Best Short Anime for Beginners: 10 Series to Start With

You do not need to begin with a series that runs for hundreds of episodes. This editorial shortlist centres on shows with about 8–13 main episodes, then makes the practical differences clear: total viewing time, story status, tone and where an official catalogue page exists.

Any title below can be watched without prior anime knowledge. The order is a discovery aid, not a quality ranking.

Quick picks by mood

• Optimistic adventure — A Place Further Than the Universe
• Clue-led mystery — ODDTAXI
• Time-slip thriller — ERASED
• Creative comedy — Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
• Feature-length science-fiction episodes — PLUTO
• Standalone adult science fiction — Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
• Music and social anxiety — BOCCHI THE ROCK!
• Graphic adult horror — DEVILMAN crybaby
• Fast, experimental storytelling — The Tatami Galaxy
• Rom-com parody — Romantic Killer

What counts as a short anime here

“Short” refers to the selected TV run, not necessarily the whole franchise. A first season can be brief while its source manga continues or a follow-up is already announced. Times are rounded planning estimates from listed episode lengths; PLUTO is the long-episode exception. This is a discovery selection, not a numeric ranking or a claim of personal viewing tests.

Ten series to try

A Place Further Than the Universe

Four schoolgirls set out on an Antarctic expedition. A clear goal and completed journey make it an accessible, warm adventure.

Episodes: 13 (2018). Approx. viewing time: about 5 hours (13 × 23 min). Genre: adventure / coming-of-age. Story status: The original 13-episode TV story reaches its own ending; no prior series is required. Content note: No major warning appeared in the checked listing. Official listing: official catalogue record — Crunchyroll (availability varies by country).

ODDTAXI

A quiet taxi driver’s conversations connect to a missing-person case. Its animal cast hides a grounded city mystery; a companion film also exists.

Episodes: 13 (2021). Approx. viewing time: about 5 hours (13 × 23 min). Genre: mystery / crime drama. Story status: The 13-episode TV story reaches a resolution. A related 2022 film, ODDTAXI: In the Woods, retells and adds material; start with the TV series. Content note: Crunchyroll notes profanity, violence and smoking. Official listing: official catalogue record — Crunchyroll (availability varies by country).

ERASED

A manga artist is sent back before crises and tries to prevent a childhood tragedy. The suspense is clear, but its subject matter is heavy.

Episodes: 12 (2016). Approx. viewing time: about 4½ hours (12 × 22 min; E6.5 is a separate 17-min recap). Genre: time-slip mystery / thriller. Story status: The 12 main episodes conclude the anime story. Crunchyroll also lists a 17-minute E6.5 recap, which is not a main episode. Content note: Violence and themes of child abuse and murder; check local age guidance. Official listing: official catalogue record — Crunchyroll (availability varies by country).

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Three students build an animation club and turn imagined worlds into short films. It makes creative teamwork the main attraction.

Episodes: 12 (2020). Approx. viewing time: about 5 hours (12 × 25 min). Genre: creative comedy / slice of life. Story status: One 12-episode season; the manga continues beyond it, so this is a short season rather than a full adaptation ending. Content note: Crunchyroll notes profanity; local age ratings differ. Official listing: official catalogue record — Crunchyroll (availability varies by country).

PLUTO

Inspector Gesicht investigates murders involving advanced robots and humans. Eight long episodes make this a substantial watch, not a three-hour mini-series.

Episodes: 8 (2023). Approx. viewing time: roughly 8 hours; episodes are feature-length (1–3 run 71, 57 and 62 min). Genre: science-fiction mystery / drama. Story status: An eight-episode adaptation of a completed manga story arc; prior Astro Boy viewing is not required. Content note: Murder, grief and violence are central; Netflix age labels vary by territory. Official listing: official catalogue record — Netflix (availability varies by country).

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

David joins a crew of mercenary outlaws to survive in Night City. CD PROJEKT RED calls the original a standalone story; Edgerunners 2 launched on 20 October 2026 with a new story and cast.

