July hasn’t even begun yet the hype for this month’s anime lineup is already gaining the heat like the weather. From series like Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 to Baki Hanma season 2 part 1, the summer 2023 anime lineup is expansive, anticipatory, and diverse. With a few weeks in between, now is the perfect time to scour through the large list of shonen anime series to see the ones that viewers need to prioritize before others. As such, here are the 7 most anticipated shonen series that anime fans have been waiting to watch.
Rurouni Kenshin, Zom 100, and 5 other eagerly awaited July shonen anime series
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (July 6)
The second instalment of Jujutsu Kaisen will cover two arcs – Gojo’s Past Arc (chapters 65 to 79) and Shibuya Incident Arc (chapters 79 to 136). The first arc will take viewers back to 2006 and see Satoru Gojo as a student at Tokyo Jujutsu High along with Suguru Geto and Shoko Ieri. Gojo and Geto will be tasked to escort the Star Plasma Vessel to Master Tengen, but their journey won’t be easy as they will face Toji Fushiguro and other malicious curse users on the way. Shibuya Incident Arc, on the other hand, will move back to the present timeline and see how Gojo gets trapped within the Prison Realm. Following this, Kenjaku orchestrates his master plan to introduce the Culling Game for the jujutsu sorcerers.
Rurouni Kenshin (July 6)
The 2023 TV re-adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s manga of the same name will see the former assassin Himura Kenshin setting off on a redemptive journey after taking part in the Boshin war. Now, the samurai hopes to protect people and never kill people. However, the journey is not as easy as the use of his reverse blade katana sometimes would prove to be unuseful. On the other hand, the Meiji warrior will also meet a woman named Kamiya Kaoru who will offer him to stay at her dojo after he saves her life. From here would begin a story that will have the perfect balance between romance and action in a historical setting.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 2 (July 8)
The second cour of Bleach:TYBW, The Separation, will adapt the rest of the series’ manga, starting from chapter 542. Following the end of first part back in November 2022, the second instalment will resume from there to eventually culminate into the final battle between the Shinigamis of Soul Society and Yhawach’s Sternritters. With Ishida now siding with the antagonists, Ichigo will have a new Zanpakuto that he will be seen using while battling the Father of all Quincys. Moreover, the second part will also see the animated adaptation of some of the most anticipated Bankais of a few characters.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (July 9)
The comedy horror anime Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead has been considered one of the most anticipated new series of the year largely due to its trailer, which shows brilliant animation and an engaging premise. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead will see 24-year-old Akira Tendou realize the futility of his life after having worked in the Japanese corporate industry. Moreover, he is so unmotivated that he can’t even seem to confess his love to the colleague he has a crush on. However, the story takes a turn for the worse when he discovers his landlord eating another tenant, following which he discovers that the entire city is now infested with zombies. Even amidst the crisis, Akira will now strangely find a new zeal in living as he fights against zombies to survive.
Bungo Stray Dogs season 5 (July 12)
Picking up from where season 4 ended back in January 2023, the fifth instalment will adapt two arcs – Kamui Revelation Arc (chapters 79 to 88) and Vampire Infection Outbreak Arc (chapters 89 – ). As the name of the first arc suggests, the leader of Decay of the Angels, Kamui, will be revealed to be an unexpected person. With the Armed Detective Agency still being framed, Atsushi and Akutagawa will be seen clashing against Ochi Fukuchi, Hunting Dogs’ leader, while Ranpo traps himself inside the book. The ADA will gather, with the exception of Dazai, who will be stuck in the Meursault Prison along with Fyodor. When Nikolai Gogol proposes a deadly game to the two characters, Dazai would choose Sigma as his partner, but Fyodor’s “weapon” will be a surprising reveal. Meanwhile, an epidemic will be spreading throughout Yokohama, and the virus is connected to Bram Stoker, another member of the Decay of the Angels who is commanded by the mysterious Kamui.
The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! season 2 (July 13)
【New Trailer】
The Devil is a Part-Timer!! Season 2
Scheduled for July 13!🍟 More: https://t.co/Ia9G8T7c47 pic.twitter.com/3hq3OfTP6z
— AnimeTV チェーン (@animetv_jp) June 7, 2023
Although unofficially called the season 3, the first part of The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! season 2 premiered last year, and now part 2 is returning in July. The last season covered Sadao Maou (Satan) trying to take care of a child along with Emilia. The upcoming season will see Sadao and Suzuno Kamazuki (Crestia Bell) going back to Ente Isla to save Shiou Ashiya (Alciel), Asas Rasmus, and Emi Yusa (Hero Emilia Justina) following an attack that fatally wounds Hanzou Urushihara (Lucifer) and Chiho Sasaki.
Baki Hanma season 2 part 1 (July 28)
Season 2 of Baki Hanma will be divided into two parts, with the first part covering The Tale of Pickle & The Pickle War Saga (chapters 79 to 185 of the manga). After Baki’s fight against Biscuit Oliva in the Great Prison Battle Saga, the scientists will find out about a prehistoric caveman named Pickle. He will then be taken to Mitsunari Tokugawa where he will battle several formidable fighters from around the world.
