Preview by Choya

Haruhara Haruko (Uran Sakiko) is a mysterious space alien who has a habit of tormenting teenagers. As it turns out, harnessing their dwindling youth allows her to inch closer and closer towards reuniting with the Pirate King Atomsk. The most powerful space pirate in the galaxy seems to want nothing to do with her, though that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing him and leaving behind the broken hearts of teen boys and girls alike. Behind the scenes, the mysterious corporation Medical Mechanica is considered to be responsible for many of the violent, threatening robots that have had to be defeated by Haruko and the poor kids she’s roped into doing her bidding. While details on this season are very scant, the new season will center around a put-upon teenager named Shinpachi (Minagawa Junko) who has started working at his father’s sushi restaurant. A chance encounter with Haruko winds up capping off his first steps into adulthood, yet also serves to shed light on the meddlesome nature of Medical Mechanica.

To say that Toonami’s handling of FLCL has been controversial would be an understatement. While some stories are made to be short for a solid reason, the execs and decision-makers of the channel block threw money into the idea that such a short story needed to have extra episodes to flesh out the lore of the world and bring other stories of adolescence to newer generations. But because FLCL was an experimental OVA series designed to show off all of the artists’ most impulsive urges through the lens of a wacky, whimsical coming-of-age story, it can feel like a frivolous, egotistical vanity project to revive the series without the same passion to create something truly off-kilter. And if you’ve seen the two seasons they’ve previously greenlit, Progressive and Alternative, it only proves that recapturing the same energy or acting as a creative outlet for its animators was never Toonami’s goal. Instead, it was to treat FLCL like a long-running anthology series that gives Haruko the same amount of lore as TOM 1 through 6, and reunites The Pillows and the show’s English voice actors. With Grunge being a CG anime, the biggest draw of this season is actually to flesh out the lore that Toonami felt was personally missing from FLCL. What purpose does Medical Mechanica serve? What did Haruko do before the two previous seasons? If you’re ready to see Haruko help a new batch of teens bond, fight, and begin their whimsical death march into adulthood, then you might just find something to enjoy about FLCL: Grunge.

Preview by Pancakes

Adventuring is forever an asperous dream for many a child, with stories of heroic rescues and thrilling close calls keeping plenty chasing after the lucrative career. Yet not all adventuring is breezy fun and games as one Belgrieve (Suwabe Junichi) discovers the hard way. Losing a leg in a deadly encounter, Belgrieve is forcibly retired and left to live in the wilderness alone. Yet it is here where he finds his second wind after stumbling across an abandoned baby. Deciding to raise her himself, Belgrieve’s new charge Angeline (Hayami Saori) not only learns fast from her adoptive father, but quickly becomes a top-tier adventurer in her own right after leaving the nest. And now, barely five years after obtaining everything an adventurer could desire, Angeline decides it’s time to return home. As she’ll discover though, home may not be everything she remembers it to be.

Ahh slice of life fantasy, you can bet your local Truck-kun that a few of these will appear each season, but Boukensha ni Naritai has the advantage of being just a tad different from the rest. If not immediately apparent this one takes a page from Usagi Drop and Amaama to Inazuma, where cute and wholesome family fun is the name of the game and various arcs are devoted to building up the father-daughter relationship. It won’t get particularly serious mind you (it’s thematically more like a fantasy-based Hinamatsuri), but it’ll definitely offer up plenty of lighthearted, easy on the eyes moments to keep the warm and fuzzies going. Remains to be seen just how well Boukensha ni Naritai can capitalize on its strong points and avoids the infamous source material chainsaw, but should it avoid the usual pitfalls it certainly has a good chance at becoming a nice relaxing bit of weekly fall fantasy fun.

Preview by Choya

Isaku Senagaki (Kitou Akari) is a high school girl who is just looking to have normal friends, a normal school life, and a normal relationship. Unfortunately, because she’s the granddaughter of the third boss of the Senagaki crime syndicate, such a thing won’t be easy to achieve. Even when she enrolls in a high school far from her hometown, she attracts the attention of Keiya Uto (Umehara Yuuichirou), a 26-year-old who lies about his age and bribes his way into being enrolled into the same school as her. Keiya sees himself as her bodyguard who must scare away any boys from her because she’s far too young for romance in his eyes. But things start getting dicey when it turns out that Isaku has unrequited feelings of her own for Keiya. Will she wind up falling for her loyal family servant and dedicated guardian, or will the age gap be too much for either of the two to be committed to the idea of a relationship?

This one has a very big elephant in the room; the age gap between Keiya and Isaku. It’s made abundantly clear that Keiya is an adult who has infiltrated a high school for the express purpose of pretending to be a helicopter protector for the young girl. It is also made clear that Isaku has a crush on Keiya, and part of their journey will involve the two potentially coming to terms with the possibility of forming a romantic bond. May-December relationships are usually given a more lenient approach in anime considering many of them aren’t as heavily romantic or are centered around older characters. But here, the fact that a teenage girl could be a potential love interest for a 26-year-old man pretending to be a teenager is hard to dodge. While it could lean into wholesome territory where the focus isn’t on romance entirely, the age gap might determine whether Ojou to Banken-kun is the show for you.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Oh, my stars! Brace yourselves, folks, because Sousou no Frieren is about to take the anime world by storm. Imagine a fantasy anime that’s not your typical hack-and-slash adventure, but a fresh and heartfelt take on the genre. We’re diving headfirst into the captivating world of elven mage Frieren, a true legend among adventurers. Frieren was once part of the heroic party that vanquished the Demon King and restored harmony to their world. Talk about epic, right?

But here’s the twist that’s got me on the edge of my seat. Frieren isn’t your run-of-the-mill mage; she’s an elf with an exceptionally long lifespan. So, when she reunites with her human, dwarf, and priestly comrades fifty years later, it’s not your usual grand reunion. Nope, humanity has changed, and her pals have aged distinctly. Talk about a time warp!

Things kick off with Frieren’s promise to see her friends again during a once-in-fifty-years celestial event. But as time flows differently for our elven protagonist, her companions slowly bid farewell to this world, leaving Frieren with a heart full of bittersweet memories and a promise she feels compelled to fulfill.

Cue Fern, a young human apprentice thrust into Frieren’s world. With an insatiable passion for magic and a seemingly aimless journey ahead, these two embark on an adventure that’s part discovery, part reflection. As Frieren revisits the places and experiences that once shaped her, she grapples with the regrets of missed opportunities and the profound bonds she never fully forged with her dearly departed comrades.

And did I mention the visuals are going to be stunning? This anime is all about character development, deep emotions, and breathtaking landscapes that’ll transport you to another realm. It’s like a masterful tapestry woven from the threads of time, magic, and camaraderie. Get ready to be swept off your feet by its spellbinding storytelling and beautifully crafted characters. Trust me, this one’s going to be a game-changer in the world of anime, and I can’t wait for you all to experience it!

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to the holy trinity of civil service professions, arguably none holds more prestige than firefighting. Sure, police rescue cats and chase down the baddies, why indeed paramedics keep you literally breathing – but none have anything on the crazy guy rocking a hundred pounds of gear wholly willing to jump into burning buildings. It’s the promise of such high octane life which drives the likes of Toake Daigo (Enoki Junya), Onoda Shun (Yasahiro Taku), and Nakamura Yuki (Sakura Ayane) to join the ranks. Each has their own reasons – from Daigo’s pride at his latent skills to Shun’s determination at making it and Yuki’s goal of being one of the few female firefighters – but together they all share the same dream. And sharing it might wind up being important given saving Japan from the flames of accident and arson will be no easy feat.

It’s honestly quite surprising seeing Megumi no Daigo pop up in TV anime form, and not just because it’s an unabashed firefighting show. This one is technically a sequel (albeit fairly standalone) to a 90s series of the same name, itself only receiving a single movie and the sequel manga for this adaptation only kicking off in 2020. As far as story too it’s well-trodden ground, with the premise effectively taking You’re Under Arrest, replacing policework with firefighting, and going for a more mature, over the top plot and character development. Or basically what happens if Fire Force was based in the real world. The key here will be how well the concept translates into animation, but Brain’s Base and director Murata Masahiko are fairly decent picks given the material so as long as rushing is mitigated and the budget sufficient there’s a good shot at getting something decent. I wouldn’t say it’ll be for everyone, but any shounen lover would do well keeping an eye on this one.

Preview by Pancakes

In the world of Ragna Crimson dragons are the true master. Dominating sea, sky, and land, these monstrous creatures are the perpetual crisis for humanity, ensuring peace is fleeting and suffering eternal. Yet some like the mysterious Crimson (Murase Ayumu) seek the power to fight back against the dragons, an individual the aspiring dragon hunter Ragna (Kobayashi Chiaki) seeks to partner with. Although lacking the inherent talent of other dragon hunters, Ragna possesses no due measure of grit and drive, determined no matter the cost to grow strong and capable. It’ll take him a good deal of that determination to both convince and fight alongside Crimson, but one way or another Ragna will ensure humanity’s eternal enemy is defeated once and for all.

Do you like fantasy? Enjoy violence? Need a bit of pulp action chaos in your seasonal schedule? Well need look no further than this. Ragna Crimson is basically pure distilled power fantasy, leveraging a fairly simplistic story of killing dragons into some very good set piece battles and action sequences. Characters will be cookie cutter, motivations and outcomes obvious, but the process of getting to them is, simply put, a sight to behold. While Ragna Crimson’s overtly visual emphasis does raise some concerns about the usual risk of production corner cutting, considering it’s helmed by Silver Link with the very well-rounded Mieno Hitomi on script duty and already set for a 24 episode run, some leeway is rightfully deserved. I’d be surprised if this wound up challenging the AOTS rankings, but anyone needing some pure adrenaline-fuelled popcorn entertainment should ensure they keep an eye on this one.

Preview by Pancakes

For high schooler Hizutome Rakurou (Uchida Yuuma) there’s only one true calling: beating any game which comes across his sights. It’s not even that challenging a prospect for the kid, between unbeatable gaming skills and an uncanny ability to find entertainment in even the most awful of gaming experiences. But that changes when Rakurou is introduced to Shangri-La Frontier. A VR game of immeasurable difficulty, Rakurou’s min-maxing and love of skipping the tutorials soon runs headfirst into difficulties he has rarely seen before, yet for the rude awakening it’s not a challenge he’s about to turn his nose up at. Even if it takes the help of a few friends and bit of time, Rakurou will beat this game just like all the others.

