Preview by Pancakes

Back for its second half, Ao no Miburo returns to the dying days of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the simmering Meiji Restoration. The young waiter Chirinu Nio (Umeda Shuuichirou) thought life would be easy, yet he soon gets wrapped up into the greater political world around him after both he and his sister are used as bait to catch child abductors. Their baiters? Hijikata Toshizou and Souji Okita, members of the infamous ronin group Miburo. Regardless of Miburo’s morals, the experience is enough to convince Nio to join them (after a proposal by Toshizou) to improve his strength and make a change within Kyoto. As Nio quickly learns however, drive and results often rarely align. With middling sword skill and difficulty getting accepted by fellow Miburo members, Nio has his hands full both in finding a place within his new home and in prevailing against the enemies standing in his way.

While not the worst of samurai-centric series of late, Ao no Miburo didn’t have the best of showings in its first season. Drama and its related emotives was very much front and centre, which while to be expected given the series effectively being a Shinsengumi origin story, became overbearing taking into consideration the middling production quality, whiplash narrative, and stilted action. Make no mistake, it’s nothing particularly egregious (particularly for those loving the era featured), but anyone coming into Ao no Miburo expecting another Rurouni Kenshin is doing it wrong. Good news at least is that this second half has no major staff shakeups, and provided another two cour are on tap, enough manga material to finish adapting the first series. You never know, maybe this season is the redemption the first one was preparing for.

Preview by Pancakes

Orn (Ootsuka Takeo) has one thing going for him. Well, two: his swordsmanship, and his Enchanting, a skill Orn picked up to flesh out a needed gap among his adventuring party. It’s that career growth which winds up being Orn’s undoing however; the party leader abruptly dismisses him one day all because that enchanting talent wasn’t spent maximizing his sword prowess. Thus Orn is cast out and left to his own devices, a situation which encourages the guy to once again focus on being a proper swordsman. Or at least a form of one. Thanks to all that time spent learning Enchanting, Orn has capabilities few could dream on, and this time he fully intends on showing everyone just what he’s made of.

Ahh another season, another banished individual with secret powers aplenty fantasy to flesh out the ranks. I cannot even fault Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None too hard for it: it knows exactly what it is, it wastes little time beating around the bush, and makes no apologies for the content – up to and including Orn being yet another veritable Kirito clone. From the manga parts I read this one plays out exactly as you can expect, with the usual spelunking through dungeons, party mechanics/drama, and the basic exploration of quintessential fantasy elements like guilds and magic. Definitely one you know if you love or hate from first glance, but for the fantasy fan Yuusha Party should make for a decent bit of laid-back fun when it upskills its way into this season.

Preview by Pancakes

When one thinks of a hero one normally envisions an individual called to greater things. Destined for incredible feats. Saving the world. For Xylo Forbartz (Azakami Youhei) though? It’s the worst possible punishment. In Xylo’s world heroes are pressed convicts, criminals forced to permanently fight against the forces of the Demon Lords – and a fight Xylo must participate in after being accused of killing a goddess. It’s a service even death offers no release from, for any dead hero is simply resurrected to keep their ranks up and casualty count low. Yet for all the problems it’s also an opportunity for Xylo. When the guy stumbles across the goddess Teoritta (Iizuka Mayu) during one attack, he winds up forging a pact with her, one that provides significant power. Power to finally right the many wrongs inflicted upon him.

Winter certainly is playing with the hero motif a bit isn’t it? Two shows twisting the idea into something relatively unique? I dare say I’m a couple nickles richer. Tongue in cheek aside though Yuusha-kei is fairly standard once you strip away the penal hero premise, with a heavy focus on action, a bit of intrigue to colour the events, and the usual array of gritty protagonists and antagonists both. Or if you will, the fantasy version of Suicide Squad or 86, just without the monster of the week and mecha shenanigans. The key will be in the presentation: skimp on animation or go the route of Record of Ragnarok and it’s right off the cliff. The PVs at least are hinting towards a decent budget, so as long as the looks can match the material Yuusha-kei ni Shosu should make for a nice bit of fantasy popcorn entertainment when it attacks its way into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

From the titular Type Moon franchise comes the next latest Fate entry in Fate/strange Fake. Taking placing following the Third Grail War, a US magi organization decides it’s high time for America to have its own version. Basing it in the nondescript city of Snowfield, the planners replicated as much from Fuyuki’s war as possible before initiating the ritual, yet weren’t quite able to reproduce everything. As a result the Saber class is gone and Servants summoned don’t fully meet the definition of “hero” as before. Into this twisted war Mage’s Association member Rohngall and his pupil Faldeus have been dispatched, the goal to investigate and observe. Such a goal might prove challenging though when Faldeus is an American spy, Rohngall himself little more than a puppet, and Snowfield’s war is set to change the face of the grail ritual for good.

Honestly does Fate strange/Fake need any serious introduction? It’s another Fate work, it features a brand new setting, and it’s replete with a Servant cast chock full of interesting characters. In short, you know exactly what you’re getting. While the source material doesn’t delve to the depth of say Stay Night or Zero (in part from the larger cast), the story comes from a very passionate franchise fan in Narita Ryohgo and the always reliable A-1 Pictures has been delegated production duties – expecting another solid entry to the franchise is warranted, especially given the early release of the first two episodes to compare with. As always with Fate you’ll know right away if it’s up your alley or another one to avoid, but if somehow still on the fence or an enjoyer of Fate/Zero I’d recommend giving Fate/strange Fake a whirl – as with all things Type Moon it’s destined to be entertaining.

Preview by Pancakes

Everyone and their baton waving grandmother knows about the idol life. The glitz. The glamour. The existential dread of knowing your time to make it is rapidly running out. Oh and the fans of course, especially if you’re Kinoshita Utage (Hayami Saori). A vocal lover of everything to do with the boys idol group F/ACE and its extroverted leader Fukuhara Tamon (Hatano Kakeru), Utage works hard as a housecleaner to earn the money necessary for her fangirl necessities. One day however Utage gets the shock of her life when her latest client just happens to be Tamon himself. Big enough surprise as is, but as Utage finds out Tamon isn’t all he seems either. Gloomy, melancholic, lacking any friends; Tamon actually has no self-confidence, and for Utage such a thing just won’t do. No matter what’s needed, this fangirl will make sure her greatest idol can overcome his hurdles.

I will admit Tamon’s B-Side drew a laugh purely because it’s airing alongside Oshi no Ko’s third season. While this one is an unabashed romcom with a thoroughly wholesome side, it does spice its proceedings with enough of the flip side of idol life that you could also consider it a bit of an introspective work – at least superficially. Tamon for one has to come to grips with who he is under the surface, Utage too has to balance her love with a need for secrecy and the unexpected revelations concerning the rest of F/ACE. Or if you will, a decent take on some idol-flavoured shenanigans. Certainly keep this one on your winter radar if your romcom watch list is looking lacking, something tells me Tamon’s B-Side will more than fill in the gap.

Preview by Pancakes

As Akeuraji Tsukasa (Ootsuka Takeo) can attest living your dreams is never too easy. Once aspiring to be a professional figure skater, Tsukasa was, thanks to timing, relegated to an assistant coaching job barely letting him scrape by. That quirk of life however led him to meet Yuitsuka Inori (Haruse Natsumi). Herself a shy kid captivated by the sport yet held back by an overprotective mother, Inori never believed she possessed the capability of being a figure skater. That is at least until Tsukasa crossed her path. Thanks to his own passion Tsukasa decides to coach Inori and give her the chance to chase the dream he never could. There will be struggle, there will be challenges and competition to overcome, yet this duo is determined to not only beat it all, but go even further and see themselves on the top of the Olympic podium.

Having once dated a semi-professional figure skater turned coach (Pancakes power level, heh) Medalist was a fun experience for me. Unlike many recent sports series (looking at you Blue Lock) it was relatively grounded, dispensing with a lot of the shounen-esque mechanics in favour of grit, hard work, and focused drama. Given the faithfulness towards the sport in particular it made for a decent alternative to Yuri on Ice, and while not without its blemishes (Inori for one is a somewhat stilted protagonist), it proved to be a solid watch. This season should prove no exception either, as all cast and crew and carrying over, ENGI remains in the animation hotseat, and more than enough manga remains to go beyond another cour. It may not rise to the tops of the winter charts, but Medalist will easily fulfill any sports cravings you have when it skates on into this season.

Preview by Pancakes

Ashiya Mizuki (Yamane Aya) only has two things which she adores more than anything: food and Sano Izumi (Yashirou Taku). Mizuki’s love of the latter is especially prominent, enough so that after becoming fully enamoured of Izumi she literally upped and moved from the US to Japan so she could attend the same school as him. There’s just one slight problem. A male problem. That school she enrolled in alongside Izumi? An all-boys school. Not one to let that get between her and her idol though, Mizuki gets imaginative and cross-dresses as a boy to stay under the radar. It’s enough for her to both become Izumi’s classmate and roommate to boot – and thus enjoy plentiful time with him – but as the starry eyed girl will soon learn some secrets can prove very hard to keep quiet.

