Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Happy new year to everyone out there. 2020 was a rough year for everyone including the anime industry. With delays and setbacks caused by the pandemic the anime industry seemed to be in an uphill battle all year just like the rest of us. However, they seemed to be ready to turn it around with their winter line-up and boy what a line-up it is. Despite the problems of 2020 the anime industry did deliver us some solid anime to watch throughout the year and I’m here to give my picks on which ones I thought were the best. It’s your boy, Nitsuj, and these are the top 11 animes of 2020. Also, quick spoiler, Attack on Titan: Final Season will not be on the list. Why? For two reasons. First off, at the making of this list only four episodes have aired and in order to make this list the anime must either be completed or at least 11 or 12 episodes must have aired. Second, this anime is a winter 2021 anime. While the anime may have started in December it still counts as a winter 2021 anime and thus will be up for nomination next year. Alright, let’s get started.
#11. Interspecies Reviewers
One of the most controversial animes of 2020 given its subject matter and episodes that almost cross over into hentai territory. Still, there’s no denying that this series delivered on the laughs and fanservice. I did enjoy hearing about everyone’s experiences in the brothels and how each was different from the other. It provided good insight into what the characters value in the opposite sex and probably shine a light on our experience if these mythical creatures did exist. It’s not a masterpiece, but it was a fun watch. And speaking of fun.
#10. Appare-Ranman
One of the more clever and original ideas to come out in recent years. Appare-Ranman is just one of those series that’s just a fun watch. While the series could have easily been 24 episodes, the 12-episode series never wastes a moment in an episode. They make sure each minute counts as every episode is littered with funny moments, fun scenes, and good interaction from this cast of interesting characters along with an exciting race. The series truly was the Wackey Races of anime.
#9. Golden Kamuy S3
After a year long wait, Golden Kamuy returned to continue its story and it was well worth the wait. We find ourselves leaving Hokkaido and heading to one of the islands off its coast to chase after Asirpa and the others. The anime delivers once again on the laughs, having a great story, and just awesome characters to be around while also giving us some good action scenes. It also got me in the feels as I was happy to see Sugimoto and Asirpa reunite with each other as these two are just a great team and seeing them apart from each other just hurt my heart. I also did enjoy learning more about the different native Japanese and the different customs they all had as well as diving more into the relationship between Japan and Russia after the war (it actually made me watch a documentary about it on Youtube). Just like the previous seasons this season was good and I look forward to seeing what happens next for the group in season 4.
#8. Fire Force S2
Fire Force came back last year where a lot of the issues people had with the first season were fixed here. First off, Tamaki isn’t undressing every time she’s on screen and actually gets a few moments to shine in the anime. Second, they do a good job making the Evangelists come across as a legit threat this season as they managed to beat our heroes a few times. Third, they do a good job with the world building here as we get to visit other countries, get more insight into Hajime, learn more about the pillars and even establish a good mystery around the Church of Sol on whether or not the religion should be followed or not. The old characters are still good with some even getting good backstories and character development this season and new characters were a welcomed addition to the series (except for one pink-haired bitch who seriously needs to be punched). This season was definitely an improvement over the first season and I look forward to seeing what happens in the third season.
#7. Great Pretender
Imagine what would happen if you took Payday 2, Lupin the Third and the Ocean 11 movies and fused them together. Chances are high you will get the Great Pretender an anime version of heist stories done right. The anime does a good job covering 4 arcs with each one focusing on one of our main characters and helping us better understand who they are, what they went through in the past, and why they’re the person they are today. The animation was amazing in this series. Wit Studios really went all out here in making this world come alive with its colors and character designs. While some things in the anime can be predictable (it’s the norm of heist movies) you can’t deny that the anime had you invested in the story and wanting to know what was going to happen next. With Wit Studios moving away from Attack on Titan I’m all for them making this their new big series.
#6. Kaguya-sama: Love is War S2
Kaguya-sama also made a return last year where it didn’t disappoint. This season did a good job focusing on the side characters as well as new characters while advancing the relationship between Kaguya and Miyuki as the two are seemingly getting closer to confessing to one another. Hell, there were actually a few moments where I felt that one of them was going to get discovered. The season also kept the laughs coming. In fact, I think this season was funnier than the first season. While I admit I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see a lot more non-battle battles between Kaguya and Miyuki this season as we did the last season I’m okay with that as the season delivered everywhere else. A third season has already been greenlighted and I have a feeling that someone is going to confess.
