With the ever-growing popularity of the anime industry, an increasing number of people are developing an interest in the medium. When you think about what’s popular, some of the Shonen classics, including One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball Z, first come to mind. However, these long-running series can be overwhelming to new audiences, especially when they span hundreds of episodes. For someone just being introduced to the world of anime, committing to such lengthy stories can be daunting. This is why it’s better to start with shorter anime series that conclude the story in just one season, making them perfect for beginners who want to give the world of anime a try without feeling overwhelmed by months or even years of content.
Not to mention that even a lot of short series have compelling stories with well-written characters and stellar animation, all wrapped up in just a few episodes. From thought-provoking psychological thrillers to heartfelt coming-of-age stories, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re an avid anime enthusiast or just starting your anime journey, these 10 series are a must-watch for everyone.
10) Horimia
We are starting our list with something heartwarming and suitable for everyone. This romantic comedy is all about hiding your true self and accepting that part of yourself, which a lot of viewers can resonate with. The story follows Kyoko Hori, a high school girl popular in her grade for her good looks, top grades, and friendly personality. However, she never hangs out with her friends because she has to take care of the house and her younger brother when her parents are at work.
Her secret is discovered by her classmate, who also appears to be significantly different from how he presents himself at school. Finding comfort in knowing each other’s secrets, the two start to spend more and more time together until their not-so-ordinary friendship develops into something more. As the story progresses, we meet more characters, who each struggle with their issues as well as their love lives.
9) From the New World
From the New World is kind of controversial for its dark and disturbing themes, but if you’re someone who enjoys psychological mystery with a touch of sci-fi elements, then this is the perfect show for you. Set about a thousand years into the future, humanity has evolved and has learned to wield powerful psychic abilities known as “Cantus.” The story follows Saki Watanabe and her group of friends who live in a seemingly peaceful, utopian society.
However, not many know about the dark truth lurking there, hiding humanity’s violent history for centuries. The group of children stumble across the truth and learn about the manipulation of memories as well as the price humanity has to pay if even one person loses control of their powers. Saki’s journey unravels the truth one by one, questioning the oppressive systems in the world as well as what it means to be human.
8) A Lull in the Sea
It’s been over a decade since this masterpiece was released, and it was forgotten too soon. Using supernatural themes, the series challenges deep-seated hatred and discrimination against people who are not considered “ordinary,” exploring themes of coexistence and mutual understanding. The story is set in a world where humans once lived beneath the ocean, protected by a gift called Ena that allowed them to breathe and swim underwater.
However, that was a long, long time ago, and now most of humanity has settled on the surface, while a minority of them continue to live under the sea. As a result, the rift between the sea-dwellers and surface dwellers only continues to grow. A group of middle school sea-dwellers is forced to attend school on the surface when their own school closes due to a declining sea population, as they struggle to adjust to life on land. However, when a freezing calamity happens, they must find a way to coexist with the surface dwellers.
7) Terror in Resonance
This MAPPA original is one of the best psychological anime shows ever, and you can watch it all in just one day. The story begins with two teenage boys, Nine and Twelve, orchestrating a series of bombings under the alias “Sphinx,” causing chaos and public disorder. The police run around frantically to catch the perpetrators, but to no avail. However, one day, the boys decide to upload cryptic videos as they wear masks and challenge the police to prevent further bombings, causing mass panic.
Amid the chaos, Lisa Mishima, a high school girl with no friends and her own troubles, befriends the boys and gets entangled in their plans. While the public fears the pair of boys and is curious about their identity, no one knows that they are survivors of a covert and disturbing experiment that’s directly connected to their present actions.
6) Summer Time Rendering
Summer Time Rendering is one of those series that gets you hooked from the first episode, and you just know you’re in for a thrilling ride. After the death of his parents, Shinpei Ajiro lived with the Kofune family and their two daughters, Mio and Ushio, for several years before leaving for Tokyo. However, Ushio’s sudden death brings him back to his homeland, not knowing he will get embroiled in something dangerous lurking in the seemingly peaceful town.
