Preview by Choya

Years after Zero took the United States of Japan by storm, two brothers from Hokkaido known for their undefeated Knightmare mech skills emerge. Roze (Amasaki Kohei) is the plucky strategist known for his sharp intellect and quick thinking. Meanwhile, his brother Ash (Furukawa Makoto) is the athletic type whose physicality makes him undefeated in operations. The two are put through a tailspin when the remnants of Britannian loyalty occupy Japan once again. As the Neo Britannian Empire, Japan is isolated by a massive energy wall that keeps the rest of the world unable to act on the occupation. In response, the UFN government requests Roze and Ash to assist the Black Knights’ Liberation Plan and the resistance group called the Seven Shining Stars to fight back. Not only will they have to face off against Neo Britannia, but also save Sakuya Sumeragi who had been kidnapped by the remnants of the old guard. Can Roze come up with a plan so ingenious that it would make Zero blush?

It’s hard not to admire Code Geass for its unbridled tenacity over the years. The first two seasons with Lelouch had some of the nuttiest scenes aired on television as its bombastic atmosphere turned its strategic mech fights into an action-packed game of chess. Over the years, the lore of Code Geass would expand with the Akito and i>Resurrection films that replicated its predecessors’ theatrics with a new set of characters. Every new installment was always a welcome return to the Black Knights, and Roze’s new journey looks to be no exception. I’m curious to see how Sakuya will be involved in the brothers’ story knowing that she’s one of the original show’s returning characters. It’ll also be exciting to see more of the iconic CLAMP character designs that kept the show’s look expressive and lively. It’ll be cool to see how they adapt the latest installment of Code Geass when it makes its grand entrance this season.

Preview by Enzo

Rising Impact is an early premiere thanks to it being a Netflix Production. The golf boom in anime is officially on, and this one is an adaptation of a long-finished (2002) Weekly Shounen Jump manga by Suzuki Nakaba of Nanatsu no Taizai fame. The story follows a baseball-crazy country boy named Gawain who gets introduced to golf, falls in love with it, and winds up going to Tokyo to pursue the game seriously.

I’m not a huge fan of Nanatsu no Taizai, but Nanba Hitoshi is a very solid director and with Netflix behind it Rising Impact figures to have a decent budget. Before Green Green Greens I don’t think there was another golf manga in WSJ after this one, and it’s probably only because golf wasn’t considered a commercially viable sub-genre that it didn’t get an anime a long time ago. Times have clearly changed in that respect, and I certainly welcome it.

One might ask, given the indisputable bubble golf is experience in animanga, why Green Green Greens – among those that read it almost universally praised – was unable to succeed in Jump. This preview is for a different series, but I do think it’s an interesting question – and points to the particular difficulty series outside the WSJ mainstream in established genres have of surviving.

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.

I don’t think many will disagree when I say SHY wound up being less than expected. Even taking away the clear My Hero Academia inspiration and stripping out the more dramatic, psychological approach to its characters, this show wound up being yet another example of what happens when source material rushing meets the ubiquitous adaptation corner cutting. Animation was streamlined, arcs were sped through, and the character development at the heart of SHY’s story wound up meeting the chopping axe more often than not. It’s not to say the show was inherently bad (I enjoyed it for what it was), but anyone expecting the effective equivalent of My Hero Academia definitely left with a bad taste given how the first season felt like a prolonged introduction. The good news at least is that the show is now moving into more interesting (and consequential) material, so provided production values at least stay the same, I don’t foresee this season doing any worse than the previous. Maybe not enough to convince those turned off the first mind you, but hey you never know; given the starting point here there’s lots of room for pleasant surprises.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to being an adventurer you have to do some training, hit a few monsters, and, you know, engage in the daily regimen of fetch quests. Oh, and do it all while young, because if you miss out on maxing the magical power needed for levelling, well, let’s just say the later years won’t be a walk in the park. At least that’s for any average adventurer not named Rick Gladiator (Satou Takuya). Himself only becoming an adventurer after hitting the mid-life crisis age of thirty, Rick wound up becoming one of the world’s highest ranking adventurers thanks to his time with Orihalcon Fist, the preeminent adventurer party. It’s enough to make Rick all but invincible, which as he’ll learn is a pretty useful talent. Considering the number of competitors out after him, he’ll need all the power he can get.

And so another conventional fantasy series enters the summer races. While I wouldn’t pin Shinmai Ossan Boukensha as being particularly egregious, it very much follows the paint by numbers script of secretly overpowered lead with ridiculous (in the good way) past who meets – and overcomes – a whole host of threats all but walking face first into him. Sure, it does tweak the formula by featuring a true and honest adult MC (not to mention the literally monstrous make-up of his adventuring party), but strip away appearances and the underlying fantasy machinery all functions the same. The good news at least is the source material has over 13 light novel volumes to work with, so provided the pacing is decent and the production values are a step above the usual LN marketing-first adaptation fare I don’t foresee too many issues. Considering how this type of show often turns out we can take that as a win.

Preview by Choya

Takuma Toyonaga Toshiyuki) lives a solitary life as he dedicates a bulk of his life to his work. Because his job as an overworked salaryman leaves him with barely any time to do housekeeping, he acquires a robot Mina-chan Inagaki Konomii) to clean the house and cook on his behalf. At first, Takuma is blessed to have Mina-chan as a housekeeper, but when he jokingly tells her to become his wife, she takes it entirely seriously and pursues a romantic connection with Takuma. Eventually, as Mina-chan devotes more time to getting to know Takuma, his feelings begin to waver and he too starts to take his affection towards Mina-chan seriously.

Science fiction that takes place in a not-too-distant future can be a fascinating look into what kinds of modern innovations could be around the corner. Many people have already created surrogate partners through VR means and can replicate intimacy with virtual tools, but having a robot housekeeper is one of those fantasies that are often explored in fiction. But while those stories take a glimpse at the negative consequences of automated servitude, it’s interesting how this one has its main character try to have a husband/wife dynamic with his robot assistant. It’ll be neat to see how they dive into the agency that Mina-Chan eventually develops through her connection with Takuma when this anime premieres soon.

Preview by Pancakes

The day started normally for high schooler Narita Saneatsu (Uemura Yuuto): head to school, joke with the friends, ogle at the girls. And then night came. In an instant over half the population of his town was dead and Saneatsu, like all other survivors, received a cryptic message through one of his digital screens from the so-called “Emperor”. In it the hidden voice promised to carry out the “Missing Majority” every night where the “Majority Group” of the survivors will die for reasons heretofore unknown. A ludicrous claim on the face, yet a claim backed up by the wave of death already touching the community. Can Saneatsu come to grips with the circumstances and piece together the mystery of his current predicament? For the sake of his life he better hope he can. Quickly.

Thriller are always a coinflip in anime for a myriad of reasons. For every Summertime Render we luck out with comes a Darwin’s Game or Ousama Game (or the sheer insanity of second half Mirai Nikki) showing why campy B-grade is a always taste for a particular palate. At least in Tasuketsu’s case it looks like we’re getting the former. Besides being a true thriller with a proper suspense plot at play, this one originates from a completed six volume manga series, saw a crowdfunded OVA short a few years back, and – most importantly – is already slated for a full two cour run. Tack on a half-decent studio in Satelight with a crew having good genre experience and I dare say things are at minimum looking up. Mind you it’s no guarantee of Tasuketsu not running off the rails entirely (in part because of a dearth of translated source material for reference), but this one will certainly do the trick for anyone in need of some summertime thrill this season.

Preview by Pancakes

War; war never changes. Especially when you’re part of the Demon Lord’s army in the eternal struggle against humankind. For years both races have been locked in life and death combat, with the demon’s side owing much of its success to one Ike (Fukuyama Jun), the commanding magician of the Immortal Brigade. Effectively second only to the Demon Lord herself, Ike has unparalleled powers and capabilities few among demonkind can replicate. And he also has a secret which could see him die. You see Ike is actually a human, a reincarnated salaryman from Japan who through a bit of smarts figured out how to make the best of the situation. He might be able to conquer castles with the snap of a finger, but as the war progresses keeping his true form hidden might prove harder than expected.

As one can guess from the reading the synopsis Maougun Saikyou will not be breaking much in the way of new ground. This is as fairly standard a fantasy isekai as you can get, where the usual swords and magic setting meets ubiquitous races and modern knowledge driving both plot and outcomes. Although Maougun Saikyou leans towards the Genjitsu and Maoyuu Maou Yuusha side more than slice-of-life shenanigans (scheming, politicking, and strategizing and the bread and butter), don’t expect too much in the way of strong narratives or solid writing; this one is very much a light novel series with all the accompanying warts, particularly once certain plot elements and character motivations are revealed. Certainly worth a shot for isekai fans needing a bit more mental bite for the usual alternate world adventures, but I’d hold off any serious expectations until we see what the first few episodes are like.

