AJ's Winter Anime Preview 2020
New year, new decade, new anime season, same old habits. 
Here's what Winter 2020 has to offer anime-wise, along with my brief first impressions as usual~
(These series are all due to air in the first few weeks of January. If you're looking for something to watch between now and then, maybe check last season's preview thread for some ideas!)
Here's what Winter 2020 has to offer anime-wise, along with my brief first impressions as usual~(These series are all due to air in the first few weeks of January. If you're looking for something to watch between now and then, maybe check last season's preview thread for some ideas!)
22/7
5-toubun no Hanayome 2nd Season
A3! Season Spring & Summer
ARP Backstage Pass
Bang Dream! 3rd Season
Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu.
Breakers
Darwin's Game
Dorohedoro
Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
Haikyuu!! To the Top
Hatena Illusion
Housekisho Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei
ID: INVADED
Infinite Dendrogram
Ishuzoku Reviewers
Itai no wa Iya nanode Bogyo-Ryoku ni Kyokufuri Shítai to Omoimasu
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun
Koisuru Asteroid
(edited 4 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Kuutei Dragons
Kyokou Suiri
Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden
Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi
Murenase! Seton Gakuen
Nekopara
24 Number
Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga
Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu
pet
Plunderer
Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumeishítemita.
Runway de Waratte
Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!!
Somali to Mori no Kamisama
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T
Uchi Tama?! no Tama Shirimasenka?
Youkai Watch Jam: Gakuen Y ~N to no Souguu~
Zenonzard THE ANIMATION
All the info has been sourced from AniChart, AniDB, Youtube, MAL and AniList. If you think I've missed any upcoming full-length TV anime off this list, let me know and I'll look into them.
(edited 4 years ago)
Picked up:
Darwin's Game
Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden
Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
Somali to Mori no Kamisama
Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!!
Haikyuu!! To the Top
ID: INVADED
Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu.
Runway de Waratte
22/7
Kyokou Suiri
Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu
Koisuru Asteroid
Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumeishítemita.
Housekisho Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei
Dorohedoro
Dropped:
Plunderer
Nekopara
Infinite Dendrogram
Pet
Murenase! Seton Gakuen
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun
Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga
Hatena Illusion
A3! Season Spring & Summer
ARP Backstage Pass
number24
Ishuzoku Reviewers
Kuutei Dragons
Uchi Tama?! Uchi no Tama Shirimasenka?
Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi
Darwin's Game
Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden
Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
Somali to Mori no Kamisama
Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!!
Haikyuu!! To the Top
ID: INVADED
Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu.
Runway de Waratte
22/7
Kyokou Suiri
Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu
Koisuru Asteroid
Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumeishítemita.
Housekisho Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei
Dorohedoro
Dropped:
Plunderer
Nekopara
Infinite Dendrogram
Pet
Murenase! Seton Gakuen
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun
Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga
Hatena Illusion
A3! Season Spring & Summer
ARP Backstage Pass
number24
Ishuzoku Reviewers
Kuutei Dragons
Uchi Tama?! Uchi no Tama Shirimasenka?
Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi
(edited 4 years ago)
Oh boy, is it really time for a new decade soon?
@AngryJellyfish just as a flashback: what was your favorite animes in the 10s? and I am talking about animes which were produced in this decade.
Darwin's Game sounds interesting. Can you tell me something about this anime?
@AngryJellyfish just as a flashback: what was your favorite animes in the 10s? and I am talking about animes which were produced in this decade.
Darwin's Game sounds interesting. Can you tell me something about this anime?
Original post by Kallisto
Oh boy, is it really time for a new decade soon?
@AngryJellyfish just as a flashback: what was your favorite animes in the 10s? and I am talking about animes which were produced in this decade.
Darwin's Game sounds interesting. Can you tell me something about this anime?
@AngryJellyfish just as a flashback: what was your favorite animes in the 10s? and I am talking about animes which were produced in this decade.
Darwin's Game sounds interesting. Can you tell me something about this anime?
I can't tell you much about Darwin's Game the anime, besides what's in the expand box above. Hopefully in just over a week's time, I'll be able to give first impressions of the 1st episode at least.
Looking at manga reviews on Manga Updates and the like (admittedly, I only skimmed them out of fear of spoilers), general opinion does seem to be that it's one of the better survival game series, starting fairly ordinarily but evolving a deeper plot later on. Though seeing as the manga is 19 volumes long and counting, hopefully they'll adapt enough of it to get to the good parts!As for favourite anime series of the 2010s, I'm hoping to go through the ones I rated highly and make a proper list on my blog eventually (I'm still doing 'Best of 2019' posts on there right now though, so that'll probably be in January). In the meantime, my usual Top 50 of all time list serves as a good guide - just ignore the older stuff, and you're left with:
1: Durarara!! (2010)
2: Nichijou (2011)
3: Steins;Gate (2011)
4: Rokka no Yuusha (2015)
5: Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (2016)
6: Fate/Zero (2011)
*7-10 would then be the sequels to Fate/Zero and Durarara!!, but we'll leave them out so that more franchises get represented*
7: Sidonia no Kishi (2014)
*also ignoring sequel to the above*
8: Shin Sekai Yori (2012)
9: Shiki (2010)
10: Mirai Nikki (2011)
It begins!
