Anime Summer 2021: 10 titles to look forward to!

Temperatures are rising, people are carefully venturing out of their homes in some parts of the world and having socially distanced gatherings outside again. Summer is here and, as always, this means new anime series as well. Hopefully, this list of ten anime recommendations for this summer keeps us occupied and entertained during these trying COVID-19 times.

We wish all of you good health, lots of (safe) fun and we hope you enjoy our picks!

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Scarlet Nexus (SCARLET NEXUS)

Type: Anime
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller
Based on the eponymous game by Bandai Namco

Starts airing: July 1^st
Number of Episodes: Unknown

In a world where strange beings called ‘Others’ appear and start eating humans. The Others Suppression Force stands up to protect humanity from this threat. The story follows Yuito and Kasane, two people drawn into the Force through different circumstances. Whilst both being drawn into the same fated events.

Recommended by AlexD:
This one I’ve been drawn into from my interest in the game. Created by former employees behind games in the Tales Of series, the plots have always been a highlight. Where it feels a bit strange the anime adaption is being released around the same time as the game, it will allow a focus on the plot itself and may work as a supplement to the main game, expanding on minor plots.

Vanitas no Carte ( ヴァニタスの手記)

Type: Anime
Studio: Aniplex
Genres: Historical, Supernatural, Vampire, Fantasy, Shounen
Based on the eponymous manga by Mochizuki Jun

Starts airing: July 3^rd
Number of episodes: Unknown

The ‘Book of Vanitas’ was created by Vanitas, a vampire who was born under a blue full moon. The book is a cursed grimoire that was created to take his vengeance on all vampires in one day.

The story follows Noé, a young man travelling Paris in the 19th century with one goal: to find the Book of Vanitas. After a sudden vampire attack, he meets Vanitas, a doctor who specializes in vampires and who is an ordinary human. The doctor has inherited both the name and the book, using the grimoire to heal his patients, but there is clearly something hidden behind his kind demeanour…

Recommended by Hageshi:
I really liked the type of art in the trailer and this combined with the storyline attracted me. I am curious to know, what the humans will do with the Book of Vanitas as it is originally created to destroy vampires, but in the meantime is used to heal the humans. Also Hanae Natsuki, who I know thanks to the voice of Taichi from Digimon, voices one of the main characters: Vanitas.

Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken 2nd Season Part 2 (転生したらスライムだった件)

Type: Anime
Studio: 8bit
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Adventure, Isekai
Based on the eponymous manga by Mitz Vah and Fuse

Starts airing: July 6^th
Number of Episodes: Unknown

Following on from the fallout of the first half of the season. We finally rejoin Rimuru and the Tempest nation as they face their greatest threat yet.

Recommended by AlexD:
The first part of this season was great and it left off on a real cliffhanger moment. Where we have had a side story spin-off while we wait, it is great to be finally able to get back to the main story after a strong first half of the season.

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S (小林さんちのメイドラゴンS)

Type: Anime
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous manga by Cool-kyou Shinja

Starts airing: July 8^th
Number of episodes: Unknown

Four years after the release of the popular Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon, the sequel continues to follow the exploits of Kobayashi, her dragon maid Tooru and a host of other mystical creatures that have been drawn into Kobayashi’s life since she drunkenly offered Tooru (in her dragon form) a place to stay after encountering her in the mountains.

Recommended by PHX:
From the legendary Kyoto Animation (Clannad, K-On! Lucky Star), this sequel is sure to be a hit with fans of the first series and new fans alike. Will the methods Tooru uses to complete her daily tasks still horrify Kobayashi? Will we find out more about these mystical creatures and how they came to be on Earth? Time will tell. If you have not watched the first series, I recommend that you do watch it before seeing this.

Meikyuu Black Company (迷宮ブラックカンパニー)

Type: Anime
Studio: SILVER LINK
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Based on the eponymous manga by Youhei Yasumura

Starts airing: July 9^th
Number of Episodes: Unknown

A lazy guy, with no sense of any kind of work ethic. Kinji is suddenly summoned to another world, not to be a hero, but to work for an evil mining company. Now Kinji will learn the true meaning of hard work.

Recommended by AlexD:
Isekai is a genre where it feels like you have seen it all, then a series like this comes along which makes you realise you haven’t. Having a more comedy focus, it seems like a great distraction from the world right now that we all need.