Preview by Choya

A rural OB-GYN is given a second lease on life as Aqua Hoshino (Ootsuka Takeo), the secret twin of a popular idol. When his mother is slain, he is sent on a revenge quest to infiltrate the entertainment industry, find his new biological father, and kill him. In his pursuit of fame, however, he winds up a bit too successful and not only makes an impressive TV acting debut but also survives a Terrace House clone. His efforts landed him and his girlfriend Kurokawa Akane (Iwami Manaka) in a stage play adaptation of Tokyo Blade. But when Arima Kana (Han Megumi), a former child star who is infatuated with Aqua, is cast in the play, she is positioned as Akane’s rival both on and off stage. With its main actors in a bizarre love triangle and the handiwork of the play’s eccentric staff, will the stage play go on without any hitches? Or will Aqua experience what it was like to be in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark?

Oshi no Ko positioned itself as a story that begged to question what would happen if an ultra-intelligent boy orchestrated careers in the entertainment industry. Fans of the show see it as a subversive take on idol anime as it focuses on the seedier aspects of setting up a career in singing and acting. This particular arc has a positive reputation among manga readers for setting off love triangle drama during the middle of a stage play where powerful people with powerful egos butt heads with one another. Will this production wind up turning a stage play based on a manga into a battlefield to determine which actors and creatives should and shouldn’t be taken seriously for their craft? Will Kana and Akane torpedo the play with their relationship drama? Find out in the latest season when it debuts this Summer.

Preview by Choya

Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou (Usesaka Sumire) is a half-Russian half-Japanese student who is considered to be her school’s idol. Her intelligence, beauty, and elegance have captivated the hearts of her fellow students. But it’s not easy being this gifted since it makes her a very intimidating person to befriend. However, there is one student who happens to have an easier time getting to know her; Masachika Kuze (Amasaki Kouhei). Kuze is a plain boy who is too busy being hyper-fixated on anime and gacha games to be concerned with how he’s perceived. Alisa is outwardly crucial towards Kuze’s lackadaisical demeanor but expresses her sincerest affection for him in Russian since she doesn’t want him to know how she truly feels. Little does she know that Kuze learned Russian from his grandfather’s fascination with the country and its culture, leaving him to pretend he doesn’t understand her for his amusement.

Everybody’s rushin’ to see Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san. Or at least, it would be nice if the anime was that good since it sounds like an interesting concept for a school-life anime. Kuze’s basic understanding of Russian should add some romantic tension to the show as he picks up on the details of Alisa’s more flowery words for him. As they get to know each other, his knowledge helps build a bridge between the two as their relationship eventually becomes more romantic. It should be exciting to see what Tokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san when it arrives for the spring season.

Preview by Enzo

Mizukami Satoshi’s first real anime adaptation continues – and concludes – with Senma Konton-hen. As it turns out the split here was one cour for the first season, two for the second. And if you’re not going to air the whole thing in one block, I guess that was the logical way to do it.

I won’t go into too much plot detail here for obvious reasons. But the first cour was effectively the prologue of Sengoku Youko, and Senma Konton-hen the main story. I like the “World Reform Siblings” arc, but in every possible way, the rest of the series is better. I would say much better in fact, with the next arc (the middle one) the best of the three that will comprise the series as a whole.

It was pretty clear by the end of the first season that we were headed for a shift in protagonist so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to discuss that here. Senya steps into the breach, and his arc is one of the best in the Mizukami catalogue (and that’s a high bar). Many of the characters I would consider among the best in the cast haven’t even been introduced yet, but Senya is the best of the bunch. I’m heartily looking forward to seeing elite Mizukami material brought to the screen in a manner befitting its singular excellence.

Preview by Choya

When the father of high school student Asamura Yuta (Amasaki Kohei) remarries, he doesn’t realize his new step-sister is the school beauty Ayase Saki (Nakashima Yuki). They promise to respect each other’s boundaries as they share a mutual discomfort in relationships knowing what happened to their parents’ past marriages. At first, they could maintain a reasonable, comfortable distance from one another, but as they gradually got accustomed to living together, they wind up being good friends and reliable siblings. But this warmth could potentially reach its boiling point as their familial relationship gets more and more complicated with every new feeling they catch for each other. Will they be able to maintain a stable household as brother and sister, or could they eventually become lovers as they spend more time together?

Step-siblings are a kind of taboo that dudes eat up like hotcakes. Domestic Kanojo has its own built-in notoriety because of how it encapsulates every morbid curiosity someone has had about pursuing this kind of relationship. There is a strong possibility that your favorite anituber will treat this like the new messiah. But while step-sibling romance is often fodder for guilty pleasure junk food anime, this show looks interested in telling a more grounded story. The mentality that Saki and Yuta have with their new setup doesn’t look like it wants to tell a tale of power imbalance or get leery over Saki becoming a step-sister. Hopefully, it’s able to keep a levelheaded mindset over its narrative when it debuts this season.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Welcome to Ramen Akaneko, where the irresistible aroma of delicious ramen wafts through the air, and the charm of its feline staff leaves customers purring with delight. Nestled in a bustling neighborhood, Red Cat Ramen is no ordinary eatery—it’s a whimsical ramen shop established and operated by a team of talented, talking cats, each bringing their unique flair and expertise to the table. At the heart of this enchanting establishment is Tamako Yashiro, a diligent and kind-hearted human woman who works part-time behind the scenes. As the only human among her feline colleagues, Tamako finds herself in the midst of delightful and often hilarious antics that come with working in a cat-run ramen shop.

The team at Red Cat Ramen is led by Bunzo, the head chef whose culinary prowess and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every bowl of ramen is a masterpiece. Ramen Akaneko invites viewers into a world where the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary blurs, creating a heartwarming and entertaining slice-of-life story. Through the day-to-day adventures of Tamako and her feline companions, the series explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and the joy of pursuing one’s passion. Join Tamako, Bunzo, and the feline gang as they navigate the ups and downs of running a bustling ramen shop, serving up not just delicious bowls of ramen but also plenty of laughter and heartwarming moments.

Preview by Pancakes

It’s do or die for the Clays Kingdom. Having experienced an assassination attempt against its Princess Lynneburg, neighbouring powers watch with hungry eyes waiting the right time to finally put the struggling kingdom to rest. And the aspiring adventurer Noor (Hamano Daiki) has absolutely no idea about any of that. Newly arrived in royal capital after over a decade training in the wilderness, all Noor knows how to do is parry swords and dream of being an adventurer. Sure, no one else can quite parry like he can, but it’s well-known adventurers must be jack of all trades and Noor firmly believes he still has much to learn. As he’s about to discover, however, his options won’t be limited to simply learning the trade.

Oh yes boys and girls, it’s another fantasy show. Much as synopsis teases Ore wa Subete wo Parry suru is the latest in quirky fantasy adventurer kitsch, where the dead-simple and equally oblivious MC Noor converts the otherwise “secondary” ability to parry into OP shenanigans, smitten women, and the usual cornucopia of associated plot development. It’s not even a major mark against it – this series knows what it is, makes no excuses for it, and lets the cookie cutter sing. The parts of the light novels I read weren’t especially bad, but it’s definitely going to fall into the seasonal pool of the usual dime-a-dozen suspects so don’t go expecting a masterpiece here. Nevertheless these series can have their charm at times, so if looking for a simple and easy on the eyes bit of fantasy fun this summer certainly consider giving this one a spin.

Preview by Princess Usagi

People never truly die after they leave this world, because their memories and kindnesses live on in the lives of the people they touched. Kasukabe Hayato (Mizunaka Masaaki) experiences this firsthand through his encounters with a group of girls who were deeply impacted by his grandmother while she was alive. Hayato realizes what his grandmother meant to him, and in honor of her, he and the girls strive to keep her café, Familia Café Terrace, alive for customers new and old. In this new season, this lively gang must face down foes who would disrupt the peaceful, happy days at the café. It’s a good thing Hayato has 5 goddesses on his side!