There’s been a recent trend of late for production committees to revisit older series, yet having Hanakimi get an adaptation over a decade after its conclusion is a (pleasant) surprise. For the uninitiated this one is a traditional romcom of the reverse trap variety, where Mizuki has eyes only for Izumi, her situation requires her to keep both her feelings and her sex hidden, and the various methods at doing so yield plentiful humour, development, and wholesome warm and fuzzies. Or if you will, a more grounded Ouran High School Host Club with stronger emphasis on the romance. Given the source manga has concluded and author Nakajo Hisaya was already in discussions for this production before her unfortunate passing there’s a strong likelihood at Hanakimi seeing a full adaptation, especially given the number of anniversary dates it’s falling around and the fact it’s already seen several live action adaptations. Remains to be seen how well it will hold up now (and what changes could result), but any romance fan need look no further than this for their winter romcom needs.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to magic Kunon (Hayami Saori) isn’t your ordinary sorcerer. Born blind the kid has always struggled to make up for his disability, and yet do that he did after being the first person in history to use water magic to fashion a new set of eyes. Only for that feat to soon be nothing compared to what he did next. Within five months Kunon surpassed his teacher. A short time later, he mastered the ability to have his magic let him sense colour. And after that? Why not a bit of conjuration for spice. It naturally doesn’t take long for Kunon’s talents to reach the ears of the court and have him taken on as disciple for the land’s most powerful magician, but it’s a bittersweet development. You see Kunon has an ultimate goal, and it’s anyone’s guess if all his power and newfound connections will even let him achieve it.

It probably will prove no shock that Kunon the Sorcerer Can See is pretty much exactly as specified on the box. This one is another entry in the usual seasonal wave of general wish fulfillment/light adventuring fantasy, with Kunon’s claim to fame being crazy water magic usage (surprise, not healing magic this time), a backstory driving him to keep bettering his skills, and a lackadaisical pacing where tension is exchanged for slow life relaxation. The light novel bits I read are fairly by the book, and while not bad by any stretch, won’t be the thing winning over those already turned off by these sorts of stories. This adaptation does rock a decent production crew at least so as long as Kunon the Sorcerer Can See can maximize on the strength of its setting it should prove a solid watch for fantasy lovers when it casts its way into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

Sibling relationships can often be tense and no more so than Koudai Makio (Sawashiro Miyuki) with her sister Minori. Makio never got along well with Minori due to life differences, enough so that when Minori dies in a car crash she doesn’t feel too much. Yet that changes when Makio runs into her niece Takumi Asa (Mori Fuuko) during the post-mortem. It is up to Makio to reassure Asa that her grief is normal, and that as an outlet she should write down her thoughts and feelings in a diary. Moreover it falls to Makio to take in Asa upon learning no other relative wants to care for her. As a determined novelist with no parenting experience whatsoever Makio has no idea how to begin caring for the distraught girl, but one way or another she will make the situation work.

True dramas are always an interesting beast to witness and Ikoku Nikki won’t be any exception. Very roughly for the uninitiated you can consider this one akin to Usagi Drop, where tragedy meets the challenges of parenting, and guardian and child both must come to grips with it and their own feelings on the matter. Unlike Usagi Drop though it’s more mature (helped by Asa being a teenager), with a significant amount of poignant introspection and happenstance aiding in give bite to the various slice of life scenes. While production crew are nothing stupendous, with a live action film already out and the source manga already concluded there’s plenty of material to work with, so as long as the script can match the writing I fully expect this one to be the drama all genre fans will want to watch out for when it writes its way into winter.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

MF Ghost is fine for what it is – the street racing sequences in this Initial D spinoff are its strong suit. The way it fetishizes the 16 year-old female lead and the generally ugly character designs are not. I can be pretty confident I’ll enjoy it enough to watch but not find enough to cover it.

It’s worth noting that sports seinen are not a particularly common entry on anime schedules, and with Medalist that makes two this season. I wish I liked them more than I do, but it’s still nice to have a couple of these series on the schedule of an otherwise fairly nondescript season.

Preview by Pancakes

Everyone has their opinion on the office life. Some enjoy the culture, others don’t mind the company – and many more cannot stand both and simply wish to get in and out as fast as humanely possible. As for Sero (Toki Shunichi)? He lies firmly in the loving what he does category. As a part-time torturer it’s hard not to after all, as nothing says emotional release and daily satisfaction like literally ripping the appendages off of people and getting paid for the privilege. Of course Sero has to balance the fun with his senior colleague Siu and the two new hires in Mike and Hugh, but if there’s one thing about their work it’s that no day will play out quite the same.

Well best strap in boys and girls because we certainly have an interesting one on our hands. Much as can be gleaned from the synopsis Goumon Baito-kun is very much a parody, taking a ludicrous premise – i.e. professional torturing – pairing it with the familiar comedic office setting, and letting the stark juxtaposition run wild. While we’ve had similar series like this before (Sakamoto Days comes close in feel), I strongly suspect Goumon Baito-kun will be more divisive given the material at play and the complete unknown as to its intention. Will the office life be emphasized? Will the torturing be alluded to or made front and centre? How that balance plays out will dictate the general enjoyment here, especially given how close to the chest the PVs are playing it. Will be very interesting seeing what way this one leans once winter kicks into gear, because if there was ever a black box of a quirky niche comedy Goumon Baito-kun is it.

Preview by Pancakes

The seaside resort town of Atami is known for many things, but one in particular stands out for its various visitors: Kinme Cleaning. A simple laundry shop near the hustle and bustle, Kinme Cleaning is overseen by its proprietress Kinme Wakana (Suzushiro Sayumi) who always goes above and beyond in her duties. Whether it be the cleaning of a suit or caring for a dress, Wakana spares no effort in ensuring her customers’ precious clothing articles are properly cared for, which in turns ensures her list of friends – and fellow travel partners – never stops growing. Plus when Wakana can barely recall her own past, building lasting memories in Atami through some hard work can never go wrong.

Slow, laidback, wholesome: indeed, Kirei ni Shitemoraemasu ka is as properly healing as you can get. It’s somewhat intriguing seeing this one in the seasonal offerings because much of slice of life has been dominated by isekai/fantasy or CGDCT; having a true return to form is a nice treat, particularly one focusing on such a niche activity. As far as story goes here there won’t be many surprises either: Wakana’s job is as simple as they get, there’s enough of a backstory to explore to keep things fresh, and the feel stays firmly on the side of wholesome and healing. The source manga is already complete following a ten volume run and Machida Touko is a very appropriate scriptwriter, so as long as the rushing is kept to a minimum there’s little here screaming alarm bells. When it comes to simple wholesome winter fun keep an eye on Kirei ni Shitemoraemasu ka, this one is unlikely to disappoint.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

With the parent series having finished its run in both manga and anime form, Vigilante takes over as the face of the BnHAfranchise. While it’s obviously nowhere near the same level of popularity, HeroAca’s one full-length spinoff is more than capable of carrying that weight. And Bones remains the steward of the franchise in anime form, which is a luxury any series would be lucky to claim.

Illegals is many things. Spinoff, prequel, side story – it manages to be all those very effectively. And it’s true to the essential nature of BnHA while still establishing a clearly distinct identity of its own. This is a more “seinen-y” version if you will – more measured, more character-driven, more focuses on the heroism of everyday existence than the glamorous world of pro heroes. It totally works and it meaningfully enhances the mythology, and I don’t know what more anyone could ask from a spinoff than that.

Preview by Princess Usagi

Legend comes to life when the fierce ex-soldier, the Immortal Sugimoto, and fierce Ainu huntress Asirpa pursue gold stolen from her Ainu people. In an epic journey that is part nature survival guide, part foodie heaven, part historical thriller, part glorious strangeness, they meet many wacky allies and face formidable foes. Together once again, Sugimoto and Asirpa continue their hunt for gold in snowy Hokkaido. From the PV, it looks like both old faces are returning with some new ones to meet.

The past four seasons were amazing, so I have high hopes that the final season will continue on that trajectory. It pains me to say that it is the final season- I wish the awesomeness that is GK would continue forever, but all good things must end. It looks like the staffing will be consistent with last season, so I’m glad they’re keeping a good thing going, and hopefully end it with a bang. If you haven’t seen this series yet, there’s still time to binge watch it and if you have already seen it, then let’s eagerly wait for what will hopefully be an epic continuation of the story!

