By Liam Moore

January 22, 2021

2020 was most likely the worst year anyone has experienced, and the way 2021 started, it doesn’t look like much has changed. However, 2020 was a great year for anime and had some exciting new shows and fan favourites. Luckily, 2021 looks to have some good anime in store for us.

Firstly, we have Attack on Titan: The Final Season. In a world filled with giants known as Titans, Eren Yeager seeks revenge against those who killed his parents and endangered his home. Although the first episode aired in December 2020, the final season of this hit show will finish in 2021 and is so popular that it can’t be left out on this list. It is arguably one of the most popular anime in the 21st century.

Next is the second season of The Promised Neverland, a fantasy thriller anime that follows three children, Emma, Norman, and Ray, as they attempt to escape from the orphanage they live in. This seemingly innocent anime gained popularity for its shock factor. The first episode of the second season aired on January 6.

Third on this list is 2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu, a sports and drama anime about a high school transer volleyball player, Kimichika Haijima leading the school’s team to victory. Most anime fans know that Haikyu!! is the most popular volleyball anime, but 2.43 aired just after the finishing of the fourth season of Haikyu!!. This means that this anime will not be overshadowed by its more popular counterpart. The first episode aired on January 7.

The hit sci-fi drama anime Dr. Stone will air the first episode of its second season on January 14. The anime follows Senku, a young prodigy scientist after all living things were encased in stone for thousands of years. Senku attempts to rebuild civilization from the stone age to modern day during his lifespan. 

Next is the fifth season of My Hero Academia, an action anime set in a world where many people are born with superpowers and being a superhero is a common profession. The plot follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a superpower, as he tries to become a superhero. The first episode of the fifth season airs on March 27.

Lastly, the second season of The Rising of The Shield Hero will be airing sometime in 2021, the date is yet to be announced. The action fantasy anime follows Naofumi Iwatani as he is transported to another world and made into one of the Four Cardinal heroes. Unfortunately for Naofumi, the shield hero is hated by most people in this new world. Naofumi attempts to get revenge against the monarchy who mistreated him.

Much like last year, 2021 seems to have a lot of popular anime in store for the anime community. These six anime should be on your radar if you are into anime. However, there are many more anime coming out this year which are just as popular.