Best Adventure Anime of 2022

With only a week left until the next Wave, Naofumi Iwatani and his party feel the pressure mounting. The urgency heightens after bat-like familiars assault Lurolona Village, which causes the Wave countdown to halt. In response, the Four Cardinal Heroes convene with Queen Mirelia Q Melromarc for an urgent meeting. She believes that these unusual occurrences may be linked to the Spirit Tortoise, a perilous creature that has awakened and started causing destruction once again. As plans are drawn up to defeat the Spirit Tortoise, among the four heroes, only the disparaged Shield Hero steps forward to offer his assistance.

As a Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki routinely battles Hollows—malevolent spirits that endanger Karakura Town. He undertakes this mission alongside his closest companions: Orihime Inoue, a childhood friend gifted in healing; Yasutora Sado, a schoolmate possessing inhuman strength; and Uryuu Ishida, a Quincy who stands as Ichigo's rival. This vigilante existence is thrown into chaos when Asguiaro Ebern, a fearsome Arrancar, appears, heralding the comeback of Yhwach, the ancient Quincy monarch. Yhwach aims to rekindle the long-standing conflict between Soul Reapers and Quincies, intending to wipe out both the human realm and the Soul Society once and for all. Yhwach orchestrates a simultaneous assault on the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, the domain of Hollows and Arrancars. In response, Ichigo and his allies must unite with former friends and foes alike to stop Yhwach's bloody rampage before the entire world faces annihilation.

E-Rantel, the capital of the newly formed Sorcerer Kingdom, is experiencing a severe scarcity of supplies. Once a thriving trade hub, the city now struggles due to its residents' wariness—and even dread—of their ruler, Ainz Ooal Gown. Seeking to remedy this, Ainz dispatches Albedo as a diplomatic representative to the city. At the same time, the Slane Theocracy's cardinals convene to plan a counterstrike against Ainz after his assault decimated the Re-Estize Kingdom's military, scheming to have the Baharuth Empire annex the Sorcerer Kingdom. Yet when Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix arranges a rendezvous with the Theocracy's envoys in a colosseum, he finds himself face-to-face with Ainz himself. With their covert meeting exposed, the emperor and his guests learn that Ainz has issued a challenge to the Warrior King, the empire's most formidable combatant, to a duel. Unable to fathom Ainz's motives, Jircniv can only stand by as the course of humanity transforms right in front of him.

Having survived the brutal trials of Idofront, Riko now holds a White Whistle, granting her passage into the Abyss's sixth layer—the Capital of the Unreturned. Together with Reg and Nanachi, Riko begins exploring this uncharted territory, where the ruins of the promised Golden City lie. As the trio adjusts to the harsh surroundings, they soon encounter dangerous creatures and treacherous terrain. Their journey leads them to a village inhabited by strange beings called "hollows." Despite the unsettling atmosphere that greets them, the three press onward to uncover the secrets of the settlement and the forgotten legacies of adventurers who once descended into the unexplored Abyss's horrors.

While walking to school one day, high school student Suzume Iwato encounters a young man named Souta Munakata, who is looking for abandoned places. She points him toward a nearby ruin, but her own curiosity leads her to head there as well. Upon arriving, Suzume finds a solitary door that opens onto a surreal, dreamlike universe—one she can see and sense but cannot step into. A strange stone sits on the ground nearby, but when she picks it up, it transforms into a cat-like creature and dashes away. Frightened, Suzume flees back toward her school, unaware that leaving the door open has set terrible events in motion. With the "keystone" released, the evil contained in that other dimension can now freely escape and spread destruction across Japan. Determined to fix her perilous mistake, Suzume joins forces with Souta—whose true mission is to prevent such evil from growing—to locate and seal all the open doors before the country is ruined.

After rescuing his former classmates from a labyrinth that grants divine magic to those who pass its trials, Nagumo Hajime emerges as the only survivor, while the newer generation of heroes in the fantasy realm of Tortus endures their first major defeat. Together with his faithful traveling companions and the newly joined Kaori Shirasaki, Nagumo continues his journey to conquer every labyrinth, aiming ultimately to return to his original world. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the summoned heroes review their past mistakes to prepare for the demon army's upcoming invasion. As the climactic battle draws near, both old and new enemies start carrying out their sinister plans. Once again, Nagumo must prove his dominance over formidable opponents, fighting relentlessly to protect those he cherishes most.

