Winter 2018 Anime Season Preview

Welcome to the Winter 2018 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.


A Place Further Than The Universe
MAL | AniList

https://youtu.be/_faYRTmQeZM

Mari Tamaki is in her second year of high school and wants to start something. It’s then that she meets Shirase, a girl with few friends who’s considered weirdo by the rest of the class and nicknamed “Arctic” since it’s all she ever talks about. Unlike her peers, Mari is moved by Shirase’s dedication and decides that even though it’s unlikely that high school girls will ever go to Antarctica, she’s going to try to go with Shirase. (Source: ANN)

Jan 2, 2018 | Madhouse | Original | Adventure
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls
MAL | AniList

https://youtu.be/r6NjqnGIHWA

The battle for succession that continued for three generations of shogun in the Keichou era culminated in a gruesome battle of ninja arts between the Kouga and Iga clans. Amidst a rain of flower petals, a man and woman who had decided to live for love were separated once again, beautiful in their transience… (Source: Crunchyroll)

Jan 9, 2018 | Seven Arcs Pictures | Manga | Action, Drama, Historical, Martial Arts, Seinen
Streaming: CrunchyrollFunimation Now

Beatless
MAL | AniList

With the introduction of an ultra-advanced AI that surpasses human intelligence, beings that mankind is yet to fully comprehend made from materials far too advanced for human technology begin coming into being. Lacia, an hIE equipped with a black coffin-shaped device, is one of these. In boy-meets-girl fashion, 17-year-old Arato Endo has a fateful encounter with the artificial Lacia. For what purpose were these artificial beings created? Amid questions regarding the coexistence of these artificial beings and humans, a 17-year-old boy makes a decision… (Source: Tokyo Otaku Mode)

 Jan 13, 2018 | Diomedea | Light Novel | Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card-hen
MAL | AniList

Sakura had managed to capture all of the Clow Cards which could bring disaster to the world and turned them into her own Sakura Cards. Now it’s spring. With cherry trees in full blossom, Sakura is just entering middle school. Her beloved Syaoran has returned from Hong Kong, and Sakura was thrilled to be going to school with him again. But one night, something strange happens to her Cards… On top of that, strange things keep happening in Tomoeda. Guided by the Key she encountered in her dream, Sakura starts collecting Cards again. And then, a new girl transfers into her class… (Source: Crunchyroll)

Jan 7, 2018 | Madhouse | Manga | Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Romance, Fantasy, Shoujo
Streaming: CrunchyrollFunimation Now

Citrus
MAL | AniList

Yuzuko Aihara, a high school girl whose main interests are fashion, friends, and having fun, is about to get a reality check. Due to her mom’s remarriage, Yuzu has transferred to a new all-girls school that is extremely strict. Her real education is about to begin.

From day one, happy-go-lucky Yuzu makes enemies, namely the beautiful yet stern Student Council President Mei. So what happens when a dejected Yuzu returns home and discovers the shock of her life: that Mei is actually her new stepsister who has come to live with her? Even more surprising, when Mei catches Yuzu off guard and kisses her out of the blue, what does it all mean? (Source: Seven Seas)

Jan 6, 2018 | Passione | Manga | Drama, Romance, School, Shoujo Ai
Streaming: CrunchyrollFunimation Now

Dame x Prince Anime Caravan
MAL | AniList

The story follows Ani, a princess from the minor nation of Inako. Ani is sent to the signing ceremony that will bring peace to the rival nations of Mildonia, a mighty military country, and Selenfaren, a powerful theocracy. Ani is supposed to help steer the signing ceremony along, but she runs into trouble when she encounters a handful of obstinate princes. (Source: Crunchyroll)

Jan 10, 2018 | Studio Flad | Visual Novel | Adventure, Romance
Streaming: HIDIVE

Darling in the FranXX
MAL | AniList

The story is set in the distant future. The land is ruined, and humanity establishes the mobile fort city Plantation. Pilots produced inside Plantation live in Mistilteinn, also know as the “birdcage.” Children live there knowing nothing of the outside world or the freedom of the sky. Their lives consist of battling to carry out missions. Their enemies are mysterious giant lifeforms known as Kyōryū, and the children pilot robots called Franxx to face off against them. For the children, riding the Franxx proves their existence.