If you enjoyed the first season, I highly suspect the sequel will also be something to look forward to with anticipation. I expect the quality will be consistent between then and now, with the same staff returning for season two. In addition to having worked on this series previously, the director (Kuwabara Satoshi) and writers (Oochi Keiichirou, Morita Mayumi) are old hands at the romance harem genre. They will certainly be in their comfort zone here, and so will you if you are looking for some romance shenanigans!

Preview by Pancakes

Every high-schooler dreams of popularity. From the depths of nerdom to the heights of sports jock central, everyone, whether admitting it or not, yearns to be that focal point of teenage attention – and Kitahama Eiji (Okamoto Nobuhiko) is no different. Thoroughly normal with that synthetic vanilla taste, Eiji suffers in the mass of the crowd, but gets some help in living the dream courtesy of Nanakura Rin (Hayami Saori). A junior in the drama club, Rin sets out to use her acting skills and literally create a harem of loving girls for Eiji to enjoy. Eiji might believe it to ultimately be a game for his sake which also lets Rin practice her acting chops, but under the surface the actress’s affection for him is very real. All Rin can do is hope that he’ll soon see the truth hiding behind the playful mask.

Normally this is where I’d tongue in cheek poke holes in Giji Harem being yet another addition to the ubiquitous romance sub-genre, but it honestly deserves more than that. This one is a pretty fun twist on the usual harem hijinks, with Rin effectively playing all the girls and Eiji sidestepping the usual ignorant lead to love them all except the only one which is real. Although the plot itself is fairly derivative with the usual tropes and character archetypes at play (read: your standard teenage romance), it’s quite sweet and lighthearted at its core from the parts I read, and is definitely far more wholesome than you’d pin one of its kind to be. Added benefit too comes from this being an adaptation of a fully completed manga with some very experienced romance staff on tap, so provided Giji Harem takes its time and doesn’t rush I suspect many a romance fan is in for a treat. Given how some adaptations for this genre fare, it would certainly be a well-deserved feather in the summer season cap.

Preview by Choya

In their second year as roommates, Mao Tsuchiya (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) and Hisashi Ootomo (Uchida Yuuma) make three promises: Mao can’t tell anyone Hisashi is gay and in a relationship, Hisashi can’t see Mao in a romantic light, and they can’t disturb each other’s “personal time”. Problems arise, however, when Mao’s film club wants to cast Hisashi in a lead role for a BL film. Mao is adamant about dissuading Hisashi from accepting due to their first promise, but to his surprise, Hisashi is convinced to take part in the film. When Mao begins to imagine Hisashi as the delinquent who falls for the class president, he becomes overly conscious of his presence. He knows Hisashi is supposed to be a friend, but he cannot keep lying to himself anymore. Not when his feelings toward his roommate may no longer be purely platonic.

Boys Love has had a bit of a mini-renaissance within the past year or so. Ever since Sasaki to Miyano, there’s been a higher frequency in mainstream BL anime such as the addictive work romance Cherry Magic and the domestic slice-of-life Tadaima Okaeri. Along with other prominent shows with male pairings like Buddie Daddies and Atarashii Joushi wa Do Tennen, it’s been nice to see a steadier release for BL anime or anime with mlm pairings in the mainstream. It’s also fun because it’s the first time in a while that I can say Studio Deen has been on a roll. While their recent action anime have a bit of a poor reputation, they’ve been killing it when it comes to shows where they don’t have to animate dragons. Tasogare also has the added spice of being a bit more scandalous than its more wholesome contemporaries. While many recent BL anime have been about couples who find their love on smoother ground, here we have a seemingly straight guy slowly falling for his gay roommate, potentially making their living situation complicated. And because Hisashi is already dating, there’s the added element of Mao growing more interested in him knowing he might be getting close to someone in a relationship. It’ll be interesting to see how far the anime pushes the envelope with its drama and romance when it sets the scene this summer.

Preview by Choya

Hanaoka Makoto (Umeda Shuuichirou) is a charming second-year student whose feminine appearance captivates the attention of a younger bisexual student named Aoi Saki(Sekine Akira). But when Saki confesses to Makoto under the impression that her crush is another girl, Makoto lets her know that he is a boy who cross-dresses and turns her down. Makoto expects her to be appalled, but Saki is instead intrigued and determined to be in Makoto’s good graces. Although she’s rejected, she aims to be the first girl that Makoto falls for. She is joined by Makoto’s childhood friend Taiga Ryuji (Uchida Yuuma) who secretly harbors a crush on his close friend, but can’t find the words to describe his feelings until Saki finds out. With the love and support of Saki and Ryuji, Makoto finds the inner strength to brave his struggles as the expectations placed on him start to conflict with his personal form of expression.

There is plenty to unpack with Senpai wa Otokonoko’s main trio. Makoto’s interest in cross-dressing puts him in a difficult position where his gender expression isn’t given the room or respect it should have outside of school. With his family being regressive over how Makoto should carry himself as a man, Makoto is upset and distressed over having to hide how he wishes to express his gender fluidity. There’s also the emotional tug of war that Saki and Ryuji have with Makoto. On Saki’s end, being accepted as Makoto’s friend and admirer comes with the added pressure of being a girl who’s in love with both Makoto’s girl and guy visage. And while Saki’s sapphic side would be outwardly expressed through this affection, Ryuji is having a difficult time suppressing his budding feelings for Makoto as he hashes over what it means to fall in love with a guy. It’ll be interesting to see how Makoto gains the resolve to live in his truth as he alternates between gaining that confidence through his two friends and checking in on how his heart feels about his two admirers.

Preview by Pancakes

It’s another day in Japan, which means yet another unfortunate case of isekai’d teenagers for the overburdened police to account for. In this instance it’s Mimori Touka (Suzuki Ryouta) and his class, who thanks to a crafty goddess wound up summoned to alternate world central to play the role of heroes. As usual, however, there’s a slight catch which just so happens to impact Touka exclusively: utter lack of power. With absolutely no skill and even weaker talent, Touka craps out at the bottom of the hero ladder, which is enough to anger his summoning goddess and have her cast him into the pits of a dungeon to die. Sadly for said goddess though Touka isn’t exactly powerless. With the right circumstances Touka can be the most overpowered individual alive, and thanks to being banished to veritable hell, he has no better place to start getting some experience.

New season, new isekai: it’s the time-honoured tradition. Much as the synopsis gives away Joutai Ijou Skill is basically of the Arifureta blend, where supposed weakling gets punted into the wilderness and must persevere through some serendipitous powers belatedly discovered. Admittedly this one is leans more towards Tsukimichi in its premise given retribution lies more on the divine than fellow classmates, but plot, story, and the characters all embrace the same tropes and ideas where the edginess is always present and revenge is key. Cast and crew are nothing particularly impressive, but with this still being an ongoing light novel series with over eleven volumes to work with there’s plenty of opportunity for Joutai Ijou Skill to stand out from the crowd – particularly if it can avoid the usual adaptation pitfalls. This certainly won’t be a show for everyone, but any isekai fan wanting some edge for their alternate world plate would do well keeping an eye on Joutai Ijou Skill this summer season.

Preview by Pancakes

Some prefer T&A, others thigh-highs. Flat? Justice. And then there’s the likes of Okumura Masamune (Enoki Junya) who is a firm connoisseur of them all. A thoroughly 2D tainted otaku leading his school’s manga club, Masamune only knows love for the fictional manga girl Lilliel, but soon runs into trouble during the start of the school year when the spunky Amano Ririsa (Maeda Kaori) joins the club. Herself a devotee to all things cosplay, Ririsa manages to convince Masamune to become her photographer, in part because her favourite character happens to be – you guessed it – Lilliel as well. What happens when the 2D meets 3D and gets spiced with a bit of lewd and lasciviousness? Masamune is about to find out the exciting way.

Given the success of Bisque Doll a couple years ago and anime’s general tendency to wring a concept until it’s dry it should probably bear no surprise at seeing 2.5-jigen no Ririsa grace the TV screen. This one is very much in the cosplay zone, taking a fairly unassuming and somewhat dense MC in Masamune, pairing him with a main girl in Ririsa who has no issues with cosplaying the risqué, and fusing the whole thing with a batch of the usual female interest suspects who waste little time in showing why we’re all here – i.e. the quintessential harem experience. With that said however, to 2.5-jigen no Ririsa’s credit it’s not entirely superficial; there is a solid romance plot under the lewd surface, and much like Bisque Doll plays hard to its central theme of cosplay – just now from a photography angle vs. the former’s tailoring spiel. Plus it being confirmed two cours out of the gate is never a bad sign when it comes to adaptation format. In short it certainly won’t be a show for everyone, but if you like your romcoms adventurous and needed something to fill in the gap until Bisque Doll’s sequel, make sure to keep 2.5-jigen no Ririsa on your summer watch list.

