- Sword Art Online
Yes, I know a 10/10 for Sword Art Online is a pretty wild take. But I genuinely love this anime. It has flaws, some of them more noticeable than in other series I'd rate a 10/10. At the same time, though, it does certain things better than almost any other anime I've seen. Without SAO, the isekai genre probably wouldn't be what it is today. I doubt series like Re:Zero, Overlord, or That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime would have reached the same level of popularity without the path Sword Art Online paved. The first arc of Season 1 is simply fantastic. It captures every gamer's dream: being transported into a game world that somehow feels more real than reality itself. The fights are exciting, and watching the relationship between Kirito and Asuna slowly develop is genuinely heartwarming. Unlike many anime romances, their relationship isn't built around constant fan service, which makes it feel much more heartwarming. My biggest criticism is actually that this arc is too short. Some important details are barely explained—for example, why Kirito is so incredibly strong. The anime mostly leaves it at "he's the main character." The light novels explain that he spent almost every waking hour grinding levels while other players rested, which makes his strength much more believable. Personally, this never bothered me much, but I completely understand why others criticize it. The second arc is definitely the weakest part of the series. The fairy setting never really clicked with me, and I'd probably only give it a 6/10. Even if the controversial relationship between Kirito and Suguha Kirigaya makes more sense in the light novels than it does in the anime. There it's much clearer that Suguha's feelings come from confusion after learning Kirito isn't her biological brother, whereas the anime barely explores that and ends up making the whole situation feel much more awkward than it should. Season 2, on the other hand, is a strong comeback. The first arc is especially fun if you're into shooters, and seeing Kirito stubbornly bringing a sword to a gunfight never stops being entertaining. The second arc may seem much smaller in scale, but emotionally it's one of the strongest parts of the series. It's a genuine emotional roller coaster that only a handful of anime—like Clannad—have managed to surpass for me. If the story ended there, I'd probably give Sword Art Online an 8/10. But then came Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale and, more importantly, Alicization. And honestly? A 10/10 almost doesn't feel high enough. It's obvious the creators listened to the criticism. This time they let the story breathe. Kirito doesn't simply overpower every obstacle. He has to grow, make sacrifices, and find himself again. The animation is also phenomenal, easily standing alongside modern series like Solo Leveling. And for every longtime fan, there's that unforgettable moment when Kirito draws his second sword. To sum it all up: Sword Art Online isn't perfect, and I'm fully aware of its flaws. But what I admire most is that the series learns from its mistakes. Instead of repeating them, it improves and eventually exceeds my expectations. If you're a gamer, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a chance. It reminds you of the excitement you felt when you played your very first video game. And that's exactly why, despite all its imperfections, Sword Art Online is a 10/10 for me.Sword Art Online - The Future Diary
Mirai Nikki was the very first anime I ever watched as a teenager many years ago — and it’s one I can still return to again and again. In its own unique way, Mirai Nikki is truly a masterpiece. As one of the most famous early examples of the Yandere archetype, the anime introduces us to the sweet yet deeply disturbing Yuno Gasai. Yuno would do absolutely anything to stay by the side of the person she loves, Yukiteru Amano. Unfortunately, the two of them are trapped in a deadly survival game where only one can ultimately survive — and Yuno is truly willing to do whatever it takes. Yes, really anything. At first, many events in the story feel confusing, shocking, or even illogical. But as the anime progresses, the pieces slowly begin to fall into place. One twist follows the next, especially in the second half of the series, and the story becomes more and more intense with every episode. The strange mix of something oddly sweet yet deeply unsettling between Yuno and Yukki, combined with the concept of the future diaries and the constant plot twists, makes the anime incredibly gripping. Mirai Nikki is, in my opinion, an anime everyone should watch at least once. And please don’t make the mistake of quitting after one or two “disturbing” episodes. Stick with it until the end — it will absolutely be worth it. It’s also one of those rare anime that you only truly understand when you watch it a second — or maybe even a third — time.The Future Diary - Solo Leveling
Wow. I’m honestly speechless. I watched Season 1 of Solo Leveling early on but didn’t continue at the time. Now, after rewatching Season 1 and immediately jumping into Season 2, I can confidently say: I’m blown away. Solo Leveling is one of the best and most promising anime of our time. The character development is absolutely fantastic. Watching the main character grow — step by step, fight by fight — is incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of progression that feels earned, and honestly, something many viewers can draw motivation from. The animation is breathtaking and easily among the best in modern anime. The fight scenes are on another level: intense, dynamic, and beautifully choreographed. There’s always a thrilling back-and-forth in power — until that final moment hits and the main character unleashes pure, overwhelming dominance. And it never gets old. I’m already excited for the upcoming movies and future seasons. There’s plenty of source material left, and if the quality stays this high, we’re in for something truly special. I would recommend Solo Leveling to absolutely anyone — whether you’re a hardcore anime fan or someone who has never watched anime before and is looking for a starting point. Trust me: you won’t regret it.Solo Leveling - Sams im Glück
