With the pandemic forcing millions of high schoolers away from their busy-campus lives into the confines of their homes, many have turned to their screens for entertainment. Anime, a composure of Japanese style animation, has become a popular source of screen time for teenagers during the pandemic and enjoyed worldwide. Many James Logan students are no strangers to the anime fandom. Some watch anime on a weekly basis, while others enjoy it daily. For instance, Tara Antiporda, a senior, says she watches anime “3 times a week.” On the other hand, a fellow senior, Jonathan Amezcua, says he watches anime “3 hours a day everyday.”
Regardless of how frequently James Logan students turn to their screens for their regular dose of anime, they have all begun to watch new shows with the advent of the pandemic. A few James Logan students step forward to share their favorite anime for others to enjoy. They are all compiled in an easy-to-access list below, complete with short commentaries and summaries about them.
1. Attack on Titan
Personal favorite – Gustavo Villegas, Senior
“I recommend [it] if you like a lot of action.” – Jonathan Amezcua, Senior
Author’s Note: With suspenseful fight scenes and a thrilling plot, Attack on Titan is definitely a great anime to watch. The main story revolves around a society walled off from the rest of the world. The main characters defend their townsfolk against grotesque man-eating giants while uncovering a century-old mystery.
2. Boruto
“[It has an] amazing storyline and you get easily attached.” — Jonathan Amezcua, Senior
Author’s Note: As a sequel to the Naruto anime, Boruto still retains its predecessor’s exciting plotlines and quality animation. The anime details the thrilling adventures of Naruto’s son, Boruto, along with his team of ninjas.
3. Death Note
“It is short and keeps you hooked.” – Gustavo Villegas, Senior
Author’s Note: If you like psychological horror and crime-tv, Death Note is the perfect anime for you! It follows the adventures of a highschool boy who accidentally comes into possession of a mysterious notebook. The notebook’s supernatural properties entangle the protagonist into a suspense-filled plot with many mysteries.
4. Death Parade
Personal favorite – Tara Antiporda, Senior
Author’s Note: Death Parade is a “short but sweet” anime. Spanning 12 episodes, the psychological-genre anime explores intriguing concepts such as the afterlife and reincarnation. The protagonist is an arbiter of the afterlife, challenging the recently deceased to a random game to decide their fates.
5. Dragon Ball
“It’s an easy one to start someone off.” – Tara Antiporda, Senior
Author’s Note: Aired in 1986, Dragon Ball is one of the most popular predecessors of today’s anime and a great starter for anyone! It follows the perilous adventures of a young boy gifted with supernatural abilities. His encounters with villains are balanced out with the number of friends he makes along the way.
6. The God of HighSchool
“It’s [great] for a good laugh or cry and a good source of time pass.” – Tara Antiporda, Senior
Author’s Note: Adapted from a popular South Korean webtoon, God of Highschool contains action-packed scenes, comedy, and an interesting selection of characters. The anime details the experiences of a high school student and his friends competing at a tournament equipped with powers borrowed from gods.
7. My Hero Academia
“I would recommend [it] if you like a lot of action.” – Giselle Lazarit, Senior
Author’s Note: My Hero Academia checks off all the boxes of cast diversity, character development, and quality animation. The anime focuses on a young boy who tries to fit into a society of super-powered heroes. As he and his friends defend their society from coups of villains, the plot evolves into a thrilling saga of discoveries and conflicts.
8. NaNa
Personal favorite – Giselle Lazarit, Senior
Author’s Note: If you like stories with undertones of romance and drama, Nana is the anime for you. It entails the journey of a young woman who leaves her hometown to follow her aspirations of becoming a singer in Tokyo.
9. Naruto
“It always has an amazing storyline and super relatable.” – Jonathan Amezcua, Senior
Author’s Note: Naruto is an action-packed anime with an equal share of inspiring character development and stunning fight scenes. The protagonist is a young boy who pursues his dreams of becoming the leader of his village, all while exploring a vast world filled with interesting characters and quests.
10. Happy Watching!
The pandemic may have made life monotonous for many James Logan students, but the anime recommendations above will hopefully make the quarantine experience a bit more enjoyable. Giselle Lazarit, a senior, says, “[Anime] plays a role of comfort. When I’m feeling down I watch anime and it makes me feel better.”
Of course, not all anime recommended in this list may suit everyone’s interests. Sources such as Crunchyroll and Funimation can help you find and access anime of specific genres. Netflix and Youtube also contain resources for finding anime shows catered to you.
