Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? was something of a surprise hit last year with its blend of comedy and an unconventional sport with a bit of ecchi and some actually useful information when it comes to working out that was even inspirational to some! Tying this all together were good production values, including the interestingly-named ED, "Macho a Name?" which captures the feel of the show quite well with its slightly over-the-top song and amusing voiceover featuring a plethora of English phrases like ‘Nice pose!’, ‘Excellent!!’, and appropriately repeated ‘Muscle!’ and other funny moments like the Looney Tunes-esque ending card. Altogether, it’s a fun ED that’s upbeat, silly, and a little sexy that we feel is memorable and fits in excellently with its anime.

Regardless of how you feel about actual running, the underrated Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru has become a new favorite of sports anime aficionados and otherwise thanks to solid storytelling and lavish animation, along with a soundtrack worth remembering, including the second ending theme "Michi". Like the show, this ending has a simple, genuine feeling to it that builds up wonderfully with the music. The imagery of the misty mountain sunrise and silhouetted runners definitely left an impression on us as well, pushing this ending to be one of our favorites in 2019 as it brought us the conclusion to Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru.

Another memorable comedy from 2019, Machikado Mazoku stood out thanks to its magical girl and demon-themed premise, super cute character designs, and great sound work by both the voice actors and musicians, which, of course, also includes the ending theme. What first stands out in "Yoimachi Cantare" is just how catchy and energetic the music is, more so than the OP we’d argue, which also gets bonus points for being sung by the voice actors in character that connects it very well to its series. The visuals are done in a very fun and loose, super-deformed style that matches perfectly with the lively and playful feeling of the song and the show. We particularly love the little scenes with the cast during the lead-in and the shots of Shamiko’s tail spazzing around with the music.

Last year, we were blessed with another bizarre Kunihiko Ikuhara anime, this time maybe arguably relatively tame in terms of weirdness but conveys his style through and through with the theme of interpersonal connection, over-the-top transformation sequences, and other sorts of storytelling and visual “ostinato”. We also got a really solid ending theme in "Stand by me" that does something we’re a bit surprised hasn’t been done more with mixing real-world video with interesting visual effects and the show’s characters. This works particularly well with Sarazanmai because the show is so deeply connected to the Asakusa district in Taito, Tokyo but also just looks really cool and unique. The music, by one of our new favorite anisong bands in recent years, the peggies, feels evocative, emotional, and genuine, and strikes an interesting balance between relaxed and energetic to make this ED one of our favorites!

Sarazanmai Ending "Stand by me" by the peggies

The triumphant and nostalgia-filled return of Fruits Basket was definitely a highlight of 2019 for many anime fans, even for those unfamiliar with the series just for seeing this older style of show brought to life with modern production values. And wow, what a beautiful ending we received in "Lucky Ending"! First and foremost, Vickeblanka’s heartfelt vocals are simply sublime, perfectly encapsulating the emotional depth of Fruits Basket and paired with simple, bespoke instrumentation that adds to the intimacy and nostalgic feeling. Likewise, the visuals feel reminiscent of older anime endings with lots of long pans and chibi animal sections but with a vibrancy giving new life to its characters. Everything changes, but we imagine "Lucky Ending" will stick with us for years to come.

Fruits Basket Ending "Lucky Ending" by Vickeblanka

Naofumi starts off as your average light novel protagonist—cheerful, trusting, and excited about his upcoming adventures in another world—but when a sociopathic princess falsely accuses him of sexual assault, turning him into a pariah in the eyes of the entire country, his idyllic dreams are shattered and he turns into a vengeful outcast. However, through his interactions with Raphtalia, Filo, and the other friends he meets in the new world, he slowly regains the warmth that he lost and is able to face the princess with renewed emotional fortitude. That’s the spirit, Naofumi!

Thorfinn was once a happy child who dreamed of becoming a strong Viking warrior like his father, but when an unscrupulous man named Askeladd kills his father in cold blood, Thorfinn becomes consumed by a burning desire for revenge (it sounds like he has quite a bit in common with Naofumi). He serves in Askeladd’s army for the next ten years, desperate to kill the man in a fair duel, even though his pacifist father had tried to teach him otherwise. Rarely is a “troubled teen” character written this well, but Thorfinn’s conflicting loyalties and tunnel vision thought processes make him a realistic, relatable protagonist. We can’t wait to see what he gets up to in the next season!

