I finally got around to making this page where you can happily judge my taste in anime anonymously. This list won’t be in alphabetical order for organization purposes but I will BOLD and ~colorize~ any anime I found particularly enjoyable and would highly recommend at least a few episodes of watching before dropping it. Sometimes there may be an * to warn you of something. Anime movies are NOT in this list and may be it’s own separate list one day (though if I liked the anime, most likely I’ll like the movie.)
Anyways, this list will be updated as I continue watching new anime or put in some I forgot, haha.
WARNING: THERE ISN’T A LOT OF ANIME BUT IT WILL FEEL LIKE IT. APOLOGIES.
(I put the title, table of basic info, and a summary (some are long) of said anime)
A
Aishiteruze Baby*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, romance, shoujo | 26 | 2004 |
“Katakura Kippei is in every way a high school playboy. Spending his days flirting with any female he can see, responsibility is the last thing on his mind. Life takes an unexpected turn for him as one day he returns home to find himself with the fulltime task of caring for his 5-year-old cousin…Yuzuyu. “
-MyAnimeList
*Okay, so technically I only read the manga of this anime and that was years ago, but I read it until the end and remembered that it was enjoyable, so I’d give it a try if you want to watch an older anime. Just be prepared for 2004 anime style…
Ace Attorney (aka Gyakuten Saiban: Sono ‘Shinjitsu igi ari!’)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
“Since he was a child, Ryuuichi Naruhodou’s dream was to become a defense attorney, protecting the innocent when no one else would. However, when the rookie lawyer finally takes on his first case under the guidance of his mentor Chihiro Ayasato, he realizes that the courtroom is a battlefield. In these fast paced trials, Ryuuichi is forced to think outside the box to uncover the truth of the crimes that have taken place in order to prove the innocence of his clients”.
-MyAnimeList
*Okay, guilty again of solely consuming this through a medium in that is not the anime. I feel most people who know of Phoenix Wright or Ryuuichi Naruhodou know him from the Ace Attorney Nintendo series.
Another
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Horror, Supernatural, Mystery | 12 | 2012 |
“15-year-old Kouichi Sakakibara transfers into class 3-3 of Yomiyama North and soon after discovers that a strange, gloomy mood seems to hang over all the students. He also finds himself drawn to the mysterious, eyepatch-wearing student Mei Misaki; however, the rest of the class and the teachers seem to treat her like she doesn’t exist. Paying no heed to warnings from everyone including Mei herself, Kouichi begins to get closer not only to her, but also to the truth behind the gruesome phenomenon plaguing class 3-3 of Yomiyama North”.
-MyAnimeList
Attack on Titan (aka Shingeki no Kyojin)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Military, Shonen | 63+ | 2013- |
“The central protagonist is a boy named Eren Yeager (or Jaeger) who lives in the town of Shiganshina, located on the edge of Wall Maria, the outermost of three circular walls protecting humanity from Titans said to have killed all other humans one hundred years prior to the start of the story. In the year 845, the wall is breached by two new types of Titan, named the Colossal (alternatively named the Colossus) and the Armored, and Eren’s mother is eaten by a Titan while Eren escapes. He swears revenge on all Titans and enlists in the military along with his childhood friends, Mikasa Ackermann and Armin Arlert.”
-Wikipedia
*I have only watched the first season (or two, can’t quite remember), but I plan to go back and watch. I’ve heard good things about the latest season though.
B
Barakamon*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Slice of life | 12 | 2014 |
“Seishu Handa is a professional calligrapher, despite his young age. When the elderly curator of an exhibition criticizes his calligraphy for being too unoriginal (“like a textbook”), Seishu gets angry and punches him. Because of this, his father sends him off for a retreat on Goto Island, near Kyushu. There, he meets the colorful villagers, interacts with them, and begins to find his own style”.
-Wikipedia
*Just wanted to say I really recommend this one if you just want a more laidback funny anime that may make you feel good at the end of it. Go watch!
Beelzebub*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Supernatural, Comedy, Shonen, School | 60 | 2011-2012 |
“Ishiyama High is a school populated entirely by delinquents, where nonstop violence and lawlessness are the norm. However, there is one universally acknowledged rule—don’t cross first year student Tatsumi Oga, Ishiyama’s most vicious fighter.
One day, Oga is by a riverbed when he encounters a man floating down the river. After being retrieved by Oga, the man splits down the middle to reveal a baby, which crawls onto Oga’s back and immediately forms an attachment to him. Though he doesn’t know it yet, this baby is named Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, or “Baby Beel” for short—the son of the Demon Lord!“
-MyAnimeList
*Couldn’t finish this but I will revisit it one day.
