The Spring 2021 anime season is shaping up to be one of my favorites this year with continuing seasons, such as My Hero Academia, Season 5, which was confirmed to be releasing on March 27, 2021 at Jump Festa 2021, and new series, like Edens Zero, To Your Eternity, and more premiering this April.
To keep this list concise, I’m only going to include new series on this list, but I want to mention continuing series and sequels, such as My Hero Academia, Season 5, Fruits Basket: The Final Season, SSSS.Dynazenon, Megalo Box 2: Nomad, Zombie Land Saga Revenge, and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, Season 2, who are also some of my most anticipated releases of the year.
If you are someone who prefers video content, I’ve included a video from our YouTube channel at the end of this post, where I go through my top 11 most anticipated new anime series debuting this Spring.
Here are the new series I’m looking forward to seeing most in the Spring 2021 anime season so far!
Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-
Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song- release date: Funimation is streaming the first two episodes on April 3, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song- is an anime original by Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, Great Pretender). They have animated some of my favorite series and I’m anxious to see more of their work, but I’m also excited for this one because I liked another one of their originals, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress. On top of all that, it is written by Tappei Nagatsuki (Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World).
Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song- is a story about an AI named Matsumoto and Vivy, the world’s first autonomous humanoid AI. Together, they must rewrite history in order to prevent the future war between AI and humans. With that premise alone, I know this is one I’ll enjoy and I’m interested in seeing what Wit Studio have in store for us this time around.
Edens Zero
Edens Zero release date: Edens Zero is releasing in Japan on April 10, 2021, but it won’t be available on Netflix until Fall 2021.
Why I’m excited for it: Edens Zero is the latest manga series created by Hiro Mashima. You may notice a similar style and character designs as his other well-known manga series, Fairy Tail, but the two aren’t connected. Edens Zero follows Shiki, who has lived among machines his entire life. One day, his life changes when Rebecca and her cat companion, Happy, enter his world.
I’m excited that J.C.Staff (Food Wars, Toradora!, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?) was tapped to do the animation for Edens Zero. With their track record, I’m confident they’ll do the style of the manga justice. I’m looking forward to seeing another one of Hiro Mashima’s works come further to life on screen this Spring and I am hopeful that this series will not only be one of my favorites this season, but the entire year as well!
Shaman King
Shaman King release date: April 1, 2021 in Japan, but it is coming to Netflix at a later TBD date.
Why I’m excited for it: Shaman King was first adapted into an anime back in 2001, but it is getting a reboot this year. I am happy they chose to remake the anime instead of just remastering the original and calling it a day. Because of its nostalgia, there’s something charming about the original, but unfortunately, it just didn’t age well over time and I’m eager to see it animated in a way that does the battles and characters in the series justice.
To Your Eternity
To Your Eternity release date: April 12, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: To Your Eternity was originally slated to release in 2020, but it was delayed to April 2021, and I am looking forward to it even more so now than I was when it was first announced. This is one that’s bound to have stunning animation and visuals, especially in regards to its landscapes and backgrounds, thanks to the incredible artwork and scenery showcased in the manga, but it also has a unique and fascinating premise that makes it one of my most anticipated Spring 2021 anime.
Burning Kabaddi
Burning Kabaddi release date: April 2, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: From what I’ve seen in the teasers, the animation, which is done by TMS Entertainment (Dr. Stone, Fruits Basket, D.Gray-man, and ReLIFE), looks like it’s going to be incredible. For a sports anime to really hook me, it has to have great characters that show growth, intense competition and interesting dynamics between teams, and dynamic action sequences that feature crisp animation. Burning Kabaddi seems like it is going to have all of this and so much more, making it one of my most anticipated Spring 2021 anime!
Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers release date: April 10, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: I’ve heard nothing but good things about Tokyo Revengers‘ manga, so I’m excited to check out its adaptation this Spring! Its premise makes it sound like this one is going to have everything I enjoy in an anime and it also involves time travel, which is something that many of my favorite series center around, such as Erased and Steins;Gate. If it turns out as good as I think it is going to, Tokyo Revengers has all of the makings to be one of my favorites this year.
The Way of the Househusband
The Way of the Househusband release date: April 8, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: If it’s anything like the manga, The Way of the Househusband‘s anime is going to make me laugh every episode without fail. In terms of pure enjoyment factor, this is sure to be one of the top this Spring. I just hope the art and style are translated over well, because these are areas in which The Way of the Househusband continuously excels.
