Autumn 2015 anime preview

Written by A. H. on 22 Sep 2015

The autumn is always one of, if not the, busiest times for new anime, and this autumn 2015 season is no different, with over sixty (yes, sixty) new and continuing shows making its way onto Japanese television screens, laptops and smartphones in some shape or form.

With so much to choose from, it's hard to know where to start, which is where our new season preview guide comes in - sit back and pick your way through the peaks and troughs of the season to come and pick out the gems that you'll want to watch without having to worry yourself overly about watching dross.

What could be simpler? Heck, this time around we've even moved to presenting the UK time for the first listed broadcast date of each show so you know when they're likely to appear on streaming services.

So, with that said and done, read on, and don't forget to let us know your autumn season picks in the comments section!

Aikatsu! 4

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: TBC

Much of the otaku chatter may surround Love Live, but it still arguably plays second fiddle to Bandai and Sunrise's Aikatsu collectible card game franchise and related spin-offs. One of those spin-offs, the anime series based around it, returns for a fourth season this autumn, introducing a brand-new idol group to its roster of characters in the process.

Should I watch it? It's aimed at young girls so unless you're a hardcore idol devotee or only in it for the music the actual series itself is pretty light on anything notable, but if recent years have caused you to fall deep into the "idol trap" you may want to check it out.

Anitore! EX

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: 13th October 2015, 9:10AM

Yes, we're two for two regarding anime about idols so far, although this short series is rather different - it's not about idols being idols, it's about idols exercising. The idea is to not only watch these five idols exercising, but also exercise with them as they perform yoga, push ups and the like. Whether anyone is actually going to do that is another question - was anyone watching Training With Hinako for a workout?

Should I watch it? Maybe we're being cynical about its true aims, but out suspicion is that this is more about watching girls get sweaty than the viewer working up a sweat themselves.

Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: 6th October 2015, 3PM

Aria the Scarlet Ammo may not have been the most obvious choice for a series in need of a sequel, but this manga adaptation gets just that for another series of talented, gun-wielding high school detectives. This time around, the titular Aria finds herself having to train up a decidedly less proficient devotee of hers to try and turn her into a highly rated individual.

Dogakobo take over the reins from J.C. Staff (who produced the first series), with similar changes across the show's notable staff.

Should I watch it? If you watched and enjoyed the first series (available in the UK from Manga Entertainment) then you'll certainly be wanting to check this out, and to be fair it is an enjoyable daft show that is fun to watch so you could probably do worse this season.

Attack on Titan: Junior High

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: 3rd October 2015, 6PM

With its live-action films generating plenty of discussion and keeping the hype alive for its second animated series, the gap to that second season of Attack on Titan is also being plugged this autumn by its Junior High manga spin-off getting the anime treatment.

This spin-off, produced by Production I.G. proper rather than WIT Studio, throws the series' cast into a junior high school in the name of gag comedy while still weaving things into the mainline story and events.

Should I watch it? It's going to be worth watching for Attack on Titan fans and may serve as a palate cleanser between the movies and season two of the actual series, but don't expect anything more than cheap laughs here.

Brave Beats

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: 10th October 2015, 11PM

Another Sunrise and Bandai Namco Pictures production aimed at children now in the form of Brave Beats - in other words, expect plenty of attempts to sell kids merchandise with this one. Its story involves a dancing robot from an alternate dimension (well, that's me sold already) who has been deprived of his power and needs to collect the Dance Stones scattered across the Earth to restore it. Luckily, he runs into a young boy who is more than happy to help him on this quest.

Should I watch it? It could be fun (did we mention the dancing space robot?), but as with many of these kinds of show it'll probably be a glorified advert aimed at kids about all else.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Gears Crisis-hen

Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: 11th October 2015, 11AM

Speaking of glorified adverts... yes, there is more Cardfight Vanguard on the way, further promoting this surprisingly popular card game. Is anyone even still keeping up with the myriad iterations of this series?

Should I watch it? See our previous comments about overblown commercials - this one is best left to Cardfight die-hards.