Another new season of anime is nearly upon us, and with it another batch of shows vying for everyone’s scant time and attention. Some already show huge potential though, so we’ve gathered the top five best upcoming summer 2019 anime to watch.
Fire Force (Premiere Date: July 5)
The latest offering from Soul Eater creator Atsushi Ōkubo, Fire Force is about as creative, interesting and insane as anything else the acclaimed author has penned.
Set in a world where humans can spontaneously combust and transform into devilish fire monsters known as Infernals, the story follows Shinra Kusakabe, a second-generation Infernal able to control his flame-based abilities.
Alongside other second-generation individuals, he works to use his powers for good as part of the Special Fire Force Company 8, a group dedicated to keeping more malevolent Infernals in check and maintaining the peace.
However, shortly after joining this group, Shinra finds himself and his allies up against a faction intent on making more Infernals. Not only that, but they may be tied to a tragedy from his past that led to the deaths of his family members.
To that end, he sets out to stop this group, uncover their motivations and learn how his fate was tied to theirs all those years ago.
Needless to say, it’s a pretty bonkers premise with plenty of potential. It also boasts some stellar animation courtesy of David Production, as can be seen in the anime’s teaser trailer.
It will likewise be readily viewable on or near the same day it premieres in Japan via Crunchyroll‘s Summer 2019 streaming slate.
Dr. Stone (Premiere Date: July 5)
What would happen if the entire human race was turned to stone, and after thousands of years, a single scientifically-minded young man had to rebuild civilization from nothing?
This is the premise that drives Dr. Stone, a series that offers one of the most interesting takes on non-traditional battle shonen to date.
Following the aforementioned petrification of the world, the young genius Senku awakens to find himself to be the only remaining human with knowledge of humanity’s scientific advancements.
And yet, with the fate of his friends and the human race on the line, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
Using only items and materials found in the ancient world, he’ll recreate some of the most groundbreaking scientific inventions from throughout history.
It’s a bit off the beaten path for a shonen show, but also one of the most interesting additions to the genre in years. To say any more might spoil the fun of the series, so if it sounds even the least bit interesting, check it out when it premieres on Crunchyroll.
Vinland Saga (Premiere Date: July 7)
After years of being relegated to manga fans’ lists of series that deserve an anime adaptation, Vinland Saga is finally being brought into the animated medium.
In an age of Vikings and warring kings, a small Viking band led by a man named Askeladd sails the seas in search of conquest and conflict.
Among them is Thorfinn, a warrior of great renown. Armed with twin daggers, he has laid waste to countless enemies, earning a reputation as a demon on the battlefield.
And yet, Thorfinn has only one goal that drives him from battle to battle: To kill Askeladd, the man who murdered his father and forced him from a life of peace and happiness into one of vengeance.
It’s a pretty straightforward premise, but also one which is done with the same love and attention to detail as series like Berserk or Fullmetal Alchemist.
It’s likewise animated by Studio Wit, the same visionary production studio behind Attack on Titan’s exemplary first season. Chances are high that this will be one of the Summer 2019 season’s standout series once it airs on Amazon Prime Video.
Is it Wrong to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Season 2 (Premiere Date: July 12)
After several years since the first season, Is it Wrong to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? is finally back with a second cour in Summer 2019.
Following the events of the first season, Bell Cranel and Hestia’s guild has found both new allies and renown for their exploits and adventures, helping to elevate it from its former squalor.
Much of this is thanks to Bell’s continued growth and improvement, with his abilities quickly becoming on par with even the greatest of adventurers.
As a result though, both he and his guild are now targeted by those seeking to recruit him away from Hestia as well as those looking to out-do his exploits to raise their own reputation.
To that end, Bell and his friends now have plenty of new challenges to overcome, all while delving deeper into the secrets held within the depths of the Dungeon.
Its groan-worthy name aside, Is it Wrong to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? remains one of the better fantasy anime to come out in recent years, and the second season looks ready to maintain that reputation.
Fans can look forward to diving back into it with regularly simulcasted episodes over on Crunchyroll.
Weathering With You
Given the fact that director Makoto Shinkai’s last film Your Name saw widespread critical acclaim and became the highest grossing anime film of all time, it’s little surprise his next film, Weathering With You, has many people excited.
The movie follows Hodaka Morishima, a young man who has moved from a secluded island town to Tokyo. Shortly after his move, he takes up a job writing for an occult magazine to make ends meet and sustain his new life in the city.
While in search of a story, he meets a young woman named Hina Amano, who moved to the city along with her younger brother for unknown reasons.
Though she seems unassuming at first, it soon becomes apparent that she may have a supernatural link to the endless rainfall affecting the city, triggering a chain of events that will impact both Hodaka and Hina forever.
It’s an interesting premise, though not much is known about the full story yet. However, given that Shinkai is involved, it’s no surprise the film’s visuals are top-notch. For proof, look no further than the reveal trailer from a few months back.
As for when it will premiere, it’s a little complicated. Though it’s slated for a July 19 release in Japan, it still has yet to receive a western release date.
With that said though, the film is already licensed by GKIDS for western distribution, so there is a chance it’ll see a wider legal release near the end of the Summer 2019 season.
About the author
