Winter 2013 Preview!

With Christmas and the end of the world (no relation) behind us, 2013 approaches at a breakneck pace, heralding the coming of the winter anime season. 2012 has passed by rapidly, and I for one feel like it was only yesterday that I first started writing for RC! Winter has long been one of the less active seasons for anime; just as the trees are devoid of leaves, the anime charts are… relatively less densely populated. Well that was a terrible analogy, especially when we have 31 previews for you to peruse! This seems to be a season of shorts, and from all manner of genres, from Yamakan’s anime-saving (just kidding!) Senyu., to the weird and wacky gdgd Fairies 2. It’s looking pretty good for adaptations too, with the popular 2channel-birthed fantasy light novel Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, as well as the fantasy romantic comedy Sasami-san@Ganbaranai as handled by SHAFT! On the sequel front, we have a long-awaited continuation in D.C. III ~Da Capo III~ – returning after a whole five years of absence – along with a fourth season of Minami-ke and second seasons of the surprise hit Chihayafuru, the ever hilarious Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, and the singing and dancing sci-fi original AKB0048. As for originals, we could well be in for a treat with KyoAni’s Tamako Market. This winter proved almost as busy as our fall preview, so continuing in last season’s trend, we’ve brought on a whole seven writers to give you a glimpse of what to expect! Have a look around, see if anything catches your fancy, and get fired up!

* This preview will be kept at the top for the next while, so be sure to scroll past it or check the Recent Entries on your right for new posts.

* The season end poll is up in the sidebar.

Spring 2024 Preview

As the winter snow thaws, the spring blossoms bloom. It’s a wonderful season for going outside and smelling the fresh air. But sometimes, rain showers and pollen can throw a wrench in anyone’s appreciation of the great outdoors. Whether you plan to observe spring’s bountiful beauty in person or wish to bask in the comfort of your own home, one thing will always stay the same; there will be a new slate of seasonal anime waiting for you.

For those who want to bask in nature, you’re in luck since Yuru Camp returns for some cozy camping this season. With baseball season around the corner, get ready to be pumped up to root for Boukyaku Battery. Or perhaps you’d like to spend some time inside in the warm, intimate setting of Bartender. Fantasy fans can also look forward to the return of Konosuba and the latest installments of Mushoku Tensei and Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken. Shonen enjoyers are eating well too with Boku no Hero Academia and Kimetsu no Yaiba, side-by-side.

Newer fare like Kaijuu 8-gou and Blue Archive aim to add some extra variety to the mix. Love is also on the menu with Tadaima, Okaeri, and Sasayaku You ni Koi wo Utau as standout selections that won’t fail to thrill. This season also aims to recapture the magic of fond memories with a new Ookami to Koushinryou, Kuroshitsuji’s latest mystery, and Hibike! Euphonium’s triumphant return.

Out of all of the anime this season, which one will be the grand slam that brings the winning team home?

Fall 2023 Preview

You know fall is here when the days grow shorter, the mornings cooler, school starts up, and anime, well, comes on in force. And oh boy is it here in force. As if a sign to show why you never mess with fall anime no fewer than 58 (!) shows populate this season, with everything from tried and true fan favourites to hotly anticipated adaptations and even some very intriguing originals guaranteed to make their mark. If the return of multi-season titans in Dr. STONE, Tokyo Revengers, and SPY x FAMILY aren’t enough to keep the hype train going, continuations to Goblin Slayer, Shield Hero, and Eminence in Shadow should more than do the trick. Need some adrenaline-fuelled pulp action to whet the appetite? Best be sure Dead Mount Death Play’s second half, Yoko Taro’s anime original battle royale KamiErabi, or the fantasy flavoured chaos of Ragna Crimson will more than meet the needs. Like things more on the down low? Give the eagerly awaited Sousou no Frieren a whirl, look into the manhua adaptation fun of Kikansha no Mahou wa Tokubetsu desu, or take a peek at the truly unknown OVERTAKE and Megumi no Daigo: Kyuukoku no Orange. And if that still isn’t enough, there’s always the harem hilarity of Kimi no Koto ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo, the dramatic historical Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, or the always pleasant countryside adventures in Mahoutsukai no Yome to round matters out.

Fall might herald the beginning of winter for many, but when it comes to anime it could easily be a season for the ages. This is Random Curiosity’s Fall 2023 Preview!

Spring 2023 Preview

Welcome to the Spring 2023 anime tournament of tournaments! And oh what a tournament we have for you this time. The bases are loaded with some seriously seasoned veterans like Mix, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Gundam’s Witch from Mercury, and Mahoutsukai no Yome. New and promising players are also here on the team to whet appetites with Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia, Tengoku Daimakyou, and Skip to Loafer – not to mention established Shonen Jump series finally taking to the field like the supernatural sword-fight packed thriller Jigokuraku and Harry Potter meets Boku no Hero Academia, MASHLE. The ace everyone’s eyes should be on this Spring? The fantastic, funny, heartwarming romantic coming of age story of two adorably awkward middle schoolers in Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu (no, this is not a paid advertisement I swear!). Of course, you also need music for the cheer squad (and peanut gallery) and what better options for that than the beautiful melody of violins in Ao no Orchestra and the darker, idol-themed Oshi no Ko. If romance is more your thing though, check out the lovable Tonikaku Kawaii, manga-ka meets match in Otonari ni Ginga, and the melt-your-heart cute grade-schoolers in love comedy Jijou wo Shiranai Tenkousei ga Guigui Kuru.

