Forget “new year, new me.” In 2019, your new mantra should be “new year, new anime.” There are a plethora of new shows and movies debuting in 2019 that fans can’t wait to watch. From heroes making their return to the small screen to the introduction of new lovable (and sometimes tragic) characters, these cold winter months are going to be epic. Here are 15 anime series and movies you need to watch this winter.
Dororo
- Premiere date: January 7
- Studio: Tezuka Productions and MAPPA
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Demons, Historical, Shōnen, Supernatural
Hyakkimaru was an infant when his father sacrificed parts of his body to demons to ensure victory on the battlefield. The process, though gruesome, surprisingly didn’t kill the young boy. Even so, his father still abandons him, leaving him for dead. A king healer ends up taking the child in. They give Hyakkimaru prosthetic limbs and raise him to be a warrior.
Years later, Hyakkimaru, armed with incredible fighting skills and a blade that can strike down any supernatural being, begins his journey to make his body whole again — by killing all the demons, every single one. And he hasn’t forgotten about his father. He plans to serve him a piping hot slice of well-deserved revenge. On his quest for vengeance, he meets Dororo, a young orphan boy who claims to be the best thief in all of Japan.
Based on the manga of the same name by Osamu Tezuka, Dororo last appeared in anime form in 1969, where it a 26-episode run. This year’s adaptation will have many intense fight sequences and won’t shy away from using bloody imagery to properly portray the story of a wandering samurai.
Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka
- Premiere date: January 12
- Studio: LIDENFILMS
- Genre(s): Drama, Magic, Seinen
Based on the magical girl action manga of the same name, Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka takes place three years after magical creatures took over the world. Luckily, a group of young women with mysterious powers was there to handle these ghastly monsters. After a gruesome and protracted battle, the girls finally returned to their normal lives. But their peace was short-lived as the evil creatures have returned to wreak havoc again. Carrying the physical and emotional wounds of their last battle, the women warriors reunite to form the Magical Girl Special Ops force and destroy these creatures once and for all.
Hideyo Yamamoto (The Prince of Tennis II, Strike the Blood) will direct the project at LIDENFILMS (Schwarzesmarken, Terra Formars). So, expect tons of high-octane action sequences and, of course, plenty of bloodshed.
Revisions
- Premiere date: January 10
- Studio: Shirogumi Inc.
- Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha
Destruction, giant robots, and temporal shifts will feature heavily in Netflix and Shirogumi Inc.’s new winter anime venture, Revisions. Out of the blue, something transfers high school student Daisuke Toujima, and his childhood friends Gai, Ru, Marimari, and Keisaku, to the center of Shibuya, but 300 years into the future.
But they aren’t greeted by flying cars or drones delivering packages. Instead, Tokyo’s special ward has become a wilderness of interspersed ruins, and huge mechanical monsters called “Revisions” rule what remains of society. It’s here that the teenagers meet a girl named Melos, who claims only Daisuke can operate the “String Puppet” and save them all from an unknown enemy.
Revisions will air in Japan this January, and Netflix will stream the series worldwide on a later date.
Boogiepop and Others
- Premiere date: January 4
- Studio: Madhouse
- Genre(s): Psychological, Mystery, Horror
After almost 20 years, anime horror fans’ cult favorite Boogiepop Phantom is back. The anime series focuses on an urban legend about a Shinigami who can release people from their pain, aka Boogiepop. Many people don’t buy into the myth. But when several female students from Shinyo Academy disappear, the stories appear to be true. Although the police and the school believe that they are dealing with a bunch of runaways, Nagi Kirima knows better and suspects something sinister is afoot.
Madhouse will once again work on the anime production, and Shingo Natsume (One-Punch Man, ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.) will direct the highly anticipated horror series. Several people who worked on One-Punch Man will also be joining Natsume, along with musician Kensuke Ushio (Devilman Crybaby), who will compose the music for the show.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Premiere date: January 9
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Seinen
Plagued by catastrophe, the Kingdom of Melromarc sees only one way to save its citizens: by summoning four legendary figures who wield the sword, spear, bow, and shield. Several people in modern day Japan answer the call, including otaku Naofumi Iwatani, who becomes the Shield Hero. Too bad the other heroes see him as the weakest amongst them.
