Best Drama Anime of 2019

In an effort to restore the fading hope of humanity, the Survey Corps launch an operation to reclaim Wall Maria, where the fight against the ruthless Titans resumes. Returning to the ruined Shiganshina District, once his childhood home, Eren Yeager and his comrades find the area strangely devoid of Titans. Even after sealing the outer gate, they face no opposition. The mission proceeds smoothly until Armin Arlert, deeply suspicious of the enemy's absence, notices troubling hints of a hidden trap. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2 follows Eren as he swears to reclaim everything that was taken from him. Alongside him, the Survey Corps push forward—through countless sacrifices—to carve a path to victory and unlock the secrets hidden in the Yeager family basement.

Young Thorfinn spent his childhood listening to tales told by old sailors who had crossed the ocean and arrived at the fabled land called Vinland. According to legend, it was a warm and fertile place where no one needed to fight—nothing like the frozen Icelandic village where he was born, and certainly nothing like the life he leads now as a mercenary. War has become his home. Though his father once told him, "You have no enemies. Nobody does. There is no one it is okay to hurt," as Thorfinn grew older, he came to believe that could not be further from the truth. The ongoing conflict between England and the Danes worsens every year. Death has become ordinary, and the Viking mercenaries revel in every moment of it. By allying with either side, they can drastically shift the balance of power, and the Vikings are eager to earn reputations for themselves while taking whatever spoils they can. Amid all this chaos, Thorfinn must pursue his revenge: to kill Askeladd, the man who murdered his father. For the Vikings, it seems, the only paradise is this relentless age of war and death.

The Four Cardinal Heroes are a group of regular guys from present-day Japan called to the kingdom of Melromarc to serve as its saviors. Melromarc is a country suffering from the Waves of Catastrophe, which have repeatedly devastated the land and brought disaster to its citizens for centuries. The four heroes are each given a sword, spear, bow, and shield to defeat these Waves. Naofumi Iwatani, an otaku, is cursed with the role of the "Shield Hero." With nothing but a weak shield, Naofumi is looked down upon and mocked by the other heroes and the kingdom's citizens because of his poor offensive power and unimpressive personality. After the heroes receive supplies and companions to train alongside, Naofumi begins his journey with the sole person who agrees to join him, Malty Melromarc. However, she soon betrays him, and he is wrongly accused of assaulting her. As a result, Naofumi faces severe discrimination and hatred from the people of Melromarc for a crime he never committed. With deep hurt and distrust burning inside him, Naofumi sets out to build his own strength and repair his reputation. But as he goes on, the hardship of traveling alone becomes too great, so Naofumi purchases a dying demi-human slave named Raphtalia to join him. As the Waves draw closer to the kingdom, Naofumi and Raphtalia must battle to ensure the kingdom's survival and shield its people from their doomed destiny.

Tokyo is plagued by incessant rain showers that disrupt the daily rhythm of its inhabitants. Into this seemingly endless downpour steps Hodaka Morishima, a runaway high school student struggling to survive on his own. He finds work at a small publishing company. Meanwhile, the orphaned Hina Amano searches for a job to support herself and her younger brother. Their paths cross when Hodaka rescues Hina from suspicious men, and they decide to flee together. Soon after, Hodaka learns that Hina possesses a strange but incredible gift: she can summon clear skies by praying. Recognizing Tokyo's unusual weather, Hodaka sees a chance to use this ability. He proposes that Hina become a "sunshine girl"—someone who brings sunlight to people in their moments of need. At first, things improve for them. But everyone knows that such power comes with a heavy price.

In a sophisticated civilization populated by anthropomorphic creatures, a fragile peace is maintained between carnivores and herbivores. This tension reaches a boiling point at Cherryton Academy following a shocking predation attack that claims the life of Tem, an alpaca member of the drama club. Legoshi, a grey wolf working in the stage crew, has long been viewed with suspicion due to his species. In the wake of the tragedy, he attempts to suppress his instincts and remain inconspicuous, a choice that frustrates Louis, a red deer and the arrogant lead actor. While sneaking into the auditorium to help Tem’s replacement prepare for a performance, Louis tasks Legoshi with acting as a lookout. During this shift, Legoshi crosses paths with Haru, a white dwarf rabbit who faces ridicule from others. As his complex emotions for Haru develop, clashing with his natural predatory urges, Legoshi is compelled to face his true identity, investigate the circumstances behind Tem’s death, and grapple with the pervasive violence threatening their society.