Preview by Pancakes

Continuing where it left off in winter 2023 comes the next season for A-1 Pictures’ adaptation of Yoko Taro’s NieR: Automata. The original game focuses on a distant future where invaders have forced humanity to take refuge on the Moon. In an attempt to take back the Earth, The Council of Humanity deploys YoRHA, an elite force of androids tasked with fighting the invaders and their mechanical constructs. 2B (Ishikawa Yui) and 9S (Hanae Natsuki) are the android protagonists of the story and are deployed from the “Bunker,” an orbital base stationed around the Earth. As the conflict between machine and android continues, the two androids meet a deserter named A2, and the three are led down a path that reveals a “long forgotten truth” about the world. Considering where things left off in the first part, it’s a truth few understand the full extent of.

NieR:Automata is probably one of the best example of adaptation divisiveness in recent years. Part of it comes from it being a game adaptation which as a concept misses more often than it hits, another bit from the troubled production seeing two different delays and a finale airing almost six months after the fact. Overall none of the pieces alone were particularly bad, but taken together the package for game fans especially had a very hard time living up to the hype and behemoth expectations flying about – and that’s with Yoko Taro’s anime-original tweaks to the central story. The one positive though is that we are getting this sequel and that it will delve into the part of the story which arguably carries the most emotional, philosophical, and existential weight, so provided the production strategy doesn’t change I expect some improvements this time around. Don’t anticipate a lot of changed opinions if the first season wasn’t your cup of tea, but if there was ever a point to redeem NieR:Automata’s anime showing this would be it.

Preview by Choya

Duke Fleed (Irino Miyu) is the crown prince of a dying planet. He is forced to evacuate Fleed Planet and make way to Earth where he’ll make new friends and reunite with the giant robot heroes he knew on Fleed. But when King Vega and his army descends upon Earth looking for a fight, Duke must take up arms and pilot the stolen Grendizer to defend his new homeworld and the friends he’s made along the way.

A new Go Nagai adaptation will always be given the red carpet treatment in this household. It’s fascinating to read up on the original UFO Robo Grendizer because of how popular it got overseas. As one of the first anime programs to be a major success in both Europe and the Middle East, it struck a chord with many older anime viewers in Italy, France, Lebanon, Kuwait, and other surrounding countries. Additionally, it was one of 5 mecha shows included in the 1980 American TV anthology Force Five, aired regularly on the East Coast, and enjoys a small cult following children who grew up with military families as Force Five was frequently aired on the cable TV feed of US Military installations in Europe. While the contents of the show will definitely be fascinating to explore, it’s a treat to see exactly what kind of cult following and appeal an older show has. It makes the buildup to its premiere exciting given how it brings out many older fans of the show expecting to have a good time revisiting a retro show they treasured.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to the infamous crime-ridden city of Gotham and its lively criminal class, if you cannot beat them you make use of them. This was the modus operandi for ARGUS’s head Amanda Walker (Kujira), who with a little bureaucratic finagling assembled a group of some of the most notorious criminals in Harley Quinn (Nagase Anna), Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark for one reason: to investigate an otherworldly realm accessed via a gate which recently appeared out of thin air. No one knows what to expect on the other side except swords, magic, and pissed off dragons, so it makes it a prime opportunity for the so-called Suicide Squad. Sure, it’s more than likely a one-way trip (not counting explosives implanted to keep the squad on mission), but anything beats lounging around prison everyday, especially in Gotham. After all, dealing with Scarecrow can be insufferable.

I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a superhero enjoyer, but damn if I haven’t been awaiting this one with some eagerness. Japan has had plenty of experience with comic book IPs after all, especially DC (e.g. Batman Ninja), but pairing the universe and its characters with a standard isekai premise means we’re in store for hilarious perfection or glorious trainwreck with no in between. Lending credence to the former though is the nature of this production: not only is WIT handling animation duties, but Umehara Eiji of Vivy and Re:Zero fame is on script, the entire cast is Japanese to start (no simul-dub intentions apparently), and Hololive’s Calliope Mori has the ED all to herself. Tack on a setting which will likely lean more towards Sentouin Hakenshimasu than GATE in terms of atmosphere and banter and darling you’ve got yourself an isekai. The first few episodes are definitely needed to get a grasp on what Suicide Squad ISEKAI will be, but without a doubt any fantasy – or for that matter comic book and action fan – should firmly keep both eyes on this one. When it comes to isekai there’s no heavier hitter this summer.

Preview by Choya

Clay (Senbongi Sayaka) is an expert thief who traverses an uncharted dungeon in search for her missing father. Since she has done the impossible and delved deep into a dungeon packed with traps and monsters, she’s offered a job as the dungeon’s caretaker. As the dungeon’s new master, she is asked to learn how to organize the dungeon to provide a greater challenge to aspiring adventurers. Whether it’s interviewing new monsters and organizing slimes or setting new traps, her continued search for her missing father might have gotten a little easier.

With Dungeon Meshi fresh in people’s minds, there’s a natural curiosity towards a new story about becoming a dungeon master. While the former show dives into the kind of heavy burden that’s placed on being a dungeon keeper, Dungeon no Naka no Hito has a greater interest in telling their story from the dungeon master’s perspective. Rather than needing to keep only the most crucial elements of the dungeon intact, Clay is tasked with micromanaging every small facet of the dungeon as if it were a job. It sounds like a neat premise since it’s interested in giving every element of a dungeon its own reason for existing.

Preview by Pancakes

For one inn worker Nikola (Yano Hinaki) it’s just another day in fantasyland. There’s guests to deal with, rowdy drunks to kick out…and dragons appearing from nowhere, people shifting through walls, and literal upending of the world around her. Yupp, just another day. At least until she meets Haga (Ishikawa Kaito). A self-professed scholar of all things worldly, Hapa is part of a secret society known as Seeker, a collection of individuals out to address the various oddities gracing everyday life. What Nikola doesn’t know though is that their world is a video game, that she’s an NPC, and that Hapa is stuck in it because the game is too damn buggy to even find the logout button. For Nikola especially this chance encounter will be the start of a grand adventure, but even for Hapa there’s change afoot – because if he thought things were strange already he’s seen nothing yet.

It’s hard thinking after all this time that isekai still has narrative depth left to tap into, but series like Kono Sekai wa Fukanzen Sugiru are here to show why that’s still a thing. While fairly conventional and very much in the vein of SAO, Kono Sekai wa Fukanzen Sugiru is a nifty flip on the trapped in a game world premise where the root cause is exhausted game devs leaving bugs aplenty versus edgy mastermind out for a sport of fun. All the struggles and tension here come from Hapa doing his level best to literally debug his way back home: wall clipping, T-posing, and weird animations are the bread and butter, cutesy comedy with a dash of grim body horror the spice. Tack on Nikola being important too given her NPC status being affected by poor coding standards and you can piece together what’s bound to happen. The manga parts I read were a nice bit of comfy fun, so provided this adaptation can match what it has on tap I dare say any isekai fan won’t go wrong seeing what trouble Kono Sekai wa Fukanzen Sugiru stumbles into this summer.

Preview by FJ Freeman

In the heart of modern Japan, where ancient dungeons and mythical creatures lurk just beneath the surface of everyday life, lives Kaito Takagi—a seemingly ordinary high school student who prefers to keep a low profile. By day, Kaito navigates the mundane challenges of school life, quietly admiring his childhood friend, the class’s popular girl, from afar. By night, he delves into hidden dungeons, battling slimes to earn a little extra cash and savor the thrill of exploration. Kaito’s routine takes an extraordinary turn when he encounters a rare golden slime deep within the labyrinthine depths of a dungeon. After an intense battle, he triumphs over the creature and discovers a treasure unlike any he has seen before—a mystical card capable of summoning legendary beings. Intrigued and excited by his newfound power, Kaito uses the card, conjuring a breathtaking warrior maiden with unmatched strength and grace.

With his formidable new ally by his side, Kaito’s life as a dungeon explorer is irrevocably changed. No longer just another faceless adventurer, he finds himself thrust into a series of thrilling battles and high-stakes quests that could reshape his destiny. As he hones his skills and unlocks the secrets of the mythical beings he can now summon, Kaito begins to rise above his ordinary existence, stepping into the role of a true hero. Mob kara Hajimaru Tansaku Eiyuutan is all about that dungeon exploration, the bonds of friendship, and the journey of self-discovery. Join Kaito as he navigates a world filled with ancient mysteries and formidable foes, transforming from a background character into a legendary explorer destined to leave his mark on the world!

