TOP TWENTY-ONE ANIME OF 2021

Greetings! It's the last week of 2021! This has recently become my favorite time of the year because it's the end of the year, where everything ends. It's a nostalgic period, where one gets to look back on everything over the past 365 days. Maybe you have some accomplishments you're proud of or maybe you're just glad you pulled through some hard times.

If there's one thing that helped me and countless others get through the year, it's anime

Anime as a whole is more popular than ever and 2021 was stacked with shows. We've had major reboots, long awaited sequels, and highly anticipated adaptations ass well as exciting original works.

Unfortunately, manufacturing all those shows is very very hard. The anime industry as a whole is facing an overproduction crisis due to high demand but low wages and employment. Animators are being stretched thin to meet deadlines and there's no sign of things getting better. The production issues effect several of these shows and I wont be able that fact when discussing them.

Still in spite of all the hardships I feel we were blessed with some really wonderful stories and I'd like to talk about the ones I'm really thankful to have experienced this past year.

Here are my Twenty-One Favorite Anime of 2021.

21. Digimon Ghost Game (Toei, Dir. by Masato Mitsuka & Kimitoshi Chioka)

After being let down by Digimon Adventure 2020 I went into Ghost Game cautiously optimistic. I was pleasantly surprised with good its turned out. The show is still ongoing but I think it's evident in the series presentation that were in for a good time. The anime always looks great and is very committed to its spooky atmosphere but that doesnt get in the way of it's likeable and fun characters. I look forward to it every week. Also, if you don't think Gammamon is adorable then we simply can not be friends.

20. Blue Period (Seven Arcs, Dir. by Koji Masunari)

The story of a young man who discovers the joys and pains of expressing oneself through. Yatora who had previously no direction for his life dives head first into painting after realizing he could create art. He feels understood and touched when compliment his works and he agonizes when he compares himself to his peers or can't create something satisfactory. There's also Ryuji Ayukawa aka Yuka-chan a very respectful and compelling portrayal of LGBT characters that's so hard to come by. Her background and progression make up some of the strongest material in the show.

19. Edens Zero (J.C. Staff, Dir. by Yuji Suzuki & Shinji Ishihara)

Hiro Mashima's third hit series and best work so far in my opinion. This also easily the best anime adaptation of one of his manga. There's plenty of exciting action animation and the musical score is equally excellent. The anime hasn't gotten to my favorite arcs yet but a second season is on the way. Sadly, the director Yuji Suzuki passed by time the final episode aired. I'm very grateful for his work on this series, may he rest in peace.

18. Mushoku Tensei (Studio Bind, Dir. by Manabu Okamoto)

The only reincarnation isekai on this list and the supposed progenitor of many light novels in that genre. I don't hate isekai nor do I watch enough of them be tired I just lose interest in them quickly. Mushoku Tensei made a lot of noise for it's protagonist being a 34 year old man in a child's body. It's creepy and not worth defending so I won't dwell on it. What makes Mushoku Tensei good is it's rich fantastical story. This takes place in a fully realized world with languages, races, politics, creatures and even a Dragon God. All illustrated lavishly with some of the best animation and artwork put to television.

17. Horimiya (CloverWorks, Dir. by Masashi Ishihama)

A heartwarming romance with a large likeable ensemble. Characters falling in love grappling with their feelings introspectively is always my kind of thing. The way relationships change and grow in this show it's hard not too get attached to these character whether it be individually or as a group. The second half wasn't as strong as the first but it's a good time overall. 

16. SK8 the Infinity(Studio BONES, Dir. by Hiroko Utsumi)

The director of the Free! series got to tackle skateboarding in a new original anime. Sk8 was way more over-the-top than I was expecting while also being surprisingly emotional.

15. Life Lessons with Uramichi-Oniisan(Studio Blanc, Dir. by Nobuyoshi Nagayama)

My favorite comedy of the year. Uramichi is a depressed gymnast and host of a children's tv show. He tries his best to put on a brave face for the kids watching in studio and at home but sometimes his sorrows slip out. It's easy for me to laugh at his cynical outlook and interactions with his boss and co-workers. At the same time, anyone who's been adulting for long enough knows exactly why Uramichi feels the way he does. As the series goes on he becomes more sympathetic and even admirable as some of his rants about adulthood eventually turn into good advice in later episodes.

14. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway(Sunrise, Dir. Shukou Murase)

I'll start by saying this is the best looking anime on my list. Hathaway takes a lot of it's cinematic influence from actual cinema as opposed to other anime. The way the characters move, the background presentation, the action scenes a lot it feels like a live action movie that was successfully translated to 2D. The story itself feels more like a live action movie despite belonging to anime's biggest franchise. Speaking of that, Hathaway is NOT for newcomers. The conflict of the story is explained but it's also firmly rooted in the context of two tv shows and a movie. It still works a standalone film though, a character study and political thriller that engages the audience with relevant themes.

