Now that everyone in the anime industry has had time to adjust to their new work-from-home existence, the number of anime coming out has skyrocketed. 63 new titles await us this fall season. Here are the five I am the most excited for.
Image source: TVアニメ『アクダマドライブ』公式 on Twitter.
Akudama Drive
Genre: Crime, Cyberpunk
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Premiere date: October 8, 2020
What it’s about: A civil war tore Japan in two as the Osaka region in the west fought the Tokyo region in the east. At the end of the war, Tokyo stood triumphant and Osaka was turned into a conquered state. This created the perfect environment for crime and corruption. Akudama Drive is the story of seven criminals fighting to pull off jobs and heists to survive in a retro-cyberpunk take on Japan.
Why I’m excited: This one is 100% a “pedigree pick.” This anime is penned by Kazutaka Kodaka, the creator of Danganronpa: Tigger Happy Havoc (along with all its spinoffs and sequels). Likewise, its character designs come from Danganronpa’s Rui Komatzusaki—meaning the only thing that could make it more Danganronpa is a name change.
Watch it if you like: Danganronpa, Zero Escape
Where to watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: ダンまちシリーズ アニメ公式＠3期 10月放送・配信開始予定 on Twitter.
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III
Genre: High Fantasy
Studio: J.C.Staff
Premiere date: October 3, 2020
What it’s about: Life has finally returned to normal for Bell and his companions. After being forced into a War Game and then dealing with the troubles surrounding the Goddess Ishtar’s Familia, the crew are finally ready to head back into the dungeon. However, all too soon Bell and friends find themselves back in the spotlight when he discovers a monster girl who not only doesn’t seem to be evil but is also capable of human speech.
Why I’m excited: This is an excellent setup for a new, high-tension adventure. A monster being able to speak changes everything. The moment they can, they become “people”—especially in the eyes of someone like Bell. Of course, the other adventurers are not likely to accept this. They have a vested interest in her being “just another monster.” After all, their literal job is to kill any and all monsters they come across.
Watch it if you like: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Konosuba, Sword Art Online
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Aniplus (Asia), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: 「キミと僕の最後の戦場、あるいは世界が始まる聖戦」公式 on Twitter.
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
Genre: Modern Fantasy, Star-Crossed Romance
Studio: Silver Link.
Premiere date: October 7, 2020
What it’s about: For 100 years, war has raged between two countries: one of magic and one of technology. For now, the countries are at a stalemate but the balance could be upset at any time as a new generation of soldiers head to the battlefield. On one side is Aliceliese, the Ice Witch of Calamity. On the other is Iska, a young man with two swords made specifically for killing magic users. However, what they don’t know is that they actually share quite a lot in common.
Why I’m excited: While this is an anime set during a war, that’s not really the focus. Sure, there are tons of exciting fights but what it’s really about is the “star-crossed lovers” situation our heroes find themselves in. When it comes to their likes, dislikes, and passions, the two are on the exact same wavelength. On the battlefield, they are unmatched—except against each other. Moreover, when it comes to their thoughts on the war—i.e., that it is meaningless and needs to end—they are of one mind. However, neither is willing to betray their own side and must fight on regardless.
That doesn’t stop them from encountering each other everywhere they go, however.
Watch it if you like: Romeo and Juliet, Sword Art Online
Where to watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Aniplus (Asia), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: 魔法科高校の劣等生 公式 on Twitter.
The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Studio: 8bit
Premiere date: October 4, 2020
What it’s about: In the world of the future, magic and technology have become almost one in the same. Those who can use magic are prized as national treasures—because they are basically walking WMDs. Thus magic users are enrolled in special high schools where they are taught to refine their gifts before moving onto the army or high positions in society. Because of all the top-secret information involved, things like foreign exchange programs are all but unthinkable. Yet despite this, Japan’s premier magical high school is about to get an American exchange student, Angelina Kudou Shields.
Why I’m excited: A few years back, we got the film The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie – The Girl Who Summons The Stars. Set after the end of our heroes’ first year of school, this film followed them stumbling upon an unethical military program with the potential to end the world. One of the main characters in that film is the aforementioned exchange student “Lina.” Of course, this is quite confusing to anyone who hasn’t read the books because the film assumes we know who Lina is and why the other characters trust her—despite her being part of an enemy army. With this season of the anime, we’ll finally get our proper introduction to Lina and see why she is so special.
Watch it if you like: The Irregular at Magic High School, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Chivalry of a Failed Knight
Where to watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Aniplus (Asia), Wakanim (EU)
Image source: TVアニメ「戦翼のシグルドリーヴァ」公式 on Twitter.
Warlords of Sigrdrifa
Genre: Cute Girls Flying Planes
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Premiere date: October 3, 2020
What it’s about: When an otherworldly enemy invaded the planet, threatening to destroy all life, a literal god named Odin appeared. He gave humanity young women known as “Walküres” along with the means to fight the invaders—i.e., airplanes based on World War II fighters. Now, years later, Europe’s ace pilot has come to Japan to help with the fight.
Why I’m excited: Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why on Earth would you be interested in this, Richard? I mean, we’ve have cute girls on tanks, cute girls on ships, and cute girls as ships… thrice. We’ve even had cute girls flying classic planes before—not to mention the entire franchise of pants-less cute girls becoming half-planes.
The reason, however, is simple. This is another pedigree pick. This is an original anime written by Tappei Nagatsuki—i.e., the creator of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-. That alone is enough to get me watching.
Watch it if you like: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Strike Witches, The Magnificent Kotobuki
Where to watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AU/NZ), Wakanim (EU)
Top image source: 魔法科高校の劣等生 公式 on Twitter.
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