It’s probably saying something when the first thing catching the eye regarding Shangri-La Frontier isn’t that it’s yet another VRMMORPG flavoured isekai or action focused fantasy, but rather that the protagonist has a bird for a head. Don’t deny, you focused on that too, though to this adaptation’s credit it’s not the true selling feature. Underneath the fluff and rooster memes Shangri-La Frontier is effectively a spin on Full Dive, taking that one’s ridiculous premise and instead pairing it with a more shounen-esque plot that sacrifices comedy for slice-of-life action. Or if you will, the soon-to-be-adapted Solo Leveling if it decided to be SAO. As far as these stories go it’s honestly not that bad, and with cast and crew not being complete unknowns, there’s a good shot of it also not butchering the source material. Don’t expect Shangri-La Frontier to win you over to the virtual game isekai life if already tired of it, but fans of the genre will certainly be right at home once it kicks off this fall season.

Preview by Choya

Tsubasa Oozora (Sanpei Yuuko) is a young soccer fan who has developed an obsession with the sport. His pursuit for the ultimate dream of representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup takes him to Nankatsu City, a town that is well-known for being the developing ground for aspiring young soccer players. Throughout the first season, he had to contend with new rivals and friends as he needed all of his skill and talent in order to compete with the city’s finest players. In this season, the International Junior Youth Tournament is about to go underway in Paris, France. Our main cast must travel overseas to face off against the best the soccer world has to offer. Representatives from Germany, Italy, France, Argentina, and other countries have come to join them as they all remain determined to win glory and fame for their home nations.

The revival of Captain Tsubasa is one of the many David Productions adaptations that bring life to classic manga through a brand new HD 4K lens. Luckily, this classic soccer manga translates very well to the new glossy sheen as it brings the vintage character designs and can-do attitude of its cast to life with aplomb. It hasn’t been a series I’ve kept up with regularly, though it is a welcome addition to the fall season to see that they’ve continued adapting material from this beloved series. Hopefully, it’ll prove to be a fruitful venture for fans of the series when Season 2 arrives with new friends, new rivals, and new challenges.

Preview by Pancakes

The young and thoroughly petite Alyssa (Koga Aoi) only has one goal on her mind: to do witchy things all day every day. That is at least until she stumbles across a human baby during one of her daily outings. Whatever the confusion regarding who, what, and why, Alyssa decides on a whim to take the girl in and raise her. Now 16 years later that baby has grown into Viola (Mizuki Nana), a, shall we say, exceptionally well-proportioned witch and Alyssa’s main partner in crime. And the one who everyone mistakes as Alyssa’s mother. Not at all the life Alyssa had in mind when finding baby Viola, but hey, nothing says daily fun like a bit of inverted expectations – and Alyssa isn’t about to pass up the opportunity.

If Boukensha ni Naritai can be thought of as the wholesome fantasy family adventure this season then Bekoboko Majo no Oyako Jijou is the slapstick comedy partner. If not immediately obvious this one heralds from a 4-koma manga, where quick skits involving ridiculous situations – more often than not revolving around Alyssa’s childish appearance vis a vis Viola – are the name of the game and gags are the running currency. Don’t expect a lot of story or even serious depth for what is on tap (it is a comedy after all), however the parts I read were decently entertaining and did the trick for inducing a laugh or three. The usual caveats of comedy subjectivity and personal preferences apply, but I dare say anyone in need of some laid-back fantasy-fuelled humour will find plenty to enjoy once Dekoboko Majo no Oyako Jijou flies its way into this season.

Preview by Enzo

Original anime are often wild cards (or crapshoots), but Overtake! really amps the level up on that. The main reason it’s here is the interesting staff attached to it. Aoki Ei is directing and Shimura Takako did the character designs. Of course, on then other hand the writer (the most important staff member on an original) is Sekine Ayumi, who has no track record of producing anything really notable.

It’s also sort of interesting to get two auto racing series in one season, when that sub-genre has been largely ignored by anime for a decade. This ones the story of a freelance photographer in a rut whose interest in the sport is rekindled when he meets a genius high school driver. I have a soft spot for this sort of premise because I dearly love Capeta, though the flipside of that is that anything else in this vein gets held to Capeta’s very high standard. Certainly Overtake! is an interesting oddball, one I’d even go so far as to call a sleeper.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Prepare to rev your engines as MF Ghost zooms into the world of high-speed racing. This thrilling anime is based on the manga of the same name, whose manga artist Shuichi Shigeno graced the pages of Initial D which chronicled the legendary world of highway speedsters.

Set in the not-so-distant future, MF Ghost immerses viewers in a world where car races unfold on the very highways we know today with self-driving cars have become commonplace. Amid this high-speed revolution, a global racing phenomenon known as MFG has taken center stage. Participants from all corners of the world race in their top-tier cars, including brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. Among them is Kanata Rivington, a graduate of a British racing school, who returns to Japan with a burning ambition—to conquer the MFG race. Get ready for a turbocharged adventure in MF Ghost, where speed, rivalry, and passion collide on the open road.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Meet Sumisora Tsubasa, our spirited protagonist, freshly employed as an A&R (Artists and Repertoire) newcomer at the prestigious Gandala Music, a behemoth in the music industry. Little did she know, her career’s opening act would involve a twist of fate. The moment she stepped into the company, she found herself thrust into the whirlwind world of idol management, steering the ship for the talented idol unit, “B-PROJECT.”

However, Tsubasa’s initiation into this high-stakes world isn’t all smooth sailing. As a rookie, she encounters a medley of challenges, mishaps, and unexpected incidents. Her responsibilities encompass not one, but three distinct idol groups: “Kitakore,” “THRIVE,” and “MooNs.” Each group brings its unique personalities and quirks to the table, making her job an exhilarating rollercoaster ride. B-PROJECT unfurls the vibrant tale of Tsubasa as she navigates the uncharted waters of the music industry, surrounded by ten remarkable young men, each with their own ambitions and distinct characters.

The anime adaptation follows Tsubasa’s journey in the A&R department of Gandala Music, where she’s entrusted with the oversight of “B-PROJECT.” This idol unit comprises three idol groups: Kitakore, THRIVE, and MooNs. Fresh out of the gate in her career, Tsubasa finds herself entangled in a web of incidents and accidents while managing these charismatic young men, each with their own unique personas.

Preview by Choya

Ron Kamonohashi (Azakami Youhei) is a private investigator with serious issues as a reclusive detective who sank into obscurity moments back. Meanwhile, Totomaru Isshiki (Enoki Junya) wants to solve murders and help the people of his community despite not having the skills suited for his role on the Metropolitan Police Department investigative team. Totomaru is told to seek out Ron for professional advice, but the famed detective is a shell of his former self as he refuses to hear the newbie out. However, that’s not enough to make Ron a complete lost cause as he shows an immediate interest in the latest string of serial murder cases. Perhaps, Ron isn’t as done with the game as we all thought he was as he proves to be a formidable partner to the wide-eyed officer.

It’s hard not to have a soft spot for mystery anime. Taking an ultra-intelligent oddball and having them maneuver around investigations alongside some poor, put-upon assistant makes for some entertaining chemistry. Interestingly enough, this particular story is from Amano Akira, creator of Reborn!, so if you were anticipating what their next story would be, it should be exciting to see what they’ve been up to since then. Otherwise, this is shaping up to be quite the fun detective story considering how peculiar yet dashing the titular Kamonohashi happens to be. Whether he winds up being as enigmatic as he appears will be up to the cards as he makes his grand debut this fall.

Preview by Pancakes

In the near future in a world almost the same as our own, geopolitics is approaching its end. Sabres are rattling, bellicosity is the norm, and everyone is waiting for the hammer to drop. Until people with superpowers started appearing. Banding together for the sake of peace, these veritable superheroes quickly became national icons, cracking down on crime and bringing all manner of evildoer to justice. It’s a world the young Momijiya Teru (Shimoji Shino) winds up a part of, as her superpower effectively makes her Japan’s representative on the superhero stage. Yet it’s not all glitz and glamour for the girl. Nicknamed Shy for her introverted personality, Teru’s first mission on the job is working together with her fellow heroes to defeat a mysterious threat called the Amalareiks threatening world peace. Teru is certainly up for the challenge in spirit, but overcoming shyness and villains both may be something proving more than this teenage prodigy can reasonably handle.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes SHY is definitely emulating My Hero Academia, and no, that’s not a mark against the series. Although ostensibly “comic book” in focus SHY takes a more nuanced approach to the who superhero shtick, effectively taking a genderbent Deku, inverting the personality, and focusing more on inter- and intrapersonal conflict over outright action. Anticipate plenty of introspection and drama here, as working through and coming to grips with various conflicts is heavily emphasized, particularly between the various heroes given the international focus with all the cultural clashing that it concomitantly entails. Oh, and there will be yuri bating – and plenty of it. In short don’t expect SHY to be the female fronted version of My Hero Academia, but if you like more psychological stories with a dash of comic book pulp action definitely keep this one close at hand.

Preview by Choya

Ohashi Rei (Serizawa Yuu) is an ordinary office worker who has the great fortune of waking up in the body of her favorite otome game’s protagonist. As if things couldn’t get any better, she is also greeted by her favorite character in the game, the main antagonist Claire Francois (Nanami Karin). But because the game Revolution has a roster of adoring men to pick from, the original main character is pushed their way due to Claire’s constant bullying. Rei aims to flip the script and fulfill her wildest dream of romancing Claire instead now that she’s the game master. The haughty villainess is quickly overwhelmed by Rei’s endless teasing given that she’s unused to being on the receiving end of affection. Will Rei’s heartfelt feelings come through and captivate Claire? Only time will tell in this whimsical tale of video game courtship.