Preview by Pancakes

The high school life has many dilemmas yet none are more strenuous than love. How do you profess to that crush? What happens if the crush says no? What happens if the crush says yes? As Sakai Yonosuke (Urao Takehiro) can describe it’s a troublesome conundrum, and one made worse in his case by his crushes being his two childhood friends Minamo Shio (Kusumi Rin) and Hiodoshi Akari (Serizawa Yuu). Ever since realizing both girls have grown incredibly cute Yonosuke has been wholly at odds at what to do given his existing relationship with them. Rejection after all would be a killer after all this time, yet what Yonosuke doesn’t know is that Shio and Akari both might be harbouring their own feelings, and with it their own insecurities.

Ahh the harem romcom, love it or hate it you can never really go wrong with the premise and Osananajimi to wa Love Comedy ni Naranai is living up to the genre’s standards. This one is very on the nose, fully embracing the utter lack of romantic progression, leaving you frustrated as picture perfect scenes devolve into hair pulling agony, and laughing as you get prepped to do it all again in the next arc. Honestly the thing I liked most from the manga bits I read was how self-aware the whole setup is, with fourth wall breaks, self-deprecating humour, and lots of sly plays to the quintessential harem tropes making up for a very by the books story. It ain’t going to win over those already turned off by the concept, but as the truly comedic alternative to the unintentionally hilarious Rental Girlfriend it will do the trick. Definitely keep an eye on this one if needing some easygoing romcom shenanigans this winter, it won’t be disappointing.

Preview by Pancakes

It’s that time of year again where the sleigh bells are ringing and the lucky candidate is getting their one way trip to isekai central. The designated candidate this time? Kondou Seiichirou (Itou Kent) who, after witnessing a young woman getting swallowed up by the ground, jumps in to save her. Both find themselves transported into a wholly different world, where in an effort to combat a plague the local kingdom decided to summon a saint. Of course the woman Seiichirou sought to save is said saint, but to make up for the poor guy tagging along the kingdom offers to take care of his every whim – which Seiichirou immediately leverages into a job. Now the royal accountant, Seiichirou’s conduct soon draws attention, especially from one Aresh Indolark (Maeno Tomoaki), the coldhearted Knight Captain. What both Seiichirou and Aresh don’t know is how quickly both will come to rely on the other to keep up their strength.

Alright, as that synopsis hints towards let’s get the obvious out the way: Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai is a boys love series, and yes, it’s not going to beat around the bush. This one is very on point for the genre, with a overt first volume giving way to a more conventional romance where relationship development takes a backseat to sticking the main cast in various twists and turns to see how they do (and give reason to bring them together). Or if you will, the BL counterpart to The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent. With three light novel volumes out there’s plenty of material to flesh out a single cour here, and with Studio Deen on animation duty no real worries when it comes to the production front. Even for isekai Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai will be a niche pick this season, but BL lovers will definitely be satisfied when this one counts its way into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to late night solace Yamabuki Arisu (Yasuda Rikuya) knows a thing or two. Well, at least one: Apollo. A radio host with an absolutely stunning voice, Apollo helped Arisu drift to sleep for many a night until she simply upped and disappeared. Years later, however, Arisu gets the shock of his life after his school merges with an all-girls school. When the new Broadcasting Club makes a first-day announcement, it’s with the voice of Apollo. Given that Arisu wastes little time joining up, but equally unsurprising gets another stumbling block in that the four club members all just happen to sound like the titular Apollo. For Arisu it’s going to be a challenge to figure out which one is the girl who won him over so many years ago, but for the Broadcasting Club it’s going to be a partnership that just might yield plenty more beside.

Mayonaka Heart Tune is an interesting one because it’s somewhat of a fusion. Musically inclined? Check. Harem mechanics and development? Fully on tap. Romance plot line? I thought you’d never ask. And yet it doesn’t entirely fall into cliche. For one this one dispenses with the usual harem setup, with Arisu being a surprisingly sound lead not falling into the meek and dweeby pitfall. There’s all the usual archetypes and backstories in play (naturally), but in terms of relationship progression it’s quite organic and makes for a very pleasant experience. The caveat of course is how well it translates into anime (ten volumes to date and a likely single cour run always risks a hatchet job), but should it play to its strengths and keep the rushing to a minimum Mayonaka Heart Punch will be one for romance fans to keep on their radar when it broadcasts its way into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

You know the spiel by now. Unlucky kid? Truck-kun’s thirst for speed? A match made in heaven. Or at least one made for alternate world adventuring as Youki (Amasaki Kouhei) discovers after vehicular homicide results in his rebirth into fantasyland. And not just any rebirth: demonic rebirth. Youki you see pulled the demon card, complete with all the overpowered abilities one such creature is expected to possess. Not being the heroic start he wanted, Youki decides to instead lounge around the Demon Lord’s castle as low rank guardian and waste the days away. Until the Hero’s party shows up to beat said Demon Lord. While Youki effortlessly knocks them out, it’s the presence of the party’s healer Cecilia (Hanazawa Kana) which causes him to rethink his (new) life choices. What do you do when struck with love at first sight? Youki is about to figure that out.

I will give Yuusha Party this, it’s at least trying to separate itself from the (very large) crowd. There are no surprises here: it’s the omnipresent fantasy setting, the usual party mechanics and adventuring, and the expected monsters and enemies at play. The twist of course is Youki being a demon, being head over heels for the very human Cecilia and, surprise surprise, the story itself being more of a romcom than true adventuring over time – i.e. relationship growth and character drama are the primary drivers. Also a slow burner, at least from the few manga chapters I perused. Don’t expect this one to be pushing the isekai envelope too much, but genre fans looking for a less conventional alternate world tale will be right at home when Yuusha Party comes to propose this winter season.

Preview by Pancakes

Many thousands year ago, the Emperor Talpa attempted to conquer Earth. Of course he was defeated given the current state of the planet and banished to the Nether Realm, with Talpa’s all-powerful armour securing his reign being divided into nine separate suits. When Talpha attempted his grand return he was bested by the Ronin Warriors, individuals each possessing one of Talpa’s armour suits. It was the Ronin Warriors again who saved Earth from the evil sorcerer Shikaisen some several years later, yet again after from Mukala, an African warrior with a twisted suit all of his own, and then from the allure of the mysterious Suzunagi. You would think the Ronin Warriors would get a breather for once, but there’s always evil at play – and sooner or later it will rear its head.

Geeze talk about a blast from the past. For the unfamiliar Samurai Troopers in an old-school Sunrise tokusatsu franchise, effectively melding the concept’s zany cheese with a space opera flair and pairing it with some nice mecha and shounen overtones. It was popular enough to spawn some three OVA sequels, and while largely relegated to the anime history dustbin over time, someone clearly thought the IP was deserving of a refresher. The key for this one though is the intent: Yoroi Shin is a sequel, not a remake, and that means we’re either getting a niche member-berries show or something akin to Code Geass: Dakkan no Rozé which is less of a true sequel and more a self-contained side-story. With the plot largely unknown it’s anyone’s guess what exactly that end product is, but there are two split cours already confirmed and Sunrise is rocking the animation hotseat. Certainly one to keep an eye open for if you like your mystery boxes, given the franchise and who’s all involved we might just have something fun in store.

Preview by Princess Usagi

Moments birthed in blood and chaos remain seared into the history books forever. Charlie (Tanezaki Atsumi) is just such a case- a human-chimpanzee hybrid born to a chimpanzee mother who was taken into custody by the eco-terrorist group, the Animal Liberation Alliance, on a laboratory raid. We meet Charlie as he starts high school (which- I gotta say, that’s pretty rough, to have your first human interactions outside of the foster family be at a high school…). While there, he befriends a classmate named Lucy (Kanbe Mitsuho) (wow- what (a not) coincidence there). Unfortunately, he can’t even have the benefit of a regular, awkward teenage life because ALA is trying to force the kid into their extremist plot.

My first thought upon seeing the preview was “Planet of the Apes” meets “V for Vendetta”. I’m not surprised this series got an anime- it won the Manga Taisho prize, in addition to being heavily featured at bookstores here. I always pass it when I make the rounds at my local manga rental shop and though I never picked it up, I’m interested to see it in anime form. One of the directors, Tsuda Naokatsu, has worked on the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and the other director, Nakayama Katsuichi, has a lengthy career, working on Gainax titles like some of the Evangelion entries, so we’ll definitely be getting the benefit of experience. The studio, Bellnox Films, is notably a new studio, and this appears to be its first work. There wasn’t anything about the preview’s art that blew me away, but I’ll reserve judgement until I see the premiere.

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to unlikely pairings you can get no stranger than Arne Neuntöte (Uchimaya Kouki) and Lynn Reinweiß (Nukui Yuka). The former? A vampire detective from the non-human city of Lügenberg out to solve any crime he comes across. The latter? A daughter of nobility who is absolutely infatuated with vampires. Bringing them together is a chance encounter in Lügenberg, one brought about by Lynn wandering in by accident and Arne seeking clues on a recent murder gripping the city. If Arne is to solve the latest crime on his plate, he’ll just so happen needing the help his new female acquaintance can provide.