After rescuing the Xenos from a life-threatening crisis, adventurer Bell Cranel has risen to Level 4. Now possessing the strength to venture into the perilous lower levels of the Dungeon, the captain of the Hestia Familia sets off on a fresh journey alongside his friends and comrades. Yet, based on a prophetic vision from Cassandra Ilion, an impending disaster involving Bell's close friend Ryuu Lion threatens to bring ruin to the entire group. Despite this, Bell refuses to doubt Ryuu and is resolved to prove her innocence—but only time will reveal if he has the strength to save her and withstand the harshness of the abyss.

A man falls asleep while playing an online game and wakes up in that same world, now embodying his character named Arc. Although he quickly adjusts to his new environment, he is troubled to find that he looks exactly like the skeleton model he chose during character creation. To avoid the stares and fear of others, he hides his face. In search of a livelihood, Arc heads to the nearby castle town of Luvierte, aiming to become an adventurer and take on quests. With his overwhelmingly powerful stats, he travels across various lands, defeats many monsters, and saves people from danger. However, his casual actions may inadvertently pull him into a massive looming conflict that will alter the fate of the entire world.

When the Demon Queen Echidna launches an invasion of the human world, the people turn to the Hero Leo Demonheart for deliverance. Armed with incredible power, Leo easily pushes back Echidna’s forces and saves the world. But instead of gratitude, he is met with hostility from humans who fear his immense strength could one day destroy them. Banished from his homeland, Leo wanders without purpose until he learns that Echidna is rebuilding her army. Seeking a place where he might be accepted among demons, he returns to her castle and offers his help. Echidna immediately turns him down, but Leo convinces her four generals to let him work under their supervision in secret. Disguising himself as a masked dark knight named Onyx, Leo tackles the army’s problems one by one, steadily improving life within the castle. His true goal, however, remains uncovering the real reason Echidna declared war in the first place.

Having witnessed countless deaths and tragedies, the immortal Fushi isolates himself on an island, shielding himself from enemy Nokkers. But instead of attacking Fushi in his solitude, the Nokkers start targeting settlements beyond his reach, aiming to draw him out. Eventually, a group called the Guardians—led by Hisame, descendant of the fallen warrior Hayase—discovers Fushi. Inspired by how Fushi protected Janada Island from the Nokkers years earlier, the Guardians have amassed a substantial following and are known worldwide. Though hesitant at first, Fushi allows the Guardians to join him at the site of the Nokkers' latest assault. In that village, Fushi encounters several valuable allies, both fresh faces and familiar ones. Yet as the struggle against the Nokkers brings only more grief, Fushi must find the inner resolve to confront his inevitable sorrow.

A nameless sword regains consciousness, having been reincarnated from a previous life as a human. Using his telekinetic power, he explores this new world, gathering numerous skills and abilities. While traversing a monster-filled forest, he encounters a young girl fleeing from a beast. She grabs the sword and swiftly defeats the monster. Introducing herself as Fran, she names the sword "Shishou" and officially makes him her weapon. Together, they aim to become adventurers, but Fran faces a disadvantage: she belongs to the Black Cat Tribe, a Beastkin group with a poor reputation. No member of her tribe has ever evolved into a stronger beast, but Fran is determined to be the first and fulfill her parents' dream. With Shishou vowing to remain her sword until she achieves her goal, they form an unstoppable partnership of remarkable strength.