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Sci-fi, Adventure, Comedy, Shonen | 76 | 2003-2005 |
“In the year 300X, the entire world is under the tyrannical rule of the Maruhage Empire and their ruler Tsuru Tsurulina IV (Chrome Dome Empire and Baldy Bald the 4th in the English dub). His Hunt troop captures innocent bystanders’, leaving the people victims of the Hunt troop’s oppression and their villages in ruins. Standing against this evil regime is the heroic, but bizarre, rebel Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo who fights the Hunt Troop with his powerful Hanage Shinken (Fist of the Nose Hair). His team consists of the normal teen girl Beauty, the wretched teen warrior Heppokomaru (Gasser) and the Hajike leader Don Patch (Poppa Rocks). Bo-bobo is on an exciting, gag-filled quest in many locales to fight the forces of the Maruhage Empire as he gains other allies along the way”.
-Wikipedia
This is perhaps the weirdest anime on this list so be VERY prepared going into this one.
Black Butler (aka Kuroshitsuji)
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Historical, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural (demons), Comedy | 46 | 2008-2010, 2014 |
“Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as “the Queen’s Guard Dog,” taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty. Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye?“
-MyAnimeList
Bleach*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Shonen | 366 | 2004-2012 |
“Ichigo Kurosaki is an ordinary high schooler—until his family is attacked by a Hollow, a corrupt spirit that seeks to devour human souls. It is then that he meets a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, who gets injured while protecting Ichigo’s family from the assailant. To save his family, Ichigo accepts Rukia’s offer of taking her powers and becomes a Soul Reaper as a result”.
-MyAnimeList
Ah, Bleach had a good run for a good while until it didn’t (a lot of Bleach fans point to a certain arc that was the catalyst of this good anime’s downfall). Regardless, I’d give it a watch until at least then. Bleach was one of my childhood anime, so I got a soft spot for it.
Blood Lad
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Supernatural (Vampire), Action, Comedy, Seinen (For dem older kids), Ecchi | 10 + OVA (basically ep. 11) | 2013 |
“Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire who rules the Eastern district of Demon World. According to rumors, he is a bloodthirsty and merciless monster, but in reality, Staz is just an otaku obsessed with Japanese culture and completely uninterested in human blood.
When Fuyumi Yanagi, a Japanese girl, accidentally wanders through a portal leading into the demon world, Staz is overjoyed. But just as he is starting to feel an unusual attraction to her, his territory is attacked, resulting in Fuyumi’s untimely death. She turns into a wandering ghost and the crestfallen Staz vows to resurrect her as this would mean being able to travel to the human world, something he has always dreamed of”.
-MyAnimeList
(Note (15/05/21): I just recently rewatched this one and still recommend it but a real shame it never got another season.)
Blue Exorcist (aka Ao no Exorcist)
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Supernatural (SATAN), Shonen, Fantasy | 25 | 2011 |
“The story revolves around Rin Okumura, who, along with his younger twin Yukio Okumura, was raised by Father Shiro Fujimoto, an Exorcist. One day, Rin learns that he and Yukio are the sons of Satan. Witnessing Shiro dying to protect him, Rin draws the demon-slaying sword Kurikara, which restrains his demonic powers. From that moment on, Rin not only gains demonic features like fangs and a tail, but also the power to ignite into blue flames that destroy almost anything he touches. [And thus] Rin wishes to become an Exorcist like his guardian to become stronger and to defeat Satan”.
-Wikipedia
C
Cardcaptor Sakura*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
“Sakura Kinomoto is your garden-variety ten-year-old fourth grader, until one day, she stumbles upon a mysterious book containing a set of cards. Unfortunately, she has little time to divine what the cards mean because she accidentally stirs up a magical gust of wind and unintentionally scatters the cards all over the world…Appointing Sakura the title of “the Cardcaptor” and granting her the Sealed Key, Keroberos tasks her with finding and recapturing all the Cards.
Alongside her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, and with Kero-chan’s guidance, Sakura must learn to balance her new secret duty with the everyday troubles of a young girl involving love, family, and school, all while she takes flight on her magical adventures as Sakura the Cardcaptor”.
-MyAnimeList
Case Closed (aka Detective Conan)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Adventure, Mystery | Unknown (according to MyAnimeList) 992 (according to Wikipedia) | 1996- |
“Shinichi Kudou, a high school student of astounding talent in detective work, is well known for having solved several challenging cases. One day, when Shinichi spots two suspicious men and decides to follow them, he inadvertently becomes witness to a disturbing illegal activity. Unfortunately, he is caught in the act, so the men dose him with an experimental drug formulated by their criminal organization, leaving him to his death. However, to his own astonishment, Shinichi lives to see another day, but now in the body of a seven-year-old child”.
