7 Worst Anime For Beginners (That Are Still Great)

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Like any hobby, anime has some starting points that aren’t very welcoming to new fans. Because there are so many anime series available, choosing a bad one as your first experience could discourage you from trying the medium again, even if you’d enjoy other shows if you gave them a chance.

It can be tough for people new to anime to get into certain shows. Some are off-putting due to excessive suggestive content or poor quality animation and storytelling. Other times, a perfectly good anime might just be structured in a way that doesn’t appeal to beginners. Of course, taste is personal, but there are definitely some anime that are harder for newcomers to enjoy.

7) Mobile Suit Gundam

In the classic anime Mobile Suit Gundam, Earth is struggling to win against the Principality of Zeon. Things start to change when Amuro Ray pilots a powerful, new robot called the Gundam, giving Earth a fighting chance. Throughout the war, Amuro grapples with his role in the conflict while facing off against Zeon’s skilled pilot, Char Aznable.

Mobile Suit Gundam is a hugely influential anime and a true classic. It fundamentally changed both the mecha genre and science fiction as a whole. However, being made in the 1970s, its animation and storytelling can feel dated to modern viewers. Because of this, it might not be the most accessible starting point for people new to anime or mecha in particular.

6) Lucky Star

Lucky Star, created by Kyoto Animation, follows the everyday lives of Konata Izumi, a laid-back anime and gaming enthusiast, and those around her. The show is primarily a comedy centered on the characters’ interactions, and it frequently includes jokes and references to popular anime from the 1990s and 2000s, especially The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Despite being a hilarious series, Lucky Star sometimes feels dated because it relies heavily on references to older anime, particularly Haruhi Suzumiya. It’s definitely one of Kyoto Animation’s best works, but if you’re not familiar with anime, a lot of the humor might not land.

5) Digimon Tamers

Digimon Tamers is the third installment in the Digimon anime series. When Takato Matsuki, a huge Digimon enthusiast, discovers his own created Digimon, Guilmon, has become real, he’s overjoyed. However, their bond quickly draws them into a large-scale conflict that will determine the future of both humans and Digimon, and neither will escape without consequences.

Digimon Tamers is a standout anime in the Digimon franchise. What sets it apart is its more mature and serious tone, and how it cleverly subverts common themes from earlier Digimon series. You can definitely enjoy it without prior knowledge, but understanding the history of Digimon will make the show even more impactful.

4) The Tatami Galaxy

I’m completely captivated by The Tatami Galaxy! It follows this guy who feels like he’s messed up his college years – he’s kind of a loner and too shy to tell this girl he likes her. The really cool thing is he keeps re-living his first two years, wondering what life would be like if he’d just chosen a different club to join. Each episode, we get to see a totally different version of his life, based on which club he picks! It’s such a clever way to explore the ‘what ifs’ of life.

Even though The Tatami Galaxy is a fantastic anime, its unusual and dreamlike style can make it difficult to get into, even for experienced anime viewers. While Masaaki Yuasa is a highly respected director, his work might not be the best starting point for someone new to anime.

3) Puella Magi Madoka Magica

In the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Madoka Kaname unexpectedly learns about magic and is offered the chance to become a magical girl, fighting against evil Witches. However, as she considers this offer, Madoka realizes that being a magical girl is far more dangerous and difficult than she imagined.

Madoka Magica is a strikingly surreal anime that boldly reimagines the magical girl genre with a darker, more complex approach. While its exceptional quality makes it highly rewarding, its challenging themes and unusual style might not make it the ideal starting point for newcomers to anime.

2) Neon Genesis Evangelion

Studio Khara’s Neon Genesis Evangelion follows Shinji Ikari, a quiet teenager who travels to the futuristic city of Tokyo-3 to reconnect with his estranged father. He’s unexpectedly thrust into the role of piloting a massive robot, an Evangelion, and tasked with defending Earth from terrifying creatures known as Angels. This intense responsibility deeply impacts Shinji’s already vulnerable emotional state.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a truly groundbreaking anime, but its complex and unusual storytelling can be challenging for new viewers. To fully appreciate it, it’s best to watch both the original series and the Rebuild of Evangelion films. Despite its difficulty, it remains a hugely influential and important anime that all fans should experience.

1) Monogatari

I’m totally hooked on the Monogatari series! It follows Koyomi Araragi, a high schooler who almost became a full vampire but still has some lingering… issues. The story really kicks off when he meets Hitagi Senjogahara, who’s dealing with a seriously strange curse – she barely weighs anything! After he helps her, he just keeps running into other girls facing unbelievable problems, and it always seems to tie back to the supernatural. It’s a wild ride!

Shaft is well-known for its anime that feature strange and dreamlike stories and imagery, and the Monogatari series is its most impressive work in this style. Each new part of the series becomes even more complex. While the clever writing and unique visuals make Monogatari a fantastic anime to watch, its complexity also makes it very difficult for newcomers to the medium to get into – it’s probably one of the most challenging anime for beginners.

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2025-11-24 20:21