Winter 2022 has been an absolute Banger of a season.
Marking the start of 2022 in the world of Anime, Winter has proved itself to be an exhilirating season so far.
Even though it doesn't measure up to the previous Winter season which had up to 13 Stand-Out Sequels and highly anticipated legendary works such as Mushoku Tensei and Horimiya, the hits among the released animes of this season really slapped harder than expected.
As I said last year, Winter has to be the most important season of the year, given the fact that it's the first season to make an impression on the community that year and raise general expectations as to how the rest of the year could turn out.
This Season did that really well given the fact that popular Sequels and New Anime releases gave an impact that made waves and intoxicated the fandom community every week.
The climactic final part of a show that's evolved from being just an amazing anime into becoming a Massive Cultural Phenomenon and a Cinematic Landmark of our Generation.
The final season shows different character perspectives of it's compact narrative, delivering incredible twists and plot revelations that recontextualizes past events that may've been overlooked.
With it's Perfect Foreshadowing, Groundbreaking Plot Execution and Impactful Scenery, it could only be described as one of The Best Sequels Ever.
Airing right alongside Attack on Titan on the Sundays of this Season comes another sequel that made this season unforgettable, Demon Slayer Season 2: Entertainment District Arc.
Directly following the events of the serialized Mugen Train Arc in the first part of Season 2, The recently concluded Entertainment District Arc was filled with nonstop high quality action and thrills. With the legendary Ufotable at the helm of another action-centric arc, we got a powerful weekly episodic experience filled with visually transcendent fight sequences, intense twists and deep character reflective moments.
It's another sequel which fans in the anime world will never forget.
One of my most beloved animes of 2020, Princess Connect Re: Dive got it's 2nd Season this glorious Winter, and it's been every bit the wholesome, action packed and beautiful fantasy-comedy I know and love.
Arifureta: From Common Place to World's Strongest also got a 2nd Season this Season and while I'd agree that it's a sequel that shouldn't exist in the first place given its mediocre first season, the sequel has been doing pretty great. It's been entertaining so far and the visuals in it's fight scenes seem to have stepped up a notch.
Teasing Master Takagi San stepped into Winter 2022 with it's 3rd Season, and it's been the everly cute and wholesome romcom that stole the heart of it's fans with even more romantic Sparks flying this season in the main couple's daily fun.
Ranking of Kings , one of the absolute Best animes of last year in it's 2nd cour continues to be masterclass in it's storytelling and execution as it strides towards it's first Season's conclusion.
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom in it's 2nd part continues to be amazing as an Isekai taking the more diplomatic and insightful path towards it's story.
Coming into the New Animes of Winter 2022; This Season is packed with a lot of new shows ranging in genres and quality.
Even while I can't place it on the same level as perfect seasons of last year such as Fall 2021 and Spring 2021 which majority of it's shows are great, I can say it has more worthwhile New anime than last Winter.
Action, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Sports, Ecchi and Sci-fi based shows all exist among the hoard this season, and I'll guide you all through the Best this season has to offer in that regard by counting them down with brief reviews in a grand recommendation list.
This time I'll be making the list short and recommending only anime I see as absolutely worth the effort.
Let's get on with it, shall we!
TOP 15 BEST NEW ANIMES OF WINTER 2022
(Action, Sci-fi)
Starting off with something Extreme, Akudama Drive Creator's Tribe Nine is set in the city of Neo-Tokyo, a city defined by a certain law placed by the government, The XB Law, which suggests that all conflicts are to be resolved through Extreme Baseball.
Extreme Baseball is a futuristic and extremely violent version of Baseball, where the city itself is used as the field and modern technology facilitates the entire game.
It tells the tale of a group of misfits which form a 'Tribe' of players called the Minato Tribe and their daily face-offs.
It's a mix of sport with cyberpunk action, and it's a new show that delivers loads of fun every week with just the right amount of edge.