Preview by Pancakes

It’s been one hell of a ride, but after 14 years and some 15 different productions, the next continuation of the Monogatari franchise is here again with Off Season and Monster Season. Based on events following the end – or shall we say lead up to the end – of Araragi Koyomi’s (Kamiya Hiroshi) eccentric (and ridiculous) high school life as resident half-vampire, Off Season returns to some of the franchise’s most storied characters and helps flesh out a lot of what happened in the background as Koyomi did his thing. As for Monster Season say hello to true sequel territory as Koyomi, now a proper post-secondary freshman, must now contend with missing students from Naoetsu High School whose discovered remains bear a very distinctive hallmark on their napes. From “filler” to new story, old characters and unfamiliar faces, it’s everything Monogatari back on the TV screen – and you best bet it won’t be the last.

Although Type-Moon’s Fate franchise might lay claim to a ridiculous number of stories and watch order guides, Monogatari easily follows it up for a well-deserved second place victory. This one has been a massive fixture in the anime world for just shy of 15 years now, featuring very strong storytelling, fantastically eccentric and multilayered plots and characters, and a source material author in NisiOisin who doesn’t seem to lack for new and interesting ideas. It’s the anime which (besides Madoka) also effectively gave Shaft its claim to fame, so no shocker for the next Monogatari story up for adaptation that Shaft returns alongside veteran franchise crew in director Shinbou Akiyuki and script lead Ooshima Miku and the usual host of OG cast playing all the fan favourite girls. Sure, this one might be an ONA to the lament of some (and definitely not a suitable starting point for any franchise newbie), but given how solid each release has been to date, I dare say Off & Monster Season will continue giving every Monogatari fan what they want and then some.

Preview by Pancakes

Whether divine or mortal, spoiled brats are a permanent feature for any society, and none is more spoiled and bratty than Sakuna (Oozora Naomi). A disgraced goddess, Sakuna was banished from her celestial home to demon-ridden Hinoe Island with the sole goal of reaffirming her origins by cleansing it. After all, Sakuna is the daughter to gods of war and harvest; she has the strength to meet the challenge, she must only look inside herself to find it. By weathering the elements, fighting back monsters, and helping the local humans through the cultivation of crops, Sakuna can prove her worth and once again join both her parents and relatives back in the heavens above. Might take a bit of time of course, but Sakuna has all the time in the world.

Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin is a very interesting adaptation to receive in anime, and not because of that synopsis. For the unfamiliar this one originates from a widely successful 2D side-scroller, where a funky mix of RPG-focused hack n’ slash meshed with basic farming sim mechanics to breed a fairly unique gaming experience. That mixture alone raises some warning flags given how the usual game adaptations fare in this medium (ask fellow season-mate NieR all about it), but given the narrative RPG rails and slice-of-life atmosphere there is a lot of room for potential provided some imagination is leveraged for the script. Plus any game adaptation which lands P.A. Works for animation and Hanada Jukki on script is already ahead of the game (no pun intended). Honestly anything is possible here, so whether you’re a fan of the game or simply out for some comfy fantasy shenanigans I’d recommend giving Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin a shot. No matter the result it’s bound to wind up surprising.

Preview by Princess Usagi

In the wake of Ashikaga Takauji overturning Kamakura rule, young Houjou Tokiyuki (Yuikawa Asaki), who was set to be next in line for the Kamakura shogunate, must go on the run. Amidst the upheaval, Tokiyuki is taken in by a priest (Nakamura Yuuichi) with a supposed gift of foresight. Using escape as an asset rather than an embarrassment, he and his friends play a high stakes game of tag with the Ashikaga regime to elude death while plotting to snatch back the power that once belonged to the Kamakuras.

This series’ mangaka, Matsui Yuusei, is most well-known for Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, however, in my view, Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi is much better. It’s an interesting idea they work with, turning the idea of the historical figure who ran away, into someone with his own powerful narrative. The tongue in cheek humor often plays upon anachronisms in very clever ways and the narrative itself is a compelling look at both the historical and individual character level. As an avid fan of the manga, I am incredibly excited that it is getting an anime adaptation, and by CloverWorks, who has done some good work on Spy x Family, and most recently, Kuroshitsuji Kishuku Gakkou hen (which has some gorgeous visuals). One of the highlights of this series is the art- Matsui exquisitely draws the characters, especially Tokiyuki and his young companions, so the elegant touch CloverWorks has been doing on Kuroshitsuji would be perfectly suited to pulling off this anime. I am also looking forward to seeing how they will bring Matsui’s bombastic warriors to life. This is an anime you definitely won’t want to miss!

Preview by Choya

Naoe Tomoaki (Ishii Takahide) is a young consultant at a Seitai therapy clinic who is requested to be a dietitian for a new patient. The only caveat is that she is an elf from another world known as Erufuda (Itou Ayasa). She has just about everything you would expect from an otherworldly fantasy elf except for the big belly she gained after discovering french fries on Earth. To her misfortune, her bodacious body is the end result of her new obsession catching up to her. With this in mind, Naoe must create a workout plan and diet for Erufuda to help her lose her newly gained weight and keep it off. But as he assists Erufuda, will he gain even more attention for other mythical girls in need of a dietitian?

You’ll immediately know if you’ll enjoy Elf-san wa Yaserarenai with one glance at the anime’s poster. While it’s rewarding to watch people reach self-improvement goals as they exercise, the story’s main appeal is watching its cast of voluptuous women sweat it out. But as always with fanservice-heavy anime, the question of the hour is whether the animation can do justice to the manga. Everyone manifests the kind of detail you’d expect from Doga Kobo, but there’s more cautious optimism with Elias as a newcomer to TV anime. This is the second anime they’ve produced with their first one being the ONA series Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to shitemita. With this in mind, Elf-san wa Yaserarenai should be able to meet the high expectations to keep the anime engaging, entertaining, and enticing as it works itself into shape this Summer.

Preview by Choya

Once disillusioned by a bitter experience doing deduction activities, Kobato (Umeda Shuuichirou) is determined to be an honest, humble citizen. He is joined by his classmate, Osanai (Youmiya Hina), who aspires to share a normal, peaceful high school debut with him. However, for some reason, mysterious incidents and misfortunes keep coming one after another into their school lives. Will Kobato and Osanai be able to achieve peaceful days as ordinary citizens?

Its unique premise begins to make sense when you see it as an adaptation of a book series from Yonezawa Honobu, the author of Hyouka. Because it shares a similar atmosphere as a calm yet quirky story about mystery-seeking youth, it should help recapture that same spark that made the old KyoAni adaptation irresistible. Considering that it’s also being adapted by the same studio as Undead Girl Murder Farce, it’s safe to say that the story is in very good hands. While I still need to see Hyouka, appreciators of mystery anime and school-life antics would find plenty to work with along with the avid fans of Yonezawa-sensei. It’ll be neat to give it a spin when it makes its debut soon.

Preview by Pancakes

Will Serfort (Amasaki Kouhei) may not remember much about his childhood, but the one thing he recalls is making a promise to a childhood friend. A promise to become a Magia Vander, one the strongest magicians to roam the land and who has the right to sit atop the (in)famous Wizard Tower. There’s just one catch in Will’s quest for the wizardly summit: his utter lack of magical capabilities. Will cannot even cast the simplest of spells, a situation forcing him to continually raid dungeons to collect the course credits necessary at Regarden Magical Academy. And that’s not even the worst of it. Being so magically weak Will is immediately signalled out by students and professors both for harsh treatment with only his physical prowess to fall back on as defense. Can the sword overcome the wand? Whether he likes it or not Will is about to find out.

At a glance Wistoria is going to be everything you love – and hate – about magic academy settings. This one makes no bones about its “commoner” origins, featuring the ubiquitous dignified school, the weak (yet secretly skilled) main character in Will, and the usual array of cookie cutter secondary cast and plot elements typical for the material. While playing more towards Mashle than say Nanatsuma in its action focus (Will’s swordsmanship prowess should be the giveaway), the big thing here will be the characters: Wistoria is a work of Danmachi’s Omori Fujina, which means a good chunk of (melo)drama will accompany all the usual trope-y character antics and developments coming out of them. The good news at least is that there’s over 10 manga volumes to work with Actas of Girls und Panzer fame handling animation, so provided the production values – and adaptation pacing – can at least match what Danmachi offered up before there’s a good chance at getting something interesting here. Probably not enough to be a true summer sleeper hit mind you, but Wistoria will certainly do the trick for any in need of some simple yet solid fantasy-action fun.

