January 4th, 2022
2021 Yearly Roundup
Anime Relations: Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Quiet Country Cafe, Grand Blue, Yuru Camp△ Season 2, Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, Non Non Biyori Nonstop, Uramichi Oniisan, Super Cub, Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta... X, Fruits Basket: The Final, Gokushufudou, Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song, Odd Taxi, Gokushufudou Part 2
Top 10 series I completed in 2021:
(Not necessarily series that came out in 2021)
--------------------------------------------------------
- Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (S1 & its prequel)
[9] (1998 and 2002, respectively)
~ This OVA is really something. From the soundtrack to the art style to the realization of the setting; everything grabbed me completely. It inspired me to spend around 40 hours creating a board game based loosely on the show!
--------------------------------------------------------
- Non Non Biyori Nonstop (S3)
[9] (2021)
overall series rating of 10/10.
~ Non Non Biyori (NNB) has been one of my favorites ever since I started watching anime. It is, in my opinion, the perfect relaxing anime. The comedy is surprisingly great, and there are heartfelt moments that sometimes hit a little harder than you might expect, but are always hitting in a way that doesn't leave a hole. I've rewatched the series (including the great movie!) 3 times and have no doubt in my mind that I will rewatch it many more times in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Yuru Camp (S2)
[9] (2021)
overall series rating of 10/10.
~ Yuru Camp is just barely second place for my favorite relaxing anime behind NNB, and only a hair ahead of Aria (2008). As someone who lives where there are no mountains but loves to see them, Yuru Camp (and Yama no Susume) is a godsend. It's a fully realized anime and everything fits into place perfectly to get you in the cozy headspace you need to be in to enjoy it. Watch it starting at season 1 and understand the hype.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (S1 & 2)
[9] (2021)
Holding off on a 10 for now, but it has great potential.
~ I wasn't expecting this one to be so good. many isekai shows are pretty cheap and don't do much in the way of solid storytelling; they tend to be fluffy, too-low-stakes harem-builders. This show isn't like that at all. Real stakes. Fleshed-out characters. Great setting and writing. It's got the makings of a new classic. Sure, there's ecchi, but in my opinion it's written in such a way that it isn't frivolous.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Gokushufudou (S1 & 2)
[9] (2021)
One of the best comedy anime to come out in a couple years. Maybe not THE best, but way up there in the top 5 (possibly top 3!) if I had to pick them. The unexpectedly [ insert adjective(s) here ] yakuza gangster MC subgenre has other entries (like Hinamatsuri! Give that show a try!), but this one stands out in its solid comedy.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Vivy: Fluorite Eyes Song
[10] (2021)
I had no idea where this show was going to go or what it was about when I started it but DAMN is it good. I love sci-fi and stories about AI and humanity and this show's got it. Don't spoil it for yourself; go watch it blind and enjoy.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Odd Taxi
[10](2021)
If you haven't heard about this show, this is another one to go in blind for. You will love this show, I guarantee it.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Fruits Basket (S3)
[10] (2021)
The best romance/drama I've seen yet, and considered one of the best by many. The story is surprisingly very heavy, dealing with abuse and neglect, love and loss. Season 3 beautifully wraps it all together. Bring tissues.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Uramichi Oniisan
[9] (2021)
This is my top comedy of the year, just above Gokushufudou. I was in a similar situation to the MC of this show for most of 2021 and that made everything in the show hit harder: dealing with your shitty boss, being around an annoying coworker, existential dread and barely being able to keep it together long enough to get through the day. This one's for the downtrodden people who want to see the world through the eyes of a child again.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Grand Blue
[9] (2018)
The most "summer" anime out there in my opinion. I would say that out of all the shows on this list, I had the most fun with this one. It got me through a couple particularly shitty weeks in the summer of 2021 when I was doing the rough job of pushing carts for a very large grocery store; I'd come home and down beers with the guys in the show, wake up the next morning, work my ass off, and do it all over again.
--------------------------------------------------------
MOST NECESSARY: Odd Taxi
It is a singular masterpiece in a 12-episode package and great for both newcomers and veteran anime fans.
2021 Shit List:
--------------------------------------------------------
- Super Cub
[5] (2021)
Has interesting parts in it, but spends far too long mulling over plot points.
