When we look back on the last four release seasons, we have to say 2017 was a year filled with some of the oddest, yet most delightful, anime series we’ve ever had the pleasure of watching and reviewing. If you love anime, this might have been one of those years where each season had something for everyone. From witches to evil children, there was always something that we couldn’t help but love.
In no particular order, here is the best anime of 2017.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Poetic justice is served to a cruel man who inflicts pain on his fellow humans. God, or Being X as he is called, throws the man into a new life in a war-torn world. Reborn as Tanya, an orphan with incredible war genius and mana abilities, she uses her prowess to grow into one of the most feared leaders in this world with only one goal in mind: beating Being X.
Miss Koboyashi’s Dragon Maid
A dragon named Toru feels indebted to a young woman who tended to her wounds one drunken night. Now Toru is Miss Koboyashi’s maid, which may sound like fun, but proves to have its difficulties. Toru learns more and more about the human world through her love of Koboyashi and Koboyashi learns how to live a life worth loving.
Izetta the Last Witch
Set in a second-world version of World War II, a young princess must make the right choices in order to protect her people. Her dear friend, Izetta, just so happens to be the last of her kind; a witch. Together, the two take on an army of invaders while also finding their love for each other.
The Ancient Magus Bride
A Sleigh Beggy is a powerful human who holds great significance in the world of magic. Ever since being cursed with the ability to see the world of magic, and the horrific creatures that often reside, Chise Hatori has given up on life and plans to sell herself in hopes of finding a somewhat decent life. Elias, a fairy, saves her and, in turn, decides to give her both a family and train her in the ways of her magic. A magical adventure of love, learning, and growth.
Gamers!
I think we can all relate to this one, it’s all about gamers who just want to play the game for fun. No rigorous competition, no need for insane training, just a person and their favorite game. Keita Amano, our rather average main character, brings us back to that love of just wanting to play video games. Well, and getting chased by the most popular girl in school.
Hell Girl Fourth Twilight
Hell Girl is back and more fierce than ever with those of the living realm. She and her faithful team have new investigations to discover and new bonds to make. Offering her traditional red thread to those who call upon her, she makes deals to those in need in return for their immortal soul in hell.
Tsuredure Children
Short animes are becoming more and more popular amongst viewers. Many of them fail to encompass a full storyline into such little amounts of time, but not Tsuredure Children. These short episodes are filled with some of the most awkward, albeit adorable, couples you’ve ever seen in anime. If you want a small feels trip, here you go!
BLEND-S
The most recent in a line of adorable anime, BLEND-S is all about your kinks. Maika Sakuranomiya is a young high school girl cursed with a terrible glare that frightens most people she meets. This also leads to multiple dead ends in her job hunt until the foreign manager of a cafe called Stile falls in love with that sadistic glare. The cafe banks on girls with certain personalities, such as a little sister or tsundere characters, so Maika finds ways to utilize her “scary face” for work while also creating close friendships with those she works with.
Konohana Kitan
We all love neko-girls but have you seen a fox girl? Konohana Kitan has you covered as audiences follow the cute and clumsy Yuzu, a girl from a small village who has always wanted to work at the hotel Konohanatei. I know what you’re thinking. This is probably one of those sugary-sweet anime that never go anywhere and you can probably skip it… Right? Wrong. Each episode, especially as you go deeper into the season, gives out feels like hotcakes.
Kino’s Journey – the Beautiful World
This new adaptation of Kino’s Journey is something you can’t go wrong with. This anime is known for its plot twists and intriguing storyline, which is something I can’t recommend enough. Join the always-moving traveler Kino and her talking motorcycle, Hermes, as they go to countless countries and learn various things. I mean, there’s a talking motorcycle, what could go wrong?
Recovery of an MMO Junkie
This anime encompasses every gamer’s dream: romance through an MMO. I mean, we’ve all wished that at some point, right? Moriko Morioka is miserable with her day job and decides it’s time to quit in order to engage the ultimate NEET life. She finds joy in her new MMO, Fruits de Mer, and even makes a new friend right away, a healer named Lily. Playing as a male online to hide her real-life identity, Morika delves deeper into finding out more about her partner, Lily.
What was your favorite anime this year? Did yours make it on the list? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think! Let’s hope 2018 has just as much for us otakus out there!
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