Interest Stacks

full disclaimer, the anime covers the very tippy top of the iceberg story-wise. but that's because we got a plot actually complex enough to truly dive into. adventure, politics, deep relationships, an amazing setting (magical medieval korea). love interests are lovable-- that's right, we get a reverse harem without it derailing the plot or the characters. this is the best type of rabbit hole give it a try

a must watch. the first part is just some onsen episode hijinks (cute tho), but the reason you gotta watch is you get backstory for one of the most mysterious characters. it reveals his character to be so beautiful and devastating. should have been part of the main anime

tw: csa, sa, lots of death

god this show hits different. it has so many genres--action, drama, romance, tragedy--and does them all excellently.

you'll lurch from being on the edge of your seat during a gun fight to giggling at some slice of life scene of them eating breakfast then burst into tears at everything else. seriously, only watch this if you like sad shit. if so, this is essential viewing.

it does have some issues, i disapprove of the ending and it's kinda gay and homophobic at the same time. but who gaf it made me feel like never before

immaculate vibes, adorable characters, banger theme song.

but i had to drop because it's too long and repetitive :(. it's a long running kid's show so it's perfectly understandable why it's like that.

i made it to half way though, and i can vouch that the filler episodes are just as worth watching as the regular ones. so i wouldn't recommend skipping too much. i'd also recommend watching before bed as it's very calming.

if you're a shoujo fan and haven't seen fruits basket 2019... stop reading this and start it immediately. for those of you who need more convincing:

first of all, it's not a reverse harem and it's barely even a love triangle, for those of you who dislike that. it's mostly about a messed up family. this season only skims the surface of the trauma the characters are facing and instead focuses on establishing them as real and lovable people. and my god do i love them... tohru... literally my fave anime character of all time.

ok words can't describe how amazing it is just give it a try and if it's at all your thing you'll be hooked pretty quickly.

my favorite season, because we finally see the whole picture and all the characters in their entirety, and we are given the proper time to explore this. this is a no spoiler list okay, just know that it's only going to get better from here if you're hesitant about continuing. you truly don't know everything and everyone even if you think you do!

i just wish it was longer ;; truly an emotional rollercoaster that ended too quickly. but the way this series ended solidified it as a masterpiece.

i refuse to watch this, i know it will just upset me because of the child-adult age gap and also the runtime is padded out by a recap.

i finally started this one and couldn't get into it womp womp

i kinda hate this movie. i just didn't see anything good about it and it was a boring let down.

not watching this one. though it has great reviews on here, everyone else i've heard talking about it says the love interest is trash and they only liked it because the watched it as a literal child.

update: i might actually try this one now that i've tried every other show on this list stay tuned

heads up, the manga actually is fully adapted, i'll get into that in my comments on the ovas. no reason to not start this absolute banger.

do you like laughing? do you like smiling? do you like gods and myths and fantasy stuff? do you like female leads with actual personality? do you like men--hell, i'm a lesbian and tomoe and mizuki are everything to me. well you'll find all these things in season one alone!

nanami gains a lot of confidence and competence in this season and i loved that. generally more of the same slay, i rated it a bit lower because the pacing dragged in a few eps but that could have just been me. i'll reevalutate once i rewatch.

i only vaguely recall what happens in this but i remember thinking it was cute, worth the watch before you get to the main course.

okay this is the actual romantic development you've been waiting for in this show and every other shoujo anime. along with some plot revelations that will have your jaw dropping. this is why we love fantasy romance. trust you will be satisfied if you watch this far.

a wedding episode. when will y'all's fave romances ever

i couldn't get through this one even tho i actually liked it..

it has a more realistic feel compared to other high school shows without compromising on heartwarming moments.

this is def one of those romances with turtle slow development and dense characters, though. but i'm sure we get resolution in season 2. probably.

also sawako is the prettiest anime character ever change my mind.

season 2 still being at 7.99 stars even as season 3 enters this list😭

this show is about actual children but instead of the characters feeling juvenile, they're actually incredibly charming. and it has that whimsical vibe i see so rarely and love so much.

didn't make it until the end but still recommend

one of the funniest shows ever. i kept taking videos of it with my phone to send to my little sister. i wish i had a friend group like theirs so bad.

the couple actually complete each other, they're the same person and equal opposites at the same time. you never doubt their compatibility for a second.

but if you're prone to second hand embarrassment or if you're impatient, you'll struggle with some episodes.

magical while being entirely set in the real world. it was really relatable and inspiring as a writer, and i think any kind of artist would feel the same way. extremely comforting. my fave ghibli so far

i watched this when i was 20 (like the two titular main characters) and perhaps it changed my life for the better. this is a must watch if you're new adult. don't be codependent, kids.

this show is so mature, raw, real. in a way i've never encountered in anything animated before. don't jump me but it feels more like a josei.

the music is also incredible. sorry but trapnest's music is so superior i see why hachi stans despite the members being... who they are.

now that i already convinced you to watch it, i must warn you that neither the anime nor manga is finished. it's on hiatus for a hot multiple years. don't let that deter you tho!! but be ready

honestly i can't stand episodic anime, so i gave this a fair shot but i'm not the one to ask for a review. just look at how many entries this anime has on this list, that speaks for itself

i respect the consistency and longevity

idk how to really capture my feelings on this show... it's got some questionable things in it, but it's also seriously charming and addictive. the anime doesn't finish the whole story so i immediately bought the manga box set. enough said.

so i did finish season 1 but i won't be finishing this season

takes place in the forbidden city/qing dynasty from temu. but i kinda liked that, it's like a cross between serious palace drama and silly shoujo.

it's entertaining but uneven. there's interesting plotlines cooking in the background but some arcs are boring, like shuurei getting hazed for 5 episodes. loved some characters instantly but others stayed one note for the 40+ episodes i watched

tw: sa, incest, domestic abuse

#freeanthy. giving this show an 8 is robbing it blind, it should be up in the 9s with the greats. my favorite anime of all time.

a gift for the sapphics (if you like pmmm you better watch this and pay respects to the original pink and purple gay magical girls).

an oasis for artsy, deep (possibly pretentious) literature lovers who are sick of serious topics being treated without care. or just want some shit that takes hella analysis to understand.

a feast for the eyes!

"my first bf literally used me as a maid and i'm out for revenge." is what you think you're getting, which is already amazing btw. but really this show is about kyoko finding her own passions and goals outside of the man that she wasted the first 16 years of her life on. there's more development in her relationship with her frenemy than her new love interest. yay bc the new love interest is a grown ass man. another adaptation that covers 2 heartbeats of the manga

this anime is in a class of it's own. this is real history, serious politics, a story with actual weight in our world.

it also has amazing characters, especially the gender non conforming, ahead of her time heroine oscar. which makes sense because she's written for the show. but why am i empathizing with marie antoinette like whoa. this show humanizes history.

i didn't like how the romance played out though it gave me the ick. to put it lightly. but as long as it made oscar happy ig...

not my thing but finally a new entry!