Anime can feel daunting. As a term, it’s used to describe any animation that’s made in Japan, which means that trying to find a way into anime means trying to dive into decades worth of animation. Between that and the fact that some anime go on for hundreds of episodes, if not a thousand or more, it can feel almost impossible to work out what shows in the long history of anime might be for you.
Fortunately, Netflix has a surprisingly vast selection available. Of course, it isn’t without its flaws; there was controversy around the translation and subtitling when the streamer picked up Neon Genesis Evangelion. And when the critically acclaimed – and notoriously hard to find – Monster debuted on the platform at the end of 2022, only 30 of the series’ 74 episodes were made available online. But in spite of these frustrations, the available offerings are enough to capture the vastness of the art form. Give it a chance, and you might just find your new favourite show.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
In many ways, Evangelion is an ideal starting point for the genre. The series itself only has 26 episodes – so it’s basically as long as a season of Friends – and after that, you have the option of diving into numerous films and reboots that expand on the vast mythology of the show.
On the surface, it seems rife with anime cliches: there are giant mechs; sexually frustrated teenagers; and a protagonist thrown wildly out of their depth as they take on a threat that grows increasingly more dangerous as the show goes on: Angels. But as the many layers of Evangelion’s story reveal themselves, from the Angels themselves to the shady history of Nerv, a paramilitary operation that puts teenagers into giant mechs and sends them out to fight Angels, it becomes clear that the show is truly something special.
Devilman: Crybaby
The show’s eponymous “crybaby” is Akira Fudo, who is drawn into the world of devils by his childhood friend, the mysterious researcher Ryo Asuka. By the end of episode one, Akira becomes a “Devilman” – a devil with the heart of a human – after a decadent, satanic club night is overrun by demons, bursting out of human bodies in a way that’s sure to thrill anyone who likes their horror with blood and guts.
As well as offering plenty of horror and violence, Devilman is full of deeply moving moments, as the bond between Akira and Ryo becomes increasingly complex, and the show explores a wide variety of queer stories and identities.
The Way of the Househusband
If shows about angels, devils, and body horror aren’t necessarily for you, then there’s plenty of lighter, more absurd fare that’s available. One of the most surprisingly charming of these is The Way of the Househusband, a comedy about a former Yakuza boss who leaves his criminal past behind, becoming a devoted househusband instead.
In another life, Tatsu was The Immortal Dragon, an infamous and terrifying Yakuza gang leader. But now, he’s left that behind and leads a much less dangerous life as a stay-at-home husband.
What makes The Way of the Househusband work as well as it does is the fact that it takes this premise so seriously; that Tatsu’s imposing frame, intense demeanour, and deep belief in ideas of honour are what inform his new domestic life. There are plenty of jokes that offer a bait-and-switch between Yakuza and husband: are bloodstains on his apron from making dinner, or an execution? Absurd and earnest all at once, Way of the Househusband is a perfect palette cleanser.
Demon Slayer
A lot of the most popular anime fall under the banner of “shonen;” shows that are aimed at an audience of primarily teenage and young adult men. Think Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, or Naruto. In many ways, Demon Slayer is this kind of show, but from the very beginning it stakes the claim of being something different, when the peaceful life of protagonist Tanjiro is shattered when he returns home to find his family have been slaughtered by demons.
The only survivor is Nezuko, Tanjiro’s sister, who’s in danger of becoming a demon herself. With Nezuko on his back, Tanjiro sets off on a quest to become a demon slayer, all while grappling with the guilt of being unable to save his family.
Violet Evergarden
The eponymous Violet Evergarden is an exceptional soldier. But after the Great War ends and she needs to recover from wounds sustained in her final battle, she has no idea what to do with herself, or even the kind of person she is. It’s this search for her sense of self that leads her to work as an Auto Memory Doll: a letter-writer for people who can’t do it, or are unable to express their emotions.
The problem is, Violet herself isn’t exactly full of emotional tact or awareness; her early letters are blunt to a fault, and there are laughs to be had at her awkwardness. But Violet Evergarden isn’t a comedy; it’s a powerful and deeply moving romance, as Violet uses her work as a Doll in an attempt to finally understand the meaning of the last words that Major Gilbert, her comrade in arms, said to her: “I love you.”
Monster
Every action has a consequence. This is what drives Monster from the very beginning, when gifted surgeon Dr. Kenzo Tenma is told to operate on a famous opera singer. The singer survives, but another man dies because Tenma couldn’t operate on him in time. It’s the impact of this decision that causes him to go against the orders of his superiors and operate on a wounded child, instead of the town’s mayor.
It’s difficult to say a lot about Monster without giving away the game, but the show is full of legitimately shocking twists and turns. A slow burning mystery, and an elaborate game of cat and mouse, the only problem once you start watching is running out of episodes before the back half of the show is put on Netflix.