Which ones will score a home-run? Well, we’ll just have to watch and see! Please give a stadium-shaking cheer for Random Curiosity’s Spring 2023 Preview!

Winter 2023 Preview

Winter, it’s truly here at last. While we’re all concerned with the seasonal festivities and utterly annoying freezing temperatures (or sweltering heat for our friends below the equator!), anime has once again returned for another helping of fun times and entertaining stories. For all winter lacks in last fall’s ridiculous offerings, don’t think we are lacking this time either as both crowd favourites Tokyo Revengers and Vinland Saga return for round two amid continuations of the ever-popular supernatural series Bungou Stray Dogs and dungeon crawler Danmachi. In the mood for fantasy? You’re spoiled rotten with everything from Maou Gakuin’s sequel to the second go of slice-of-life focused Kamitachi and even some shoujo flavoured misting in Sugar Apple Fairy Tale for spice. And the fun doesn’t stop there as Urobutcher fronted Revenger, the eagerly awaited Nier: Automata adaptation, Legend of Heroes original Northern War, and the second bout of perpetual teaser Nagatoro prove. Heck, can even toss in TRIGUN Stampede and sly romcom underdog Kubo-san wa Boku o Yurusanai if in need of a couple stocking stuffers.

Winter often sucks and the lack of daylight hurts, but anime is back to keep things shining and loving life. This is Random Curiosity’s Winter 2023 Preview!

Fall 2022 Preview

Ahh autumn, truly the season of change. As hot snaps and long summer days give way to changing leaves, colder weather, and the always ubiquitous combo of Uggs and pumpkin spice lattes (god help us all) so to do things change in anime. Change for the ridiculously good. This fall is probably the first overloaded and hype-worthy season in a long time, as not only are we getting major heavy hitting sequel heaven with the likes of Spy x Family, Boku no Hero Academia, Golden Kamuy, and BLEACH, but also receiving some hotly anticipated adaptations and originals in Chainsaw Man, Mobile Suit Gundam Suisei no Majo, Urusei Yatsura, and Legend of Mana. Those names alone not tickling the fancy? Then try on Hamefura successor Akuyaku Reijou, comedic isekai Kage no Jitsuryoku ni Naritakute, Chinese historical Koukyuu no Karasu, and foreign-influenced romcom Renai Flops for size. And hey, if you still have time after all that anime (watch out for stomach aches) don’t forget about round two of the adorably annoying Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai, the man as isekai’d sword in Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita, the 90s maid apocalypse in Akiba Maid Sensou, and latest season in the never boring Mob Psycho 100.

The world may be a dark and dreary place right now, but anime this season is certainly here in spades to help us over the hump and keep us enjoying life. This is Random Curiosity’s Fall 2022 Preview!

Summer 2022 Preview

Summer is the season of waves-surfing the water waves, suffering the heat waves, and of course-tuning into new anime on the air waves. This summer we have some sizzling sequels accompanied by several refreshingly cool new series. Wondering which of the many series to cool off in the summer heat with? Look no further – we can help you with that!

One of the biggest sequels to look out for this summer is Made in Abyss as Riko and Reg continue on their perilous and gripping journey. Other popular and well-loved shows returning from “vacation” are Hataraku Maou-sama!!, Love Live! Superstar!! and even the surprise continuation of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e. Likewise for fans of older anime, we have a brand new addition to the Tokyo Mew Mew franchise with Tokyo Mew Mew New and even a new rendering of a classic franchise in the Kamen Rider spin-off Fuuto Tantei. Plus to round things out, the highly anticipated adaptation of Hoshi no Samidare.

But wait, theres more! Can’t get enough soccer with Aoi Ashi? Then try this upcoming soccer series Shoot! Goal to the Future. Missing school during the summer months? Have some cute shogi club romance with Soredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru and comedian club escapades in Teppen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Ah, yes – summer freedom is here at last and with it, Random Curiosity’s Summer 2022 Preview!

Spring 2022 Preview

Ah, spring, when the bone-chilling snow melts into refreshing puddles that feed the budding spring blooms. Similarly, our dashed hopes and exceeded expectations from winter melt into our hopes for a blossoming Spring anime season. Will the anticipated premieres bloom into a beautiful sakura-lined avenue or a putrid bed of carrion flowers? Well, we will have to tune in to see! What I can say is that there are some very promising buds.

Back in fashion for the season are Tiger & Bunny 2, Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari, Kingdom, and Komi-san wa, Komyushou Desu. On the sports field, we have the unique horse-racing anime Gunjou no Fanfare and the anticipated Aoashi. While not a sport (although some may claim it is a game), love is in the air too with the high school romance Kawaii Dake ja Nai Shikimori-san, battle-crossed lovers in Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de, or the hilariously stubborn Shinomiya Kaguya and Shirogane Miyuki in Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai for added (viewing) pleasure. For a heartwarming story of a not-so-usual “family”, check out Spy x Family (which I think may be one of the standouts of the season). Or, for a bit of supernatural mystery, Summertime Render may be just the thing. Sometimes (at least for me), life is about the finer arts and Dance Dance Danseur, a coming of age story about finding one’s own self-expression through the art of ballet, promises just that. Spring really is here at last, and anime isn’t far behind: this is Random Curiosity’s Spring 2022 Preview!

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.

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.