What’s nice about Mafuyu and Uenoyama is that, even though they seem to fit into the standard seme-uke yaoi character archetypes, they’re actually much more complex than that. Mafuyu feels trapped by trauma in his past that prevents him from expressing himself emotionally, while Uenoyama is the guitarist who he idolizes and who gradually rejects his egotistical ways to help Mafuyu come out of his shell through their shared musical experiences. Their friendship—and later romantic relationship—grows naturally over time and feels shockingly realistic, and there’s just not much more we can ask for in a yaoi anime than that.

Legoshi the wolf lives in a society where he’s viewed as a vicious predator, so he does everything in his power to downplay any aggression or strong emotions at all in an effort to fit in. But when his friend Tem the alpaca ends up dead and he’s suspected of the crime, he really starts to struggle with his place in the world. Through his growing relationships with Haru the sexually promiscuous rabbit and Louis the emotionally manipulative deer, Legoshi becomes a compelling and relatable character unlike anything we could’ve expected from a show like this.

Mob has always been a compelling character—unlike his predecessor Saitama from One Punch Man, he has little control over his devastatingly powerful abilities and must bottle up his emotions so that he doesn’t hurt anyone. Nevertheless, he’s still a kind kid who tries his best to help others, and he’s surprisingly perceptive about other people’s feelings. So that’s why it’s so rewarding to see Mob come out of his shell in this season! Watching him form better relationships with his friends (especially his mentor, Reigan) and confidently fight for them is just the kind of catharsis we needed this year.

Kiriyama Rei is one of the few elites in the shogi world due to his professional status, which he achieved in middle school. He faces an incredible amount of pressure from the people around him as a result of his status, and his adoptive family is no different. Seeking to leave a tense home situation, Rei moves into an apartment in Tokyo. 17 and living on his own, Rei takes poor care of himself and his reclusive personality does very little to help him socially. However, soon after his arrival in Tokyo, he meets Akari, Hinata, and Momo, three sisters living with their grandfather who runs a traditional Japanese sweet shop. The eldest sister, Akari, takes an interest in Rei and seeks to combat his loneliness and improve his way of life. Coping with a difficult past of their own, the Kawamoto sisters become like family to Rei, a bond he has never had in his life. Struggling with the physical demands of his shogi career and his difficult past, Rei must learn how to deal with other people to understand himself.   Animated by Studio Shaft and going on for two seasons, the story of 3-gatsu no Lion bears some similarities to Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) in form and feel. Kiriyama is quite similar visually to Your Lie in April’s Arima Kousei and suffering similarly from years of psychological affliction all while being a genius in some field. 3-gatsu no Lion has gone a lot less appreciated; however, it boasts characters and arcs that are engrossing and emotional, not to mention art that is absolutely beautiful, especially in the second season. There are happy moments, warm moments, sad moments, funny moments and even moments that are inspiring or even aggravating. A show capable of bringing out such a wide range of emotions in such deep ways is worthy of very high praise and that’s why 3-gatsu no Lion is top of this list.

There are many different modes of life. On one end, we have the high school trio of childhood friends, Naganohara Mio, Aioi Yuuko, and Minakami Mai, who we see attending school most of the time. On another end, Shinonome Nano is a robot girl living with her 8-year-old creator, the genius Professor Shinonome, and their talking cat, Sakamoto. Both groups of characters, as well as the people around them, experience their daily lives featuring all things calm and all things wacky, with the difference between those states being much closer than they’d think!   Nichijou is one big happy mass of random skits, gags, and banter, some of which are repeated a few times but only seem to get even funnier as time goes on. The characters are likable eccentrics or just happy-go-lucky people whose normal day-to-day lives are jam-packed with hilarity each day! Want to see a middle-aged man suplex a deer? Or maybe see your student council president ride his pet goat to school? Tune into Nichijou; because their daily lives are far more interesting than ours! 

Hidenori Yoshitake and Tadakuni are a trio of friends who attend the all-boys Sanada North High School. With different but compatible personalities, the boys get along very well, living out their boring everyday lives through the application of their vivid imaginations. Together, Hidenori, Yoshitake and Tadakuni make every single day much more interesting than it could’ve been, with each “adventure” leading to hilarious results!   Daily Lives of High School Boys is an anime that got itself quite a lot of attention, and for good reason! The hilarity of each episode came as a direct result of the mundanity of each scenario. The boys just want to have fun in the springtime of their youth. Each character’s personality comes out in each gag and the sheer goofiness of this friend group is something that makes them very likable. All things said and done, Daily Lives of High School Boys is one of the standout slice of life comedies of the past decade and anyone who wants to have a good laugh should definitely watch this.