Preview by FJ Freeman

In the thrilling continuation of the parent franchise, the brave wizards of Fairy Tail in Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest embark on their most perilous mission yet. Set one year after the climactic battles against Zeref and Acnologia, Natsu Dragneel and his stalwart team set their sights on the legendary 100 Years Quest—a challenge so daunting that no guild has ever completed it. Their journey leads them to the mysterious northern continent of Guiltina, where they uncover the true nature of their mission: to seal away the Five Dragon Gods. These immensely powerful dragons possess strength that rivals even Acnologia’s, and their unchecked might threatens to unleash catastrophic destruction upon the world.

Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Wendy, and their faithful companions must confront these formidable beings, drawing upon their indomitable spirit and unbreakable bonds to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. As they delve deeper into this treacherous quest, the team faces not only the monstrous power of the Dragon Gods but also the cunning machinations of a new adversary. Fairy Tail welcomes a new member, Touka, whose charming exterior hides a dark secret. Possessed by a malevolent witch with ambitions to usurp the dragons’ power for her own sinister purposes, Touka’s true nature gradually comes to light, adding another layer of danger and complexity to their mission. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the Fairy Tail wizards must muster every ounce of their strength, courage, and camaraderie to seal away the Dragon Gods and thwart the witch’s nefarious plans. Along the way, they discover new allies, confront old foes, and face trials that test their resolve like never before.

Preview by Pancakes

Deep within the wilderness lies a particular tower granting the desires of any who reach its top. Yet not anyone can ascend its heights; only those chosen, so-called “Regulars” are permitted the chance. At least until Bam (Ichikawa Taichi) comes along. A boy only knowing the dreary confines of caves, Bam is miraculously granted the ability to climb the tower after desperately attempting to follow his friend Rachael (Hayami Saori), a Regular, into it. Bam is no Regular, yet the tower opened for him just the same, and it’s an occasion not lost on all those who witness it. Such “Irregulars” have graced the tower before, but Bam will prove to be one of the few to have the greatest impact on it of them all. And now, having found the truth about friends and tower both, Bam is determined to finally get the answers to all his remaining questions.

If there ever was a series highlighting both the good and bad about Western-backed anime productions Tower of God would be it. While an adaptation of an incredibly popular manhwa series with notable international following – and Crunchyroll’s first foray into true committee work – it also fully embraced the concept of pedal to the metal, with rushing, chopping, and a whole host of associated production issues (hello middling animation) gracing the final product. The result wasn’t especially terrible, but much like game adaptations wound up being the sort of thing series fans could get more out of by nature of the result. The concern with this sequel too is much the same; studio and crew have changed (except for Kevin Penkin, he’s still rocking the soundtrack), but there’s a hell of lot “downtime” chapters to adapt before getting to the good stuff and absolutely no guarantee of receiving two cours as recompense. In short, whether series fan or anime-only viewer, keep any and all expectations in check until we learn and see more – better to be pleasantly surprised than majorly disappointed.

Preview by FJ Freeman

Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin-hen transports fans back into the thrilling universe of Kinnikuman, where the extraordinary adventures of Prince Kinnikuman continue to unfold with heart-pounding intensity and unrivaled heroism.

Prince Kinnikuman, originally deemed a useless Chojin by the inhabitants of Earth, hailed from Kinnikusei, a planet situated at the far reaches of the universe. Mocked and underestimated, his fortunes changed when he stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity to participate in the Chojin World Cup, a prestigious tournament designed to crown the world’s mightiest Chojin. Against all odds and through sheer determination, Kinnikuman clinched the championship, not once, but twice in consecutive years. His miraculous victories catapulted him to fame, transforming him into a beacon of hope and a central figure among the Seigi Chojin—warriors dedicated to safeguarding the universe through the power of friendship.

With trusted allies like Terryman and Robin Mask by his side, Kinnikuman’s valor and camaraderie were recognized universally. His crowning achievement came with his triumph in the “Survival Match for the Kinnikusei Throne,” a grueling final test that solidified his legacy and earned him the title of the 58th Great King of Kinnikusei. Returning to his home planet, Kinnikuman embraced a new chapter of life, marrying and bidding farewell to eight years of relentless battles. As peace reigned across the cosmos for about a year and a half, the tranquility was abruptly threatened by an unforeseen peril. The universe, once secure under the watchful eyes of Kinnikuman and his friends, now faces a resurgence of chaos that calls for the return of its greatest hero.

Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin-hen delves into this new era of challenges, exploring Kinnikuman’s journey from an underestimated outcast to a celebrated champion and revered king. With his indomitable spirit and the unwavering support of his loyal friends, Kinnikuman must once again rise to defend the peace of the universe, proving that true strength lies not just in power, but in the bonds forged through trust, loyalty, and friendship.

Preview by Choya

None of these people know that Torako (Fujita Saki) was an undesirable child. Instead of the fearsome delinquent, all of Torako’s classmates know her as a model student. That is… until Nokotan (Han Megumi) appears! Nokotan transfer student with suspiciously deer-like features like antlers and a heightened sense of smell. To Torako’s misfortune, Nokotan can also sniff out Torako’s secret past, making it a real nuisance when the doe-eyed girl wreaks chaos across the city. Nokotan’s eccentricities drive Torako up the wall as she’s got too many questions that she’d like answered from the deer girl. But if Torako could ever wish to have any of these questions answered, she’ll just have to follow Nokotan around to find out.

This has been celebrated recently as a nostalgic return to the kind of gag comedy anime that made the late 2000s and early 2010s a wonderful time to be alive. A high-concept school comedy that’s wacky and hilarious sounds like a dream too good to be true. But it is, and it’s right around the corner. Out of fear of giving it too many high expectations, it’ll still be a show you’d be more interested in if new comedies are your jam. Comedy can be subjective, and I’ve learned the hard way that oddball comedies don’t always have the most traction when it comes to gaining a wider audience. Still, I’m hoping Nokotan will be able to capture some positive attention and notoriety when it bucks its way into the Summer seasons.

Preview by Choya

Yuki Tanaka (Sakura Ayane) is a 20-year-old former wage slave who now works at one of Japan’s top VTuber companies, Live-On. She plays a gorgeous, polite Awayuki Kokorone who leans on wholesome content. Unfortunately, her content hasn’t reached a wider audience, causing her subscriber count and savings to be at an all-time low. One evening, Yuki celebrates another stream done and dusted by cracking open some cold ones and adding her own crude commentary to footage from Live-On’s video archives. The only problem is Yuki forgot to turn off her stream! Yuki assumes that she’s getting the boot for going viral for the wrong reasons, but her manager reveals that Live-On loved the theatrics, and considered it the side of her they’ve been waiting to see. Now free of all feigned purity, Yuki is welcomed into the fold by her fellow Live-On VTubers as a rowdy drunk character. For the first time, she’s actually having fun with streaming now that she can mingle with equally crazy personalities.

VTubing is a funny thing. Because I started VTubing last year, I had a pretty early education on what the difference between indie and corporate streaming would be. It’s fascinating since, as time goes on, VTubing has become part of the anime community as an element of fandom, and part of that fandom involves treating VTubers like idols. With that also comes companies that treat (and mistreat) VTubers based on their status as idols to their viewers. It’s pretty hilarious that the show focuses on a quieter streamer having to become crass to join a team of highly successful yet equally crass streamers considering how much of a debate there is between being “seiso” (or wholesome) and being lewd. Most VTubers, big or not, walk that tightrope regularly since streaming is a live performance, but for Yuki, it’s a larger conflict that winds up painting how she’s perceived by her fans and handlers. I am curious if it’ll dab into corporate mistreatment given how they might be making Yuki an alcoholic to keep her job, but I’d be shocked if it goes far enough to talk about the kinds of schemes that made Nijisanji notorious. It’ll be neat to see how this anime adapts and portrays VTubing when it goes live this season.

Preview by Choya

Why do you want to cheer for others? Where does the joy of cheering come from? These are questions that bring six girls with a wide array of hobbies and personalities together. Although they have their own unique concerns and dreams, they all mutually share the same pure desire to uplift the world with their spirited cheerleading. Will these six girls from Gumna have the capacity to change the world through pure, unbridled cheer?

