There are so many streaming platforms out there, each with their own shows to watch. Whether it’s an HBO subscription or maybe a Netflix subscription, every site seems to have something new. But today, I’m not going to talk about new live-action films or television. No, I’m going to talk about anime, one of my favorite genres.
There are so many different kinds of anime out there, which might be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Do you want something lighthearted? Something extremely dark and serious? How about a comedy? Well, look no further, because here are five classic anime that you can check out that will most certainly turn you into a fan.
For the lighthearted souls: Pokémon
Pika-pika!
Source: OLM
Yes, you better believe I am going to put Pokémon here.
Look, believe what you want, but at its core, Pokémon is an anime series. Yes, it was a trading card game and then a video game franchise, but when did the first episode of Pokémon air and then come over to the Western world? It was all over. The world fell in love with Pikachu, the first three starters, and so many more Pokémon. Now, it’s time for you to do so.
If you don’t know the premise of Pokémon, the main series follows Ash, a ten-year-old who sets out to become a Pokémon Champion and catch all the Pokémon there are out there (hence “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”). Along the way, he makes friends, takes on challenges, and learns lessons, all with his best Pokémon, Pikachu.
There’s a reason I put this as the safe choice—because it really is, a completely wholesome anime that doesn’t have any intense dark episodes or moments that might make you turn away from it.
Pokémon
Release Date
1997 – 2023
Network
TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
Directors
Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
For the slow-burn drama lovers: Violet Evergarden
You are going to cry
Credit: Kyoto Animation
Violet Evergarden doesn’t seem like an anime that would capture you at first, but by golly, this show changed me.
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Ports
HDMI, Optical, Ethernet
The anime follows the story of the titular character, Violet, a former child soldier raised as a weapon. But when she is no longer a soldier, she tries to understand what love truly is and the human experience by working at a postal company and ghostwriting heartfelt letters that teach her about life.
I know. That premise, in and of itself, is gut-wrenching. But watching Violet’s slow progression over the course of a few seasons makes it even better, and it’s one of those shows that just sit with you for hours on end after you finish it.
Violet Evergarden
Release Date
2018 – 2018
Directors
Taichi Ishidate, Haruka Fujita
Writers
Reiko Yoshida, Tatsuhiko Urahata, Taaki Suzuki
For the long-haulers: One Piece
Prepare to lock in
Credit: Toei Animation
Hey, I never said every anime on here would be super short.
Look, this might be crazy, but if you’re looking for an anime to stick with and commit to, then I have to suggest One Piece.
If you haven’t heard of One Piece, all you need to know is this – it primarily follows Monkey D. Luffy, with the power of rubber limbs, makes it his goal to assemble his own crew of pirates to search for the ‘One Piece,’ a legendary piece of treasure that, if found, will make that person the King of the Pirates.
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The anime, based on the manga of the same name, has been running almost as long as I’ve been alive. So yes, there are many, many episodes. 1000+, to be exact.
But to be honest, One Piece is one of those shows where you can kind of put it on in the background as you’re doing things like cooking or cleaning (as long as you have the dub on) and still capture everything that is going on. It’s also a series that you can easily sit down and binge it for hours.
Either way, you will fall in love with Luffy, who he is as a person, and the friends he makes along the way with his fellow Straw Hat Pirates.
One Piece
Release Date
October 20, 1999
Network
Fuji TV
Directors
Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
For the superhero lovers: Sailor Moon
Powers unlike anything else
Credit: Toei Animation
If you’re like me, and you’re rewatching all the Marvel movies before Avengers: Doomsday, then maybe you’re searching for a superhero anime. Sailor Moon is the best one to recommend.
Based on the manga of the same name, Sailor Moon follows a teenager who discovers she is destined to become a Sailor Moon, a powerful being capable of protecting the world from evil forces. With the help of new friends, new powers, and more, they take on dark villains in order to keep civilians safe.
With five seasons, I’d say it’s also a great pick for those who want something lighthearted. But since it focuses on powers, I would say you should at least be somewhat interested in superheroes to enjoy it. Either way, you’ll love Usagi (the main teenager) and what she gets up to. It’s wholesome, teaches great lessons, and is a fun time all around.
Sailor Moon
Release Date
1992 – 1997
Network
tv asahi
Directors
Takao Yoshizawa, Harume Kosaka, Kazuhisa Takenouchi
For someone who wants something dark: Attack on Titan
You are never going to be the same
Credit: Wit Studio
I feel like recommending Attack on Titan to someone who has never watched anime is like recommending Breaking Bad to someone who has never seen a drama. Once you watch peak, you can’t really go back.
But, oh well, here we go.
Attack on Titan is a dark anime set in a world where humanity’s sole survivors live behind three massive stone walls, while the outside world is overrun by giant humanoid Titans. The Scout Regiment, a branch of the military, is the sole group responsible for journeying outside the walls to take down the Titans and explore the open world.
Primarily, we follow the series through protagonist Eren Yeager and his quest to kill all the Titans. But things turn very dark very quickly. I will say, if you want dark, this series is that. But trust me, you will NEVER be the same afterward. You will NEVER know what is going on. And you WILL want to rewatch this over and over again to find hints of the plot. You have been warned.
Oh, and maybe keep the kids away.
There are truly so many great anime shows out there, but these are just some of my favorites. And I would highly suggest watching literally any of them – you won’t regret it. And many of them are available online, whether through Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime channels, and more.
Subscription with ads
No, all ad-free
Simultaneous streams
1, 4, or 6
Live TV
No
Price
Starting at $8/month
With the world’s largest library of anime, Crunchyroll is the obvious choice for fans of Japanese animation, as well as other areas of Japanese and Asian pop culture that go along with it.
Subscription with ads
Yes, via Prime membership or $9/month
Simultaneous streams
3
Live TV
No
Price
Included with Amazon Prime subscription ($15/month or $139/year) or $9/month standalone
Prime Video has a large volume of content to watch. The other Amazon perks are a bonus as well.
