My anime series list

This is a list of anime series that I like. Anime movies (like those by Miyazaki Hayao and Shinkai Makoto) will not be in this list though movies related to anime series may be mentioned if they form part of the overall series. My favorite anime series of all time will be in the top spot; everything after that will not be in any particular order.

Violet Evergarden ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン

A story about a person learning about one's own emotions through the emotions of others. Violet is the protagonist yet she is also the observer. It is a series of touching stories about the relationships between people. It is also a story about self-discovery and emotional development.

This anime series is in the top spot because it made me cry. Again and again. Most anime series spend like 10 episodes to work up the story before drawing a tear. Violet Evergarden sets the stage in about 3 episodes, after which subsequent episodes are able to build on that foundation to make a person cry within an episode. It tells a lot about how well the entire series is composed, from the writing (story) to the animation and sound. 😭😭😭😭

Your Life in April 四月は君の嘘

A heartwarming story with a nice sound track and a story of growth. The final letter from Kaori to Kousei... 😭

Tsuki ga Kirei 月がきれい

A heartwarming story where the heroine does not die; in fact, this is a story with a happy ending. I really love that warm and fuzzy feeling it conveys about love conquering all. 😍

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。

A story by Okada Mari that I find very touching. The final scene brings a lot of tears.

K-On! けいおん!

This refers to the whole series (seasons 1 and 2 plus the movie) that portrays the light music club's high school years. It is about young people struggling with their everyday issues and that is what really draws me.

Sound! Euphonium 響け! ユーフォニアム

This refers to the whole series (seasons 1 and 2 plus related movies, minus Liz and the Blue Bird) concerning Oumae Kumiko's life in the marching band at high school. "I want to improve" is what really resonates with me.

Liz and the Blue Bird (リズと青い鳥)

The movie is a side story of the Sound! Euphonium series, featuring Yoroizuka Mizore (oboe) and Kasaki Nozomi (flute) as the main characters, using the "fairy tale" of "Liz and the Blue Bird" to portray their relationship.

Tsurune ツルネ -風舞高校弓道部-

I actually like this series for how it teaches things about kyudo, which I found really informative.

Ascendance of a Bookworm 本好きの下剋上 ～司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません～

The first season's portrayal of Myne as she uses her knowledge of our modern world to improve life in this other world drew my attention.

O Maidens in Your Savage Season 荒ぶる季節の乙女どもよ。

Another Okada Mari work that gives a nice slice-of-life portrayal about the struggles of teenagers as they try to cope with mental, emotional, and physical changes.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War かぐや様は告らせたい ～天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦～

I find the story to be very witty. A good laugh with small touching moments.

A Place Further than the Universe 宇宙よりも遠い場所

High school girls going to Antarctica. It is precisely this far-fetched goal that draws me. If one can look beyond the moe part, this is a story about doing one's best toward a lofty and seemingly impossible goal.

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid 小林さんちのメイドラゴン

It may look like a funny series, but it accurately portrays the challenges people have at work, and finding a family.

Wandering Son 放浪息子

The anime series is just a portion of the original manga, but it still accurately portrays the struggles that transgender people have with fitting in and gaining acceptance. A girl dresses as a boy and people thinks it is cool. A boy dresses as a girl and people laugh.

The Pet Girl of Sakurasou さくら荘のペットな彼女

The struggle of being average can be overwhelming if you have geniuses near you. It was nice to have a story that tells me I need to keep trying.

Fate/Zero フェイト/ゼロ

I like how the story talks about different ways of being kings, which I see as different leadership styles. And the strong female character Saber whose character has been developed quite well.

Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online ソードアート・オンライン オルタナティブ ガンゲイル・オンライン

A tall girl trying to fit in... this really resonated with me. The action scenes were also nicely done.

Tsurezure Children 徒然チルドレン

This is really a heartwarming series to see how people deal with growing up and finding first love. Even though the series can seem a bit disjointed at times jumping from couple to couple, it can bring tears of joy.

After the Rain 恋は雨上がりのように

Based on a high school girl falling in love with a man in his 40s, this adaptation turned a touchy (problematic?) theme into a touching story about finding purpose. Being set in Yokohama adds a nice "homely" feel too.

Barakamon ばらかもん

There is no way I can miss out on an anime series about calligraphy, being someone who practises calligraphy. In fact, this series gave me some thoughts about finding my own calligraphy style.

Girls' Last Tour 少女終末旅行

With the cute character design, this may look like a moe series, but is actually deeply profound at the philosophical level, touching on the meaning of life and what it means to be alive.

Latest update: 4 August 2020