I’ve been in a bit of a rut when it’s come to anime recently, but despite that some great shows from last season put me back in a watching mood. So what’s best to do to avoid getting burnt out again? Watch something from my backlog that I know I’ll enjoy? Psshhaaaaa, time to watch an excessive amount of newly airing shows. Now I’ve made this mistake in the past, I’ve sworn off seasonal shows time and time again, knowing I always give up part way through as I struggle to keep focus on shows over such a long period, but unable to scratch that itch always crawl back for more. With 16 new shows picked up you’d think that’s be the case again but no more, for shockingly this is one of the highest quality seasons I can remember for anime releases.

The best way to deal with these impressions is probably by ranking what I’ve watched from worst to best. There are a couple of outliers, for example “Godzilla: Singularity Point” is something I’d rather wait to watch when Netflix decide it’s time to grace us with it, while “Zombieland Saga Revenge” I’m waiting for the dub release having just started season 1 (As an aside I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I was, I was just interested in it for tourism purposes initially). Otherwise nothing else interests me enough to add it to a schedule that’s already left me spread thin.

There’s only one show still airing from last season that I’m also following, “Back Arrow”, though I thought it best not to rank something I’ve seen 15 episodes of against things with only 1-3 at the moment. From the director of “Code Geass” (which I haven’t actually seen shuuush), “Back Arrow” followed an amnesiac in a walled country attempting to escape with a hillbilly tribe, despite the country being at war between a “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” style empire and Medieval castle town. This is a show I’d actually decided to drop after 5 episodes, however I was won back over by some crazy screenshots on Twitter and I don’t regret it. I mean episode 6 was about liberating a Pretty Boy farm, other highlights being “Rose of Versailles” references, a mad doctor with his own backing choir, a man with a tiny face and a man named Bruh. The show is trashy but a fun kind of trashy with the entertainment value of something like Fast and the Furious. I don’t recommend it but wouldn’t advise against watching it either, it’s one of those deals.

16 – Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Set in an alternative history 1930’s, Jouran follows a member of the secret government squad “Nue”, an assassins who also deal with threats of the supernatural kind. Our protagonist can transform into a creature reminiscent of Yuki Onna (an ice woman yokai) with skeletal features, who has been raised by the group on a path of revenge against the person responsible for her families slaughter. There’s also a child she’s adopted whom parents she killed. Sounds great right? Well despite the high production values and impression leaving art style, the show falls a little flat in terms of writing and plot. The dialogue seems stiff and the characters leaning towards one note. I’m giving it more time, because I can see a lot of promise, especially if this is going to be a multiple chapter franchise as seems to be the plan, but chances are I’ll be dropping it soon.

15 – Farewell, My Dear Cramer

From the creator of “Your Lie in April” comes sport! The ol’ game of footy! Despite being British I have no love for the beautiful game, but decided to tune in due to the creator’s highly celebrated previous work (which again I haven’t seen yet). The story follows the newest members of a female high school football team, a team that the alumi and world famous female football player aims to return to its former glory, to reignite a love for women’s football within Japan. It’s fine, so far they’ve done a decent job of introducing the characters but I wouldn’t say any of them are hugely likeable, it’s also strange seeing a sports anime trying to balance an introduction to a sport that a lot of people are already familiar with. The show has been fairly standard for what you imagine a sports anime to be like, I’m just waiting for it to gain some flair. A lot of negative impressions seem to be coming from this show, mostly due to the art style. I’ve seen many claiming it to be ugly, and though I wouldn’t go that far it is fairly bland looking in comparison to the polish of the manga designs. Another potential show for dropping.

14 – My Hero Academia Season 5

I feel like I don’t need to say much about this show, everyone knows what it is. I’ve never been head over heels for it, but did thoroughly enjoy the first few seasons. However, as time has gone on there’s been a noticeable quality dip and this new season doesn’t seem to be giving me much reason to get excited, as with the average fourth season. I think the filler first episode of each season, which spends most of the run time reintroducing the expanded cast of characters doesn’t help, in fact all it does is act to remind you how many great characters remain underdeveloped. Though my hype has largely gone, with the show becoming more of a chore, there’s definitely still enough good for me to see it through to the end. Perhaps the current tournament arc will give some well needed spectacle, I can only hope the stakes start to get raised sooner rather than later though.

