Top 5 Anticipated Anime of Summer 2026 (Completely Subjective)
- This post contains the editor's highly subjective views.
- This post updates irregularly.
- I only enjoy quotes from works, and I do not interpret or analyze the works themselves.
- The order of work introductions does not signify a ranking.
Ghost in the Shell
The absolute most anticipated show of this season.
They nailed the original art style and overall vibe perfectly.
It honestly feels like they just grabbed that whole classic atmosphere and dragged it straight into the modern era.
If other classics could get this kind of treatment, I'd literally have nothing else to wish for.
Since the world-building is pretty complex and the show doesn't really hold your hand with explanations,
first-time viewers might find themselves a bit lost. But just like the original, I'm fully expecting everything to make sense the more we watch.
It's animated by Science SARU, a studio famous for their insane production quality,
and marks the directorial debut of Moko-chan, who previously worked as the assistant director on Dandadan.
❝-❞
–
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day
The animation and visual aesthetic are top-tier.
The character designs are also super clean and easy on the eyes.
It’s actually a bit more mature/explicit than I expected, but I guess we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.
The girl-on-girl kiss was a bit...
well, yeah! But since I'm not a girl, it didn't really bother me or ruin the experience.
Since I'm not usually the type to read the source material beforehand,
I'm always a bit skeptical about how these kinds of genres end up wrapping things up in the finale...
❝-❞
—
Sparks of tomorrow
The animation and direction are super clean, probably because it’s a Netflix exclusive—you can definitely feel that budget.
The plot, which follows a dream of inventing electrical gadgets and ushering in the age of electricity, felt surprisingly fresh and unique.
Visual-wise, how they naturally blended Impressionist art style into the animation and overall direction was honestly so refreshing and cool to watch.
Also, it doesn't take itself too seriously.
The way they kept things light and threw in some solid comedy really saved it from getting dry or boring.
❝The more experiences you have, the less you’ll fear❞
-Sakamoto, Seiroku-
love unseen beneath the clear night sky
The animation and direction? Nothing to write home about.
And honestly, the plot is as predictable as it gets.
But somehow, this show swallowed my time faster than any other anime this season.
It all comes down to how incredibly well-written the characters and their emotional arcs are.
Take the female lead: she’s blind, yet her vibe is so pure and bright—she genuinely enjoys life and never stops smiling.
On the flip side, we have our male lead: he has perfect vision, yet works overtime just to fade into the background and stay invisible.
Sure, the contrast is a classic trope, but this show hits different.
I just know it. Somewhere down the line, this anime is going to make me absolutely sob.
❝–❞
—
Though I Am an Inept Villainess
I expected nothing, but this completely blew me away.
And that’s coming from someone who isn’t even a fan of the art style or direction.
The body-swapping trope is done to death at this point, but the execution here? Super gripping.
The character designs aren't exactly my cup of tea either, but hey, they're far from bad—actually pretty cute once you get used to them.
Plus, it feels like we’re going to get some solid, low-key philosophical wisdom from the MC as the story goes on.
Long story short: I’m definitely locking this in for the season.
❝You're alive until you're dead.
So, until you actually get bitten, you aren't bitten.
If you start stressing over the pain before it even happens, you're just gonna burn out.❞
-The MC-
