Kirito has become a part of experimenting in a new world, one he is now trapped in again. Befriending a boy named Eugeo, who is strangely familiar to Kirito, the two set off on a quest to rescue their friend Alice from the capital city. However, this world is not what it seems, and the two boys will be forced to come to terms with some harsh truths… All the while, Kirito is remembering things about this world that he should not, getting further from being able to return to reality. Will he ever find a way to log out?

Sortiliena is one of the strongest women in Kirito’s new world, mentoring him for a time. She reminds us of the days when Asuna actually fought and stood up for herself, as Sortiliena vies for the top placement at their Academy. She manages to teach Kirito a few things, and graduates as the top-ranked elite swordsman of her class!

Mari Tamaki is determined not to let her youth go to waste, especially now that she is in her second year of high school. Meanwhile, Shirase Kobuchizawa has been trying to fund a trip to Antarctica, one that many people think is impossible. Shirase pushes onward despite the doubts, fueled by her desire to find her mother, as she disappeared in that place. Mari decides to join Shirase in her quest! As they continue to work for their dreams, the duo soon attracts the excitable Hinata Miyake and quiet Yuzuki Shiraishi. Bonded together by friendship and their struggle to get to Antarctica, these four girls are determined to achieve their dreams!

Shirase’s mother is Takako Kobuchizawa, and she plays a big part in the anime series despite not actually being there. Takako forged an adventurous path, traveling to Antarctica on an expedition years before the events of Sora yori mo Tooi Basho. We love Takako because she is a strong female figure for her daughter and the other girls to look up to! She does have her problems, especially as she missed most of her daughter’s childhood. Yet her adventurous spirit and kind personality make her a remembered character by the others, noticed even more so for her absence. She braved danger for her own dreams. And though Shirase held conflicting emotions toward her mother, she truly did love her, striving through her whole journey to be able to see what her mother had seen in that barren place.

After the Russo-Japanese war, soldiers in the Hokkaido region struggle to move on from the horrors they faced. Saichi Sugimoto is no exception. Called “The Immortal Sugimoto” because of his ability to survive things that would normally kill a man, Sugimoto is wandering the cold lands of the north when he hears talk of a treasure up for grabs—one that could help him fulfill his promise to his deceased friend. In the midst of searching for the gold, Sugimoto meets a young Ainu girl named Asirpa who saves his life. When the two discover they have similar goals, they decide to team up against the other criminals and soldiers looking for this infamous treasure.

Inkarmat is an Ainu fortune teller, and one of the few women in Golden Kamuy with any prominence. Though she seems like just another random character to encounter, we discover later on that she has ties to the criminal Noppera-bu and Asirpa’s father! Inkarmat is a mysterious character, manipulating others to get what she wants. She is a fairly neutral party, not really out for the gold but willing to help whichever side is more convenient to her own ends. She is an interesting addition to the list of characters, bringing an element of surprises to an already-surprising series.

Yoshifumi Nitta is a vicious yakuza member. When he is suddenly hit in the head with a strange capsule containing a powerful blue-haired girl, Nitta finds himself in a new role—caregiver! The girl, named Hina, must use her powers freely in order to keep an explosion from happening, so Nitta takes her to work for construction. But when he is forced to attack a rival yakuza gang, Nitta discovers that Hina might be able to help him in that as well…

We love Anzu because of the contrast that she brings out in Hina, especially as she is seen as a sort of rival initially. Anzu is just like Hina, brought into the world in the same method and with similar powers. When she fails to defeat Hina, she finds she cannot return home. Instead, Anzu ends up living in a homeless encampment, where we see her kinder side appear as she uses her strengths to help the others living there. She becomes a vital and integral part of Hinamatsuri, yet is still classified as a supporting character. We loved Anzu from the moment she showed up in the series!

Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken seems like just another isekai anime on the surface. Satoru Mikami is killed when he tries to stop a passing robber. With his dying thoughts, he wishes he could be stronger, better. Little does he know, he will soon be reborn as a very special slime in a new world! He certainly is not just any normal slime monster as “Rimuru Tempest” is able to take on qualities of anything he absorbs. Soon enough, Rimuru will find that he is the most powerful being in this new world and change its course forever!

