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Summer anime & manga season snuck up fast. One moment I was watching Dandelion, then I fell into BLAME!, and now schools are out and the most anticipated releases of the year are right around the corner.
This week we're highlighting the upcoming premieres you should have on your radar, a manga pick that deserves a spot on your reading list, an underappreciated gem you’ve probably forgotten about, and more.
For even more curated anime picks and opinions, subscribe to Worth the Watch, a part of Pix Plus. This Friday’s edition is a full Netflix deep dive—including a breakdown of the best anime the platform has to offer and what's coming soon. Try Pix Plus for free for 7 days!
Next Up: New Anime Premiering Soon
Apparently steam is the vibe of the summer! Both of the biggest anime dropping over the next two weeks are set in steampunk-inspired worlds.
Lord of Mysteries
Streaming June 20 on Crunchyroll
In a Victorian world of steam and occult horrors, Klein Moretti returns in two highly anticipated specials, diving deep into the world of Beyonders and secret societies. Based on the beloved Chinese web novel, this series pairs an ambitious story with a jaw-dropping blend of 3D and 2D animation.
Sparks of Tomorrow
Streaming July 5 on Netflix
Kyoto Animation's first Netflix original is set in a steam-powered version of Kyoto, following a grieving boy (Yuma Uchida) and a girl hiding her pain (Sora Amamiya) as they chase down a lost inventor's catalog. Electricity has never looked (or sounded) this epic.
The full list:
The Stack
Together with ThriftBooks
Three Major Summer Adaptations
This summer is filled with the kind of manga-to-anime adaptations we live for! Whether you want to read before you watch or vice versa (no judgment here), you can grab these stories at ThriftBooks now for unbeatable prices. And since you’ll get free shipping on all U.S. orders over $20, you can feel good about picking up a few.
Princess Knight
By Osamu Tezuka
Princess Sapphire was born with two hearts—one male, one female—so she's made heir and raised as a prince. But now, some are contesting her claim to the throne. Inspired by Princess Knight, watch The Ribbon Hero on Netflix August 8.
From Ink to Anime
Firefly Wedding
On the surface, Satoko has it all—she’s beautiful, the daughter of a nobleman, and at a prime age for marriage. Tragically, she's also terminally ill. Before she can secure the match her family needs, a mysterious assassin arrives at her door. In order to make it out alive, she makes the assassin a "proposal"…
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Manhwa Corner
The Solo Leveling anime made Sung Jinwoo a household name. The sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Vol. 1 (out July 21), picks up with his son Suho, an ordinary college student in a world his father sacrificed everything to protect. If you watched the anime and want to know what's next, Ragnarok is a genuinely exciting new chapter.
Underappreciated Gem
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Streaming on Crunchyroll
A man gets released from prison and immediately goes looking for the rakugo master who changed his life, hoping to be the man's first apprentice. This thought-provoking, slow-burn character study only has two seasons but 100% deserves a spot on your watchlist.
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Coming Soon
🥷 A 4K restoration of Ninja Scroll is hitting theaters in October!
🏯 This Studio Ghibli pop-up store is coming to LA!
🎭 Death Note the Musical just announced the full London cast.