Summer Anime 2019: 10 titles to look forward to!

Sun, sea, beach and new anime: summer is almost here! So whether you’re going to sit outside in the sunshine or inside behind your screen, here’s our ten picks for this season.

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Kaijuu no Kodomo (海獣の子供)

Type: Movie
Studio: Studio 4°C
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Seinen, Supernatural

Starts Airing: 7^th of June 2019

When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does.

Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish.

Recommended by MetalHachiko:
Something different from your usual feed of moe and fighting anime. Instead this movie seems to have a heartfelt story combined with amazing artwork. Just looking at the trailer makes you feel like you’re watching a beautiful painting come to life, each frame created with an emotion engraved into it. Definitely recommended!

Aggressive Retsuko 2nd season (アグレッシブ烈子第2期)

Type: Anime
Studio: Fanworks
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy

Starts airing: 14^th of June 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

After a successful first season, especially after the series got launched on Netflix in April 2018, it was time for another season of Aggressive Retsuko. Abbreviated as Aggretsuko. The season was already announced last year, but the fans only needed to wait more than a year for the start of the second season, also this can be watched on Netflix on 14 June. Most people who have heard about this series, know how it all started, where Retsuko, a red panda, had a death metal karaoke session after a hard day of work. In the series you will see the daily (solitary) life of Retsuko, her colleagues and how life sometimes really sucks. If grunting is the way to cope for Retsuko, maybe we should try it out ourselves.

Recommended by Fran:
The series resonates with me, as it gives me many recognition of how work can suck. But also, the way how Retsuko blows of steam, is something I really like a lot about her. In the first season, this series gave me a lot of laughs, I expect many more funny moments with Retsuko and her colleagues. But I am also hoping for some positive moments for Retsuko, because.. how could you continue with your life if struggling is the only way to live day by day! Retsuko is a very cute character but someone you won’t expect to belong to Sanrio.

Cencoroll Connect (センコロール)

Type: Movie
Studio: Unknown
Genres: Action, Sci-Fi

Starts airing: 29^th of June 2019

For everyone familiar with the original short movie; Cencoroll, released in June 2009, this must be a very welcome surprise. After 10 years a long awaited sequel will be released and it’s name is Cencoroll Connect. Originally, the 2nd Cencoroll movie was scheduled to be released in 2014. Instead, we’ll be reacquainted with the story through Cencoroll Connect which is part of the Cencoroll Project. Information about the release was only updated on the official website in January 2019. The movie will premier in Japan on June 29th . Atsuya Uki will animate, produce and direct the film. The music will be provided by Supercell’s RYO.

Cencoroll Connect will show us the connection between Cencoroll and Cencoroll 2, the movie that is still to be released. There’s no real information on the plot , you would have to watch the trailer to find out more about the movie.

Recommended by Anvica:
My reason for this recommendation is that I was very impressed with the animation style and action shots when I first saw the original, and the new trailer shows me that it only got better and visually more pleasing. The plot might be confusing and hard to explain but the story is interesting. It was a pity to me that the first one was very short so I’m very happy Cencoroll Connect is coming our way. It’s not a long watch but still very enjoyable in my opinion.

Uchi no Ko no Tame naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru kamo Shirenai. (うちの娘の為ならば、俺はもしかしたら魔王も倒せるかもしれない。)

Type: Anime
Studio: Unknown
Genres: Slice of Life, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous light novel by Truffle, CHIROLU & Kei. 

Starts airing: 4^th of July 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

While on a job deep in the forest Dale, a highly skilled adventurer, finds a little devil girl who’s in a bad state. Not willing to leave her to die, Dale takes her home and decides to become her adoptive father. Latina, as the little girl is named, is beyond adorable and Dale doesn’t regret his decision to become her parent for a second. He is left with some questions though: Why was she in the forest? And why does she carry the mark of a criminal?

Recommended by Yuki:
This series sounds adorable and like it would be full of funny moments. I’m sure there will be plenty of heart-warming moments between Latina and her ‘dad’.

Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu] (ナカノヒトゲノム【実況中】)

Type: Anime
Studio: Silver Link
Genres: Game, Drama, Thriller

Starts airing: 7^th of July 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

Akatsuki Iride, and seven other online streamers, find themselves one day in a game called Naka no Hito Genome. Each streamer is known for being highly skilled at a particular style of game, but here they are all faced with life-or-death situations with the task of trying to get 100 million views.

Recommended by AlexD:
With the growing popularity of online streamers, this seems like an interesting spin. I like the little detail that each streamer is particularly good at one style of game, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the character’s use their unique talents to work together to survive the death game they have found themselves in. With good writing, it will be one suspenseful ride!

