Fall 2021 Preview

I loved autumn as a school kid because signified a return to school, where I could finally see my friends again after one summer apart. Strange child. I know, I know. It’s crazy to think some of these younger school kids have not seen their classmates in person across the better part of two years. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. Some of them have possibly never seen their classmates in person at all! For me, I’d definitely go back to school and talk about all the upcoming anime excitedly with my dearest friends. Like so.

This season Kimetsu no Yaiba is without question the headline grabber as Tanjirou, Nezuko and friends return with one of the best arcs in the Red Light District. The second season of 86 will certainly go from strength to strength as Vladilena and Shinei Nouzen seek to endure through the futility of warfare, the inhumanity of racism, and systematic oppression in one of the most character-driven stories of modern anime. Meanwhile the isekai progenitor Mushoku Tensei picks up from where it leaves off as we set off on a transformative journey of a lifetime, watching Rudeus Greyrat overcome his failings to finally become human through fantastical trials of life and death. I have a feeling people are going to fall in love with Komi-san wa, Komyushou Desu, who is the epitome of shy and precious, as the earnest Tadano-kun yearns after her (Justice for Manbagi!), while Digimon Ghost Game pivots to capitalise on a rising trend in the youkai genre to provide continuity to their recent reboot. It might not be the next Gundam that fans were waiting for, but Kyoukai Senki is the latest mecha offering to come out of Sunrise as critically acclaimed Muv-Luv Alternative finally receives an anime adaptation. Finally, one cannot forget the potential dark horses in Ousama Ranking and Deep Insanity: the Lost Child to watch out for.

The world’s been in a pretty strange place. But as can be seen, at least our regular consignment of seasonal anime is still on the way. Seeing how everything is transient, we may as well enjoy these fleeting moments while they last. Welcome to Random Curiosity’s Fall Preview 2021!

Summer Preview 2021

As the birds and the bees give way to crushing heatwaves (or the fun of winter for those down under), anime too hasn’t forgotten seasonal change. And oh boy what a change it is. If you don’t like isekai you’re going to start as over 10 different alternate world series are up to the plate this summer, with cutesy slice-of-life in Cheat Kusushi no Slow Life meeting otome romcom sequel Otome Game X while slapstick comedy Meikyuu Black Company pairs up with the political science obsessed Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki – and all bow before the eagerly awaited continuation of Tensura and Tensura-like Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu. Rather stay with the real world? Never fear, because we also have the likes of post-secondary romance Bokutachi no Remake, pirate adventure Kaizoku Oujo, the second season of Madoka successor Magia Record, and the onii-sama focused Mahouka spinoff Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei to help quench any thirst. And if that wasn’t enough already, the demonic comedy Jahy-sama wa Kujikenai, the much anticipated fantasy slice-of-life sequel Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S, and new Madhouse original Sonny Boy are here to help keep the palate entertained. It’s a season befitting of these long nights and even longer days and we’re here to tell you all about it! This is RandomC’s Summer 2021 Preview.

Spring Preview 2021

As the spring showers wash away the last of the winter dew, we are once again greeted with a season of bountiful flora, thriving fauna, and new anime. Yes, with the Spring 2021 anime season, we’ve got some massive sequels that you won’t want to toy with. The fifth season of Boku no Hero Academia is showing up while some newer anime from the past couple of years are getting further love with the hotly anticipated sequels for Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu, Mairimashita! Iruma-kun, Zombieland Saga, Megalo Box, Yuukoku no Moriarity, and the final season for the remade Fruits Basket. There are also a few familiar faces that are more than welcome to enter the fray as well, notably a reboot of Shaman King, the rip-roaring Godzilla S.P, and Nintendo DS darling Subarashiki Kono Sekai making its grand debut.

But that’s not all! The fresh faces we’ll get to see this Spring are some of the most anticipated anime of the year. Audiences can expect to feast their eyes on the interstellar swash-buckling of Eden’s Zero, Arctic adventure Fumetsu no Anata e, and revenge tale Tokyo Revengers. If you’re in the mood for romance, the brooding Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou. and slapstick Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy offer unique twists to the genre. Need some laughs to cut the edge off of these difficult times? An adaptation of the beloved teasing manga Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san will also arrive this season with its biting sense of humor. With more than enough anime to satiate any discerning appetite, the Spring season is bound to be a grand-slam for all palettes, and we’re here to tell you all about it! This is Random Curiosity’s Spring 2021 Preview.

