It goes without saying this season preview is going to be a lot different than usual. Last season we changed our to focus now on only the titles we are likely to watch or cover. As result this season preview will be noticeably much shorter since most of the series we had been looking forward to have been rescheduled for Fall 2020 or Winter 2021. First off let’s get our Seasonal Updates out of the way and then kick of the Summer 2020 Preview!
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SEASONAL UPDATES
We are finally starting to see more series that were postponed resume on air, so here is what we know about the series we are or had been covering!
Series’ Coverage On-Hold due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Last Updated: July 1, 2020
| SERIES | WRITERS | SET TO RESUME |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun T | Aplus | July 24, 2020 |
| *Appare-Ranman! | Berry | July 24, 2020 |
| *Digimon Adventure (2020) | Shadow | June 28, 2020 |
| Fugou Keiji Balance: UNLIMITED | Eva ➝ Berry | July 30, 2020 |
| Healin’ Good Precure | Eva | June 28, 2020 |
| IDOLISH7: Second Beat! | Eva | N/A |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS |
Eva | June 13, 2020 |
Note: Berry will be taking over Fugou Keiji Balance: Unlimited coverage as of Episode 3 in Eva‘s steed.
On-Going & Future Projects
More will be coming in the future!
Manga & Manhwa Reviews: For a long time this category has been barely touched, but now thanks to the interest of Nikolita and Pandora, we have officially started following a official release routine. Every Monday they will release one or two reviews on either Manga, and our most recent expansion: Manhwa and/or Manhua. In order to help ensure we have material queued up and ready to go and avoid burn outs, our participating writers take turns in weekly rotations.
Retro Anime Coverage: In response to a number of series that had been postponed in the spring, with nothing left to cover Eva picked up Heartcatch Precure and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS and will continue the coverage alongside as the postponed series resume on air. Entries’ day of release schedule may be adjusted in the future to accommodate workload and season schedule. Nikolita is also excited to announce she will begin covering Saiunkoku Monogatari every Tuesday starting June 30th!
Image Restoration Progress: We ran into some technical hiccups that was complicating the process, so it slowed down the efforts for a couple of weeks. Now that it has been ironed out we are finally able to start working on that again.
RECRUITING WRITERS FOR FALL 2020
We are finally accepting applications to join our team again! We have some new positions as part of our effort to diversify our content, so if you’re interested in joining the team, you can read more about it here!
Summer 2020 Preview
Last Updated: 06.20.2020
Resources
AniList, A.I.R, ANN, FanSub DB, LiveChart, MAL
PLEASE READ – Preview Format Disclaimer: The following line up in the season preview was decided by each of the writers who are participating this Summer by making a list and ranking then titles them by levels of interest.
- High: Most Anticipated
- Moderate: The Eye-Catchers
- Low: Might Enjoy
- Wild Picks: A Shot in the Dark
Participating writers’ rankings were then tallied and placed within the categories of interest based on the majority of votes or compromised when tied. So you will continue to see a variety of reactions based on the titles which have been selected. At the time same, the writers are not obligated to share their thoughts on the titles they are not interested in/unlikely to watch.
If you wish to see the full list of the preview, you will be able to find that in Live Chart.
Writer Hiatus: Aplus [Indefinite]
Reason: Returning to school.
Rest assured Aplus intends to finish the coverage of A Certain Scientific Railgun T.
So whenever the show resumes, he will cover it when he has time.
Most Anticipated Series
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Season 2
Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活 | Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World S2
Source: Light Novel
Animation Company: White Fox
Website: http://re-zero-anime.jp/tv/
Premiere: July 8, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Psychological, Drama, Thriller, Fantasy
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: The second season of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu.
In the story, Subaru Natsuki is an ordinary high school student who is lost in an alternate world, where he is rescued by a beautiful, silver-haired girl. He stays near her to return the favor, but the destiny she is burdened with is more than Subaru can imagine. Enemies attack one by one, and both of them are killed. He then finds out he has the power to rewind death, back to the time he first came to this world. But only he remembers what has happened since.
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Berry: So I recently watched Re:zero and I absolutely loved it, so I’m super excited for this new season and that it’s finally here after it was pushed back. Easily my most anticipated show, also Emilia is best don’t @ me.
