Ringtail Reviews

2022 was an absurdly packed year for anime. From hotly anticipated manga adaptations to anime-original surprises that took hold of the discourse, the year was often so overstuffed that it was tough to keep up with everything, especially during the historically stacked fall season—which makes it no surprise that there were plenty of great shows in the mix.  So with just that much to choose from, what exactly did 2022 bring? It’s true that we didn’t get an artsy, dramatic masterpiece on the level of 2021’s The Heike Story or Sonny Boy , but instead, last year delivered something different: lots and lots of top-shelf entertainment, fun shows of all shapes and sizes brought to life with extraordinary art design and over-achieving animation, even for the productions made under tight conditions. 2022 felt like a constant celebration of the entertainment that that anime can bring, and here, I’d like to highlight the best of these shows and the joy they brought me.  Before we get to t...

Summer's here, the heat's unbearable, and multiple governments are failing before our very eyes. But what's that, you ask? The anime?  Well, the anime's actually not so bad!  I've seen some general grumbling that this season feels slower than the last, but while it's true that there aren't as many big-name crowd pleasers as in  spring 2022 , the best shows of this season might be on track to outclass it. I'm of the opinion that a season's only as good as its top shelf, and in that respect, we're doing just fine. I had plenty of thoughts about the premiers I checked out, which I've listed below for your reading pleasure. I also want to give a quick mention to Made In Abyss , an often great show with disturbing tendencies that have made me reluctant to catch up on its currently airing second season.  But as for the rest, let's get to it! Tier 1: Must-Watches Yurei Deco Finally—after months, our first great theme show of the year has arrived...