It has been a busy season for anime this year. There’s a revival of nostalgia in certain franchises while others are trying to break into the industry. Without further ado, in no particular order of importance, here are some of those that stood out this year.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Studio: Madhouse
Photo: Madhouse
We’ve come a long way in the field of science, but the struggle to get there was a difficult one. Today everyone knows the Earth revolves around the Sun and not vice versa. Heliocentrism is the truth. Orb borrows its theme from the Galileo affair, a time where the Church ruled supreme and Geocentrism (Sun revolving around the Earth) was the only accepted belief. To be otherwise would see you branded as a heretic and carted off to the torture chamber or burned at the stake. Orb is not driven by the characters but rather the topic of heliocentrism, of how a theory can persist over a long period of time, slowly gaining momentum. It is a story of how far people go to sacrifice everything in the faith that one day, their belief will be proven right. It is a story of how a single idea can shake the foundations of the belief system. Sometimes the real heroes are not ones who wear capes and have awesome powers beyond our imagination. Sometimes the real heroes are ordinary people walking around with an astrolabe in hand.
Ranma ½ Remake
Studio: MAPPA
Photo: MAPPA
Rumiko Takahashi’s classic comedy is back with a new pastel palette. The 1989 series being remade in 2024 was not on anyone’s bingo card, but a blast from the past is always welcome. Martial artist Akane Tendo is shocked to discover that her father has betrothed her to his friend and fellow martial artist’s son Ranma. As if that wasn’t bad enough, after a training trip in China gone wrong, Ranma is afflicted with a curse that turns him into a girl anytime he comes in contact with cold water. While Ranma returns to normal when doused with boiling hot water, the situation is not exactly ideal. Now he must learn to navigate his cursed existence, face the crazy perils of high school, weird admirers and eccentric martial artists. The premise might sound strange, but this comedy anime will have you rolling on the floor with laughter at the end of each episode.
Dandadan
Studio: Science SARU
Photo: Science SARU
Do aliens exist? What about ghosts? Does the thought of unraveling the mysteries behind the paranormal and the UFO conspiracy theories excite you? Then look no further than Dandadan. Bubbly and outgoing Momo Ayase is a firm believer in the supernatural. Meanwhile, shy and awkward Ken Takakura insists that aliens are the real deal. Deciding to prove the other wrong, Ken goes looking for spirits in a haunted tunnel while Momo hunts for aliens. The good news is that both of them are right. The bad news is that Ken gets cursed. With her newly awakened spiritual powers and Ken’s new abilities, Momo and Ken are on a mission to restore Ken’s missing body parts. At first glance, this wild and wacky anime may appear questionable, but it truly is a ride worth seeing through to the end.
Dungeon Meshi
Studio: Trigger
Photo: Studio Trigger
If you play D&D then this is the anime for you. If your Dungeon Master has ever put your party in a dungeon then you’d know that finding a steady source of food supply for those precious long rests is harder than it looks. Dungeon Meshi is what happens when your chaotic D&D party decides that they want to compete in Hell’s Kitchen. Laois and his party must race against time and make it through a dangerous dungeon before his sister is completely digested by a red dragon. The prospect of dying from starvation is their most likely end due to lack of coin. Luckily for them, the dungeon just so happens to be inhabited by various monsters, aka fresh food, on the go! Dungeon Meshi is every player’s ideal dungeon and every Dungeon Master’s worst nightmare. Better start rolling those CON saves ASAP.
Kaiju No. 8
Studio: Production I.G.
Photo: Production I.G.
This year’s biggest shounen anime is undoubtedly Kaiju No. 8. Monsters known as kaiju regularly cause disaster and destruction in this version of our world. Kafka spends his days cleaning up kaiju remains, literally. Disillusioned at 32, he’s at the cusp of giving up on his childhood dream of becoming part of the defence force that stops these behemoths from wreaking havoc. That is until he accidentally consumes a parasite that allows him to turn into a kaiju! With the flame of ambition reignited, Kafka decides to use his new powers to help him realize his childhood dream.
Black Butler: Public School Arc
Studio: CloverWorks
Photo: CloverWorks
Everyone’s favorite traumatized Victorian child and demon butler duo is back to solve another gothic horror mystery. At the behest of Queen Victoria herself, Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his demonic butler Sebastian infiltrate Weston College to look for her missing relative. At first glance, Weston College seems like what it claims to be — an elite and prestigious academy for boys. But appearances can be deceptive. With the prefects being cagey about the missing student and staff even more suspicious, Ciel and Sebastian must uncover the sinister secrets that Weston hides. A task that’s easier said than done.
The Elusive Samurai
Studio: CloverWorks
Photo: CloverWorks
This historical anime is set during the late Kamakura and early Muromachi era. Hojo Tokiyuki had led a carefree existence despite the daunting prospect of succeeding his father as shogun one day. Instead of equipping himself with skills that a young ruler must cultivate, Hojo would much rather spend time playing hide and seek. Tragically however, his peaceful life crumbles in front of his eyes when his clan is wiped out in a coup instigated by Ashikaga Takauji. Being the last of his people with no allies to speak of, Hojo is forced to rely on a mysterious priest. Hojo has his work cut out for him in his quest for revenge. Too bad he didn’t pay attention in his classes because the only skills he has are running away and hiding.
Mecha Ude
Studio: TriF Studio
Photo: TriF Studio
Unlike the other anime series on the list, Mecha Ude originated as a Kickstarter project in 2016. In the future, mechanical lifeforms have fused with humans on Earth in search of a kind of life energy known as ‘arbitrium’ in order to survive. These mechanical lifeforms resemble limb-like appendages, hence the name Mecha Ude (Mechanical Arms). Middle schooler Hikaru comes across Alma, a special Mecha Ude who had been sealed. Forced to work together, Hikaru must protect Alma from those who seek to use its power for their means.
Laid-Back Camp Season 3
Studio: 8bit
Photo: 8bit
Sometimes you want to forget the hustle and bustle of a hectic life. Laid-Back Camp does exactly what it says on the tin. This CGDCT (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) anime will inspire you to go outside, touch grass and camp out in the great outdoors with your own cozy campfire. With its gorgeously illustrated backgrounds and comforting OST, Laid-Back Camp is all about finding joy and the simple pleasures of life. There are even a lot of camping tips you will get from this show which would come extremely handy in real life. Laid-Back Camp will undoubtedly put a smile on your face, so just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Girls Band Cry
Studio: Toei Animation
Photo: Toei Animation
Anime shows featuring all-girl bands or girls forming bands generally seem to lie in the CGDCT category, headlined of course by shows like K-On! and Bocchi the Rock! Here, Girls Band Cry or GaruKura couldn’t be more different. Part of a multimedia project by Universal Music Japan and Agehasprings, the story follows high school dropout Nina Iseri. Despite it looking like the universe conspires against her, Nina moves to Tokyo to seek her fortune. While locked out of her apartment on the very first day, she has a chance encounter with guitarist Momoka Kawaragi. Soon enough they encounter other like-minded musicians with different backgrounds and the girls decide to form a band. GaruKura is a raw, unfiltered, emotional and inspiring story about the challenges and hardships one faces while trying to make it into the music industry while simultaneously stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
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