Top New Anime for Fall 2020

Hi, everyone! Looks like we're well on our way through the season. After watching a couple of episodes of titles with promising plot summaries, I've been able to weed out the good shows from the bad. For Fall 2020, or anime that started airing from September to December, the number stacks to around ninety shows. That's a lot!

So what new anime should YOU watch this season?

Picking only a dozen out of a hundred is pretty daunting. Agreed that there's plenty of interesting shows out there that cater to different kinds of people, but due to my other life responsibilities, I can only watch so much.

I made this list because I'm sure you're also busy with IRL stuff- better to have someone else do the grunt work, right? If our tastes match and you enjoy these shows, then great!

Without further ado, here's my Top 18 this season:

NEW ANIME:

Jujutsu Kaisen

Japanese: 呪術廻戦
Genre: Action, Horror, Demons, Supernatural, School, Shounen | Studio: MAPPA

Summary: In a world where demons feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryoumen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Any demon who will consume those body parts will gain the power strong enough to destroy the world.

To balance the scale, there exists a mysterious school of Jujutsu Sorcerers who protect regular unsuspecting humans. Yuuji Itadori is an athletic high schooler who would rather hang out with the outcasts in the Occult Club. One day, the club manages to get their hands on a sealed cursed object that would change their lives forever.

Ikebukuro West Gate Park

Japanese: 池袋ウエストゲートパーク
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Romance | Studio: Doga Kobo

Summary: Despite the crime-ridden Ikebukuro being a haven for violent gangs and the Yakuza, it is home to Makoto Majima. To protect his friends, this charismatic troubleshooter mediates disputes among the warring factions—even fixing problems the police can't. But when a rising tide of violence results in Makoto losing a loved one, can he ride out the storm, or will he drown in all the spilled blood that floods his streets?

Moriarty the Patriot

Japanese: 憂国のモリアーティ / Yuukoku no Moriarty
Genre: Mystery, Historical, Psychological, Shounen | Studio: Production I.G

Summary: It's the late 19th century and the British Empire has become a global power. William James Moriarty is a young and cunning mathematics professor. Outside of school, however, he is a well-known private consultant willing to solve the problems of anyone in need. This show puts a new spin on Arthur Conan Doyle's original work by putting the spotlight on its main antagonist and exploring how he came to be the first and only "criminal consultant."

The Day I Became a God

Japanese: 神様になった日 | Kamisama ni Natta Hi
Genre: Drama, Fantasy | Studio: P.A. Works

Summary: Youta Narukami spends his last days in high school preparing for university exams when a young girl named Hina suddenly appears. Introducing herself as the God of Omniscience, she reveals that the world will end in 30 days. After proving multiple times that she can indeed predict the future, Youta must now decide what to do with his final days.

Talentless Nana

Japanese: 無能なナナ | Munou na Nana
Genre: Super Power, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller, Shounen | Studio: Bridge

Summary: In the near future, children with superpowers began to emerge. They are then sent to school on a faraway island to train for their upcoming battle against the "Enemies of Humanity". In truth, this is just a ruse of the government controlled by non-powered humans so they can isolate and kill them. The story follows Nana Hiiragi, the undercover assassin sent by the government to kill these powered children before they can wreak havoc on the world.

Magatsu Wahrheit: Zuerst

Japanese: 禍つヴァールハイト -ZUERST-
Genre: Action, Magic, Fantasy | Studio: Yokohama Animation Lab

Summary: The story follows two young people living in the Wahrheit Empire: the shy Inumael who left his family at home to work as a transporter, and Leocadio, a naive new soldier of the Empire who nonchalantly spends his days in the imperial city. Due to a weapon-smuggling incident gone wrong, the lives of Inumael, Leocadio and the entire Wahrheit Empire will be changed forever.

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle

Japanese: 魔王城でおやすみ | Maoujou de Oyasumi
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Supernatural, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen | Studio: Doga Kobo

Summary: Long ago when humans and demons lived together in disharmony, the demon king kidnaps a princess and imprisons here in his castle. While waiting for her knight in shining armor, she decides to wile away the long hours by sleeping. The only problem: her prison isn't exactly a comfortable place to sleep in. With that, she must now devise ways to improve her quality of sleep to survive.

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World

Japanese: キミと僕の最後の戦場、あるいは世界が始まる聖戦 | Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen
Genre: Action, Military, Romance, Fantasy | Studio: Silver Link.

Summary: A great war has raged for years between the technologically advanced Heavenly Empire and the magically-enriched Nebulis Sovereignty. In present day, Empire master swordsman Iska clashes with Ice Witch Aliceliese in an encounter but ends in a stalemate. Both considered to be the secret weapon of their faction, they hold the key to end the war- will one kill the other or will they work together?