Hikigaya Hachiman is an apathetic high school student with intense narcissistic and nihilistic tendencies. His extreme pessimism makes him believe that joyful youth is nothing more than just a delusion. As punishment for writing an essay mocking social relationships, Hachiman’s teacher forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club, a club dedicated to helping any student who asks for their help. With the cold Yukinoshita Yukino being the only other club member, Hachiman ends up being the front man of the club, having to listen to other people’s problems. Can Hachiman’s pessimistic view of human beings be useful in his new environment?   The anime spans two seasons and has an upcoming third season to the relief of its devoted fans who were frustrated with how the second season ended. The screwed up romantic comedy struck a chord with and audience that would become fanatical about the lives and ships of the characters. A devotion that is well deserved especially with a protagonist that many otaku can identify with in Hikigaya Hachiman. Hachiman’s cynicism, sharp tongue, and “dead fisheyes” illustrate a character very much disillusioned with teenage life. The characters all bring their own baggage, something which is doubly true of Hachiman, yet even the most different personalities come together to form very deep and meaningful relationships. Characters, drama, sprinkles of comedy and even some heartwarming moments, Oregairu has many elements that will have it regarded a slice of life classic of the 2010s. 

Handa Seishuu is an up-and-coming calligrapher who is handsome, talented, but also highly narcissistic. When a calligraphy veteran judges an award-winning Handa piece, dubbing it “unoriginal”, Handa reacts violently. As punishment, Handa’s father exiles him to the Goto Islands, a far cry from the comfortable city life he had lived in Tokyo. With his environment completely different, Handa must find inspiration for a new and unique art style, but how can he when every single day bring a host of characters and wacky adventures to his doorstep?   Barakamon is one of those shows that you watch from start to finish in one sitting and wish you had more. In a way, we do have more Barakamon, but it’s in the form of the spin-off “Handa-kun”. Barakamon is a downtempo kind of anime that reflects the new environment of the protagonist beautifully, all while delivering a healthy helping of comedy and even a steady growth arc for its protagonist. It also has the bonus of showing us the wholesome interactions of a child and someone who has so much of their attention and time that they might as well be considered one of the child’s guardians. Over and above having some extremely likable eccentrics in its cast, Barakamon also boasts a great score and overall visuals that come together to create one of the best shows of 2014. 

Matsumae Ohana is an energetic teenager living with her mother in Tokyo but one day, her mother runs off with her boyfriend in order to flee from debt collectors. Ohana is now forced to fend for herself and decides to head over to her grandmother’s inn in the countryside. Ohana must now adapt to life in rural Japan and deal with the challenges of working as a maid as well as making new friends at her new school.   Hanasaku Iroha is a show that came in a year riddled with amazing shows that got quite a lot of attention even several years after their release. We’re given a fairly standard plot as far as main characters are concerned: an irresponsible parent’s decisions end up dramatically changing the life of their child, the protagonist. Ohana initially hates her new environment; however, the tough-love approach exhibited by her maternal grandmother, which sets up the story to be less about the unfortunate circumstances Ohana finds herself in, and more about her growth into her own self and becoming her own person in many ways. The characters are varied; some are eccentric, some not, but the anime allows for multi-layered growth amongst all the characters, with relationships that you can truly feel that they were cultivated, nurtured, and took their time to bloom. A side note for those that really love this anime, Hanasaku Iroha inspired an actual festival the, Bonbori Festival that takes place in Kanazawa Japan.

If you had a chance to relive your youthful days, would you do it? 27-year-old single, jobless and penniless Kaizaki Arata is presented with the opportunity when he is approached by a representative of a project known as ReLIFE. The project is testing an experimental pill capable of making one ten years younger, so when Kaizaki is presented with the opportunity, he reluctantly accepts, using the opportunity to change his fate.   Romance, second chances and even secrets, ReLIFE feels a lot like a daydream as far as the plot is concerned. The anime would perhaps have a greater effect on older people than it would the younger; however, it is still good enough to implant the message of grabbing one’s youth while it’s still around and making the most of the time you have. The characters are decent, but it is the growing relationship between Arata and Hishiro, another member of the experiment, that has the most impact throughout the series; especially in the final arc which was released separately from the initial 13 episodes. With good humor and an overall warm, fuzzy vibe, ReLIFE might just be described as nostalgia in anime form.

