If you are looking to dive into the world of anime and manga, here are some of the most popular and highly-rated series categorized by genre and demographic. The "Big Three" & Shonen Icons
11. Chainsaw Man
- Genre: Action, horror comedy, absurdist
- Anime: 12 episodes (season 1)
- Manga: 16 volumes (Part 1 complete, Part 2 ongoing)
- Why: A poor devil-hunter named Denji merges with his chainsaw dog-devil to become Chainsaw Man. It’s chaotic, horny, violent, and heartbreaking. The manga is unpredictable. The anime has movie-quality animation.
- Which to choose? Watch season 1 for the spectacle, then read the manga from chapter 38 (or start from the beginning) because part 2 is wild.
Shojo (Romance)
- Sailor Moon - a classic magical girl series about a girl who becomes a superhero and fights to protect the Earth from evil forces.
- Cardcaptor Sakura - a fantasy series about a girl who discovers a magical book and must use her powers to capture and control magical cards.
- Fruits Basket - a slice-of-life series about a girl who becomes involved with a family of eccentric characters and learns about the importance of family and friendship.
- Ouran High School Host Club - a manga adaptation of the anime series, with a similar storyline and characters.
- Why it’s a recommendation: The plot twists are legendary. The animation by Wit Studio and later MAPPA is cinema-quality. The final episode redefined "bittersweet endings."
- Best for: Game of Thrones fans and those who love massive lore reveals.