Even though we’re only six months into the year, there have already been plenty of standout anime series worth devoting our utmost attention to. From stylish revivals of past series to original works paying homage to daily life and cute animals, there’s been something for everyone scattered throughout each season, albeit among the usual deluge of other properties that litter each release schedule. Of these many series though, these 10 anime stand as the best of the best and should be seen as soon as possible by most any discerning anime fan.
Devilman Crybaby
Best Anime From the First Half of 2018
Set in a world where demons hide just beneath the surface, protagonist Akira Fudo finds himself pulled into the darkness of their world by his old friend Ryo Asuka and becomes possessed by the devil Amon, granting him demonic powers while still maintaining his humanity. Eager to restore peace to his life, he and Ryo join forces to eliminate as many evil demons as they can before chaos takes hold of the people around them.
Violent, explicit and downright gorgeous, the latest revival of Devilman on Netflix was an early hit from 2018 that struck a chord with old and new fans alike. And for good reason: Helmed by the visionary director Masaaki Yuasa and boasting his trademark over-the-top animation style, the show perfectly blends the original content of the classic series with a modern affinity for gore, sex and aesthetic style. It’s something that’s hard to find an equivalent of in today’s anime landscape, and if you’re looking for something that’ll leave an impression, there’s no better option than this.