Would you like to start a new anime that doesn't have 1000 episodes or have you never seen one before? Then take a look at these recommendations.
I'm not saying that if you're a fan of anime you shouldn't watch the adventures of a certain pirate gang, after all, "One Piece" is worth it just for the sad moments that break your heart.
But what I would like to say is that over 1000 episodes are a bit intimidating. Especially if you enjoyed watching anime as a child of the 2000s, but are now more out of the game and now want to slowly start again.
And that's exactly why I've brought you 10 recommendations today, each of which you can look through in just one afternoon. You can laugh, get excited and, in some cases, cry along:
1. Death Parade
What it's about:
There are many theories about what happens after death. Sometimes it's not decided until you've actually died. The anime “Death Parade” plays with exactly this concept, in which deceased people end up in a bar called Quindecim. The interesting thing is that they don't even know that they are dead.
The bartender Decim lets them take part in macabre games, making the deceased believe that victory would lead to them being reborn. In reality, he judges them based on their behavior during the game.
Number of episodes:
12
2. Vampires In The Garden
What it's about:
A war between vampires and humans? You may have last seen this in “Twilight.” “Vampire In The Garden” uses the same theme, but makes it a lot darker and more exciting. Which isn't surprising when you consider that the anime was produced by the same studio as Attack on Titan.
Momo is our main character and is trapped in her life in the middle of war. When she meets the vampire queen Fine, the two see in each other the chance to give both vampires and humans a better existence in a place called “Paradise”.
Number of episodes:
5
3. Elfen Lied
What it's about:
It could all be so beautiful: The two students Kohta and Yuka find young Lucy on the beach and the three quickly become friends.
But of course there is a twist that we as viewers know, but Lucy herself doesn't: she was genetically manipulated and trained to be a killer, which makes her a danger to everyone around her.
Number of episodes:
13
But it also has to be said here: the name and animation style are deceptive. “Elfen Lied” is quite disturbing and bloody, making it one of those anime that really isn’t for children.
4. Kotaro Lives Alone
What it's about:
Why does a four-year-old live all alone in one of the apartments in your apartment building? Shin Karino and the other residents also ask themselves this when they get to know Kotaro.
The little one himself doesn't seem to be particularly bothered by the whole thing, after all, he's pretty independent for his age. Over the course of the anime, he helps out his new babysitters every now and then, while you and everyone in the apartment building wonder where his parents are now...
Number of episodes:
10
5.No 6.
What it's about:
When Shion decides one night to help Nezumi, who has escaped from a reformatory, his life changes suddenly. He has to move out of the nice part of town, loses his place at university and ends up becoming a parking attendant.
During his work, however, a strange series of murders begins and Shion himself is held responsible for them - until Nezumi shows up again.
Number of episodes:
11
Oh and speaking of Shion: If you look at him, where do you think he ranks in our ranking of the hottest anime boys with white hair?
6. Romantic Killers
What it's about:
Life is good when your name is Anzu Hoshino and you can spend it playing video games all day and taking care of your cats. But what happens if you suddenly end up in a parallel world where all of this no longer exists?
That's right: you're trying to get used to your strange new life - and also somehow to the fact that all the pretty guys in this world suddenly seem to like you.
Number of episodes:
12
7. Erased: The city where I don't exist
What it's about:
What would you do if you could go back in time? That's exactly what Satoru Fujinuma, who has this ability, is wondering.
But when his mother is murdered shortly after visiting him, Satoru knows what to do. But what he doesn't expect: that the journey through time will take him back to the side of Kayo - a classmate who was kidnapped.
Number of episodes:
12
“Erased” is also one of the recommendations for which you need to be particularly prepared. However, the depiction of complex scenes puts the series on our list of anime that dealt with serious topics well.
8. Flavors Of Youth
What it's about:
The studio “CoMix Wave Films” experienced incredible international success, particularly with the release of “Your Name – Yesterday, Today and Forever”.
Two years later, the studio, together with Haoliners Animation, released “Flavors Of Youth” – a film that can be divided into three stories, all of which last around 20 minutes. Each takes place in a different city in China and tells of the formative experiences of the main characters, who end up having more in common than you think.
Number of episodes:
A film in three parts of approximately 20 minutes each, 75 minutes in total
9. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
What it's about:
Would you take any risk to not only recreate, but also actually carry out the famous transformations from your favorite 2000s anime? Madoka and her best friend Sayaka have to ask themselves a similar question.
The two friends have their wish granted - but only on the condition that they compete against witches as magical girls.
Number of episodes:
12
10. Violet Evergarden
What it's about:
Where do you go when the war is over and you no longer know what your role in the world is? The anime “Violet Evergarden” deals with this topic, whose protagonist of the same name played an important role in a decisive war battle and lost her arms in the process.
With the help of prostheses, she now works as a ghost writer for people who can no longer write or express their feelings in words. Violet herself tries to understand the meaning of love.
Number of episodes:
13
And if you would like to read more about anime right now, here are a few details from anime films that you can mention in any small talk.