Forget about your live-action series that seem to never end, because the real entertainment is right here. In Japan. On their TV stations. Look, some of the best cartoons around come from the land of the rising sun, a nation that debuts a ton of new series at the start of January every year for their winter. Here’s a look at a ton of them that are coming out, grouped into various genres.
If you’re looking to watch legit translated streams of the shows below, keep your eyes on Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab. They usually offer up to date viewings on new series. Video links via Kotaku. Also sorry Umar, Geoff threatened me with a pointed stick when he saw your tweet.
Sci-Fi
Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn
- Studio: AXsiZ, Studio Gokumi
- Start Date: January 8
From Masamune “Ghost In The Shell” Shirow, comes a tale of two cybernetic girls who battle an evil terrorist that threatens their home.
Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle
- Studio: Lerche
- Start Date: January 11
After being deposed in a coup, a former prince finds himself stuck in an academy for royal women who are trained to pilot massive mechanical weapons.
Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation
- Studio: Telecom Animation Film
- Start Date: January 7
I have no idea. I’m still waiting for Sega to release Phantasy Star Online 2 in a translated form.
Norn9: Norn + Nonette
- Studio: Kinema Citrus, Orange
- Start Date: January 7
12 characters find themselves on board the time travelling airship Norn. Wacky hijinks ensue.
Active Raid: Special Public Security Fifth Division Third Mobile Assault Eighth Unit
- Studio: Production IMS
- Start Date: January 7
Crime is the disease, and special mobile exoskeletons piloted by police are the brutal cure.
Myriad Colors Phantom World
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Start Date: January 7
Students at Hosea Academy find themselves grappling with love, life and having to fight phantoms every day.
Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue
- Studio: Gonzo
- Start Date: January 11
A new student discovers life and popularity when she starts learning to master anti-gravity shoes.
Dimension W
- Studio: Orange, Studio 3Hz
- Start Date: January 10
A repo specialist and his robot stop thieves from illegally harnessing energy from a parrallel dimension that powers the needs of our planet.
Set in the year 2071, when the world’s energy problem has been solved by tapping another dimension, a repo man and an android stop the illegal energy harnessing that the cops can’t.
Horror
Ajin: Demi-Human
- Studio: Polygon Pictures
- Start Date: January 16
After surviving a collision with a truck, a student discovers that he is an immortal Ajin. Bad news, Immortals have no human rights and re hunted down to be subjected to horrifying experiments.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories III
- Studio: ILCA, Anima
- Start Date: January 11
Japanese folktales and myths, presented in a short-form format.
Comedy
Sushi Police
- Studio: KOO-KI
- Start Date: January 7
Ever had bad sushi? That’s technically a crime in a world where cuisine is policed by Sushi cops.
Sekko Boys
- Studio: LidenFilms
- Start Date: January 8
An anime that follows a boy band…whose members happen to be actual stone statues.
Please Tell Me! Galko Chan
- Studio: Feel
- Start Date: January 8
Three friends from wildly different backgrounds bond over their friendship friendliness friend friend of life.
Oya-san wa Shishunki!
- Studio: Seven Arcs Pictures
- Start Date: January 10
A new apartment tenant has to live with the knowledge and whims of his schoolgirl landlord.
Teekyu Season 7
- Studio: Millepensee
- Start Date: January 11
The craziest princesses of tennis you’ll ever encounter in these short episodes.
Ojisan and Marshmallow
- Studio: Creators in Pack
- Start Date: January 6
An office romance that sounds normal. Until you realise that the male has a marshmallow obsession.
Nurse Witch Komugi R
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Start Date: January 10
Student Komugi harnesses her ability to transform into Nurse Witch Komugi so that she can fight evil. More wacky hijinks ensue.
Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desu Kara
- Studio: Pine Jam
- Start Date: January 12
Yuzuka has magical girl powers. Unfortunately, the transformation turns her into a skimpily-dressed hero that is massively embarrassing for her.
Dagashi Kashi
- Studio: Feel
- Start Date: January 7
A manga artist hopeful has to deal with life, his father and a crazy new apprentice in the family sweet shop.
Ketsuekigata-kun! Season 4
- Studio: Assez Finaund Fabric, Feel, Zexcs
- Start Date: January 11
Faceless people representing blood-type stereotypes get up to mischief.
Romance
Girls Beyond The Wasteland
- Studio: Project No.9
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Premier Date: January 7
An amateur game developer is asked by his classmate to help make a game for her.
Rainbow Days
- Studio: Production Reed
- Genre: Romance, Slice of Life
- Start Date: January 10
Dumped student Natsuki attempts to win over a new love in his life.
