Are you psyched for the 2018 anime winter season!!?? I’ve seen a lot of you publish your to watch list and anticipation posts. Those are usually super fun reads. (Drinking game tip, reread them at the end of the season and every time a blogger was completely off the mark – take a sip, or vice versa, or both – wait that’s just drinking at that point.)
I’ve bookmarked all those anime 2018 posts and will read them attentively as soon as we’re done here but for now, I’ve tried to keep myself as oblivious as possible about what is happening in the world of anime (so you know, no change here). I’ve avoided trailers, descriptions, even tried to not look at the genre as much as possible and today dear friends, please join me in judging books by their covers – big time.
Here are my predictions for next season entirely based on the thumbnails (and titles):
Ok, I know I’m going into wild speculations right off the bat here, but I’m thinking this is a second season or a follow up to an earlier show which I’ll say was called “Overlord”? I want to think that this is a black comedy, but I think it may actually be more of an action based fantasy thing with dark themes featuring either an affable evil or a former villain turned anti-hero. Ima gonna watch it.
Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no Fukkatsu
Wait isn’t this 7 deadly sins? I haven’t seen 7 deadly sins but I know it’s about sins and it’s a shonen. I know I’m going to watch 7 deadly sins. I should really learn the Japanese names of series. No wonder that “what type of anime watcher are you” quiz said I was a novice…
Alright I cheat – I play a lot of VNs you see and I’ve played this one so I got a pretty good idea what it is. I’m going to watch it so HARD! If I was only going from the pic though, I would have said this is a romantic drama with a super over the top bummer ending – pass!
Another cheat – I’ve read the manga. Although let’s face it that pic pretty much gives it all away. I had me some Yuri fun times with this read (although I know the general reception is mixed). I did enjoy it a lot and I’ll watch the beginning at least although if it’s the same as the manga I will drop it.
Maybe this has something to do with Dagashi Kashi 1? I have never heard of Dagashi Kashi before so it won’t change much. But is that a BAR???? Slice of Life comedy and that violet haired girl is either a Tsundere or a troublemaker and definitely my favorite. The blonde is probably just another anime version of me. I should start suing.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen
I mean c’mon guys, even if I wanted to troll here this could never had been anything else than a magical girl show. I liked the original series even though I was probably past the age where it could leave that much of an impact on me (i.e. I saw it last year) but I am curious to see the follow up. If this turns out full blown romance though I am throwing a fit.
I badly wanted to see the first series – I still do… I’m going to pretend I don’t know it’s a comedy and say the pic gives me some “Parasyte” vibes. Maybe and action (or thriller) sci-fi anime. Ohh that sounds good too!
Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku
Hmmm, Isekai adventure, Right? I’m willing to bet. Ersatz Dungeons and Dragons fun for those who are to cool for tabletop roleplaying. These can go either way. I’m gonna watch it too!
Wait wait wait, Is that a Mecha in the background??? I haven’t seen a mecha series in forever. (Ok I’ve only seen like 3 total Escaflowne, Eva and Goldorak apparently also called Grendizer???). Even though Mecha doesn’t attract me as a genre in and of itself I can’t deny Eva was spectacular. This looks a bit too eager and honest to be truly interesting but I’ll give it a try.
Oh there’s going to be feeeeeleings here isn’t there? Coming of Age, Slice of Life from a young lady trying to find her place in the world. Frustrated with her overbearing mother, distant father, kids at school that just don’t get her. Maybe some bullying is involved as well. Done well it could be spectacular, done badly it will be unbearable.
Aww so cute. Happy, easygoing adventures of two childhood friends growing up together. Comedic Slice of Life. Since they are of opposite genders though someone is gonna feel obligated to have them romantically involved. Eventually it’s going to get more serious and emotional. Pass….
Wait is that another mecha??? No ways are there two shows in the same season. I’m going to say fanservicy sci-fi dystopia. It looks really pretty and I have no clue whay I’m saying this but I have a feeling it’s stupid. Am I biased against pretty people? Is that why folks think I’m stupid? No, that’s because of the things I do, say and think? Pffth, you’re just jealous.
Throwing it out there -this may be a season 2. Here’s another crazy assumption: Fantasy Harem. Might be Isekai as well but since it’s a season 2 it doesn’t really matter. I mean everybody should be used to the new world and all. It seems a little pro forma. Nothing’s grabbing me. Unless the real description is fascinating this is another pass.
