Spring 2021 Anime: What to Watch and Review

I always have a tough time deciding what anime to watch when new seasons roll around. Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of watching something weekly so usually I just wait until more episodes are out before starting. For example, with Haikyuu! to the Top and Attack on Titan final season I had already read further ahead in the manga so I was happy to wait a bit until a few episodes were out before starting to watch. This method also allows me to get a feel for what’s good each season instead of feeling like I’ve wasted my time by watching multiple series that I end up not being interested in.

With this in mind though I’ve been wanting to get back into the swing of reviewing media. And so, I’ve made a commitment with myself to choose an anime to review weekly for the Spring 2021 season. It’ll be good practise for me.

Out of the full list of anime releasing this season, these ones in particular have stood out to me and now I need to see which one I want to review.

Firstly, and most obviously for anyway who follows me on Twitter, I’m going to be watching My Hero Academia season 5. I love this anime and therefore will not comment further.

Mars Red

Studio: Signal.MD (also known for Tantei Team KZ Jiken Note and Recovery of an MMO Junkie)

Release date: April 5

Synopsis from MAL: MARS RED is based on a dramatic stage reading by director Bun-O FUJISAWA. It is the first anime to be adapted from this source material. Taking place in 1923, MARS RED is set in a time period where vampires have existed for quite some time. As of late, the number of vampires has increased and a strange, artificial blood source named Ascra has surfaced.
In response, “Code Zero”, an army unit tasked with combatting the vampires, is created by the Japanese government. The ironic part? They are using vampires to aid in their fight. It’s Code Zero’s job to look into this mysterious increase and stop it before it becomes an uncontrollable threat to society.

It is really interesting to me that this story is actually based upon a sound theatre piece. The animation looks beautiful in the trailer, especially the backgrounds which have a wonderful painting-like texture look to them. The white-haired guy’s character design is amazing too and I wish I could one day look that cool. I also love gas masks in designs in general so it’s an easy way to win me over. The pink-haired guy also looks really interesting. The story concept from the synopsis also seems solid. My only concern with this trailer is that since this anime is set during a war with soldiers and/or vampires as the main characters, I would assume there would be more action in the anime. The trailer was a bit lackluster in this regard, so I don’t think I’ll do weekly reviews for this one but hold out to see what people think of it and might just watch it on my own in order to not get my hopes up what could be an amazing anime.

The Way of the Househusband

Studio: J.C. Staff (also known for Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, , A Certain Magical Index, One-Punch Man season 2, Toradora!, and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

Release date: April 8, exclusive to Netflix

Synopsis from MAL: This is the anime adaptation for the manga The Way of the Househusband created by Kousuke Oono. In the series, “the Immortal Dragon,” once the fiercest member of the yakuza and a legend in the underworld, leaves it all behind to walk a more honest path– the path of the househusband. Comedy arises when Tatsu tackles new challenges, like supermarket sales and cooking, and adapts to his new life as a stay-at-home husband.

I love this manga so much. I’ve read volumes 1-4 and they’re so good. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is also a comfort show of mine so I’m keen for this. In the trailer though the animation is a bit disappointing since it seems a bit too stilted, almost like they’re just manga panels redrawn. But it might just be how the trailer was cut together so I’ll have to wait and see. The voice acting for Tatsu was perfect as well and exactly how I imaged him sounding when reading the manga. I’m going to be biased while watching this so I’d rather watch it on Netflix myself to give myself another comfort show.

Burning Kabaddi

Studio: Domerica (also known for Flying Witch Petit and Ninjala)

Release date: April 2  

Synopsis from MAL: Burning Kabaddi’s story follows first-year high school student Tatsuya Yoigoshi, a Former ace soccer player who dislikes sports. He gets invited to join a team for the contact sport, Kabaddi. He scoffs at the idea at first but becomes interested after watching a Kabaddi practice.

This anime looks good! The trailer I think explains the sport and plot context well enough to be interesting, and the characters seem appealing. Might watch it, might not – so I probably won’t review this weekly because I’m not too certain yet if I’d like it.

Subarashiki Kono Sekai the Animations

Studio: Domerica (also known for Flying Witch Petit and Ninjala)

Release date: April 10

Synopsis from MAL: Neku Sakuraba, a 15-year-old boy with a hobby for music and graffiti, wakes up in what seems to be the Shibuya shopping district of Tokyo, Japan. With no idea why he’s there, he opens his hand to realize he is holding a strange black pin. After flipping it with his hand, the thoughts of the people surrounding him begins to flow into his head at once. Surprised, Neku discovers he is able to read the minds of others and assumes it has something to do with the black pin he is holding. A cell phone starts to ring in his pocket, and he can’t tell whether it is his or not. A text message appears: “Reach 104. You have 60 minutes. Fail, and face erasure. -The Reapers.” After discovering he can’t delete the message, a timer of 60 minutes imprints onto his right hand. Neku is in Shibuya to play the “Reapers’ Game,” which spans a total of seven days. All Players of the Reapers’ Game have a black pin with a skull embedded on it.

