The Top Ten Summer Anime of 2021

Even though I came up with a lot on my list, I can’t help but think that this is just a warm up (pun intended) to a much anticipted fall season. Nevertheless, this is quite the entertaining list with a few holdovers from the spring season. To some that might be cheating. To me, it is what it is. Hey, the two series that carried over to the summer are no fish bait, and deserve to be on this list. Disclaimer: once again that these are anime that I am actually watching AND they are deep into mid-season already. This gives me time to watch and drop. So, let’s get the show rolling.

At number ten, we have ‘Getter Robo Arc’. I think this is the first mecha anime in a while that I’ve added to my list. Mind you ”86′ doesn’t count as mecha anime, not in the traditional sense anyway. With ‘Getter Robo Arc’ we have a series that has its roots to the grand daddy of combining mecha of a similar name. It also flaunts its getter rays origins from the onset. There are a lot of callbacks to previous series here, and seeing a super robot in action really tugs at my nostalgic heart. Though, you don’t get your standard ‘monster of the week’ storyline, you still get enough action for it to get you going from episode to episode. The switching transformation scenes of this anime is enough to make it to my top ten.

At number nine, we have ‘Peach Boy Riverside’ . Protagonists Sally and Mikoto are seemingly human who have this uncanny ability to draw power to challenge the powerful ogres that populate the land. With this mystical transformation, they have enough strength to defeat any ogre that oppose them handily. In the case of Sally, she has no memory of her power transformations unlike Mikoto who relishes the slaying of ogres. The main characters in this story are quite overpowered. But, what keeps me going is the character interaction, and the origin of both Sally and Mikoto’s powers. I mean, they’re human, and yet, when they face ogres, their power levels are off the chart. Add to that an intriguing array of supporting characters in a fantasy setting, and you’ve got me hooked.

At number eight, we have ‘Aquatope of White Sand’. I rarely watch slice of life anime. Sometimes, one of them gets trhough the cracks, and this is one of them. It helps that the animation is just beautifully depicted by studio P.A. Works. In this case, the story revolves around an aquarium temporarily handled by Kukuru Misakino. She then gets a visitor and former idol, Fuka Miyazawa. Together, they seek to save GamaGama Aquarium from its financial problems so that the business can keep on running. The story focuses on following your passion with hard work, creativity, and friendship. Will it be enough to save GamaGama Aquarium? Let’s see what happens.

At number seven, we have ‘Spirit Chronicles’. One of two isekai on my list, this is a straightforward fantasy anime with some characters remembering their origins in Japan before they got transported into another world. Main protagonist Rio is possessed by the spirit of Haruto Amakawa who dies in a vehcular accident in Japan. After that, Rio starts to exhibit enhanced abilities, and some mystical powers. This leads him on a journey of discovery about his family origins, and a deeper understanding of the source of his powers. As the story progresses, Rio also finds out that he is not the only one who was transported from Japan to this fantasy world. I’m really a sucker for fantasy anime more than isekai, and this is interesting enough to make my list.

At number six, we have ‘The Detective is Already Dead’. Some people accuse this series of cloning well-known characters from other anime. I don’t care, I finde the interaction of Siesta and Kimihiko Kimizuka just adorable. The cheesiness in this series is apparent, and it wears it on its sleeve. More so, the anime makes me laugh with Kimizuka oftentimes trapped in compromising situations with Siesta, and the other female characters in this series. Still, in spite of the hilarity, there is a sadness that is the backdrop of this story. that should be obvious with the title. Besides, any anime that gives a reference to Mazinger Z can make it to my list any day. Speaking of Mazinger Z references…

At number five, we have ‘Tokyo Revengers’. To be honest, there are times that I want to drop this series from my viewing list altogether. The creator admitted that this is a ‘Re: Zero’ clone. Takemichi is an even worse crybaby than Subaru, and I’m surprised he isn’t dead already being part of a biker gang. Yet, I can’t deny the pull of a character who wants to better his stature by changing his past. Given a chance, we’d all want that even just a little to push us in the right direction. And yes, that rocket punch hoodie worn by Takemichi helped in making me stick around a some more.

At number four, we have ‘How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom’. The better of the two isekai on my list, this one has a different approach to its storytelling that puts it in my top five. Kazuya Souma gets transported to another world to deal with the threat of the Demon Lord’s Domain. However, he has no taste for combat whatsoever, and is pretty bookish in his background. He was not the hero the kingdom was expecting to save them. Instead, Souma approaches the problem from a socio-economic point of view. Money and resources are his concern; and this is the way Souma plans to save the kingdom. It’s working…so far. His unorthodox approach to ruling, accompanied by his almost Machiavellian thinking have shown crown princess Liscia Elfrieden that maybe, just maybe, they summoned the right hero for the job. I’m more than intrigued to see how Souma conquers the Demon Lord with this approach.

At number three, we have ‘Sonny Boy’. My sleeper series for the summer, this anime was made by studio Madhouse and the animation alone is drop-dead gorgeous. Not surprising there. Madhouse has created so many well-known and well-loved anime series and movies. ‘Sonny Boy’ is no exception. What happens when you take a bunch of students to another dimension? What happens when some of those students develop super powers? What happens when these students travel to different worlds with different rules to follow in each of them? What you have is an anime series that is as cerebral as it gets with enough teenage angst to make it relatable. This is an original anime series, and I’ve always loved those. If you’re the type who likes all the action, then this series will bore you. This is an anime about rules, and rules are everywhere. The story emphasizes that if you follow the rules then you get what you want, and the universe rewards you for it. How do you get all of that from a high school anime? Watch it to find out.

At number two, we have ‘The Case Study of Vanitas’. Based on the manga of the same name, this series was also produced by studio Bones. Right, ‘Full Metal Alchemist’ studio Bones. This is a vampire anime involving main protagonist, Vanitas who is human. His goal is to cure the curse that has infected vampiredom with his sacred book. Joining him, albeit reluctantly, is Noe, a vampire archivist. Together they hunt down cursed vampires, and cure them of their affliction for the safety of both humans and vampires. Oh yeah, Noe also admitted in the first episode that he killed Vanitas. So, this is a retelling of past events from Noe’s standpoint. What? I know. That’s pretty bold and daft storytelling at the same time. The anime has signature Bones humor that you see in ‘Full Metal Alchemist’. ‘The Case Study of Vanitas’ is also a romantic comedy. Action, comedy, vampires, love, death and adventure…what else do you need to convince you to watch this anime? Did I mention it was made by studio Bones already?

At number one, we have ‘To Your Eternity’. I really hate putting sad anime at the top of my list. But, I can’t deny that Fushi and company tell a beautiful tragic tale of loss and overcoming it. What else is there to say? The animation reminds me of a Studio Gibhli production even if it’s not. It’s about a young immortal who learns that immortality is not the kind gift that promotes lasting relationships. The series is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. That’s where it really gets you. The emotional beats are very much relatable, and you realize that tragedy is part of life as much as the triumph. All the drama, even with an immortal protagonist, reflects on the human condition. That is what makes this anime so good. And that is why ‘To Your Eternity’ is the number one anme on my list for the summer.

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