Gave it some thought, and here’s a few that should be good for a newbie to wet their beak.

Cowboy Bebop: A space western that got a lot of classic anime fans into the genre. The action is absolutely in service of the drama, and the storyline is powerful.

Nichijou: A zany comedy by KyoAni, light on story but extremely relatable humour and top quality animation.

KonoSuba: A comedy fantasy isekai. The characters are strong and the comedy is exceptional. Should give you a taste of isekai while still being a good experience if you don’t find isekai appealing.

Kaguya-Sama Love Is War: A romcom about two brilliant minds trying to get the other to make the first move. It’s incredibly funny, and has been a gateway to romance for many.

A Place Further Than the Universe: A slice of life adventure about high school girls joining an Antarctic expedition. It is deeply uplifting and full of the spirit of adventure.