When the heroes set out on their separate journeys, Iwatani has only one person at his side: the beautiful princess Malty Melromarc. But she soon betrays him, steals all his money, and accuses him of taking advantage of her. For his alleged crimes, the Kingdom of Melromarc brands him a criminal and an outcast. This leads him to strike out on his own to seek vengeance and prove to everyone why he’s the Shield Hero.
Kakegurui×× (Season 2)
- Premiere date: January 9
- Studio: MAPPA
- Genre(s): Drama, Game, Mystery, Psychological, School, Shōnen
The high-stakes gambling anime Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler returns this winter anime season for round two. The anime made a huge impression on fans when it premiered early last year — thanks to its creepy reaction faces and games and the over-the-top punishments the losers had to endure.
The latest season will see both Kiyoshi Matsuda (Rozen Maiden, Kuma Miko: Girl Meets Bear) and Yuichiro Hayashi (Garo the Animation) direct, and will see the return of the previous season’s staff and cast.
For those unfamiliar with Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler, it follows the students of a prestigious academy that takes boards games to the next level. During these games, they wager not only money but also their freedom. But when a new student shows up, they teach these kids what a real high roller looks like.
Mob Psycho 100 II
- Premiere date: January 7
- Studio: Bones
- Genre(s): Action, Slice of Life, Comedy, Supernatural
Mob Psycho 100 was an instant hit when it premiered back in 2016. It not only told a have a fantastic story to tell but also expertly brought the titular character’s esper misadventures to life. So, when they announced a second was heading our way, fans couldn’t help but be excited.
The new season will continue to follow Kageyama Shigeo, aka “Mob,” as he learns to control his amazing psychic abilities. Based on Season 2’s trailer, we know Mob will face both new and old enemies and that we’ll see him lose control of his emotions — exactly why this happens remains to be seen.
The Saga of Tanya the Evil (Movie)
- Premiere date: February 8
- Studio: Nut
- Genre(s): Magic, Military
Thanks to its supportive fanbase, The Saga of Tanya the Evil will continue the tale of a ruthless salaryman in a young girl’s body. The sequel movie takes place after the events of the series, which sees Tanya and her battalion returning home after defeating remnants of the Republic‘s army. But instead of being given time to recuperate, they receive word that they must go defend their borders.
Meanwhile, countries who were once enemies join forces to bring down the Empire. Among them is Mary Sue, a girl who wants revenge for her father’s death at the hands of the Empire.
The sequel film will definitely feature epic battles, but it will also explore the relationship between the main character and her troops and how she navigates dealing with incompetent top brass.
Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System Case.1 Crime and Punishment
- Premiere date: January 25
- Studio: Production I.G
- Genre(s): Action, Police, Psychological, Sci-Fi
In the future, there’s virtually no crime as citizens’mental states are scanned at all times to see the chances of them committing a crime. But sometimes the system fails. Luckily, the Public Safety Bureau is there to keep everyone safe. The latest story in the Psycho-Pass series — Crime and Punishment — takes place several months after the events of the movie.
While things have returned to normal, the sudden appearance of a latent female criminal quickly changes things. It seems that a drug has altered the young woman’s state of mind. Even stranger, those on the top force Mika Shimotsuki to bring the woman to an isolation facility for latent criminals, where the woman used to work as a counselor. Along with her Enforcer Nobuchika Ginoza, Mika sets out to discover the truth behind this strange woman and the facility.
Rage of Bahamut: Manaria Friends
- Premiere date: January 21
- Studio: Cygames Pictures
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Demons, Supernatural, Magic, Fantasy
Another rendition of Rage of Bahamut comes our way this winter 2019 anime season. This time around, Cygames Pictures will adapt the popular Mysteria Magic Academy event featured in the Rage of Bahamut mobile game. The anime will tell the fantastical stories behind the school where humans, gods, and demons run around freely. The anime will concentrate on two of the academy’s student: Anne, the runaway royal, and Grea, the human-dragon princess.