Cheerleading is a sport in itself with the amount of effort, agility, and spirit it requires to capture the excitement of an adoring crowd. Na Nare Hana Nare aims to invite us into the lives of the girls who make the magic happen as they train, improve their craft, and begin to understand one another. Every girl brings their personal experiences and journeys to the table as they mingle with one another and have a better idea of how they can synergize together. It should be interesting to see how cheerleading translates as a subject for anime as it lifts your spirit this Summer.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to isekai there’s two main culprits: Truck-kun or overwork. In Dahlia Rossetti’s () case it was the latter. Dying from black company hell, the girl was reborn into a world where magic permeates everything, including her new job as a magical toolmaker. Although incredibly skilled and passionate enough to be made an apprentice, the one-two punch of Dahlia’s master’s (and father’s death) and her fiancée’s admission the day before their wedding of loving someone else does a number on her. Nevertheless it’s not enough to fully sink the girl. In the face of shock Dahlia vows to be her own woman and devote herself to her toolmaking craft. It might not be easy, there will be challenges, but hey, living the dream is always better than wallowing in self-pity.

Another day, another season, another slice-of-life isekai. Much like its many fellow genre-mates Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai won’t be breaking too far from the mould, with hobby-based premise meeting spunky independent lead and lots of warm and fuzzy. While there’s some variance here with Dahlia’s more commoner origins, the backstory involving the ex-fiancée, and some good character chemistry, the parts I read remained firmly within the slice-of-life vein (not to mention liking its technical infodumps). Couple it with a fairly middling production crew and a likely single cour run and I wouldn’t go in expecting any major surprises. Well, outside the supposed North Korean animators being involved, but that’s a whole other discussion! In short don’t anticipate a lot, but Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai will certainly do the trick if needing a bit of laid back summer isekai fun.

Preview by FJ Freeman

In the enchanting world of Isekai Yururi Kikou: Kosodateshinagara Boukensha Shimasu, ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when Kayano Takumi encounters a god who prostrates before him, apologizing profusely for a fatal mistake. Takumi learns that he has been accidentally killed and, due to another blunder, cannot be reborn in his original world. However, the god offers him a new life in a different realm, but this well-intentioned gesture goes awry once again, landing Takumi in a perilous forest teeming with danger. Stranded in this unfamiliar and treacherous environment, Takumi’s survival instincts kick in. Amidst the threats of the wild, he stumbles upon a heartwarming surprise: a pair of young, abandoned children. Driven by a newfound sense of purpose, Takumi resolves to protect and care for the innocent duo, embarking on an adventure unlike any he could have imagined.

As Takumi navigates this fantastical world, he takes on the role of both guardian and adventurer, balancing the challenges of raising children with the perils of exploring a new and unpredictable land. Together, they encounter magical creatures, forge new friendships, and uncover the secrets of their surroundings. Join Takumi and his newfound family as they traverse a wondrous world, overcoming obstacles and finding happiness in the most unlikely of places!

Preview by Choya

The video-sharing platform NewTube has made it all the easier to send your recorded thoughts into the aether. Masa (Hasegawa Ikumi) and Ribu (Fairouz Ai) are two content creators who fall under the NewTuber label for posting their videos on the site. As they get further into their ventures, they come to realize that the biggest struggle as a content creator is keeping things both consistent and fresh. The two walk a path of blood as they take part in several chaotic, outrageous, and unrealistic activities in their mad dash for clout and recognition. They might fail and they might be cringe, but because they’ve killed the part that cringes, their silly adventures should prove to be endearing as Mayonaka Punch is uploaded to your platform of choice.

From the looks of it, Mayonaka Punch appears to be a passion project built around the optimism of video-sharing sites as a new form of social interaction and an outlet for creativity. When you have a cast that finds new outrageous and absurd ways to capture their latest video, it tells a tale of how showmanship can be channeled into fostering an online presence. The power of cringe can be otherworldly at times, so seeing these vibrant characters hyped up and ready to film themselves fail would bring out the kind of chaos and joy you can expect from anime. It’ll be neat to see how the anime pulls off its exploration of new media s Mayonaka Punch tries to break the internet this season.

Preview by Choya

Editor’s Note: Revealed to be a short after preview was written.

Shun “Mira” MilleR (Ono Yuuki) leads an evil organization with the intent of dominating Earth and destroying all who stand in his way. His onslaught is relentless until a magical girl named Byakuya “Glass Happiness” Mimori (Nakahara Maii) stands up to him and picks a fight with the fearsome villain. During their feud, however, Mira comes to a bitter, welcoming, and scary realization; he has fallen in love with the magical girl! Now Mira must keep his emotions abated as he continues his campaign while trying his best not to fall any deeper for Mimori.

Forbidden love is often spicier when it’s between good and evil, salvation and destruction. With Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai shiteita the stakes are kept high by placing Mira’s world domination conquest on the line. Will he commit entirely to his original goals for conquest or will matters of the heart shift his priorities towards potential romance? How far will this villain go to impress an omnipotent magical girl who’d try their hardest to reform or destroy the version of him that demands destruction? These are questions to keep in mind when the anime makes its striking debut this Summer.

Preview by Pancakes

After five attempts, the melancholic author Dazai Osamu (Kamiya Hiroshi) finally succeeded in taking his own life. Normally that would be the end of it, particularly for one of Japan’s most intriguing modern literary figures, but Osamu gets a quite literal rude awakening when to his horror death involves being reborn in another world. A fantasy world. Sure, it may not necessarily be the post-war Japan (and all the associated troubles) Osamu left behind, but it’s still a place of living and Osamu isn’t one to embrace all that it entails. Can Japan’s most fatalistic spirit finally succeed in finding the perfect place to die? One way or another Osamu will strive to make it happen.

It arguably tells how far down the barrel we’ve gone with isekai that we’re now pushing into the likes of Isekai Shikkaku in order to stand out from the crowd. Mind you it’s not a slight against this series: this one is for the usual alternate world trappings a pretty interesting twist on the concept, dispensing with the usual MMORPG and Truck-kun shenanigans to instead approach it with a character in Osamu who definitely goes against the grain in origins and personality. Much like Bungou Stray Dogs it’s debatable how problematic using Osamu in such a capacity is (he is a major Japanese literary figure after all), but given Isekai Shikkaku sticks towards lighthearted comedy and very nicely plays to the circumstances (e.g. Osamu having zero idea what an elf or dwarf is until encountering them) I personally found not a lot rubbing me the wrong way from the bits I read. This one will be a natural fit for any isekai connoisseur, but any slice-of-life enjoyer would do well to keep this one close at hand as well. Something tells me it’ll wind up surprising.

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Back for a second round of magical shenanigans, Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou continues the journey of tarnished knight Iska (Kobayashi Yuusuke) and the powerful mage Alice (Amamiya Sora). Both exist in a world where magic is commonplace yet greatly feared, with one such power in the Empire going as far as to persecute any wielding it. Such animosity eventually yields mage-founded Nebulis Sovereignty, of who Alice is a member of, and a state of permanent war between Empire and Sovereignty. Her elimination is charged to Iska, who in exchange for the act is granted freedom by the Empire after previously being incarcerated over freeing another imprisoned witch – and an act Iska is not entirely on board with. You see Iska desires peace between both countries, but as he soon learns Alice too has a similar dream. How both can turn it into reality while handling their respective duties – and loyalties – is wholly unclear, but one way or another they will find a way.

While not the most impressive of adaptations of late, Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou’s first season admittedly wasn’t that bad an affair. This one was a fairly solid bit of fantasy flavoured sci-fi, with half-decent plot and world meeting a Romeo & Juliet influenced pair of main characters who did, all things considered, hit well enough in their weight class. Or if you will, the standard light novel adaptation with its own level of spice. This sequel shouldn’t deviate too far from the quality of the first either; production crew is slightly shaken up, but Silver Link remains at the adaptation helm, all major cast are carrying over, and the source material is at the point where things start properly heating up. In short don’t expect any major surprises, but any fan of Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou’s first kick at the anime can would do well seeing what this season gets up to.

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Childhood friends are supposed to be the easy – and fun – part of growing up, however in Shirosaki Jun’s (Sakata Shougo) case it winds up being anything but. Moving next door to the Jinguuji family and their twin daughters Ryuumi (Nochimoto Moeha) and Naori (Uchida Maaya) at the tender age of six, Jun winds up growing up with both girls and treating them as veritable family. There’s just one minor issue. A teenage romantic issue. Being wholly inexperienced with love, Jun winds up fielding a relationship trial offer from Ryuumi, an opportunity soon seeing them land up dating – and in a head-on collision with Naori’s own pent up feelings for childhood friend numero uno. Can Jun somehow thread the needle of nature’s most demanding love triangle? Whether he likes it or not he’s about to find out.

