Netflix has been slowly turning into an anime goldmine with some of the biggest and most popular hits in the genre. If you’re wondering where to start, consider some of these.
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Haikyuu!
Watch Haikyuu! on Netflix
Haikyuu! is one of those perfect gateway anime that gets you hooked before you know it. The story follows Hinata Shoyo, a short but determined high school student who dreams of becoming a great volleyball player. The premise is quite simple, but Hinata’s constant struggle against taller players and determination to come out ahead beat some of the best sports movies I’ve seen.
Hinata’s partnership with his teammates, especially Kageyama, is also brilliant. Hinata and Kageyama were opponents initially, but were forced to play on the same team after accidentally joining the same high school. What starts out as a brawl between two kids soon develops into a relentless scoring machine on the court.
There are no complicated back stories or overlaying sagas here to follow. The story takes you through the details in depth, while being incredibly simple for your first anime—especially considering you’ll be heavily relying on subtitles for the first few shows.
6
Blue Lock
Watch Blue Lock on Netflix
Block Lock is another sports anime that’s incredibly easy to follow but maintains a thrilling story. The story revolves around a psychological battle royale training program designed to create Japan’s ultimate striker. It starts with 300 high-school students locked in a facility competing with each other to become the future of Japanese soccer.
The protagonist, Isagi Yoichi, starts as a conflicted but gifted high school player struggling to win championships, mostly because he gives his team too much importance. As he goes through Blue Lock, the anime explores the concept of “ego” in sports in a rather creative way. This results in intense training scenarios and constant betrayal or heartbreak as Blue Lock members fight each other to come out on top.
5
MF Ghost
Watch MF Ghost on Netflix
If you’re a fan of motorsports, street racing, or even cars in general, MF Ghost is a must-watch show. It also happens to be the successor of the incredibly popular 90s anime Initial D, which shows the story of a talented street racer named Takumi Fujiwara.
While Fujiwara raced in the 90s, MF Ghost is based in the 202X era, where electric self-driving cars have taken over. Internal combustion engines are limited to race tracks, where an organization called MFG focuses on racing.
Taught by Fujiwara, Kanata Rivington arrives on the Japanese street racing scene with a humble Toyota 86. Just like his teacher, he ends up going against much better cars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and winning. The racing scenes are well animated and are a perfect throwback to the racing shown in Initial D.
4
Demon Slayer
Watch Demon Slayer on Netflix
Demon Slayer is probably one of the most visually stunning anime you’ll see in a long time. The story follows Kamado Tanjiro, a charcoal-selling teenager who returns home to find his family slaughtered by demons. Only his sister, Nezuko, survives the attack, but ends up transforming into a demon herself.
Tanjiro then sets off on a quest to find a cure for his sister and slay demons in the process. His hunt eventually leads him to Kitubsuji Muzan—the demon responsible for his family’s murder and the overarching demon lord. It’s one of those dark dramas that hook you from episode one.
Apart from the exceptional character work and animation, the story takes some really deep dives. You get to see not only Tanjiro’s story, but all the other characters around him, from his friends Innouske and Zenitsu to the larger demon slayer corps that’s responsible for hunting demons around Japan.
3
Attack on Titan
Watch Attack on Titan on Netflix
Attack on Titan is one of the most popular anime ever and has some of the darkest and grittiest stories you’ll ever come across. Set in a world where humanity lives behind massive walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid Titans, it starts as a straightforward survival story that quickly evolves into a far more complex plot.
The story is quite complex here, and it really challenges your perception of the “good guys.” Protagonist Eren Yeager’s transformation from a revenge-driven teenager to what conspires in the end will leave you surprised, if not shocked.
The final season is the real gem here. The anime was handed over from Wit Studio to Mappa, which brought a more gritty, intense visual style that perfectly matches the series’ darker turn.
2
Yowamushi Pedal
Watch Youwamushi Pedal on Netflix
This wasn’t on my radar and was recommended by Netflix. It’s an anime about a shy high school student who wants to join his school’s anime club, but ends up discovering he has prodigious talent for competitive cycling.
Onada Sakamichi, the series’ protagonist, rides to school on his “mamachari” (mom bike). He surprises his school’s cycling club seniors, and eventually goes on to win some pretty intense races. And if you think cycling races can’t be intense, wait until you see Yowamushi Pedal.
The cycling scenes are incredibly intense and technically accurate. They give detailed attention to racing strategy, teamwork, and the physical demands of competitive cycling as a sport. The way Onada sings anime theme songs while blasting past everyone on his bicycle has a uniquely satisfying feeling to it.
1
Jujutsu Kaisen
Watch Jujustu Kaisen on Netflix
Jujutsu Kaisen is everything I love about modern shonen anime, but dialed to 110%. It takes familiar concepts like supernatural battles, special powers, secret organizations, and blends them into a thrilling but emotionally draining story.
The story follows Itadori Yuji, a regular high school student who suddenly becomes the host for the most powerful curse on the planet—Ryomen Sukuna—after swallowing one of his fingers to save his friends. Yuji is then admitted to a special school for jujutsu sorcerers, where he learns more about his powers and the curses plaguing the world.
The animation is done by Mappa, meaning you get incredibly well-animated fight sequences directed to perfection. You eventually come to like all characters as they face genuine danger, and the series often puts them through some serious trauma.
With anime on offer, Netflix has shows I keep binge-watching again and again. If you’ve never watched anime before, any entry will make for a great first anime. If you’re already a fan of the genre, you’re bound to get another fan favorite.
