Recommendations for 10 Short Anime Perfect for Beginners

Kapanlagi.com - The skyrocketing popularity of anime worldwide has made many people curious and want to dive into the world of anime. The problem is, there are countless anime. Many have long stories, hundreds of episodes, and even multiple seasons. For beginners, choosing the first anime can feel complicated and overwhelming.

Indeed, legendary anime like Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto are clearly of high quality. But for those who are still new to anime, it's usually easier to start with shorter shows that don't take much time. Moreover, most popular anime are often associated with battle shounen, while the world of anime is far more diverse than just fighting and techniques.

So, here are 10 short anime that are perfect for beginners, and still fun for long-time anime fans.

1. Takopi's Original Sin

Takopi's Original Sin is one of the darkest and most talked-about anime of 2025. Although it has only six episodes, the story truly hits the emotions. Takopi is an alien creature resembling a squid who comes to Earth with one goal: to spread happiness.

He meets Shizuka Kuze, a little girl who rarely smiles and lives in suffering. Takopi tries to make Shizuka happy, but slowly realizes that human emotions are far more complicated than he imagined. This anime presents a heavy psychological story that is sad and hard to forget.

2. Kotaro Lives Alone

Kotaro Lives Alone combines warm humor with a gradually touching sadness. This anime tells the story of Kotaro Sato, a four-year-old boy who lives alone in a small apartment.

Despite being very young, Kotaro lives independently and takes care of everything himself. His neighbors, including Shin the manga artist, begin to care and slowly learn about Kotaro's painful past. This anime raises the issue of child neglect in a gentle yet impactful way.

3. Eden of the East

Eden of the East is a sci-fi mystery anime with a touch of romance that unfortunately doesn't receive much attention. The story begins with a mysterious terrorist incident called Careless Monday, when Japan is attacked by missiles without any casualties and then forgotten just like that.

Three months later, Saki Morimi meets Akira Takizawa, a strange man who has lost his memory, claims to be a terrorist, and possesses a phone containing billions of yen. Their relationship draws Saki into a game of life and death, while also revealing the big secret behind Careless Monday.

4. Yuri!! on Ice

Although its sequel film was canceled, Yuri!! on Ice remains a beloved sports anime. The story follows Yuri Katsuki, a figure skating athlete who nearly gives up after a crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finale.

Upon returning to Japan, Yuri accidentally goes viral after performing a skating routine of his idol, Victor Nikiforov. The biggest surprise comes when Victor appears in person and offers to be his coach. From here, Yuri rises again and fights against fierce competition to win the gold medal.

5. Barakamon

Barakamon is a warm, funny slice of life anime that is perfect for those who need a relaxing watch. The story follows Sei Handa, a talented calligrapher who is exiled to a remote island after his emotions explode at an exhibition.

At first, Sei struggles to adapt to village life. But thanks to the friendly locals and a super active kid named Naru, his life slowly changes. On this island, Sei rediscovers his identity, learns about life, and develops a calligraphy style that truly reflects himself.

6. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

This anime produced by Madhouse is adapted from an award-winning manga by Uoto and concludes in 25 episodes. The story is set in 15th century Poland, during a time when scientific thought was considered heresy by the Church.

Anyone who opposed the Church's doctrine, particularly regarding astronomy, could be sentenced to death. Rafal, a 12-year-old genius, initially studies theology. However, his encounter with a forbidden scientist awakens his curiosity about astronomy. From here, Rafal must face the bitter reality of science and belief in a cruel era.

7. Apocalypse Hotel

This sci-fi anime may not be very popular, but it is clearly underrated. Apocalypse Hotel combines slice of life with a post-apocalyptic world. Set in the year 2157, humanity has long left Earth due to its toxic atmosphere.

In the midst of a nearly empty world, Gingarou Hotel in Tokyo still stands and operates. This luxury hotel is fully managed by robots that continue to work tirelessly even after more than a century without guests. Yachiyo, the robot manager, still believes that humans will return. That hope begins to be tested when a mysterious guest arrives unexpectedly.

8. B: The Beginning

B: The Beginning is one of the best psychological thriller animes on Netflix. The story is set in a futuristic archipelago country called Cremona, filled with crime and violence. Amidst the chaos, a mysterious vigilante named Killer B emerges, exterminating criminals and leaving a mark �B� at each crime scene.

Since no one can capture him, the RIS appoints Keith Flick, a legendary detective, to handle the case. As the investigation progresses, a mysterious young man named Koku gets drawn into it. Slowly, his dark past is revealed, uncovering significant secrets about a dark organization, terrorism, and human experimentation.

9. Forest of Piano

Adapted from the award-winning manga by Makoto Isshiki, Forest of Piano has two seasons with a total of 24 episodes. This anime tells the story of Kai Ichinose, a boy who grows up in a harsh environment but finds solace in an old, abandoned piano in the middle of the forest.

Although he has never studied music formally, Kai's playing is capable of producing extraordinary melodies. His talent catches the attention of Sosuke Ajino, a legendary pianist who has now become a teacher. On the other hand, there is Shuehei Amamiya, a child from an elite family and the son of a famous pianist. Both are pursuing their dreams in the competitive and pressurized world of classical music.

10. Moonrise

Moonrise is an original sci-fi anime from WIT Studio that airs exclusively on Netflix. Written by Tou Ubukata, the person behind Psycho-Pass, this anime was developed over a full six years. The story is set in the near future, when humanity lives under the control of an international AI network that governs the world's affairs.

Problems arise when construction projects on the Moon turn criminals and waste into 'deliveries' there, creating a significant imbalance. Tensions explode into war between the inhabitants of the Moon and Earth. Jacob Shadow, who has lost everything, finds himself caught in this conflict and joins the military. Unexpectedly, he must confront a figure from his past that reopens old wounds.

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