MyAnimeList has been the go-to site for a fan to search and list the shows they like. It is updated with all the new shows that have been announced, are about to release, and have been released. It makes keeping track of the shows you have watched easy. Since 2021, MAL has taken a new initiative to release its list of top 3 under various categories selected and voted by the community. Today, we review the MyAnimeList Yearbook 2022 and find out if it’s good.
MyAnimeList Yearbook 2022
The Yearbook consists of many categories, each with three best picks under it. The selections are curated by the community, going as far as determining the categories. The Yearbook 2022 consists of 10 categories of top 3s, divided between Anime Series, Opening/Endings, and Characters. So, buckle up as we go through the Anime Community’s official Top 3s.
Anime Section
Starting with the Anime series, we have three Top 3s to review.
- Fantastic Fights: The Top 3 under this category are Chainsawman, Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen, and Engage Kiss. The runner-ups were RWBY: Hyousetsu Teikoku and Arknights: Reimei Zensou. It seems the community was pretty spot-on with this list. Yet, considering the runner-ups, Engage Kiss does not feel like an anime to have taken the 3rd spot.
- Wait, That’s Anime?: The Top 3 under this category are Blue Lock, Tomodachi Game, and Aru Asa Dummy Head Mic ni Natteita Ore-kun no Jinsei. The runner-ups were Yurei Deco and Kami Kuzu☆Idol. Blue Lock had been a delightful surprise, and Tomodachi Game was a shocker. These two deserve their position. However, the 3rd Spot and the runner-ups lack the quality to have been nominees.
- Take Lessons: The Top 3 under this category are Bocchi the Rock!, Ao Ashi, and Do it Yourself!!. The runner-ups were Slow Loop and Gunjou no Fanfare. This time around, the community was right with their choices. Each of these shows screams inspiration and motivation, clearly deserving their place on the list.
Opening/Ending Section
This section oozes refined taste in music. How will the community fare in their selection here?
- Artsy Animation: The Top 3 under this category are “1” [Mob Psycho 100 III], “Daten” [Yofukashi no Uta], and “This Fffire” [Cyberpunk: Edgerunners]. The runner-ups were “Narihibiku Kagiri” [Dance Dance Danseur] and “story” [Isekai Ojisan]. Only one word can describe this top 3 – ‘Vibrance‘. Each opening song takes the viewer to a different dimension.
- Let’s Get Loud: The Top 3 under this category are “Ciki Ciki Bam Bam” [Paripi Koumei], “Dance In the Game” [Classroom of the Elite], and “Aiue” [Urusei Yatsura]. The runner-ups were “Kaze no Oto sae Kikoenai” [Sabikui Bisco] and “Maid Daikaiten” [Akiba Meido Sensou]. Again, a pretty spot-on list by the community. Especially “Ciki Ciki Bam Bam”, I cannot count the number of times I have personally grooved to this song.
Character Section
This section has some of the spiciest and most controversial top 3s. Let’s dive right into it.
- Oh So Smug: The Top 3 under this category are “Anya” [SpyxFamily], “Kaguya Shinomiya” [Love is War], and “Cid Kagenou” [The Eminence in Shadow]. The runner-ups were “Leon Fou Bartfort’ [Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu] and “Wein Arbalest” [Tensai Ouji no Akaji Kokka Saisei Jutsu]. This list could not get more accurate.
- Cutest Couple: The Top 3 under this category are “Shinpei Ajiro + Ushio Kofune” [Summertime Reader], “Desumi Magahara + Fudou Aikawa” [Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de], and “Yume Irido + Mizuto Irido” [Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta]. The runner-ups were “Shuumei Sasaki + Yoshikazu Miyano” [Sasaki to Miyano] and “Ayumu Tanaka + Urushi Yaotome” [Soredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru].
This list has been a bit disappointing. Especially since we had anime such as [Vanitas no Karte], [Rise of the Shield Hero], [Komi Can’t Communicate], [Dress up Darling], [Chainsawman], and many more. With such choices to pick from, this top 3 does not satisfy.
- Dressed to Impress: The Top 3 under this category are “Marin Kitagawa” [Dress up Darling], “Akari Watanabe” [Fuufu Ijou, Koibito Miman], and “Claude Elmir” [Akuyaku Reijou nano de Last Boss wo Kattemimashita]. The runner-ups were “Christopher Asherald” [Mushikaburi-hime] and “Erika Amano” [Kakkou no Iinazuke]. This list is a good one. No objections.
- Dynamic Duo: The Top 3 under this category are “Chisato Nishikigi + Takina Inoue” [Lycoris Recoil], “Fran + Shishou” [Tensei shitara Ken deshita], and “Hinata Tachibana + Tsukasa Jinguuji” [Fantasy Bishoujo Juniku Ojisan to]. The runner-ups were “Shoutarou Hidari + Philip” [Fuuto Tantei] and “Seiko Fuji + Mai Kawai” [Hakozume: Kouban Joshi no Gyakushuu].
Here we go again. If we have to pick dynamic duos, the community had superior choices with [Paripi Koumei], [Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc], [Made in Abyss], and many more. In contrast, the current pick seems bland.
- Cute but Clumsy: The Top 3 under this category are “Reina Aharen” [Aharen-san wa Hakarenai], “Yuu Izumi” [Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san], and “Komichi Akebi” [Akebi-chan no Sailor-fuku]. The runner-ups were “Hayate Ichikura” [Cool Doji Danshi] and “Jigoku-san” [Chimimo]. Two things that this list has done right is having Aharen and Izumi on it.
Conclusion
Reviewing this list has left me with a mixed taste in my mouth. There are some great names on it, while a few are not worth it. The list is released on the 31st of January, leaving the community with plenty of time to make a conscious choice. In the end, this official list has also fallen to the vile subjectivism of its panel. Nevertheless, it is always a fun experience to find what the community sees appealing.
Having said that, which anime of 2023 do you think should make it to Yearbook 2023? Comment below!