This was one of my very favorite posts to put together last year! I almost jumped the gun and wrote it early on at least 3 separate occasions but now the time is finally here! I’m a little giddy…
Explanation: I watch anime by randomly binging shows that have somehow caught my eye. Where I liked the streaming app screenshot, saw a pretty piece of fanart or think the title sounds cool. I have unreasonably high standards…. This means that each year I actively discover shows you guys have already had the chance to watch, love and forget all about by now.
Still, these are series that made me happy this year and I want to share that happy with you. For the most part, I’ve already reviewed them so you get a 2 for one. You get to hear about the series from my fellow talented bloggers. I’ve collected posts from all over WordPress for your reading pleasure (and mine!) Nothing brings an experience to life quite like sharing it with others.
Please note that I am using the not always reliable reader app to find your posts so if I missed one, do let me know in the comments. The logistics of this list are a little tricky.
Here we go: Shows that have come out at various times in the past but which Irina watched in 2018 and liked a lot! I’m getting better at the title game!
In no particular order :
I was surprised by just how mixed the reception to this series was. Still I really enjoyed it and I’m glad to have found it.
Rodrovich was considerably less impressed:
https://rodrovich.wordpress.com/2018/11/14/hakata-tonkotsu-ramens-is-entertaining-but/
Two Happy Cats enjoyed it as well but was not blind to it’s failures:
https://twohappycats.com/2018/06/08/hakata-tonkotsu-ramens-review-choose-your-weapon/
Karandi was generally of the same opinion:
https://100wordanime.blog/2018/05/07/hakata-tonkotsu-ramens-series-review/
Rogue Shogunate has the best rating system so far!
https://rogueshogunate.com/2018/04/22/hakata-tonkotsu-ramens-review/
Shin Sekai Yori (From the New World )
For unknown reasons (even to me) From the New World is one of the only animes I refer to only by its Japanese title. If you’ve read my review, you know that this little show overwhelmed me in the best possible way. One way or another, this one is unlikely to leave most viewers indifferent.
John Jr manage the impossible – a concise review!
https://johnjronline.wordpress.com/2018/08/04/from-the-new-world-2012/
Scott added it to his (absolutely amazing) list of psychological Horror anime’s to look out for:
https://mechanicalanimereviews.com/2018/10/24/five-psychological-horror-anime-worth-checking-out/
Jenn concentrated on the use of sexuality within a unique social construct:
Rossiroad gives us a great overview of the series
https://mybrainiscompletelyempty.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/shinsekai-yori-adb/
The Aniwritter made it the subject of a What Else should You Watch post that convinced me to give Samurai Flameco a try
https://theaniwriter.com/2017/12/10/what-else-should-you-watch-shin-sekai-yori/
I know, I know.. you would never have guessed this one. I am proud of how recent this year’s picks are. Look – I love Steins;Gate. It’s one of those childhood loves that you can’t take away from me. Still I was impressed I didn’t end up hating such a late in the game sequel, purely on principle! Spoilers – no one like this show as much as I did…and no one ever will….
Arthifis didn’t hate it but had some reservations:
https://arthifis.com/2018/10/10/steinsgate-0-a-masterpiece-or-a-flop/
Nefarious reviews did not like it though
https://nefariousreviews.com/2018/11/26/steinsgate-0-anime-review/
It was a rocky ride for Karandi:
https://100wordanime.blog/2018/10/22/steinsgate-0-series-review-here-we-go-again-again/
Animelog was generally unimpressed
https://icedmaster.wordpress.com/2018/10/26/animelog-steinsgate-0/
ACCA: 13 Territory Inspection Dept.
This was a discovery for me! Honestly, I am so happy I stumbled onto this one. I still have a color theory post upcoming for the series. I can’t say it needs another season, as it was perfect as is to me. Despite it’s unusual construct and slow burn political intrigue, I was delighted to find that it had a dedicated audience who shared my glee!
Nefarious was not one of those fans but they didn’t hate it
https://nefariousreviews.com/2018/04/15/acca-13-territory-inspection-department-anime-review/
Anime database provided a short overview
https://hdanimedb.wordpress.com/2018/07/03/acca-13-ku-kansatsu-ka/
Cain was enthralled just like me:
https://cainslatrani.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/monday-anime-acca-13-territory-inspection-division/
As was Sirius ho showed some great tastes in women!
https://siriuswrites.wordpress.com/2018/01/09/acca-13-ku-kansatsu-ka-after-thoughts/
Mel added Nino to her Harem:
https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/117046361/posts/4120
This was a divisive series which left some of my readers wondering what is wrong with me. I really liked it….
