The summer 2021 anime season rolls on, and most of us are enthralled with each episode of top-ranked series like Bokutachi no Remake, Peach Boy Riverside or Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. But since there are more anime series than any of us could hope to watch, it’s natural that some of them will fall by the wayside. Here’s a post covering several less popular anime you might have missed!
Here are 8 Sleeper Anime Series You’re Not Watching!
Are these “bad” anime series? Not at all, and some are really outstanding. They just don’t seem to be generating the same amount of buzz in the form of fanart, memes and social media posts than “plot-heavy” shows like The Dorm Mother of Megami-ryou.
Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu
First, we have an isekai anime with a pretty clever setup: a boy discovers that his parents came from another world, and he must travel there and have adventures or else his sister will be made to go. I found Tsuki ga Michibiku to have charming characters and a self-aware story. It also features voice actress Saori Hayami as a female orc, if you’re curious to see that.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter: zero. The animation is excellent.
I’m writing a post on “sleeper” anime that some fans might have missedthis season. What shows have you declined to watch or dropped?
This is Obey Me!, a BL anime about bishie demons going to demon school, based on a puzzle dating sim game. pic.twitter.com/GLLmdhXj9I
— Peter Payne (@JListPeter) August 9, 2021
Obey Me! is a Mobile Game Anime About Demons
A lot of anime exist because companies struck gold with a popular mobile game, and have so much money they can make an anime to bring in more fans, as well as thank current users for their support. That’s what happened with Obey Me!, an anime about handsome demons based on a popular otome game (girl-centric dating sim) called Obey Me! One Master to Rule Them All published by Shall We Date? If you like the banter between handsome characters voiced by top-class male VAs, this might be for you.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter: 0. The visuals are crisp and excellent.
Like Male Idols? Then Watch Tsukipro the Animation 2
Another anime for fans of male voice actors, this is the second season of the BL idol anime about several different idol groups. A good anime to consider if you’re into male idol anime, or if you’ve watched the previous series, Tsukiuta. There are also drama CDs if you want to follow the rabbit hole all the way, as I did with Idolmaster back in the day.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter Score: 5. The normal character scenes are traditionally animated, but they always switch to jarring CGI for the performance sequences. At least they seem to be getting better at that low frame rate problem in the CGI performances.
A Frustrating Anime: D_Cide Traumerei the Animation
A 100% CGI show about characters who must transform into heroes called “knocker-ups” and defeat the monsters who live in the dreamscape realm. It’s based on a mobile game that isn’t released yet.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter Score: 10. The fact that the characters are actually well-designed is extra frustrating because seeing them move unnaturally in the non-fighting scenes is a constant reminder of what could have been.
The Duke of Death and his Black Maid is Outstanding
What if Nishikata was a shinigami and he had a sexy teasing maid who was always coming on to him sexually? That’s the premise of Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid, and it’s definitely enjoyable to watch how they interact. A young boy is cursed so that anything he touches dies immediately, and is forced to live sequestered in a distant manor. Happily, he has a sexy maid who likes to tease him, Takagi-style.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Mater: 7. Like the above entry, trying to concentrate on characters interacting normally is a major challenge. Being shown sexy fanservice that’s CGI-generated triggers my Uncanny Valley switch.
Best ‘Mindfuck’ Anime: Sonny Boy
Another sleeper anime you might have missed, this is one of the most bizarre and creative series I can think of. A class of students finds their school has been warped into a dark and empty void, and they’ve all been granted various esper powers. What do they do? Start building a Lord of the Flies-esque society, naturally.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter: zero. While some of the visuals have that “animated in an undisclosed Asian country” look, the show seems to have been made 100% in Japan by Madhouse, at least going off the staff names in the ending credits. Everything is visually engaging and fun.
Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san Will Make You Smile
Another anime that might not have made it on your radar, Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House is a super cute slice-of-life about two girls who came to Kyoto from far-off Aomori Prefecture with the dream of becoming maiko, or apprentice geisha. It’s a super charming slice-of-life that tells stories about the girls in Kyoto interspaced with scenes from rural Aomori. This show started airing in February but has a super-slow release schedule so it’s still ongoing.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter: zero. The show is wholesome and gorgeous, and the backgrounds of Kyoto they show us are fabulous. It’s also a show for foodies, as they show many delicious foods the girls cook and eat.
Getter Robot Arc
I was super happy to see this anime, a serious attempt at updating the classic robot anime for a modern era… but saddened that it didn’t seem to be generating much buzz online. A sequel to 1991’s Getter Robo Go, it continues the story in interesting ways, as the son of the former protagonist takes over piloting one of Japan’s most famous giant robots. It’s a great choice for fans of classic mecha anime over the years.
Peter’s CGI Hate-o-Meter: 1. The visuals are generally outstanding, especially the effort the creators have taken with updating the characters and mecha from the 1974 original without making them feel too modern, and CGI is only used where it’s actually needed.
That’s our list of sleeper anime you might have missed this season. Got any other series you think could use more attention from fans? Show us in the comments below, or tell us on Twitter!
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