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With 2018 done with, that year was meh for me in terms of really good anime. Not saying their weren’t good shows that came out this year but a lot that did come out really didn’t get me super excited and while we did get a lot of verity I can’t say it tops the really strong shows that came out the year prior. I did like a handful of titles that came out this year like After The Rain, Grand Blue Dreaming, Banana Fish, Aggretsuko, SSSS Gridman, etc. Yet, overall I wasn’t impressed. Still while 2018 may have been disappointing to me a lot of strong titles have been announced for 2019 and it just got me really excited to check them out. This list is very subjective and is in no particular order. Also at the time of writing this some titles on this list haven’t been fully confirmed of where they will be streamed, unless they were announced a while back such as Twin Engine shows being exclusive to Amazon or Netflix announcing original anime productions through various outlets. Furthermore, if the show is out, specifically talking currently airing winter shows, while I was writing this I’ll try and give my brief thoughts on them. Not a full comprehensive review just a quick what I thought and if it’s worth your time. With that being said let’s start off with:
The Promised Neverland
Plot Synopsis: Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn. One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing. (Anime News Network)
Network: Fuji TV (noitaminA)
Air Date: January 9th, 2019
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, HIDIVE, and FUNimation Now
After Banana Fish an adaptation of a 80’s Shojo manga, noitaminA decided to throw everyone a loop by airing probably one of the most popular Shonen Jump properties. The Promised Neverland has been on my horizon for a while now since I have read a bit of the manga. Yet, from what I read I loved it and I can’t wait to see how it’s adapted in TV form. In North America Aniplex of America has licensed the series and it will be streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, HIDIVE, and FUNimation Now. The first episode was quite good. The animation was great and the pacing was really smooth. Seems to me they are adapting a few chapters per episodes since the first episode I believe told chapters 1-4. It’s been a while since I last read The Promised Neverland so I could be misremembering but overall the first episode leaves me with some good impressions.
Dororo
Plot Synopsis: During the 1470s after the Wars of Onin and Bunmei in the Noto Peninsula of the Hokuriku District, Hyakkimaru, who lacks as much as 48 body parts, obtains a fake body and eliminates 48 monsters that were made from his body to retrieve his missing body parts. (Anime News Network)
Network: Tokyo MX
Air Date: January 7th, 2019
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon’s deal with Twin Engine moves forward with the second of the five shows announced that would be coming. First, was Karakuri Circus which started in the fall and will be continuing in the winter season. Now Dororo which is based on a manga created by the godfather of anime and manga himself Osamu Tezuka. While I have never seen the original anime or read the manga it’s based on. However, going by Dororo’s first few episodes I have to say was pretty decent. Since I have no knowledge of the classic Tezuka manga I can’t really tell if it’s being very faithful to its source material. Yet, I can say that it was cool as hell. It left me asking a lot of questions while having a lot of great action in it. I’m overall impressed with this show and can’t wait to watch more.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Plot Synopsis: Since ancient times, rumors have abounded of man-eating demons lurking in the woods. Because of this, the local townsfolk never venture outside at night. Legend has it that a demon slayer also roams the night, hunting down these bloodthirsty demons. For young Tanjiro, these rumors will soon to become his harsh reality. Ever since the death of his father, Tanjiro has taken it upon himself to support his family. Although their lives may be hardened by tragedy, they’ve found happiness. But that ephemeral warmth is shattered one day when Tanjiro finds his family slaughtered and the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko, turned into a demon. To his surprise, however, Nezuko still shows signs of human emotion and thought. Thus begins Tanjiro’s request to fight demons and turn his sister human again. (Anime News Network)
Network: Unknown
Air Date: April 2019
Streaming: Unknown
Even though I just started binge reading this series due to Shonen Jump opening up their vault of manga to everyone. I have to say the twenty five chapters I have read are really good. The manga has this road trip vibe but also this great presence of threat and evil that continues to lurk during our heroes journey and it is a treat to read. A PV was released back in December during Jump Festa and the trailer looks amazing. I’m not gonna call this anime of the year but I am excited to watch this series when it comes out in the spring.