Shizue Izawa only has a short role in Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, but it’s one we will not soon forget. Summoned to the new world as a child and possessed by the demon Ifrit, Shizue was freed when the Hero saved her. She happened upon Rimuru toward the end of her days, as Ifrit’s power over her was returning. We love Shizue because she never gave up hope through all of the hardships in her life, always striving to be better! She has a beautiful, kind spirit that outweighs all the hate in her life and allows her to make friends even in a short amount of time. Shizue focuses her later life on teaching others and building up communities.

As Shingeki no Kyojin moves into the next legs of its intense story, we learn even more about the Titans and the origins of humanity behind the walls. Eren Yeager has no idea where his newfound powers come from. His goal of defeating all Titans seems so far away now, but he and his friend Armin Arlert still dream of the outside world. Still, the Scouting Legion still has obstacles to face. Not only are the Military Police and the government after them, but Levi’s old mentor Kenny is also working against them! Even more dark secrets will be revealed this season…

Hange Zoe is one of the toughest women around, helping to lead the Scouting Legion alongside Erwin and Levi. She is also one of the few people who question how the world works, interested in studying Titans rather than just killing them all. She is insanely smart and can plan ahead in a way to best protect her comrades. We love how she can be lighthearted and free-spirited, yet switch over to deadly in a split second! We also love how intelligent she is, allowing her to discover things about Titans that no one ever imagined. Without Hange around, the fight for humanity would be lost.

The world of Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Senpai no Yume wo Minai is full of interesting characters. And with puberty syndrome causing many of these characters to have abnormal experiences, Sakuta Azusagawa is in for a crazy year! He meets a few different girls, all going through puberty syndrome. He first meets a strange girl dressed as a bunny in the library. Yet later, it seems that no one else can see her! Sakuta learns her name is Mai Sakurajima and he grows closer to her as he tries to help her with her plight. Of course, there are even more strange girls Sakuta will meet soon…

Rio Futaba is one such girl, a beautiful and intelligent second-year student struggling with her own issues. She has body insecurities which cause her to split into two different people. She views the world through the lens of science, which allows her to distance herself from life. While she does not wish to attract attention for her body, Rio’s second self that appears revels in the risqué. Yet neither person has full control over their actions and impulsions. Despite her struggles, Rio has been helpful through the whole series, offering assistance with Sakuta’s troubles even while she is going through something herself.

For Retsuko and her friends, life in their office can be frustrating. The kindhearted and calm Retsuko has a secret for making it through the day – death metal karaoke! As she learns to deal with work, love and the everyday struggles of life, Retsuko tries to keep her true nature from her friends and co-workers.

A quiet and perceptive friend of Retsuko’s, Fenneko enjoys laughing at other’s misfortunes. Despite this, she is supportive of her friends, looking out for both Retsuko and Haida at work and in their lives outside the office. She cares for them, but also wants them to grow, pushing them to become better. Fenneko is a self-proclaimed social media stalker as well, thanks in part to her perception skills. She is easily one of the most enjoyable characters, able to be maniacal and kind in the same breath.

This season of Boku no Hero Academia begins as the students are enjoying their summer, continuing their training to become heroes. At a training camp put on by UA’s pro heroes, the students train together and battle to see if they push past their limitations. But when the League of Villains arrives to crash their camp, Izuku Midoriya and his friends must join a new fight, one for their own lives!

Ochako Uraraka is one of Deku’s classmates, though she takes a more backseat role this season. She is also training to become a Pro Hero, with the ability to manipulate gravity. Ochako is kind and friendly, always willing to lend a hand to help her classmates. She is trying to become a hero to help her parents’ financial situation, but she also genuinely enjoys seeing others smile. Ochako seems airheaded and weak, yet her powers and gifts in martial arts actually make her a fierce competitor!

There is a battle going on every day, and it’s happening inside your body! All of the billions of cells within you are working hard at their jobs each and every day. From the reliable red-blood cells to the protective white-blood cells, each individual cell has a job to carry out. This is the story of that process, told in a relatable and sometimes hilarious way!

Braving the front lines of the wounds on your body, the Platelets protect and cover your wounds with other cells, sealing them up to heal. Not only is this an important job, but let’s face it, the Platelets in Hataraku Saibou are adorable! The Platelets in this series reflect the tiny cells working to protect our bodies in real life as well. We love how adorable and fierce they are, struggling to pick up their equipment one minute and then rushing deftly into the midst of battle in the next! We firmly believe that the Platelets are the best female supporting characters of 2018 (though not all of them are female, but the main leader is!). Whether it’s in supporting one another or supporting Hataraku Saibou as a series, the Platelets really captured our attention with their antics.