A first impression of #Winter2021: Attack on Titan, The Promised Neverland, Horimiya and more

by Elton Gagni / January 25, 2021

 

The year 2020 has painted a very promising and exciting 2021 for many anime fans as studios confirmed back to back releases of new and returning titles. Now that #Winter2021 has truly dawned on us, The Red Circle has screened several anime and opted to share its first impressions.

But before anything else, know that the following impressions and insights are purely subjective so feel free to share your thoughts if you agree, disagree, or have other recommended shows that you think would also leave a great first impression. Also, spoilers ahead so read at your own risk!

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Studio: Studio Bind
Genre: Drama, Magic, Fantasy
TRC Rating: 10/10

As a non-fan of isekai anime, Mushoku Tensei has left quite a big impression, especially with Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki Sakata, Gintama; Joseph Joestar, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) voicing the previous incarnation of the show’s lead Rudeus. Sugita’s spot-on delivery of the crass script makes the series all the more interesting as you don’t see many titles out there that make a consistent commentary throughout an episode.

Another thing that makes Mushoku Tensei stand out is the superb quality of the animation. What’s more impressive is that this is the first series to come out of Studio Bind, which was only established in 2018. With its seamless integration of 3D effects on 2D animation, we even mistook it for ufotable (Demon Slayer, Fate/Zero). They definitely made a great splash, pun intended, with all the waterworks and magic overall. Definitely keeping our eyes on this.

Wonder Egg Priority

Studio: CloverWorks
Genre: Psychological, Drama, Fantasy
TRC Rating: 9/10

From the trailer alone, you would expect Wonder Egg Priority to be a light and bubbly watch just like other slice-of-life anime. As the series premiered, we come to realize that you really can never judge a book by its cover, or in this case its trailer. Wonder Egg Priority is ironically dark for its bright and colorful visuals as it takes on themes like suicide, ostracism, and bullying. It isn’t uncommon for anime plots to take on this route, but how this was executed definitely shakes things up on a storytelling level.

Prior to finding out more details about it, we initially thought that the animation team behind it was the same team behind popular works that tackled the same plotlines like A Silent Voice, Anthem of the Heart, and 2020’s A Whisker Away. To our surprise, it’s actually CloverWorks who is currently working on other titles this season. As the art differs quite a lot, Wonder Egg Priority can easily take the crown for the best animation this #Winter2021.

Horimiya

Studio: CloverWorks
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, Shonen, School
TRC Rating: 9/10

As far as romcom anime go, Horimiya is on track to becoming one of the most popular and most notable titles for many years to come. Aside from the fact that fans of the manga have hyped it so much since it’s anime debut was announced, the premiere definitely shows a lot of promise, even earning it as one of the strongest premieres with the low drop rate from viewers. This simply means that many, us included, have decided to keep Horimiya on their watchlist.

Taking from the first episode alone, it’s really the chemistry between Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura that makes everything work. Despite being opposites in school in terms of social standing, they click and I guess opposites really do attract. Anyway, we’ve already seen the second episode and we are indeed hooked!

Sk8 the Infinity

Studio: Bones
Genre: Comedy, Sports
TRC Rating: 8/10

One of the few sports anime of #Winter2021, Sk8 the Infinity sure does bring in the fun as it takes skateboarding to the anime world. The first impressionable aspect about Sk8 the Infinity is the superb animation. Given that it is from Bones, great motion and visuals should not come as a surprise anymore as their portfolio includes Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia, and Mob Psycho 100. What’s great to note here is the inclusion of Hiroko Utsumi, helming another directorial role after the phenomenal success of swimming anime Free!

It doesn’t stop with the art, though. What the first two episodes have shown us is good storytelling in terms of pace and character development. In just two episodes, you can already feel a connection with the two leading characters Reki and Langa after making a large impression with their performance in the debut episode. Hoping for more good stuff from this one!

The Promised Neverland S2

Studio: CloverWorks
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller, Shonen
TRC Rating: 8/10

The Promised Neverland opened their winter premiere with 15 children navigating through the Promised Forest in hopes of finding a certain William Minerva. Keeping with the adrenaline of the first season, it quickly turns dark as Emma, Ray, and the rest of the gang get chased down by a demon and soon, pursuers from Grace Field House.

What’s commendable about The Promise Neverland’s S2 debut is how close it is to the finale of S1. So if you recently watched the first season, you are able to take a brief breather before the action and suspense kick in once more. With the Escape Arc recognized as the best arc of the series, there’s a lot riding on the second season as this extends the world-building beyond the walls of the House.
However, the release of episode 3 has left manga readers confused as a prominent character failed to make his expected debut followed by other changes in the story. No word yet from author/mangaka Kaiu Shirai on the directions for the anime, but he did make it clear that he would be overseeing original scenes.

Attack on Titan: The Final Season

Studio: MAPPA
Genre: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shonen
TRC Rating: 10/10

Three words: Hype is real! While Attack on Titan was one of the first #Winter2021 anime to premiere back in December, how it opens the new year is what left such great promise and impression from the show. Years of world-building and storytelling has finally led to this moment and it is indeed time for Eren and the rest of the Eldians from Paradis to return to Marley.

The first episodes of the final season gave a glimpse of the situation in Marley and the complex relationship between the Titan race called Eldians and the Marleyans. Come episode 64 (Declaration of War), it stirs up conversations. Is Eren right or wrong? Do you side with the Marleyans or the Eldians? In this time of war, the bigger picture is what matters despite history repeating itself — Episode 65 (The War Hammer Titan) drew parallels from the series premiere in 2013, where Eldians died as Wall Maria fell.

With the recent release of Episode 66 (Assault), action-packed is an understatement to describe Attack on Titan as we see seven titans (Attack, War Hammer, Jaw, Beast, Cart, and even Armin’s Colossal) in full glory. What else could happen next?

Other titles that we’ve been following this season include the following and their respective ratings:

• Cells at Work! S2 – 8/10
• Cells at Work! Code Black – 8/10
• Dr. Stone: Stone Wars – 8/10
• Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist – 8/10
• Kemono Jihen – 8/10
• Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki-kun – 7/10
• Beastars S2 – 7/10
• Heaven’s Design Team – 7/10
• So I’m A Spider, So What? – 6/10

We also wanted to share first impressions on other returning anime like Quintessential Quintuplets, World Trigger, Log Horizon, The Day I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and more. However, we have not yet seen the earlier seasons so we shall table this for another time. For now, #Winter2021 is definitely looking quite fresh, exciting, and really loaded with titles spreading across multiple genres.

What are your top picks this season? 

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