Vinland Saga
Plot Synopsis: Thorfinn is son to one of the Viking’s greatest warriors, but when his father is killed in battle by the mercenary leader Askeladd, he swears his intent to have revenge. Thorfinn joins Askeladd’s group in order to challenge him to a duel, and ends up caught in the middle of a war for the crown of England. (Anime News Network)
Network: Unknown
Air Date: 2019
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
I’ve only read the first volume of this series so I’m unaware of what happens down the line, but from what I heard it gets really intense. Other than that I’m interested to watch this cause it looks like it could be great. It has some great talent on board such as Takahiko Abiru who worked as an animation director on Hunter X Hunter and Shuhei Yabuta who’s directing the series who directed Inuyashiki Last Hero. While I may have mixed feelings on the Inuyashiki anime I can say it did have some okay use of CGI and it did manage to have good animation. So at the very least the staff is promising enough for it to have the potential of it to be great. Whether it will be great is all up to it’s execution and how it’ll pace itself.
One Punch Man Season 2
Plot Synopsis: One-Punch Man is a superhero who has trained so hard that his hair has fallen out, and who can overcome any enemy with one punch. However, because he is so strong, he has become bored and frustrated with winning all his battles so easily. (Anime News Network)
Network: TV Tokyo
Air Date: April 2019
Streaming: Unknown
Not a whole lot to say it’s more One Punch Man. I guess the only big difference is the change in staff and studio. I’ll save my full opinions on how it’ll be when it airs. Right now I’m skeptical but hopefully optimistic.
Dr. Stone
Plot Synopsis: Taiju is about to confess to the girl he loves when a mysterious force hits the Earth and turns every human into stone. Taiju and his friend Senku wake up thousands of years later and begin to rebuild society. (Anime News Network)
Network: Unknown
Air Date: July 2019
Streaming: Unknown
This one I’m adding in not because I have read a lot of Dr.Stone but more because I’m interested in seeing how TMS handles this series. Yes, the same studio that manages the Lupin series is animating this show. It may not be the same staff as Lupin but still having TMS animating a popular Shonen Jump series like this could mean good things depending on the staff. I may not be incredibly familiar with the source material but from the first chapter I have read I found it to be interesting. It makes the reader ask what happened to the world and how can it be fixed? While having a likable main cast. I’ll be on the look out for this one when it drops this July.
Kemurikusa
Plot Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world permeated by a dangerous red fog, three sisters with special abilities strive to survive, seeking sources of water so they can grow a special plant whose leaves can instantly destroy the marauding mechanical Red Bugs. Their normal routine is disrupted when a human boy suddenly appears in a tank of salvaged water, unsure of how he got there. They initially believe him to be some type of Red Bug too, as no other humans seem to exist, but his ability to speak and help in rescuing one of the sisters starts to change their minds. (Anime News Network)
Network: Tokyo MX
Air Date: January 9th, 2019
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
This is a late inclusion, but I’m including it on here mainly because I think the show is interesting. I have never watched Kemono Friends and the reason I say this is because the director of Kemurikusa also directed and created Kemono Friends. However, I am familiar with bad CGI in anime and this show is no exception. Character movement is stiff, the designs are rough around the edges, and the aesthetic of the show looks washed out. Yet, there’s a charm to it that’s hard for me to explain. Yes, it’s not visually pleasing but it also doesn’t make me wanna vomit either I think it has to do with how soft these designs are. They aren’t jagged in any shape and are more smooth and rounded. Gives off this innocent vibe like a child created them and is presenting this to their family as their little project. Which is why I’m willing to forgive a lot of aspects of it like the choppy looking action that can have no weight to them along with the previous complaints I mentioned. It’s far from a perfect show but I think if you were to ask me what I like to see with animated shows be it a very polished work that is meant for a mass market or a niche title that has interesting aspects to it but isn’t as refined as those mass marketed series. I’d likely go with the niche title that’s unique rather than sticking to what looks good.
That should do it with my list of anime I’m most looking forward to for 2019. I’m excited to see what else comes out and surprises me even if it didn’t make this list. I still think there’s a fair amount of shows that haven’t been announced yet that could be interesting. We shall see what 2019 hold, but I would love to hear what are your most anticipated anime titles are for 2019?
