10 Promising Anime Series to Look Forward to in 2018

HINAMATSURI

You’ll be hard pressed to find a story as unique as Hinamatsuri. The original manga encompasses many genres, from science fiction to slice of life, and throws an abundance of wacky humor at the reader with startling speed and wit. It’s currently scheduled to premiere in April.

The story follows Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza, who one day discovers a young girl named Hina. Hina has supernatural powers, like telekinesis and the ability to make things explode. Although Nitta initially thinks Hina is from another world, it’s eventually hinted that she could be from another time. However, neither theory is confirmed to be true. Regardless, Nitta relies on Hina’s incredible powers to rise in the ranks of the criminal underworld.

This insane premise leads to a plethora of storylines, from a confusing father-daughter relationship to romantic misunderstandings, and everyday school life to supernatural battles. It’s pretty bonkers but it’s a fun ride, and one worth taking.

NIL ADMIRARI NO TENBIN: TEITO GENWAKU KITAN

Based on a video game of the same name, Nil Admirari no Tenbin: Teito Genwaku Kitan is a little weird. You’ll have to go into this anime with an open mind, but after getting past the info dump of an intro, the storyline really picks up and presents some interesting arguments concerning themes of death, freedom of choice, and the darkness of human nature.

The story follows Tsugumi, a sheltered young woman who is tasked with marrying a wealthy man she doesn’t know to save her family from their own misfortune. However, on the eve of the wedding, she finds her brother dead. He burned himself alive while holding some mysterious book. A bureau of fabulously handsome men approaches Tsugumi to inform her that there are books in the world known as Maremonos, which can affect their readers in a multitude of ways. Tsugumi leaves with the bureau, the wedding is called off, and she begins her life as a supernatural detective that tracks down and secures these magical books. Along the way, she discovers that her brother’s suicide gave her the power to see Auras, the mystical energies that reveal how Maremonos has affected someone.

If you think that’s a lot, try watching the rest of the story. The video game takes a dizzying descent into a rabbit hole of lore that can quickly become confusing. The game is a visual novel that directs the player to pursue one of several different paths to reach one of many conclusions. The whole narrative doesn’t become clear until every path is pursued. I’m hoping the anime simplifies the story, and takes elements from all of the paths to deliver one, clear narrative. If it does, this could be one powerhouse of a show.

Nil Admirari no Tenbin: Teito Genwaku Kitan will debut in April.