Disclaimer: This list is highly biased because it’s based on what I’m currently watching
One of my lifelong obsessions is anime. When I was in high school, my friends and classmates referred to me as the “anime dealer” because I always had all the latest series on hand. I also was able to recommend series to everyone based on their tastes.
So today, here are my top 5 recommendations based on what I’m watching and enjoying.
5. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Image Source: VIZ Media
I will admit that I haven’t watched beyond a few episodes of this (yet). But as an OG Bleach fan, there’s no way I can leave this off the list.
If you love your action mixed with fantasy and a hint of the spiritual world, this is the show for you. There’s not much more I can say at this point since I haven’t watched enough to give a concrete description. I’ll make up for it by writing up a review later.
4. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) Season 3
Image source: FUNIMATION
Demon Slayer, known as 鬼滅の刃 (Kimetsu no Yaiba) in Japan, is a series that took the country by storm. The rest of the world followed soon after. If you haven’t started watching yet, this is a good time to catch up as you can binge the first two seasons and movie fairly quickly. (Unlike One Piece, which I feel like I’ve given up on before I can even start. I need a super abridged version at this point.)
The animation continues to be high quality with a riveting and intriguing story. I can’t say too much without spoiling the story. All I can say is that if you’re a fan of classic shounen series, then this is definitely one to get onto if you haven’t already.
3. My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) Season 6
Image source: Crunchyroll
I’m cheating with this one—this season finished airing at the end of March, but I’m going to recommend it anyway. Although the series is already six seasons in, this is definitely one worth starting if you haven’t yet already.
My friends have pointed out that I do love stories about the underdog overcoming all challenges, and this definitely fits into that category. It also goes way beyond and will tug at your emotional heartstrings whenever possible. I don’t think I’ve had a shounen series make me cry this much since Naruto.
The best part about this series (in my opinion, at least) is the character growth. And not just Midoriya either. Each character on the show is displays considerable growth from the start, especially Bakugo in this season.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
Image credit: MAPPA
We finally have a release date for this masterpiece! Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 will be aired from July 6th and will run for 6 months. I cannot express to you how excited I am about this!
It has been confirmed that Jujutsu Kaisen will kick off the second season with Gojo’s Past Arc from the manga. I am admittedly a huge Gojo Satoru fangirl, and I absolutely cannot wait for all of this.
From what I have read, this season will be picking up from chapter 65 and onwards. Get yourself ready with a refresh of the first season and the movie. Only a month and a half to go until this one is out!
1. My Star (Oshi no Ko)
Image source: Fiction Horizon
My Star (推しの子, Oshi no Ko) is a series that I stumbled across thanks to my Twitter and TikTok feeds. The art style has tricked many into thinking this is a shoujo2 series, but it is far from that. It is a seinen3 series that falls under the drama, mystery, and supernatural genres.
I went into this series with no expectations and it quickly became my favourite of the season. The first episode is a gracious one-hour length feature to lay out the entire backstory for viewers, and it will leave you wanting even more.
The art style is super cute with catchy music to boot. The opening song “Idol” is by YOASOBI and is a beat that will easily get stuck in your head with lyrics that speak a sad truth about idol life.
Have you watched any of the listed series? Or do you have one you’d like to recommend? Let me know in the comments!
1. Shounen 少年 translates to young boy. In anime and manga, it refers to series with the primary target audience of adolescent boys.
2. Shoujo 少女 translates to young girl. In anime and manga, it refers to series that target an audience of adolescent girls.
3. Seinen 青年 translates to young man. In anime and manga, it refers to series primarily targeting young adult men.