Shadow: HECK YES!!! I recently watched this series after watching a convincing youtube video about how it is intelligently written. And to some degree, I agree, especially in regards to the characters. So many of them, even the side characters have a lot more depth than I expected, making them all charming in their own way. I put off watching this series since the hype kind of killed my interest in it. So I feel kind of silly now considering it is a pretty good series. I’m both hesitant to get back into it due to things I’ve heard, but I’m also excited to see where the series will go now. And just like Berry… “I love Emilia.” drops mic and dips
Possible Bloggers: Berry, Shadow
Yahari Ore no Seishun S
やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。完 | My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU 3 | OreGairu 3
Source: Light Novel
Animation Company: feel.
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/oregairu/
Premiere: July 10, 2020
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: Third season of Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.
As the members of the Service Club band together to host a school prom, Hachiman, Yukino and Yui will have to put their feelings into words and truly learn to understand each other at long last… if the Service Club can even stay afloat, that is!
Team Impression:
Eva: Gosh it’s been such a long time, I am definitely in need for a refresh! This is one of my favourite slice of life series so I am SO HAPPY that season three has finally arrived! I’m looking forward to it!
The Eye-Catchers!
DECA-DENCE
デカダンス
Source: Original
Animation Company: NUT
Website: http://decadence-anime.com/
Premiere: July 8, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: Many years have passed since humanity was driven to the brink of extinction by the sudden emergence of the unknown life forms Gadoll. Those humans that survived now dwell in a 3000 meter-high mobile fortress Deca-dence built to protect themselves from the Gadoll threat.
Denizens of Deca-dence fall into two categories: Gears, warriors who fight the Gadoll daily, and Tankers, those without the skills to fight. One day, Natsume, a Tanker girl who dreams of becoming a Gear meets surly Kaburagi, an armor repairman of Deca-dence.
This chance meeting between the seemingly two opposites, the girl with a positive attitude who never gives up on her dreams and the realist who has given up on his, will eventually shake the future course of this world.
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Eva: Even before the announcements of all push-backs this season, DECA-DENCE was already on my list of most anticipated upcoming titles. I am really looking forward to it since it looks like it’s the kind of sci-fic action I absolutely love!
Berry: I don’t see myself blogging this, but this does look pretty cool. There are lots of anime with this premise so I hope the execution is done well. I’m always a little iffy with sci-fi as well since it’s not my favorite genre, but I’ll check this out.
Shadow: I actually saw this preview at 2018’s Crunchyroll Expo and became curious about it. I kind of forgot about it since it’s been two years, but I remember it looking absolutely amazing and piqued my interests. It doesn’t seem like the typical anime I would get into, but I am willing to give it a looksie since the art and animation looks great.
Quietcupcake: This looks really cool! When I first looked into it I wasn’t super enthused about it, but the more I’ve looked into the more excited I’ve been for this to air. I’m definitely curious to see what it will be, so I’ll check it out.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Shadow
Enen no Shouboutai S2
炎炎ノ消防隊 弐ノ章 | Fire Force Season 2
Source: Manga
Animation Company: David Production
Website: https://fireforce-anime.jp/
Premiere: July 4, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Action, Drama, Supernatural
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: The second season of Enen no Shouboutai.
Year 198 of the Solar Era in Tokyo, special fire brigades are fighting against a phenomenon called spontaneous human combustion where humans beings are turned into living infernos called “Infernals.” While the Infernals are first generation cases of spontaneous human combustion, later generations possess the ability to manipulate flames while retaining human form. Shinra Kusakabe, a youth who gained the nickname Devil’s Footprints for his ability to ignite his feet at will, joins the Special Fire Force Company 8 which composes of other flames users as they work to extinguish any Infernals they encounter. As a faction that is creating Infernals appears, Shira begins to uncover the truth behind a mysterious fire that caused the death of his family twelve years ago.
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Shadow: Why… why am I willing to put myself through this torture again? The first season left me absolutely exasperated due to the poor execution of pacing, character development and shot continuity. HOWEVER, I am willing to give it a second chance to prove itself to me since everyone keeps saying that the manga gets better. And I will admit the plot was a little better by the end. But with the lack luster set up it presented to me in the first season, I’m not quite holding out any hope. I’ll probably give it 3 episodes at maximum to change my mind.