After a four-year-long war, the continent of Telesis enjoys a period of peace and prosperity again. Violet Evergarden is a young girl raised for the battlefield who was maimed towards the end of the war, left with nothing but words from the one person she adored the most. In her period of recovery, Violet begins working at CH Postal Services after her intended post-war guardian family refused to take her in. There, she sees the work of an “Auto Memory Doll”, a person hired to transcribe people’s thoughts and feelings onto paper. Moved by the notion, Violet begins working as an Auto Memory Doll, a journey that will take Violet on many adventures, both outside and within.   2018’s winter season is one that was quite memorable for many reasons, one of them being Violet Evergarden. With breathtaking visuals and a storyline to match, Violet Evergarden is the perfect tear-jerking, an engrossing journey of an anime that attempts to show the rehabilitation of a young girl who has known nothing but the terror of war and violent conflict. Having lost someone very close to her, we watch Violet come to terms with her new life; a life that requires her to get to know herself as well as she knows the barrel of a gun. 

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Kanda Sorata is a second-year student at Suimei High School. Having found himself becoming the caretaker of some abandoned kittens, Sorata is forced to move into the infamous Sakura Hall, a dorm placed in an area off the main campus. Known for its eccentric residents, Sakura Hall becomes a learning curve for Sorata as he learns to get along with the various energies that make up the rest of the dorm: Misaki, the animator; Jin, the playwright; Ryuunosuke, the enigmatic programmer; art teacher Chihiro and the artistic savant, Shiina Mashiro. If Sorata can get new owners for the abandoned kittens, he can find himself back in the regular dorms; however, he is smitten with Mashiro, who seems to have grown attached to him as well. Sorata and Mashiro get to know each other and their fellow dormmates better as time goes on; time which inspires growth in the people around them, and themselves.    Filled with romance, hopes, dreams, and teenage angst, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is one of the titles from the early 2010s that goes widely recommended by fans of the slice of life genre. The characters are all quirky in their distinct ways, living lives that are wholly different from each other yet complementary, it almost feels like the characters wouldn’t be who they are without each other. With bright, colorful animation and a somewhat peppy character design, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is deceiving in its weight. The show becomes laden with drama and even pain as the characters face the challenges and pressures of coming of age, whether prodigy or average, and living in pursuit of their dreams.

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Yadomi Jinta lives the life of a recluse; refusing to go to school on most days and playing videogames all day. One day his long-deceased childhood friend, Honma “Menma” Meiko, appears to him on a hot summer day to get him to grant her forgotten wish. Initially thinking himself to be hallucinating, Jinta soon realizes that he’s seeing Menma’s ghost. He and his childhood friends grew apart after Menma died but they find themselves patching things up to finally lay Menma to rest. Forced to revisit the past, the group must confront their guilt in addition to granting Menma’s final wish. Known for bringing a heavy dose of what is known as “The Feels”, AnoHana is an early 2010s slice of life that deals heavily with concepts of grief, friendship and personal growth. This is evident in how Jinta and his childhood friends moved on from the trauma of Menma’s tragic passing… or at least they think they’ve moved on. With a cast of various characters and some interesting relationships between each character, AnoHana digs deep into how things begin to unravel when people experience deep emotional pain. 

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Controversial Elements: Rape, Unhealthy relationship dynamic. The reincarnated Uesugi Clan drags highschool student Takaya into a centuries-old battle between warlords of the Sengoku Era. These possessors tell Takaya he’s the reincarnation of Kagetora and the clan’s current leader but he wants nothing to do with this role. He relents when he realizes his friends in this lifetime are in danger but he especially dislikes Naoe, Lord Kagetora’s ‘loyal’ servant. In truth, Naoe’s complex feelings for Kagetora have taken him from enemy to revered vassal to traitor. We’re talking 400 years of a pretty bad relationship dynamic! Even still, there are several moments where Naoe sacrifices himself to protect his lord. Takaya can’t remember his past incarnations at first due to his last life being filled with such pain due to Naoe’s inability to let Kagetora go. Naoe went so far as to bind Kagetora’s soul in the body of his lover and then had his way with Kagetora even as Kagetora cursed him. We’re at least not left wondering if Naoe’s feelings are romantic or friendly… Naoe was ready to follow Kagetora’s soul into an eternal cage so that they could always be together but he gave up knowing it would, in a sense, kill Takaya. By the end, Naoe has found his affection is for Takaya in this life rather than what he was in the past and while Takaya is conflicted, he seems happy to be seen for himself.

