Don't think I like any particular genres, if it's good I'm open to anything.
Here are some stuff from 2020 to 2023 that didn't get a mention. Not necessarily the most popular titles, but they offer something different from the rest.
Smile Down The Runway
* Based on a fashion shounen manga by Inoya Kotoba. Fujito Chiyuki has a dream: to become a Paris Collection model. The problem is, she`s too short to...
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It's about the world of fashion and chasing your dream job despite physical shortcomings. It's not without shōnen trappings, but the characters are enjoyable, and despite knowing next to zero about fashion, it never gets boring for me.
Arte
* Based on a historical slice of life seinen manga by Ookubo Kei. Firenze, early 16th century. The birthplace of the renaissance era, where art is thr...
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A thoroughly feminist work, it follows the life of the titular character as she navigates through the male-dominated art world of 16th century Florence. Features some historical characters, although they are not the main focus of the story.
Wave, Listen to Me!
* Based on a seinen manga by Samura Hiroaki. The stage is Sapporo, Hokkaido. One night, our heroine, Koda Minare, spills her heartbroken woes to a rad...
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A restaurant worker suddenly gets scouted for a radio talk show for her unique way of speaking (or is it grumbling?) after a drunken tirade. It's a comedy of errors that has very strong characterisation and unique plot. Based on a manga by Hiroaki Samura of Blade of the Immortal fame.
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
* Based on an adventure fantasy light novel series written by Shiraishi Jougi and illustrated by Azuru. Once upon a time, there was a witch named Elai...
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This is a bit like Kino's Journey, although Elaina certainly put a different spin on it. The stories can be dark at times, and Elaina didn't go from one place to another solving “issues” as she travels, but the exploration can satisfy the wanderlust in all of us.
Super Cub
* Based on a slice of life light novel series written by Tone Kouken and illustrated by Hiro. Koguma is a high school girl in Yamanashi. She has no pa...
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Before you go,
“this is just cute girls doing a cute Honda Motorcycles commercial”, I think there's an argument to be made that a journey of self-discovery and friendship can begin by getting a motorcycle license. The main character, Koguma isn't the typical
Genki Girl of CGDCT genre, but seeing her coming out of her shell is quite satisfying.
Police in a Pod
* Based on a comedy seinen manga by Yasu Miko. Female police officer Kawai had enough of a career she wasn`t even that into and was about to hand in h...
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A hilarious comedy about police officers (or how not to be police officers). Civil Servants' comedy is a rarity (It's been way too long since Servant x Service) and I think Police in a Pod was trying to channel the energy from You're Under Arrest! Without being a copycat. I think they succeeded.
Uncle from Another World
Seventeen years ago, Takafumi`s uncle fell into a coma, but now he`s back like a man risen from his grave. Soon, Takafumi discovers two bizarre things...
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It's a cautionary tale about how extreme video game (console?) fandom can make you lose all common sense. Mostly told in flashbacks, it features the most obnoxious character that will make you scream “GET A FUCKING CLUE!” at the screen.
Call of The Night
One sleepless night, Kou slips out to walk the streets. Life after dark is a revelation! When flirtatious Nazuna invites Kou to spend the night at her...
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This series is very much a mood piece. The colour palette is aesthetically pleasing and while it's a bit thin on the plot, the characters are fun and enjoyable. It's kind of a love letter to insomniacs everywhere… until Insomniacs After School come along.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
* A standalone story set in the same universe as Cyberpunk 2077, an open-world, action-adventure game from CD PROJEKT RED. A street kid is trying to s...
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One of the rare instances where the anime is better than the game, the film noir genre is very much alive in anime form. Trigger excels in what they do best—animating larger than life characters in the flashiest way possible, with caution thrown to the wind. Don't expect a happy ending.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
A.S. (Ad Stella) 122― An era when a multitude of corporations have entered space and built a huge economic system. A lone girl from the remote planet ...
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A.S. (Ad Stella) 122― An era when a multitude of corporations have entered space and built a huge economic system. After transferring to the Asticassi...
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I affectionately call this series Gundam Utena (after all, the writer of the series has worked on Revolutionary Girl Utena novelisation in the past). It's probably one of the best Gundam Series outside the Universal Century continuity. Strong writing, strong characters, great mechanical design.
Oshi No Ko
* Based on a seinen manga written by Akasaka Aka and drawn by Yokoyari Mengo. "In the world of showbiz, lies are weapons." Amemiya Gorou works as an O...
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On the surface, it's about idol fandom. Below it, though, it's a thorough social commentary about the harshness of the entertainment world and the cruelty of both its principal actors and its fans. Smartly written by Aka Akasaka of Kaguya-sama fame.
Insomniacs After School
Nakami is a studious but cranky and antisocial high schooler who gets on his classmates` nerves. However, his bad attitude comes from the fact that he...
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An exercise in subtlety, this series features the unique relationship between two insomniacs as they struggle to get some sleep first, and advancing their relationship second. This work is kind of unique because it relies very little on fan service, something that most modern romance manga/anime seem to forget how to do.