Shadows House
Shadows House release date: April 10, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: I’m not familiar with Shadows House’s manga, but from what I’ve seen and heard so far, I am anxious to delve into its world this Spring. It’s one I feel will really grab my attention with its setting and designs, and with animation by CloverWorks (The Promised Neverland, Wonder Egg Priority), it’s sure to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing as well.
Mashiro no Oto
Mashiro no Oto release date: April 2, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: Mashiro no Oto’s story follows teenager Setsu Sawamura, who’s grandfather, one of the greatest shamisen players of all-time, passes away. He grew up listening to his grandfather play, and since his death, has been aimlessly moving through life. His mother steps in and enrolls him back in school, where he rediscovers his love for the shamisen.
I think Mashiro no Oto is going to be one of the biggest surprises and one of the most emotionally-stirring releases of the year. Series that revolve around music, such as Given and Your Lie in April, have always interested me and are some of the best series, and while I’m not sure this one will be quite on their level, my expectations and hopes are high for Mashiro no Oto.
MARS RED
MARS RED release date: April 5, 2021 is the Japanese air date, but Episode 1 is streaming early on Funimation on March 29th.
Why I’m excited for it: MARS RED is the first anime to be based on a dramatic stage reading and I’m interested in seeing how this medium translates into an anime. But I’m also intrigued by it as well, because it’s set in a world where vampires exist.
Since there are a ton of vampire stories out there, I’m hoping this anime brings something unique and new to the table. With its premise, which follows “Code Zero”, a unit created by the Japanese government to look into an increase in the number of vampires and the rise of a new artificial blood source called Ascra, I’m hopeful that MARS RED will stand out. I’m also interested in seeing how the humans and the vampires work together in this series as well as seeing the dynamics and interactions that exist between the two.
Godzilla: Singular Point
Godzilla: Singular Point release date: Godzilla: Singular Point is releasing at a TBD date in June on Netflix according to the latest trailer.
Why I’m excited for it: My childhood was full of Godzilla and Studio Ghibli films thanks to my parents, so when I heard that a Godzilla anime would be coming to Netflix this year with Eiji Yamamori (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) creating the monster designs, I was excited to say the least.
In addition, the character designs are done by Kazue Kato, the creator of a manga series Blue Exorcist. And to top it all off, Bones (My Hero Academia, Mob Psycho 100, Bungo Stray Dogs), who are one of my all-time favorite studios, and Orange, the studio behind Beastars and Land of the Lustrous, are teaming up to do the animation. Godzilla: Singular Point has an A-list team and I can’t wait to see what it has in store for us this Spring!
86
86 release date: April 10, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: As someone who’s a fan of series with military and political themes and mecha involved, like Gundam, it’s no surprise that 86 is one of my most anticipated Spring 2021 anime. While the series is dark due to the issues it explores, such as racism and discrimination, it is one of the most well-developed and profound stories I’ve read to date. With a strong story and great world-building, 86 is one that will translate really well into an anime adaptation. I think it will be one of the best this season has to offer all-around, especially with A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Kaguya-sama: Love is War) at the helm.
The World Ends with You
The World Ends with You release date: April 9, 2021
Why I’m excited for it: The World Ends with You’s anime is based on the 2007 Nintendo DS game developed by Square Enix and Jupiter. I haven’t played the game, but I am a huge fan of its style and premise. The music featured in the series is going to be incredible with Takeharu Ishimoto involved, who’s composed pieces for Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts II. From the audio to its visuals, it’s one that is going to provide a great cinematic experience.
I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level release date: I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is releasing at a TBD date in April 2021.
Why I’m excited for it: My favorite new isekai series of 2021 so far is Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, and while I don’t think that I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is going to surpass it, it’s one that is going to come close. Whether it will do enough to stand out in the genre I have yet to discover, but it looks like it’s going to be one of the more entertaining anime to release this Spring.
As more anime are announced or confirmed for Spring 2021, we will continue to update this post, but for now, these are the ones I’m looking forward to most in the season!
Also, be sure to check out all of the anime that’s been confirmed for 2021, including all that’s been announced for Spring 2021!
