How is everyone doing this quarantine season? While our frontliners are doing their best to mitigate further spread of the virus, we must also do our part by staying at home and not make their work any harder.
I can imagine extroverts considering that to be easier said than done. For someone like me, being locked up in my room isn't a big deal since I actually prefer it. Though others are probably at their wits end not knowing what to do.
That said, this may be the perfect opportunity for them to try the lifestyle to understand how us introverts can enjoy being alone with only games, movies and TV Series to keep us company? Getting hooked with anime is also an option!
For those unaware, all anime shows from Winter 2020 have concluded and you can now binge-watch them without having to wait a week per episode. These are the ones that started airing from December 2019 up to March 2020.
We had around 90+ shows this season and with the help of MyAnimeList, I was able to catch a glimpse of most of them: their plot summaries, trailers and even OP/ED sequences. After skimming through them one by one, I was able to narrow them around to 25. And upon using the 3-episode rule on those, I was able to filter the list to my final 17.
Note that these are the shows I enjoyed watching. There are a lot of other shows out there that didn't make the list, but may be interesting to you so do also check them out. The list below are just my personal preferences, after all.
Without further ado- here are my favorite anime shows for Winter 2020!
NEW ANIME:
Darwin's Game
Japanese: ダーウィンズゲーム
Genre: Action, Mystery, Shounen | Studio: Nexus
Summary: High school student Kaname Sudou accepts an online invitation from a classmate to play an app game called Darwin's Game, unbeknownst to him that it involves real-life battles to the death. Those who play are given a Sigil, special powers that vary per player. Trapped in this game of relentless murder and conquest which he cannot quit, Kaname is forced to try clearing the game, and then seek out and eliminate the Game Master to end all the senseless killings.
ID: Invaded
Japanese: イド：インヴェイデッド
Genre: Action, Mystery, Shounen | Studio: NAZ
Summary: The Mizuhanome System is a highly-advanced technology that allows humans to enter one of the most intriguing places in existence—the mind of a criminal. Appearing as a bizarre mess of thoughts, an id well is the manifestation of a murderer's unconscious mind. These complex psychological planes are analyzed by Kura, a specialized police squad, to track down the culprits. Brilliant detective Sakaido assists the police by investigating the id wells and piecing together the countless clues scattered within.
However, there is a rule regarding those who enter the id wells: you are only permitted to dive into one if you have killed someone yourself. Such is the case for former detective Akihito Narihisago, Sakaido's real-world counterpart. Two years ago, his daughter was brutally murdered by a serial killer, driving Narihisago to seek his revenge.
Despite finding himself on the other side of the law, Narihisago nevertheless continues to assist the police. While his detective skills continue to prove useful toward the investigations, he discovers he may not have everything figured out—especially regarding those he despises most: serial killers.
PET
Japanese: ペット
Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Seinen | Studio: Geno Studio
Summary: In ancient China, martial artists had developed a technique that allows its users to enter a person's subconscious and manipulate their memories. Fast-forward to present day, an organization called The Company is tasked with retrieving their descendants with the aim of turning them into "Pets", mindless hitmen tasked to eliminate threats. The story follows Tsukasa and Hiroki's time as Pets where they slowly uncover their owners' dark secrets.
Dorohedoro
Japanese: ドロヘドロ
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Seinen | Studio: MAPPA
Summary: Hole—a dark, decrepit, and disorderly district where the strong prey on the weak and death is an ordinary occurrence. It is also a testing ground of the magic users who dominate it. The plot centers on a man named Caiman and his search for his memories and identity after being transformed into a reptile-headed freak with amnesia by an unknown magic user. Along with his female friend Nikaido, they violently assault magic users in the Hole with the hopes of finding the truth.
Set in a gritty world of hellish design, Dorohedoro manages a healthy blend of comedy and lightheartedness with death and carnage. Taking plenty of twists and turns while following the lives of Hole's residents, it weaves a unique world of unearthly origin and dreary appearance not for the squeamish or easily disturbed.
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
Japanese: 地縛少年花子くん / Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, School | Studio: Lerche
Summary: Kamome Academy is known for its famous Seven Mysteries and supernatural occurrences as popularized by student rumors. Nene Yashiro, a first-year occult-loving student who yearns for a boyfriend, decides to summon the seventh mystery "Hanako-san of the Toilet", a girl who died in the bathroom a long time ago that can grant wishes for the right price.