A boy named Hiro is called Code:016, and he was once known as a prodigy. However, he has fallen behind, and his existence seems unnecessary. Not piloting a Franxx is the same as ceasing to exist. One day, a mysterious girl known as “Zero Two” appears before him. Two horns grow out of her head. (Source: ANN)

Jan 13, 2018 | A-1 Pictures, Trigger | Original | Sci-Fi, Mecha
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody
MAL | AniList

The story of the light novel series and manga follows a 29-year-old programmer who is on a “death march,” but one day he wakes up in another world after a nap. From a meteor shower he happens to gain vast riches, and he decides to go sightseeing. So begins his “heartwarming, occasionally serious, and harem” adventure in another world. (Source: ANN)

Jan 11, 2018 | Silver Link., Connect | Light Novel |  Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 2
MAL | AniList

https://youtu.be/AYgQ_UaEr4k

To the average person, psychic abilities might seem a blessing; for Kusuo Saiki, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gifted with a wide assortment of supernatural abilities ranging from telepathy to x-ray vision, he finds this so-called blessing to be nothing but a curse. As all the inconveniences his powers cause constantly pile up, all Kusuo aims for is an ordinary, hassle-free life—a life where ignorance is bliss.

Unfortunately, the life of a psychic is far from quiet. Though Kusuo tries to stay out of the spotlight by keeping his powers a secret from his classmates, he ends up inadvertently attracting the attention of many odd characters, such as the empty-headed Riki Nendou and the delusional Shun Kaidou. Forced to deal with the craziness of the people around him, Kusuo comes to learn that the ordinary life he has been striving for is a lot more difficult to achieve than expected. (Source: MAL Rewrite)

Jan 17, 2018 | J.C.Staff, Egg Firm | Manga | Comedy, Supernatural, School, Shounen
Streaming: Funimation Now?

Fate/Extra Last Encore
MAL | AniList

Waking up in a strange virtual world with no recollection of the past, Hakuno finds himself forced to fight for survival in a war he does not understand for a prize beyond value; the opportunity to have one’s wish granted. With only an enigmatic “Servant” by his side, Hakuno Kishinami will have to face both friends and foes in battles to the death in order to not only gain possession of a mysterious object known as the “Holy Grail,” but also to find the answer to the most important question of all: “Who am I?” (Source: Type-Moon Wikia)

 Jan 28, 2018 | Shaft | Game | Action, Magic, Fantasy
Streaming:

Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc
MAL | AniList

Final arc of Gintama.

Jan 8, 2018 | Bandai Namco Pictures | Manga | Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Shounen
Streaming:

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
MAL | AniList

At first glance, the city of Fukuoka seems like a peaceful one, but under the surface, crime is running rampant. The city’s Hakata ward is home to the professionals of the underworld: professional killers, detectives, informants, professional revenge seekers, those skilled in torture, and more. And according to urban legend, a “killer of professional killers” has shown up in the city. (Source: ANN)

Jan 12, 2018 | Satelight | Light Novel | Action
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Hakumei to Mikochi
MAL | AniList

Nine centimeters (3.5 inches) tall, the tiny girls Hakumei and Mikochi live in the forest. Living in a tiny house in a tree, riding insects and birds, and making umbrellas out of leaves, these tiny girls live a tiny life. Follow their tiny but lovely lives as they live their day to day in a fantastic world of tiny people and gods. (Source: MangaHelpers)

Jan 12, 2018 | Lerche | Manga | Slice of Life, Fantasy, Seinen
Streaming: HIDIVE

Hakyuu Houshin Engi
MAL | AniList

When his clan is wiped out by a beautiful demon, young Taikobo finds himself in charge of the mysterious Houshin Project. Its mission: find all immortals living in the human world and seal them away forever. But who do you trust—and whose side are you really on—when you’ve been trained to hunt demons by a demon? (Source: VIZ Media)

Jan 12, 2018 | C-Station | Manga | Adventure, Demons, Supernatural, Fantasy, Shounen
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

How to Keep a Mummy (Miira no Kaikata)
MAL | AniList

When high school student Sora Kashiwagi finds himself staring down a mysterious oversized package sent to him by his self-proclaimed “adventurer” father, the last thing he expects is for it to be opened from the inside… by a little mummy so small it can fit in the palm of his hand! (Source: Crunchyroll)

 Jan 12, 2018 | 8-bit | Manga | Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Streaming: Crunchyroll

IDOLiSH7
MAL | AniList

A group of aspiring idols gather at Takanashi Productions and are entrusted with the company’s future. The seven men who have just met represent a variety of totally different personalities. However, they each have their own charm and possess unknown potential as idols. Forming a group, they take their first step together as “IDOLiSH7.” Their brilliantly shining dancing forms onstage eventually begin captivating the hearts of the people. (Source: ANN)

Jan 7, 2018 | TROYCA | Game | Music
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Ito Junji: Collection
MAL | AniList

A collection of animated horror stories based on the works of Japanese artist Junji Ito.