Winter Preview 2021

Ahh winter. Snow; festivities; hectic family get togethers: it truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and while global pandemics (and 2020 in general) may be giving the venerable Chevy Chase a run for his money when it comes to overall holiday insanity this year, rest assured that anime is here to help smoothen out any seasonal wrinkles. This season is absolutely jam packed, as culture-defying Shingeki no Kyojin continues its march towards full adaptation, the critically acclaimed isekais Re: Zero and Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken return for their latest sequels, and shounen staples Nanatsu no Taizai and Dr. STONE jump back into the ring with new and eagerly anticipated material. Not to be outdone either are the surprise (and heavily anticipated) appearances by isekai legend Log Horizon and genre defining romcom Horimiya, while Yakusoku no Neverland emerges for its next kick at the horror can. And the fun doesn’t stop there: besides a couple of intriguing anime originals in Back Arrow and Wonder Egg Priority showing up for some spice, fantasy and isekai further reinforce their presence thanks to revenge tale Kaifuku Jutsushi no Yarinaoshi, isekai progenitor Mushoku Tensei, and the spider-gone-isekai Kumo Desu ka, all the while the bodily Hataraku Saibou, wholly healing Non Non Biyori, and anthropomorphic Beastars help round out the showcase. It truly is a season of plenty – and the above is only half of the offering! This is Random Curiosity’s Winter 2021 Preview:

Fall 2020 Preview!

Fall: ‘tis the season of change, and with the birds and the bees now giving way to frost and pumpkin spice lattes, anime too has yet more goodies in store for us once again. While last-minute postponements and unknown air dates remain in abundance (looking at you Shingeki no Kyojin), there’s still plenty on tap to tickle the fancy as you keep those hands warm on your autumn beverage of choice. Besides the incredibly popular and eagerly awaited sequels to DanMachi and Mahouka Koukou to Rettousei, everyone’s favourite Meiji era Golden Kamuy is back for its third season alongside surprise reboots to the psychological horror Higurashi no Naku Koro and anime’s arguable fantasy progenitor in Dragon Quest. Ever-present isekai retains its seasonal presence with the likes of world saving 100-Man no Inochi, the slime studying Kami-tachi Hirowareta Otoko, and Bofuri successor Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, while Jun Maeda’s next original story Kamisama ni Natta Hi and Crunchyroll manhwa adaptation Noblesse help liven the party. And if that wasn’t enough, we also get the next Strike Witches and sports powerhouse Haikyuu seasons, fluffy romcom Tonikaku Kawaii, and some very interesting (if wholly unknown) originals in the Kotobuki-inspired Senyoku no Sigrdrifa and magical girl Assault Lily. The days may be shorter and the nights growing colder, but at least anime is here to help keep us company! This is Random Curiosity’s Fall 2020 Preview:

Summer 2020 Preview!

Summer is usually a hot season for anime (ha ha ha), and this season is no different. There are some big names on them thar lists. What’s different is that some of them, we’ve seen before. And I’m not just talking about sequels. Yes, as long as Corona-chan continues running apace, even our wacky and weird world of anime is affected. Bugger! But fortunately, the studios and their intrepid staff creators have been hard at work delivering as much animated goodness as shutdowns and illnesses allow. Speaking of sequels, we’ve got a few of them this season, including a surprise second season of old school-style shounen Muhyo to Roujii no Mahouritsu Soudan Jimusho 2nd Season, more fire force action in Enen no Shouboutai: Ni no Shou, and second tries at Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan, and Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld 2nd Season (may their airings go better than things usually go for Subaru). There are a few fresh adaptations too, such as this season’s Korean manhwa production The God of High School (get hype), this season’s possible romantic trainwreck in Kanojo, Okarishimasu, and the great snaggletoothed smugening with Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!. There’s also a pleasantly plump roster of originals, such as the big budget glitzy international romp GREAT PRETENDER (leverage that Netflix money yo), the post-apocalytpic survival horror Edo time travel crossover Gibiate, and the mecha one in Deca-Dence. There has never been a better time to stay inside and watch anime. This is Random Curiosity’s Summer 2020 Preview.