Tooru Honda has always been captivated by the Chinese zodiac tales her beloved mother shared with her as a child. But a sudden family tragedy upends her life, leaving her entirely on her own. Forced to live in a tent, Tooru unknowingly sets up camp on land belonging to the prestigious Souma family. One day, she stumbles upon their home and meets Shigure, an older Souma cousin, and Yuki, the "prince" of her school. She tells them she resides nearby, but the Soumas soon uncover her hidden plight of homelessness when they spot her returning to her tent one night. Things begin to improve for Tooru when they kindly offer her a place to stay after learning of her situation. However, she quickly gets caught in a quarrel between Yuki and his short-tempered cousin, Kyou. In trying to intervene, she discovers the Souma family’s own deep secret: whenever they are embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they transform into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. With this newfound knowledge, Tooru realizes that living with the Soumas will be an unexpected journey filled with laughter and romance.

As Yumeko Jabami's reputation grows and the student council loses its grip on power, Kirari Momobami decides to restructure the organization by calling for a presidential election. The rules are simple: each student at the academy receives a single chip, and after thirty days, whoever holds the most chips becomes the new student council president and leader of the Momobami family. In response, the branch families of the Momobami clan swing into action. Eleven transfer students enroll at Hyakkao Private Academy, each determined to seize control of both the school and the family hierarchy. Equipped with unique skills, they compete to gather the most chips, aware that their goals reach far beyond merely securing votes.

Natsuo Fujii knows the sting of unrequited love all too well, as he secretly longs for Hina, his school's perpetually cheerful teacher. Crushed by the impossibility of his feelings, Natsuo reluctantly attends a mixer at his friends' urging, where he meets Rui, a girl who shares his emotional detachment. Eager to prove her maturity to those who see her as naive, Rui invites Natsuo to her home and asks him to sleep with her. Still haunted by his feelings for Hina, Natsuo reluctantly agrees. Both leave the encounter feeling empty, and they part as strangers. Before Natsuo can process what happened, his father announces his remarriage and introduces the bride, Tsukiko Tachibana, to the family. The shock deepens when Natsuo learns that Tsukiko's daughters are none other than Hina and Rui, making them his new step-sisters. Now forced to live under the same roof as the woman he loves and the girl who shared his first night, Natsuo must navigate a tangle of emotions and confront the darker, more complicated aspects of love.

Six months after his unexpected encounter with a bunny girl in a library, Sakuta Azusagawa is living happily with his girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima—the very same bunny girl. However, the return of Shouko Makinohara, his mysterious first crush now grown up, introduces a fresh challenge to his relationship with Mai. Compounding the issue, he meets a middle school version of Shouko in the hospital, battling a serious illness. Strangely, his old scars begin aching whenever he is near her. Since Shouko’s bizarre situation somehow revolves around him, Sakuta must accept his own conflicted feelings, whatever the outcome. With a young girl’s fate resting on his decisions, what actions can he possibly take?

Clutching his Gibson guitar tightly, Mafuyu Satou leaves his dim apartment to start another day of high school. While dozing off on a quiet stairwell in the gymnasium, he stumbles into fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who scolds him for letting his guitar strings rust and snap. Seeing Uenoyama's familiarity with the instrument, Satou begs him to repair it and teach him to play. Uenoyama eventually consents and asks him to join a jam session with his two bandmates: bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji. Satou's voice is stunningly beautiful, driving Uenoyama to make him the band's lead singer. Though hesitant at first, Satou accepts after an emotional encounter with an old friend. With his new companions' support, Satou must learn to play guitar and also confront the mysterious circumstances that made him its owner.

