Welcome to the Summer 2016 season preview, here to help you decide what to watch this season and with so many series coming out each season it can be a daunting task. To help you even further we will be giving links to any simulcast that a series may have and will keep them updated throughout the season. You can also find our writers thoughts on select series that they are interested in.
This is by no means a complete list of every series airing this season, shows geared towards young children have been omitted as have OVAs and Movies. We have deemed it necessary for TV shorts to have their own season preview which will be available soon.
12-Sai. Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki 2
Oct 3, 2016 | Oriental Light and Magic | Manga | Romance, School, Shoujo
Streaming:
I’ve still got the last four episodes of season 1 left to watch, but it was an enjoyable anime. If season 2 turns up somewhere, I’ll catch up so I can continue watching. – Jordan
3-gatsu no Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion
Oct 8, 2016 | Shaft | Manga | Drama, Seinen, Slice of Life
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Daisuki
Adapted from Chica Umino’s (Honey and Clover) other popular manga, March Comes in Like a Lion, and directed by Shaft director Akiyuki Shinbou how could you not be watching this? I think this series is easily the one I have the highest hopes for, even if it’s only half as good as Honey and Clover or the majority of Shaft titles then we’re in for a good time. – Nick
I quite enjoy the work of Shaft, and though I’ve still got a backlog of their titles to try, I aim not to add to that backlog by watching new ones as they air. Shaft aside, I was sold by the first line of the description over at anichart – a 17 year old pro Shogi player. – Jordan
Ajin 2nd Season
Oct 8, 2016 | Polygon Pictures | Manga | Horror, Mystery, Seinen, Supernatural
Streaming: Netflix
All Out!!
Oct 7, 2016 | Madhouse | Manga | School, Seinen, Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
I’ve been enjoying sports anime since I started giving them a chance, so I’ll at least be checking out the first episode of All Out!! And it’s from Madhouse, so the animation is sure to be great. – Jordan
Bloodivores
https://youtu.be/a73DsbDKd-w
Oct 1, 2016 | Creators in Pack | Original | Action, Supernatural, Vampire
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Brave Witches
Oct 6, 2016 | Silver Link. | Original | Action, Ecchi, Magic, Military, Sci-Fi
Streaming: Crunchyroll
No, I haven’t watched Strike Witches yet, but Silver Link are my favourite studio, so I’ll be watching Brave Witches as it airs. Hopefully I’ll find the time to watch Strike Witches alongside this. – Jordan
Bubuki Buranki: Hoshi no Kyojin
BBK/BRNK
Oct 1, 2016 | SANZIGEN | Original | Action, Drama, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Bungou Stray Dogs 2nd Season
Oct 6, 2016 | Bones | Manga | Mystery, Seinen, Supernatural
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Season 1 was fairly enjoyable, so I’ll probably watch season 2. Depending on the number of anime that interest me this season though, Bungo Stray Dogs could end up on hold. – Jordan
Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Next
Oct 2, 2016 | TMS Entertainment | Original | Action, Game, Shounen
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Daisuki, YouTube
ClassicaLoid
Oct 8, 2016 | Sunrise | Original | Comedy, Music
Streaming: Crunchyroll, The Anime Network, Viewster
The premise for ClassicaLoid is very out there it has to be said but there’s no question that it is unique. Beethoven and Mozart saving the world from giant robots with the power of their music sounds insane. I’m not the biggest fan of this insistence on using historical figures in increasly more random ways but this is just too weird not to watch. I’ll be checking it out for a couple of episodes at least. – Nick
I think Nick pretty much summed it up nicely – ClassicaLoid is definitely on my radar. – Jordan
Drifters
Oct 7, 2016 | Hoods Entertainment | Manga | Action, Fantasy, Historical, Samurai, Seinen
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
I think Drifters will try and bring back an element of dark storytelling and visuals that we just don’t see too much of nowadays but whether it will be great or not we’ll have to wait and see. I’ll check out the first couple of episodes to see if it will hold my interest as the premise certainly doesn’t. – Nick
I was supposed to watch the OVA before this season to decide whether I was watching Drifters or not. I suppose I still have 5 days to try and do so if possible. – Jordan
Flip Flappers
Oct 6, 2016 | Studio 3Hz | Original | Comedy, Sci-Fi
Streaming: Crunchyroll, The Anime Network, Viewster
Honestly, the key art looks cute. Onto my list it goes. – Jordan
Fune wo Amu
The Great Passage
Oct 14, 2016 | Zexcs | Novel |
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Based upon the best-selling and acclaimed novel by Miura Shoin – Fune wo Amu is another series that I have very high expectations of and with Zexcs handling this adaptation I think we’re in good hands. – Nick
While not the anime I’m most looking forward to this season, Fune wo Amu is the one that sounds the most interesting out of the anime on offer. – Jordan
Gi(a)rlish Number
Oct 7, 2016 | Diomedea | Original | Slice of Life
Streaming: Crunchyroll, The Anime Network
Here it is, the anime I’m most looking forward to this season. It’s from the author that brought us the brilliant Oregairu. Sentai already have home media rights, so hopefully this ends up on our shelves courtesy of MVM or Manga Entertainment. -Jordan
Haikyuu!!: Karasuno Koukou VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Koukou
Oct 8, 2016 | Production I.G | Manga | Comedy, Drama, School, Shounen, Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll
I finally tried Haikyuu!! through Animatsu’s blu-rays and fell in love with it. I couldn’t hold out for their season 2 blu-rays next year though, so I binged season 2 one weekend in preparation for this third season. – Jordan
Heybot!
