2022 started strong with a ton of great anime. Among those, here are the five you shouldn’t miss out on.
*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: The Final Season Part 2
Genre: Gaspunk, Dark Fantasy
Studio: MAPPA
Release date: January 11, 2022
Non-spoiler plot summary: Zeke’s plan has finally been revealed. Using the powers of the founding Titan, he hopes to sterilize all remaining Eldians and then use the threat of an army of colossal titans to keep the rest of the world at bay until the Eldians die off naturally. With this knowledge, our heroes are faced with a choice: do they support this plan or oppose it? And what of Eren? Is he really willing to go along with Zeke’s plan or is there more to his actions than meet the eye?
Why you should watch it: This season of Attack on Titan hurts on a base emotional level. For 75 episodes, our heroes have struggled to protect their people. But now, the way to do that is no longer clear. On one hand, Zeke’s plan allows everyone to live out their lives in peace—despite it being genocide. On the other is a war where, if the other side wins, everyone will be killed anyway. There are no easy choices and no “good guys” or “bad guys” in the story—simply people who think what they are doing is right in a situation where nothing truly is. It’s non-stop tension and devastating personal drama at its very best.
Watch it if you like: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Black Bullet, Deca-Dence
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: 鬼滅の刃公式 on Twitter.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Genre: Samurai, Historical Fantasy
Studio: ufotable
Release date: December 5, 2021
Non-spoiler plot summary: Having barely survived their experience on the Mugen Train, our heroes are broken, both physically and mentally. But no sooner have they started to recover than they find themselves on a new, yet equally dangerous, mission. For decades, a powerful demon has haunted the Red Light District—devouring humans from the shadows with near impunity. To force it out into the open, our heroes will have to go undercover—but little do they know that they are walking into a trap designed to kill even the strongest of demon slayers.
Why you should watch it: With the previous arc of the story, our heroes reached their lowest point. This arc is the story of them picking themselves back up and surpassing their limits in spectacular fashion. But this arc is more than just a beautifully-animated action adventure—it is a deep look into our heroic sibling pair. The villains of this arc are a dark twist on what Tanjiro and Nezuko could have become if both had become demons—and if they hadn’t have had the loving family they did. All in all, it shows the villains as both evil and tragic—and showing that the distance between them and our heroes isn’t as far as anyone would like to believe it is.
Watch it if you like: Jujutsu Kaisen, Dororo, Bleach
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Image source: 「現実主義勇者の王国再建記」作品公式 on Twitter.
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (Season 2)
Genre: Transported to a Fantasy World
Studio: J.C.Staff
Release date: January 9, 2022
Non-spoiler plot summary: After being pulled into another world and getting crowned king, Souma has not only suppressed a rebellion but also conquered the capitol of the neighboring Kingdom that was orchestrating the insurrection from behind the scenes. However, the powerful Grand Chaos Empire has vowed that no boarders will change due to war while the demon invasion continues and has sent an army to oppose him. Will Souma be able to find a path to peace or will his beleaguered nation find themselves at war once more?
Why you should watch it: As with the first season, this season is one massive thought experiment playing with the idea of reforming a feudal kingdom through modern philosophical and economic ideals. It deals with everything from international security treaties and backroom deals to the slave trade and refugee crises. While sometimes a bit oversimplistic in its solutions, the series does a great job of not only showing the issues facing a kingdom but how modern-day knowledge could be used to counter them. It also makes sure to show both the costs and rewards that come from these decisions and how they affect the show’s ever-expanding cast of likable characters. What can I say? It’s a fun mental playground to spend time in.
Watch it if you like: Maoyuu, Spice and Wolf
Where You Can Watch It: Funimation
Image source: アニプレックス YouTube チャンネル on YouTube.
My Dress-Up Darling
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Coming-of-Age
Studio: CloverWorks
Release date: January 9, 2022
Non-spoiler plot summary: Many struggle to find what they want to do with their lives but this is not the case for Gojo. As a young child he saw his grandfather’s hand made Hina Dolls and knew he wanted to become a master craftsman just like him. Unfortunately, his best friend shamed him for his interest in dolls—causing him to keep those around him at a distance from then on. Now in high school Gojo is socially isolated. But all that changes the day his outgoing classmate Kitagawa discovers his skills with needle and thread and drags him headlong into the world of cosplay.
Why you should watch it: When it comes down to it, My Dress-Up Darling has a fantastic moral: “It’s okay to like the things you like.” Gojo and Kitagawa both have interests that others might find odd or objectionable (i.e., doll-making and porn games respectively). However, while Gojo has hidden his passions from everyone outside of his family, Kitagawa has found a group of people that accept her love for her hobbies even if they do not share it. It is through Kitagawa that Gojo is able to find his own group of likeminded friends who can see him for the good guy he truly is. In this way, the show is telling us to find our own happiness by doing the same.
Watch it if you like: Please tell me! Galko-chan, My First Girlfriend is a Gal
Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Image source: 『天才王子の赤字国家再生術』TVアニメ公式 on Twitter.
The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
Studio: Yokohama Animation Lab
Release date: January 11, 2022
Non-spoiler plot summary: Prince Wein is the de-facto leader of his small country. Sandwiched between two far more powerful nations, his country faces one international crisis after another. However, with his genius intellect he is able to overcome each and every one he faces—it’s just too bad that all he really wants is to leave his princely life behind and live free of all responsibility.
Why you should watch it: While Wein is most certainly an “overpowered” character, that is not to say he doesn’t have weaknesses. In fact, each arc of this anime is about him facing one of these and attempting to overcome it. Sometimes these are small things, like going into a cold rage whenever anyone discriminates against his closest aid. Other times they are much more major, like a general lack of experience in the complexities of diplomacy. Equal parts comedy and drama—and with an excellent set of reoccurring foils for our hero—the show is always entertaining to watch.
Watch it if you like: The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
Where You Can Watch It: Funimation
Top image source: 鬼滅の刃公式 on Twitter.
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