-MyAnimeList
*Since this one is ridiculously long (even One Piece weeps), I haven’t finished it. I read some ways into the manga and watched a bit of the anime so I’d recommend if you feel up to the challenge or just wanna watch a bit to see what all the fuss is.
Cells at Work! (aka Hataraku Saibou)/ Cells at Work: CODE BLACK
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Shonen, Educational | 24 | 2016 |
“The story takes place inside the human body, where trillions of anthropomorphic cells each do their job to keep the body healthy. The series largely focuses on two such cells; a rookie red blood cell, AE3803, who often gets lost during deliveries, and a relentless white blood cell, U-1146, who fights against any germs that invade the body”.
-Wikipedia
*This is a good one even if it does seem more for kids. But if it’s too childish for you, Cells at Work: Code Black, is premiering this month (January 2021), and proves to be for more mature audiences so look forward to that!
(Note (15/05/21: With the end of Code Black, I can give a bit more info. Plus, after watching a few episodes, I would definitely recommend. Just be prepared for being guilt-tripped over how badly we treat our bodies.)
“Due to poor lifestyle choices, a certain human’s body is in constant turmoil. With germs, bacteria, and foreign substances abound, the jobs of various cells become increasingly difficult and dangerous. As some of the unfortunate ones who matured in this chaotic environment, Sekkekkyuu AA2153 and Hakkekkyuu U-1196 strive to fulfill their duties—even if it means seeing many of their fellow cells lose their lives in duty”.
-MyAnimeList
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Drama, Seinin, Educational | 13 | 2021 |
D
Danganronpa*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| School (hah), Psychological, Horror, Mystery | 13 | 2013 |
Basically the plot is 16 students are trapped in a school by this psychotic bear named Monokuma and the only way out is to kill another student without being found out.
*This was a game first before an anime and I would highly suggest playing the games yourself or watching a let’s play because while I’ve seen many gush over the games, I’ve heard mixed reviews over the anime and it’s sequel, Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School. But the anime is alright if you’d rather not watch hours and hours of gameplay.
Deadman Wonderland*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Horror, Sci-fi, Supernatural | 12 | 2011 |
“…Ganta’s life is quickly turned upside down when his whole class gets massacred by a mysterious man in red. Framed for the incident and sentenced to death, Ganta is sent to the very jail he was supposed to visit…Ganta must bet his life to survive in a ruthless place where it isn’t always easy to tell friend from foe, all while trying to find the mysterious “Red Man” and clear his name, in Deadman Wonderland“.
-MyAnimeList
*This is a case where reading the manga would be better but the anime is a decent introduction from what I remember.
Death Note
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Psychological, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural (Shinigamis!) | 37 | 2006-2007 |
We all know this one so I’m just gonna skip the synopsis, but I guess for the uninitiated: Stars Light Yagami who finds a notebook called the Death Note that allows the user to kill any whose name is written within it. Light uses the notebook to bring about his version of justice to the world as a God-like figure called Kira. But the police are on his tail along with a man who matches his cunning and intricate intelligence who is only known as L. Who will win?
Death Parade
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Game, Mystery, Psychological, Drama | 12 | 2015 |
After death, there is no heaven or hell, only a bar that stands between reincarnation and oblivion. There the attendant will, one after another, challenge pairs of the recently deceased to a random game in which their fate of either ascending into reincarnation or falling into the void will be wagered. Whether it’s bowling, darts, air hockey, or anything in between, each person’s true nature will be revealed in a ghastly parade of death and memories, dancing to the whims of the bar’s master. Welcome to Quindecim, where Decim, arbiter of the afterlife, awaits!
(Note: Also just rewatched this one and my opinion still stands. Watch it.)
The Disastrous Life of Saiki Kusuo
Durarara!!
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Supernatural, Mystery | 24 | 2010 |
Mikado Ryuugamine has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the [headless] Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro’s most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city.
-MyAnimelist
E
Erased (aka Boku dake ga inai machi)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological, Seinen | 12 | 2016 |
The story follows Satoru Fujinuma, a young man living in Chiba who somehow possesses an ability known as “Revival”, which sends him back in time moments before a life-threatening incident, enabling him to prevent it from happening again. When his mother is murdered by an unknown assailant in his own home, Satoru’s ability suddenly sends him back eighteen years into the past.
