New anime in Summer 2021
The Olympics isn’t the only exciting thing happening this summer. There’s also a slew of new anime lined up for Summer 2021. You’ll be treated to more thrilling mysteries, epic fights, and long-awaited sequels over the next few months.
1. The Case Study of Vanitas
Image credit: @vanitas_anime
Adapted from a manga series of the same name by Jun Mochizuki, the creator of Pandora Hearts, The Case Study of Vanitas is a show about humans and vampires. If you’ve enjoyed Owari no Seraph, then add this upcoming anime to your watchlist.
Image adapted from: JP Anime
The show, set in the 19th century, revolves around a cursed set of spell books called “Book of Vanitas”. It has the power to harm vampires by inflicting a “Malnomen” disease, which has corruptive capabilities. A young vampire, Noé Archiviste, arrives in Paris after being tasked by his mentor to find the Book of Vanitas.
Image adapted from: JP Anime
However, his journey is interrupted when a fight occurs one day. Through the brawl, he meets Vanitas.
Vanitas claims that he’s a human being who has inherited the Book of Vanitas, and he’s trying to use it to save the vampire race. It turns out that the Book of Vanitas, besides being able to corrupt the vampires, can also heal the corrupted vampires. Noé and Vanitas subsequently work together to rescue vampires cursed by Malnomen.
Video credit: JP Anime
Genre: Action, Historical, Vampire
Release date: 3rd July 2021
2. The Duke of Death and His Maid
Image credit: @dengekionline
In Frozen, Elsa remains locked in her room because everything she touches turns into ice. The young noble of The Duke of Death and His Maid faces a similar predicament. His name is Duke, and he lives with a witch’s curse – everything he touches will die.
Image adapted from: NBCUniversal Anime/Music
He is shunned by his friends and disowned by his family for this reason. As a result, he ends up living in a secluded mansion in the forest. However, he’s not exactly living a life of total solitude – joining him are his butler and a coquettish maid named Alice.
Image adapted from: NBCUniversal Anime/Music
Because of Alice’s presence, the show’s morbid premise turns into a light-hearted romantic comedy. She often flirts with Duke, knowing that he cannot physically do anything to her. As genuine feelings develop between the pair, Duke is determined to find a solution to his curse in order to achieve his own happily-ever-after.
Video credit: NBCUniversal Anime/Music
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release date: 4th July 2021
3. The Honor Student at Magic High School
Image credit: Mahouka Yuutousei
The Irregular at Magic High School debuted in 2014 and gained great popularity. Following a long 6-year hiatus, it came back with a 2nd season that concluded in December 2020. This coming summer, there will be a spin-off series – Honor Student at Magic High School. Instead of focusing on the overpowered Tatsuya, the story is told from the perspective of Miyuki.
Image adapted from: アニプレックス YouTube チャンネル
For all those new to the series, The Irregular at Magic High School is set in a world where magic users exist. Miyuki is the younger of the Shiba siblings and a gifted magic user.
After topping the First High’s entrance exam, which is the hardest entrance exam of all the 9 magic schools, Miyuki is enrolled in the superior “first course” at the institution. Conversely, her brother, Tatsuya, is enrolled in the inferior “second course”.
The spin-off anime will revisit the beginning of the story and explore the internal world of the loveable heroine.
Video credit: アニプレックス YouTube チャンネル
Genre: Magic, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Release date: 3rd July 2021
4. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
Image credit: @genkoku_info
Unlike other shounen isekai anime where the main character brawls with monsters using their newfound powers, muscles take a backseat in How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom.
Image adapted from: 「KING AMUSEMENT CREATIVE」公式チャンネル
Our 19-year-old protagonist, Kazuya Souma, is a realist who honours the political philosophies of Niccolò Machiavelli and Sun Tzu. One day, he gets summoned to Landia – a fantasy world – and becomes the ruler of the Elfrieden Kingdom. The kingdom has been plagued by a host of socio-economic problems, and the former king hopes that Kazuya can help.
Image adapted from: 「KING AMUSEMENT CREATIVE」公式チャンネル
As such, Kazuya sets out to battle for the kingdom’s rejuvenation using his wits. From tightening the country’s expenses to attracting foreign talent, this is a refreshing isekai show about political reforms and strategic planning suitable for those who like to explore the intellectual side of things.