The Case Book of Arne is a funny one to dig into because I fully bet it was greenlit as part of the latest wave of vampire adaptations. For the unfamiliar this series heralds from the 2017 RPGMaker game of the same name, where simplistic gameplay is cover for a comedic murder mystery flavoured with supernatural horror and the usual Victorian trappings. It makes for a noticeable black box anime-wise, for much as visual novel adaptations go we’re either going to get a solid standalone take on the central story or a made-for-marketing disaster there only for game PR – and with nothing else in between. Probably a good thing then that Silver Link is tailor made for this sort of show with some appropriate staff on tap; expecting a solid adaptation is very much in the cards provided the slashing and burning is kept to a minimum. We’ll know more once those first few episodes premiere of course, but I dare say The Case Book of Arne will be right up the alley of anyone needing some easygoing mystery this winter season.

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No matter how idyllic a life in the village can be, Shinonome Hajime (Furukawa Makoto) can attest to the challenges it can often provide. Starting life out as a kid in the slums begging, stealing, and otherwise getting into trouble just to survive, Hajime eventually pulled himself out of destitution and into a decent life as a resident of Komai Village. A life so decent enough in fact he has the time for the occasional dungeon adventure – and the surprises the dungeon holds. On a quest one day Hajime stumbles across the young girl Lirui (Suzushiro Sayumi), who thanks to age and skill (or lack thereof) was almost consumed by the local monster inhabitants. Finding out Lirui herself was abandoned and seeking refuge in the dungeon instills a sense of protection in Hajime who, thanks to seeing himself in her, decides to take the girl under his wing. Lirui may not be how Hajime intended on getting a family, but you best be sure he’ll do what’s needed to see her turn out alright.

It probably says something these days when the likes of 29-sai Dokushin Chuuken could be considered a different flavour of seasonal fantasy. Even given some recent examples the older protagonist meets younger trainee/upstart isn’t that well-tapped a wellspring just yet (keyword: yet), and while the quintessential elements are all here – i.e. generic adventuring, simplistic worldbuilding, basic fantasy elements – there are some legs given the lack of harem and greater emphasis on familial bonding and its associated warm and fuzzies. The manga chapters I read were decent enough for the premise at hand, and while it’s nothing stupendous overall, it’s certainly nothing particularly bad. Don’t expect 29-sai Dokushin Chuuken to be breaking the bank when it comes to fantasy greatness, but as a bit of laidback winter coziness I think it’ll do the trick.

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The Demon King Ahriman has a problem. A seriously cute problem: his daughter Dou (Kuno Misaki). The reason? Dou is not at all what a self-respecting Demon King daughter should be. Inhuman, cruel, violent: Dou is none of those things, instead being an incredibly caring girl going out of her way to love anything and everyone. No matter human or animal, elf or dwarf, if Dou encounters it Dou showers it with affection, enough so that it forces Ahriman to suspend his invasion of the world to try and rectify his daughter’s behaviour. Of course that proves slightly problematic when Ahriman cannot help but congratulate Dou for her every good deed and aide Jahy struggles to make a dent in her ways, but keep on trying they will. Even if the outcome might already be predetermined.

It probably doesn’t need to be said that The Demon King’s Daughter Is Too Kind is going to be winter’s diabetes show of choice. This one is stupidly cute and adorable, pairing an otherwise conventional premise (demon lord, evil fantasy antics, etc.) with a sly twist in pure and innocent needing a crash course in demon requirements. The punchline obviously is that Dou never learns, and the result is various attempts by Ahriman and Jahy both ending in her completely overcoming their attempts at education. The manga chapters I perused were as sweet as you can expect, and with six volumes currently out, there’s plenty of material for a season’s run. While this concept always runs the risk of growing stale over time, should it keep a tight pacing and play to its strengths The Demon King’s Daughter Is Too Kind will be one show guaranteed to put a smile on your face when it helps its way into winter.

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It’s morning again in the world, and for Sorimachi Yuuki (Miura Chiyuki) that means waking up once more in a strange location. The venue this time? An unfamiliar manor, with Yuuki herself wearing a maid uniform. The reason? Yuuki is a professional death game player who literally puts her life on the line for a stable paycheque. In her current job it doesn’t take her long to find the five other girls participating, though unlike Yuuki they are wholly unaware that the entire thing is entertainment for those with far too much money and time to care about them. To beat this latest game it’s up to Yuuki and the rest to overcome every form of locked room, trap, gun, and assorted means of murder while searching for the exit. Might seem strange to make yourself an expert in death games, but who’s to judge?

I’m of two minds when it comes to Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table. On one hand we have yet another death game adaptation in a wellspring of many a trainwreck. On the other a death game concept which actually pokes a bit of fun at itself. It reminds me of the original Battle Royale a lot, albeit with a more commercial premise and – spoiler alert – lack of appreciable death. The light novel bits I perused were at least on point in terms of thriller material (if with some dubious mechanics), so as long as the censoring and hacking and slashing are kept to a minimum I don’t foresee too many issues for this adaptation. Certainly keep an eye on this one if you like your suspense, when it comes to total unknowns this winter Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table is at the head of the pack.

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The town of Domori isn’t known for much, but when it comes to supernatural phenomena it easily tops the charts. Weird appearances; mysterious figures; urban legends doing their thing: if you think of it Domori is plagued by it, enough so that it decides to take action for the sake of the children by hiring a new homeroom teacher Meisuke Nueno (Okiayu Ryoutarou). Going by the name of Nube, Nueno is employed purely because he’s the only psychic teacher in all of Japan, with his left hand rumoured to contain a demon capable of unfathomable acts. For all the danger Nube thus invites he’s also the only thing standing between Domori’s kids and the multitude of spirits affecting it, and one way or another Nube intends on ensuring nothing befalls the town while he’s on the job.

As far as recent remakes have gone Jigoku Sensei Nube is fairly by the books. The first season played a nice homage to the original 90s adaptation (barring some modernization in spots), with lots of lighthearted humour, the expected horror shenanigans, and, much as manga was, a life lesson primer. For a very kids-focused episodic series it did the trick, and while nothing stupendous overall, was worth the price of admission. Don’t expect a lot of change here: all cast and crew are back reprising their roles, plenty of manga remains for (re-)adaptation, and it’s entirely possible this season is only the second of several more seasons to come. Definitely keep an eye open if you liked what Jigoku Sensei Nube had on tap before, as far as easygoing occult stories go this one has you covered.

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Normally Truck-kun in his hallowed name deigns to make his presence known. Is it isekai time? You’re seeing the holy engine grill in all its magical glory. But sometimes the alternate world move is less in your face. More seamless. More surprising. Something Lizel (Saito Souma) knows too well. Suddenly finding himself in a city similar yet not quite the same as his own, Lizel quickly deduces he is in fantasyland, but unlike other protagonists takes it all in stride. Clearly there must be a way home if he abruptly shifted worlds, so the guy enlists a seasoned adventurer Gil (Umehara Yuuichirou) as his guide and use the opportunity both to explore this new world and find a way back to his normal life. After all, sometimes it pays not to question the free vacation and the many new sights it provides.

Although quite standard fare even for isekai, I still chuckled at digging into A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation. Compared to some genre contemporaries this one is quite self-aware, dispensing with the usual alternate world shenanigans and fully embracing the slice of life definition – i.e. action and adventuring are sidelined, the feel good comfiness is emphasized, and every arc more or less ends smoothly without fail. Important to note too it’s, no matter the appearance, not a boys love series; it may have the bishounen cast, but it sticks purely to the slice-of-life shtick. Given how these series usually play out (read: wearing thin before too long) it’s up in the air how well this adaptation will perform, but should it play to its adventuring comfiness I think A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation will make for a nice bit of fantasy slice of life when it strolls on into this season.

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It’s another day and so you know what that means: another lucky person has found the isekai life. The latest beneficiary? One Noah Ararat (Nanami Karin), who not only happens to have been reborn into the imperial family with all the perks of aristocratic education and free living, but also possesses an infinite level cap and special ability adding the powers of his underlings to his own. In short he’s a lean mean Gary Stu ass kicking machine, however taking advantage of that isn’t necessarily too easy. You see Noah also happens to be six years old, has absolutely no qualms about being liked, and thanks to his new family, is the centre of many a conspiracy and plot for obtaining power. If this kid is to both survive and thrive, he’s going to need all the strength his ludicrous start gives him.

Normally I’d laugh and poke a stupid amount of fun at Kizoku Tensei, but it’s kind of hard when it does it all on its lonesome. The synopsis doesn’t lie: this one is very cookie cutter, fully going down the wish fulfillment route in typical fantasyland and pairing the setup with your usual paint by numbers aristocratic scheming. It’s not all generic though; Noah for one completely lacks the harem and is more stoic than animated (no awkward MC shenanigans here). Beyond that? You can walk this isekai/reincarnation path with your eyes closed. Nevertheless these series always have their moments when it comes to entertainment, so as long as it avoids the adaptation hatchet I don’t foresee too many issues. After all, you don’t always have to be groundbreaking to be fun.