Action
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Genre: Drama, Historical
- Start Date: January 8
A former convict attempts to start a new life in the world of Japanese storytelling, Rakugo.
Assassination Classroom Season 2
- Studio: Lerche
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Supernatural
- Start Date: January 7
The sumnmer break is over, and one class of kids are still trying to kill their monstrous teacher in order to save the world from being destroyed.
BBK/BRNK (Bubuki Buranki)
- Studio: Sanzigen
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
- Start Date: January 9
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ)
I…I have no idea what’s going on here.
Durarara!!x2 Ketsu Season 2, Part 3
- Studio: Shuka
- Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
- Start Date: January 10
The supernatural action series returns for a new look at the lives of several mystical Tokyo denizens.
Fantasy
KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world!!
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Start Date: January 13
After getting on the wrong side of traffic, a gamer awakens to find himself stuck in an RPG-fantasy world.
Divine Gate
- Studio: Pierrot
- Start Date: January 8
Empowered youth seek a legendary gate that has the power to remake the world.
Fairy Tail Zero
- Studio: A-1 Pictures, Bridge
- Start Date: January 9
The origin of the Fairy Tail guild is told here as young Mavis embarks on a journey to become the first master of her order.
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Start Date: January 10
Stuck in the RPG world of Grimgar, one group of players find out that this time the game is all too real.
Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Start Date: January 8
A protagonist with an immortal soul joins a clan of mages in this adaptation of the Chinese internet novel Reikenzan.
Rilu Rilu Fairilu
- Studio: Studio Deen
Nozomi believes in fairies, even if no one else does. Turns out, they are real.
Snow White with the Red Hair Season 2
- Studio: Bones
- Start Date: January 11
Shirayuki and her hair return for a second season of escaping a prince who desires to make her his consort.
Mystery
Erased
- Studio: Aniplex
- Genre: Mystery, Supernatural
- Start Date: January 7
With the ability to rewind time by a few seconds, Satoru Fujinama regularly saves the day while appearing to be a slacker to those around him.
Haruchika – Haruta and Chika
- Studio: P.A.Works
- Genre: Mystery, Romance, Slice of Life
- Start Date: January 7
High school pals Haruta and Chika solve mysteries while working to save their school wind instrument club.
Gate (second part)
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Military
- Start Date: January 8
A cross between the fantastical and the modern-day, Gate stars an Otaku-led team of recon specialists who deal with fantasy threats.
Sports
Prince of Stride: Alternative
- Studio: Madhouse
- Genre: Sports, Otome
- Start Date: January 5
Urban relay events. Dudes. You get the idea.
Last Updated: January 14, 2016
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:08
I am a simple guy, I see Anime on LG and I press recommend 😛
Jan Prins
January 14, 2016 at 15:08
I’ll give some of these a bash.
VampyreSquirrel
January 14, 2016 at 15:10
Fairy Tail Zero!?!?!? Whoop *adds to watch list*
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:34
And guess what. We have confirmation of a season 3 of Fairy Tail once Zero is done as Zero fills in some important blanks before the regular show can continue.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:36
I really need to sit down and binge watch Fairy tail.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:37
I have tried that, but keeping up with all the other series that don’t have a bazillion episodes gets harder 😛
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:41
I tend to not watch series until they are complete, then I binge the series. A 12-13 episode series is normally a half day for me.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:37
Season 1 and 2 have like 300 episodes or something silly like that. Yet it was the only show I could stomach at that length as it has a hell of a lot less filler than other (cough Naruto cough) shows.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:40
I don’t mind it as I can play eve and watch anime and vegetate. I will confess to skipping the stupid amount of filler in Naruto.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:44
Hahahaha … mining roids and watching anime. Good old days.
Also you reminded me to go set my skills.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:45
Eve still exists?
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:45
yes it does.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:46
I remember wanting to get into that game so badly, and after a few youtube vids I figured I could not because I don’t have a degree in quantum physics 😛
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:48
That is where you are wrong. You just need a salaryman’s skillset in spreadsheet management. 😛
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:50
That’s ok, my space ninja suffices for now until Legion releases 😛
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:50
You got a guild and do you raid?
Also Alliance or Horde?