Spring 2020 Preview

Springtime: it’s the season of the birds and the bees and the time to enjoy the sunshine conspicuously absent during those long winter months. Except we’re all stuck inside thanks to viral pandemic as hand sanitizer runs off the shelves and the global economy burns; fun times right? Never fear though, because spring also heralds the start of a new batch of anime, and while some heavy hitters were postponed at the last minute (*cries in Re:Zero*), there’s plenty to tide you over while Corona-chan does her thing. Several major fan favourites are making their return, from the likes of Sword Art Online and Shokugeki no Souma to beloved romcom powerhouses Kaguya-sama and Oregairu, and even the second seasons of supernatural comedy Tsugumomo and sci-fi smash hit No Guns Life. New adaptations aren’t neglected either, as the widely popular Korean webtoon Kami no Tou sees its first anime appearance, alongside the acclaimed otome isekai twister Otome Game and mystery thriller Gleipner, while slapstick comedy Jashin-chan resurrects for a surprise sequel. And if that wasn’t enough, P.A. Works returns with adventure-esque Appare-Ranman alongside a new Ghost in the Shell ONA while brand new seasons of Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh help keep those childhood memories alive. The world may be falling apart around us, but at least we have anime to help save the day! This is Random Curiosity’s Spring 2020 Preview.

Winter 2020 Preview!

As the decade comes to a close—a statement I lead with primarily to annoy the pedants among us, who will insist that the decade actually ends on Dec 31, 2020 … Hi, Passerby! (proofreader’s note: I love you, boss)—it’s a time to reflect back on not only the year that has passed, but the entire decade. But not here! Here we focus on the marvellously shiny future, where the anime is fresh and all our problems go away. At least if those problems involve a lack of new anime. So what do we have in store? Several popular franchises are making their returns, including the hot-blooded volleyball action of Haikyuu!!: To the Top, the scientific(?) action of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T, the silliest isekai around in Isekai Quartet 2, and the five sisters love-melee of Go-toubun no Hanayome 2nd Season. There’s even a spin-off of the there’s-nothing-but-frills-and-despair Madoka franchise in Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden. There are a ton of excellent adaptations as well, including the uber-stylish anime-making adventure of Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!, a beautiful stroll through a ruined world in Somali to Mori no Kamisama, a shounen fashion anime in Runway de Waratte, and a dark horse you should pay attention to in Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun. There are even a few originals, such as the anime world’s re-introduction to rugby in number24 and the fascinating sci-fi mystery of ID:INVADED. Let’s ring in the new year with a fresh batch of anime! This is Random Curiosity’s Winter 2020 Preview.

Fall 2019 Preview!

It’s been a crazy year in the real world and we’re headed toward quite an exciting (albeit chaotic) conclusion, depending on your outlook. And what a decade it has been! Times ahead seem uncertain and we must be prepared for a brave, new world, one where I’d encourage all of you to challenge your fates. But in the course of seeking a reprieve from the banalities of daily life, let us dive into the world of anime, which is about to roll over into autumn. NANJA KORYAAA?!? We need to get down to business. Wake up y’all, this is the Random Curiosity Fall 2019 Preview! We will guide you through the good, the bad and the ugly – our destination depending on whichever of these so happen to tickle your fancy.

Summer 2019 Preview!

Summer has arrived! It’s that time of year when the skirts are shorter (disclaimer: the skirts are always short in anime), the temperature is hotter (disclaimer: not if you’re in the southern hemisphere), and the bloggers are outside enjoying the weather and don’t realize THE PREVIEW’S DUE AHH!! Luckily some fan-favorite franchises are exploding, phoenix-like, back into life this season, including the teasing comedy Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2, the dungeon crawling adventure Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka II, and fresh spin-offs of best-selling series in Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator and Lord El-Melloi II Sei no Jikenbo: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note. There are several new adaptations to be hyped about as well, especially the lost-in-space throwback Kanata no Astra, the larger-than-life shounen action Dr.STONE, and the viking epic Vinland Saga. There’s even an original here and there, like the 2D mecha Granbelm. Let’s all usher in the summer months by staying inside and watching anime! Or maybe watching on the porch? As long as anime is happening. This is Random Curiosity’s Summer 2019 Preview.