It’s getting warmer, time for some fun in the sun! So put on some sunscreen and soak in the sunlight, while watching some brand new anime. Here are our top ten anime recommendations for summer, to enjoy inside or outside.
We wish all of you good health and lots of viewing pleasure!
Are you missing a series you’re looking forward to? Become a writer for AVO Magazine and give us your two cents’ worth!
Prima Doll (プリマドール)
Prima Doll (プリマドール)Type: Anime
Studio: Bibury Animation Studios
Genres: Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
Starts airing: July 3rd
Number of Episodes: Unknown
A war needs weapons, but what happens to them afterwards? A certain café in the imperial city provides work for autonomous dolls that were once weapons, striving to find a new life for themselves. Can they find a future beyond the horror of war…? Can they find peace…?
Recommended by PHX:
Bilbury Animation Studios are the studio behind one of my favourite recent anime, The Quintessential Quintuplets… The popularity of that show and the intriguing story would suggest that this could be an entertaining show filled with a lot of comedic and heart-warming moments as the characters follow the new path that has been laid before them. Fans of slice of life anime should enjoy this for sure.
Tokyo Mew Mew New ♡ (東京ミュウミュウ にゅ～♡)
Tokyo Mew Mew New ♡ (東京ミュウミュウ にゅ～♡)Type: Anime
Studio: Yumeta Company, Graphinica
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Based on the manga Tokyo Mew Mew by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi.
Starts airing: July 6th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Ichigo Momomiya has the weirdest experience while on a date with her crush, Masaya Aoyama. She ends it by falling asleep, after seeing a vision of a cat entering her body. The next day she starts to act more and more like a cat herself, having an intense craving for fish. Soon she realises she has the ability to transform into a cat-eared magical girl, Mew Ichigo. Her purpose? Defeating the aliens who are trying to take over the planet.
Tokyo Mew Mew New ♡ is a re-make of the anime Tokyo Mew Mew, produced to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Kodansha Comics’ Nakayoshi Magazine and the 20th anniversary of the Tokyo Mew Mew manga. Along with the new anime Kodansha will re-release the Tokyo Mew Mew manga in a 10-volume edition with new covers.
The original manga was created by Reiko Yoshida, who wrote the story, and Mia Ikumi who produced the art. Mia Ikumi passed away in March, at the young age of 43 years old. Before her passing she was overseeing the anime production and working on the new manga edition.
Recommended by Yuki:
How our memory betrays us.. When I saw the artwork and trailers for this anime all I could think was: Isn’t that exactly what it looked like before? No, it didn’t, it’s just been almost 10 years since the previous version came out. So, a (for some) familiar story with an updated look. Although it’s been quite a while, or maybe because it’s been so long, I’m quite interested to see these characters and the story come to life again. If you enjoy anime with a bit of goofiness, fantasy and romance, then you might just enjoy this as well.
Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou (メイドインアビス 烈日の黄金郷)
Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou (メイドインアビス 烈日の黄金郷)Type: Anime
Studio: Kinema Citrus
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Based on the manga Made in Abyss by Akihito Tsukushi.
Starts airing: July 6th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
After the successful release of the first season, they’ve continued the adventure throughout 5 layers of the Abyss with 3 movies in between. This second season’s story will take place directly after Dawn of the Deep Soul. We will be introduced to the new adventurers Belaf, Vueko and Wazykyan who are searching for the Golden City of the Scorching Sun and maybe we’ll meet old familiar faces.
Recommended by Natsumi:
The Abyss franchise has always been very dear to me, it’s a very lovely looking anime with shocking plot twists. Heavy topics but yet such an intriguing story and fantasy world. It’s definitely amongst my top anime’s of all time and I recommend watching the movies before this comes out!
Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta (継母の連れ子が元カノだった)
Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta (継母の連れ子が元カノだった)Type: Anime
Studio: Project No.9
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Based on the eponymous manga by TakayaKi and Kyousuke Kamishiro.
Starts airing: July 6th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
A pair of middle school students who have been dating, eventually find themselves breaking up at graduation. Some time passes and they meet again in the most unexpected circumstances, after their parents remarry, they become siblings… with their parents’ relationship and feelings in mind, they decide to live as siblings and forget their previous relationship. But while they are living together in the same home, seeing each other every day can they really ignore their past?
Recommended by PHX:
The plot for this anime grabbed my attention immediately, the whole situation just screams out that it will be filled with awkward, funny moments and encounters as the pair try to come to terms with their newly shared existence. Done well, this could have your emotions changing multiple times throughout an episode and over the course of the series, although I hope there are not too many cliff-hangers. One for the fans of awkward romance and comedy.
Yofukashi no Uta (よふかしのうた)
Yofukashi no Uta (よふかしのうた)Type: Anime
Studio: LIDENFILMS
Genres: Romance, Supernatural
Based on the eponymous manga by Kotoyama.