I remember playing this game when I was younger with my dad. Although I can’t remember at all what the plot was actually about. I’m keen for this anime to come out so I’d rather watch it myself than review it, especially since it’s created by Nomura who’s also the Kingdom Hearts creator so I’ll probably end up with a soft spot for it.

Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Studio: Bakken Record (also known for Weatering with You and Pandora to Akubi)

Release date: April 7

Synopsis from MAL: Set in alternate history Japan in 1931 and the 64th year of the Meiji era, the Tokugawa shogunate was never abolished and Emperor Meiji was never restored to power. The anime will follow the activities of “Nue,” an organization of shogunate executioners who enforce the government. The country has developed its own energy source, the “dragon vein,” and has achieved a unique development in which science and the Edo period are mixed.
However, behind the glamorous city, the dissident organization Kuchinawa strives to overthrow the administration, while the Nue of the Tokugawa regime, who was entrusted with its extermination, are in conflict. Sawa Yukimura, whose family was killed when she was young, continues to search for Janome, the executioner of the Nue.

This plot seems very interesting and the main character seems like she’d be great to watch. The animation seems very high quality and honestly rather Demon Slayer like in style for its characters and surroundings. The music in the trailer is a bit of a turn off for me though, I think because it’s just not the style I’d personally use for this type of trailer’s storyline. When the music starts the trailer starts cutting scenes more quickly which is a bit too much of a stark contrast to its previous fairly well-paced and storytelling-like rhythm. I think that’s just what’s throwing me off here. I am keen for this anime though and will probably watch parts of it.

Godzilla Singular Point

Studio: Bones (also known for My Hero Academia, Ouran High School Host Club, Soul Eater, Space Dandy, Snow White with the Red Hair, Bungo Stray Dogs, Mob Psycho 100, Carole and Teusday and SK8 the Infinity) and Orange (also known for Land of the Lustrous and Beastars)

Release date: March 25, exclusive to Netflix

Synopsis from MAL: This series features an original story, which depicts the young geniuses Mei Kamino, a female researcher, and Yun Arikawa, a male engineer, as they take on an unprecedented threat with their companions. When danger comes up from the depths, only young geniuses Mei, Yun, and their team can face the threat in Godzilla Singular Point!

Bones is one of my favourite studios so I’m so excited for this anime! Anything Godzilla with some cool monsters I usually enjoy too, so extra ready for this series. I loved the music choice in the trailer as well. Another series I think I’ll watch on Netflix and enjoy for myself.

Tokyo Revengers

Studio: Liden Films (also known for The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Berserk and Cells at Work! Code Black)

Release date: April 11

Synopsis from MAL: Takemichi Hanagaki’s life is at an all-time low. Just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, he finds out that Hinata Tachibana, his ex-girlfriend, was murdered by the Tokyo Manji Gang: a group of vicious criminals that has been disturbing society’s peace for quite some time.

Wondering where it all went wrong, Takemichi suddenly finds himself travelling through time, ending up 12 years in the past—when he was still in a relationship with Hinata. Realizing he has a chance to save her, Takemichi resolves to infiltrate the Tokyo Manji Gang and climb the ranks in order to rewrite the future and save Hinata from her tragic fate.

This series gives me Erased vibes, and I’m down for anything mystery/murder/gang related. Action is always good as well which this series seems to have. The character designs so far are interesting and I’m intrigued by who I assume to be the main antagonist with his remarkable hair and flowing coat. This seems like a series that I could easily watch 12 episodes of while not being too interested in to care that I have to wait weekly for episodes. I also think that it looks solid enough to not fall apart after a few episodes – so this seems to be the winner for which series I’m be reviewing weekly!

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5 Facts to Know About Hanta Sero

1. Sero’s favourite foods include oranges, soy products and anything else he might find healthy.

2. His surname contains the kanji for ‘rapids’ (瀬 se) and ‘spine’ (呂 ro), and his first name contains ‘example’ (範 han) and ‘thick’ (太 ta). Therefore, Sero’s name is a play on the Japanese pronunciation of ‘cellophane tape’ (セロハンテプ serohantepu). Hirikoshi actually came up with this quirk and character during a trip to a convenience store.

3. Sero’s abilities resemble Spider-Man’s, and he has been noted to have a deep admiration for ‘someone’ from the USA that fits Spider-Man’s description. (It’s also been noted that although Sero is considered a minor character, Hirokoshi likes him enough to put in more roles wherever he can).

4. He’s 177cm tall, his birthday is July 28^th and his blood type is B.

5. Sero and Kirishima share the same costume designer.

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5 Facts to Know About Momo Yaoyorozu

1. Momo’s quirk was originally going to be for a Pro Hero. However, Hirokoshi thought that because Momo’s quirk is an overpowered ability it would be more interesting to have an inexperienced character have it.