Whaaa? OK I’m watching this. Um…Post Apocalyptic, slice of life comedy, weird for weird’S sake. Might be my favorite but most likely will become unwatchable at some point. Can’t wait to find out witch. Also it’s called Pop Team Epic!
Ohhh, Interesting. Psychological thriller maybe. Is that a not blatantly sexualized female lead? What’s happening here – I’m confused. I think some type of weird powers or super dangerous (borderline supernatural) drug is being introduced into our world and someone has to figure out what’s going on! I Can’t wait to watch this.
Cute!!! And there’s a lucky cat and flower motif…Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Let’s say it together: Yokai!!! I hope it is. The boys seem awful pretty though and no girls allowed? Is this a boy idol premise mixed with a mystical Yokai setting? Basically a bunch of pretty pretty boys getting together each week for some barely developed supernatural hijinks while looking intensely fabulous? I’m so in, I’m basically already watching this in my head.
Obviously I know what this is. Also Sports! :will watch
Ooohhh freaky – Horror anime? Those vignettes look very disparate maybe it’s short stories? Either way, colour me intrigued. There will be evil dolls at some point! Mark my words.
Huh.. Well subtle’ s not for everyone and I appreciate this show’s not playing games with me. Ecchi if not actual hentai with some type of fantasy action theme. Could be fun. I’ll give it a try. I’m really digging the trend of giving anime girls actual thighs. It’s hot right?
Samurai action drama? Maybe some supernatural elements too. Like historical war setting but with a wizard thrown in? No one looks that happy to be there. This may be trying to be another Berserk set in feudal Japan and that certainly has promise but it’s a big ask. I’ll watch it for sure.
I’m going with either Magical girls or Supernatural idols. Either way it’s one of those shows that counts on the hormonal reaction of the audience rather than actual narrative. If it’s funny (either intentional or not) I’ll watch it but otherwise hard pass. I really can’t sit through another season of Look – stupid girls are cute!
I…um…ok, let’s do this. I’m hoping this is a genderbend ripoff of the babysitter’s club. That would rule. I think it’s probably a slice of life comedy where all these boys are weirdly passionate about babysitting. It is a really really sad thing that that felt a little uncomfortable to write. There is nothing wrong with boys enjoying babysitting. I have no idea whether I’ll watch this or not. Maybe not.
I know that Yuru actually means mascot but to me Yuru means Yuri. And this isn’t doing anything to change my mind. Comedic, Slice of Life with most of the “humour” consisting of the girls being **adorably** incapable of simple everyday tasks. I think New Game has scarred me for life. Pass!
Seems like another entirely female cast but at least a few things are going on here. The costumes are fun and the art is dynamic. Maybe some Magical girl action. I’m getting Yuki Yuna vibes. I figure any straightforward magical girl show would be intimidated going head to head with Sakura so I’m going to say this is a “take” on the magical girl genre. Maybe some time traveling element. Looks interesting – I’ll watch it!
Is this the Hikaru no Go of Shogi? I hope so. That sounds dope. Probably a school club anime, there will be an attempt at making it to nationals maybe a bit of quirky romance and arch rivals will become frenemies through mutual begrudging respect. I’m going to watch this so much!
ooohhh. This one’s a little harder. The diverse cast is making me think of Durarara. So intertwining urban drama. Maybe a bit of intrigue. Possibly some criminal elements. we’ll be following seemingly unconnected individual story lines that come together in unexpected ways. When done properly this tends to be my favorite narrative structure and I generally really enjoy these types of shows. Unfortunately, it’s easy to screw them up and you end up with a jumbled mess that goes nowhere. Can’t wait to find out which this will turn out to be.
Am I seeing Magical Boys? Are those mystical fay creatures that give them powers or toys and these guys have inherited a magical toy factory – Willy Wonka style. There seems to be some type of rainbow crested building in the background there. You know what – I’m going with the factory . These guys are best friends and some are related and through a series of extraordinary events, they’ve ended up with a fantastic toy factory and they now need to make it a success. Light ho yay and hijinks ensue. Yeah – I’m watching this too.
German sounding title, yuri invoking image, inexplicably varied school uniforms and is it just me but there’s something a little creepy about it? That book seems to have some type of LED in it. These girls are part of the occult club aren’t they? I’m not sure why but I think this is an Ecchi with a this school club drama cover up. Something like Hinato Note bet obviously better. Still not my cuppa.
