5. Watch Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a good starting point for newcomers to genre works: creator Shinichiro Watanabe manages to skillfully incorporate many different styles into the series. The 26 episode space western revolves around the misadventures of a crew of bounty hunters as they come across a range of characters with good and malicious intentions.
Why Should you Watch it?It might seem odd to include an anime series on a list of genre pieces, but Cowboy Bebop is no run-of-the-mill anime. It is almost impossible to make it through a single episode without coming across numerous references to almost every genre of film out there. They've tipped their hats to trucker movies, spaghetti westerns, and the hard-boiled detective drama; they've even had an entire episode that paid homage to the works of John Woo. You'll fall in love with the characters because of how well written they are, and the show's pacing will have you quickly emotionally invested in the plot. The series does a great job of mixing genres, but it would be farther up on the list if it were more beginner friendly. With so many Easter eggs and hat tips to so many different styles; Cowboy Bebop might be much better enjoyed by someone who is well versed in film genres. But don't let this discourage you from watching, it is still an incredibly high quality television series that holds up after multiple viewings.