Having broken free from Green Dolphin Street Jail, Jolyne Kuujou, joined by Ermes Costello and Emporio Alniño, chases the malevolent priest Enrico Pucci throughout Florida. Meanwhile, fellow allies Weather Report and Narciso Anasui race to reunite with her to stop Pucci’s scheme. As they both hunt the priest, they must contend with his army of hostile Stand users. While Jolyne’s friends fight for survival, Pucci heads to the Kennedy Space Center to achieve his divine mission. He intends to honor the legacy of Dio Brando, the Joestars’ arch-nemesis, by stripping humanity of free will and enslaving people to fate, thereby creating a utopia of universal happiness. With her father Joutarou in a coma, Jolyne must use every skill she acquired behind bars to face Pucci in a decisive showdown that will determine the fate of the world.

Mages are randomly assigned one of four crests at birth, which dictates the extent of their magical potential. Gaius, born with a crest specialized in creation, reached the pinnacle of his power and earned the title of the world’s strongest sage. Yet, he remains unfulfilled, yearning for a crest suited to close-quarters combat. Recognizing that a crest cannot be changed, Gaius chooses to reincarnate far into the future, hoping to rewrite his destiny. Reborn as Mathias Hildesheimer thousands of years later, Mathias finally obtains his desired crest. However, he learns that magic has significantly declined in this era, and once-common techniques are now little more than faint legends. Furthermore, the crest he worked so hard to acquire is now regarded as the weakest, mockingly called the "Crest of Failure." Despite this, Mathias surpasses all expectations. He enters the Second Academy in the royal capital, excelling in every challenge. Soon, however, Mathias uncovers the dark truth behind humanity’s regression into magical mediocrity: demons. He sets out to correct the consequences of his long absence once and for all.

High school student Michio Kaga stumbles upon a peculiar online game while browsing the internet and attempts to launch it. Instead of playing, he is transported to a rural village within the game world, endowed with unique abilities and an immensely powerful sword. After regaining his composure, he finds himself fighting off bandits and soon discovers that logging out is impossible. Accepting his circumstances and embracing this new reality, Michio embarks on a quest—making the most of his fresh start, clearing dungeons to earn wealth, and assembling a harem to fulfill all his masculine urges.

A catastrophic event has turned Japan into a vast desert, and a mysterious rusting plague is devastating what remains of civilization. The authorities blame the spread of mushroom spores for this grim new reality, pointing to Bisco Akaboshi, whom they call the "Man-Eating Mushroom," as the culprit. Bisco, however, sees things differently. He is a "Mushroom Protector" on a mission to find the fabled "Sabikui" mushroom, believed to be the ultimate remedy for the rust disease. Accompanying him on this journey are his giant crab, Akutagawa, and Dr. Milo Nekoyanagi, a kind physician seeking a treatment for his sister's rust poisoning. Despite the prejudice he faces from the public, Bisco remains determined to cleanse the decaying world.

After dying from overwork in a toxic corporate job, Yuuji Sano is reborn in a fantasy world that resembles a game. Hoping for a quiet life, he discovers his adventurer class is Monster Tamer, the weakest rank. By taming nearby slimes, he gains their help to unlock magical abilities and acquires a second profession: Sage, which fully exploits that potential. Despite possessing overwhelming power, the trauma of his past life prevents him from using his full strength. But hidden threats loom over his new world, and he may soon be forced to stop concealing his abilities to protect the only home he has left.

In the world, among all beasts, there exist special breeds called "ultimate species" that possess extraordinary strength and magical abilities, placing them at the pinnacle of power. Many humans covet these creatures' capabilities, driving some of them toward extinction. Rein Shroud, a beast tamer, can call upon various animals to aid him in tasks like reconnaissance and logistics. Because of this ability, he joins a party led by the corrupt and scheming hero Arios Orlando. After six months, however, Rein is cast out for being useless in combat due to his non-fighting class. But the team that abandoned him does not realize that Rein is an exception among beast tamers. His true potential emerges when he encounters Kanade—a cat spirit and one of the ultimate species—and successfully forms a contract with her. With Kanade at his side, Rein embarks on an adventurer's journey, steadily climbing the ranks and meeting more ultimate species along the way.

