Best of Anime 2022

Choya: In any other year, it would’ve been an all-out brawl between any of the main girls of any given dream girl anime. Heck, I’d be tempted to clog up the Runner-Up section with every girl in Chainsaw Man if it didn’t feel overly excessive, and I couldn’t bring myself to put just one of them up there. But while this year was a huge boom for the dream girl subgenre, it was also a year where there were so many memorable female characters who are solid by their own merit. Whether it be cold, unbridled ambition or overcome with anxiety, this is the one category where you could easily have a difficult Top 10 set up for it. And yet, I knew what my answer should be long before I would even formulate the runner-up list. It’d be a choice made not by their looks or their abilities, but a choice made because they were a very charming and hilarious character. I am talking about Spy x Family’s goofy, precocious Anya, whose fun antics were celebrated by the anime fandom and commemorated on so much merch.

Anya has to be one of the most authentic kid characters out there since she still carries the same logic and interests as a kid but has to think wisely so that she can continue helping her “parents” keep their cover. She deals with enough kid problems and impulses that she’s never placed in the position where she’s meant to be the smartest person in the room. Rather than having the thoughts and logic of a grown adult trapped in a kid’s body, Anya is just a simple kid who still retains her childlike whimsy even with the powers and secrets she must keep hidden. She makes for a perfect perspective into the world of Spy x Family as it becomes all the more relatable for her to try to adjust to her new living situation just as we’re getting used to the larger-than-life jobs of her “parents” Loid and Yor. It’s an admirable, refreshing take on kid characters for one like Anya to arrive and be adored because it’s easy to relate to her precocious, zany way of interpreting the world she navigates around based on her personal intuition as a kid. Whether she interprets a situation correctly or incorrectly, she still processes it in such a natural way that I can’t help but appreciate what Anya represents as a kid character done right.

Winner: Anya Forger – Spy x Family

Honorable Mentions: Kitagawa Marin – Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru, Rebecca – Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners, Yor Forger – Spy x Family

Princess Usagi: Gracing the screen with an explosion of color, the costumes in Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen earn it an honorable mention. The incorporation of kimono patterns and fashion styles typical of Taisho era, as well as the lavish costuming of the Yoshiwara residents were a true sight to behold. Another runner up on the list, Spy x Family, was a fashion feast for the eyes in its incorporation of mid-century fashion into the Forger family wardrobe.

This year, the best dressed anime was Vanitas no Karte. Frills, bustles, hats, cloaks, all on gorgeous display and tweaked to reflect individual characters. For example, Jeanne’s pink and white uniform mixing cute girliness with fierceness or Vanitas’ mysteriousness amplified by his wide, dark (and bat-like looking) cloak. I personally am fascinated by Victorian/turn of the century fashions and Vanitas no Karte’s steampunk take on that was fun to see.

Winner: Vanitas no Karte

Choya: We’ve had a good luck streak with newer shonen since Boku no Hero Academia ushered in a new wave of younger creators who aimed to subvert many of the old tricks with unflinching, uncompromising stories of pain and triumph. Even adaptations of older shonen like Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War add the same caliber of gravitas and weight to its campy drama, ultracool powerups, and slick action scenes that you’d expect from a newer Jump series. But out of the many shonen that have blown up since the mid-2010s, one of the most promising, unique, and off-kilter stories to arrive is Fujimoto Tatsuki’s action horror series Chainsaw Man.

The effort that went into the Chainsaw Man anime shows the full dedication it took to make the show look like a labor of love that the staff had enough faith in that they’d want to spare no expense with the anime. Its flowy, life-like animation tapped into Fujimoto’s love for film, creating a unique cinema-verite approach to the gritty, somber atmosphere the manga provided. Each episode is capped off with a different ED sequence as different musicians and animators are showcased to create something new and transformative from the source material. If I were to sum it up, the effort that went into Chainsaw Man felt like a passion project from people who loved the manga and wanted to do their due diligence to make the most polished, creative version of that story that they could.