Isabella, a daughter of the noble York family, is sent to an all-girls academy to be molded into a lady worthy of nobility. Yet she has abandoned hope for her future, seeing the prestigious school as nothing more than a prison cut off from the outside world. Observing her difficulties with her studies, her family hires Violet Evergarden to serve as her private tutor, disguised as a handmaiden. Initially, Isabella treats Violet coldly. Violet appears flawless at everything, leading Isabella to believe she was born with a silver spoon. But as they spend time together, Isabella begins to recognize that Violet has endured her own hardships and starts to open up. Isabella soon reveals that she has lost touch with her beloved younger sister, Taylor Bartlett, whom she longs to see again. Having experienced the power of words through her past clients, Violet asks Isabella if she would like to write a letter to Taylor. Can Violet help Isabella convey her feelings to her long-lost sister?

As children, Izumi Norimoto and Kazusa Onodera were as close as siblings. But when puberty arrived in middle school, Kazusa’s feelings changed, and the other girls began to avoid him. To escape this social isolation, Kazusa distanced herself from Izumi upon entering high school. She found refuge in the literature club, whose members distracted her from her loneliness. The club became notorious across campus for reading erotic passages from novels aloud, earning a reputation so intimidating that no teacher would agree to be their adviser. The dynamic shifts when a discussion about bucket lists leads one member to bring up sex. This revelation triggers an obsession among the five girls, as thoughts of intimacy consume their daily lives. The situation escalates for Kazusa after she accidentally witnesses Izumi in a private moment, forcing her to confront her deep-seated feelings for him. With their hearts racing and the club on the verge of disbanding, the group must fight to preserve both their sanity and their shared existence.

Half a century has passed since humanity began relocating to the terraformed Mars, where AI-driven advancements ensure a comfortable existence. Carole resides in Alba City, earning her keep with day jobs and playing keyboard at night. Tuesday flees her affluent family's control in Hershell City, yearning to pursue music with her acoustic guitar. A chance meeting brings them together, and they decide to form a musical duo. Competing against the AI-powered singers dominating the industry, they believe their heartfelt songs can truly convey their emotions. Can determination and fortune enable them to achieve the greatest miracle Mars has ever witnessed?

Gen Kudou, a koto craftsman, assumes that his grandson Chika, a known troublemaker, could never grasp the depth of the traditional instrument. Seeking to atone for his ignorance and comprehend his late grandfather's final words, Chika attempts to join the Tokise High School Koto Club. Despite the club's desperate shortage of members, new president Takezou Kurata hesitates to accept Chika's request because of his questionable reputation. However, after witnessing Chika's earnestness and passion, Takezou allows the problem child to enter, alongside koto virtuoso Satowa Houzuki and three of Chika's lively friends. Kono Oto Tomare! follows this mismatched group of musicians as they strive to compete in the national tournament.

Quiet rumors circulate among the female students at Shinyo Academy about a mysterious supernatural being. This being is Boogiepop, a shinigami said to kill people at the peak of their beauty before their charm fades. Few know his true identity: a protector who, after periods of inactivity, emerges as the alternate personality of high school girl Touka Miyashita to battle "the enemies of the world." Now, a series of unexplained disappearances—dismissed by the school as mere runaways—has roused Boogiepop. But somewhere on the campus, a dangerous creature lurks, waiting for the right moment to strike. Boogiepop wa Warawanai gently examines the deep connections between human beings and their experience of time, while exploring the intricate relationships, emotions, memories, and pasts of its characters.

Constantly falling short compared to the girls' club, the boys' soft tennis team is on the verge of being disbanded because of their weak skills and lackluster match results. Desperate for new members, Touma Shinjou tries to recruit capable players but fails to find anyone. Then Maki Katsuragi transfers in and displays sharp reflexes when he catches a stray cat in his classroom, catching Touma's eye. Intrigued, Touma eagerly asks Maki to join the boys' team but is quickly turned down, as Maki has no interest in clubs. Touma refuses to give up and eventually convinces Maki—on the condition that Touma pays him for participating and covers other club costs. Maki joins the team, and his impressive form and fast learning let him instantly outperform the rest. Though this sparks tension among the boys, Maki challenges and drives his teammates to not only keep up with his seemingly innate talent but also push them to commit to a sport they once ignored. As the members of the boys' soft tennis club discover their own abilities, they face personal struggles and experience the darker side of growing up in middle school.

