Anime Recs - 2022 Jan
Jan. 18th, 2022 12:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rinjaAdding to the list!
Tokyo Revengers
studio: Liden Films
supernatural, gangsters, action
I don’t even know where to start on this series. Time travel shenanigans, lots of action and drama, and some really fascinating character-driven storytelling. I absolutely loved the entire ride, though honestly it’s still hard sometimes to believe that this many kids (literally MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS) are as hardened and jaded as they are in this series, lmfao. But that aside, really well-executed concept, and I love that the storytelling style has really held up with all the twists and turns they throw at us. Season 1 ends in a nasty cliffhanger though and I’m still mad. (I’m trying really hard not to read the manga, I swear!!)
Belle
studio: Studio Chizu
science fiction, slice of life, drama
I was pretty lucky to have this movie in theaters where I am, and I was able to go see it. Really intriguing take on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale (without giving away too much), and has a very modern flair, not just in the style and setting, but also in how they tell the story. Plus, the animation is phenomenal. Definitely worth seeing in theaters if you’re able to.
Super Crooks
studio: Bones
heist, superhero, seinen
I’m actually about 3 episodes shy of finishing this one but I freaking love it. I’m a fan of My Hero Academia and Tiger & Bunny, but takes the genre to an entirely different, grittier level. Not super unexpected since it’s got screenwriting by Dai Sato (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Wolf’s Rain). I don’t want to say too much for sake of spoiling the fun, but let’s just say that takes on a perspective on the superhero genre in a way that’s reminiscent of The Boys. Can’t wait to finish this one.
My Little Monster
studio: Brain’s Base
romantic comedy, slice of life, high school
This show is hilarious and adorable. Like, tooth-rotting sweet and cute. If you’re fine with coming-of-age romances with some great hijinks (think along the lines of Horimiya), this will be right up your alley. It’s nothing ground-breaking or brand new, but it does what it does well, and to me that’s great entertainment.
Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc
studio: ufotable
supernatural/fantasy, action, drama
Aight yeah I’m gonna tack this on here because I finally caught up on the latest season (that’s still airing now) and hot damn, it’s still fire. I honestly remember not liking the start of this arc as much in the manga, but I forgot how GOOD the last part of it was. Kamado siblings supremacy. I am here for it. Also fuck why did I catch up before the season ended, now I have to wait weekly with everyone else lmfao. And if you haven’t watched Demon Slayer yet, well. You’re just plain missing out. (Also if you have seen the Magen Train movie but not the serialized TV season version of it, you’re fine. Just watch episode 1, which takes place right before the movie, and you’re pretty much ready to dive into the Entertainment District arc. Picks up right where the movie left off.)
Also, not sure if this counts, but…
Arcane: League of Legends
studio: Riot Games / Netflix
cyberpunk, action, fantasy
Honestly, did not want to like this one since a) Riot Games and its trash sexist work culture, and b) it’s League of Legends which honestly isn’t my cup of tea, but HOT DAMN. This one had a lot of hype, and lots of hype from people whose tastes I trusted, and I was not disappointed. The animation is phenomenal, the characters are top-notch, and the storyline is so damn good. Like, I’m MAD at how good this was, and at the cliffhanger at the end of Season 1. I was really glad I had managed to see a ton of the hype and still avoid the spoilers. Gives me a ton of hope for the idea that you CAN make top-quality content based on video games, and I hope other game developers hoping to dive into film/TV take note on this series. This is how you do it.
Tokyo Revengers
studio: Liden Films
supernatural, gangsters, action
I don’t even know where to start on this series. Time travel shenanigans, lots of action and drama, and some really fascinating character-driven storytelling. I absolutely loved the entire ride, though honestly it’s still hard sometimes to believe that this many kids (literally MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS) are as hardened and jaded as they are in this series, lmfao. But that aside, really well-executed concept, and I love that the storytelling style has really held up with all the twists and turns they throw at us. Season 1 ends in a nasty cliffhanger though and I’m still mad. (I’m trying really hard not to read the manga, I swear!!)
Belle
studio: Studio Chizu
science fiction, slice of life, drama
I was pretty lucky to have this movie in theaters where I am, and I was able to go see it. Really intriguing take on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale (without giving away too much), and has a very modern flair, not just in the style and setting, but also in how they tell the story. Plus, the animation is phenomenal. Definitely worth seeing in theaters if you’re able to.
Super Crooks
studio: Bones
heist, superhero, seinen
I’m actually about 3 episodes shy of finishing this one but I freaking love it. I’m a fan of My Hero Academia and Tiger & Bunny, but takes the genre to an entirely different, grittier level. Not super unexpected since it’s got screenwriting by Dai Sato (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Wolf’s Rain). I don’t want to say too much for sake of spoiling the fun, but let’s just say that takes on a perspective on the superhero genre in a way that’s reminiscent of The Boys. Can’t wait to finish this one.
My Little Monster
studio: Brain’s Base
romantic comedy, slice of life, high school
This show is hilarious and adorable. Like, tooth-rotting sweet and cute. If you’re fine with coming-of-age romances with some great hijinks (think along the lines of Horimiya), this will be right up your alley. It’s nothing ground-breaking or brand new, but it does what it does well, and to me that’s great entertainment.
Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc
studio: ufotable
supernatural/fantasy, action, drama
Aight yeah I’m gonna tack this on here because I finally caught up on the latest season (that’s still airing now) and hot damn, it’s still fire. I honestly remember not liking the start of this arc as much in the manga, but I forgot how GOOD the last part of it was. Kamado siblings supremacy. I am here for it. Also fuck why did I catch up before the season ended, now I have to wait weekly with everyone else lmfao. And if you haven’t watched Demon Slayer yet, well. You’re just plain missing out. (Also if you have seen the Magen Train movie but not the serialized TV season version of it, you’re fine. Just watch episode 1, which takes place right before the movie, and you’re pretty much ready to dive into the Entertainment District arc. Picks up right where the movie left off.)
Also, not sure if this counts, but…
Arcane: League of Legends
studio: Riot Games / Netflix
cyberpunk, action, fantasy
Honestly, did not want to like this one since a) Riot Games and its trash sexist work culture, and b) it’s League of Legends which honestly isn’t my cup of tea, but HOT DAMN. This one had a lot of hype, and lots of hype from people whose tastes I trusted, and I was not disappointed. The animation is phenomenal, the characters are top-notch, and the storyline is so damn good. Like, I’m MAD at how good this was, and at the cliffhanger at the end of Season 1. I was really glad I had managed to see a ton of the hype and still avoid the spoilers. Gives me a ton of hope for the idea that you CAN make top-quality content based on video games, and I hope other game developers hoping to dive into film/TV take note on this series. This is how you do it.
