As summer approaches, so does the new normal. The past couple of months have been particularly hard for the anime industry, as there were quite a number of shows that were pushed back to a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, this summer anime season is a more compact one, but there are some pretty high profile shows being offered. Without further ado, let’s dive in to our top non-sequel picks for the summer!
The God of High School
It all begins 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 (Source: LINE Webtoon)
This is one of the latest hit manhwa titles to be turned into an anime, and it looks glorious. The series can be best described as an action-packed, non-stop tournament arc, and Studio MAPPA does seem to be doing a good job at replicating the manhwa and making it look good. We will have to wait and see if the action does indeed pack a good punch.
Kanojo, Okarishimasu
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 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 tries keep her side hustle secret, and panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! (Souce: Kodansha Comics)
This show has an interesting storyline just from the fact that it is about a girlfriend rental service. The concept of renting another person is interesting in itself, but there are also some fun twists for Kazuya to overcome. The series is overall a light-hearted love story, though at the same time you may get frustrated with some of the characters’ choices. This is an interesting show and we can’t wait to see what kind of decisions Kazuya will make in life.
Deca-Dence
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 3000m-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 fated meeting between the seemingly two opposites, the girl with a positive attitude who never gives up on her dream and the realist who has given up on his, will eventually shake the future course of the world. (Source: Official site)
A new original show directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100), Deca-Dence looks like yet another dystopian anime that will showcase how humanity can evolve and become stronger over time. Studio NUT has not produced many anime series, but their previous work seems solid, and hopefully this will also be a big hit. With new voice actress Tomori Kusunoki and legendary voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi in the lead roles, we’re also hoping that their characters will have an interesting dynamic to watch. This series has the making of an epic and hopefully it will live up to expectations.
Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha
Despite their appetite for destruction, even the demon king tires of all the blood and chaos sometimes! When Anos reincarnates in the hopes of a more peaceful life, he ends up going to school with his descendants in his old castle 2,000 years later. But with magic on its last legs in this era, no one is able to assess Anos true power! (Source: Square Enix)
At first glance, Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha looks like yet another harem-conquering isekai fantasy show. However, the plot is quite promising: after being reincarnated, a demon lord sees the world as being too peaceful and wants to retake it with his unyielding powers. This show may seem cliche but as long it’s a fun ride, then we are able to enjoy it to an extent!
Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!
Sakura Shinichi’s one wish is for a little peace and quiet. But Uzaki Hana – his boisterous, well endowed underclassman, has other plans. All she wants is to hang out and tease him. With the help of the chipper charm and peppy persistence, this might just be the start of a beautiful relationship! (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)
This comedy show will see the relationship between our leads Sakura Shinichi and Uzaki Hana blossom, from a one-sided relationship to the two possibly becoming a romantic couple. Based on the manga of the same name, this show is nothing but plain fun with a hint of slice of life, though it may contain more ecchi than you might expect. Still, we can’t wait to see Uzaki Hana’s antics on screen!
These are our top non-sequel picks of the Summer 2020 season. If you have a recommendation of your own, tell us in the comments section down below!
