Heading into Spring, I feel that people are starting to feel a little bit more optimism. Here, where I live in Seattle, COVID cases are rising but just recently everyone over 16 is now able to sign up for an appointment to get a vaccine shot. It is unfortunate that there might be some side effects of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine but there are still two available vaccines. Now it just seems like a waiting game of when you can get an appointment if you want to get a shot. I can see that restrictions might start to ease up a bit and events such as conventions stating to run again in the Fall or Winter. I plan to keep wearing my mask and to continue to social distance by watching some good anime.Let’s look at the Crunchyroll Spring 2021 lineup.
I am going to list the Crunchyroll titles of the Spring season in the category they are listed under and give a short thought.
New Simulcasts
86 EIGHTY-SIX
This looks interesting. I’ll probably try it out.
–This was a pretty damn good show! Not sure if it was because the themes were relevant to the current times that pushed this over the top but I really liked it. This was a war show set in the future about a race who were forced to fight a war against machine mechs using their own small single mechs. There was CGI in it but I felt that it worked well with the mechs. I really enjoyed the way the story was told and the plot was pretty good. The OP was also pretty good. This was definitely a show I looked forward to watching on Fridays. If you have PTSD or don’t like any CGI in anime this might not be for you. Otherwise I would definitely suggest it as I feel it gives a more realistic approach to mech battles with a great story.
Backflip!!
While I love sports anime, I’m not sure I am the target audience for this one. Maybe if I have time.
–Did not watch
Burning Kabaddi
Another sports anime. This might be more interesting to me then backflip but still another maybe.
–This was a show that was much better then I thought it would be. The tension in this show is really good along with the build up and sports explanations as I know nothing about this sport. I think the back stories of some of the characters were oddly placed and slowed the flow of the story. I also didn’t like some of the character designs. There was also a bit of questioning for me about character motivations. The art was solid and the music was pretty good. I would not call this the best sports show but probably runs with the pack. The OP of this show is also pretty good.
Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress
While I like card games, I haven’t started this series and probably won’t have time now. Pass.
–Did not watch.
Cestvs: The Roman Fighter
Sounds like a good theme. I’m optimistic about this one and will try it out.
–This was another decent show that I looked forward to but a lot of CGI issues. The theme was good. The story was good. The voice acting was excellent. I was so surprised to hear Shikamaru from Naruto as one of the characters and they did an amazing job. There was a lot of clipping with the CGI and most of it was pretty low average to bad. I think this could have been a lot better if they had a better budget but was still decent enough for me.
Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro
Looks like a lot of people are happy that this one is coming out. I’m not sure I’ll like it but I might try it out.
–Stopped watching after the first episode. I think the show could have gone in a few directions after that but I was really not that interested.
Fairy Ranmaru
I’m probably going to pass on this one.
–Did not watch.
Farewell, My Dear Cramer
Your Lie in April hit me pretty hard and with the same creator, I want to check this one out just because of that. Also a sports anime.
–I’m not really sure what to think of this show. This could have been really good but probably fell a bit short. I think the creator was looking for the long haul on this show but the development is just so agonizingly slow that I feel like a lot of times nothing is happening. I clearly remember about three 30 second scenes through out the entire series that are really good and then nothing. I watched the movie and I felt the 1.5 hour long movie was miles past the show. If you like soccer then this might be good for you but there is not even that much soccer in it. The intro has more soccer then almost the entire show.
Fruits Basket The Final Season
I really like what I’ve seen from Fruits Basket so far and I want to see how it ends. I’m not missing this one.
–With the end of the last season I guess I just thought that this show was something else that it turned out not to be. It was still really good and drew out a lot of emotion from me. I think in my mind I set the bar too high with my own hype and it almost reached it but not quite. So, this show was still really good but perhaps not that 10/10 that I was thinking in my mind. Another OP that was pretty good. If you watched to this point already you are hooked and I would definitely recommend it.
GLOOMY THE NAUGHTY GRIZZLY
I have a friend who likes this character. The previews seem pretty crazy. I’ll see what it’s about.
–With these being one minute episodes I was going to wait to watch this but I forgot. I’ll get around to it.
Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway
Looks like a strange slice of life. I like those if done well. I’ll give it a try.