(Fantasy, Comedy)
Work-life Comedy is a subgenre that seems to be rearing its head in the anime industry a lot recently. But how about one in a Fantasy Setting?.
Miss Kuroitsu From The Monster Development Department is set in a world where Heroes of Justice exist to combat the evil monsters that arise.
Well, these monsters don't just arise from nowhere, they're created in the Monster Development Department of The Evil Organization of Agastria, where the top researcher, Miss Kuroitsu is determined to create a monster capable of defeating the hero Blader.
As one would expect, this anime is filled with a lot of fun. It's a hilarious show that's one of the most relaxing and enjoyable this Season.
(Slice of Life, Comedy)
Speaking of Work-life comedies, Hokozume or Police in a Pod is one which explores the day to day lives of police officers on the job.
We get a lot of intense Detective mystery shows, but how about a wholesome show that just takes a focus into the work of beat cops.
Mai Kawai faces deep struggle in finding a job and stable income after graduating highschool, even after becoming an officer, she still struggles due to the cruel treatment she receives.
After gathering the resolve to quit the job, she meets Seiko Fuji, an Ace of the department who becomes her new instructor.
Together they work together and get to discover how rewarding and refreshing the job of a police officer can be in helping the community daily.
This anime is insightful as well as relaxing, as it provides great humor while spurring greater appreciation to the job of police officers.
(Sci-fi, Adventure)
Netflix's Orbital Children, a last minute release this season follows a sophisticated world in the year 2045 where modern technology such as the internet and Artificial Intelligence have become rampant in Space along with a bunch of other futuristic technology on Earth.
The story is set in motion when a massive accident on a space station leads to a bunch of kids being stranded and left behind in space, who now form bonds with eachother as they try to find their way back home.
This is one of those animes I'll say isn't for everyone, but to people who vibe with Animes set in space such as Kanata no Astra and cool, seemless flow of events in shows like Sonny Boy would really love this anime.
It's an intriguing adventure show that explores a modernized yet chaotic world and handles it's characters really appreciably.
(Ecchi, Sci-fi)
Highly sexualized controversy magnets airing in Winter seem to have become a yearly tradition in Anime.
In Winter 2019, we had Domestic Girlfriend, in Winter 2020 we had Interspecies Reviewers, in Winter 2021 we had Redo of Healer and now Winter 2022 has given us World's End Harem.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where 99.9% of men have been killed off by a virus unironically named "Man-Killer Virus" (MK Virus).
Mizuhara Reito wakes up after 3 years of Cryogenic Sleep into a Sex-crazed world where he and the very few men left in the world are tasked with the responsibility of saving the world by mating with as many women as possible.
Reito is forced to endure day to day seduction from women who desire him as he refused to have sex with anyone that isn't the love of his life, Tachibana Elisa. He tries desperately to find her and a cure for this virus that plagued the earth.
It goes without saying that this show comes with a lot of Nudity and Lewd scenes, but it's pretty understandable given its plot setting. It's one I actually find wildly entertaining and I'm sure degenerates in the industry are bound to love (if they can find the uncensored version).
(Action, Romance)
Is there anyone out there who wished for a version of 'Love is War' with actual War and Violence?, well boy do I have a treat for you.
Love of Kill follows a romance in the midst of a chaos featuring Chateau Dankworth, a novice bounty Hunter and Song Ryang Ha, the man her company set eyes on to kill and the former member of a powerful Chinese organization.
After outmatching her in strength and skills, Ryang Ha pulls closer to Chateau romantically and strikes a deal with her which he'd reveal the locations of her targets in exchange for a date with her.
All things take a turn towards the disastrous, as their past begin to rear it's ugly head in form of the many antagonizing forces that they have to face.
The plot is genuinely intense, showing bits of the past events that lead to it's chaotic developments as it progresses, while leaving us charmed by the main ship's dynamic.
