Summer 2018 Season Preview Guide

Written by Dan Barnett on 29 Jun 2018

It's summer and the World Cup is on. Thanks to Japan though we can get away from all those sweaty men kicking balls around with the latest crop of anime. Lets dive in and see what we'll be able to look forward to!

Aguu: Tensai Ningyou

Japanese Air Date: 9th July 2018

Official Site: http://aguu-anime.com/

Synopsis: Ai and her friend Machi are both dancers. While Ai is rather ordinary; Machi is a prodigy whose talent makes Ai Jealous until Machi's secret is discovered. Ai discovers that Machi is in possession of a palm sized entity known as an “Aguu” that grants genius levels of talent to the ones who possess them. Ai becomes a “saviour” in order to help Machi who has become a “seamstress” that creates Aguu.

Should I watch this: The trailer doesn't really give much away in terms of plot but given it's premise and the nature of the official site this show seems like a dark fantasy that pits two friends against each other. There is also the promise of dancing and supernatural battles from the premise and character designs.

Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki

Japanese Air Date: 11th July 2018

Official Site: http://angolmois-anime.jp/

Synopsis: A historical epic set during the mongol invasion of Japan during 1274

Should I watch this: From the trailer this looks to be an action series with samurai fights and large scale battles. One to watch for those who like period dramas with a lot of action.

Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! 2

 Japanese Air Date: 9th July 2018

 Official Site: http://fanworks.co.jp/news/20170306/

 Synopsis: 2nd season of Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai!

Should I watch this: Show premise is about a girl getting in arguments with her older brother and hitting him. Show seems to be about sibling love, food and other things. Its a short 3 minute comedy. Animation looks limited and I don't particularly agree with siblings using physical violence to end their problems as a joke for comedy. But if you enjoyed the first season. There's more of this I suppose.

Asobi Asobase

Japanese Air Date: 8th July 2018

Official Site: http://asobiasobase.com/

Synopsis: A gag comedy featuring three school girls playing simple games with each other to pass the time. One girl is from American descent but has been raised in Japan, one is a girl who is good at games but hates them as she continuously lost to her older sister growing up, and the last usually watches as she tends to lose when she plays against the other girls

Should I watch this: It seems like a fun comedic slice of life show based around cute girls playing games and making jokes as friends. One for those who enjoy comedy shows like Nichijou,

Attack on Titan Season 3

Japanese Air Date: 23rd July 2018

Official Site: http://shingeki.tv/season3/

Synopsis: The third season and continuation of Attack on Titan

Should I watch this: Following on directly from where things left off at the end of season 2. Season 3 of Attack on Titan promises more Human vs Titan action. Obviously this is a series you should only be watching if you've been following the series so far.

Back Street Girls

Japanese Air Date: 4th July 2018

Official Site: http://backstreetgirls-anime.toeiad.co.jp/

Synopsis: A group of 3 Yakuza are given a choice to make; be killed or go to Thailand and get sex change operations to become idols. They chose the latter and become famous idols much to their dismay.

Should I watch this: The show promises to be a comedy parody of the idol industry with very unconventional characters. But we need to address the elephant in the room. Mainly how the whole premise of the show is one big joke at the expense of transgenderism. Which can be a huge detractor for several. If the show handles its themes well it could be a humorous show. If not it can be seen as big insult at the expense of a group of people.

Banana Fish

Japanese Air Date: 6th July 2018

Official Site: http://bananafish.tv/

Synopsis: Ash Lynx, a handsome but ruthless killer adopted by "Papa" Dino Golzine, is now at the rebellious age of seventeen. He decides to turn his back on the man who raised him but Dino holds secret that drove Ash's older brother mad in Vietnam. At this time Eiji Okamura, a young photographer from Japan, makes Ash Lynx's acquaintance

Should I watch this: From the premise and trailer the show seems like a gangster thriller with a lot of action and drama mixed in for good measure. A very mature looking show with serious themes and realism to match even with the comical name.

BanG Dream! Girls Band Part! Pico

Japanese Air Date: 5h July 2018

Official Site: https://anime.bang-dream.com/pico/

Synopsis: Based off the popular mobile game Girls Band Party.

Should I watch this: The BanG Dream anime that aired a while ago was pretty decent but seemed like no one was watching it. The franchise has became more popular recently thanks to the mobile game. This show seems like a musical comedy similar to what Idolm@ster did with puchimas.

Cells at Work

Japanese Air Date: 8th July 2018

Official Site: http://hataraku-saibou.com/

Synopsis: The Human body contains around 60 trillion cells, each of them having a purpose and job to do. When a person gets injured every cell needs to work together to fight against injuries, allergic reactions and viruses.

Should I watch this: The show appears to be a comedy series taking place in the body. The show reminds me of a movie and cartoon from years ago called Osmosis Jones which had the same premise but treated it like a police procedural with buddy cop dynamics (the science behind this show has really solid foundations though - Ed).

Chio-chan no Tsuugakuro

Japanese Air Date: 6th July 2018

Official Site: http://chiochan.jp/

Synopsis: “The dramatic extreme going to school comedy” follows Chio Miyamo and the problems she faces on her daily commute to school ranging from small things like construction work to big things like facing a biker gang and more.

Should I watch this: From the premise and trailer this show seems like a slice of life comedy that uses situation comedy and escalation to the point of surrealism in order to deliver jokes. The main premise is the character needs to get to school but is distracted from doing so, instead finding herself in some rather bizarre situations. Looks to be quite funny and interesting.