The Spring 2022 anime season is soon upon us, with over 40 new series and sequels starting, here’s our selection of action and shonen-themed shows that’ll keep you warm as winter subsides.
Following anime season by season is a great way to enjoy the hobby while discussing it with fans, though I’d personally mention its best to never ignore older anime as well, rather than only focusing on the new popular thing. With that said, seeing the sheer amount of anime, you might be hesitating over which series to pick up. I’m here to help you out when it comes to action-themed anime this Spring 2022.
Tomodachi Game - Sure-hit death game
High school student Katagiri Yuichi, who values friendship above all else, enjoys a fulfilling life with his close friends Sawaragi Shiho, Mikasa Tenji, Shibe Makoto, and Kokorogi Yutori. However, after a particular incident, they’re dragged into a debt repayment game. The only way to beat the “Tomodachi Game” is to not doubt their friends. Bound together by solid friendships, the game should’ve been easy, but– The hugely popular comic that sold over two million copies is finally becoming an anime! Will they trust or betray their precious friends? The true nature of humanity is exposed in the ultimate psychological game!
Tomodachi Gameis originally an action and psychological warfare manga written by Mikoto Yamaguchi and illustrated by Yuuki Satou, started in 2013. It’s a typical death game type of story, similar to the likes of theBattle Royalemovie,DanganRonpaorSquid Game.This will be right up your alley if you like a mix of physical and mental battles with each character facing though their wits.
Estab Life: Great Escape - The big original anime of Spring 2022
Estab Lifeis an original anime series with a promising staff behind it, hence why not much is known about it, and the series has no pr-release synopsis.
First, it’s based on an original concept by Goro Taniguchi, the director ofCode Geass, Gun x Sword,and the upcomingOne Piece Film Red.
Secondly, the series will be written by Shoji Gatoh, the author ofFull Metal Panic!andAmagi Brilliant Park. If you’ve never watchedFMP, you need to do so as fast as possible, but Shoji Gatoh is basically a master when it comes to world building sci-fi settings, and mixing action with comedy.
Lastly, the original character designer onEstab Lifeis Yusuke Kozaki, the designer ofNo More Heroes, and the Nintendo 3DSFire EmblemgamesAwakeningandFates.Estab Lifeis personally the series I’m looking forward to the most this season, sequels aside.
Spy x Family - The latest shonen wave
Talented spy Twilight has his work cut out for him, procuring both a wife and a child for his mission to infiltrate an elite private school. What he doesn’t know is that the wife he’s chosen is an assassin and the child he’s adopted is a telepath!
Spy x Familyis one of the highly popular shonen manga of the moment, with 12.5 million copies printed in circulation in Japan.Spy x Familyis published bi-weekly in Shonen Jump +, written by Tatsuya Endou. In the past he was also the mangaka ofGekka Bijin, a short but pretty nice monthly story from Jump SQ. This anime is bound to be one of the most popular this season, and this is basically the one show to watch if you like shonen series and want to be sure to have some friends to discuss something with this season. Pretty much everyone will watchSpy x Family.
Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall - 3DCG action with cute girls
Black Rock Shooteris an incredibly popular franchise you’ve definitely heard about if you’ve been into anime since at least the late 2000s.Black Rock Shooter Dawn Fallis a brand new story and takes place in 2062, after Artemis, an AI, destroyed humanity. The series focuses on Empress, an amnesic girl who awakens the guardians of humanity to protect the earth from Artemis. Look no further if you want cool action - though in full 3DCG - with cute girls.
Originally,Black Rock Shooteris an original character made by artist Huke, music group Supercell. and Hatsune Miku. Note though that even if they pretty much look the same, Black Rock Shooter is not a alternate version of Hatsune Miku. The firstBRSanime being an OVA released in 2009. and the TV series happened soon after.
Huke is mainly known outside Japan as the character designer ofSteins;Gate. Huke’s style is very easy to recognize. Supercell is mainly known forKimino Shiranai Monogatari, the incredible ED theme song ofBakemonogatari, the first anime that started the anime Monogatari Series with Shaft’s Akiyuki Shinbo and Nisioisin. Hatsune Miku isHatsune Miku.
Tiger & Bunny 2 - The long-awaited sequel
Originally aired in 2011,Tiger & Bunnyis a superhero-themed anime franchise where Heroes are constantly filmed live on TV and ranked depending on their actions. It’s also a spiritual successor to Tatsunoko’sKarasOVAs series, having a lot of staff members in common. And last but not least, it’s awesome, and by far one of my favorite action and drama series of the last decade.
This is a sequel so obviously you’ll need to watch the original series and movies first, but it’ll definitely be worth it, and you can be sure to be in for a thrill if you pick it up. The series deals with many different themes, such as its political and social commentary on how super heroes are treated like products, to the secret organization controlling society from the shadows.
That’s it for our action anime Spring 2022 guide. What are you planning to pick up this season? Tell me in the comments below!