Ever since their school days, Tsukasa Jinguuji has always been lucky with women thanks to his handsome features, while Hinata Tachibana has had almost no luck, constantly living in Jinguuji's shadow. But Jinguuji has never shown any interest in romance, whereas Tachibana is always desperate for a girlfriend. Despite their stark differences, they remain best friends even into their thirties as office workers. One night, the two are heading home from a mixer where Jinguuji, as usual, was the center of attention. In his drunken complaints, a frustrated Tachibana accidentally wishes to become a stunningly beautiful girl with irresistible charm. As if the heavens heard him, a goddess suddenly appears before Jinguuji and Tachibana, transporting them to another world to defeat the Demon Lord while also granting Tachibana's wish. Tachibana—now in the body of an impossibly perfect woman—has become so attractive that even Jinguuji is captivated. Furthermore, Tachibana becomes aware of Jinguuji's good looks, finally understanding why he is so popular. Before they fall in love with each other, the pair must complete their mission or risk being trapped by their own infatuations forever.

Average student Mitsuki Mutou is unexpectedly transported to a different world. The king of this realm summons him, expecting remarkable power, but when Mitsuki appears to lack a Special Concept, he is cast out. While wandering, he meets a priestess named Menou, who explains that people from Japan like him are called Lost Ones and that such individuals always possess a Special Concept. Menou says she belongs to a church that helps abandoned Lost Ones adjust to society. She invites him to spend the night at her church, where they can investigate the nature of his ability. Eventually, they discover that Mitsuki's Special Concept is extraordinarily powerful and dangerous. But is Menou's real purpose to aid Lost Ones—or the opposite?

Keina Kagami, who had been confined to her bed, finds herself transported into the world of her favorite VRMMORPG, Leadale, after the life support system keeping her alive shuts down. Reborn as her high-level character, Cayna, she quickly realizes that this version of Leadale is not the same one she remembers playing. She eventually discovers that two centuries have gone by since she last interacted with this realm. Yet this revelation doesn't disappoint Cayna—instead, it signals the start of a fresh adventure, full of exciting possibilities and unfamiliar people waiting to be encountered.

Sable is a student at the Royal Magic Academy in the Kingdom of Wenias, but his grades are the worst in the entire school. With no memories of his life before enrolling, he eagerly accepts a special training assignment from Headmaster Albus in the southern region. Joining him are the Dawn Witch Roux Cristasse, a human girl named Holt who has antlers, and Kudd, a lizard Beastfallen. Their mission is to establish a village of witches in an area where hostility toward witches remains strong. On their journey, the four must avoid former members of the Dia Ignis Arbiters, a group of witch hunters infamous for killing both witches and ordinary people. Though their organization was disbanded five years ago and granted amnesty after the war between the Church and witches ended, their members still linger and are ready to capture any mages they encounter. Fortunately, Roux wields the Staff of Ludens, known as the "witch-eater," and Sable possesses an unlimited supply of magic. These abilities may allow the group to complete Albus's mission. If they fail, Sable will lose his memories of magic and the academy, leaving him with nothing to guide him toward the silver-haired mage who first saved him.

Al Wayne's ultimate ambition is to become the finest farmer possible. Through dedicated effort, he achieves mastery in agriculture and is recognized as a first-rate cultivator. This accomplishment grants Al a massive boost to his abilities, making him more powerful than even the legendary heroes of ancient times. Shortly after realizing his newfound strength, the royal family seeks his assistance against a growing wave of disasters that started just as his true power emerged. Despite his reluctance, Al agrees that to safeguard his beloved fields, he must do everything he can to repel any danger.

Summoner mage Dunbalf, a veteran player with a dignified build and long white beard, was among the most powerful characters in the virtual reality MMORPG Ark Earth Online, often called a one-man army. He, along with the "Nine Wise Mages" and King Solomon, established the mage player kingdom of Alcait. However, one day, Dunbalf and the other Nine Wise Mages suddenly vanish without a trace. To use up his remaining credits, Dunbalf bought a cosmetic kit and started tweaking his character, but accidentally dozed off during the process. When he wakes up, he finds that the world of Ark Earth Online has become far more realistic, and to his shock, he has transformed into a cute girl! Upon reaching Alcait, he learns that 30 years have passed since his disappearance. Now, tasked by King Solomon to locate the other missing mages, the dedicated role player adopts a new identity—Mira, the Pupil of the Wise Man Dunbalf—and sets out to prove his legacy.

