Better late than never, right? In any case, 2019 was an exciting year for anime. While there was not a lot of anime that I thought was excellent, there were many that turned out to be quite fun to watch amidst a crazy world we’re currently going through. I can’t say for sure 2020 will continue this trend, but so far, the future is looking bright for anime watching. In alphabetical order, let’s go through every anime I’ve watched that I had not reviewed and give my fleeting feelings on them!

5-toubun no Hanayome
(The Quintessential Quintuplets)

Who does not want to have a harem of cute girls? How about a harem where all of them are sisters? That seems like an upgrade to me! This scratched my harem itch this year. Even though it is very cliched in some areas, the girls themselves have a lot of charm and unique characteristics that make them stand out. And Miku is the best sister, don’t @ me.

Grade: B+

Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo.
(O Maidens in Your Savage Season)

Once I was finished with this, a thought came into my mind: Why does this anime strike a chord similar to other shows with this schmaltzy melodrama? Then I looked up the staff credits and saw that the scriptwriter was Mari Okada, and then it finally all made sense. For those of you who don’t know, she is responsible for such over-the-top melodrama schlock like AnoHana, Kodomo no Jikan, Nagi no Asu kara, and Toradora. That isn’t to say everything she’s done is terrible, but when it doesn’t hit, it’s a dreadful sit. I will admit that Maiden does have its fair share of genuinely hilarious moments and an interesting approach in exploring sexuality in high school kids. However, I could not force myself to care for any of the characters due to the poor writing and the absolute lack of subtlety in Okada’s approach to drama. For the love of god lady, show some restraint.

Grade: C

Beastars

This was something I never expected to love: A CGI furry anime(?) involving social/class struggle between herbivores and carnivores. I don’t know why but it works. Following the plight and internal struggles with Legoshi was compelling to sit through. Generally with a story about prejudice, they can sometimes be a bit preachy with its social commentary. However, it shows respect for its audience in not treating them like their children and lets us think for ourselves how we perceive the actions of every character without them telling how we should feel. While the animation took a while for me to get used to at first, I grew to love it. Dare I say it’s probably the best looking CGI anime I’ve seen yet. Maybe that’s because these were anthropomorphic animals and that those are easier not to make them uncanny valley, but I digress.

Grade: A-

 

Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai
(We Never Learn)

Once again, another harem anime that manages to be a fun watch! Although this one is a lot more of a comedy than a romance. Lots of hilarious moments that I will remember and watch again whenever I have the urge to do so.

Grade: B+

Domestic na Kanojo
(Domestic Girlfriend)

A lot of people hate this anime, for reasons I can’t deny. None of the characters are likable in any respect, the hard attempts at being “adult” are childish at best, the dumbest male protagonist of the year by far, and an absolute mess of a trashy plot. And no, I didn’t watch the one that had the sex scenes in them, but to be honest, I hardly think that would have improved my viewing experience.

Grade: D-

Dororo

It’s so weird. I feel as though this would have been a solid A show or an A+ anime. It is definitely in there, especially with the first several episodes. However, I felt as though the plot dragged way too much and wasted its time in filler episodes that ground it into a halt. It truly is a shame because the relationship between Dororo and Hyakkimaru is the best part of the show and kept me interested throughout. I still think the show is a good watch but had the plot been a bit more focused, hell maybe if they notched it down several episodes instead of 24 episodes I think this would’ve been anime of the year for sure.

Grade: B

Doukyonin wa Hiza Tokidoki, Atama no Ue.
(My Roommate is a Cat)

I love kitties. If you hate kittens (what’s wrong with you?), you’ll hate this show most likely. So I’m a bit biased to say I loved this show. It’s a show that always puts me in a good mood whenever I watch an episode. The way it shows the difference in the human and cat’s point of view was brilliantly told and how the cat was almost exactly how an actual cat would view a situation made it all the more charming.

Grade: A-

Dr. Stone

Want a shounen show that is not only fun to watch but also actually has well-written characters that are likable? Dr. Stone has the medicine for you! While Senkuu steals the entire show with his infinite amount of charisma, the other main characters aren’t overshadowed due to the writers giving them enough depth and likability.

Grade: A-

Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru?
(How heavy are the dumbbells you lift?)

I’m not much of a person who works out a lot. But if there was an anime that made have thoughts of doing so, Dumbell surely is the closest. Every girl in this show is hilarious, and they all share some great moments. I especially loved the character designs and the animation and how it all flows along with the ordinary and comedic moments interwoven.

Grade: A-

Endro~!

I looked into this show, not looking for anything extraordinary except cute moe magic girls. And that’s pretty much all there is to this anime. It has its decent moments, and I didn’t feel like it was terrible on any level. I thought the characters were funny and cute whenever they were on screen. Outside of that, there wasn’t anything too special for it to be memorable.

Grade: B-

Isekai Quartet

Fanservice-sploitation at its finest. Its trash is what I’m saying. Not bad or suitable trash, just trash.

Grade: C

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
(Kaguya-sama: Love is War)

The best comedy of the year by far. Hilarious characters and interesting character interactions that make it a step above your typical romantic-comedy anime. I’m not going to say its the new Haruhi because who knows how this show will be looked upon in several years (I’m going to guess not a whole lot). Nevertheless, in terms of high school club comedies, of which there have been many forgettable ones lately, this is one of the best ones to come out in recent memory.