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At a glance nothing would seem odd about Tounome Akira (Azakami Youhei) and Yakou Shizuka (Nukui Yuka). Sure, both work for the same detective agency and they might be more interested in each other than they might consider obvious, but that’s normal, right? Except Shizuka happens to be legally blind and Akira, well, is completely invisible. While Akira’s invisibility might be impressive enough, it’s Shizuka’s uncanny ability to always know where he is which arguably takes the cake – and indeed was one of the things bringing the two closer together. Tack on the fellow companionship of one beast-girl bodyguard in Jarashi Luna and the intelligence gatherer Kikira Daichi and this is one detective agency where you’ll never know what just might happen next.

While not the most outlandish of concepts for a romantic slice-of-life series, The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife certainly is making a play for unique with its main characters. An invisible guy and a blind woman? With a furry bodyguard to boot? You’re not finding that combination elsewhere. From the manga parts I read it doesn’t deviate far the lackadaisical, with Akira and Shizuka engaging in plenty of cute and wholesome, deriving comedy from the nature of their conditions, and setting it all in the confines of general detective work which Luna and Daichi participate. Given the setting and premise I expect this one to be a more niche romcom than most, but if you were looking for something off the beaten track I’d definitely give it a shot. After all, even the quirkiest of shows have their unique charms.

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If being a member of the nobility means doing anything for power then Constance Grail (Ichinose Kana) shouldn’t be part of the club. Morally upright and altruistic, Constance is a firm believer in her family’s noblesse oblige ideals – only for said ideals to bite her when her fiance cheats on her and the other girl frames her in the hopes of eliminating her. No one save one is willing to hear Constance’s plea: Scarlet Castiel (Suzushiro Sayumi), a spirit who possesses Constance and helps her turn the tables on her accuser. Naturally though, such supernatural help doesn’t come without a price. Scarlet you see was wrongly executed for attempted murder herself a decade prior and wants revenge against whoever orchestrated her death. Since Constance is the only one who can see and interact with her it falls upon the idealistic noble to help Scarlet out – and help she will, no matter the requirements.

I admit I got a laugh out of Eris Seihai because this one is not at all what you see on the tin. Expecting another isekai villainess romcom series? Off the mark, and in a good way. Easiest comparison I can make for this one is if Testuwan Birdy met Unnamed Memory and draped the affair in courtly otome shenanigans, where Constance serves more a vessel for Scarlet to eke out vendetta while coming to grips with the harsh nature of the world around her. The character dynamic between Constance and Scarlet in particular helps give the overarching story legs (I very much enjoyed the light novel chapters I perused), and with just enough volumes in the original publishing run for a single cour easily enough material to make for a fun ride. While I wouldn’t go breaking the bank on hype until we see those first few episodes, when it comes to mystery and suspense this winter Eris no Seihai definitely will leave a mark.

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In an alternate timeline Japan isn’t having an easy go of it. Beset by a mysterious dimension termed Mato containing a demonic realm, the country is continually ravaged by attacks from its so-called Shuuki denizens. Yet not all hope is lost. Thanks to the power of a Mato fruit, women are capable of wielding supernatural abilities which can defeat the Shuuki, enough so that Japanese society is radically altered with a matriarchal government and all-female Anti-Demon Corps taking control. It’s in this world that Wakura Yuuki (Hirose Yuuya) finds himself, a high schooler who one day inadvertently stumbles into a Mato rift only to get immediately rescued by local Anti-Demon Corps chief Uzen Kyouka (Kitou Akari). Normally that would be all there was to it, but Kyouka’s abilities are haphazard and Yuuki just so happened to unlock their full potential during his rescue. Thus Yuuki gets a proposition: join the Anti-Demon Corps as Kyouka’s slave to better fight the Shuuki. It’s a request he won’t be able to refuse.

Well ecchi is as ecchi does and Mabotai’s first season certainly didn’t disappoint on that front. In terms of pure unaltered (reverse) harem antics we had it all, from sadistic females going wild in all their archetypal glory to the array of lascivious acts for power ups and a story which definitely would fit right in alongside High School DxD. To call it a masterpiece would be impossible, hell to call it a standout difficult at best – but as a unabashed return to earlier ribald harem days? Oh yes, it more than does the trick. Considering staff and studio both have switched since last time it’s somewhat up in the air just how this season will compare with the first, but if there’s one thing you can bet on it’s that the ecchi shenanigans won’t be taking a backseat – and I dare say that’s all the reason needed for genre fans to tune back in.

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Back to continue where it left off three years prior, Jujutsu Kaisen once again returns to a Shibuya under siege. Some twelve years after the powerful Special Grade sorcerers of Goujo Satoru and Getou Suguru handled a critical mission for their world, attention turns to the rising number of powerful curses being born from human emotions threatening to overturn the established order. As these curses grow in power enough to achieve self-awareness, they band together in common cause to create a world in their own image. Standing in their way is Satoru, who together with his fellow sorcerers like Itadori Yuuji must now do everything they can to ensure both they and the humans around them come out on top.

At this stage I don’t think Jujutsu Kaisen needs much introduction. This one has become a major shounen hit over the years, pairing some frankly impressive animation on the part of MAPPA with excellent fight scenes and a central story which, while nothing crazy, does the part for giving reason for much of the eye candy on display. The second season in particular was a solid continuation, accentuating all the positives and even doing so under some tight and unforeseen production issues. And the good news? This season will be happily following in those footsteps. Besides a carryover of all key staff, MAPPA hasn’t gone anywhere, another two season split cour is already booked, and the first two episodes were released theatrically in case some hard evidence was needed to verify. Don’t expect any opinions on Jujutsu Kaisen to change with this latest season, but as far as winter heavy hitters go you need look no further than this.

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As far as Flum Apricot (Nanase Ayaka) is concerned life was great. Keyword: was. While a no-name girl with nary a power or critical stat to her name, Flum had the fortune of being included in the hero’s party and, naturally, being one who was destined to defeat the Demon King. That was until the party’s sage Jean decided her dead weight was a little too onerous to for the rest to handle. As a result Flum is sold into slavery, an act which soon sees her literally thrown to the monstrous wolves all for the sake of personal entertainment. Flum, for all her weakness though, doesn’t take that lying down. Coming across and taking control of a cursed weapon during the chaos, Flum awakens something in herself, something with the potential to right the many wrongs against her. It will be an uphill struggle to regain her dignity and freedom, but Flum is one girl who won’t stop until she’s got everything she desires.

Well, I’ll give Roll Over and Die this: it’s definitely treading its own path this season. Darker fantasy after all isn’t that common right now, and while this one in premise is basically following the likes of Übel Blatt or, hell, even My Gift Lvl 9999 Unlimited Gatcha, it’s not the usual we see. Key of course is it being dark pacing, censoring, and atmosphere are everything, and recent examples have not fared well in either one or all of those categories (*cough* Übel Blatt). Tack on middling staff and questionable studio choice and I’m not liking the odds of pulling a diamond in the rough. Nevertheless any time we can pull a dark fantasy is a good time so I’d keep some optimism when it comes to Roll Over and Die. After all, stranger shows have wound up chart toppers.

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High schooler (and aspiring manga artist) Nishino Mizuho (Shinfuku Sakura) has it rough. Newly turned 17, Mizuho not only had her parents completely forget about her birthday now come and gone, but also had the displeasure of finding out her crush has absolutely no interest in her. Indeed, not at all the birthday you want. Yet things take a quite dramatic turn when one of Mizuho’s childhood friends takes a leap of faith and asks her out. Now in a relationship out of the blue, Mizuho must both reconcile what the change means and, more importantly, what it will do for her as a while. As the girl will soon discover, her own feelings will be far from the only ones changing.

Shoujo series are always a veritable box of chocolates, and Douse Koishite Shimaunda certainly lived up to the definition. The first season back was quintessential drama mill, accentuating the love triangle (or square), dragging out relationship developments, and ensuring the misunderstandings and overthinking kept the opportunities for permanent romantic conflict running strong. While I don’t think it’s as horrendous as some have made it out to be (the likes of Rental Girlfriend show how far you can plumb the romance genre depths), very cheap animation, an overabundance of static scenes, and the very paint by numbers story combined lead to a fairly middling experience. Don’t expect a lot of changes from the first season, but if you enjoyed the first cour or need that next romantic drama hit keep Douse Koishite Shimaunda close at hand. One way or another this one will have you covered.

