Top 5 Anime (I watched) in 2019 (cont.)

Number 1: The Promised Neverland

**this review is SPOILER FREE!!**

WOW.

Every couple weeks my friend and I will text each other “thinking about The Promised Neverland again” because we are always thinking about The Promised Neverland. Like constantly.

This show really takes you by surprise. I’m not going to say much because I think going into this show with as little knowledge as possible makes for the best watching experience, but it is categorized as a thriller, a mystery, and a horror anime.

This show really knows how to do characters. All three protagonists are just so unique, intelligent, and likable in their own way. You’ll doubtlessly have a favorite, but I find it pretty hard to dislike any of them. Plus, I’m not going to spoil anything, but this show has maybe one of my favorite anime villains of all time.

The studio, CloverWorks, hasn’t made a ton of super popular anime as of yet (although they did make Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, which I put as number 4 on this top 5 list!), and I didn’t find the animation in this show particularly notable, but that’s because it really didn’t need to be. The strength of this show is in the writing and the pacing, because the story and characters are phenomenal. I would highly recommend this anime to pretty much anyone!

Favorite Character Shoutout: Ray

How could Ray not be my favorite? Look at him. Ray is my little emo son. That’s all I have to say about him without spoilers, but he has some really compelling character arcs and storylines.

So that’s my top 5 of 2019! Thanks for reading :)

Cheers,

-threecheersforinking

Top 5 Anime (I watched) in 2019 (cont.)

 Number 4: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

**mild spoilers**

I was very, very hesitant to watch this anime, mostly because of the title (I mean, come on). I’m not a fan of Harem anime on principle, and all the pictures and promo were really selling it as a Harem. But I’m pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised at how GOOD this anime was.

I was not expecting an anime with the words “Bunny Girl” in the title to be primarily about dealing with the physical manifestations of teenage problems and insecurities. This was such a unique and interesting concept that I was hooked as soon as I realized that this was the focus.

In addition, all of the female characters have a different, unique relationship with the protagonist Sakuta; this isn’t a harem anime, so unlike what I was anticipating when starting the show, they weren’t all in love with him. The character he ends up dating, Mai, is actually very aloof and emotionally distant, so even though she has feelings for Sakuta she isn’t completely obsessed with gaining his affection like a typical girl in a Harem anime.

Plus, Sakuta remains dedicated to Mai from the beginning, even when other characters expressed romantic interest in him. That was so different from other anime I’ve seen where multiple girls are throwing themselves at the (usually generic/boring) male protagonist, and the entire plot is about which girl he ends up choosing.

It’s definitely not a perfect show, and it still has its fair share of fan service, but I’m really glad that a show marketed as Harem ended up having this much substance. I hope people who watched this show just for the cute girls actually ended up getting something out of the story as well!

Favorite Character Shoutout: Futaba

While all the characters suffering from ‘puberty syndrome’ have unique relationships with Sakuta, I think my favorite has to be with Futaba. It’s so refreshing to see a healthy friendship between a male and female character that doesn’t eventually dissolve into romance, and I loved that they were able to comfortably talk with each other about their own individual romantic relationships and feelings.

What a unique show!! If you haven’t seen it (and still read this despite the mild spoilers haha oops) I would highly recommend giving it a shot. Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

-threecheersforinking