find everything from suspenseful thrillers to touching stories about growing up, meaning there’s something to enjoy no matter your taste. These 10 series are highly recommended, whether you’re a longtime anime fan or new to the medium.

10) Horimiya

Let’s start with a feel-good story that everyone can enjoy! This romantic comedy explores the idea of embracing your true self, a theme many people connect with. It centers around Kyoko Hori, a popular high school student known for her looks, grades, and kindness. But behind her perfect image, she leads a double life, secretly handling all the housework and caring for her little brother while her parents are at work, leaving her little time for friends.

A girl’s hidden secret is uncovered by a classmate who isn’t who everyone thinks he is. They bond over their shared secrets and become close, eventually developing romantic feelings for each other. As their relationship grows, we meet other characters, each dealing with their own personal challenges and complicated love lives.

9) From the New World

“From the New World” is a thought-provoking show that delves into dark and unsettling topics, making it ideal for fans of psychological mysteries with a sci-fi twist. The series is set a thousand years in the future, where humans have developed incredible psychic powers called “Cantus.” It centers around Saki Watanabe and her friends, who live in what appears to be a perfect, peaceful world.

Few people realize the disturbing secrets hidden within, secrets that have concealed humanity’s violent past for generations. A group of children accidentally uncover these truths, learning about how memories can be controlled and the dangerous consequences when someone loses control of their abilities. As Saki investigates, she begins to understand the oppressive forces at play in the world and what it truly means to be human.

8) A Lull in the Sea

I still can’t believe it’s been over ten years since this incredible series came out – it really deserves more recognition. It uses supernatural elements to tackle some tough issues, like prejudice and discrimination against anyone considered different, and it really pushes you to think about living together peacefully and understanding each other. The story takes place in a fascinating world where people used to live underwater, shielded by a special ability called Ena that let them breathe and swim freely.

It’s been a long time since humans first lived underwater, and now most people live on the surface. This has created a growing divide between those who live in the sea and those who live on land. When a school of middle schoolers living underwater faces closure due to shrinking numbers, they’re forced to attend school on the surface and struggle to adapt to a new life. But when a sudden, intense cold threatens everyone, they must learn to work together with the surface dwellers to survive.

7) Terror in Resonance

This original anime series from MAPPA is a standout psychological thriller, and the entire show can be watched in a single day. It follows two teenage boys, Nine and Twelve, who create chaos by setting off bombs under the name “Sphinx.” As the police desperately try to catch them, the boys begin posting mysterious, masked videos, challenging the authorities to stop their attacks and causing widespread panic.

Lisa Mishima, a lonely high school student dealing with her own issues, unexpectedly becomes friends with two mysterious boys and gets caught up in what they’re planning. The town is both frightened and fascinated by these boys, unaware that they’re actually survivors of a secret, unsettling experiment – and that experiment is the reason for everything happening now.

6) Summer Time Rendering

Summer Time Rendering immediately grabs your attention and promises a suspenseful story. Shinpei Ajiro spent his childhood with the Kofune family after losing his parents, but moved to Tokyo as a young adult. When one of the Kofune sisters, Ushio, unexpectedly dies, he returns home only to find himself caught up in a dangerous mystery within the quiet town.

Ushio’s death was ruled an accidental drowning, but Shinpei suspects foul play due to marks on her neck. With Mio’s assistance, he begins investigating mysterious figures called “shadows” that seem connected to her death. He soon discovers he can rewind time, triggered by his own death. Each time loop reveals more clues and uncovers the existence of shadowy doppelgängers who have infiltrated the island, disguising themselves by assuming the identities of others.

5) Kids On the Slope

This beautifully animated series from MAPPA blends heartfelt music, a tender romance, and the relatable struggles of growing up. Set during the summer of 1966, it centers on Kaoru Nishimi, a quiet and thoughtful teenager who frequently moves schools because of his father’s work. Unable to form lasting friendships, he finds solace and expression through playing classical piano.

Kaoru’s life changes after he meets Sentaro, a rebellious drummer with a real love for jazz. Sentaro spends hours practicing at a record shop owned by the family of Kaoru’s childhood friend, Ritsuko, who is also a well-liked student leader. At first, Kaoru is shy around them, but he gradually starts to make friends and even begins to feel something more than just friendship.

4) Parasyte: The Maxim

Lots of shows explore what it means to be human, but *Parasyte: The Maxim* does so with a rare combination of beauty and sadness. The story centers on a typical teenager who slowly loses his connection to his own humanity, without realizing what he’s lost. It follows his difficult journey as he tries to regain it after a life-altering event.

Seventeen-year-old Shinichi Izumi is caught in an alien invasion where worm-like creatures take control of people’s bodies. Because Shinichi was wearing headphones, the alien only managed to infect his hand, and surprisingly, the two begin to live together. Unlike the other aliens, Shinichi’s doesn’t want to destroy everything, but he’s the only one like that. Now, Shinichi has to fight against the other aliens and try to save the world.

3) Death Note

Many consider *Death Note* to be one of the greatest anime series ever made, packed with thrilling suspense and supernatural themes. The story follows Light Yagami, a brilliant student, whose life takes a dark turn when he discovers an extraordinary power. He finds a *Death Note*, intentionally dropped by a Shinigami named Ryuk, simply for his own entertainment. This notebook has a terrifying ability: anyone whose name is written within its pages will die, as long as the writer follows a few simple rules.

Initially, Light dismisses the *Death Note* as a joke, but he tests it out by writing down the name of a criminal, and to his surprise, it works. This leads him to develop a warped sense of justice, and he begins to eliminate criminals worldwide. Operating under the name “Kira,” Light instills fear and chaos, prompting the emergence of L, a remarkably intelligent detective, who vows to put an end to Kira’s killings.

2) Cowboy Bebop

I recently revisited a truly classic anime directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, and it still holds up incredibly well. It’s a unique blend of westerns and science fiction, set in a beautifully animated future. The story takes place in 2071, after humans have colonized the galaxy, but sadly, crime has spread right along with us. These new colonies are struggling with a lot of problems – murder, drugs, theft – and it’s up to bounty hunters to try and bring some order to the chaos caused by intergalactic criminals.

Cowboy Bebop centers around a team of bounty hunters traveling the solar system in their spaceship, the Bebop. They pursue criminals for rewards, but each crew member – Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein – is haunted by a mysterious past. This combination of chasing down outlaws and confronting personal demons makes their adventures exciting, risky, and truly memorable.

1) Samurai Champloo

While *Cowboy Bebop* is Shinichirō Watanabe’s most well-known work, *Samurai Champloo* is equally deserving of praise. This anime is set in a unique take on Edo-period Japan and centers on the journey of three unlikely companions. They are Fuu, an energetic waitress, and two very different samurai: the wild and unpredictable Mugen, and the stoic, skilled ronin, Jin.

I watched as they began their search for a mysterious samurai from Fuu’s past. Their only clue? He supposedly smells like sunflowers. It was a dangerous journey, but I had a feeling that if they worked together, they could overcome anything.

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2025-09-24 02:14