If you have not seen the anime that this dynamic duo in the image is from, you are certainly missing out. The anime is Dororo. It came out in 2019 with not a lot of fanfare, but I think it’s an underrated gem. It was my favorite action anime when it came out and a absolutely awesome opening. I have it on a anime song playlist. I am fairly confident that Wu feels the same.
BUT To THE POINT...
This year’s anime has had absolutely promising and wonderful character relationships. That extra bit of flavorful spice that really enhances an awesome dish of the interactions in the show. From brilliant and tumultuous romances to tense rivalries, these dynamics pumped blood into the heart of the anime and refined development of the characters. It only felt right to highlight them because a majority of these pairs come from animes that extend far beyond romance genres. And I plan to release a part two of romance musing next week. There were some series that slipped my first write up and some movies I have been hearing immense praise for, that could be added. I am typically not fond of anime movies due to their condensed nature, but I’ve been coming around. I usually prefer a meaty and fleshed out series. But digestible, succinct stories with those brilliant production values are becoming huge sellers for me. But let’s end the digression. Without further ado… my personal standouts…
THE HOT-BLOODED AND COARSE CHERRY-BOY PRESSED BY A GORGEOUS BATTLE-VIXEN
Sabikui Bisco was a Winter anime surprise the pair hail from. It shocked me how much I enjoyed it, because it was so over the top and silly even for me. I thought I would have fallen off. But I’m glad I stuck it out. Turned out to be a pretty awesome and weird Shonen thrill ride. These two have quite the dynamic that pumped a lot of energy into the series. The vixen, Pawoo, is a captain of the city’s law enforcement. She is infected by a disease called Rust that is essentially a death sentence. The Rust itself is plague bathing the world. And even enduring this debilitating scourge, this buxom beauty is still a turbulent force to be reckoned with. She is insanely strong, fast, and proficient, even as Rust hinders her strength and renders her sickly. And Bisco is a Supreme mystical archer called a Mushroom Keeper. And they fire arrows with the power to grow different mushrooms from the targeted location. It’s weird I know, but it’s a very resourceful ability. And he’s the best of the best; The chosen one… with a comically astronomical bounty on his head and is identified as a terrorist intent on bringing ruin to the world, but he comes to city tasked with the duty to rid the world of rust. To aid him in this quest, he’s searching for the Mushroom of legends… the Rust Eater.
On the onset of this quest, he encounters Milo, a panda doctor who tends to ailments of the lowest caste of this city and is the brother to the mighty Pawoo. Bisco ends up dragging Milo, by his request, along in his escape after his botched infiltration conducted with his master, Jabi, and into an adventure of various gags and harrowing trials. While Milo certainly had a strong pair with Bisco, the ever present and ever resilient Pawoo stole the show for me. Trying to “rescue” her brother, she relentlessly nips at Bisco’s heels across the landscape despite her condition. She challenged him numerous times with her monstrous might, twice is saved by him, ends up developing affection for him, and contends against corruption in the security force she’s a part of; fulfilling her charged duty to protect the city, as well as fighting to protect Bisco and Milo. Milo brings out Bisco’s gentler onii-san side; Pawoo brings his more awkward side. I refer to these characters as a chaotic element of the show. She disrupts his swagger and brashness. Essentially matches him blow for blow, and throws him off his game. She’s the immovable object to his unstoppable force. Or maybe it’s appropriate to say they are both unstoppable forces since they can both be brash and reckless. But her later aggressive advances certainly flusters him and renders him into a shy-boy MC we are quite familiar with.
THE WILD BEAST TAMED BY AN ADORABLE LEASH
An anime that is likely my biggest surprise this year is “The Yakuza’s Guide To Babysitting”. It is a helluva combo of rough stoicism and sweet adorableness with an odd romanticization of the Yakuza as usual. I am very much used to it, but it’s still odd considering Yakuza is a criminal syndicate. But let’s not dampen the actual adorableness of this show. Kirishima, the untamed Demon of Sakuragi has to muster tenderness and patience because he’s charged with watching after the leader’s daughter and assisting her to emerge from her cocoon of introversion. His boss tasks him with this because he nearly jeopardizes a peace treaty between two warring groups and created unnecessary tension. So to teach him patience and another’s life, Yaeka becomes his responsibility.