Jan 5, 2018 | Studio Deen | Manga | Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san
MAL | AniList

“If you blush, you lose.”

Living by this principle, the middle schooler Nishikata gets constantly made fun of by his seat neighbor Takagi-san. With his pride shattered to pieces, he vows to turn the tables and get back at her some day. And so, he attempts to tease her day after day, only to find himself victim to Takagi-san’s ridicule again sooner than later. Will he be able to make Takagi-san blush from embarrassment even once in the end? (Source: MAL News)

Jan 8, 2018 | Shin-Ei Animation | Manga | Comedy, Romance, School, Shounen, Slice of Life
Streaming: CrunchyrollFunimation Now

Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko
MAL | AniList

There’s an evil creature called Aratama that attacks people, and a group of Miko has been exorcising those creatures using swords since olden times. Those who wear uniforms and swords are called Toji, who are officially called Tokubetsu Saishi Kitoutai (Special Ritual Maneuver Team) in the police association. They are officially approved to wield the swords by the government officials. The government has established five training schools consisting of junior and senior high levels for the female students to attend. They spend their student life normally, and use special skills with the swords when they’re doing missions to protect people. In the spring, these five schools are to take part in a competition. Among the girls who train for the competition, there’s a girl who’s a bit more passionate than any other girls. Where would the girl with the sword aim? (Source: MAL News)

Jan 5, 2018 | Studio Gokumi | Original | Action, Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Killing Bites
MAL | AniList

People have been created that are human-animal hybrids, and powerful businesses bet on the outcome of their duels. College student Nomoto Yuuya’s casual acquaintances ask him to drive them around to pick up girls one day, which he soon finds out means by force. The girl they kidnap is an animal-human hybrid named Hitomi, who slaughters all of them except Yuuya. Hitomi is a honey badger, which has been called the most fearless of all animals. Now Hitomi is assigned to stay with Yuuya, for his protection! (Source: MangaHelpers)

Jan 13, 2018 | LIDENFILMS | Manga | Action, Sci-Fi, Horror, Ecchi, Seinen
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni (Love is Like after the Rain)
MAL | AniList

Akira Tachibana is a soft-spoken high school student who used to be a part of the track and field club but, due to an injury, she is no longer able to run as fast as she once could. Working part-time at a family restaurant as a recourse, she finds herself inexplicably falling in love with her manager, a divorced 45-year-old man with a young son.

Despite the age gap, Akira wholeheartedly embraces his mannerisms and kind nature, which is seen as spinelessness by the other employees, and little by little, the two begin to understand each other. Although unable to explain why exactly she is attracted to him, Akira believes that a concrete reason is not needed to truly love someone. On a rainy day, she decides to finally tell her manager about how she feels… but just how will he react? (Source: MAL Rewrite)

Jan 12, 2018 | Wit Studio | Manga | Romance, Seinen
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Kokkoku
MAL | AniList

Juri Yukawa lives with her NEET father and brother, her retired grandfather, her sister (a single mother) and her young nephew.
One day, her nephew and brother are kidnapped for ransom. Having only 30 minutes to meet the demands of the kidnappers, Juri, who realizes there is not enough time to prepare the money, decides to head for their rescue by herself with knife in hand when her grandfather uses a mysterious stone passed on in the Yukawa family to stop time.

In a world where everyone and everything are inert, Juri and her father and grandfather run to rescue the two. But at the kidnappers’ hideout, they soon realize they are not the only ones who can move about in this still world… (Source: MU)

Jan 8, 2018 | Geno Studio | Manga | Mystery, Psychological, Drama, Seinen
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Laid-Back Camp
MAL | AniList

Nadeshiko, a high school student who had moved from Shizuoka to Yamanashi, decides to see the famous, 1000 yen-bill-featured Mount Fuji. Even though she manages to bike all the way to Motosu, she’s forced to turn back because of worsening weather. Unable to set her eyes on her goal, she faints partway to her destination. When she wakes up, it’s night, in a place she’s never been before, with no way of knowing how to get home. Nadeshiko is saved when she encounters Rin, a girl who is out camping by herself. This outdoorsy girls story begins with this first encounter between Nadeshiko and Rin. (Source: Crunchyroll)

Jan 4, 2018 | C-Station | Manga | Slice of Life, Comedy
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Märchen Mädchen
MAL | AniList