Now an elementary schooler in Hokkaido again, Satoru is given the opportunity to not only save his mother but also prevent a kidnapping incident that took the lives of three of his childhood friends: two classmates and one young girl studying at a different school nearby
*Some people found the ending of this anime to be anticlimatic or something so watch at your own risk.
F
Fairy Tail*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Fantasy | 175 | 2009-2013 |
Lucy Heartfilia is a young mage searching for celestial gate keys, and her dream is to become a full-fledged wizard by joining this famous guild. In her search, she runs into Natsu Dragneel and his partner Happy, who are on a quest to find Natsu’s foster father, the dragon Igneel.
Upon being tricked by a man, Lucy falls under an abduction attempt, only to be saved by Natsu. To her shock, he reveals that he is a member of Fairy Tail and invites her to join them. There, Lucy meets the guild’s strange members, such as the ice wizard Gray Fullbuster and magic swordswoman Erza Scarlet. Together as a family, they battle the forces of evil, help those in need, and gain new friends, all the while enjoying the never-ending adventure that is Fairy Tail.
-MyAnimeList
*Never finished but really want to one day.
Fruits Basket*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life, Romance, Shoujo | 50 | 2019- |
My synopsis: Tohru Honda is an orphaned high school girl living in a tent unknowingly on the Souma family’s property. The family discovers her, takes pity and allows her to stay with them but they have a secret. Tohru discovers a secret in the midst of stopping a fight between Yuki Souma (the popular handsome prince of her school) and his cousin, Kyo – they can turn into animals when hugged by the opposite sex. How will the story go from here?
*This was another childhood anime (there was an original all the way back in 2001!) and I finished all of the original manga. You can watch the 2001 version but even though I haven’t finished the current one, I’d recommend it over the old one.
Fullmetal Alchemist*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Action, Adventure, Magic, Military, Fantasy (aka many genres! Appeals to all!) | 51 | 2003-2004 |
Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the advanced natural techniques revolved around scientific laws of equivalent exchange, the series follows the adventures of two alchemist brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are searching for the philosopher’s stone to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life using alchemy.
*I know I know, but I’ve only watched the original one. I know Brotherhood is much better and I do recommend watching that one if you want to start this anime. I hope to watch it soon.
G
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (Suisei no Gargantia)
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Sci-fi, Mecha, Adventure | 13 | 2013 |
Sixteen-year-old Ensign Ledo is a soldier in the Galactic Alliance, piloting a Machine Caliber…which he refers to as “Chamber”. After a failed attempt by the Galactic Alliance to destroy an enemy super-weapon, Ledo is knocked into a wormhole and loses consciousness.
When he awakens, he discovers that he and Chamber have been “salvaged” by a rag-tag band of “primitive” human scavengers aboard the Gargantia, a massive fleet of ships on an ocean-covered planet. Ledo must adjust to the language, culture and lifestyle of the planet, while finding his new purpose in life aboard the Gargantia.
-Wikipedia
Ghost Stories (aka Gakkou no Kaidan) (ONLY WATCH IT DUBBED)
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Supernatural, “Horror”, Mystery | 19 | 2000 |
Seriously, only watch this dubbed since the Japanese version was so dull and poorly received that when the Japanese studio gave rights to the American studio, they were like “Go fecking nuts with the script.” And so, history was made.
Reminder! This is a 2000 anime and some jokes/humor may be offensive to some so just be warned.
Gintama*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Historical, Samurai, Parody, Sci-fi, Shonen | 367 | 2006-2018(?) |
One of, if not, my most favourite anime of all time. If you want to sludge through over 300 episodes, please do! For some reason, a lot of people hate the first couple of episodes but I found Gintama funny from the start (then again, I was 11 when I started this anime).
Still, give it a few episodes to pick up and it will be worth it. I won’t say much more because I’ll for sure write up an appreciation post for Gintama in the future.
Oh, and what’s the plot of Gintama?
H
Hetalia***
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Historical, Parody | 52 (just Axis Powers) | 2009-2010 |
*Hetalia is a rather touchy subject. A lot of people love it, rather that be for the cute handsome personification of the countries of the world or for the history or both, while others hate it for the same reasons. The Hetalia fandom hasn’t really helped in that regard as some fans have been known to romantacize events such as the world wars, Nazi Germany, and other touchier subjects.
**But as for me, I again have a soft spot for Hetalia (again middle school and awkward high school years) but also because I do truly believe the creator of Hetalia, Hidekaz Himaruya, meant no harm or malicious intent with personifying the stereotypes of each country into the bodies of handsome young men (and women). I’ll definitely have to write up a post on Hetalia one day.