The long-awaited animated series will have ten episodes with Hideki Okamoto (Konohana Kitan, D.C. II: Da Capo II) taking the helm and Satoko Sekine (Danganronpa The Animation, Overlord II) composing the series.
Domestic Girlfriend
- Premiere date: January 12
- Studio: Diomedea
- Genre(s): Drama, Mature, Romance, School, Shōnen
Natsuo can’t help it; he’s hopelessly in love with his teacher Hina. But as luck would have it, he meets a moody girl named Rui, and ends up unintentionally sleeping with her. Yet, his feelings for Hina remain unchanged. Soon after, his father remarries. To Natsuo’s (mis)fortune, he discovers she has two daughters, and they’re none other than Hina and Rui. Moving everyone in together under one roof kickstarts a rollercoaster ride of teenage emotions for Natsuo — and let’s not forget about that love triangle.
Shōta Ihata (Gi(a)rlish Number) will direct this romance anime at Diomedea (Beatless, Chio’s School Road), while Tatsuya Takahashi (And you thought there is never a girl online) will compose the script.
The Promised Neverland
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ywexp
- Premiere date: January 11
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Shōnen
Manga fans couldn’t be more excited about the anime adaptation of one of the best shōnen horror series out. The Promised Neverland follows the kids at Grace Field House orphanage and their caretaker, “Mama,” who loves them all very much. To the children, things couldn’t be any better. They even all get adopted when they turn 12.
The kids just have to follow one rule: They can’t leave the orphanage before they’re adopted. This rule doesn’t stop Emma and Norman from exploring the outside world — and stumbling upon the horrifying life that awaits them outside of Grace Field House. Instead of going to loving homes, the children actually become livestock for a mysterious race of demons. It’s now up to the kids to come up with an escape plan before time runs out.
Date A Live III
- Premiere date: January 11
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Harem, Comedy, Romance, Mecha, School
The Date A Live novels are getting a new anime adaptation this winter. The anime follows high school student Shido Itsuka, a boy that even you wouldn’t pick for dodgeball. But when a mysterious race of beautiful aliens come to take over the world, he’s the only one who can stop them. The intergalactic beauties find Itsuka irresistible. So, why not take advantage of that? Every time he kisses an alien, humanity can breathe a bit easier. That’s right, he’s using his lips to save mankind from total annihilation.
This time around, J.C.Staff (A Certain Magical Index, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.) will be in charge of animation production, and several new actors will be joining the original cast to portray several new characters.
Circlet Princess
- Premiere date: January 8
- Studio: Silver Link.
- Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Sports, School
In Circlet Princess, everything revolves around VR and AR. The technological advancements made in these fields even give birth to a competitive sport called Circlet Bout (CB). Now, schools compete against each other to determine their wealth, and St. Union Academy, once CB powerhouse, has fallen on hard times.
Luckily, transfer student Yuka Sasaki enrolls at the academy, and she’s fascinated by the world of CB. Can Sasaki save St. Union Academy’s CB team? Find out when Circlet Princess premieres this January.
Silver Link will handle the production, and Armed Girl’s Machiavellism’s Hideki Tachibana will direct. We’ll also see Nachi Kio (The Fruit of Grisaia) work on the scripts and Kazuyuki Yamayoshi (Chaos;Child) on the character designs, which are based on the game’s original designs.
The Quintessential Quintuplets
- Premiere date: January 11
- Studio: Tezuka Productions
- Genre(s): Harem, Comedy, Romance, School
Trouble comes in fives, not threes, in this winter’s The Quintessential Quintuplets. The upcoming anime, based on Negi Haruba’s manga, follows a young man named Futaro Uesugi, a high school student living in poverty. But his luck soon changes when he comes across a tutoring job, or so he thinks.
While this job certainly appears to be a blessing, in reality, Uesugi finds himself in over his head. He’s not tutoring one student, but five identical quintuplet sisters. Even worse, he’s classmates with all five of them. Each day they torture poor Uesugi with their crazy antics. It’s a horrible situation, but enduring it will eventually lead to one of the happiest days of Uesugi’ life.