When the two girls meet, magic begins. Hazuki Kagimura loves stories, an orthodox girl who is overly imaginative. Because her relationship with her new family does not go well, the environment sends her toward the stories in which she spends her days. One day after school, Hazuki gets lost among the bookcases of the library, leading her to a mysterious school where meets Shizuka Tsuchimikado. It is a magic school where girls (called “mädchen”) are selected by the magical texts from which the world’s stories are born. Hazuki herself is said to be chosen by the book of Cinderella. In order to become a true magician, Hazuki becomes friends with Shizuka and begins her new life at the school. (Source: MAL)

Jan 11, 2018 | Hoods Entertainment | Light Novel | Magic, Fantasy, School
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Mitsuboshi Colors
MAL | AniList

This story follows the lives of three small kids on their own secret mission… to protect their city! The adventures of the “Colors” include struggling to be heard, playing games, solving puzzles, and even outsmarting some adults, all before nightfall. (Source: HIDIVE)

Jan 7, 2018 | Silver Link. | Manga | Silver Link.
Streaming: HIDIVE

Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles
MAL | AniList

The gourmet comedy follows the daily life of Koizumi, a high school girl who looks like a cool beauty at first glance, but actually has an unexpected side of her that loves ramen. (Source: ANN)

Jan 4, 2018 | Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ | 4-koma Manga | Comedy
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Overlord II
MAL | AniList

The final hour of the popular virtual reality game Yggdrasil has come. However, Momonga, a powerful wizard and master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to spend his last few moments in the game as the servers begin to shut down. To his surprise, despite the clock having struck midnight, Momonga is still fully conscious as his character and, moreover, the non-player characters appear to have developed personalities of their own!

Confronted with this abnormal situation, Momonga commands his loyal servants to help him investigate and take control of this new world, with the hopes of figuring out what has caused this development and if there may be others in the same predicament. (Source: MAL Rewrite)

Jan 9, 2018 | Madhouse | Light Novel | Action, Game, Adventure, Supernatural, Magic, Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Pop Team Epic (Poputepipikku)
MAL | AniList

Two high school girls, the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and much more calm Pipimi, do insane things and swear like sailors in this absurdist comedy filled with references and meta humor. (Source: MAL)

Jan 7, 2018 | Kamikaze Douga | 4-koma Manga | Comedy, Parody
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now, HIDIVE

Record of Grancrest War
MAL | AniList

On a continent ruled by chaos, the Lords have the power of a holy seal that can calm the chaos and protect the people. However, before anyone realizes it, the rulers cast aside their creed of purifying the chaos, and instead start to fight each other for each other’s holy seals to gain dominion over one another. Shiruuka, an isolated mage who scorns the Lords for abandoning their creed, and a wandering knight named Theo, who is on a journey to train to one day liberate his hometown, make an everlasting oath to work together to reform this continent dominated by wars and chaos. (Source: ANN, edited)

Jan 6, 2018 | A-1 Pictures | Light Novel | ActionFantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll

The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done!
MAL | AniList

The story is about a teenage boy who happens to be a shogi master. One day, a nine-year-old girl turns up at his house, requesting to be taken as his disciple. From there, all kinds of wacky hijinks ensue. (Source: ANN)

Jan 8, 2018 | Project No.9 | Light Novel | Game, Slice of Life, Comedy
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Sanrio Boys
MAL | AniList

The project’s premise follows Kouta Hasegawa, a high school boy that loves the yellow Pom Pom Purin dog. By mere coincidence, he ends up attending the same school as Yuu Mizuno, a boy who likes the bunny My Melody. Yuu tells Kouta that there’s nothing to be ashamed of for liking Sanrio’s cute characters. Together, Kouta, Yuu, Shunsuke Yoshino, Ryou Nishimiya, and Seiichiro Minamoto learn to accept their love of the characters instead of feeling embarrassed. (Source: ANN)

Jan 6, 2018 | Studio Pierrot | Original | School
Streaming: Crunchyroll

School Babysitters
MAL | AniList

The manga centers on the brothers Ryuuichi and Kotarou Kashima. Ryuuichi is in high school and Kotarou is still a toddler. After their parents are killed in a plane crash, the two brothers find themselves living with the chairwoman of the Morinomiya Academy, who herself lost her son and daughter-in-law in the same accident. The chairwoman, however, has one stipulation for the brothers in order to live with her: Ryuuichi has to work at the academy’s daycare center as a babysitter. (Source: ANN)

Jan 7, 2018 | Brain’s Base | Manga | Slice of Life, Comedy, School, Shoujo
Streaming: Crunchyroll

The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments
MAL | AniList

In a world similar to the European Middle Ages, the feared yet revered Holy Knights of Britannia use immensely powerful magic to protect the region of Britannia and its kingdoms. However, a small subset of the Knights supposedly betrayed their homeland and turned their blades against their comrades in an attempt to overthrow the ruler of Liones. They were defeated by the Holy Knights, but rumors continued to persist that these legendary knights, called the “Seven Deadly Sins,” were still alive. Ten years later, the Holy Knights themselves staged a coup d’état, and thus became the new, tyrannical rulers of the Kingdom of Liones.