13 – Shaman King (2021)

I never saw the original “Shaman King series” and it’s not something I’m particularly familiar with, it largely seems to have been shafted by Shounen Jump and left forgotten. As such I was surprised to see the remake announced, however I somewhat question if it was necessary. It’s certainly a dated show, the kind with an annoying short main character who’s just there to narrate over the action sequences, but it’s not without it’s charm. I’m also up for some classic Shounen Jump style mindless fun, and this largely seems to fit the bill, crazy anime hair and all.

12 – Bakuten!!

“Bakuten!!” or “Backflip!!” is our second sports anime of the season, though already showing more promise than the previous one. Our protagonist is a middle schooler who is largely relatable in that he’s just a nice guy who goes with the flow in life, joining the baseball team and spending that time sitting on the bench, his life lacking passion. That’s when he stumbles across the world of men’s rhythmic gymnastics and decides to join a specific high school after being mesmerised by their undermanned club’s performance. Not only does “Bakuten!!” have the appeal of a unique sport but it also has pretty boys and charming characters, the pilot was just very heart-warming and though not stellar by any means was enough to win me over. I’m not too sure about the long CGI gymnastics sequence early on but I’m not sure if it was actually bad or just too noticeable.

11 – 86

Seemingly one of the more high budget and polished shows of the season, “86” focuses on a young army major in a traditional European style yet futuristic setting. Following in her deceased father’s footsteps she chooses to be a squad leader in a war planned to last 2 years, however rather than leading in person she’s tasked with linking with a group to guide them into battle as a handler. Why the term “handler”? Because the soldiers in question are seen as sub-human, living sperate from the populace and forced to fight, so far our protagonist being the only person to see them more than just tools, with other drunk middle aged men laughing over losing “a few drones”. Being moved to a new squad, supposedly cursed with their previous handlers losing their minds, I can largely predict where this show is going to go in terms of narratives on war, racism and politics, but it seems largely promising and with a presentation to match.

10 – Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song

Speaking of shows with a lot of polish, “Vivy” is an adaption of a light novel series by the creator of “ReZero” (again not watched, I need to be more mainstream). Set in a future where AI has progressed to a level where it is used in everyday life, our protagonist is the first human-like AI, working at a theme park as a novel idol character called Diva. She is visited by an AI from 100 years in the future in a scenario similar to “The Terminator”, as they aim to work together to prevent the extinction of the human race at the hands of evolved AI’s. It reminds me of Ghost in the Shell, but less about the lines between man and technology and more about the dangers of technology and the skewing of human rights. With a large scale time-spanning plot I can see this much higher on other people’s lists, I’m just not a fan of the art-style and character designs personally, plus the pacing seems to be an episode of set up followed by an episode of action, however it has spectacle and enough direction to back it up.

9 – Tokyo Revengers

Thinking about it, this show doesn’t deserve to be this highly listed at the moment, but the potential of this show has really got me engaged. It’s essentially “Erased” with delinquents, giving a spin on the now familiar time leap plotline. The protagonist has led a disappointing life where nothing has gone right, but upon returning to his teenage self he remembers his feeling for his now deceased girlfriend and decides to take over the gang at whose hands she dies 12 years later. I have a soft spot for delinquents and time travel stories, so it’s a match made in heaven for me. The manga seems highly regarded and has some nice artwork to match, which gives me a lot of hope that I won’t be let down here.

8 – Fruits Basket: The Final

I was never familiar with the original “Fruits Basket” manga or series, so when watching the first season of the remake I came away with the general impression that it was good, but the heavy shoujo influence and love triangle aspect wasn’t for me. The second season manged to hook me though, with plot twists and great character writing exploring abuse and love, as such I’m genuinely excited to see how the show will end. So far I haven’t been let down by the premise and expect a solid tale, who knew a show about pretty boys turning into animals could be so engaging and emotional.

7 – Shadows House

“Shadows House” was no where no my radar and to my dismay has nothing to do with the Sonic character of the same name. It does however offer a beautiful gothic aesthetic series about a noble family of shadow people, supposedly confined to their castle, and the living dolls, whom work as their servants but seem to be an identical match for the shadows, so much as acting as their faces. Despite the somewhat sinister tones, the first episode was surprisingly sweet and upbeat, with the main shadow Kate forming a relationship with her new doll, naming her and learning to open up to another person. Though only hinting at what awaits in terms of a potentially more sinister plot, the show was gorgeous enough to sell me on visuals alone. As an underused visual style (the only similarities I can think of being Rozen Maiden and maybe Gosick) I’m really looking forward to experiencing more.

