Want a list of the top 10 best anime series of 2022 to enjoy over your holiday break? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s science fiction, fantasy, or even a cute romantic comedy, there’s something in this list for everyone. My only guarantee is that I’ve personally watched these anime series (or at least have read the manga and thus knows what’s coming) and can recommend them as anime worth watching. So with that all said and done, let’s get into this list, starting with:
10. Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You OVA-2 “Uniform”
Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You (known as Fly Me to the Moon in Japan) is the anime adaptation of the science fiction (?!) romantic comedy slice of life manga of the same name by Kenjiro Hata. Seven Arcs (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Sekirei, Arte) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Hiroshi Ikehata as the director. This anime series as a whole premiered on October 3, 2020, but this latest OVA premiered on November 22, 2022.
Now as for why I recommend this OVA in particular? Well, you’ll understand after watching it. Even if you didn’t know anything about the anime in general, this OVA is still a great way to introduce yourself to it. Watching Nasa and Tsukasa interact is just pure sugary romance overload, with just a hint of suggestiveness to spice it up. Then of course, there’s the opportunity to see Tsukasa basically doing cosplay. There’s something here for both veterans and new viewers alike.
You can watch all 12 episodes (plus 2 OVAs) of Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You only on Crunchyroll.
9. Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie is the anime adaptation of the romantic comedy manga of the same name by Keigo Maki. Doga Kobo (YuruYuri, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun, My Senpai is Annoying) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Ryota Itoh as the director. This anime premiered on April 10, 2022 and ran until July 10, 2022.
Now the reason I recommend Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie? Because frankly, it’s a very good romantic comedy anime. The basic premise is essentially a gender role swap for the main characters. Shikimori herself takes on a male role in the relationship, while Izumi plays a more or less female role in the same. This reversed gender role concept produces some hilarious sitcom antics, which combined with Shikimori having to be Izumi’s bodyguard because of his insanely bad luck makes this anime one of the best comedies around too.
You can watch all 12 episodes of Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie only on Crunchyroll.
8. One Piece: Wano Arc
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past 23 years: One Piece is the anime adaptation of the adventure comedy fantasy pirate manga of the same name by Eichiro Oda. Toei Animation (Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, Digimon) is the studio behind this anime, with Kōhei Kureta, Aya Komaki, Satoshi Itō and Yasunori Koyama directing this particular arc. The anime originally made its debut on October 20, 1999. But the current Wano arc started on July 7, 2019 and continues to the present day.
One Piece is the anime that really needs no explanation as to why it’s in this top 10 list. Eiichiro Oda’s storytelling continues on a high note for the Wano arc. Admittedly, it gets a bit more serious and dramatic than the usual One Piece fare. This may or may not be a turn off for you depending on how much you liked the comedic antics of the Straw Hat Pirates in previous seasons. However, this anime does deserve to be on this list overall.
You can watch One Piece on numerous streaming services, including Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. Only Crunchyroll is up to the current season though.
7. Orient
Orient is the anime adaptation of the historical fantasy adventure manga of the same name by Shinobu Ohtaka (Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic). A.C.G.T (Kino’s Journey, Dies Irae, A Certain Scientific Accelerator) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Tetsuya Yanagisawa directing. The anime made its debut on January 6, 2022 and ran until September 27, 2022.
So why am I recommending this anime? Well, if you’re a fan of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic and/or are a fan of Shinobu Ohtaka’s work, then Orient should excite you. Imagine if Ohtaka wrote her own take on the Sengoku period, reimagining it as an epic sword and sorcery fantasy quest in an alternate Japan where humanity is struggling against a demonic invasion. If that doesn’t even pique your interest, then I’m sorry, but I’m afraid fantasy adventure stories just aren’t for you.
You can watch all 24 episodes of Orient only on Crunchyroll.
6. Dr. Stone: Ryusui
Dr. Stone: Ryusui is a hour-long TV special for the Dr. Stone anime, which itself is the anime adaptation of the post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure manga of the same name by writer Riichiro Inagaki and artist Boichi. TMS Entertainment (Akira, Detective Conan, Fruits Basket) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Shinya Iino directing. This anime originally aired on July 5, 2019. But this TV special in particular aired on July 10, 2022.
If you’re a fan of Dr. Stone, then it should come as no surprise why I recommend Dr. Stone: Ryusui. After all, this is the part of the anime where they finally introduce Ryusui Nanami: the greediest character since Greed himself from Fullmetal Alchemist. The two characters actually have much in common. They are both openly and unrepentantly greedy, and yet they’re some of the most likable characters in anime-dom because of their greed combined with a touch of the outlandish and a dash of compassion. Ryusui is definitely the star of this TV special, and why this special episode is on this list.
You can watch all 35 episodes of Dr. Stone, plus this TV special, only on Crunchyroll.