Akudama Drive

Japanese: アクダマドライブ
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi | Studio: Studio Pierrot

Summary: A war between Kanto and Kansai divided the country, with the latter losing and becoming the underdog state. Slowly but surely, the government began losing control of Kansai to criminals known as Akudama. In the midst of these attacks, an ordinary girl will be caught of in their world of crime.

The Journey of Elaina

Japanese: 魔女の旅々 | Majo no Tabitabi
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy | Studio: C2C

Summary: Elaina has been dreaming of becoming a bona fide witch since she was a child. After finally becoming one, she sets off on a journey across the world. Along the way, she would meet all kinds of people, and with each meeting, Elaina would become a small part of their story, and her own world would get a little bit bigger.

I'm Standing on 1,000,000 Lives

Japanese: 100万の命の上に俺は立っている | 100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Game, Shounen | Studio: Maho Film

Summary: Yotsuya Yuusuke is transported to a strange world resembling a role-playing game along with two of his classmates. The game master reveals himself and assigns his classmates the roles of magician and warrior, while Yotsuya is disappointingly granted the farmer class. They return to the real world every time they finish a quest, but they are forced to go back after some time. It's all fun and games until they discover they die for good if all party members die while in the game.

Iwa Kakeru!: Sport Climbing Girls

Japanese: いわかける！ -Sport Climbing Girls-
Genre: Comedy, Sports, School | Studio: Blade

Summary: Konomi Kasahara, renowned puzzle game champion, comes across her school's Climbing Club upon entering Hanamiya Girls' High School. She becomes fascinated with climbing when she discovers that she can apply her puzzle-solving skills on the sport.

RETURNING ANIME:

Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou

Japanese: ひぐらしのなく頃に業 | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou
Genre: Dementia, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller | Studio: Passione

Summary: New kid Keiichi Maebara is settling into his new home of peaceful Hinamizawa village. Making quick friends with the girls from his school, he’s arrived in time for the big festival of the year. But something about this isolated town seems "off," and his feelings of dread continue to grow. With a gnawing fear that he’s right, what dark secrets could this small community be hiding?

The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc S2

Japanese: 魔法科高校の劣等生 来訪者編 | Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Raihousha-hen
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Magic, Romance, School | Studio: 8bit

Summary: For magicians, travelling abroad is normally impossible since allowing the genes of someone who can use magic outside their country is tantamount to giving up national secrets- except for certain exchange programs. And that's how Angelina Kudou Shields has arrived in Japan from the USNA to study at First High. Around the time Lina arrived, magicians began getting attacked by a mysterious being who leaves his victims drained of blood. Will Tatsuya be able to discover the identity of this "Vampire"?

Is the Order a Rabbit? Bloom S3

Japanese: ご注文はうさぎですか? BLOOM | Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? Bloom
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy | Studio: Encourage Films

Summary: Kokoa arrives in a new town in spring to start high school. She gets lost and stumbles into a cafe called "Rabbit House", which turns out to be where she will live. She befriends the shy and precocious granddaughter of the cafe owner, Chino Kafuu, who is often seen with the talking rabbit Tippy on her head. From there she will experience her new life and befriend many others.

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon

Japanese: 半妖の夜叉姫 | Hanyou no Yashahime: Sengoku Otogizoushi
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Demons, Supernatural, Magic, Fantasy | Studio: Sunrise

Summary: The daughters of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha set out on a journey transcending time. In Feudal Japan, half-demon twins Towa and Setsuna are separated from each other during a forest fire. While desperately searching for her younger sister, Towa wanders into a mysterious tunnel that sends her into present-day Japan, where she is found and raised by Kagome's family.

Ten years later, the tunnel that connects the two eras has reopened, allowing Towa to be reunited with Setsuna, who is now a Demon Slayer working for Kohaku. But to Towa's shock, Setsuna appears to have lost all memories of her older sister. Joined by Moroha, the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome, the three young women travel between the two eras on an adventure to regain their missing past.

Fire Force S2

Japanese: 炎炎ノ消防隊 | Enen no Shouboutai
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Shounen | Studio: David Production

Summary: Shinra Kusakabe is a third generation pyrokinetic youth who gained the nickname "Devil's Footprints" for his ability to ignite his feet at will. He joins Special Fire Force Company 8 along with other pyrokinetics who dedicated themselves to ending the Infernal attacks for good. They are also tasked to investigate the other Companies for potential corruption in their ranks.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III

Japanese: ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうかIII | Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka III
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy | Studio: J.C.Staff

Summary: In a world where humans and gods co-exist, life is never dull especially for Bell Cranel, a naïve young man who hopes to become the greatest adventurer in the land. After a chance encounter with the lonely goddess, Hestia, his dreams become a little closer to reality.