There were an absolute ton of anime that came out this past winter season. And if you don’t have the time to try them all out for yourself, you’ll probably find this guide more than a bit helpful.
*Note: Entries are listed in alphabetical order.
Image source: アニメ「進撃の巨人」公式アカウント on Twitter
Attack on Titan Final Season
Genre: Gaspunk Fantasy
Studio: MAPPA
Number of episodes: 16
Non-spoiler plot summary: The country of Marley has enjoyed a century of military superiority thanks to their use of Titans in battle. However, with time comes advancement in technology. Soon, the weapons of war will exceed the power of the Titans. In order to buy time for the needed modernization of their army, the Marley government plans to point the world at a common enemy–the island off their coast literally full of wild Titans. Unfortunately, what they don’t understand is that they’re just pieces in the palm of someone else’s hand and that soon the entire world may be facing annihilation.
Why you should watch it: This final arc of Attack on Titan does a lot to separate itself from what has come before. It spends its first few episodes focusing on the enemy that has been fighting our heroes–showing how they view the world. It is a direct mirror to the first few episodes of Attack on Titan’s first season–showing how similar these kids are to how our heroes were at the same age. The message is clear: one person’s hero is another’s villain–and both interpretations are equally valid.
When we finally do get back to our heroes, we see that things have changed massively over the four-year time skip between the end of last season and the beginning of this one. What exactly has happened and why are mysteries that unfold as the story continues on. And, in the end, we are left with different groups of people all trying to do what is right–while picking from some of the worst choices imaginable.
Watch It If You Like: Attack on Titan
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub), Aniplus (Asia), Wakanim (EU), AnimeLab (AU/NZ)
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Pui Pui Molcar
Genre: Comedy, Pop-culture Parody
Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Number of episodes: 12
Non-spoiler plot summary: In a world not too different from our own, cars, as we think of them, do not exist. Instead, guinea pigs have evolved to become living cars–living cars with minds of their own. From bank robberies and secret agent missions to time travel adventures and zombie outbreaks, crazy things happen all the time in this world of guinea pig cars.
Why you should watch it: At a mere three minutes an episode, Pui Pui Molcar is non-stop humor. Some episodes are about everyday events. Others are about crazy sci-fi concepts. However, all the humor is based around the same basic fact: the guinea pig cars are uniformly innocent and kind–though they aren’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. It makes for an incredibly cute, wholesome show. And while with its stop-motion animation may not exactly be what you think of when you think of anime, it’s clear that the creators behind this love anime just as much as you do–probably more so given the amount of Akira shout-outs in the background.
Watch It If You Like: Cute things, movie parodies
Where You Can Watch It: Netflix
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Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Season 2, Part 2)
Genre: Time Travel, Trapped in a Fantasy World
Studio: White Fox
Number of episodes: 12
Non-spoiler plot summary: All the cards are on the table. Facing threats from outside and within, Subaru has one last chance to save those he cares about–and without the use of his time travel powers. But with Emilia on the edge of breaking down and Garfiel ready to end Subaru on a moment’s notice, will Subaru really be able to twist fate so that all his friends make it out alive?
Why you should watch it: For all it’s time travel and gruesome deaths, Re:Zero is basically the story of people growing up. Moreover, it’s happy to show that growing up isn’t a lightswitch change–it’s a slow process with many steps. This section of the story begins with Subaru learning that it’s okay to ask friends for help–that getting an outside perspective can often be vital. At the same time, there is also a big focus on Emillia’s growth–her learning to accept her past, who she is now, and what awaits her in the future. And then there’s even a third coming-of-age story woven in there about Beatrice and her learning the fallibility of parents.
Oh and there’s also assassins and man-eating bunnies… but who cares about that.
Watch It If You Like: Steins;Gate, Erased, The Rising of the Shield Hero
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Animax Asia
Image source: 「蜘蛛ですが、なにか？」公式 4月より後期クール突入！毎週(金)好評放送中！ on Twitter
So I’m a Spider, So What?
Genre: Reincarnated in a Fantasy World… as a Spider
Studio: Millepensee
Number of episodes: 24 (Currently at episode 14)
Non-spoiler plot summary: One day, everyone in a typical high school classroom finds themselves born again in a fantasy world. Some are princes, some are taken in by the church, and some are reincarnated as elves. However, one unlucky girl is reborn deep within the most dangerous dungeon on the planet–and as a spider to boot.
Why you should watch it: This show is a voice acting tour de force for Yuuki Aoi and she should win an award for it. As her character, Kumoko, is isolated from the rest of the cast, it is up to her voice and hers alone to carry at least 70% of the series runtime. What’s even more amazing is she ends up voicing multiple versions of herself–which turns her monologues into round-table conversations.
On the other side of things, there is a lot of clever directing going on in this series. The show enjoys using cuts to mess with time and space to make you assume things that aren’t actually true–while still showing the truth on screen for those astute enough to see it. Moreover, by switching back and forth between its dual plots–i.e., what is going on with Kumoko in the dungeon and what is going on with the rest of the reincarnators–the story always feels fresh.
Watch It If You Like: That Time I was Reincarnated as a Slime, The Rising of the Shield Hero
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll
Image source: ANIPLEX Youtube Channel on YouTube
Wonder Egg Priority
Genre: Dystopian Crime Drama
Studio: CloverWorks
Number of episodes: 12
Non-spoiler plot summary: After her one and only friend commited suicide, high school girl Ai has locked herself away from the world–refusing to go to school. While wandering the streets one day, she is given a mysterious egg. Keeping it near her while she sleeps pulls her into a dream world where those who have committed suicide try to overcome nightmarish versions of the things that drove them to end their lives. Soon Ai discovers that if she is able to save enough of these girls, her dead friend may receive a second chance at life.
Why you should watch it: This anime is all about the trials and tribulations women face in their lives–from peer bullying and power harassment from teachers to cult mentalities and the fear of aging. It’s also about the drive to try and undo the past–to do anything to regain what was lost (even if you still don’t know exactly why it was lost in the first place).
All this is told in a haunting, surreal fashion as Ai meets girls, both alive and dead and is slowly able to come to terms with her own trauma at school and the changes she’s facing at home. It’s fantastically weird, profound in its tackling of serious issues, and certainly worth a watch.
Watch It If You Like: Madoka Magica, FlipFlappers, Magical Girl Raising Project
Where You Can Watch It: Funimation, Wakanim (EU), AnimeLab (AU/NZ)
Top image source: アニメ「進撃の巨人」公式アカウント on Twitter.
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