(Action, Sci-fi)
The first anime to catch my eye this season was none other than the Anime Original by Cloverworks, Tokyo 24th Ward.
The first episodes have been really engaging and impactful as it tells the story of three childhood friends, Ran, Kouki and Shuuta who lead vastly different lives on the artificial island in Tokyo Bay called 'The 24th Ward' until they choose to become the hero team 'RGB' who go around town saving lives and performing heroic acts while being haunted by a tragic loss of a dear friend they all shared in the past.
Given how the last Cloverworks original Wonder Egg Priority ended up after looking spectacular in it's initial episodes, it makes sense to be weary of this new show and how it'll turn out.
What I can say is that so far, it's been superb. It's story seems to be evolving from what it seemed on the surface and diving deeper into it's characters while building up into something huge.
(Fantasy, Comedy)
If you're a fan of the earlier discussed How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom as a fantasy that takes the more diplomatic and strategic route in it's setting, then you'll definitely love it's sibling among new shows this season, A Genius Prince's Guide To Raising A Nation Out of Debt.
The King of Natra falls ill, leaving the kingdom in the capable hands of his intellectually proficient son, Prince Wein.
The country seems to be going through several problems especially in the area of finance, and as opposed to saving the nation as everyone hopes, Prince Wein aims to sell it off to the highest bidder after he's raised its value a bit.
With the beautiful and loyal Ninym by his side, the witty Prince in his grand underhanded scheme surprisingly becomes a great leader in the process of facing of it's multiple political problems and conflicts.
It's a new show that'll not only be loved by fans of diplomatic fantasy, but given its added spectacular humor and action, it's one that'll definitely impress anyone who watches it with an open mind.
(Shounen-ai, Romance)
I know the term "Boys Love" or "Shounen ai" is a big turn off to a lot of male weebs, myself included, but trying out shows like Given and Sasaki To Miyano proved to be rewarding and loosened my guard a bit toward these homosexual romance shows.
Yoshikazu Miyano is a Fudanshi who spends most of his free time reading Boy's Love Manga. He encounters an attractive upperclassman, Sasaki who saves his classmate from bullies and immediately starts looking up to him in admiration. He and Sasaki get closer, and Sasaki soon realizes he's head over heels in love with Miyano.
As they grow closer, Sasaki eventually starts enjoying BL manga as well and struggles to confess his feelings towards Miyano who he finds irresistibly cute but has been straight all his life.
It's a relaxing vanilla romance that oozes with wholesomeness every episode, and with it's tender narrative, I can't stop myself from following it all the way through.
(Fantasy, Comedy)
When one thinks "Romcom Isekai", one's mind immediately edges toward My Next Life as a Villainess (Hamefura) as it's perfect establishment of an engaging romcom in an Isekai setting made it widely known and loved.
How about one of the same genre but with a twist in form of a Gender-swap?!.
Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Got Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout has a name that practically describes it's premise perfectly.
The story follows Jinguuji and his best friend who was jealous of his popularity with women and wished to be more wanted like Jinguuji, but rather had that wish granted in the most bizarre way- them both getting sent to a fantasy world by the Goddess of Love and Beauty where he got reincarnated as an irresistibly beautiful girl later named Tachibana.
The former unattractive loser now became a beauty which no man (including Jinguuji who knew his real identity as a man) could resist, and while being cursed to fall in love by the Goddess, they start off their journey to defeat the Demon Lord and find their way back home before they end up doing so.
This is by far the most hilarious and crazy show this season. It's fun and wild and has these romance based comedic sequences that could only be brought about by such a crazy setting.
(Slice of Life, School)
Whether it be real life or fictional works, most times, the love juvenile scholars have for school comes not from the education itself but from the other more pleasant things to gain from it, such as new social bonds, club activities, fun events, romance and a lot of other aesthetics.
A lot of School-comedy animes show this by focusing more on these activities than the actual 'school-work', but if there's one anime that captures that juvenile enthusiasm for School life perfectly, it's Akebi's Sailor Uniform.