13. Tokyo Revengers (LIDENFILMS, Dir by Koichi Hatsumi)

I slept on this show at first. As in I literally fell asleep watching the first episode. Icame back to the series in November after wondering why it's so popular and I think I came up with a reason. Tokyo Revengers is a compelling drama about violence. The cast is made up primarily of middle school boys who love throwing hands only to quick realize how ugly fights can turn when things get out. Hence why the perfect protagonist for a story like this is Takemichi; a crybaby hero who can't beat anyone but can empathize and put an end to a fight.

12. Remake Our Life (feel., Dir. By Tomoki Kobayashi)

I doubted this show when it first  came out and it proceeded to kick me in the face every week. Originally I criticized the series for being a timeslip  and not focusing on the work setting because I felt it was unnecessary and the show made me feel so ignorant for thinking that way. Remake our Life is a fantastic series about creative passions carrying over into work. It's about second chance and applying your experiences to problem solving. Kyoya is one of my favorite MC's of the year, a guy who's not only able to think outside the box but also capable of putting the work in for backup plans. The way his quest of living up to his potential effects him and other characters is endearing and inspring. The only thing that holds this series back is that it has a pretty abrupt cliffhanger and second season does not look likely. Hopefully someone brings the light novels over stateside.

11. Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (Studio Flad and Wolfsbane, Dir. by Makoto Hoshino)

Another big surprise because I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. The title tells you exactly what the anime is about, it could not be more self explanatory about it's premise. Of course, it's the execution of a premise that makes a story good. the main theme of Banished Hero, is finding happiness in your life no matter what your role is. It's a simple message but one that provides some relatable arcs and satisfying payoffs especially in the end. In addition to this are Red and Rit, two characters who are fine on their own right but together have a sickeningly sweet romance and are the best couple of the year hands down. The animation isn't very impressive but I'd recommend it to just about anyone. Also, this is NOT an Isekai. I have to say that because it's a common mistake people make.

10. Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki (Project No.9, Dir. by Shinsuke Yanagi)

I liked this anime so much it made me an active Light Novel reader, that's high praise. Fumiya Tomozaki is a gamer and a loner, he thinks life is a garbage game and that he'll never enjoy it because he can't level up. Then he meets Aoi Hinami, a gamer but also the most popular girl in school, and she convinces him the "game of life" is great he's just playing it wrong. So what happens if you treat real life like a game? More importantly, SHOULD you treat real life as a game. Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki doesn't just answer those questions, it goes into unexpected directions as it plays with character archetypes and social interactions. Fumiya is a good protagonist with readable growth and Aoi is just a brilliant character who only gets more alluring as the story proceeds.

9. Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (Studio Kara, Dir. by Hideaki Anno)

The previous Rebuild film came out 9 years ago which means I've spent a long time joking about how this film would never come out. So imagine my befuddlement when it not only came out but released globally on Amazon prime for everyone to watch. It was so surreal to witness a franchise almost 30 years old come a definitive conclusion. Now was it a satisfying conclusion? Depends on who you ask. If were talking strictly technical merits, 3.0+1.0 is a masterpiece and the best work of Anno's already stellar career. There's an extensive use of motion capture, models, and pre-visualization for the film that not only creates a unique animated experience but also draws you into Anno's vision. Still, Evangelion fans are a rowdy bunch; I mean they've been arguing about the shows' message, canon material, production history, and Best Girl since 1995. There was no way for the final movie to please everyone but I think did manage to make a lot of people happy. The ending itself is easily the most happy and optimistic resolution the series has seen. 

8. 86-Eight Six (A-1 Pictures, Dir. by Toshimasa Ishii)

Another great series marred by production issues. At the time of this writing the final two episodes haven't aired due to the anime having to take several weeks off and there being no available timeslots left until March. Really good anime is really hard to make and 86 is a really, really good anime. An ambitious adaptation of an excellent sci-fi war novel. 86 tackles racism, saviorism, and war atrocities from the perspectives of the victims on the frontlines and the privileged class. It's a dark, dystopian story that has plenty to say and will go down as a classic.

 

7. Odd Taxi (OLM and P.I.C.S., Dir. by Baku Kinoshita)

Perhaps the most well-received title of the year and arguably the best from a writing standpoint. Right from the start Odd Taxi gives us sharp social commentary on internet fame and validation and then goes on to tackle addiction, justice any more themes. All of this is sprinkle on top of an engaging mystery with an airtight plot that ties and connects every single character. It's an astonishing screenplay that can not be praised enough for its' plotting, pacing and dialogue. This show also has the best cliffhanger of the year and I want it to haunt me forever.

6. Fruits Basket: The Final (TMS Entertainment, Dir. by Yoshihide Ibe)

The first season of the Fruits Basket reboot didn't impress me much in fact I still prefer the 2001 anime over it. The second season was much better, bringing in new character dynamics and ramping up the drama. The third and Final season is nothing short of peak fiction. Every week brought tears and cheers. What started out as show about wacky hijinks where people turn into animals gradually changed into a saga of endless and relentless childhood trauma. The cast had to overcome years abandonment issues, toxic behavior and shackling relationships to get their happy endings and it was immensely satisfying to watch. When the final episode aired I couldn't help but ask myself  "Did we really deserve something this good?"

