Anime of the Year 2018-I Winter - Koi wa Ameagari no You ni

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni is the only firm masterpiece I discovered this season. Other works of note  are Overlord II , Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san , Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku and 

Grancrest Senki .

1. Violet Evergarden ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン  [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  The Great War finally came to an end after four long years of conflict; fractured in two, the continent of Telesis slowly began to flourish once again. Caught up in the bloodshed was Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised for the sole purpose of decimating enemy lines. Hospitalized and maimed in a bloody skirmish during the War's final leg, she was left with only words from the person she held dearest, but with no understanding of their meaning. Recovering from her wounds, Violet starts a new life working at CH Postal Services after a falling out with her new intended guardian family. There, she witnesses by pure chance the work of an "Auto Memory Doll," amanuenses that transcribe people's thoughts and feelings into words on paper. Moved by the notion, Violet begins work as an Auto Memory Doll, a trade that will take her on an adventure, one that will reshape the lives of her clients and hopefully lead to self-discovery. Can't stand pastoral anime like Emma: A Victorian Romance, but what we have here is a mix with Saekano just to add emotions and empathy, so can tolerate if for a few episodes. And it's still closer to Emma with all the sulking and bore. With no story and no developed characters actually doing something it remains very plain.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. Darling in the FranXX ダーリン・イン・ザ・フランキス [A-1 Pictures, Trigger, CloverWorks] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Mecha Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi In the distant future, humanity has been driven to near-extinction by giant beasts known as Klaxosaurs, forcing the surviving humans to take refuge in massive fortress cities called Plantations. Children raised here are trained to pilot giant mechas known as FranXX—the only weapons known to be effective against the Klaxosaurs—in boy-girl pairs. Bred for the sole purpose of piloting these machines, these children know nothing of the outside world and are only able to prove their existence by defending their race. Hiro, an aspiring FranXX pilot, has lost his motivation and self-confidence after failing an aptitude test. Skipping out on his class' graduation ceremony, Hiro retreats to a forest lake, where he encounters a mysterious girl with two horns growing out of her head. She introduces herself by her codename Zero Two, which is known to belong to an infamous FranXX pilot known as the "Partner Killer." Before Hiro can digest the encounter, the Plantation is rocked by a sudden Klaxosaur attack. Zero Two engages the creature in her FranXX, but it is heavily damaged in the skirmish and crashes near Hiro. Finding her partner dead, Zero Two invites Hiro to pilot the mecha with her, and the duo easily defeats the Klaxosaur in the ensuing fight. With a new partner by his side, Hiro has been given a chance at redemption for his past failures, but at what cost? EVA imitation that tries to utilize best practices and appeal to wide audience. I don't see anything special in it and can't say I like anything here, so three episodes is as far as I'm willing to go.   Overall Rating: 5/10

3. Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no Fukkatsu The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments 七つの大罪 戒めの復活 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy The fierce battle between Meliodas, the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Great Holy Knight Hendrickson has devastating consequences. Armed with the fragments necessary for the revival of the Demon Clan, Hendrickson breaks the seal, allowing the Commandments to escape, all of whom are mighty warriors working directly under the Demon King himself. Through a mysterious connection, Meliodas instantly identifies them; likewise, the 10 Commandments, too, seem to sense his presence. As the demons leave a path of destruction in their wake, the Seven Deadly Sins must find a way to stop them before the Demon Clan drowns Britannia in blood and terror. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

4. Overlord II オーバーロードⅡ [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy Ainz Ooal Gown, the undead sorcerer formerly known as Momonga, has accepted his place in this new world. Though it bears similarities to his beloved virtual reality game Yggdrasil, it still holds many mysteries which he intends to uncover, by utilizing his power as ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. However, ever since the disastrous brainwashing of one of his subordinates, Ainz has become wary of the impending dangers of the Slane Theocracy, as well as the possible existence of other former Yggdrasil players. Meanwhile, Albedo, Demiurge and the rest of Ainz's loyal guardians set out to prepare for the next step in their campaign: Nazarick's first war… Overlord II picks up immediately after its prequel, continuing the story of Ainz Ooal Gown, his eclectic army of human-hating guardians, and the many hapless humans affected by the Overlord's arrival. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10

5. Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan 2 The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 2 斉木楠雄のΨ難 2 [J.C.Staff, Egg Firm] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School, Super Power Comedy, Supernatural The disastrous life of the gifted psychic Kusuo Saiki continues, despite his utmost effort to live an ordinary life. Although he has certainly grown accustomed to dealing with his troublesome friends—who are his biggest hurdle to achieving a peaceful life—he still has a long way to go. Also joining the usual oddballs are a few new faces whose shenanigans add to Saiki's misery, making his dreams of a hassle-free life a distant fantasy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

6. Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san Teasing Master Takagi-san からかい上手の高木さん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext, School Comedy Having a friend that knows you inside out should be a good thing, but in Nishikata's case, the opposite is true. His classmate Takagi loves to tease him on a daily basis, and she uses her extensive knowledge of his behavior to predict exactly how he will react to her teasing, making it nearly impossible for Nishikata to ever make a successful comeback. Despite this, Nishikata vows to someday give Takagi a taste of her own medicine by making her blush out of embarrassment from his teasing. Great episodic yonkoma comedy. Priceless with the right mood and prior knowledge what to expect.   Overall Rating: 7/10

