Since I have recently gotten back into anime, finding new airing shows that I enjoy has been my primary objective. While I’m sure my taste when it comes to anime is, for the most part unchanged, my tolerance for sticking with anime I do not enjoy watching has dropped tremendously. Thus, I present the animes I am currently watching, with hopes that I have caught all the good ones and have appropriately excluded.
ONGOING ANIME

BLACK CLOVER
If I am being honest, I have never watched a long shounen anime while it was airing, only after the fact when it was completed. I was not a huge fan of this anime in the beginning, but it has grown tremendously in my eyes. Unlike other long shounen I have seen, the archs and drama grow steadily through time, as opposed to having large rises and falls of plot work and development. The characters are also respectable, as they grow steadily throughout the series both in the eyes of the viewers, and in skill. Many people wrote the series off in the beginning due to Asta’s voice, which was about as enjoyable as nails on a chalkboard until you forgot about it (which only takes about 4-5 episodes). The voice actor has vastly improved and Asta’s personality has developed, both cases pushing Asta to be a more enjoyable character, and the show to be that much more addicting. I highly recommend this series to people looking for a long haul watch.

JUJUTSU KAISEN
I only picked this series up about 3 weeks ago, just before it heads into its second cour, as my trusted anime friend had recommended it to me. Frankly, I am very glad I picked it up, and will likely rewatch it after the season finished airing. The series has bold colors, unique characters, great action sequences, topped with a sprinkle of well places humor to cut through an otherwise heavy series. The show starts off with a simple premise; Itadori is tasked with consuming cursed fingers because he is the only one able to hold the ancient curse Sukuna in him and enrolls in a exorcism type school to be under surveillance and learn to fight curses. Along with the premise, the plotline is fairly straight forward, however, this anime becomes an excellent watch through its characters, bold, diverse, and enjoyable. Every time I turn on an episode, I get so absorbed it feels like I had only been watching for 5 minutes by the time it ends. Highly recommend this series!

THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME
Apparently, this started as a manga that was well loved for its ridiculousness, and I have an easy time seeing why. Honestly, this series is enjoyable at the very least, though my liking of the series was been fluctuating as I have caught up to currently airing status. It is a fun watch, but I am not sure its all that amazing, especially compared to other animes that are currently airing. Something about this anime reminds me of Dr. Stone, though I would say it is not as committed to showing the clear path of societal development. Overall, I am not sure I would recommend this to anyone, rather someone who is drawn to this specific type of anime, as a twist on typical troupes and unique setting that adds charm to an otherwise average anime.

DR. STONE
I had no idea that the second season of Dr. Stone was coming so soon, and I have to say I am very excited for this anime. If you have seen Dr. Stone, you know that it is a unique anime, with interesting characters, engaging science lessons, and a plot that highlights mind games. Under technical understandings of this anime, it falls under some of my favorite genres. I was surprised to see that there are only 11 episodes this season, which will probably be the last, a finale of sorts. Regardless, Dr. Stone is an intriguing series that is designed and executed well, with a solid mix of interesting story and fun humor. The characters are vivid and give life to the solid base that the series is built from, presenting a good diversity, especially when it comes to Senku’s character (very unique design!). I would recommend Dr. Stone to most people, because I do think it has a little something for everyone and is entertaining to watch both weekly and binge.

BEASTARS
I was as surprised as anyone that I genuinely enjoyed this series when I watched it on Netflix a while back. The show my sisters and I adoringly call “the furry anime” is strangely addicting, but not as strange as you might think. There is a nice love dramedy going on between an unlikely couple (similar to Ore Monogatari) but in the context of a contentious society in which predators and prey have differing roles and perceptions of society. It is a certain kind of intelligence of presenting themes of discrimination or prejudice similar to that of Zootopia, but as a love story laced further in the box of high school comedy. If you watched the same story and characters in normal animation, most people would agree that it is a pretty good anime, one that is of note- if not, at least a solid watch. The only thing you have to get used to is 3D animated animals.
NEW THIS SEASON

DR. RAMUNE: MYSTERIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST
There are some animes you watch because they are good, and there are some animes you watch because you enjoy them; Dr. Ramune falls into the later category. While I have a hard time promoting this anime because the plot (episodic anime) and characters (not unlikable, just uninteresting) are not particularly intriguing, it is the one that I click on to watch first when I have new episodes to chose from. I believe that in each episode there is a moment of genius, and this has been consistent. Basically, it is a series (VERY vaguely) similar to that of Death Parade, in that you have a person each episode whose emotions or actions have distorted their life and display as a physical symptom. The best part about this show is that while the problems that Dr. Ramune’s subjects face are sometimes dark and serious, the symptoms are ridiculous, and the show does not take itself too seriously as to detract from the fun. I think Dr. Ramune is fantastic because the show knows exactly how to balance serious and funny in the context of how “good” the show actually is, making it an entertaining and easy watch.

HORIMIYA
If you know me, you know that romance is not exactly my favorite genre of anime, but due to Horimiya’s massive cult following around the manga, I decided to check it out, and I was happy I did. If you have ever had a close friend, who knows you honestly, and more that anyone else around you, then perhaps this series will hit home a lot harder, as it does for me. The elements of interpersonal relationships and school-based slice of life humor are executed with the utmost grace, giving the series a depth, while also making you laugh at every turn. As I have not read the manga, I do not know what to expect next, leaving me with my eyes glue to the screen awaiting the characters next moves. Not to mention, the art and soundtrack are lovely, giving you a sense of beauty and whimsy. Seriously though, this is a damn good anime in the making, and I think it will turn out to be one of my favorites in the romance/slice of life/comedy intersection.
Thus ends the animes I am keeping up with this season! While there are a few others that caught my attention, these are what I have stuck to so far. And for those who are wondering;
- Yes, I plan to watch the new (and final) season of Attack on Titan, however, I will first wait for it to finish airing so I can watch the entire series start to finish.
- I also plan to watch the new season of Seven Deadly Sins, but will probably just wait until it reaches Netflix.
- I love Log Horizon to death, but its been years since I have watched the first 2 seasons, so I will likely rewatch before I continue onto the third season. That being said, I am so happy it is back! One of the first, and most charming Isekai animes.
Let me know if there is anything else I should be watching!