Spring 2018 has a lot of great shows and probably one of the strongest Spring season for the past several years. Looking ahead at Summer 2018 we do have quite a few great shows to look out for. Shingeki no Kyojin 3, Overlord 3, FLCL Alternative and Gintama. Gin no Tamashii-hen Season 2 would definitely be one of the more favourite shows to watch out.
Including continuing shows such as Boku no Hero Academia 3 and Steins;Gate 0, it will be an explosive summer to watch. We however would like to highlight several non-sequel anime that has caught our eye and that you should watch them. This is THE MAGIC RAIN’s top 5 non-sequel anime picks for Spring 2018 in no particular order!
Grand Blue
Among the seaside town of Izu’s ocean waves and rays of shining sun, Iori Kitahara is just beginning his freshman year at Izu University. As he moves into his uncle’s scuba diving shop, Grand Blue, he eagerly anticipates his dream college life, filled with beautiful girls and good friends.
But things don’t exactly go according to plan. Upon entering the shop, he encounters a group of rowdy, naked upperclassmen, who immediately coerce him into participating in their alcoholic activities. Though unwilling at first, Iori quickly gives in and becomes the heart and soul of the party. Unfortunately, this earns him the scorn of his cousin, Chisa Kotegawa, who walks in at precisely the wrong time. Undeterred, Iori still vows to realize his ideal college life, but will things go according to plan this time, or will his situation take yet another dive? (Source: MyAnimeList.net)
One of the most acclaimed comedy manga which was released several years back, many fans have stated beforehand that this is not your typical diving show and that it has a mix of slapstick comedy, slice of life and swimming aspects. One might put Amanchu Advance or either Free within this category, but Grand Blue will definitely blow the competition out of the water or will the humour be too deep?
Back Street Girls
A group of 3 yakuza failed their boss for the last time. After messing up an important job, the boss gave them 2 choices: honorably commit suicide, or go to Thailand to get a sex reassignment surgery in order to become “female” idols. After a gruesome year training to become idols, they successfully debut, with overwhelming popularity, much to their dismay. This is where their tragedy truly begins. (Source: MyAnimeList.net)
There are not many anime shows which shows how Yakuza work within the underworld but there is also not enough shows that show a Yakuza boss that would punish his subordinates and make them have a sex change in Thailand! This anime has a unique and interesting premise with its comedic charm and also strange shenanigans. Thus, we should also try and never take things too light-heartedly or we might have to do a sex change.
Hanebado!
Tachibana Kentarou is a high school badminton coach who has a lot more enthusiasm than some of the members of his very small team. One day, he meets the quiet-voiced student Hanesaki Ayano, who is effortlessly physically capable and experienced in badminton. He tries to recruit her, but she seems to have no interest in the sport at all. Due to a series of circumstances, she eventually ends up joining the team. Coach Tachibana is determined that with her on board, they’ll be champions! (Source: MangaHelpers)
Badminton is a high-speed and frantic Olympic sport which is played all around the world. Sports anime has always been a present genre in each season and this is no exception to the rule. Plus, they are great shows to watch but there has not been an animated badminton show as dramatic and hit stopping than Hanebado!. People would say that Prince of Tennis is the definite racquet anime to watch but Hanebado! might have what it takes to make it as an anime show on its own.
Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu
In the MMORPG Cross Reverie, Takuma Sakamoto is so powerful that he is lauded as the “Demon Lord” by other players. One day, he is summoned to another world – but with the same appearance he had in the game! There, he meets two girls who both proclaim themselves to be his Summoner. They had performed an Enslavement Ritual to turn him into their Summon… but that’s when Takuma’s passive ability is activated! Instead, it was the girls who had become enslaved!
Though Takuma may have been the strongest Sorcerer there was, he had no idea how to talk with other people. That’s when he makes his choice: to act based on his persona from the game! So begins a tale of adventure with an earth-shakingly powerful Demon Lord (or at least someone who acts like one) taking on another world! (Source: J-Novel Club)
There are several isekai anime shows that are airing this season and the one that caught our attention was Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu. As a powerful Demon Lord, Takuma will be able to do many mischievous deeds and have a legal harem at the same time!
Hataraku Saibou
The average human body contains about 60 trillion cells, and each of them has work to do! But when you get injured, viruses or bacteria invade, or when an allergic reaction flares up, everyone from the silent but deadly white blood cells to the brainy neurons has to work together to get through the crisis! (Source: Kodansha Comics USA)
This anime series has an interesting take on how cells within the human body work. There are not many series which also highlights the complexity of things going on within a human body. The artwork looks pretty simple and clean, just like how a human body should be. Hopefully we would be able to see how the cancer cells would interact with the other cell bodies.
Special Mention: Satsuriku no Tenshi
13-year old Rachel awakens to find herself trapped in the basement of an abandoned building. Without any memories, or even a clue as to where she could be, she wanders the building, lost and dizzy. In her search, she comes across a man covered in bandages. He introduces himself as Zack and he wields a grim-reaper like sickle.
A strange bond is struck between them, strengthened by strange, crazy promise. These two, trapped in this strange building, don’t know why fate has placed them there. But they will work together desperately to find a way out. (Source: MyAnimeList.net)
This series has a Danganronpa kind of vibe around it and it might very well have some ounces of psychological horror to it. The characters’ relationship seems strange or rather forced as they would need to somehow work together to escape this trapped game. There are also some interesting characters as there are a number of psychopaths to watch out of. The art and animation style looks pretty good from studio J.C. Staff. Hopefully they will be able to keep this show enthralling to watch.
With that, here’s our top anime picks for the Summer 2018 season! We hope that you’ll enjoy our recommendations as well as the other anime that’s set to be release this summer.
What are you personally looking forward to? Do let us know in the comments below so that we can check out your favourites as well!
