The Best and Worst of Anime 2022

Once again we have finished another year in anime. Plenty of amazing shows, plenty of shows that were good, and other shows that weren’t. I’ve hummed and hawed over my list, and finally come to my decision regarding what I think is the best and worst of the year. Have things changes since my last halftime look? Well sit down, relax and let’s find out right after the cut!

Best and Worst of the Year

Anime of Year: Cyberpunk Edgerunners

When looking at the top award this year, my main focus was ‘consistency’. By that I mean what anime was the most solid throughout. One that suffered no real drop in storytelling quality. There were many to consider, many of whom will no doubt be the top of the ‘real’ lists. Yet, I value objectivity so strongly on my blog, and in the end, this was the choice that made the most sense. Cyberpunk Edgerunners was the most consistent anime this year, with a great world, a tightly told story, wonderful art and animation, and characters that stayed with you from beginning to end. It makes me care unlike Chainsaw Man, doesn’t lose momentum like SpyxFamily, and doesn’t shove the important stuff at the end like Kaguya-Sama or Demon Slayer. And while it probably could have used one more episode, the level of care, polish and consistency that Trigger (a studio I am indifferent to) shows here is leagues above even its source material. It is my anime of the year and one that it fully deserves.

Runner-Up: Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

Bleach may have been the bronze medal of the Shonen big-3, and suffered the most from its age of anime adaptations. But holy FUCK is it just so damn cool. And the creators of this final chapter seemed to have zeroed in on what makes Bleach rock so much and given viewers only that. Benefitting from a new attitude towards adapating shonen shows, a tight pacing, fantastic animation and it’s amazing supporting cast. Bleach has returned to the spotlight with self-confidence and a strength I only wish it had in the old days. This is shonen done right and man oh man, is it good to have Bleach back.

Ecchi Anime of the Year: My Dress-Up Darling

It’s not raunchy, but Dress-Up Darling is damn sexy and helped greatly by its wonderful female lead and honest to goodness respect shown to its subject matter and characters. Great animation is a welcome bonus as well and helps catapult the series to a true ecchi classic. Even looking back over two seasons later, this was a solid ecchi-like show that ticked all the right boxes.

Runner Up: World’s End Harem

World’s End Harem knows what it is, and attempts to tie what could be a sloppy indulgent premise with some above average storytelling and character work. It’s nothing special, nothing amazing, but it brings the boobs, the butts and is able to string it together with a story that doesn’t make you roll your eyes. Not bad for an ecchi, not bad at all.

Dewbond’s Recommendation: The Eminence in Shadow

I started this last year as I way to indulge my own tastes without having it affect my objective choice for the other awards. With that said, The Eminence in Shadow is a show I cannot recommend enough, and something I have loved as much as High School DxD and the YU-NO visual novel. It ticks all my boxes, tickles all my fancies and man it’s just a riot to watch. With cute girls, a hilarious premise that the show fully commits and some meme worthy lines. Eminence in Shadow is my personal favorite of the year and I one I suggest everyone start watching.

Most Disappointing Anime: The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2

Even half a year later, my thoughts haven’t changed. Shield Hero Season two just sucks. Blame Jobless Reincarnation for wholly supplanting this show. What is on tap is not horrible, but it is a show that is incapable of getting back what made it so great the first time around. Partly bad pacing, and partly other better shows. Shield Hero was a shame this time around, but who knows what happens next.

You Should be Watching

Date A Live IV

Chainsaw Man

 Kaguya-Sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic

SpyxFamily

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Entertainment District Arc

Lycoris Recoil

Love After World Domination

Best Openings and Endings

Best Opening Theme

KICK BACK by Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man)

Runner Up

Souvenir by BUMP OF CHICKEN (SpyxFamily)

Best Ending Theme

S.O.S by sweet ARMS (Date A Live IV) & Saihate by SennaRin (Bleach TYBW)

Runner Up

Let You Down by Dawid Podsadlo (Cyberpunk Edgerunners)

Honorable Mention

We Are – Episode 1000 by Hiroshi Kitadani (One Piece)

Best and Worst Characters

The Raphtalia Award for Best Girl

Marin Kitagawa (My Dress-Up Darling)

Runners Up

Power (Chainsaw Man)

Anya Forger (SpyxFamily)

Delta (The Eminence in Shadow)

Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-Sama: Love is War: Ultra Romantic)

The Issei Hyoudou Award for Best Boy

Lloyd Forger (SpyxFamily)

The *Chainsaw Man SPOILER* Award for Worst Girl

Ost Horai (The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2)

The Eren Yeager Award for Worst Boy

Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2)

The Takuya Arima Award for Boy with the Most Game

Cid Kagenou (The Eminence in Shadow)

Best Couple

Gojo and Marin (My Dress up Darling)

Best Body

Marin Kitagawa (My Dress-Up Darling)

Best Boobs

Beta (The Eminence in Shadow)

Best Booty

Desumi Magahara (Love After World Domination)

Best Thighs

Chisato (Lycoris Recoil)

Anime Moments of 2022

Eren begins the Rumbling (Attack on Titan)

I am Atomic (The Eminence in Shadow)

The Battle Against Upper Moon 6 (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Entertainment District Arc)

Yamamoto’s Bankai (Bleach TYBW)

The Confession (Kaguya-Sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic)

Anya Apologies to Damian (SpyxFamily)

Nightfall’s True Feelings (SpyxFamily)

Alexia wants to wear a Thong (The Eminence in Shadow)

Denji wants to Cop a Feel (Chainsaw Man)