Hakumei to Mikochi

Winter 2018 Anime Worth Checking Out

By:

Published:

11/01/2018

Updated on: 15/02/2024

The Winter 2018 anime season has started and I thought now would be a good time to look at a couple of anime airing this season I’m really looking forward to. One thing I have to make clear though when writing this is, I did not watch many of the anime that have aired yet. I’ll hold off on voicing my opinion on some anime until at least 3 episodes. That way I can form a proper opinion on how I think the story of an anime will progress or if I enjoyed it or not. I will, however, leave some minor notes to why I’m looking forward to an anime or giving you a reason why you should check it out. (Xanax)

This list will not include Season 2’s, OVA, ONA or Movies. I want this list to only focus on brand new anime airing. So do not expect OverLord Season 2 or DevilMan Crybaby on this list. Two anime I still highly recommend people check out even if they not on this list.

Be sure to also check out our last list where we talked about 5 Korean and Chinese Animation Worth Checking Out

Now then let us get started

Here is my recommendation list for winter 2018 anime

Violet Evergarden

By Studio: Kyoto Animation

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Visual
Violet Evergarden Poster 3

Violet Evergarden Poster 3 – Winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

Auto Memories Doll.

It’s been quite a while since that name caused a fuss. Originally invented by Professor Orland solely for his beloved wife, Auto Memories Dolls eventually spread out into the world, and a machine that allows people to rent out the dolls was also created.

“I will run as fast as I can to wherever my customer desires. I am the Auto Memories Doll, Violet Evergarden.”

A girl who almost appears to have popped out of a fairy tale with her blonde hair and blue eyes said this with her inorganic beauty and sweet voice. (Source reviews)

Kuma’s Extra Note: 1 year of expectation has built up within me looking forward to this anime. I remember the very first trailer for this anime sent chills down my spine. Everything from the amazing animation from the trailers and wonderful character design.

Just every little bit of info that has slowly been revealed about this anime over 1 year I’ve been following and keeping track of it. That is how excited I am about this anime. Though I still sit with the back thought that this might be a disappointment,  Thought I’ve also learned to trust Kyoto Animation, They a studio that constantly produces quality for me.

And hey if the series does end up being a disappointment(story wise) at least the anime will be a visual spectacle animation wise.

Citrus

By Studio: Passione

Genres: Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life, Yuri

Anime Visual
Citrus anime visual

citrus – winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

Yuzuko Aihara, a high school girl whose main interests are fashion, friends, and having fun, is about to get a reality check. Due to her mom’s remarriage, Yuzu has transferred to a new all-girls school that is extremely strict. Her real education is about to begin.

From day one, happy-go-lucky Yuzu makes enemies, namely the beautiful yet stern Student Council President Mei. So what happens when a dejected Yuzu returns home and discovers the shock of her life: that Mei is actually her new stepsister who has come to live with her? Even more surprising, when Mei catches Yuzu off guard and kisses her out of the blue, what does it all mean?(Source)

Kuma’s Extra Note: Now this right here is another anime I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. This series should cure most people who have been looking for some good Yuri in there life. If anyone plans to watch this I can guarantee you. This series will be something you’ll enjoy.

Actually, wait I can’t guarantee anything since there is a chance the adaption might be bad. But if the adaption ends up being good and follows the manga. Then trust me this is something you’d want to watch if you into Yuri.

Be sure to check our previous article where thepanda reviews Kuroko no basket and Fruits Basket

Darling in the Franxx

By Studio’s: Trigger and A-1 Pictures

Genres: Sci-Fi, Mecha

Anime Visual
Darling in the FranXX Visual

Darling in the FranXX – Winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

The story is set in the distant future. The land is ruined, and humanity establishes the mobile fort city Plantation. Pilots produced inside Plantation live in Mistilteinn, also known as the “birdcage.” Children live there knowing nothing of the outside world or the freedom of the sky. Their lives consist of battling to carry out missions. Their enemies are mysterious giant lifeforms known as Kyōryū, and the children pilot robots called Franxx to face off against them. For the children, riding the Franxx proves their existence.

