By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

I’m not sure what it is about Summer seasons, but they’ve been disappointing me for years now. I usually struggle to find a handful of titles I want to watch and end up finding one or two that I really like out of those when the other seasons seem to offer so much more. Well, looks like that’s about to change, because this summer has a few titles that I’m really excited about!

Here’s a list of the upcoming Summer anime that are making me a lot more hopeful going into the summer!

Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 4 / The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4
This one is at the top of my list for continuing titles. I love Rising of the Shield Hero. It had a rocky start, especially when it started to feel like a confusing side quest we didn’t ask for, but now with Season 4, I’m excited to see how Naofumi continues to grow as a hero in a world still fighting so much hatred in addition to the waves. Moreover, I wonder where it will take us next since I haven’t caught up with the manga in a while!

Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu / The Summer Hikaru Died
This is the one I’m most excited about out of the new titles. It has been advertised a lot over the last few years at events like Anime Expo and in online spaces. I started reading the manga last year and found it deeply emotional, creepy, and explorative. It’s kind of hard to describe because it’s a subtle, creeping horror as we learn more and more about the main character and “Hikaru.” If the adaptation stays faithful to the manga, we’re in for a tense, slow-burning ride through grief, friendship, and the uncanny. Definitely one to watch this summer!

Mizu Zokusei no Mahoutsukai / The Water Magician
At first glance, this sounds like a typical isekai about a laid-back protagonist with hidden OP potential. It sort of reminds me of Daughter of the Spirit King or Spirit King Elquines mixed with any slice-of-life isekai manga. There is not a lot of fanservice in what I read so far (which, I admit, is very little). Instead, there appears to be a lot more worldbuilding. The art in the trailer is beautiful and I think that this may be the season’s hidden gem,=. I’ve not heard too many people talking about it, which makes me think it may fly under the radar. I have a feeling it will be an especially good one though, so I’m planning to watch it!

Busu ni Hanataba wo.
I’m a sucker for romance, and the premise of this one feels like a classic. You have an “unattractive” girl who finds herself in an unexpected, wholesome relationship. What makes this stand out is how honest it seems about Hana’s self-image and insecurities, instead of brushing them aside. I’m hoping for some confidence building and self-healing along the way of finding love so this is on my list.

Zutaboro Reijou wa Ane no Moto Konyakusha ni Dekiai sareru / Betrothed to My Sister’s Ex
To be honest, it was the name and cover image that got me on this one. It looks like a typical romance, maybe villainess inspired? IDK because I don’t know much about the series, but I’m hoping that it will have some angst, some relief, some flirting, and romantic tension. A guilty pleasure, if you will, which is why I am adding it to my recommendations here.

Ame to Kimi to
This one feels like it came out of nowhere, but it’s charming. A mysterious creature (a tanuki) is found rain-soaked on the streets, and gets picked up by a young woman. The trailer gives off a quiet slice-of-life tone, and I am feeling some very subtle Natsume’s Book of Friends vibes. If you’re looking for something warm and strange and gentle, this might be a good comfort show for the season.

Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou sareta Shiromadoushi… / Banished White Mage Gets Picked Up by an S-Rank Party
The premise is very familiar: a “weak” supporting character ends up being the powerhouse all along without ever knowing it. It looks like it will be similar to The Unaware Atelier Master that released last season (though probably minus a princess?). I have not read the manga for this one, but it looks fun!

ChaO
I’m not too into the art style for this one, but the trailer really sold me. It’s rare to see pure rom-coms in anime, but this one seems to be it! In a world where mermaids and humans coexist, this one looks like it’s going all-in on the sweetness between a fish-princess proposing out of the blue to a salaryman! Is it really out of the blue? I’m not so sure because years of similar marketing points usually hints to some nice backstory of love at first sight or after a young man saves a fish… but regardless, this looks like a great movie to have on the watchlist!

New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
The angels are back! It’s been years and the wait has only made me more curious about what this sequel/reboot is going to do. I’ve seen lots of images popping up with the new characters, Polyester and Polyurethane. I’m interested to see what happens with Brief and Panty in this series as well. I’m sure that it will be just as crass, chaotic, and colorful as the original based on the flair of the trailer. Definitely a fun watch this summer!

Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Nai jan, Muri Muri! (※Muri ja Nakatta!?) / There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…

This romance looks adorable. It reminds me of a few other yuri series I’ve seen recently, and it looks like the romance between Renako and Mai is that same mix of comedy and emotional sincerity that goes along with many such series in the genre. Very promising—plus, more yuri representation is a win!

With all there is to watch this summer, I think 2025 is finally breaking the downfall so many summer seasons prior seemed to suffer from! What shows are you looking forward to this season? Let me know in the comments below or tell me which one I absolutely shouldn’t miss of those not mentioned above.

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Copyedited by: Katherine Cañeba | @kcserinlee