#21. The Eccentric Family (2013, P.A. Works)

Playful, shapeshifting tanuki co-exist with proud tengu and humans in Kyoto. One of these tanuki is Shimogamo Yasaburou, whose father was cooked in a hot pot and eaten by the members of the “Friday Club”.

Yasahiro’s adventures are fun, and he has an intriguing relationship with Benten, a human with tengu abilities. It’s an original and magical experience that also conveys the warmth and importance of family relations.

#22. Land of the Lustrous (2017, Orange)

In Land of the Lustrous’ fascinating distant future, genderless Gems are hunted by otherworldly people from the moon. Phosphophyllite is the youngest of the Gems, assigned to record the history of their world because of their fragility. The show is a fantastical coming-of-age story, brought to life by incredibly smooth 3DCG animation. The strong cast and setting are supplemented by the cinematic soundtrack, which is an absolute masterpiece.

#23. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! (2016, Studio Deen)

One day, hikkikomori Satou Kazuma dies from shock after thinking that he got hit by a truck. He ends up in a fantasy world under threat from the Demon King, with an arrogant but useless goddess, a hopelessly masochistic crusader, and an explosion-obsessed arch wizard as party members.

Kazuma himself isn’t exactly a model adventurer, and this combination of personalities makes for a series of entertaining misadventures in this unique isekai anime.

#24. Mobile Suit Gundam UC (2010, Sunrise)

The most memorable character in Gundam Unicorn is not its protagonist. Instead, it is easier to recall the touching bond between Neo Zeon pilot Marida Cruz and her father figure Captain Suberoa Zinnerman, as well as Earth Federation pilot Riddhe Marcenas’ descent into madness.

Amidst the epic mecha battles, intricate transformation sequences, and Hiroyuki Sawano’s goosebump-inducing score, humanity (or the side character portions, at least) and its struggle for a better future remain the most memorable aspects of the show.

#25. Colorful (2010, Ascension/ Sunrise)

An unnamed soul, given another chance at life, is placed into the body of 14-year-old Makoto Kobayashi, who recently attempted suicide. Throughout the course of the film, the soul has to remember the sin they committed in their previous life, while learning about Makoto and the reasons that drove him to suicide. My memories of Colorful are unfortunately rather foggy, but its existence and heavy subject matter have never left my mind. 

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