Our Top 5 Anime Series of Winter 2022, Ranked From Worst to Best
The spring 2022 anime season is already underway, but viewers are still raving about many of the shows from Crunchyroll’s winter lineup. From much-anticipated returns like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer to debuts like My Dress-Up Darling, there was no shortage of exciting content from January to March. These are our top five picks from this winter, ranked in order of how much we enjoyed them.
5. ‘The Case Study of Vanitas’ Part 2
We’ll never say no to an entertaining vampire anime, and The Case Study of Vanitas delivered exactly that in winter 2022. The first cour premiered during the summer 2021 season, and the second arrived this January. And although the new episodes were far from perfect, there’s a reason the show continuously found itself in Anime Corner’s Top 10.
Set in a France where vampires and vampire hunters are nothing out of the ordinary, The Case Study of Vanitas follows two fascinating leads: Vanitas and Noé. Part 2 sees the pair seeking out a monster called the “Beast.” And as anyone who watched the first cour might expect, the character dynamics proved just as compelling during this storyline.
Part 2 also ties some of the threads from Part 1 together, making it a satisfying follow-up. It’s not the best returning anime of the season. However, it does fall high on the list.
4. ‘Sabikui Bisco’
Set in a world overtaken by rust (that has the potential to be saved by mushrooms), Sabikui Bisco is one of the strangest anime of the winter 2022 season. However, that’s precisely what makes it so great.
Based on Shinji Cobkubo’s light novels, Sabikui Bisco sees its lead, Bisco Akaboshi, embarking on a mission to save a dystopian Japan. The archer seeks out a panacean mushroom to eliminate the rust, and his adventure takes him some fascinating places.
With so many similar post-apocalyptic series out there, this one feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s entertaining from start to finish, and the hope is that it gets renewed for another go-round.
3. ‘My Dress-Up Darling’
My Dress-Up Darling proved a pleasant surprise from the winter 2022 season. In fact, it quickly became one of the most popular anime on Crunchyroll’s lineup. Based on the manga by Shinichi Fukuda, the series chronicles the budding friendship/relationship between Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo.
Of course, high school romances are a dime a dozen when it comes to rom-com anime. But My Dress-Up Darling uses cosplay to put a unique spin on Marin and Gojo’s story, making it stand out among similar series. The cosplay element also sparks some interesting conversations and shows off fun designs for viewers that are into fashion.
2. ‘Demon Slayer’s Entertainment District Arc
Demon Slayer is one of the hottest anime around, and season 2 exceeded already high expectations. Although fans had to sit through another iteration of the show’s Mugen Train Arc, it was well worth it for what followed.
The Entertainment District Arc offered some of the most stunning action sequences of the entire winter 2022 anime season. Additionally, the most recent outing boasted top-tier voice performances, compelling character moments, and a storyline that left viewers wanting more — even if it wrapped things up nicely in the finale.
It’s hard to see how Demon Slayer Season 3 will top Tanjiro’s latest adventure. But knowing this series, it’ll find a way.
1. ‘Attack on Titan’ Season 4 Part 2
Plenty of impressive anime premiered during winter 2022, but the season’s most exciting release was undoubtedly Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2.
The 12-episode lead-up to the show’s final arc was every bit as thrilling as the manga chapters it adapted. Blending huge stakes with emotional character moments and some amazing action, Attack on Titan surpassed every other anime airing at the same time (and plenty of live-action shows, too).
From the surprising revelation about Eren’s plans to the unexpected alliance that forms in the later episodes, Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2 delivered surprise after surprise. It’s got a lot to answer for when season 4 part 3 comes out, but we aren’t complaining.
All anime series on this list are currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