The story follows Komichi Akebi who's had a long-standing adoration for Sailor Uniforms, particularly the ones at her mom's alma mater, Roubai Academy.
After getting enrolled, her ecstasy was almost uncontrollable as she now gets to put on the Sailor Uniform she's long admired, make new friends and experience a fun time at her new school.
Visually speaking, this show is the most gorgeous looking thing airing this season, with it's character designs and art sparkling with oil painting-like visuals and splendid animation quality. Given that it's a moe show with these production specs, it's one that's seemlessly comforting and refreshing with each episode.
(Slice of Life, Comedy)
Jumping from one Moe show to another, Slow Loop is a new show that stole my heart in a way I never expected it to.
Hiyori Yamakawa takes comfort in recalling her dead beloved father's many eccentricies, particularly 'Fly-fishing', a complicated yet rewarding method of fishing, which now becomes her new hobby.
She enjoys her lonesome time in the waterside where she spends hours finishing, which gets distorted when she meets Koharu Minagi, a cheerful going lady who gets enthusiastic about fishing as well and becomes her new friend.
Shock hits both of them upon realizing they now have to live together as sisters due to the fact that Hiyori's mother decided to re-marry, and coincidentally her new partner is Koharu's father who lost his wife (Koharu's mother) a while ago.
It's a wholesome story of sisterhood between two charming girls who both share a loss, moving forward together, having fun and making new friends.
This show as an Iyashikei (Healing Anime) is one I can put beside shows like Yuru Camp, K-On and Non Non Biyori as one of the best of it's kind. It's a cute, sweet and relieving moe show I'd recommend to anyone.
(Sports, Comedy)
Two infamous brands of anime that have pushed their own way into widespread relevance is the Work-life comedy anime brand and the Sports anime brand.
How about having both of these values integrated into a Single show?.
Salaryman's Club or Ryman's Club for short, is a story centered on a group of Salarymen/Badminton players called Badminton Business Group of the Sunlight Beverage Company.
Given the fact that almost every major sport has been given a solid Flagship in Anime form; we've got Haikyuu for Volleyball, Kuroko no Basket for Basketball, Prince of Tennis and Hoshiai no Sora for Tennis, Haijime no Ippo for Boxing and the upcoming Blue Lock for Soccer; it feels satisfying to finally see Badminton get a solid representation in anime.
Fantastic visuals, great character dynamics and magnificently executed energy and intensity during face offs are all qualities that make most Great sports animes great, and are all present in this show.
It also dives a bit deeply character-wise, as the main character and teenage prodigy Mikoto Shiratori, struggles to get over his trauma after losing the inter-high as he now forms bonds and moves forward with his new partner Tatsuru Mitazumi, the ace of the Badminton Business Group.
It's a show with loads of fun, definitely one sports anime fans will fall in love with.
(Action, Adventure)
I'm Sure with all the Moe, Romance and Comedy I've discussed a lot recently, you all are probably wondering where all the action went this season.
Well calm your nerves guys, the next show on the list bearing the best action, and a new show after my own heart is none other than Sabikui Bisco.
Set in Post-pocalyptic Japan where a certain terminal virus known as 'The Rust' plagued both living and non-living things. The virus is believed to be caused by mushroom spores and as such, a man known as the star of the Mushroom Keepers, Akaboshi Bisco was labelled a terrorist and wanted by the city.
This show without a doubt is the the best new action anime this season, and while I can vouch for it's exhilirating action scenes, I'll say that there's a lot more to it than that.
The anime through its stellar world building and representation, immerses you into this crazy chaotic world fused with elements of modern society and fantasy all at once.
The tone is perfect and one I can only describe as COOL as it just oozes with natural awesomeness and doesn't try to force it's way into being so, hence doesn't at all become edgy.
The characters are quirky and amazing, making me love it even more and with all this it would've deserved the top spot on this list, if it weren't for just one show that stole my heart even more.