Darwin's Game
Sudo Kaname is sent an invite to join a 'free to play' mobile game, and signs up... unfortunately for him, he's now stuck in a fight for survival against other players, and apparently there's no way to quit. He can't hide from other players either, as the phone app broadcasts his location to his opponents. I like that, despite the supernatural elements such as the special 'sigil' abilities, the fights take place in real time in the real world, and random bystanders can influence things - most survival game anime avoid such scenarios. The other major character introduced, Karino Shuka, seems like she'll make things entertaining (and I like swinging chain-like weapons, to boot). Animation was decent for the most part. Overall, everything I want from a survival game series, I'm here for action and crazy characters, anything else is a bonus. Picked up!
Darwin's Game
Sudo Kaname is sent an invite to join a 'free to play' mobile game, and signs up... unfortunately for him, he's now stuck in a fight for survival against other players, and apparently there's no way to quit. He can't hide from other players either, as the phone app broadcasts his location to his opponents. I like that, despite the supernatural elements such as the special 'sigil' abilities, the fights take place in real time in the real world, and random bystanders can influence things - most survival game anime avoid such scenarios. The other major character introduced, Karino Shuka, seems like she'll make things entertaining (and I like swinging chain-like weapons, to boot). Animation was decent for the most part. Overall, everything I want from a survival game series, I'm here for action and crazy characters, anything else is a bonus. Picked up!
A spin-off of one of last decade's big early hits:
Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden
30 seconds into the ep, and Sis Puella Magica! starts playing... took me right back to one of the best years for ongoing anime in my 15 years as a fan.
Magia Record had the same great look and style as the original (cute Ume Aoki character designs, creepy witch designs, and bizarre architecture), and of course the same basic premise, but with one new plot point: a rumour, apparently stemming from shared dreams, that magical girls who have formed contracts with Kyubei can be 'saved' by travelling to Kamihama City. Is this rumour true, or some kind of trap? Even if true, what form will this 'salvation' take? I look forward to finding out. Our new main character, whose wish seems to have misfired in some horrendous fashion, seems likable enough, and the ED (OP?) theme showed there are a lot more magical girls to come. Picked up.
Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden
30 seconds into the ep, and Sis Puella Magica! starts playing... took me right back to one of the best years for ongoing anime in my 15 years as a fan.
Magia Record had the same great look and style as the original (cute Ume Aoki character designs, creepy witch designs, and bizarre architecture), and of course the same basic premise, but with one new plot point: a rumour, apparently stemming from shared dreams, that magical girls who have formed contracts with Kyubei can be 'saved' by travelling to Kamihama City. Is this rumour true, or some kind of trap? Even if true, what form will this 'salvation' take? I look forward to finding out. Our new main character, whose wish seems to have misfired in some horrendous fashion, seems likable enough, and the ED (OP?) theme showed there are a lot more magical girls to come. Picked up.An anime about making anime:
Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
Main character Asakusa Midori is a shy girl who loves anime - specifically the concept art, world design, backgrounds, vehicles and machinery etc. She meets Mizusaki Tsubame, a fashion model who also loves anime, but is more into the character design side. Urged on by their friend Kanamori Sayaka (who claims to just be in it for the money), the two combine their sketches and bounce ideas of each other... and before long, their imaginations put them in the cockpit of an aircraft they just drew. Seems the rest of the series will focus on their attempt to create a new school club, and then their own anime. You could feel the passion for animation throughout the episode, and I loved Asakusa's commentary during the brief screening of Future Boy Conan (itself an absolute classic). Definitely keeping this on!
Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!
Main character Asakusa Midori is a shy girl who loves anime - specifically the concept art, world design, backgrounds, vehicles and machinery etc. She meets Mizusaki Tsubame, a fashion model who also loves anime, but is more into the character design side. Urged on by their friend Kanamori Sayaka (who claims to just be in it for the money), the two combine their sketches and bounce ideas of each other... and before long, their imaginations put them in the cockpit of an aircraft they just drew. Seems the rest of the series will focus on their attempt to create a new school club, and then their own anime. You could feel the passion for animation throughout the episode, and I loved Asakusa's commentary during the brief screening of Future Boy Conan (itself an absolute classic). Definitely keeping this on!
Original post by AngryJellyfish
It begins!
