Some of us have unexpectedly found ourselves with some time off and house bound. There’s only so much daytime TV that I can handle and I guess many of you guys feel the same way too. So, here are my recommendations of anime to watch in your free time, whilst in lockdown. The following are my top ten to watch whilst isolating due to their longevity and epic-ness. Age ratings according to IMDb.
1. One Piece (Age rating 12)
With 924 episodes currently available and 16 films One Piece is one of the longest running animes to date. I have watched a few episodes and it is really good. I unfortunately just don’t have enough time to watch it whilst trying to keep up to date with everything else. But if you do have time it is well worth investing it in One Piece. I know several people that love it and highly recommend it.
2. Naruto & Naruto Shippuden (Age rating 12)
720 episodes between them and 11 films Naruto is again a really long anime.
Some people like to start Naruto from the beginning, others start with Naruto Shippuden, either way there are still a great many episodes. If you want a classic anime to watch, this is it. Also, you will finally understand the famous Naruto run.
3. Fairy Tail (Age rating 12)
Fairy Tail is a classic anime and a really good watch. With 277 episodes and 2 films its not too long and the story arcs keep the pacing of it flowing well. I personally love Fairy Tail and have watched the series several times as well as reading all the manga.
4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Age rating 12)
Most of you know that I could talk about JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure all day. Instead here’s the link to my blog that will encourage you to watch it.
In total there are 152 episodes in 5 parts, the most recent part to be animated was part 5, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, which was extremely good!
5. Soul Eater (Age rating 15)
Soul Eater is just epic. There are only 51 episodes in the series, but if the anime followed the manga there would be many many more. Soul Eater is unique in its design and story, definitely worth a watch. Soul Eater was written and created by Atsushi Ōkubo, who is also responsible for Fire Force, an on-going manga and anime.
6. Blue Exorcist and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (Age rating 15)
Blue Exorcist is a classic anime with 37 episodes all together and 1 film. The reason that Blue Exorcist is on this list is that everyone who is into anime should watch this show at some point, it’s a classic. I haven’t watched Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga as it came out a few years later, so I feel that I need the time to re-watch the first season before going onto the second. Maybe I will have time soon!
7. Dragon Ball (Age rating 12), Dragon Ball Z (Age rating PG) and Dragon Ball Super (Age rating 12)
Dragon Ball – 153 episodes and 3 films, Dragon Ball Z – 291 episodes and 13 films, Dragon Ball Super – 131 episodes and 1 film. Totalling 575 episodes and 17 films for the Dragon Ball Saga. Everyone has heard of Dragon Ball and most people would recognise a character or saying. If you want to find out more, now is the time to join the adventure! “Kamehameha!!”
8. Sailor Moon (Age rating U)
Sailor Moon is a funny anime to encourage people to get into manga. It’s the first one I watched and how I got into anime and manga. The best way to watch it is in subbed as the US distributer did an appalling job of translating and the dubbed voices aren’t great. I watched it all in German…don’t ask, it’s a long story. Overall Sailor Moon is an awesome anime with 200 episodes and 3 films. The characters are great and the story arcs are fantastic. If you would like to watch the anime which is more like the manga then Sailor Moon Crystal (Age rating 15) is for you. There are 24 episodes and 1 film due for release in September 2020.
9. Pokémon (Age rating U)
There are currently 1000 episodes of Pokémon and 22 animated films, with the 23rd out later this year, plus the live action Detective Pikachu (2019), which makes it 24 films in the franchise. If you really love Pokémon now is the time to start from the very beginning, you know from the time that Pikachu hated Ash. When Pikachu was a jerk and nobody loved him, that lasted all of one episode. Anyway, if you love the games then watching from the start may help you unlock some Easter eggs.
10. My Hero Academia (Age rating 15)
This is the newest anime on the list. There are currently 86 episodes available, 87 as of 28th March 2020, as well as 2 films. The reason that I have put this newcomer onto the list is that it is really good and having read the manga, it’s only going to get better and better. You may as well take the plunge into My Hero Academia now, it’s going to be around for a long time!
I hope this is helpful for you. I know there are many more animes that I could mention, but these ones in particular would be good for any anime fan to choose from, old or new.
Published: 2019.03.27