There are many streaming platforms, each with their own programs to watch. Whether it is a HBO subscription or maybe a Netflix subscription, Every place seems to have something new. But today I’m not going to talk about new live-action movies or television. No, I’m going to talk about anime, one of my favorite genres.
There are so many different types of anime that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Do you want something happy? Something extremely dark and serious? How about a comedy? Well, look no further, because here are five classic anime that you can watch that will definitely make you a fan.
For happy souls: Pokémon
Very, very much!
Yeah, you better believe I’m going to put Pokémon here.
Look, believe what you want, but deep down, Pokémon It is an anime series. Yes, it was a collectible card game and then a video game franchisebut when did the first episode of Pokémon air and then come to the Western world? It was all over. The world fell in love with Pikachu, the first three starters and many more Pokémon. Now is the time for you to do it.
If you don’t know the premise of PokémonThe main series follows Ash, a ten-year-old boy who sets out to become Pokémon Champion and capture every Pokémon in existence (hence “I have to catch them all!”). Along the way, he makes friends, takes on challenges, and learns lessons, all with his best Pokémon, Pikachu.
There’s a reason I put this as the safe option: because it really is, a completely wholesome anime that doesn’t have any intense dark episodes or moments that might make you turn away from it.
Pokémon
- Release date
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1997 – 2023
- Grid
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
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Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
For lovers of slow drama: Violet Evergarden
you’re going to cry
Violet Evergarden It doesn’t seem like an anime that captures you at first, but wow, this show changed me.
- Integrations
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Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Ports
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HDMI, Optical, Ethernet
The anime follows the story of the main character, Violet, a former child soldier raised as a weapon. But when he is no longer a soldier, he tries to understand what love and the human experience really is by working at a postal company and writing heartfelt letters that teach him about life.
I know. That premise, in itself, is heartbreaking. But watching Violet’s slow progression over a few seasons makes it even better, and it’s one of those shows that just stays with you for hours and hours after you finish it.
Violet Evergarden
- Release date
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2018 – 2018
- Directors
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Taichi Ishidate, Haruka Fujita
- Writers
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Reiko Yoshida, Tatsuhiko Urahata, Taaki Suzuki
For those who travel long distance: One Piece
Get ready to lock yourself in
Hey, I never said all the anime here would be super short.
Look, this may be crazy, but if you’re looking for an anime to stick with and commit to, then I have to suggest one piece.
If you haven’t heard of one pieceall you need to know is this: It mainly follows Monkey D. Luffy, with the power of his rubber limbs, his goal is to gather his own pirate crew to search for ‘One Piece’, a legendary treasure that, if found, will make that person the King of the Pirates.
The anime, based on the manga of the same name, has been published almost as long as I have been alive. So yes, there are many, many episodes. More than 1000, to be exact.
But to be honest, one piece It’s one of those shows where you can put it in the background while you do things like cooking or cleaning (as long as you have voice acting on) and still capture everything that’s happening. It’s also a series you can easily sit down and enjoy for hours.
Either way, you’ll fall in love with Luffy, who he is as a person, and the friends he makes along the way with his fellow Straw Hat Pirates.
one piece
- Release date
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October 20, 1999
- Grid
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fuji television
- Directors
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Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
For superhero lovers: Sailor Moon
Powers like no other
If you’re like me and rewatching all the marvel movies before Avengers: Judgment Day, Then maybe you are looking for a superhero anime. sailor moon It is the best to recommend.
Based on the manga of the same name, sailor moon It follows a teenage girl who discovers that she is destined to become Sailor Moon, a powerful being capable of protecting the world from the forces of evil. With the help of new friends, new powers, and more, they take on dark villains to keep civilians safe.
With five seasons, I’d say it’s also a great pick for those who want something light-hearted. But since it focuses on powers, I’d say you’d have to at least be somewhat interested in superheroes to enjoy it. Either way, you’ll love Usagi (the main teen) and what she does. It’s healthy, teaches great lessons, and is a fun time for everyone.
sailor moon
- Release date
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1992 – 1997
- Grid
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asahi television
- Directors
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Takao Yoshizawa, Harume Kosaka, Kazuhisa Takenouchi
For someone who wants something dark: Attack on Titan
You will never be the same
I want to recommend Attack on Titan to someone who has never seen anime it is like recommending Breaking Bad for someone who has never seen a drama. Once you look at the peak, you really can’t go back.
But hey, here we go.
Attack on Titan is a dark anime set in a world where the only survivors of humanity live behind three massive stone walls, while the outside world is invaded by giant humanoid titans. The Scout Regiment, a branch of the military, is the sole group responsible for traveling outside the walls to defeat the Titans and explore the open world.
Primarily, we follow the series through protagonist Eren Yeager and his quest to kill all the Titans. But things get very dark very quickly. I will say that if you want darkness, this series is that. But trust me, you will NEVER be the same afterwards. You will NEVER know what is happening. AND YOU WILL WANT to rewatch this over and over again to find clues to the plot. You have been warned.
Oh, and maybe keep the kids away.
There really are a ton of great anime shows, but these are just a few of my favorites. And I highly recommend watching literally any of them; you won’t regret it. And many of them are available online, whether through Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime channels, and more.
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- Subscription with ads
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No, all without advertising
- Simultaneous currents
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1, 4 or 6
- live television
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No
- Price
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From $8/month
With the largest anime library in the world, Crunchyroll is the obvious choice for fans of Japanese animation, as well as other areas of Japanese and Asian pop culture that come with it.
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- Subscription with ads
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Yes, through Prime membership or $9/month
- Simultaneous currents
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3
- live television
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No
- Price
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Included with Amazon Prime subscription ($15/month or $139/year) or $9/month standalone
Prime Video has a large volume of content to watch. Amazon’s other advantages are also a plus.
