Spring is coming, warmer weather, flowers blooming, baby animals and, of course, new anime series. With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping a lot of people indoors these series are a welcome distraction. Here’s our top ten anime recommendations for this spring.
We wish you good health and hope you enjoy our picks.
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Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (思い、思われ、ふり、ふられ)
Type: Film
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genres: Drama, Romance, School, Shoujo
Based on the eponymous manga by Io Sakisaka.
Starts airing: 29th of May
Two high school girls, Yuna and Akari, both have very different views on love. Akari has a more practical view, while Yuna dreams about romance. Two highschool boys, Kazuomi and Rio, also have very different views on love. One is an airhead who can’t grasp the concept of love, while the other accepts any confession as long as the girl looks cute. What will happen to these four classmates, will their romances meet their expectations?
Recommended by Yuki:
These seem to be four interesting characters with very different views on love. It’ll be interesting to see how their (love) lives pan out, how they’ll interact and what kind of relationships they’ll end up in. I hope that besides the dramatic and cute moments, this movie will include some funny moments as well.
Kakushigoto (かくしごと)
Type: Anime
Studio: Ajia-Do
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Shounen
Based on the eponymous manga by Kõji Kumeta
Starts airing: 2nd of April
Number of episodes: Unknown
Kakushi Gotõ, an artist who draws a somewhat vulgar manga, tries to hide his work for his innocent and unknowing daughter Hime. A faughter-daughter tale of love and laughter.
Recommended by Hageshi:
A very short plot, but it sounds very fun! How is he trying to hide it? Will she find out? So many questions when you have not read the manga! Sounds like a fun anime to kill your free time with, or when you are in need of some laughter.
Wave, Listen to Me! (Nami yo Kitte Kure, 波よ聞いてくれ)
Type: Anime
Studio: Sunrise
Genres: Seinen, Comedy, Drama
Based on the eponymous manga by Hiroaki Samura
Starts airing: 3rd of April
Number of episodes: Unknown
The story takes place in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The heroine in Wave, Listen to Me! is Minare Koda who got her heart broken and went out drinking. She met up with a radio station worker and shared her story, but didn’t knew that this story was recorded and found out later to hear her ranting on the radio, live over the air. This is the start of her life in the world of radio.
Recommended by Fran:
Wave, Listen to Me! is made by Blade of the Immortal creator Hiroaki Samura, which should make some heads turn. Interesting is that the story revolves around a female character, after watching the promotional videos, the story gives off a mature feel. The manga series is still ongoing, so it would probably not have a satisfying ending. In total there are 6 volumes of the manga. Another interesting fact: tacica (from Sapporo) will perform the series’ opening theme song and Harumi (originally from the Philippines) will contribute to the series’ ending theme song.
LISTENERS
Type: Anime
Studio: MAPPA
Genres: Sci-Fi, Music
Starts Airing: 4th of April
Number of Episodes: Unknown
A journey into the history of rock music set in a world where music no longer exists. In this world, a boy comes across a girl who has an audio input jack into her body, that when plugged into the amp will bring change into the world.
Recommended by AlexD:
Not much is known about the series but watching the PV reminded me of Carole and Tuesday with a bit more of a harder edge to it. As a fan of rock music myself, it seems it will be filled with great music and I just hope a good plot runs alongside it.
Digimon Adventure:
Type: Serie
Studio: Toei Animation
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Kids
Starts Airing: 5th of April
Number of episodes: Unknown
The new anime will take place in 2020 and will feature an all-new story centering on Taichi Yagami when he is in his fifth year in elementary school, and his partner Agumon. The story begins in Tokyo Taichi is preparing for his weekend summer camping trip when a large-scale network malfunction occurs. The malfunction causes mother and his younger sister Hikari to get stuck on a train that won’t stop moving, and Taichi heads to Shibuya in order to help them. However, on his way there, he encounters a strange phenomenon and sweeps him up into the Digital World along with the other DigiDestined.
Recommended by MetalHachiko:
What not to recommend then this nostalgia trip? Who doesn’t remember the days where you sat down on the couch every day as a kid to see the new Digimon episode when it aired? Next to Pokémon it was the talk of the day when you got back to school. And now they’re bringing back the original cast in an all-new, updated adventure! So whether you’re in on the nostalgia train, or all-new, it’s enjoyable nonetheless (and safe for the little ones too).
