If you’re an anime lover like me, this is the blog post for you! Or if you’re looking to branch out into other genres of shows to watch, keep reading!

I started watching anime when I was in high school, and while I stopped for a while around the end of undergrad and after, I picked it up again a few months ago. So some of these recommendations will be older and some will be new, but all of them I consider to be recommendation-worthy!

My Hero Academia. When I watched this show, I was inspired to strive to be more than I am and to never set limits for myself – to believe that I can do anything I want. And even though I’m an adult now, I think its good to have a reminder not to give up on yourself or your dreams, no matter how old you are. As a warning, season 5 is currently being aired, so if you’re someone who doesn’t like to watch shows that aren’t finished, I would suggest waiting. Season 6 is also supposed to be released in spring of 2022.

Attack on Titan. If you don’t like violence or gore, this show is not for you. But if you can get beyond that, I highly recommend this! It’s also filled with a lot of twists, so you’re always surprised with each reveal. There are also a lot of deaths in this, so don’t get attached to anyone. Just like MHA, AoT is not finished, and the second half of season 4 will be released in winter of 2022.

Haikyu!! While on the surface, this show is “only about volleyball,” it’s really so much more than that. Just like MHA, I was inspired to go above and beyond what I thought I could accomplish and never give up on my dreams. And unlike MHA, this held a little more relevance because the main characters are normal high school kids with no super powers. It’s also super funny. Season 4 is completed, but there will be more seasons coming. The release date for season 5 hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected around the end of 2021 or sometime in 2022.

Demon Slayer. This was very easy to binge, since there is only one season with a movie as the second season. One of my friends wanted me to see the movie with them, so I was given the task of watching the first season in a week. I finished it with days to spare, so you could say that I was hooked. Just a warning: I cried for like 30 minutes straight during the movie, so if you don’t want to be sad, don’t watch this. Season 3 (or I guess 2 since technically the second season was made into a movie) will come out this fall.

Fruits Basket. I watched the first season of this when I was in high school, but started watching again recently. At first, it seems like a lighthearted slice of life anime, but there are a lot of darker elements in the show as well. I did cry a few times, but overall it’s a good one! This series is completed, so you don’t have to worry about cliffhangers!

Yuri!!! on ICE. I am way late to the show, but this is a classic! More of a slice of life, it features a figure skater and his coach. Sadly it’s only one season, we all are hoping that one day there will be a second. Even so, it’s totally worth the watch! It’s very easily binge-able as well.

Free! Iwatobi Swim Club. Similar to Haikyu!!, this show is a sports anime about high school kids on a swim team. The characters are super lovable and you’ll quickly find yourself chanting along with the crowd during the swim meets. Or was that just me? This show was announced to be completed (or at least continued) in a two-part film series at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022.

There are so many more, but let me know which ones are your favorite, or if you have any recommendations of what I should watch!