Anime has something for everyone, no matter the season or holiday! Feeling spooky for Halloween? There are tons of creepy horror or dark fantasy shows. Need a romance fix for Valentine’s Day? There are tons of swoon-worthy anime movies and series. And of course, summer is the perfect time to dive into a light and fun anime! Speaking of summer, what about some suggestions for what to watch this season? Let’s jump into some ideas for the best anime to watch to keep you cool and entertained this summer!
Suicide Squad ISEKAI
This new anime, “Suicide Squad Isekai,” comes from the awesome folks at Wit Studio (the same crew behind Attack on Titan and Ranking of Kings). Amanda Waller, the mastermind behind the Squad, sends them on a “peacekeeping mission” but guess what? It’s not to another city, it’s to a whole new dimension filled with swords, sorcery, and who knows what else!
Things get even wilder when they’re cut off from Waller’s control. Now the Squad has to figure out a way back home before those nasty bombs Amanda implanted in them go off. Easy, right? Wrong! Get ready for a wild adventure with your favorite villains (well, maybe not favorite, but definitely entertaining) in a fantasy world gone wild!
Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko totally blew everyone away last year, and it looks like season 2 is on track to be just as amazing! If you haven’t seen it yet, the story follows Aqua and Ruby, twins who are also the children of a famous murdered pop idol named Ai Hoshino. Talk about a wild start! These two are on a mission: become mega stars and figure out who killed their mom. Season one showed them both chasing fame, Aqua as an actor and Ruby as a singer, with Aqua even doing some detective work on the side.
The first season was fantastic – it explored the dark side of fame, how idols are created and then thrown away, all wrapped up in a funny, dramatic, and suspenseful story. The animation was beautiful too! Season 2 picks right back up and throws Aqua headfirst into a new investigation, this time in the middle of a super intense theater production. Get ready for more drama, mystery, and maybe even some killer singing!
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a is basically the gold standard for video game adaptations right now! The first part that came out last year totally nailed it. They threw in some cool new stuff for fans of the game, but it was also a really tight and exciting story even if you never played it before.
Season one picks up again with part two, and it looks like things are about to get really deep. If you played the game, you know there are these plot twists at the end (endings A and B), and part two is promising even more mind-benders! The first episode already takes one of the coolest moments from the game and totally flips it on its head. Here’s hoping they avoid those production bumps they had with the first part, though!
Tower of God
Tower of God is back for season two, and it’s based on a super cool South Korean webcomic. The story follows a young guy named Bam as he climbs a mysterious tower filled with strange creatures and powered by some seriously awesome magic. It might sound simple, but the creator, S.I.U., packs the story with incredible details about the world and a unique art style that’s hard to forget. The first season came out in 2020, and this time around, we’re meeting a whole new cast of characters climbing the tower.
The Elusive Samurai
This new show, The Elusive Samurai, might just be the best looking one out there this season. The very first episode has mind-blowing animation and uses color like a pro, with everything from lush green leaves to shockingly red blood. But this show isn’t all just a pretty face!
The story follows Tokiyuki, a chill dude who just wants to relax, but gets thrown into a war zone after a brutal takeover. This clash between peace and violence is actually a big part of the show. The amazing animation keeps switching between beautiful scenes and brutal fights, perfectly showing how torn Tokiyuki feels. With a cool main character and killer animation, I have a feeling The Elusive Samurai is going to be incredible from start to finish!
Mayonaka Punch
Mayonaka Punch is a new anime that surprised the reviewer with its strong start. The main character, Masaki, is a YouTuber who loses her spot in a group after a violent outburst on stream. Discouraged but determined, she tries to start her own channel but struggles. Enter Live, a vampire with a thirst for Masaki’s blood (and apparently, dreams about her).
Masaki hatches a plan to use Live’s powers for wild, attention-grabbing videos in exchange for blood once they hit a million subscribers. The reviewer finds Masaki’s reckless personality entertaining and Live’s unusual obsession endearing. The first episodes are full of funny moments, and the potential for a deeper relationship between the two characters is hinted at.
Dungeon People
If you loved the quirky humor and unexpected turns of Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeon People might just hit the spot. While it might not be quite as epic in terms of story or characters (like “Frieren” or “Delicious in Dungeon”), it’s a charming and relaxing show that’s perfect for unwinding.
Terminator: Zero
Terminator: Zero is an anime adaptation of the old Terminator movies. The story follows a similar premise: A deadly cyborg assassin returns in time to kill a father and his family. The series boasts an impressive creative team, including writer Mattson Tomlin and director Masashi Kudō (known for his work on Bleach).
Conclusion
That is it! The anime landscape this season is a smorgasbord of flavors for all fans. Whether you want visually stunning animation that captivates or cerebral tales that challenge you, there’s a show ready to be your next marathon. This season has something for everyone – from action sequences that keep you on your seat to heartfelt adventures that make you smile. So dive in, check out the variety, and find the best anime to watch this summer. Happy watching!
