With the spring season of anime coming to a close later this month, the second half of 2022 is set to kick off with a list of highly anticipated and exciting new shows and seasons. From My Hero Academia and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure to Mob Psycho 100, Bleach and Chainsaw Man, here are the 10 biggest anime releasing in the second half of 2022.
Before we begin, some honourable mentions include Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV, To Your Eternity Season 2, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! 2nd Season. Each anime below is in order based on potential and hype, with the studios and airing seasons also listed.
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10 Biggest Anime Releasing in the Second Half of 2022
10. Overlord IV
Studio: Madhouse | Airing: Summer 2022
The fourth season of Overlord is upon us and it’s a bit surprising that the series has lasted this long. The popular isekai show follows a powerful protagonist/antagonist on his journey to become the greatest villain of this fantasy world. It’s a refreshing spin on a tired trope that has kept Overlord powering through to four seasons. With a huge studio like Madhouse behind the project, it’s not hard to see why it maintains its popularity.
9. Rent-a-Girlfriend 2nd Season
Studio: TMS Entertainment | Airing: Summer 2022
Moving away from the antics of superpowers and action for a bit, the second season of the popular romantic comedy Rent-a-Girlfriend arrives this summer. The first season originally aired in 2020 and quickly amassed a following thanks to its well-timed humour, colourful characters and solid animation. Hopefully the second season will be able to carry that same momentum and deliver another quirky rom-com worth your time.
8. The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR6VcRL-hOw&ab_channel=AnimeUS
Studio: Studio 3Hz | Airing: Summer 2022
Another must-watch comedy to add to the summer season, The Devil is a Part-Timer! returns with its long-awaited second season. The premise alone is enough to warrant a few laughs: the devil finds himself stranded on Earth and picks up a part-time job at McDonald’s. Apart from its humour, the show delivers a decent amount of well-animated action and plenty of heart.
7. My Hero Academia Season 6
Studio: Bones | Airing: Fall 2022
A show as recognisable as My Hero Academia shouldn’t need an introduction at this point. The sixth season will return from Bones and adapt one of the most revered arcs of the shounen manga. Set in a world of superheroes, the series revolves around an academy that trains its students to hone their superpowers and become functional and helpful members of society. It’s about as shounen as you can get. The sixth season airs this fall.
6. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Part 2
Studio: David Production | Airing: Fall 2022
Buckle up because this is going to get a little confusing. The first part of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 6: Stone Ocean originally aired on Netflix in December 2021. Now, part 2 has been announced for fall 2022. Based on the massively popular manga series, the equally massive new anime adaptation gained traction online thanks to memes, its odd premise and, well, mostly memes. However, it’s absolutely something that you should be experiencing right now.
5. Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFGg9bR3TBw&ab_channel=AnimeTV%E3%83%81%E3%82%A7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3
Studio: Kinema Citrus | Airing: Summer 2022
After winning dozens of anime of the year awards when the first season originally aired in 2017, Made in Abyss is finally returning with a new season. The beautiful, dark and twisted fantasy of the series has allowed this unassuming show about young adventurers descending into a crater of nightmarish monsters to stand out among its peers. A new season will hopefully take us deeper into its wonderfully grim world.
4. Spy x Family Part 2
Studio: CloverWorks, Wit Studio | Airing: Fall 2022
The first part of Spy x Family is currently airing and it has already won the hearts of many viewers. With its endearing cast, heartwarming moments and fantastic action, it’s easy to see why the second part of Spy x Family would be so anticipated. Set to air in the fall season later this year, part 2 will continue to adapt the ongoing manga series. We might be looking at a new juggernaut anime if this level of quality is kept up.
3. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iutQJzAXiWo&ab_channel=JPAnime
Studio: Pierrot | Airing: Fall 2022
Bleach, one of the original “Big 3” shounen series next to Naruto and One Piece, is set to make its triumphant return later this year. The anime originally ended in 2012 and left the last season up in the air. However, Pierrot will finally adapt the Thousand-Year Blood War arc which concluded Tite Kubo’s manga about stylish supernatural samurai and transforming katanas. Dreams apparently do come true.
2. Mob Psycho 100 III
Studio: Bones | Airing: Fall 2022
The third and final season of Mob Psycho 100 is set to air in the fall. Manga author ONE’s crazy series about a reserved teenager who has explosive psychic powers became a great alternative to the more bombastic nature of One-Punch Man. The third season will wrap up the last few chapters of the manga which already concluded in 2018. Look forward to emotional gut-punches and supremely stylish animation from Bones.
1. Chainsaw Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyonP1AgC0k&ab_channel=AnimeHype%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC
Studio: MAPPA | Airing: Fall 2022
We finally arrive at the most hyped anime of 2022. Coming from studio MAPPA which proved itself with Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Chainsaw Man is destined to take the anime world by a vicious storm when it airs later this year. The manga which it’s adapting is bloody brilliant in almost every aspect, from the high-octane violence and lovable characters to its sinister undertones which permeate throughout every scene. Chainsaw Man is one you cannot afford to miss if you’d like to see a potential classic in the making.
