Violet Evergarden is available in streaming form on Netflix With the world's biggest streaming platform now with anime firmly in its sights, 2018 is set to be a big year for Netflix anime content. As well as kicking things off in a big way with the release of Devilman Crybaby , Netflix is also making waves with Violet Evergarden – the latest series from Haruhi and K-On! maestros Kyoto Animation . Based on the (Kyoto Animation award winning) light novel series by Kana Akatsuki, the series immediately garnered attention through its strange release pattern – simulcasting weekly in some territories but then surprisingly being held back in the US until the series was complete. But wherever you may reside its now here for you, complete with a selection of different language options. Being an anime fan has never been easier.

Violet Evergarden is streaming in selected territories on Netflix There are a number of extremely strong offerings amongst the 2018 winter anime season, but undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated shows kicking off this new year of anime is Violet Evergarden – based on the light novel series by Kana Akatsuki . As well as being the latest show from acclaimed studio Kyoto Animation ( Haruhi , K-On! and more recently A Silent Voice ), the first episode has also been premiered across a number of anime conventions last year to drum up anticipation. Now with Netflix simulcasting the series across a number of different territories (but surprisingly not the US), the streaming service properly enters the anime game on the same playing field as its genre-specific competitors.

Rounding off my trio of winter 2013 anime reviews is another work from Kyoto Animation , particularly the creative team behind the rather fantastic K-On! . This 2013 entry goes by the name of Tamako Market , and its 12-episode run goes by Kyoto's usual resume of cute girls doing cute things. Only this time they throw a talking bird into the mix. Tamako, her sister Anko (left) and the various shopkeepers of the district The story follows a girl named Tamako Kitashirakawa, the eldest daugher of a mochi-shop owning family in the heart of the Usagiyama Shopping District. One day when going through her everyday errands she encounters a strange talking bird which goes by the name of Dera Mochimazza (which translates as "bad-tasting mochi, much to Tamako and her family's dismay). Dera explains that he has travelled from afar to search for a bride for his country's Prince, but after eating too much mochi he becomes too fat to fly and ends up as a freeloader at t...

Not every anime series you come across may have a cohesive plot. Similarly, not every anime series makes a whole lot of sense either. But what happens when you combine nonsensical comedy with episodes made up of short sketches? The end result is  Nichijou   (which translates as  "Ordinary / Regular Life" ), a 25-episode series from  Kyoto Animation  based on the manga of the same name by  Keichii Arwari . It originally aired in Japan back in 2011. Nichijou  follows the average day to day lives of a group of high school students and various other characters that populate their town. Only upon closer inspection, the activities these characters engage in might not be so average after all. Various hi jinx ensue between hyperactive slacker Yūko, short tempered yaoi artist Mio and silent but eccentric Mai. Among the weird and wonderful students attending their school is Kōjirō Sasahara, a farm boy with an aristocrat complex who rides his...

After a brief comedy interlude courtesy of  Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu ,  the FMP franchise returned to its more serious roots in 2005 with the release of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid . Set three months after the conclusion of the first season, this season was significantly shorter than the first (13 episodes plus an OVA as opposed to 24 episodes) and once again animated by Kyoto Animation rather than Gonzo. Following the hijacking of Tuatha de Danaan submarine in the last season, life has seemingly returned to normal for Sousuke Sagara - both in his role as a Mythril soldier and student at Jindai High School. That is until Mythril learn of a secret organisation known as "Amalgam", that has been orchestrating conflict behind the scenes and access to Whispered technology. As Mythril attempts to uncover Amalgam, Sousuke must face his own demons as he is split apart from Kaname Chidori and his ability to pilot the Arbalest Arm Slave is called into question. Sousuke...

A new section for this year, here I'm going to look at the first episode of new series that come out over the course of 2013, giving my first impressions on them and what my expectations are, if any, for future episodes. The first of these will deal with the latest offering from anime studio Kyoto Animation (whose previous works include K-On! , Haruhi Suzumiya  and Lucky Star ), titled Tamako Market . Bearing very similar character design to that of K-On! , this series is currently slated to run for 12 episodes. Tamako Kitashirakawa is the eldest daughter of a mochi shop-owning family in her town's bustling shopping district. One day while running her errands she encounters a strange talking bird named Dera Mochimazzi, an attendant of a foreign prince who has come in search of a bride for his master. The series will follow the life of Tamako, her friends and their interactions with this strange bird. Straight away its clear that this show lives up to Kyoto's standard...

As one of the biggest problems with the first Full Metal Panic season was its constant fluctuation between serious and comedic, the second instalment of the franchise makes sure this doesn't happen again. 2003's Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu is a 12 episode series which ditches the military/mecha aspects in favour of focussing purely on the relationship between high school student Kaname and military sergeant Sousuke, partticularly the latter's inability to use common sense amidst a high-school background. Unlike the first season which was made by Gonzo, Fumoffu was the first full length series animated by Kyoto Animation (which would move on to do Haruhi , Lucky Star and K-On! , among others). Unlike the first season which featured an ongoing plot with various story arcs, each episode of Fumoffu (with the exception of episodes eight and nine) are completely standalone, with many of them split into two shorter stories. Plots range from standard high school anime...

Admittedly I'm writing this one a little later than I should be since I finished the series (both seasons) two weeks ago, but admittedly I've been a little busy of late and better late than never I guess. Anyway, moving away from the usual mecha, murderous notebooks, space bounty hunters and more mecha for a while, K-ON! is a heart-warming slice of life anime revolving around the lives of a group of school girls who are members of their school's light music club. The story takes us through the girls' three years of high school, starting with the beginnings of their friendship and their attempts to stop the club being abolished (due to a lack of members), to their first live performance and the arrival of a new member and more. In some ways, think Lucky Star but swap out the geek references for musical ones - from Black Sabbath to The Who and more (and for those with a keen eye, even Krauser from Detroit Metal City pops up from time to time). Don't think the r...