At the end of the day though, Chainsaw Man’s most valuable asset is its unconventional approach to storytelling. It bucks the trend of other shonen by focusing less on the pros of being a big grand hero and more on the cons of having access to such powerful strength that you unintentionally paint a target on your back. The Devil Hunters are constantly fearing for their lives as they’re placed in one of the most dangerous professions in the country for basic necessities, and yet Denji finds that the main reason he’s gotten lucky is that Makima know’s he is reckless enough to risk his life to experience intimacy and the average human experience. It makes for a very compelling story that focuses on the humanistic aspects of trying to make ends meet yet still trying your damnedest to retain the part of yourself that feels alive. It’s as much a celebration of being alive in a brutal world as it is a gory spectacle that throws Denji into one death trap after another.

At the same time, it strikes a wonderful balance between understanding the gravity of the situation that the Devil Hunters are in and leaning on the irreverence of Denji’s immaturity as his main motivations are driven by his lust for women and his lack of empathy. It made me respect Aki a lot more as a character given how we’re given as much time looking into his angst and personal struggles as we do Denji & Power’s eccentric journey of self-discovery. There were many action anime this year that were nothing short of awesome, but Chainsaw Man pushed the envelope so much further when it came to carving out a personality for itself as a somber, raw, and wild thrill ride.

Winner: Chainsaw Man

Honorable Mentions: Lycoris Recoil, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

Choya: To be blunt, 2022 didn’t quite have that romantic spark. Sasaki to Miyano would’ve been my top choice, but so much of it was focused on the preamble to a relationship that you barely had any time with the couple by the time things start to heat up. Let’s say we rev up the fryers for a romance that might get you a little hot under the collar. That’s the purpose of Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru, a story about the budding relationship between an aspiring atelier and a cosplay enthusiast.

The main highlight of this show is that it’s “The AOTY You DON’T Recommend”. Yes, one of the selling points of this anime is that you’re going to get a ton of low-brow ecchi in between scenes of Marin and Gojo getting comfortable with each other’s presence. Some might tell you that you can pretend it’s a wonderful anime if you plug your nose and look past the ecchi, but I feel that there is still value in the romance that the anime depicts, with or without the camera’s interest in Marin’s body.

Overall, the story that Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru depicts is a pleasant surprise that captures the awkward formative years that come from finding your place in the world through the hobbies you embrace. While Marin is able to find the confidence she seeks through Gojo earnest charm, Gojo finds that he grows more passionate as he dedicates his craft on Marin’s cosplay. And through their mutually-shared hobbies, the main couple begins to develop a sense of chemistry among themselves. The combination of Marin’s infectious charm and Gojo’s down-to-earth sensibilities make for a wonderful pairing as they grow more and more interested in learning about each other. For a romance story that has a jolt of energy to it, you’ll be happy to hear that Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru doesn’t settle for a decaf experience.

Winner: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

Honorable Mentions: Sasaki to Miyano

Pancakes: When it comes to drama often the more melodrama (heh) the better, so in keeping with this spirit should be no shocker that Baraou no Souretsu worked its way to the top. While there are admittedly a lot of issues with this adaptation, anything based on Shakespeare’s works by definition is dripping in vivid characters and climactic moments, and Baraou no Souretsu certainly didn’t disappoint on this front. Whether it be the internal turmoil (both mental and physical) of Richard III, the smug and suave sense of inevitability of Henry VI, or any of the colourful cast present in this interpretation of the War of the Roses, there certainly wasn’t any lack of emotion as this show ran through its paces, ensuring that the drama was never far from the scene. The best enjoyment will naturally come from having some familiarity with England’s most chaotic civil war (if only to keep track of who’s who), but without a doubt few series in 2022 can match the made for theatre carnage that Barou no Souretsu wrought.

Winner: Baraou no Souretsu

Princess Usagi: There were a few unique historical series this year. Not the least of which were the weekly adventures of Jusetsu, a supernaturally gifted empress who set to rest mysteries both in the ancient Chinese court at large and in her own life, accompanied by her growing band of friends in Koukyuu no Karasu. While I can’t say much about the accuracy of it, what I can say is that the setting and characters gave the right “feel” to it. The subtle hints of imperial politics, intrigues among the concubines and eunuchs, and gorgeous costumes transported me back in time to ancient China week after week. No matter the country or time period, court politics turn into major tragedies when lived through, but with time, can be turned into gripping dramas- as with King Richard III in the rise and fall of his reign as depicted in Baraou no Souretsu. While many liberties were certainly taken so it seemed more of a fan fiction than faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s play (which itself is historically biased), it explores a more human side of King Richard-quite unusual and refreshing for a person/character who is typically portrayed only as a dark-hearted villain. That, combined with the unique setting (for anime) of the War of the Roses and ensuing tangle of political drama earns this an honorable mention.