7. Citrus シトラス [Passione] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love During the summer of her freshman year of high school, Yuzu Aihara's mother remarried, forcing her to transfer to a new school. To a fashionable socialite like Yuzu, this inconvenient event is just another opportunity to make new friends, fall in love, and finally experience a first kiss. Unfortunately, Yuzu's dreams and style do not conform with her new ultrastrict, all-girls school, filled with obedient shut-ins and overachieving grade-skippers. Her gaudy appearance manages to grab the attention of Mei Aihara, the beautiful and imposing student council president, who immediately proceeds to sensually caress Yuzu's body in an effort to confiscate her cellphone. Thoroughly exhausted from her first day, Yuzu arrives home and discovers a shocking truth—Mei is actually her new step-sister! Though Yuzu initially tries to be friendly with her, Mei's cold shoulder routine forces Yuzu to begin teasing her. But before Yuzu can finish her sentence, Mei forces her to the ground and kisses her, with Yuzu desperately trying to break free. Once done, Mei storms out of the room, leaving Yuzu to ponder the true nature of her first kiss, and the secrets behind the tortured expression in the eyes of her new sister. Serious girls love, so without me.   Overall Rating: 6/10

8. Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody デスマーチからはじまる異世界狂想曲 [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai Adventure, Fantasy Ichirou Suzuki, a programmer nearing his thirties, is drowning in work. Worn out, he eventually has a chance to catch up on sleep, only to wake up and discover himself in a fantasy RPG world, which is mashed together from the games he was debugging in reality. In this new place, he realizes that not only has his appearance changed to a younger version of himself, but his name has also changed to Satou, a nickname he used while running beta tests on games. However, before Satou can fully grasp his situation, an army of lizardmen launch an assault on him. Forced to cast a powerful spell in retaliation, Satou wipes them out completely and his level is boosted to 310, effectively maximizing his stats. Now, as a high-leveled adventurer armed with a plethora of skills and no way to return to reality, Satou sets out to explore this magical new world. Got pretty blurry memories about this Isekai. Having rewatched it, I now understand, why. It's an enjoyable process of exploration unknown world systems, but not an enjoyable story. OP protagonist has to conceal his powers like in Overlord, and not much is happening in both anime. Still, this comparison is not in favor of Death March, and there's no continuation pending while ending is just not satisfactory, so it deserves only minimal acclaim.   Overall Rating: 7/10

9. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Place Further Than The Universe 宇宙よりも遠い場所 [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: CGDCT Adventure, Comedy, Drama Filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder for the world around her, Mari Tamaki has always dreamt of what lies beyond the reaches of the universe. However, despite harboring such large aspirations on the inside, her fear of the unknown and anxiety over her own possible limitations have always held her back from chasing them. But now, in her second year of high school, Mari is more determined than ever to not let any more of her youth go to waste. Still, her fear continues to prevent her from taking that ambitious step forward—that is, until she has a chance encounter with a girl who has grand dreams of her own. Spurred by her mother's disappearance, Shirase Kobuchizawa has been working hard to fund her trip to Antarctica. Despite facing doubt and ridicule from virtually everyone, Shirase is determined to embark on this expedition to search for her mother in a place further than the universe itself. Inspired by Shirase's resolve, Mari jumps at the chance to join her. Soon, their efforts attract the attention of the bubbly Hinata Miyake, who is eager to stand out, and Yuzuki Shiraishi, a polite girl from a high class background. Together, they set sail toward the frozen south. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho follows the captivating journey of four spirited girls, all in search of something great. CGDCT at Antarctica! Average, without humor, disappointing...   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Yuru Camp△ Laid-Back Camp ゆるキャン△ [C-Station] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Slice of Life While the perfect getaway for most girls her age might be a fancy vacation with their loved ones, Rin Shima's ideal way of spending her days off is camping alone at the base of Mount Fuji. From pitching her tent to gathering firewood, she has always done everything by herself, and has no plans of leaving her little solitary world. However, what starts off as one of Rin's usual camping sessions somehow ends up as a surprise get-together for two when the lost Nadeshiko Kagamihara is forced to take refuge at her campsite. Originally intending to see the picturesque view of Mount Fuji for herself, Nadeshiko's plans are disrupted when she ends up falling asleep partway to her destination. Alone and with no other choice, she seeks help from the only other person nearby. Despite their hasty introductions, the two girls nevertheless enjoy the chilly night together, eating ramen and conversing while the campfire keeps them warm. And even after Nadeshiko's sister finally picks her up later that night, both girls silently ponder the possibility of another camping trip together. First all the climbing anime, now the camping one... and it's horrible. Poor characters, silly antics and constant survival guides as if it was educational program disguised as entertainment.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Gakuen Babysitters School Babysitters 学園ベビーシッターズ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Childcare, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life After losing both parents in a fatal plane crash, teenager Ryuuichi Kashima must adjust to his new life as the guardian of his younger brother Kotarou. Although Ryuuichi is able to maintain a friendly and kindhearted demeanor, Kotarou is a reserved toddler still too young to understand the reality of the situation. At their parents' funeral, they are approached by Youko Morinomiya, the stern chairman of an elite academy, who decides to take them under her care. However, there is one condition Ryuuichi must fulfill in exchange for a roof over their heads and enrolment in the school—he must become the school's babysitter. In an effort to support the female teachers at the academy, a babysitter's club was established to look after their infant children; unfortunately, the club is severely short-staffed, so now not only is Ryuuichi responsible for his little brother, but also a handful of toddlers who possess dynamic personalities. There have been great childcare stories around one kid, but it does not look like it's possible with a lot of kids like here and all the troubles around them. Not my cut of tea, after all. First episode has so much crying that I don't incline to explore any further.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Grancrest Senki Record of Grancrest War グランクレスト戦記 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Military Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance The continent of Atlatan once again finds itself devoured by the flames of war after a horrific event known as the Great Hall Tragedy. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion that would establish peace between the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance, the marriage of Sir Alexis Douse and Lady Marrine Kreische, was instead a tragedy. As the bride and groom walked down the aisle, the ceremony was suddenly interrupted by a powerful convergence of "Chaos," a dark energy from another dimension that corrupts the land and brings forth monsters and demons into the world. From within that energy appeared the Demon Lord of Diabolos, an evil being who instantly murdered the archdukes of both factions, shattering any hope for peace between them. Having failed to prevent this disaster, Siluca Meletes, an Alliance mage, is traveling through the Chaos-infested countryside to study under a master magician. When she is intercepted by a group of soldiers working with the Federation, Siluca is rescued by Theo Cornaro, a young warrior carrying a mysterious "Crest," a magical symbol that gives its wielder the ability to banish Chaos. Bearing no allegiance to a specific domain, Theo hopes to attain the rank of Lord so that he can liberate his home town of Sistina from its tyrannical ruler and the Chaos spreading within it. Impressed by his noble goal, Siluca enters into a magical contract with Theo, and the two embark on a journey to restore balance to their war-torn land. Dropped it before, but feeling obliged to finish now as it's fantasy and not the worst. And it's a mixed bag. The good part is that it's epic multi-nation conflict with straightforward logical narration (unlike Arslan Senki) and quite good memorable characters that are given some time to tell their stories. On the bad side, it did not need to stretch to 24 episodes as a lot of battles are of little importance and there is some beating around the bush. Characters are anything but complex, and they act in a predictable way most of the time, but some decisions are suddenly plain irrational and work out only due to a miracle just to add more drama and spice things up. The core of the conflict is artificial and poorly justified. So it had some nice moments and was good overall, but I did not enjoy it enough to call a firm masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10

