With the end of the year fast approaching, let us look back at all the amazing anime series and movies that have graced our screens. The numbers have been tallied, and the most-searched anime series in Japan have been crowned, declaring them the most popular titles of a year filled with absolutely epic tales.
The following are the most-searched anime television series in Japan:
1. Chainsaw Man
Premiered on October 12th, Chainsaw Man follows the violent and bloody adventures of Denji, the titular Chainsaw Man, who wields chainsaws in defense of humanity against the fear-based devils that travel between Hell and Earth.
This anime series is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto, which began its run in December 2018. Interestingly, the opening theme song “KICK BACK” was the third most searched lyrics in Japan, for the year.
2. SPY x FAMILY
This anime series premiered on October 2nd, and follows the exciting life of two spies who act as parents to a psychic girl, all as a cover for their individual operations. Though it starts out as a cover, Loid Forger, his wife Yor, and their adopted daughter Anya come to care for one another. Especially Anya, the whole thing is exciting for her.
The series is adapted from the manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo, and it began its run on March 25th, 2018. SPY x FAMILY’s opening anime theme song ‘Mixed Nuts’ by Official HIGE Dandism was the fifth most searched song in the world, while ‘New Genesis’ by Uta, sung by Ado, took sixth place.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
This anime is the fifteenth mainline entry in Sunrise’s long-running Gundam franchise, and it first aired on October 2nd. The story follows Ericht Samaya, the titular girl from Mercury, who pilots the XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, a mobile suit made with the forbidden GUND Format technology. She meets Miorine Rembran — a girl with her own issues — at the Asticassia School of Technology. They soon discover that they have conflicting ideals and goals.
4. Lycoris Recoil
An interesting anime series that follows the exploits of Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue, two highly-trained assassins that run the café “LycoReco” after they were fired from the anti-terrorist organization Higanbana.
In a turn of fates, this anime inspired a manga adaptation by Yasunori Bizen, which began publication on September 24th, and a spin-off light novel, titled Lycoris Recoil: Ordinary Days adapted by Asaura, which began publication on September 9th.
5. Urusei Yatsura
To be fair, Urusei Yatsura belongs on every top anime list in existence. The uptick in searches this year might be due to the new anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s incredible manga series that premiered on October 14th. Urusei Yatsura was originally adapted to anime in 1981, and has truly aged like fine wine. The manga itself began publication in 1978, and it is timeless.
For those who don’t know, Urusei Yatsura follows Ataru as he chases after a girl named Shinobu, while being chased by a powerful alien girl named Lum.
6. My Dress-Up Darling
Known in Japan as That Bisque Doll Falls in Love, and based on the manga series written and illustrated by Shinichi Fukuda that began publication on January 19th, 2018, this anime adaptation saw great success and provided some lewd inspirations. It began airing on January 9th.
The plotline revolves around a highly-skilled craftsman named Gojo, who meets an attractive cosplayer named Marin, and sews her costumes for her.
7. Ya Boy Kongming!
Known in Japan as Kongming of the Party People, and based on the manga series written by Yuto Yotsuba and illustrated by Ryō Ogawa that began publication on December 31st, 2019. This interesting anime series follows the famous military strategist and Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms Period, Zhuge Liang Kongming. He is reborn into modern Japan, free of the bloodshed that was part of his everyday life. He meets an aspiring singer named Eiko Tsukimi, and begins his second life in earnest. The anime series ran between April 5th through to June 21st.
8. BOCCHI THE ROCK!
Another anime adaptation, this one is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Aki Hamaji, which began publication in December 2017, with the anime series premiering on October 9th, 2022. The series revolves around the rock group Kessoku Band, whose members have names derived from the real-life rock group Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Things line up so well, the fictional character Ryō Yamada and the real musician Takahiro Yamada both play bass.
9. Call of the Night
An anime adaptation based on the manga series written and illustrated by Kotoyama that began to be publicized in August 2019, Call of the Night follows Ko Yamori as he gives up on school to simply wander the streets at night. He runs into Nazuna Nanakusa, a vampire, who shows him the joys of a supernatural nightlife, awakening his desire to become a vampire as well. This anime adaptation premiered on July 8th, 2022.
10. Tomodachi Game
Another anime adaptation, this time featuring the work conceptualized by Mikoto Yamaguchi, with writing and art by Yuki Sato, which hit the presses on December 9th, 2013. Tomodachi Game saw numerous adaptations, both television dramas and live-action movies. This anime adaptation first aired on April 6th, 2022.
Tomodachi Game features a benign title, but it is, in reality, a psychological thriller that puts friendships to the test as a group of students are pulled into the Game to pay off a debt.
Well, were you surprised by any of the entries? Do you feel there’s a title or two that are missing? Please let us know in the comments.
