I figured I’d quickly write about the upcoming Summer 2017 shows. To be honest, Summer 2017 looks a little bit weak. There are plenty of great shows continuing this season (ex: My Hero Academia) but in terms of premieres, there isn’t a whole lot to really be excited for. Most likely, it’ll be a cross between Winter’s small handful of exceptional shows and Spring’s large line-up of interesting shows.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
Hype Level Breakdown:
- High – Anime that I really want to watch right now but alas, I must wait for it to air on TV. The one show that stands out the most, even in this group also gets “Most Anticipated” added to its hype level.
- Mild – The show just looks pretty good or fairly average to me for one reason or another though I’m nevertheless still interested in it.
- Surprise Me – The show frankly looks bad to me or I’m just very skeptical about it. It’s still attracting a modicum of attention or the premise still got my attention so I gave it a spot on the preview.
Kakegurui
| Premieres: July 1 at 22:00 JST | Genre: Psychological, Shounen |
| Studio: MAPPA | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Netflix | Hype Level: Surprise Me |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
I’m not quite sure what this anime is about. The synopsis on MAL says it’s about a school where students are ranked by their gambling skills…but how does that even work? Frankly, this sounds really stupid but people seem to like the manga this anime is based on so this might be interesting.
Fate/Apocryypha
| Premieres: July 2 at 0:00 JST | Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy |
| Studio: A-1 Pictures | Source: Light Novel |
| Streaming: Netflix | Hype Level: Surprise Me |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
I have a very rocky relationship with the Fate franchise. I really like Fate/zero but have come to despise every single anime version of Fate/stay night (yes, even the 2014 UBW anime). My skepticism for Apocrypha is almost entirely brand bias; I will fully admit to that. Still, I do hope this is good because the idea of two factions in the Holy Grail War and a ton of Masters and Servants sounds like it could be fun. Too bad ufotable wasn’t hired to animate this though (A-1 Pictures? Seriously?).
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu
| Premieres: July 2 at 0:30 JST | Genre: Action, Fantasy, Samurai |
| Studio: ufotable | Source: Mobile Game |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
Speaking of ufotable, they’re apparently animating this instead. I have heard of Touken Ranbu and I will admit that this more drama and action-oriented version looks way more appealing than the lighthearted Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru from last year. Since this is ufotable we’re talking about, this show will at least look really good.
Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun
(Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun)
| Premieres: July 3 at 0:00 JST | Genre: Comedy, Seinen, Sports |
| Studio: Studio Hibari | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
I’m always down for an anime that is so stupid that it ends up being a lot of fun. Granted, a lot of silly premises will always sound promising on paper but I really do hope Aoyama-kun is funny because that PV and synopsis had me sold. I’ll be very sad if this comedy about a germaphobic soccer player doesn’t make me laugh.
Koi to Uso
(Love and Lies)
| Premieres: July 4 at 0:00 JST | Genre: Drama, Romance, School |
| Studio: LIDEN Films | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Amazon | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
This anime is about forbidden love….literally. In Koi to Uso, love is actually illegal and marriage is decided by the government. Naturally this premise is ripe for drama since the main protagonist is caught in a love triangle with two girls. This could get very melodramatic or maybe too mean-spirited like Scum’s Wish. I’m hopeful however since this is directed by Seiki Takuno who directed the fantastic Poco’s Udon World.
Isekai Shokudou
(Restaurant to Another World)
| Premieres: July 4 at 1:35 JST | Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery |
| Studio: Silver Link | Source: Light Novel |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation | Hype Level: High |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
This is based on a very well-liked light novel about a restaurant attended by otherwordly beings. Even though I am a little tired of isekai shows, I think Isekai Shokudou will be a very refreshing change of pace since it looks more slice-of-life oriented (it is about cooking after all) and, for once, it doesn’t involve a teenage boy dying and ending up in a fantasy land.
Made in Abyss
| Premieres: July 7 at 21:30 JST | Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy |
| Studio: Kinema Citrus | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Amazon | Hype Level: High |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
One of biggest problems I have with fantasy anime is that rarely does the setting every really look as interesting as the characters themselves. Made in Abyss might avoid this pitfall because it’s centered on a cave system called the Abyss that many people explore through. It looks cutesy but it also looks gorgeous and adventurous so I’m hoping this will be worthwhile.
Vatican Kiseki Chousakan
(Vatican Miracle Examiner)
| Premieres: July 7 at 22:30 JST | Genre: Mystery, Shounen, Supernatural |
| Studio: J.C. Staff | Source: Novel |
| Streaming: Amazon | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList| Wikipedia | |
Any anime about the Western hemisphere (in this case, the Vatican) is worth keeping an eye on. Since this premise is about two men investigating the validity of miracles, I’m hoping this is structured in the same vein as Mushishi.
