Anime of the Year 2022-I Winter - Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season Part 2

As usual, hard to beat Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season Part 2 even though this season is particularly lame. Another anime that I liked by a strange twist was Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru . 

1. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc 鬼滅の刃 遊郭編  [ufotable] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Shounen Historical Action, Fantasy The devastation of the Mugen Train incident still weighs heavily on the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Despite being given time to recover, life must go on, as the wicked never sleep: a vicious demon is terrorizing the alluring women of the Yoshiwara Entertainment District. The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, and his three wives are on the case. However, when he soon loses contact with his spouses, Tengen fears the worst and enlists the help of Tanjirou Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira to infiltrate the district's most prominent houses and locate the depraved Upper Rank Demon. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season Part 2 Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 2 進撃の巨人 The Final Season Part 2 [MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gore, Military, Survival Action, Drama, Suspense Turning against his former allies and enemies alike, Eren Yeager sets a disastrous plan in motion. Under the guidance of the Beast Titan, Zeke, Eren takes extreme measures to end the ancient conflict between Marley and Eldia—but his true intentions remain a mystery. Delving deep into his family's past, Eren fights to control his own destiny. Meanwhile, the long-feuding nations of Marley and Eldia utilize both soldiers and Titans in a brutal race to eliminate the other. Reiner Braun uses his own powers in a desperate bid to hold off Eren's own militaristic force, and his fellow Eldians—children Falco Grice and Gabi Braun—struggle to survive in the unfolding chaos. Elsewhere, Eren's childhood friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert remain imprisoned alongside Eren's former Survey Corps companions, all disturbed by Eren's monstrous transformation. Under the blind belief that Eren still secretly harbors good intentions, Mikasa and the others enter the fray in an attempt to save their friend's very soul. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 8/10

3. Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru My Dress-Up Darling その着せ替え人形は恋をする [CloverWorks] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, School Romance High school student Wakana Gojou spends his days perfecting the art of making hina dolls, hoping to eventually reach his grandfather's level of expertise. While his fellow teenagers busy themselves with pop culture, Gojou finds bliss in sewing clothes for his dolls. Nonetheless, he goes to great lengths to keep his unique hobby a secret, as he believes that he would be ridiculed were it revealed. Enter Marin Kitagawa, an extraordinarily pretty girl whose confidence and poise are in stark contrast to Gojou's meekness. It would defy common sense for the friendless Gojou to mix with the likes of Kitagawa, who is always surrounded by her peers. However, the unimaginable happens when Kitagawa discovers Gojou's prowess with a sewing machine and brightly confesses to him about her own hobby: cosplay. Because her sewing skills are pitiable, she decides to enlist his help. As Gojou and Kitagawa work together on one cosplay outfit after another, they cannot help but grow close—even though their lives are worlds apart. I think I can spare a minor masterpiece since I watched to the end and learned some things about it.   Overall Rating: 7/10

4. Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou 2nd Season Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 2 ありふれた職業で世界最強 2nd Season [asread., studio MOTHER] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy After rescuing his former classmates from the perils of a labyrinth—a mythical place that grants a divine magic to whosoever triumphs over its trials—Nagumo Hajime emerges victorious, while the new heroes of the fantasy world Tortus must face their first major failure. Together with his traveling companions and the new team member Kaori Shirasaki, Nagumo resumes his journey to conquer all labyrinths and eventually return to his original world. Meanwhile, the heroes from Earth try learning from their mistakes and prepare for the demon army's invasion. As the final confrontation looms closer, new and old enemies start setting their evil plans in motion. Once more, Nagumo must prove that he can prevail against the most formidable opponents, all while protecting the ones he holds closest to his heart. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Vanitas no Karte Part 2 The Case Study of Vanitas Part 2 ヴァニタスの手記 [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Historical, Vampire Action, Fantasy, Mystery Vanitas and Noé Archiviste head out to the town of Gévaudan in search of the "Beast," an enormous wolf-like creature that has slaughtered hundreds of people. Suspecting that the Beast is a curse-bearing vampire, Vanitas primarily aims to heal it using the powers of his grimoire. Along the way, the two get separated and suddenly travel back to the past—to the exact moment the Beast is lurking in the woods. After a battle against the gigantic wolf and a vampire hunter, Vanitas decides to team up with Jeanne in order to find Noé. Despite being allies, Jeanne's goal is the opposite of Vanitas', as she was tasked to kill the Beast—suspecting it may be someone she used to know. Meanwhile, a severely wounded Noé is picked up by the mysterious Chloé d'Apchier and her servant. Like Noé, Chloé is a vampire whose existence was erased from the public's knowledge. She has been a guardian for future generations and once tried to find a way to become human again. While Noé is grateful to Chloé for her hospitality, little does he know that she might be siding with forces far more dangerous than the Beast itself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. Tensai Ouji no Akaji Kokka Saisei Jutsu The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt 天才王子の赤字国家再生術 [Yokohama Animation Lab] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  The king of Natra has fallen ill, leaving the only hope for his kingdom to his son, Prince Wein Salema Arbalest. Known to be capable and wise, he is the perfect candidate to become the prince regent. However, if the prince has anything to say about the matter, he would rather sell off the Kingdom of Natra to the highest bidder! Since he wields the authority of the throne, no one can stop Wein from auctioning off the country and using the profits to retire in comfort. All he needs to do is raise the value of the small kingdom to maximize his gains. But whether Wein's grand plan will succeed remains to be seen, as his wit often surpasses even his own expectations—much to the benefit of the oblivious citizens of Natra. Is it genius to just start a war whenever want to change something? Rather stupid, retarded and generally harmful, as for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Sabikui Bisco 錆喰いビスコ  [OZ] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  An apocalyptic event has ravaged Japan, leaving nothing but endless sandy plains behind, and a strange rusting disease terrorizes the remnants of civilization. According to the government, the horrific state of the new world is the result of mushroom spores being spread by the likes of Bisco Akaboshi, labeled the "Man-Eating Mushroom." But Bisco would beg to differ. In reality, he is a "Mushroom Protector," determined to uncover the legendary "Sabikui" mushroom—said to be the ultimate cure for the rusting disease. Joining him on his quest are his giant crab Akutagawa and the kind doctor Milo Nekoyanagi, who is actively searching for a rust poisoning treatment for his sick sister. Despite the prejudice aimed toward him by the common folk, Bisco refuses to give up on his quest to purify the rotting world. Pretty random action journey with spontaneous reasons and absurd elements, so looks pretty bad to me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki Part 2 How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Part 2 現実主義勇者の王国再建記 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem, Isekai, Military Action, Fantasy, Romance Together with his talented aides, the "Realist Hero" Kazuya Souma continues his quest of reinvigorating the Elfrieden Kingdom through administrative reform. Having successfully conquered Van—the capital city of the Principality of Amidonia—Kazuya now faces the envoy from Gran Chaos Empire, who wishes to impose punishment for breaching the ban on war established by the Mankind Declaration Treaty. Despite the dire situation, Kazuya sees a path to avoid unnecessary conflict whilst gaining new allies. With his plan being seemingly perfect, the only barrier to success is gaining approval from the envoy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Shikkakumon no Saikyou Kenja The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest 失格紋の最強賢者 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Reincarnation Action, Adventure, Fantasy At birth, mages randomly acquire one of the four "crests" that represents the extent of their magical capability. Equipped with a crest specializing in creation, a man named Gaius reached the ceiling of his potential, becoming known as the world's strongest sage. Despite his overwhelming power, he is unsatisfied with his abilities and desires to possess the mark suitable for close combat. Knowing that a person's crest is unchangeable, Gaius decides to reincarnate far into the future, hoping to alter his fate. Thousands of years later, Gaius is reborn as Mathias Hildesheimer, successfully obtaining his long-coveted crest. However, he is surprised to learn that in these times, magic has vastly waned, and the techniques that were once widely used are now nothing more than just a speck of legend. Moreover, the crest that he painstakingly strived to attain is now considered the weakest—merely dubbed the "Crest of Failure." Nevertheless, Mathias naturally exceeds all expectations. He enrolls into the royal capital's Second Academy, acing every trial that comes his way. But soon after, Mathias discovers the dark truth behind humanity's downfall into magical mediocrity—demons—and endeavors to remedy the consequence of his millennia-long absence once and for all. OP MC and a whole pile of bs make this anime further unwatchable for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 3 Teasing Master Takagi-san 3 からかい上手の高木さん3 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Romantic Subtext, School Comedy Yoshikazu Miyano's troubles first start one hot summer day when Shuumei Sasaki steps into his life. Sasaki saves Miyano's classmate from a group of bullies, and after that, Miyano cannot seem to shake off his eccentric upperclassman. His silent admiration for Sasaki gradually sours into annoyance each time the so-called delinquent refuses to leave him alone. Constantly being called by cute nicknames and having his boundaries ignored, Miyano wonders why Sasaki wants to get close to him. The shy and easily flustered Miyano harbors an embarrassing secret—he is a "fudanshi," a boy who likes boys' love (BL) manga. The last thing he wants is for other students to find out, but through a slip of the tongue, he reveals the truth to Sasaki. Intrigued, the clueless Sasaki asks to borrow a book to read, which he is given very reluctantly. To Miyano's surprise, Sasaki enjoys the BL that he receives and asks for more, marking a shift in their strange dynamic. Although Sasaki appears to possess some personal agenda, his feelings for Miyano become complicated the more time they spend together. As they now share a common interest, their relationship is poised to change and further develop. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10