Violet Evergarden (劇場版 ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン)
Type: Film
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
Starts airing: 24th of April
Violet Evergarden has left the battlefield and started a new life with the CH Postal Service. She heard about Auto Memories Dolls, people who write down the feelings, thoughts and messages of those who can’t do it anymore and starts working as one herself.
In the movie, she comes to teach at a women’s academy and changes the life from a young girl.
Recommended by Hageshi:
Very very very little has been told about the movie. However the promo video’s so far, seem very touching. As well the multiple release delays show that they worked hard and long for this movie. I am a big fan of the Violet Evergarden anime myself, so I am excited about this movie. I am not one who easily gets touched by an anime or story, but this anime sure has been a tear-jerker for me. A beautiful anime with a beautiful storyline, predicts a movie just as good!
Fugou Keiji: Balance:UNLIMITED (富豪刑事 Balance:UNLIMITED)
Type: Anime
Studio: CloverWorks
Genres: Mystery
Based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s novel, Fugou Keiji.
Starts airing: April
Number of episodes: 11
The story of this series centres around millionaire Daisuke Kambe, an heir to one of the wealthiest families in Japan, but also a detective to the so-called Modern Crime Prevention Task Force (aka MCPTF) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. He uses his wealth to solve crimes and is very materialistic. Kambe’s partner, Haru Kato, is a detective with a big heart who thinks that money isn’t everything. A total opposite, but together they need to have to solve to unsolvable.
Recommended by Fran:
Unfortunately, I haven’t read the novel, a mega-hit, although the description sounds intriguing as it is interesting to see how two opposites will work together and most likely get to know each other better and learn to work differently to solve the big crimes. The music of the anime series is made by Yugo Kanno, best known for his work on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 5 Vento Aureo (Golden Wind).
Yesterday wo Utatte (イエスタデイをうたって)
Type: Anime
Studio: Doga Kobo
Genres: Slice of Life, Drama, Romance, Seinen
Based on the eponymous manga by Kei Toume.
Starts airing: April
Number of episodes: Unknown
After graduating from college Rikuo Uozumi, who lacks ambition, starts working at a convenience store. Life goes by uneventfully until Rikuo meets his former girlfriend. His life starts to be a bit more eventful thanks to Haru Nonaka and her pet bird.
Recommended by Yuki:
Watching this story unfold will be interesting. I’m curious to see how his life will change and if she’ll be able to bring some joy to his life. It sounds like she’ll be a funny character.
Zashiki Warashi no Tatami-chan (ざしきわらしのタタミちゃん)
Type: Anime (Original Net Animation)
Studio: Zero-G
Genres: Comedy, Horror, Supernatural, Slice of Life
Starts Airing: April
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Tatami-chan is a mocking spirt from the Iwate prefecture that has moved to Tokyo to live with other spirits, supernatural beings, and humans… Not only does Tatami-chan have to deal with otherworldly matters, she also has to deal with more human issues like job-hunting, paying bills, etc.
Recommended by AlexD:
It is a fun concept to have spirits dealing with more human worries, which is sure to lead to some great gags. The art style is also quite cool and unique, blending numerous styles together. This is definitely one to watch for those who are looking for something a bit different.
Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta… (乙女ゲームの破滅フラグしかない悪役令嬢に転生してしまった…)
Type: Anime
Studio: Silver Link.
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy, School
Based on the eponymous manga by Nami Hidaka and Satoru Yamaguchi.
Starts airing: April
Number of episodes: Unknown
The story focusses on Katarina Claes, a girl reincarnated into the world of Fortune Lover as a villainess. In Fortune Lover, her favourite otome game in a previous life, the villainess usually ends up dead or exiled. But knowing the game, will Katarina be the first villainess to have a good ending?
Recommended by Yuki:
This sounds like a potentially funny story and definitely like a story with plenty of twists and turns. I’m curious to see where this story will go and if she’ll be the first villainess to find a happy ending to this game.
Which serie(s) are you going to watch?
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Good list!