Spring Season 2021 Anime Worth Watching

Anime 04/12/21 00:00:00

Spring is upon us, and so the anime of the season has begun airing. Let's dive into what's worth a watch, and what will end up in the trash where it belongs.

Ratings and links to AniList are provided for each show.

Note: The post will be updated as more shows has aired and we've had time to watch and assess them. If a show isn't listed, even after it's aired, then either we just haven't watch it yet, or it simply means your favorite show is shit and has no place here.

The Good Stuff

First we're blasting off with the truly good stuff – what every anime fan needs to watch this season. If a show's in this section, it's a guaranteed must-watch.

Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san

Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san EP01

Placing high on the offensive scale, Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro is bound to be a fantastic watch.

For some post-episode watching fun, look out for the reactions of the collective hive mind of Shitter and how they'll inevitably be shitting themselves over every episode. Rating: 9/10

Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu Ω

Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu Ω (S2) EP01

Our favorite (ex?) NEET Demon Lord is back at it again in the second season of How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Ω. The series' first episode delivering some fine juicy tentacle on holy maidens-action.

There's plenty of fanservice. Rating: 9/10

Shadows House

Shadows House EP01

Hailed as a "better Neverland," SHADOWS HOUSE has dropped with a truly stunning first episode.

For ever episode, I get less impressed by this series. While it could be down to my expectations being sky high, I feel like the first six episodes has been nothing but buildup for a reveal that won't live up to expectations. Still, the art is nice, and the story is decently interesting. Rating: 7/10

86: Eighty Six

86 / Eighty Six EP01

The light novel is apparently supposed to be really good, and now we'll get to see how the anime adaptation of 86 EIGHTY-SIX holds up.

With the series' trailers being incredibly hype, the series has somewhat disappointed with an initial set of somewhat lackluster series of action scenes. However, the story is pretty solid, and it shows promise. Rating: 8/10

Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou.

Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou. EP01

Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway, otherwise known as "that one anime the resident idiots of 'social media' are reeeing about."

If it wasn't for the MC being a pussy who's about as manly as a transgendered infant on estrogen, I'd have no issues giving this series a full score, but later episodes has somewhat had me disappointed. Still, the series is genuinely interesting, and has just the right amount of very nice scenes. Rating: 7/10

Fumetsu no Anata e

Fumetsu no Anata e EP01

To Your Eternity has finally dropped onto a tracker nearby, and its first episode has delivered an truly beautiful animation.

The series has had a solid opening, and the animation is good. It seems to adapt the manga pretty much page for page. 8/10

Kyuukyoku Shinka Shita Full Dive RPG ga Genjitsu yori mo Kusogee Dattara

Kyuukyoku Shinka Shita Full Dive RPG ga Genjitsu yori mo Kusogee Dattara EP01

This seasons' record holder for longest title. Check out Full Dive for VRMMO goodness.

Some six episodes in, and the series has made it clear that the comedy is on the lame end, and that it has no problems with dragging out a gag that should've been over four episodes ago. Save for the first episode, there's been little in the way of decent fanservice, and the story is progressing at a snail's pace. 7/10

Slime Taoshite 300-nen, Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita

Slime Taoshite 300-nen, Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita EP01

Possibly this season's anime with the most descriptive name: I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level.

A somewhat disappointing adaption from the light novels, honestly. Rating: 8/10

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon S

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon S EP01

While Maid Dragon's second season is still some time away, check out Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S Short Animation Series for some wholesome dragon fun.

It's more Maid Dragon, what else could you want in life? Nothing, that's right. Rating: 10/10

Fruits Basket (2019) S3

Fruits Basket (2019) S3 EP01

This one should a given if you've watched the two prior seasons of this rather amazing series. Check out Fruits Basket The Final Season for more wholesome anime drama.

Prepare for it... Cliffs as far as the eye can see...and there's drama out the ass. This final season's ending seems to be slowly building up to something that feel doomed to disappoint, but is at least as of the fifth episode holding up. Rating: 8/10

Sentouin, Hakenshimasu!

Sentouin, Hakenshimasu! EP01

Discount KonoSuba is here, and it's called: Combatants Will Be Dispatched!

Seriously, it's literally like a discount KonoSuba. It's not bad, but it isn't exactly great either. Rating: 7/10

Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu

Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu EP01

Contrary to what the description and first impressions might lead one to believe, The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is not just a show for degenerate shoujo fans.

A bit too on the shoujo-esq side, but this series has surprised with its quality. Rating: 8/10

Honorable Mentions

Now on to the shows that seems less interesting, but might still be something to consider for those that are starved for yet more animated goodness.

Mashiro no Oto

Mashiro no Oto EP01

If you're hardcore into banjos, then this might not be the series for you; but if you're abnormally into the lute, then...this might not be quite it either. If you like the shamisen though, well now we're talking. Check Those Snow White Notes out. Rating: 6/10

Jouran: THE PRINCESS OF SNOW AND BLOOD

Jouran: THE PRINCESS OF SNOW AND BLOOD EP01

Check Jouran: THE PRINCESS OF SNOW AND BLOOD out.

Mars Red

Mars Red EP01

I've no clue how I should describe what this is all about, other than it's somehow about vampires and that it looks really pretty. Check out MARS RED if that sounds cool. Rating: 7/10

Zombie Land Saga: Revenge

Zombie Land Saga: Revenge EP01

It's more Zombie Land Saga. If you liked the first season, then Zombie Land Saga: Revenge will probably be equally good. 7/10

Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui

Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui EP01

Watch along as love blossoms between an older man and a high school girl in Koikimo (Lit. 恋気持ち悪い / Disgusting Love). The morality police be screaming their lungs out because it's just pixels on a screen – they prefer it to be the real deal, after all – but don't let that discourage you.

The show got progressively less interesting as it went on, and by the end it had turned into a fairly meh experience. Still, it was an alright watch. Rating: 6/10

SSSS.Dynazenon

SSSS.Dynazenon E01

It's mecha. Watch SSSS.Dynazenon if you like that.

Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Come

Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Comedy EP01

If you like school-teen romance comedy trash, then Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose is the perfect show for you.

No, seriously, this series is actual hot garbage. If it wasn't for the decent animation and few fanservice scenes it does have, I'd gladly demote this to Trash of the Season-status. Rating: 5/10

Super Cub

Super Cub EP01

When a girl enjoys the sweet vibrations of her motorcycle a little too much...you get Super Cub.

If you're into motorcycles – Honda Super Cub's specifically – and you enjoy watching commercials, but in anime form, then this is the perfect show for you. Rating: 6/10

Trash of the Season

Here's where the garbage dump of the season will get featured. Shows that was previously in "The Good Stuff" might be retroactively relegated to this section retroactively if they turn out to be, in fact, trash.