Widely considered the highest-rated anime of all time on platforms like MyAnimeList, Brotherhood is the perfect entry point. It follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy to try to bring their mother back from the dead—a forbidden act that costs Ed his arm and Al his entire body. The story is a masterclass in pacing, world-building, and emotional stakes.
A man with a lizard head (Caiman) hunts sorcerers in a grimy, post-apocalyptic city called "The Hole." The sorcerers live in a clean, corporate nightmare above. Dorohedoro is unique because the "bad guys" (the sorcerers) are the protagonists, and the "good guys" (the cleaners) are horrifying. The manga is complete and features incredible, messy art. The anime uses unique 3D/2D hybrid CGI that fits perfectly. Genre: Time Loop, Mystery, Horror Complete: Yes (25 episodes). www.secrethentai.club
Watch the anime for the fight scenes; read the manga (which is complete) to finish the story faster. Part 2: The Heavy Hitters – Shonen Action (Long-Term Investments) For those who love epic world-building, tournaments, power systems, and hundreds of chapters/episodes. 4. One Piece Genre: Adventure, Pirate Fantasy Status: Ongoing (1100+ anime episodes, 109+ manga volumes) Widely considered the highest-rated anime of all time
The best-selling manga in history. One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew as they search for the legendary treasure, the One Piece. Do not let the episode count scare you. The series is a masterwork of foreshadowing; plot points hinted at in chapter 100 pay off in chapter 1000. The anime's pacing slows down later, so many switch to the manga (or the fan-edit "One Pace"). A man with a lizard head (Caiman) hunts
Do not watch the 2001 version. The 2019 version adapts the entire manga. Tohru Honda is an orphan living in a tent in the woods until the mysterious Sohma family takes her in. She discovers that members of the Sohma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac and transform when hugged by the opposite sex. It is a slow-burn story about trauma, abuse, and healing, wrapped in a romantic comedy package. Genre: Music, Romance, Tragedy Complete: Yes (22 episodes).
A word of warning: you will cry. Piano prodigy Kōsei Arima lost the ability to hear his own playing after his mother died. Two years later, a free-spirited violinist named Kaori drags him back into the world of music. The animation of the musical performances is stunning, and the ending is legendary (and heartbreaking). The manga is a short, powerful read. "Seinen" is manga/anime targeted at adult men (18+), often dealing with philosophical, violent, or complex themes. 10. Berserk (Manga First) Genre: Dark Fantasy, Gore, Tragedy Manga Status: On hiatus (Author Kentaro Miura passed away; being continued by team).
The most wholesome show on television. An elite spy (Loid) must create a fake family for a mission. He adopts a telepathic orphan girl (Anya) and marries a beautiful assassin (Yor) without knowing each other's secrets. Anya is the only one who knows everyone's identity. It is a hilarious, uplifting, and occasionally thrilling family sitcom. The manga is consistently funny and heartwarming. If you have watched the hits and want something different. 15. Dorohedoro Genre: Gory Comedy, Cyberpunk (sort of), Isekai (Reversed) Status: One Season (likely not continuing, but the manga is complete).