11. Akebi-chan no Sailor-fuku Akebi's Sailor Uniform 明日ちゃんのセーラー服 [CloverWorks] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Slice of Life Ever since she was young, Komichi Akebi has always adored sailor uniforms, even going so far as to ask her mother to sew one if she succeeds in getting into her mother's alma mater, Roubai Academy. And thus, when she gets accepted into the prestigious school, Komichi is ecstatic. However, much to her surprise, the middle school no longer uses sailor uniforms as its dress code—making Komichi stand out from her schoolmates. Despite this, Komichi is granted permission to continue wearing the traditional attire. With renewed confidence, Komichi meets fascinating classmates as they experience school life together. Under the colorful shower of blossoming prospects, an exciting tomorrow awaits them! Just nice school SOL with believalbe personalities. Is it interesting to watch eccentric girl school life? For me not really.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Fantasy Bishoujo Juniku Ojisan to Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout 異世界美少女受肉おじさんと [OLM Team Yoshioka] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Magical Sex Shift, Parody Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Since their days as students, Tsukasa Jinguuji has had incredible luck with women due to his good looks; Hinata Tachibana has had almost none, overshadowed by Jinguuji's brilliance. However, while Jinguuji has never shown interest in the opposite sex, Tachibana is always desperate for a girlfriend. Despite their polar differences, they continue to be best friends even in their thirties as salarymen. One night, the two are returning home from a mixer where Jinguuji was the center of attention as usual. In his drunken rambles, a frustrated Tachibana inadvertently wishes to become a beautiful girl with irresistible charm. As if the heavens were listening, a goddess suddenly shows herself before Jinguuji and Tachibana, transporting them to another world to defeat the Demon Lord and simultaneously granting Tachibana's desire. Tachibana—now in the body of an impossibly perfect woman—has become so attractive that even Jinguuji is captivated. Moreover, Tachibana grows aware of Jinguuji's stunning appearance, finally understanding his popularity. Before they fall in love with each other, the duo must complete their mission or risk remaining prisoners to their infatuations forever. Managed to finish it, but it's weird as a comedy as based mostly on the fact that everyone is attracted to a guy reincarnated as a girl, and by the end it becomes some kind of weird BL.   Overall Rating: 6/10

13. Koroshi Ai Love of Kill 殺し愛 [Platinum Vision] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Josei  Adult Cast, Organized Crime Action, Romance Novice bounty hunter Chateau Dankworth never expected to encounter someone capable of overpowering her in combat. Even less so that the mysterious man would take an immediate interest in her—to the point of aiding her missions. However, Chateau makes it clear that she has no plans of entertaining any personal involvement with him. Chateau's company is soon tasked with eliminating Song Ryang-ha—an expert assassin and a former member of a powerful Asian organization. Coincidentally, Ryang-ha is the man that has been pursuing her. Despite his background, Chateau reluctantly agrees to meet with Ryang-ha as part of a deal: in exchange for going out with him, he will provide her with the locations of current targets, dead or alive. But when the past begins to haunt both killers, their arrangement may need to come to an end, as their entanglement puts their lives at grave risk. Getting really bad stalker/abuser vibes out of it.   Overall Rating: 5/10

14. Leadale no Daichi nite In the Land of Leadale リアデイルの大地にて [Maho Film] (Finished 3/12) Tags:  Isekai, Reincarnation Adventure, Fantasy The previously bedridden Keina Kagami finds herself in the world of her favorite VRMMORPG—titled Leadale—after the life support keeping her alive fails. Reincarnated in the body of her high-level character, "Cayna," she notices that the world of Leadale is different from what she remembers playing. As she comes to learn, two hundred years have passed since she last interacted with the world. However, this does not sadden Cayna—as it means that a new journey awaits her, filled with exciting prospects and unfamiliar faces all waiting to be discovered. Another fantasy SOL that does not know where to go, so just wonders around.   Overall Rating: 5/10

15. Princess Connect! Re:Dive Season 2 プリンセスコネクト! Re:Dive Season 2 [CygamesPictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Gourmet  The members of the Gourmet Guild—Yuuki, Kokkoro, Pecorine, and Karyl—continue to scour the world in pursuit of their goal to seek out all delicious food in existence. However, as their adventures progress, the mysteries behind Yuuki's memories, Karyl's allegiance, and Pecorine's heritage begin to come together—seemingly forming the truth that makes up the world's very foundation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

16. Kenja no Deshi wo Nanoru Kenja She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man 賢者の弟子を名乗る賢者 [Studio A-CAT] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Isekai, Magical Sex Shift  Adventure, Fantasy With a dignified veteran's body and a long white beard, summoner mage Dunbalf was one of the strongest player characters in the virtual reality online multiplayer roleplaying game Ark Earth Online, even heralded as a one-man army. Together with the "Nine Wise Mages" and King Solomon, they formed the mage player Kingdom of Alcait. But one day, Dunbalf and the other Nine Wise Mages suddenly go missing, leaving no trace behind. In an effort to spend his expiring credits, Dunbalf had purchased a cosmetic kit and tinkered with his character; however, he accidentally fell asleep during the customization process. Upon waking up, Dunbalf not only notices that the world of Ark Earth Online has become more realistic, but also discovers that he has turned into a cute girl! After reaching Alcait, he learns it has been 30 years since he supposedly disappeared. Now tasked with finding the other missing mages by King Solomon, the avid role player proclaims his new identity as Mira—the Pupil of the Wise Man Dunbalf—and ventures forth to prove his legacy. So returned summoner ... just takes up requests as does not know what to do. Can't call it plot-based and can't say I like any characters here.   Overall Rating: 6/10

