Whether you are a newcomer to anime, or a long time viewer who took a break, here are some modern anime that are great to watch! As with any good gateway anime, most of these titles offer a good story and are accessible without needing too much anime knowledge. And don't worry about the panties, these shows have little to no fanservice.
© Bones / Square Enix
Genre: Adventure
Why'd you watch it: The action, moral questions, characters, and soundtrack will make a lasting impression. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the closest to perfection a modern anime can get.
© White Fox / 5bp.
Genre: Science Fiction
Why'd you watch it: A smart time traveling story? Characters that are actually fleshed out and have personalities? Great animation? Steins;Gate is a modern classic, and one I believe ranks up there with Cowboy Bebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
© Ufotable
Genre: Modern fantasy, tragedy
Why'd you watch it: A dark, mature storyline that will rip your heart to shreds. While you are picking up the pieces, you'll enjoy some of the best animated fight scenes in anime.
© Wit Studio / Production I.G. / Kodansha
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, action
Why'd you watch it: It's the most popular series right now, and you want to see what the fuss is about. Attack on Titan probably won't change your life (only Gintama can do that), but you'll find a worthwhile series with a very cool setting.
© Gainax
Genre: Action-adventure, mecha
Why'd you watch it: The most off-the-wall, batshit crazy, awesome thing that'll grace your life. Kamiya is a walking fountain of awesome, and you'll start to do the impossible after watching.
© Manglobe
Genre: Action-adventure, samurai
Why'd you watch it: It's from the creator of Cowboy Bebop, and certainly lives up to the pedigree. The blend of Edo era Japan and hip-hop undertones makes Samurai Champloo one of the more unique anime out there.
© Production I.G.
Genre: Cyberpunk, crime fiction
Why'd you watch it: You love procedural crime fighting, and you'd like to see one take place in the future. The first season is filled with tense thrills, excellent pacing, and a believable future with the government always watching. The second season does stumble around more, but is still worth a watch for some of the deeper questions it asks in the end.
© Production I.G. / Shueisha
Genre: Sports
Why'd you watch: You want to watch anime, but you want to start with something familiar. Basketball is a pretty popular sport, and Kuroko no Basuke has the benefit of having a good story and awesome moments sprinkled in with the basketball action.
© P.A. Works
Genre: Comedy-drama, action, fantasy
Why'd you watch it: Angel Beats! blends a couple of different things to make a show you won't find anywhere else. It's about the afterlife, but you go to high school before ascending. It makes sense in context, maybe but you'll probably always have some questions. Overall, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll wish more episodes were made.
© J.C. Staff / Dengeki Bunko
Genre: Action, fantasy
Why'd you watch it: The setting is a special blend of magic and advanced technology. Naturally this leads to a power struggle between the magic and the technology driven sides of the city. So, if you want some cool world building with a likeable cast, here is your show!
It also helps that there is a deeper allegory for the power struggles of large organizations we see in the real world so this show has a few layers to explore.
© Brain's Base / Dengeki Bunko
Genre: Suspense
Why'd you watch it: Supernatural and strange things happen in modern day Ikebukuro district in Tokyo, Japan. Durarara!! takes multiple stories happening to different characters simultaneously and weaves it into a cohesive narrative about the district as a whole. The soundtrack is also wicked awesome.
© Brain's Base / Dengeki Bunko
Genre: black comedy, crime fiction
Why'd you watch it: It's the older brother to Durarara!! since the story was written by the same author. Multiple narratives are once again woven into a larger narrative, but this time it takes place during the Prohibition Era in the U.S. and is told in a non-linear fashion. Fun characters and twists are abound!
© A-1 Pictures
Genre: Historical, action, science fiction
Why'd you watch it: A semi-alternative take on the events during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Four spies from the Japanese Imperial Army are dispatched to Shanghai. Each of them have their own reasons for being there, and it's a doozy of a ride. History fans don't need to be worried, since the series doesn't fall victim to historical revisionism.
© Brain's Base / Kodansha
Genre: Romantic comedy
Why'd you watch it: Princess Jellyfish is a very well written series. The basic gist of things is that Kurashita moves into an all-girls apartment complex for female otaku. Through a series of unfortunate events she meets a gorgeous, strong cross dressing guy who is the antithesis of everything she believes as a social recluse. Together they start making jellyfish inspired fashion and work to save the otaku house. Really, it's a series you have to watch to understand why it's so good!
© Daume / Shincosha
Genre: Horror
Why'd you watch it: It has vampires that don't sparkle! Is that still a joke? Okay, but seriously, Shiki is one of the best modern horror stories. Not only is it scary, but the story is morally grey, so you don't really know who the true monsters are here.
© Madhouse / Kadokawa Shoten
Genre: Comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: The surreal art style makes The Tatami Galaxy one of the most unique looking series you'll fine. Don't worry, the series is more than just eye candy. It explores some deep themes of love, expectations, and acceptance. If you want a transcendent experience and to have your life view changed, this is what you've been looking for.
© A-1 Pictures / Square Enix
Genre: Slice of life
Why'd you watch it: A relaxing and often funny look at the staff of a family owned restaurant. The character interactions a golden, and anyone who has worked in the food industry might be able to relate to some of the struggles.
© A-1 Pictures / Media Factory
Genre: Drama, romance, tragedy
Why'd you watch it: The feelings are strong with Anohana. A heartbreaking tale of six childhood friends drifting apart after the death of one of them. Everyone has lost someone close to them and has struggled to move on, which only makes Anohana that much more impactful.
© J.C. Staff / Shueisha
Genre: Slice of life, comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: A series about how manga is made? And it's created by the duo behind Death Note? Yes, you can expect some great moments on the semi-educational, but highly entertaining series.