Episodes: 10 (2022). Approx. viewing time: about 4½ hours (10 episodes; runtimes vary). Genre: science-fiction action / tragedy. Story status: The original ten-episode story stands alone. Edgerunners 2 launched on 20 October 2026 as a separate story with a new cast. Content note: Graphic violence, blood, sexual content, drugs and strong language; not a light first anime. Official listing: official catalogue record — Netflix (availability varies by country).

BOCCHI THE ROCK!

Introverted guitarist Hitori is drawn into a band. Music and visual comedy make this an inviting story about friendship and stage fright.

Episodes: 12 (2022). Approx. viewing time: about 4½ hours (12 × 23 min). Genre: music comedy / coming-of-age. Story status: Season 1 has 12 episodes. Season 2 was announced in production in February 2025; no release date appeared in the checked announcement. Content note: Crunchyroll lists profanity, violence and drug/alcohol use; check local rating. Official listing: official catalogue record — Crunchyroll (availability varies by country).

DEVILMAN crybaby

Akira becomes Devilman as demons return. Its experimental style and intense violence make it an adult option, not a gentle first anime.

Episodes: 10 (2018). Approx. viewing time: about 4 hours 10 min (10 × about 25 min). Genre: adult horror / action / drama. Story status: A self-contained 10-episode reimagining; no other series is needed first. Content note: Netflix lists TV-MA in the checked catalogue; graphic violence, sexual content/nudity and adult themes. Official listing: official catalogue record — Netflix (availability varies by country).

The Tatami Galaxy

A student revisits alternate versions of university life. Fast narration and a looping structure make this short series more demanding than its episode count suggests.

Episodes: 11 (2010). Approx. viewing time: about 4 h 10 min (official Blu-ray details: 249 min for 11 main episodes; three separate specials excluded). Genre: experimental comedy / fantasy. Story status: The 11-episode series has a related six-episode follow-up, Tatami Time Machine Blues; the first is a complete starting arc, not the whole anime franchise. Content note: Fast dialogue and experimental structure may be challenging; the checked broadcaster page does not provide age guidance. Official listing: official Fuji TV series information page; current streaming was not confirmed.

Romantic Killer

Anzu would rather play games and spend time with her cat than chase romance, until a matchmaking wizard disrupts her routine. It parodies rom-com conventions.

Episodes: 12 (2022). Approx. viewing time: about 5 hours (episodes around 25–26 min). Genre: romantic comedy. Story status: Netflix lists one 12-episode season. The checked official pages do not confirm a full manga adaptation or another season, so do not assume a definitive franchise ending. Content note: Netflix lists TV-14 in the checked catalogue; local age guidance can differ. Official listing: official catalogue record — Netflix (availability varies by country).

Where to watch legally

Official catalogue pages are linked where found. A Netflix or Crunchyroll listing does not guarantee a current licence in every country; check your local catalogue, audio and subtitle options. Availability can change.

How to choose your first anime

Pick by the kind of story you want, not an imaginary universal score. Start with A Place Further Than the Universe for an optimistic adventure, ODDTAXI for clues, or Eizouken! for creative comedy. PLUTO offers more substantial science fiction; Devilman is for adults looking for intensity. For original audio versus dubbing, see our guide to dubbing and subtitles.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to know other anime first? No. Each can be started on its own; related works and continuations are identified in the notes.
• Which one takes the least time? DEVILMAN crybaby is roughly four hours, but its adult content makes it a poor all-purpose first recommendation.
• Which selections have continuations? Yes. ODDTAXI has a related film; The Tatami Galaxy has Tatami Time Machine Blues; BOCCHI THE ROCK! season 2 is in production; Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is a separate story.
• Are these all appropriate for children? No. Devilman is explicitly adult, and ERASED, ODDTAXI, PLUTO and other picks include violence or distressing themes. Check local age guidance.
• Where can I stream these series? The linked Netflix and Crunchyroll pages are official catalogue records. Current availability, dubs and subtitles depend on territory.
• Does an official streaming page guarantee local availability? No. Streaming licences and language options vary and change; check the service in your country.