6 – SSSS. Dynazenon

I adored “SSSS. Gridman”, Studio Trigger’s love letter to classic super sentai and kaiju shows, given a more modern polish and a more aged tone. The last thing I was expected from its fairly conclusive ending was a sequel…or spin-off… or spiritual successor? Well whatever it is, this is what we got. Already “SSSS. Dynazenon” hasn’t disappointed, with a colourful setting, likeable well characterised protagonists and most importantly a transforming dinosaur mech. Though I haven’t been as instantly absorbed as I was with its predecessor, it’s still proving to be a great show, I’m only hoping it manages to build an enticing mystery to keep me coming back each week. Easily the best aspect so far is the relationship between the work focused and mild mannered Yomogi and the intrusive brash himbo Gauma, who brings some unwanted excitement to Yomogi’s life.

5 – Thunderbolt Fantasy Season 3

I refuse to stop signing the praises of Thunderbolt Fantasy. Some of you might say “but James, this isn’t anime. It’s about puppets”, but I refuse to listen. It’s anime in my heart. The first two seasons are, in my opinion, the best things Gen Urobuchi (the director of “Madoka”, “Psycho Pass”, “Fate/Zero” and more) has ever worked on. The show oozes style, with an epic tale in a feudal fantasy land, amazing action sequences done via practical effects and engaging writing that makes you adore ever finely crafted character. So why is it not number 1 here? So far I’ve been a little disappointed with the third season, though still great it has yet to blow me away. Though I was cautious about the quality of the second season it ended up being even better than the first, so I’ve no doubt that this season too is going to leave me hugely fulfilled. Also the new intro is just okay, compared to the previous hype tracks that still live in my mind rent free.

4 – Odd Taxi

We are now living in the age of furry anime and though some people find this choice in character designs a big turn off I’ve really enjoyed all the recent shows that have embraced the animal lifestyle. “Odd Taxi” certainly lives up to its title, as a mystery thriller which doesn’t give away much in its first episode, most spent between the protagonist, a middle aged walrus taxi driver, and a social media obsessed hippo. So far it seems to have some good social commentary, with an unsettling aura surrounding the characters and hints towards their involvement in a missing girl case. The opening theme is also visually impressive and an excellent song. One thing that will be staying with me, other than my intrigue into where this plot will go, is that it’s fun to say “Bruce Springsteen”.

3 – Those Snow White Notes

Something else that was completely off my radar, it’s time for a show falling into the pretty much always stellar music genre, though this time with a twist as it centres on the traditional Japanese instrument, the shamisen. Now being somewhat familiar with the instrument I wasn’t sure how they would pull of the music scenes in this show, but I needn’t have worried as they are shot with overwhelming intensity and great direction. The music is only part of this shows charms, as a stellar first episode manages to deliver great comedy and emotional impact as a country boy moves to Tokyo to discover his own sound, as his late grandfather put it. Though I’m unsure what direction this show will be taking, with a more standard second episode introducing rivals and a school setting, I’m fairly certain this is one worth keeping an eye on.

2 – Nomad: Megalo Box 2

Though garnering a lot of initial attention amongst anime fans, much of the excitement of Megalo Box seemed to be lost after the first half. Not for me however, I was enthralled from beginning to end. It was a show crafted with love, not only in memory of a defining classic for the medium (“Tomorrow’s Joe”) but a true underdog story. I was worried about the surprise sequel, where could it possibly go from there? Just like with something such as “Rocky” we had the rise, now we have a repeat of this journey with an older broken Joe, wallowing in grief and drugs, trying to make a life again. It should come as no surprise the level of quality this show expresses, the haunting visions seen by Joe, the framing of him being but a shred of his past glory as a symbol of hope. We still have a lot to learn about how Joe reached this state, but no matter what the writing will have us rooting for him as we develop from this depressing first episode to a brighter future.

1 – To Your Eternity

I’m so glad I went into this series completely blind, having only heard praise recently for the original manga by the creator of “A Silent Voice”. “To Your Eternity” destroyed me emotionally and I love every second of it, in fact I can’t wait for more. I have a love for sombre toned shows, featuring a character on a journey through finely crafted lands with touching vignettes, as such I can already tell that this is likely to make it into my top ten series. The premier of this show couldn’t have been more perfect, a tale of a seemingly immortal creature being exposed to the warmth of humanity for the first time. I can’t say much without spoiling it but it’s a truly human tale that made me cry for around 20 minutes. If you aren’t up to the emotional impact, maybe be wary of “To Your Eternity”, but based on the stellar showing of the first episode alone this is really something that no one should miss.