Anime Winter 2020: 10 titles to look forward to!

It’s 2020 and a new year means new anime series and films to look forward to. Here’s our list of ten Winter anime we’re looking forward to.

Are you missing a series you’re looking forward to? Become a writer for AVO Magazine and give us your two cents’ worth!

Uzumaki (うずまき)

Type: Anime
Studio: Production I.G
Genres: Dementia, Drama, Horror, Psychological, Romance, Seinen, Supernatural

Starts airing: Unknown
Number of episodes: 4

The town of Kurouzu-cho (Black Spiral Town) is being haunted by paranormal and bizarre events. Spirals appear everywhere; on buildings, objects but also humans are being terrorized by bizarre happenings at home and on the streets. Two town locals are aware of something being horribly wrong in their city and decide to try and save everyone from ‘Uzumaki’.

20 years after the ending of the 752-page manga and the live-action movie from 2000, it’s finally time for an animated series. Uzumaki will be brought as a four-episode mini-series aired on Adult Swim. The studios making it are Toonami and Production I.G. so much is expected. The series was announced as to be released somewhere in the middle of January but it seems the date has been pushed.

Recommended by Anvica:
My anime recommendation to watch this year is a classic work of well-known mangaka Juni Ito. It is one of the most important projects of his that became a success outside of Japan and one of the few translations. If you like thrilling bizarre stories that evolve around the obsession with spirals, this is the right pick for you.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: Magia Record (マギアレコード 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ外伝 (TV))

Type: Anime
Studio: Shaft
Genres: Magic, Drama, Thriller, Psychological

Starts airing: 5^th of January
Number of episodes: Unknown

Iroha, the magical girl at the centre of this series, is searching Kamiharma for her missing sister. Kamiharma just so happens to be where Madoka is also searching for Homura, who has also gone missing.

Recommended by AlexD:
I won’t deny, season 1 wasn’t the greatest. However, it was completely saved by the Rumble Town arc at the end. Hopefully, the lessons have been learnt and the second season follows on in this tone as the plot is interesting and has unique elements to other anime.

Heya Camp (へやキャン△)

Type: Anime
Studio: C-Station
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy

Starts airing: 6^th of January
Number of episodes: Unknown

Following on from Yuru Camp, which followed the lives, adventures and friendships of the Outdoor Activities Club, which starts when characters Rin and Nadeshiko meet unexpectedly during a cold November night at Mount Fuji.

Recommended by Matthew Elliott:
Yuru Camp or Laid-Back Camp is a simple, heartwarming slice of life anime, that focuses on the smaller details in everyday life that are often overlooked, such as the peace and quiet that comes from camping and the evolution of friendship. As a fan of the slice of life genre, I find this anime both relaxing and satisfying.

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (魔術士オーフェンはぐれ旅)

Type: Anime
Studio: Studio Deen
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama

Starts airing: 7^th of January
Number of episodes: Unknown

Orphen, once the top student from the Tower of Fang but now acts as a moneylender. His life changes yet again, when a client wraps him up in a plan to make money from marriage fraud leading Orphen to the monster who has been his goal since leaving the Tower of Fang. Between protecting the monster and trying turn his sister back seems to only more mysteries, including one about the very world itself.

Recommended by AlexD:
An alternative version to the original series in 1999, it will be interesting to see the differences in this adaption 20 years later. The plot has quite a few layers to it, making it sure to be a rollercoaster ride as all the different elements come together about the mysteries of the world.

Plunderer (プランダラ)

Type: Anime
Studio: GEEKTOYS
Genres: Action, Ecchi, Fantasy, Shounen 

Starts airing: 9^th of January
Number of episodes: 24

In a post-apocalyptic world dominated by the so-called “Numbers,” each human will have their identity branded with their own “Count,” which could define any number related to their life. May it be one’s walked distance or amount of compliments given to them by others, this Count could lead them to the abyss when it has dropped to zero.

In the year 305 of the Alcian calendar, Hina has inherited a mission from her Mother, whose Count has depreciated to zero, to search for the Legendary Red Baron. In her adventure, she meets a half-masked swordsman named Licht who tries to hide his identity, as he is known as a degenerate for having an incredibly low Count.