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For one nondescript kingdom’s Black Forest there’s more than monsters which lurk in its depths. At its heart lies the black witch Luna (Shiraishi Haruka), a gifted young woman beset with skin poisonous to the touch and fatal breath for any who draw near. Yet Luna is also deeply caring, enough so that she frequents a nearby town to deliver medicine and find new books to read. No matter what the local residents think of her or what the kingdom’s rulers may believe, Luna still carries on with her routine and finds comfort in seeing her goods go to use and people interact. As this black witch will discover however, even the most determined of attempts at isolation may not hold up in the face of reality – especially when lives are on the line.

Although far from a groundbreaking story, I still enjoy seeing series like Champignon Witch grace the seasonal lists. Easiest way to think of this one is as a Junketsu no Maria which replaces Hundred Years War and religious overtones with more generic fantasy and Germanic mythology flair, where the high stakes consequences are more down to earth and the focus much more personal. The manga chapters I read certainly reinforced the point, as the story is both equal parts cute and cathartic with many – many – heartwarming scenes to keep the emotional waterworks going strong. And once you figure out it’s also by the author of Gakuen Alice you’ll get an even better idea how it plays out. Studio choice and production staff are somewhat dubious picks, but should Champignon Witch nail the feel of its source material and avoid the rushing this is one fantasy adaptation worth some attention when it flies on into the winter season.

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When it comes to the high school life you can always bet on a bit of mischeviousness and the quintet of Ichidou Rei, Reitetsu Gou, Shusse Kiyoshi, Daima Jin, and Monohoshi Dai are well-known for it. Whether it joking around, making fun of people, or otherwise causing unholy chaos, the five have earned themselves a reputation as their school’s infamous Kimen-gumi. Such antics soon enthrall the likes of Kawa Yui and Uru Chie, new students who while girls soon slot in nicely to the Kimen-gumi way and its many escapades. Whether it be dealing with popular kids, handling the delinquents, or going through the paces with the jocks, the Kimen-gumi will find a way to make school enjoyable for all involved.

Well chalk another one up to very surprising remake. High School Kimengumi is quite an old series at this point, being a four decade plus old manga with an adaptation similarly positioned in the mid-80s. As you can guess this one is a very 80s comedy, with plenty of parody, off the wall humour, and gag jokes. A good comparison is Osomatsu-san with a stronger school emphasis, as much like that franchise High School Kimengumi is quite episodic and focused more on the experience than any sort of linear story. Considering that there shouldn’t be too many issues adaptation-wise (hard messing up a comedy), even considering studio Seven is basically a hentai factory at this point. Still as a proven bit of comedy High School Kimengumi is worth some attention for anyone after a few wintertime laughs. As far as humour goes this season, I suspect few will match this one’s antics.

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Based on the K-pop manhwa of the same name, Dark Moon follows the trials and tribulations of one Sooha (Izumi Fuuka) as she seeks a life of peace. Thanks to supernatural talent, Sooha is constantly fearful of being outed as a vampire, a fear soon realized when she’s accused both of being one and being responsible for her friend’s death. To avoid further issue she enrolls in Decelis Academy, a school where no supernatural beings are permitted. As Sooha discovers though, such marketing isn’t representative of reality. Sooha’s new friendship with a group of boys quickly leads to both her secret being outed and her getting further involved in the world of the supernatural, with a recent murder in particular throwing back the veil on a centuries-long rivalry between vampire and werewolf which Decelis is not immune from involvement in. No matter how much Sooha may wish to avoid the supernatural, she’s about to find out she may have no choice in her involvement.

Oh how I got a chuckle out of digging into Dark Moon, in part because this one is going only end one of two ways: masterpiece or utter trainwreck. For the unfamiliar Dark Moon heralds from a series which serves as the backstory for the ENHYPHEN K-pop group, effectively taking Twilight, running it through the magic academy strainer, adding a few Korean quirks, and topping it with some decent animation chops in TROYCA. Outside of the guaranteed ENHYPHEN song inserts one shouldn’t expect this one to play out like Symphogear or the like given the origins, though the question of quality remains; as Tower of God shows being a manhwa is no guarantee of greatness in of itself, and the premise/origins here are, well, interesting to say the least. Nevertheless a seven volume run does provide room for a decent adaptation should we be looking at a two cour run, so if you like your supernatural dramatic and vampires pretty keep an eye on Dark Moon. One way or another I suspect this one won’t disappoint.

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Some gamers enjoy the grind, others enjoy the experience, and those like Yamada Kenichi (Tamura Mutsumi) are all about the struggle. Living only for the challenge of hardcore games, Kenichi is very disappointed when his favourite online game escape shuts down its servers and leaves him listless. That is until he comes across an untitled game promising nothing but unceasing challenge. Naturally Kenichi signs up, and being who he is, immediately goes for the “Hell Mode” difficulty because nothing worth doing is worth doing quickly. Unfortunately for Kenichi he gets far more than his wish. Immediately reincarnated in the game world as a serf, Kenichi must come to grips with both the mechanics and his mystery-laden Summoner class, all the while doing it without a shred of a guide to go by. For any other gamer this would be hell, but for Kenichi? It’s a dream made reality.

Ah yes, let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, Hell Mode is an isekai, and yes, it’s pure distilled wish fulfillment. Hard to fault it on that alone given the concept remains stupidly popular, but as far as ingenuity goes? Yeah, we’re hitting bedrock here. From the manga bits I perused (note this one is a light novel series) it very much follows the Shangri-la Frontier/Full Dive script where incredibly OP monsters and characters are all there to provide the MC differing ways of showing off their badassery – and for collecting girls alongside. As isekai junk food goes it easily does the trick, but considering the middling staff and studio here you should know exactly what sort of quality to expect overall. Still these series always have their entertaining bits, so if you’re still on board the alternate world train and needing some light refreshment keep Hell Mode on your radar. I dare say it’ll quench the thirst.

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Returning to finish the second half of hotly anticipated third season, Fire Force once again ventures into the Solar Era world where Spontaneous Human Combustion is a thing, Tokyo is central to all manner of fire-related events and scheming, and the young and fiery Kusakabe Shinra (Kajiwara Gakuto) is out to help the Special Fire Force deal with it all. Having previously learned of the Evangelist’s plans for the world and his want to gather and sacrifice the Eight Pillars – all those possessing Adolla Bursts – for the sake of achieving it Shinra and friends now turn towards stopping the guy and his Knights of the Ashen Flame. Doing so however will not be so easy. The Evangelist’s agents are everywhere, the Special Fire Force is reeling from recent attacks, and Shinra himself is only just recovering from intensive training unlocking his latent abilities. The mother of all battles is upon the Special Fire Force, and no one knows which side will ultimately prove the victor.

After so long away Fire Force didn’t waste much time in its third season, quickly jumping right back into things with plenty of developments, even more action, and the usual host of shounen tropes on full display. The first half back in Spring 2025 was largely for laying the groundwork for what’s to come next, and as anyone who’s fully caught up can attest the latest cliffhanger is all the proof you can need. Only real irk is how this latest season may play out; there’s far more manga material left than can be reasonably crammed into a single cour, and so far no indication of this season being more than the scheduled 10 episode run. It’s anyone’s guess just what we get for this latest round, but at minimum you can expect more of the same when it comes to Fire Force’s variety of shounen. In terms of climactic action this winter few will have this one beat.

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It’s another day in isekai-land and that means one more lucky candidate has found their reincarnation salvation. Or at least in Illusia’s (Toki Shunichi) case a form of it. Rather than awakening as the hero or another human of venerable overpowered capabilities, Illusia instead finds themselves ensconsed within a dragon egg as a baby dragon yet awaiting birth. Making matters worse? That egg happens to be smack dab in the middle of a forest teeming with deadly critters and all sorts of other dangers. Thankfully there’s a helpful deity in the form of the Divine Voice out to watch over Illusia and Illusia’s development, but no one ever said survival would be a sure thing. For this dragon-in-waiting, living large is going to be one challenge that will take some effort to achieve.

Well, we’ve had slime and spider isekai reincarnation series, guess it’s time for the dragon variant. Not even a sleight against Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling: this one is very much in the vein of Kumo desu ga, Nani ka, and like that forerunner has all the same pieces at play. For starters it’s very much an “introverted” story, with Illusia, outside of the occasional acquaintance and ally, being a longer with many the emotional monologue (unlike Tensura). Second it plays hard to the evolutionary power-up shtick with Illusia growing into several different dragon forms over the course of events. In short a very paint by numbers tale, but one with a few selling points. Cast and crew are nothing to write home about, but with over 16 light novel volumes to work with I expect Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling will prove a comfy watch when it hatches its way into this season.

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Never say Truck-kun doesn’t appreciate deviating from the norm. Getting hit to the face too direct? Well let’s leave some ambiguity and delayed starts for the lucky candidates instead. And so this quirk is how the noble Van Nei Fertio (Uchiyama Yumi) found out at the ripe old age of two he remembered his days as a salaryman from Japan. Such a blessing naturally results in claims of Van being a child prodigy given his exploits – until six years later when his latent magic is shown to be crafting-focused Production Magic. In a family where martial prowess is everything it’s enough to see Van ostracized and eventually banished to the middle of nowhere, all in the hope of keeping him out of sight. Can one unlucky kid bearing Truck-kun’s gentle grace and quirky magic improve the fortunes of his new abode? One way or another he’s about to find out.