Sep 18, 2016 | Bandai Namco Pictures | Original | Comedy, Kids, Sci-Fi
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Hibike! Euphonium 2
Sound! Euphonium 2
Oct 6, 2016 | Kyoto Animation | Novel | Drama, Music, School
Streaming: Crunchyroll
It’s KyoAni, of course I’m watching it. I thoroughly enjoyed season 1 and it’s a shame the compilation movie is not available to us. – Jordan
Idol Memories
Oct 3, 2016 | Seven Arcs | Original | Music
Streaming:
I saw the words “idol” and “virtual reality”, that got Idol Memories the green light from me. -Jordan
Kaitou Joker 4th Season
Oct 3, 2016 | Shin-Ei Animation | Manga | Adventure, Comedy, Mystery, Shounen
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Keijo!!!!!!!!
Hip Whip Girl
Oct 6, 2016 | Xebec | Manga | Ecchi, Shounen, Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
This one looks so over-the-top everyone should be watching it. -Jordan
Long Riders!
Oct 8, 2016 | Actas | Manga | Comedy, Shounen, Slice of Life, Sports
Streaming: Daisuki
Cute girls on motorbikes earlier this year was brilliant, so I’m assuming cute girls on bicycles will be just as good. -Jordan
Lostorage Incited WIXOSS
Oct 8, 2016 | J.C.Staff | Card game | Game, Psychological
Streaming: Crunchyroll
I enjoyed the earlier seasons of WIXOSS, and while it’s a shame the movie isn’t available yet, I’ll definitely be watching the new anime. – Jordan
Luger Code 1951
Oct 22, 2016 | Studio Deen | Original | Action, Fantasy
Streaming:
This one is a resounding maybe from me. I’ll probably wait to find out what my brother thinks if he tries it. – Jordan
Magic Kyun! Renaissance
Oct 2, 2016 | Sunrise | Original | Magic, Music, Romance, School
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku
Magical Girl Raising Project
Oct 2, 2016 | Lerche | Light Novel | Action, Fantasy, Supernatural, Thriller
Streaming: Crunchyroll
The first episode of this was enjoyable, so I’ll be sticking with this. -Jordan
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd Season
Oct 2, 2016 | Sunrise | Original | Action, Drama, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Space
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Gundam.info (YouTube)
If it’s Gundam you can guarantee that I’ll be watching. It also helps that the first season was a massive improvement over other recent attempts at starting new Gundam series. – Nick
Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On
Oct 2, 2016 | David Production | Game | Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
Nanbaka
Oct 7, 2016 | Satelight | Web Manga | Action, Comedy, Drama
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
I haven’t read the manga but it always catches my eye whenever I open my Crunchyroll manga app due to the use of vibrant colours. The premise sounds interesting but will it amount to anything more than just pretty colours I’m not sure. I’ll definitely be appling the three episode rule on this one. – Nick
The key art grabbed my attention so I’ll be checking this out. Hopefully it’s good.. -Jordan
Natsume Yuujinchou Go
Natsume’s Book of Friends Go
Oct 5, 2016 | Shuka | Manga | Drama, Fantasy, Shoujo, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Streaming: Crunchyroll?
