Western culture has relegated animation to the world of childrens entertainment and adult humor.

Unfortunately, however, these designations have closed many people off to the genre.

Yet, the wonders of Japanese anime are clear for everyone.

Article image

Image from teahub.io

This is not a list curated based on experience levels.

Rather, it is a collection of Japanese anime films and shows we feel everyone can enjoy.

As a result, humans have been forced below ground.

Article image

Living in subterranean cities, isolated from each other, humanity lives in fear.

Then she does save a woman from her abusive partner.

This is one of those titles that most people will know, even those that have never watched.

Article image

It proves that Japanese anime really is for everyone.

Expect tears to be jerked.

It challenges us all to ask if what we know is real at all.

Article image

A darker story this Japanese anime has something for everyone to enjoy.

There is something baseline Orwellian about this Japanese anime series.

The world is divided into three superpowers.

Article image

Britannia has taken over Japan and stripped away all rights and allowances for its population.

The result is a three-way clash of ideologies wherein no one is right, nor is anyone wrong.

Technically its part of the Magical Girl anime genre.

Article image

But, unfortunately, this act ends up having dire consequences.

A classic tale of a choice made and a result questioned.

As with so many anime shows and movies, Monster began life as a Manga series.

Article image

This approach often causes more harm to himself in the process.

Something of a sleeper hit, Trigun was not that popular in Japan.

However, it saw its popularity pick up in the US.

Article image

A hacker begins altering people to do his bidding.

This anime posts the timeless Blade Runner question of What makes someone a person?

Kon was a highly influential figure on western-world film directors Darren Aronofsky and Guillermo del Toro.

Article image

Akira

Run Time: 124 minutes

View in galleryvia theplaylist.net

A movie that inspired so much.

Despite being made over thirty years ago, Akira remains of the most influential anime creations ever.

At its core, Akira is a story of a government project gone awry.

Article image

A classic tale, it offers a hideous reflection of what human science can do when abused.

Strange, violent, and fantastical, Akira is reason enough for man to avoid playing God.

Recent reports talk about an anime series being created.

Article image

With artful execution and great thought, theres little action waiting in the Mushi-Shi world.

The plot tracks Ginko, a man learning about creatures of pure life, known as the Mushi.

Capable of causing great benefits and unfathomable destruction, this visual treat is definitely a slow burn.

Article image

Instead, it is intensely reflective and for anyone who wants to look closer at what life is.

Many people say that Mushi-shi is a flawed show due to its slow nature.

However, if you allow yourself to persevere, this is an anime gem.

Gurren Lagann

Steins;Gate

Run Time: 25 mins approx.

View in galleryvia theforgottenlair.net

Stretching beyondDr.

The fallout from this is unexpected and often unusual.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

It is all witnessed through an array of outcast characters who feel human in remarkable and disconcerting ways.

This anime addresses the subject of time travel, and the problems it always seems to cause.

His lone ally is a formidable female mercenary.

Princess Mononoke

Together they seek to save his soul from an empire that would destroy him and themselves in the process.

A great look, an interesting story, and an abundance of episodes.

A swashbuckling tale that buckles all swashes.

Bunny Drop

A story of treasure hunting and destiny fulfillment.

One Piece is unquestionably, the ultimate anime adventure, it is a fitting way to end this list.

However, dont be discouraged.

Cowboy Bebop

There are a great many more anime adventures out there, for those willing to look.

Understanding the Different Types of Japanese Anime

Its easy to assume that anime is a genre.

However, that is not the case.

Clannad

When we say Japanese anime is for everyone to enjoy, we mean it.

Closer inspection will show that there are actually five distinct subcategories of anime.

There are possible more, but the following five are the core branches.

Paranoia Agent

Each one is tailored towards a different audience demographic.

Shonen

This style of anime is usually action-packed featuring a young male protagonist.

Anime of this jot down, while enjoyable for everybody caters more towards the younger male demographic.

Attack on Titan

Key examples of Shonen anime are One Piece, Naruto, and Attack on Titan.

Seinen

Translated to youth, Seinen anime is the leveled-up equivalent of Shonen.

Seinen is more violent and psychological, which is why its audience is older late teens and early adulthood.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Classic Seinen anime examples are Tokyo Ghoul, Ghost in the Shell, and One-Punch Man.

Shojo

Shojo anime is the polar opposite.

Aimed at young women aged between 10 and 18, it focuses primarily on relationships and casual drama.

Code Geass

Theres a reason Shojo translates to virgin.

Female leads are the more common find in Shojo, along with a deeper study of human relationships.

Despite the lack of action, Shojo enjoys universal appeal.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

While it still features strong themes of relationships and drama, they are simply a darker kind.

Gone are the meet-cutes and the love stories, and in its place are much darker themes.

Erotic undertones abound and with storylines involving sexual assault, infidelity, and heartbreak.

Monster

Despite the target audience, Josie anime is enjoyed by men and women.

However, kodomomuke is a more generalized grouping.

Translated to children it is a gentle anime style that we have all watched, possibly without knowing.

TriGun

The biggest examples of kodomomuke anime are Pokemon, Digimon, and Hello Kitty.

The only limitation is the imagination of its creators.

The future of anime looks very bright.

Ghost in the Shell

The heady westward spread of its popularity has also helped ensure production stays high.

Firstly, this list of anime offers you a great many hours of entertainment.

Paprika

Akira

Mushi-Shi

Steins;Gate

The Guardian Of The Sacred Spirit

One Piece Japanese Anime

Japanese Anime Types

Japanese Anime Types

One Piece Japanese Anime

The Guardian Of The Sacred Spirit - japanese anime

Mushi-Shi - japanese anime

Akira - japanese anime

Attack on Titan - japanese anime

Paranoia Agent - japanese anime

Bunny Drop - japanese anime

Gurren Lagann

Paprika - japanese anime

Ghost in the Shell - japanese anime

Puella Magi Madoka Magica - japanese anime

Monster - japanese anime

Steins Gate - japanese anime

TriGun - japanese anime

Cowboy Bebop - japanese anime

Clannad - japanese anime

Code Geass - japanese anime

Neon Genesis Evangelion - japanese anime

Princess Mononoke - japanese anime

Revolutionary Girl Utena - japanese anime