{"id":409208,"date":"2022-02-24T10:34:11","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T07:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2022\/"},"modified":"2022-02-24T10:34:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T07:34:11","slug":"staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"#Staff Picks for Anime of the Year 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;<strong>#Staff Picks for <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/anime-manga\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"6\" title=\"Anime || Manga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anime<\/a> of the Year 2022<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">In celebration of the upcoming 8th Anime Trending Awards ceremony, some of our staff members shared their favorite anime from 2021 and the moments that mattered to them most. These opinions do not reflect the outcome of the voting ballots and have no effect on the winners. The winners of the Anime Trending Awards are entirely decided by the public voting process.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Alexis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32264\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/alexis-mushoku-tensei\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=2560%2C1440&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mushoku Tensei\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Image Source: Official Mushoku Tensei Twitter&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32264 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32264\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/alexis-mushoku-tensei\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=2560%2C1440&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mushoku Tensei\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Image Source: Official Mushoku Tensei Twitter&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Alexis-Mushoku-Tensei.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mushokutensei_A\/media?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1459491240211148814%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crunchyroll.com%2Fanime-news%2F2021%2F11%2F13-1%2Fmushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation-tv-anime-gets-new-visual-depicting-dead-end\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mushokutensei_A\/media?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1459491240211148814%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crunchyroll.com%2Fanime-news%2F2021%2F11%2F13-1%2Fmushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation-tv-anime-gets-new-visual-depicting-dead-end\">Official Mushoku Tensei Twitter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a product of the isekai boom in the early 2010s, when today\u2019s tired tropes weren\u2019t yet tropes and when each isekai story was unique. Through its anime adaptation, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed the world what its vision was: that perhaps isekais weren\u2019t always meant to be self-insert power fantasies with a sea of girls and no repercussions for the protagonist\u2019s actions, but stories of self-betterment, discovery, and wonder.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rudeus Greyrat isn\u2019t a good person, and the story never justifies or excuses his actions. It only explains how he became a disturbing NEET who\u2019d given up on everything, and I <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>reciate that <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t sugarcoat it. The way Rudeus takes his second chance at life and strives to become better is commendable, even if, unfortunately, old messed up habits don\u2019t magically disappear, but neither do his fears. At the end of the day, he\u2019s human and, no matter how uncomfortable or even borderline criminal some of his actions are, Rudeus still goes on a journey of self-redemption and believing in people again that is nothing short of brilliant.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei\u2019s<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> world is equal parts breathtakingly beautiful and unfairly cruel. The audience experiences both alongside Rudeus as he overcomes his trauma and faults in this meticulously crafted setting that the staff and voice actors brought to life with superb art, vivid animation, and even the incorporation of imaginary foreign languages. The p<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">assion I felt behind the design of <\/span><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is at a level few other anime can compare to.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Crystal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horimiya<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32265\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/crystal-hiromiya\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=1463%2C828&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1463,828\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Crystal-Hiromiya\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=696%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"394\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32265 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=1024%2C580&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=696%2C394&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=1068%2C604&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=742%2C420&amp;ssl=1 742w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?w=1463&amp;ssl=1 1463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=696%2C394&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32265\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/crystal-hiromiya\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=1463%2C828&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1463,828\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Crystal-Hiromiya\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?fit=696%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=696%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=1024%2C580&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=300%2C170&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=768%2C435&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=696%2C394&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=1068%2C604&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?resize=742%2C420&amp;ssl=1 742w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?w=1463&amp;ssl=1 1463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Crystal-Hiromiya.jpg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/horimiya\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/horimiya\/\">Funimation<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horimiya <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isn\u2019t exactly a mind-blowing anime. It was never meant to be. But the couple\u2019s dynamics, the quality of the adaptation, and the art style captivated me. The anime artfully blends light-hearted friendship moments with puberty and relationships struggles to make the story of these high schoolers all too relatable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hori and Miyamura have a genuinely healthy relationship, and they actually communicate, enjoy mundane days, and don\u2019t shy away from intimate or serious topics. To top it off, they can even do things together <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hanging out with other friends too. Oh, have I mentioned how much I appreciate guys who don\u2019t mind playing with a tiny child? Because that does a lot for me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The adaptation was executed well enough that even when the anime rearranged the manga\u2019s