17. Orient オリエント [A.C.G.T.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Historical, Samurai Action, Adventure, Fantasy Freed from the rule of samurai 150 years ago, the people of Hinomoto live peaceful lives and revere their liberators—demons whose true forms remain elusive—as gods. Fated to mine rocks for the demons to feast on, Musashi knows the grim truth: humanity is enslaved by these otherworldly beings and the samurai are the last bastion fighting for freedom. Hiding his true opinion from his peers and growing distant from his childhood friend Kojirou Kanemaki, Musashi lives in angst until the day of his graduation. When the fresh graduates arrive at the mine, they are horrified to see the inhumane treatment of miners and the uncanny physical appearance of their overseers. However, Musashi manages to endure thanks to Kojirou's help. As the demon leader wreaks havoc on the quarry, Musashi is saved once more from certain death by the Takeda samurai clan. Recovering from humiliation and yearning for adventure, Musashi embarks on a journey to become a samurai and form his own clan! An average shounen more or less.   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. Heike Monogatari The Heike Story 平家物語 [Science SARU] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Historical, Samurai Drama The Taira clan, also known as the Heike, holds immense authority over Japan. When a young girl, gifted with an odd eye that allows her to see the future, foolishly disrespects the clan, her father pays the price of her crime with his life. Soon after, as fate would have it, Taira no Shigemori—the eldest son of the clan leader—stumbles upon the same unfortunate girl, who now calls herself "Biwa." Biwa informs him that the downfall of the Heike is imminent. After learning of the great injustice Biwa suffered at the Heike's hands, Shigemori vows to take her in and care for her rather than let her be killed. In an era of rising military tension, the Heike are in the midst of a cunning struggle for power, and bloodstained war is on the horizon. Shigemori, whose eyes allow him to see spirits of the dead, is both anxious and hopeful to prevent his clan's demise. Biwa, however, is reluctant to reveal the future to him and must adapt to her new life filled with both happiness and sorrow in this pivotal chapter in Japanese history. Heian is a boring period for me, and addition of supernatural elements makes it even worse. Might be nice if I was not spoilt by jidaigeki already.   Overall Rating: 6/10

19. Ryman's Club Salaryman's Club リーマンズクラブ  [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Workplace Sports The world of corporate badminton is not as easy as it seems. Although considered a former child prodigy, Mikoto Shiratori has not been living up to his potential as a badminton player for Mitsuhoshi Bank. Due to a past incident, Mikoto tries to transition from playing doubles to singles; nevertheless, he fails to produce positive results, much to his employer's dismay. After being fired from the bank, Mikoto is recruited by the Sunlight Beverage corporate badminton team. Surprisingly, not only do practices start in the evening, but he also has to work in the sales department of the company by day. While this is not a novel arrangement, Mikoto had thought he was invited solely to play sports. To make matters worse, he is forced to compete in doubles despite his reluctance. Struggling to adjust to his new professional life, Mikoto begins to doubt his decision to join the company. However, as he learns more about his latest teammates, he might just find the strength necessary to advance his badminton career. Spokon.   Overall Rating: 5/10

20. Tokyo 24-ku Tokyo 24th Ward 東京24区 [CloverWorks] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Mystery, Sci-Fi  In a special jurisdiction area built in Tokyo Bay commonly known as the 24th Ward, the population enjoys a very safe life thanks to the Hazard Cast—a surveillance system that predicts accidents and assists victims immediately. However, the system cannot foresee the exact nature of these accidents nor prevent them from happening. Ran Akagi, Kouki Suidou, and Shuuta Aoi—a trio of friends nicknamed "RGB" due to their hair color—experienced the tragic nature of these limitations when Suidou's sister Asami passed away in a fire at her high school. A year later, Shuuta still blames himself for failing to save Asami, while Ran pursues his dream to become a famous street artist, and Kouki works in the Hazard Cast intervention unit. After the RGB trio reunites at a commemoration for the victims of the school fire, each of them receives a mysterious phone call. Bewildered to hear Asami's voice, the three friends are shown images of the future and asked to choose between two grim alternatives. Refusing to be bound by predetermined outcomes, the three tackle this troubling event head-on, marking the beginning of a series of cruel dilemmas that they will have to overcome in order to protect the 24th Ward and its people. Detective mysery of crime prevention espers VS some genius criminals.   Overall Rating: 5/10

