To help you choose your starting point, think about what you usually enjoy in Western television or books. If you love gritty crime dramas, start with the Monster anime or the Pluto manga. If you want a feel-good escape after a long day, pick up Spy x Family or the Yotsuba To! manga. To help narrow this down for you, let me know: What are your ?

: A landmark Mecha series that explores psychological trauma and existentialism through teen pilots fighting alien invaders.

Rei Kiriyama is an elite, 17-year-old professional shogi (Japanese chess) player living under immense pressure and severe depression.

The Ultimate Guide to Anime and Manga: Essential Recommendations for Every Reader and Viewer

Urasawa’s panelling and pacing in the manga are unparalleled for building tension. 3. Slice of Life and Romance