13. Koi wa Ameagari no You ni After the Rain 恋は雨上がりのように [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Workplace Drama, Romance Akira Tachibana, a reserved high school student and former track runner, has not been able to race the same as she used to since she experienced a severe foot injury. And although she is regarded as attractive by her classmates, she is not interested in the boys around school. While working part-time at the Garden Cafe, Akira begins to develop feelings for the manager—a 45-year-old man named Masami Kondou—despite the large age gap. Kondou shows genuine concern and kindness toward the customers of his restaurant, which, while viewed by others as soft or weak, draws Akira to him. Spending time together at the restaurant, they grow closer, which only strengthens her feelings. Weighed down by these uncertain emotions, Akira finally resolves to confess, but what will be the result? Excellent deep romance story with many lines and even notable music. The reason I can't give it a perfect score now is because I watched it before and could not even remember some of the contents and the title, not the impact it's supposed to leave on first watch. The theme of classical literature feels a bit artificial, same as running, lol. Main heroine acts irrationally a lot. Plus, attention gets shifted and dispersed by the end of it and there's no decisive ending, so can't put a 9.   Overall Rating: 8/10

14. Poputepipikku Pop Team Epic ポプテピピック [Kamikaze Douga] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gag Humor, Parody Comedy Poputepipikku turns absurdist comedy up to eleven with its pop culture references and surreal hilarity. With two bonafide high school girl protagonists—the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and unshakably calm Pipimi—they throw genres against the wall and don't wait to see what sticks. Parody is interlaced with drama, action, crudeness, and the show's overarching goal—to become a real anime. Episodic gag humor yonkoma is very tiresome for me. Not finding it funny at all. References aren't worth anything without humor. And it's ugly as hell.   Overall Rating: 5/10

15. Fate/Extra: Last Encore  [Shaft] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  A technological hell masquerading as paradise, Tsukimihara Academy is an artificial high school that serves as the setting for the next Holy Grail War. Created by the Moon Cell computer, the school is inhabited by Earth-projected souls who have even the slightest aptitude for being a "Master." Of these 256 souls, 128 will be chosen for the main tournament and granted a Servant. With all of the Masters selected, the Academy activates a purge, targeting the remaining lifeforms for elimination. Awakening in a pool of his own blood, Hakuno Kishinami refuses to die. Fueled by unknown feelings of hatred, he vows to fight for survival. As he struggles to escape from a relentless pursuer, he finds a crimson blade plunged into the ground; and by pulling it out, Hakuno summons his own Servant, Saber, who instantly destroys his pursuer in a flurry of rose petals. With his newfound power, Hakuno must now begin his journey to Moon Cell's core, the Angelica Cage. There, he will unveil the reason for this artificial world and the secrets of his own blood-soaked past. Remake or something.   Overall Rating: 6/10

16. Gintama.: Shirogane no Tamashii-hen Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc 銀魂. 銀ノ魂篇 [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi After the fierce battle on Rakuyou, the untold past and true goal of the immortal Naraku leader, Utsuro, are finally revealed. By corrupting the Altana reserves of several planets, Utsuro has successfully triggered the intervention of the Tendoshuu’s greatest enemy: the Altana Liberation Army. With Earth as the main battleground in this interplanetary war, Utsuro's master plan to destroy the planet—and himself—is nearly complete. An attack on the O-Edo Central Terminal marks the beginning of the final battle to take back the land of the samurai. With the Yorozuya nowhere in sight, the bakufu all but collapsed, and the Shogun missing, the people are left completely helpless as the Liberation Army begins pillaging Edo in the name of freeing them from the Tendoshuu's rule. Caught in the crossfire between two equally imposing forces, can Gintoki, Kagura, Shinpachi, and the former students of Shouyou Yoshida put aside their differences and unite their allies to protect what they hold dear? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