21. Slow Loop スローループ [Connect] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Gourmet, Slice of Life Since childhood, Hiyori Yamakawa has witnessed her father's various eccentricities, but one activity she has always loved doing with him is fly fishing—a complicated yet rewarding method of catching fish. Even after his sudden death, Hiyori still visits the seaside in her spare time, savoring the joy that her father's memento brings her. Three years later, Hiyori's mother decides to remarry and arranges a dinner with her fiancé, his daughter, and Hiyori to celebrate. Anxious and wanting to pass the time, Hiyori goes to her usual fishing spot when a rather energetic girl named Koharu Minagi suddenly appears before her. The two soon become acquainted, with Koharu taking an interest in fly fishing herself. However, their meeting is more than just a coincidence: Koharu turns out to be Hiyori's future stepsibling, which is only the beginning of treasured memories the both of them will reel in as they foster their sisterhood. Gourmet SOL about fishing.   Overall Rating: 5/10

22. Baraou no Souretsu Requiem of the Rose King 薔薇王の葬列 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shoujo Historical Action, Drama, Supernatural Richard Plantagenet has dedicated his whole life to becoming strong enough to fight alongside his father, the Duke of York. Together they have waged war to reclaim the right to the throne of England from King Henry VI and the House of Lancaster. However, the young Richard hides a secret—one that his mother scorns him for, which the cruel voices in his head never fail to remind him of. Even amid his personal turmoil, he is fortunate to find solace in the light of his father's love. But when the War of the Roses takes a turn for the bloodier, the fervent ambitions of Richard grow while his old loyalties splinter, threatening to taint his family's path to glory. Hermaphrodite half-shoujo half-BL drama with bishounens.   Overall Rating: 5/10

23. Kaijin Kaihatsu-bu no Kuroitsu-san Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department 怪人開発部の黒井津さん [Quad] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Workplace Comedy, Fantasy On the outside, Agastia is a firm specializing in entertainment, well-known for the theme park it operates. However, beneath such an exterior lies a monumental secret: Agastia is one of various highly advanced evil organizations that aim for world domination. Despite its true nature, the company boasts enticements that make it worthwhile to put up with the work environment. Led by its great leader Akashic, Agastia has recently become a frontrunner in reaching its fellow groups' common goal. Working for Agastia's Monster Development Division, Touka Kuroitsu is a researcher who primarily does fieldwork due to the eccentricities of her seniors. Kuroitsu's everyday jobs also include giving abrupt presentations and proposals, meeting ridiculous expectations for monster designs, and accompanying said monsters to face inevitable defeat by Agastia's enemies. Nevertheless, nothing will stop Kuroitsu from doing her best if it means getting the promotion she desires! Super strange parody about monster design for a primitive superhero show.   Overall Rating: 5/10

24. Hakozume: Kouban Joshi no Gyakushuu Police in a Pod ハコヅメ～交番女子の逆襲～ [Madhouse] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Workplace  Comedy After graduating from high school, Mai Kawai's top priority was to find a job with a stable income to avoid turning out like her father. However, despite having taken a variety of civil service exams, she was faced with a harsh reality: nearly every institute denied her entry. The only place that accepted her was a police academy, which she reluctantly joined. Even now that she is an actual police officer, the world continues to be cruel to Mai. Due to her profession, she unexpectedly receives constant criticism from disgruntled citizens. Disheartened by the hostile treatment, she decides to submit a letter of resignation after just a few months of employment. But on the same day Mai chooses to quit, she meets Seiko Fuji—the former ace of the Criminal Affairs Division who is assigned as her new instructor. Finding her new coworker to be enchanting, Mai delays leaving and gives her uninspiring job a second chance. Good episodic police SOL. Just not finding it to be of any interest while not in the right mood.   Overall Rating: 6/10

25. Dolls' Frontline Girls' Frontline ドールズフロントライン [Asahi Production] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Military Action, Drama, Sci-Fi After World War III decimated the world's population and rendered large amounts of land uninhabitable, various private military contractors began using combat androids—also known as "T-Dolls"—to maintain peace in unstable countries. While they are physically superior to flesh-and-blood fighters, T-Dolls are incapable of formulating complex plans and thus require a human commander to issue orders. Sangvis Ferri was an industry-leading T-Doll manufacturer until they attempted to install a specialized T-Doll as the company's sole commander—resulting in the immediate deaths of everyone at that facility. Seizing control of Sangvis factories, the rogue AI declared war on the remnants of mankind. Now facing a hostile robot invasion, Griffin & Kryuger is the only paramilitary organization strong enough to withstand confrontation and halt their destructive advances. Investigating the events related to Sangvis Ferri's aggression, the elite task force "Team Anti-Rain" searches for highly confidential information in an abandoned warehouse, but they are shortly ambushed. Hoping to safeguard their findings, the group temporarily disbands and each Doll goes into hiding. Meanwhile, the lazy but gifted Gentiane is hired by Griffin as a rookie commander and given her critical first mission—track down Team Anti-Rain and recover the classified data before Sangvis Ferri can. Fighting action based on a mobile game...   Overall Rating: 5/10