5. The Ancient Magus’ Bride: The Boy From the West and the Knight of the Mountain Haze
The Ancient Magus’ Bride: The Boy From the West and the Knight of the Mountain Haze is a 3-episode OVA series for The Ancient Magus’ Bride anime series, which is itself the anime adaptation of the supernatural dark urban fantasy mystery manga of the same name by Kore Yamazaki (Frau Faust). Studio Kafka is the animation studio behind this OVA series, and will also be the studio behind the upcoming season 2 of the anime. Kazuaki Terasawa is the director of this OVA series, and will also return to direct the aforementioned season 2. This OVA series originally aired on September 10, 2021 and only just recently concluded on September 10, 2022.
So why am I ranking a mere 3-episode OVA series so highly on this list? Because frankly, The Ancient Magus’ Bride is one of the best dark urban fantasy stories in history, let alone anime-dom. The Ancient Magus’ Bride: The Boy From the West and the Knight of the Mountain Haze is no different. It feels exactly like a fairy tale story taking place in the modern day. Complete with more than enough dark fantasy and horror fantasy to satisfy any horror junkie.
You can watch all 3 episodes of this OVA series, as well as all previous episodes of The Ancient Magus’ Bride, only on Crunchyroll.
4. Luminous Witches
Luminous Witches is a spinoff anime series of the Strike Witches multimedia franchise. Shaft (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Nisekoi, March Comes in Like a Lion) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Shouji Saeki directing. This anime originally aired on July 3, 2022 and ran until September 25, 2022.
So why this somewhat odd anime series? Well, mostly because I am a Strike Witches fan, but also because Luminous Witches is a genuinely good show. It’s basically a WWII fantasy story, but with a focus on how entertainment was conducted at the time. It also features some hilarious animal antics in the background from the witches’ familiars, which is interesting on a lore level because this is the first Strike Witches anime to actually show off the familiars. They were entirely absent in previous anime series. So if you like WWII fantasies and period music in an almost-idol anime, then this your thing.
You can watch all 12 episodes of Luminous Witches only on HiDive.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is the latest mainline Gundam anime series in the franchise. Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion) is the animation studio behind this anime series, with Hiroshi Kobayashi and Ryō Andō directing. The anime started airing on October 2, 2022, and is ongoing as of this writing.
Honestly, the fact that this is the latest Gundam anime should be exciting to you from that alone. However, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury stands out even more than that for a number of reasons. For starters: is the first mainline Gundam anime to feature a female lead character. Every single mainline Gundam anime before The Witch from Mercury has always featured a male lead. So a female lead for once in Gundam‘s 43 years of existence is very much refreshing. Not only that, but The Witch from Mercury is also the first time the lead character is explicitly in a same sex relationship right from the get-go. That’s right, this is technically a yuri anime. There’s just so many firsts here that it’s a surprise The Witch from Mercury didn’t end up higher on this list.
You can watch all current episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury only on Crunchyroll.
2. Spy x Family
Spy x Family is the anime adaptation of the action comedy spy manga of the same name by Tatsuya Endo. Wit Studio (Attack on Titan season 1-3, The Ancient Magus’ Bride season 1, Vinland Saga) and CloverWorks (Fairy Tail season 9, The Promised Neverland, Wonder Egg Priority) are the animation studios jointly working on this anime, with Kazuhiro Furuhashi directing. Cours 1 of the anime made its debut on April 9, 2022; with cours 2 having premiered on October 1, 2022 and is currently ongoing as of this writing.
So why is Spy x Family second on this list? Because frankly, it’s one of the best anime series ever made. It has the perfect balance of drama, comedy, and action. The only other time I’ve seen a balance between those 3 qualities this perfect was in Fullmetal Alchemist. All set to an alternate Cold War between Not-West Germany and Not-East Germany to boot for all those Cold War history buffs out there. It’s a perfect setting for all the spy action and spy drama going on throughout the show.
You can watch both cours of Spy x Family only on Crunchyroll.
1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc is the latest arc of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series, which itself is the anime adaptation of the dark fantasy adventure martial arts manga of the same name by Koyoharu Gotouge. Ufotable (Tales of Symphonia, The Garden of Sinners, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works) is the animation studio behind this anime, with Haruo Sotozaki directing. This arc originally aired on December 5, 2021 and ran until February 13, 2022.
Any who has ever watched Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba will know why I put the Entertainment District Arc in first place on this list. The story has the perfect blend of action, drama, and comedy in it, not unlike Spy x Family and Fullmetal Alchemist. Combine that with lovable characters, a uniquely Taisho era setting, and eye-dazzlingly gorgeous animation (seriously, the fireworks in this arc are amazing), and you have the recipe for the best anime of the year. All that’s left is to wait for the Swordsmith Village Arc in 2023 to see if it’s the anime of that year as well.
