The past 12 months proved to be an exciting time for anime fans. Shows like Cardcaptor Sakura, Devilman Crybaby, Sword Art Online, and Steins;Gate made their triumphant return alongside new hits like A Place Further than the Universe, Mirai, Violet Evergarden, Goblin Slayer, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Even with all these great offerings out, the following year promises even more worthwhile movies and shows to binge watch. From the next season of My Hero Academia to Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection, check out the anime that should be on your radar in 2019. Be warned that light spoilers pertaining to prior seasons may be found below.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – My Hero Academia‘s Fourth Season
My Hero Academia‘s third season ended with a glimpse of what’s to come. Midoriya will have to join forces with one of U.A.’s top students, Mirio, in order to topple a masked villain possessing one of the most powerful quirks known to man. The shonen protagonist will further learn what it means to be a hero, as his closest friends will have sacrifice pieces of themselves to protect those in need. Midoriya’s evolution to become the world’s newest Symbol of Peace will become much more apparent by the time the show’s fourth season is over. Anime fans should be excited to witness this transformation unfold right before their very eyes.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – One Punch Man‘s Second Season
In case you’re unfamiliar with the phenomenon that is One Punch Man, it stars a bald-headed hero named Saitama who’s become bored with his power, as he can defeat anything with just one punch. When fans last left the yellow jumpsuit-wearing joker, the Hero Association was beginning to tear itself apart due to an internal debate among its top members. One Punch Man‘s second season may explore this divide further and give viewers even more impressive villains to topple in one hit. Hopefully animation studio J.C. Staff if able to live up to the production standards of Madhouse before it.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – Mob Psycho 100‘s Second Season
The mind that birthed One Punch Man is responsible for creating another popular series called Mob Psycho 100, the likes of which is also getting a second season in 2019. The show is told from the point of view of Shigeo Kageyama, or Mob, a junior high school student who has amazing psychic abilities but fails at pretty much everything else. He’s a quiet individual that lets shady people like Arataka Reigen boss him around, though thankfully this allows him to go on a variety of trippy adventures and meet a bunch of interesting characters along the way. Similarly to One Punch Man, fans should expect a visual treat when Mob Psycho 100‘s second season airs.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – The Second Half of Attack on Titan‘s Third Season
The teaser hidden in the twelve episode of Attack on Titan‘s third season questions who lives and dies during the Scout Regiment’s operation to retake Wall Maria. Mikasa holds her blade close to Levi’s throat, threatening to end the famed hero’s life for good. Eager fans will have to wait until spring to see how Eren’s friends fair against the Beast, Armored, and Colossus Titans. There’s a good reason to believe that this season won’t end on a happy note.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – Ultraman
Netflix’s adaptation of the famed Ultraman franchise will be told from the point of view of the original Ultraman’s son, Shinjiro. Though the boy can only partially control the mechanized suit, he’ll have to face new aliens that are invading the planet. The show looks to be a coming-of-age story similar in vein to Netflix’s Devilman Crybaby last year. With famed animation studio Production I.G. at the helm, it seems like Ultraman is in good hands.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – Dragon Ball Super: Broly
The production staff behind Dragon Ball Super: Broly teased that the highly anticipated movie will make fans cry. This is a bit of a departure from what fans are used to, as Dragon Ball media of any kind is usually filled to the brim with screaming and lots of explosions. On a similar note, the English dubbing team said that Broly will show off a side of the titular villain that people haven’t seen before. North American fans may indeed have to bring tissue boxes with them when the film premieres in theaters this month.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – Aggretsuko‘s Second Season
If you’re an anime fan with an office job, chances are that you’ll like Aggretsuko. The show is told from the point of view of Retsuko, a polite accountant that lets out her work frustrations by going to a karaoke bar every night and singing death metal. If its recent holiday special serves any indication, the show’s second season may explore the 25-year-old red panda’s relationship with her spotted hyena coworker, Haida. Of course, the pair’s fennec fox friend Fenneko will probably be making snide remarks along the way.
Anime to look forward to in 2019 – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection takes place two years after the events of the series’ second season. It sees Lelouch’s little sister, Nunnally, and his best friend, Suzaku, come together to defeat the Zilkhstan Kingdom, the likes of which wishes to take over the world with plenty of Knightmare mechs and Geass users at their disposal. Though many fans enjoyed the show’s ending as is, Lelouch of the Resurrection may offer an interesting new take on one of the medium’s most beloved mech shows.
No matter your preference in anime, there’s something on this list that’s worth looking forward to in 2019. Shonen will collide with slice of life comedies to give us one of the most varied years the industry has seen in modernity. Here’s hoping each entry above lives up to the expectations of its respective fanbase and manages to attract even more eager viewers than anticipated. The more, the merrier!
