Winter 2016 anime preview

Written by A. H. on 23 Dec 2015

Yes, 2016 is all but upon us, so what anime will we be enjoying to see in the New Year? As always, we guide you through what's worth your time and what might be best avoided for the winter season, so read on as we run the rule over all of the shows that will be debuting on Japanese TV over the coming months!

Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hakkei

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: Thursday 7th January, 1PM

We start out with an original series, produced by Production IMS, with a mouthful of a title that translates into Active Raid: Special Public Security Fifth Division Third Mobile Assault Eighth Unit.

With areas of Tokyo in a mess, it's left to a division of exoskeleton wielding security forces to try and bring peace and justice to its chaotic regions.

Should I watch it? Its concept might not be fresh in the grand scheme of things, but it isn't something that we've seen done (or at least done well) in recent times. Whether this series will change that remains to be seen, but it's a promising premise if nothing else and might be worth a shot.

Ajin

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: Friday 15th January, 4:55PM

Although this is a January series, unfortunately its addition to Netflix's service as a so-called "Netflix original" means that we won't be able to watch it until its broadcast run has completed. Then again, it might just be worth the wait given how highly regarded its source material is...

Based on seinen manga Ajin: Demi-Human, this Polygon Pictures production follows in the footsteps of Knights of Sidonia in terms of its Netflix debut, telling the story of Kei, a boy who discovers that he's immortal after a run-in with a truck. If this sounds like good news, then think again - Kei isn't alone in his circumstances, but his "kind" are seen as a specimen ripe for experimentation by government and public alike.

Should I watch it? Much like Knight of Sidonia, its all-CG visuals will be an acquired taste, but there's no doubting the potency of the story and the ability of Polygon Pictures to deliver upon it in narrative terms. You should definitely add this to your watch list for the season, even if you'll have to wait a while to see it.

Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: Monday 11th January, 5:05PM

Studio Gonzo make an appearance next, adapting visual novel Four Rhythm Across the Blue (to approximate its English title) for the winter season. The series is set in an alternate Japan where technology has made soaring through the skies both simply and possible for anybody, in turn bringing about a new sport known as Flying Circus... we can only imagine it involves floating around making Monty Python jokes.

Our protagonist for the series was a former ace in the sport who quit for various reasons, only to find his love potentially rekindled as he's tasked with teaching a new transfer student how to fly.

Should I watch it? Its premise has some nice ideas at its core, but is that enough to lift it (with every pun intended) beyond the predictable norms of the visual novel adaptation? Possibly not, we suspect.

Assassination Classroom 2

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: Thursday 7th January

Our first big sequel for the winter is the return of Assassination Classroom, which returns us to the world's most unusual teacher and his doting student who are nonetheless hell-bent upon assassinating him for another two cours of entertaining hijinks.

The first season of the show never streamed to the UK, but was ultimately acquired by Anime Limited for a home video release - tentacles crossed we get a simulcast for this second series.

Should I watch it? It's a great, fun series that didn't outstay its welcome, so more of the same is very welcome indeed - you'll need to have watched that first season to fully appreciate this one, we suspect.

Bubuki Buranki

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: Saturday January 9th, 1PM

It's CG time again, this time courtesy of Sanzigen (of 009 Re:Cyborg fame), who come at us with an original series this winter that is perhaps the most fun show of the season to actually say.

The "Bubuki" of the show's title are sentient weapons, and the "Buranki" a colossal being which lays dormant underground - both items which could prove important as series protagonist returns to Japan after a decade away only to be assaulted and imprisoned.

Should I watch it? Much like Ajin, its use of CG may be off-putting for some, and it's hard to get a read on the show beyond that - it seems ripe for some fantastic action scenes if nothing else though, so fingers crossed it can at the very least deliver upon that.