SAO: Sword Art Online ソードアート・オンライン (Sōdo Āto Onrain)

Alternative Name: 刀剑神域 (Dāo Jiàn Shén Yù)

Genre: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Action, Sci-Fi, Fighting,

               Survival, Tragedy, Virtual Reality, Online Game/MMORPG,  

                Alternative Version

Description: 

In the year 2022, the Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG), Sword Art Online (SAO), is released. With the Nerve Gear, a virtual reality helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds.

On November 6, 2022, all the players log in for the first time, and subsequently discover that they are unable to log out. They are then informed by Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of SAO, that if they wish to be free, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if their avatars die in-game, their bodies will also die in the real world. The story follows Kirito, a skilled player who is determined to beat the game. As the game progresses for two years, Kirito eventually befriends a female player named Asuna with whom he eventually falls in love with. After the duo discover the identity of Kayaba's avatar in SAO, they confront and defeat him, freeing themselves and the other players from the game.

Upon returning to the real world, Kirito learns that Asuna and a small group of SAO players has still not awakened yet. Following a clue about Asuna's whereabouts in another VRMMORPG called Alfheim Online (ALO), Kirito also logs in there. Kirito soon learns the trapped players in ALO are part of a plan devised by Nobuyuki Sugō to perform illegal experiments on their minds to put them under his control including Asuna, whom he intends to marry in the real world in order to take over her family's company. Helped by his sister Suguha, Kirito stops Nobuyuki's plans and finally reunites with Asuna in the real world.

Soon after, Kirito plays another game called Gun Gale Online (GGO) to investigate the mysterious connection between it and deaths occurring in the real world. Kirito, assisted by a female player he meets in the game called Sinon, eventually identifies and exposes the culprits who include some former members of a murderous guild he had previously encountered in SAO.

After solving the murders in GGO, Kirito is recruited to assist in the development of a state-of-the-art game, UnderWorld (UW), which has an interface that is far more realistic and complex than the previous games he had played. In UW, the flow of time proceeds thousands of times faster than in the real world. However, Kirito ends up falling into a trap set by one of the murderers from GGO and wakes up inside the game, unable to log out, with his real self left in a comatose state. As Kirito begins to have his memories entangled with his experiences in the game, it becomes more difficult for him to tell reality and fiction apart. Meanwhile, Asuna, Suguha and Sinon also log themselves into UW in an attempt to help him.

Episode
Season 1: 25 episodes + 9 Special + 1 Movie + 1 Special
Season 2: 24 episodes + 1 Special + 9 Special + 1 Movie + 1 Special + 1 ONA + 1 Special
Season 3a: 24 episodes + 1 Special + 1 Special
Season 3b: 12 episodes + 1 Special
Season 3c: 11 episodes + 1 Movie + 1 Movie 

Original Run
Season 1: July 7, 2012 – December 22, 2012
Special: October 24, 2012 – June 26, 2013
Movie: December 31, 2013
Special: April 23, 2014
Season 2: July 5, 2014 – December 20, 2014
Special: October 22, 2014 – June 24, 2015  
Special: October 11, 2014
Movie: February 18, 2017
Special: September 27, 2017
ONA: February 8, 2018

Special: March 20, 2018
Season 3a: October 7, 2018 – March 31, 2019
Special: February 17, 2019
Special: October 6, 2019
Season 3b: October 13, 2019 – December 29, 2019

Special: July 4, 2020
Season 3c: July 12, 2020 – September 20, 2020

Movie: October 30, 2021

Movie: October 22, 2022

Studio: A-1 Pictures (Series) / Studio 3Hz (Alternative Version)

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan ぬらりひょんの孫 (Nurarihyon no Mago)

Alternative Name: 滑头鬼之孙 (Huá Tóu Guǐ Zhī Sūn)

Genre: Action, Supernatural, Demons, Developing Power, Comedy, 
               Split Personality, Yakuza, Youkai/Monsters, School Life, 

               Onmyouji, Fantasy, Ghosts/Spirits

Description: 

Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, the current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despite the fact he dislikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However, there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy.

