These are the gateway drugs of the anime world. They are long-running, action-packed, and culturally ubiquitous.
Still overwhelmed? Use this quick decision matrix based on your mood: hentai ladyboy game
| If you want... | Watch/Read this... | | :--- | :--- | | A perfect story with a great ending | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | | To cry your eyes out | Your Lie in April or Clannad: After Story | | A mind-bending thriller | Death Note or Monster | | Comfort food / Happiness | Spy x Family or Kaguya-sama | | Gore and adult themes | Berserk (manga) or Attack on Titan | | Something short (12 episodes) | Erased (time travel mystery) or Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song | | A massive time sink adventure | One Piece (manga) or Hunter x Hunter (2011) | These are the gateway drugs of the anime world
You cannot talk about popular anime series and manga recommendations without discussing the titans of Weekly Shonen Jump. These are the series that broke the internet. Use this quick decision matrix based on your
Death Note
Anime: Complete | Manga: Complete
A genius high school student gains the power to kill anyone by writing their name in a supernatural notebook. What follows is a cat-and-mouse chess match between him and the world’s greatest detective. Best for: Moral ambiguity, suspense, and intellectual battles.
Chainsaw Man
Anime: Season 1 | Manga: Ongoing (Part 2)
Denji, a destitute devil hunter, merges with his chainsaw devil dog to become Chainsaw Man. Gory, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt, it’s a subversion of typical shonen tropes. Best for: Fans of John Wick meets Evil Dead, with a touch of existential dread.
Shows that are easy to get into and universally loved by critics.