The Berühren Corporation has made the technology for creating powerful cyborg soldiers publicly available. Those with robotic parts are called the Extended. Juuzou Inui is one such Extended—built as a soldier with no memory of his past—and now, after the war, he runs a business handling Extended-related problems around the city. Hearing rumors of a rogue Extended who kidnapped a child, Juuzou returns to his office only to have a giant robotic man carrying a boy on his back crash through, begging for help. Juuzou could simply turn him in, but the situation feels too suspicious to ignore. Everyone seems to want this child, and whether he likes it or not, Juuzou must uncover why this Extended is on the run, how it ties to the Berühren Corporation, and just how deep the betrayal runs in this city.

The Tokise High School Koto Club has struggled through their disjointed and off-tempo performance at the Kanto Region Traditional Japanese Music Festival. Members Chika Kudou, Satowa Houzuki, Takezou Kurata, Hiro Kurusu, Kouta Mizuhara, Saneyasu Adachi, and Michitaka Sakai are disheartened when they learn the poor outcome of their performance, leaving them demoralized. Still, the group sees their potential and unanimously decides to work together to hone their abilities, address their weaknesses, and achieve a higher level of playing in order to succeed at the winter national qualifiers. With the support of their now cooperative club advisor Suzuka Takinami, the team's goal becomes more realistic as they start understanding the fundamentals of good music and polishing their koto skills. The idea of performing more frequently to acquire what they most lack—experience—is proposed. Yet, as their path toward nationals unfolds, the koto club members encounter obstacles that hinder their concentration and advancement. Not only do formidable rival schools and musicians continue to pose a threat, but the high school realities of budding romance and seniors nearing graduation also start to test the limits of this determined group of teenagers and the future of the koto club.

The young student Takuya Arima's father, a historian who conducted various research projects, went missing recently. During a summer vacation, Takuya receives a peculiar package from his vanished father, along with a letter that describes the existence of multiple parallel worlds. At first, Takuya does not take it seriously, but he soon realizes he is in possession of a device that enables him to travel to alternate dimensions. Is his father still alive? If so, where is he?

This film compiles episodes nine through thirteen of the 2017 television series. Riko and Reg descend into the third layer, where Riko experiences the Curse for the first time. They continue down to the fourth layer, where an Orbed Piercer injures Riko's arm, prompting Reg to attempt a rescue. Nanachi arrives to help, saving Riko's poisoned arm. In exchange, Nanachi asks Reg to kill her immortal companion, Mitty. Following this, Nanachi joins Riko and Reg on their journey to reach the bottom of the Abyss.

This film compiles episodes one through eight of the 2017 television series, incorporating new scenes for the opening. It follows Riko as she descends into the Abyss alongside her robotic companion, Reg, and chronicles their journey to the second layer, where they encounter the White Whistle Ozen. Ozen then discloses information regarding Riko's mother.

Winning the high school team tournament marked a major milestone for the Mizusawa members. Each of them has grown significantly in their own way, and the victory reflects just how far they've come. Yet with one goal achieved, their personal ambitions are now within sight. Chihaya Ayase is determined to face Shinobu Wakamiya and claim the title of Queen, while Taichi Mashima, having reached Class A, can finally go head-to-head with Arata Wataya. Everyone at Mizusawa is driven to improve, and if they continue striving, there's no telling what the future may bring.

The Patrian civil war gave rise to hybrid soldiers, part beast and part human, created by the outnumbered Northern forces as a desperate measure to match the overwhelming Southern army. These soldiers, known as Incarnates, dominated battlefields with godlike power and secured easy victories. But as the war dragged on, the Incarnates faced an internal problem with the beasts within them that could not be resolved through conventional methods. After the war ended, reports surfaced of Incarnates succumbing to the traumas of their wartime experiences. Special Sergeant Major Hank Henriette, the former captain of the Incarnates, becomes a Beast Hunter—someone who eliminates Incarnates who have fallen victim to the issues they endured on the battlefield. Nancy Schaal Bancroft, whose father was a former Incarnate soldier killed by a Beast Hunter, sets out to hunt down the man responsible for his death. However, after a revealing encounter with the Beast Hunter, Nancy changes her goal to uncovering the truth behind her father's demise and the problematic place of Incarnates in society.