The Gourmet Guild—Yuuki, Kokkoro, Pecorine, and Karyl—persist in their quest to discover every tasty dish across the land. Yet, as their journey unfolds, the secrets surrounding Yuuki's lost recollections, Karyl's loyalties, and Pecorine's lineage start to converge—apparently shaping the fundamental reality of their world.

For 150 years, the people of Hinomoto have lived in peace, freed from samurai rule, and worship demons whose true forms are unknown as gods. Destined to mine rocks for these demons to consume, Musashi knows the harsh reality: humanity is enslaved by these otherworldly beings, and the samurai are the final line of defense fighting for liberation. Hiding his true beliefs from those around him and drifting apart from his childhood friend Kojirou Kanemaki, Musashi lives in frustration until the day of his graduation. When the new graduates arrive at the mine, they are shocked by the brutal treatment of the miners and the eerie appearance of their overseers. Yet, Musashi endures thanks to Kojirou's support. As the demon leader wreaks destruction in the quarry, Musashi is saved from certain death by the Takeda samurai clan. Recovering from his shame and yearning for adventure, Musashi sets out on a journey to become a samurai and establish his own clan.

The race to claim the hidden Ainu gold is reaching its climax, as even more dangerous former prisoners are determined to hold onto their tattooed skins. Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa can finally move forward together, but Asirpa's time spent with Kiroranke and Ogata Hyakunosuke has subtly changed her goals and reinforced her resolve. As their group departs Russian territory, they pick up an unusual new companion. Meanwhile, Toshizou Hijikata's faction makes significant strides to acquire valuable skins, falling into the deadly trap of a hazardous convict. Though each side holds a strong edge over the others, even First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi—the most powerful and merciless contender—cannot progress without Asirpa's assistance. However, his sinister intentions for when they inevitably cross paths remain unknown.

After bandits kill her parents, young Sarasa Feed ends up in an orphanage, where she discovers the esteemed field of alchemy. Wanting to follow her late parents' path and open her own business, she joins the Royal Alchemist Academy to train and earn certification as an official alchemist. Five years later, Sarasa graduates and nearly reaches her goal, but realizes she doesn't have enough money to make it happen. With few options, she settles for a cheap shop in a town far from the lively capital. Despite the dangers of rough terrain and wild monsters in the remote area, Sarasa starts her exciting new life as an alchemist.

In a realm plagued by constant monster incursions, securing a spot in an adventurer party is viewed as a prestigious career choice due to the associated renown. Eager to establish his reputation, a young human warrior named Alvin plans to launch his career by accepting a beginner-level commission from the local guild. During his journey, Alvin encounters a magical bear and quickly finds himself in a dire predicament. Fortunately, a dark elf healer named Karla arrives and inquires if he needs help, appearing completely unaware of the immediate danger surrounding them. Following a convoluted conversation complicated by Karla’s bizarrely eccentric nature, Alvin manages to persuade her to lend her aid. Tragically, rather than healing him, she inadvertently places a curse upon him: should Alvin venture too far from her presence, he will perish. Though compelled to stay by Karla’s side until the enchantment is lifted, Alvin remains determined to achieve his dream of becoming a recognized adventurer. With this unusual companion, his path to success might become simpler or more difficult, entirely at the mercy of Karla’s unpredictable moods.

Following Musashi’s rescue of Michiru Saruwatari from a demon, his friend Kojirou Kanemaki learns that his father belonged to the Uesugi clan. Eager to uncover more about his own history, Kojirou joins forces with his Kanemaki clansmen to take part in Uesugi’s punitive expedition against Yamata no Orochi, the eight-headed dragon demon lord of Awaji Island whose presence threatens to swallow the entire region. Once integrated into Uesugi’s military alliance, Musashi confronts the brutal truth of battling potent demons. Stripped of pride by his insufficient strength and poor teamwork skills, he must adapt to cooperating with his new allies. At the same time, the Obsidian Eight, a group seeking the Obsidian Goddess residing inside Musashi, resumes its pursuit and attempts to sabotage the island operation. Amidst escalating chaos, Musashi and his companions are forced to counter the schemes of multiple factions all vying to capture the Obsidian Goddess.

