Top Anime of 2015 So Far
Noirit Mustapha
2015 started rather rocky in terms of quality anime that most can enjoy. Most of the really anticipated shows will be near the end of the year or have only just begun. However, the first six months have yielded at least a handful of rather fresh and enjoyable anime that should definitely be picked up by any and all anime fans. These are just a small sample of some of the best anime of 2015 so far.
Death Parade
A quaint, mysterious little lounge exists where two guests arrive at a time with no recent memory of their activities. A lone caretaker and his typically silent lady assistance greet them and ask them to play a game, with their lives being on stake strangely enough. Thus begins Death Parade, a fresh drama that starts the year off as one of the best so far. An engaging premise and overarching plot accompany great characters, all drawn and animated superbly by Madhouse studios. It all culminates in a grand climax that brilliantly resolves all the remaining threads in the story, and is sure to leave the viewer satisfied by the finales end.
JoJos Bizarre Adventure Egypt Arc
Following immediately after the end of the first season back in 2014, JoJos Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders resumes in 2015, with the second half of the story taking place in Egypt. With his mothers demise drawing ever closer, Jotaro Kujo must hurry with his grandfather Joseph and their ragtag motley crew to find Dio, the man responsible for all the chaos theyve suffered so far, and bring an end to his tyranny. Once again, David Production ups their game in animation by dishing what might be the most visually faithful anime adaptation ever thus far. Coupled with the fun as always characters, a great soundtrack, and some of the series best fights, the Egypt arc of this classic saga is sure to captivate many anime fans out there.
Kekkai Sensen
New York no longer exists in the world of Kekkai Sensen. After an otherworldly cataclysm, the entire city gets engulfed in a near impenetrable fog, and strange alien creatures invade into our world. Though, invade might be too strong a word, since despite the disaster, the city still functions as normal, only this time with humans and otherworlders alike. Our story follows the young Leonardo Watch, who was unwittingly gifted the All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods at the cost of his sister, and his escapades with the organization Libra, the silent watchers of this new community. By far the most unique anime of the year at the moment, Kekkai Sensen brings something unique yet familiar in its American aesthetics and production values, and presents an amazingly fun ride. Unfortunately, due to some delays, the official finale of the show has yet to air, but that really should not stop anyone from picking up the show and trying it out for the excitement it does provide thus far.
Knights of Sidonia Season 2
After being declared a war hero in what was their biggest battle to date, Nagate Tanikaze and his friends continue to live their lives in and protect the giant seed ship Sidonia in their giant Gardes mechs. New threats and conspiracies begin to arise both from the outside thanks to the alien threat of the Gauna, and within the ships own hierarchy. However, they will also gain a new ally, in the incredibly strong yet innocent Gauna-human hybrid Tsumugi. Knights of Sidonia is more of the same great mecha action as last year, with an improvement in production qualities and an advancing of the plot to more serious territory near the latter half. The middle section feeling rather calm and slice of life-y could deter some, but otherwise this is a solid followup to an already great show.
Shokugeki no Souma
Souma Yukihira is a young apprentice chef, working under and competing with his father in their family restaurant, and always striving to improve his skills. However, one day his father leaves the country to tend to his own matters, leaving Souma on his own. To help improve his skills, he has the young boy enrolled into Japans top cooking academy, with one of the harshest dropout rates and most influential statuses in the country. Thus begins his journey meeting new friends and rivals, all while aiming to be the top chef at Tootsuki Academy. The animation is fluent and makes the food look extremely appetizing. While fan service does also exist in the show, it never overtakes the character interaction, humour and cooking that really make this show appealing to fans. Still ongoing, but it is definitely worth a pick up even now..
