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Writer's pictureAidan Niles

Top 10 Anime For Prospective Otakus

So all your friends watch anime, and you don’t? Do titles like One Piece, with its 1000+ episodes, seem too bulky to manage? Here are 10 titles that are not only fantastic introductions to anime but are easily consumed over the span of a month.


Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop combines the best of sci-fi and Westerns and merges them together to make for a fun and entertaining viewing experience. Spike and his crew of bounty hunters have fantastic chemistry, and their interactions are hilarious. Moreover, the gun fights, bounty hunting, and comedic takes on classic Western adventures provide enough familiar elements for viewers unfamiliar with anime to settle in quite easily. With 26 episodes in total available on Crunchyroll with an average run time of about 22-24 minutes, viewers will have just enough to be satisfied while not being overwhelmed.


Death Note

A classic story of what happens when someone decides to play judge, jury, and executioner, Death Note combines the best of Sherlock Holmes and Law Abiding Citizen with a supernatural twist. What makes this particular anime stand out is the philosophical questions of justice and morality it poses and how these questions drive the two primary characters in the film in their quest to impose their own versions of justice upon each other. With its darker, grittier undertones and the games of cat and mouse played throughout the series, viewers can expect to be on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With 37 episodes and 23-minute run times, there is enough Death Note on Netflix for a month's worth of viewing.


Fates/stay night

Fates/stay night draws on mythology and fantasy themes to create an anime with enough lore and backstory to keep viewers interested while not overwhelming them with data. The beautifully animated battle sequences are complimented by the personal stories of the various competitors and their reasons for risking their lives for the tournament’s ultimate reward. Another major perk of this particular anime is that it can be watched as a stand-alone anime but also fits well into the wider Fate series should the viewer wish to explore further. With a total of 25 episodes on Crunchyroll with a run time of about 23 minutes per episode, there is enough mythology and monsters to last all month long.


Golden Boy

If you enjoy stupid humor, crude jokes, and over-the-top characters, Golden Boy is a must-watch. The plot revolves around a man bouncing between part-time jobs named Kintaro and the wacky hijinks he gets up to while traveling across Japan. It takes the raunchiness of a Seth McFarlane comedy like Ted and runs with it, leading to a viewing experience that will have you both laughing and cringing in equal measure. You can find the six-episode OVA on Crunchyroll, with each episode having an average run time of about 20-25 minutes.


Stein’s Gate

Stein’s Gate is another anime classic that deals with time travel and its consequences. Focusing on a rather eccentric scientist named Okabe Rintaro and his crew, the show combines comedic relief with moments of deep sorrow, tension, and suspense. Primarily focusing on a cat-and-mouse game between Okabe and his team and a shadowy government organization, both sides are using time manipulation and racing against the clock to ensure their vision comes to pass. With 24 episodes averaging 23 minutes, you can find Stein’s Gate on Crunchyroll.


Hellsing

For those of you who enjoy the paranormal genre, Hellsing is a fantastic show. Centering on a vampire named Alucard and his sidekick Seras Victoria, the plot revolves around these two protecting the British Empire from various supernatural and political threats. The incredible voice acting in both the English and Japanese dubs allows this anime can be enjoyed in many different ways. With a grand total of 13 episodes with an average run time of 23 minutes per episode, you can find all the dark and bloody action Hellsing provides on Crunchyroll.


Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle: Magic and Muscles is what happens when Harry Potter decides to hit triceps instead of transfiguration’s homework. Centering around a boy named Mash Burndead, who possesses no magic in a society of wizards, the show does not take itself too seriously in the slightest. With plenty of comedy and hijinks combined with incredibly animated and lively fight scenes, the show offers something for everybody. Currently having wrapped up its first season, there are only 12 episodes total, with an average run-time of 23 minutes per episode. You can find them all on Crunchyroll.


Hell’s Paradise

Hell’s Paradise focuses on a group of convicts sent to a mystical island to retrieve an elixir of immortality in exchange for a pardon. Set in Japan during the Edo period, the story revolves around a ninja named Gabimaru who is looking to obtain a pardon and receive a stay of execution. Reminiscent of movies like Suicide Squad or The Expendables with a heavy dose of Buddhist and Taoist elements, this dark action and horror adventure will have you on the edge of your seat. With a total of 13 episodes on Crunchyroll and possibly more on the way with an average run time of 23 minutes, this show is incredibly difficult not to binge-watch.


Haikyu!! (Season 1)

If you enjoy sports and an underdog overcoming his innate physical challenges, then Haikyu!! is a fantastic choice. Centering around a short boy named Hinata Shoyo who desires to become a pro volleyball player, the first season covers his journey from middle school to high school. The primary emotional heart of the show is the protagonist’s rivalry and friendship with another highly skilled volleyball player named Tobio Kageyama. With 25 episodes on Crunchyroll with an average run-time of 24 minutes, this first season is a perfect way to get into anime over the course of a month.


My Neighbor Totoro

I would be remiss not to include a Studio Ghibli movie on this list. My Neighbor Totoro tells the tale of two sisters named Satsuki and Mai and their interaction with the spirits at their new home after they move to be closer to their mother recovering in the hospital. This movie’s animation is simply gorgeous, the characters are lovable, and the plot is heartwarming with a happy ending. If light-hearted and wholesome stories are your favorite, then the hour-and-a-half run time of this movie on Netflix will surely delight you.


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