Hentaismile -

Pick one from the "Heartfelt" list. Your heart needs it.

Why it works: The demon king is dead. The heroes have won. Now what? Frieren is an elf who lives for millennia, and she realizes she never truly got to know her mortal party members. This is a quiet, gorgeous meditation on regret, time, and the small moments that make life worth living. The current reigning champion of the medium. Start here: Episode 1. Have tissues ready. hentaismile

Why it works: If Hayao Miyazaki drew Harry Potter with the rules of Fullmetal Alchemist . A young girl discovers that magic is drawn with intricate ink lines. The art is some of the most detailed in modern manga—every panel looks like an illuminated manuscript. The story asks: Is it ethical to teach magic to the poor? Start here: Volume 1. You will want to frame every page. The Wild Card (Currently Viral) Anime: Dandadan Why it works: A boy who believes in aliens and a girl who believes in ghosts bet against each other. They are both right. The result is a chaotic, horny, hilarious, and shockingly heartfelt battle against turbo-grannies and alien invaders. The opening theme is a banger, and the animation is unhinged. Start here: Episode 1. Don’t watch it on a full stomach. Pick one from the "Heartfelt" list

Why it works: It has transcended "anime" to become a global cultural phenomenon. Humanity lives inside walled cities to hide from giant, mindless Titans. But the walls are not enough. The plot twists are seismic, the moral ambiguity is brutal, and the score is operatic. Start here: Episode 1. Do not search for spoilers. The heroes have won

Why it works: Initially memed as the "next big thing" ironically, it actually became the next big thing. A young swordsman in a magical version of modern Tokyo seeks revenge for his father’s murder. It is lean, mean, and the sword-fighting choreography is brutally cool. Short chapters that feel like action movie trailers. The Golden Rule: If you watch an anime and love the characters, read the manga. The anime often stops mid-arc or changes the ending. If you read a manga and love the motion, watch the anime. Nothing beats a great soundtrack during a final battle.