Episode

Season 1: 24 episodes + 1 Special + 2 Special

Season 2: 24 episodes + 2 Special + 2 OVA

Original Run

Season 1: July 6, 2010 – December 21, 2010
Special: October 23, 2010
Special: September 28, 2010 – December 28, 2010

Season 2: July 3, 2011 – December 18, 2011
Special: September 25, 2011 – December 25, 2011
OVA: December 4, 2012 – March 4, 2013

Studio: Studio Deen

Kamen no Maid Guy 仮面のメイドガイ

Alternative Name: 假面男仆 (Jiǎ Miàn Nán Pū)

Genre: Ecchi, Comedy, Action, Fanservice, Butlers/Maids

Description: 

Fumiwara Naeka is a granddaughter of a billionaire and the heir to his fortune. She is pursued by those who desire her inheritance. In order to protect her from them, an agent is dispatched in the form of a male maid, who looks like a masculine samurai wearing a mask and has teeth like a shark's. Wearing a maid uniform, Kogarashi gives his best effort to serve Naeka. His noisy and pushy services make her daily life exciting.

Episode: 12 + 1 OVA

Original Run
Series: April 5, 2008 – June 21, 2008
OVA: December 22, 2008

Studio: Madhouse

Sands of Destruction ワールド・デストラクション～世界撲滅の六人～ (Wārudo Desutorakushon ~Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin~)

Alternative Name: World of Destruction 毁灭世界的六人 

                                       (World of Destruction Huǐ Miè Shì Jiè De Liù Rén)

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Description: 

In a world where humans serve as livestock for the ruling beastman, and where sand fills the roles of water and fire. Morte Ashela , a member (or the only member) of the so called World Destruction Committee is wanted and hiding. She goes to a beastman bar to eat lunch where she meets Kyrie , a young human boy working at a beastman bar concealing his true identity as a human. When her enemies The World Salvation Committee found her she used Kyrie as a hostage only to know that he's a human , disposable to the enemy , together they run from the WSC to complete their goal of destroying the world to save humans from slavery. Kyrie ends up traveling with her and unwillingly joins the committee. Kyrie is recruited by the "World Destruction Committee" to assist in putting an end to their world. Kyrie alone holds the power needed to do it. Little does Morte know that Kyrie is the key to their goal.

Episode: 13

Original Run: July 7, 2008 – September 30, 2008

Studio: Production I.G

Yakitate!! Japan 焼きたて!! ジャぱん

Alternative Name: 日式面包王 (Rì Shì Miàn Bāo Wáng)

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Tournaments, Culinary, Bakery

Description: 

Azuma Kazuma isn't terribly clever, but he's got a good heart and great skill - at baking. Since childhood, he's been on a quest to create the perfect bread to represent Japan internationally. Now, he seeks to enter the famous bakery Pantasia, in hopes of reaching his goal. But plots abound...

Episode: 69

Original Run: October 12, 2004 – March 14, 2006

Studio: Sunrise

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha 魔法少女リリカルなのは (Mahō Shōjo Ririkaru Nanoha)

Alternative Name: 魔法少女奈叶 (Mó Fǎ Shào Nǚ Nài Yè)

Genre: Adventure, Magic, Sci-Fi, Magical Boy/Girl, Military, Action, 
               Psychological, Comedy, Mecha, Drama, Transformation,

               Alternative Version

Description: 

Yuuno Scraia is a mage from a distant planet working to fix the problem he started when Jewel Seeds were accidentally spread around the world. In a failed attempt to seal a seed properly, he winds up on Earth in the form of a ferret. However, his battle with the seeds did not end upon reaching the Earth and he needs somebody else's help to seal the seeds for him. Takamachi Nanoha hears his telepathic cries for help and comes to his rescue. When she is given a pearl known as the Raging Heart she is able to transform into Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and wield a staff to fend off the evil that lies within the Seeds. In order to help Yuuno complete his mission, she needs to seal all 21 Jewel Seeds away, but Fate may be playing a hand in the matter to prevent Nanoha's goals.

Episode

Season 1: 13 episodes + 1 Movie + 1 Special

Season 2: 13 episodes + 1 Movie + 2 Special + 1 Special

Season 3: 26 episodes  + 1 Special + 2 Movie 
Season 4: 12 episodes + 1 Special 
Side Story: 12 episodes + 3 Special

Original Run

Season 1: October 1, 2004 – December 24, 2004
Movie: January 23, 2010

Special: October 1, 2014

Season 2: October 1, 2005 – December 25, 2005
Movie: July 14, 2012
Special: March 22, 2013
Special: November 4, 2014

Season 3: April 1, 2007 – September 23, 2007
Special: February 25, 2015
Movie: July 22, 2017
Movie: October 19, 2018
Season 4: April 3, 2015 – June 19, 2015
Special: June 26, 2015
Side Story: October 2, 2016 – December 18, 2016
Special: January 25, 2017 – March 29, 2017

Studio: Seven Arcs (Series) / A-1 Pictures (S4 & Side Story)