The series that most impressed me in this category for 2022 was Spy x Family. While it is not explicitly stated that this series takes place in a particular era, it has a strong call back to the 1960’s. The clothing, set designs, automobiles, all have a mid-century vibe-even down to the fabric on the furniture and the pop-art aesthetic of the 1st cour OP. Not to mention the fantastic retro jazziness of the soundtrack. As someone who wears/lives in mid-century vintage, I greatly appreciated the attention to historical detail-the staff clearly did their research. Not just the aesthetics, but also the underlying politics that drive the story work as a period piece. The information war between Ostania and Westalia that necessitates Twilight forming the Forger family is no doubt inspired by the Cold War between the US and Russia. As an undercover spy, Twilight’s work forms a core part of the series and it was great fun to see how the hilarious espionage hijinks brought to mind great spy series from the 60’s such as “James Bond” or “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”. Spy x Family is a heartfelt take on the nuclear family with the stresses of childrearing that first time parents Yor and Loid comically experience with Anya and the darker side of domestic life with the societal pressure Yor faces in her role as Mrs. Forger. All in all, a well deserved win for Spy x Family.

Winner: Spy x Family

Pancakes: Admit it, you knew this one was coming. While it was a very quiet year for horror and thriller, given Chainsaw Man was a thing it’s probably no shocker that any other series would have a hard time competing against this one, especially as the episodes went by. Chainsaw Man epitomizes thriller to a T, taking a pulpy, supernatural concept, mashing it with a group of wickedly over the top characters and character desires, and topping the whole concoction off with a nice bit of gory ultraviolence. I doubt few would go as far as singing the unabashedly praises of this adaptation’s visuals or saying it’s the absolute best story out there (MAPPA is as MAPPA does), but with some neat psychological tension and nifty body horror creations flying about, there’s no denying Chainsaw Man made the most of its concept and left the door wide open for more. Could you really ask for more?

Winner: Chainsaw Man

Pancakes: As with 2021 it was a sparse year for anime mysteries, yet that doesn’t mean it was hard finding a winner, not when Summertime Render was occupying the midyear spotlight. For much the same reasons that this one took best story effectively made it a good mystery: tight writing, suitable suspense and foreshadowing, and developments which could go several different ways. For all it became a mostly predictable series towards the end (courtesy of a conventional premise vs. a more philosophical approach) it always left one on the edge of their seat and eagerly awaiting the next episode – especially once the consequences of Shinpei’s power became known. Just goes to show in mystery how well smart and thought-out writing can elevate a basic idea into a fantastic production.

Winner: Summertime Render

Princess Usagi: It was really hard to pick just one winner-there was quite a handful of great supernatural series in 2022. For starters, we had the second cour of Vanitas no Karte with Noé and Vanitas digging deeper into the lore of curse-bearing vampires in a steampunk 19th century France, providing a unique spin on the vampire niche. Vampires may be cool, but let’s not forget they are dangerous creatures of the night, which Yofukashi no Uta does not fail to remind us in Kou’s midnight wanderings with Nazuna. Kou’s exploration of the vampire world, as well as, his place in the human vs supernatural societies struck a chord with me in its sensitive exploration of individuals and society at large, particularly a society that does not fit them. Another biggie for 2022 was Summertime Render, where mysterious Shadows threaten Hitogashima Island, driving Shinpei, Ushio, and their band of friends to uncover the Island’s deep secrets. The isolated setting, insidiousness of the Shadows, and suspenseful set up reminded me a lot of the B monster movies I grew up watching-while things got kind of convoluted in the end, it was still a good watch.

While each of those shows were superb, the win ultimately goes to Mob Psycho 100 III. The depth and sensitivity with which Mob’s supernatural powers are portrayed both in the story’s lore and as a wider metaphor for adolescence, the funny, heartwarming moments of Mob figuring life out and Reigen being Reigen for better or worse, and the absolute sweetheart that is Mob makes this series gold. It was a joy to watch the story and character build up in the first 2 seasons be expanded into its final form, which did not disappoint.