scenes, the story made sense and had decent pacing. The anime may have a deceptively simple art style, but that simplicity highlights that these are normal high school kids. Sometimes, normal is all you need. And that\u2019s precisely what <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horimiya<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>James:<\/strong> <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ODDTAXI<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32266\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/james-oddtaxi\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=960%2C539&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,539\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"James-ODDTAXI\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32266 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=748%2C420&amp;ssl=1 748w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32266\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/james-oddtaxi\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=960%2C539&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,539\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"James-ODDTAXI\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?fit=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/James-ODDTAXI.png?resize=748%2C420&amp;ssl=1 748w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crunchyroll.com\/oddtaxi\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.crunchyroll.com\/oddtaxi\">Crunchyroll <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once more I bang the ancient drum. I will shoehorn it into every podcast episode. I will shout from the rooftops and wear the shirt like a flag on my body. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ODDTAXI <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the greatest anime of 2021. While there are certainly other good shows this past year, I cannot think of one that has so enamored me the way <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ODDTAXI <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has. The music, voice acting, and pacing create a deep sense of immersion that I haven\u2019t felt in a long time. Artists <strong>PUNPEE<\/strong>, <strong>VaVa<\/strong>, and <strong>OMSB<\/strong> have written a soundtrack every bit as diverse as the city at night evoking with total mastery the menace of the dark; the bustle of a restless downtown; and the loneliness that settles in when the rest of the world has gone to sleep. I was first drawn to the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a> by Riho Iida\u2019s soft-spoken but confident Shirakawa, and I stuck around for rapper METEOR\u2019s lyrical gangster Yano, who balances amusing quirkiness with ruthless, calculating professionalism. The story is a masterpiece of writing, with all the different plot threads tying themselves up in a neat little bow that turns <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oddtaxi<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into a beautifully wrapped mystery gift box for anyone curious enough to give it a try.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Lucas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32267\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/faux-mushoku-tensei\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=2558%2C1438&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2558,1438\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Faux-Mushoku-Tensei\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32267 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1536%2C863&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=2048%2C1151&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1068%2C600&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32267\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/faux-mushoku-tensei\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=2558%2C1438&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2558,1438\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Faux-Mushoku-Tensei\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1536%2C863&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=2048%2C1151&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=1068%2C600&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faux-Mushoku-Tensei.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/mushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation-p2\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/mushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation-p2\/\">Funimation<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a story about a regular guy, who was dealt a bad hand in his former life, being given a genuine second chance. Not only does he get sent to a world that lets him thrive more than modern-day Japan, but being reborn as Rudeus Greyrat gives him the opportunity to be raised by a loving family and undo the traumas that doomed his past life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">But that\u2019s not to say his new friends and family are perfect. His charismatic and loving father Paul Greyrat, for instance, has a bit of a womanizing problem. Despite his antics and thick-headed personality, he genuinely cares for Rudeus and uses his own life experience to raise his son the best he can. However, it\u2019s through the genuine affection of others that Rudeus is able to open up and give back to those around him. Every person who teaches Rudeus an important life lesson has their life enriched by Rudeus in return. His magic tutor Roxy helps him confront his anxiety, despite her own feelings of inadequacy. Through his sincere gratitude for her teachings and his ability to see the best in others, he is able to guide Roxy into acknowledging some of her own merit as a teacher and mage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The characters in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushoku Tensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially Rudeus, are flawed. But that doesn\u2019t stop them from lifting each other up and bringing something unique into each other\u2019s lives. I appreciate that the show doesn\u2019t just sterilize each character\u2019s negative traits until they\u2019re squeaky clean but instead fosters the growth needed for the characters to achieve a better version of themselves.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Melvyn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sonny Boy <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&amp; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Heike Story<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32268\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/melvyn-heike-story\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Melvyn-Heike-Story\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32268 jetpack-lazy-image\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32268\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/melvyn-heike-story\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Melvyn-Heike-Story\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=696%2C391&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32268\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Melvyn-Heike-Story.png?