Better late than never. Finally I have a chance to make a list of my favorite show of 2015. This won’t be just about a top 10 list, but also includes special mentions and recommendations for each genres. It’s been a while since I made any top anime list, but here it is again. Top 10 anime will be listed but not numbered.
Subete ga ni F Naru
This anime is one of my favorite during the Fall season. I was expecting Sakurako to be better but Subete kinda beat it for me, because it’s more focused one big mystery which makes it a lot more enjoyable to watch. This anime is about mystery and probably one of the best I’ve seen in the mystery genre for a few year now. What makes it really good is the dialogues and of course the unique perspective of the main characters in the anime. Dialogues are very sophisticated and interesting to hear. I’ve to day this show isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of mystery anime, I bet you’ll love this one. The animation is very well done as well, and the plot for me is just great. It gets very interesting in the last 4 episodes or so. Just like any other mystery anime, you’ll have to be a bit patient before it gets to the good part. There is a few twist in the show, and a very mind blowing one if you haven’t figure out the mysteries. The ending was really good as well, and I was very satisfied with this anime as a whole. Lots of things to think about when you watch this anime, but everything is answered the end which makes this show very satisfying to watch. Overall the best mystery show in 2015 for me.
Noragami Aragato
I find Noragami pretty good as well. While the first season was very good, the 2nd is just as good. If you’re into supernatural and action, it’s definitely a must watch. The action was pretty good and the plot is very interesting to watch. The cliffhanger in almost every episode just makes you wanna watch the next episode right away. A variety of character with different personality and charms. Cool storyline, plot twists, fight scenes, and some good jokes. Definitely a must watch if you enjoyed the first season. On for those who haven’t followed the series and up for some good action anime, definitely a must watch.
One Punch Man
This anime is probably one of the most hyped anime of 2015. It lives up to the hyped as well. One of the best thing about this show is that it’s really different from the rest of the superhero anime I’ve ever watched. The main character is overpowered but the catch is not many knows how strong he is. Animation is top quality and just awesome, thanks to Madhouse. It’s full of action and really hilarious at times. I can’t say I know anyone who hated this show, everyone I know really love this show. Variety of characters, good action scenes, funny, fun and entertaining to watch.
Owarimonogatari
Just like any monogatari series, this one is as good as any of those that is already out there before it. Dialogue heavy as always and very much an eye candy to watch. The mystery behind Ougi, more details about Shinobu’s past is really interesting to watch. Besides all the characters that has already been introduced before this, there is one new character that related a lot to Araragi and his childhood past. I definitely can’t recommend watching this if you haven’t seen any of the previous monogatari series, it’s definitely going to be confusing and you’ll not understand anything at all. While this season kinda took a while for it to be awesome, the ‘Shinobu Mail’ arc is one the best arc in the monogatari series for me. Watch Shinobu as you’ve never seen before, watch the past that haunts her till this day. Great story, mystery-like arc, unique visuals and animation, and as always the engaging dialogues.
Ore Monogatari
I have my doubts when I first picked up this anime, but what awaits me is one of the best shoujo anime that I’ve ever watched. It’s not like any other shoujo anime as well. It’s really unique and a really sweet and lovey dovey one to watch. While it’s mostly love, this anime is also about friendship as well as heavy on the slice of life. The first half of the series is sorta fast and the beginning, but was a bit slow afterwards for the buildup. The 2nd half though was really amazing stuff. A lot of things happened and the closure was really good. All the characters are really loveable, interesting and funny to watch. The plot is good, and the animation is pretty well done as well. It’s pretty funny at times too. Besides that, the music and sound design is very good as well. This anime is a must watch for anyone who loves shoujo. Even if you don’t love shoujo but loves slice of life anime, I think it’s worth the watch as well. A very unique shoujo and easily one of the best I’ve seen in a while.
Non Non Biyori Repeat
If you love slice of life, look to none other than Non Non Biyori. This anime is the healing anime. If you’re ever in a bad mood and in a very stressful day, just watch this anime and you’ll forget everything bad that happened on that day. This is the 2nd season of Non Non, while it’s not really a sequel, it’s more of what happened in between the episodes of the first season. It’s actually better than the first one as well, because it’s very hilarious this time. If you have never watched Non Non then you have to know that it’s a very relaxing one to watch. You can pretty much watch this first as well, instead of the first season, but I’d recommend following the other right. Fun, hilarious and very relaxing anime. I wish there is more anime like Non Non Biyori. The animation just top quality, and it really captures the scenery of a small town far far away from the city very well. The soundtrack is so relaxing it’s the main part of what makes this anime so great besides the amazing visual. Character wise, it’s really a lively cast, charming and just perfect for a slice of life anime. The show excels with the simplest things in life. No fancy tricks, no over-complication, no otaku pandering- just heartwarming goodness with a great OST, quirky characters, subtle humor and art that’s a treat on the eyes.
