Top 3 Underrated Anime of Winter 2019
There were some really underrated anime that flew below everyone’s radar this winter season of 2019.
Here are the top 3 underrated anime of winter 2019:
3. Domestic na Kanojo
Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Shounen
Studio: Diomedea
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
In their teenage years, few things can hurt people more than the heartaches that come with unrequited love. Such is the case for Natsuo Fujii, who has found himself entranced by his school’s ever-cheerful teacher Hina. Deflated by this unreachable desire, Natsuo humors his friends and attends a mixer. There he meets Rui, a girl whose lack of excitement rivals that of himself. After bonding over their mutual awkwardness, Rui takes Natsuo to her house and asks him to have sex with her, hoping that the experience will stop her friends from treating her like a clueless child. With his hopeless feelings towards Hina still on his mind, Natsuo hesitantly agrees.
Equally unfulfilled by their “first times,” the two decide to part ways as strangers. However, before he even has a chance to process this experience, Natsuo’s father drops a major bombshell: he is getting remarried, and his new wife Tsukiko Tachibana is coming over now to meet Natsuo. As if that was not enough of a shock, her daughters—and, in turn, Natsuo’s new sisters—are Hina and Rui Tachibana, the woman he’s in love with and the girl with whom he shared his first night. Now, Natsuo must come to terms with the feelings he has for his step-siblings as his eyes open to a darker side of love.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Just based on the summary, you would expect Domestic na Kanojo to be a train-wreck but this is not the case. Domestic na Kanojo was one of the biggest surprises and a very underrated anime of winter 2019.
The characters make dumb decisions but their reasoning is believable. Domestic na Kanojo is presented in a empathetic way. It doesn’t demean the characters and isn’t too trashy. It doesn’t humiliate the characters for cheap thrills or laughs like typical romance anime. It looks like just another trashy harem but there’s a alitte more to it.
There’s a certain authenticity to Domestic na Kanojo and the drama elements are well integrated. The story is able to tread the line between melodrama and realism.
Characters are more than what they seem. Natsuo isn’t just a horny teenager who is attracted to his step sisters. The drama is so much, that at one point you really root for Natsuo to end up with Hina, who is his step sister AND teacher. Rui is also mature and isn’t just a generic high school girl. Each character has their own backstory and the dynamic between the trio makes you keep watching, though it could be frustrating for some.
Domestic na Kanojo still has many issues that prevent it from being truly great but it was a nice surprise. Definitely one of the most underrated anime of winter 2019.
2. Kemurikusa
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy
Studio: Yaoyorozu
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
The science-fiction action story follows girls who fight with weird entities nicknamed “mushi” (bugs) and survive in a world of red fog.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Kemurikusa is an underrated anime that completely fell under the radar this winter season. The story is essentially a post-apocalyptic sci-fi following a trio of red-haired sisters who try to explore their world and fight bugs in red fog. They eventually run into a “human” named Wakaba on one of their explorations and they are surprised as they never seen a human before. Wakaba doesn’t really remember who he is and seems to have amnesia. Together, the girls and Wakaba travel together as they attempt to answer questions about this world and fight for survival.
The art style is pretty unique and the 3DCG animation may turn some viewers off. Once you get past that, Kemurikusa is a good story that does an amazing job of world-building. Each episode, you learn some small detail about the world and the biggest questions such as who is Wakaba, what is a “Kemurikusa” leaf, and how did the destruction of the world occur, slowly get answered.
Kemurikusa is very similar to Girls Last Tour (2017) and Made in Abyss (2017) in terms of plot.
Kemurikusa is a well written sci-fi with an interesting art style. If your a fan of post-apocalyptic anime, then check out this very underrated anime.
1. My Roommate is a Cat
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Studio: Zero-G
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
Subaru Mikazuki is a 23-year-old mystery novel author, major introvert, and an awkwardly shy person. He would much rather stay home to read a book than go outside and interact with others. Further exacerbating this life of solitude, his parents tragically died in an accident many years ago, leaving him alone in the world.
One day, while giving offerings at his parents’ grave, Subaru runs into a small grey and white cat named Haru, which he ends up taking home with him. Subaru, however, has never taken care of anyone else in his life—can he even take care of a cat? Haru is grateful toward Subaru, as he gives her all the food she wants—a luxury for a cat who is used to a rough life on the streets. But she notices that Subaru can’t even seem to take care of himself! Will she be okay with this dunce?
Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue. tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a human and a cat who try to foster an understanding with each other.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue. or My Roommate Is a Cat was the most underrated anime of winter 2019. An anime that explores the relationship between a cat and his owner is something new. What’s really interesting about My Roommate is A Cat is that we not only get the interactions from Subaru’s perspective, but we also get it from the cat’s perspective. Subara names the cat Haru and we see the impact he has on Subara, who is going through hard times after the death of his parents.
If you like pets or cats, then this is the anime for you. Even if you don’t, My Roommate is A Cat is entertaining enough to be enjoyable.
Haru’s perspective is hilarious because he behaves exactly like a cat but also its thoughts and actions are presented as if it truly cares about Subaru. This makes for some comedic and heartwarming moments.
My Roommate is a Cat is the most underrated anime of winter 2019 and a must watch.
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