This feels like such a neat premise for a villainess story. Rather than trying to escape from a horrible fate or have a harem wrapped around your finger, the main character is the heroine who deliberately wishes to romance a befuddled villainess. It not only parodies otome game tropes centered around whisking away standard anime boys from a vengeful villainess, but is the most direct with its lesbian protagonist. The villainess genre has made strides in being a way to have more Girls Love anime produced, but this anime is very straight-forward in who Rei has been pining for. It might not be depicted in the best way considering its comedic tone could prove to be reductive in its depiction of lesbian relationships. It can be annoying to get your hopes up on a yuri that doesn’t commit to its romance or depicts it only in the most reductive of ways. Still, there’ll be a lot of hope riding on Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou’s success when it arrives for the fall season.

Preview by Pancakes

Tanaka Daichi (Namikawa Daichi) is your everyday salaryman. Worked the bone, forced to stay out, and always nervous what the future holds, the poor guy only finds relief and relaxation when he games his pain away in MMORPGs. The latest guilty pleasure for Daichi is One More Free Life Online, the latest in virtual reality MMORPG fun, where through the pseudonym Earth Daichi makes the rounds simply living life. With a suite of skills under his belt everyone else thinks are useless, this guy spends his time crafting potions, cooking food, and hunting the local fauna with ridiculously absurd (yet lovingly handcrafted) weapons. This is the tale of one guy who’s out to simply enjoy the virtual life.

Let’s see, alternate world RPG shenanigans, slice of life antics, and yet another plot and host of characters easily swappable with other genre brethren: indeed we have an isekai on our hands. To Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki’s credit though it’s not really a black mark on its record; for all the genericity these series can still be entertaining, and given this one focuses more on the fluffy and laid back side of alternate world adventuring, it won’t lack for the usual comfy bliss. Although the RPG aspects here are about as deep and enduring as a piece of loose leaf (in case anyone likes logical game systems in their anime), Maho Film isn’t that bad a studio choice for the concept and cast and crew are also equally sufficient, so provided the strengths of the source material are emphasized I do not foresee many problems. It definitely won’t be a show for everyone, but Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki will certainly check the box off any simple, laid back slice of life shenanigans one needs this autumn season.

Preview by Pancakes

At one time Leonis Death Magnus (Inoue Marina) was an unrivaled sorcerer and counted amongst the greatest of the Dark Lords. Yet all of that skill and power couldn’t keep Leonis safe when facing off against the world’s saviours, a climactic battle major enough to force him into cold sleep to stay alive. Now over a millennia later, Leonis finally wakes up, only to find himself staring into the face of a young girl, and to see that his body has regressed into that of a ten-year old boy. Any plans of resuming world domination may have to be put on hold, because if Leonis is to assume his old title, he must first learn how to keep his past and his power hidden from those whose care he now finds himself under.

Oh yes, you aren’t seeing things; I dare say we’ve seen this one before. To say Seiken Gakuin no Makentsukai is formulaic would likely be an understatement, as at its core this one effectively goes all in on its power fantasy leanings, resurrection premise, and battle academy trappings. Magical beings shall be defeated, the harem will grow, and you best be sure Leonis will waste little time in showing why no one in his current world can lay so much as a finger on him. To that end the bits of the light novel I read weren’t terrible given the foundation, but anyone hoping for higher grade of fantasy harem fun like Maou Gakuin (the first season) best check such expectations at the door. After all, always better to be pleasantly surprised than majorly disappointed.

Preview by Choya

In the world of Migi to Dali, those who are unable to have children have a young angel delivered to them through a stork. One particular middle-aged couple was delivered a boy named Hitori, who has the good fortune of being sent to a kind household where the rooms are spacious and the meals are hot. To protect this newfound happiness, however, Hitori must keep his most personal secret to himself. After all, the show is named after Migi (Horie Shun) and Dali (Murase Ayumu). Surely either of them must be Hitori, right? Or could they both be Hitori!? If it happens to be the latter, then they have their work cut out for them as they switch between one another to keep their secret safe.

As a manga from Nami Sano, the creator of Sakamoto desu ga?, there is a ton of promise from Migi to Dali. One common thread I see on the series is that it’s not only very hilarious but has a surprisingly dark side to it as both of the angels are given depth beyond what a standard gag manga would give. There’s a ton of heart and humanity sewn into the mysterious and surreal circumstances of their life as “Hitori”. Because Sano tragically passed away this year, there is also a sense of melancholy when approaching the upcoming adaptation considering that it would also act as a posthumous tribute to the funny, unusual, and beautiful nature of her stories. It should prove to be a captivating tale full of heartfelt interactions and oddball comedy when Migi to Dali sneaks into the fall season.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Step into the electrifying world of Paradox Live THE ANIMATION, a multimedia project that fuses hip-hop with cutting-edge technology to create a mind-bending concert experience. Set in the near future, this captivating story revolves around the mesmerizing artistry of rappers who don accessories infused with a remarkable substance known as Phantom Metal. This metallic marvel, in harmony with the rappers’ own DNA, triggers chemical reactions that manifest illusions intertwined with their emotions during live performances. The result? A groundbreaking form of entertainment that defies the boundaries of reality.

In this not-so-distant future, the Hip-Hop culture witnesses the emergence of “Phantom Live.” Rappers take center stage, wielding accessories infused with “phantometal,” a metal imbued with their own DNA. These ingenious tools allow them to captivate audiences with illusions born from the depths of their emotions. However, beneath the dazzling facade of their performances lies a hidden struggle with “traumatic illusions” as a side effect of their craft.

The story of Paradox Live delves into the lives of four extraordinary groups, each reigning supreme in their respective genres: BAE, The Cat’s Whiskers, cozmez, and Akan Yatsura. Their journey leads them to the enigmatic CLUB PARADOX, a legendary venue where mysterious gatherings unfold. Here, they strive to prove the superiority of their music through intense battles.

Following a catastrophic event that left CLUB PARADOX in ruins and thwarted the final showdown between the victorious group and the legendary duo Buraikan, the club has been resurrected with fresh competition on the horizon. Joining the fray are four new groups: VISTY, AMPRULE, 1Nm8, and Goku Luck, each with their distinct musical styles. As these musical titans clash in a bid for supremacy, Paradox Live THE ANIMATION promises a symphony of rhythm, rivalry, and raw talent that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Prepare to be enchanted by the captivating tale of Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu, where the mundane meets the mystical. Meet Sei Takanashi, a diligent office worker, whose ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn one fateful night. Returning home late, she becomes an unwitting traveler, summoned from her world to the enchanting realm of Salutania. But there’s a twist—this summoning is a one-way trip, leaving Sei with no way to return home.

Unfazed by her predicament, Sei forges her own path in this mystical world. Her aspirations lead her to the Medicinal Flora Research Institute, a renowned institution dedicated to the study of herbs and potions. Here, amidst the realm’s magical wonders, Sei embarks on a journey of discovery and growth – but destiny has more in store for her. As she immerses herself in her newfound passion, Sei crosses paths with the commander of the Third Order of Knights. Little does she know that her innate gifts as a Saint, a legendary figure with extraordinary powers, will continue to shape her destiny in this enchanting realm.

Yet, Sei’s arrival in this world reveals a peculiar twist of fate—she is not alone. Another girl, with brown hair, is summoned alongside her. In a surprising turn of events, the prince chooses the other girl as the designated Saint, leaving Sei to navigate her new reality.

Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu weaves a tale of self-discovery, friendship, and the extraordinary potential that lies within an ordinary soul. Join Sei as she embraces her role as a Saint and embarks on an enchanting journey filled with magic, wonder, and unexpected encounters.

Preview by Pancakes

For one Hanagaki Takemichi (Shin Yuuki) the highlight of his life was middle school, where respect, friends, and even a girlfriend were all his. Now though Takemichi has nothing; he’s just another washed up number mothers warn their sons never to become. Making matters worse is hearing his ex-girlfriend was killed by the local Tokyo Manji gang, an event encouraging the depressed kid to commit suicide by train – only to find himself back 12 years in the past at the moment his life started falling apart. It is this discovery and the subsequent realization he can travel between past and present which convinces Takemichi to settle on a new course of action. Given the opportunity to save his ex-girlfriend’s life from Tokyo Manji, Takemichi will do whatever he can to change the future…and himself.

And the Tokyo Revengers train keeps chugging along. At this stage there isn’t really much to say about this series: you either love it and get a kick out of its setting and thoroughly shounen coloured cast or you hate the idea, the pacing, and, well, the thoroughly shounen coloured cast. The second cour effectively doubled down on the things which make Tokyo Revengers so hotly debated within anime circles, particularly when it comes to Takemichi, and in that regard more of the same should be anticipated for round three. All cast and crew are carrying over, one of the series’ largest arcs is now up for adaptation (alongside some pretty significant twists and turns), and the running length will be, if not back to back 24-25 episodes, at least a split cour. Don’t expect Tenjiku-hen to be changing too many minds when it comes to Tokyo Revengers, but any franchise fan will be right at home once it kicks off this fall season.

Preview by Pancakes

Okino Tetsurou (Chiba Shouya) might be an engineer, but he isn’t any ordinary engineer. Developer of the Bullbuster, a feat of robotic skill and ingenuity, Tetsurou gets the pleasure of having both himself and his creation transferred to a small company called Hato Industries. Unlike Tetsurou Hato Industries isn’t particularly well put together; given excessive work exterminating so-called “vermin”, lacking a sufficient cash flow, and skimping when it comes to materials and personnel whenever possible, it’s a company with a very uncertain future. Such conditions aren’t a major issue for Tetsurou though, as given his immense skills and a desire to make a name for himself, he’s bound to turn around Hato’s fortunes one way or another.

Bullbuster is a funny one at face value, and not just because of the name (admit it, you subconsciously replaced that first u with an a too). This one is a hearkening back to mecha series of old, where slice of life dominated and comedy was the primary focus. You can think of it a bit like a PatlaborPatlabor-Robotics;Notes fusion, where overburdened private industry work team must take big giant robots and push in the faces of monsters; episodic arcs will be likely prevalent, overarching story minimal, and humour remaining front and centre. While the risk of getting another Sakugan admittedly remains high (this one is a similar mixed media project), considering it’s under the production control of Studio Nut with crew involved with both Deca-Dence and Youjo Senki, this is one show easily deserving a bit of wiggle room when it comes to pre-season expectations. And hey, it’s an original mecha series to boot – that alone deserves some attention.

