If I do say so myself, there were some great anime series released this year. From some high-profile debut series and returning series to some under the radar series that definitely surprised and entertained in ways no one expected. I mean, it was really hard narrowing down this list down to my ten favorite anime series of the year. Out of all the list I have created for 2017 this list has taken me the most time to work on. I’ve been working on this list for about three weeks now. And the top ten anime on this list has been switched up at least three times as I have gone back and re-viewed the majority of each of these series over the past month of December. But after working on this list for this long, and rethinking how I wanted this list to look, I think I am finally happy with the list and the order that the series appear in it.
*Synopses courtesy of MyAnimeList.net and Wikipedia.org.
Honorable mentions: Alice & Zoroku, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Gamers!, Just Because!, Inuyashiki, Kemono Friends, Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World, Owarimonogatari, Recovery of an MMO Junkie, Urahara
10. Fate/Apocrypha
Produced by: Aniplex, Notes, Tokyo MX, BS11
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Episodes: 25 23-minute episodes
Air dates: July 2 through December 31, 2017
Rating: R-17+
Synopsis: The Holy Grail is a powerful, ancient relic capable of granting any wish the beholder desires. In order to obtain this power, various magi known as “masters” summon legendary Heroic Spirits called “servants” to fight for them in a destructive battle royale—the Holy Grail War. Only the last master-servant pair standing may claim the Grail for themselves. Yet, the third war ended inconclusively, as the Grail mysteriously disappeared following the conflict.
Many years later, the magi clan Yggdmillennia announces its possession of the Holy Grail, and intends to leave the Mage’s Association. In response, the Association sends 50 elite magi to retrieve the Grail; however, all but one are killed by an unknown servant. The lone survivor is used as a messenger to convey Yggdmillennia’s declaration of war on the Association.
As there are only two parties involved in the conflict, the Holy Grail War takes on an unusual form. Yggdmillennia and the Mage’s Association will each deploy seven master-servant pairs, and the side that loses all its combatants first will forfeit the artifact. As the 14 masters summon their servants and assemble on the battlefield, the magical world shivers in anticipation with the rise of the Great Holy Grail War.
9. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
AKA in Japan: Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
Produced by: Lantis, Pony Canyon, ABC Animation
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 13 24-minute episodes
Air dates: January 12 through April 6, 2017
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: As Kobayashi sets off for another day at work, she opens her apartment door only to be met by an unusually frightening sight—the head of a dragon, staring at her from across the balcony. The dragon immediately transforms into a cute, busty, and energetic young girl dressed in a maid outfit, introducing herself as Tooru.
It turns out that the stoic programmer had come across the dragon the previous night on a drunken excursion to the mountains, and since the mythical beast had nowhere else to go, she had offered the creature a place to stay in her home. Thus, Tooru had arrived to cash in on the offer, ready to repay her savior’s kindness by working as her personal maidservant. Though deeply regretful of her words and hesitant to follow through on her promise, a mix of guilt and Tooru’s incredible dragon abilities convinces Kobayashi to take the girl in.
Despite being extremely efficient at her job, the maid’s unorthodox methods of housekeeping often end up horrifying Kobayashi and at times bring more trouble than help. Furthermore, the circumstances behind the dragon’s arrival on Earth seem to be much more complicated than at first glance, as Tooru bears some heavy emotions and painful memories. To top it all off, Tooru’s presence ends up attracting several other mythical beings to her new home, bringing in a host of eccentric personalities. Although Kobayashi makes her best effort to handle the crazy situation that she has found herself in, nothing has prepared her for this new life with a dragon maid.
8. Made in Abyss
Produced by: Media Factory, AT-X, Takeshobo, Sony Music Communications, Kadokawa Media House, Cygames, Kanetsu Co., LTD.
Studio: Kinema Citrus
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 13 25-minute episodes
Air dates: July 7 through September 29, 2017
Rating: R-17+
Synopsis: The Abyss—a gaping chasm stretching down into the depths of the earth, filled with mysterious creatures and relics from a time long past. How did it come to be? What lies at the bottom? Countless brave individuals, known as Divers, have sought to solve these mysteries of the Abyss, fearlessly descending into its darkest realms. The best and bravest of the Divers, the White Whistles, are hailed as legends by those who remain on the surface.
Riko, daughter of the missing White Whistle Lyza the Annihilator, aspires to become like her mother and explore the furthest reaches of the Abyss. However, just a novice Red Whistle herself, she is only permitted to roam its most upper layer. Even so, Riko has a chance encounter with a mysterious robot with the appearance of an ordinary young boy. She comes to name him Reg, and he has no recollection of the events preceding his discovery. Certain that the technology to create Reg must come from deep within the Abyss, the two decide to venture forth into the chasm to recover his memories and see the bottom of the great pit with their own eyes. However, they know not of the harsh reality that is the true existence of the Abyss.
7. Land of the Lustrous
AKA in Japan: Houseki no Kuni
Produced by: Kodansha, TOHO animation
Studio: Orange
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Episodes: 12 24-minute episodes
Air dates: October 7 through December 23, 2017
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: In the distant future, a new immortal and genderless life form called Gems populate the Earth. The 28 Gems must fight against the Lunarians, who attack them regularly to abduct them and to turn them into decorations. Each Gem is assigned a role, such as a fighter or a medic.
Being only 300 years old, Phosphophyllite is the youngest of the Gems and has no assignment yet. They want to help to fight the Moon Dwellers, but are too weak and brittle for battle. One day the master of Gems, Kongou (Adamantine), assigns them the task of creating a natural history encyclopedia.
6. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
AKA in Japan: Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records
Produced by: Media Factory, AT-X, Kadokawa Pictures Japan, Ultra Super Pictures, Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, Sony Music Communications, Fujimi Shobo, Kanetsu Co., LTD.
