10. Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4 (Takuya Igarashi, Bones)
As also happened in the previous transition from 2016 to 2019, the artform has improved once more, with both the animation and the design being much sharper. In that fashion, Nobuhiro Arai‘s design has definitely picked up a notch, particularly in the way some of the protagonists have grown up, with Atsushi benefitting the most from this approach. The new characters are also quite unique in their presentation with Gogol and and Teruko and Tetcho from the Hunting Dogs being the most impressive. As I mentioned in the review of the previous seasons, the introduction of more and more characters somewhat takes its toll in the diversity of their design, but even this part is improved in this occasion. Furthermore, the colors pop-up more, the darkness in the underground scenes and the presentation of a setting that looks like the WWI are all excellently depicted. The animation by Bones is also of the highest level, with the new abilities all being quite impressive, and the moving sword standing particularly out, as much as the whole approach towards the floating casino.
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9. My Hero Academia Season 6 (Kenji Nagasaki, Bones)
In the most obvious trait of the season, and since the intense fighting begins essentially from the first minute, the action this time is probably on the highest level we have seen since the beginning of the franchise, both in terms of drama/entertainment and in terms of animation. Mirko's presence in the beginning sets up the tone, as does Endeavor's battles with the High Nomus and his overall cooperation with Eraser Head, while Hawk's fate and Mt. Lady's efforts conclude this first part of battles. The true epicness, however, begins when Shigaraki unleashes his Decay, with the destruction (or deconstruction if you prefer) of anything in his way being one of the most impressive disaster scenes in the whole series. The appearance of Gigantomachia, and the joining of Dabi against Endeavor, Deku and essentially all the Heroes present bring the battle to a full throttle, with the drama intensifying by the fate of the members of the Academy, who realize their vulnerability in the most hurtful way.
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8. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Shota Goshozono, MAPPA)
The second and third are actually toned down by the spectacular action scenes, which, particularly in the last part, are among the best we have ever seen in a shonen series, truly raising the bar for any other title in the category. Particularly the way the flames and fire and general is implemented, the scenes where a number of creatures and/or characters are together on screen, the speed of movement, the unprecedented massacres and the overall brutality are a true wonder to watch, in a way that also adds to the drama, in one of the most meaningful, intricate, and entertaining approaches to action we have ever seen. The drawing of the backgrounds and the coloring, as much as the animation by MAPPA is truly astonishing, with the scenes of utter disaster definitely being the ones that stay on mind.
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7. The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady (Shingo Tamaki, Diomedea)
Shingo Tamaki directs a series where the isekai element, although encircling the whole narrative, is essentially an excuse for an anime that moves towards medieval/magic and romance/yuri paths, particularly since the fact that Anis is from another world is only mentioned in the first and last episode of the 13-long season. Regarding the yuri part, the romance between the two girls is palpable if subtle from the first episodes, with the ‘will-they-won't-they' element being one of the most dominant in the story. The fact that all the protagonists, which include, apart from the three aforementioned, Lainie Cyan, Algar's new romantic interest and Tilty Claret, a noblewoman who was disowned by her family and is now Anisphia's best friend, adds even more to the yuri, ‘girl-power' element here, in an approach that is quite unusual for an isekai. Add to that that some tenderness is eventually manifested physically and depicted in the series, and you have the backbone of the two unique narrative elements here.
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6. Hell's Paradise (Kaori Makita, MAPPA)
Apart from those, however, the anime thrives on its characters and their interconnections. Gabimaru emerges as a rather interesting one, as the memories and thoughts of his wife tame his extremely violent nature. The same applies to Sagiri, who is the frequent recipient of prejudice from her all-male family, to the point that she has formed a number of complexes that strip her from exhibiting her true potential. Furthermore, the antithesis of the two, and the fact that, as time passes, it becomes obvious that a sympathy is formed and that their interactions improve them both, emerges as one of the best traits of the whole season.
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5. Spy x Family Season 2 (Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Clover Works, Wit Studio)
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4. Undead Murder Farce (Mamoru Hatakeyama, Lapin Track)
While the whole narrative here is superb, the main points of excellence can be summarized in three. The first and most obvious are the three main characters. The half-oni Tsugaru who manages to avoid taking anything seriously, including his deadly fights but still manages to prevail is rather appealing himself, with his seemingly naive cockiness being quite entertaining to watch. The fact that Shizuku is the exact opposite of him, always being serious and disciplined, particularly in the way she follows Aya's orders, creates a rather appealing antithesis between the two, as much as a hilarious tension, since Tsugaru is almost constantly, physically punished by Shizuku. Evidently, and perhaps in future seasons, their relationship can become something else, but even in this way, it is quite entertaining to watch. Furthermore, the fact that she is dressed like a maid adds another point of humor here, which, is though, cemented in the whole concept of Aya, with the genius woman who is essentially just a head in cage being one of the most appealing elements of the whole series, also due to the fact that Mamoru Hatakeyama plays repeatedly with the concept.
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3. Pluto (Toshio Kawaguchi, Studio M2)
Evidently, the biggest appeal of the series is the exquisite story, which combines the crime thriller (whodunit if you prefer) with intense sociopolitical, philosophical and historical comments, while not neglecting the action aspect. In that fashion, the comments on AI and what constitutes a human and what not, as much as how society will eventually deal with being created artificially, both socially and politically, emerges as one of the most central narrative axes. Parenthood, crime and punishment, revenge and grief are also integral part of the story, while the parallel with Iran and their treatment by the US government regarding their supposed nuclear weapons emerges as one of the most interesting elements here.
2. Heavenly Delusion (Hirotaka Mori, Production I.G.)
For starters, one of the main and most intriguing aspects of the narrative here is the connection of the two axes, with Tokio and Maru sharing looks, but without any particular explanation, although as the episodes pass, some notions do appear. In that regard, that it is not evident at all even how close the timelines of the two are adds a very appealing sense of mystery, which works from the beginning to the end of the 13 episodes of the season. Furthermore, the issues on institutionalization the kids in the first arc face, and the ones with survival the latter do, are excellently juxtaposed, also highlighting that in the particular setting, danger lurks in every corner.
1. The Eminence in Shadow (Kazuya Nakanishi, Nexus)
“The Eminence in Shadow” begins as something of a school drama with a bit of action, but his only lasts for the first episode, as by the second one, Minoru has become Cid and is living in a sword-and-magic world, trying, since infanthood, to both become all powerful and keep his strength and plans a secret. This second aspect is essentially what makes the anime so unique, as its protagonist's biggest effort essentially is to stay in the background. The analysis of this rather unusual main character gains the most by this aspect, particularly in the way Kazuya Nakanishi presents, through narration, what is on Cid's mind. Furthermore, the fact that, frequently by chance, his cover is always close to blow up and he has to go to extremes to continue appearing as a wimp, is the main source of a comedy that is much more intelligent than the usual pedantic type that are so common for anime.