***Also, if you are interested in watching it, each episodes is only like 5 minutes – very bingeable.
Higurashi Naku Koro Ni (aka When the Cicadas Cry or When They Cry)
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
“Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is a story of many chapters. It’s about the town of Hinamizawa, and the people who live there, Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Hojo, and Rika Furude, as well as friends, relatives, and visitors dealing with Lord Oyashiro’s curse”.
-Wikipedia
This is a very trippy anime with two versions. Don’t know much about the reception of the 2020 version but if it’s like Fruit Basket, I’d give it a try.
Honey and Clover (aka Hachimitsu to Clover)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Josei (for the older ladies), Romance, Slice of Life | 24 | 2005 |
Yuuta Takemoto, a sophomore at an arts college, shares a cheap apartment with two seniors—the eccentric Shinobu Morita, who keeps failing to graduate due to his absenteeism, and the sensible Takumi Mayama, who acts as a proper senior to Takemoto, often looking out for him.
Takemoto had not given much thought to his future until one fine spring day, when he meets the endearing Hagumi Hanamoto and falls in love at first sight. Incredibly gifted in the arts, Hagumi enrolls in Takemoto’s university and soon befriends the popular pottery student Ayumi Yamada. Ayumi is already well acquainted with the three flatmates and secretly harbors deep feelings for one of them
-MyAnimeList
*I really think this is an anime of nostalgia for me. I feel not a lot of people know or acknowledge it, which is a shame since I think it’s a good one. Pretty chill compared to some anime on here. Give it a chance especially if you’re a college student or post.
Hyperdimension Neptunia aka Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Parody, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Supernatural | 12 | 2013 |
If Hetalia showcases the personification of world countries then Neptunia is the anime that personifies gaming consoles. Yup, and that’s about it. It’s a slice of life anime where not much deep conflict happens. I barely remember the anime and I’m more familiar with the games (one I’m streaming right now on Twitch ~follow please~)
I
Inuyasha
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Magic, Action, Adventure, Historical, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance | 167 | 2000-2004 |
InuYasha follows Kagome Higurashi, a fifteen-year-old girl whose normal life ends when a demon drags her into a cursed well on the grounds of her family’s Shinto shrine. Instead of hitting the bottom of the well, Kagome ends up 500 years in the past during Japan’s violent Sengoku period with the demon’s true target, a wish-granting jewel called the Shikon Jewel, reborn inside of her.
-MyAnimeList
J
None (Recommend me some “J” anime!)
K
Katekyou Hitman Reborn (aka Home Tutor Hitman Reborn)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
Tsuna’s boring life takes an extraordinary twist when he encounters the mysterious Reborn, who happens to be a hitman… and shockingly, a baby! Sent from the strongest Mafia family in Italy, Reborn is assigned the daunting mission of preparing the dull middle schooler to succeed the ninth boss of the notorious Vongola family, who is on the brink of retirement. The dull boy has a grueling road ahead, but with the help of his new criminal affiliates and his peculiar home tutor, perhaps even Loser Tsuna can achieve greatness.
-MyAnimeList
*I vaguely remember this anime but being one from my childhood, I do want to revisit it. I also feel like Reborn is a forgotten shonen anime (kinda but I see like no one talk about it, haha).
Kuroko’s Basketball (Kuroko no Basuke)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
At Seirin High School, two newly recruited freshmen prove that they are not ordinary basketball players: Taiga Kagami, a promising player returning from the US, and Tetsuya Kuroko, a seemingly ordinary student whose lack of presence allows him to move around unnoticed…
Kuroko no Basket follows the journey of Seirin’s players as they attempt to become the best Japanese high school team by winning the Interhigh Championship. To reach their goal, they have to cross pathways with several powerful teams, some of which have one of the five players with godlike abilities, whom Kuroko and Taiga make a pact to defeat.
-MyAnimeList
*I’m only putting this here because I’ve only heard good things about it. I have watched a few episodes of this but I gotta go back and rewatch.
Kyoukai no Kanata (aka Beyond the Boundary)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Slice of Life, Supernatural, Fantasy | 12 | 2013 |
The story of Kyoukai no Kanata is set in a world where creatures from the spirit world called Youmu roam in the human world under human disguises, and trained specialists called Spirit World Warriors protect humans from youmu attacks.
Kanbara Akihito is a high school student who apparently has a youmu lineage and a peculiar regenerative ability that exceeds that of a normal human. Mirai…[a Spirit Warrior] who was sent to kill Akihito, fails…After their first encounter, Akihito starts to help Mirai because he thinks that they’re on the same side…Their friendship goes under different trials that make their bonds stronger and the relationship between Mirai and Akihito grows deeper and deeper.