–This was definitely a strange slice of life. A show that tests ones moral compass. What is right, what one should do morally and what one can do with laws in place. I’m glad I watched this show but I’m not sure I would watch it again and I don’t really know where I would rank this.
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Ω
I haven’t seen this before. Looks like a bit of a comedy along the Konosuba line. Maybe.
–Found out this was a sequel and did not watch.
I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
This looks great and pretty excited for this one. Even though the title suggests your completely overpowered MC I can’t wait.
–Watched about 5-6 episodes and then stopped watching. I thought this show was something that it was not and did not want to continue watching.
JORAN THE PRINCESS OF SNOW AND BLOOD
I like the shonen historical genre a lot and I think this one will be pretty good.
–Stopped watching after the first episode.
Koikimo
Don’t really know anything about this one. Looks like a slice of life. Maybe.
–Did not watch.
Let’s Make a Mug Too
This one actually looks like I might like this one. I’ll try it.
–I really liked this slice of life show for so many reasons. One of the main reasons I liked this show was not the show itself but after the show, they walked around with the four main voice actors while they did activities. This was really cool to see them do things their character did in the show. The show was about a high school girl who signed up for the pottery club and the show was really good by itself. I also think this is one of my favorite EDs.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S Short Animation Series
Looks like this one might be one of those 3 min episodes. I usually forget about those but I do want to see it.
–Forgot about this one. I will get back to it.
My Hero Academia Season 5
Can’t really get any more excited for this show.
–This was good to see other character development from Class 1-A and 1-B aside from Deku. There were a lot of good things going on here but nothing really exciting.
ODDTAXI
I wasn’t sure about this one but then I saw a preview and it looks amazing. I hope it live up to the hype I have for it.
–This show lived up to the hype. There is a lot of things going on in this show so you really have to pay attention to see what is even happening. It would really be a benefit for me to watch this show again to see everything you missed the first time. This was a really good show with a season full of other really good shows.
Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won’t Lose
Looks like a slice of life that doesn’t have me very excited. Maybe.
–Did not watch.
SD Gundam World Heroes
Not sure where to start Gundam. Probably not here.
–Did not watch.
Seven Knights Revolution – Hero Successor
Not sure on the synopsis on this one but I have found that there are a lot of smartphone games that were turned into shows that turned out pretty decent. Maybe.
–Did not watch.
The Slime Diaries
Another one of those 3 min episode shows. I like slime so yes.
–This actually turned out to be full length episodes. The placement of this show could have been different as one might notice things that already happened in the last season. Still, a solid show if you like Slime. Also a few new side characters introduced that made this a real charming homey show. I also just have to say that the sound quality of this show is just top notch.
Those Snow White Notes
This synopsis sounds interesting. I’ll try it.
–I have to say that this show just missed being my favorite show of the season and and will probably get into my top 20 favorite shows of all time. This show is about a kid, Setsu, growing up with his grandpa being a master shamisen player. A Japanese musical instrument that I would say is similar to a guitar. Setsu envy’s the grandfathers playing and learns from him trying to copy him exactly. The grandfather tells Setsu that he should not copy him exactly but find his own sound. When Setsu is about 14, not sure what age he is, his grandfather dies and this is where the show starts. I think I just like music shows. The sound doesn’t seem to be at the highest quality but it is pretty close in my opinion. The art is good and the plot is good. There is two OP’s and the first OP is in the running for my favorite OP probably just loosing out again. However, the ED is my favorite ED this season. I would definitely suggest this show.
Thunderbolt Fantasy Sword Seekers 3
I haven’t seen the first two.
–Did not watch.
To Your Eternity
This one sounds really good and the art style looks good.
–I would definitely say that this show grew on my as the shows went by and turned out to be pretty good. The story is definitely unique and like nothing I’ve ever seen before yet still within the realm of reason. You basically find out that there is some sort of being like a god who is the voice and created this other being that needs to learn and evolve. This being eventually evolves into a human learning along the way and trying to figure out it’s purpose in life. The god voice is voiced by Ogata from Golden Kamuy which is such a great show and VA. The art is good and the story is pretty top notch. This definitely has a large fan base and for good reason.