The worst thing in this series is hand-wavy safety bullshit: the girls spent multiple episodes preparing to beat the cold, then when their friend is hypothermic and in grave danger they just stick her soaking wet body on the front of their bike and expect us to believe a hot bath and a change of clothes will just magically solve the problem. The show writers have clearly never been hypothermic or known someone who had an experience being hypothermic in their lives. Then, they put an actually interesting part (cross country tour) at the the very end and only use one episode on it. Fucking waste of what could've been a great show.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Reincarnated into an Otome Game as a Villainess With Only Destruction Flags (S2)
[6] (2021)
In a similar way to Super Cub, this one was a huge disappointment. Season 1 was great because it had character building, plot progression nearly every episode, and stakes. This season had none of those. No characters are significantly different in any real way by the end of this season, at least half of every episode feels like filler, and the stakes are VERY low. Gags used sparingly in S1 are used constantly (looking at you fuckers in the imaginary boardroom in MC's mind) and the MC is exceedingly dumb. I'm not even really sure why I gave it a 6. I probably should drop it further.
(Not necessarily series that came out in 2021)
--------------------------------------------------------
- Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (S1 & its prequel)
[9] (1998 and 2002, respectively)
~ This OVA is really something. From the soundtrack to the art style to the realization of the setting; everything grabbed me completely. It inspired me to spend around 40 hours creating a board game based loosely on the show!
--------------------------------------------------------
- Non Non Biyori Nonstop (S3)
[9] (2021)
overall series rating of 10/10.
~ Non Non Biyori (NNB) has been one of my favorites ever since I started watching anime. It is, in my opinion, the perfect relaxing anime. The comedy is surprisingly great, and there are heartfelt moments that sometimes hit a little harder than you might expect, but are always hitting in a way that doesn't leave a hole. I've rewatched the series (including the great movie!) 3 times and have no doubt in my mind that I will rewatch it many more times in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Yuru Camp (S2)
[9] (2021)
overall series rating of 10/10.
~ Yuru Camp is just barely second place for my favorite relaxing anime behind NNB, and only a hair ahead of Aria (2008). As someone who lives where there are no mountains but loves to see them, Yuru Camp (and Yama no Susume) is a godsend. It's a fully realized anime and everything fits into place perfectly to get you in the cozy headspace you need to be in to enjoy it. Watch it starting at season 1 and understand the hype.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (S1 & 2)
[9] (2021)
Holding off on a 10 for now, but it has great potential.
~ I wasn't expecting this one to be so good. many isekai shows are pretty cheap and don't do much in the way of solid storytelling; they tend to be fluffy, too-low-stakes harem-builders. This show isn't like that at all. Real stakes. Fleshed-out characters. Great setting and writing. It's got the makings of a new classic. Sure, there's ecchi, but in my opinion it's written in such a way that it isn't frivolous.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Gokushufudou (S1 & 2)
[9] (2021)
One of the best comedy anime to come out in a couple years. Maybe not THE best, but way up there in the top 5 (possibly top 3!) if I had to pick them. The unexpectedly [ insert adjective(s) here ] yakuza gangster MC subgenre has other entries (like Hinamatsuri! Give that show a try!), but this one stands out in its solid comedy.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Vivy: Fluorite Eyes Song
[10] (2021)
I had no idea where this show was going to go or what it was about when I started it but DAMN is it good. I love sci-fi and stories about AI and humanity and this show's got it. Don't spoil it for yourself; go watch it blind and enjoy.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Odd Taxi
[10](2021)
If you haven't heard about this show, this is another one to go in blind for. You will love this show, I guarantee it.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Fruits Basket (S3)
[10] (2021)
The best romance/drama I've seen yet, and considered one of the best by many. The story is surprisingly very heavy, dealing with abuse and neglect, love and loss. Season 3 beautifully wraps it all together. Bring tissues.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Uramichi Oniisan
[9] (2021)
This is my top comedy of the year, just above Gokushufudou. I was in a similar situation to the MC of this show for most of 2021 and that made everything in the show hit harder: dealing with your shitty boss, being around an annoying coworker, existential dread and barely being able to keep it together long enough to get through the day. This one's for the downtrodden people who want to see the world through the eyes of a child again.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Grand Blue
[9] (2018)
The most "summer" anime out there in my opinion. I would say that out of all the shows on this list, I had the most fun with this one. It got me through a couple particularly shitty weeks in the summer of 2021 when I was doing the rough job of pushing carts for a very large grocery store; I'd come home and down beers with the guys in the show, wake up the next morning, work my ass off, and do it all over again.
--------------------------------------------------------
MOST NECESSARY: Odd Taxi
It is a singular masterpiece in a 12-episode package and great for both newcomers and veteran anime fans.
2021 Shit List:
--------------------------------------------------------
- Super Cub
[5] (2021)
Has interesting parts in it, but spends far too long mulling over plot points.