Oh gawsh this is cute. It’s so cute. The girl’s is hair is even colour coded with their outfits. These mighty cute girls are going to be doing some mighty cute things, aren’t they? Moexplosion. Doubt I’ll be watching this.
This could go a couple of ways. There’s a certain innocent charm emanating from it though so I think this may be a family friendly offering aimed at kids. Small kids. Mundane slice of life adventures of keebler elves who live in a happy forest and are very polite to each other. Lessons about helping each other and not stealing will be had.
You go girl. You’ve had a long week, you’ve earned it! The lettering and pose are making me a little wary. I hope this isn’t another plainly Ecchi title pretending to be a comedy Slice of life. Not that I have anything against Ecchi titles per see but I’ve had some really bad luck with the genre. This is a tentative watch for me.
Yaawwwnnn. Guys, who exactly gave anime studios the idea that we only want to watch cute girls… Comedy, school, slice of life, more. From those boiled fish expressions the girls are sporting, I’m going to bet the humour is more n the cute side than the funny side. Provided you find girls being bafflingly inept when it comes to even the simplest everyday task. At least this is helping me trim down my to watch list.
K-ON a boat. (Get it?) Since the season was sadly devoid of cute girls, we have these young aspiring idols hoping to strike it big on the cruise ship circuit! I bet one of them gets sea sick. This one may have a bit more promise. It’s worth a try.
I won’t lie, I initially rea it as “Haikyuu Houshin…” and got really excited and a little confused. I was thinking they are really taking the volleyball team in a different direction this season! Fantasy, adventure shonen. Probably forgettable but fun in the moment. Seeing as I love shone, I’m watching this.
Right. See it’s not that it’s a bunch of cute girls. Put all these girls in that pic above and I would think it looked super interesting but all these girls just being cut in uniforms with little else going on, is getting really boring. I really love ramen too. At least we have that in common. a Pan de Peace type short series based on Ramen instead of bread. It will probably be pretty boring.
For some reason I got an instant reminder of Hitman Reborn when I saw this pic. It’s a lot cuter though. Maybe a pokemon like school adventure, adorable little creature of the week type anime. I’m really not getting that much from this image. I think I might need to read the real synopsis to chose if I want to watch this.
This might just be our reverse harem of the season. I have a real soft spot for reverse harems as you guys know. Most of the time they are so unintentionally hilarious that I spend entire seasons with a smile screwed on my face. That redhead is tsundere or just a little jerky. The brunette is nice and dependable, and that blonde is goofy and super cheery.
Oh no I mustn’t, but he’s so handsome! No gogg girls don’t do stuff like that, who do you take me for! Oh but he can’t help himself because he just lurves me so much! This may also be a teacher student romance on top of it all. Romance, shoujo for all you romantics out there! Not for me.
Precure is a well known franchise right. I want to say magical girls. There sure are a lot of hearts in that title. This is either a magical girl parody show or it’s for the little ones.
More Hitman Reborn. Is that a chibi Flan in the center? This looks a little weird. Could it be 3D. I want to think that this will be the sleeper hit of the season with oddball slightly off colour comedy and a silly barely coherent fantasy narrative. Think Konosuba without the isekai angle and more absurdist. I have effectively sold myself on this.
That’s another one where I want to say it’s going to be a super sarcastic Family Guy type of sitcom. But it might also be a children’s show sitcom – like Arthur. I’m stumped. If it’s not for preschoolers I’ll give it a try because I like the visuals.
Well this is really giving me nothing. Neko is a kitty, there’s something PBS about that font. Kids show about kitties?
Is that a Robot Chicken remake? Comedy, road series? I think my brain short circuited a dozen shows ago because I’m coming up blank again. Good thing this is the last one. Hmm, probably won’t watch.
That took a lot longer to write than I thought it would. I have way too many shows to watch yet again. I probably missed a whole bunch too but you know what, you guys can go read about them in those actual good prediction posts. That’s what I’m going to do right now. After all, I need to decide what to watch next season and I have no clue what any of these shows are about.
For any description I got right – take a sip of a Clairvoyant.
Day 5 of 12
Overlord II is the second season of Overlord, and if you haven’t watched it, you should, at least before you watch this one.
I don’t know about this version, but the original Basilisk featured two warring clans having a death-game type of contest featuring ten warriors from each clan (I think), and two of them were lovers, a whole Japanese Romeo and Juliette type of thing. They’re now honor bound to kill each other, and I think they were the last ones standing before they chose to die together (or something like that).
