Anime made easy

Super Happy Cartoon Wish Show!

A look at the best anime on American TV
By Paul Semel
Special to Metromix

The Japanese cartoon “Death Note”—about a kid who fights evil by using a supernatural notebook—is coming to the U.S. (premiering Saturday, Oct. 20 at midnight on Adult Swim).

This might seem like a bold step forward for U.S./Japanese relations, but actually, American TV is full of Japanese cartoons these days. From kiddie fare like “Pokemon” and “Naruto” to such older-skewing shows as “Bleach” and “Basilisk,” Japanese ’toons (or anime, to you snobs) are dominating our domestic TV landscape.

If you’ve never watched one and don’t know where to start, we’re here for you. Just relax and use our handy guide to see which anime is right for you.