*Was introduced to this anime through the first movie (which is basically the first season). I really love the story but especially the art/animation style is one of the best out of the anime on this list (I mean, the studio who worked on this is Kyoto Animation after all).
L
None (Give me recommendations!)
M
My Hero Academia (aka Boku no Hero Academia)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, School, Shonen, Super powers (duh) | 13 | 2016 |
I think this one is also too popular to even bother with a plot description.
But if you don’t know, this anime mainly follows Midoriya Izuku, who lives in a world where “quirks” aka superpowers are possessed by enough people to be considered the norm EXCEPT he appears to have none despite being a superhero fanboy who dreams of becoming one himself. Surprise Surprise, with the help of his idol, Captain America All Might, Izuku develops a quirk on his own and is able to attend the prestigious hero school, UA High where we meet a varied and impressionable cast of characters. Let the adventure begin.
*I still haven’t watched Season 4 and probably have to refresh myself on the past seasons.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (aka Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Parody, Mystery, School, Slice of Life | 14 | 2006 |
Kyon is a student at North High School in Nishinomiya. He is dragged along by his classmate, the titular Haruhi Suzumiya, an eccentric schoolgirl who seeks supernatural phenomena and figures, such as aliens, time travelers, and espers…Haruhi soon recruits three additional members: the…bibliophile Yuki Nagato, the shy and timid Mikuru Asahina, and the unflappable transfer student Itsuki Koizumi. [All of whom prove themselves to be more than they appear]
-Wikipedia
*This anime is a terrible trip if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. There are two ways to watch this: the chronological way or air date order. If you wanna be frustratingly confused, watch in air date order, but if you want some relief and can’t deal with that challenge, go chronologically (look up a guide).
Mob Psycho 100*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Comedy, Slice of Life | 12 | 2016 |
Shigeo Kageyama is an average middle school boy, nicknamed Mob (モブ, Mobu, wasei eigo for “background character”) for lacking a sense of presence. Although he looks like an inconspicuous person, he is in fact a powerful esper with immense psychic power. To keep from losing control of this power, he constantly lives a life under an emotional shackle. In order to help learn how to control his abilities, Mob works as an assistant to con-man Reigen Arataka, a self-proclaimed psychic. Mob wants to live a normal life just like those around him, but a barrage of trouble keeps coming after him. With his suppressed emotions growing inside Mob little by little, his power threatens to break through its limits as he eventually encounters other Espers like the Claws.
-Wikipedia
*Same guy who did One Punch Man. Gotta finish this one though.
Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (aka Matantei Loki Ragnarok)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Magic, Mystery, Supernatural, Shonen | 26 | 2003 |
Loki, the Norse god of mischief, has been exiled to the human world for what was apparently a bad joke. Along with being exiled, he’s forced to take the form of a child. He’s told the only way he can get back to the world of the gods is if he can collect auras of evil that take over human hearts, and so to do this he runs a detective agency. Loki is soon joined by a human girl named Mayura who is a maniac for mysteries, and she soon helps out in her own way. However, soon other Norse gods begin to appear, and most have the intent to assassinate Loki for reasons unclear.
-MyAnimeList
*I read the manga first before watching the anime. If you like the anime then I highly recommend the manga as (with the case of many an anime) there is more content and stories to be had.
N
Naruto**
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Shonen | 220 | 2002-2007 |
*Do I even have to introduce this one? Just one word: NINJAS.
** I only watched up until like the first episode of Shippuuden but I do recommend watching the original anime at least if you missed the Naruto train.
Nyan Koi*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Harem, Romance | 12 | 2009 |
Junpei Kousaka is a second-year high school student who has an allergy for cats—a predicament that has made him hate cats and everything related to them. Unfortunately for him, though, he is surrounded by cat lovers: his family, his estranged childhood friend, and even his crush Kaede Mizuno.
One day, while returning home from school, Junpei nonchalantly attempts to kick an empty can into the trash, but miserably misses. Instead of making it to the garbage, the can ends up breaking off the head of a cat deity statue. That fateful day, he is cursed with the ability to understand cat speech. However, he must keep his curse a secret from everyone else, because anyone who finds out will become more accident-prone and share the same fate as him.