Based on the best-selling manga series of the same name, Nanatsu no Taizai follows the adventures of Elizabeth, the third princess of the Kingdom of Liones, and her search for the Seven Deadly Sins. With their help, she endeavors to not only take back her kingdom from the Holy Knights, but to also seek justice in an unjust world. (Source: MAL Rewrite)

Jan 13, 2018 | A-1 Pictures | Manga | Action, Supernatural, Fantasy, Shounen
Streaming:

The Silver Guardian 2nd Season
MAL | AniList

The protagonist, Riku Suigin is a pro-level gamer. The heroine, Riku Rei, knows of this and is the most beautiful girl in school and also loves video games. Suigin receives a device to play a net game called “Grave Buster” from Rei, but Rei is suddenly kidnapped. When Rei puts his hand on the device, he’s sucked into the world of the game. And in that world, a battle between the tomb raiders and tomb protectors for the tomb of the mother goddess Bango’s tomb has been going on for 1000 years. (Source: Crunchyroll)

 Jan 13, 2018 | Haoliners Animation League | Web Manga | Adventure, Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Slow Start
MAL | AniList

https://youtu.be/VVXgDm2n02Y

Hana Ichinose is a normal 16-year-old high school student. However, there is something different about her: She enrolled in high school one year late! Her classmates are unaware of this, and Hana will have to work hard to catch up with everyone else. (Source: MAL News)

Jan 7, 2018 | A-1 Pictures | 4-koma Manga | Slice of Life, Comedy, School
Streaming: Crunchyroll

Touken Ranbu – Hanamaru 2 
MAL | AniList

In the year 2205, a special sage known as Saniwa has the ability to breathe life into inanimate objects. At the same time, dark forces have initiated a plot to travel back in time and change the course of history—and the only ones capable of stopping them are the Saniwa and their strongest animations: historical Japanese swords, in the form of handsome young men.

Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru opens on the life of Yamatonokami Yasusada, Souji Okita’s beloved uchigatana, as he begins his first day at the Saniwa’s citadel. Soon reuniting with his old friend, Kashuu Kiyomitsu, the two are caught up in the daily antics of their fellow sword warriors. They never miss an opportunity to have fun, whether it be through wild snowball fights or introducing their newest comrades to the citadel. Of course, when the government calls, the swords are always ready to fulfill their mission of protecting history. (Source: MAL Rewrite)

Jan 8, 2018 | Doga Kobo | Card Game | Action, Slice of Life, Comedy, Historical, Drama, Fantasy
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation Now

Violet Evergarden
MAL | AniList

There are words Violet heard on the battlefield, which she cannot forget. These words were given to her by someone she holds dear, more than anyone else. She does not yet know their meaning.

A certain point in time, in the continent of Telesis. The great war which divided the continent into North and South has ended after four years, and the people are welcoming a new generation.

Violet Evergarden, a young girl formerly known as “the weapon,” has left the battlefield to start a new life at CH Postal Service. There, she is deeply moved by the work of “Auto Memories Dolls,” who carry people’s thoughts and convert them into words.

Violet begins her journey as an Auto Memories Doll, and comes face to face with various people’s emotions and differing shapes of love. All the while searching for the meaning of those words. (Source: Anime Expo)

Jan 11, 2018 | Kyoto Animation | Light Novel | Drama, Fantasy
Streaming: Netflix

Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line
MAL | AniList

With the team’s combined strength, the Sohoku High bicycle racing club beat reigning champions Hakone Academy at the Interhigh national race and achieved an impressive overall victory. Now that their hot summer has ended and third-years Kinjou, Makishima, and Tadokoro have retired from the team, first-year participants in the Interhigh Onoda Sakamichi, Imaizumi Shunsuke, and Naruko Shoukichi, along with their new captain second-year Teshima Junta and vice-captain Aoyagi Hajime begin preparing as a “new team” for their second consecutive championship at the next Interhigh. (Source: Crunchyroll)

Jan 9, 2018 | TMS Entertainment | Manga | Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Sports
Streaming: Crunchyroll

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