Darwin's Game
Sudo Kaname is sent an invite to join a 'free to play' mobile game, and signs up... unfortunately for him, he's now stuck in a fight for survival against other players, and apparently there's no way to quit. He can't hide from other players either, as the phone app broadcasts his location to his opponents. I like that, despite the supernatural elements such as the special 'sigil' abilities, the fights take place in real time in the real world, and random bystanders can influence things - most survival game anime avoid such scenarios. The other major character introduced, Karino Shuka, seems like she'll make things entertaining (and I like swinging chain-like weapons, to boot). Animation was decent for the most part. Overall, everything I want from a survival game series, I'm here for action and crazy characters, anything else is a bonus. Picked up!
Darwin's Game
Sudo Kaname is sent an invite to join a 'free to play' mobile game, and signs up... unfortunately for him, he's now stuck in a fight for survival against other players, and apparently there's no way to quit. He can't hide from other players either, as the phone app broadcasts his location to his opponents. I like that, despite the supernatural elements such as the special 'sigil' abilities, the fights take place in real time in the real world, and random bystanders can influence things - most survival game anime avoid such scenarios. The other major character introduced, Karino Shuka, seems like she'll make things entertaining (and I like swinging chain-like weapons, to boot). Animation was decent for the most part. Overall, everything I want from a survival game series, I'm here for action and crazy characters, anything else is a bonus. Picked up!
I waited for this review!
The plot sounds like the anime Gantz, it is pretty similar. What I did not understand: what is the goal of the survival game and what do they competitors do to win the game?
Original post by Kallisto
I waited for this review!
The plot sounds like the anime Gantz, it is pretty similar. What I did not understand: what is the goal of the survival game and what do they competitors do to win the game?
The plot sounds like the anime Gantz, it is pretty similar. What I did not understand: what is the goal of the survival game and what do they competitors do to win the game?
That's not clear right now - the main character spent most of the episode confused about what he'd gotten himself into, and the advice from his friend + questions he asked about the game were more focused on survival and 'not losing' while being attacked by more experienced 'players'. Presumably now that the basics are out of the way, they'll explore more about how the game works, and if there is any way of winning.
Original post by AngryJellyfish
That's not clear right now - the main character spent most of the episode confused about what he'd gotten himself into, and the advice from his friend + questions he asked about the game were more focused on survival and 'not losing' while being attacked by more experienced 'players'. Presumably now that the basics are out of the way, they'll explore more about how the game works, and if there is any way of winning.
And when the anime is released? that is the only one I found I would love to watch. How many episodes the anime has in total?
When's Oreigaru(?) S3 coming out???
Original post by Kallisto
And when the anime is released? that is the only one I found I would love to watch. How many episodes the anime has in total?
One episode a week on Fridays, starting last week (so only one episode so far). MyAnimeList states it'll have 11 episodes, I'm not sure what their source is, but they're usually reliable enough.
Original post by pornflakes99
When's Oreigaru(?) S3 coming out???
That'll be next season, according to AniChart (April-June).
Original post by AngryJellyfish
One episode a week on Fridays, starting last week (so only one episode so far). MyAnimeList states it'll have 11 episodes, I'm not sure what their source is, but they're usually reliable enough.
That'll be next season, according to AniChart (April-June).
That'll be next season, according to AniChart (April-June).
Okay, that is still a long way to run in this year. Hope that I went far with Monster and Maison Ikkokou till this period of time!
Somali to Mori no Kami-sama
In this series' world, humanity co-existed with spirits and other fantasy races for a time, before our intolerance of differences led to warfare, and the near-total extinction of the human race. One day, a golem forest guardian stumbles across a human child (with a collar and leg cuffs, suggesting an escaped slave, pet or even meal). The girl calls the golem 'Dad', and from that moment on, despite insisting that golems have no feelings or emotions, Golem-Dad takes on the role of her parent and guardian, leaving the forest in search of other surviving humans. This was just adorable, great animation and awesome character designs. Not much happened in this first ep, which just served as world building and character introduction, but I'm fine with a slower-paced, feel good show that promises occasional drama. 4 shows watched, 4 picked up~
In this series' world, humanity co-existed with spirits and other fantasy races for a time, before our intolerance of differences led to warfare, and the near-total extinction of the human race. One day, a golem forest guardian stumbles across a human child (with a collar and leg cuffs, suggesting an escaped slave, pet or even meal). The girl calls the golem 'Dad', and from that moment on, despite insisting that golems have no feelings or emotions, Golem-Dad takes on the role of her parent and guardian, leaving the forest in search of other surviving humans. This was just adorable, great animation and awesome character designs. Not much happened in this first ep, which just served as world building and character introduction, but I'm fine with a slower-paced, feel good show that promises occasional drama. 4 shows watched, 4 picked up~
(edited 4 years ago)
Nothing from my want to watch list aired today, so let's look at one of those 'maybes' in the meantime:
Pet
This arguably has the most interesting premise of any Winter series I've seen so far, dealing with the human mind, and individuals who can manipulate the memories and visions of others. A power that can be used for good, as we saw in the hospital scenes before the opening theme, or for bad, as the remainder of the episode demonstrated with its focus on manipulating people to carry out illegal activities. Unfortunately, that second part wasn't executed particularly well... it was hard to follow what was going on, and hard to tell how much of it was deliberately disjointed and confusing for the sake of mystery, or just bad writing and pacing. I didn't much care about any of the characters. This remains a maybe, as I'm still intrigued, but anything more engaging will take priority.
