A fantastically immersive love-letter to MMORPGs backed with strong emotion that makes a great Gateway Anime. Then it goes sideways for the second arc before picking up the pieces for its second season.
Sword Art Online (Season 1)
Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel I. Presage Flower
A great start to the best arc of the Fate/Stay Night series. A masterful feat of animation.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Maquia blends sweeping, immersive fantasy with raw, heart-tenderizing emotion focusing on the bond of mother and son. Prepare your cry holes.
Fate/Zero
A gripping, gritty modern fantasy with fascinating psychological and historical elements.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
The pinnacle of well executed and clever stupid comedy. Strongly channels the vibe of if a group of stupid friends got together to play D&D, and one of those idiots is the DM.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Beautiful visuals and enchanting story, but in the end feels like a less enchanting Ghibli knock-off. If you haven't seen many Ghibli films, watch this first so you can enjoy it.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Beneath the cover of potent anime tropes and boob jokes lies a surprisingly sweet, hilarious, and very heartwarming comedy.
.hack//SIGN
While it is perhaps the seminal "trapped in a game" isekai, the pacing of this was so painfully slow. While the soundtrack is a masterpiece by Yuki Kajiura, it's used so awkwardly and repetitively that it doesn't do it justice. Skip this one.
The Devil is a Part-Timer!
Perhaps the original and best Reverse Isekai, this one will leave a stupid grin plastered on your face for its entirety. There's something immensely validating in watching epic fantasy heroes struggle to get by in the capitalist struggle for survival.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Phenomenal worldbuilding, character stories and growth, complete with powerful and complex moral decisions. Plus genuine great comedy make this a must-see.
At a Glance Anime 