You know it’s never a proper season until we get the complimentary romcom trainwreck, and by god Futakire is going to provide. Much as the synopsis teases this one is a pure romance drama mill, with childhood friends meeting the typical male lead and featuring far more misunderstandings and overthinking than you can shake a stick at. Need cookie cutter? You’ve got it. Wanted nonsensical decisions and outcomes? There’s plenty of that too. And don’t worry either, the author always finds a way of ensuring the ride does not end. While I suspect Futakire will prove more divisive than other genre mates given the character actions especially (let’s just say adapting into volume five will prove a riot), the venerable romance veteran Yokote Michiko is handling script duty and this one admittedly doesn’t lay off the gas. If you need some concentrated drama this summer look no further than this, because one way or another it’s going to be a ride.

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It’s never easy being the odd one out, but the temperamental Belle Lablanc (Fairouz Ai) truly has it rough. Born as a so-called “Faceless”, a human being in a world comprised of and dominated by anthropomorphic animals, Belle was left by her lonesome more often than not thanks to a lack of anyone to identify with and easily befriend. It’s isolation enough to drive anyone mad, and Belle is no exception, choosing to set out on her own to find her roots…and maybe a friend beside. Such a journey won’t be easy, but equipped with incredible strength borne from her status and one hell of a sword for defense, Belle will ensure she gets her answers one way or another.

It’s a little hard drawing strong conclusions when digging into Bye Bye Earth because this is a show which could go either way. Originating from a novel series of the same name by Ubukata Tow, it’s got the mysterious origins and overcoming adversity plot always yielding a decent bit of intrigue and suspense, particularly given the physical type of characters at play and Belle’s own spunky personality. Yet it’s also a Ubukata Tow work, which for anyone who’s kept up with Psycho-Pass and Fafner in anime knows means good potential of plot chaos, story insanity, and general production faceplanting happening whether you want it or not. LINDENFILMS too being in the driver’s seat isn’t particularly hinting towards masterpiece greatness, however the bits I read weren’t bad in any way and given Bye Bye Earth is a fantasy there’s a lot of wiggle room to paper over the fears. Don’t go betting the house on this one, but the dark horse potential means any fantasy fan wouldn’t go remiss keeping an eye out for what Bye Bye Earth gets up to this summer season.

Preview by Pancakes

Kai Vento (Chiba Shouya) remembers when the world was peaceful. A world where the hero Sid, wielding sword and martial strength both, had helped humanity overcome the threat of various races and lead it into an unprecedented era of prosperity. No one else remembers said world. For whatever reason Kai got to witness that world overwritten, humanity’s achievements eviscerated, Sid forgotten, and the defeated enemy races now turned into the world’s rulers themselves. Kai has no idea what happened, what was the trigger, or even who was responsible, but after meeting the mysterious girl Rinne decides to do something about it. There’s a hidden truth to the world at large, and whatever it takes Kai will find the reason for it – no matter the cost.

I have to give Naze Boku no Sekai some credit for it at least knows how to put on a good first impression. While yet another entry into the generic action-fantasy ledger – replete with Kirito-esque MC and cookie cutter cast – it’s a plot which effectively melds NGNL with a more conventional world and a stronger central mystery; action is plentiful, there’s a decent bit of suspense, and the source material writing does a decent job at keeping things moving forward at a good pace. Moreover this adaptation is for a completed light novel series, so provided the time-honoured adaptation hatchet job is avoided and it doesn’t rush like a madman I don’t foresee too many issues here). Personal tastes will certainly influence things, but Naze Boku no Sekai will easily do the trick to round out any action-fantasy needs you may have as it marches on into summer.

Preview by Pancakes

In the near future in a world not quite the same, a rapid, inexplicable rise in sea level has devastated human civilization. Forced to the edges of territory once far inland, people like Ikaruga Natsuki (Ono Kensho) eke out what living they can in hope of a better future. It’s especially tough for Natsuki, having lost both his oceanologist mother and a leg to an accident while being burdened by family debt, but he receives the opportunity of a lifetime when the mysterious debt collector Catherine (Hikasa Youko) comes calling. Instead of losing what he has left though, Natsuki, with Catherine’s help, stumbles across a robot named Atri (Akao Hikaru) at the bottom of the sea in his mother’s ruined laboratory. In every respect Atri could be considered human thanks to appearance and emotions both, yet who exactly she is, why she was abandoned, and her link back to Natsuki. For one kid who thinks he’s lost it all, this is one meeting set to change his life. Forever.

Best strap in boys and girls because we have a heavy hitter on our hands. ATRI heralds from a widely acclaimed 2020 visual novel of the same name, featuring a plethora of cute, sweet, and overly emotional moments you might anticipate from seeing depressed MC meeting mysterious – and adorable – girl. From the bits I’ve read (there’s a follow up manga to the VN) it’s very much in the vein of say Plastic Memories and Planetarian (and Clannad for the old-school viewers) where backstory and world building are largely secondary to the strongly character-driven story and its cathartic overtones. You want the warm and fuzzies? Need the feels? Not complete without a seasonal tearjerker? You’re in the right place. Given the material production will definitely make or break things, however considering TROYCA is at the helm with the venerable and talented Hanada Juuki handling script I dare say any early fears are mitigated – and doubly so if this winds up receiving the two cour treatment. General tearjerker lovers and anime connoisseurs both should keep an eye on this one, because if there was ever a series set to make a serious summer splash ATRI is it.

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Sitting and chilling in the back of the class is supposed to be a fun time. You get the wacky friends, the crazy adventures, and hey, maybe a little more besides. Unless you’re in Nukumizu Kazahiko’s (Umeda Shuuichirou) position. Rather than the fun and games, he gets to witness the incredibly popular Yanami Anna (Toono Hikaru) get outright rejected by her crush. Not the most enviable of situations, but something Kazahiko soon comes to witness repeatedly. Besides Anna the likes of Yakishio Remon (Wakayama Shion) and Komari Chika (Terasawa Momoka) too see their aspirational relationships crushed in ways bringing them together with Kazahiko in the school’s literature club. No matter how much it sucks being on the losing side of love, there’s no better way get over it than commiserating together.

While the romcom genre is fairly well mapped out these days, it doesn’t mean there’s no room for imagination as Makeine shows. This one is a small yet interesting twist on the typical hijinks, where the focus is less on the MC in Kazahiko than the orbiting girls, and said girls are themselves all losers in love. Not that Kazahiko is treated purely through a vicarious lens mind you; while he observes and provides the occasional shoulder to cry on, he in turn starts finding his own ways of spreading his wings and growing as an individual. It makes for a fairly comfy romance plot, and while Makeine doesn’t deviate too far from the usual plot elements, there’s enough here to retain attention and keep things moving. With A-1 handling production too alongside six light novel volumes to draw from, anyone looking for a nice, laidback bit of romance fun this summer would do well keeping Makeine close at hand.

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Dali Delico’s (Morita Masakazu) world isn’t for the faint of heart. Himself a member of the prestigious Delico family, Dali is a vampire and also an elite member of the Blood Pact Council, the highest ranking organization for those with a taste of blood. For all the preternatural power vampirism grants Dali, however, the day to day proves troublesome when he flatly rejects a mission from the Council. The reason? Dali has a soft spot for kids and wants to spend his time caring for them. Not a great excuse when you’re staring down the most powerful of vampire organizations, but with vampires also being targeted for murder at the supposed behest of the Pendulum group (and a group Dali also shares a connection with), it’s one he’s determined to stick with. In a world dominated by politics and blood feuds, Dali wants to be the balance keeping it all in line.

Ahh vampires, pretty boys, and a whole heap of gothic influences: don’t say you’re not reading the essential anime experience from that heady combination. At face value you could think of Delico’s Nursery as Yakusoku no Neverland if it went SukaSuka, with ominous twist being replaced by a love for childcare and a main character out to ensure his mission in life isn’t compromised in any capacity. Or in other words, imaginative enough to make a claim for separating itself from the crowd. The big thing here is that Delico’s Nursery is a full anime-original, being tangentially linked as a sequel to a stage play set in the same universe. Given the playwright Suemitsu Kenichi is also handling the script and J.C. Staff is almost tailor made for this sort of show there’s a lot of room for pleasant surprises here, especially if the show we get can match the initial promotional material. I wouldn’t go making any serious predictions just yet, but Delico’s Nursery should be kept on the radar for anyone after a summer dark horse.