#であいもん and #まちカドまぞく (2丁目) were my favourite anime of 2022. Deaimon explores some prickly topics in work, love, and family, without ever being stressful or uncomfortable to watch. Machikado Mazoku 2-Choume dives into the complications of its low-fantasy world, while still being the funniest anime ever made. Both are modest stories about fostering communities.
#リコリコ was the "best show that didn't do much for me". I can't fault the fantastic production, the plot is tight, every character is likeable, and Chisato's voice acting made me notice it, *in a good way*...
But it felt like a hollywood blockbuster. I don't think its premise, world building, or characters say anything interesting about anything, and I try to interpret the things I watch pretty generously.
#スローループ was the show that most missed the mark for me. I love the premise, I like the characters, and the art and animation are good enough... but the pacing and direction (and writing at times) just didn't work for me.
It felt like it lacked the grace and deliberateness of something like Tamayura, and that's so much of the appeal of a show like Slow Loop for me.
#てっぺんっ and #平家物語 were the most extraordinary anime for me, in that they both tried very new things, and didn't completely trip over their own feet. Teppen (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) is about JK owarai with overbearing personalities and yet it keeps every episode fresh and funny. Heike Monogatari is an attempt to adapt an 800-year old Buddhist historical epic in 11 episodes, and not only does it not ruin it, it also has remarkable art and sound design.