It’s almost the end of the year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any new anime to watch or manga releases to read. On the contrary, anime studios and publishers have left fans a few holiday presents. From Super Saiyans battling it out with returning villains to original news series making their premiere, the final month of 2018 has something for everyone. Here are five anime and manga to check out this December.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
- Premiere date: December 14
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Comedy, Shōnen
Since the Tournament of Power — where the fate of multiple universes was at stake — Goku has undergone many transformations and gone up against incredibly strong warriors. However, there many other challenges that the Saiyan hasn’t faced yet.
Goku and Vegeta come face-to-face with another Saiyan called “Broly.” The only problem: This shouldn’t be possible since the Saiyan race has been nearly completely wiped out. Not to mention, it seems that Broly isn’t just stopping by for some tea and biscuits with his fellow Saiyans. With Goku, Vegeta, and Broly being the strongest warriors around, their encounter will inevitably lead to incredible battles unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Even Frieza refuses to miss this stupendous fight between Saiyans.
Tatsuya Nagamine (One Piece and Saint Seiya Omega) will direct the film with Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama writing the script and designing the characters. Dragon Ball Super: Broly will release in Japan on December 14.
We Never Learn Volume 1 (Manga) US Release
- Premiere date: December 4
- Publisher: Viz Media
- Genre(s): Comedy, Romance, School, Shōnen, Harem
Not only will new anime will premiere this December, but also a few manga issues as well. And the romantic comedy We Never Learn happens to be one of them.
Third-year high school student Nariyuki Yuiga has worked hard his entire life to get a scholarship to support his family. The only thing he needs now is his school’s “Special VIP Nomination,” which would cover all future university tuition fees. But he needs to do one thing before he gets it: tutor two genius female students.
Despite their intelligence, literature genius Fumino Furuhashi and math and science genius Rizu Ogata insist on pursuing subjects that they continually fail. On top of overcoming their worst subjects, Fumino and Rizu must control their burgeoning crushes on their tutor Yuiga.
Viz Media will publish the manga in print and digital editions under their Shonen Jump imprint this December.
Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō
- Premiere date: December 10
- Studio: Gonzo
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Seinen
This December will bring the latest adaption of the Saint Seiya adventure by Chimaki Kuori to life. The anime will have an entirely new lead and will take place right after the events of Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac. Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō follows Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, as she, with the help of her army of warriors the Saints, protects the Earth from evil.
This time around, Athena enlists the help of young female Saint Shō. Together, along with a new class of female Saints (Saintias), they must fight the goddess of discord, Eris. Follow Shō as she and the first all-women team of armored warriors use everything they’ve got to defend their home and oppose their very destinies.
The original net animation by Gonzo will premiere this December on Amazon Prime and ANIMAX on PlayStation.
Ojojojo Volume 1-2 (Manga) US Release
- Premiere date: December 24
- Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
- Genre(s): Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of Life
From the creator of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid comes a comedy manga about two teenagers who find solace in each other. Jigokumeguri Haru, the heir to one of the most powerful conglomerates in Japan, is not only rich and famous, but also arrogant, cold, and, consequently, friendless.
It’s because of this that she transfers from school to school, looking for a place to fit in. Things begin to look up when she crosses paths with Kawayanagi Tsurezure, the resident school weirdo.
Tsurezure gives Haru (and her stuck-up personality) a run for her money. But the two quickly form a friendship, despite each of them being somewhat socially awkward. You know what they say: Birds of an antisocial feather flock together, and these birds’ funny and, oftentimes, heartwarming adventures in friendship are sure to keep you entertained.
You can check out the slice-of-life comedy manga this December 24, just in time for the holidays.
Hero Mask
- Premiere date: December 3
- Studio: Studio Pierrot
- Genre(s): Action, Mystery, Police, Thriller Sci-Fi
Netflix’s police thriller series Hero Mask heads our way this holiday season. The action-packed crime anime will follow detective James Blood as he struggles to make sense of a string of crimes involving masks. The first season of this mystery will tell its tale in 15 episodes.
Hiroyasu Aoki (Blade, X-Men, Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission) will direct and write the series for Studio Pierrot. Takahisa Katagiri (Blood-C, Psycho-Pass) will be tasked with bringing the characters to life.
Although the streaming giant hasn’t revealed much about the new project, based on the reception of previous shows — like Devilman Crybaby and B: The Beginning — chances are that anime fans will love Hero Mask.
Hero Mask will stream exclusively on Netflix on December 3.