The worst thing in this series is hand-wavy safety bullshit: the girls spent multiple episodes preparing to beat the cold, then when their friend is hypothermic and in grave danger they just stick her soaking wet body on the front of their bike and expect us to believe a hot bath and a change of clothes will just magically solve the problem. The show writers have clearly never been hypothermic or known someone who had an experience being hypothermic in their lives. Then, they put an actually interesting part (cross country tour) at the the very end and only use one episode on it. Fucking waste of what could've been a great show.
--------------------------------------------------------
- Reincarnated into an Otome Game as a Villainess With Only Destruction Flags (S2)
[6] (2021)
In a similar way to Super Cub, this one was a huge disappointment. Season 1 was great because it had character building, plot progression nearly every episode, and stakes. This season had none of those. No characters are significantly different in any real way by the end of this season, at least half of every episode feels like filler, and the stakes are VERY low. Gags used sparingly in S1 are used constantly (looking at you fuckers in the imaginary boardroom in MC's mind) and the MC is exceedingly dumb. I'm not even really sure why I gave it a 6. I probably should drop it further.
Posted by sentryole | Jan 4, 2022 6:34 PM | 0 comments
Old 2020 Yearly Roundup of Mine for Your Perusal
Anime Relations: Black Lagoon, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Chihayafuru, Hunter x Hunter (2011), Gin no Saji, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, Boku dake ga Inai Machi, Demi-chan wa Kataritai, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen, Ishuzoku Reviewers
My Top 10 of 2020 in order of personal ranking:
These are shows that I completed*, not necessarily ones that came out in 2020.
*or otherwise saw all available episodes and seasons in the series
- Black Lagoon
[10] (2006)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
[10] (2007)
- Ishuzoku Reviewers
[9] (2020)
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
[9] (2016)
- Hunter x Hunter (2011)
[9] (2011)
- Interviews with Monster Girls
[9] (2017)
- Erased
[9] (2016)
- Chihayafuru
[9] (2013)
- Silver Spoon
[9] (2013)
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War
[8] (2020)
---------------------------------------------
2020 Shit list:
These actually came out in 2020.
- Monster Girl Doctor
[4] (2020)
I finished this one.
I liked the first 3 episodes. This show goes downhill FAST and just ends up being real shitty by the middle and end.
The octopus head teacher rapes MC's lamia assistant as he watches, helpless.
Watch Interspecies Reviewers, Interviews with Monsters Girls, or Monster Musume instead.
- Rent-A-Girlfriend
[4] (2020)
I dropped this one at episode 4.
Keep in mind how I felt about Monster Girl Doctor.
That being said, Monster Girl Doctor is a BETTER romance anime (or at least an anime with romance in it) than this.
The MC is such a pathetic simp that I couldn't stand watching him for another second. He disgusted me on a very visceral level. At least Monster Girl Doctor was just plain bad.
- Zashiki Warashi no Tatami-chan
[3] (2020)
Dropped after the first episode.
Supposed to be a comedy. It's barely animated and not funny at all. I'm amazed that there was even one rating above 6 On the show's page.
These are shows that I completed*, not necessarily ones that came out in 2020.
*or otherwise saw all available episodes and seasons in the series
- Black Lagoon
[10] (2006)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
[10] (2007)
- Ishuzoku Reviewers
[9] (2020)
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
[9] (2016)
- Hunter x Hunter (2011)
[9] (2011)
- Interviews with Monster Girls
[9] (2017)
- Erased
[9] (2016)
- Chihayafuru
[9] (2013)
- Silver Spoon
[9] (2013)
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War
[8] (2020)
---------------------------------------------
2020 Shit list:
These actually came out in 2020.
- Monster Girl Doctor
[4] (2020)
I finished this one.
I liked the first 3 episodes. This show goes downhill FAST and just ends up being real shitty by the middle and end.
The octopus head teacher rapes MC's lamia assistant as he watches, helpless.
Watch Interspecies Reviewers, Interviews with Monsters Girls, or Monster Musume instead.
- Rent-A-Girlfriend
[4] (2020)
I dropped this one at episode 4.
Keep in mind how I felt about Monster Girl Doctor.
That being said, Monster Girl Doctor is a BETTER romance anime (or at least an anime with romance in it) than this.
The MC is such a pathetic simp that I couldn't stand watching him for another second. He disgusted me on a very visceral level. At least Monster Girl Doctor was just plain bad.
- Zashiki Warashi no Tatami-chan
[3] (2020)
Dropped after the first episode.
Supposed to be a comedy. It's barely animated and not funny at all. I'm amazed that there was even one rating above 6 On the show's page.
Posted by sentryole | Jan 4, 2022 5:05 PM | 0 comments