What Anime I'll Be Watching Winter 2021

My how time flies by. I can’t believe we've already reached a new anime season, but here are my picks for what new series I’ll be watching for Winter 2021!

First off, we have Otherside Picnic! It's a sci-fi survival thriller that follows two college girls who can hop though dimensional doors. However, when one of them loses their friend on the Otherside, they must fight supernatural horrors as they search for her missing friend.

I’ve mentioned this series before when its manga and light novels were first announced, but I’m beyond happy to see a yuri that features older protagonists AND veers into the speculative fiction territory.

To top it off, this anime is directed by Takuya Satou (Steins;Gate), and having watched the first episode already, I can say I’m genuinely impressed by how good and atmospherically creepy it was. If you like stories that delve into actual urban legends, I think you’ll love this one as well.

Next, one of my favorite shonen romances of all time finally gets an anime!

Horimiya follows the unlikely romance between Hori, a pretty popular girl, and Miyamura, a gloomy nerd. However, outside of school, Hori is secretly down to earth and Miyamura is secretly a tatted-up alt boy covered in piercings. And one day, when they accidently catch each other outside of their uniforms, they fall in love.

All and all, this is a story about how people are more than they appear and how opposites can attract. While their romance is awkward and messy at times, it makes it feel all the more natural.

OK, the next one is a little weird, and I'm all for it. I'm talking about Wonder Egg Priority.

One night, Ai Oota hears a mysterious voice and stumbles upon an egg.

"If you want to change the future, you only need to choose now. Now, believe in yourself and break the egg,” the voice tells her.

And so she does …, but what will happen next?

The story concept for Wonder Egg Priority sounds so utterly bizarre and like a plot that Ikuhara or Oshii hatched up. Is this a fantasy or a magical realism series? I’m not sure, to be honest, but I’d like to find out.

Last but not least, I have to mention Oshii’s upcoming slaptick yuri vampire comedy: VLADLOVE.

The story follows Mitsugu Bamba, a high schooler who regularly donates blood. However, when she encounters a sickly girl who passes out at a blood bank, she decides to take her home, and the two begin an unusual romance.

Episode 1 is already out as a taster, and it’s been a chaotic romp so far. Oshii seems like he’s having a lot of fun and creative control with this one, so I’m excited to see where the story goes.

OK, those are all my picks for Winter 2021! Did I miss any anime that you’re excited about? What will you be watching this season? Let me know down below!

(Please note: while I only officially included new series in this list, I will be enjoying Season 2 of The Promised Neverland as well.)

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