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:51
Silvermoon, Ally side. Also some max lvl horde on Twilights Hammer
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:53
Reason I am asking is cause we have a group of peeps all across the realms wanting to create a 10 man raiding group horde side for Legion. It will be extremely relaxed and will operate in ZA times. We are however 2 peeps short of a whole 10 man team cause of guild responsibilities.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:54
If it’s for relax raiding I am in, my hardcore raiding day’s ended back in 2013 😛
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:55
lol last time I hardcore raided was ICC in lich king.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 16:58
Same
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 16:58
Extremely relaxed as most of the guys can’t afford to raid hardcore but really hate LFR.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:51
Legion is the last hope for WOW for me. If it is bad like Warlords, then I’ll give up on my account.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:52
I bought the digital deluxe for Warlords… I want to go back in time and kick myself in the A
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:53
Garrisons was the issue … and the lack of content.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:54
I wish they would add some PVP content to the game.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:54
At least you get a whole new pvp redesign.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:55
i wonder how the new PVP talent system will work out.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:56
I’ll have to go check out the videos, haven’t been watching much about legion.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:58
Probably for the best, getting hyped was a bad idea for warlords
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 16:00
Yep took time off work for the lag fest.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:48
It’s a game that discourages people who aren’t willing to search for answers on the internet.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:46
Why would it not. It has been the most stable (as in subs coming in going out) of all MMO’s.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:45
Now I currently have Netflix and Eve
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:47
I currently have Netflix and Wow/Eve/Diablo 3 season 5/Fallout/Witcher/Tombraider (coming soon)/DayZ/Ark.
I wish I had more time.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:48
If you had won the American lotto you could have all the time.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:49
Alas I did not win. Maybe because I did not play. 🙂
VampyreSquirrel
January 14, 2016 at 15:41
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:12
Don’t know, lineup doesn’t look THAT interesting, well to me in any case. Then again, I just finished Seraph of the End and I desperately want more of that and nothing else..
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:12
The second season is also out now
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:13
Yeah, sorry meant the second season. The last episode was freaking explosive. I NEED more 🙁 but no news on S3
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:13
Dotted it down for download this afternoon 😛 Right after I finish Sound Euphonium
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:16
Lemme know what you think. It’s pretty rad. Sound Euphonium? Sounds Slice of Lifey lol
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:17
It’s like Your Lie in April but not so dark/depressing 🙂
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:19
oooh nice. Will check it out. I’m still playing catch up. Only finished OPM about a week or two ago
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:20
After watching Himouto! Umaru-chan, I can not read your name without going Umaruuuun!~ in my head xD
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:23
HAHAHAHA yeah, I’ve gotten that a lot actually. LOVE Umaru chan, one of my fav of last year
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:30
Nothing like a good slice of life anime to make the week so much more awesome.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:38
Umaru-chan was brilliantly funny.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:21
I had such high hopes for Battle blood blockade after all the good reviews only to be disappointed… badly
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:23
Can’t say I’ve seen it. Looks very actiony. What was bad about it? Fight scenes or the story?
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:25
Art work was top notch, very pretty. But the story was just all over the place, I had no idea who or what is the “bad guy”.
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:32
Meh, will watch it then I have nothing else to watch. Can’t waste time on mehnime
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:35
Tokyo Ghoul S3…make way!
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:37
Sssssss, I’m conflicted, I won’t lie. I liked the way it ended in S2..I’ll still watch it though. I’m real hype for D-gray man, I was over the moon when they announced it.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:38
D grey man is one of those “I really wanna watch amine, but the amount of episodes are to damn high” types
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:39
Story only went wonky the last 3 episodes and it did not help that the last episode was delayed for like 2 months.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:41
I had to force my way through the second half. I have this stupid rule about never dropping an anime after a few episodes.
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:44
Same. It is how I ended up watching all of Lain and felt more depressed than legless athlete shooting his GF.
aj_nator
January 14, 2016 at 17:32
Your lie in April. Didn’t realize I could cry that many tears 🙁
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:12
Gate, Durarara!!x2, Assassination Classroom. Not to be missed!
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:40
Durarara!!x2 is getting to the point where the story is getting way too convoluted that I get too annoyed at it.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:42
I love the way they tell the story from a lot of different character perspectives. But I understand that people get annoyed by the winding story line that go’s all over the place.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 14, 2016 at 15:16
…
Original Heretic
January 14, 2016 at 15:17
Yeesh, I miss watching a good anime series.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:19
What genre?
Original Heretic
January 14, 2016 at 15:24
Fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, horror… Anything good. But for me to watch ANYTHING new, live action stuff included, is an absolute nightmare. My wife tends to find a movie she likes and then watches it over…and over…and over again. I think I’ve watched Crimson Peak about 10 times already.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:29
What was the last series you really enjoyed? ( I have no idea what Crimson Peak is, went looking for it in my anime database xD)
Original Heretic
January 14, 2016 at 15:37
Ha, sorry, didn’t mean to mislead. You won’t find it in any anime database. It’s the new horror(ish) move from Guillermo del Toro.