Possible Bloggers: Shadow
Might Enjoy
Kanojo, Orkarishimsu
彼女、お借りします| Rent-A-Girlfriend | Kanokari
Source: Manga
Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: https://kanokari-official.com/
Premiere: July 10, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance, Drama
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: In today’s Japan, “rental” services can deliver an afternoon with a “friend,” a “parent,” even a fake girlfriend! After a staggering betrayal by his girlfriend, hapless freshman Kazuya gets just desperate enough to give it a try. But he quickly discovers how complicated it can be to “rent” an emotional connection, and his new “girlfriend,” who’s trying to keep her side hustle secret, will panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! Family, school, and life all start to go wrong, too…
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Eva: I am prettttttttyyyyyyyyy sure I checked out this series before… but it’s been so long I can’t remember a thing. Nonetheless I will be watching this because I am hungry for romantic comedies!
Berry: I’m really not sure what to think of this show. It sounds weird but also kind of funny? There’s not much from this season that catch my attention, but this certainly does.
Shadow: I’ll admit, this looks somewhat entertaining. Though regular harems aren’t quite my thing (especially after a betrayal in a certain other harem series that shall not be named), but I’ll probably give it a watch to see what happens considering the premise sounds kind of funny.
Quietcupcake: This one looks seems like it has the possibility be of being really charming. I can go either way with series like this so I’ll have to check out the first few episodes to see if one that I’ll be interested in pursuing!
Lapis Re:LiGHTS
Lapis Re:LiGHTs（ラピスリライツ）
Source: Original
Animation Company: Yokohama Animation Lab
Website: https://www.lapisrelights.com/anime/
Premiere: July 4, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Music, Magic
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: The series follows the adventures of Tiara at Flora Girls Academy, where witches are trained to purify the magical beasts that threaten the humans.
Together with her classmates, Tiara is ready to learn how to save lives and bring smiles to people’s faces.
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Eva: It goes without saying this show already caught my attention as soon as I saw how it consists both music and magic. You know how I love my magic series. The character designs are adorable and the songs sound good so far, but whether I’ll be sticking around for the entire thing will really depend what they hope to accomplish with this fun combination.
Berry: The animation for this is really pretty and some of the character designs are really cute. I sort of get Revue Starlight vibes…sort of. The big cast of characters kind of makes me nervous but it sort of catches my attention so I’ll give it a chance. I always like a music show too~
Quietcupcake: Oh this looks really cute! It definitely has my attention! The character designs are really cute and I’m excited to see the genre of music and magic combined into one. I hope it will be fun and light-hearted but with plenty of good character development as well!
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Berry, Quietcupcake
Shot in the Dark!
The God of High School
ゴッド・オブ・ハイスクール | GoH | 갓 오브 하이스쿨
Source: Manhwa
Animation Company: MAPPA
Website: http://goh-anime.com/
Premiere: July 6, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural, Fantasy
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: It all began as a fighting tournament to seek out for the best fighter among all high school students in Korea. Mori Jin, a Taekwondo specialist and a high school student, soon learns that there is something much greater beneath the stage of the tournament.
Crunchyroll x Line Webtoon (NAVER) collaboration project.
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Berry: I don’t know if this is something I can blog about since it looks like it’ll be a pure action show, but that last line makes it sound like there might be more to it so it’s 50/50 for me. Tower of God was eh but this webtoon collaboration thing is still really cool so I’m still looking forward to this and more.
Shadow: Seeing as this is a webtoon I’m mildly curious. Especially when everyone else seems pretty stoked about this adaptation. I don’t see me blogging this, but I’ll probably give it a few episodes to see how it goes.
Quietcupcake: I’m curious enough to check it out. The synopsis alone didn’t quite grab me the the PVs have piqued my interest. I enjoy good a solid fight scene and it seems like this anime will deliver, so I’ll check it out!
Possible Bloggers: Berry, Quietcupcake
Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE
恋とプロデューサー～EVOL×LOVE～ | Mr Love: Queen’s Choice
Love and Producer
Source Material: Game
Animation Company: MAPPA
Website: https://koipro-anime.love/
Premiere: July 16, 2020 (JST)
Genre: Music, Slice of Life, Super Power, Romance, Shoujo
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Synopsis: A girl inherits a company that is almost bankrupt from her late father. Lacking the funds, she must now become the producer herself in order to save the company from collapse. During her work, she meets four boys—financial expert Zen, the idol Kira, police officer Haku, and leading neuroscientist Simon—and is suddenly involved with the conspiracies and mysteries over the existence of special powers known as “Evol.”