17. Ryuuou no Oshigoto! The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! りゅうおうのおしごと！ [Project No.9] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Strategy Game Comedy  Shogi, a Japanese game similar to chess, is one of the most popular board games in the country, played by everyone from children to the elderly. Some players are talented enough to take the game to a professional level. The title of Ryuuou, meaning "the dragon king," is only awarded to the person who reaches the pinnacle of competitive shogi. Yaichi Kuzuryuu has just become the youngest Ryuuou after winning the grand championship. However, the shogi community is unwelcoming to his victory, some even calling him the worst Ryuuou in history. Moreover, he forgets about the agreement he made with Ai Hinatsuru, a little girl he promised to coach if he won. After she shows up at his doorstep, he reluctantly agrees to uphold his promise and makes Ai his disciple. Together, they aim to improve and exceed the limits of their shogi prowess: Ai, to unlock her hidden talents; Yaichi, to prove to the world that he deserves his accomplishments. Lolicon and yandere fetish. Everyone is a genius. Lots of nonsense. That's enough for a skip.   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. Killing Bites キリングバイツ [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Gore Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi After unknowingly participating in a kidnapping, college student Yuuya Nomoto finds his friends brutally murdered by Hitomi Uzaki, the high school girl they attempted to abduct. Forced to drive her to an undisclosed location, he finds himself being wagered as the prize for a death match between two Therianthropes, superpowered human-animal hybrids created through advanced gene therapy. As one of these hybrids, Hitomi uses the speed and fearlessness she gained from her ratel genes to viciously dispatch her foe and save Yuuya from certain death. Waking up hours later hoping the whole event was only a nightmare, Yuuya realizes that he has become embroiled in a secret proxy war between four large Japanese business conglomerates, with the winner taking control of the economy. As her sole albeit unwilling investor, his life is now directly linked to Hitomi's ability to participate in underground bloodsport matches known only as Killing Bites. Ecchi trash duels.   Overall Rating: 5/10

19. Kokkoku 刻刻 [Geno Studio] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Psychological Drama, Mystery, Supernatural After presumably failing 19 job interviews in one day, Juri Yukawa's dreams of moving out of her parents' home are utterly dashed. Stuck living with her working mother Nobuko, NEET brother Tsubasa, laid-off father Takafumi, and single-parent sister Sanae, the only hope for this family to raise a decent adult is her little nephew Makoto. However, this struggling family's life takes a turn for the worse when Makoto and Tsubasa are violently kidnapped by a mysterious organization and held for ransom. With only 30 minutes to deliver five million yen to the criminals, Juri's grandfather reveals a dangerously powerful secret to her and Takafumi. By offering blood to her grandfather's mystical stone, the three enter the world of "Stasis," a version of their world where time stops for everyone but the users. Having arrived at their destination, their rescue efforts go awry when they are assailed by a surprising group of people who are somehow able to move around within Stasis. While all hope seems lost, a monstrous giant known as the Herald appears amidst the chaos, its intent and motivations as cryptic as the very nature of this timeless world. Seeing a mystery makes me sigh a lot, and not in a good way. Again crazy specially complicated setting with abundance of unknowns that aren't going to matter as deus ex machina comes at the very end anyway. Because it goes like that all the time. It may work out with better characters, but that's not the case here. Couple episodes of this mess is all I agree to take.   Overall Rating: 5/10

20. Itou Junji: Collection Junji Ito Collection 伊藤潤二「コレクション」 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Psychological Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural  In the light of day and in the dead of night, mysterious horrors await in the darkest shadows of every corner. They are unexplainable, inescapable, and undefeatable. Be prepared, or you may become their next victim. Sit back in terror as traumatizing tales of unparalleled terror unfold. Tales, such as that of a cursed jade carving that opens holes all over its victims' bodies; deep nightmares that span decades; an attractive spirit at a misty crossroad that grants cursed advice; and a slug that grows inside a girl's mouth. Tread carefully, for the horrifying supernatural tales of the Itou Junji: Collection are not for the faint of heart. Anthology of horror stories is something that's alien to me. Just horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10

21. Beatless  [Diomedéa] (Finished 2/20) Tags: Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  With great advancements in technology, mankind has created hIEs, human-like robots that act as public and personal servants for society. Unlike many others, the kind-hearted high school student Arato Endou treats hIEs as equals, but his financial situation keeps him from ever owning one. However, his normal life is shattered when an ordinary run to the local grocery store goes horribly awry. Viciously assaulted by a hacked hIE, Arato is on the verge of death; but luckily, he is saved by an abnormal hIE carrying a weaponized coffin. Her name is Lacia, one of five highly advanced hIEs that recently escaped the clutches of the mysterious MemeFrame Corporation. Faced with a hacked car threatening to run them over, Lacia offers Arato a deal: in exchange for saving his life, he must register as her new owner, thus taking full responsibility for her actions. With little choice, he decides to trust this artificial girl and allows her to live in his home. Though Lacia begins to adapt to her new, peaceful lifestyle, she warns the entranced Arato of one thing—she does not have a soul. Chobits meet Mahoromantic. Result is generic and very disappointing.   Overall Rating: 5/10

22. Dagashi Kashi 2 だがしかし2 [Tezuka Productions] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext Comedy, Gourmet Second season of Dagashi Kashi. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

23. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens 博多豚骨ラーメンズ [Satelight] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Crossdressing, Detective Action, Mystery Although the city of Fukuoka might look relatively peaceful at first glance, in actuality it houses a thriving mixture of dangerous individuals such as killers, detectives, and professional revenge seekers right beneath its surface. Among their number is Zenji Banba, a laidback and observant detective who is investigating the work of other hitmen companies in the area. However, Banba might not be the only one with a bone to pick with these organizations, as Xianming Lin, a crossdressing male hitman in the employ of one such company begins getting fed up with his lack of jobs and pay. One day, after Lin's current target commits suicide before the hitman could reach him, his company refuses to pay him even half the amount they were originally supposed to for the assassination. Frustrated, Lin requests another mission and is offered the job of taking out Banba, whom his organization believes has been interfering with their business. However, when Banba arrives at his home and finds the hitman inside, Lin surprisingly doesn't even attempt to kill him. Instead, he offers the detective another option: to join him and form a team. With the offer on the table, exactly how will Banba respond, and just what plans does Lin have in store for the underground world of Fukuoka? Crossdressing detective mystery? Sign me DOWN!   Overall Rating: 5/10

