The Best Animes to Binge This Winter Instead of Leaving the House
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Some people think of Winter as fluffy snow falling from the sky while you sip on sweet hot chocolate and wear big fuzzy sweaters next to a cozy fireplace. When I hear Winter, I think of my skin drying out from me blasting the heater in my car while I sit in traffic on my way home from work and watching the sun die out at 4 p.m. But, I think both Winter-lovers and Winter-haters can come together to agree that this season is the best time for staying indoors to watch our favorite shows. Let's take it one step further and declare Winter the perfect time to delve into the wonderful world of anime.
The term "anime" is the Japanese word for animation, and in America, it colloquially refers to Japanese cartoons that stereotypically have fantasy themes, colorful graphics, and amazing fighting scenes. However, anime can not be put into a monotonous one-note box. To say that all animes are the same is equivalent to saying all movies are the same. Many shows like, Pokemon, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more have become huge franchises in America. Therefore, 'tis the season for both anime newbies and anime fanatics to discover, rewatch, and cherish this magical and multifaceted genre while Winter does its thing. Here are just a few animes from various genres that I watched and would recommend to anyone.
ERASED
This is my number one pick for people who are new to anime and want to start watching it this Winter. For one, this mystery thriller takes place during the Winter, so it is the perfect time to watch and goes with the vibe of the season. Also, ERASED is only two seasons (some animes go on for years), and each episode keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it will leave you wanting more. I watched this entire thing in one night.
Watch ERASED on Hulu or Crunchyroll.
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins has humor, great characters, and a thrilling plot. I recommend this anime to people looking for adventure, fantasy, and excitement. Melodias and his friends make up the rebel group known as the Seven Deadly Sins, and they band together with Princess Elizabeth to help protect her Kingdom. It sounds like a light-hearted fairy tale, but it is a show with never-ending action and tragic twists and turns.
Watch The Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix.
NANA
NANA is one of my favorite animes of all time. This show belongs to the Josei category, meaning its target audience is women in their 20s and up, so it is a more serious anime with no fantasy aspects. Two girls both named Nana meet on a train to Tokyo and end up living together despite being completely opposite people with completely different futures. It is somewhat of a gloomy show that pulls you in with these two girls' unique friendship and messy lives. I'm obsessed.
Watch NANA on YouTube.
Kakegurui
This show is perfect for anyone looking for an anime to watch that will not make you cry or become emotionally attached to its characters. Although it does not have that kind of sentimental value, Kakegurui keeps you entertained with its dark undertones and witty writing. Yumeko Jabami transfers to a high school where gambling determines your livelihood, and she feels right at home. This show reminds of movies like Ocean's 8 where you cannot wait to find out how it ends.
Watch Kakegurui on Netflix.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Some like to call this anime a modern Sailor Moon and I can see why. Puella Magi Madoka Magica focuses on the lives of middle school girls who are granted one wish if they agree to fight off evil in the world with magic. This show is less bubbly than the trailer makes it seem and actually has some dark undertones, but it is a great watch for anyone looking to see intriguing animation and whimsical fight scenes.
Watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica on Hulu.
Attack on Titan
Whew. This anime is heavy, dark, scary, and graphic, but if you don't mind those themes too much, it is amazing. Attack on Titan is critically acclaimed for its phenomenal animation, character development, and storyline. In a world where giant human-like monsters called titans roam the Earth and eat humans, 15-year-old Eren Yeager and his friends join the Survey Corps to stop the Titans from destroying their town and their livelihood. This show is so wild I have to watch YouTube videos on the side just to understand what is really going on.
Gintama
Hilarious, funny, stupid, and comical is what Gintama is. This anime is a long-running classic, and I recommend it to anyone who just wants to sit around and laugh this Winter.
Watch Gintama on Hulu.
Naruto/Naruto Shippuden
OK, do not discredit everything else I said because I am recommending what is known as the most overrated anime of all time. Some things are popular because they are amazing, and that is what Naruto is! Although it is very well-known in America, I would not recommend this show to someone who is new to anime because it is 1,000 episodes long and truly a journey. But, if you are up for the challenge this Winter and want to google which episodes to skip, then I 100 percent recommend watching one of my favorite shows of all time.