   

2. Momo’s birthday is the 23^rd September, and her blood type is A.

   

3. The kanji for Momo’s last name is an idiomatic expression that translates to ‘a great/uncountable number’ and literally means ‘eight million.’

   

4. Momo’s ‘favourite thing’ is reading, especially encyclopedias.

   

5. Momo’s preliminary design was similar to her current design. The main differences are that her preliminary design doesn’t have her spiky ponytail and her hero costume covered her torso and she wore a partial mask around her nose area.

   

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Tokyo Revengers Mikey, Draken and Takemichi Plushies

5 Facts to Know About Tenya Iida

1. Iida’s eyes are blue the anime, but red in the manga
2. His favourite food is beef stew
   
3. Iida had two preliminary designs. His character was created during a serialisation meeting and Horikoshi ended up changing the character design when it deviated from the original concept (most likely due to the series’ change of setting to a school). Iida’s first design was older and very different to his current one, while his second is much more similar. Iida’s hero costume was also very different in the concept designs
4. Iida’s birthday is the 22^nd August
5. Iida’s hero name, Ingenium, is also the name of a family of automobile engines!
   

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5 Facts to Know About Hitoshi Shinso

1. Shinso is 177cm tall

2. His name is made up of the kanji for ‘heart, mind’ (心 ‘shin’), ‘manipulate, operate’ (操 ‘so’) and ‘person’ (人 ‘hito’), ‘use’ (使 ‘shi’)

The kanji that makes up ‘shinso’ can also mean ‘chastity,’ ‘honest’ or ‘to rig into one’s favour.’ It is also pronounced pretty similarly to the Japanese word for ‘heart’ (心臓 ‘shinzo’)

3. Shinso likes cats and enjoys bicycling

4. His birthday is the 1^st July

5. Hirokoshi is known to be a pretty big fan of western superheroes and comics, so fans have speculated that Shinso might be a reference to/inspired by Purple Man (a Marvel comics supervillain).

Purple Man’s body produces pheromones which allow him to verbally control people’s action, while Shinso’s mind-control quirk is activated when someone verbally responds to him.

And while Shinso has purple hair and eyes, Purple Man has purple skin and hair. This is because as a physician turned international spy, Purple Man was accidentally doused during a mission in chemicals while infiltrating a chemical refinery

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5 facts to know about Todoroki Shoto

1. Shoto’s surname contains the kanji for “to roar, roaring fire” (轟), while his first name contains the kanji for “burning” (焦)and “freezing” (凍)
   
2. Todoroki has heterochromia as can be seen from his two different eye colours, but based upon the fact that even his hair and Quirk are divided in half down his body he might actually have a genetic anomaly knows as chimera.
   Chimera is when a single organism is composed of cells with more than one distinct genotype. This condition can even include possessing blood cells of different blood types.
   
3. Todoroki’s scar might actually be a frost burn.
   We know that Todoroki has a very high resistance to his own Quirk. However, we don’t know if that means he’s immune to boiling water, other fire quirks etc.
   Ricecake on Tumblr has pointed out that the scar might actually be a frost burn because Rei tried to help Todoroki when she burned him by using her Quirk (as applying ice to a burn can cause frostbite and further damage the skin), or that the injury was made worse from doing this…
   
4. Todorki’s hero costume is the only student so far in class 1-A to have undergone lots of changes – having essentially only kept his boots from his first costume. His new costume has a utility belt which houses metal canisters container pain medication, disinfectants, water – acting as first-aid supply. The new costume’s suit also is made to help regulate his body temperature and stave off the effects of using either side of his Quirk for too long.
   Todoroki and Midoriya also have the same costume designer.
   
5. Todoroki is born on the 11^th January. This makes him the 4^th youngest in class 1-A
   

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5 FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT IZUKU MIDORIYA

1. Izuku’s favourite food is katsudon (pork cutlet bowl)
2. Izuku’s name contains the kanji for ‘green’ (緑), ‘valley’ (谷), ‘being from a certain place/coming out’ (出) and ‘long ago’ (久)
3. Izuku was actually first planned to be an adult, as seen in the one-shot My Hero. Horikoshi in the early concept stages of MHA had named Izuku’s character ‘Mikumo Akatani.’ Mikumo had curlier and longer hair than Izuku with bangs that covered one of his eyes. Like Izuku, Mikumo was quirkless. But he had a much more “intimidating” costume than Izuku and relied heavily on gadgets and luck to deal with challenges
4. Izuku is 166cm tall (which makes him the 8^th shortest/13^th tallest out of the 20 students in Class 1-A)
5. In the U.A. Student Information Sheet that Aizawa is shown to have in episode 39 of the anime, it can be seen that Izuku’s Quirk is registered as “Super-Power” for the public records (in order to protect the secret about “One For All”)

   

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