Ladies and gentlemen, the current summer anime season is approaching its inevitable end, which means it’s time to share the best anime of this period in my humble opinion. This list includes those titles whose new episodes I was looking forward to and watched as soon as they became available.
I understand that the presented anime still have a couple of episodes left, but I think we can speed things up a little. After all, even if in the history of the industry there are titles whose final episodes literally buried projects, this phenomenon is not so common.
Bungou Stray Dogs 5th Season
I’ll start, perhaps, with the owner of one of the best openings of this season – the fifth part of Bungou Stray Dogs. The new season continues the story of the confrontation between the detective agency and Fyodor Dostoevsky, adding even more epic, pianos from the bushes and a little drama. If you watched the previous 4 seasons, then you should not deprive this one of your attention.
My happy marriage / Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
This anime was a real discovery of the summer season for me. At its core, we have the traditional story of Cinderella, who was humiliated by her stepmother and her beloved beautiful daughter for many years, squeezed out of the groom, and generally sent as a bride to a house whose owner does not have the best reputation. But it turned out that all the rumors about the groom were, to put it mildly, exaggerated, and in the new house Mie truly felt loved.
It’s worth adding a dose of mysticism to this hackneyed plot and now Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon is perceived a little differently. And if you also take into account the fact that an amount of money that was indecent by shojo standards (even if this genre is not indicated anywhere, I still perceive this title as a representative of this type) was poured into the production, then everyone is definitely worth watching.
Undead Girl Murder Farce
The title that I was waiting for as a representative of the detective genre suddenly turned out to be not a detective story, but a historical fantasy with fan service in the form of Sherlock Holmes, Arsene Lupin, Sir Aleister Crowley, Jack the Ripper and other fictional and not so fictional personalities. Separately, it is worth noting the duo of the talking head Aya Rindou and oni Tsugaru. This couple, with their stupid jokes, more than once or twice gave me real pleasure while watching.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that this is only the first season, and the adventures of the “detective with a cage” in search of the body of an immortal maiden are just beginning. But it’s definitely worth watching.
Zombie Death List / Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto
This title was included in today’s material with an incredibly large advance. I would never have thought that an anime about a zombie apocalypse could look so bright and juicy and not cause any dissonance at all. And the plot about survival in harsh conditions of two stupid guys and a couple of girls can interest you from the pilot episode. But there is one problem…
8 episodes have passed, and we have just now been shown a repulsed Viabushnitsa from Germany with incredibly large and beautiful eyes – Beatrix. A good two-thirds of the season has passed, and the best character has just made his debut. But still, Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto is fun to watch.
Vagabond Kenshin (2023) / Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023)
In this age of remakes of everything, it was only a matter of time before ’90s classics started returning to screens. All these sailor moons, shamankings and kenshins of ours from childhood deal a strong nostalgic blow to the psyche, simultaneously luring a new generation into their networks. The latest version of the adventures of Battosai Kenshin is so good that I only had enough for one episode of the original anime. Still, rewatching a classic after a remake is physically painful for the ears.
The Story of Mononoke 2 / Mononogatari 2nd Season
The second season of the story of Kunato Hema, Nagatski Botan and Tsukumogami is dedicated to the appearance of the “umbrella gang” who have their eyes on Botan, or more precisely, on the marebito, which is imprisoned in the girl’s body. This time they packed more action, showed Hema’s personal growth as he stopped obsessing over revenge, and sold me on a Tsubaki Kadomori figure if one ever appeared.
If you like urban fantasy, then give this title a chance and watch a couple of episodes of the first season.
The cat, a jack of all trades, is sad again today / Dekiru Neko wa Kyou mo Yuuutsu
How can you not love an anime about a healthy house cat and his stupid but sweet loser owner? That’s right, no way. At its core, we are faced with everyday life, in the center of which is the hefty cat Yukichi, who cooks incredibly deliciously, keeps the house clean and does everything so that his owner Saku works productively and continues to buy cat treats.
Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence / Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi
If you thought cats were cute, I have bad news for you. Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi is a title about everyday life in a remote village of a priest and a Holy Virgin, which will definitely give you an attack of diabetes, and your face will hurt from constantly smiling. Actually, we shouldn’t have expected anything else from the Doga Kobo studio. If you have any concerns, then feel free to start watching. I assure you that after a couple of episodes you will completely forget about everything.
Ryza no Atelier: Tokoyami no Joou to Himitsu no Kakurega
I think any comments are unnecessary here. A must watch for all lovers of tube fantasy and female thighs. All the creativity of the authors of the adaptation of the most successful series of games from Gust about Ryza went into damn fan service. There is so much of it here that any fan of Raizalin Stout can overdose. And you know what, it’s perfect.
The anime is nothing special apart from Ryza, but its main goal is not to show the viewer some cool anime, but to encourage them to go and buy games from the Atelier Ryza series. As a fan of “Ateliers,” I want to especially praise the authors of the adaptation for (you won’t believe it) adaptation. The anime paid attention not only to the main plot of the game, but also managed to make quite touching episodes out of side quests.
My lover forgot her glasses / Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta
And here is my favorite of the season, which gives many people a burning sensation in the lower back. And it burns because “well, a person can’t constantly forget his glasses.” I agree it can’t, but it’s a comedy and you either accept the conventions and enjoy Mie or go watch something else.
As the owner of truly disgusting eyesight, having experience of myopia for about 30 years, I responsibly declare that Mie Ai is the best waifu of the season. In her futile attempts to see Komura from a distance of 10 centimeters, I constantly recognize myself, who also cannot see anything without glasses.
It has never been so interesting for me to follow the development of the relationship between a couple of stupid schoolchildren. And while Komura-kun annoyed me at times, Mie easily outshines him.
One Room of the Demon Lord and the Hero / Lv1 Maou to One Room Yuusha
A stupid, stupid comedy about how a reborn Demon Lord suddenly shows up to a retired hero in his hut and tries to pull the hero out of the swamp in which he finds himself. Before watching, I strongly advise you to turn off your brain and enjoy the voice of Naomi Ozora.
As you can see, Mushoku Tensei is not included in this list. And in order to immediately respond to potential comments from fans of “Unemployed,” I will note that I did not like this title. That’s it. Yes, I watched every episode, but mostly out of inertia. I can’t even imagine who would like a story about an over-aged scum of society trapped in the body of a teenager suffering from erectile dysfunction. If you want to screw up isekai, then better watch Jitsu wa Ore, Saikyou deshita? or Seija Musou: Salaryman, Isekai de Ikinokoru Tame ni Ayumu Michi.
Yumemiru Danshi wa Genjitsushugisha started quite well, but the drain happened already in the fourth episode.
PS Horimiya: Piece is a must watch and immediately after watching the original “Horimiya”. A great addition in the form of new stories for those who love romance and chemistry between characters.