A boy named Hiro is called Code:016, and he was once known as a prodigy. However, he has fallen behind, and his existence seems unnecessary. Not piloting a Franxx is the same as ceasing to exist. One day, a mysterious girl known as “Zero Two” appears before him. Two horns grow out of her head.(Source)

Kuma’s Extra Note: I do not know how to feel about this anime. On the one hand, you got studio Trigger(a great studio) working on it and on the other hand you got A-1 Pictures(A studio I’m not a fan off) also working on this series.  My love is split here I do not know what to feel at all. Should I get excited or should I lower my expectation?

My feelings on this anime are all over the place. It’s weird having a studio you like and a studio you hate working together. Still looking forward to watching it but for now, I’ll assume the anime will be average because there is no way it’s going to be great

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

By Studio: SILVER LINK

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Harem, Romance, Shounen

Anime Visual
Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody – Winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

29-year-old programmer Suzuki Ichirou finds himself transported into a fantasy RPG. Within the game, he’s a 15-year-old named Satou. At first, he thinks he’s dreaming, but his experiences seem very real. Due to a powerful ability, he possesses with limited use, he ends up wiping out an army of lizard men and becomes a high leveled adventurer. Satou decides to hide his level and plans to live peacefully and meet new people. However, developments in the game’s story, such as the return of a demon king, may cause a nuisance to Satou’s plans.(Source)

Kuma Extra Note: I got a small bit of history with this series. I can’t really say much about it but, I’ve read about 3 volumes of the LN for this series and what I read was really fun for just another Isekai series. But that’s all I can say. I do not know if the series gets worse or better in the later volumes but from what I read alone this series is good. So if you a fan of the Isekai genre this series will for sure be something you should check out.

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni
(Love is Like after the Rain)

By Studio: Wit Studio

Genres: Drama, Romance, School Lif,e Seinen, Slice of Life

Anime Visual
Love is Like after the Rain Visual

Love is Like after the Rain Visual – winter 2018 anime

 

Series Summary

Akira Tachibana is a soft-spoken high school student who used to be a part of the track and field club but, due to an injury, she is no longer able to run as fast as she once could. Working part-time at a family restaurant as a recourse, she finds herself inexplicably falling in love with her manager, a divorced 45-year-old man with a young son.

Despite the age gap, Akira wholeheartedly embraces his mannerisms and kind nature, which is seen as spinelessness by the other employees, and little by little, the two begin to understand each other. Although unable to explain why exactly she is attracted to him, Akira believes that a concrete reason is not needed to truly love someone. On a rainy day, she decides to finally tell her manager about how she feels… but just how will he react?

Kuma’s Extra Note: Now this series right here I’m in love with it. I’m up to date with the manga and all I can say is, Do not let the massive age gap between the two characters stop you from watching this series because you might assume it’s weird but it’s not. It’s actually a damn cute and wonderful romance series. It’s a must watch for any romance fan in my opinion. Just give it a chance before pushing the series to the side.

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

By Studio: Shin-Ei Animation

Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life

Anime Visual
Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san Anime Visual

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san Anime Visual – winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

“If you blush, you lose.”

Living by this principle, the middle schooler Nishikata gets constantly made fun of by his seat neighbour Takagi-san. With his pride shattered to pieces, he vows to turn the tables and get back at her someday. And so, he attempts to tease her day after day, only to find himself victim to Takagi-san’s ridicule again sooner than later. Will he be able to make Takagi-san blush from embarrassment even once in the end?

