Genre: Supernatural, Psychological, Thriller
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Tubi (free)

The ultimate "gateway anime." A genius high school student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. He decides to become a god of a new world by killing criminals, attracting the attention of the world’s greatest detective, "L."

Genre: Adventure, Shonen, Fantasy
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix (edited for pacing)

Don’t let the 1,000+ episode count scare you. One Piece is a cultural treasure. Following Monkey D. Luffy and his ragtag pirate crew in search of the ultimate treasure, this series is less about fighting and more about freedom, found family, and crying over a cartoon ship.

For those who want complex morality, philosophical debates, and graphic realism, Seinen is the destination.

Isekai (trapped in another world) dominates modern anime. There is a lot of trash, but also some gold.

Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Drama
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

A 34-year-old shut-in dies and is reincarnated into a world of swords and magic as a baby named Rudeus Greyrat. He vows to live his second life without regrets. This series has incredible animation and deep world-building, but be warned: the protagonist is deeply flawed (perverted), which turns some viewers away.

Why it’s popular: It took the world by storm thanks to Episode 19. It is a simple story told with absolutely stunning visuals.