However, upon summoning the ghost, Hanako-san is revealed to be a boy. In an unexpected turn of events, Nene becomes his assistant and the story follows their adventures in maintaining the balance between the spirit world and the human world, as well as her discovery of the many secrets revolving around the school and Hanako.
In/Spectre
Japanese: 虚構推理 / Kyokou Suiri
Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Supernatural, Romance | Studio: Brain's Base
Summary: Hidden in plain sight, spirits known as youkai inhabit the world. While most are benign, a certain subset threatens the tenuous peace between youkai and humanity. Ever since she agreed to become their "Goddess of Wisdom," Kotoko Iwanaga has served as a mediator between the two realms, resolving any supernatural problems that come her way.
At a local hospital, Kotoko approaches university student Kurou Sakuragawa who recently had an unfortunate breakup. Having harbored romantic feelings for him for years while also suspecting that something supernatural lurks within his harmless appearance, she asks Kurou for his assistance in helping her with her duties as a Goddess of Wisdom.
The Case Files of Jeweller Richard
Japanese: 宝石商リチャード氏の謎鑑定 / Hōsekisho Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Slice of Life | Studio: Shuka
Summary: Possessing a deep knowledge of mineralogy, Richard is a young and handsome British jewelry appraiser who owns a small shop in Japan. One fateful night, he is saved by Seigi Nakata, a righteous college student, from drunks who were harassing him. Upon learning of Richard's identity, Seigi hires him to appraise a pink sapphire ring that was left behind by his deceased grandmother.
Before long, Seigi becomes a trusted part-timer at Richard's shop. Together, the duo solve various jewel-related requests from diverse clients of different backgrounds. Step by step, they unravel the hidden motives and feelings that lie within the gems in order to understand and empathize with the little stories behind each piece of jewelry.
Science Fell in Love, so I Tried to Prove It
Japanese: 理系が恋に落ちたので証明してみた / Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita
Genre: Comedy, Romance | Studio: Zero-G
Summary: Shinya Yukimura and Ayame Himuro are young and extremely brilliant researchers of Saitama University, and both strongly believe that math is mankind's most powerful instrument at our disposal to understand all things.
So when Ayame suddenly confesses her feelings to Shinya, he decides to start an ambitious experiment with his whole team to answer a question: is it possible to explain something complicated like love using a mathematical approach? Thus begins their journey to quantify the complicated phenomenon called love.
Somali and the Forest Spirit
Japanese: ソマリと森の神様 / Somali to Mori no Kamisama
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life | Studio: Satelight
Summary: The world is ruled by spirits, goblins, and all manner of strange creatures while humans, being the ones to start the fights between races, are persecuted to the point of extinction.
One day, a guardian of the forest in the form of a golem stumbles upon a lone young girl. Feeling he can't leave her alone, he sets out on a journey to find her parents. Throughout their journey, he ends up being a father-figure to the girl. The show tells of their travels together and of the bond between father and daughter- and also of the painful fact that despite golems can live for 1000 years, he is already at the end of his lifespan having only a year or two left. Other than needing to find other humans to ensure the girl's safety, he also worries about the heartbreak she will go through when he breaks his promise of 'staying with her forever.'
Sorcerer Stabber Orphen
Japanese: 魔術士オーフェンはぐれ旅 / Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy | Studio: Studio Deen
Summary: In a world of magic and monsters, Krylancelo Finrandi and his foster sister Azalea Cait-Sith were once promising sorcerers at the famous Tower of Fangs. But due to an experiment gone horribly wrong, Azalea is transformed to a violent dragon. Elders at the Tower—more interested in preserving their reputation rather than their students' lives—drive off the transformed Azalea and cover up the incident. Outraged, Krylancelo drops out on his own, taking the new name of "Orphen" and vowing to return Azalea to her normal state.
Five years later, a chance encounter brings Orphen face to face with Azalea again, but he still has no way to restore her body. And with a hostile group of sorcerers hunting her down, he may be running out of time. The past and present collide as Orphen tries to find how to save Azalea from their former teachers and friends.
Interspecies Reviewers
Japanese: 異種族レビュアーズ / Ishuzoku Reviewers
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy | Studio: Passione
Summary: In a world inhabited by countless diverse species where prostitution is legal, there exist various brothels for each kind of species with "succu-girls" that provide intimate services to patrons. With so many options to choose from, it's hard to decide which girl will let you have a meaningful and interpersonal experience.
