Never Watched Anime? These 5 Crunchyroll Series Are The Perfect Starting Point
Anime used to be something only your weird cousin watched after midnight on VHS, alone in the dark. But now it could be bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe combined. In fact, some reports suggest that more than a third of the world’s population (that’s around 2.88 billion people) regularly watch anime. That’s not a small niche anymore. It’s world domination.
All of that said, jumping into anime for the first time can feel a bit like walking into a comic book store and asking, “Which Batman comics should I read first?” You’re going to get 100 different answers from 100 different people, probably even some light gatekeeping, and maybe even a breakdown of Naruto’s family tree.
If you’re not sure where to start your anime journey on Crunchyroll, and you’re overwhelmed by the 1,000 seasons of sagas and confusing lore, ask yourself this: What do you normally enjoy watching on TV? If your Netflix watch history is full of crime thrillers, you should probably look for psychological anime. If you love teen drama or rom-coms, there’s a whole genre just for you. Into sci-fi like Black Mirror? There’s an anime for that. Even horror fans will find something dark and disturbing enough to make The Ring look like a Disney animated short. Genres in anime are broad and surprisingly specific. That means there’s something for everyone.
In this list, we’ve left out the usual suspects like Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Code Geass, not because they’re bad (they’re classics), but because you’ve probably already heard about them from that guy at the gym who “only watches sub.” Here’s a list of the best Crunchyroll anime to watch for noobs.
1. Attack on Titan (Action)
Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan is what happens when you throw giant flesh-eating monsters, political drama, emotional trauma, and epic fight scenes into a blender and create the perfect “ultra-violent” smoothie. This anime series follows Eren Yeager on his mission to free the Eldians from the island of Paradis. As the last of humanity, they are forced to live behind massive walls which separate them from giant, flesh-eating monsters known as Titans.
Attack on Titan will probably sit in the number one spot as the most popular anime in the world forever. And for beginners, it’s the perfect way to understand how anime can be more than just cool action scenes and over-the-top characters.
2. Erased (Supernatural/Crime)
Think True Detective meets Stranger Things—but animated and way less depressing.
This 2017 Anime Awards Winner series follows Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling artist who discovers he can send his consciousness back in time. When his mother, Sachiko, is murdered, his ability activates, sending him back 18 years to 5th grade, where he quickly realises that his story is linked to the death of a classmate named Kayo Hinazuki.
Erased is only 12 episodes long, but it’s gripping, emotional, and offers a nice break from the usual action-heavy shows that dominate the genre.
3. Horimiya (Romance)
This high school romance anime sees two final-year students form an unlikely relationship. Kyouko Hori is popular, outgoing and one of the prettiest girls at school. But Izumi Miyamura is a loner and social outcast within his class. He rarely speaks to his classmates until a turn of events finds him at Hori’s house one day after school. When their worlds collide, so does the idea of what romance looks like beyond surface appearances.
Horimiya is short, sweet and has a great conclusion.
4. Psycho-Pass (Science Fiction)
If you’re big on sci-fi and you love cyberpunk films like Blade Runner or Minority Report, Psycho-Pass could be the Crunchyroll anime binge for you. Set in the 22nd century, Japan uses the Sibyl System to scan people’s minds and predict their likelihood of committing crimes. Sounds smart until it isn’t. Akane Tsunemori, a rookie cop, starts to question her morals as she learns the truth about justice in a world where your thoughts can get you jailed.
The 3-season (22 episodes) series is dark, stylish, and full of ethical dilemmas that’ll leave you staring at your ceiling.
5. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Fantasy)
When 37-year-old Satoru Mikami dies saving a friend, he is reborn in a fantasy realm as a slime. Now called Rimuru Tempest, he’s cute, squishy, and capable of absorbing basically anything. Along his journey, he befriends a dragon called Satoru. Together they
Yes, it sounds ridiculous. But trust me, this is definitely one of the most entertaining isekai (reincarnation fantasy) anime out there.
Now you have 5 good options to start your anime journey. If you’re looking for action, Attack on Titan is your best bet. In the mood for a supernatural crime thriller? Erased should be on the top of your list. Looking for a sweet romance? Horimiya is the perfect anime for you. Need a bit of sci-fi storytelling? Psycho-Pass is the anime everyone raves about. And, lastly, if you’re looking for something completely over the top, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is a must-watch.