And it creates the most heartwarming and comical situations between the two characters. The scenarios are very development rich. Ranging from more charming and wholesome situations, such as making friends, planning Yaeka’s birthday party, and attending parent’s day to more serious matters like fostering Yaeka’s courage to visit her bedridden mother or Kirishima confronting his monstrously violent nature when Yaeka is injured by rival Yakuza. Over the length of the anime, the two develop immensely from one another’s influence. Yaeka becomes more open to her father, aunt, friends, and Kirishima. And Kirishima softens immensely, while maintaining his swagger (guy is I am Sakamoto) . This anime has one of favorite pairs and pairing archetypes in general. The innocent, lovable child softening the hardened protector or stoic figure.
a GENIUS TACTICIAN OF the PAST AIMING for the world WITH a SONGSTRESS OF HIS FUTURE
This is hands down my favorite reverse isekai this year in addition to my favorite musical anime. Additionally, it is an anime with excellent songs which got me in my feels from its immense heart. This excellent duo hails from “Ya Boy Kongming”. Kongming in his past life, was a genius tactician for Shu Han. On his deathbed after the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, he makes a wish to be reborn in a more peaceful world. And as anime would have it, his wish is granted. After breathing his last and opening his heavy eyelids, he is submerged into neon and flashing lights. He believes he is in hell, but is drawn to the exhilarating sounds of partying and festivities. It’s born from a nightclub where Eiko, the songstress, works as a bartender. This is where Eiko’s destiny began to change. The moment she climbed onto the stage and commanded the club’s music, she began to sing. And her song touched his spirit, immediately entrancing him. After various events, he offers to be her strategist, to aid her conquest of the world with her music.
I’ve already gushed over this dynamic. A character of the past or a more primitive world, introduced to a world with technology and modern conveniences so advanced that it seems like magic. But this takes it in such a unique direction. Eiko is an aspiring singer that is so shackled by self consciousness, that she underestimates her own talent and “sound”. She’s too humble for her own good. But he recognizes her majesty and potential immediately, vowing to use his tactics to conquer the world of song. I loved these two because Eiko’s humility is a strong quality that makes her endearing, but does stifle her potential. She’s incredibly relatable in that regard. Too much confidence leads to overconfidence. Too little confidence shies away from realizing one’s true capabilities. But Kongming sees so much more for Eiko and bolsters substantial confidence with herself. And his strategies to do this are extremely inventive, adapting to the situation and challenge to grow mistress Eiko’s audience. Thus includes challenges to grow Eiko’s self confidence. I want to extensively dive into this anime further, so I’ll likely do an actual musing for it and other music anime. I absolutely adored the story of humble beginnings pursuing such an ambitious dream. Assisted by a man that was a tactical genius of a different time.
THE HARD-BOILED DETECTIVE AND THE BEWITCHING AMNESIAC
This anime was another surprise. I was shocked to discover that it was a Kamen Rider spin off. Another I had done no prior research on. But I’m definitely glad I didn’t because I know without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn’t have given it a chance. I have no interest whatsoever in the franchise. Really still don’t. But the art style immediately got me, and the mysterious beauty, Tokime, is a babe. So why not? And damn it got me hooked right away! The anime begins with a very well animated scrap, recalling old events of Shotaro’s past. But the true introduction of Shotaro is at the edge of Fuuto city, monologuing with incredibly stereotypical “gritty detective music” playing in the background, about how hard-boiled he is and how he’s going to protect the city and citizens. And on his way back after a thorough scolding from his captain Akiko, he is captivated by a ravishing beauty that meets his gaze spontaneously. Tokime’s stacked self; a voluptuous, silver haired bishoujo strutting towards him as he makes his exit. The moment he stops her, their thread begins. And my ,my, Tokime, makes quite an impression on her entrance. Her tongue stroking her plump ruby lips, her fierce statuesque frame complimenting her runway stride, and her substantial and perky… uh… I went into ero writer mode. My apologies, but I am enamored by Tokime’s design… But she’s certainly a sensation on YouTube with plenty of AMVS and rivaling Yor as the waifu in the anime community. And her flirty nature with Shotaro makes for absolute comedy and sultry shenanigans. It actually puts me in mind of detective stories or spin offs.
That mysterious knockout that turns out to be much more trouble than the detective anticipated or even the criminal herself. But as the anime proceeds forward, she turns out not to be an antagonist, but rather a mysterious heroine from an inverse form of Fuuto city. She’s able to transport in between the mirrored urban city she knows like the back of her hand and the actual Fuuto city maze that Shotaro knows like the back of his hand. She has a heart of gold, striving to protect who she can. She’s a mirror of Shotaro in numerous ways, of course with her own distinctive traits; a perfect fit for the squad, fighting what monstrosities that come to disturb the peace, even with her life on the line. And she balances Shotaro’s personality extremely well. Constantly teasing him with her seductive vibes and innocent humor, all the while acting as his assistant.
Even though Philip has a bit of tension with her because he initially views her as an interesting specimen, they have an intriguing rivalry with one another and respect. That was a confusing episode because Philip rationalized this tension as jealousy because Tokime threatened his close friendship with Shotaro. It was a very peculiar episode to be honest. Tokime certainly adds a lot of spice to the dynamic, is instrumental to solving cases and protecting or assisting clients. Often the two easily venture into romantic territory with passionate kisses, Shotaro rescuing Tokime from harrowing circumstances, and having a bond so strong that can communicate between the different Fuutos via wavelength. I love their vibes and amorous tensions.