24. Miira no Kaikata How to Keep a Mummy ミイラの飼い方 [8bit] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mythology, Pets, School Fantasy, Slice of Life  High school student Sora Kashiwagi is accustomed to receiving bizarre presents from his father, who is on an expedition around the world. Unfortunately, these gifts have been nothing but nightmares. As a result, when his father sends him a huge package from Egypt, Sora prepares himself for the worst, only to be greeted by Mii-kun—a cute, pint-sized mummy! While initially wary, Sora soon learns that Mii-kun is harmless, a delicate creature yearning for attention. Throughout their amusing day-to-day lives, the unlikely pair meet other people with unique pets, while also strengthening their bond together. Although keeping a pet is a difficult task, Sora is set on caring for the lovable Mii-kun. Cute mummy. Now we've seen it all. No matter how I look at it, it's just waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10

25. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card カードキャプターさくら クリアカード編 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/22) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance With all of the Clow Cards recaptured and changed into her own Sakura Cards, Sakura Kinomoto now enters her first year at Tomoeda Middle School. After her initial day of classes, Sakura reunites with her love Shaoran Li, who informs her that he is permanently moving back to Tomoeda. Much to her surprise, it even turns out that Shaoran will attend the same school and it seems as if Sakura's life is heading in all the right directions. However, when Sakura goes to sleep, she encounters in her dream a mysterious cloaked figure and finds herself surrounded by transparent cards. Waking up in fear, Sakura is shocked to see her dream has come true, with the Sakura Cards having turned clear. Continued dreamlike encounters with the unknown enemy and her gaining a new magical key sets the stage for Cardcaptor Sakura's latest adventure! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

26. Mitsuboshi Colors 三ツ星カラーズ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen CGDCT, Iyashikei Slice of Life Residing within Tokyo's district of Ueno are the Colors, three individuals who protect their city by performing good deeds and aiding their community. Or, at the very least, they pretend to be the city's defenders. In reality, the Colors are just three young girls: the shy Yui Akamatsu, the noisy Sacchan, and the video game-loving Kotoha, who spend their time playing make-believe and exploring the city. The Colors' activities are facilitated by the grandfatherly Daigorou "Pops" Kujiraoka, who uses his store's inventory of knick-knacks to entertain the rambunctious trio. Not everyone is a fan of the Colors though. The local policeman Saitou just wants to deal with his regular duties, but he often finds himself the target of the Colors' attention, having been made the villain in most of their fantasies. But despite his personal feelings, Saitou always finds the time to go along with the three girls' games. Even though the Colors do not actually defend Ueno, they definitely help brighten everyone's day. Nonsense story and nonsense humor. I appreciate neither.   Overall Rating: 6/10

27. Slow Start スロウスタート [CloverWorks] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy Hana Ichinose, a 17-year-old high school student who is not only introverted, but also insecure and timid, has just moved and will be attending a new school. To make her situation more difficult, Hana is a "slow start," which means that she missed a year and worries about attending a class where everyone is younger than her. During her introduction, the teacher reveals it is Hana's birthday, which gives her the jumping-off point to meet three of her classmates: Tamate Momochi, a charismatic and extroverted girl; Kanmuri Sengoku, who is shy and small; and the popular and pretty Eiko Tokura. Not wanting to lose the chance to make new friends, Hana's interactions with these three mark the beginning of some beautiful relationships that will change her life. CGDCT comedy requires some good humor. This is decent at best, way worse than yuru yuri. And girls are quite young, so themes are immature, too.   Overall Rating: 6/10

28. Toji no Miko Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko 刀使ノ巫女 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Action, Fantasy  Throughout history, an elite group of shrine maidens known as "Toji" have saved the world from "Aratama," strange and malevolent beings bent on destroying humanity. In modern times, these warriors have been assigned to a special police squad to exterminate Aratama. The government has also set up five elite schools across the country to provide young girls the necessary sword fighting skills to eradicate these monsters and eventually join their fellow Toji in protecting the world. A student of one of those five schools, Kanami Etou is chosen to represent Minoseki Academy in a sword fighting tournament, where she meets the mysterious Hiyori Juujou. Although Kanami and Hiyori rise to the top of the tournament, their battle takes an unexpected turn, throwing the world of the Toji into chaos. Likely that the Toji are facing betrayal from within, the two are forced to flee the tournament, clashing with former comrades on the way. It's both CGDCT and fighting monsters with katana. Can compare it to bubblegum crisis, and that already was not a great gig, but at least the pacing was good. Here pacing is slow, and I just can't imagine how this story can be stretched to 24 episodes and remain interesting without outstanding characters or engaging plot.   Overall Rating: 6/10

29. Hakumei to Mikochi Hakumei and Mikochi ハクメイとミコチ [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Iyashikei Fantasy, Slice of Life In a world inhabited by people only a few inches tall, young women Hakumei and Mikochi live together in a house built into a tree. Hakumei is an energetic and tomboyish carpenter, while Mikochi is a feminine and calm tailor. Despite their differences, they get along well and spend their days having fun living their lives in the woods. The two of them spend their time working, going on sightseeing adventures, and taking shopping trips into Tsumiki Marketplace by the ocean. They make many friends along the way, be they sentient woodland creatures like Iwashi the Weasel or fellow miniature people such as the songstress Konju and the inventor Sen. Hakumei to Mikochi is a relaxing look into the day-to-day lives of its titular characters as they explore and interact with their tiny world which seems to be straight out of a fairy tale. I miss the times when seinen used to mean something. Hate iyashikei. Hate boring SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10

30. Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles ラーメン大好き小泉さん [Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet  From standing in the sun for hours to traveling miles away from home, gorgeous high school student Koizumi stops at nothing to fulfill her desire for ramen. But these previously solo trips soon change when Koizumi's classmate Yuu Oosawa develops an infatuation with her, and begins to join Koizumi uninvitedly on her adventures. As Yuu continues to be shocked by Koizumi's enormous appetite, she learns about the endless variety of ramen from, arguably, its greatest connoisseur ever! It's difficult to make CGDCT comedy already, but adding gourmet with episodic format only makes things worse. Bland, plain, tasteless.   Overall Rating: 5/10

31. Sanrio Danshi Sanrio Boys サンリオ男子 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Drama  Kouta Hasegawa is a completely normal high school student who likes his Pompompurin stuffed animal, a Sanrio character modelled after a Golden Retriever, which his grandmother gave him when he was young. However, an incident in which other kids accused him of being girly for liking Sanrio characters made him ashamed of his attachment to Pompompurin. Through a series of unexpected events, Kouta ends up meeting others at school who also like Sanrio characters—Yuu Mizuno, a flashy boy who is popular with girls; Shunsuke Yoshino, a member of the soccer team; Ryou Nishimiya, an underclassman who is a library assistant; and Seiichirou Minamoto, the student council president. Through his new friends, Kouta learns that there is no need to be embarrassed for liking Sanrio characters; and together, they aim to create a play for the cultural festival in order to transform his normal school life into a sparkly one. Danshi no nichijou genre is not impressive as it is, but being one huge advertisement just kills it outright.   Overall Rating: 5/10

32. Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line 弱虫ペダル GLORY LINE [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Fourth season of the Yowamushi Pedal series. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

33. Gin no Guardian II The Silver Guardian 2 銀の墓守りII [Emon, Blade] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Set in the same timeline as Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai, Nanatsu no Bitoku follows a group of angels sent from Heaven to look for a potential "Savior" to counter-attack the demonic influence being spread by Lucifer and the other emissaries of Hell. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

34. Takunomi. Takunomi たくのみ。 [Production IMS] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Adult Cast, CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet 20-year-old Michiru Amatsuki moved to Tokyo after a career change, and now finds herself living in a woman only share house, Stella House Haruno, with a few other women of varying age and occupation. Every night the girls settle down and have a drink or two (or more) as drama ensues. Can't consider it even decent with all the advertisement, flavor descriptions and just drowning problems in alcohol.   Overall Rating: 5/10

35. Märchen Mädchen Maerchen Maedchen メルヘン・メドヘン [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Isekai, School Fantasy Hazuki Kagimura is a socially awkward girl with no friends; and having been recently adopted, she struggles to connect with her new family as well. Her only refuge from this painful reality is between the pages of stories where her vivid imagination allows her to live out her dreams of friendship and adventure. However, one day, an old and mysterious text appears in her book bag. On her way back to the library to return it, Hazuki sees a familiar girl who is seemingly invisible to everyone but her. Deciding to follow her, Hazuki is led a hidden library where a world she thought only existed in her dreams awaits her. Märchen Mädchen tells the story of Hazuki's meeting with Shizuka Tsuchimikado, her very first friend, and discovering she has been chosen by the original print of Cinderella to become a powerful mage known as an Origin Master. Hazuki enrolls at Kuzunoha Girl's Magic Academy where she learns to conquer her fears and believe in her ability to create her own amazing story. I remember it being a big mess and I'm not going to confirm those impressions anew.   Overall Rating: 5/10

36. Basilisk: Ouka Ninpouchou Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls バジリスク ～桜花忍法帖～ [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts Action, Drama It has been 10 years since the war between the Iga and Kouga ninja clans came to an end. The two groups have since made peace, supposedly dispelling the animosity that once existed between them. Hachirou Kouga and Hibiki Iga, the successors of their respective bloodlines, seem to have the perfect conditions for their love to bloom, but not everyone is satisfied with the results of the age-old battle. Different tales of the final showdown between Gennosuke Kouga and Oboro Iga have spread, leaving Tadanaga Tokugawa—whom the Kouga represented—dissatisfied. As tension between the two clans rises once again, the brewing political climate threatens to keep the two fated lovers apart, just as it had in the previous generation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

37. Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru 2 続 刀剣乱舞-花丸- [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Sequel of Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

38. Hakyuu Houshin Engi Hakyu Hoshin Engi 覇穹 封神演義 [C-Station] (Finished 1/23) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy  When his clan is wiped out by a beautiful demon, young Taikobo finds himself in charge of the mysterious Houshin Project. Its mission: find all immortals living in the human world and seal them away forever. But who do you trust—and whose side are you really on—when you've been trained to hunt demons by a demon? Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10

