LogFAQs > #974411214

I had a bit more to say about these so I'll just drop a batch of 2 for now

44. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Shounen
Favorite Character: Kurapika

I think this series' greatest strength is also its greatest weakness, which is how unbeholden to any storytelling rules or conventions its writer seems. The story is constantly jumping around to whatever type of story Togashi feels like telling, and like one arc will get a fighting tournament; the next we'll get a thrilling mafia drama; and the next we'll get an isekai card game. Inevitably some of these hit and some of these miss, but on the whole I think the experience is quite good. This also applies within the arcs--conflicts are always ending in unexpected and unconventional ways. The upshot is that this is usually made interesting, and it's always done with a clear reason in the narrative because it's just what Togashi wanted to do from the beginning, and it's hard to understate how much that does for the overall quality of the series. Specific arcs are a bit hit-or-miss but overall I'm definitely a fan of the series. Chimera Ant is one of my favorite stories of all time, and the Yorknew arc is also very good. This is also a series that's stuck with me even years after watching it--even today I still occasionally watch Youtube videos about the series. And I can guarantee if more anime released or the manga approached any semblance of completeness I would be immediately on board. (Edit: Oh I meant to say something about the character design so I'll just say it's very good and leave it at that)

43. Mushoku Tensei
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Isekai
Favorite Character: Rudeus Greyrat

This show just has everything. From the fantasy/worldbuilding side, you could easily copy/paste some of what I said about Spice and Wolf--the show uses deliberate pacing and exposition to sell the viewers on its world in a way that other anime just can't quite seem to match. The animation and production is uncannily good. The bow that ties the series together for me though is the character writing. There are no static characters in the show, and there are no unflawed characters in show. Everyone feels crippled by their own shortcomings, but in addition to the main story it feels like every character is also on their own personal journey in overcoming their flaws for the sake of their friends. Just overall a gripping narrative with uplifting themes that make it hard not to cheer for the main cast.

There are of course some things about the main character that can be quite uncomfortable, but if you can stomach that then there's a lot else to love here. I can at least say that the story itself always treats these aspects in a negative light that I remember, and also it does go a little more into the background later on.

One last comment I'll make is that I can only hope the upcoming seasons of this show maintain the same level of production and direction quality that this season did, because if that's the case I can all but guarantee this series will end much higher on my favorites list when all is said and done.