Preview by Choya

Allen (Sugita Tomokazu) is a misanthropic wizard who lives deep within the forest, and is known to be a powerful sorcerer. Known by those around him as the “Demon Lord”, his fearsome reputation is put to the test when he comes across a young girl named Charlotte (Hayami Saori) who has collapsed in the forest. Charlotte has been falsely accused of evil deeds that have annulled her engagement and had her exiled from her country. With Allen’s personal experience of being betrayed by trusted companions, he allows Charlotte to live under his protection at his mansion, helping her learn how to be wicked from the very best. Will she be able to recover her future with the power of all that is naughty, or will her newfound independence allow her to gain personal autonomy over everyone who has ever slighted her?

There is something fascinating about a story where a villain has to teach an apprentice all sorts of trickery. More often than not, the Demon Lord has to contend with their own obstacles, and the people they rope in wind up merely serve to amplify the main character’s strength. But with this show, it looks like much of the plot will be about how Charlotte handles Allen’s teachings now that he’s gung-ho about having her learn about all of the evil tricks that made him a renowned baddie. It’ll be interesting to see how much they’d lean into the villainy of these two when Konyaku Haki sareta Reijou wo Hirotta Ore ga, Ikenai Koto wo Oshiekomu arrives this fall.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to grand stories everyone wants to be the hero or villain, the centre of attention, the saviour – or destroyer – of it all. Except Kagenou Cid (Yamashita Seiichirou). A self-styled megalomaniac, what Cid dreams most of all is to be the mastermind, the puppeteer pulling the strings and getting to enjoy having both good and bad do his exact bidding. Thankfully for Cid he got to realize this dream, being reborn into a world of magic following Truck-kun’s serendipitous visit whereby he was able to set up and recruit for the secretive organization Shadow Garden. There’s just one little problem: the completely fake cult whom Cid imagined up for Shadow Garden to fight against actually exists, and Cid isn’t what you’d call the shrewdest of wannabe masterminds. And now, having inadvertently bloodied the nose of his made up (yet very real) enemy cult, Cid gets to deal with the intrigue and foreboding of Lawless City and its resident vampire. Can ad-libs and overactive imagination keep seeing Shadow Garden prevail? One way or another Cid is guaranteed to find out.

For all that isekai is now the mainstream vanilla of anime ice cream, there’s always a few wonderful chunks of cookie dough goodness if you look, and Eminence in Shadow certainly does the trick. This one was a very entertaining ride over its first run, taking a near-parody premise, leveraging it for all it’s worth alongside Yamashita Seiichirou’s great voice acting, and topping it with some appropriate moments of seriousness. It wasn’t all veritable sunshine and rainbows of course (lack of secondary character development for one limited matters), but as far as comedic isekai go it did everything right and easily proved worthy of a second kick at the anime can. With all cast, crew, and Nexus all back on board don’t expect much to change on the production front, and with some very tasty source material now up for adaptation, don’t anticipate the story to slow down either. Whatever the impression of alternate world adventures these days, if you enjoy comedy or still get a kick out of delivery truck fuelled fantasy, Eminence in Shadow is definitely one show you want to keep on your autumn plate.

Preview by Pancakes

Hi domo: it’s the call phrase everyone knows – or at least anyone who was an avid fan of the first true v-tuber in Kizuna AI. Yet five years have now elapsed since the quirky AI who I totally don’t still have rocking my phone background disappeared from the public eye, all to the disappointment of fans such as Miracle (Hinohara Ayumi). An aspiring v-tuber in her own right, Miracle attends the virtual arts school ADEN Academy, seeking to use its education and reach to further her own career. Miracle’s ultimate goal though? To win the prestigious Lapin d’Or, the pinnacle of v-tuber awards Kizuna AI herself won five consecutive times. It won’t be easy; fierce competition and major demands await all prospective entertainers at ADEN, yet it’s a challenge Miracle relishes. No matter the difficulties ahead, this girl will do what’s needed to help entertain and inspire just like the AI idol who did with her.

V-tubers: at this point every anime fan has heard of them, enough to the degree that it’s kind of surprising it’s taken this long to get a legitimate show utilizing the concept, even if Kizuna no Allele is, well, less than impressive. The first season was very much an acquired taste, mashing vanilla idol shenanigans with some v-tuber sprinkles and providing a measure of measure of competitive school-life for the complementary beverage. It never reached the depths of true made for marketing disaster, but as a display of what makes v-tubing – and for that matter Kizuna AI at one time – so damn popular it certainly was lacking in several spots. The good news at least is all cast and crew are carrying over alongside a story having laid the groundwork for more consequential idol battles, so if this season can capitalize on the previous one’s work there’s good potential to receive something interesting. And who knows, it might be good enough to justify Hololive finally getting that fully fledged anime we all know is coming at some point.

Preview by Pancakes

Back for a third kick at the anime can comes everyone’s favourite anthropomorphized horse racing extravaganza in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. In this world famous horses have the change of being reborn as literal horse girls, cutie pies who, if their racing skills remain up to snuff, get to train at Tracen Academy and continue their climb to the top. While the first season focused on Special Week and her promise to become the best racer possible, and the second on Tokai Teio and her struggle to overcome injury, the third now turns to a new cast of personalities, all still united by one key underlying factor: becoming the best possible horse girl of them all.

No matter how utterly ridiculous Uma Musume is at a glance, one has to admit that it does what it does very well. As an anime tie-in for the game focused multi-media franchise, the first couple of seasons featured top shelf CGDCT antics, tight storytelling, and some very nice animation that proves not all visual marketing has adjoining media sales as the primary objective. Sure, still horses girls doing cute things under the hood (probably one of the reasons it’s still relatively niche in the west), but move past appearances and there’s enjoyment to be had. As far as this season goes not much should be expected to change: Studio Kai returns to produce, all major crew are back in their roles, and there’s a good chunk of new cast set for the same adaptation treatment as the previous two season. Don’t bet on this cour changing any dubious minds, but anyone missing Uma Musume’s equine variety of cute girl school life will be right at home once it comes racing on in this fall season.

Preview by FJ Freeman

In the enchanting world of 1992, where bishoujo games reign supreme, Meiko Uehara, a college student, stumbles upon an unexpected adventure. She innocently takes up a part-time job at a computer store, only to discover its hidden identity as an erotic game developer specializing in bishoujo games. Despite her lack of experience in crafting R-18 illustrations, Meiko’s exceptional artistic talents thrust her into the role of a substitute graphic designer. The challenge is clear: create a successful eroge. With a trusty 16-bit PC as her companion, Meiko embarks on her journey as a creator. Can she rise to the occasion and bring this unique game to life?

Meanwhile, Konoha Akisato, an aspiring illustrator with a deep love for beautiful girls and bishoujo games, toils away at a Bishoujo game production company. However, her dreams of artistic stardom seem distant as the company pivots towards modern social games, leaving Konoha painting the backgrounds of forgettable mob characters. One fateful day, Konoha stumbles upon a classic Bishoujo game from the past, a gift from her local game shop. Transported back to 1992, she finds herself in the golden age of beautiful girl games. Employed at Alcohol Soft, can Konoha summon the creativity to envision, draw, and craft beautiful girls in this bygone era?

16bit Sensation: ANOTHER LAYER is a heartwarming tale of two young women brought together by their unwavering passion for beautiful girls. This upcoming anime is based on a manga concept by Misato Mitsumi, Tatsuki Amazuyu, and Tamiki Wakaki – and from initial appearances, it certainly looks fun!

Preview by Pancakes

For as long as Goro (ura Kazuki) can remember life has been boring. With no self-described hopes and dreams, no caring world, the freshman high schooler spends the days lounging around with his friends. Until he receives a strange text offering him to make a wish. While believing it to be spam, Goro responds with a request to do lascivious things to his crush Honoka (Matsumoto Sara), only to have Honoka the day after demanding he pull down his pants at the local arcade. Of course Goro follows through, but that action reveals the harsh truth: Goro has been selected by the “Great Will” to fulfill his wish, and the only way to do so is become God by literally killing off the other candidates given the same text message. As Goro is about to learn, realizing his wish is about to be the least of his concerns.

Buckle up boys and girls, we have a fun one here. Although precious little information actually exists on KamiErabi (an interview of all things gives more than the official press releases), what we do have is looking pretty tasty. Besides the blatant Mirai Nikki links courtesy of fighting to become God, the plot comes from the mind of Yoko Taro, Sidonia no Kishi’s Hiroyuki Seshita is pulling director duty, and Soul Eater’s own Atsushi Ookobu handles the character design: to call this a chaotically stacked crew with a made for anime story would be a slight understatement. If anything the main hurdle for KamiErabi will be its full 3DCGI production (studio Unend is effectively a Polygon spinoff) but similar to Sidonia no Kishi if the rest of the package overcomes the medium then I do not foresee many problems. We’ll know more once the first few episodes pop, but pedigree alone makes this one show you’ll want to keep an eye on once fall kicks into high gear.

Preview by Pancakes

Everyone knows about vampires. They’re dark, they’re mysterious, and they have an undying love (and need) for the red stuff. But how about a vampire which instead must feed upon souls? You’d think it doesn’t exist, at least until you’ve met Fate Graphite (Oosaka Ryouta). A lowly castle gatekeeper, Fate has been beset by unshakeable hunger since his birth, an ailment which has left him ostracized and belittled. It’s only after he kills a thief sneaking into the castle that he learns the true meaning of that hunger: it’s a craving for souls. Killing the thief causes Fate to consume his soul, and with it take his powers. And the best part? Fate’s hunger is satiated. Nonetheless Fate knows that pain won’t be gone for long, so if there’s one thing to do it’s find and indulge in the next source of nutrition – no matter the consequences.

If there’s one thing anime is good at it’s wringing the absolute most out of any concept, something which Boushoku no Berserk certainly does well. At face value this one is effectively a not-isekai Arifureta, where downtrodden nobody picks up overcharged abilities and learns to love the capabilities (and relationships) they provide. The concept itself is nothing especially egregious – there’s no harem for one and Fate’s soul feeding doesn’t make him stupidly wish fulfillment invincible to others – but Kirito clone syndrome and the later arcs of the story arguably going off the rails definitely raise some doubts about how far this one will ascend beyond the crowd. Nevertheless should the production values at least avoid Arifureta’s 3DCGI love and the source material hacking and slashing be kept to a minimum, there’s nothing stopping Boushoku no Berserk from turning into a decent bit of gritty and edgy autumn fantasy fun.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

I would love it if I could rank this series higher. But the truth is that the first cour was a pretty big step down from the first season for me. The school setting was a clumsy fit for the premise, and overall the sense of wonder and mystery attached to Mahoutsukai no Yome was significantly less in evidence. I’ll certainly watch, hoping that this cour tracks closer to the best couple of episodes from the first.