5. SSSS.DYNAZENON (Trigger, Dir. by Akira Amemiya)

Sometimes I like to feel like a kid again and just watch cool robot kill monsters with flashy attacks. SSSS.Dynazenon is more than that of course. The initials stand for "Scarred Souls shine like Stars", it's about imperfect people coming together to achieve great things. Nevertheless, every battle in this show had the energy of a being a small child and smashing your favorite toys together while making explosion sounds. I cant get that anywhere else, especially in my mid-20's, so it takes a really special anime to give me that feeling.

4. Kageki Shojo!! (Pine Jam, Dir. by Kazuhiro Yoneda)

My most anticipated release of the year. An adaptation of superb manga I read in the previous year helmed by the director of Yona of the Dawn and Gleipnir. I had high expectations and not once were they let down. Kageki Shojo is about a class of aspiring opera actresses attending the school that will help refine their talents and prepare them for the stage. It's as glamorous as it sounds but behind all the radiance is the harsh reality of a malevolent environment that puts the cast through emotional turmoil. Kageki Shojo was uncomfortable and outright devastating sometimes and I think everyone should be aware of how far it goes to portray abuse and trauma. Yet for that very reason, this narrative is touching, rewarding and fulfilling for depicting characters and relationships that can brave through such hardships.

3. Love Live! Superstar!! (Sunrise, Dir. by Takahiko Kyogoku)

And now, here's something that isn't completely depressing. Completely being the operative word because it's still got characters dealing with baggage but this show is far more upbeat. I've been a Love Live fan since about 2015 and I 've really enjoyed my time. Muse was great and I was sad to see them go. Aqours completely stole my heart and when Sunshine finished airing I was sure they would remain my favorite group.  I'm happy to say the Liella girls may have tied or even surpassed them. Last year's Nijigasaki was an okay show with decent songs and characters but I only enjoyed it for the art. Superstar blows almost every season out of the water in terms of visuals. The CG and choreography have come a long way since the series began and director Takahiko Kyogoku is even more talented now than we helmed the first tv anime. The usual cast of nine is cut down to five and were given instant chemistry and growth among the idols. Kanon Shibuya if my favorite protagonist of the franchise and her moment she prevailed over  her stage fright is one of the most powerful scenes of the year.

2. Nomad: Megalo Box 2 (TMS Entertainment, Dir. by You Moriyama)

Megalo Box's first season didn't end in a way that invites a sequel. Nomad is a knockout and I'm not talking about the boxing matches. The fights are still here and well choreographed but the real gut punches are outside the ring, in the characters lives. There are two elements that elevated this season over the original. The first is its immigrant story which is great because it doesn't have a savior figure. The marginalized character have agency through out their struggle and tehy do more to help Joe than he does. The second is the way it handles machismo. Season 1 ended with Joe becoming a champion and inspiring many people but he was just fighting to survive. Years have passed and it's become painfully obvious Joe can't punch his way through life. What is Joe actually able to do? We also meet other boxer who attach their self worth to what they can get done in the ring and both of them have as much to overcome as Joe.

1. Wonder Egg Priority (CloverWorks, Dir. by Shin Wakabayashi)

Now that I've sat down and written all I cant help but notice a recurring theme of struggle in my choices. Whether it be in the storylines of the anime I picked or behind the scenes mayhem the staff face just to get these shows on air. So it's fitting that my number one pick embodies all of that.

WEP was a victim of all the industry woes. It was pushed up a season before it was scheduled, an animation producer was hospitalized due to overwork, and there were rumored creative differences between the director and writer. The final episode was advertised as an hour long special and fans spent months anticipating how the series would wrap up. Unfortunately the first half of the episode was recap and the second half was slew of bitter, confusing developments that wont get any resolution. The show flopped too so no way are we getting a second season or movie. And even if we were how could I could trust the producers after the way this was all handled? Moreover, doesn't the staff deserve to move on to better things instead of salvage this project?

Even so, I cant lie to myself. I can't pretend that everything I felt for three months was wiped away by a disappointing finale. Nothing and I mean nothing reached into my hear the way Wonder Egg Priority did this year. From January 13th to March 31st  nothing made me happier than a new episode every Tuesday. I can not stress how much I loved analyzing and embracing the spectacular dream worlds we were taken too each episode. I loved being overwhelmed by the heavy handed approach it to took to suicide, bullying, guilt, and gender an so many topics. Thematic thrill rides like this are why I think anime is great and I felt like Wonder Egg Priority was almost specifically made for me.

Under better circumstances this could've been my favorite anime of all time but what's done is done, and what we got is what we got.

When the final episode aired Director Wakabayashi asked us the remember the four girls as friends; Ill be sure to do that.