5 Anime Picks To Get You Started In The Genre!

Is anime a genre you’re interested in? Did Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ live-action hook you in? Look no further as we provide top picks from ‘Attack on Titan’ to ‘One Punch Man’ to lift you off!

There is an abundance of anime to watch, so much so that it’s hard to decide where to start. That’s why we’ve prepared 5 anime’s with different genres and styles to fit every vibe you’re searching for!

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

8.3/10 IMDb | 100% Rotten Tomatoes

Set in the same universe as Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners produced by CD Projekt follows David, a young kid trying to survive in a brutal, technology-obsessed city of the future. If it’s an action-packed, science-fiction show that you’re looking for, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is the perfect show for you. Its dynamic animation and compelling narrative offers you an experience like no other. With incredible voice acting both dubbed in English and subbed in Japanese, you have the luxury of choosing how you want to experience Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Although the Cyberpunk universe is a Western concept, Studio Trigger was able to adapt a story with the help of CD Projekt, and it shows. The characters in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners not only fit perfectly within the universe, but it also feels like the universe was created around the characters. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners finds a flawless balance between anime and its Western inspiration to make you feel like you’re watching an anime while still honoring the Cyberpunk universe. The best part about all of this is that it makes you go through all of these emotions and realizations in just 10 episodes that are 20 minutes long each. In such a short time, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners can pull you in and captivate you. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an experience you simply can’t afford to pass up. You can find Cyberpunk: Edgerunners available to watch on Netflix!

One Punch Man

8.7/10 IMDb | 100% Rotten Tomatoes

If you’re feeling superheroes or an action show laced with great comedy, try One Punch Man. With a great dub and sub, One Punch Man is excellent for those who want to watch their first anime in English and for those who want to try out watching in sub. Saitama is a superhero who trained himself to be so strong he can defeat his opponents with, you guessed it, one punch. Saitama starts at the bottom of the barrel in the Hero Association despite his strength, forcing him to rise through the agency ranks. In a hilarious series of fights that remain intense, One Punch Man is a unique take on the superhero genre that keeps you entertained the whole way through. Suppose you enjoy shows like The Boys because of the deconstruction of the superhero genre mixing dark humor with heavy action, or Invincible for its comedic tones and protagonist realizing their immense strength. In that case, you need to try One Punch Man.

You would think a show about a superhero so strong that he’s bored and frustrated by the lack of difficulty in the world would be a recipe for disaster. However, One Punch Man delivers, exploring those themes of boredom and purpose while still keeping it light. The fight scenes are the One Punch Man’s most prominent quality, and the animation style allows the show to amplify each character’s power and extraordinary features. Although Saitama can solve everything in one punch, the cast can still shine in the spotlight. The characters are all memorable and contribute to the series with their unique personalities and powers. One Punch Man isn’t a long watch, either. It’s a quick 2 seasons with 12 episodes each that you can watch on Hulu!

Spy x Family

8.3/10 IMDb | 100% Rotten Tomatoes

Spy x Family is a show where two bordering nations, Westalis and Ostania, are on the brink of total war. One Westalis secret agent codenamed “Twilight” is assigned to spy on a reclusive politician in Ostania to preserve the peace. The mission requires Twilight to create a fake identity and present an image of a happy family. To do this, he adopts an orphan girl named Anya and “marries” a woman named Yor Briar. Yor doesn’t know that Twilight is a secret agent, Twilight doesn’t know that Yor is a professional assassin, and neither Twilight nor Yor knows that Anya can read minds and knows all their secrets. With all these factors creating chaos in their family, Twilight must assume the role of a perfect husband and father to carry out his mission.

If you’re a Mission Impossible or James Bond fan, Spy x Family is your choice. But while Spy x Family presents itself as an action-packed, fight-heavy show, with stealthy spy missions and sleuthing. Before you know it, you’ve fallen in love with the cast, and the comedy ends up being the part you can’t get enough of. Every moment of this show will have you smiling ear to ear with its heartwarming family dynamics, and you can’t help but root for the moments where you get to see that dynamic develop. Spy x Family is a hearty show, with a 24 episode first season, a 12 episode second season, and a 3rd season its way! You can watch Spy x Family on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and for free on Crunchyroll!

Attack on Titan

9.1/10 IMDb | 96% Rotten Tomatoes

Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy show with tons of action, mystery, and plot twists you would think were impossible. When humanity is cornered inside three circular walls by man-eating titans, Eren Jaeger makes a vow to kill all titans and save humanity after his hometown wall is breached and titans ravage the city. Using omnidirectional maneuvering gear, grappling hooks, and ultrahard steel swords to cut, Eren joins the survey corps to uncover the secrets of the origins of titans and how to exterminate them. 

If you’re looking for a brutal show with a dark narrative like Game of Thrones or a post-apocalyptic setting with constant threats like The Walking Dead, then Attack on Titan is the perfect show for you.

Attack on Titan has one of the most well-regarded English dubs in all anime, so if you’re looking to capture a show’s emotion with English translation, start here. If not, Attack on Titan is also considered by many to be one of the greatest anime of all time. When you finish all 4 seasons of this anime, you’ll question how any person was able to think of creating a story like the one you just experienced, and you’ll wish other people could replicate a story of this caliber. You can find Attack on Titan on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and for free on Crunchyroll!

Your Name

8.4/10 IMDb | 98% Rotten Tomatoes

If you’re looking for something shorter and something with an incredible English dub, try Your Name. Your Name is a 2 hour movie following two high school students, Mitsuha and Taki, who live in different areas of Japan and lead different lives. Mitsuha lives in a rural area, yearning for the excitement of a big city, while Taki lives in bustling Tokyo, working part-time at a restaurant. One day, their lives intersect when they begin to switch bodies mysteriously. As they experience each other’s lives, they develop a connection and look for one another. Your Name is filled with humor, emotional moments, and supernatural mystery, coming together to tell a heartfelt story.

If you enjoyed the concept of 13 Going on 30 or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, this movie conveys similar themes of connection, fate, and heartfelt emotion. It’s not just Your Name’s story that’s a selling point, though. The animation is incredible, every moment feels authentic, and the backgrounds are stunning. Its seamless blend of fantasy and mystery with romance and comedy makes it a must-watch for newcomers. You can watch Your Name on Amazon Prime Video and Crunchyroll.

There’s a lot of anime for you to choose from, extending even beyond this list, but we hope this was enough for you to finally take that step towards unlocking a new genre of media to enjoy!