Anime is becoming incredibly popular worldwide, and many people are eager to start watching. But with so many series available – some quite long with multiple seasons – it can be hard to know where to begin. While classics like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto are fantastic, newcomers might prefer starting with a shorter series.
Many popular anime shows fall into the action-packed ‘battle shonen’ category, but anime offers a much wider range of genres. Recently, Comic Book highlighted 10 anime perfect for newcomers, but that’s just the beginning! There are tons of amazing series out there. We’ve put together another list of 10 fantastic, shorter anime – from futuristic adventures to sweet, everyday stories – that both new and experienced anime fans will enjoy.
10) Moonrise
I recently watched a new anime on Netflix that really stood out. It’s a sci-fi series created by WIT Studio and written by Tou Ubukata, who you might know from Psycho-Pass. Apparently, it was six years in the making! The animation is gorgeous, and the story is set in the near future where an AI network basically runs the world. It’s a pretty unsettling setup, though, because this network sends criminals and pollution to the Moon as part of a development project, which naturally creates a lot of tension and inequality down on Earth.
When a growing gap between the rich and poor sparks a war on the Moon, Jacob Shadow is pulled into the fighting. Devastated by personal loss, he enlists in the army to battle the lunar rebels, unaware he’ll soon encounter someone he thought he’d left behind.
9) Forest of Piano
I’m completely captivated by this story! It started as an award-winning manga and then became a gorgeous anime with two seasons – a total of 24 episodes. It’s about this young boy, Kai, who had a tough upbringing in a rough part of town. He finds peace by playing this old, forgotten piano in the woods, and the amazing thing is, he plays beautifully without any lessons! Then, a former piano superstar, Sosuke Ajino, discovers Kai’s natural gift and decides to mentor him. It’s a really touching coming-of-age story.
Kai isn’t alone in his musical ambitions. His classmate, Shuehei Amamiya – the son of a renowned pianist – also dreams of becoming a great pianist. Both boys face tough challenges as they compete in the demanding world of professional music.
8) B: The Beginning
This gripping psychological thriller on Netflix takes place in Cermona, a futuristic island country plagued by crime and unrest. As the nation descends into chaos, a mysterious vigilante called “Killer B” emerges, determined to eliminate criminals and leaving a distinctive “B” symbol at each crime scene.
With the vigilante remaining uncaught, the Royal Investigation Service (RIS) brings in Keith Flick, a renowned investigator, to take on the case. As Flick investigates, a mysterious boy named Koku becomes caught up in the unfolding events, and his hidden past begins to surface. Each new development reveals the darker underbelly of this advanced world, exposing secret groups, acts of terrorism, and disturbing human experiments.
7) Apocalypse Hotel
This fantastic sci-fi anime deserves more recognition. It’s a compelling watch that uniquely combines everyday life with a post-apocalyptic setting. The story takes place in 2157, long after people were forced to leave Earth because of its poisonous air. Despite the collapse of most of society, one place still thrives: the luxurious Gingarou Hotel in Tokyo.
This hotel used to be famous for its amazing service, but it hasn’t had a guest in over a hundred years. Despite this, the robot staff continues to work tirelessly, keeping everything in perfect order, even though there’s no one around to appreciate it. Yachiyo, the robot in charge, has always believed people would return, so she’s baffled when a strange visitor unexpectedly arrives.
6) Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
This popular anime series is adapted from the award-winning manga of the same name and tells a complete story across 25 episodes. Set in 15th-century Poland, it explores the difficulties faced by those challenging established beliefs about astronomy and science, which were often seen as going against the Church.
During a time when questioning the Church or studying astronomy could lead to execution, a gifted 12-year-old named Rafal was excelling in theology – the most respected field of study, focused on understanding God and religious faith. But after meeting a scholar labeled a heretic, Rafal became increasingly curious about astronomy, a forbidden subject, and unknowingly put himself in danger.
5) Barakamon
This charming and funny anime is seriously underrated, but it’s perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing break from more intense shows. It’s a heartwarming story about a famous calligrapher, Sei Handa, who moves to a peaceful island after accidentally causing trouble for an older man at an art show. The series focuses on his journey of self-discovery and redemption.
When Sei’s son unexpectedly lost his temper, his father sent him to a distant island to think about what he’d done. At first, Sei struggled with the quiet country life, but he quickly settled in with the help of kind neighbors and a spirited young girl named Naru Kotoishi. As he adjusted, he discovered a love for calligraphy and began to develop his own distinctive style.
4) Yuri!! on Ice
Even though the planned continuation of the popular anime Yuri!!! on Ice was cancelled last April, the series, which originally aired in 2016, remains incredibly popular with fans. The story centers around Yuri Katsuki, a figure skater who returns to Japan after a disappointing loss and considers quitting the sport. Back home, he spontaneously performs a routine inspired by his idol, the five-time champion Victor Nikiforov.
He never imagined someone would film him and share the video on YouTube, where it quickly became popular and caught the attention of Victor. Yuri was stunned when Victor actually came to his house and offered to coach him. Thrilled to receive an offer from his idol, Yuri began preparing for the challenging competition, determined to win the gold.
3) Eden of the East
This critically acclaimed science fiction mystery, which also features a love story, didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. The series begins after a strange terrorist attack where Japan was targeted by missiles, but miraculously, no one was hurt. This event, called “Careless Monday,” quickly faded from public memory. Three months later, Saki Morimi, a college student, travels to America for her graduation trip and meets a peculiar man named Akira Takizawa.
He doesn’t remember who he is, but he thinks he’s a terrorist and possesses a peculiar phone loaded with a huge amount of digital money. Despite these red flags, Saki becomes friends with him, and they both find themselves caught up in a deadly game as the truth about his connection to the group known as Careless Monday is revealed.
2) Kotaro Lives Alone
I’m totally captivated by this anime! It’s a really sweet story, even though there’s a touch of sadness running through it. It centers around Kotaro, this unbelievably independent four-year-old who lives all by himself in his own little apartment! It’s amazing and a little heartbreaking to watch him handle everything – cooking, cleaning, the works – all on his own because he has to. It definitely worries the people around him, like Shin, a manga artist who’s having a tough time himself, and he ends up becoming Kotaro’s caretaker. It’s just a really heartwarming and unique story!
As the story unfolds, Shin and his neighbors uncover his difficult past, revealing a deep longing for the family he never had. Through the compassion of those around him, Kotaro slowly begins to open up. The narrative explores different forms of childhood neglect and how these experiences can affect people throughout their lives.
1) Takopi’s Original Sin
Despite lasting only six episodes, the acclaimed 2025 anime series delivers a powerfully emotional and intricate psychological story. The series follows Happin, a lovable, squid-like alien who travels from his home planet to Earth, only to find himself facing unexpected danger.
Shizuka Kuze, a serious girl, rescues him from bullies and gives him the nickname Takopi, challenging him to do whatever it takes to make her smile. Learning about her difficult past, Takopi strives to understand feelings and bring joy to others, but he quickly discovers it’s not as simple as he thought.
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2026-01-05 06:42