Winner: Mob Psycho 100 III

Pancakes: While sci-fi is one of those genres perennially down (if not out) most years, 2022 was above par in both offerings and quality. Besides 86 which technically ended back in January (and already won last year) it was also the year of multimedia adaptations, with everything from Blade Runner to Arknights and even Black Rock Shooter featuring in all their glory. Should probably be no surprise, however, that the standout this time was Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, because oh damn did this one break all expectations. Besides Edgerunners hearkening back to Trigger’s better days in both action and animation, we got a fully self-contained dystopic cyberpunk story with choice characters (Rebecca is bae), fleshed out and tightly written developments, and some very fun moments to round it all out. Or if you will, what Altered Carbon’s first (and only) season probably would be in anime form. Sure, this show did admittedly falter in its later half following the timeskip, but few anime can claim to have completely turned around their parent franchise the way Edgerunners did. This is one sci-fi anime you owe to yourself to give this one a watch – you won’t be disappointed.

Winner: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Honorable Mentions: Arknights: Reimei Zensou

Pancakes: Normally any year which sees a new Gundam series airing would be easy for the mecha awarding, but given Utena in Space Witch from Mercury carried over into mid-January 2023 it’s an open category. Or would be if not for Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu. Although ostensibly an isekai at heart, Mobseka was one hell of a genre-straddling ride, fusing just the right amount of parody and comedic introspection with a suitably over-the-top story and characters fitting the requirements. And also the chuckle-worthy fantasy mech designs, cannot forget about those. In short Mobseka may not be what the mecha loyalists elevate to Evangelion status down the line, but it shows you often don’t have to search the haystack long to find that next needle once the big boys move out the way.

Winner: Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu

Pancakes: Fantasy was well-represented in 2022, albeit it was never a contest in hindsight when the likes of Ousama Ranking happened to end back in January. This show was a treat to watch from start to finish, melding a childlike fantasy atmosphere with some very interesting developments courtesy of Bojji’s deafness and budding friendship with shadows and humans alike. It was a prime underdog and coming of age story, where limitations served simply as hurdles to be overcome, challenges the points at which strength could be recognized. Although Ousama Ranking’s art and animation was never its strong suit (given what we’re used to these days) and did admittedly falter a bit later on, it was show which stayed remarkably consistent throughout and shows fantasy and anime both have yet to exhaust their imagination wellsprings.

Winner: Ousama Ranking

Honorable Mentions: Princess Connect! Re:Dive

Pancakes: Once again isekai remains anime’s favourite genre child so keeping it a separate category makes sense, particularly when quite a few contenders were up for consideration. From the established fun of Overlord to more imaginative offerings in Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita we ran the whole alternate world gamut in 2022, however out of everything on tap it was Isekai Ojisan which stood out the most. Outside of the annoying production issues this one was a breath of fresh air, playing to a post-isekai experience in a wholly comedic way that really made the material wickedly fun and highly entertaining. Couple on the subversion of some common tropes (MC age being one of them), the easter eggs on display, and some frankly impressive animation work, and it shouldn’t be too surprising how Isekai Ojisan wound up carrying the day and keeping the isekai zeitgeist going strong.

Winner: Isekai Ojisan

Honorable Mentions: Leadale no Daichi nite, Honzuki no Gekokujou, Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road

Choya: Pop Team Epic’s first season might have tried to balance its irreverent comedy with experimental animation, but rather than leaning on the former for Season 02, they went all-in on the latter with reckless abandon. With more money to experiment, they spared no expense in turning every skit in the manga into a post-modern playground where avant garde visuals are paired up with jokes about struggling through video games, tussling with chocobos, or deliberately sticking their middle fingers up to social norms.

In addition to tinkering around with the animation, they also used their infinite budget to take their trend of having legendary seiyuu be Popuko and Pipimi, and take it to its highest heights. It made for genuinely good TV to see reunions from the main duos of Full Metal Alchemist, Haruhi Suzumiya, Yakuza, Hunter x Hunter, K-ON, Mobile Suit Gundam, and many more. As the icing on the cake, we have an extended presence of the fabulous VA Shouta Aoi who returns to act out an entire Super Sentai parody in live action segments for the first and final episode. There were many reasons to laugh this year, but the laughs I got from Pop Team Epic came from such a beautifully wild place.