Togainu no Chi ~Bloody Curse~ 咎狗の血

Alternative Name: 咎狗之血 (Jiù Gǒu Zhī Xuè)

Genre: Action, Bishounen, Fighting, Post-Apocalyptic, Shounen-Ai/Yaoi, 

               Survival, Drama, Sci-Fi, 

Description: 

Several years after the end of a war, the city of Toshima has fallen into decay and been taken over by the crime syndicate, Viscio. There, the head of the syndicate, Il Rey, has convened the battle game "Igura." Meanwhile, Akira, falsely accused of a crime, has made a deal to earn his pardon: go to Toshima, defeat Il Rey, and destroy the syndicate.

Episode: 12 + 5 ONA

Original Run

Series: October 7, 2010 – December 23, 2010

ONA: April 1, 2017

Studio: A-1 Pictures

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne 神風怪盗ジャンヌ (Kamikaze Kaitōu Jannu)

Alternative Name: 神风怪盗贞德 (Shén Fēng Guài Dào Zhēn Dé)

Genre: Action, Romance, Supernatural, Magical Boy/Girl, Comedy, 

               Drama, Magic, Mystery, Adventure, Kaitou/Thief, Fantasy,

               Transformation

Description: 

Marron seems to be a normal, ditsy kinda of school girl when in actuality she is the reincarnation of Joan of Arc. With her angel sidekick Finn, she attempts to seal demons which are hiding in pieces of art and possess weak-hearted people. However with sealing the demons the art disappears leaving the police and her best friend Miyako, the police chief's daughter, to suspect her to be nothing but a common art thief. More strange twists occur when a smooth talking new boy in school moves in next door along with the presence of a new "art thief" Sinbad, who races against Joan to seal demons. Now, Marron must race against the police and Sinbad to seal the demons and manage just to make it through school and a strange homelife.

Episode: 44

Original Run: February 13, 1999 – January 29, 2000

Studio: Toei Animation

Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchō Tō 東京魔人學園剣風帖龖

Alternative Name: 东京魔人学园剑风帖 

                                      (Dōng Jīng Mó Rén Xué Yuán Jiàn Fēng Tiē)

Genre: Action, Supernatural, Horror, Drama, Psychological, Martial Arts, 
               School, Superpowers

Description: 

In the night of Tokyo, mysterious deaths involving the 'Reborn Dead' occur. Mysterious transfer student, Tatsuma Hiyuu, and delinquent student, Kyouichi Houraiji, fight these undead every night. They, along with the rest of their group, soon realize that a greater threat, that involves even more powerful demons, is near.

Episode

Season 1: 14 episodes

Season 2: 12 episodes

Original Run

Season 1: January 19, 2007 – April 20, 2007

Season 2: July 27, 2007 – October 12, 2007

Studio: AIC Spirits & BeSTACK 

Izumo: Flash of a Brave Sword IZUMO:猛き剣の閃記 (IZUMO:Takeki Tsurugi no Senki)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy, Comedy, 
               Martial Arts, Drama, Isekai

Description: 

Yagi Takeru has been living in the Touma family's house since his parents are gone. He was raised by Touma Rokunosuke, the head of the house. He is surrounded by many people such as Yamato Takeshi, his best friend-cum-rival from the kendo club, the Shiratori sisters, Kotono and Asuka, and his childhood friend, Oosu Seri. Life has been blissful until one day, an earthquake strikes the school and everything changes. 

Takeru awakens to find that the school looks as if it has been abandoned for centuries and reduced to ruins. He also realizes that all the teachers and students have disappeared as well. He meets up with Seri and Asuka and they fled from the ruins, only to realize that the town they used to live in is completely empty. Subsequently, people wrapped in cloaks appear before him. They were told that they have been brought to another world.

Episode: 12 + 5 OVA

Original Run
Series: April 3, 2005 – June 19, 2005
OVA: January 23, 2003 – October 25, 2005

Studio: Trinet Entertainment & Studio Kyuuma (Series)/ Studio Jam (OVA)

You're Being Summoned, Azazel-san よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。 (Yondemasuyo, Azazel-san)

Alternative Name: 召唤恶魔 (Zhào Huàn È Mó)

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Demons, Youkai/Monsters

Description: 

Akutabe, a detective, summons devils to solve the troubles of his clients. One day, a low class devil Azazel Atsushi is summoned by Akutabe and is used harshly by him and his assistant Rinko Sakuma.