39. Hug tto! Precure HuGっと！プリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy It's her first day at a new school, and the cheerful Hana Nono is ready to make a fresh start, dreaming of becoming mature and reliable—a far cry from her usual childish self. Although she makes a disastrous first impression, Hana soon befriends two of her classmates: the gentle and studious class representative Saaya Yakushiji, and a cool and mysterious girl Homare Kagayaki. That night, a magical baby falls from the sky right onto Hana's balcony. She is immediately smitten with her and names her Hug-tan. Alongside Hug-tan is a snarky talking hamster, Hariham Harry, who mutters that Hana "isn't the one" before vanishing with the baby. The next day, Hana believes the encounter to be a dream, until people all over the city begin collapsing and a giant monster appears, feeding on their energy. As Hana escapes, she spots Hug-tan and Harry under attack. Making a stand to protect them, she and Hug-tan suddenly both glow with energy and a heart-shaped gem forms. With the crystal's power, Hana transforms into a hero called "Cure Yell" and defeats the monster. Surprised at Hana's power, Harry explains that he and Hug-tan came from a future frozen in time by the Criasu Corporation, the same organization that created the monster. Only the Future Crystals, manifestations of one's hopes and dreams, and the Precure they create have a chance at defeating Criasu and saving the future! Series sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

40. Aerover: Seupeiseu Drone Gwihwan Aerover: Return of the Space Drone 에어로버: 스페이스 드론의 귀환 [-] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sports  Tells about a future where drones are common. Drones have played an indispensable and important function in human life. One day, a large meteorite fell on earth, and scientists discovered that it had an infinite source of energy, the "Cosmo Stone", and applied it to a drone, what people call a "space drone." One day, drone wars around the world broke out, and space drones were active as a weapon of war. As the damage spreads, world leaders proposed a ceasefire and sought to turn drones into symbols of peace, not weapons of war anymore. The result is the "Aerover Championship". Partially translated. Full CGI. Kids stuff.   Overall Rating: 5/10

41. Devilman: Crybaby  [Science SARU] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Gore, Mythology Action, Avant Garde, Horror, Supernatural Devils cannot take form without a living host. However, if the will of an individual is strong enough, they can overcome the demon and make its power their own, becoming a Devilman. Weak and unassuming, Akira Fudou has always had a bleeding heart. So when his childhood friend Ryou Asuka asks for his help in uncovering devils, Akira accepts without hesitation. However, to Akira's surprise, the place they go to is Sabbath: an immoral party of debauchery and degeneracy. Amidst bloodshed and death, demons possess the partiers, turning their bodies into grotesque monsters, and begin wreaking havoc. In a reckless attempt to save his best friend, Akira unwittingly merges with the devil Amon and becomes a Devilman, gaining the power to defeat the remaining demons. Though it grants him great power, this new partnership awakens an insatiable and primeval part of Akira. Having the body of a devil but the same crybaby heart, Akira works alongside Ryou, destroying those that harm humanity and his loved ones. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10

42. B: The Beginning  [Netflix] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Psychological Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense Production I.G On the islands of Cremona, a vigilante runs amok. Celebrated by some and hunted by others, the notorious "Killer B" takes justice into his own hands, armed with a sharp blade and superhuman abilities. Unable to apprehend this renegade, the Royal Investigation Service (RIS) calls upon the expertise of Keith Flick, a seasoned, yet eccentric detective who was relegated to the Archives Department following a personal loss. As crimes in Cremona begin to escalate, from stealthy executions of wrongdoers to sophisticated strikes on public figures, it soon becomes clear that there is more than one person responsible. With the help of his impulsive sidekick Lily Hoshina, and unexpected aid from the elusive Killer B himself, Keith begins to unravel plots involving secret organizations, domestic terrorism, and human experiments. When the involvement of the RIS extends beyond the scope of justice, the extent of the government's corruption—as well as the trustworthiness of close allies—are thrown into question. Suspense detective mystery with a genius sounds like swearing to me. I'm sure it's above average, but in best case scenario it can reach the level of Terror in Resonance or Monster which is still too low for me compared to Laughing man just because characters are way worse.   Overall Rating: 6/10

43. Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan Today's Menu for the Emiya Family 衛宮さんちの今日のごはん  [ufotable] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Iyashikei Gourmet, Slice of Life With the threat of the Holy Grail War no longer looming over Fuyuki City, its inhabitants can finally enjoy a time of peace. Now that all of the Masters and Servants have adjusted to their new mundane lives, Shirou has taken it upon himself to cook for his household and show Saber the wonders of modern cuisine. Every day, he ventures into the marketplace to see what kind of different meals he can cook up with unique ingredients and a limited budget. However, his legendary skills often attract uninvited guests from all over the city, so there is never a dull moment at dinner with the Emiya family. As his guests entertain themselves in the living room, Shirou walks through the step-by-step process of creating some of his favorite meals. With delicacies such as his savory New Year soba with shrimp tempura, steamy foil-baked salmon, and cheesy bamboo shoot gratin, everything is up for grabs on his menu. Itadakimasu! Fate iyashikei gourmet sounds and tastes horrible.   Overall Rating: 5/10

44. A.I.C.O. Incarnation  [Bones] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  In 2035, an incident known as “The Burst” occurs at a Japanese research facility, giving birth to the rapidly expanding, consuming, and self-replicating "Matter." Snaking its way through the remains of dams and military facilities in the Kurobe Gorge, the hostile Matter is besieged by task forces trying to prevent it from reaching the ocean and mercenaries seeking the truth behind its existence. Aiko Tachibana lives under constant medical surveillance after being rescued from the Matter. She spends her days waiting out her recovery by making paper planes. Soon, her daily life at school is disturbed by the arrival of transfer student Yuuya Kanzaki, who proceeds to point out a number of inconsistencies regarding her body. Why is she never injured, and why does she suddenly no longer need her wheelchair? He claims that there is more to her existence than she has been led to believe, and that she alone holds the key to ending The Burst. With many factions now interested in Aiko, she and Yuuya must gather allies and embark on a dangerous pilgrimage into the heart of the infested gorge before the net can close around them. To escape the conspiracy moving against them, the pair must face off against the Matter—an enemy that flows like water. Another Netflix show which usually means fast pace, lots of action and attempt to introduce epic elements to the story. But the result is usually surface-scratching rushed flashy action with underdeveloped characters and needlessly complex story that's rather simple in the core. In other words, usage of principle "fake it till you make it". This work is a great example of such concept. It's an ok entertainment, but it only tries to be interesting and remains just an imitation, mostly of EVA.    Overall Rating: 6/10