Winner: Pop Team Epic S2

Honorable Mentions: Akiba Maid Sensou

Choya: As rough as Netflix is with how they treat their seasonal anime, they’ve picked up some very solid, unique titles this year. One of which happens to be an off-kilter RomCom by the name of Romantic Killer. Much of the focus centers around an avoidant otaku girl named Anzu who does her best to sabotage a maniacal wizard’s efforts to hook her up with one of many dreamboats they’ve roped into falling for her. What clicked about the series for me is how it feels like a harem comedy from the early 2010s where the characters were zany and over-the-top, but surprisingly fleshed-out and full of heart. They make an effort to get you invested in the boys so that you aren’t left with the idea that they exist solely to mirror the vapid, empty dream guys from Anzu’s favorite otome games.

It also approaches its protagonist from a forward-thinking perspective as they never let Anzu cave into Riri’s meddling, and yet she’s sympathetic to what the guys have to endure throughout their personal lives. Whether it’s the fear of isolation drawn out by a traumatic experience with a stalker or the realization that the sweet life has created the false illusion that money can build sustainable connections with others, Anzu goes with her gut to help iron out the boys’ personal issues by her own code.

Even Riri became easier to sympathize with as they strengthened their relationship with Anzu. By shifting into female and male human forms, Riri can not only hang out with Anzu and the boys more often but also build a healthier bond with Anzu that isn’t centered around being a goofy obnoxious wizard mascot who seeks to rob her of her worldly desires until she’s married.It was definitely made on the cheap and the manga was unfortunately one of the many casualties of Shonen Jump+’s itchy trigger finger, but that’s why I’d like to champion it. If its popularity on Netflix manages to renew interest in more of the story, I’d be very happy if Romantic Killer wound up finding a second life as an endearing ONA series.

Winner: Romantic Killer

Honorable Mentions: Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-, Teasing Master Takagi-san Season 3, Komi Can’t Communicate Part 2

Choya: Sometimes, the things we do for fun can involve some of the most cumbersome activities imaginable. For Bocchi, her transition from being an anonymous guitar soloist to a member of a local band is the source of her undying panic. What I found to be unique and fascinating about Bocchi the Rock is how it captures human emotion at its most cerebral, primal, and animalistic through how it captures the girls’ moods. The animation distorts into such beautiful misery when Bocchi and the other girls find themselves overwhelmed by every new step they take to build their band from the ground up. Easily, the most stand-out moments of the anime are when the animation starts to go completely off-the-rails and either lean into the fluidity of the girls’ performances or the chaos of the inner turmoil that tosses Bocchi and the other girls into their own personal inferno.

I also love how it does well to encapsulate the experience of being part of a local band trying to foster a following. Whether it be through the hard-hitting garage rock music, the shoestring budget they have to work off of, or the small, dingy spaces they have to practice at, it captures the feeling of following a group of would-be hometown heroes who aspire for a following they may or may not be emotionally prepared for. There’s a sense of authenticity that winds up going missing in a ton of other music anime that focus on the bands and performers being automatically perfect, save for a few hiccups in confidence. In Bocchi the Rock, the girls are thrown into one hectic situation after another, and have to really stretch themselves thin to put on the best act they possibly can while they’re just starting to get comfortable with performing. There were plenty of fun, unique, and hard-hitting slice-of-life shows this year, but Bocchi the Rock is the closest it gets to a perfect experience that feels like living and breathing the rock life, for better or worse.

Winner: Bocchi the Rock

Honorable Mentions: Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi, Do It Yourself!!, Spy x Family

Princess Usagi: When I think back on the superb sports series that have aired through the years, just about all of them are set in high school. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course-you can have a good story regardless of the characters’ age. Sometimes, though, it is nice to break the mold, and the winner of the silver medal, Ryman’s Club, does just that, pitting corporate badminton teams against one another in perspiration filled matches by night and competitive sales work by day. Each salaryman was memorable, the badminton action enjoyable, and the story well-written-notable especially for an original series, something that is not seen too often (to my knowledge) in sports anime.

The recipient of this year’s gold medal is Ao Ashi. I loved what they did with the character and team building, taking the team in unexpected directions and lending depth to the characters and gameplay dynamics. Ashito is a sweetheart of a character, and the series portrayed him in such a raw, genuine way, I couldn’t help but root for him through the ups and downs of finding his place in the Tokyo Esperion youth league.