Fortunately, a tight group of brave warriors have come together to enlighten the public. These perverted adventurers take it upon themselves to assess the appeal of all types of succu-girls through hands-on research. Whether it be the scorchingly hot salamanders or the udderly hu-moo-ngous cow-girls, the Yoruno Gloss reviewers leave no species behind.
RETURNING ANIME:
A Certain Scientific Railgun T (S3)
Japanese: とある科学の超電磁砲[レールガン]T / Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Super Power | Studio: J.C.Staff
Summary: In the futuristic Academy City where most of the population are espers possessing unique psychic powers, electromaster Mikoto Misaka is the third strongest among the seven Level 5 espers.
The series focuses on the exploits of Mikoto and her friends; Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten, prior to and during the events of A Certain Magical Index.
Fate/Grand Order: Babylonia (Part 2)
Japanese: Fate/Grand Order -絶対魔獣戦線バビロニア- / Zettai Majuu Sensen Babylonia
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Magic, Fantasy | Studio: CloverWorks
Summary: Chaldea, a secret mages organization with the mission to preserve humanity's future, foresaw mankind's extinction in 2015. Thus commenced the mission to repair the Singularities in history caused by Holy Grails dispersed across time and space—Operation Grand Order.
A year after, Chaldea's last master Ritsuka Fujimaru and his demi-servant Mash Kyrielight have already resolved six Singularities. Now, they depart for their most dangerous destination yet: a civilization in the Age of Gods, B.C. 2655 Mesopotamia where Demonic Beasts roam the land, attacking people and towns. Amidst chaos and terror lies humanity's last defense—Uruk, a fortress city commanded by none other than King Gilgamesh.
Along with the King and their summoned servants, Ritsuka and Mash must protect Uruk against the magical beasts' onslaught and defeat the Three Goddess Alliance that aims to eradicate humankind.
Isekai Quartet S2
Japanese: 異世界かるてっと2
Genre: Comedy, Parody, Fantasy | Studio: Studio Puyukai
Summary: A cross-over show featuring characters from KonoSuba, Overlord, Re:Zero and the Saga of Tanya the Evil where our protagonists are transported to a world where they must live a harmonious life in school together.
Despite completing all the tasks given to them, Ainz Ooal Gown, Tanya Degurechaff, Kazuma Satou, Subaru Natsuki, and the other members of Class 2 are surprised to find out that their role as students is far from over. With no means of returning home, the class of eccentric personalities is still mysteriously stuck in the unfamiliar world. Although, as they are becoming quite fond of each other, spending more time together does not sound that bad.
Ahiru no Sora (Part 2)
Japanese: あひるの空
Genre: Comedy, Sports, Drama, School, Shounen | Studio: Diomedéa
Summary: Lacking what is considered the most important asset in basketball, Sora Kurumatani has struggled with his short height since he started loving the sport. Despite this handicap, his unwavering drive never allowed his small stature to dictate his ability to play, believing strongly in trying his hardest and persistently practicing to prove his capability.
He promised to his sickly mother: "I will dominate my first high school tournament". But as he joins the basketball club after entering Kuzuryū High School, he finds out that it's become a stomping ground for delinquents. But through Sora's genuine zeal for basketball, things begin to stir.
Kabukicho Sherlock (Part 2)
Japanese: 歌舞伎町シャーロック
Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Drama | Studio: Production I.G
Summary: Taking place in modern-era Kabukicho in a re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes- a team of eccentric but talented detectives, in competition with one another, are trying to solve a string of serial murders committed by Jack the Ripper.
Welcome to the Demon School! Iruma-kun (Part 2)
Japanese: 魔入りました！入間くん / Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, School, Shounen | Studio: Bandai Namco Pictures
Summary: The story follows Iruma Suzuki, a 14-year-old human boy who is sold to a demon by his parents. Instead of eating him like any demon would, Sullivan takes Iruma to the Demon World and officially adopts him as his grandson. He enrolls him in the Babyls School for Demons where he is the headmaster.
Though there's a catch: Sullivan tells Iruma to never reveal that he is a human, since he will be eaten if anyone finds out. Iruma then vows to blend in during his time in the Demon World, although he keeps on standing out due to all the situations and adventures that arise.
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