This is a look forward, not back, so a post-mortem of what went wrong in the first cour is somewhat out of place. And it’s not like it was terrible – it’s just that the original season at Wit set a really high bar. I do think the quicker the series leaves the school behind as the main setting the better chance it has to recapture that magic, but that doesn’t seem terribly likely to happen.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

I remember reading a few chapters of Fujisawa Shizuki’s shoujo about four brothers living alone and rather liking it. But I lost track of it for some reason (maybe the translations dried up) and hadn’t thought about it for some time until the anime was announced. The eldest son works and supports the family, but as I recall it’s the middle-schooler third brother who mostly drives the plot by being impulsive and getting into sticky situations.

Shuka (which doesn’t seem to do all that much lead studio work) has an extremely experienced team in place here, including 63 year-old director Hongou Mitsuru. Given how rare shoujo manga adaptations are these days I always feel as if I want to give them a bit of run, especially with one I have a positive recollection of. The manga is ongoing, and given that it is a shoujo I expect the anime to basically be a commercial for the manga. Still, my vibe is this one will be pretty good.

Preview by Pancakes

Following World War II MacArthur and his reign over postwar Japan may have had all the fanfare, but that government wasn’t the true source of stability. Little known was Allied Command in Japan’s establishment of a covert agency, one whose prime directive was the management of all terrorism and violence within the country. Staffed almost entirely by ninjas, the organization eventually grew into its modern incarnation with over 20,000 members, each handling a variety of domestic and international needs. An organization the high school student Kumogakure Kurou (Ban Taito) happens to be a member of. Normally Kurou would be simply living the teenage life, but with Tokyo experiencing a surge of foreign assassins entering the prefecture, Kurou is about to find himself on the frontline of Japan’s defense.

Typically Under Ninja is the sort of show that I would hesitate to hype to any degree (recent spy-based thrillers haven’t been that successful of late), except for one key aspect: this is a Hanazawa Kengo work. For the uninitiated the guy has some pretty impressive manga series under his belt ranging from the awesome insanity of I Am A Hero to more comedic stuff like Ressentiment, with Under Ninja just happening to be the first seeing an anime adaptation. Main takeaway for this one is to expect a thriller with light comedy elements: the plot gets crazy in a rush, Kengo is not afraid to use and abuse his characters, and twists and turns are plentiful. While production corner cutting and rushing remain prominent concerns (because still ongoing manga), considering this is in the hands of the same crew who handled Dororo I’m at least willing to give some benefit of the doubt. After all, nothing says fun like a thriller which winds up exceeding expectations.

Preview by Pancakes

Although ostensibly ending back in 2021, the shounen train that is Nanatsu no Taizai isn’t over courtesy of its sequel Four Knights of the Apocalypse. Set several years following the final defeat of the Demon King and the disbandment of the Seven Deadly Sins, the story now turns to inheritors of their legacy, in particular one young boy named Percival (Komura Shou). Although not special at a glance, Percival has the unfortunate luck of prophecy declaring him a problem. A serious problem. Supposedly destined to be one of the Four Knights of the Apocalypse, a quartet heralded to bring about the world’s destruction, Percival is immediately targeted by the forces of Camelot for elimination – but offing this kid won’t be so easy. Escaping Camelot’s first attempt on his life, Percival sets out to find the other Knights in order to discern the truth. Friends will be made, enemies will be bested, and if Percival can help it he will ensure things are set right.

It’s honestly not hard feeling some sorrow for what’s become of Nanatsu no Taizai these days. Starting off as fairly solid shounen adaptation back in 2015, things took a major nose dive after Deen replaced A-1 Pictures, animation went the way of online game lag, and story adaptation decisions became anything but a home run. While never sinking to the filler-induced depths of say One Piece or Fairy Tail, Nanatsu no Taizai certainly didn’t make much effort to rise above the crowd, leaving a series arguably best enjoyed through written form than visual splendor. The good news at least is that Four Knights of the Apocalypse is starting fresh. Besides being a proper sequel with new cast, Telecom Animation Film is occupying the production hotseat while shounen veteran Kodaira Maki does director duty alongside Zombieland Saga’s Murakoshi Shigeru as the script and series composition man. Wariness is naturally encouraged given the franchise origins, but considering the staff chops and what the PV looks like this sequel just might be the redemption Nanatsu no Taizai needs and its fans deserve.

Preview by Pancakes

At one time Iwatani Naofumi (Ishikawa Kaito) was just another high schooler doing typical teenage things. Until he and three others found themselves transported to another world. Summoned to be Legendary Heroes, the world’s saviours, the four out of place kids are granted immense power to see their task through, however for Naofumi not all is as it seems. Granted only the measly power of a shield, Naofumi is soon belittled by his fellow heroes and even betrayed by his early confidant and assistant Malty Melromarc looking to benefit her own position. Outcast, despised, and now burning with rage, Naofumi turns towards the path of revenge, enlisting the assistance of demi-human slave Raphtalia (Seto Asami) and the literal birdbrained Filo (Hidaka Rina) along the way. And now, after having exacted revenge and saving some faraway countries along the way, Naofumi once again returns his original mission: saving the world – and maybe a bit more beside.

Shield Hero is arguably one of those isekai series affirming the idea that less is more. While starting out with a fairly fun revenge-based premise and decent story, the second season wound up sacrificing many of its strong points, retreating into the confines of trope-ish ubiquity and production committee corner cutting. Revenge gave way to (stereo)typical adventure, whiplash hot-and-cold harem chemistry became the name of the game, and production values, while nothing incredible to begin with, did no favours in round two when added onto the source material slashing and burning. The fall from grace was quite disappointing to see given how much I enjoyed the first season, and for all I’d like to stay positive with this cour, it’s hard seeing much changing when the same faces are occupying the production and financing seats. Make no mistake, Shield Hero will still be worth a watch for any fan of the series and isekai fanatic in general (it’s certainly no trainwreck), but anyone else hoping this season gives a reason to reconsider this series best keep such expectations thoroughly in check.

Preview by Choya

Goblins. Depending on the kind of media you consume, they could either be the very first enemy you’d see in a game or the antagonists of sleazy, fantasy-themed erotic material. In this particular world, both would be highly accurate as goblins are seen as the weakest enemy you could fight, but also the most underestimated foes. Their status as weaklings makes it all the more horrifying if an unprepared party goes on a goblin hunt without understanding how a goblin could win a fight. This is what fuels the vengeance that the Goblin Slayer (Umehara Yuuichirou) has towards them as the friends and family he’s bonded with have had their lives either ended or forever changed by a goblin attack. Throughout the first season, the Goblin Slayer’s hunts have made him immensely strong, yet looked down upon for climbing up the ranks by religiously grinding against weak goblin hordes. But when the season ends on the Goblin Slayer working with his guild to push back against an all-out goblin attack, the lords of the world take notice of the Goblin Slayer’s feats of strength.

If you know what Goblin Slayer is, you’ll immediately know whether you want more of it or not. For those weary about the show, they know it for being the anime that begins on a drawn out sequence of goblins murdering and committing sex crimes on rookie adventurers to give you incentive to either hate them or unzip your pants. For those who stuck around, they might have more to look forward to as the first season wound up being a bit of a nerdy D&D send-up where the titular character makes some unlikely friends who he joins on lower-stakes excursions and mellow shopping trips. There is still an uncomfortable undercurrent within the show given its interest in emphasizing goblin sex crimes as a potential threat, but to its credit, the cast that manages to stick around is interesting to follow. It is also genuinely nice that the first season ended with everyone unifying to help out the antisocial loner who thought he’d always be hunting goblins alone. Not sure exactly whether this next season will resemble an edgier D&D campaign or questionable high-fantasy hentai, but I can’t imagine those pumped up for Season 02 would be too concerned if it teetered either way when it ventures out this fall.

Preview by Pancakes

The high school experience has not treated Kashima Ryuuto (Hanae Natsuki) well. Although nominally middle of the pack, Ryuuto’s friends managed to coerce him into confessing to the ever-popular Shirakawa Runa (Oonishi Saori) as punishment for losing a game. Except Ryuuto’s anticipated humiliation doesn’t arrive when Runa accepts his confession and agrees to go out with him. Understandably believing it all to be a fluke, Ryuuto gets further surprised as he starts learning about Runa, her quirks, and how underneath wildly different appearances both have an interest that keeps drawing them together. Definitely not the high school romance Ryuuto expected, but it’s not one he’s about to question the results of.

If there’s one thing to say it’s that Our Dating Story proudly wears its influences on its sleeve. At its core this one can be thought of as a Sono Bisque Doll without the cosplay, where middling high schooler picks up a glorified gyaru and turns said pairing in cute romcom material. Will there be drama and misunderstandings? Potentially romantic competition? Oh most definitely, but harem this ain’t and melodrama will be nowhere in sight. Well, mostly. Considering this sort of series is right in studio ENGI’s wheelhouse and series composer Fukuda Hiroko is well-versed in all manner of fluffy romance one shouldn’t anticipate any serious trainwreck, and with plenty of source material to work with there’s little risk of anime original insanity. Romance fans shouldn’t expect any masterpiece miracles on the part of Our Dating Story, but it will easily do the trick if in need of some laidback teenage romance shenanigans.

Preview by Choya

In a world where women dominate the government, the creation and use of weapons is strictly forbidden. However, this does not mean that conflict has been brought to an end. Adversity has only been enhanced now that weapons are a thing of the past. Instead of fists, blades, or bullets determining the strength of one’s resolve, matters of war are settled through words; namely the words in rap music that are damaging through the use of “Hypnosis Microphones”. With intentions unknown, the all-female Party of Words gathered the former members of the now-disbanded legendary rap crew The Dirty Dawg to fight not for territory or war, but for their respective crew’s pride and honor in the greatest rap battle of all time. For the rappers involved, it will take more than just practice to prepare themselves for the Division Rap Battle.