Similarities: influential/spiritually powerful families, battles continuing through time, ghost and human enemies, master/servant relationship, an inexperienced younger guy needing an older expert to help control his powers, intimacy is mostly verbal with a few kissing scenes. You Keika seems to have pretty bad luck to die so suddenly, but at least he makes a pretty-boy ghost. He can’t stand the haughty Tanmoku Ki, the most powerful exorcist in the world. You Keika is given the choice of becoming Tanmoku Ki’s shadow spirit or disappearing after 7 days but You Keika was never one to listen to others easily. After being quite the thorn in Tanmoku Ki’s side, You Keika eventually gives in enough to enter the contract. Keika and Ki have a rocky relationship at first but gradually warm up to each other as devoted partners. Ki frightens the people around him but Keika bravely, or stupidly, does what he wants to do anyway. Keika may have been somewhat content in his old and lonely life but once teaming up with Ki, he gains a new sense of attachment and duty he never had. Ki, in turn, learns to open up more and enjoy life more. While incredibly different, Ki and Keika bring out the best in each other!

A hard-working man sounds like the best guy to have as a Valentine’s Day lover right? Well, in the case of Gendo Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion, maybe hard-working might not be that attractive. While Gendo leads the NERV team in his efforts to stop the Angels from destroying the world, he also has a lot of secrets that truly are the stuff of nightmares. Not only did he allow his wife to participate in a program that made her soul fuse into EVA Unit 01 but he also began to make clones of her which just comes off creepy/psychotic. Gendo Ikari might have had a tough life and we can understand he has some big shoes to fill saving the world but we wouldn’t want him as a Valentine’s Day partner, that’s for sure.

There aren’t too many powerful warriors like Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise in the anime world and it definitely makes some women—and men—swoon with love/admiration for the Saiyan. Unfortunately, let’s paint a picture for you readers out there as why Goku is the last person you want for a Valentine’s Day partner. While Goku can shoot powerful beams of energy out of his hands and unleash punches/kicks at lightning speed, he isn’t that great of a husband to his wife Chi-Chi. Even during the peaceful days—as fleeting as they are—on Earth, Goku can be seen training or trying to master some new form to transform into. If you decide to choose Goku as a valentine just be prepared…there won’t be any Netflix and Chill moments with this goofy Z warrior.

Passion is what drives both men and women to achieve lifelong goals by any means necessary. That passion can be a truly beautiful thing in a woman if harnessed correctly. Sadly, Haruhi Suzumiya shows that too much “passion” can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, Haruhi knows that what she wants in life is to find espers, aliens and time travelers. On the other hand, Haruhi doesn’t know how to do anything but search for espers, aliens, and time travelers. Haruhi might have the looks of a potential waifu but if you choose her as your Valentine’s Day girl then you better ask yourself this question. Can you put up with someone who legit will care more about a school club stolen from another club than your Valentine’s Day chocolate needs or desires!?

Revy is beautiful, strong, and truly able to drink like a guy which seems like a fun combo for those looking for a more easy-going valentine. Remember, though, that Revy from Black Lagoon is also known as Two Hands and that isn’t because she has two hands for holding her valentine. Revy is a cold, brutal, and heartless female who only finds excitement in shooting—and killing—enemies that rub her the wrong way. That might thrill some anime viewers and make them get more turned on by her but we know better here at Honey’s Anime. The fact of the matter is that Revy might be one of the worst valentines you can have as you might lose your life in a hail of gunfire if you look at her the wrong way…

Want an engaging lover for this Valentine’s Day holiday? Maybe long for a guy to hold you tightly, pour you some wine and say “Be my valentine”? If those elements are things you desire, then stay away from Tanaka from Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge. Tanaka might seem cute with his always sleepy persona but if you’ve seen the series, then you know Tanaka doesn’t care about much. Don’t expect to go to a nice restaurant or maybe catch a love-themed movie if you have Tanaka. What you can expect is Tanaka to fall asleep on you thus ending your Valentine’s Day night earlier than expected. Sounds great…right?

Games can be quite fun to play on Valentine’s Day. Grab a controller and/or some cards and you can play with a valentine, maybe make some cute bets to make things a bit spicy. When we thought of this, we immediately thought of Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui and realized we made a mistake. Yumeko might have everything you want in a waifu—at least physically—but as a lover/valentine she might be the absolute worst choice available from the sea of anime babes out there. In our minds, we keep seeing Yumeko challenging us to some game to get excited and then kind of fizzle out if we stop playing or making high-end wagers. If you’re a thrill-seeker like Yumeko, maybe she would make for a good valentine but just remember that you better make the games interesting or you’ll lose Yumeko quite fast.

In fantasy, a knight seems like the ultimate husbando to have, especially on Valentine’s Day! Just be sure to avoid some knights like our infamous Goblin Slayer. While Goblin Slayer may don a cool looking armored suit and be ready to lay a beat down on all things goblin related, he doesn’t make much of a good talking partner or…any type of partner we can see as romantic. Goblin Slayer might be the dream if you truly hate goblins with a fiery passion like him but if you long to just relax with your valentine this love-filled holiday, then you’ll be disappointed. You could always go on an adventure to slay some goblins and make for a crazed Valentine’s Day of carnage…yippee…

Yandere in anime have always been where many become divided in the concept of love. A yandere might truly love you—to the point they kill you—but does that love come off as beautiful or psychotic? In our minds if you’re like Toma from Amnesia, then your concept of love isn’t a good one…especially on Valentine’s Day! Toma probably will lock you in a small cage—which is scary in itself—and then poison you to keep you weak and unable to fight back against his “love”. Does Toma seem like the perfect valentine to you readers out there? Honestly, he seems like he should be thrown in jail and locked away before Valentine’s Day to avoid any women from getting kidnapped!

Seto Kaiba from the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! seems like the absolute perfect guy to ensnare this Valentine’s Day. Not only is Seto extremely smart and rich—he owns his company—but he is filled with a drive that gives him a powerful aura. Unfortunately, that powerful drive is for Duel Monsters and beating his rival Yugi Mutou, or more specifically, Yami Yuugi, the pharaoh that lives within the puzzle on Yugi’s neck. Seto Kaiba has no interest in either girls or guys in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series and that shows he won’t be much of a lover or valentine for that matter. Maybe if you get as good as Yami you might have a chance at getting Seto to follow you but that seems like a truly impossible dream to obtain.

Easily one of the WORST anime valentines to have on Valentine’s Day goes to Moeka Kiryuu from the world of Steins; Gate. While the reporter—and secret Rounders member—has a gorgeous body and appeals to those who love the quiet girl type, we can honestly say she would make for a horrible date on Valentine’s Day; or any day for that matter. We understand that newer kids live on their phones in this technology-driven world but Moeka truly lives by her phone as she BARELY talks without texting. Not only that but due to Moeka’s past—which is quite sad—Moeka doesn’t like to be touched and doesn’t part with her phone for even a moment. Moeka Kiryuu is a girl we like to think about but know that, as a valentine, she’s a bad, bad choice. No cuddling this Valentine’s Day if you choose Moeka…or any long talks that aren’t via a cell phone text.

Valentine’s Day can be tough when it comes to finding that ideal girlfriend who wants you. In the case of Kanade Noida from the dark series Hiai Mousou, maybe not finding a girl could be a blessing in disguise. Hiai seems like a kind, shy, and intelligent girl who just has problems fitting in at school, which possibly comes from the fact that she’s the principal’s daughter. Unfortunately, Hiai isn’t shy about stalking the one guy to show her affection—Kazuma Kadomae, the new homeroom teacher—and shows all of her affection in a rather…twisted way. Here’s a warning to those who hate being alone on Valentine’s Day. If you can choose between being alone or being with a girl like Kanade, we think being alone is better and safer.

Being a voyeur is a crime but, in the case of Etsurou Kurosu, the punishment is horrifying. Our main man from Ana Satsujin met Rio Miyaichi, who is both his neighbor and a serial killer! Sure, Rio could bake you cookies and chocolates which are ideal Valentine’s Day gifts but she might also kill you during your date. If you want to live a few more years, we advise you avoid hooking up with girls like Rio and try not to make them your beloved valentine…try really hard.

Sex appeal is one of the few things that nabs most men, especially those with weak wills. This aptly applies to a girl named Tomie who might seem stunning and mesmerizing but is also like a succubus with a lust for blood and insanity. Using her powers, Tomie can cause literal mayhem and has had people murder for her, which just fuels her power even more! Tomie might be super cute and seems to be the perfect arm candy for a guy but if she becomes your valentine…it might turn into a bloody Valentine’s Day…

The childhood friend theme is one many of us—including us here at Honey’s Anime—wish would happen more often. Your friend, who you know so well, admits their love for you and you two become a couple for the ages. That, to us, sounds like the perfect valentine to have. Yuno Kirishima, though, is the childhood friend we don’t want as a valentine for the sheer fact that she is legit yandere to the extreme. Yuno fell in love with her friend—Yukiteru Tamaki—and when her feelings were toyed with, she began to unleash hell on him. Not only did she carve her name into his body but she began to act truly possessive in an evil way. Bottom line folks, Yuno is cute and seems perfect but behind that perfection lies a demon that we would rather exorcise then take as a valentine.

Beautiful and quite alluring, Mai Mashiro screams “the girl you want for Valentine’s Day”…right? Well folks, if you like girls who are killers and will make you record their killings, then sure, Mai is perfect. All jokes aside, Mai Mashiro is the girl your parents would want you to avoid in whatever way possible as she is not to be trusted and is truly a psychotic woman through and through. Valentine’s Day was once associated with bloodshed before it became romantic so if you want to relive the past choose Mai Mashiro as your valentine of choice…or don’t and make the right call by doing so.

Valentine’s Day is where we want a man—or attractive manga boy—to grab us and protect us from all harm and evil. Kuroi has the attractive part going for him but, alas, that is all he has. Underneath his boyband looks lies a yandere who is both possessive and violent. Kuroi has harnessed his looks to seduce women, gamble, and even let himself be used for sex. There's even an early example of torturing a soldier for info. Kuroi looks like he isn’t to be feared but we know better, ladies. If you want a safe Valentine’s Day this 2020 season, don’t fall for manga boys like Kuroi…

When Valentine’s Day comes around, you want a boy who will whisper sweet nothings in your ear. You want a man who will show he loves you with both words and actions. Nichol D. Heyward will probably just shy away from you due in large part to his extreme shyness…yeah, not the best valentine. While Nichol is a tough dude who definitely can hold his own in a fight—just look at the world he lives in—his strange way of not showing emotions might not appeal to most ladies out there.

Samurai in the world of manga make us think “cool warrior with a quiet persona who protects what he loves and fights with honor”. Hachimaru…well, he’s a samurai. We have been reviewing Samurai 8: Hachimaru Den and, while its main man Hachimaru has become increasingly cooler as the series goes on, he’s still a bit of a weak duck. Often, Hachimaru is clueless, aimless and can't seem to focus on anything more than games and training. Future powerful samurai with a lot of potential…yes. Valentine’s Day candidate…no.

Guns might appeal to some ladies out there—in regards to gunslingers who can properly use them—but our next WORST guy to have as a valentine comes in the form of Juzo Inui from No Guns Life. In a future with people who choose to augment themselves, Juzo decides to make his literal head into a gun…yes we said gun. Imagine for a moment a romantic dinner date with your valentine partner. Now imagine he shows up like Juzo and lacks a face and instead has a gun protruding from his neck! Does this guy sound like a wise choice for a valentine? No, Juzo should be avoided not because of his personality—which isn’t that bad—but for the fact he lacks a face…or head…or mouth!

By all definition, Kojirou Sasaki seems to be the perfect samurai boy. Long lush hair, a strong persona, and a truly kind soul. Doesn’t this make him the ultimate valentine, then? In our minds, no and here’s why. Kojirou is a samurai through and through due to the strange upbringing that left him deaf, almost mute, and with weak social skills. Thus, Kojirou is only ever at his best in the heat of battle as his sword clashes with another. This might make him the ultimate samurai but as a valentine, it makes him pretty horrible. We won’t say don’t choose Kojirou but we do think you can find other samurai boys out there who have the looks and the personality to make for truly nice valentines.