Studio: LIDENFILMS
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Episodes: 12 24-minute episodes
Air dates: April 4 through June 20, 2017
Rating: R-17+
Synopsis: The Alzano Empire is home to one of the most distinguished magic schools in the world: the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy. Here, ambitious young students undergo training to become competent magicians. Sistine Fibel, a stern noble girl, and her bright-eyed best friend Rumia Tingel attend the Academy, determined to cultivate their magical skills.
However, their world is thrown for a loop when their favorite teacher suddenly retires and the enigmatic Glenn Radars replaces him. His lazy and indifferent attitude toward life and magic quickly puts him at odds with his class. What’s more, nefarious forces hidden within the empire’s walls start to become active, and Sistine, Rumia, and Glenn find themselves caught up in their schemes.
Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records follows Sistine, who is captivated by a mysterious floating Sky Castle; Rumia, who is haunted by a troubled past; and Glenn, who may be more than meets the eye. Though completely different on the surface, they are inexplicably bound together by a thread of fate.
5. Princess Principal
Produced by: Bandai Visual, Lantis, Movic, Tokyo MX, Q-Tec, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Medicos Entertainment
Studio: Actas, Studio 3Hz
Genre: Action, Mystery
Episodes: 12 25-minute episodes
Air dates: July 9 through September 24, 2017
Rating: R-17+
Synopsis: In the early 20th century, the discovery of the substance Cavorite allowed the production of advanced military technology and steered the country toward conflict. London is now divided by a wall, and the Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Albion battle a silent war where espionage is the only weapon that can destabilize the enemy. A group of girls from the prestigious Queen’s Mayfaire school work as undercover spies for the Commonwealth.
Led by Dorothy, an experienced driver with a striking personality, their group includes the talents of Ange le Carré, a cold-blooded liar and expert sharpshooter; Chise, a proficient samurai; and Beatrice, a voice-mimicking specialist. They use their unique individual skills for the Commonwealth to survive in a dark world filled with conspiracy, mystery, and infiltration. In the shadow of the war, they have only one goal in mind: completing their mission.
4. Tsuredure Children
AKA in Japan: Tsurezure Children
Produced by: Nihon Ad Systems, Kodansha, Movic, KlockWorx, Sony Music Entertainment, King Records, BS11, Animatic
Studio: Studio Gokumi
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 12 12-minute episodes
Air dates: July 4 through September 19, 2017
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: Young love—it takes many unique and fascinating forms that flourish as children begin to mature into adults. From being unable to confess to not knowing what real love actually feels like, various obstacles can arise when learning about romantic attraction for the first time. But underneath all that, young love is something truly beautiful to behold, leading to brand new experiences for those young and in love.
Tsurezure Children depicts various scenarios of young love coming to fruition, along with the struggles and joys that it entails.
3. Little Witch Academia
Produced by: Ultra Super Pictures, TOHO animation, Good Smile Company
Studio: Trigger
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 25 24-minute episodes
Air dates: January 9 through June 26, 2017
Rating: PG
Synopsis: In a time when magic is on the decline amid society, Atsuko Kagari is a cheerful girl who enters Luna Nova Academy in order to accomplish her dream of becoming a witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. Shiny Chariot is a famous witch who disappeared from public view many years ago. On her way to school, Kagari meets the kind Lotte Yanson and the mischevious Sucy Manbavaran and the three become friends as they share a bedroom in campus. At the academy, Atsuko soon discovers she is in serious disadvantage compared to the other girls since she doesn`t come from a magical family and is required to learn the magical curriculum from scratch. Having found an item that once belonged to Chariot, Atsuko must discover how to activate and properly use the mysterious Shiny Rod as she hopes it might lead to finding out what has truly happened to her vanished idol.
2. Attack on Titan Season 2
AKA in Japan: Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2
Produced by: Production I.G, Dentsu, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Pony Canyon, Kodansha, Mad Box, Shingeki no Kyojin Team, Pony Canyon Enterprise
Studio: Wit Studio
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Episodes: 12 24-minute episodes
Air dates: April 1 through June 17, 2017
Rating: R-17+
Synopsis: For centuries, humanity has been hunted by giant, mysterious predators known as the Titans. Three mighty walls—Wall Maria, Rose, and Sheena—provided peace and protection for humanity for over a hundred years. That peace, however, was shattered when the Colossus Titan and Armored Titan appeared and destroyed the outermost wall, Wall Maria. Forced to retreat behind Wall Rose, humanity waited with bated breath for the Titans to reappear and destroy their safe haven once more.
In Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2, Eren Yeager and others of the 104th Training Corps have just begun to become full members of the Survey Corps. As they ready themselves to face the Titans once again, their preparations are interrupted by the invasion of Wall Rose—but all is not as it seems as more mysteries are unraveled. As the Survey Corps races to save the wall, they uncover more about the invading Titans and the dark secrets of their own members.
1. My Hero Academia Season 2
AKA in Japan: Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season
Produced by: Dentsu, Yomiuri Telecasting, Movic, Sony Music Entertainment, TOHO animation, Shueisha
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action, Comedy
Episodes: 25 23-minute episodes
Air dates: April 1 through September 30, 2017
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: At UA Academy, not even a violent attack can disrupt their most prestigious event: the school sports festival. Renowned across Japan, this festival is an opportunity for aspiring heroes to showcase their abilities, both to the public and potential recruiters.
However, the path to glory is never easy, especially for Izuku Midoriya—whose quirk possesses great raw power but is also cripplingly inefficient. Pitted against his talented classmates, such as the fire and ice wielding Shouto Todoroki, Izuku must utilize his sharp wits and master his surroundings to achieve victory and prove to the world his worth.