Ushio’s death is declared accidental drowning, but the marks on her neck tell another story. With Mio’s help, Shinpei tries to investigate the “shadows” that appear to have something to do with Ushio’s death. However, before long, he discovers his ability to time loop, which is triggered by his death. With each loop, he uncovers more secrets as well as the shadowy doppelgängers that have been on the island for a long time, blending with people by taking over others’ identities.
5) Kids On the Slope
This hidden gem by MAPPA has music, romance, and coming-of-age themes that will strike a chord with your heart. The story is set in the summer of 1966, following Kaoru Nishimi, an introverted teenager from a wealthy family who keeps transferring schools due to his father’s job. This leaves him unable to make friends, so he pours his heart into classical piano.
However, his life turns around when he meets Sentaro Kawabuchi, a delinquent drummer who has an admirable passion for jazz. He spends most of his time practicing music at a record shop owned by the family of Ritsuko Mukae, his childhood friend and a popular class representative. Initially hesitant to mingle with them, Kaoru slowly opens up as he discovers not only friendship for the first time but also the stirrings of something more.
4) Parasyte: The Maxim
Many series question humanity and what it means to be human, but few do it as beautifully yet heartbreakingly as Parasyte: The Maxim. The story is about an ordinary teenage boy who lost his humanity without even knowing what was missing from him. The journey begins with his life-changing incident and then continues to showcase the struggles he went through to reclaim what he had lost.
Shinichi Izumi, a seventeen-year-old high school student, falls victim to the worldwide alien invasion, where worm-like alien parasites take over human bodies and live among them. Since Shinichi was wearing headphones, the alien ended up infecting his right hand, and the two somehow learn to coexist. However, while Shinichi’s alien doesn’t crave mindless destruction, the same can’t be said about the others. Left with no other choice, Shinichi must confront the threats in front of him and find a way to save humanity.
3) Death Note
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Death Note is one of the best series in anime history, filled with thriller, suspense, and supernatural elements. The story centers around Light Yagami, a genius high school student, who becomes twisted after tasting the kind of power no one could’ve found out about. He picked up a Death Note that Ryuk, a Shinigami, dropped on purpose for his own amusement. The notebook claims to take the life of a person whose name is written on it if the user fulfills certain conditions, which are quite easy to follow.
Although Light believes that the Death Note is nothing but a prank, he still decides to experiment with it by using a felon’s name and succeeds in killing him. It doesn’t take long for the teenager to form his own distorted sense of justice and decide to purge the world of all criminals. Going under the alias “Kira,” Light evokes fear and unrest among the people until a mysterious, yet brilliant detective known as L, swears to stop Kira’s rampage.
2) Cowboy Bebop
Second on our list is this timeless classic by renowned director Shinichirō Watanabe, with a genre-blending space western aesthetic and gorgeous animation that was way ahead of its time. The story is set in 2071, a time when humanity has spread across the galaxy, and unfortunately, crime seems to follow them wherever they go. These societies are relatively new and exist in an era of unrest, plagued by murder, substance abuse, and theft at the hands of intergalactic outlaws, who can only be stopped by space bounty hunters.
The story follows a crew of space bounty hunters aboard the spaceship Bebop, which they use to chase criminals across the Solar System and collect the prize money. The members, Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein, each carry their own shadows and secrets, making their journey across the stars as thrilling, dangerous, and unforgettable.
1) Samurai Champloo
Although Cowboy Bebop is more globally famous and regarded as one of Shinichirō Watanabe’s works, Samurai Champloo also deserves just as much attention. Set in an alternate version of Edo-period Japan, the story follows three companions on a journey across the country, who couldn’t be more different from one another. A spirited young waitress, Fuu, calls upon the help of two samurai: Mugen, an unconventional swordsman, and Jin, a calm and disciplined ronin.
Together, they set out on a quest to find the mysterious samurai from Fuu’s past, and the only lead they have is that he smells of sunflowers. While the journey itself is dangerous, the three can achieve anything as long as they put their minds to it.
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