Video credit:「KING AMUSEMENT CREATIVE」公式チャンネル
Genre: Fantasy, Harem, Romance, Military, Action
Release date: 3rd July 2021
Available on: Funimation
5. Peach Boy Riverside
Image credit: @peachboy_anime
While waiting for the iconic Demon Slayer to return with its 2nd season, you can check out this upcoming demon-slaying anime – Peach Boy Riverside.
Image adapted from: vap official
Sally, the sheltered princess of the Kingdom of Aldarake, finds life in the nation too boring. She wants to travel around the world instead. But when gruesome creatures called “Oni” attack her castle one day, she realises that the world out there is scarier than she thinks.
Image adapted from: vap official
Luckily, a long-haired male traveller named Mikoto is with her during the attack. Upon seeing the monsters, he transforms from a mild-mannered boy into a blood-thirsty fighter, managing to eradicate the threat. Mikoto later departs and leaves the princess behind in the castle.
Image adapted from: vap official
After some time, Sally decides to confront the ugly reality of the world by setting off on her own adventure. She knows the dangers that await her out there, having experienced them first-hand. Nevertheless, the princess is up for the challenge.
Video credit: vap official
Genre: Shounen, Fantasy
Release date: 1st July 2021
6. The Detective Is Already Dead
Image credit: @tanteiwamou_
Years ago, Kimizuka Kimihiko met an agile detective, Siesta, on an airplane during a crisis. Following the incident, they became a crime-fighting duo that solved many mysteries. Sadly, their adventures came to an abrupt end when Siesta died 3 years later.
Image adapted from: Shonenzup
Fast forwarding to the present, Kimizuka – now an 18-year-old – is approached by Nagisa Natsunagi, a female classmate who’s also a detective. She employs his help to look for her heart donor. Our protagonist, who intended to retire from sleuthing, decides to help her out.
Video credit: KADOKAWAanime
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Release date: 4th July 2021
7. Aquatope of White Sand
Image credit: @aquatope_anime
18-year-old Kukuru Misakino, who fittingly has hair that’s as blue as the sea, is passionate about the marine world and works at the Gama Gama Aquarium in Okinawa. Unfortunately, the aquarium is on the verge of closing down due to a lack of customers. The upcoming summer is Kukuru’s last chance to save the attraction. To do so, she has to rope in more customers.
Image adapted from: DMM pictures
One day, she meets a troubled idol, Fuuka Miyazawa, who comes to the aquarium to seek some respite. Fuuka, touched by Kukuru’s determination to save the aquarium, offers to help her out.
Image adapted from: DMM pictures
As the series progresses, we can expect more individuals to join them on the duo’s ambitious mission.
Video credit: DMM pictures
Genre: Slice-of-life
Release date: 8th July 2021
8. Sonny Boy
Image adapted from: Funimation
After being relatively inactive for a year, Japanese animation studio Madhouse is finally coming back with an original anime. Sonny Boy is a story about 36 students being transported to an alternate world. The show will involve superpowers and survival elements, but that’s all the information we have for now.
The creator of the story and the director behind it is Shingo Natsume, whose past works include the thrilling 1st season of One Punch Man.
Image adapted from: Funimation
From the teaser alone, we can see that Sonny Boy has an art style reminiscent of older animations such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. GING NANG BOYZ, a Japanese punk rock band, sang the opening theme, Boys and Girls.
Video credit: Funimation
Genre: Sci-fi
Release date: 16th July 2021
Available on: Funimation
9. Record of Ragnarok
Image credit: @ragnarok_PR
Record of Ragnarok will be your weekly dose of epic action this summer. Based on the popular manga series of the same name, the show is essentially a big “tournament” featuring 13 exciting clashes between powerful humans and gods.
Image adapted from: Netflix Anime
You’d find interesting characters that reference a range of cultures and mythologies. For instance, there’s Lü Bu – his character references a powerful warlord in ancient China. Meanwhile, the gods featured in the show include classical gods, such as Zeus and Thor.
Image adapted from: Netflix Anime
At the end of the day, the outcome of the one-on-one battles will determine the fate of humanity. If the humans manage to secure 7 wins first, then the gods shall spare mankind from extinction for another 1000 years.
Video credit: Netflix Anime
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Release date: 17th June 2021
Available on: Netflix
10. The Dungeon of Black Company
Image credit: @meikyubc_anime
The Dungeon of Black Company follows a wealthy individual named Kinji Ninomiya. He got all his money from real-estate investments and thus never truly understood the tedium of labour. That is, until he gets dragged away from his comfortable life one day and ends up in an isekai where he works as a miner for an exploitative company.