© Pierrot+ / Shueisha
Genre: Action, slice of life, comedy
Why'd you watch it: A delinquent finds a baby boy, who turns out to be the son of the great demon king! The action is pretty awesome, and comedy will leave you rolling. Don't worry about the Japanese high school setting, it's a very accessible series.
© White Fox / Kodansha
Genre: Samurai, action, comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: The visual style really stands out, and it competes with The Tatami Galaxy as one of the more unique looking anime. The story is simple and easy to follow; a duo look for mystical swords. But the journey is filled with twists and turns, and you'll be on the edge of your seat.
© Production I.G. / Shodensha
Genre: Slice of life, comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: Bunny Drop does a really great job looking at the struggles of raising a child as a single parent. It's filled with tender moments that you'll love and you might come out of it appreciating your parents a bit more.
© P.A. Works
Genre: Comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: It's an anime about making anime! Not only is it a in-depth look in the struggles that the average studio might go through, but the characters are so well written. We might not work in an anime studio, but the struggles the girls go through are universal for any working young adult.
© Madhouse / Kodansha
Genre: Sports, drama, romance
Why'd you watch it: Competitive karuta? Don't worry if you've never heard of the game before. The game is explained well, but you'll be watching for the character growth and top notch drama. The strong female lead also empowers both women and men alike with her journey to the top.
© Tatsunoko Production / Shueisha
Genre: Slice of life, comedy-drama
Why'd you watch it: A fun, light-hearted series about a trio trying to help improve life at their high school. It's filled to the top with jokes and tropes but it sometimes takes a moment to focus on darker drama that you never would expect. In that way, it does feel a lot like school and life.
© Madhouse / Shueisha
Genre: Fantasy, action-adventure
Why'd you watch it: Hunter x Hunter may take a lot of hiatuses, but it's one epic series. The animation done by Madhouse is top-notch, the character development is great, and the story will entertain everyone. Some people consider it the pinnacle of the shounen series and it does move very quickly with almost no filler content.
© Manglobe / Shogakukan
Genre: Parody, harem, romantic comedy
Why'd you watch it: Most harem series are derided for not having a story and put all their effort on titillation. Not saying they are all bad, but The World God Only Knows stands out from the pack for having witty humor, a touching story, and great animation.
© Sunrise
Genre: Comedy-drama, science fiction, action
Why'd you watch it: Do you love superheroes? Like that anime feel that you can't describe? Tiger & Bunny blends the best of both worlds with a series that has high octane action, but takes the time to satirize modern consumerism and corporations.
© Shaft
Genre: Magical girl, dark fantasy
Why'd you watch it: The cute art style and fluffy intro are two of the biggest traps in anime. Madoka Magica is a dark take on the magical girl genre, and is one that you can enjoy if you don't mind a dose of darkness. There is a TV series and a movie trilogy. They largely have the same plot, up until the third movie. Check out both, and see which you like!
© David Production / Shueisha
Genre: Action-adventure, supernatural
Why'd you watch it: It's just the face and perfect show of "manly men doing manly things" subgenre. Okay, I made that up, but the series is filled with very exciting moments. From the characters, to the entertaining story, and the animation; JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a must watch.
© TMS
Genre: Crime drama, adventure
Why'd you watch it: Lupin the Third has been around since the '70s and is known for starring the titular lovable thief, Lupin. However, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine focuses on the femme fatale. Fans of mature stories will definitely find a lot to love.
© P.A. Works
Genre: romance, drama, fantasy
Why'd you watch it: A touching coming of age story deals with social discrimination and romance. The dynamic between five friends, who all have feeling for each other, is pretty tense. The fantasy element (the kids are from the sea, but go to school on land) adds a unique twist to things.
© Pierrot / Hakusensha
Genre: Action-adventure, romance, fantasy
Why'd you watch it: Yona of the Dawn is a billed as a reverse harem, but it's so much more than that. Yes, it has tender romance scenes, but there is also a dark undertone, great action scenes, well-written characters, and large scale adventure. Don't pass up on this ride.
© Dogakobo / Square Enix
Genre: romantic comedy
Why'd you watch it: Misunderstood romance and dense characters are pretty annoying, but Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun does it right. It's a rare romance series that doesn't rely on sexualizing the characters, but instead focuses on great comedic timing and some touching moments. And there is Tomoda.
© Artland / Kodansha
Genre: Occult
Why'd you watch it: Mushishi is tricky to explain, since any description can't capture what makes it so great. At it's core, it's an episodic series about Ginko and the various Mushi (supernatural creatures) he meets. There is no overarching plot, and at times Ginko isn't the main focus, but more a catalyst. It's an anthology type series that has to be watched to understand.
© Madhouse / Kodansha
Genre: Science fiction, action
Why'd you watch it: Alien type creatures called Parasytes appear on Earth. They take over a host body and eat humans as a food source. Shinichi is attacked by a Parasyte, but it only takes over his hand. At it's core, Parasyte is an action series, but it dabbles into a cynical take on human nature and who the real parasite is.
© MAPPA
Genre: Action-adventure
Why'd you watch it: It's one of the most charming series you'll ever see. Favaro is a charismatic lead and Amira is a loveable girl on her quest to find her mom. The series is comparable to Pirates of the Caribbean in terms of adventure and tone.
© Sunrise / Bandai Namco Pictures / Shueisha
Genre: Comedy, parody, samurai
Why'd you watch it: I did mention earlier that Gintama was the only series capable of changing your life. Did you think I'd forget? Sure, it has a ton of references to other anime and manga series, and is peppered with Japanese pop culture references, but the series is still funny without knowing most of them. Just go and watch it (yes the first few episodes are a bit boring and then it kicks into perfection for the rest of the series) and tell me what you think.