26. Tribe Nine TRIBE NINE（トライブナイン） [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Sci-Fi, Sports  Fed up with society, youngsters all around Neo-Tokyo formed tribes to find their place in the world. However, group loyalty among them grew fierce and often led to violence. As a countermeasure, the government implemented the XB Law—stating that the tribe conflict is to be resolved through Extreme Baseball. From players using extendable bats to pitchers wearing special equipment, Extreme Baseball is a futuristic version of the sport with modified rules, less restrictions, and bizarre applications of technology. When a group of youngsters bullies spineless Haru Shirokane, he is saved by an unexpected pair: Shun Kamiya and Taiga. As it turns out, Shun is a star player of Extreme Baseball who leads the Minato Tribe, the top-ranked team in Minato City. Meanwhile, Taiga aims to defeat Shun in hopes of becoming the strongest in the sport. In a string of spontaneous events that allow Shun to discover their potential, Taiga and Haru are roped into joining the Minato Tribe. As the tribes across Minato City face a new threat led by the mysterious Oujirou Otori, the Minato Tribe might just need the power of their two new rookies to overcome the clutches of evil. Spokon.   Overall Rating: 5/10

27. Futsal Boys!!!!! フットサルボーイズ!!!!! [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Team Sports Haru Yamato was never interested in futsal ever since the sport gained international fame 10 years ago. However, a chance to watch Japanese futsal player Tokinari Tennoji compete at the U-18 World Cup completely changed his perspective. When given the opportunity on his first day at Koyo Gakuen High School, Haru enthusiastically joins the futsal club. There, he meets a variety of talented players including captain Toi Tsukioka, who was a part of the same U-18 team as Tennoji. Despite having a dynamic roster, the Koyo Futsal Club has a long way ahead when it comes to assembling a team that can stand up to powerhouse opponents—especially for Haru, who is a total beginner to the sport! Spokon.   Overall Rating: 5/10

28. Cue!  [Yumeta Company, Graphinica] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Music, Showbiz  As a new agency, AiRBLUE's roster consists of voice actresses with absolutely no experience. Expecting to hone their skills and build courage at a gradual pace, the girls are taken aback when the head of their agency, Masaki Ootori, announces that they will be partaking in an audition for Bloomball—a popular sports manga receiving an anime adaptation. Despite all odds being stacked against them, each of the girls is now presented with a momentous chance to make their debut in the unrelenting world of voice acting. Usually seiyu means strict selection after special school. In this anime there are a lot of newbies, but it still feels decent.   Overall Rating: 6/10

29. Shenmue the Animation シェンムー [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Adventure 1985, Yokosuka. Ryo Hazuki has trained to master the Hazuki Style Jujitsu under his strict father in the Hazuki Dojo from his childhood. However, one day a mysterious man named Lan Di murders his father and takes the “mirror” his father was protecting. Ryo is determined to find the truth behind his father’s murder, but soon finds himself getting stuck in a war between the underground organizations…. Traveling from Yokosuka to Hong Kong, Ryo’s long journey begins! Can hardly call it a plot. Just fighting while running errands with illusory goal.   Overall Rating: 5/10

30. Gensou Sangokushi: Tengen Reishinki Fantasia Sango: Realm of Legends 幻想三國誌 -天元霊心記- [Geek Toys] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Fantasy In spite of their defeat, the remnant factions of the Taipingtao Revolution continue to resist, plunging China into a seemingly never-ending war. Moreover, the negative emotions left behind by the rebellion's massive death toll begin to form miasma—giving birth to malignant beings called the "wangliang." These creatures can possess humans and turn them into horrifying demons, thus bringing about more deaths and miasma and spinning a vicious cycle that inflicts further despair upon the land. As a countermeasure, the immortal deities known as the "Tianyuan" select certain individuals to be "Hunters." Accompanying them are the "Guizhan," specialists created by the Tianyuan who can absorb miasma and transform into demons themselves, acting as indispensable weapons against the wangliang. After a tragic accident involving an out-of-control Guizhan causes the disbandment of the Sixth Hunter Unit, the Tianyuan designate three promising Hunters—namely Ji Ying, Qiao Xun, and Yan Ding—to reform the group. However, for an unknown reason, the Tianyuan also appoint Xiao Ling—the young Guizhan responsible for the former unit's downfall—to fight alongside the trio. Despite growing tensions, the members of the revived team must settle their differences and collectively use their abilities to attain victory against the common enemy. Based on a game shounen with poor world-building and obscure goal.   Overall Rating: 5/10

31. Saiyuuki Reload: Zeroin 最遊記RELOAD -ZEROIN- [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Josei Mythology Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Supernatural  Getting ambushed by rogue demons on the road is business as usual for the Sanzou party. But when their latest assailants turn out to be humans, the group is left dumbfounded. The mystery only deepens when they encounter a wandering priest, Hazel Grouse, and his imposing bodyguard, Gaty Nene Hawk. The pair hails from the far West, with Hazel using his powers of resurrection to aid grief-stricken villages. While his ability is greatly welcomed by the people, the truth behind it is less miraculous than it seems. Furthermore, the resurrected humans gain golden eyes, a trait they share with the group's recent attackers. It appears that the friendly priest's intentions are not as generous as one might expect—and the Sanzou party is a step away from unraveling them. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10