Starts airing: July 8th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
After having quit middle school, Kou Yamori finds himself suffering from insomnia. He starts going on walks, at night, by himself. This makes him feel a little bit better, but he does realize that not being able to sleep at all is a big problem. During one of his walks he meets a weird girl, named Nazuna Nanakusa, who says the reason for his lack of sleep is that he is holding himself back from experiencing true freedom. She tells him that he won’t be able to sleep until he is happy about how he spends his waking hours. Nazuna then invites him back to her apartment, to share her bed. Once she thinks he’s asleep she bites his neck.
Recommended by Yuki:
Judging by the trailer, the style of this anime adapts to the different situations well. It goes from pretty in a normal scene to creepy, when Nazuna bites Kou’s neck. This fits well with how Nazuna herself seems to switch from sweet to scary. A love story with vampires is nothing new, but I do like that Nazuna seems a bit weird and creepy. I wonder how their love story will develop.
Hataraku Maou-sama!! (はたらく魔王さま！！)
Hataraku Maou-sama!! (はたらく魔王さま！！)Type: Anime
Studio: Studio 3Hz
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Based on the manga Hataraku Maou-Sama! by Satoshi Wagahara and 029.
Starts airing: July 14th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
Season 1 saw the Devil forced to adjust to the human world, where magic doesn’t exist. The Devil vows to return to his world to finish the conquest over Enta Isla, however as he works in the fast food chain MgRonalds, first the Devil seeks to conquer the corporate world whilst he also learns to deal with mundane tasks such as chores and paying the rent on time.
Recommended by AlexD:
It has been a long 9 years since season 1 first aired. The last season was a fun ride, mixing comedy and fantasy, and I just love how the Devil has been reduced to an employee at a fast food restaurant. Not only that, having the Devil be somewhat soft and actually a nice person only enhances the humour further. A simple premise done to perfection, hopefully the new studio will be able to match, or even improve, upon season 1.
Sasaki to Miyano: Koi ni Kizuku Mae no Chotto Shita Hanashi. (佐々木と宮野 恋に気づく前のちょっとした話。)
Sasaki to Miyano: Koi ni Kizuku Mae no Chotto Shita Hanashi. (佐々木と宮野 恋に気づく前のちょっとした話。)Type: OVA
Studio: Studio Deen
Genres: Boys Love, Slice of Life
Based on the manga Sasaki to Miyano by Shou Harusono.
Starts airing: July 27th
In November a student comes to Miyano and his friends, who have taken over the disciplinary committee, because his keychain is missing. Hanzawa decides, impulsively, to start the “First Lost and Found Detective Agency” and they start looking for the missing item.
Recommended by Yuki:
The style of this anime, the looks of the characters and their characters themselves make me want to watch this OVA. In December I recommended the anime, and I haven’t had time to watch it yet, but this OVA also definitely seems worth the watch!
Yoru wa Neko to Issho (夜は猫といっしょ)
Yoru wa Neko to Issho (夜は猫といっしょ)Type: Anime
Studio: Studio PuYUKAI
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Based on the eponymous manga by Kyuru Z.
Starts airing: August 4th
Number of Episodes: Unknown
A relaxing and adorable comedy about the mysterious habits and mannerisms of house cats and what it’s like to live with one. The main character, Fuuta-kun, loves spending time with his cat when he gets home at the end of an exhausting day.
Recommended by Yuki:
This anime just sounds like it’d be a fun and easy series to watch. It won’t demand a whole lot of thinking, but I think it will provide some relaxation and adorable moments.
Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi (夏へのトンネル, さよならの出口)
Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi (夏へのトンネル, さよならの出口)Type: Movie
Studio: Pony Canyon
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Based on the eponymous light novel by Mokune Hachi and Kukka.
Starts airing: September 9th
As Kaoru Tono finds himself standing in front of a tunnel, which looks similar to one described in a rumour he has heard of called the ‘Urashima Tunnel’. The rumour says if a person happens to find this Tunnel, their greatest desire will be at the end at the cost of a few years of their life. As Kaoru thinks about the sister he lost in an accident, it appears he is followed by Anzu Hanaki who promises to help him investigate a tunnel. Creating another mystery of what Anzu wants in return.
Recommended by AlexD:
As a fan of mysteries, I was already invested from the tunnel aspect of the plot. Particularly the trade-off for the desire, however I like the idea of a second mystery on the side of the uncertainty of the Anzu character to further keep viewers guessing. If there is solid writing, this is bound to be a future anime classic.
Ame wo Tsugeru Hyouryuu Danchi (雨を告げる漂流団地)
Ame wo Tsugeru Hyouryuu Danchi (雨を告げる漂流団地)Type: Movie
Studio: Studio Colorido
Genres: Fantasy
Starts airing: September 16th
Childhood friends, who have drifted apart, visit the housing complex they’ve grown up in, which is about to be demolished. During their visit something strange occurs. Once they regain consciousness all they see is ocean around them, as the housing complex has drifted off into a mysterious sea. Will they, and the others stuck there, be able to get back home?
Recommended by Yuki:
After watching a trailer for this movie I was definitely intrigued. The story seems to leave room for drama, but also for fun, as shown in the trailer itself. I wonder if and how they’ll all make it back home. If you enjoy fantasy movies or have enjoyed previous Studio Colorido movies, like A Whisker Away, you should definitely try watching this one 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!