Death Parade
An anime about life and death. It’s not your ordinary show, and very original. It takes the concept of what happens after someone dies, being judge by a game, which will decide their faith. The way each stories are told in this anime is great, and most of the characters are pretty well developed as well, with backstories. This show thought me that life is short, and every action sorta matters in life. Get ready for one emotional ride if you decide to watch this. I’m pretty sure many likes this series as much as I do. It’s very hyped and lives to the hype as well. Animation wise it’s pretty well done by Madhouse. The songs in the show are pretty good, as well as the sound design. Attractive story, very developed character, unique storytelling and not your ordinary type of anime. Definitely recommended if you’re into psychological kinda of anime and mystery.
Shokugeki no Soma
A cooking anime taken to the next level. While there seems to be a bit too much ecchi on the first episode, it was later toned down afterwards. I don’t think there is much cooking anime last year, apart from this one, I only remembered Koufuku Graffiti, which is pretty enjoyable to watch as well. It’s a shounen show and an exciting one to watch. The plot is great, variety of loveable character, and a very intense anime when it comes to cooking. A show that adapts battle shounen with food dishes. There is a variety of characters in this anime, and it offer a little of almost everything to the audience. Watching this anime always makes me hungry as well. Very informative in culinary and shows how majestic and beautiful food is. Although it’s over exaggerated most of the time, I think it’s acceptable and a unique part of the anime as a whole. Regardless of whether you’re primarily watching Shokugeki no Souma for the foodgasms, the cooking or the intense competition, you’re probably not going to be left disappointed because the anime does a great job on all three fronts. There’s also the fact that this is an almost perfect adaptation of the manga, so even hardcore fans of the source material should most likely be satisfied with it.
Oregairu 2
This anime is one deep anime and full of emotions. What makes this anime good is mostly the unique personality of each characters and their personal dilemmas. Personally for me the character in this anime doesn’t even feel like they are in high school, it’s like they are already an adult with a complex mind and thoughts. The characters is what this anime really excelled at. We have the anti-social Hikigaya Hachiman, the ever so cheerful Yui, and the shy but beautiful Yukino. Other characters are pretty engaging and interesting as well. This anime is too deep for me, but I really enjoyed the ride, full of feels, dramas and emotions. While I’m not really satisfied on the ending part, I know I can except more amazing stuff when the 3rd season comes out. The art is great for the 2nd season and is definitely a big improvement compared to the first season. The sound design is good as well. The opening song is personally one of the favorite last year. Overall it’s an enjoyable show, but I really wish there would be season 3 already, because I just need it now! I can easily recommend this show, if you’re into romance and school. While it’s not perfect, I have a feeling once the show is done, it’s going to be one of my favorite anime show of all time.
Shirobako
Shirobako is a wonderfully charming anime about five friends that make a promise to each other in highschool. They promise that they will live out their life-long dream of making anime together, and the show follows them along their intertwined journey towards that goal and all the trials and tribulations that come with it. It’s an anime about making an anime. Shirobako is one of the most enjoyable anime experiences I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this show to all viewers, especially serious anime fans who will get some of the more outlandish references in the show. The characters are great, the story is interesting, very relateable, the art and sound are very professionally done, very educational, the ending is beautiful and satisfying. It has so much heart, and the characters are so adorable, that I find it impossible not to relish every moment with them. It felt like saying goodbye to old friends when the last glorious frame of all the characters together was shown. Watching Shirobako was an amazing and deeply fulfilling experience, and I’m glad to have had the privilege to be a part of it.
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Honorable mentions and recommendations.
Besides those top 10 anime worth watching in 2015, I’d like to spend some time naming other anime I love in 2015.
Action anime: Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, GATE, Overlord, and Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Sports anime : Kuroko no Basuke, Baby Steps and Haikyuu
Slice of life anime: Hello! Kiniro Mosaic, Himouto! Umaru-chan, Working!!!, Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka??
Others: Prison School, Wakako-zake, Assassination Classroom, Akagami no Shirayuki-hime, Plastic Memories, Hibike! Euphonium, Durarara, Koufuku Graffiti, Saekano, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches.