Episode
Season 1: 13 episodes + 4 OVA
Season 2: 13 episodes

Original Run
Season 1: April 8, 2011 – July 1, 2011
OVA: February 23, 2010 – June 23, 2014
Season 2: March 26, 2013 – June 30, 2013

Studio: Production I.G

Princess Princess プリンセス・プリンセス (Purinsesu Purinsesu)

Alternative Name: 公主公主 (Gōng Zhǔ Gōng Zhǔ)

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Bishounen, Cross-Dressing, School, Shounen-Ai,

               School Life

Description: 

When beautiful Tooru transferred to an all-boys school, he received a warm welcome...but little did he know that his new classmates had nominated him for the academy's "Princess System." The lovely campus "Princesses" must dress as girls (in frilly Gothic Lolita costumes) at school events in order to lighten the stolid masculine atmosphere. Tooru balks at first, but soon comes to realize the advantages of being a "Princess."

Episode: 12 + 12 Special

Original Run
Series: April 5, 2006 – June 21, 2006
Special: July 19, 2006 – December 20, 2006

Studio: Studio Deen

Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning スパイラル〜推理の絆〜 (Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna)

Alternative Name: 少年侦探~推理之绊~ 

                                      (Shào Nián Zhēn Tàn ~Tuī Lǐ Zhī Bàn~)

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crimes, Polices/Detectives, Comedy, 
               Romance, Tragedy

Description: 

Two years ago, Ayumu Narumi's older brother Kiyotaka, a famous detective and pianist, disappears without a trace. Ayumu's only clue as to his brother's whereabouts is the phrase "Blade Children," the only words Ayumu could make out in Kiyotaka's final phone call. Now in high school, Ayumu becomes involved in solving in a series of murders and other incidents, all related to the Blade Children. Together with his school's journalist, Hiyono Yuizaki, and the unwilling assistance of his sister-in-law, Madoka, Ayumu tries to figure out who the Blade Children are and what are their goals.

The Blade Children are the central mystery of the series, known only as cursed children that few know about and are being pursued by so-called Hunters. They are distinguished by their cat-like eyes (though a few lack this feature) and by missing the seventh right rib bone. As Ayumu investigates them, he meets Blade Children Kousuke Asazuki, Rio Takeuchi, Eyes Rutherford, Ryoko Takamachi, and Kanone Hilbert, and is tested in various ways by them. Those who meet him eventually conclude, some more reluctantly than others, that Ayumu does have what it takes to "save" the Blade Children, as they say Kiyotaka claims.

The anime series, which adapts the story through the sixth volume of the manga, compares the Blade Children to cuckoo birds, having been deposited in human "nests" to be raised, and suggesting that cuckoos go violently crazy toward the end of their lives. The manga continues the story, depicting Ayumu's discoveries about the origin of the Blade Children, their relationship with Kiyotaka, and why his older brother thinks Ayumu might be their savior.

Some thirty years ago, a man called Yaiba Mizushiro was born with one rib missing from his right ribcage. Like Kiyotaka, he excelled at everything he chose to put his mind to. When he turned twenty-three, Yaiba started his own secret society, which swiftly grew powerful enough to manipulate world events. Citing boredom, Yaiba initiated the "Blade Children Project": using in vitro techniques and his DNA, he created eighty children, and had a rib removed from each of them at birth as a mark of their relationship to Yaiba. These Blade Children were cursed in the same way Yaiba was: they would grow up as geniuses in their own right, but one day their blood would awaken murderously and take over their self-will, becoming Avatars of Yaiba. Yaiba's organization split into three parties over the Blade Children Project:

·        The Savers supported Yaiba's goals and desire to create more Blade Children. With Yaiba's death, they sought to protect the fact the future had not been determined yet.

·        The Watchers were neutral, wanting to observe the first batch of Children and gather results first.

·        The Hunters were against Yaiba, and tried multiple times to assassinate him, but repeatedly failed. After Yaiba's death, they worked to eliminate the Blade Children because of their potentially dangerous natures.

When Yaiba was thirty-six, a Japanese man came out of nowhere and easily killed him: Kiyotaka Narumi, Yaiba's counterpart—if Yaiba had been a destroyer, Kiyotaka was a creator. Yaiba had intended to remake the world literally in his own image; with his death, the Blade Children project was halted. Kiyotaka had his hands full trying to stop the Hunters from killing the Blade Children, while trying to check the Savers at the same time.

