Ranking the Last 10 Anime I've Watched

Since the last time I wrote a blog post ranking the anime I've watched, I've seriously slowed down on my anime binging. I really don't know why exactly, except that maybe I've just already watched most of the anime that I thought sounded interesting. I have finished 10 shows, started a few others, and rewatched some that I mentioned in my last list. So let's dive into the rankings!

10. Jujutsu Kaisen

This is probably controversial, since it was one of the most popular shows when it first came out. It's not the fault of the show that I ranked it so low. I just don't like action shonen, I guess. The animation was stunning, but I struggled to follow the plot. I found that there were several sudden shifts in tone that gave me whiplash. I couldn't make sense of the power system or how anyone's abilities worked. The character designs were great and, honestly, that's what made me want to watch in the first place. But great style is not enough to keep me interested in a show. I haven't seen the movie and I don't intend to watch any subsequent seasons.

9. Blue Period

I like art, so I thought I would relate to this show, which is about a high school student suddenly deciding to pursue an art career, but I really hated the main character and thought the pacing of the show was poor. I also felt like the show was full of old art cliches. I finished the first season of Blue Period feeling like the whole thing was kind of unsatisfying. I have no intention of watching if there are any further episodes made.

8. Tsurune

At this point, we're shifting from shows I really didn't enjoy to shows I did. Tsurune, a show about a high school archery club, was a little boring at times, but the animation was pretty and the character dynamics between the teammates were interesting. There were a few funny moments, but mostly the show was really sincere and heartfelt. I think there may be a second season in the works, but I felt like the first season had a very satisfying ending, so I'd be fine if it ended there. However, if they do make more episodes, I'll probably tune in.

7. Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie

This was a cute romance anime about a girl who's cool and suave and her clumsy boyfriend. At the beginning of the show, they're already dating, so there's no will they-won't they tension. Instead, we all get to enjoy their cute and wholesome dynamic. There is still development in their relationship, however, as they get closer. Their friends are enjoyable to watch as well. If they make a second season, I'll be on board to watch!

6. K-On

I've already talked at length about K-On on this blog and on my YouTube channel. This one is about a girls' high school music club. The show is somewhat boring, since most episodes don't have plotlines so much as scenarios. It has the feel of fluffy fanfiction where there's not really a story, but rather cute character interactions. The show is relaxing, though, and the characters are soooo cute. I'm not sure I'd rewatch it, but.I would like to track down and watch the movie.

5. Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan

This show is a real wild card. It's about a jaded children's television show host and his co-stars. It's full of dark humor and dry-wit. The juxtaposition of this cheerful preschooler's program with the depressed adults who star in it is a super clever concept. By the end of the show, I found myself really liking the characters, though, and caring about them and their issues, even if it's "just a comedy."

4. Great Pretender

I've already covered this show on my blog, but suffice it to say, I really enjoyed it. The show is about a group of "confidence men" who scam criminals as a means of vigilante justice, kind of like Robin Hood. The visual style of this show is one of the more unique on this list. The vibrant backgrounds were incredibly captivating. The characters were all very deep, multi-dimensional people that were easy to invest in. The dynamics between the members of the "team" also kept me coming back for more. The characters say they aren't friends, that they don't mean anything to each other, and that they're just there to do a job. But as the show progresses, we see how that simply isn't true. The plotlines are well-crafted and suspenseful as well. Of all the shows on this list, it probably has the least "anime" feel to it, probably because most of the story arcs take place outside of Japan. If they make additional seasons of this one, I'd be sure to tune in, but I doubt they will since the show had a very satisfying ending.

3. Komi Can't Communicate

I love this show because it is the perfect balance of romance and comedy. The characters in this show are incredibly memorable because so many of them are over-the-top and ridiculous. It's a show about an incredibly shy girl (Komi) whose wish it is to make 100 friends. Her first friend is Tadano, and he vows to help her accomplish this goal. Along the way, she falls in love with him, but obviously is too shy to do anything about it. It's really fun to watch her struggle through social interactions, but it's never that bad because her classmates all love her anyway. It's super funny, super light-hearted, and super bingeable. I cannot wait for a season 2.

2. My Dress-Up Darling

This show gets the distinction of being number 2 on my list because it's the only show here that actually made me want to read the manga. This show is about a reclusive guy named Gojo who wants to become a professional doll maker, like his grandfather. He meets a girl named Marin who is a major anime/manga/video game fan who enlists him to help her make cosplay. Gojo uses his skills in sewing to help her fulfill her dreams of becoming her favorite characters. The one thing I dislike about the show is how needlessly lewd it is, but the tension between the two main characters is so delicious, I really can't complain too much. On top of that, the animation is really nice, the character designs are pretty, and the budding romance between Gojo and Marin keeps me on the edge of my seat. I will say, however, that the manga moves way too slowly. I know there are plans for a season two of the show, but I don't know what that would look like considering how poorly the manga has been paced.

1. Spy x Family

It should surprise no on that this made it to the top of my list. While I haven't read (much of) the manga, this show is unique on this list in that it inspired me to write a fanfic. It was just a brief one shot, but still. If you somehow don't know, this show is about a spy, Loid, who needs to create a fake family in order to accomplish a mission. The woman he enlists to be his fake wife, Yor, is secretly an assassin, and their fake daughter, Anya, is, unbeknownst to them, a telepath. I enjoy this show for the humor, the irony, and the fact that me and my husband enjoy watching it together. This show will probably run for a long time, considering that the manga is ongoing and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight, at least according to those who are currently reading it. The show really has you rooting for Loid and Yor's fake marriage to become something more genuine, but even moreson, it has you rooting for Loid to decide to keep Anya even once the operation is over. I hope that we get that satisfying conclusion someday!

Since the last ranking came out, Mob Psycho Season III was released, and I watched that, of course. If I were to incorporate MP100 into this list, it would probably claim the number one spot. For me, MP100 is top tier when it comes to animation, character development, plot, and humor. Season III was a little weaker than the first two seasons, in my opinion, but the ending was still absolutely incredible and I really loved it.

I've also rewatched Haikyuu!!, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, and Death Note since I first ranked them, I stand by where I had them on my list. I still love Haikyuu!! and am always on the verge of rewatching the anime or re-reading the manga again. I was super disappointed to learn that we wouldn't be getting a proper season five, but rather two movies to end out the series. I'm in the middle of a Saiki K rewatch right now. I pop it on when there's nothing else to watch and it always brings a smile to my face. Also, I'm still knee deep in writing Saiki K fanfiction, so it's still clearly on my mind and in my imagination. I rewatched Death Note because I really wanted my husband to watch it with me. It was like pulling teeth to get him to agree. I don't think he really enjoyed it, but I was still captivated on my second watch.

I have two anime that I'm watching right now that I've not yet finished. Honestly, I'm not sure if I will finish them any time soon, but it's not because I haven't enjoyed them. One is called High School Babysitters, which is about a boy who more or less runs the babysitting club at his school. It's cute, but kind of boring. The other show I'm watching is a classic: Ouran High School Host Club. It's funny and cute, but a little juvenile for me sometimes. Still, I think I'll probably finish it, though I'm not in a rush since the show doesn't have a lot of continuity.

Let me know what you think of my rating! Based on my taste, what shows should I start?