(Credits: Netflix)

So you have decided to get into anime, and now everywhere you look, it’s One Piece this, Naruto that. A thousand episodes, ten thousand characters, and you are expected to just dive in like it’s no big deal? Yeah, no. You want something fun, something cool. Most importantly… something you can actually finish.

Don’t worry, this list isn’t that overwhelming “anime starter pack” everyone throws around. No twenty-season commitment. Just five solid shows that are right there on Netflix, ready to go. Each anime tells a complete story or at least gives you a clean, manageable starting point.

Also, we are not assuming you already know how anime “works”. You won’t need a breakdown of power systems or a full character wiki on the side. These picks are easy to follow and highly entertaining.

Whether you are into Greek gods or supernatural notebooks, we have something in here for you. No stress or catch-up homework. Just press play.

Five must-watch Netflix anime for beginners

Blood of Zeus (2020-2025)

Blood of Zeus is about this guy who is just another regular dude, nothing special, and then boom, he finds out he is literally Zeus’s son. Like, actual Greek god Zeus. And the second that happens, the world just starts falling apart. Giants show up, demons, everyone is trying to kill him, and he’s just kind of thrown into this war he didn’t ask for.

But here is the thing: you don’t need to know mythology to understand the show, like, at all. It’s not one of those shows that makes you feel dumb if you don’t know who Hera is or whatever. It explains stuff as it goes, and the drama? Instant. Fights, betrayals, monster things with too many teeth; it gets too wild too fast. And the season is short. You are not locked in for weeks. Just start it. It’s the easiest entry point if you want action and story but zero confusion.

Blue Eye Samurai (2023-)

You want a show that looks beautiful but doesn’t feel confusing? Start here. Everything about Blue Eye Samurai just pulls you in. And no, it’s not complicated fantasy stuff. Just a solid, heartfelt start. The main character, Mizu, doesn’t say much, but she has a reason for every move she makes. People have treated her like an outsider her whole life, and she is finally doing something about it.

There are sword fights in this anime, and they are way too personal. And if you are a fan of smart storytelling, this one never drags. And even if this is your very first anime, you will get what’s going on without needing to Google anything. You will finish an episode and just want to keep going. It’s that smooth.

Castlevania (2017–2021)

If Blood of Zeus pulls you in with gods and monsters, this one drags you into the dark and just doesn’t let go. Castlevania starts when a woman tries to bring medicine and science to a medieval village, and the church decides that makes her a witch. So they burn her alive. The problem is, she was married to Dracula. So now he is done being polite. He gives everyone one year before his monsters show up, and he means it.

Stopping him? A monster hunter who doesn’t want the job! Of course, he doesn’t. You also have a mage who sees through everyone’s nonsense and Dracula’s half-human son, who’s stuck in the middle. It’s violent and full of messy, stubborn characters who pull it together. Four seasons, no drag, no filler. And if you are new to anime, don’t worry. It holds your hand without making it obvious.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)

This is one of those shows you finish in one sitting without meaning to. Ten episodes. No dead air. All it does is keep moving. The world is a mess, and the people in it are trying to survive the only way they know how: by breaking rules.

You follow David, a student who is just trying to make it through life when everything falls apart. He ends up joining a crew that takes dangerous jobs, and nothing about it is safe. But if you think that it might get hard to follow since you have never played the game or seen anything Cyberpunk-related, you’re wrong, my friend. Because this show explains itself. And once you meet Lucy… it changes. It’s short, but it will let the emotion linger longer.

Death Note (2006-2007)

Well, Death Note has got to be one of the most recommended anime for beginners out there. Of course, because even though it’s a classic, it never feels old. It is sharp and easy to follow. You don’t have any giant fights or random worlds like most anime. All you’ve got is a kid with a notebook that can kill people and a detective who is smart enough to catch him.

It starts slow, but not boring. You will see the moves as they are happening and still be shocked at how far it goes. The show is all about conversations, risks, and strategy. It is one of those stories where you don’t know who you are rooting for, and that’s the fun of it. You keep watching because you need to know who is going to win. It’s perfect if you want something smart but don’t want to overthink it. Even if you don’t watch anime at all, this one makes sense.