In recent times, Netflix has established itself as a goldmine of anime. Apart from well-known titles, they have come up with a number of originals which are worth a watch. The streaming platform has been curating anime from a number of genres — action, comedy, thriller, romance and sports. Here are five anime shows that you should watch on Netflix right now.

Spy x Family

Spy x Family is a peculiar mixture of spies, action and heartwarming comedy. It is the story of the Forger family, put together by a spy named Loid Forger for his ultimate mission. What Loid does not know is that his wife is an assassin and his adopted daughter, Anya, is a telepath. The plot, involving an unusual but functional family, moves forward because of the characters’ deft handling of their true identities. Uncertainty and fear loom large, even as Anya enchants us all with her uncanny charm. A heavy story balanced through light humour, Spy x Family emerged from a writer’s block for author Tatsuya Endo, who called it “a rehabilitation work for me to revive as a mangaka when I fell into a slump”.

Blue Lock

A sport is not just that for its players. It is a part of their daily lives, something that consumes them, just as art does to artists. Yoichi Isagi could have scored a goal that would have sent his team to the national championship, but an instinctive decision made him pass the ball to his teammate, which yielded no results. He regrets his error in judgement, thinking what could have happened had he not made the pass. When he returns home, he finds an invitation from the Japan Football Union. Isagi is selected for a special football project named ‘Blue Lock’. From thereon, the show portrays the importance of working hard, individually as well as collectively. Even more popular following Japan’s heroic performances at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Blue Lock is a must-watch for anyone looking to glean life lessons from the football pitch.

Blue Period

The beautiful yet inexorable world of art is depicted in an eclectic mix of hasty brush strokes, vibrant colours and the struggle of relationships. Blue Period is about the tussle between the internal world of artists and the external world outside their art. The story of Yatora, a popular teenager at high school, who stumbles upon the fathomless world of art after finding inspiration in a painting, Blue Period gives a voice to individuals who often find themselves against the odds. While contemplating on a magnificent scene, Yatora picks up a paintbrush and paints with unwavering intensity. His work is appreciated by others and brings forth an epiphany. Carried away by unadulterated joy, Yatora decides to undertake a journey to enter Tokyo University of the Arts, an extremely competitive institution, where he faces a bitter backlash. And yet, he prevails, not because he wants to be the best, but because he wants to find beauty and acceptance through art.

Violet Evergarden

It is the end of the Great War and there is a widespread numbness among the civilians. In this turmoil emerges Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised as a war weapon to annihilate enemies. After the war came to an end, Violet was found in a broken state, both physically and mentally, clinging on to the last words of the person she cherished. She goes on to become a ghostwriter, an ‘auto memories doll’, writing letters for people who could not express themselves as the war had left them emotionally crippled. Pursuing this job, she begins searching for the meaning of the final words of the person she held dearest. Widely acclaimed for its combination of drama and melancholy, alongside an outstanding soundtrack, Violet Evergarden is a stirring reminder of the futility and heartlessness of war as well as the rejuvenating power of love and life.

Komi Can’t Communicate

This anime will especially appeal to people who suffer from social anxiety and communication issues. It is the story of Shouko Komi, whose anxiety bars her from socialising, but who is nonetheless popular in school. Her somewhat mysterious aura enchants Tadano, a boy who just wants to blend in. What follows is Tadano’s attempt to help Komi evade her fears and reach her goal of making a hundred friends. Refreshingly powerful in its approach to social anxiety, the show has one of the most impactful scenes in anime history where Komi and Tadano converse by writing on the blackboard. Hovering between idealism and realism, the show is a feel-good watch, more so during moments of stress or anxiety.