Iride Akatsuki finds a hidden area in the game 'Nakanohito Genome' that is actually a real life challenge. After being kidnapped, he wakes up in a strange place with several other teammates. Each person specializes in a specific type of game, like farming games, fighting games, puzzle games, and so on. A teacher with a llama head gathers them after clearing level 1 to explain how the game will proceed. Will this group of gamers succeed and make it back to their real lives?

After the noble Kappa Kingdom is defeated by the Otter Empire, Kappa prince Keppi loses most of his strength and finds himself powerless against the invisible Kapa-zombies that plague the world. These zombies, created by the Otters, are the embodiments of people's deepest desires. With no other option, Keppi must depend on three young boys: Kazuki Yasaka, who always carries a box with him; Enta Jinnai, Kazuki's childhood friend; and Tooi Kuji, a delinquent and school truant. When their mythical organ, the shirikodama, is extracted, the boys gain the ability to transform into Kappa and battle the Kapa-zombies. However, to defeat them, the boys must connect through their minds, bodies, and—most crucially—their secrets. As the fate of the Kappa Kingdom rests on these boys, they must reveal themselves in ways they never have before, all while learning that connections are fragile and truly precious.

Wei Wuxian continues to pretend he is the mad troublemaker from the Lanling Jin Clan, now living at the Cloud Recesses. Meanwhile, his former fellow cultivator, Lan Wangji, investigates the demonic severed arm that is in their possession. The arm radiates an intense malevolent energy, forcing the two to cooperate to hold it in check. Yet the severed arm is not the only dark presence threatening the area. As spiritual disturbances intensify within the mountains belonging to the Gusu Lan Clan, the pair must work to bring back the natural order. The tale of Wei Wuxian's disgrace deepens, revealing more about his journey into the forbidden demonic cultivation. The demonic arm puts further pressure on his already troublesome disposition. Now he must demonstrate that he has genuinely left the evil path behind and is not the crazed sorcerer others still believe him to be.

Three years ago, the Disas—a group of bloodthirsty interdimensional beings—appeared and ravaged everything within their reach on Earth. Conventional weaponry proved useless, leaving humanity's only hope in those who made pacts with the Spirit Realm to become magical girls, following the Disas to Earth. After a fierce struggle, the magical girl squad emerged victorious, with the survivors later dubbed the "Magical Five." Once the war against the Disas ended, the Magical Five disbanded. Kurumi Mugen, Mia Cyrus, Tamara Volkova, and Lau Peipei each continued their own military duties independently, while their leader, Asuka Ootorii, retired to live as a high school student. Yet Asuka's peaceful days do not last long, as it turns out some enemies survived as well. Since magic can only be countered with magic, Asuka is pulled back into battle as an even greater conflict looms ahead.

On the east side of Shinjuku Ward lies Kabukichou, a chaotic city that shines brightly with neon lights while concealing hidden darkness. John H. Watson works at a university hospital on the west side and is searching for someone to help him with an unusual case. His search leads him to the Pipe Cat, an underground bar that serves as a meeting place and job board for some of Shinjuku's top detectives, most notably Sherlock Holmes. After finding the bar and meeting the eccentric investigators, John learns they are working on a case involving Jack the Ripper, a notorious serial killer. Due to subsequent events, John ends up driving Sherlock to the scene of a murder believed to be committed by Jack the Ripper. Although John is only there to ask for Sherlock's help with his own case, he witnesses Sherlock brilliantly unravel the truth behind the crime scene. However, he starts to realize that Sherlock is not only a genius detective but also an odd personality. As John continues to request Sherlock's assistance with his case, he finds himself drawn into the detective lifestyle of solving cases beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Through this work, John begins to see the true nature of Kabukichou's chaotic city and starts to uncover the disturbing mystery behind his own case.

A metropolis vanishes without a trace, leaving professional courier Takuya, a solitary figure, to encounter Yuki, the sole survivor of the catastrophe. Guided by a communication from Yuki’s father, who is presumed missing, the duo sets out to locate the vanished location known as Lost. Their path is fraught with unforeseen challenges that prove particularly jarring for Yuki. They must navigate the grief of those left behind, contend with a shadowy organization pulling the strings, and expose a concealed conspiracy. Initially strangers, Takuya and Yuki strengthen their connection as they journey together to solve the enigma surrounding the disappeared city.