32. Delicious Party♡Precure Delicious Party Pretty Cure デリシャスパーティ♡プリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/45) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy The mysterious, delicious world of CooKingdom, which rules over all the cuisine in this world. CooKingdom has closely guarded the Recipe-Bon, in which it's written how to prepare any dish. But, oh no! One day, it gets stolen by the Bundoru Gang! The Bundoru Gang plans to monopolize everything for themselves, and their next target is the Cuisine Fairy Recipeppi... The Energy Fairies have come to Oishi-Na Town in the human world in search of the Recipe-Bon. With their help, an unexpected turn of events leads to three ordinary girls transforming into Pretty Cures! They stand up to the Bundoru Gang, to recover the Recipe-Bon, and to protect everyone's delicious smiles! New Precure.   Overall Rating: 5/10

33. Sabiiro no Armor: Reimei Rusted Armors 錆色のアーマ-黎明- [Kigumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Samurai Action The era is a turbulent Warring States period in Hinomoto. Kinokuni, the unexplored region of the mountains and the sea. In the depths of this deep forest, there is a group using "Yatagarasu" as their flag symbol and using guns as weapons. Their name is "Saikashu". It is "Magoichi" who arrived from a foreign country that inherited the name as the head of Saikashu. On the other hand, "Saburo" quickly senses the signs of aggression from the European powers and struggles to protect Hinomoto. The fate of the two who would not meet originally will be crossed by the fight against the invaders who came from a foreign country ─! Very poor CGI and everything else is on par with that.   Overall Rating: 5/10

34. Ninjala (TV) ニンジャラ [OLM] (Finished 1/?) Tags: Action The year is 20XX. The ninja, who once forged the history of Japan, were scattered across the country during the Meiji Restoration. As these ninja mingled with the other clans, their bloodline thinned, and they gradually faded from sight. The descendants of these ninja clans, seeking to preserve their heritage, formed the WNA (World Ninja Association) in the hope of carrying on their legacy. And so it was that the WNA succeeded in developing Ninja-Gum, an art which could summon forth the strength of the Shinobi. And yet creating the most powerful Ninja-Gum requires the strongest of ninja DNA. So it was that the Ninjala Tournament was held, that the mightiest of all ninjas could be found... Totally kids stuff.   Overall Rating: 5/10

35. Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi Kotaro Lives Alone コタローは1人暮らし [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Seinen Childcare Slice of Life One day, manga author Shin Karino is greeted by four-year-old Kotarou Satou, his new next-door neighbor, who gifts him a box of tissues. In Karino's eyes, Kotarou is an odd kid: he speaks in an extremely formal manner, and he lives alone in his apartment—no parents or relatives in sight. But Kotarou neither seems to mind, nor wants to rely on people. Feeling sympathetic toward Kotarou's circumstances, Karino decides to follow Kotarou to a bathhouse in case something might happen to him and there he comes to understand the little boy is not so different from him. Little by little, Karino—along with the other residents of the apartment complex—grows fond of Kotarou and his antics. At the same time, Kotarou himself might have found something akin to a family in his unique neighbors. Childcare slow SOL with weird characters. So much piling up misery makes me sick.   Overall Rating: 5/10

36. Chikyuugai Shounen Shoujo The Orbital Children 地球外少年少女 [Production +h.] (Finished 1/6) Tags: Space, Survival Adventure, Sci-Fi In the year 2045, Internet and artificial intelligence have become widespread in the outer space. Following a massive accident at a space station, a group of children are left behind. Using narrowband and SNS, low intelligence AI, and smartphone-controlled drones, they overcome numerous crises. Any SOL and survival in space is super boring for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

37. Thermae Romae Novae テルマエ・ロマエ ノヴァエ [NAZ] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Time Travel Comedy Lucius Modestus, an ancient Roman architect, finds himself job-hunting due to having trouble coming up with new ideas. As his demeanor and personality become dismal, his friends try taking him to a bathhouse for him to relax. Unable to unwind in the bustling and crowded bath, Lucius dips his head in the water. Down there, he finds a secret tunnel that transports him to a modern-day Japanese bathhouse, providing him the inspiration he needed to make a new creation. Loaded with what seems to be knowledge way ahead of his time, Lucius does his best to try and recreate his findings, usually inferior in quality due to his circumstances. However, the sheer ingenuity may be just enough to gain the attention of the citizens and regain his reputation as an architect. Episodic bath of the week via time travel is a horrible premise for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

38. Tales of Luminaria: The Fateful Crossroad Tales of Luminaria the Fateful Crossroad  [Anima, Kamikaze Douga] (Finished 1/2) Tags: Fantasy  Long ago, this land was home to beasts the size of mountains that have now become petrified. Mana overflowed from their remains, drawing people who sought its power, and civilizations sprang up. People came to revere these mana-producing creatures, which they named 'Primordial Beasts'. They built their lives around them. Thus began the worship of the Primordial Beasts. Time flowed ever onward, to the present day... War erupts between the Jerle Federation, an alliance of countries who worship the Primordial Beasts, and the Gildllan Empire, which has enjoyed explosive development thanks to advanced technology. The fires of war burn ever brighter. The special animated feature will tell an important juncture in the story of Luminaria, congealing and bringing to life the game's theme of "confronting antagonistic ideas of justice"! Mobile game advertisement done in poor CGI.   Overall Rating: 5/10