Tsuujou Kougeki ga Zentai Kougeki de Ni-kai Kougeki no Okaasan wa Suki Desu ka? (通常攻撃が全体攻撃で二回攻撃のお母さんは好きですか？)

Type: Anime
Studio: Unknown
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous light novel by Pochi. and Dachima Inaka.

Starts airing: 13^th of July 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

What if you were sucked into a game world, with your mother?

That’s what happens to Masato in this anime. Him and his mother start their adventure together after being sucked into a game world. They are joined on their journey by some companions they meet along the way.

Recommended by Yuki:
Although there’s a ton of anime about ending up in a fantasy or game world, this one has a pretty funny aspect to it: the main character’s mom joining him. This will surely make room for a lot of laughter, it has the potential for it at least.

Tenki no Ko (天気の子)

Type: Movie
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life

Starts airing: 19^th of July 2019

Tenki no Ko (Weathering With You) is the latest film by Makoto Shinkai, who is best known for his film Kimi no Na wa. (Your Name)

It is Summer, high school freshman Hodaka decides to run away from his remote island home to Tokyo. He finds himself pushed to his financial and personal limits. He finds a job as a writer for an occult magazine and finds out that it is rainy and gloomy every day. Then one day he meets a girl on a busy street, Hina, who has a mysterious ability, she can stop the rain and clear the sky.

Recommended by Fran:
As Kimi no Na wa was a grand success worldwide, it is expected that this film will also be a blockbuster. For those loving that film, you might love the new film as well, because of the beautiful animation and details. Also interesting to know is that alternative rock band RADWIMPS will compose the music and perform the theme songs for Tenki no Ko, they did the same for Kimi no Na wa.

Mo Dao Zu Shi 2 (魔道祖师2)

Type: ONA
Studio: G.CMay Animation & Film
Genres: Action, Mystery, Comedy, Historical, Supernatural
Based on the Chinese web novel with the same name by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

Starts airing: July 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

Mo Dao Zu Shi follows the adventures of the great teacher, Wei Wuxian, who founded the Demonic Sect and sowed chaos among millions of people. A combination of clans unites to assassinate him, 13 years before the events of the anime. After a lunatic offers his body to Wei in order to take revenge on his hated family, Wei is incarnated in his body.

Through coincidence, Wei, in Mo Xuanyu’s lichaam, is soon reunited with Lan Wangji, his archenemy. He recognizes Wei and takes him with him to the Gusu Lan Sect. The anime follows their adventures and narrates their journey fighting monsters and solving mysteries. Thanks to the mutual flirtation, Wei Wuxian realizes that Lang Wangji feels more for him then he shows.

Recommended by Hageshi:
It is a gorgeous Chinese anime with beautiful art and good voice-acting. It is a somewhat confusing anime, but easy to understand and follow. Despite the tages “shounen-ai” and “17+” it isn’t the typical BL story and you can see the BL in season 1 easily as bromance. The 17+ truly is meant for the fights and the amount of gore. The story is very beautifully portrayed and told and words are not enough to tell how good the first season is. This anime shows very well how good the Chinese animation has developed. Thanks to the open ending is is also very clear that, even though nothing has been released about it so far, season 2 will continue where the first season has ended.

Given (ギヴン)

Type: Anime
Studio: Lerche
Genres: Music, Drama, Romance, Shounen Ai
Based on the eponymous manga by Natsuki Kizu.

Starts airing: July 2019
Number of episodes: Unknown

Ritsuka Uenoyama finds himself getting tired of playing guitar and playing basketball, even though he once loved both those things. On that same day he encounters Mafuyu Sato and his broken guitar, he decides to fix it. Once Ritsuka has fixed the guitar Mafuyu becomes very attached to him. Afterwards Mafuyu sings, leaving a deep impression on Ritsuka.

Recommended by Yuki:
Honestly you need only look at the genres to figure out why I’m recommending this anime: shounen ai. Although that’s not the only reason, looking at the trailers I like the drawing style and the story sounds like it’ll be full of sweet moments.

Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!: Kurenai Densetsu (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！紅伝説)

Type: Movie
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genres: Isekai, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Parody, Supernatural

Starts airing: 29^th of August 2019

Kazuma’s adventure in an alternate world continues with his interesting party of Aqua (a useless goddess), Darkness (a knight who can only defend), and Megumin (a high-level mage who can only use 1 explosion spell a day). The film revolves around the party visiting Megumin’s home.

Recommended by AlexD:
It’s been 2 years since the series ended, and it has been a long wait for the follow up. Megumin’s home has been mentioned a few times, so it will be interesting (and of course comedic) to see what it is actually like. Particularly considering Megumin is seen as an oddball there as well.

Which serie(s) are you going to watch?

If you’d like to see the anime you’re looking forward to most in next seasons’ list, become a writer for AVO Magazine!