Top 10 Anime Series of 2020

2020 didn’t feel like a particularly strong year for anime – at least, when compared to previous years.  A big reason for this is likely the ‘rona, which pushed the release schedule for many big-name titles into 2021 (and that’s why Winter 2021 is pretty loaded.  In fact, it’s looking like I will be watching at least 15 anime shows this season).  Nevertheless, 2020 still delivered a couple of notable anime, and here are my most favorites.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Aggretsuko (season 3), Kakushigoto: My Dad’s Secret Ambition, Fire Force (season 2), Smile Down the Runway, Haikyu!! (season 4)

10.) Fruits Basket

I liked season 1.  But season 2 I utterly loved.  This anime, as I wrote before, is a melodrama masterwork.

9.) Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It

“…probably has the freshest and most intriguing premise I’ve encountered in a rom-com anime.”

CLICK HERE for my full review.

8.) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is probably the anime I enjoyed watching the most in 2020.  However, I don’t think it’s fair to put it any higher than 8^th place when it only had four episodes last year.

7.) My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom

“…it has the most clever isekai premise and narrative that can there possibly be out of the concept of an otome game… hilarious, heartwarming, and original.  And on top of that, it even has a worthwhile moral to share.”

CLICK HERE for my full review.

6.) Ascendance of a Bookworm

An anime that is far more special than what I initially thought it to be, Ascendance of a Bookworm is a smart, innovative, and charming isekai that tells a compelling story of a small girl grinding towards realizing her dream of making her own books, an objective that required her to shake up the status quo by building and engaging in business and bringing about innovations and reforms.  In the process, it celebrates resiliency, ingenuity, work ethic, and an enterprising attitude, and intentionally or unintentionally argues the case for the merits of capitalism in stimulating the improvement of society.

5.) Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

The first half of season 2 (which ran last Summer 2020) delivered a prime mix of cerebral and visceral, as we witness Subaru face his toughest and knottiest quandary yet.  In turn, everything is now all set up for the second half (which is running this Winter 2021 season) to present Subaru’s most epic triumph.  Moreover, “Parent and Child” is probably the best anime episode of the year.

4.) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

“…this show has some validity as a legit, engrossing ‘behind the scene’ look on the [anime] industry.  Moreover, this anime is not just a show about animation.  It’s a show about the creative process – the appeal, joy, and rewards of creating art, especially when it involves collaborating with friends… [It’s] a magnificent anime production… immaculate… a masterpiece.”

CLICK HERE for my full review.
 
3.) Great Pretender

“…the anime version of Leverage… Delightful, subversive, and stylish, it’s absolutely must-watch anime.”

CLICK HERE for my full review.

2.) Appare-Ranman

“…a pleasing fusion of steam punk, racing, samurai, gunslingers, outlaws, Indians, hip hop culture, Americana, and other elements… an absolute treat.”

CLICK HERE for my full review.

1.) Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

While I found the first season of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War to be a lot of fun when it debuted in 2018, it was last Spring 2020’s second season that made really fall in love with it.  Season 2 was an absolute riot.  However, it didn’t just render high-quality laughs.  It also had genuinely moving moments and meaningful insights, too.  But, yeah, the brilliant comedy, entertaining sketches, and hilarious characters are the most notable aspects of this show.  Utterly adorable, clever, and delightful, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War season 2 is arguably the best anime of 2020.