Winner: Ao Ashi

Choya: A show where a massive tapeworm is sucked out of a person’s body via mouth-to-mouth was never planning on being a conventional experience. One of my larger obsessions this year was Sabikui Bisco because of how many genres, ideas, and inspirations that it wholeheartedly embraces. The main genre that the series encompasses is science fiction, but its relationship with sci-fi is centered predominantly around the fungal serums and bioweapons that make up the backbone of a dystopian society ruled by a handsy film buff. And it all gets weirder from there.

It takes after several post-apocalyptic sci-fi series’ such as Trigun, FFVII, Mad Max, and Resident Evil to convey its admiration for the type of cinematic appeal that make each of them such memorable experiences. If scenes aren’t centered around psychedelic desert fight sequences that involves summoning giant mushrooms and riding giant animals, they’re focused on the characters using each other to test experimental fungal drugs or a man unintentionally navigating through his relationships with two affectionate siblings. Needless to say that Sabikui Bisco is a chaotic road trip that welcomes all of its universe’s bizarre oddities with open arms, and transcends its label as a post-apocalyptic sci-fi action anime.

I was THIS close to throwing Akiba Maid Sensou up here as a love letter to hard-boiled 90’s gangster films and the Akihabara maid culture. But each new episode of Sabikui Bisco felt like it was introducing an entirely new wacky concept that its characters and universe wholly embraced no matter how ridiculous or grotesque it might be. While Akiba Maid Sensou embodied the best of both yakuza films and maid antics, much of the fun of Sabikui Bisco is how it comes off like a story that’s entire ethos is to wing it with whatever cool movie or video game the author was heavily invested in. It comes off like a loving passion project that is too weird to describe with just one sentence.

Winner: Sabikui Bisco

Honorable Mentions: Akiba Maid Sensou

Princess Usagi: At first glance, what looked like something with niche appeal, Dance Dance Danseur explored broader, more personal themes of self-discovery through the medium of ballet. As a character, Junpei was a loveable goofball and you couldn’t help but relate and be drawn to his passion and journey of finding himself, reminding me what it was like to be a teenager, full of spark, ambition, and doubt. The contrast between Luou and Junpei and how they drove each other’s development, as well as the questioning of traditional gender roles also masterfully lent color and depth. Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous dance scenes, bringing to life the artfulness of the body and dance. As spectacular as Dance Dance Danseur was, the ending was a rather sour note which I still haven’t quite gotten over yet, which is why it lands as the “runner up” for this category.

The winner, which did not flub the ending, is Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi. Young Kotarou, due to family circumstances, lives by himself, though is not alone, with the watchful care of his new friends in his apartment building. Though the premise of a four-year old living on his own is unrealistic, the hardships he deals with and his sharp honesty and ability to see through the adults combined with his typical (and at times, hilarious) child’s way of piecing together his world through a favorite cartoon hit home for me. As someone who works with young children, I saw bits and pieces of my students in him and connected with the adults’ desire to love him, their sometimes confusion over Kotarou’s strange behavior, as well as, how they had to confront their own selves in caring for him. I appreciated that while the seriousness of Kotarou’s situation was explored as the adults slowly pieced together his situation, the show never stooped to contrived sentimentality or painting him merely as a poor, tragic character. Anime series with children often have the pitfall of one dimesionalizing the caretakers and children as balls of cuteness with a fluffy storyline and some manipulated tearjerkers thrown in for good measure. Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi surpassed that-the sentimental moments were earned and it gently explored the reciprocal relationship and personal change that happens in both child and adult. This series truly is a gold-star winner, and I would highly recommend checking out both it and the runner up, Dance Dance Danseur!

Winner: Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi

Pancakes: When it comes to anime disappointment in 2022 none deserves the crown more than Hoshi no Samidare. It’s hard not seeing why: very popular and beloved manga never before adapted, red flags all over the place in the buildup to it, and then some seriously disappointing production values when it all finally fell into our laps. For all HnS benefited from having its creator Mizukami Satoshi overseeing the script and keeping its story on track, the horrendous CGI, lackluster sound effects (and OST if being honest), and other miscellaneous irks really threw a wrench into things and made many episodes a chore to watch through. Hoshi no Samidare is just one more unfortunate example on how adaptations don’t always show their stories in the best of light and how production can often make or break a series’ success.