I haven’t seen either. I should probably look into it
Oh hey look! Another season with a show you got a role in!
Totally talking about Tokunomi.
I need to start getting paid for these!
I think for Dame x Prince’s redhead you were fairly bang-on, since Narek (redhead) is described as a narcissist IIRC. I honestly only remember Vino’s (blonde) personality though (he’s a womaniser), since he’s voiced by Yuichiro Umehara.
I would’ve loved to see some of these hypothetical shows (like the description you gave for Sanrio Danshi!), although you were really off about Zoku Touken Ranbu Hanamaru – it’s a season 2 which I’ve seen the season 1 of, so I can tell you there isn’t much supernatural stuff in that show.
I’m leaving my thoughts on winter 2018 for day 12 of the 12 Days of Anime, so please look forward to them!
oh I will most definitely look forward to it. One more Christmas present!
@Hakyuu Houshin Engi: I can’t stop staring at the blue eyed hippo creature. Is that an alternate universe Moomin?
Is there some sort of inofficial cuteness competition next season or something?
Also: Mameneko? Doesn’t “mame” mean “bean”? Beancats? Is this a stranger Bananya? More like Donyatsue (who is a cat and also a donut, who lives with other sweets-themed animals in post-apocalyptic world, and who teaches valuable lessons such as if you ever play shiratori with a discarded giant robot, don’t make the penalty a forehead flick).
The CGDCT genre has a lot to offer next season. I’m guessing that Mistuboshi Colors is likely going to be my favourite (the director of Kamigami no Asobi and Binbougami ga! and I have compatible humour it seems), and Slow Start will likely be a drop during the first half of the first episode (but then again Blend S surprised me this season).
Also, Basilisk is fairly famous in Japan, the original novels dating back to the late 50ies. I quite liked the first anime, and I’m definitely going to watch this (something has to counter balance all the cuteness, and I’m not convinced Junji Ito will do it for me – though it well might), but I’m also sort of wary, since at most one person survived the first anime (I can’t remember if the first season ended with an implied suicide or not). Anway, this is likely going to be another last-man-standing show, so there.
Also, Dagashi Kashi is about sweets. Believe me when I say that you do not know how much a show can be about sweets before you watch Dagashi Kashi. The purple haired girl? She likes sweets. A lot. Probably nobody ever told her that too much sweets are bad for you. Or, possibly, she cannot comprehend a phrase that combines “too much” with “sweets”. Dagashi Kashi is fun. I did not expect a second season, but I suppose there are Japanese brands of sweets that haven’t been covered yet, and we wouldn’t want to make anyone feel left out, would we?
Maybe there’s an official cuteness competition ad no one told me… Sweets sound good too. I stays on the list!
Ugggggghhhhh, so many new shows, and I am already behind with everything. (Throws hands up in the air in frustration 😂😂). Still, just like this last season I’m going to attempt to at least watch a few shows. The Mecha ones look pretty interesting to me. I just love that genre. Hope you will find some cool series to watch as well 😊
I have so many yet to see (including Code Geass – that’s mecha!)
If you want to see a great Mecha series you moght want to check out Macross Frontier. It’s one of my favorite alltime animes, and as far as mecha-series go one of the best 😊 As for Code Geass, I have yet to see that one as well 😊
I haven’t seen ny of the Macross serie – can I just start with frontier?
Frontier is kind of like a complete reboot of the series. There are a few small inside fun things in this show for when you have seen the original 80’s show, but other than that, this one is completely self contained.
If you want some more information on the Macross saga in general I wrote a post for it a while back which can be found at the special features section of my blog. Hope this helps, and hope if you decide to give the show a go, you will enjoy it 😀
Well how can I resist that !
I have had a brief look at the shows for next season (and read other people’s predictions and watch lists) but mostly I avoid trying to decide what to watch until I see what comes out on the services I use. It helps avoid too much disappointment when I realise the show I really wanted to see is only on Amazon which doesn’t stream in Australia even if I wanted to pay for it. Hope you end up with a fun list of shows to watch. It will be interesting to see your thoughts after you see first episodes.
I’ve looked up a few of the official descriptions already, I am no good at this….
Official descriptions aren’t much better given Juni Taisen was the anime I really looked forward to this season but have been underwhelmed since it started.