If you're new to anime, we're here to recommend some essential anime shows you should add to the top of your 2026 watchlist. From Cowboy Bebop to Attack on Titan, these are some of the best anime series of all time, and we recommend newcomers watch them first based on approachableness and how likely you are to fall in love with anime after watching each show. We're living in the golden age of anime, as the medium is going global on a scale never seen before. With movies like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle breaking box office records and recent shows like Jujutsu Kaisen considered modern classics, the world of anime is more exciting than ever. But with new anime constantly coming out it can be tricky to know where to start. That is where we come in! Below, we've gathered the best beginner-friendly shows and have also added information on what each is similar to so you can pick out the perfect series at a glance. The criteria for being selected included length, so the likes of One Piece and Bleach's hundred-strong runs won't feature here. Ready to start? Here are the best anime for beginners. Sugoi!
