Catch Up on New Anime With These 9 Must-Watch Series

There’s so much anime out there that it can sometimes be hard to keep up. I miss the days when only a handful of titles would slither onto the video store shelves. Now there’s an avalanche of new anime shows and movies that seem to be released daily!

If you ask any anime fan, I’m sure they’ll give you a truckload of recommendations, including some lengthy titles like One Piece and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. But if you want some new anime shows to watch, there doesn’t have to be as much of a time investment. Take a look at some of the must-watch anime shows I’ve come across in the past few months that are worth your time, whether you’re just now hopping into the medium or looking to get caught up.

9

Sakamoto Days

Not all hitmen are buff, tall, and intimidating, as with the overweight Taro Sakamoto in Sakamoto Days. After retiring and settling down into married life in the Tokyo suburbs, Sakamoto has put his hitman life behind him. But the past comes back to haunt him, and he must defend his family from pursuing hitmen, relying on some criminal cohorts as backup.

Mixing action and comedy, Sakamoto Days writes itself with a decently clever premise of an over-the-hill hitman jumping back into action. There are some expected jokes with Sakamoto’s rotund portrayal, but also some solid chemistry with the characters. The story isn’t all that original, reflecting an entire sub-genre of action movies, but Taro does have a muted charm to his absurd presence for slice-of-life chores and slice-and-dice action.

8

The Dinner Table Detective

For all the cozy mystery lovers, The Dinner Table Detective serves that familiar comfort food of murder and sleuthing. Reiko Hosho is better known as an heiress, but also dabbles in detective work with the Kunitachi Police Department. She’ll aid in solving crimes with Inspector Kyoichiro Kazamatsuri (also an heir) and her scrutinizing butler Kageyama.

There’s a charm and elegance to The Dinner Table Detective. While it doesn’t retool the genre, it does wield it well enough with exuberance and absurdity. I could use more cozy anime like this in my life, and this one comes exactly as ordered with intrigue and laughs.

7

Ranma ½

This martial arts rom-com, a remake of the classic anime/manga by Rumiko Takahashi, follows the arranged marriage of teenagers Ranma and Akane. Complicating their situation is Ranma’s curse, transforming him into a girl if he’s splashed with cold water and reverts if doused in hot water. This leads to plenty of slapstick antics and romantic misunderstandings, becoming even more zany as other cursed individuals enter the story.

Ranma ½ stays true to Takahashi’s story, but with a cool new color palette from the MAPPA studio. It adapts the most memorable moments and maintains the madcap antics of the previous anime, preserving Ranma’s brashness and Akane’s tomboyish nature that make them the perfect couple. Effortlessly mixing absurd comedy with stirring romance, it was a lot of fun to return to this high-energy anime that holds up surprisingly well for its playfulness on gender and teen romance.

6

Mashle: Magic And Muscles

Mashle plays like a reverse Harry Potter, featuring a world where magic is commonplace, except for with the show’s protagonist, Mash Burnedead. Despite being unable to wield magic, Mash attends a magic school hoping to rise to the ranks of the most respected students. With any luck, he might be able to prove he’s magical and there’s more to him than the cool scar on his face.

Mashle is an underdog anime that knows how to have fun with its premise. Although it has a lot in common with Harry Potter, the show also has the comedic tone of One Punch Man with its dry wit and hilarious school antics. So if you were longing for laughs in the halls of Hogwarts, Mashle is the anime you need in your life.

5

Anne Shirley

While there are plenty of adaptations of the historical novel, Anne of Green Gables, this anime adaptation is one of the most beautiful and charming depictions to date. Anne Shirley follows the titular tween orphan who comes to stay in Green Gables. Her high-spirited nature leads to exciting developments as she forms new friendships and family with the adoptive Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.

As with most worthy adaptations of classic literature, the energy and details in this series make it a standout in the sub-genre. The bright and colorful animation matches Anne’s cheerful and imaginative demeanor. Considering this isn’t the first time Anne of Green Gables has gotten the anime treatment, this modern upgrade is an absolute delight of a cozy historical tale.

4

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX

GQuuuuuuX takes place in an alternative Gundam timeline, where Amuro never piloted the Gundam and Zeon won the war against the Federation. In this revision, teenager Amate Yuzuriha becomes unwittingly involved with black-market giant robot duels in her space colony. What starts as an operation to make some money and form a friendship turns into a dimension-shifting battle for the universe.

While GQuuuuuuX has original characters and a story that can be enjoyed independently, this series will be a treat for Gundam fans familiar with the original series. There are some faithful nods to the classic anime in how the key events of the show are presented with similar staging, but different details, as when Char enters a space colony to take ownership of the Gundam. It’s hard to say how much newbies will find to love in this show, but there are many notable nods for the hardcore fans to gush about, from the dazzling recreation of core scenes to the powerful presence of the familiar soundtrack.

3

Apocalypse Hotel

Set in a future with a ravaged Earth, the only thing that remains on the planet is the Gingarou Hotel in Ginza, maintained by a robot staff. Life is dull for the robots without any human guests, but all that changes when an alien comes for a visit. Soon, the hotel becomes a hub for aliens seeking a place to stay, expanding the hotel into something greater.

The premise of Apocalypse Hotel alone is intriguing, but the enduring characters and gorgeous animation make it all the more appealing. The story plays out more like an epic over its 12 episodes that span several centuries, making the whole series feel like reading a lengthy sci-fi novel. Harboring decadent comfort and existential dread, this is one of the most sublime anime shows for being so inventive with the familiar setting of a desolate Earth.

2

Dan Da Dan

Beliefs clash in Dan Da Dan’s uproarious fantasy. High schooler Momo believes in ghosts, while Okarun believes in aliens. The two refuse to relent on each other’s faith, but soon discover they’re both right. Now saddled with powers and curses, they’ll have to put their feud aside to handle paranormal threats that turn their world upside down.

Bountiful with zany antics, Dan Da Dan is a nice change of pace from typical anime genres. It infuses plenty of sci-fi, comedy, and mystery into its premise while having fun tinkering with the tropes. There are also wildly unique character designs and brisk energy, making this anime more of a trendsetter than a trend follower. It’s one of the best anime to watch on Netflix, among the service’s abundant selection.

1

Lazarus

From director Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop), Lazarus is an invigorating sci-fi thriller with an eclectic cast of characters. The show is set in a future where everybody takes a miracle drug called Hapna. When the drug’s creator announces that the drug will kill everybody in mere weeks, it’s up to a team of hackers, mercenaries, and criminals to track him down.

There’s a lot to love in how Lazarus evokes some of Watanabe’s best traits as a director. There’s a grand sensation of culture in the globetrotting of the task force and stylish action present in the acrobatic assaults of the cunning Axel. Lazarus is one of the most exciting anime to debut on Adult Swim with a ticking-clock plot and fully-defined characters. For more good stuff on Adult Swim, I also wrote about the shows that defined the cartoon block.

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The latest and greatest anime coming out of Japan has so much variety. Classic Gundam fans can get their fandom fix with GQuuuuuuX, while newcomers will feel right at home with the thrills of Lazarus. It’s not all magical girls, fighting tournaments, and giant robots, as I’ve covered everything from historical dramas to cozy murder mysteries. With so many genres tapped, it’s hard not to find an anime that’s right for you.