Ballroom e Youkoso
(Welcome to the Ballroom)
| Premieres: July 9 at 2:08 JST | Genre: Drama, School, Shounen, Sports |
| Studio: Production I.G. | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Amazon | Hype Level: High – Most Anticipated |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
Probably the most exciting premiere of the season, Ballroom is about an introverted middle school student who decides to become a ballroom dancer. While there seems to be a lot of fresh talent in the staff and cast, I’d be shocked if someone actually screws this up because the manga is extremely well-liked. It sounds like it’s formatted like a sports manga/anime which I think could work really well with the subject of ballroom dance.
Centaur no Nayami
(A Centaur’s Life)
| Premieres: July 9 at 22:00 JST | Genre: CGDCT, Seinen, Slice of Life |
| Studio: Haoliners Animation | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
After watching Interviews with Monster Girls and Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, I’m itching to see more slice-of-life, monster girl shows. I am mildly skeptical of Haoliners being the studio of choice but then again, I am too used to them animating a lot of crappy Chinese co-production anime. I’ll try not go in with too much bias.
Princess Principal
| Premieres: July 9 at 23:00 JST | Genre: Action, CGDCT, Spy, Mystery |
| Studio: 3Hz x Actas | Source: Original |
| Streaming: Amazon | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
What are the two most common things you think of when cute girl anime comes into mind? Modern-day Japanese high schools and slice of life hijinks. Princess Principal already looks interesting simply because it’s set in 19th century Europe and is about girls working undercover. Also, Yuki Kajiura is composing the show’s soundtrack. Yeah, I really hope this show will be good.
Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni.
(In Another World with My Smartphone)
| Premieres: July 11 at 20:30 JST | Genre: Adventure, Isekai, Harem |
| Studio: Production Reed | Source: Light Novel |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Hype Level: Surprise Me |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList| Wikipedia | |
Of course, an isekai anime would be one of the more anticipated anime of the season. I’ll admit that I’m amused that the joke is that the protagonist is reborn into a fantasy world with his smartphone but there’s a good chance that the joke begins and ends there.
New Game!!
| Premieres: July 11 at 21:30 JST | Genre: CGDCT, Comedy, Slice of Life |
| Studio: Doga Kobo | Source: 4-koma Manga |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
No joke, this is the safest bet on the list. I enjoyed the first season of New Game! It’s not amazing by any means but it’s a nice, feel-good show with some very appealing characters and fun hijinks. There wasn’t any loose ends from Season 1 and I’m assuming the characters are just working on a new game this season. Still, I’m happy if I get to see more of Aoba and the silly hijinks she and her friends gets into.
Hajimete no Gal
(My First Girlfriend is a Gal)
| Premieres: July 12 at 23:00 JST | Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance |
| Studio: NAZ | Source: Manga |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation | Hype Level: Surprise Me |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
Hajimete no Gal is about a guy who is pressured into asking a hot girl out and hijinks ensue. To be honest, I’m not terribly interested in this show but the manga is apparently well-liked so I’ll probably reserve time for this.
Gamers!
| Premieres: July 13 at 21:00 JST | Genre: Comedy, Romance, School |
| Studio: Pine Jam | Source: Light Novel |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation | Hype Level: Surprise Me |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
Gamers! might be the most blunt title ever. It really does explain what the show is about in just one word. I don’t really know what to expect with this but based on the member count on MAL, this is apparently one of the more anticipated anime this season. I’ll probably reserve time for this since I myself am a gamer and I wouldn’t mind seeing more anime about gaming.
The Reflection
| Premieres: July 22 at 23:00 JST | Genre: Action, Superhero |
| Studio: Studio Deen | Source: Original |
| Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Hype Level: Mild |
| External Links: Official Website | Twitter | ANN | MyAnimeList | Wikipedia | |
A phenomenon where people discovered they have superpowers and choose to become either heroes or villains? Wow! That sounds an awful lot like My Hero Academia! In all seriousness, The Reflection is probably one of the bigger wild cards this season. Yes, the plot does sound similar to a very well-known manga/anime but there is some big names working on The Reflection. You have both Mushishi director Hiroshi Nahama and comic book legend Stan Lee collaborating on this show. That alone has my attention.
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Xenodude's Scribbles 
Oh my gosh. Ballroom e Youkoso! I’m looking forward to it. So exciting!
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