The smell of rain, leaves falling and lower temperatures: fall is almost here. Since we’re all stuck inside more than usual, because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, why not spend some time watching anime? Here are our top ten anime recommendations for this fall.
We wish all of you good health and hope you enjoy our picks.
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Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (2020) (ひぐらしのなく頃に)
Type: Anime
Studio: Passione
Genres: Mystery, Dementia, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
Based on the eponymous visual novel by 07th Expansion.
Starts airing: October 1st
Number of episodes: 14+
This anime series takes place in the small and quiet village of Hinamizawa in the year 1983. Keiichi Maebara just moved there and soon becomes friends with his schoolmates and do all sorts of (school) activities with them. Slowly but surely he gets used to the rural life and then he stumbles upon the dark history of the village he is living in. The anime was originally scheduled for Summer 2020, but was delayed due to the effects of COVID-19.
Recommended by Fran:
After the announcement of the new anime series, people who are familiar with the original series released by Studio DEEN, released in 2006 the sequel in 2007 and the extra 5 episodes in 2009, were not sure what to expect of it. Is it a reboot (and without the gory details)? Or since there are new chapters added by 07th Expansion, will it be a bit different than we know? What is certain is that the animation looks slicker in comparison with the original animation series. For me, it is interesting what the result will be of this new series, since I enjoyed the earlier series quite a bit. The anime series is licensed by Funimation and according to news sources, there will be also a manga adaptation by Tomato Akase of this new anime.
Burn the Witch (BURN THE WITCH)
Type: Movie
Studio: Studio Colorido
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Magic, Shounen
Based on the eponymous manga by Tite Kubo.
Starts Airing: October 2nd
In this world, 72% of deaths in London throughout history are related to Dragons. Although most do not know of their existence as they are unable to see them. Only those who live in the Reverse London can and a select few can become Witches and Wizards to form contracts with these Dragons. Reverse London also houses a Western Branch of the Soul Society, of whom our two protagonists, Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcol, work for as Witches protecting and managing the Dragons in London.
Recommended by AlexD:
After finding out this is based on the manga written by Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach, I became really curious about this film. Not just as a fan of Bleach but as it seems like a heavy departure from his original work despite being in the same universe. Plus being British myself, I am always curious about how it is depicted in anime.
Tonikaku Kawaii (トニカクカワイイ)
Type: Anime
Studio: Seven Arcs
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shounen
Based on the eponymous manga by Kenjirou Hata.
Starts airing: October 3rd
Number of episodes: Unknown
Nasa Yuzaki, a boy often ridiculed for his name, find himself following a beautiful girl on the day of his high school entrance exams. He is so enchanted by her beauty that he fails to spot a truck heading towards him. The girl, Tsukasa Tsukoyomi, saves his life and he wastes no time asking her to be his girlfriend. She agrees, but has one condition: they’ll get married first. Right before losing consciousness Nasa agrees. Years later his bride shows up at his doorstep, with a marriage form.
Recommended by Yuki:
This sounds like a fun story to watch, given the bizarre circumstances in which they meet one another and their weird agreement. I wonder what kind of experiences the two will have as newlyweds who don’t know one another, nor each other’s friends and family.
Inu to Neko Docchi mo Katteru to Mainichi Tanoshii (犬と猫どっちも飼ってると毎日たのしい)
Type: Anime
Studio: Team TillDawn
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy
Based on the eponymous manga by Hidekichi Matsumoto.
Starts airing: October 3rd
Number of episodes: Unknown
Mangaka Hidekichi Matsumoto lives with a dog who is cute, innocent and full with joy! Also with a cat who has a scary face, who is aloof and a master thief. Double the antics, double the fun and double the kibble. Living every day in a multi-animal household is fun and filled with laughter and tears.
No matter if you are a dog person or a cat person, there’s plenty to love about these homegrown sketches of daily life shared with a four-legged friend.
Recommended by Hageshi:
Even though there is barely anything to find about this anime (or even the manga), it sounds as if it is the typical lifestyle of every human with their pet(s). After seeing the picture, it really looks cutely drawn and like a loving type of story. And as an animal lover myself, I look forward to this!
Senyoku no Sigrdrifa (戦翼のシグルドリーヴァ)
Type: Anime
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genres: Action, Military
Starts airing: October 3rd
Number of episodes: Unknown
One day, “Pillars” appeared above Earth, threatening all life. The sudden appearance of a god, called Odin, saved humanity from complete defeat. To counter the Pillars, he granted beautiful young women, called Valkyries, battle wings with men as their support staff. Japan is no exception and when a Pillar appears on Mt. Fuji, three Valkyries confront it. Each Valkyrie is skilled, but each also has issues. They are joined by an ace pilot from Europe, to continue the fight as the day of reckoning arrives. The time of Ragnarok draws near.