I can’t help but feel bad for being hard on this show when it first came out. At first, I was skeptical about whether it would be dignified to hear polished voice actors rapping or watching a battle of the sexes where rapping is the weapon of choice. But it proved to not only be a guilty pleasure for many but accrued a loyal, dedicated fan base around it. Certainly, it has a level of fun and charm to it that many idol shows have in the sense that music from the show became popular as standalone songs that define key moments in the series as well as sound relatively alright. If HYPNOSIS MIC managed to capture your interest with the first season, I’d imagine a second season was a more than welcome addition to the fall anime line-up.

Preview by Choya

When the unluckiest girl in the world meets the most deceased guy in the world, expect chaos. Fuuko Izumo (Kahara Moe) has had it with all of the misfortune she gathers through “Unluck”, a condition that has brought extremely bad luck to anyone who touched her for the past ten years. She’s inadvertently killed so many people with this ability, including her parents, but the last straw comes when her favorite manga series ends. With nothing else to live for, Fuuko plans to take her life. But as she is ready to jump off of a bridge above train tracks, she is touched by a strange man whom she names Andy (Nakamura Yuuichi) who is hit by an oncoming train. Fuuko is surprised to see the man’s corpse regenerate and come back to life. As it turns out, Andy is an immortal who wishes for death as much as Fuuko yearns for it. But while Fuuko makes the lofty promise that giving him the best death possible, a mysterious organization is set to capitalize on his immortality and her terrible luck.

Now here’s a hot ticket item! UNDEAD UNLUCK is the latest adaptation of a Weekly Shonen Jump series, and a highly regarded one at that. As one of the potential new pillars of Jump, the manga has built up a positive reputation for its well-crafted fights, its fascinating power system, and eccentric tone. There’s even some emotional depth to how its cast develops and interacts with one another. And with how lively and unique the characters in this series are, it’s exciting to hear how the future has plenty in store for them. Top that off with a David Productions seal of approval, and you have a shonen that will have plenty of justice done for its over-the-top action and eccentric characters. If you’re looking for a shonen that only gets better and better as the story continues, then UNDEAD UNLUCK is going to be your best bet for the fall season. Look forward to the anime when it stumbles into all sorts of misfortune this year.

Preview by Pancakes

For as long as humanity can remember magic has been a dominating force. Thanks to witches, beings bestowed with the ability to use magic, humans have achieved miraculous feats, reaching heights no one ever thought possible. At least until now. Thanks to the Gear Expansion, a scientific revolution, magic has become obsolete, and in the Redia Empire especially, some now see magic and witches as a problem needing exterminating. Adonis (Ishikawa Kaito) is one affected by this culling, an apprentice to a witch who found herself caught in the crossfire, and one who’s not satisfied with the current state of affairs. It may take time, it will take plenty of blood, sweat, and tears, but Adonis will ensure his master gets the retribution she rightfully deserves.

Ahh magic, witches, and persecution, truly an anime combination. We’ve had a few series like this to date, whether that be the more conventional Junketsu no Maria or the likes of Shuumatsu no Izetta, and a grouping which Hametsu no Oukoku slots into well. The big separator here will be the nature of the story: Hametsu no Oukoku is fairly bloody and violent with a major focus on vendetta, emphasizing more the pursuit of retribution than finding common ground. Lovey dovey scenes will be present, comedy does exist, but anyone expecting a more nuanced walk in the park best check such expectations at the door. Success for this one will then naturally come down to how much censoring and source material chopping factor in, but considering both Yokohama Animation Lab and director Motonaga Keitarou have plenty of experience with the more ribald side of things, I don’t foresee too many issues on that front. Don’t bet on masterpiece material here, but anyone in need of some gritty edgy fun will be right at home once Hametsu no Oukoku kicks off this autumn.

Preview by Pancakes

Teenage dating is a perilous journey, but on occasion the depths of despair give way to amazing satisfaction as Mukai Naoya (Enoki Junya) discovers. Successfully landing a girlfriend in his childhood friend Saki Saki (Sakura Ayane) after several confessions, Naoya strives, after so many failures, to ensure this relationship survives the test of time. There’s just one problem: Minase Nagisa (Waki Azumi). A girl wholly smitten with Naoya, Nagisa spent several months working up to ask him out, and while Naoya, himself happy with Saki, turns her confession down, Nagisa’s determination leaves a seed of doubt in the guy. Not wanting to displease either girl, Naoya thus decides to do the impossible and date both of them. Openly. With both girls fully aware. How well will a polygamous relationship work in this day and age? Naoya is about to find out.

While harem romance is the common trope for many an anime series/adaptation, Kanojo mo Kanojo is probably one of the first to try and use it in a more, shall we say, realistic light. There’s no innuendos, no subversion, no perpetual blue balling in terms of the cast actually dating, just one guy who decides to have it all and make no excuse for it. Or in short, pure hilarity (both intentional and not) through and through. While the first season was nothing to write home about, the heavy comedy focus and emphasis on over the top did give it some quirky staying power, and with this cour set to do the same – only more so (thanks in part to the material now up to bat) – there’s nothing suggesting a descent into true trainwreck territory. Don’t expect Kanojo mo Kanojo to be a romance miracle, but you definitely need look no further than this one for any chaotic over the top fall romcom requirements.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Prepare for a heartwarming journey down memory lane as Kibou no Chikara ~Otona Pretty Cure ’23~ takes you back to the magical world of Pretty Cure. This enchanting miniseries spin-off offers a nostalgic twist by revisiting the beloved teams from Yes! Pretty Cure 5 and Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash★Star, but this time, they’ve grown up. Aimed at a more mature audience, particularly those who cherished the aforementioned seasons during their youth, Otona Pretty Cure ’23 promises a fresh perspective on familiar faces by following the adventures of Yumehara Nozomi in her adult years and offering fans a glimpse into her life beyond her magical girl days.

Get ready for a delightful blend of nostalgia and fresh adventures in the world of Otona Pretty Cure ’23!

Preview by Pancakes

For Will (Kawase Maki), life is truly strange. Born as a baby to the faces of a skeleton, ghost, and mummy and living within the confines of city ruins, Will gets taught all manner of things, from fighting via the skeleton Gus, magic from Gus the ghost, and finally morality and responsibility courtesy of Mary the mummy. Yet for all Will enjoys life he cannot shake that things are strange, that secrets exist to discover and mysteries to solve. It’s enough to shape Will’s coming of age with his three guardians, where after swearing an oath to a chosen god as part the ritual, he sets out on his own to find out about the world beyond the confines of his childhood home. What Will shall find, however, is that not everything is as it seems – and that an oath sworn, no matter who to, must always be fulfilled.

Saihate no Paladin was a fairly muted affair when it first aired back in late 2021, being a relatively innocuous fantasy tale that, while never really bad, did have its troubles standing out from the crowd. In effect it was a lesser Mushoku Tensei or Fumetsu no Anata e, where an emphasis on adventure-laced discovery and coming of age meshed with immersion focused fantasy and emphasized worldbuilding – i.e. Will learned things, put his learnings into practice, gleaned the consequences of certain actions, and leveraged the work into new meetings and tales. It wasn’t a particularly bad adaptation by any stretch, but production issues and debatable series composition choices (monologic infodumps especially) did affect overall impressions and for series fans in particular leave a muted taste. On the positive side at least is that production is shifting over to OLM, so should the finances match the potential of the production crew involved, there’s a fairly reasonable chance at seeing this sequel one up its original. We’ll have to see how those first few episodes play out, but I for one am going to stay optimistic.

Preview by Choya

Terakomari “Komari” Gandesblood (Kitou Akari) is a vampire who has been living her life as a shut-in for three years until she was randomly appointed as a Commander in the Mulnite Imperial Army. This would seem like a dream come true, but failing upward isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be when her new unit winds up consisting solely of belligerent ruffians who revolt against their superiors at the slightest hint of weakness. Not even Komari’s vampire skills can help her since her refusal to drink blood has reduced her to being treated like the poster child for mediocrity. Will she be able to succeed with the odds stacked against her, or will she come to regret ever leaving her room?

Sometimes, you can easily sniff out a light novel adaptation, and a story about an unlikely vampire commander who isn’t like the other vampires is exactly within that ballpark. That’s not to say it’s a negative thing considering that light novels allow you to sink into the perspective of their protagonists, and Komari appears to have a unique point-of-view as a shut-in who despises drinking blood. It also allows Komari to endure an uphill battle as her limitations as a weaker vampire cause her to have to be creative about how she tackles obstacles that any other vampire could progress past with ease. It might not be bad to sink your teeth into Hikikomari Kyuuketsuki no Monmon if you’re entering the Halloween season without your fix of vampires and the obstacles they face.

Preview by Princess Usagi

What happens when an assassin, a spy, and a mind-reader walk into a room? No, this isn’t the beginning of a joke – but the premise of Spy X Family. With tensions rising between the nations of Ostania and Westalis, Twilight (Eguchi Takuya), a top Westalian secret agent of many faces, is tasked with adopting one face he hasn’t tried on yet: that of a family man, aka Loid Forger. To spy on an important and almost unreachable Ostanian politician, Twilight must connect with him through sending a child to said politician’s son’s school. Normally, it would be difficult to start a family overnight, but with Anya (Tanezaki Azumi), a mind-reading child in need of a home and Yor (Hayami Saori), an assassin for whom married life is a perfect way to stay undercover, Twilight’s assignment becomes reality. While each holds their secret from the other, they grow to learn that caring for a family goes deeper than mere appearances.

The first season was superb, with excellent direction and a classy mid 20th century style throughout. The stellar Wit Studio will continue to partner with Clover Works for the second season. The director Furuhashi Kazuhiro did a stylish job with the first cour, so I would expect the same for the second. If you are a fan of James Bond and espionage, of drama and heartwarming comedy, or you simply want a piece of the well-deserved Spy x Family hype you should put this show at the top of your Fall watchlist!

Preview by Choya

Momose (Nishiyama Koutarou) is a 26-year-old office worker who recently changed jobs after contending with power harassment from his boss. Fearing that he’d wind up in another abusive workplace, he had come to dread meeting with his new boss Shirosaki (Umehara Yuuichirou). To his surprise, Momose finds that Shirosaki is quite the character. His new boss is such a natural airhead that all of Momose’s worries vanish immediately, though this also provides Momose with unique issues as he communicates with Shirosaki. Will Shirosaki’s ditzy personality be enough to lighten up his serious and severe-looking demeanor, or will his airheadedness make him a handful to handle?

