7 New Animes to Check Out this Spring
Too many new shows coming out? Choices got you overwhelmed? Try starting with my top 7 most promising new animes of the season.
Now that we’re into May, the spring anime has had a chance to really get rolling, and there have been some standouts! Some I’ve been really enjoying, others I’m looking forward to binging in a few weeks when they’re close to wrapping up, but many are getting watched. These are my top 7 weirdest, funnest, and most attention-drawing so far.
Gleipnir
“Shuichi Kagaya is an ordinary student until he learns he can transform into a monstrous dog with a revolver and a zipper down his back. Unsure where his powers have come from and whom to trust, he risks it all to save a beautiful classmate named Claire. He learns he’s not the only one with a secret; she wants to use his monster’s powers—no matter how brutal the violence or bloody the action.” – Synopsis by Funimation
I’m immediately intrigued by this dark looking show about a kid with the power to change into animal mascot nightmare fuel. Superpowers – or whatever we’re considering these – and secret identities are never easy to navigate, but Shuichi’s secret is busted right away and by somebody who wants to use his powers for themselves. The art is neat and just a little creepy and the plot is a twist on a bunch of tropes that have made for an interesting watch so far. If I’m being honest, I don’t know if this will be my type of show or something that I’ll check out and lose interest in, but I know so many people who will fall into this right away and I hope they have a great time.
Otome Game no Hametsu Flag Shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei Shiteshimatta
“Most people would prefer being the protagonist of a world full of adventure, be it in a game or in another world. But, unfortunately, a certain girl is not so lucky. Regaining the memories of her past life, she realizes that she was reborn in the world of Fortune Lover—one of the games she used to play.
Unfortunately, the character she was reincarnated into—Katarina Claes—is the game’s main antagonist, who faces utter doom in every ending. Using her extensive knowledge of the game, she takes it upon herself to escape from the chains of this accursed destiny.
However, this will not be an easy feat, especially since she needs to be cautious as to not set off death flags that may speed up the impending doom she is trying to avoid. Even so, to make a change that will affect the lives of everyone around her, she strives—not as the heroine—but as the villainess.” – Synopsis by My Anime List
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You wake up in the world of the last video game you played, how would you do? Twist, you’re the antagonist! Otome Game etc. etc. looks like an adorable bit of fantasy escapism where good and bad may be a bit more of a gray. Changing your destiny and narrowly dodging death flags have never been so cute.
Appare-Ranman!
“The socially awkward yet genius engineer, Appare Sorano, and the wise but cowardly samurai, Kosame Isshiki, find themselves aimlessly drifting in the sea between Japan and America. In order to earn enough money to get back home, the duo enters a trans-American race in their own steam-powered car. Rivals, bandits, and other trials await them on this race from Los Angeles to New York.” – Synopsis by Funimation
A little wacky racers and a little Jules Verne, Appare-Ranman looks incredibly promising so far. The characters are likable and relatable and art is very pretty with some incredibly interesting designs for cars in this steampunk-esque re-imagining of the 19th century. I don’t know where this one is going besides across the continental US, but I can’t wait to find out.
Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai desou!
“Shingo Ichinomiya was a young, single salaryman when he fell asleep one night at his dinner table. When he awakens, he’s at a different dinner table during a wedding ceremony and in the body of a 5-year-old boy, whom he later learns is Wendelin von Benno Baumeister. Although he initially has the impression that he’s part of a well-off noble family, he soon discovers that it was all for show; his family is actually poor and illiterate and lives in a thinly-populated area on the outskirts of civilization. Further, he’s the youngest of eight sons, which doesn’t bode well for his prospects. However, he also discovers that he can read the local writing, which leads to him discovering that he has a rare aptitude for wind magic. When he encounters Alfred Rainford, a former court wizard who also specializes in wind magic, his prospects start looking up.” – Synopsis by Anime News Network
Sometimes you fall asleep at the dinner table and wake up as a magic-wielding child. Or maybe that’s just Shingo, either way. Some more fantasy escapism, it hits the mark between anime and a classic D&D or video game adventures for a show that’s going to feel comfortable and fun while throwing you for a loop. And really, who doesn’t low-key fantasize about falling into some fantasy world and getting away from all of this from time to time?
BNA
“In the 21st century, the existence of animal-humans came to light after being hidden in the darkness of history. Michiru lived life as a normal human, until one day she suddenly turns into a tanuki-human. She runs away and takes refuge in a special city area called “Anima City” that was set up 10 years ago for animal-humans to be able to live as themselves. There Michiru meets Shirō, a wolf-human who hates humans. Through Shirō, Michiru starts to learn about the worries, lifestyle, and joys of the animal-humans. As Michiru and Shirō try to learn why Michiru suddenly turned into an animal-human, they unexpectedly get wrapped up in a large incident.” – Synopsis by Anime News Network
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The latest from Studio Trigger (Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, Promare, etc.), throws you into a world where humans and human-animal hybrids live together and well… tolerate each other. Follow Michiru and Shiro as they try to figure out why Michiru has suddenly become a tanuki person, but of course there’s more going on around them than meets the eye. Studio Trigger is known for its dynamic art style and color use, and BNA doesn’t look like it will leave us even a little disappointed visually or narratively.
Listeners
“In a world without music, young Echo was there the day legendary “Player” Jimi Stonefree and his mecha disappeared while fighting the mysterious Earless. Ten years later, he meets an amnesiac young girl named μ (Mu) who has an input jack on her back. Could she be a “Player” like Jimi? Together they set off on a journey to unravel her past and save humanity.” – Synopsis by Funimation
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Dai Sato (Cowboy Bepop) wrote this show that combines a super fun soundtrack, battle mechs, some really nice character design, and animation. Why does Mu have a Matrix style input jack? How did this humanity just never get around to inventing music? I don’t know, but I want to!
Kakushigoto
“Single father Kakushi Goto has a secret. He’s a top-selling artist of popular erotic manga, but his impressionable young daughter, Hime, can never find out! Now he’s having to bend over backwards just to keep her inquisitive little mind from discovering what he does for a living. A father-daughter tale of love and laughter.” – Synopsis from Funimation
Honestly, this just looks adorable and wholesome. As anime watchers, many of us have probably been on the reading end of some questionable manga, and this peek behind the fictional curtain remains really cute with plenty of near-misses to keep it funny. Slice of life family shows are always a satisfying way to slow down for a minute, and let’s be real, adult comics aren’t the worst secret you could keep from your kid.
Those are my standouts for the season and I’m excited to see which ones continue holding my attention as the weeks progress. But which spring animes are you watching? What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!
Ja ne, adventurers!