Kuma’s Extra Note: Skilled Teaser Takagi-san a series I love. It’s another manga which I’m up to date with. And if there is something I should tell you before you start this series. It’s if you expect there to be any romance progression. You looking at the wrong series because the love progression in this series moves as slow as a snail. But what the series makes up for its slow romance progression is the interactions between the two main characters. It’s downright adorable. And that’s probably one of the biggest charms of this series. Everything else isn’t so great so, If you can deal with slow romance progression. Then this anime is worth giving a shot. You might end up loving it as much as I do.

Pop Team Epic

By Studio: Kamikaze Douga

Genres: Comedy

Anime Visual
Pop Team Epic Visual

Pop Team Epic – Winter 2018 Anime

Series Summary

Two high school girls, the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and much more calm Pipimi, do insane things and swear like sailors in this absurdist comedy filled with references and meta humour (Source).

Kuma’s Extra Note: Pop Team Epic I do not even know what to say about this series. It still blows my mind that this is even getting an anime adaptation. It’s honestly leaving me speechless. Safe to say it’s for sure going to be one of the weirdest and most stupid anime this season. Heck, maybe even the whole year. I really can’t wait to watch this anime. If you a fan of mindless and stupid comedy then this series is a must watch.

Curious about which anime is worth watching in 2017? Then be sure to check out Gallu’s article looking the Hit and Misses anime of 2017.

Ito Junji: Collection

By Studio: Studio DEEN

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural

Anime Visual
Ito Junji: Collection Anime Visual

Ito Junji: Collection – Winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

Stories from both the 11-volume Ito Junji Kessaku-shuu series and the Fragments of Horror book will be adapted.

Kuma’s Extra Note: Finally, an anime adaptation of a true Horror Author legend Junji Ito, There have been to many wannabe horror anime lately and none of them has been good. Most of the recent horror just come off as extreme edgy series with none of them ending up actually being Horror at all. Until now, we might get the first and maybe the best horror anime in recent memory.

The king has come to show the peasants how horror should be done. This anime is a must watch, I just hope studio DEEN does a good job adapting the series.

A Place Further Than The Universe

By Studio: Madhouse

Genres:  Adventure

Anime Visual
A Place Further Than The Universe Visual

A Place Further Than The Universe – Winter 2018 Anime

Series Summary

The anime’s story centers on high school girls going to the South Pole, “a place further than the universe.” They struggle and grow together as they cope with extreme conditions.(Source)

Kuma’s Extra Notes: With the 1st episode out already I can tell you now this series is good for a slice of life. It had a wonderful first episode with instantly likeable characters wonderful animation and an interesting story setting. Madhouse studio really went all out with this anime. It reminds me of the last all-girl cast slice of life anime they made Hanayamata which was another great Slice of Life for me anyway. When Madhouse isn’t adapting manga and novels and put their time and money into Slice of life series. They end up making really great stuff that sadly goes under the radar because people are not used to seeing them adapt Slice of Life series.

Buy anyway if you looking for a really good Slice of life anime this is a must watch for sure.

Visit our writer MadHouseFire previous article as he reviews one of 2017 most interesting romance anime,  JUST BECAUSE. And he’s previous review  Romeo x, Juliet

Hakumei to Mikochi

By Studio: Lerche

Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life
Anime Visual
Hakumei to Mikochi Visual winter 2018 anime

Hakumei to Mikochi – Winter 2018 anime

Series Summary

Nine centimetres (3.5 inches) tall, the tiny girls Hakumei and Mikochi live in the forest. Living in a tiny house in a tree, riding insects and birds, and making umbrellas out of leaves, these tiny girls live a tiny life. Follow their tiny but lovely lives as they live their day to day in a fantastic world of tiny people and gods.

Kuma’s Extra Note: I do not know much about this series, so I can’t say too much about it. I did though read a couple of chapters of the manga just to get a small idea of what this series is about. And to put it simply. It’s basically another Slice of Life series just more unique than the rest airing this season. It’s fairly dull and boring and nothing really exciting happens. But I think that is kind of the charm of this series. Even though it was dull and boring with not much happening in the story(from the chapters I’ve read) I still found my self very interested in this series. Mainly because the setting and world are interesting. The small world of these tiny little girls is very interesting.

