Author: Vampire
Love Live! School Idol Project
Aired: Jan 6, 2013 - Mar 31, 2013 (13 Episodes)
Synopsis:
Unfortunately, it's all easier said than done. Student council president Eri Ayase vehemently opposes the establishment of a school idol group and will do anything in her power to prevent its creation. Moreover, Honoka and her friends have trouble attracting any additional members. But the Love Live, a competition to determine the best and most beloved school idol groups in Japan, can help them gain the attention they desperately need. With the contest fast approaching, Honoka must act quickly and diligently to try and bring together a school idol group and win the Love Live in order to save Otonokizaka High School.
Additional Information: The rhythm mobile game at some point had over 30 million players! Strangely enough, it ended service last year and then launched a sequel game... which then had to delay its global version until February... but is now scheduled to terminate at the end of May. Strange, indeed. [5]
Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
Aired: Apr 7, 2013 - Sep 29, 2013 (25 Episodes)
Synopsis:
After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and his childhood friend Armin Arlert join the brutal war against the Titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached.
Additional Information: Attack on Titan received widespread critical acclaim and has been praised by many critics as one of the greatest anime series of all time. The anime is noted for its widespread appeal and enormous global popularity, being cited as an important factor in introducing anime to a new generation. In 2021, during the first part of the final season, Attack on Titan was the most viewed television program in the United States, before it was overtaken by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier shortly before the mid-season finale. [6]
Hataraku Maou-sama! (The Devil is a Part-Timer!)
Aired: Apr 4, 2013 - Jun 27, 2013 (13 Episodes)
Synopsis:
Powerless in a world without magic, Satan assumes the guise of a human named Sadao Maou and begins working at MgRonald's—a local fast-food restaurant—to make ends meet. He soon realizes that his goal of conquering Ente Isla is just not enough as he grows determined to climb the corporate ladder and become the ruler of Earth, one satisfied customer at a time!
Whether it's part-time work, household chores, or simply trying to pay the rent on time, Hataraku Maou-sama! presents a hilarious view of the most mundane aspects of everyday life, all through the eyes of a hapless demon lord.
Additional Information: Shockingly, a continuation of the anime adaptation aired a whole 9 years later! The main character also made a brief appearance in a McDonald's ad that was running in 2023. [8]
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)
Aired: Apr 5, 2013 - Jun 28, 2013 (13 Episodes)
Synopsis:
In a novel punishment for writing an essay mocking modern social relationships, Hachiman's teacher forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club, a club that aims to extend a helping hand to any student who seeks their support in achieving their goals. With the only other club member being the beautiful ice queen Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman finds himself on the front line of other people's problems—a place he never dreamed he would be. As Hachiman and Yukino use their wits to solve many students' problems, will Hachiman's rotten view of society prove to be a hindrance or a tool he can use to his advantage?
Additional Information: My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU was chosen as the best light novel of Japan according to the online polls compiled by the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! annual guide book in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Hachiman Hikigaya was elected the best male character in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Yukino Yukinoshita was elected the best female character in 2015 and Ponkan8, the series' artist, was chosen as the best illustrator in 2015 and 2016. [9]
Date A Live
Aired: Apr 6, 2013 - Jun 22, 2013 (12 Episodes)
Synopsis:
Shidou Itsuka is a seemingly average high school student who lives with his younger sister, Kotori. When an imminent spatial quake threatens the safety of Tengu City, he rushes to save her, only to be caught in the resulting eruption. He discovers a mysterious girl at its source, who is revealed to be a "Spirit," an otherworldly entity whose appearance triggers a spatial quake. Soon after, he becomes embroiled in a skirmish between the girl and the Anti-Spirit Team, a ruthless strike force with the goal of annihilating Spirits.
However, there is a third party that believes in saving the spirits: "Ratatoskr," which surprisingly is commanded by Shidou's little sister! Kotori forcibly recruits Shidou after the clash, presenting to him an alternative method of dealing with the danger posed by the Spirits—make them fall in love with him. Now, the fate of the world rests on his dating prowess, as he seeks out Spirits in order to charm them.
