BEST ANIME OF 2022

 

2022 was a massive year for anime. Crunchyroll acquired Funimation’s library to become the anime destination online, Netflix announced that they would start producing its own originals, and the series finales of popular shows such as Attack on Titan and Mob Psycho 100 generated massive viewership. Much-anticipated series such as Chainsaw Man, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War, and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean premiered to rave reviews—joining surprising new originals, which includes Ranking of Kings and Spy x Family. Many fan favorites, such as Demon Slayer and The Girl from the Other Side, also excited audiences with bold, fresh animation styles.

Whether you're into magical action, demon slaying, competitive sports, or teen romance, this year had it all. Below, i’ve rounded up the best anime of 2022.

1. Chainsaw Man 

 

In a world full of Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and others, Chainsaw Man is doing wonders. The first three episodes of the anime have already garnered a lot of views. No doubt, it will soon be on the list of the best animes that have been made in recent times. As of now, the audience is eagerly waiting for the release of the fourth episode of the anime. In the latest episode, expectations are that the Bat Devil arc will come to an end as the villain will be eradicated by Denji. 

  

The creators of the series are working at a fast pace without getting stuck with filler episodes. If the same momentum is maintained, we can see the unfolding and establishment of the next arc in the fourth episode itself. As fans, the only thing the viewers want right now is a disappointment-less transition from one arc to another. Expectations are already high from the upcoming episode considering the past two episodes (one and three) crashed the CrunchyRoll streaming site. The second arc of the show is most probably the Eternity Devil Arc. One thing to keep in mind here is that if you are not someone who likes spoilers, then stay away from people who read Manga, and I am not even kidding here. 

2. Blue Lock 

 

Right in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the soccer anime Blue Lock follows Japan’s World Cup dreams on the brink of total collapse. Forging a new development program called "Blue Lock," the nation trains young hopefuls hoping to become Japan’s next star striker. 

 

3. Mob Psycho 100 (Season 3) 

 

One’s wacky tale of a socially awkward boy named Mob is now in its third and final season, as he comes to grab with his immense psychic powers. Can Mob—seemingly the most-powerful being on the planet—find the peace and happiness he’s searching for, or will mysterious forces send him over the edge? 

 

4. Spy x Family 

 

On a special spy mission to take down the leader of a dangerous political party, Loid Forger must find a wife and adopt a young girl as a cover to get her enrolled in the same private school as his target's son. There, he can get closer to the man by pretending to be another parent. However, Loid didn't expect to put his solo days behind him and fall in love with his temporary family (who also has secrets of their own!). 

 

5. My Dress-Up Darling 

 

A romantic comedy between a socially awkward boy who runs the family Hina doll business and a popular girl who is secretly into cosplay, My Dress-Up Darling is cute, charming, and downright horny. If you're looking for a guilty pleasure about a quirky teen romance, then this is certainly the show for you this year—just don't go around telling everyone. 

 

6. Sasaki and Miyano 

 

A heartwarming romance about two classmates who help each other tear down conceptions of masculinity, Sasaki and Miyano builds on the history of Boys Love comics, which feature gay romances. 

  

Though Miyano is afraid of letting people in, Sasaki helps break down his walls, and you can't help but root for these two to grow together. 

 

7. Rust-Eater Bisco 

 

An expected brand new anime Rust-Eater Bisco (錆喰いビスコ) aired from January, 2022. Categorized as fantasy and adventure, it is adapted from the trendy same-titled light novel published since 2018. The setting is a post-apocalyptic world affected by the Rusty Wind that makes Japan get rusty. A young boy Bisco Akaboshi starts on a journey to seek a miraculous　mushroom known as Rust-Eater. 

 

8. Overlord (Season 4) 

 

Isekai is a recent light novel genre, and Overlord (オーバーロード) is one of the most well-known Isekai anime adapted from the original light novel published since 2012. It started airing in 2015, and the latest fourth season began from July, 2022. Like the last three saesons, Overlord follows Momonga, the player of a VRMMORPG who is sent to another world that is similar to the virtual gaming setting. 

 

9. Tomodachi Game 

 

What do you think the hottest anime genre is? Psychological thriller with the theme of terrifying games is one the recent trends of anime and other series, and Tomodachi Game (トモダチゲーム) is a hot and new anime series starting in April, 2022. It has been serialized as manga on Bessatsu Shonen Magazine since 2013, adapted into this anime series by Okuruto Noboru. It centers on a high school boy Yuichi Katagiri, who cherishes friendship rather than profit. One day, triggered by the fact that his class’s school trip funds are stolen, he is abducted and invited with his four classmates to Tomodachi Game. It makes their true characters come out. 

 

10. TEKKEN: BLOODLINE 

 

Opinions are mixed when it comes to Tekken: Bloodline, the Netflix anime adaptation of the long-running fighting game franchise. Produced by Larx Entertainment and Studio Hibari and directed by Yoshikazu Miyao (Hellsing, Gad Guard), the six-episode series adapts the plot of Tekken 3, telling the story of martial artist Jin Kazama’s quest to avenge the murder of his mother by training under the tutelage of his ruthless grandfather, Heihachi Mishima, before participating in the King of Iron Fist Tournament. 

  

For what it’s worth, as someone who’s not especially passionate about fighting games but nonetheless passionate about anime, I quite enjoyed my experience with the series in spite of its foibles. From the outrageous characters to the impact visual effects and fight scenes, Tekken: Bloodline is an entertaining and inoffensive, albeit redundant, take on one of the most enduring fighting games of all time. It’s an enjoyable watch if you’re looking for something light on story but high on action to throw on and watch in the background.