In the last decade, the world has fully woken up to what Japan has known for generations: anime and manga are not just cartoons or comics. They are a powerful storytelling medium capable of delivering heart-wrenching drama, mind-bending sci-fi, laugh-out-loud comedy, and violent, beautiful action. However, with over 50 years of classic titles and 40+ new shows debuting every season, finding the right starting point can feel overwhelming.

Happy binging.

Photo credits: [Page banner: Fish Ho Hong Yun] [Intro: Job Savelsberg] [Quote: Kai Hendry] [Ramadan : Kojach] [Hungry Ghost Festival : Matthew Kang]