39. Qian Cong Shou 千从狩 [bilibili, BeDream] (Finished 2/16) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi There is a group of people in this world who have "seals" engraved on their bodies. They can use telekinesis to transform the "seals" into supernatural powers. This power is called speech power, and these people are called speech power masters. The only place that can teach this kind of knowledge is the Wanxiang Academy, which has a long history and inherits ancient civilization. Every year, Wanxiang Academy holds an exam to recruit potential speech power masters to study in the academy and form them into a guard force to maintain world peace - the Sencong. Although our protagonist Sencong is a dud with a powerless seal, he also dreams of becoming the strongest Sencong. For this reason, he enters the academy to study. Concept is a typical magical academy where MC is underpowered. CGI and typical Chinese antics hurt a lot.   Overall Rating: 5/10

40. Shika no Ou: Yuna to Yakusoku no Tabi The Deer King 鹿の王 ユナと約束の旅 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy In the years following a vicious war, the Empire of Zol now controls the land and citizens of rival Aquafa—except for Aquafa's Fire Horse Territory, where wild dogs that once carried the deadly Black Wolf Fever continue to roam free. When a pack of dogs race through a Zol-controled mine, Van, an enslaved former soldier, and a young girl named Yuna are both bitten, but manage to escape as the sole survivors of the attack. Finally free, Van and Yuna seek out a simple, peaceful existence in the countryside. But as the deadly disease once again runs rampant, they find themselves at the crossroads of a struggle much larger than any one nation. It does feel like early Ghibli, but with a lot more violence, thus the R rating. It's unique in that it's a work about fighting pandemia during pandemia, but overall not particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10

41. Goodbye, Don Glees! グッバイ、ドン・グリーズ！ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Drama  Teen misfits Roma, Toto, and Drop call themselves the "Don Glees," an informal name for their backyard adventures. One day, when the trio gets blamed for a nearby forest fire, they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. As disaster strikes their expedition, tensions flare between the friends as they realize that growing up has taken them on wildly different paths in life. For me it's just a hiking journey with useless supernatural elements and without even properly developed characters. Both drama and resolution is so spontaneous that it makes the whole thing not believalbe .   Overall Rating: 6/10

42. Blue Thermal ブルーサーマル [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Drama Tamaki Tsuru joins Aonagi University in hopes of making friends, getting a boyfriend, and living a typical university student life. She decides to try out for the tennis club in order to make friends and avoid anything too athletic. But when she is distracted by a model glider during tryouts, Tamaki ends up hitting a tennis ball right at it, smashing it into pieces. Daisuke Sorachi, a member of the Aviation Club, demands that she pay for the damages. Following the incident, Aviation Club captain Jun Kuramochi tries to goad Tamaki into joining their club, but Tamaki refuses. Not wanting to lose a chance at recruiting a club member, Jun orchestrates a way for Tamaki to earn the money to repay her debts and gives her a boyfriend in the process. While she joins the club reluctantly, Jun seems to have other plans for their newest member. The core is gliding spokon with characters and plot as an afterthought.   Overall Rating: 5/10

43. Deemo Movie: Sakura no Oto - Anata no Kanadeta Oto ga, Ima mo Hibiku Deemo: Memorial Keys 劇場版 DEEMO サクラノオト -あなたの奏でた音が, 今も響く- [Production I.G, Signal.MD] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music Drama, Fantasy  Deemo is a mystic character lives in solitude, a castle, all by itself. A little girl falls from the sky, not knowing who she is, where she comes from. To help the little girl back to her world, Deemo comes to realize a tree keeps growing tall on top of the piano whenever it plays. What would Deemo do when it gets comfortable with the companionship it never had before? What if the little girl couldn't deal with the truth when her seemingly lost memories regained?! Mobile game adertisement, similar concept works very poorly for the movie.   Overall Rating: 5/10

44. Eien no 831 永遠の８３１ [Craftar Studios] (Finished 1/1) Tags: - Today, the world is in turmoil due to an "unprecedented catastrophe." Suzushirou, a young man who lives as a newspaper scholarship student in Tokyo, had a secret that no one could tell. An incident that happened in the summer of my third year of high school made it possible for me to stop the time around me regardless of my will. One day, Suzushiro meets a person who can share the secret for the first time. Like myself, Nazuna is a girl who has been hurt in her heart and has been able to stop her time. Suzushiro finds out that she is being used for crimes by her brother Seri, and reaches out impulsively. "Let's run away with me!" Can they move the time they have stopped again? The bulk of time northing really happens, so it's a drag to watch in so-so CGI.   Overall Rating: 5/10

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