It’s pretty much impossible to deny that 2020 was a rough year for pretty much everyone in the world because of the pandemic. We survived, but for some of us, it’s gotten pretty hard to look forward to 2021 out of fear that it’s just going to be the same old thing wearing a different hat.
The good news is that despite everything that is going on in certain areas of the world, Japan is still producing that sweet, sweet anime that has gotten us through one of the toughest years in the history of ever. With that in mind, let’s look at just a few of the reasons why we should be excited about 2021.
Three Cours Worth of Slime Isekai
I know… we’re all sick to death of isekai series by this point. However, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has already proven itself over two anime cours and a handful of OVAs that it is a pretty enjoyable romp that deserves a second season. Not only are we getting an additional two cour second season though, but we’re also getting a comedy spinoff in April titled The Slime Diaries.
Dragon Goes House Hunting
While doing research for this feature, one title stuck out to me that no matter how many times I tried to scroll down, I kept coming back to this title. Originally a manga series that has been running since 2017, the story of this series involves a timid dragon and his elf architect trying to find a place to build a home for the dragon to settle down in. Set to premiere in April, this series just looks plain adorable.
Edens Zero
Will lightning strike twice for the author of Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima? He certainly hopes so!
In this series, produced by J.C. Staff, the second major series from the famous manga author will get its chance to shine in its very own anime adaptation. If his previous outing is any indicator, this series will pack a lot of action into a fun story filled with memorable characters.
Hetalia: World Stars
Some younger fans might not realize this, but about a decade ago, Hetalia ruled the anime world. You could not go to a convention without seeing flags from various countries everywhere you turned. It was complete and utter madness for a good couple of years before the hype died down. For better or worse, Hetalia is making its big return to television in April 2021, which I’m sure will be a major nostalgia trip for many people out there.
Mars Red
The second series from studio Signal M.D. in the spring 2021 season is Mars Red, the other being Dragon Goes House Hunting. This is a Funimation co-production. Not only that, but it’s also the very first anime in history to adapt a stage reading play, in this case written by Bun-O Fujisawa. Taking place in the Taisho era (1923), the story features a special unit in the army that uses vampires to track down other vampires and exterminate them.
Shaman King
Another staple in the youth of many more experienced anime fans, this shonen series is getting a complete reboot which will tell the complete story from start to finish, in the same way, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood did a couple of decades ago. If you’ve never watched this series before or read the manga, you’re in for a wild ride!
Battle Athletes Daiundoukai ReSTART!
Speaking of reboots and wild rides, the Battle Athletes franchise is making its big return in 2021! Taking place in the distant future when young girls compete to be the Cosmic Beauty (basically the top athlete in the galaxy), this series will follow up on the original series and tell a new story. The original incarnation of this series aired back in the 90s and is still considered a classic by many fans of the franchise!
Fruits Basket Season 3
Fruits Basket is finally going to get the conclusion that fans have been waiting at least two decades to see! With the original anime adaptation that aired back in 2001 having an open, non-committal ending that left many fans with a sour taste in their mouths, this season will finally tell the story the right way and give fans the closure that they so richly deserve. You will not want to miss out on this ending!
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S
This entry is bittersweet because we lost the original director of this series to the Kyoto Animation arson attack. The new director will have some mighty big shoes to fill, but I’m certain that they are up to the task at hand.
Pretty Boy Detective Club
Akiyuki Simbo is making a rare return to the director’s chair at studio SHAFT to help create this piece, which I’m sure will be filled with SHAFT’s token mannerisms and maybe a head tilt or two.
The Way of the Househusband
Closing things out with another series that has quickly become one of my favorite manga of all time, this slice of life comedy about a yakuza who has become a househusband supporting his office working wife is well-deserving of an anime adaptation. Having already received a live-action adaptation, the anime will hopefully be able to tread new ground and give fans the laugh-out-loud moments that we all desperately need right now. The Way of the Househusband is set to premiere on Netflix in spring 2021.
Did I miss anything? What are you most excited about seeing in 2012? Let us know in the comments!
