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The summer anime season is already shaping up, and boy does it look promising. As of late, I have been less inclined to watch a bunch of different shows all at once and then drop them, so for this season I will be looking at my top three that I am looking forward to and will likely be watching. I don’t think any of these will be that surprising, but nonetheless, lets get started.

3. Dr. Stone

I had heard about the Dr. Stone manga from a couple of different Anitubers over the last couple of years, but since generally do not read all that much manga, I never paid it much mind. Fast forward to a couple of days ago when I started looking up stuff about it out of curiosity, and I can now say I am officially on board the hype train.

The story is set in a post-apocalypse, where Everyone has been turned to stone after a strange glowing light appeared in the sky. One day, Taiju. a Japanese high school student, awakens after thousands of years only to find everyone as statues. However, he soon discovers that his friend, Senku, has already been awake for a few months, and has vowed to reinvigorate the world using science.

One thing I am excited about right off the bat is the show’s aesthetic. The show’s setting in a Japan that has been taken over by nature looks incredible, and it reminds me a lot of videos where people go into the area surrounding the Chernobyl accident.

The other thing that has me really interested is the main character. Senku. I am interested to see how he uses science to not only survive, but to “reinvigorate” the world as it is. In doing this, I hope the show also gets into the lure of the world and how everyone became a statue, even if it take a couple of seasons to get there.

2. Vinland Saga

Never thought I would say, “Man, I am really excited to watch that new Viking anime,” and yet here I am. Similar to Dr. Stone, Vinland Saga is another manga that I heard a lot about but never bothered to look into much. However, somewhat differently from Dr. Stone, I am a bit more interested in Vinland Saga.

The show follows the Viking clan as they go through there daily lives. However, Thorfinn, one of the clans most powerful warriors and the son of the clans former leader, is ready to enact revenge on one of the clans other most powerful warriors for killing his father.

One thing that stands out immediately to me based on what I have seen so far is the music. Now, I am not entirely sure if the music from the trailer is going to be in the anime, but if it is then I am definitely excited. It definitely gives off a Skyrim vibe, and that make me even more excited.

However, the story of Vinland Saga is what has me most involved in the series, even before it comes out. Again, just based on what I have seen from a few trailers, it looks like Thorfinn will have a really interesting development arc. Wanting to get revenge on the man who killed his father comes with a lot of interesting questions, like is a prepared to take responsibility for that man’s death, and what will he do after he gets his revenge? Definitely has me invested already.

1. Fire Force

Fire force is indeed my most anticipated anime, but for a much different reason than the other two on this list. While it is probably true that Dr. Stone and Vinland Saga overall have a bit more hype, Fire Force has something, at least for me, they do not: expectation.

Created by the author of Soul Eater, Atsushi Ookubo, the show follows a Japan in which people have begun to spontaneously combust into creatures known as Infernals. In order to stop said creatures, special squadrons known as “Fire Force” were created. The Fire Force Company 8 is a specific division made up of those who have developed the ability to manipulate fire to do this spontaneous combustion.

Soul Eater has a lot of fun and creative elements to it, so much show that I have watched the show a few times in full. As much as I generally try not to put to much stock into one show, I am hoping that Fire Force will be able to provide that same enjoyable story-line that is present in Soul Eater, which it seem like it definitely can.

I have always been a fan of Ookubo’s art style, so it being here in Fire Force is definitely a plus. However, I think the main thing giving me hope is actually how similar the show’s story-line is to Soul Eater. The show’s main character, Shinra, seems a lot like a mixture of Soul and Deku from My Hero Academia, not to mention that Company 8 looks somewhat comparable to Death Weapon Meister Academy. But, even aside from its similarities to Soul Eater, the show still looks like a fantastic series and that’s why I am excited about it.

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What are you guys most looking forward to from the summer lineup? Let me know in the comments. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations or are just feeling generous, consider donating on Ko-fi:

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