Recommended by Hageshi:
What is there to say? I recently started loving military anime, so this one quickly spoke to me. And I was even disappointed that it got delayed from the summer releases to a fall release, even though this gave me more time to look forward to it. I have also seen the trailers, which looked both interesting, as well cute (if you hear the girls their voices and see their looks). So military with a bit of cuteness, let’s see what this brings.
Golden Kamuy 3rd Season (ゴールデンカムイ)
Type: Anime
Studio: Geno Studio
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Thriller, Seinen, Western
Starts Airing: October 5th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Set in the Meji era, just after the Russo-Japanese War. Sugimoto, nicknamed the Immortal, survived the war and is searching for gold riches in Hokkaido to help the widow of a war comrade. Sugimoto then learns of a gold stash hidden by criminals which he ditches searching rivers to find instead. Struggling in the northern climate, Sugimoto is saved by an Aspira, an ainu girl, who he partners with to find the gold whilst fighting off others who are also looking for the gold.
Recommended by AlexD:
During the lockdown, I binge-watched the first two seasons and absolutely loved it. The series balances an intense plot with humour to break the tension extremely well. Season two ended on an almighty cliffhanger, making it a painful wait for the third season but it is sure to be worth it.
Ikebukuro West Gate Park (池袋ウエストゲートパーク)
Type: Anime
Studio: Doga Kobo
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Romance
Starts Airing: October 6th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Makoto, known for being able to stay calm and get things done, lives in a crime-filled neighbourhood. Friends with the leader of the G-Boys gang, where he isn’t a member, Makoto lends a helping hand and helps his friends avoid getting hurt. Although after his girlfriend dies and the turf war escalates with a rival gang, pushes Makoto to his limits.
Recommended by AlexD:
Some of you like me will read that synopsis of the series and be reminded of the classic series Durarara, and after 4 years there hasn’t managed to be a series that grabbed me in the same way. With a lot of similar base elements, I’m quite hyped to see where it goes.
Adachi to Shimamura (安達としまむら)
Type: Anime
Studio: Tenzaki Productions
Genres: Slice of Life, Romance, School, Shoujo Ai
Based on the eponymous light novel series by Hitoma Iruma and Nozomi Ousaka.
Starts airing: October 9th
Number of episodes: Unknown
A story about two high school girls, Sakura Adachi and Hougetsu Shimamura, and their friendship. One night Sakura has a dream about Hougetsu kissing her and feelings start to develop. Will they become more than friends?
Recommended by Yuki:
Adachi to Shimamura promises to be a sweet love story between two girls. If you’re a fan of shoujo-ai I think you’ll be able to enjoy this anime. Personally I like that the story seems to be on the simpler side, this seems like a relaxing series to watch.
Yes ka No ka Hanbun ka (イエスかノーか半分か)
Type: Movie
Studio: Lesprit
Genres: Drama, Shounen Ai
Based on the eponymous novel by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Starts airing: December 11th
Kei Kunieda, a popular young TV announcer, appears to be picture perfect and is affectionately nicknamed ‘the prince’. Whilst he may seem to be perfect, his personality is very different from what it appears to be. On the inside, Kei is constantly criticizing and cursing at the people around him, for their incompetence. No one knows this about him. One day he meets Ushio Tsuzuki, an animation artist, on a work assignment. Later on, he runs into him again, but Kei is wearing sweats and a facemask causing Ushio to not recognize him. To compensate for injuring Ushio’s arm Kei now has to help him out with his work.
Recommended by Yuki:
This seems like a classic set up for a funny love story, although comedy is not one of the genres I think it’ll definitely have some fun moments. If you’re a shounen-ai fan, I think this movie is worth a try.
Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi (ジョゼと虎と魚たち)
Type: Movie
Studio: Bones
Genres: Slice of Life, Drama, Romance
Starts airing: December 25th
A story about Josee, a girl confined to a wheelchair, and a college student named Tsuneo and their chance encounter. Josee kept to herself before they met and spent most of her time reading and painting, but after their meeting, she decides to start living life.
Recommended by Yuki:
This seems like a story that’ll be filled with struggles, but also a lot of heart-warming moments. I look forward to finding out how their romance will develop and where life will take them both. If romance and drama are your cup of tea, I’d recommend giving this movie a shot.
Which serie(s) are you going to watch?
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