It’s getting colder outside and most of us are stuck inside because of the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the related restrictions. Time to watch some (more) anime! So curl up with a blanket, and maybe even some hot chocolate, because here are our top ten anime recommendations for this winter.
We wish all of you good health, joyous holidays and hope you enjoy our picks!
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Kanashiki Debu Neko-chan (かなしきデブ猫ちゃん)
Kanashiki Debu Neko-chan (かなしきデブ猫ちゃん)Type: Anime
Studio: Cyclone Graphics
Genres: Slice of Life
Based on the ‘locale tale’ from Ehime prefecture
Starts airing: December
Number of episodes: Unknown
This story follows the cat Maru who is adopted by a girl named Anna from a shelter in Matsuyama city. Loved and well-fed by the family, Maru gets fatter by the day as he enjoys his time while sitting at the window and looking outside. The family gets another cat named Cerisier and starts doting on it, making Maru jealous. During a fight with Cerisier, Maru gets hurt by the things the family say to him and he decides to follow another cats advice and leaves to see the world.
Recommended by Hageshi:
I have a weak spot for sad stories about cats, so I have to see this. And in general, this story is about a cat. I really wonder how they will portray it.
Hakozume: Kouban Joshi no Gyakushuu (ハコヅメ～交番女子の逆襲～)
Hakozume: Kouban Joshi no Gyakushuu (ハコヅメ～交番女子の逆襲～)Type: Anime
Studio: Madhouse
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life, Seinen
Based on the eponymous manga by Miko Yasu
Starts airing: January 5th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
This anime is about a female police officer named Mai Kawai, who is strongly thinking about quitting her job after experiencing how tedious the work is most of the time and how stressful it can become to be in an unpopular position. She was about to resign when she meets the new training instructor of her police station, former ace of Criminal Investigations Divisions, Seiko Fuji. This meeting and working together with Seiko changes something in Mai, and she decides that maybe it’s not yet time to quit the police force already.
Recommended by Anvica:
I recommend this show because it has a nice renewing vibe to it. Two main characters that are on the opposite side of views starting to work together is not really a new trope but, it being about a police station with two women as the main characters have a nice ring to it. It’s a comedy and slice of life series oriented towards adults which seems to give off a comfortable feeling, so it is enjoyable for everyone.
Slow Loop (スローループ)
Slow Loop (スローループ)Type: Anime
Studio: Connect
Genres: Slice of Life, Sports
Based on the eponymous manga by Maiko Uchino
Starts airing: January 7th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Hiyori and Koharu meet by chance at sea, while fishing and cooking together Koharu discovers that Hiyori went fishing that day due to her feelings of hesitation about meeting her new family… But Koharu is also meeting her new family that same evening… is it a coincidence…?
Recommended by PHX:
Adapted from a manga of the same name that was released in 2018, this anime seems like it will provide a good number of feel-good vibes and humour, something that I think everyone could use right now. Two families coming together offers a lot of different challenges and emotions. How will they react? We’ll have to watch to find out…
Sasaki to Miyano (佐々木と宮野)
Sasaki to Miyano (佐々木と宮野)Type: Anime
Studio: Studio Deen
Genres: Boys Love, Slice of Life
Based on the eponymous manga by Shou Harusono
Starts airing: January 10th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Miyano, a boy worried about how girly his face looks, loves to spend his time reading Boys’ Love manga’s in peace. After a chance encounter between Miyano and his senior Sasaki, delinquent Sasaki becomes intrigued by Miyano and his feisty attitude and tries his best to get closer to him.
Recommended by Yuki:
This sounds like a good setting for a sweet love story, with some funny moments as well. Hopefully, it’ll be light-hearted and adorable to watch. If you love romance stories, I’m sure this’ll be one to watch.
Sabikui Bisco (錆喰いビスコ)
Type: Anime
Studio: OZ
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous manga by Shinji Cobkubo and Yuusuke Takahashi
Starts airing: January 11th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, thought to be caused by mushroom spores causing everything to rust. The story follows an archer named Bisco Akaboshi, a wanted criminal due to the fact his arrows cause mushrooms to grow whether they land. However, the truth behind Bisco’s actions is to revert the environment to its original state, as he searches for a legendary mushroom that is said to eat all forms of rust.
Recommended by AlexD:
As the world is still recovering from COVID-19, it feels like a weird form of escapism to watch a series set in a post-apocalyptic world not caused by a virus. Not only that, it has an aesthetic of a modern Nausicaa Valley of the Wind, with a distinct art style. A combination of action and mystery, it is sure to be a gripping series.
On Air Dekinai! (オンエアできない!)