Shiroi Suna no Aquatope (白い砂のアクアトープ)

Type: Anime
Studio: P.A. Works
Genre: Slice of life

Starts airing: July 9^th
Number of episodes: Unknown

From P.A Works, the studio behind Angel Beats, Charlotte and Hanasaku Iroha comes a new slice of life animation. Shiroi Suna no Aquatope follows the adventures of 18-year-old Kukuru Misakino, a high school student who also works in an aquarium, and Fuuka Miyazawa, a former idol who is trying to escape her past life in Tokyo. Meeting in the aquarium the girls begin to explore their own dreams and the different aspects of life but as a crisis threatens the very future of the aquarium, how will this new reality affect the girls and their own relationship and future.

Recommended by PHX:
Fans of Slice of Life anime will, I think, enjoy this. The character interaction and progression in other adaptations by P.A. Works have been of a good quality to engage the viewer with protagonists and side characters alike. In the case of Shiroi Suna no Aquatope, the different backgrounds & life experiences of the principle two characters look like a perfect set-up for a good mixture of joy, comedy and heartbreak.

Bokutachi no Remake (ぼくたちのリメイク)

Type: Anime
Studio: feel.
Genres: Comedy
Based on the eponymous light novel by Kio Nachi

Starts airing: July 10^th
Number of episodes: Unknown

This story follows Hashiba Kyouya, a 28-year-old game developer. After his company went bankrupt and he lost his job, he returned to his hometown. While thinking about the success of other creators his age, he regrets his life decisions. When he wakes up he realizes he travelled back 10 years to the time before he entered college. This is the story about a failed person who gets a second chance to make things right.

Recommended by Hageshi:
Honestly, I can’t exactly explain why this anime seems appealing or interesting to me, except for the fact that I am just very curious on how he will deal with his second chance. I want to know, if he will make the same ‘mistakes’ or if life-changing events will occur.

Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime (竜とそばかすの姫)

Type: Movie
Studio: Studio Chizu
Genres: Fantasy

Starts airing: July 16^th

Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime, or Belle, centres around a teenage girl named Suzu and her adventures in both the real world and the virtual world called ‘U’, with five billion online members. After years of living an unhappy life, she enters ‘U’ and becomes Belle, a world-famous singer. Soon Belle encounters a mysterious creature, referred to by others as ‘The Beast’, and she sets out on an adventure filled journey with him. Both trying to become who they truly are.

Recommended by Yuki:
I’d describe this one as a modern and creative twist on a classic story: Beauty and the Beast. Or at least, that is what it appears to turn out like to me, after watching this trailer. The reason I feel like it’ll be an interesting movie to watch is because it doesn’t seem to lean on the classic too much, there are new elements such as the virtual world ‘U’, hiding behind a profile/avatar and singing. Suzu appears to be finding her voice, quite literally and figuratively. Even if Beauty and the Beast doesn’t appeal to you very much, this one might be one to watch regardless!

My Hero Academia the Movie 3: World Heroes’ Mission (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ワールド ヒーローズ ミッション)

Type: Movie
Studio: Bones
Genre: Shounen, Action, Superhero, Comedy
Based on the eponymous manga by Kouhei Horikoshi

Starts Airing: August 6^th

A villainous group called ‘Humanize’ has emerged, aiming to wipe out humans with quirks. A task force of heroes from across the world has been put together to take them down, which includes Deku, Bakugo and Todoroki.

Recommended by AlexD:
It was a shock there was another My Hero Academia film in the works after they claimed the second film would be the last. As it was a significant improvement on the first movie, I’m really excited to see where this one goes.

Mahoutsukai no Yome: Nishi no Shounen to Seiran no Kishi (魔法使いの嫁 西の少年と青嵐の騎士)

Type: OVA
Studio: Studio Kafka
Genres: Slice of Life, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen
Based on the eponymous manga by Yamazaki Kore

Starts airing: September 10^th
Number of episodes: 3

This story takes place shortly before Caraphilus took a nap. As Elias and his friend help Chise to prepare for the academy, Spriggan visits the mansion on a spooky horse and tells them: “The appearance of the ghost hunting association is unusual this time”.

Gabriel who is just an ordinary boy, got bored of his environment and as he sits by the window, he spots a purple smoke and decided to follow it. Even though it’s not supposed to happen, his world converges the one with the wizards who live on the other side behind a thick veil.

Recommended by Hageshi:
Studio Kafka is a new animation studio created by producer Twin Engines. As they are one of my favourite production teams I wonder how their animation will be. So far the trailer looked both good and mysterious.

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!