All of these anime were released in 2016. There are movies, TV series and OVA here. Also the respective sections are divided into new (fresh watch/first season) and sequel/prequel (needs to be watched in respective order). So let’s get started.

Movies

New

Kimi no Na wa [Your Name]

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This is one the most beautiful movies I’ve ever watched. The animation and art is just beautiful. The scene where the meteorite splits in two in the sky is absolutely breathtaking. The concept of two people switching soul in the movie is not exactly the first in fantasy storytelling, but the way it has been executed is very fresh. The story leaves you craving more but also with somewhat peace of mind. The music is mesmerizing. I really loved the songs. All together this romantic, supernatural movie is a must watch according to me.

Sequel/Prequel

Kizumonogatari : Tekketsu-Hen/Nekketsu-Hen

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The much awaited movie for me. After watching mostly shounen anime I was looking for some mature genre. You know something veterans would watch. Then I discovered the Monogatari Series and I’ve never looked back. It was perfect! The wordplay, The analysis of a characters, The references to Evangelion (“I will protect you” -Rei) and so many other anime, the different but amazing art style, limbs tearing, blood showering (literally), suspense music, everything was perfect. The complexity of conversation in this anime could match with my own twisted way of thinking and interacting! So Kizumonogatari is the latest volume from the series and it is being released in a 3 part movie. The first(tekketsu) and second(nekketsu) part has been released in 2016 while the third and last(reiketsu) part premieres on 2017. This movie is best watched after finishing the rest of the series as it takes a little getting-used-to to the different art style of the series. The order I watched and recommend is following:

  • Bakemonogatari
  • Nisemonogatari
  • Nekomonogatari:Kuro
  • Monogatari Series Second Season
  • Hanamonogatari
  • Tsukimonogatari
  • Owarimonogatari (I)
  • Koyomimonogatari
  • Kizumonogatari

More information on the series order or the series in general can be found in the monogatari subreddit

OVA

Sequel/Prequel

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku OVA

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Hachiman is the closest character to portray my thoughts. When I’d see a scene and try to think about something which is not very trivial about the scene, like for example where Hachiman thinks to himself if he was born 10 years ago he would have married sensei, the mood set in there was not about him thinking that. But He did it anyway. These are kind of the little thoughts we do not give much value to. These are just trivial thoughts, shows skip these, maybe even think it’s not appropriate to always show the trivial thoughts! Anyway I love Oregairu for that. It rips apart the norm of keeping trivial thoughts unheard. In some way I find it very close to the Monogatari Series, the complicated yet rational thoughts, simple irrational thougts, long sentences in a single breath. I just love it.

Nisekoi: OVA

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#teamchitoge. Now that all the Onodera fans are gone, I love the series just because I love Chitoge. She’s just too damn cute. And all the faces she makes! I think Nisekoi probably should win the most-different-faces-of-the-same-character-award. Coming to the OVA I was actually thinking there would be a 3rd season (fingers still crossed)! But I enjoyed just being able to spend more time with the comfortable characters after a long time! So thumbs up for this one!

TV Series

New

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi [Erased]

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I noticed the popularity of Erased when it released. Since it scored pretty high on MAL I thought I’d save up the series for a later watch. But when I heard some HUGE spoiler, I just got heartbroken. I thought I should just get over with it. But the end results were pretty different from what I had expected. The series has average visuals, nothing too fancy. But the story is good. A 29 year old manga artist has a certain power to prevent bad things from happening around himself. But things roll quickly once his mother gets murdered. He has to remeber the memories he once forgotten. However unlike many I would say Erased was not pointed towards being a romantic love story. So watch it for the plot.

Boku no Hero Academia [My Hero Academia]

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Watched One Punch Man? Want something similarly action packed and in a similar setting? Look no more. Boku no Hero Academia was one of the most enjoyable and fun series for me! It’s art style is more comic but reminds me of OPM. The animation is very good. Heroes are born with Quirks. Our main character does not have any quirk (heh.. talk about stereotype). Can he become a hero? After he meets the legendary hero All Might, his life changes forever. I don’t think there are many who have not already watched this show and if you have not then you should watch right now. It’s very newcomer friendly.

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

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This one is one of my latest watches. I love stuck-in-the-MMORPG-have-to-lead-a-life-there kind of anime. Log Horizon is one of my favorites. This one started good enough, though I had some trouble understanding how he entered the game. Anyway, things got very serious very fast! I couldn’t even get comfortable with the characters yet and there was blood splattering all over in first episode. But after that it became a little predictable (Hint: Steins;Gate). But after reaching mid season things changed drasticly. I started getting pissed on the main character. My frustration level was like I was watching Shinji Ikari (Evangelion) all over again! But Rem took away all my worries! The series is very well written and the psychlogical impact of this is undeniable. It is definitely worth a watch if you’ve not got caught up in the very notable Re:Zero hype and watched it already!

Koutetsujou no Kabaneri [Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress]

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When I watched the promo of Kabaneri I was like “This is just a Shingeki no Kyoujin ripoff”. But SNK is such a robust anime, I thought I’d give Kabaneri a try. I was not disappointed. Before everything I just want to say this much, you make 10 ripoff of SNK I’ll watch 10 of them. I love the mystery and thrill of SNK that much. Even though Kabaneri had too many similar elements to SNK there were some unique elements too. Like the visuals! I have to give it to Kabaneri, though produced by the same animation studio Kabaneri offers a more vivid color pallete than SNK. Where SNK was made darker, Kabaneri somewhat gives off more of a hopeful vibe. The original soundtrack is just mind blowing. I mean if I have to give best soundtrack in my this list, it’ll definitely be Kabaneri. People often complain about the second half of the series, though I found it perfectly fine as human insecuity, greed, hatred, passion have more direct influence on the point of view of the storytelling, like how Ikoma asked princess “whom are you going to point the gun at?”. Kabaneri is not just about humanity surviving against the Kabane (Zombies with heart of steel), but it is also about human distrust and the paranoia how someone can get affected very eaily, which was not the case in SNK, so far at least.

Sequel/Prequel

Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara [Food Wars! The Second Plate]

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FOODGASM: Only one word can describe this amazing series. I actually did not have to wait for the second season of the series at all. When I picked up the series the 2nd season had already started airing. Do you cope with food when you are depressed? Watch this! Absolutely gorgeous animation lots colors are used in every frame and well, it is filled with delicious foods. It made me want to start cooking (though I sometimes cook really!), like a chef. This established cooking as an Art. All the names of spices and there explicit uses and origins, this is the real deal I’m telling you. I can not stress enough how much everyone should watch this series. The little touches of ecchi and plentiful comedy make a great garnish on the hot serving!

Haikyuu: Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa

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Ending my list with probably my most adrenaline filled watch of 2016! Haikyuu is one of those shounen anime that never lets you down with a boring episode. The tension is always in the air. There is no telling when suddenly someone unnoticed from opponent team is going to shine just when you were feeling confident! I am in love with the series and already can not wait for season 4! Haikyuu means volleyball literally! I’ve often heard Haikyuu is one the most accurate sports anime out there. Though I personally have not much experience in volleyball, I could feel the hard work that goes into the game just to be able to play even 5 minutes in a real match! The struggle is very well shown in the series. This was the 3rd season of Haikyuu. I recommend you start watching right now.