This year has been a great one for any anime fan. Funimation fused with Crunchyroll to make one expansive platform and acclaimed studios have returned to show off their latest productions with some of the best new anime of 2022.
Many familiar characters from a number of Shonen Jump series have also found success at the box office with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero continuing the story after the series end. One Piece is also leading the way to some of the best fights in the Wano arc in recent memory.
But the year has also introduced some brand new series with loveable fresh protagonists to root for that have quickly become some of the best pieces of animation to come out in recent years. From a man cutting down demons with creative uses of chainsaw appendages to an adaptation of a controversial video game and an unlikely family made up of a spy and an assassin surrounding an adorable psychic child, they have won the hearts of their audiences.
Best new anime of 2022
Below, we'll run through our choices for the best new anime of 2022:
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
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+ 5Despite the controversial release of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red has slowly been updating it ever since to try and deliver the dystopian game fans were promised. But unlike the game that inspired it, the release of the anime series managed to avoid meeting the same fate, to the joy of many gamers and Studio Trigger fans out there.
The show tells the story of David Martinez, a high schooler who joins a crew of mercenaries after losing everything, and he must do everything he can to survive in the dangerous streets.
Following the teen’s exploits and journey into the dark corners of Night City, Studio Trigger was able to design a visually unique dystopian future thanks to a sharp use of colours. Fans of Promare and BNA will also recognize the studio's exaggerated character designs and crazy choreography. With a new update featuring some gear from the show, maybe it’s worth giving Cyberpunk 2077 another chance to recreate the anime’s iconic moments.
Chainsaw Man
click to enlarge + 5When it comes to bloody and violent anime, MAPPA is no stranger to delivering buckets full of grotesque action. After all, they have been responsible for the final season of Attack on Titan, Dorohedoro, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Its first episode may have just been released, but Chainsaw Man has already started out incredibly strong.
The series follows Denji, a man who kills demons using his unique chainsaw-like abilities to pay off debts. Blending real-world issues and over-the-top fantasy, as well as computer and traditional animation, it’s able to show off the talents of the animators as large-scale and grotesque monsters are as important as Denji’s personal, life which he struggles with on a daily basis. It's already off to a great start, living up to the successful Manga series it's based on.
Spy X Family
click to enlarge + 5Wit Studio has already been enjoying a great year. Their feature film Bubble arrived on Netflix to a lot criticism. However, they also launched a brand new series which introduced everyone to a family unlike any other to root for. Spy X Family tells the exploits of a spy who builds a happy family for a secret mission, unaware that his new wife is a deadly and powerful assassin and the girl they adopted is telepathic.
Filled with plenty of comedic antics and some truly breathtaking action sequences, the series stands out in a year already filled with some great new series. Many scenes have been circulating online, and are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face, whether they've seen the series or not. Funny and heartwarming as much as action-packed and exciting, Spy X Family is the family show we never knew we wanted.
Belle
click to enlarge + 5Many will have undoubtedly seen Disney's version of Beauty and the Beast, based on the beloved French fairy tale about a woman and a cursed prince slowly falling in love.
This year, Mamoru Hosoda introduced a fresh and modern take on the classic story, after having written acclaimed anime dramas like Mirai and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and fans were more than eager to see what he could bring to the familiar story.
In a world where a meta verse known as U exists, a once-promising young singer named Suzu rekindles her lost passion after the death of her mother through an avatar named Belle. She quickly gains the attention of everyone online, including a seemingly dangerous user known as The Dragon.
Using the virtual world and real life to show Suzu’s growth as well as slowly uncovering more about the seemingly ferocious digital figure, the film is able to brilliantly reflect the impact of online personalities and simultaneously make the old story feel new again.
Inu-Oh
click to enlarge + 5After its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last year, Inu-Oh was finally released worldwide earlier this year. Set in 14th century of Japan, it follows a blind Biwa player who makes an unlikely friendship with a cursed and deformed young man named Inu-Oh. Inu-Oh wants to become a famous dancer, but hides his face under a mask.
Combining their talents to create a show unlike any other and tell brand new stories, the two slowly become accepted by the attendees and gain some unwanted attention.
Having previously directed Netflix's hit original anime shows like Devilman Crybaby and Japan Sinks: 2020, Masaki Yuasa was able to continue exploring themes of the light and dark sides of human nature. Furthermore, the musical stages and set pieces that the two create with their travelling troupe are some of the most breathtaking scenes in anime this year thank to its bright colours, grand spectacles, and impressive acting and dialogue.
For you anime fans, we also have our picks for the best One Piece arcs and the best One Piece Roblox games.