Hakumei to Mikochi manga art

winter 2018 anime

What makes it more interesting is how the art brings the world to life. The art of this manga is honestly great.

With its weird mix of simple character design mixed with a very detailed world is an oddly nice mix. If I had to compare this series it anything. It would be last seasons Girls’ Last Tour. Just remove the gloomy world of Girls’ Last Tour and replace it with the vibrant and colorful world of this series. Then basically kinda the same Slice of life. Simply put if you liked Girls’ Last Tour you’ll probably love this anime.

That’s pretty much it. The anime I look forward to watching this season. This new season is very slice of life heavy which I don’t mind since I really enjoy slice of life. Sadly it will probably be dubbed as the worst season compared to the other seasons this year that will have some heavy hitting and popular anime airing later this year. Well, those hard-hitting anime is not something we should talk about now. We shall do that in a future article probably.

Now it’s your turn to tell us

What are you watching this season?

What anime airing this season is your favorite?

Have you dropped any anime airing this season?

I’m curious what everyone is watching or plan to watch This season.

Spring 2018 Anime Worth Checking Out

Categories Anime ListAnime

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28 comments


  1. 3.5

  2. This thread came in use, thanks bossu.

  3. I’m excited for Citrus.
    Great post ~

    • You are attracted to yuri ?

  4. @Voice_of_The_Unheard:disqus I think people are slowly realizing that school/highschool MC’s are not always a hit, plus there is a bunch of good mangas with older MC’s which is still not adapted for some weird reason.

    • well yeah. this shit’s getting repetitive
      also, anime has been implementing the hero concept a lot lately. which is a fresh change of pace for me too

      • well they do what’s popular, just like when SAO become popular they instantly tried a lot of MMO trapped in game genres, and ever since One punch man they got into the idea of hero animus, seems to me like they just try to rip of what’s currently trending and earn money

  5. Where’s that ramen anime, that’s high quality stuffs

  6. Watched the first ep of PopTeamEpic. It really is epic. Tho i can’t really say wtf went on.
    The ep started as a different anime, then the actual anime popped up outta nowhere. Justice to the name.
    The second half of the ep was exactly the first half but all the voice was a bit lower pitched. Strange stuff. Would still watch tho.
    https://www.latesttechnicalreviews.com/read-korean-webtoons-at-thebiem/

    Also, Junji Itou collection is fucking awesome! The first ep started with a softcore story, but knowing the other stories from the manga…it’s gonna be something that i can actually call a “scary anime”.

    • What do you mean by Scary ?

  7. Is this weird creature supposed to be a human
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/091f9e6cc4fdf6d4fbbed171876deb51c3433aeae640be27f379c59ef70dd3f1.png
    No wonder it fell in love with a spineless 45y/o dude

    • Jokes aside, the plot looks very interesting. First inuyashiki and then this, i like how anime is starting to focus on older characters lul

  8. Looking forward on watching Violet Evergarden, A place further than the universe and Death March to the Parallel world rhapsody.

    • a place further than the universe doesn’t look that interesting to me

      • Looks like a simple story so it might not be interesting to normal users.

  9. Cool!

  10. Kuma you never list the Dude animes >.>’ What about Gintama (last arc maybe…), Overloard s2, Fate Grand Order Moonlight Lostroom, or Basilisk:ouka ninpouchou new season >.>’ https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c378c2e847ee33bd6496e20491df27956a3bd081973656c13999f405e178ada.gif

  11. Death march is the classic harem aids

  12. Definitely watching Desumachi and Sora yori mo Tooi Basho

    And Violet Evergarden, too once the Blue-ray release comes out

  13. >still watching anime in 2018

    What a loser

  14. 5

  15. 4.5

  16. Cant wait for Violet Evergarden

  17. 5