This anime has a unique tone that’s interesting to see. Much of the atmosphere is fluffy and optimistic as Shirasaki’s ditsy demeanor winds up being both funny and endearing. On the other hand, there is an undercurrent of tension that comes from all of this because power harassment is a major part of Momose’s worries. Where Momose regularly fears that power harassment will come into play at some point in his job he’s pleasantly surprised when it’s not greeting him at the door of his new job. But from the looks of things, it aims to keep a good head on its shoulders by reveling in the fun, cozy vibes of having a boss who is relatively chill. Look forward to some wacky yet light office hijinks when Atarashii Joushi wa Do Tennen arrives this fall.

Preview by Pancakes

In the far-off future in an alternate universe the world is on the cusp of annihilation. A decade long war in the so-called Shadow Labyrinth against a shadowy foe has left humanity exhausted, with magicians – the only beings capable of defending the world – reduced to the likes of Desir Herrman (Terashima Takuma). Although himself skilled, Desir is no match for the threat, but just as he’s about to meet his end, he finds himself whisked away by an unknown force into the past – and back into his life as a student at Hebrion Academy. Utterly shocking of course, yet also an opportunity Desir quickly grasps the significance of. With a head full of future knowledge and now still-alive friends to guide, this magician will ensure the fate of the world turns out differently than before.

Ahh reincarnation: if the series isn’t predicated on isekai it’s a good bet this theme will be the premise for many a fantasy. Kikansha no Mahou wa Tokubetsu desu is basically an involuntary Maou Gakuin or Shikkakumon no Saikyo Kenja, where Desir gets the benefits of reincarnation without any of the deliberation which usually precedes it. It’s effectively a rote repeat of what we’ve received several times before, but Kikansha no Mahou does have the benefit of having a completed story to work with, a studio in Arvo Animation with a fairly solid track record, and Terashima Takuya once again in a strategic minded fantasy character role – or in other words, all the right pieces for a solid bit of fantasy fun. I’d recommend not hyping things too much, but any fantasy fan would do well keeping Kikansha no Mahou on their fall radar.

Preview by Choya

One otaku’s world comes crashing down when he passes out from consuming a raw pig liver. As he wakes up, he finds out that his meal has transported him to another world where he’ll now have to live his life in a pig’s body. Going by the name “Pig” (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu), he finds himself living with Jess (Kusunoki Tomori), an innocent girl who can read people’s minds. Despite knowing Pig’s boorish thoughts, she accepts him and plans to eat him at some point down the road. But when Jess is in danger, will the otaku be able to save her through his quick thinking and heightened sense of smell?

Some people have their comfort food. While this otaku seems to enjoy raw pork, many other otaku see the isekai genre as good eatin’ as they dig into a comfortably familiar story of aspiring dreamers taking on a second life. Although being reincarnated as a pig is about as harrowing as being reincarnated as a spider, our titular Pig’s adventure doesn’t seem entirely stressful as he’s surrounded by a bevy of endearing adventurers who aim to use his talents to help traverse through their fantasy realm. Whether it may strike your fancy or not all depends on whether isekai are an acquired taste you indulge in. If so, then Buta no Liver wa Kanetsu Shiro should have enough meat and fat to sink your teeth into when it reincarnates into the fall season.

Preview by Pancakes

With one swift stroke of the guillotine blade, Mia (Uesaka Sumire), the selfish and self-absorbed princess of the Tearmoon Empire, is killed – only to suddenly wake up as herself twelve years in the past. Shocking? Sure. Concerning? Most definitely, but it’s also an opportunity for Mia to avoid the bloody fate in her not too distant future. Corrupt provincial governments will be overhauled, borders will be secured, and if Mia, the hater of work, has to dragoon a few loyal servants into doing it for her, she’s not going to complain. Day and night, bit by bit, the Tearmoon Empire will be restored to glory because it’s reigning princess intends on staying alive no matter the consequences.

Ever since the halcyon days of Bakarina villainesses and their rehabilitation (in a sense) have been a running force de jour, something that Tearmoon Empire won’t be breaking the trend of – at least mostly. Besides exchanging isekai for resurrection, this one ironically leans in the direction of Egao no Daika, where ignorant princess learns of the world’s true nature and sets out to make things right. Sure, more comedy focused than anything, but romance certainly isn’t the primary focus. The parts I read at least were pretty damn fun (with a surprisingly solid story), and given Silver Link is heading the production charge alongside rumours of a two cour run it’s a very reasonable assumption expecting this adaptation to not run entirely off the tracks. The first few episodes will tell the tale, but anyone with a taste for comedic fantasy or bratty villainesses would do well to keep an eye on Tearmoon Empire.

Preview by Pancakes

Life hasn’t made itself easy for Tokinoya Shun (Ono Kensho). Although a true gamer at heart, the combined death of Shun’s father and injuring of his sister put his hobby – and aspirations of online glory – on hold for the sake of his remaining family. Helping make ends meet by working part-time for the esports café FOX ONE, Shun thinks his life is finally back on track – all until learning that FOX ONE is deep in debt, his job is at risk, and that things are likely to get a whole lot worse. Yet the situation isn’t all that hopeless. Thanks to the upcoming Xaxerion Championship, a paid tournament for one of Shun’s favourite multiplayer games, both he and his online friends have the chance to keep FOX ONE afloat. It won’t be easy winning and it sure as hell won’t be painless, but Shun will do what he can to keep his life from further running off course.

Online gaming and anime, does any more really need to be said? Between the likes of MMORPG isekais to CGDCT or even pure wish fulfillment a la Quanzhi Gaoshou, we haven’t really been lacking for variety, and in this case Bokura no Ame-iro is admittedly starting in the middle of the crowd. At a glance (the PV isn’t revealing much) this one is a more serious tale, combining whiffs of redemption and overcoming adversity – i.e. the tried and true school club rescue premise – with romance undertones and promises of character struggle. Expect lots of drama, even more personal dilemmas, and the plentiful trappings of digitized competition to bring it all together. Oh and did I mention this is an anime original? Because that definitely factors into things as well. Outside of the very suitable Yamamoto Yasutaka of Mondaiji-tachi fame on director and scriptwriting duty production staff are nothing particularly outstanding and don’t hint to much, but premise and atmosphere arguably are enough to warrant any school life fan giving this one a shot. After all, stranger shows have wound up being seasonal dark horses.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Prepare to embark on a whimsical adventure in Potion-danomi de Ikinobimasu! as we follow the extraordinary journey of Nagase Kaoru, a 22-year-old office lady who undergoes a remarkable transformation. Suddenly finding herself reincarnated in another world, Kaoru is granted a new lease on life by a divine being akin to a god. Her blessings include not only a youthful body but also an astounding ability—to concoct unbelievably powerful potions! In a realm where survival can be perilous, the reincarnated Kaoru must rely on her vast knowledge and the extraordinary gifts bestowed upon her. With her wits and newfound alchemical prowess, she navigates this fantastical world filled with enchanting creatures and magical wonders.

Kaoru Nagase’s journey begins with a twist of fate, as she meets her end due to a dimensional energy rift between worlds. Yet, the God of her world intervenes, preserving her soul and mind, and bestows upon her a new existence in the realm of Reverie, under the jurisdiction of the goddess Celestine. Kaoru’s heart’s desire is for the power to create potent potions and other invaluable skills. Above all, she yearns for the companionship of Celestine herself, a quest to escape the clutches of loneliness in this mesmerizing, magical world. Get ready for a spellbinding tale of friendship, adventure, and alchemical wonder in Potion-danomi de Ikinobimasu!

Preview by FJ Freeman

Get ready for a spectacular journey into the world of dreams, aspirations, and the dazzling allure of the stage in The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Meet a trio of talented young women, each with their unique aspirations: Mirai Kasuga, who yearns to carry forth a dream she has yet to witness; Shizuka Mogami, whose heart throbs with the burning desire to become an idol; and Tsubasa Ibuki, navigating the uncertain path of self-discovery, searching for her true calling.

Their destinies converge at 765 Production, where a new generation of idols gathers to set the theater ablaze with their dreams and talents. In this long-awaited anime adaptation, the stage is set for a dazzling spectacle that promises to bring everyone’s dreams to life.

The IDOLM@STER Million Live! introduces a captivating ensemble of 37 idols, seamlessly blending with the iconic 13 idols of 765 Production. As they share the spotlight, their individual dreams and journeys intertwine, creating a symphony of ambition and camaraderie. With the magic of A-1 Pictures, the same animation studio behind several beloved franchise series, bringing their vision to life, you can expect a visual feast that captures the essence of this captivating world.

Join Mirai, Shizuka, Tsubasa, and a cast of extraordinary idols as they chase their dreams, captivate audiences, and embark on a thrilling adventure where the theater is their canvas, and the spotlight is their destiny. The IDOLM@STER Million Live! invites you to witness the magic of idolhood like never before!

Preview by Pancakes

Aijou Rentarou (Katou Wataru) hasn’t had it easy in love, being rejected one hundred times at the point he becomes a high school freshman. It’s enough to get the kid visiting the local matchmaking shrine in the hopes of having his love life get turned on its head. And turned on its head it does. Before Rentarou appears the local god, and that god promises Rentarou he shall meet one hundred soulmates in high school. Indeed Rentarou does, quickly winding up getting Hanazono Hakari (Hondo Kaede) and Inda Karane (Tomita Miyu) both confessing to him the same day. What Rentarou belatedly discovers, however, is that if he doesn’t date either of them – or any of the remaining 98 soulmates – those girls will die. Thus Rentarou sets off on possibly the biggest challenge of them all: sustaining a harem the likes of which the world has never seen.

I honestly have a hard time not cracking a smile when it comes to 100 Girlfriends, in part because of how ridiculous it is at face value. Pretty much take Kaminomi, replace spirit extraction with literal death, run it through the Gintama strainer, and darling you have yourself a harem romcom. The key of course is the romance: for all the gags and humour 100 Girlfriends does more or less stay within the genre bounds, with drama and misunderstandings the series’ hearty bread and butter. It may replace true harem competition with PUA-esque plate spinning, but don’t expect any lack of hand holding, kissing, or other cute, wholesome, and thoroughly adorable moments. Cast and crew are nothing to write home about, but with plenty of source material to work with (Rentarou is already into the 20s girlfriend-wise) and a half-decent shot of seeing two cours, I’m at least willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. After all, stranger shows have wound up surprising.