45. Sword Gai The Animation ソードガイ The Animation [DLE, LandQ studios] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Supernatural When the gods would not answer in humanity's desperate hour of need, it turned to a demon instead. The supposed savior came wielding the sword Zsoltgewinn, but its uncontrollable lust for blood led it to kill those who summoned it too. Although the sword was sealed away long ago, it has been uncovered by the Shoshidai, an organization that collects such cursed artifacts. However, Zsoltgewinn proves to be too strong to be tamed by humans when its corruptive power influences the administrator, Takuma Miura, to flee with it in his grasp. At the same time, Gai Ogata's family is torn apart due to the possession of another demonic sword, Shiryu, leading his father to be murdered and his mother to hang herself shortly after giving birth to him. Abandoned in the forest clutching the blade, he is discovered by the blacksmith Amon. Unnaturally transfixed by the sword, Gai works tirelessly for years to hone his smithing skills. However, when an accident costs him his arm, he gains a new one—in the form of a reforged Shiryu. Now having a cursed sword for an arm, Gai must learn to control its violent urges. All the while, Zsoltgewinn continues its rampage, leaving a path of blood in its wake. Making action anime just around concept of cursed sword like Muramasa is dubious. Without proper story or characters it's just the looks and action which makes it average.   Overall Rating: 5/10

46. Mi Yu Xingzhe Uncharted Walker 迷域行者 [Thundray] (Finished 3/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Mystery, Suspense After narrowly escaping a deathtrap, a dazed Ning Yuan finds himself confined by a menacing gangster, He Zhiyang, alongside hysterical doctor, Su Jin. However, this proves to be the least of his concerns as he comes to terms with the group's newfound desperate situation: they are trapped on an isolated island that harbors malignant viruses, horrid mutations, and hostile tribes. Meanwhile, another group of individuals in the same vicinity happen to face the same predicament. Forced to put aside their differences and come together to fight their way to freedom, the two groups of stranded victims must resist their personal motivations which threaten to get the better of them. I'm not fond of any survival. It's usually a convenient theme for cheap emotions as long as there are crafty situations and tension between characters. For me it's all artificial and without interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10

47. Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう [P.A. Works] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  Maquia is a member of a special race called the Iorph—mystical beings who can live for hundreds of years and remain separate from the lives and daily troubles of mankind. However, Maquia has always felt lonely despite being surrounded by her people, as she was orphaned from a young age. She daydreams about the outside world, but dares not travel from her home due to the warnings of the clan's chief. One day however, the outside world finds her, as the power-hungry kingdom of Mezarte invades her homeland. They already have what is left of the giant dragons, the Renato, under their control, and now their king wishes to add the immortality of the Iorph to his bloodline. The humans and their Renato ravage the Iorph homeland and kill most of its inhabitants. Caught in the midst of the attack, Maquia is carried off by one of the Renato that has gone berserk. It soon dies, and she is left deserted in a forest far from home, now truly alone save for the cries of a single baby off in the distance. Maquia finds the baby in a destroyed village and decides to raise him as her own, naming him Ariel. Although she knows nothing of the human world, how to raise a child that ages much faster than her, or how to live with the smoldering loneliness inside, she is determined to make it all work somehow. So, lost girl has to bring up abandoned kid while being mistreated by everyone around and getting troubles from this very kid. And at the same time she has to work hard to not starve. See where it's going? Freaking Clannad all over again. And it's not even justified for the sake of the story, which is a mess. Typical tear-jerker that should stay where it belongs - mediocrity.   Overall Rating: 5/10

48. Starship Troopers: Red Planet Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars スターシップ・トゥルーパーズ レッドプラネット [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi After the events of Invasion, Johnny Rico has been demoted to the rank of colonel and relocated to a Martian satellite to train a new batch of troopers. Unfortunately, these troopers are some of the worst low-performing Rico has ever trained as they're Martians and don't take the war seriously. Mars overall has low support for the war as they see their planet unaffected by the bug conflict and even suggested pulling out from the war. Because of their laid back attitude, the denizens of Mars wasn't ready when the bugs attacked. Unknown to everyone, Sky Marshall Amy Snapp executes her plans for power. Full CGI. Six years between the movies is a lot, and concept has also changed a lot. Nice bravado action with some silly humor, but calling it interesting would be an overkill.   Overall Rating: 6/10

49. Hiragana Danshi 劇場版 ひらがな男子 ～序～ [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music Hiragana Danshi are in the mission to try to find their comrades in the world where Japanese languages have been disappeared. This is a movie adaptation of the Hiragana Danshi multimedia project which is one of the projects that started from a monthly variety show on Nihon TV titled "Ichara," which gets ideas for 2D characters from the audience. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10

50. Da Shi Jie Have a Nice Day 大世界 [Beijing Enlight Pictures, Horgos Coloroom Pictures Co., Ltd.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Suspense A hard rain is about to fall on a small town in Southern China. In a desperate attempt to find money to save his fiancée’s failed plastic surgery, Xiao Zhang, a mere driver, steals a bag containing 1 million from his boss. News of the robbery spreads fast within the town and, over the course of one night, everyone starts looking for Xiao Zhang and his money. Not translated. Rather ugly. This is a criminal black comedy based around dialogues, so kind of useless to watch it in Chinese without knowing the language.   Overall Rating: 5/10

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