#5. God of High School
One of the major shifts in the anime industry last year was a focus on manhwas particularly Webtoons from South Korea. God of High School is considered one of the big 3 manhwas out there thanks to its amazing fight scenes and fighters having hidden powers inspired by Asian mythology. While the anime may have taken a few liberties and changed up the story and scenes from the source material, the anime managed to deliver on the fight scenes with beautiful and fast paced animation that brought the series to life and matching up different fighting styles with each other. And let’s be honest, that’s one of the main reasons why you tuned into this anime (everything else was just seasoning). With the way the anime ended, you have to believe a second season is in works. Perhaps it’ll be out later this year if not next year.
#4. Re:Zero S2
One of the most anticipated animes of the year came back and it just keeps getting darker and darker. Once again Subaru finds himself faced with another challenge where those he cares about are in danger and he really hasn’t found an answer to save them at all. If anything, he becomes more lost with each walkthrough as something new is discovered and Subaru’s deaths are even more brutal and vicious then in the first season. Some good highlights in the season are Subaru talking to his parents again and making peace with them, Emilia breaking mentally in some walkthroughs, Roswaal having his own little dark secrets and manipulating everyone from the shadows to achieve his goals, and the brutal death of Subaru at the hands of the Great Rabbit. Easily the best highlight of the season was getting to see all of the witches, seeing how messed up each one is, and realizing that none of them can truly be trusted. The first part of the season may have ended on a cliffhanger, but the second part has started airing and I’m curious to see what Subaru will need to do in order to reach a good ending which at this point seems impossible as there’s just so much going on.
#3. The King’s Avatar S2
After a few years of delays, The King’s Avatar has finally returned. Players in the game have finally caught on to Ye’s identity and he has been using this to plan out his moves accordingly to announce his big return. We see Ye level up and move on to the next area of the game as well as see the formation of Team Happy begin. Once again the animation is just spectacular here and the fight scenes are so well done and fun to watch. This season also seems to show a more human side to Ye as he continues to move forward to his grand return and you can’t help but feel sad to see how he helped build up this great dynasty only for it to fall so low after his departure. Great season and here’s hoping the third season won’t be delayed for so long.
#2. Tower of God
Hands the best manhwa anime from 2020 and the first manhwa to start the movement. Often called the One Piece of manhwas and for good reason as this series delivers by taking us on a grand adventure in this huge tower filled with an assortment of different characters with different backgrounds and stories to them. Each episode was a visual treat and presented something new and interesting that helped elevate the series even more and had you wanting to know what was going to happen next. While it may not have been as action-oriented as God of High School it makes up for it by telling an excellent story that’s filled with twists and betrayals as our characters advance up the tower and keeping us on the edge of our seats. Next season now please.
Honorable Mentions
Before naming the number one anime of 2020, here are a few honorable mentions: Toilet Bound Hanako-kun, Darwin’s Game, Seton Academy, Isekai Quartet S2, My Next Life as a Villaness, Food Wars: Final Season, Digimon (2020), Arte, Aggretsuko S3, By the Grace of the Gods, Is the Order a Rabbit S3, Danmachi S3, Higurashi (2020), I’m Standing on 1,000,000 Lives, The Journey of Elaina, Dorohedoro, Bofuri, ID: Invaded, Hypnosis Mic, Uzuki-san Wants to Hang Out, Deca-Dence, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, SAO: Alicization S3, and Monster Girl Doctor
And number one. . .
#1. Jujustu Kaisan
I am convinced that at this point, MAPPA is taking the piss. They are just on a roll when it comes to producing high quality anime and Jujustu Kaisan is a prime example of that. One of Shonen Jump’s rising manga series was given the royal treatment and became a hit anime with fantastic animation, great characters, and an excellent story to go along with it. Trying to find a flaw in this series is very difficult as each episode has been great to watch. On top of that it has one of the best openings and endings I’ve heard in a while. With the season only halfway done and the best yet to come according to fans, Jujustu Kaisan has truly earned its spot as the best anime of 2020.
And that’s my list. Let me know what your favorite anime of 2020 was. It wasn’t the best year, but it definitely gave us some good anime to watch. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.
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