-MyAnimeList
*This is one I haven’t seen in years, but I still want to revisit it so I recommend a watch especially if you’re a cat lover.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan aka Nurarihyon no Mago*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Drama, Mystery | 24 | 2016 |
Rikuo Nura is 3/4 human and 1/4 yōkai, in which he has a human form in the day but transforms into his yōkai form at night. He lives in a house full of yōkai along with his yōkai grandfather. Trying to escape his fate, he does good deeds in order to avoid becoming a yōkai, despite his grandfather’s wish that Rikuo succeed him as the Third Head of the Nura Clan. Rikuo is different because he helps humans. He eventually comes to terms with his yōkai blood and decides to take up the position of the Third Head of the Nura Clan. Multiple factions aim to stop him or usurp his position, and he must gather friends and allies, a new Hyakki Yakō under his banner of “Fear”.
-Wikipedia
*I got further in the manga than the anime, so take that as you will ( though I think you can tell I’m notorious for dropping anime unintentionally).
O
One Punch Man
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Sci-fi, Action, Supernatural, Parody | 12 | 2015 |
It tells the story of Saitama, a superhero who can defeat any opponent with a single punch but seeks to find a worthy foe after growing bored by a lack of challenge due to his overwhelming strength.
-Wikipedia
P
Princess Jellyfish (aka Kuragehime)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Josei, Slice of Life | 11 | 2010 |
Princess Jellyfish centers on Amamizukan, an apartment building in Tokyo, where the only tenants are otaku women, and where no men are allowed…the protagonist is Tsukimi Kurashita, whose love of jellyfish stems from memories of her deceased mother taking her to an aquarium…Tsukimi hopes to become an illustrator and is an awkward girl terrified of social interaction, attractive people and the prospect of formal work.
…Tsukimi meets the stylish Kuranosuke Koibuchi, the illegitimate son of a politician, who cross-dresses to avoid the obligations of politics and to feel closer to his mother. Tsukimi keeps the secret of his masculinity from her man-hating housemates, even as she is troubled by the intimacy of having a man in her room at times.
Amamizukan’s neighborhood is under threat of redevelopment…Although Amamizukan’s tenants fear and loathe attractive people, they are helped by Kuranosuke who does not want to see Amamizukan destroyed.
-Wikipedia
*Yes, this deserved a long description and yes, you should read the manga, too.
The Promised Neverland (aka Yakusoku no Neverland)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Sci-fi, Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Thriller, Shonen | 12 | 2019 |
The Promised Neverland follows three protagonists, Emma, Norman, and Ray, along with a cast of orphans who live together. Their lives have been full of joy, that is until the protagonists learn the orphanage is really a farm where children are raised and given to demons to be eaten.
-Bloody Disgusting (yes, it’s a real website)
*Watch it then watch the second season that is going to come out next week (9th January).
Psycho Pass*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Sci-fi, Police, Psychological | 22 | 2012-2013 |
A world where a human’s state of mind and the criminal potential of their personality can be quantified. While all sorts of inclinations are recorded and policed, these measured numbers used to judge people’s souls are commonly called one’s… PSYCHO-PASS.
Season 1 tells the story of Shinya Kogami, a former Inspector-turned-Enforcer and the hunt for his nemesis, Shogo Makishima. It is told from the point of view of newly-minted Inspector, Akane Tsunemori, who is assigned as his superior in Division 1 of the Ministry of Welfare’s Criminal Investigation Department. The Extended Edition abridges the S1 anime while adding new footage that alludes to events in the official novel.
-Psycho-Pass Wiki
*I’ve only seen the first season so I can’t say anything about later seasons.
R
None (recommend me the ‘R’ animes, please)
S
Saga of Tanya the Evil*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Action, Military, Magic | 12 | 2017 |
Tanya Degurechaff is a young soldier infamous for predatorial-like ruthlessness and an uncanny, tactical aptitude, earning her the nickname of the “Devil of the Rhine.” Underneath her innocuous appearance, however, lies the soul of a man who challenged Being X, the self-proclaimed God, to a battle of wits—which resulted in him being reincarnated as a little girl into a world of magical warfare.
-MyAnimeList
*I’m currently rewatching this for like the 2nd time. I guess I like watching animes about demented lolis? For this one, I also really suggest reading the manga as there is much more Tanya to be had. There is also a light novel so if you’re more of a wordy person, then read that instead. The artwork is different between the manga, anime and light novel so maybe you’ll find the style you like as well.
Shugo Chara! (aka Guardian Character!)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Magic, School, Shoujo | 51 | 2008 |
The story centers on elementary school girl Amu Hinamori, whose popular exterior, referred to as “cool and spicy” by her classmates, contrasts with her introverted personality. When Amu wishes for the courage to be reborn as her would-be self, she is surprised to find three colorful eggs the next morning, which hatch into three Guardian Characters: Ran, Miki, and Su.