Pet
This arguably has the most interesting premise of any Winter series I've seen so far, dealing with the human mind, and individuals who can manipulate the memories and visions of others. A power that can be used for good, as we saw in the hospital scenes before the opening theme, or for bad, as the remainder of the episode demonstrated with its focus on manipulating people to carry out illegal activities. Unfortunately, that second part wasn't executed particularly well... it was hard to follow what was going on, and hard to tell how much of it was deliberately disjointed and confusing for the sake of mystery, or just bad writing and pacing. I didn't much care about any of the characters. This remains a maybe, as I'm still intrigued, but anything more engaging will take priority.
Plunderer
This was, by quite a considerable margin, the worst first episode I have seen in a long, long time. In this world, every human has a number somewhere on their body like some magical tattoo, which goes up or down based on something arbitrary. For example, in our main character Hina's case, it's based on the number of kilometers she has walked. These numbers form a hierarchy, where those with low 'counts' have to obey those with higher counts. And if your count drops below 0, you get dragged into some shadowy abyss. This is all fine, interesting even. What ruined it was all the fanservice, upskirting, sexual assaults and more, largely passed off as humorous, with every indication that this would be a recurring theme. Barely managed to finish the episode, dropping it hard. Animation looked pretty awful, as well.
This was, by quite a considerable margin, the worst first episode I have seen in a long, long time. In this world, every human has a number somewhere on their body like some magical tattoo, which goes up or down based on something arbitrary. For example, in our main character Hina's case, it's based on the number of kilometers she has walked. These numbers form a hierarchy, where those with low 'counts' have to obey those with higher counts. And if your count drops below 0, you get dragged into some shadowy abyss. This is all fine, interesting even. What ruined it was all the fanservice, upskirting, sexual assaults and more, largely passed off as humorous, with every indication that this would be a recurring theme. Barely managed to finish the episode, dropping it hard. Animation looked pretty awful, as well.
(edited 4 years ago)
Breakers is confirmed to have short (9 minute) episodes.
Seems that Kuutei Dragons is a Netflix anime, and all episodes have already been released in full (in Japan). Since English translations (official or otherwise) are therefore unlikely to follow a set weekly schedule, I'll likely marathon it instead.
Since I still want 8 weeklies, obsessive idol fan anime Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu gets bumped up to my Want to Watch list to replace it - I *might* have time to watch and give my thoughts on this one later tonight.
Since I still want 8 weeklies, obsessive idol fan anime Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu gets bumped up to my Want to Watch list to replace it - I *might* have time to watch and give my thoughts on this one later tonight.
Oshi ga Budoukan Ittekuretara Shinu
This series has two main characters: Maina, a shy singer in the small idol group 'Chamjam', and Eripiyo, her biggest fan. Though we were treated to some music and dancing (generic, nice enough, not really my thing), most of the ep was about the fan culture as I'd hoped. Buying five copies of their latest CD, for five handshake tickets, each of which gains you five seconds with your favorite idol... it's the side that anime rarely touchs on, but that's always intrigued me. One thing that I missed despite my pre-season research is that this is shoujo-ai! It could be interesting to see how this awkward idol - fan relationship, with all its rules imposed by staff and other hardcore fans, develops into something more. Writing was passable, can't say I like the characters as much as for anything else I've picked up, but it did make me laugh a few times. This remains a maybe.
This series has two main characters: Maina, a shy singer in the small idol group 'Chamjam', and Eripiyo, her biggest fan. Though we were treated to some music and dancing (generic, nice enough, not really my thing), most of the ep was about the fan culture as I'd hoped. Buying five copies of their latest CD, for five handshake tickets, each of which gains you five seconds with your favorite idol... it's the side that anime rarely touchs on, but that's always intrigued me. One thing that I missed despite my pre-season research is that this is shoujo-ai! It could be interesting to see how this awkward idol - fan relationship, with all its rules imposed by staff and other hardcore fans, develops into something more. Writing was passable, can't say I like the characters as much as for anything else I've picked up, but it did make me laugh a few times. This remains a maybe.
(edited 4 years ago)
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