THE CHARMING PRODIGY AND THE STOIC DELINQUENT.
Awesomeness this anime is. An extremely competitive contender for my anime of 2022. I have been debating between this, Summertime Render, and Spy Family. And this duo may very well be my duo of 2022. Takina and Chisato. This pair really had it all. Sublime charm, character development, personality, soul, and humor. There are numerous moments I found myself weeping and cheering as the two grew closer and Takina softened. But I can’t go into detail without giving a loose backstory. In the distant future, Japan has attained a level of peace unheard of to the rest of the world, by sponsoring a pseudo minority report, an assassin agency composed of orphans. Each member, called Lycoris, is tasked to eliminate any criminals or potential criminals that threaten the peace of Japan. Preemptively. So this Japan is not a believer of redemption nor mental healthcare. Takina is a Lycoris reprimanded for disorderly conduct, ignoring orders, and endangering her fellow Lycoris. Her punishment: suspension from Lycoris agency and placed under a sort of house arrest at a Cafe LycoReco under the supervision of Mika and the elite Lycoris, Chisato. But unlike how she is disciplined at the agency, this Cafe has a no killing mandate for all of the members. This mandate is the antithesis of what Lycoris are taught and groomed to do. So Takina begins a journey that Chisato passed, once the absolute pinnacle of a killing machine transformed effectively into a gun touting Rurouni Kenshin valuing the lives of both friends and foes alike.
But I can’t go into detail without giving a loose backstory. In the distant future, Japan has attained a level of peace unheard of to the rest of the world, by sponsoring a pseudo minority report based group; an assassin agency composed of orphans. Each member, called Lycoris, is tasked to eliminate any criminals or potential criminals that threaten the peace of Japan. Preemptively. So this Japan is not a believer of redemption nor mental healthcare. Takina is a Lycoris reprimanded for disorderly conduct, ignoring orders, and endangering her fellow Lycoris. Her punishment: suspension from Lycoris agency and placed under a sort of house arrest at a Cafe LycoReco under the supervision of Mika and the elite Lycoris: Chisato.
But unlike how she is disciplined at the agency, this Cafe has a no killing mandate for all of the members. This mandate is the antithesis of what Lycoris are taught and groomed to do. So takina begins a journey that Chisato passed, once the absolute pinnacle of a killing machine transformed effectively into a gun touting Rurouni Kenshin valuing the lives of both friends and foes alike. And it is quite a struggle in ideals for Takina. Because to a Lycoris, a criminal is vermin to be mercilessly exterminated. But to Chisato, no matter how stained, the individual can still be redeemed. But once their life is gone, the chance of redemption is robbed away. Quite the conflict of philosophies, but potential for immense growth. And that it does, because eventually, after some time with Chisato and LycoReco crew, Takina slowly adopts their way, receiving the same nonlethal, paint rounds Chisato is armed with. And multiple events inevitably soften herself and become more human.
These two characters have a splendid dynamic. Unlike her younger cold days of being a masterclass killer, Chisato is an eccentric and comedic soul that exudes warmth. This greatly contrasts Takina’s serious, icy, and impulsive nature. Because Chisato has already been where Takina is developing from, she is incredibly patient and constantly teases her to draw Takina from her shell. At one point they even live together, exposing one another to their lifestyles. Takina, of course, lives minimalist and orderly. Chisato lives slovenly and boundary-less. The two have their share of “Yuri” moments because of how close they become. There is a huge turning point in the anime that not only shifts the tone of the anime. It greatly shifts emotions for the pair. The inevitability that Chisato was going to die due to her artificial heart being sabotaged. The show overall had me in my feels, but this point of the show was incredibly moving because you got to see the impact Chisato had on Takina.
In conclusion, these anime had immense standout pairs that either entertained or moved me to tears. Quite often both. I wanted to highlight them in my method because I see either raunchy fanart or anime music videos.
So what were your choices for this season? Any pairs I may have not listed that you want to highlight? Chime down below.
thoughts to share and a brother to honor...
IN MEMORY OF MY COMRADE SHARRIEFF LOVE HAMILTON…. HE WAS A ENCOURAGING VOICE THAT PUSHED ME TO COMMIT TO WRITING THESE MUSINGS. TO HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN MY CRAFT. I AM DEVASTATED HE PASSED LAST FRIDAY. I HOPE WHEREVER HE IS, HE’S ABLE TO REST WELL. I HOPE WE’RE ABLE TO MEET AGAIN. MUCH LOVE TO YOU BROTHER. YOU WILL GREATLY BE MISSED…