Each season comes with a new batch of premieres of new Japanese animation series. That’s the thing about anime: if you want something new, you have to wait three months for it to happen. But we are at that moment, and the fall season comes with a couple of very important premieres, a potential hidden gem, an absolute disaster, and some things worth keeping in mind. A season full of novelties is coming, and we won’t let you miss it.
To clarify, we are not going to talk about any series that is not premiering for the first time now. If you follow Blue Lock, Bleach, One Piece, Re:Zero, or Dragon Ball, you already know their merits and why you should continue watching them. Here, we will focus on the new releases and discover what they have to offer us.
Dan Da Dan—Available on Netflix
If there has been a manga that has caused a sensation in recent months it is Dandadan. Written and illustrated by Hiroshi Seko, the premise is that a girl who believes in spirits but not in UFOs, and a boy who believes in UFOs but not in spirits, come together to fight against all kinds of supernatural threats, with hilarious results. And of course there are certain spicy touches, a comedy of errors, and a budding romance that could not be missing.
Being adapted by Science Haru, the result is exactly what one would expect: a true marvel. Perfectly capturing the tone of the original series and elevating it in some cases, we’re talking about a more than likely new Dungeon Meshi. And like that one, Dandadan is also available on Netflix, so you have no excuse to miss it.
Uzumaki—Available on Max
We are not going to beat around the bush. Uzumaki is an absolute disaster with some even worse precedents. While this disaster is particularly public, there have been much greater disasters in the history of the medium. In fact, this is only of medium level. Even if the second episode is disappointing, it is still somewhat acceptable. And that doesn’t take away from what we already know. Its first episode is absolutely excellent.
Will this end up being the extremely faithful adaptation of Junji Ito that many fans dreamed of? Absolutely not. Even if they have already confirmed that the original director will return for the fourth and final episode, the damage is already done. This doesn’t mean we won’t have, at the very least, a superb first chapter and a potentially great final chapter. Or at least one that saves the day. As for what happens in between, well. It could be better, no doubt. But let’s not pretend it’s the worst thing ever done in the medium.
Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii—Available on Crunchyroll
If there is a series with the potential to become a sleeper hit this season, it is Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii. And it won’t be because the premise lacks potential. The daughter of a yakuza clan leader is unwillingly betrothed to the heir of another yakuza clan to strengthen their ties. He is a manipulative, deceitful womanizer who will threaten to sell her into prostitution if she is of no use to him. And her? She would be willing to rip out a kidney just to owe him nothing. And that’s just the beginning of her story.
From there, in addition to a twist that is absolutely impossible to foresee, an incredible romantic drama is built that revolves around the criminal world without ever abandoning a certain comedic tone. All of this is accompanied by the idiosyncratic character design of its author, Asuka Konishi, very well translated into animation, making this adaptation a potentially excellent series.
Ranma 1/2 (2024)—Available on Netflix
Let’s lay our cards on the table: we believe that Ranma 1/2 does not need a remake of any kind. Re-airing Ranma 1/2 is what Ranma 1/2 needs. And this remake hasn’t made us think any differently. However, if there is going to be a remake of the series that attracts a different audience who might not necessarily be drawn to it, we won’t complain if it’s like this: one that is extremely faithful, capturing the visual codes of its author, but bringing them to the present through the guidelines of other recent series that have been adapted from the same.
Because this remake is unnecessary, like all remakes that don’t have an artistic attempt beyond bringing a work to the present. But it does precisely that very well. Bringing Ranma 1/2 to the present. Perhaps it doesn’t have such good shot composition and the color grading doesn’t always stand out for its finesse, but it’s almost as good as the original. Do we recommend watching it over the original? Oh, no. Rush to see the original if you can. But if not? This remake of Ranma 1/2 is the second best way to watch Ranma 1/2.