Grade: A-

Kanata no Astra
(Astra Lost in Space)

This is almost similar to my take with Dororo. I thought it was good, yet I believe there is something about it that keeps it from being excellent. Although I didn’t have a problem with the plot’s pacing, its juxtaposition between light-hearted comedy and a serious story about returning home and survival felt contrived. It kind of threw me off and made me not care about the plot or any of the characters’ development. What does save it is are the characters’ likable personalities, and the way they portray their emotions of heartbreak and hopelessness was genuinely touching and sad. This it does succeed in that angle if it had to pick a more serious tone and lessen the over the top comedic moments I would have liked it more. Not to mention the art and animation of the characters and space were gorgeous to gander at.

Grade: B

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2

Even though I did enjoy the first season, watching this kind of made me like this show a little less, I just feel as though the show just goes through the same pattern of the girl continually teasing the boy she’s interested and he tries to get back at her and typically fails. It’s like watching Charlie Brown trying to kick the football and Lucy keeps tricking him from doing that over and over again. It gets funny for a little while, but after the 12th time, it gets old. That isn’t to say I think it’s bad, in fact, I still think it’s a decent show with some cute and funny moments, but I feel as though the structure of the jokes feel too formulaic.

Grade: B-

Kawaikereba Hentai demo Suki ni Natte Kuremasu ka?
(Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she’s a cutie?)

Tokihara is the only qt that mattered. Let’s be real here. Every other girl doesn’t even come close. Although the ecchi is fun, that plot goes full-on dumb halfway through. By that point, I just couldn’t force myself to care what was going on.

Grade: C-

Kimetsu no Yaiba
(Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Many are calling this the shounen anime of the year, and I can’t deny that sentiment. Lovable characters and fantastic animation. I don’t usually get excited about action scenes in anime compared to live-action ones, but the animation was really top-notch. That is typically the case with ufotable if you are familiar with their work.

Grade: A-

Midara na Ao-chan wa Benkyou ga Dekinai
(Ao-chan Can’t Study!)

Another 12-minute anime featuring a cute girl? Surely you jest!

Grade: C+

Mob Psycho 100 II

Not much to say about this one. It’s just more Mob Psycho and I’m perfectly fine with that.

Grade: A-

Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!?

Love me some hot teacher action. I can’t really say I cared for the rest though.

Grade: C-

Ore wo Suki nano wa Omae dake ka yo
(ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?)

A pretty cool take on the high school romance genre. Instead of girls loving the protagonists, he has to help the girls win the affection of another guy they both love. It throws some interesting surprises here and there, so I can’t complain a whole lot other than a few questionable leaps of logic thrown around with the plot.

Grade: B+

Sarazanmai

Just like with every Ikuhara production, I’m always that one person who has to be the negative nancy. Never been a fan of him, probably never will be. With Sarazanmai, I will admit that it is a lot more of an exciting watch only because it is perhaps his most batshit insane anime in terms of plot and animation style. I can’t say the plot grabbed me like his shows tend to be, but I can’t lie and say it wasn’t an entertaining watch to see him show off his weirdness; oh, and gayness too.

Grade: B-

Senryuu Shoujo

I seem to be in the minority on this one. Although it was pretty cool seeing a relationship between a guy and a mute girl, that was all there was to it for me that I thought was great. Every other character just felt flat and dull.

Grade: B-

Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san
The Helpful Fox Senko-san

Sorry, but I was just not feeling this foxy girl. Don’t be mad pls.

Grade: C+

Shinchou Yuusha: Kono Yuusha ga Ore Tsueee Kuse ni Shinchou Sugiru
(Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious)

This meme perfectly encapsulates Cautious Hero:

Son: I want to watch Konosuba!

Mom: Sweetie, we have Konosuba at home!

Cautious Hero:

Grade: B-

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2
(Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2)

Seven years into this series, and now I can safely call myself a fan. Better late than never, am I right?

Grade: A-

Sounan Desu ka?
(Are You Lost?)

Cast Away with cute girls. Better than the movie for sure.

Grade: B-

Tejina-senpai
(Magical Sempai)

Another anime that is thoroughly carried by its titled heroine. In which case, it is mildly successful in doing its job right.

Grade: B-

Uchi no Ko no Tame naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru kamo Shirenai.

Came for the cute loli, almost dropped for the cringe-worthy lolicon.

Grade: C+

Vinland Saga

I have never read the manga, even though I have always wanted to. Now that I have finished this, I almost wished I had, and yet at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t. This is my anime of the year. It plays off like every great “hero’s journey” story of revenge. On top of that, it is an excellent historical account of the Viking age that puts the History Channel’s Vikings to shame.

Grade: A

Yakusoku no Neverland
(The Promised Neverland)

A thrilling take on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. I’ve never read the manga this is based on and have heard that instead of deep psychological profiling of our main characters, the anime decides to do away most of it with typical horror movie cliches. While I do hope they do more with the development of these characters, I still thought this was a gripping anime to watch.

Grade: B+

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for Cutest Girls of 2019!