The massive popularity of anime might be a shock to some. However, anime has been grabbing the attention of many viewers for a long time now, for decades before its gradual rise in the West (arguably due to Adult Swim and Toonami on Cartoon Network). There is no specific age limit for watching anime, hence we see a growing anime fan-base with no demographic restrictions, with almost every newcomer getting caught up in this unique form of cartoons.

Anime makes the impossible possible and turns fantasies into attention-grabbing and exciting stories. From ninjas who can perform some unbelievable jutsus to pirate adventures and some bizarre monsters, animes have some spectacular stories and characters that are often far, far removed from actual reality. As the world gets bleaker and people become more hopeless, audiences have increasingly turned to fantasy — be it superhero movies, sci-fi or horror TV shows, or even period dramas, which tacitly admit that it's easier to look backward in the past than imagine any possible future. All these things provide an escape from the horrible present moment, and anime is more conducive to this escapism than arguably any other visual medium. The concept of cartoons for adults is simply comforting.

Updated October 14th, 2022: If you want to check out anime but are not sure where to start, or are even just a fan of the classics and want to see how they rank here, take a look at these great anime series that are perfect for newcomers.

It is no surprise that the demand for animes keep on increasing. The stories, regardless of how long they are (and some have hundreds of episodes), always capture the hearts of viewers when animes are done well. What is quite fascinating about this genre of cartoons is that there is always something for everybody; it is not solely focused on Japanese culture, nor is it only meant for teenagers, kids, or adults alone.

Anime movies of all kinds have become incredibly acclaimed (thanks in no small part to Studio Ghibli and their films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke), but great animes also include series that have been inspired by different other genres, societies, and cultures, some of which have been able to influence the whole world. If you are just starting out and want to watch anime, here are some of the best TV shows that have received great feedback and ratings in the anime world.

8 Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden

Naruto is one of the most popular animes of all time. It is based on Masashi Kishimoto's successful manga series and follows the story of a boy named Naruto Uzumaki. One key reason why fans got attached to this anime is due to Naruto's character and personality. Kishimoto has created a character who is loyal, helpful, kind-hearted, and honest but also sometimes dumb at the same time. Naruto's good nature is what develops the story of how he saves the whole village, whilst his not-so-smart nature adds humor to the series.

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This specific anime contains the perfect amount of adventure, friendship, comedy, and love which have gone on to influence culture in fun and sometimes odd ways. Naruto: Shippuden continues the story by focusing on Naruto's teenage years. Thus, we are able to see the young boy grow up to be a hero in a series which may not be as iconic as the original Naruto but provides excellent backstory.

7 Jujutsu Kaisen

Released in 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen instantly rose to fame and became a huge hit among anime lovers, possibly even because of its similarity to Naruto. Similar to Kishimoto's story, Jujutsu Kaisen revolved around a protagonist with a "curse" entrapped in his body. Other similarities include the special powers of the main characters, a three-person team and a mentor with eyes hidden by a mask.

While it does this well, there seem to be certain characteristics that make Jujutsu Kaisen stand out from the rest. It contains a unique setting, and an interesting and dark narrative mediated by great humor, so even those who regularly watch anime will probably find something exciting and new here. Its popularity has led the story to be continued through the release of season two in 2023, along with the incredibly successful and massively anticipated anime movie in 2022, Jujutsu Kaisen 0.

6 One Piece

One Piece is an anime that started off in 1999 and has been running since in various incarnations whilst accumulating a large fan base. One Piece focuses on a pirate crew called "Straw Hat Pirates," with the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, aiming to acquire the ultimate treasure and be the next Pirate King.

The anime is based on the manga series by Eiichiro Oda, bit it was as an anime that the story has become a timeless 'piece.' One Piece has the ability to give the viewer an amazing time with its great soundtrack, coming-of-age themes, action, vibrant animation, and emotional encounters, leading to a very successful feature film in the States. Netflix is developing a live-action series of One Piece, which is evidence alone of its influential nature, and hopefully the failure of Netflix's live-action Cowboy Bebop won't deter anyone from checking it out. After all, the sneak peeks that Netflix has given look astounding.