As the Chopin piano competition begins, Kai Ichinose, Shuuhei Amamiya, and countless other aspiring musicians from across the globe aim for the top. The pressure has never been greater, and the judges are strict in choosing a winner from the vast array of skilled pianists. The contest is so demanding that even renowned prodigies can be swiftly cut. Some perform for financial gain, others to meet family expectations, and still others simply to have their music heard. Yet the one who will rise to the top is the pianist who captures the essence of the music Frédéric Chopin created for future generations. With the stakes at an all-time high, bonds of rivalry, friendship, and family are put to the test, and every pianist discovers their own unique sound.

Luo Xiaohei is a young monster who typically appears as a small black cat. Forced to abandon his forest home due to deforestation and human expansion, he wanders the city until he meets Feng Xi, another monster who leads him to a secluded island shared by a small community of creatures. Just as Xiaohei begins to settle in, Wuxian, a human Guild Executor, arrives hunting Feng Xi. After Feng Xi and his friends escape via teleportation, Xiaohei is left alone with Wuxian. Despite his refusal to aid the man who attacked his new friends, Xiaohei is compelled to travel with Wuxian to the Guild. This uncertain journey exposes him to a different viewpoint on the evolving relationship between humans and monsters in a changing world.

Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm’s scheme to destabilize the Free Planets Alliance succeeds as the treacherous former Rear Admiral Arthur Lynch instigates a coup on Heinessen. Armed with a plan devised by Reinhard, Lynch urges his old friend Admiral Dwight Greenhill to oversee the National Salvation Military Council’s overthrow of the civilian government. In an effort to defend democracy and restore the Alliance constitution, Admiral Yang Wen-li finds himself opposing his fellow citizens—and, unfortunately, the father of his loyal adjutant Lieutenant Frederica Greenhill. With the Free Planets Alliance distracted by internal turmoil, the Galactic Empire’s forces can safely suppress the newly established Lippstadt League, led by Duke Otto von Braunschweig. Meanwhile, with his trusted friend and loyal subordinate High Admiral Siegfried Kircheis engaged in distant noble-controlled frontier regions, Reinhard grows increasingly dependent on the counsel of the ruthless Vice Admiral Paul von Oberstein, whose sway within the prestigious Lohengramm admiralty continues to expand. Despite the inevitable bloodshed across the galaxy, both Yang Wen-li of the Alliance and Reinhard von Lohengramm of the Empire ponder the same questions: how will history judge their deeds? Do the ends justify the means?

Far from Earth lies a kingdom defined by its abundance of smiles. Idealistic, joyful, and innocent Princess Yuki is thrust into a role for which her gentle nature is poorly suited, especially as her realm faces imminent peril from an aggressive Empire. Across the divide, an imperial soldier named Stella Shining conceals her true self behind a carefully constructed facade. Yet, her mask may soon shatter, risking the loss of all she holds dear. When the paths of Princess Yuki and Stella intersect, the destiny of entire nations hangs in the balance.

The terrifying warlord known as the demonic king—Oda Nobunaga! Before his attempt to conquer Japan, he was a teenager who started his journey to greatness alongside his younger brother and loyal retainers. Through succession disputes, betrayals, battles, and the bonds they share, the challenges these young men face promise a future in which they can grow into powerful leaders.

Thanks to the legacy left behind by Tatsuya Uesugi, Meisei Academy High School was once famous for its powerful baseball team. However, twenty-six years after that golden era, the team has failed to maintain its reputation and has since fallen into obscurity. Two stepbrothers, Souichirou and Touma Tachibana, are determined to restore the former strength of Meisei Academy's baseball program and make it to the National High School Baseball Championship. Both boys are second-year students at Meisei Academy Middle School and are exceptionally talented players. Souichirou demonstrates outstanding abilities as both a catcher and a batter. Touma possesses extraordinary pitching skills but no longer takes the mound for a certain reason. Once they enter high school, the two form a battery and aim to compete in the National High School Baseball Championship.

The planet Earth's ecosystems are in peril. Thankfully, a superpowered robot boy named Astro Boy takes flight to the rescue! Astro is on a mission to aid anyone, anywhere in the world dealing with a problem caused by natural phenomena. Go, little Astro Boy, go!

A man, a woman and a crane, in six repeating scenes.