Pretty intense year, as several shows had me racing to watch them as soon as the animes came out.
Anime TV Series
1. Millionaire Detective Balance Unlimited
Haru will forever remain one of my favorite lead characters as his justice leaning inclinations, desires to do things by the books, but to also go the distance for his friends, was, wile not revolutionary or unique, done so well that it just stuck with me. While his partner, Daisuku, could have had a bit more personality, his smug cheekiness was a great balance to Haru's character. Also, favorite thing, was seeing how money could be used just so outlandishly that we got some of the coolest moments in anime all year.
2. Major 2nd Second Season
Major 2nd Second Season puts Major 2nd as one of the best baseball series out there for me. Daigo having control to mold a baseball team in his own image, and work his magic as both captain but also as a player was fantastic character growth. While it may seem like he is some prodigy he still went through the usual teenage angst and all to make bad decisions a few times and to require his teammates and family to pull him back to his feet. It was a blast all around and the side characters shone. Would have been 1st, if the second main character, Nishina, and Chiba had more of a role and presence.
3. The Irregular at Magic High School Visitor Arc (Season 2)
Mahouka Koukou makes a return after like a half decade hiatus in an epically cool way and it showed. The visual effects were some of the best around and the clean character design and environments made for a familiar and comfortable anime without nothing to ding it for. This worked wonders for the many magic slash technology fight scenes involved the parasites that found themselves into the world. All relevant characters of the main cast played important roles and those roles were equally split between male and female members (well unless you were a Leohart fan, lol), but still, some of the most powerful female characters are in this anime. LAstly, this anime will forever have one of the most epic magic scenes in anime of the year, Tatsuya Shiba along with Miyuki, working wonders on Japans tallest skyscraper. Fantastic.
4. Super HxEROS
This was actually one of those shows that had me hooked from start to finish. Normal everyday characters fighting aliens with their super powers that actually rip their clothes off if they are too powerful is the funniest yet coolest thing around. The lead character makes this wonderful as well as the supporting cast.
5. Plunderer
This was one of the anime that made me want to rush out and get the manga. While some readers suggested the anime actually had to be an adaptation and not just a straight up panel for panel adaptation, the anime story was compelling enough with characterization, world building, and storytelling that, I loved it. The whole enemies become allies thing and then the main character descends into madness and the other main characters must find a way to save him was compelling. Definitely a fan.
6. Sorcerous Stabber Orphen
Orphen is my favorite er older teen or is he in his twenties lead character of the year. While he has this attitude or air about him that makes him want to be a lone wolf, the people around him, his mentee Magick and his sister, help make him friendly, likeable, and care about his friends. Theres lots of cute moments between them. The plot is interesting too with the potential for bad actors infiltrating the magic order, the outcast Orphen needing to solve it, and also training and helping Magick become a sorcerer. Really good magic fantasy series (that isn't an isekai)
7. Tower of God
Highlights Korean series are an untapped potential for new animation storytelling. I thought it was overhyped as I was aware of it for years, but the anime convinced me that it deserved all the hype. The Twenty Fifth Baam, while starting as a meek kind of obsessed for the girl that was his companion, was a wonderful lead character who, thanks to the allies that saw something in him, became a light in the darkness and an inspiration for all and for me. Loved the story that was told here as well as the potential dark someone pulling the strings in the dark going on. Would have been higher if more characters played vital roles, and we had more episodes to know what comes next.
8. Haikyuu!! To the Top
Adequate adaptation of my favorite sports manga.
9. Shadowverse
Best of the card slash toy anime of the year. Would be a bit better if characters like Kazuki were just comedy relief (fortunately in the series portion of the tournament, he is treated with more respect).
10. King's Avatar Season 2
Excellent continuation of the best of the Chinese animations, would have been higher if it wasn't just set up for the next round of Glory. Looking forward to see what team Happy will be now that the team is assembled. Actually love this for the E-sports side of things, teammate shuffling, stealing or bargaining for teammates, and seeing how E-sports players just have fun with the game in their downtime (sockpuppet accounts, grinding, crafting, teasing each other).
Anime Movies
1. My Hero Academia: Hero's Rising
(came out in 2020 in NA).
Here because its BakuDeku the Movie.