Just as Kiyotaka and Yaiba were linked, Ayumu eventually meets his own counterpart: Hizumi Mizushiro, Yaiba's younger brother, and the one who will awaken the blood of the remaining Blade Children. As Ayumu comes to know and becomes friends with Hizumi, he comes to accept his own powers are as strong as Kiyotaka's and his role as the savior of the Blade Children, leading to a final confrontation that resolves things once and for all.

Episode: 25

Original Run: October 1, 2002 – March 25, 2003

Studio: J.C.Staff

Campione! カンピオーネ! (Kanpiōne!)

Alternative Name: Campione 弑神者! (Campione Shì Shén Zhě!)

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Fanservice, Action,
               Harem, Comedy, Ecchi, Supernatural, Gods/Goddesses/Deities

Description: 

Godō Kusanagi is a 16-year-old high school boy, who once killed the god "Verethragna" and acquired the title of "Campione" ("God Killer") when he was 15. Erica Brandelli is a 16-year-old Italian girl, who is a "Great Knight" of the magic society "Bronze Black Cross" and had fought together with Godo to defeat Verethragna. Godo doesn't like fighting but his title of "Campione" makes him get involved in battles against other Campiones and uncontrollable gods.

Episode: 13

Original Run: July 6, 2012 – September 28, 2012

Studio: Diomedea

Earl and Fairy 伯爵と妖精 (Hakushaku to Yōsei)

Alternative Name: 伯爵与妖精 (Bó Jué Yǔ Yāo Jing)

Genre: Adventure, Reverse Harem, Historical, Crimes, Bishounen,

               Bishoujo, Magic, Romance, Fantasy, Spirits

Description: 

The story is set in 19th century England and centers on a "fairy doctor" named Lydia. Her life takes an 180-degrees turn when she meets a legendary blue knight count named Edgar and his crew. He hires her as an adviser during his quest to obtain a treasured sword that was supposed to be handed down to him by his family

Episode: 12 + 6 Special

Original Run
Series: September 28, 2008 – December 23, 2008
Special: December 29, 2008 – August 19, 2009

Studio: Artland

La storia della Arcana Famiglia アルカナ・ファミリア (Arukana Famiria)

Alternative Name: 魔力家族 (Mó Lì Jiā Zú)

Genre: Romance, Action, Tarot Cards, Comedy, Adventure, Drama, 
               Bishounen, Mafia, Reverse Harem, Special Abilities, 
               Supernatural

Description: 

Felicitá is the one-and-only daughter of the Papa of the organization, maybe even mafia, known as the Arcana Famiglia. The Famiglia is made up of people who have made contracts with the Arcane cards, and have received special abilities due to this. The Papa has decided it's time for him to retire and give up his seat to a new male who has control over an Arcane. To decide who in the "family" gets this seat, he calls for a tournament between Arcane users. To the winner, he promises the "Papa" seat, a wish of the winner's choice...and his daughter's hand in marriage. Refusing to accept this, Felicitá decides to fight to choose her own path, with her friends Liberta and Nova fighting for her freedom by her side.

Episode: 12 + 1 OVA

Original Run
Series: July 1, 2012 – September 16, 2012
OVA: March 27, 2013

Studio: J.C.Staff

Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time ~A Tale of the Eight Guardians~ 遙かなる時空の中で ～八葉抄～ (Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyou Shou~)

Alternative Name: 遥远时空中:八叶抄 

                                       (Yáo Yuǎn Shí Kōng Zhōng: Bā Yè Chāo)

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Reverse Harem, Bishounen, Historical, Romance, 
               Supernatural, Demons, Magic, Isekai, Goddesses

Description: 

Akane Motomiya and her friends Tenma and Shimon are pulled by a demon into another world, where Akane becomes the Priestess of the Dragon God. The people of this world tell her that she is the only one who can stop the demons from taking over; meanwhile, the demons want to use her power for their own ends. Luckily, Akane has the Hachiyou, eight men with powers of their own who are sworn to protect the Dragon Priestess.

Episode

Series: 26 episodes + 8 Special + 1 Movie + 1 Special

OVA:

1. 2 episodes (Alternative Version)

2. 3 episodes

3. 2 episodes

4. 1 episode + 1 Special + 1 Special

Original Run

Series: October 5, 2004 – March 29, 2005
Special: September 23, 2005 – April 16, 2006
Movie: August 19, 2006
Special: July 28, 2006

OVA:

1. March 27, 2002 – January 22, 2003

2. March 23, 2003 – February 2, 2005

3. December 23, 2005 – January 27, 2006

4. December 28, 2007
Special: 2008
Special: January 4, 2010 

Studio: Yumeta Company (Series) / Zexcs (Alternative Version)