10 Anime We Can’t Wait to Watch This Fall

As someone who’s been around the anime block more times than I care to count, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with excitement when I look at this autumn’s lineup. It seems like we’re about to embark on another wild ride filled with ghostly rom-coms (Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga), heartfelt farewells to anime legends (Dragon Ball Daima), and a whole lot of domestic chaos caused by former hitwomen turned housemaids (You Are Ms. Servant).

Following an unexpectedly busy summer filled with numerous new anime releases, the autumn television season is brimming with potential blockbuster shonen series, hidden gems, and classic horror genres given a modern twist, like the long-anticipated adaptation of Junji Ito’s Uzumaki. To assist you in navigating the abundance of choices ahead, we have compiled a list of ten series set to air soon, featuring both returning favorites and fresh faces that pique our curiosity. The majority of notable and exciting anime premieres are concentrated in October, offering a plethora of debuts to monitor within just a few weeks. (Rest assured: We’ve previously covered the upcoming non-anime releases this week.) This list is intended to aid you in determining which titles deserve your initial attention.

September

Uzumaki (Sept. 28)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=RapL7_C4MzY

At long last, the eagerly anticipated series adaptation based on Junji Ito’s renowned horror manga is set to debut. This production, helmed by Hiroshi Nagahama who has delved into horror folklore previously with the critically acclaimed “Mushi-shi,” revolves around a town grappling with a curse that takes the form of spirals. The title itself translates to “spiral.” Initially, the spiral patterns appear subtly in clouds and nature, but they gradually grow more menacing, causing disquieting effects on minds and bodies as they twist and contort. Airing on Adult Swim as a four-episode miniseries, this series promises to bring the manga to vivid life. Nagahama employs monochromatic color schemes and emphasizes intricate line-drawings in his latest innovative directing style, following his work on “Flowers of Evil” and “The Reflection.” This ambitious project is particularly thrilling as it not only offers a faithful adaptation of a Junji Ito title but also aspires to forge its own path.

October

Blue Lock season two (October 5)

The upcoming “Blue Lock” anime series, set in the world of soccer, constructs its story on an intricate structure of extraordinarily peculiar ideas: Following Japan’s loss at the 2018 World Cup, a mysterious group within the Japanese soccer federation initiated a covert project to persuade players that teamwork is secondary and to search for 300 individuals with exceptional striking skills and massive egos. Unlike other sports anime that favor grounded realism, “Blue Lock” delves into a more exaggerated realm of competition. Despite its outlandish premise, the concept resonated strongly with many viewers – so much so that Japan’s most recent World Cup uniform was influenced by it.

Ranma 1/2 (October 5)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=aTz3yUoISZA

In the wake of the recent remake of “Urusei Yatsura,” MAPPA is now working on another adaptation by the iconic Rumiko Takahashi – “Ranma 1/2”. The story revolves around Ranma Saotome, a high-school boy and martial artist who, after falling into an enchanted spring, transforms into a girl whenever doused with cold water, and returns to his male form when touched by hot water. This fresh adaptation is helmed by Konōsuke Uda, renowned for his work on “One Piece.” The trailer reveals a charming and nostalgic art style, rich in pastel hues and embodying Takahashi’s timeless designs.

Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War (Part 3) (October 5)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Nq9PkH3UgEo

It’s hard to run out of humor when discussing a Bleach sequel with “Thousand Year” in the title, given that the initial series spanned across 16 seasons. However, despite this, the conclusion of the adaptation based on Tite Kubo’s extended series has been warmly received as fan service. The third part (of four) under the direction of Tomohisa Taguchi, who did a great job with Akudama Drive, is set to debut in October in an arc named “The Conflict.” This follows on from last year’s “The Separation” storyline.

Blue Box (TBA October)

Instead of just love and basketball, how about love, basketball, and badminton? The beloved Shonen Jump series Blue Box, featuring sports anime drama and romantic comedy, is getting an anime adaptation under the direction of Yūichirō Yano by Telecom Animation Film. Taiki Inomata is a badminton player, while his crush Chinatsu Kano excels in basketball. Both athletes aim to reach national levels in their respective sports, and as they encourage each other, their relationship develops. The visual designs are attractive, the lighting is romantic, and overall Blue Box appears to be a comforting autumn treat.

Dan Da Dan (TBA October)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=0XJxfbN36Uw

As an avid fan, I’m thrilled by Science Saru’s promise to breathe life into the chaotic world of Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dan Da Dan manga. This action-comedy revolves around Momo Ayase, a popular girl, and Ken Takakura, an isolated nerd, who unexpectedly connect over their shared fascination with the inexplicable – one believes in ghosts, the other aliens. Intriguingly, it’s revealed that both mythical entities exist, and they gain superpowers as a result of their encounters. Alongside them, an eclectic cast of quirky sidekicks gradually emerges. Their battles against bizarre evil spirits and aliens (or perhaps a blend of both) are interspersed with numerous witty pop-culture references, including nods to another series you might recognize: Ranma 1/2. Directed by Fūga Yamashiro and scored by kensuke ushio, the project seems to hint at Science Saru’s revisit to the creative depths of Devilman Crybaby – in a romantic comedy about ghosts!

Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga (TBA Oct.)

The fourth installment of “Blue Exorcist” emerges approximately thirteen years following its initial airing, resuming the tale of Rin Okumura, a character discovering his horrifying origin as the literal offspring of Satan. The anime’s progression has been somewhat disrupted due to its irregular release pattern, with two pauses accumulating six years each, and the production being handed over for its third season, titled the Shimane Illuminati Saga, which aired earlier this year. Following a challenging and winding path, it appears that the series is now moving forward smoothly once more.

Dragon Ball Daima (TBA October)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=dOWUh9Ja4oM

As a devoted fan of Akira Toriyama’s groundbreaking work, the recent release of the latest “Dragon Ball” series feels like a poignant farewell to a pioneer who reshaped the realms of anime and video games, possibly even influencing our broader cultural tapestry. It’s fitting, then, that the concept of “Daima” – created to commemorate the franchise’s 40th anniversary – is an unabashed homage, rolling back the years to give Goku a familiar, round-faced look reminiscent of his original “Dragon Ball” days. Interestingly, this transformation extends to other characters as well, many of whom we didn’t encounter during Goku’s initial adventure. This might just be one of the final (or indeed, the last) Dragon Ball stories Toriyama contributed to.

You Are Ms. Servant (TBA October)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=i0Vu4OG4ULs

In anime culture, it’s common to have a reformed killer character lead domestic stories. Shows like “Ms. Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid” and “The Way of the Househusband” are examples. A new show, “You Are Ms. Servant,” will follow this trend with a comedy based on a former hit woman becoming a housemaid. This show is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, famous for his beautiful film “Children of the Sea” and series adaptations such as “Summer Time Rendering” and “Komi Can’t Communicate.” Deko Akao, who has written for both “Komi” and “After the Rain,” is also involved in writing “Ms. Servant,” linking it to Watanabe’s previous works.

Yakuza Fiance (TBA October)

Titled “Yakuza Fiancé“, this upcoming manga-based series promises a compelling blend of romance and crime drama, helmed by director Toshifumi Kawase. The animation for the show is being produced by Studio Deen. The story revolves around Yoshino Somei, a young heiress from an Osaka-based yakuza group, who finds herself engaged to Kirishima Miyama, the young heir of a powerful Tokyo yakuza family, as part of a peace agreement orchestrated by her grandfather. Notorious for its unflinching portrayal of organized crime, “Yakuza Fiancé” also features two intensely gripping leads who embody the complexities and darkness inherent in their roles.

2024-08-30 15:54