By Borealis Capps
With only so much time to watch anime, these are the must-watch shows from Winter 2022.
Winter seasons for anime are usually a bit slower than most but this wasn't the case in 2022. Several major shows aired continuations of their stories this year and some series that are likely to become iconic staples also premiered.
Related: Underrated Anime Of The Winter 2022 Season You Should Check Out
Even with so many great choices to watch, a few rose to the top as obvious favorites among anime fans. Those with limited time to check out shows only want to see the best of the best. Anyone in that boat should be sure to make these anime their top priority!
10 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 2
Described by many as a guilty pleasure anime, Arifureta is an isekai action adventure with a huge cast that forms a harem around its central character. With Hajime being borderline overpowered and able to take down basically any opponent, it's an escapist fantasy that has been quite popular among anime fans. With the general production issues and bad CG no longer an issue from its previous season, Arifureta has been able to become far more popular in current times.
9 Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2
The utterly mind-blowing production values of Attack on Titan have kept fans drawn in since the very beginning. However, it's impossible to ignore how the series is stretching out as far as popular in a matter similar to the Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games movies series to try and milk the franchise for every last dime it can. Including the still heated debate over whether the series creator Hajime Isayama wrote a story to support nationalist ideals and it's hard to fully recommend the series to those who haven't already watched all of its previous seasons.
It's still impossible to deny that the final season's premiere literally crashed Crunchyroll, showing just how popular Attack on Titan has become.
8 Akebi's Sailor Uniform
CloverWorks created an incredibly popular slice of life anime for Winter 2022. It's an incredibly wholesome look at Akebi and her love of sailor uniforms and how she wants to get into her mother's alma mater where they were part of the uniform.
Related: The Best Shoujo Anime Of 2021, Ranked
Despite its popularity, it's impossible to ignore the problematic issues with the show. There are several fetishistic shots of middle schoolers that are animated in incredible detail to the point that the show's initial episodes went viral online raising the eyebrows of anime fans everywhere. Still, for those who can get past the weird choices in animation, a strong story is contained within Akebi's Sailor Uniform.
7 Slow Loop
Often iyashikei — soul healing anime — are unfortunately overlooked by many when they come out. Slow Loop falls into this category and it is the perfect show to put on and watch for those who need to recharge and feel happy and warm inside for a while. Fishing, particularly fly fishing, is a uniquely specific premise for a show and watching several girls go out to catch and cook up various fish is particularly wholesome.
6 The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt
The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt has a particularly unique premise for a fantasy anime. Instead of a prince trying to heroically lead his nation, he's trying to sabotage things as much as possible so he can sell out and try to live a life somewhere else in luxury. It has some excellent comedic moments as the prince tries his best but utterly fails every time to bring his own nation to the ground and instead makes it better every single time.
5 Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout
This is likely the queerest anime to come out in Winter 2022 and many fans have noted how it has a lot of themes that would resonate quite a bit with trans viewers. What happens when two best friends are transported to another world to save the day but one of them is turned into an absolutely perfect woman? Then what happens when that newly found woman finally notices why her friend has always been a hit with the ladies? The two are forced to try to save the world while trying to figure out their emotions for each other.
4 The Case Study of Vanitas: Part 2
The Case Study of Vanitas is one of the more interesting vampire anime to come out in some time with how it alters general vampiric lore. Its first season was a major hit in Summer 2021 — an incredibly stacked season in terms of shows — so it comes as no surprise that many came back to continue the story.
Related: Most Powerful Vampires In Anime, Ranked
Vampires born under a blue moon, the mysterious Book of Vanitas, and the ability to rewrite the code of the universe itself are all wrapped up within the politics and intrigue of vampire society. Add in the fact that vampire hunters still exist due to a major war between them and humans in the past and it's no surprise that the show has enamored many.
3 Sabikui Bisco
The words "mushroom terrorism" are weird to see together, but it's a major part of Sabikui Bisco. In a world where mushrooms are literally illegal as they are falsely presumed to be causing a serious illness that kills many, a doctor named Milo runs into the most wanted man in the area, Bisco Akaboshi. The two end up going on a mission together to try and find a legendary mushroom that might be able to create a cure and save everyone. The journey is filled with massive monsters, a giant crab to ride on, and a lovely bit of comedy along the way that unsurprisingly became extremely popular with anime fans this season.
2 My Dress Up Darling
It's honestly a bit amazing that an anime focused on cosplay didn't take off before now. My Dress Up Darling became a massive hit in Winter 2022 with its wholesome romance between hina doll maker Wakana and the cosplay obsessed Marin has warmed the hearts of everyone who has seen it. Its cast and characters are impossible to not fall in love with and seeing all of the amazing costumes Wakana manages to create and just how happy they make Marin will melt even those with the iciest exteriors.
1 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Demon Slayer has undeniably become one of the best shonen anime of a generation. A film based on the series is currently the highest-grossing anime movie of all time, a testament to its massive popularity. The story of the Demon Slayer Corps is one worth watching immediately for anyone that hasn't yet given the show a shot. Seriously, the story is one worth not having spoiled and the animation contained in Demon Slayer is in a league of its own.
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