Of your honorable mentions, Bluelock is great. Very unique sports anime, done in a very stylized way. Each contestant has their own strength, and it's presented almost like a superpower. They all stand out in their own way, and really put on a show as they vie for supremacy. Really interesting characters that break the usual tropes, and the MC is a badass. The art is great, the pacing is great, and the concept is pretty unique; sports battle royale tournament?

The attitudes of the characters are also very interesting, they all want to be the best, and they go all out, but not in the sometimes cringy way some anime characters do. This feels more adult, for one thing. It's interesting, too, because compared to anything involving life and death, the stakes here are incredibly low...but also life-defining; a chance to chase their dreams and compete at the highest levels. If they can't hack it, well, it's not like they're executed or anything, but they're going to have to find something else to do with their lives, and give up their dream of being elite.

If you guys do watch it, definitely give it a few episodes. Episode 1 is great, but doesn't get into the meat and potatoes yet. It really kicks off once the games start.

Of your honorable mentions, Bluelock is great. Very unique sports anime, done in a very stylized way. Each contestant has their own strength, and it's presented almost like a superpower. They all stand out in their own way, and really put on a show as they vie for supremacy. Really interesting characters that break the usual tropes, and the MC is a badass. The art is great, the pacing is great, and the concept is pretty unique; sports battle royale tournament?

The attitudes of the characters are also very interesting, they all want to be the best, and they go all out, but not in the sometimes cringy way some anime characters do. This feels more adult, for one thing. It's interesting, too, because compared to anything involving life and death, the stakes here are incredibly low...but also life-defining; a chance to chase their dreams and compete at the highest levels. If they can't hack it, well, it's not like they're executed or anything, but they're going to have to find something else to do with their lives, and give up their dream of being elite.

If you guys don't watch it, definitely give it a few episodes. Episode 1 is great, but doesn't get into the meat and potatoes yet. It really kicks off once the games start.