Based on the Papergames’ otome dating simulation, Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE. Koi to Producer was initially released in China in December 2017 for iOS and Android systems. Game publisher Elex localised the game in English under the title Mr Love: Queen’s Choice in March 2019, and the game recently launched in Japan on July 3, 2019. The Japanese cast from the game will be reprising their roles.
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Eva: Never heard of this game (which is no surprise since I don’t pay attention to or play any mobile games), but I can see it’s quite popular! As per usual with any otome game adaption, I am curious and am willing to give it a shot to see if it’s any good. As long as the heroine is not a passive doormat and the characters are interesting, I’ll be watching this. And who knows, maybe if this is actually good I’ll be inclined to check out the game after-all. Gosh darn it, the CGs scenes they are using in this are so pretty!
Shadow: Ah yes, I’ve heard of this since a couple of my friends have been screeching about it. Considering how otome adaptations go, they generally aren’t that great. I’ll probably end up watching it with my friend though. But considering Mappa is in charge, it may be given a chance to shine.
Possible Bloggers: Eva
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Eva: Oof, it is a bit of a shame that there isn’t too much grabbing my interest this summer since the titles I was excited for had been pushed back, but I expected as much. Although I already have my hands tied with the series that were postponed coming back on air and the retro series (Heartcatch Precure and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS) I had decided to pick up to fill the void, I would really like to give Deca-Dence or Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE a go if nobody else plans to give it a chance. But if I do decide to pick up a new title, I will only being picking up one. Another show I had considered picking up is Oregairu S3, but I’ve had a hard time covering that show before, so just going to stick to watching it as I will be doing with Kanojo Orkarishimsu and Lapis Re:LiGHTS.
And lastly, as mentioned above: Berry will be taking over FKB: Unlimited so I have more flexibility to pick up a show that won’t be picked up by anyone else on the team. Nevertheless, if I end up deciding nothing’s clicking with me, then it still works in my favor since I already have a lot on my hands as it is.
Berry: It’s such a shame that so many shows have been postponed because of the virus, but it makes sense. I’m really glad that Appare-Ranman! is coming back so I’ll be resuming my coverage of that. I put down myself under a few shows, and probably except for Re:zero, I’m still a little unsure of the ones I chose. There were other shows I was looking forward to that were supposed to air, but oh well. Anything can happen! Pretty empty this season, but I am looking forward to The God of High School, Lapis: Relights, and Kanojo Okarishimasu in a weird way. But let’s all stay positive!
Shadow: Wow, there is very little new anime coming out this season but it’s honestly to be expected considering the world’s current state. With Digimon coming back to air and Fruits Basket still continuing through this season, I’ll have my hands full for the most part already. However, I am super excited for the new season of Re:Zero and also interested to see what happens with Deca-Dence, Kanojo, Orkarishimsu, The God of High School and Koi to Producer: EVOL×LOVE. I’m hesitant to pick up Fire Force again considering how exasperating it was for me to cover it. But I guess I’ll see if it does better this season. I probably will pick up only one new series this season, but which one is still to be determined. Despite the small number of choices, hopefully this season will be fun.
Quietcupcake: It’s been a wild ride seeing which anime would ultimately air for summer but I still think there are some solid series coming out this season! For the most part, I’m on the fence about quite a few of these series – where a lot of them seem interesting there’s something about that them that’s making me hesitant. However, I’m definitely interested in checking them all out. I’m excited to check out Kanojo, Orkarishimsu to see if it will satisfy that romantic comedy itch! I’m also pretty hyped for The God of High School primarily for the action, but looking at the genres it looks like it has everything covered. Lastly, I’m excited for Lapis Re:LiGHTS for a multitude of reasons, but mostly for the music and the cute idol groups. It’ll be interesting to see how they’ll incorporate magic into it! And finally, I’ll be continuing my coverage of Ahiru no Sora as we enter into the final stretch of the series. Even though this season is small, I think there’s definitely something in it for everyone. I’m excited to see what gems there will be this season!
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