The best anime of 2022, from 'Chainsaw Man' to 'Spy x Family'

"Bocchi the Rock!" follows Hitori "Bocchi" Gotou, an extreme introvert hoping to be in a famous rock band, overcome her social anxiety, and make friends in the process. While it seems poised to follow in the footsteps of genre counterparts like "K-On," "Bocchi the Rock" is much weirder — and way more fun. 

Filled with silly animation gags, extended sequences depicting Bocchi withering away during a social mishap, and plenty of entertaining moments, "Bocch the Rock" is a delight. But what makes it truly great is the way that it gets the music right, from the realistic quality of the band's musical performances to lyrics that ring true to its characters. 

"Bocchi the Rock!" is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

Adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga series of the same name, "Chainsaw Man" was one of the most hotly anticipated anime adaptations of the year. When the series finally landed during the fall anime season, it didn't disappoint. 

The show takes place in a world where devils — beings spawned from collective human fears — menace the populace, leading devil hunters to take them out. Denji, however, works together with his friend Pochita, a dog-like creature who happens to be the Chainsaw Devil. When Denji's killed by yakuza, Pochita forges a contract with him, turning him into a human-devil hybrid: the titular Chainsaw Man. 

What unfolds from that point is a wild journey that viewers should embark upon as unspoiled as possible. But rest assured, between its compelling characters and MAPPA's striking animation, "Chainsaw Man" is worth your time. 

"Chainsaw Man" is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu. 

A spinoff of the 2020 CD Projekt Red video game "Cyberpunk: 2077," "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" dives deeper into the tech-forward, inequality-plagued environment of Night City. While the series shares a setting with the video game, it doesn't focus on the same characters. "Edgerunners" follows student David Martinez as he turns to mercenary work following the death of his mother. 

Night City glows even brighter under the masterful animation of Studio Trigger and director Hiroyuki Imaishi, known for works like "Kill la Kill" and "Promare." Visually distinct, gritty, and brightly colorful, Trigger's animation breathes new life into the setting and the show's narrative. Ultimately, "Edgerunners" is a worthy exploration into a known universe. 

"Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" is available to stream on Netflix. 

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" continued in 2022 with its entertainment district arc, fresh on the heels of the 2020 blockbuster film "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train." In the new story, protagonist Tanjiro and his friends Inosuke and Zenitsu infiltrate the Yoshiwara Entertainment District on a mission with the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, after his wives go missing on their own undercover mission.

This arc delivers the thrilling story, fights, and shockingly beautiful animation that "Demon Slayer" is known for, turning dynamic attacks and supernatural powers into stunning tableaus. 

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

In "My Dress Up Darling," the unlikely duo Wakana Gojo, a Hina doll tailor, and Marin Kitagawa, his popular classmate, unite in the name of cosplay. While Marin has plenty of passion as a fan for the characters that she wants to cosplay, she lacks the necessary sewing skills to make her costumes. Gojo, despite having never made clothes for humans, fits the bill. 

While "My Dress Up Darling" seemed potentially posed to fall into tired romance tropes, its focus on the show's two main characters, and the fact that they genuinely do care for each other, make it stand out. And while the series has a strong amount of fan service, Gojo and Marin's relationship is built on not only compatible skills but mutual respect for each other's hobbies. 

"My Dress Up Darling" is available to stream on Crunchyroll.  

An adaptation of the sixth part in Hirohiko Araki's beloved manga series "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," "Stone Ocean" follows Jolyne Cujoh, the daughter of one of the series' most familiar characters — Jotaru Kujo. After she's framed for vehicular manslaughter and imprisoned, Jotaro informs Jolyne that she was targeted because she's a member of the Joestar bloodline, which allows her to awaken powers of her own that are akin to her father's.

"Stone Ocean" carries the "Jojo's" mantle well, delivering all the melodrama, action, and flourish the series is known for. An established classic and thrilling watch on any day, this 2022 hit is worth your attention. 

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean" is available to stream on Netflix. 

Since it first premiered in 2016, "Mob Psycho 100" has regularly been one of the best anime series currently airing. Focusing on an incredibly powerful psychic teen named Kageyama "Mob" Shigeo and his mentor, conman Arataka Reigen, the series subverts shonen anime tropes left and right with thrilling fight sequences and sparkling supernatural elements.

In its third season, "Mob Psycho 100" is just as brilliant as ever as Mob grapples with a cult accidentally founded in his image, his upcoming middle school graduation, and his longtime crush. Of course, in typical Mob fashion, it's much more than that. While there are certainly some big fights, "Mob Psycho 100" is ultimately a series about big feelings. 

"Mob Psycho 100" is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu. 

From animator Mitsuo Iso and studio Production +h comes "The Orbital Children," a six-part series set in the year 2045. The series follows a group of children — two of whom were born in space and three of whom are visitors from Earth — as they cope with disaster after fragments of a comet strike a Japanese commercial space station known as the Anshin. 

Mashing together Artificial Intelligence, the fears of a technological singularity, influencer culture, and commercial space exploration, "The Orbital Children" is a coming-of-age masterpiece mired in ambitious speculative fiction. Under Iso's careful hand, the show's animation and stylistic sensibilities make for a visual feast. 

"The Orbital Children" is available to stream on Netflix. 

Adapted from Sosuke Toka's manga series of the same name, "Ranking of Kings" follows Prince Bojji, an heir to the throne who aspires to become the greatest king in the world. However, he's looked down on due to his small stature and deafness. In the series' first episode, he befriends Kage, the last survivor of the shadow clan who can understand Bojji's speech. 

The series is committed to representing Bojji's disability, depicting sign language that was supervised by the Tokyo Federation of the Deaf, as IGN reported. Visually, "Ranking of Kings" is stunning, its relatively simple 2D style expanding into masterful fight choreography and expression as the series progresses. With a lovable protagonist, a commitment to breaking down fairytale tropes, and remarkable animation, "Ranking of Kings" is well worth a watch. 

"Ranking of Kings" is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

In "Spy x Family," elite international spy Twilight gets his toughest mission yet: infiltrate an upper-crust private school in a rival nation by training an adopted child to become a model student. Posing as psychiatrist Loid Forger, he adopts a psychic child named Anya and enlists Yor Briar, a city hall worker by day and assassin by night, to play his wife. 

The problem? Loid and Yor don't know about each other's double lives, nor are they aware that their adopted daughter is psychic and therefore knows everyone's secrets. 

With tight humor, incredible facial expressions adapted wonderfully from Tatsuya Endo's manga, and plenty of heart, "Spy x Family" is a must-watch from 2022. 

"Spy x Family" is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu.