Have you ever watched an anime and thought, “I’m so happy this show exists?”

Yeah, us too.

Anime is fantastic entertainment, but entertainment isn’t all the medium has to offer. From life lessons to doses of inspiration to encouragement in the face of doubt, anime contains a wealth of stories that give us the exact boost we need precisely when we need it.

Which shows brought us extra special joy and inspiration this year? Join us as we reflect on the shows we’re oh-so-thankful for: anime that inspired us in 2019. <3

***O Maidens in Your Savage Season*, You’re Always There for Us**

O Maidens in Your Savage Season captures the nuances of awkward adolescence with such accuracy, we can’t help but squirm in our seats as we watch the drama unfold. It’s a perfect picture of what it’s like to be an awkward teenager dealing with hormones and insecurities. Painfully raw and breathtakingly real, O Maidens in Your Savage Season is as gorgeously animated as it is honest. At its core, it’s a story about friendship and the importance of communication. This show reminds us to never take our friends for granted and to always have each other’s backs — especially during the transitional phases of life when we need our friends the most.

Some of us might not be teenagers in the midst of puberty anymore, but we all still need a little help from our friends.

Ahiru no Sora Soars to Greatness

Ahiru no Sora might be a new series, but it’s already giving us warm-fuzzies with each episode. Although he’s short, Sora is determined to become a basketball star and win a tournament so he can reunite with his sick mother, and nothing and no one will stand in his way to basketball glory! The themes of following your dreams and teamwork characterize every step of Sora’s journey, and his dogged determination illustrates the power of optimism in the face of impossible odds. Watching Sora climb ever-closer to his dreams gives us the inspiration to chase our own.

The main takeaway from our mighty duckling’s story? Sora never gives up, and neither should you.

Ao-chan Can’t Study Defies Expectations

On the surface, Ao-chan Can’t Study looks like a raunchy rom-com. Dig a little deeper and you’ll see that it’s a raunchy rom-com with a lot of heart, not to mention one of the sweetest romances we’ve seen in a long time. Ao-chan Can’t Study made exceptional use of its short format to tell the story of Ao (who thinks men are all sex-crazed animals) as she develops a crush on Kijima (who is a respectful and decent person) with laugh-out-loud humor and unexpected earnestness. Ao-chan Can’t Study inspires us to never judge a book by its cover and to put our biases aside when getting to know others.

Also… Kijima is Best Boy. That’s just a fact; we don’t make the rules!

Senryu Girl Speaks to Our Hearts

If there was ever an anime to fill us with warm-fuzzies, it’s Senryu Girl. Every episode is a shot of pure adorableness that kicks up the day’s heartwarming quota with its cast of memorable characters and their sweet, awwwww-inducing hijinks. The show revolves around Nanako, who has trouble speaking and communicates through written senryu poetry, but her life isn’t as inconvenient as you might expect. Her friends not only accept her, but embrace her and work to ensure Nanako feels comfortable no matter the circumstances. Watching Senryu Girl each week brightened our day and taught us an important lesson about tolerance and inclusion (without ever getting preachy about it).

Warning: Ten out of ten fictional dentists agree that this show is so sweet, it’ll give you cavities.

Run with the Wind Strides Toward Self-Improvement

There’s a lot to love in Run with the Wind. Whether you enjoy watching the runners of Kansei University challenge themselves and strive to beat their personal record, or whether you enjoy seeing relationships develop between the show’s characters, Run with the Wind offers something for everyone — including the message to never stop aiming for self-improvement and to always reach (or run!) for the stars. We watch Run with the Wind when we need the encouragement only an inspirational anime can provide, and we’re forever thankful that we can witness the runners of Kansei University strive to run the Hakone Ekiden whenever the need for inspiration calls.

Our PR for marathoning this show? It’s, like… really impressive or really concerning, depending on your point of view.

BanG Dream! S2 Puts a Smile on Our Face

Every week was a party when BanG Dream! S2 started simulcasting last winter, and not just because the bands of BanG Dream! graced our screens with a setlist of new bangers every episode. The girls of Poppin’Party have big dreams, but they never take themselves too seriously, showing us that you can still have a ton of fun even when the going gets tough. It helps when you have great friends by your side who you can count on in hard times. Friendship binds the member of Poppin’Party together even when it looks like they might have to go their separate ways, and that reminds us to count on our friends (and to be there for them in return) when we need a hand.

Plus, the music never fails to get us groovin’. PoPiPa for life! *frantically waves a light stick*

Fans of PoPiPa cheer for their favorite band in BanG Dream! S2.

Never Underestimate the Power of Inspirational Anime

Whether it’s a story about friendship, romance or sports, anime has the power to inspire us in so many unexpected ways. That’s why the inspirational anime from 2019 have a special place in our hearts — because they have so much to teach us, and because when we’ve had a rough day, they’re there to show us that there are no mountains too high to climb. <3

Feeling inspired to watch some of the above titles? Sign up for our 14-day free trial and give thanks for your anime favs!

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