Most Hot-Blooded Anime Category
Anime depicting struggles that makes you feel burning with passion.
Zombieland Saga
Naufalbepe (KAORI Newsline)
This anime in my opinion is one of the biggest clickbait of anime. With the title of Zombieland Saga, I thought the story is an action horror or dark fantasy. But turns out it is some kind of IDOL anime. Zombieland Saga is a story of zombies in the city of Saga who wants to be more alive even though they are dead. Their struggle to live on even though they are dead is a thumbs up and made me devotedly waits for new episodes to air each week.
Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibou!)
R Ikhsan (KAORI Newsline)
Imagine when you find out the easiest way to know about something that you feel very curious about and that is what I find in this anime. All things that I thought were difficult to understand while I was at school, become very easy to get in this anime. And the curiosity makes me always excited to wait for more episodes every week.
Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory
Karim Ibrahim (KAORI Newsline)
Although I have somewhat forgotten the plot from the time of The Second Raid series, the plot and action in this series still feel satisfying, for I did not expect twist and betrayal that happened.
My Hero Academia Season 3
Halimun Muhammad (The Indonesian Anime Times)
The future heroes at UA Academy continues to face tough situations and challenges, and they continue to grow and develop to deal with them. Entering the Provisional License Exam arc, we see them gaining new techniques new equipments that remind us that all these characters, even the supporting characters, are in continues process in becoming heroes, showing what they have learned and adapt from their shortcomings. Seeing these characters tapping into their abilities, intelleigence, and equipment to overcome new challenges that are more difficult does feel exciting.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai)
Bramantyo Wibisono (Social Media)
This is truly the most “on fire” series in 2018. Apart from the hype and trends, there is no doubt that the story of this anime is indeed very interesting. Every time I watch it feels like it’s finished very quickly, and make want to see the continuation. Though this anime has adapted five volumes of the novel in just one cour season, but it still manage to do so deftly.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Vento Aureo
Rezky Amelia (Social Media)
The anti-mainstream plot and character designs makes it exciting to watch. The most exciting part, is of course the battles: stylish and with imaginative powers.
Most Moe Anime Category
Anime with sweet and warm characters.
The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done! (Ryuuou no Oshigoto!)
Tanto Dhaneswara (KAORI Newsline)
To be honest, the reason I checked out this anime was because of the main character, Ai Hinatsuru, who’s indeed loli and cute. Likewise with her rivals and fellow disciples. But aside from the cuteness, there are also exciting shogi (Japanese chess) matches that, even though I’m not that familiar with shogi, I still can enjoy.
Mitsuboshi Colors
R Ikhsan (KAORI Newsline)
They are MOE because they are cute and innocent. What more to expect?
Between the Sky and Sea (Sora to Umi no Aida)
Karim Ibrahim (KAORI Newsline)
Character design is an important factor of moe, for me, and this anime nails it especially with the vivid, idol-style vibe. I consider Haru Soramachi and Namino Murakami good enough for second class waifu.
Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card
Halimun Muhammad (The Indonesian Anime Times)
Thomas Lamarre (2013) explains moe as “a way of being in a warm world and a way of bringing a warm world into being,” and I still feel this one of the best ways to explain moe. As a magical girl anime, the strength of Cardcaptor Sakura is its story of friendship and family around the main character, filled with kindness and affection. The newest Cardcaptor Sakura anime maintains that spirit, with a variety of simple activities such as cooking or going on picnic strengthening the relationships between the characters. Even the anime-original character Meiling was not forgotten and continues to be a valuable part of Sakura’s life in this new anime. The style of this new anime that emphasizes more on the shoujo manga style may be difficult to accept by some who are used to the old anime style. But the bright and warm colors that are used are very suitable to construct its warm environment.
Shoujo ☆ Kageki Revue Starlight
Dany Muhammad (The Indonesian Anime Times)
If Galbraith (2014) defines moe as the affection that fans have for characters, then moe can actually be very broad. Moe is not only about the style of drawing or cute character design, but also other aspects that make a fictional figure attractive to viewers. Since Shoujo ☆ Kageki Revue Starlight began airing, my attention had been immediately focused on a character who might not be considered cute: the Giraffe. This Giraffe, in my view, represents this anime itself: plain but mysterious, visible but hard to read, trivial but deep. Observing the Giraffe in this anime is like reading a mystery story that stops just before the analysis moment. The movements, words, and atmosphere of the Giraffe will continue to follow even to sleep, as an idea that continues to haunt viewers to their dreams. Others will probably consider Karen’s cheerful nature, Banana’s mysterious smile, or the relationship between Maya and Claudine to be far more moe. But in my eyes, the Giraffe is the true moe for fans of mystery stories filled with abstract symbolism in the style of Starlight, Bakemonogatari, or Utena. Finally, thank you for being a Giraffe for this article.
Slow Start
Bramantyo Wibisono (Social Media)
It’s obvious from the character design. Moreover, this series is also a title from Manga Time Kirara family of magazines. Of all the titles from those magazines that got adapted in 2018, the most moe for me is Slow Start. Besides the character design, the animation and the gestures of the characters in this anime are also very smooth, adding to the moe.
After the Rain (Koi wa Ameagari no you ni)
Rezky Amelia (Social Media)
It’s not just the schoolgirl who fell in love with the manager that is cute, but the manager himself is also very innocent, so double moe. Doesn’t have to be a girl to be moe, right?
Most Relaxing Anime Category
Light anime that makes you relax.
YurucampΔ
Tanto Dhaneswara (KAORI Newsline)
Feeling stressed and having a lot of thoughts? Then YurucampΔ is worth your while. This anime combines the soothing feel of iyashikei (healing) stories with Nadeshiko’s laid back camping activities. The acoustic soundtrack also feels serene.
Amanchu
Naufalbepe (KAORI Newsline)
An anime about a Futaba Ooki moving to a new place and wants to experience something new. As fate has it, that means she gets into scuba diving! It’s such a proper iyashikei work because of its very relaxed tempo. There is no violence or rude comedy, only a heroine experiencing new sensations she had never felt before.
Mitsuboshi Colors
R Ikhsan (KAORI Newsline)
You don’t need to think much while watching this anime. After all, there is only the activities of small children with wild imaginations. Nothing from this series disappointed me. It’s very natural in showing the trio indulging in their playtime.
Tada Never Falls in Love
Karim Ibrahim (KAORI Newsline)
A slice of everyday life with teenage love, Tada Never Falls in Love provides relaxation amidst my busy activities.
Encouragement of Climb Third Season
Halimun Muhammad (The Indonesian Anime Times)
The wait for three and a half years ended in 2018 when Yama no Susume returns with a third season. Unlike the previous seasons, the focus of the story this time is more on Aoi and Hinata’s friendship, than on mountain climbing. But in the end, it’s still the mountain that connects them and keeps them together. The 15 minutes duration is used well to tell its simple story of meaningful friendship with a soothing scenery and relaxing music. Those who enjoy YurucampΔ can check out this anime too.
Slow Start
Bramantyo Wibisono (Social Media)
It’s Slow Start again. Aside from being the most moe anime, I also choose this series as the most relaxing anime in 2018. From the title alone, it’s easy to guess why. Slow Start is really slow. The word “slow” in the title reflects how the main character does not rush into the start of her high school years. Every day is just slow.
Today’s Menu for Emiya Family (Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan)
Rezky Amelia (Social Media)
The cooking anime is just so relaxed and soothing in each episode. A stark contrast to the battles of the main series. Watching this anime also inspires me to try cooking with the recipes shown.