Additional Information: As of 2021, the light novel series has 6 million copies in print worldwide. [10] The fifth season is currently airing.
Free! (Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club)
Aired: Jul 4, 2013 - Sep 26, 2013 (12 Episodes)
Synopsis:
After the bitter reunion, Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto decide to form the Iwatobi High School Swim Club, but they will need a fourth member if they hope to take part in the upcoming tournament. Enter Rei Ryuugazaki, a former member of the track team whom Nagisa recruits. As the time to compete draws near, the four develop a close bond while training intensely to come out on top and settle things between Haruka and Rin once and for all.
Additional Information: The final installment—a two-part anime film project—was slated for release alongside the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, but had to be postponed. [11] After finally premiering in the spring of 2022, the second part made over $6.69 million USD. [12]
Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises)
Aired: Jul 20, 2013 (Movie)
Synopsis:
For Jirou, the years leading up to the production of his infamous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft will test every fiber of his being. His many travels and life experiences only urge him onward—even as he realizes both the role of his creations in the war and the harsh realities of his personal life. As time marches on, he must confront an impossible question: at what cost does he chase his beautiful dream?
Additional Information: The Wind Rises was the highest-grossing Japanese film in Japan in 2013. It was Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film since Ponyo in 2008, and was thought to be his last until he came out of retirement in 2023 with The Boy and the Heron. [13][14]
Kill la Kill
Aired: Oct 4, 2013 - Mar 28, 2014 (24 Episodes)
Synopsis:
Thoroughly beaten in a fight against one of the students in uniform, Ryuuko retreats to her razed home where she stumbles across Senketsu, a rare and sentient "Kamui," or God Clothes. After coming into contact with Ryuuko's blood, Senketsu awakens, latching onto her and providing her with immense power. Now, armed with Senketsu and the Scissor Blade, Ryuuko makes a stand against the Elite Four, hoping to reach Satsuki and uncover the culprit behind her father's murder once and for all.
Additional Information: An absurd, over-the-top, and weird anime that won the hearts of many and solidified Studio Trigger's unique style overall. Although the series was incredibly popular and received mostly positive reviews, a forefront complaint was its fanservice imagery; was it really just fanservice, or was there a point and source of empowerment from it given the context of the story? I don't know because I didn't finish it and barely remember! Kill la Kill won multiple prizes during the 4th Newtype Anime Awards, including Best Character Design (Sushio), Best Script (Kazuki Nakashima), Best Sound, and Best Picture (TV Broadcast). It placed second for Best Theme Song ("Sirius"), Best Director (Hiroyuki Imaishi) and Best Studio (Trigger). In the Best Mascot category, Senketsu placed third and Guts placed ninth. In Best Character (female), Ryuko placed second, and Mako placed third. The anime was part of the Jury Selections of the 18th Japan Media Arts Festival in the Animation category. [15]
Diabolik Lovers
Aired: Sep 16, 2013 - Dec 9, 2013 (12 Episodes)
Synopsis:
Additional Information: The anime adaptation of Diabolik Lovers is met with almost entirely derision, and yet it allures the masses all the same. Serving as promotional material for the otome game series it spawned from more than anything else, it will forever cruelly remind English players that Reject doesn't care about localizing it. DAMMIT ALL
Yowamushi Pedal
Aired: Oct 8, 2013 to Jul 1, 2014 (38 Episodes)
Synopsis:
This is when he meets fellow first year student, Shunsuke Imaizumi, a determined cyclist who is using the school's steep incline for practice. Surprised by Onoda's ability to climb the hill with his specific type of bicycle, Imaizumi challenges him to a race, with the proposition of joining the anime club should Onoda win. And thus begins the young boy's first foray into the world of high school bicycle racing!
Additional Information: In the year following its first episode, bike shops in Japan saw an increase in the number of women taking an interest in cycling largely because of this anime. Interest in specific bicycle manufacturers grew as well, corresponding to the bikes ridden by some of the series' characters. Japanese representatives for Pinarello, an Italian bike manufacturer and the preferred ride of character Naruko Shoukichi, noted an increase in the number of interested female buyers.