Winner: Hoshi no Samidare

Pancakes: While 2022 may not have a clear trainwreck the way 2021 did (oh Yakusoku no Neverland you were done dirty), don’t think it was lacking. Whether it be the romcom face into pavement chaos of Kanojo Okarishimasu or the right off a cliff plunge of Black Rock Shooter, we got a few prime examples, however none arguably deserve the label more than Platinum End. Sure, as a show in the age of light novel isekai adaptation it wasn’t especially egregious in either writing or art/animation, but when you’re boasting the creators of Death Note as your writers expectations are had and Platinum End, well, thoroughly missed all of them. Inconsistent pacing and excessively drawn-out fights; divisive characters ; chaotic (and occasionally nonsensical) developments: many trainwreck hallmarks featured throughout and were enhanced courtesy of poor explanations and seeming plot conveniences. All of this came together into a show which blew apart in its final act, helping to reinforce why hype and expectations should only be one measure when predicting a show’s success. After all, sometimes you wind up with glorious disasters like this.

Winner: Platinum End

Honorable Mentions: Kanojo Okarishimasu, Black Rock Shooter

Pancakes: If I’m being honest, there was only one show really proving all expectations wrong this past year – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Although easy to think otherwise in hindsight, right off the bat there were plenty of reasons to doubt, whether it be Trigger’s hit or miss potential, the divisive nature of CD Projekt Red’s video game adaptation of the Cyberpunk universe, or simply the fact that most game anime tie-ins wind up imploding (and often spectacularly at that). To have what arguably could’ve been a trainwreck wind up being 2022’s best sci-fi production by far was a major surprise, especially given how good the story was for the material and studio in question. It’s not to say that Edgerunners is perfect or will be a show for absolutely everyone, but not many series can claim the universal praise of this one and deserve every last bit of it. When the anime planets align they most definitely leave a mark.

Winner: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Honorable Mentions: Paripi Koumei

Pancakes: It’s always very hard choosing the best anime of any given year because to be frank many are potential contenders. 2022 especially was no exception, as getting everything from Chainsaw Man to Mob Psycho 100, Made in Abyss to Shingeki no Kyojin really made it a race. In the end, however, if only for the sheer strength and dark horse energy, could there be one winner: Bocchi the Rock. Anyone who’s watched this one through can understand why: from a show whose synopsis screamed K-On!! copycat came instead Watamote with style, utilizing the cute girls doing cute things aesthetic to tell a tale of introversion, social anxiety, and learning to come out of your shell. Cute moments, pleasant humour, and excellent characters came together into a tight-knit package never once letting up and never once growing boring. It’s quintessential anime through and through, showing how even the simplest of concepts can yield incredible material, and how a little production love and imagination can transform the most basic of premises into veritable cultural juggernauts. Bocchi the Rock may not ever wind up topping any greatest of all time lists, but given where it came from and what it achieved in a very stacked fall season, this show fully deserves its place at 2022’s top.

Winner: Bocchi the Rock!

Pancakes: In hindsight it seems ironic that SAO would be taking an AOTY award, but there’s no denying that SAO Progressive delivered the goods and is arguably what this (in)famous isekai progenitor was aiming for all along. Combining the always excellent animation of a movie production with the part of the franchise many fans love the most, SAO Progressive gave both the introductory story of Asuna (without major Kirito involvement to boot) and a better glimpse into the sword of SAO itself. The fear, the raw emotion, hell the actual sense that this is a literal video game death world: all aspects which made SAO popular were present and benefitted heavily by focusing only on and fleshing out the events of SAO’s first couple of episodes. It’s ultimately this major step up in quality and hearkening back to the fun parts of SAO which led to SAO Progressive receiving the crown, because honestly any movie which can tempt you to watch SAO’s divisive first season again deserves some major kudos for a job well done. Just have to hope the sequel can match what this one accomplished.

Winner: Sword Art Online: Progressive – Hoshi Naki Yoru no Aria

The Top 5:
SPY x FAMILY – 8.77%
BOCCHI THE ROCK! – 7.14%
Chainsaw Man – 6.53%
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – 5.05%
86 -Eighty Six- Second Season – 4.95%
Here are the full results.

The Top 5:
Boku no Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission – 9.35%
Sword Art Online: Progressive – Hoshi Naki Yoru no Aria – 9.35%
Belle – 6.47%
Fate/Grand Order: Final Singularity – The Grand Temple of Time: Solomon – 6.47%
Violet Evergarden: Pour Mémoire (Recollections) – 6.47%
Here are the full results.