Feels like it was just yesterday when I was writing the Top Fall 2017 anime recommendations list. Time really passes too fast, and I can’t believe that it’s already time for the next season to begin! While we find that this season is filled with anime from mostly the fantasy genre and might seem a bit dull, there are actually some pretty good anime in the list. So here are the anime of varying genres that you should definitely put in your to-watch list this Winter 2018 (in no particular order!)
1. Violet Evergarden
‘There are words Violet heard on the battlefield, which she cannot forget, given to her by someone she holds dear, more than anyone else. She does not yet know their meaning. A certain point in time, in the continent of Telesis, the great war which divided the continent into North and South has ended after four years, and the people are welcoming a new generation.
Violet Evergarden, a young girl formerly known as “the weapon,” has left the battlefield to start a new life at CH Postal Service. There, she is deeply moved by the work of “Auto Memories Dolls,” who carry people’s thoughts and convert them into words. Violet begins her journey as an Auto Memories Doll, and comes face to face with various people’s emotions and differing shapes of love. All the while searching for the meaning of those words.’ (Source: Anime Expo)
Adapted from a light novel, anime fans were left breathless and awed by the extremely gorgeous, detailed animation of Violet Evergarden’s PV. Can you believe that the first 6 seconds of the trailer took the animator ONE MONTH to complete? That’s a whole lot of dedication right there. Everything from the beautiful animation to the soundtrack, looks and sounds amazing, and this is definitely one of the most anticipated anime of the season.
2. Junji Itou: Collection
‘A collection of animated horror stories based on the works of Japanese artist Junji Ito.’
Famed for freaky works like Tomie and Uzumaki, Junji Itou’s creepy manga stylings will be coming to life as an anime this Winter 2018. The anime will be adapting stories from both the 11-volume Itō Junji Kessaku-shū (Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection) series and the ‘Fragments of Horror’ book, though we’re unsure of exactly which stories will be adapted yet. If you’re a horror lover, this is definitely the right anime for you!
P.S. If you enjoy reading manga more and are interested in reading some of Junji Itou’s works, check out our recommendations here!
3. Citrus
‘Fashionable Yuzu imagined the first day at her new school she transferred to after her mother’s remarriage a bit differently; she didn’t know it’d be an ultra-strict and conservative girls’ school. So instead of a sweet high-school romance, she butts heads with the stern student council president Mei—who turns out to be her new stepsister. And she has to learn that hate and attraction are often not that far apart.’ (Source: Yuri Project)
Always wanted to watch a shoujo ai anime? Well, here’s your chance! Known for its great character development, amazing art, and brilliant execution, the manga received plenty of rave reviews. Let’s just hope that the anime adaptation will be able to live up to the fans’ expectations…
4. Darling in the FranXX
‘Set in the distant future, the land is ruined, and humanity establishes the mobile fort city Plantation. Pilots produced inside Plantation live in Mistilteinn, also know as the “birdcage.” Children live there knowing nothing of the outside world or the freedom of the sky. Their lives consist of battling to carry out missions. Their enemies are mysterious giant lifeforms known as Kyōryū, and the children pilot robots called Franxx to face off against them. For the children, riding the Franxx proves their existence.
A boy named Hiro is called Code:016, and he was once known as a prodigy. However, he has fallen behind, and his existence seems unnecessary. Not piloting a Franxx is the same as ceasing to exist. One day, a mysterious girl known as “Zero Two” appears before him, with two horns growing out of her head…’ (Source: ANN)
With hits such as Kill La Kill and Little Witch Academia under its belt, Studio TRIGGER is back once more with Darling in the FranXX! Studio TRIGGER has always been known to take ‘creative risks’ and we can’t wait to see how this collaboration between Studio TRIGGER and Studio A-1 Pictures will turn out. This is definitely an anime that you should try once it’s out!
P.S. We had the chance to interview Studio TRIGGER at Visual Arts Expo 2017. Check it out here!
5. Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku
’29-year-old programmer Suzuki Ichirou finds himself transported into a fantasy RPG. Within the game, he’s a 15-year-old named Satou. At first he thinks he’s dreaming, but his experiences seem very real. Due to a powerful ability he possesses with limited use, he ends up wiping out an army of lizard men and becomes a high leveled adventurer. Satou decides to hide his level, and plans to live peacefully and meet new people. However, developments in the game’s story, such as the return of a demon king, may cause a nuisance to Satou’s plans.’ (Source: MangaHelpers)
You might say that you’re already bored of the ‘virtual reality games’ trope where dying in the video game = dying in real life, but we all know that Japan will never be truly done with it. Based off a popular light novel, this series has been garnering attention even though it hasn’t been released yet. Thus far, the PV seems a bit generic but let’s see how it goes…
Special Mention: Gakuen Babysitters
‘After their parents are killed in a plane crash, Ryuuichi and his younger brother Kotarou are taken in by the chairman, who they never met before, of an elite academy. Ryuuichi becomes the school daycare’s new babysitter.’ (Source: MU)
Being a personal favourite of mine, I was ecstatic when I heard that the Gakuen Babysitters manga was to be adapted into an anime. With its adorable characters and heartwarming story, the manga has always made me feel better and I’m hoping that the anime will be as promising as the manga. A must watch if you’re a slice of life lover or if you just love kids!
So, what did you think of our choices for Winter 2018? What other anime do you think should have been in this list instead? Let us know in the comments section below!
