5 Anime Seres That Non-Anime Fans Will Fall For

Over the past few decades, anime has transformed from a little-known medium to an international phenomenon. Shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z popularized the beloved art style abroad, but Japan has continued to crank out critically acclaimed anime series for entirely new generations of fans. With the medium growing more popular each year, the anime canon continues to grow, so it is easy to understand why some audiences may be scared to plunge themselves into all things anime.

If you’re not a fan of anime, then take heart; Anyone can jump into the fandom with a little time, a bit of searching, and a fast Internet connections. Sites like Hulu and Crunchyroll have made it easier than ever to legally stream top-tier anime series from Japan. But, if you need a bit of guidance, then ComicBook.com will be your map. We’re counting down five of the most accessible anime series for non-fans and newcomers, so get ready to add some new titles to your Netflix queue.

Ouran High School Host Club

If you are a fan of romantic comedies, then Ouran High School Host Club is an absolute must-see. The quirky anime debuted in 2006, but the show has not aged one bit. Ouran High School Host Club is desginated as a shojo series, so it is geared towards woman and features outrageous humor and a slew of attractive male characters. The show follows a young, poor girl named Haruhi as she attends a prestigious school for the wealthy thanks to a one-off scholarship. However, things begin to turn when she runs into the school’s resident host club – and the gang’s head Tamaki blackmails her into the group without knowing her true sex. 

Cowboy Bebop

Fans of Star Wars or any thrilling sci-fi franchises will surely fall for Cowboy Bebop. Amongst critics, the anime is considered to be one of the best shows to ever debut in the medium. The complex, action-packed anime is set in the year 2071 and follows the ragtag group of the spaceship Bebop. Headed by Spike Spiegel, the vagabonds work as space bounty hunters and go on exciting missions all over the galaxy, but all is not peaceful for the crew. Their captain’s criminal past continues to haunt him, and Spike finds himself conflicted as he tries to keep his friends and himself safe. 

Death Note

While Death Note may sound like a rather ’emo’ title, the show is anything but indulgently depressing. In fact, the anime series is praised by fans and critics for its intense storylines and character arcs. The gritty drama debuted in 2006 to international fanfare. Death Note is one of the medium’s finest police thrillers, and its supernatural twists leave fans stunned time and again. The show follows a boy named Light Yagami after he stumbles upon the Death Note of a Shinigami. The God of Death’s journal has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it, and Light uses the power to tackle his city’s corruption. But, when the power gets to Light’s head, it falls to a detective named L to stop his murderous rampage. 

Attack On Titan

If you have heard about anime recently, it is probably thanks to Attack on Titan. The hugely popular anime premiered in 2013 and rejuvenated the medium all over the world. Known for its heart-wrenching stories and in-your-face gore, Attack on Titan will satisfy anyone who likes getting a rush of adrenaline. The anime takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been all but destroyed thanks to massive beasts called Titans. The humanoid creatures have forced mankind to hide behind massive walls, but their fortresses can only last so long. The show tells the story of Eren Yeager and his friends after their home is raided by infiltrating Titans, and the teenagers enlist to help beat back the Titans who’ve killed so many of their loved ones. 

Orange

For those of you who like slice-of-life stories, then you will want to give Orange a chance. The anime made its debut in 2016, and it has already become a fan-favorite amongst critics. With 13 episodes to its name, Orange tells a smooth story about friendship, heartbreak, growing up, and sadly growing apart. The show follows a girl named Naho after she recieves a mystery letter from her future self. The letter asks Naho to prevent her biggest regret from coming true, and the high schooler learns the ordeal has to do with a brand-new student at her school named Kakeru. Unsure of the directions, Orange follows Naho during a year in her life as she and her friends learn whether their pasts and futures are set in stone.