On Air Dekinai! (オンエアできない!)Type: Anime
Studio: Space Neko Company, Jinnan Studio
Genres: Comedy
Based on the eponymous manga by Kana Mafune
Starts airing: January
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Mafuneko achieves his dreams of working as an assistant director for a tv company. Looking forward to the glamour of working behind the scenes of television, his dreams are crushed by the mundane and bizarre tasks he really has to do. Despite the setbacks, chaos and weirdos, Mafuneko is set on becoming a fully-fledged TV Producer.
Recommended by AlexD:
A fun show is all that we need right now. An interesting premise that probably happens to quite a lot of people who want to work in the TV business. It has a cute art style which will make it a fun casual watch over the Winter nights.
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Tsuioku-hen (魔法科高校の劣等生 追憶編)
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Tsuioku-hen (魔法科高校の劣等生 追憶編)Type: Anime
Studio: 8bit
Genres: Sci-Fi, Supernatural
Based on the eponymous light novel by Tsutomu Satou and Kana Ishida
Starts airing: December 31st
Number of Episodes: Unknown
During a trip to Okinawa 3 years ago, the lives and relationship of siblings Miyuki and her older brother Tatsuya are changed forever, danger bringing the two of them closer together than ever before. In a world where magic is commonplace, what danger could have invaded their peaceful vacation…?
Recommended by PHX:
Tsuioku-hen (Reminiscence Arc) is set between series 1 and 2 of Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei and reveals the events that made Miyuki and Tatsuya the people that everyone at the magic school knows today. These kinds of stories are often loaded with various emotions, but if it is done right then the story of these siblings coming together could both tug at your heartstrings and make you smile.
Dolls’ Frontline (ドールズフロントライン)
Dolls’ Frontline (ドールズフロントライン)Type: Anime
Studio: Asahi Production
Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Based on a mobile game
Starts airing: January
Number of episodes: Unknown
The story is set far in the future after the Third World War. Nations are destroyed by biological warfare and can no longer protect their own countries. Therefore they hire companies like Griffin & Kryuger who use TD’s (Tactical Dolls) to fight instead of humans of which most are dead. We follow Elite-Rain in a series of operations to try and regain the upper hand against Sangvis Ferri.
Recommended by Hageshi:
Dolls’ Frontline has a big background actually which made me curious about the anime itself. It started as a mobile game named Girls Frontline in China, which then grew out all over the world. In Japan, the game was released as Dolls’ Frontline due to copyright. It’s also a prequel to a different game and two other short anime about it were released. My interest is also sparked as I like to learn about guns and history and all the girls in the anime are personifications of the guns they are named after.
Orient (オリエント)
Orient (オリエント)Type: Anime
Studio: A.C.G.T.
Genres: Action, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous manga by Shinobu Ohtaka
Starts airing: January 6th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Two friends, Musashi and Kojirou, make a promise to become samurai and take on demon-slaying missions. Fast forward five years later, demons are now praised and worshipped by society whilst the samurai are shunned. Musashi carries on practising his swordsmanship in secret whilst working as a miner, whilst Kojirou gives up on the samurai dream. After Musashi has a near-death experience, Kojirou joins him on a journey as his feelings start to linger.
Recommended by AlexD:
Again, a twist from the start that piqued my interest. With demons being suddenly worshipped, already questions come to mind about whether the demons are good or bad. Between the friendship, fighting for a dream, and actual combat, it is a very typical shonen plot that I love. The manga is also serialized in the same publication that releases the popular Tokyo Revengers, the plot is sure to be of high quality.
Totsukuni no Shoujo OVA (とつくにの少女)
Totsukuni no Shoujo OVA (とつくにの少女)Type: OVA
Studio: Wit Studio
Genres: Supernatural
Based on the eponymous manga by Nagabe
Starts airing: March 10th
Number of episodes: 1
This OVA continues the 2019 OVA and is bundled with the special edition of the manga’s side story.
The story starts long ago with a god of light and a god of darkness. The god of light and his followers experience happiness and good fortune, while the god of darkness would steal people their joy and make their life miserable. The god of light decides on punishing him and turns him into a monster and the god of darkness is eventually banished to the Outside. Those from the Inside are not allowed to come in contact with those from the Outside or they will be cursed with a hideous form.
The little girl Shiva, an Insider is found by an Outsider who becomes her Sensei. They can’t touch, but Sensei cares a lot for Shiva and together they live a moderately happy life. It doesn’t take long, but Shiva gets in danger from both the Outside and the Inside.
Recommended by Hageshi:
It was just the art of the poster which made me want to see the anime. Something in the form of the Dark person attracted me, as well the simplicity of the art shown. The trailer made me a bit confused, but the art in there is also very unique in my opinion and doesn’t show much about the story, giving it a mysterious feeling.
Which serie(s) are you going to watch?
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