Oh yes I don’t think think much needs to be said perusing that synopsis. Isekai premise? Obtuse yet obviously OP abilities on display? A largely innocuous location with the usual aristocratic harem flair? Indeed you might just be looking at another cookie cutter alternate world offering. To be fair to Okiraku Ryoushu though it’s not all bad; the light novel chapters I read were fun enough for the concept with just enough imagination to keep it chugging along. Won’t be claiming any serious awards mind you, but as proverbial brand-name isekai junk food it’ll satisfy many a palate. Considering just how many shows we see in this category every season that alone already ensures some potential for Okiraku Ryoushu to separate itself from the pack.

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Some three years after its awaited remake Trigun is once again back to finish its story. Set on the planet Noman’s Land, Trigun follows the escapades of Vash the Stampede (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) – a.k.a “The Humanoid Typhoon” – so labelled because of the violent chaos often following in his wake. Reality, however, is different than the label. In actuality Vash is a carefree vagabond beloved by many, one whose reputation stems from his malevolent and omnicidal brother Millions Knives responsible for all acts committed in Vash’s name. Having dealt with simple bounty hunters and the catastrophic Lost July incident both, Vash must now get ready for the final showdown with his brother, one which is set to not only determine the fate of Vash’s life of peace, but also that of humanity as a whole.

In terms of reboots Trigun was always an interesting case study, in part for what it did over what it didn’t. Unlike a lot of recent examples it experimented hard, dispensing with the feel of its OG adaptation – i.e. the comedic space cowboy adventuring – and instead going for a much grittier and serious flair permeating all aspects of the story. It’s arguably debatable just how well it worked overall (old-school series fans for one are split), but there’s no denying it was still a fun watch, especially when it came to the antagonists and their fleshing out. And that’s before getting into the impressive animation budget allotted. With this season being in the works since the start and with no big staff shakeups don’t expect a lot of change, and with some smart writing tweaks little indication of a story flying off the rails. Probably not a serious chart topper, but when it comes to popcorn-worthy sci-fi this winter Trigun Stargaze more than has you covered.

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It’s always said the online world isn’t for the faint of heart, however Aoringo is living proof of its validity. Flame-baiting; straw manning; deliberately insensitive and enraging takes: whatever the guy needs to do to get attention he will – and rake in all the associated revenue to boot. Yet Aoringo’s antics aren’t purely to watch the world burn. In reality Aoringo is a cover for high school dropout Enshiro Souji (Okamoto Nobuhiko) to take care of his sister and her expensive medical bills. That is at least until Souji’s deliberate digitial destruction stumbles across something far more impactful than inflammatory comments. As the kid learns there are powers at play in the digital world capable of more than simple posts, and if he wants to keep his sister safe he’ll have to put far more than his social reputation on the line.

For anyone who has kept up with anime urban fantasy of late Dead Account should be familiar territory. At its core this one is a supernatural action battler, where Souji must duke it out with human and nonhuman both to achieve the goal he’s striving towards – i.e. take Accel World, pair with Juuni Taisen or equivalent, tack on a content creator focus, and you have a good idea of the offering. The manga bits I read were very much paint by numbers, as outside of Souji’s distinctive sis-con focus and the always interesting take on special abilities it plays out much as you can expect in terms of action and character development. Don’t expect this adaptation to be setting any records or showing up the competition, but if you were craving some easygoing winter popcorn shenanigans Dead Account has your needs covered.

Preview by Pancakes

Everyone knows about the yakuza, but in mid-21st Century Tokyo the real threat are the Demon Lords. As crime bosses who’ve undergone magical enhancement surgery, the Demon Lords are capable of awesome feats and even more terrifying actions. The only ones who can stand up to them are Heroes, individuals who themselves leverage magical powers thanks to the use of the E3 drug and have full authority to kill as required. It is in this world that Yashiro “the Reaper” (Suzuki Ryouta) falls, a Hero working by his lonesome to combat the Demon Lords. That is at least until Jougamine Aki (Kitou Akari) enters the picture. Herself an apprentice Hero, Aki slyly forces Yashiro to take her under his wing, turning what was a single man’s operation into an unlikely team effort. As Yashiro will soon learn however, Aki has skills which will come in very handy when the criminal underworld starts making plays for total domination.

Honestly I laughed when first seeing Yuusha no Kuzu because this might be the first hero-titled series which isn’t a high fantasy work. Shounen-esque action-drama with some urban fantasy trappings? Why yes I’ll take that and then some. It’s basically a more action-focused Cop Craft if you want to squint a bit, with Yashiro as the grizzled and off-putting veteran and Aki as the spunky junior out to make a name. Tack on the usual urban criminal elements for enemies and main bosses and you start getting an idea what’s on tap. Provided this adaptation can keep the rushing to a minimum and properly play to its setting it should make for a nice bit of urban fantasy popcorn entertainment when it strolls on into this winter.

Preview by Pancakes

Teachers are supposed to adore their students. Enjoy educating them. Revel in their successes and cheer them overcoming their struggles. Hitoma Rei (Masuda Toshiki) is not one of those trachers. A self-proscribed misanthrope with a traumatic past, Rei turned to teaching in part to get away from people, but instead got far more than he bargained for. His pupils you see are not actually human, instead being various forms of demi-humans eager to become human themselves. And Rei’s role as educator? To show them just what humanity is all about, and maybe a little more beside. Not at all the job Rei had in mind when he took up teaching, but he’s not about to let it get the better of him.

Don’t deny, you were thinking of Demi-chan when reading that synopsis – and yes, I was too. Jingai Kyoushitsu doesn’t make much attempts to hide its influences, though unlike its older brethren it’s more focused on the true schooling experience. Here Rei is an educator in place of Demi-chan’s Tetsuo’s researcher role, serving to explain more than discover, with the different lessons serving as the foundation for the various hijinks at play. Make no mistake, still the same sort of cutesy school-life under the hood (especially given the various demi-girls on tap), but Jingai Kyoushitsu does have its differences and keeps its material thoroughly above board. Definitely keep this one on your radar if needing a bit of easygoing school shenanigans this winter, it will easily do the job.

Preview by Pancakes

Some say it’s hard being a girl, and Takiguchi Yoi (Ichinomiya Rei) would be the first to say those people are onto something. Possessing devilishly boyish looks and a stoic personality, Yoi has been permanently deemed the school “Prince” purely for her androgynous quirks, and for how quickly she passes off all the attention her female classmates give her. That is, at least, until Ichimura Kohaku (Suzuki Ryouta) enters the picture. Deemed the second school “Prince” courtesy of his own stunning looks, Kohaku’s mindset is almost the polar opposite of Yoi’s, and enough so that his first act upon seeing the girl is to call her beautiful. For Yoi it’s the first time being acknowledged as a girl, and while she tries to ignore it, Kohaku is determined to have her – and as Yoi quickly finds out to her chagrin, she might just like the guy too.

Well best strap in everyone, winter’s romance is here. Much as synopsis and those PVs tease In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is a textbook high school shoujo romance where bishounen and bishoujo with various quirks meet, cutesy misunderstandings and light drama result, and the development moves towards a proper romantic outcome. Main flavour here of course is Yoi’s boyish looks (note: not a tomboy), but beyond some superficial passes it’s largely window dressing. Likewise Kohaku is the typical straightforward male lead with just enough mystery to give rise to various situations and placing him and Yoi together. In short no real surprises for anyone familiar with the genre, but certainly one worth some attention if needing some fresh romance to round out the season. After all, can never go wrong with a few blushing faces!

Preview by Pancakes

When it comes to classmates you cannot get more starkly different than Suzuki Miyu (Suzushiro Sayumi) and Tani Yuusuke (Sakata Shougo). The former? Popular girl #1 into all the trends and with a bubbly personality to boot. The latter? Mr. Introspective with a thorough love of succinct lines. Their very interactions are the thing of tacit politeness for the sake of classroom peace to those watching, yet under the surface there’s love blossoming. Miyu you see adores Yuusuke for his flagrant disregard on fitting in, while Yuusuke himself loves how honest Miyu is in her interactions. And when Miyu just happens to drop to Yuusuke that she likes him, lo and behold he confesses he likes her too. This is one relationship which might be weird at face value, but is certainly going places.

