Anime, a Japanese style of animation, is quite unlike anything out there and has really caught on. What was once a niche genre and could get you labelled as the “geeky kid” in class is now much more mainstream and the subject of many pop culture conversations. You can find it on Netflix, and there are even whole streaming services dedicated just to anime. 

Rather than just following the status quo, anime pushes boundaries and is a diverse medium that offers unique stories and characters. Even though the animation is realistic, the stories don’t just remain in the everyday, but also reach into futuristic and fantasy worlds. Well-known examples of anime include “Dragon Ball Z” and, of course, “Pokémon,” but here are five more you should definitely tune into.

Kakeguri

If you’re into betting of any kind, then “Kakeguri” will be right up your street. Gambling is the main theme of the series, so you might even pick up some tricks! The show first went out on air in 2017 and the action is set in Hyakkaou Academy, a private school which math, science and other subjects and generally prepares students for business, politics and, in general, life in the real world, but by night pits students against each other in high stakes gambling games. Those who thrive at the tables rise to the top in the school. 

The first season follows the adventures of protagonist Yumeko, Jabami, who loves gambling and sees the academy as her ideal school. When “house pet” (the school’s name for students) Ryota agrees to show her around the school, he unwillingly becomes caught in her gambling adventures.

Death Note

If you’re new to the world of anime, “Death Note” is a good place to start. Even the dubbing is good on this one! The main character of the series is teenager Light Yagami, who discovers a notebook that allows the user to kill anyone anonymously just by writing their name in the book. Of course, Light takes the chance to bump off some hardened criminals, but then starts dreaming bigger. Unfortunately for Light, detective ace L is on his case and a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues. The series offers high drama and is up there with any other top drama.

Sand Land: The Series

“Sand Land: The Series” is based on the single volume original manga, and both adapts it and expands upon it. The series tells the adventures of sheriff Rao, who travels across a massive, treacherous desert to find a legendary spring and save his village from drought. Rao, accompanied by demon prince Beelzebub and companion Thief, will end up facing off against the royal arm in a quest to liberate the people of Sand Land. 

The series does one of the anime’s creator, Akin Toriyama’s most criminally underrated stories amazing justice by blending 2D and 3D animation cleverly, and infusing the animation with all the charm, humor and personality of the original. Halfway through the series, the anime introduces a new locale and character, penned by the late Toriyama himself.

Fieren: Beyond Journey’s End

If ever there was an anime you absolutely have to see, “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” is the one. The central character, elf Frieren, returns long after defeating the Demon King, only to see her friends being ravaged by the unstoppable evil of time. Her companions human hero Himmel, dwarf warrior Eisen and drunken priest Hieter all die before she really gets to connect with them again, however. 

The events hit the long-living elf like a thunderbolt as she realizes how quickly time truly passes, although it seems slow to her because she’s been taking her near-immortality for granted. In the blink of an eye, the mere couple of years that have passed in her own life have seen her friends in the final years of theirs meanwhile. The death of her first friend, Himmel, sends on her a journey of connection, friendship and belonging.

Metallic Rouge

Bones, the studio behind “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” celebrated their 25th anniversary with this impressive “tech noir” mystery thriller set in a future where humans have colonized the inner solar system and “Neans” (which are androids) serve them. The protagonist of the story is Rouge Redstar, a Nean who can disguise herself as human and is sent to Mars on a secret mission. In the super armored battled form of “Metal Rouge,” she battles alongside her partner Naomi Orthmann against a terrorist faction of androids who are determined to topple society. 

It’s a slow burner this one, but an anime that burns incredibly bright and spoils the audience with details. Watch this one through again and you’ll be able to fully appreciate the masterful whole better. 

Above are some fantastic animes, but there are lots more amazing productions out there. Others you should check out include “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” and “Demon Slayer.”