Occultic;Nine
Oct 8, 2016 | A-1 Pictures | Light Novel | Mystery, Sci-Fi
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Daisuki
Anytime this is a series with a semicolon in its title I’m immediately interested. While Occultic;Nine is apparently not set within the same universe as previous titles it is adapted from a light novel written by 5pb head Chiyomaru Shikura. I’m hoping for good things from this series but I’m hesitant about getting too excited after Robotics;Notes. – Nick
I haven’t watched any of the semicolon anime yet, so I may as well just start with this one. – Jordan
Shakunetsu no Takkyuu Musume
Ping Pong Girl
Oct 4, 2016 | Kinema Citrus | Web Manga | Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Cute girls playing Ping Pong? Sold! – Jordan
Show By Rock!! #
Oct 2, 2016 | Bones | Game | Comedy, Music
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
Shuumatsu no Izetta
Izetta: The Last Witch
Oct 1, 2016 | Ajia-Do | Original | Action, Historical, Military
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
Soushin Shoujo Matoi
Matoi the Sacred Slayer
Oct 4, 2016 | White Fox | Original | Magic, Supernatural
Streaming: The Anime Network, Viewster
White Fox blew us away with Re:Zero last season, so I’ll be checking out their next work. – Jordan
Stella no Mahou
Magic of Stella
Oct 3, 2016 | Silver Link. | 4-koma Manga | Comedy, School, Slice of Life
Streaming: Daisuki
It’s another Silver Link anime, that’s all I needed to know. The short plot summary on anichart sounds pleasant as well. -Jordan
Tiger Mask W
Oct 2, 2016 | Toei Animation | Manga | Action, Drama, Shounen, Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll
As a big fan of wrestling and of New Japan Pro Wrestling it might be surprising but I’m not actually that interested in this series. I’ll be seeing how it’s received after the first few episodes and then decide whether to jump in or not. – Nick
Time Bokan 24
https://youtu.be/OqLZdQwobBI
Oct 1, 2016 | Tatsunoko Production | Original | Adventure, Comedy, Mecha
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru
Oct 3, 2016 | Doga Kobo | Game | Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
Trickster: Edogawa Ranpo “Shounen Tanteidan” yori
Oct 4, 2016 | TMS Entertainment, Shin-Ei Animation | Original | Mystery
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
I enjoy a good mystery anime, though “Shounen Tantei” being in the title will just constantly remind me of Detective Conan. – Jordan
Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari
Poco’s Udon World
Oct 9, 2016 | LIDENFILMS | Manga | Fantasy, Seinen, Slice of Life
Streaming: Crunchyroll
I’m a sucker for this type of series and while this series doesn’t seem like it will set the world of fire or become a hidden gem I’m sure it will provide an enjoyable weekly experience. – Nick
I’m intrigued by the Udon Kingdom. This anime looks to be a solid 20 minutes of enjoyment each week, even if it doesn’t pull off anything groundbreaking. – Jordan
Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Maji Love Legend Star
Oct 2, 2016 | A-1 Pictures | Visual Novel | Comedy, Harem, Music, Romance, Shoujo
Streaming: Crunchyroll, The Anime Network, Viewster
ViVid Strike!
Oct 2, 2016 | Seven Arcs | Original | Mahou Shoujo
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
This wasn’t even on my to watch list, but it popped up on Amazon Prime out of the blue so I checked it out and loved it. I’ll be sticking with this one.
Watashi ga Motete Dousunda
Kiss Him, Not Me
Oct 7, 2016 | Brain’s Base | Manga | Comedy, Harem, Romance, School, Shoujo
Streaming: Crunchyroll
I’m a sucker for a good shoujo anime, and this one looks set to be brilliant – Jordan
WWW.Working!!
https://youtu.be/qs4bBSfSx3I
Oct 1, 2016 | A-1 Pictures | Web Manga | Comedy, Slice of Life
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Daisuki
Yuri!!! on Ice
Oct 6, 2016 | MAPPA | Original | Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation (Dub)
Every season there is a series that catches my eye even though the premise doesn’t particularly interest me and Yuri!!! on Ice is this seasons. I don’t know what about it that attracts me to it but I’ll be watching and hopefully it doesn’t disappoint. – Nick