Here is the list of top 5 anime for 2018 according to the Japanese fan website www.anikore.jp.
1) A Place Further than the Universe (宇宙よりも遠い場所)
2) Laid-Back Camp (ゆるキャン)
3) Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう)
4) Violet Evergarden (ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン)
5) High Score Girl (ハイスコアガール)
I guess the viewers in 2018 liked the anime that girls become more independent and work hard towards their interests, dreams, goals, etc.