This summer is offering some of the most anticipated comebacks in anime, including a few new ones with very dissimilar styles of comedy and thrill. For Spring Valley students, it paves the way for your next big obsession, or at least gives something fun and new for leisure time. But, with such a variety, how do you know which are worth watching? This season, anime fans get to indulge in new releases like: “Asobi Asobase,” “Satsuriku No Tenshi,” “Hataraku Saibou” and the third season of “Shingeki No Kyojin.”
Asobi Asobase (Workshop of Fun)
Animated by Lerche, “Asobi Asobase” premiered on July 8, 2018. The surreal comedy focuses on three middle schoolers at an all girl school who decide to start a “Pastimers Club” in which they, well, pass time. It consists of 12 episodes which will air until September 23, 2018; plus an Original Video Animation will be bundled along with the manga’s seventh volume in December. The anime, which is definitely underrated, provides a unique sense of humor, revolving around the over-dramatization of everyday events, like haircuts and eating candy. The style of comedy differentiates from many other comedies, which often end up being banal and unoriginal after the first two laughs. It’s very jocular and relaxing, albeit a little overboard on adult humor every now and then. Overall, “Asobi Asobase” is not for everyone, but for those who wish to cool down and get a good laugh, this series would be great to consider.
Hataraku Saibou (Cells at Work)
There are trillions of cells in your body, but this next tale takes a peek into the everyday life of a blood cell. “Hataraku Saibou” presents the adventures of a new blood cell with a bad sense of direction trying to get her job done. Unfortunately, this can be a bit tricky when viruses and bacteria invade the body. Lucky for her, she keeps running into the same white blood cell. With 13 episodes, it was first aired on July 8, 2018. It’s a comedy and “shounen,” which means its target audience is teenage boys. However, the simple, delightful and educational show can be enjoyed by (almost) anyone. It can get a little bloody though, and not because most of the characters are blood cells. Despite the serious and educational premise, the show keeps itself engaging through moments of hilarity, conflict, drama and friendship between contrasting cells. Packed with action, the comedy in “Hataraku Saibou” isn’t as distinctive as in “Asobi Asobase,” but it’s still delightful. Viewers can enjoyably learn about the human body while learning to love the new characters and their different personalities. It presents adorable, cheerful and catchy songs. Metaphors, like rockets sent out for sneezing, can help students better understand biology without getting bored. And for those who don’t struggle in the class, it’s a fascinating watch—especially for those who love learning about human anatomy. The show can be a little repetitive, however, as the plots for multiple episodes are similar. But despite that, the characters, who have numbers rather than names, are charming. “Hataraku Saibou” can also be a bit childish, so it’s understandable why very cynical viewers wouldn’t enjoy it. But for everyone else, it’s definitely worth giving a chance.
Satsuriku no Tenshi (Angel of Death)
If you are craving something darker, remember to check out “Satsuriku no Tenshi.” The show is horrifically gruesome, being R-rated, so only watch if you dare. Based on a video game, the show follows 13-year-old Rachel, who wakes up in a mysterious, abandoned building… and she isn’t alone. Without any memories, who can she trust? She runs into a crazy man in bandages, named Zack, with an ardor for murder. Together, they create an unusual bond as they work to find a way out. The show first aired on July 6, 2018, and will have a total of 16 episodes. An English dub for the series has already been released.
The first episode gives the series a very “Corpse Party” feel to it. However, unlike darker works, such as “Corpse Party,” “Satsuriku No Tenshi” isn’t so much of a horror story as it plays out to be. It’s gory, but a little random—why is she an an abandoned building, and who are these crazy people? But with time, this seemingly nonsensical plot will have a creative explanation. The characters may seem a bit bland at first, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. In other words, you might need to stick around before things start getting really good. It has been described to have an “early 2000’s edginess,” which honestly fits. If you enjoy things like “Jeff The Killer,” this show will appeal to you right away. Plus, whether or not you like it, the alluring animation accentuates the show’s creepy aura. The biggest thing to take is that you’ll either worship it or find it lifeless. You won’t know unless you give it a shot.
Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
“Shingeki No Kyojin” first aired on April 6, 2013. It’s a shounen packed with drama, fantasy, adventure and a bit of mystery. The third and most current season aired July 22, 2018. It’s produced by Wit Studio and Production IG. The first two seasons can already be watched, dubbed in English by Funimation, and soon the dub of this season will air on Adult Swim. A young, zealous teen boy, named Eren Yeager, and his friends join the military to fight off huge human-like creatures, known as “Titans” in English, who have overtaken the world. In this post-apocalyptic adventure, he and the rest of humanity strive, in a bloody battle, to unlock the secrets of these murderous monsters. Along with the manga, the success of the previous two seasons makes sure that “Shingeki No Kyojin” is, no doubt, one of the most popular anime still running. But does this success mean it’s good?
This season, our beloved scouts face a new challenge when they discover a new enemy. But this time, it’s not titans. When the line between hero and criminal blurs, who’s right and who’s wrong? Unlike its predecessors, season three showcases way more thrill, excitement and drama. However, the opening, unlike the previous action-packed ones, takes a more emotional, nostalgic tone, with beautiful shots of art peppered in. There’s no doubt that the series is taking a different turn. Our characters are more mature, yet more distressed than ever. And you thought fighting titans was hard enough! Rather than getting answers right away, we’re quickly showered with new mysteries waiting to be solved. With a faster pace, it may be a bit harder for viewers to take in all this new information.
Whether you like comedy or adventure, there’s an anime for you; you just have to find it.
