10 Great Anime That Are Terrible For Beginners

Starting to watch anime can feel both thrilling and a bit daunting, as there are so many shows available. Over time, the animation styles, common themes, and popular shows have all evolved. That means well-known, older series that often get recommended might not immediately grab someone new to anime. These shows aren’t bad at all-many are even considered masterpieces and are beloved by fans worldwide. However, they often assume you already understand certain anime conventions, or they may differ significantly from the original stories they’re based on. Other factors could include how long the episodes are, the art style, and sometimes, how complicated the story is.

Many shows run for years, and committing to such lengthy series with familiar storylines isn’t for everyone. That’s why it’s often a good idea to begin with shorter anime, whether they’re well-known or hidden gems. If your first series isn’t a good fit, you might decide anime isn’t for you. To help avoid that, we’ve put together a list of fantastic shows that are perfect once you’re acquainted with anime.

10) Tokyo Ghoul

If you’re a fan of suspenseful, mind-bending thrillers, you might want to check out Tokyo Ghoul, especially given the great feedback on its first season. The series centers around Ken Kaneki, a typical high school student who unexpectedly becomes a ghoul – a creature that eats human flesh – following a tragic accident. As Ken battles his new, monstrous urges, he has to figure out how to hold onto his human side, even if that means living alongside the beings everyone else dreads.

However, starting with the second season, the anime diverges from the original manga, which has drawn a lot of complaints from fans. Furthermore, the animation quality doesn’t quite capture the amazing art style of the series’ creator, Sui Ishida. The decline in quality during the second season is quite a letdown, and simply watching the first season doesn’t fully do justice to this fantastic series. While the story is best experienced through the manga, even dedicated anime viewers often prefer watching over reading.

9) Fairy Tail

People tend to either love or hate Fairy Tail – there’s rarely an in-between opinion about this show. The story takes place in a magical world and centers around Lucy Heartfilia, a young wizard hoping to become a member of Fairy Tail, the most well-known guild of magicians in the land. Fortunately, she meets Natsu, a fire wizard, and his friend, Happy, a blue, talking cat, who could make her dream a reality.

Even with the debates around it, the series is built on a solid base, features compelling characters, and showcases some truly impressive abilities common in Shonen anime. However, it leans into fan service much more than many well-known Shonen series, which some viewers might not enjoy. Setting aside the fan service – though that’s hard to do – the story heavily emphasizes the power of friendship, a trope that might not resonate with those unfamiliar with the Shonen genre.

8) Gintama

The story takes place in a reimagined Japan during the Edo period, but with a twist: aliens called Amanto have taken over, effectively ending the age of the samurai. Amidst this difficult time, Gintoki Sakata makes a living by taking on various odd jobs, always armed with a wooden sword. He’s joined by Shinpachi Shimura, the son of a former samurai, Kagura, who is a member of the powerful Yato tribe originating from space, and her adorable pet, Sadaharu. Despite the jobs he chooses, Gintoki consistently finds himself in trouble.

Gintama is popular with fans of Shonen anime and manga because of its silly humor and endearing characters. But it’s also a parody that playfully references many other Shonen series, making it especially enjoyable for longtime fans who get those jokes. New viewers might find these references confusing, as they’re central to the story. A lot of the fun of Gintama comes from its affectionate nods to classic Shonen shows, so it’s best appreciated if you’re already familiar with them.

7) The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland is unfortunately another great story that suffered due to its anime adaptation. The plot centers on the orphans living at Grace Field House, a seemingly idyllic home surrounded by a forest and strong security. They are cared for by Isabella, affectionately known as “Mama,” and live as a close-knit family. However, every so often, a child is adopted, and they are never seen or heard from again.

Initially, everyone believed everything was normal, but things changed when the three eldest children at the orphanage saw something truly frightening after wandering away from the building. This series is based on a highly-regarded manga, and the first season delivers suspense, mystery, and a compelling story that excited fans. However, the show’s quality declines significantly in the second season. The second season feels rushed and deviates too much from the original manga, making it a poor adaptation of an otherwise excellent source material.

6) Fire Force

Fire Force boasts exceptionally well-developed world-building, setting it apart from many other Shonen series. The story unfolds in a world gripped by constant fear of spontaneous human combustion – a terrifying event that transforms people into fiery creatures known as Infernals. Shinra Kusakabe, a fresh face joining Special Fire Force Company 8, is determined to assist others and discover the truth behind the devastating event that claimed his family.

Even though the anime boasts a fantastic setting, a strong power system, powerful characters, and compelling personalities, it includes a lot of unnecessary fan service that feels out of place. While the story tackles serious subjects, a single instance of this fan service can abruptly change the tone, which isn’t very satisfying. This kind of content might be jarring for newcomers who aren’t familiar with anime that mixes dramatic moments with comedic or absurd elements within the same episode.

5) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is widely considered a phenomenal anime, though its intricate plot and mature themes may resonate most with dedicated anime enthusiasts. The story unfolds in a world where humanity has retreated behind massive, layered walls to protect themselves from gigantic, man-eating Titans. Everything changes when the Colossal and Armored Titans breach these walls, leading to the destruction of Eren Yeager’s home.

Along with his close friends from childhood, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, he joins the Survey Corps several years after the devastating event to battle the Titans. As the narrative unfolds, the shocking truth about the Titans and the state of the world is revealed. Although it’s categorized as a Shonen series, it’s remarkably violent and disturbing, depicting themes of genocide, war, and human suffering in a way rarely seen. Furthermore, the story takes an unexpected direction in Season 4, and the ending remains one of the most debated in anime history.

4) JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

First appearing in 1986, this beloved Shonen series by Hirohiko Araki is known for its distinctive art, dramatic conversations, and flamboyant poses-all features fans consider instantly recognizable. The story begins in 1868 and centers around George Joestar, a British aristocrat, and his son Jonathan. Jonathan finds himself owing a debt to Dario Brando, a man concealing malicious intentions. Brando is eventually taken in by the Joestar family, adopting the name Dio before beginning his scheme to destroy them.

The series currently has 9 installments, and each one introduces fresh characters, locations, and storylines. This can make it feel quite lengthy for anyone just starting to watch. Although some parts might seem slow or not very engaging, skipping them means you’ll miss important details and connections. The anime incorporates Western music, fashion, and popular culture, but it also uses a lot of familiar anime elements. It’s easy to overlook the subtle humor and satire that long-time fans really enjoy.

3) Bleach

The studio is doing a great job with the adaptation of the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, but the original anime, which has 366 episodes, isn’t as well-received. The story centers around Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see ghosts. After meeting Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper, Ichigo discovers the existence of Hollows – powerful, monstrous spirits created from the souls of dead people who couldn’t make it to the Soul Society. These Hollows are dangerous threats.

To safeguard his family, Ichigo takes Rukia’s weapon – she was too hurt to battle – and becomes a Substitute Soul Reaper, a power no ordinary human could ever possess. The slower storytelling, filler episodes, and typical animation seen in anime during the 2000s are becoming less common, as audiences now prefer shorter, seasonal anime. Furthermore, the early episodes of the anime included small but significant alterations from the original manga, which led viewers to see the female protagonist, Orihime Inoue, a little differently than the creator, Tite Kubo, intended. Also, as a well-known Shonen anime, Bleach features many of the typical story elements and power increases found in this genre. It’s a classic! Learn more about Bleach.

2) Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball manga first appeared over 40 years ago and dramatically changed the Shonen genre. The franchise has grown to include numerous sequels, spin-offs, and movies, making it hard to follow everything. Plus, the sheer amount of content means it would take a significant time commitment to get caught up. However, any fan of Shonen should experience the series at least once, as it continues to inspire manga artists even now.

The story starts with Bulma, a 16-year-old, searching for the mystical Dragon Balls hoping to wish for the perfect boyfriend. She comes across Goku, a young boy living by himself in the forest. He already has one of the seven Dragon Balls, but he won’t give it up easily. Bulma convinces him to join her adventure if he’ll let her borrow it. This marks the beginning of Goku’s path as he trains in Martial Arts and battles various dangers who seek to exploit the Dragon Balls’ power for wicked purposes.

1) One Piece

One Piece is the best-selling manga series ever, and it’s easy to see why. Few modern series create such a detailed and expansive world, filled with complex mysteries and rich history. The story centers around Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who sets out on an adventure to find the ultimate treasure and become the Pirate King. Along the way, he assembles a crew of skilled pirates, each with their own unique ambitions. The manga first appeared in 1997 and is still being released, and the anime adaptation has been airing weekly since 1999. It’s a truly epic tale!

With over 1100 episodes, it’s not shocking that the anime moves at a very slow pace. The show has been covering just one chapter of the manga per episode for quite some time, and many fans have voiced their frustration about this. Although the animation has gotten much better since the Wano Country Saga began, it doesn’t fully compensate for the slow pacing. Despite this, One Piece remains one of the greatest anime ever made, and any fan of Shonen anime will likely be captivated by the world created by Eiichiro Oda. However, the sheer length of the series – and how long it takes to complete even a single story arc – could be daunting for newcomers. It’s a huge commitment!

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/best-anime-to-binge-on-crunchyroll-october-2025/embed/#

2025-10-03 23:49