Anime I’ve seen that not enough people are talking about…
Now I’m no connoisseur. I just enjoy a particular type of anime that happens to fall outside of the scope of most mainstream productions. So, here are a few gems I’ve found that slap and more people should watch them.
Alice & Zoruko — If you like SpyXFamily, you’ll love this little found family. It’s got intrigue, fluff, actions that have consequences, unseen malicious forces, and a grumpy grandfatherly type who accidentally ends up in it all. I love Zoruko and his quirks (though I could do without so much hitting the noggin, but I realize it’s an anime thing). Great animation style, fun characters, and only one season. 9/10 - not enough time, I wish it were longer so we could explore the dynamic.
May I Ask for One Final Thing - This is the anime that got me watching again. I really enjoyed the absolutely fun and chaotic characters and world. Somehow, despite the absurdity of the show, there is a good sense of internal consistency within the world where it is tangible. Actions and decisions have weight to them. The supporting cast is fun and interesting. The design and art show feel good. I love a FML who knows herself and what she wants and how to get it. 10/10 - no notes, laughed my ass off
Somali and the Forest Spirit - Once again, it is a cute found family in a fantasy land. I thought it would just be a fluff show that is slice of life, but nope. It’s got fluff; its got action; its got world building. It’s got a supporting cast that feels like they keep living when the camera moves away from them. SO GOOD! 9/10- need to see more to really love it.
Lycoris Recoil - Now, I admit that I mostly listened to this dub while painting so I can’t speak to the level of violence; though, what I did see was not to bad which is good for me (I hate gore and excess blood). But, this is the queerest relationship that develops but doesn’t. How did my action-packed show get fluffy? Now, I did find the explanation for why a government funded girl mafia (this is not a spoiler its in the first episode) absolutely hilarious and make no sense. It’s anime. We don’t need a reason and acknowledging it (not once, not twice, but three times!) makes it weird and now I feel like a pervert. TBH I’m tired of young adults and teens being the main characters of shows. I want a full grown adult to be the main character of my ridiculous show. Anyways, the characters are fun and dynamic is interesting. Let some of the logic go and it’s a good time. 8/10 - I need more discourse around it.
Isekai Office Worker - Holy shit! Adults as main characters! I love it. Finally, people my age (twenties) on screen… But I did not see that curveball coming… Still, the anime is a good time to see these two emotionally stunted men get to know each other and fall in love. Though, I hear the books are wayyyy more explicit. I’m here for the workaholic finally getting a break and being bullied into self care. The world has some depth and clearly the anime is glossing over things that would have taken time and weight in the books. Somehow, I really enjoyed the whole ridiculousness of it and how paperwork fixes everything. The characters are interesting. The world is dense-enough and the magic is no sense but it’s funny enough for the situation. Don’t apply logic and have a good time - 9/10 I think I’m just glad to see an adult on screen and learning to get that work-life balance.
The Magical Revolution of a Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady - They’re so gay for each other and I’m here for it! I love the reincarnation that doesn’t feel like an excuse for plot manipulation and being the best. We have someone with knowledge of our world and is working hard to figure out how to bring technology into a fantasy one through experiments. Now, that’s the background elements of a character. I think I just really enjoyed watching two mature individuals acknowledge feelings for each other and not freak out about being queer. They’re just exploring what it means to like each other and be in this situation outside of society because of two publicly bad moves (which isn’t that they’re gay!). They’re socially rejected for something other than being gay! Yay! But seriously, good characters, fun design, love the queerness of it, and the animation. - 10/10 I need more right now
I’m in Love With The Villaness - Holy curveball, Batman. Now this style of fun, lighthearted comedy that comes from overacting is not my usual cup-of-tea. Somehow, this one wormed its way into my recommendations. I think it’s because the FML is clear from the beginning about being into the Villaness and the Villaness struggling not because ‘ew queer’ (though there are moments) but because she struggles with self-worth is great. There’s a conversation that happens about queerness that does a good job of addressing the ‘ew queer’ thing; it’s admittedly a little OOC in the sense of being too modern, but I appreciated what it was doing. I called the twist in the latter half of the season, but it felt consistent with the internal logic of the show. Also, all the other characters and supporting cast understand the attraction and don’t do anything but maybe tease them about falling in love. There’s some elements of pushiness which, thankfully, are addressed to the audience (though IDK about the Villaness’ pov) which make it more palatable. The first three eps are probably the hardest to watch (leans on the tropes of the genre) if this isn’t your usual watch. 8.5/10 - Fun and entertaining and does get better as it goes on.
Other side Picnic - Again, I mostly listened to this one while I painted… and thank goodness because this shit is creepy as hell. But also gay as hell and we get pining! Now, there’s a bit where we lose a thread of main plot but its still good and I enjoyed it. I need more right now and more discussions of this otherworldly place they go to and the dynamics of the two FML. 9/10
The Gorilla God’s Go To Girl - I watched this because I thought I remembered it being a Webtoon first. So, out of curiosity (never seen the webtoon), I watched it. This is your classic the FML has superpowers and thinks that it’ll be unattractive. Oh, no. :/ To be fair, the world has superpowers. I enjoyed moments and elements of the show. As you can tell from above, I really enjoyed agency, consistent logic and world building, and actions that have weight behind them. This show got so close to giving that to me with the villain and the FML’s dynamic. But, it felt rushed at the end and it felt like we never got to see the FML come into her sense of self and her powers. It is a good, entertaining show; I just love a bit of weight to it. 6/10
Yakuza Fiance - What the fuck did I watch and is there more of it. LOL This one surprised me. It has the weight I like in a world where it feels tangible. The characters have moments of being realistic. I just feel like there are elements that are being glossed over in favor of plot. I think a “filler” ep where we see more of our FML and her world before all the chaos to really understand her or feel more attached to her would be good. I lack a bit of the emotional investment in the characters; the world and situation are most interesting. 8/10
The Too Perfect Saint - If you enjoy watching a busy top-performer finally get support and a break, you’ll enjoy this one. The world building is not in-depth but it is internally consistent and at no point do the actions/words/decisions feel out of place or character. The people are interesting and it’s got that classic anime character stylization. I enjoy how the main character and her sister have a sense of control and action; they make their own decisions and suffer their own consequences. It’s got some fluff but really its ment to hit you in the feels. 7/10
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