2020 was a bit of a mess. With the pandemic, the number of TV anime released dropped dramatically. However, that doesn’t mean that 2020 didn’t have more than its fair share of fantastic anime. So out of the dozens upon dozens I watched, here are the five best anime I saw in 2020.
But before we get into it, two self-imposed ground rules:
- All shows must have finished their run in 2020. As I think it’s important to judge a show in its entirety, only completed series will appear on this list. Thus, currently airing shows that are still far from finishing will have to wait till next year for their shot.
- Movies, OVAs, and specials won’t appear on this list–though movies have already gotten their own best of list.
*Note: Entries are listed in alphabetical order.
Image source: ＴＶアニメ「異種族レビュアーズ」公式 on Twitter
Interspecies Reviewers
Genre: Sexual Comedy, Fantasy
Studio: Passione
Number of episodes: 12
Premiere date: January 11, 2020
Non-spoiler plot summary: Two seasoned adventurers, Stunk the human and Zel the elf have a running argument: which are the better sexual partner, elves or humans? Each prefers the other’s species so they poll their friends, a halfling and a beastman for their opinion. Then for fun, they post the results on the local adventurer’s board. It becomes a hit and is redistributed far and wide. Soon the pair are joined by a fallen angel as they begin to visit brothel upon brothel, having sex with as many different races as possible and reviewing them all.
Why you should watch it: Let me be straight here. Interspecies Reviewers is absolutely softcore porn. However, it is also some of the most amazingly well-thought-out world building put to animation.
Each episode looks deep into the biology and culture of the fantasy races to determine their thoughts on sex–especially the interspecies variety. More than that, however, it looks at not only how humans would feel about sex with a given fantasy race but how other fantasy races would feel as well. It also shows how sex works in a world without STDs or accidental pregnancy (thanks to magic) and the sex-positive culture that results from that. All in all, this is one thought experiment well worth your time to dive into.
Watch It If You Like: Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls, SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist
Where You Can Watch It: AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: 僕のヒーローアカデミア “ヒロアカ”アニメ公式 on Twitter
My Hero Academia 4th Season
Genre: Superhero, Coming-of-Age
Studio: Bones
Number of episodes: 25
Premiere date: October 12, 2019
Non-spoiler plot summary: In a world where the vast majority of the world has superpowers, the next generation of heroes continues their superhero education. The next step: long term internships with pro-heroes. But this is more than just shadowing a hero–with the right mentor behind them, it’s possible to go from the bottom to the top of the superhero world. However, with the retirement of the world’s greatest hero, villains long thought defeated begin to stir in the shadows–and even our newly minted hero apprentices are certain to find themselves in the line of fire.
Why you should watch it: This arc is all about the power vacuum created after All Might’s retirement and the massive unintended consequences that stem from it. But more than that, it’s a story of doubt for Izuku personally. In this arc, he meets not only All Might’s former sidekick but befriends the young man who was “supposed” to receive All Might’s powers. This leaves him questioning his place as All Might’s successor–especially once he’s thrown headfirst into the not so black-and-white world of being a superhero. For the first time, Izuku has to deal with the fact that his dream of becoming a true hero may not be what’s best for the world.
Watch It If You Like: One-Punch Man, Marvel Movies
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ)
Image source: やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。 on Twitter.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax!
Genre: High School Drama
Studio: feel.
Number of episodes: 12
Premiere date: April 10, 2020
Non-spoiler plot summary: Hachiman is a jaded high schooler looking for a real human connection. Yukino is a girl hoping to overcome her own codependent tendencies and strive for a dream that she gave up on long ago. Yui is a girl who’s decided to stop being a “yes man” for the sake of popularity and strive to get it all–both the boy she loves and her best friend (who also loves the same boy). But before these three can truly achieve any of these goals, there is one thing that must be ended first: their friendship.
Why you should watch it: This, the third and final season of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, joins the previous seasons in being the most painfully realistic look at the mindset of high schoolers put to animation. It’s about growing and changing–and how going for what you really want often means losing other things that are important to you. It’s honestly a brilliant emotional rollercoaster where you are rooting for all those involved–because even if they don’t get all they want, you at least hope they find a semblance of a happy ending when all the dust settles. It’s rare for a series like this to stick the landing but My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax does it with flying colors.
Watch It If You Like: ReLife, Daria, WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Unpopular!
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Image source: 『Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Season 2, Part 1)
Genre: Time Travel, Trapped in a Fantasy World
Studio: White Fox
Number of episodes: 13
Premiere date: July 8, 2020
Non-spoiler plot summary: After numerous time loops and equally numerous horrible deaths, Subaru has finally managed to save those he cares about from the evil witch’s cult–only to discover this isn’t exactly the case. Now, struggling with his failure, he and Emilia travel to the nearby beastman village of Sanctuary. Soon the two realize that leaving is a lot harder than entering–and death lurks around every corner.
Why you should watch it: The first season of Re:Zero was Subaru learning that he wasn’t the hero of his “transported to another world” story–destined to always save the day and get the girl. He basically came to accept that the people around him were living, breathing, complex people–and in doing so started to rebuild himself from the ground up. The second season is all about him taking the next step: realizing that he is more than just a tool to get everyone a happy ending through his repeated deaths. After all, for “everyone” to be saved his soul must be saved as well.
Add to this a ton of lore related to the Witch of Envy (and the other witches as well) plus some major motivation revelations for some of the series’ most mysterious characters and you get a season of anime you’d be a fool to miss out on.
Watch It If You Like: Steins;Gate, Erased, The Rising of the Shield Hero
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Animax Asia
Image source: 『神之塔 -Tower of God-』2020年4月1日よりTVアニメ絶賛放送中！ on Twitter
Tower of God
Genre: Fighting, Death Game
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Number of episodes: 13
Premiere date: April 2, 2020
Non-spoiler plot summary: Young Bam grew up in a cave surrounded by darkness–until the day he met Rachael. She became his first friend and only companion. But one day, she told him of her dream to climb “the tower” and see the stars. And while he tried to change her mind, he was unable to and she left him all alone. Now Bam himself has decided to climb the tower–chasing after the girl who means more to him than anything else.
Why you should watch it: The fantasy world of Tower of God is unlike any other–and you’re thrown into the deep end and expected to figure it all out alongside Bam. Some people in the tower use magic. Others use technology. You’ll see everything from samurai swordsmen to modern guys with magic bags. There are bug-men, alligator people, and numerous other non-human species of people set on climbing the tower. Moreover, the tower itself completely belies the name with each floor being a land so wide it might as well be considered a world in and of itself. And set among all of this is a story of innocence versus harsh reality as Bam attempts to reconnect with the person he loves–and in doing so inspires many of those around him. But just because you want something with all your heart, that doesn’t mean it’s destined to come true.
Watch It If You Like: Berserk, Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Aniplus (Asia)
Top image source: TVアニメ『神之塔 -Tower of God-』公式アカウント on Twitter.
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