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/the-heike-story\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shows\/the-heike-story\/\">Funimation<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot in <\/span><b>Shingo Natsume<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s original creation that I enjoyed. I greatly appreciated the creativity imbued in the show, as seen through the unusual worlds it brings us to, abilities like Mizuho\u2019s Nyamazon cat delivery power, the episode about the twins who are actually the same person, or the mysterious character War. The character designs seem simple yet distinctive, and there are bursts of impressive animation. Meanwhile, the soundtrack is sparse but makes great use of catchy and surprisingly evocative rock tunes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, I also struggled with the show at times. While I wasn\u2019t expecting an anime about students lost in mysterious worlds to be simple, I did wish that the writing had been sanded down to make the experience less dense and obtuse, even if that denseness is admittedly part of the charm. It\u2019s really thanks to the final episode that I ultimately decided that<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sonny Boy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deserved its spot here. The bittersweet ending where Nagara finally finds the strength to push forward on his own hits hard, while the mid-episode interdimensional sprint with toe\u2019s \u201cSonny Boy Rhapsody\u201d in the background is nothing short of breathtaking. With that finale, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonny Boy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went from being a show I liked with caveats to an experience I loved.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I also want to give a shout-out to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Heike Story<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which was supposed to be the main focus of my entry until I realized I had a harder time writing about it than <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonny Boy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The <\/span><b>Naoko Yamada<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-helmed adaptation of<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Tale of the Heike <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depicts the Heian period through a striking painterly aesthetic, with dashes of camera-emulating effects and surreal sequences adding further visual flavor. There is also a lot of eye-catching shot composition, with episodes 1, 3, 9, and 10 being the standouts in my view. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that Episode 9 was storyboarded and directed by the director of, well, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eromanga Sensei<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The story suffers a bit from the scope of the historical Genpei War, which results in a lot of names to remember and some dry exposition. Thankfully, there\u2019s enough character focus to convey the tragedy of the Heike clan\u2019s downfall, of which protagonist Biwa can foresee with her special sight but cannot stop.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>William: <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aquatope On White Sand<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32269\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/william-aquatrope\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"William-Aquatrope\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32269 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=696%2C392&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32269\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/william-aquatrope\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"William-Aquatrope\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?fit=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=696%2C392&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=1068%2C601&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?resize=747%2C420&amp;ssl=1 747w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/William-Aquatrope.jpg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Image Source: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crunchyroll.com\/the-aquatope-on-white-sand\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.crunchyroll.com\/the-aquatope-on-white-sand\">Crunchyroll<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let me throw a curveball and tell you why <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aquatope on White Sand<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is my Anime of The Year. It\u2019s the perfect anime to watch in these crazy times and has had the most impact on myself. It\u2019s an engaging, grounded story that hits close to home for anyone trying to make it in life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquatope<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an exceptional slice-of-life drama that just gets better with every episode. It focuses on Kukuru and Fuuka \u2014 two young adults trying to advance their careers at an aquarium while balancing their relationships with friends and work colleagues. What I really love about this show is the way it shows its characters are not bound to accomplishing their original goals. Working hard to achieve a dream is a trope anime likes to focus on a lot. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquatope<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recognizes that that isn\u2019t always the case and sometimes your original life plans may need to be adjusted. Kukuru accepts the reality of her failed goals, pivots her focus, and adapts accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">You really get to know everyone in the cast and see how they evolve throughout the series. Moreover, your initial impressions of a character gradually change as their complex layers, personalities, and motivations are revealed. For example, there\u2019s one moment where Kukuru has to work with an abrasive co-worker who denigrates her for being an inexperienced kid who doesn\u2019t know how an aquarium works. The anime could\u2019ve easily made her the obvious villain, but gradually makes us care for her when she\u2019s revealed to be a single mom dealing with her own issues.\u00a0<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script>\n                (function(d, s, id) {\n          var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n          if (d.getElementById(id)) return;\n          js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n          js.src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9&appId=269442613521839\";\n          fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n        }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));\n        <\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more anime-manga articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/anime-manga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anime-manga category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/anitrendz.net\/news\/2022\/02\/23\/staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=staff-picks-for-anime-of-the-year-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Staff Picks for Anime of the Year 2022&#8221; In celebration of the upcoming 8th Anime Trending Awards ceremony, some of our staff members shared their favorite anime from 2021 and the moments that mattered to them most. These opinions do not reflect the outcome of the voting ballots and have no effect on the winners&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":409209,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/anitrendz.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Horimiya-Feature-Image.png?fit=636,357&ssl=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-409208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anime-manga"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=409208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409208\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/409209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=409208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=409208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=409208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}