Animes are a type of television show that originated in Japan. Japan is the mastermind behind all the crazy branches anime has adapted. There are shows talking about cooking, magic, and even ice skating! All shows that I watch are typically found on Crunchyroll; however, there are a select few that I end up watching on Hulu. Anime was introduced to me by a friend, and ever since the day I started to watch Naruto, I knew I had a long, addicting road ahead of me that I was ready to commit to.

#5. The Naruto Series

To start things of, I need to pay tribute to the anime that started it all for me. I remember the day that I asked my friend about a video game that we were playing, and it was based on an anime. I looked him straight in the face and said, “I have no clue what the heck that is.” He was baffled. I thought the game we were playing was a good game series, and had no clue that it was part of a very successful anime across the world! The Naruto series focuses in on this child whose parents were killed and is the outcast to the village he is from. Little does he know, he has one of the most powerful beasts of the land inside of him that allows him to do some extraordinary things in the series. The Naruto series holds a special place in my heart, because without it I would not have been able to open the door to such vibrant backstories characters have, emotional plots, and all around amazing quality shows that I was origionally unfamiliar with.

#4. Hunter X Hunter

For my number four, I have to put Hunter X Hunter there. Hunter X Hunter is an anime about a young boy named Gon who was told that his father is dead. He finds out the truth behind his father and embarks on a journey to find him. Gon goes through rigorous tests and meets interesting people along his travels to meet his father. This anime was one that I was hooked on within the first few episodes of the series. It’s a great watch, and I recommend it to anyone who is willing to start watching anime.

#3. Haikyu!

Haikyu! is an anime that I feel only certain people can enjoy. In high school, I was a volleyball player who loved the sport more than practically anything else. I played with some great people, made impacting friendships, and enjoyed the entire experience I had playing on the team. Haikyu! is an anime about a boy who has the same passion for volleyball that I did in high school. The minute I saw that there was an anime about volleyball, I knew I had to watch it from the beginning to the end. This is probably the only sport-themed anime that will ever catch my eye.

#2. Sword Art Online

These next two animes are probably tied, but for a list you must rank one higher than the other. Sword Art Online (SAO) is simply the best. I watched the first season of this anime and realized that I need to finish it as soon as possible. It is about this VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) that traps its players in the game and they must fight through various levels in the game to end up escaping. The catch is that if you die in the game, you die in real life! There are inseparable bonds that are never broken, backstabbing thugs who try and ruin the lives of many, and quality content that may have you crying in the end. It’s a great show and a must watch if you have not seen it yet.

#1. Tokyo Ghoul

Now for the top of the list, Tokyo Ghoul. Do you ever have that one show in which you become addicted to it almost immediately? This anime is my latest “addiction”. Tokyo Ghoul is about cannibals who need to eat other humans to survive, but are constantly being hunted by a government agency. The cannibals are known as “ghouls.” I don’t want to spoil anymore of the show, but I highly recommend this anime to someone who doesn’t mind a little blood and gore because, believe me, there is enough to go around in this one.