5 Hunter x Hunter

"Hunters" are elite professionals who seek out treasure or hunt down lawless criminals, exploring dangerous parts of the world with thrilling adventure akin to Indiana Jones. The protagonist of Hunter x Hunter, Gon Freecss, discovers that his father was one of these legendary Hunters, and becomes determined to be one himself and find his father along the way. Based on the Manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi, which has become a bestseller, this anime takes us to a different, brightly animated world.

However, what makes Hunter x Hunter so in demand is its ability to regard the "idea of growing up with deftness and complexity," to quote Inverse. Differing from the 1999 anime version, this particular and much better anime show began in 2011 and delved deep into the manga's storytelling to ensure that the themes are explored with much care, creating one of the greatest coming-of-age animes of all time.

4 Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a comparatively shorter anime series, though there is still so much to unravel. The series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are trying to survive behind walls. This dark fantasy revolves around three protagonists named Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, who are fighting against the massive Titans. Attack on Titan is definitely unique due to its approach towards a more science-involved story, with incredible animation and a distinctly serious tone. It serves one epic tale that includes some chilling adventures, and remains of the most imaginative and mature anime series of recent years.

3 Dragon Ball Z

Based on one of the most significant literary pieces of 16th Century China, Journey to the West, Akira Toriyama created the Manga series Dragon Ball, and the rest is history. Dragon Ball Z took the reins of the manga series while also taking the world by storm, premiering on American TV over 25 years ago and forever changing the history of animation. Focusing on an adult Goku and his son, Gohan, Dragon Ball Z is regarded as one of the OG animes since it popularized the medium and introduced it to the international audience; if people watch anime, Dragon Ball Z is partly responsible.

This particular series is still quite popular even if it has gone through different iterations, even influencing popular fashion brands like Adidas. In 2015, the Dragon Ball series came up with Dragon Ball Super, and when 2021 Comic-Con released highly-anticipated information about the new Dragon Ball Super movie, the world was reminded of just how much popularity Dragon Ball still has. The fact that an anime that began in 1986 but still continues to influence the viewers is evidence enough to indicate its remarkable nature, and if someone is going to watch anime, it's always a good place to start.

2 Serial Experiments Lain

To really catch a glimpse of the true artistry and intellectual potential of anime, one should definitely check out the work of Yoshitoshi ABe. A dark intellectual whose character designs and themes probe the saddest parts of the human condition, investigating antisocial behavior, technology, and urban city life, ABe consistently helps to create some of the best anime around (Texhnolyze, Welcome to the N.H.K., Housing Complex C, RErideD: Derrida Who Leaps Through Time, Haibane Renmei). His first major anime is perhaps his best, or at least his most ominous and prophetic.

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Serial Experiments Lain may have been released in 1998, but it seems disturbingly prescient in its depiction of youth lost to technology, and the hypnotic appeal of the internet and a digital life. The 13-episode series follows Lain Iwakura, a young girl living in the suburbs, who becomes increasingly withdrawn and unhinged as she gets more and more involved with her computer. An experimental anime focused on technology, adolescence, and the darkness lurking within reality itself, Serial Experiments Lain is a masterpiece that even non-anime viewers should seek out. "Serial Experiments Lain predicted the internet age," according to Study Breaks, and it's honestly hard to argue otherwise.

1 Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop may be the best place for an anime newcomer to start for a variety of reasons. While it may not have the long-lasting influence and endless amount of material that the Dragon Ball franchise has, that's arguably a point in Cowboy Bebop's favor — it's self-contained, with only 26 episodes and a movie, so it's not a dauntingly overwhelming series to start with. And unlike Serial Experiments Lain, Cowboy Bebop is downright fun and frollicking.

Additionally, it incorporates various elements from different cultures that might make it easier for anyone new to anime, as it's less entrenched in anime and Japanese culture than many other shows. Using westerns, jazz, samurais, cop shows, film noir, and many other elements, Cowboy Bebop is a perfect amalgam of ideas and influences that's endlessly cool, delightfully fun, beautifully animated, and musically impressive. It's probably the best introduction to just how much staggering potential the anime format has.