Recommended by Natsumi:
Even though the visuals are bound to be generic, there’s always room for loving fanservice in all shapes and forms. Licht and Hina seem like awesome characters and battling for numbers seem like a total first world relatable problem. Creative concept, and the thrill of the abyss definitely makes me curious.

Nekopara (ネコぱら)

Type: Anime
Studio: Felix Film
Genres: Comedy, Romance

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

Nekopara is a series of adult visual novels developed by Neko Works and published by Sekai Project. An anime television series adaptation by Felix Film is set to premiere on January 9, 2020. Follow the daily life of cute catgirls and get absorbed by their cute antics.

Recommended by Natsumi:
I have always been a huge fan of catgirls in anime and the game has been so much fun to play too. I am very happy to see that the anime adaption’s trailer kept true to the characters original art, unlike the OVA. The huge amount of support they’ve got on their Kickstarter years ago speaks for the enthusiastic fanbase.

Somali to Mori no Kamisama (ソマリと森の神様)

Type: Anime
Studio: Satelight
Genres: Adventure, Slice of Life, Fantasy 

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

The world is ruled by spirits, goblins, and all manner of strange creatures. Human beings are persecuted, to the very point of extinction. One day, a golem and a lone human girl meet.

This is a record of the pair, one a member of a ruined race, the other a watchman of the forest. It tells of their travels together and of the bond between father and daughter.

Recommended by Natsumi:
I read the reviews on the site of the manga and this anime definitely seems promising. The reviews described it as a slow pacing fantasy slice of life without a lot of actions, in some aspects similar to a Ghibli movie, and the relationship between the girl and the golem protecting her sounded very heart-warming. The art style is also something I adore. I am looking forward to it! The first 3 episodes of Somali and the Forest Spirit reviewed an early screening at Anime NYC.

Haikyuu!! 4th Season (ハイキュー!! TO THE TOP)

Type: Anime
Studio: Production I.G
Genres: Comedy, Sports, Drama, School, Shounen

Starts airing: 10^th of January
Number of episodes: 12/24

While in preparation for the upcoming National Tournament, the news of Kageyama’s All-Japan Youth Training Camp invitation came to them. In addition, Tsukishima will also be invited to the Miyagi Prefecture First Year Selection Training Camp. However, Hinata who is flustered with the difference between the 1st years makes a sudden appearance at the Miyagi Prefecture First Years’ Training Camp?!

Recommended by Natsumi:
The new anime is highly anticipated by Haikyuu manga fans now that Shoyo Hinata’s story has reached a good stopping point for the anime adaptation by Production I.G. The season 4 will be a split-cour with second-half releasing in July 2020, during Tokyo Olympics 2020! In this case, the first 12 episodes will air from January through March 2020. Haikyuu!! Season 4 Part 2 will then pick up again starting in July 2020. It’s expected that the second cour will have 12 episodes, as well.

Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga (織田シナモン信長)

Type: Anime
Studio: Studio Signpost
Genres: Comedy, Historical, Seinen, Slice of Life
Based on the eponymous manga by Megurogawa, Una

Starts airing: 11^th of January
Number of episodes: Unknown

The samurai General names Nobunaga perishes as in history and reincarnates in modern Japan as the dog Cinnamon. Other Warlords, such as Takeda Shingen, eventually join him, all like dogs.

Recommended by Hageshi:
When looking at the art of the manga, I really liked the style of it. And I am also curious about how far the history from the Samurais will be portrayed in the lives of the dogs. The idea on its own makes me laugh already, because Samurai dogs and a comedy, that will certainly be a nice story.

Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita. (理系が恋に落ちたので証明してみた。)

Type: Anime
Studio: Zero-G
Genres: Comedy, Romance 

Starts airing: 11^th of January
Number of episodes: 12

Yukimura Shinya and Himuro Ayame are two scientists that want to find out if love can be solved by a scientific theory. These two scientists also have feelings for each other and want to be able to solve their feelings through similar theoretical facts. With this perfect opportunity, these scientists will attempt to solve the theory of the love they express for each other.

Recommended by Natsumi:
This trailer already got me so hyped for how comfortably funny this anime looks and sounds. RikeKoi is a comedy through-and-through. Nearly every panel and line of dialogue is the buildup to a punchline of some sort of the punchline itself. Get ready for laughter!

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!