I’m a huge fan of Naruto and One Piece, but I haven’t even come close to watching either of those in almost 3 years.
Much as I wish I could watch new stuff, I’m afraid it’s just not going to happen. Any free time I get at the moment goes into gaming or watching the series that I’m currently trying to keep up to speed with. There’s SO much I still want to watch, but I’m just not getting the time.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:39
I here you.
Sometimes I blow of games for an entire weekend and just marathon anime 😛
Original Heretic
January 14, 2016 at 15:41
Impossible for me to do with a one year old running around the house! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c44c60ba32c770a909f803ea8572c2e8d1b1aa7c1ffa3bb2dc559eb7bea53bfa.jpg
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:43
Silence used to be relaxing, now silence is suspicious…very VERY suspicious 😛
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:42
Go take her to watch this romcom. Will be worth it.
Original Heretic
January 14, 2016 at 15:47
I’m already planning on it! Though my January, February and March is going to be very busy. Doubting I’ll get a free moment to go check this out. But damn, I’m hoping I can find some, somewhere!
Jan Prins
January 14, 2016 at 15:36
How can you miss something you never had????
*Runs
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 15:23
Too much anime too little time!
*Cries*
VampyreSquirrel
January 14, 2016 at 15:26
^ This exactly
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 15:24
Do any of these have mech battles like Macross or Gundam?
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:28
Give Break Blade a try 🙂
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 15:30
XD
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:42
Try Gundam.
Aries
January 14, 2016 at 16:07
Try Aldnoah Zero
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 17:17
Thanks bud!
GooseZA
January 15, 2016 at 10:23
You can also try Knights of Sidonia. It’s on Netflix.
Hammersteyn
January 15, 2016 at 10:32
Love that show!
GooseZA
January 15, 2016 at 10:22
Really enjoyed the first season of this. Haven’t caught up with season 2 yet.
Aries
January 15, 2016 at 11:50
Season 2 is ok but season 1 was upsetting to say the least #FuckSlain
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 15:27
I’ll start with the horror section… Romance? GITS!
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:27
Pffff Rom Com is bestest
Hammersteyn
January 14, 2016 at 15:30
I like the ones where people die
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:31
Then Rom Com is your answer xD
Geoffrey Tim
January 14, 2016 at 15:30
Geoff’s Guide to anime 2016:
Don’t watch Anime.
Snowlockk
January 14, 2016 at 15:34
But then I would have to hand in my neckbeard.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:36
https://media.giphy.com/media/o4Q7IDKKtX4be/giphy.gif
Umar
January 14, 2016 at 15:37
Don’t be like that, sempai….
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:33
You should really watch Ass Class as it is really funny as hell. Season 2 is at the top of my list followed closely by gate.
Ottokie
January 14, 2016 at 15:34
I was skeptical about it at first, but when I started watching I could not put it down, super good and funny
Kromas untamed
January 14, 2016 at 15:36
I was also skeptical but after just the first episode I was hooked. As for gate it brings back memories of Those Who Hunt Elves … sorta but with a better story and less stripping of the elves (slightly less stripping) 😛
Aries
January 14, 2016 at 16:05
I started today with it
Decembermaloy
January 14, 2016 at 16:00
Did you guys reference the kotaku.com articles about anime? http://kotaku.com/your-complete-winter-2016-anime-guide-1752676074
The D
January 14, 2016 at 16:04
Yep! I’ve been trying to update the reference to that for ages now with their video links, but my net has been too slow to update. Should have sorted itself out by now.
DragonSpirit009
January 14, 2016 at 16:15
I like I don’t have enough stuff to watch already X.X
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 14, 2016 at 16:54
#STAYSTRONGUMAR
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:48
Never watched anime before (besides Pokémon if you want to count that). Any recommendations of a good show to start with? PS. I don’t like giant robots, aliens, ninjas etc. Help?
GooseZA
January 15, 2016 at 10:28
Hmmm… That takes out quite a few genres lol.
You could try Cowboy Bebop. It’s old but it’s my fav anime of all time. I think it’s streaming on Hulu at the moment as well.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 12:10
I know… I really narrowed it down 😀 I’ll give that a try though, thanks!
Tom
February 10, 2016 at 16:44
Irina Jelavic is the reason why I was attracted to ‘Assassination Classroom’ anime in the first place 😀 This prove that for every successful anime it MUST have one IMPORTANT element…That is: It must have at least an hot action packed heroine or leading useful female character inside the story/show, not some damsel in distress or annoying female charcaters from you-know-which-famous-anime-&-manga to lower the standard of the manga/anime.