Xenodude did a recent series of episode reviews (here’s the last one – spoilers!)
https://xenodude.com/2018/11/30/magical-girl-raising-project-ep-12-end/
AniB Productions considered it solidly averagish
https://anibproductions.wordpress.com/2018/12/07/day-6-review-magical-girl-raising-project/
Two Happy Cats understands the difference between efficiency and likeability
https://twohappycats.com/2018/12/10/magical-girl-raising-project-anime-review/
Serpentlight shared their detailed first impressions
https://serpentlightstheatre.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/magical-girl-raising-project-not-a-review-yet/
Down the Otaku Rabbit Hole meanwhile, might have liked it more than me!
Man I love this show. It really buried itself deep in my heart. It’s one of those offkilter type stories I’m never sure I could recommend to anyone because it’s so…eccentric… but it feels like it was written specifically for me by someone much smarter than me!
I rarely see anything written about this series (for shame) so I’m afraid my links for this one are pretty meager 🙁
VN reviews manage to capture the essence of it in a few brief words:
https://vnreviews.blog/2018/06/24/anime-the-eccentric-family/
Karandi found it charming if a bit uneven:
I’ve sort of mentioned this show a zillion times since I watched it. I just think it really really should get more attention that it does
Case and point – the only posts that came up when I put the title in the reader search bar, where my own… All the sads…
My favorite CGDCT series (that I saw in 2018) Demi-chan was a breath of fresh air and a surprisingly sensitive and measured take on some pretty big issues. I loved this show, and am hardly the only one! Seemingly the most popular show on this list…
Tecsielity is still looking forward to another season:
https://tecsielity.wordpress.com/2018/06/23/anime-review-interviews-with-monster-girls/
The show left a strong impression on Miandro
https://jmiandro.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/interviews-with-monster-girls-a-love-letter-to-teachers/
A Girl and Her Anime found it lovely and enjoyable despite some shortcomings
https://agirlandheranime.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/demi-chan-wa-kataritai-review/
Kapodaco used it as an illustrative example for a fascinating discussion on morality
https://kapodaco.blog/2018/08/31/wholesome-versus-profound-one-of-many-personal-predicaments/
Review Block had fun with it:
https://animeotakuview.wordpress.com/2018/08/09/review-demi-chan-wa-kataritiaanime/
Anime by chance explored Himari and Hikari’s absolutely beautiful relationship:
https://animebychance.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/demi-chan-wa-kataritai-the-tale-of-two-sisters/
Matt discussed it with himself and surprisingly, enjoyed a cute girl show for once
Gurren Lagann
Where have you been, I’ve been waiting for you. Rekindling my love of Mecha and Frantic, this series kept me warm as snow started to blanket the outside world!
Annieme gave this series a second try and found some things to like:
https://annieme.com/2018/09/10/gurren-lagann-episodes-1-27-review/
It’S Ty-Chama’s favourite Mecha show
https://watashiwabucho.wordpress.com/2018/08/31/30-days-of-anime-11-my-favourite-mecha-anime/
Anime Athena may have inadvertently convinced me to watch Darling and the Franxx
https://animeathena.com/2018/06/18/why-is-darling-in-the-franxx/
Ahoge girl also adored the series:
Jacob looked at the studio behind the piece
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Of course I did NOT watch this show in 2018. I watched it in 2017 and included it in last year’s post. However, I continue to love it just as much and since I’ve since discovered some new posts to share with you! Please enjoy!
https://mechanicalanimereviews.com/2018/10/22/natsume-week-natsumes-sense-of-pacifism/
https://arthifis.com/2018/10/26/6-things-natsume-taught-us-about-friendship-natsumes-week/
https://keikosanimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/giving-meaning-to-a-meeting-natsume-and-tsubame/
https://biblionyan.com/2018/10/27/natsume-yuujinchou-jpn-buddhism/
https://100wordanime.blog/2018/10/24/natsumes-book-of-friends-collab-thingy-on-feeling-alone/
https://blaztavern.wordpress.com/2018/09/01/forgiveness-and-natsume-yuujinchou/
https://100wordanime.blog/2018/10/04/natsumes-book-of-friends-volume-1-manga-review-magical/
https://ying.home.blog/2018/11/08/natsume-yujin-cho-the-movie-ephemeral-bond/
https://oocentral.ca/2018/07/14/natsume-yuujinchou-shi-season-4-this-time/
https://crushingonthemoon.wordpress.com/2018/06/23/the-natsume-project-4-shigure-and-the-girl/
https://crushingonthemoon.wordpress.com/2018/11/22/giving-thanks-to-an-anime-about-being-thankful/
https://bloomreviewsblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/26/waxing-philosophical-those-who-can-see-youkai/
https://otakulounge.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/10-more-female-directors/
I guess not too much Natsume this year….
There you go! If you won’t take my word for it, take the word of these fantastic bloggers. And if I missed your own review, tell me about it. I want to read it (again maybe)!