As much as I love the books and the previous films… this one just didn’t work for me. I remembered it as “not that good,” but unfortunately that memory was actually generous. What made the earlier stories so charming was the clear dynamic: the Sams as the funny, cheeky, impulsive force of chaos, and Mr. Taschenbier as the shy, calm counterbalance. In this film, that contrast sadly fades away. The roles blur, and with that, a lot of the magic gets lost. Instead of clever humor built on their differences, many scenes drift into exaggerated and almost silly territory. Maybe younger kids will still enjoy it — and that’s completely fair. But for me personally, this installment feels like a step too far and loses much of what made the Sams so special in the first place. Out of love for the franchise, I’ll probably just stick to the earlier films in the future.Sams im Glück - Sams in Gefahr
A very enjoyable sequel, even though it takes a few more liberties compared to the original books than I would have personally liked. As an adaptation, it doesn’t feel quite as faithful — but if you judge it on its own, it’s still a really fun and charming movie. There are plenty of moments to laugh at, and the humor definitely works overall. That said, at times it feels a bit too silly and slightly forced in its attempts to be funny. The first film had a much better balance in that regard. Even so, it is a sequel that once again transported me straight back to my childhood — and that alone makes it absolutely worth watching.Sams in Gefahr - The Slurb
The Slurb is one of my absolute favorite childhood stories. I grew up devouring the books about this strange, cheeky little creature with its magical wish-dots, and the film adaptation captures that charm beautifully. The movie does a wonderful job adapting the first two books, even if a few changes were necessary to fit everything into a single film. Of course, there are a couple of small plot holes, and sometimes you catch yourself thinking, “Why don’t they just wish for that?” But in a children’s movie like this, logic isn’t the most important thing — heart and imagination are. The Slurb is a warm, funny, and nostalgic film from my childhood, and I’m certain I’ll show it to my own children one day — and I’m just as certain they’ll love it too. A clear recommendation for younger audiences or for a cozy family movie night.The Slurb - New Saga
New Saga is a short and easy-to-watch anime that takes on a familiar but still interesting premise: the final boss has already been defeated — so what happens to the hero afterward? However, the story quickly adds a twist. The hero is sent four years back in time, now given the chance to achieve the same victory again — but this time without the deaths and sacrifices that originally came with it. It’s a concept full of potential. Watching someone try to rewrite fate while carrying the weight of future knowledge is always compelling. Unfortunately, the execution feels a bit clumsy at times. One question kept bothering me: why doesn’t he tell anyone that he knows parts of the future? Other unlikely things are accepted without much hesitation, so this silence feels more like a forced plot device than a natural decision. The first season also feels more like a prologue than a fully developed arc. It sets things up rather than delivering a truly satisfying payoff. That said, the foundation is there, and if a second season happens, I’ll definitely watch it — mainly because the potential is still huge. For fans of fantasy series like Frieren, this might still be worth checking out. But if you haven’t seen Frieren yet, I’d recommend watching that first. Overall, New Saga isn’t bad — it just feels like it hasn’t fully realized what it could be.New Saga - Ranma ½ (2024)
I was genuinely surprised when I heard that Ranma ½ was getting a new adaptation. Since it’s an absolute childhood classic for me, I went into this remake with very mixed feelings. Remakes can easily ruin nostalgia. But what can I say? It turned out to be great. The new version does a fantastic job of bringing the manga to life — maybe even better than the original anime did. Of course, we’ll only really know that once more seasons are released. For now, though, it feels very faithful and fresh at the same time. Ranma ½ is the definition of a feel-good show. You don’t need to think too much — you can just sit back and laugh. At the same time, you naturally find yourself rooting for the slowly developing, heartwarming connection between the supposedly cold, man-hating Akane and the hot-headed Ranma. That dynamic still works incredibly well. One thing that bothered me slightly was the way censorship was handled. I completely understand that a show clearly aimed at a younger audience shouldn’t display anything explicit. But other anime usually handle this more creatively — with rising steam, clever camera angles, or even comedic visual gags like Japanese text overlays. Simply removing certain details entirely felt a bit awkward and distracting at times. Overall, though, this remake is a very enjoyable return to a beloved classic. A strong and a nostalgic comfort watch done right.Ranma ½ (2024)