Having escaped a harrowing childhood, the solitary swordsman Guts wanders from one conflict to the next, cutting down formidable foes with his massive blade. During a particular encounter, Guts faces the enigmatic Griffith and the small army known as the Band of the Hawk. Griffith emerges victorious and conscripts Guts into his forces, offering the mercenary a sense of camaraderie he had never experienced before. Together with the capable fighter Casca, Guts assists Griffith in leading the band toward renown and triumph. However, as Griffith accumulates military accolades, he becomes a target of assassination plots and political machinations. He exploits Guts to advance his own ambitious climb to power, capitalizing on the swordsman's lack of personal ambition. Despite growing closer to Casca, Guts' lack of purpose deprives him of any feeling of belonging. Nurturing conflicting wishes, Guts and Casca both strive for Griffith's dream—yet the cracks developing between the three of them threaten to shatter their world.

As Aoi Yukimura reflects on her past experiences, she feels a renewed desire to go mountain climbing. When Koharu Senjuin invites her to check out the Mountaineering Club after school, Aoi sees a potential chance. Koharu, the club’s leader, energetically describes the group’s activities, especially their drive to win competitions by reaching the top. Though impressed by the club's focus, Aoi hesitates to join, preferring to take her own pace in learning and enjoying climbing. Her brief time there, however, makes her question why she climbs mountains at all. With encouragement from her friends, Aoi explores the real reason behind her hobby while continuing to prepare for the much-anticipated second ascent of Mt. Fuji.

1985, Yokosuka. Ryo Hazuki spent his childhood mastering the Hazuki Style Jujitsu under his strict father at the Hazuki Dojo. One day, the mysterious Lan Di murders his father and steals the "mirror" that his father was protecting. Determined to uncover the truth behind the murder, Ryo soon finds himself caught in a war between underground organizations. Traveling from Yokosuka to Hong Kong, Ryo's long journey begins!

Shiloh, a boy living near the town of Domina, hears a voice in his dreams calling him to a mission, though the specific task remains unclear. Everything changes when he encounters two Jumi—a race pursued for their precious gemstones—just as a wave of attacks against the Jumi begins. His dream's purpose becomes evident: to protect the Jumi and their gemstones.

Ambushed by rogue demons during their travels, the Sanzou party considers it just another day—until their latest attackers turn out to be human. Confused, the group soon meets a wandering priest named Hazel Grouse and his imposing bodyguard, Gaty Nene Hawk. Hailing from the far West, Hazel uses his power of resurrection to help grief-stricken villages. Though the locals welcome his ability, the truth behind it is far less miraculous than it appears. Worse, the resurrected humans develop golden eyes—the same trait shared by the recent assailants. The friendly priest's motives are not as benevolent as they seem, and the Sanzou party is on the verge of uncovering them.

Revealing himself as a Dual Knight, Long Hao Chen wins his match within his temple and moves on to the finals. However, before the grand finals can start, each temple holds ranking matches to decide their strongest member. During these rankings, Hao Chen gets injured, which angers Sheng Cai'er and drives her to seek revenge for what happened to him. Her actions spark a conflict between the Knight Temple and the Assassin Temple, which is only stopped after a shocking discovery: Sheng Cai'er is a Reincarnated Saint. The Demon Hunting Team Competition finals begin by splitting the remaining sixty participants into six groups. Then the top sixteen are matched against each other to decide the top three. Each of the top three receives a spiritual stove as a reward along with the right to choose their teammates. To become a knight strong enough to defeat the Demon Lord, Long Hao Chen must strive to place first in this competition so he can select the best teammates to give himself a fighting chance.

In Duel Masters King, the plot progresses to a "next stage" with this new series, whose central concept involves time travel.

Third season of Motto! Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori.

Travel through the words of people with dementia by seeing how they experience the everyday and problems they face.

Sixth season of Chuldong! Super Wings.