Image adapted from: KADOKAWAanime
Eventually, he gets fed up with the poor working conditions and secretly sets up an organisation to revolt against the mining company.
Video credit: KADOKAWAanime
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Release date: 9th July 2021
11. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! – Season 2
Image credit: @hamehura
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is a popular anime that debuted in spring 2020. The show begins when a 17-year-old otaku burns the midnight oil to play Fortune Lover, an otome game, and wakes up late for school the next day. While running on the streets, she meets with an accident, dies, and reincarnates as Catarina Claes, a villainess in Fortune Lover.
Image adapted from: Asmik Ace
Throughout the 1st season, Catarina tries to alter circumstances so that she does not meet the same tragic fate as the original game character. The season concluded with Catarina surviving the 1st year of school without major mishaps.
Image adapted from: Asmik Ace
Based on the trailer, we can expect to see a school play and a magic showcase event in the 2nd season. There’s also a scene of Catarina being kidnapped.
Video credit: Asmik Ace
Genre: Comedy, Reverse Harem, Fantasy, Shoujo, School, Isekai, Villainess
Release date: 2nd July 2021
Available on: Crunchyroll
12. Higurashi: When They Cry Sotsu
Image credit: @oricon_anime_
Higurashi: When They Cry is an anime adapted from a series of murder mystery games. The story arcs often involve gruesome murders and violence despite its cute art style.
Image adapted from: KADOKAWAanime
The show had a reboot in 2020 called Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU. The premise revolves around a group of friends living in a village where mysterious deaths have been occurring. As the plot progresses, the amicable characters end up revealing their sinister, psychopathic sides, hurling the seemingly innocuous “slice-of-life” anime into a world of darkness.
It’s hard to predict how the plot will unfold in Higurashi: When They Cry Sotsu as the anime series deviates from the original games. Nevertheless, we can expect a hellish ride to come, given that it is the trademark of Higurashi after all.
Video credit: KADOKAWAanime
Genre: Mystery, Psychological horror, Supernatural
Release date: 1st July 2021
Available on: Funimation
13. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime – Season 2 Part 2
Image credit: @SlimeAnime
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is coming back with the 2nd half of season 2 after a successful run of the 1st half in January.
The premise of the show is centred on an office worker who dies and reincarnates as a slime in an isekai. He subsequently acquires the name “Rimuru” and takes on the appearance of a young blue-haired child after a chance encounter. By the end of the 1st season, he manages to form his own kingdom called “Tempest”.
Image adapted from: フル☆アニメTV
However, the growing power of his nation is seen as a threat to other nations and communities for various reasons. His kingdom comes under attack, spurring Rimuru to engage with these enemies in order to defend his people. In this upcoming July run, he will be facing off with more enemies, including a battle with Clayman, the Demon Lord.
Video credit: フル☆アニメTV
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Isekai
Release date: 6th July 2021
Available on: Crunchyroll
14. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S
Image credit: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is a comedic story about co-existing with dragon girls in the same household.
Image adapted from: Kyoani Channel
25-year-old Kobayashi is a regular office lady who lives an average life. A drunken venture to the mountains at night brings her to Tohru, a female dragon. She ends up helping Tohru by removing a special sword from her back. As a show of gratitude, Tohru offers to become her maid – to which the still-tipsy Kobayashi agrees.
Image adapted from: Kyoani Channel
They proceed to live together in the same household and end up meeting other dragons along the way.
The 1st season aired back in 2017. After a near 4-year hiatus, the 2nd season will be airing this summer. The trailer for Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S features a hilarious rap about what the “S” in the title stands for.
Image adapted from: Kyoani Channel
A new dragon named “Ilulu” confirms that the “S” stands for “Super で Supreme な Super Life が Start”, which means “the start of a supreme super life”. That suggests that we can expect more shenanigans to come in the new season.
Video credit: Kyoani Channel
Genre: Slice-of-life, Comedy, Fantasy
Release date: 7th July 2021
Available on: Crunchyroll
New anime to watch in Summer 2021
The heat during the summer can be unbearable sometimes. Stay indoors and watch these upcoming Summer 2021 anime series instead!
For more articles, check out:
- Post-apocalyptic anime to watch now that the Attack on Titan manga has ended
- Short anime series to check out for those with little free time
- Weird otome games that let you date a grasshopper and the founder of KFC
- Suspenseful Japanese mystery dramas that will keep you guessing till the end
- Unique vending machines in Japan that sell more than just canned drinks
Cover image adapted (from left to right): @vanitas_anime, @ragnarok_PR and @dengekionline
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