(Romance, Comedy)
There should be no debate or question as to what's the Hottest New Anime out right now, as within just a few weeks, the recent spectacular romcom adaptation from Cloverworks, My Dress-up Darling and it's instantly all-time-great Waifu, Marin Kitagawa have become a widespread fever in not only the romcom fandom but the entire anime community.
To anyone who's seen even a single episode, it shouldn't be hard to understand why it's acceptance rate is this high, as it's proven itself to be the epitome of what a Top quality Romance-comedy adaptation looks like.
The story follows Gojo Wakana who got exposed to his grandfather's craft of making Hina dolls and developed an obsession with this very craft. Leading a loner life in school and bearing a weirdly unique hobby in secret, his life gets turned around the day he meets highschool beauty queen, Marin Kitagawa, whom also bears her own secret addiction of playing erotic games and a desire to cosplay as characters from those erotic games.
Marin soon discovers his prowess in sewing and seeks his help in chasing her dream of dabbling in the world of cosplay, and this lights the spark towards an endearing love story between them.
Opposites do attract, and this narrative formular has been applied to many pre-existing romance stories, but My Dress-up Darling manages to establish an authentic chemistry between these contrasting characters while giving them just enough character depth for each of them to stand on their own feet as solid main characters.
Their quirks and characters allow them to connect in the most delightful and surprising of ways, creating room for fantastic humor and some of the most beautifully crafted ecchi scenes ever.
The fact that these externally different characters have the innate similarity of bearing weird hobbies that complement eachother makes their romance story really sensible and heartwarming.
Marin Kitagawa is by far the best waifu of the year and one of the best ever, not only due to her looks but how magnificently executed she is as a character in her feminine guiles.
The amount of love and care put into this adaptation is just astounding and I'm glad it's getting just that amount of love from the anime community.
It's effortlessly charming and wholesome, giving a fantastic experience every week.
This show aims for far more than basic wish fulfillment, and is a lot more nuanced in writing than most boy-meets-girl type anime series of it's kind.
People might want to compare it to Runway De Waratte given how similar their settings are, but My Dress-up Darling is miles better in both writing and execution.
It's a Romance Comedy I already see having the potential to become one of the Best of all Time.
Everyone Should be Watching This!.
We've got CUE!, a wholesome and Insightful new show that looks into the world of Voice Acting and all the intricacies and passion associated with it.
There's also In The Land of Leadale, a Slow-life Isekai that just wasn't appealing enough; The Strongest Sage with The Weakest Crest, an utterly rushed adaptation that combines several generic fantasy elements into an edgy mess; Futsal Boys, which could only be described as low-quality Inazuma Eleven, Dolls Frontline, which is action packed with no substance to be found; Orient, which shows us how badly a shounen adaptation can be; Shenmue The Animation, adding to the long list of Crunchyroll Original Failures; She Professed Herself A Pupil of The Wiseman, a worse version of Overlord that'll never get popular; Fantasia Sango and Requiem of the Rose King, both miserable Supernatural-Action shows and Rusted Armors that's Undoubtedly the Worst this Season.
Try to watch most of my recommended shows in the Countdown especially the top ones and catch up with my reviewed sequels, and you are guaranteed to have a great time this season.
While enjoying this season, remember that this year is only getting started and several highly anticipated works are still yet to come, including Kaguya Sama: Love is War- Ultra Romantic, Rising of The Shield Hero Season 2 and Spy X Family all slated for Next Season; Spring 2022.
Not to mention the triumphant return of the Shounen blockbusters Bleach and My Hero Academia with their War arcs alongside Chainsaw Man in Fall.
It's been an extremely long review but thank you all for reading.
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section and share this article to your friends.
I'll see you all Next Season for another Seasonal Review.
YES!!!!
ReplyDeleteI actually like the list and I know what I am going to watch
ReplyDelete