How to Build Your Perfect "Plan to Watch" List: A Beginner's Guide to MyAnimeList and AniList

You've started watching anime. You loved Demon Slayer and Spy x Family. Your friends tell you that you have to watch Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, and a classic called Cowboy Bebop. You look online and see articles about Sanda and Kagurabachi.

Suddenly, you have 20 "must-watch" series and nowhere to write them down.

This is a common problem. The solution is to create a "Plan to Watch" (PTW) list. This is a digital list that tracks every series you are interested in. It is the most important tool for organizing your hobby.

This guide will explain why you need a list, compare the two best free platforms (MyAnimeList and AniList), and give you a strategy to build your perfect list.

Why Do You Need an Anime List?

A "Plan to Watch" (PTW) list is more than just a notepad. It is a personal database that allows you to:

• Stop Forgetting Recommendations: It functions as an "external brain." When you hear about an interesting series, you simply add it to your PTW and forget about it until you're ready.

• Eliminate "Decision Paralysis": The worst feeling is finishing a great anime and then spending an hour looking for what to watch next. With a PTW list, you just go to it, pick a title, and start watching.

• Track Your Progress: These platforms are not just for PTW. They have standard categories to track your entire history:

  • Watching

  • Completed

  • On-Hold

  • Dropped

  • Plan to Watch

The Two Best Platforms: MyAnimeList (MAL) vs. AniList

Many apps exist, but two websites dominate the community. Both are free.

1. MyAnimeList (MAL)

• Who It's For: It is the oldest and largest anime tracking site. It has the biggest userbase in the world.

• Advantages:

  • It is simple, functional, and to-the-point.

  • Its discussion forums are massive and very active.

  • Its database is exhaustive.

• Disadvantages:

  • Its user interface (UI) is considered outdated by some.

  • It has limited customization options.

2. AniList

• Who It's For: It is the modern alternative to MAL. It grew quickly due to its superior design and robust features.

• Advantages:

  • A modern, clean, and customizable UI (you can change themes and how your lists look).

  • Superior "tagging" system.

  • It handles manga, manhwa (webtoons), and light novels better, not just anime.

• Disadvantages:

  • Its community and forums are smaller than MAL's.

Verdict: You cannot go wrong. If you want maximum simplicity and the biggest forums, use MyAnimeList. If you want a prettier interface and more customization options, use AniList.

How to Build Your First PTW List (3-Step Strategy)

Signing up is easy. But an empty PTW list doesn't help. Here is how to fill it intelligently.

Step 1: The Brain Dump (Add What You Already Know)

Before you explore, add the 5-10 series that are already on your mind. Go to the MAL or AniList search bar, type in "Attack on Titan," "Jujutsu Kaisen," "Steins;Gate," etc., and on their pages, click the "Add to List" button and select "Plan to Watch."

Step 2: Use Recommendations from What You Liked

This is the most effective method.

1. Go to the page of an anime you've already seen and loved (e.g., Spy x Family).

2. Look for the "Recommendations" tab or section.

3. You will see a list of "similar" anime, voted on by the community. People who liked Spy x Family also liked Buddy Daddies or Hinamatsuri.

4. Read the synopses. If one interests you, click it and add it to your PTW list.

Step 3: Explore the "Top" and "Seasonal" Lists

1. Explore the "Top": Go to the "Top Anime" section on either site. This will show you the highest-rated anime of all time (like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood). Add any classics you are missing.

2. Explore the "Seasonal": Go to the "Seasonal" section. This will show you what is airing right now (Fall 2025 Season). It's the best way to discover new series like Sanda or May I Ask for One Final Thing?.

Expert Tip: Avoid "Backlog Hell"

There is a common problem: your "Plan to Watch" list grows to 500 series. When this happens, your list stops being a help and becomes a source of stress ("backlog anxiety").

• Use Priority: On AniList, you can add custom tags like "High Priority." On MAL, you can set a priority score (High, Medium, Low) in your list.

• Be Selective: Keep your "High Priority" list to just 5-10 series. These are what you will watch next. The rest of the list is just an archive.

• Clean Your List: Once a year, review your PTW. If you added something 3 years ago and are no longer interested, delete it.

Conclusion

A "Plan to Watch" list is the best tool to organize your hobby. It transforms the chaos of recommendations into an orderly plan of action. Choose between MyAnimeList or AniList, follow the 3 steps to build your initial list, and start tracking what you watch.