It's been a while since I posted anything, since I'm concentrating on getting writing projects caught up. But I thought I should at least put something online to remind people that I am still alive. So, touching on one of my passions, here's a list of the best animated stuff I saw in 2018 in no particular order. These may not all be things that premiered in 2018, but that's when I saw them. Plus, I have't seen everything animated that came out this year (yet), like Isle of Dogs and Into the Spider-Verse, so they won't be included here.
SONG OF THE SEA This originally came out in 2014, but I only saw it this year. One of the top three truly classic animated works of the 2010s, along with contenders like the amazing COCO and WOLF CHILDREN. By the same creator and crew who made THE SECRET OF KELLS, it draws heavily on Irish Folklore and Myth to tell the tale of two contentious Irish siblings. If there is only one entry on this list that you see, it definitely has to be this one.
HILDA A cozy but super-imaginative and fun adventure series that took me completely by surprise. A brash young girl moves from the countryside to the city in a fantasy world, and finds the city offers just as much magical adventure as her former home. The best tv/streaming animated work this year.
SHE-RA Speaking of surprises, this turned out to be another very pleasant one, better in every way than the original by far. Especially solid here are all the prominent characters, the true stand-outs being protagonist Adora and her best-friend-turned-enemy Catra. They didn't shy away from the emotional turmoil caused by the fallout of Adora's decision, and even in the midst of the fighting the two girls' conflicted feelings were still very apparent and made for some compelling viewing. And screw the comicsgater haters who whined about this before seeing even a lick of footage because She-Ra didn't look like an 80s barbie doll.
CASTLEVANIA No one expects video game adaptations to be good, but this one managed to pull it off. Great characters and great plot, with one heck of a climatic battle.
THE DRAGON PRINCE From one of the writers who brought us Avatar: The Last Airbender is a great and very fun fantasy adventure set in an interesting new world. Some criticisms of its stiff animation are valid, but the solid writing, creativity, and great characters more than make up for it.
YURU CAMP Cozy, relaxing, and very funny in places, I did not expect a slice-of-life series about a group of high school girls going cold-weather camping to be as watchable as it was. It's very much like SWEETNESS AND LIGHTNING that it's one of those perfect things to watch when you want to unwind after a hard day.
STAR WARS REBELS The series wrapped up with a crackerjack collection of final episodes. The very best thing Star Wars on screen since the original trilogy.
AGGRETSUKO Funny and true-to-life office comedy that just happens to star a death-metal-loving red panda.
MY HERO ACADEMIA In its third season, still a great, solid action anime about student super heroes. Had my favorite single episode of the year, with All Might in his epic final battle against All For One. United States of Smash!
And that's it I guess. I may have missed one or two. Here's hoping 2019 produces some equally great or even better animation!