-Wikipedia
*This is definitely NOT for everyone. To be fair, I first watched this anime when I was 11, so prime target audience for this show. I put this on the list because nostalgia (of course), but also I know for sure I’ll be rewatching this even if I’m approaching my mid-20s. Hey, if you wanna watch a shoujo anime for kids then Shugo Chara! is here for you.
Sword Art Online (abridged)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Parody, Abridgement | 15 (and counting?) | 2013-? |
*Okay, so this is an exception because I’ve only watched a handful of the actual Sword Art Online and barely remember them, but the abridged? The abridged I’m rewatching for the hundredth time as I write this up. Seriously, it’s perhaps the best anime abridged on YouTube.
T
Tokyo Ghoul*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Horror, Action, Mystery, Drama, Supernatural, Psychological, Seinen | 12 (Just the 1st season) | 2014 |
Tokyo Ghoul follows Ken Kaneki, a shy, bookish college student, who is instantly drawn to Rize Kamishiro, an avid reader like himself. However, Rize is not exactly who she seems, and this unfortunate meeting pushes Kaneki into the dark depths of the ghouls’ inhuman world. In a twist of fate, Kaneki is saved by the enigmatic waitress Touka Kirishima, and thus begins his new, secret life as a half-ghoul/half-human who must find a way to integrate into both societies.
-MyAnimeList
*READ THE MANGA. Is perhaps what most Tokyo Ghoul fans who have read the manga and seen the anime will tell you. I watched the anime in ignorant bliss before reading the manga and honestly for once, I agree that the manga is leagues better than the anime in many respects. From story to the artwork (Sui Ishida, the creator of Tokyo Ghoul, is a lovely lovely artist).
Just look –
Toradora!
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Slice of Life, School, Romance | 25 | 2008-2009 |
Ryuuji Takasu is a gentle high school student with a love for housework; but in contrast to his kind nature, he has an intimidating face that often gets him labeled as a delinquent. On the other hand is Taiga Aisaka, a small, doll-like student, who is anything but a cute and fragile girl. Equipped with a wooden katana and feisty personality, Taiga is known throughout the school as the “Palmtop Tiger.”
One day, an embarrassing mistake causes the two students to cross paths. Ryuuji discovers that Taiga actually has a sweet side: she has a crush on the popular vice president, Yuusaku Kitamura, who happens to be his best friend. But things only get crazier when Ryuuji reveals that he has a crush on Minori Kushieda—Taiga’s best friend!
-MyAnimeList
U
None (Recommend me!)
V
None (Recommend me, por favor)
W
None (Please hmu on W anime)
X
None (Are there any X anime?)
Y
Your Lie in April (aka Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Drama, Music, Romance, School, Shonen | 22 | 2014-2015 |
Music accompanies the path of the human metronome, the prodigious pianist Kousei Arima. But after the passing of his mother, Saki Arima, Kousei falls into a downward spiral, rendering him unable to hear the sound of his own piano.
Two years later, Kousei still avoids the piano, leaving behind his admirers and rivals, and lives a colorless life alongside his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. However, everything changes when he meets a beautiful violinist, Kaori Miyazono, who stirs up his world and sets him on a journey to face music again.
*I never finished this one but unfortunately I’ve been spoiled on what happens in the end. I still want to watch it though. It has lovely artwork and a lovely soundtrack.
Yuri!! On Ice*
| Genre | # of Episodes | Aired |
| Comedy, Sports, YAOI | 12 | 2016 |
Reeling from his crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finale, Yuuri Katsuki, once Japan’s most promising figure skater, returns to his family home to assess his options for the future. At age 23, Yuuri’s window for success in skating is closing rapidly, and his love of pork cutlets and aptitude for gaining weight are not helping either.
However, Yuuri finds himself in the spotlight when a video of him performing a routine previously executed by five-time world champion, Victor Nikiforov, suddenly goes viral. In fact, Victor himself abruptly appears at Yuuri’s house and offers to be his mentor. As one of his biggest fans, Yuuri eagerly accepts, kicking off his journey to make it back onto the world stage. But the competition is fierce, as the rising star from Russia, Yuri Plisetsky, is relentlessly determined to defeat Yuuri and win back Victor’s tutelage.
-MyAnimeList
*Never finished this one but I’ve not hard anything bad about it honestly and the episodes I di watch was good from what I remember. If you don’t like gay anime then don’t watch. Though I swear, this was all the rage back in 2016.
Z
None