Preview by Choya

Umika (Funato Yurie) is a shy girl whose excessive stage fright prevents her from speaking well and discourages her from making friends. Then one day, an alien named Yuu (Fukagawa Seria) transfers into her school and quickly tries to communicate with Umika. But rather than using speech or words, Yuu relies on “Odekopathy”, an ability that allows her to understand the feelings of others when she touches foreheads with another. As this becomes Yuu’s way of getting to know Umika, we find ourselves stumbling into a dazzling coming-of-age story where Yuu helps Umika come out of her shell and confront the hardships she faces in school.

It’s been described as a dazzling coming-of-age story of “yuri” and “space”, though the story appears to be more focused on Umika overcoming her troubles. Through the bonds and connections she has with Yuu, Umika will try to lift the overburdening weight that her stage fright places on her. It’s exciting to see an anime that is more forward about being yuri, so there is plenty of anticipation to be had for the potential it has to be a compelling romance. Whether it lives up to this expectation though will be up to the stars as Hoshikuzu Telepath phones home this season.

Preview by Choya

Haruo Hibiki (Okitsu Kazuyuki) is a former orchestra conductor who was kicked out of the orchestra because of his problematic nature of being childish and unable to control his mean streak. He was given a chance to return, but only on the condition that he become an instructor at the Kawagoe School and lead an all-boys choir to winning first place in the National Boys Choir Competition. Many of the boys in the school such as a former member named Dei Tenshi (Uzawa Shoutarou) are reluctant to be a part of the boys choir, especially Tenshi since he had previously shut himself away from others until Hibiki appeared before him. But when Tenshi’s ordinary everyday life descends into total chaos after he meets Hibiki, will he and the other boys be able to keep up with the strong pressure, passion and ego from their new coach?

The premise and trailer have a really good vibe to it that’s reminiscent of a live action TV drama. The idea of a down-on-his-luck teacher with an attitude problem gathering a reluctant group of students to make the dream work feels like the perfect drama you’d stumble into on streaming platforms. It makes for an intriguing concept that is rife with drama, tension, and the endearing bonds of friendship. Look forward to seeing how Haruo manages to hold this group of rowdy yet aspirational students together as Kawagoe Boys Sing harmonizes this season.

Preview by Pancakes

In another time in another place, the showdown of all time is occurring. The necromancer Corpse God (Sakakihara Yuuki), a being of untold power, is facing off against the legendary hero Calamity Crusher, the one chosen by the Church to bring Corpse God to heel. It’s a battle Corpse God inevitably does not win, and yet it’s one he doesn’t quite lose either, thanks to a hidden trick up his sleeve: reincarnation magic. Flinging himself mind and soul across spacetime, Corpse God winds up awakening in the modern world in the body of teenager (and recently murdered) Shinoyama Polka. Polka is not at all the fallen kinsman Corpse God hoped to land within, but as he starts learning more about this new world and its attachments to his original one, it’s not at all the worst situation he could be in. With newfound friends and a major mystery to solve, the Corpse God is about to find that alternate world life and the pursuit of happiness isn’t all that bad.

The best way to sum up Dead Mount Death Play would probably be peak late 2000s-early 2010s pulp anime. For all the isekai trappings this one very much follows the urban fantasy theme, where dark and deceptive meets meek and innocent to yield a combination that while derivative is hard to deny the fun of. The Corpse God is deadpan comedy in of himself for one, the secondary cast equal measures of insanity and hilarity (heh, SHARK). Is it perfect? Far from it, but given this comes from the mind of Durarara’s Narita Ryohgo and didn’t butcher its source material during the process has me not complaining about the adaptation we got thus far. Considering both Geek Toys and all major players are returning to their respective roles in this season don’t expect much in the way of production values to change, and with the story now at a point where several mysteries are set to come into their own also anticipate quite a bit of conflict and tension compared to the first. I wouldn’t go as far to say Dead Mount Death Play will top the fall charts (especially given the competition), but this one will easily fit the bill for any pulpy fall popcorn entertainment you might be desiring.

Preview by Pancakes

Back for the second half of its maritime adventure, Dr. Stone once again returns to the trials and tribulations of Ishigami Senkuu (Kobayashi Yuusuke) and friends towards restoring civilization. Having discovered the source of petrification lies in South America, the group previously succeeded in creating a ship to cross the Pacific – until a combination of weather, Senkuu’s desire to build their resource base, and a bunch of rowdy inhabitants on a nearby island put a major kink into the plans. Nevertheless the resident mad scientist isn’t daunted: greater challenges have already been overcome, more fearsome threats squashed. It may take a bit more effort (and plenty of brains) to handle the latest the stone world is throwing their way, but Senkuu is not about to give up when the answer to everything is nary an ocean away.

Whatever one’s overall impressions of shounen it’s undoubtably hard to hate on Dr. Stone too much. This series is very enjoyable popcorn entertainment, whether it be the wild cast of bold personalities (I’m an affirmed casual Kouhaku enjoyer) or the focus on scientific principles, knowledge, and application you don’t really find anywhere else or in such a combination. It can admittedly be off-putting at times, particularly the last season where the infodumps grew in size and the pacing accelerated a notch, but for all the warts it does remain a decent bit of anime fun. The one important thing to note is that this season should finish up the New World arc and tease the inevitable sequel follow up (it’s the third of five major arcs), so if you’ve been sticking with Dr. Stone until now and hoping for some tangible answers regarding the series’ biggest mysteries best keep this one on your fall watch list. I wager you won’t be disappointed.

Preview by Princess Usagi

Ancient China- home to great splendor and great destitution. Mao Mao (Yuuki Aoi), an intelligent girl with a love for poisons, is kidnapped from her home in the slummy red-light quarters and plunged into the intrigues of imperial court life where she is coerced into menial servitude. Persevering through the hardship in the hopes of one day being freed, her fortunes turn when she applies her pharmaceutical upbringing to a mysterious case of the imperial children becoming terribly sick. Jinshi (Ootsuka Takeo), a powerful member of the court, takes an interest in her abilities and calls upon Mao Mao’s skills to solve medical related cases.

I am a huge fan of the manga- I adore the characters and their dynamics and backstories they bring with them, along with the historical setting and interesting backdrop of toxicology/medical related mysteries. I am so excited that Kusuriya no Hitorigoto is getting an adaptation and so far it looks good, I’d say, from the previews. An additional perk of the anime is that the music will be done by Kevin Penkin, whose work on the Made in Abyss soundtrack is one of my favorite anime soundtracks.

Preview by Choya

After his ex-girlfriend leaves her toy poodle Singe in his apartment, Miyu Samura (Ono Kensho) is at odds with how to contend with his new intrusive roommate. One day, Miyu meets a dog trainer Shinichiro Niwa (Suzumura Kenichi), and becomes so enamored by his skill that he decides to work at Niwa’s training studio Proud Dog. As Miyu gets closer to Singe, he also starts to see the deeper connection between humans and animals as he meets more families and people who need dog training. Along the way, he also learns from the studio’s dog groomers how connected we are towards our furry, friendly companions.

This year has made it difficult to be a dog person. For every fun anime about having a cat, there’s the ever-present reminder that 2023 gave us an anime about becoming a dog and lusting after your high school crush who owns you. Cue my excitement to see that there are not only no upskirts from the dog’s perspective but there are also adorable poodles and the fluffy-haired guys that look like adorable poodles. Indeed, a slice-of-life story about dog trainers sounds like it’d be an interesting experience considering how it thrives off of the dynamic that all of the training studio staff have with one another as well as how they contend with their customers’ dogs. It’ll be interesting to see what direction the show steers toward when DOG SIGNAL when it goes out on a walk this season.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

It’s a bit tough to know how to categorize Pluto. Is it a series anime or an OVA? I’ve included Netflx anime in the series category many times, but they’re more traditional in length and episode count. Pluto is going to be eight one-hour episodes (or movies, or whatever you want to call them). Whatever you choose to call it, Pluto is a big deal. Anime colossus Maruyama Masao has basically spent the latter part of his career trying to get it made. Maruyama founded three anime studios – Madhouse, Mappa, and M2 – the latter two basically as vehicles to try and adapt this property. He was also an assistant to Tezuka Osamu himself. After two decades of frustration and stagnation, Netflix finally ponied up the dough, and Maruyama – now 82 – saw his passion project come to fruition. If it means that much to a guy like that, it’s something any fan of good anime should take seriously.

Pluto, for the uninitiated, is based on a manga reimagining of Tezuka’s seminal work, Tetsuwan Atom. The reimagining was done by Urasawa Naoki, himself one of the most legendary figures in manga. He recast the story as a murder mystery thriller, with the murder of a beloved robot named Montblanc the event that sets the story in motion. As you would imagine with Urasawa and Tezuka behind it,

Pluto

touches on themes of racism, hate crime, and the biases which color our view of events in our world. It is, in brief, a masterpiece.

With this trio at its core, Pluto’s stature is unquestioned. But in order to finally make this happen, Maruyama had to make some concessions. We don’t know what the budget was like (though Netflix anime are not typically ultra-cheap). Most importantly, for years Maruyama insisted the series needed 39 episodes for a proper adaptation. He got 8 hours – one for each manga volume – which equates roughly to 22 episodes of traditional series anime. Is that enough? I’m worried, and Maruyama’s presence as producer doesn’t totally allay those worries. He did what he had to do to make this happen at long last, and I completely support that – he deserves to see his dream come true. But he’s not a miracle worker.

In baseball we often talk about prospects’ “floor and ceiling”. Floor doesn’t exist in anime as such – if an adaptation is bad enough (Hoshi no Samidare for example) even great source material can be terrible anime. But if we view “floor” in terms of perfectly competent, the floor here is year-end top 5 or so. And if “ceiling” is a great adaptation that maximizes the material (like Tengoku Daimakyou), we’re talking all-time anime top ten. And that’s not hyperbole – Pluto really is that good.