Tokyo Revengers
Not sure about this one. I’m not sure about the art style. I’m not crazy on the time travel as those shows usually require too much thinking for me. I’ll probably try it since it looks hyped up but who knows.
–I watched a few episodes of this and then stopped watching. I think I have trouble with time travel shows. I was also wondering why so many shows show so much gang violence in high shcool? Is that a normal thing? I feel like this goes beyond what gang violence is but perhaps it is just my experience.
ZOMBIE LAND SAGA REVENGE (Season 2)
I feel Zombie Land Saga was an underrated show and can’t wait for season 2.
–My favorite show of the season! I feel like this just took Zombie Land to a whole next level. The music is amazing. The story is amazing. The OP is my favorite OP of the season. The art is amazing. I’m not sure where this will fall but this season put Zombie Land in my top favorite 20 anime of all time and potentially even higher. If you liked Zombie Land Saga I have a hard time imagining this season will disappoint you.
Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! Season 2
Don’t like it.
–Did not watch.
Continuing Simulcasts
BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
Don’t like it.
–Did not watch.
CASE CLOSED
I still want to start from one but so long.
–Did not watch.
DIGIMON ADVENTURE:
Don’t like it.
–Did not watch.
DRAGON QUEST: THE ADVENTURE OF DAI
Don’t like it.
–Did not watch.
Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House
This sounds pretty good. Hopefully I can start at one.
–This show was way better then I anticipated it to be. However it did not come out every week and wanted more. Another show that I really liked the end and little recaps. This generally had the main character an another character drinking coffee or tea and talking about the show in anime form. The show was about two friends who went to Maiko school. The step right before one becomes a Geisha. This is a female who dresses up to look pretty, act proper and entertain through song and dance.
TROPICAL-ROUGE! PRECURE
Don’t like it.
–Did not watch.
ONE PIECE
Get back to Luffy already. The spin offs can go in another show. One Piece: Roger One Piece: Whitebeard
–Finally, Wano back story is over. Let’s get to the real story.
So I’m a Spider, So What?
I’ll watch it just to see some action but I don’t expect much.
–Did not watch.
Overview
Out of 37 shows, 11 I really want to watch, 10 I’ll give a try and 5 if I have time.
–Out of 37 shows, I watched 19 shows and stopped watching 4.
Compared to Winter 2021 which had 42 shows, 6 I really want to watch and 12 I’ll give a try. (Out of 42 shows, I watched 11, and stopped watching 5.)
I have the most hype for My Hero right now. However, Fruits Basket, Zombie Land and One Piece are not far behind. Cestvs, Joran, Killing slimes and Odd Taxi look pretty good to me as well. Cramer could be good with the creator of your Lie behind it. I also feel like I’m really going to like Kyo in Kyoto and Let’s make a mug too. There are so many shows that look good this season.
–Zombie Land Saga Revenge was my favorite show of the season followed closely by Those Snow White Notes. The two music shows. My Hero was build up, Fruits Basket was good but not what I was expecting and One Piece finally finished off the Wano backstory and get back to the story I am really interested in. Cestvs and Odd Taxi were both pretty good shows. I stopped watching Joran and Killing Slimes was not what I was expecting so stopped watching both. I watched Cramer but the pace was a bit slow for me. I was right that I liked Kyo in Kyoto and Let’s Make a Mug Too. Both were solid shows for me.
I re-watched Zombie Land Saga to remember what that show was about. I feel it does a really good job standing up to other shows like Love Live and I liked I*Chu a lot as well. I also finished Hajime no Ippo which turned out way better then I expected it to be. I still need to watch the movie. I also need to watch the Given movie. If I can I want to re-watch Akame ga Kill but I think there is going to be a lot of watching this Spring season.
–Watching 15 shows this season told me that this was an amazing season for shows. I watched the Hajime no Ippo movie which was pretty good but basically a long show. I also watched the Given movie which was good and more Given. I re-watched Akame ga Kill which confirmed that it was really good. I also watched the Farewell My Dear Cramer movie which, in my opinion was way better then the show. I forgot about the Gloomy Bear show and Dragon Maid so I have to get back to those shows.
What did you watch in Spring 2021? What was your favorite show? Leave a comment below.