Even though it’s nothing particularly unique, Seihantai na Kimi to Boku does bring a smile to my face. Similar to season partner Osananajimi to wa Love Comedy ni Naranai, Seihantai na Kimi to Boku is thoroughly romcom, yet unlike that one leans hard on the diabetes injections. Cute and wholesome is the bread and butter here, with Miyu and Yuusuke both learning the ropes of what a relationship means and how to handle it, all the while doing it through the lens of teenage romance jitters. The manga chapters I read were an absolute blast, and while one should not mistake this for a masterpiece example of the genre (it is generic when you get down to brass tacks), it ticks off all the boxes and does what it does very well. Provided this adaptation doesn’t rush and we can squeak out a two-cour affair here (the source manga has concluded with eight volumes) I dare say Seihantai na Kimi to Boku will be one for romcom fans to seriously watch out for when it blushes its way into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

Satou Kaya (Tachibana Azusa) isn’t your ordinary kindergartener. While other kids get up to the usual stunts of scrapes and bruises, lunchtime annoyances, and the daily napping struggles, Kaya is a more notorious example in her love of punching things. Repeatedly. What the students’ teacher Hasumi Chie (Uchida Maaya) discovers however is far from Kaya being a true delinquent in the making. Kaya rather has the uncanny ability of perceiving evil spirits, and goes around punching people because, lo and behold, her little fist is enough to vanquish them. How Chie can help this little girl overcome the very wrong opinions of her is anyone’s guess, but this is one teacher who will do what she can to help out her student.

Anime and horror always make for a nice combination and I don’t think a lot will be disappointed by Kaya-chan isn’t Scary’s variety. Unlike some more action-oriented examples of late (e.g. Dark Gathering), easiest comparison here would be Mieruko-chan, where the emphasis is more lighthearted, the outcomes less sinister, and the story itself not venturing too far into true thriller territory. While Kaya might punch her way to victory, the slice of life, monster of the week flair is very much on display, and from the manga bits I read, does just enough to keep the horror vibes without sacrificing on its more cutesy elements. Considering several Dark Gathering staff are present too and there’s enough manga material to flesh out a single cour I fully expect this one to be a nice bit of supernatural horror when it swings on into winter.

Preview by Pancakes

What happens when otome game meets villainess and marriage shenanigans? Well you get one Tianarose (Fuchigami Mai). Herself the betrothed to Prince Hartknights (Satou Takuya), Tianarose gets the one-two punch of both learning she’s actually a reincarnated player in the world of the game Lapis Lazuli Ring, and having Hartknights break off their engagement over alleged crimes. Well, also banishing Tianarose from the kingdom to boot, but that’s more an exclamation mark on the proceedings and entirely expected. What happens next is anything but what Tianarose expected. Instead of being exiled she’s instead proposed to by Prince Aquasteed (Umehara Yuuichirou) from a neighbouring country, an event which never transpired in-game. Is it the sort of move which will let Tianarose secure a happy ending? The start of something more sinister? One way or another this reincarnated lady of the moment is about to find out.

Another season, another isekai otome game adaptation – and yes, Akuyaku Reijou has no intention of deviating far from genre tradition. While this one does somewhat break from the usual in having Tianarose less figure out how to avoid death flags as much as predict what they could be, it very much sticks to the garden path with drama on high, recollections of game mechanics and past living, and the usual competing love interests helping retain friction for new arcs and enemies. At least once one gets past the, erm, unique flavour of names gracing the cast mind you (heh), but that’s a minor subjective quibble. Cast and crew are solid enough and Studio Deen is well-suited for this sort of story, so as long as it doesn’t blast through the source material at lightspeed pace nothing here screams major red flag. Certainly keep an eye on this one if craving some new otome game villainess shenanigans this season, I suspect it’ll fill the void.

Preview by Pancakes

Edo Japan is known for many things yet firefighting guaranteed isn’t one to cross the mind. That is until you meet Matsunaga Gengo (Umehara Yuuichirou). A once-famous samurai responsible for extinguishing a great fire, Gengo turns ronin after personal troubles interfere. It’s a life he’s resigned to, yet the Shinjo clan give him a second lease on life by offering him a spot on their firefighting team. The catch? The team has no money, no personnel, and absolutely no respect. Nevertheless it’s a job Gengo takes up as much for the paycheque as the chance to do something useful. With his friends and colleagues by his side he’ll set out to keep the people safe from fire, and given a series of suspicious “foxfires” is making the rounds, it’s help which cannot come too soon.

I’m not entirely sure where the interest in firefighting comes from of late, but when there’s been more than three series over the past few years with it as a starting point, it’s hard denying the trend. To that end Hikuidori is a relative break from the usual, being a novel-based historical fiction which pairs an Edo setting and era-appropriate characters with a thriller-esque plot and the usual developments. Or if you will, Fire Force without the shounen craziness (at least too much) and enough samurai culture to make a play to that side of the fence. Given this adaptation is only of the first novel one can expect a fairly tight single cour run, and while SynergySP isn’t the most impressive of studios, there’s no real warning signs when it comes to production. Suspect this one will fly under the radar, but if you like your feudal Japan with a bit of a twist I’d keep an eye on what fires Hikuidori fights when it runs on into winter.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

I liked the first season of Jigokuraku well enough but boy, was the production all over the map. That said, it seemed to steady itself towards the end and the last few episodes were above the median for the series. S1 was the LiAPatron Pick winner, and the sequel pretty much goes into the season on bubble status.

That said, this series is undeniably popular and that gives it some runway as far as the production is concerned. I’d expect things to be a little less manic this time around, now that the series has proven its commercial viability as an anime.

Preview by Pancakes

The Imperial Army is embroiled in warfare with the Hellhorde when the Imperial Princess (Shiraishi HarukaShiraishi Haruka) is taken captive along with her talking holy sword, Ex. Since this is a fantasy world where people take treaties seriously, regular torture is prohibited between the two parties. However, this doesn’t exclude unusual forms of torture that don’t harm prisoners. As such, the grand inquisitor has come up with a laundry list of torture tactics to make the princess talk. These come in the form of antagonizing her over things she could potentially enjoy if she answered their questions. These include contemporary foods and snacks, video games, and bubble wrap! Will the princess be able to endure this cruel, unusual form of torture? Will the Demon Lord even pay attention when the princess gives more vital information than the small tidbits she prefers to dole out? One way or another said princess is about to find out.

It’s quite funny seeing Hime-sama Goumon get its sequel this season because it has the hilarious juxtaposition in Goumon Baito-kun no Nichijou. Parodic torture for a living too on the point? Here’s a bit of script flipped fantasy torture as a palate cleanser. That’s not to say Hime-sama Goumon is bad by any measure though; the first season was a very comfy comedy with quite a bit of imagination behind its various “torture” scenes, making for a show which, while not groundbreaking, was a fun weekly watch. With this season planned from the start don’t expect much in the way of change: production staff are all carrying over, Pine Jam continues rocking the animation hotseat, and plenty of manga material remains for adaptation. Certainly keep an eye on this one for some simple and cutesy laughs this season, much like before I don’t expect it to disappoint.

Preview by Guardian Enzo

A kaijuu for sure, this series. And after The Apothecary Diaries in the running for my favorite of the lot, though that’s a fairly low bar. I did like the second season more than the first, but the overall view of the manga audience seems to be that the latter arcs of the series are not its best.

This season looks to be heavily focused on the industry side, which has its pluses and minuses. Akasaka Aka is capable of satire and genuine criticism of the Japanese idol/entertainment mafia, but in the end his fanboy side always wins out.

Preview by Pancakes

Well boys and girls, it’s here at last: Frieren is back for its hotly anticipated second season. Based on the wildly successful manga of the same name, Sousou no Frieren follows the quiet (and not so quiet) adventures of Frieren the elf (Tanezaki Atsumi) several decades after defeating the Demon King. Having seen her human friends and comrades succumb to the inevitability of time, Frieren vows to no longer take personal connections for granted, and indeed sets out to understand humanity in ways she hasn’t tried before. With fellow companions Fern (Ichinose Kana) and Stark (Kobayashi Chiaki) along for the ride, Frieren will do what she can to make up for lost time and grow her knowledge of those around her. Having already gone as far as to participate in the first-class Mage exam and defeat the great demon Aura as part of the journey, Frieren and her party now continue along their treck to the final destination: Ende.

Unless you have been living under a rock I dare say you have heard or seen reference to Sousou no Frieren. This was arguably the fantasy blockbuster for 2023/2024, featuring a very introspective, character-driven story popularized as much for its simplicity as much as its arguable depth. While I do think the series as a whole is somewhat overhyped (the first season’s latter half in particular regressed towards the fantasy mean), there is no denying its staying power or that this season will be a similar powerhouse. For starters all key cast and crew, including Madhouse, are back, second is there’s a strong chance at getting another two cours given the next two arcs up for adaptation (El Dorado and the Goddess’ Monument) are just the right length for it. It will be interesting seeing the stopping point we receive considering some of the upcoming twists (spoiler alert), but in either case expect the talk of the season to rightfully be Frieren once again. When it comes to fantasy this will be winter’s – if not 2026’s – show to beat.