Anime 2023 Spring Is Almost Here

There’s no doubt that this season of anime has been incredible. But not everything gets the spotlight, and some of the best titles have gone relatively unnoticed.

While most reverse-isekai titles delve head-first into the extraordinary, Skip and Loafer takes things slowly. The result is a refreshing high school story that’s just as charming as it is thought-provoking.

Heavenly Delusion

As the season continues to unfold, it’s clear that the expectations for anime 2023 spring were well founded. With some of the year’s most talked-about manga getting an anime adaptation, the season is poised to be one of the best in recent years.

Heavenly Delusion is the show at the forefront of this movement, offering a unique view of society’s collapse in the wake of global annihilation. Its first five episodes have been unnerving, invigorating, and stylized with a high bar set for animation.

This series is a must-watch, whether you’re a fan of sci-fi or not. It’s the type of show that demands a second look, and Production IG has delivered a visual spectacle to match its engrossing story. It’s an anime that asks you to consider the importance of trust and if a world without robots is really “Heaven.”

Mashle: Magic and Muscles

When you think of shonen protagonists, a buff boy brute-forcing his way through every obstacle with unparalleled strength comes to mind. That’s exactly the premise of Mashle: Magic and Muscles.

Adapted from a popular seinen manga, this anime immerses viewers in a world brimming with magic. But instead of the usual cast of characters, this show introduces Mash Burnedead, a brawny boy who has no magical ability but can still outpower anyone at Easton Magical Academy with his incredible physical might.

With its mix of well-worn tropes, this anime is sure to delight fans. From the brash protagonist to his entourage to the evil selfish villains, this show has all the elements of a successful shonen. It’s definitely a show any fan should check out, even if they’re not usually a fan of shonen.

Skip and Loafer

When you’re an anime fan, it’s easy to fall into a cycle where you watch the same shows over and over again. While that’s fine in the case of some juggernauts like Demon Slayer and KonoSuba, other series deserve to be watched fresh each season.

That’s where Skip and Loafer comes in. Based on a popular manga, this romantic comedy follows two high schoolers who share the same sleeping problem—insomnia. Fate brings them together in the academy’s observatory, and they ignite a powerful, instant connection.

While it doesn’t push as hard as other shows in the genre, this series carries enough depth to keep fans coming back. Ultimately, it’s about more than the protagonists’ sleep issues. Their insecurities, flaws, and aspirations for growth add up to a truly wholesome romance.

A Galaxy Next Door

The shojo demographic has been booming with recent releases, but one criminally underrated series deserves more recognition. This parody shonen takes the tropes and cliches of this genre to hilarious effect with a charming story and likable characters.

In a season where sequels are dominating the chatter, this wholesome romance stands out as a welcome addition. Its first episode is a bit of a slow start, but push past it and you’ll find a heartwarming and entertaining anime.

A Galaxy Next Door brings a fresh twist to the Magical Girlfriend genre with its modern take on forced marriages and ethereal beauty. The main characters’ personalities mesh well and the animation quality is through the roof. If you’re looking for a relaxing anime 2023 spring, this is a must-watch.

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Top 5 Anime Where the Main Character is Op

The MC of this isekai anime appears to be an ordinary boy until his op powers kick in. His strength is unparalleled and can devastate entire armies.

Vash is one of the most op characters to ever grace an anime. His unrivaled speed and power make him a walking calamity.

1. One Punch Man

One Punch Man is an anime that combines the basic tropes of shonen action shows with some self-aware comedy. Its protagonist, Saitama, possesses the ability to destroy any opponent with a single punch.

It is his constant quest for opponents who can offer him a worthy challenge that gives the story its unique flair.

One-Punch Man is a fun and enjoyable anime to watch that delivers amazing fighting sequences. It’s also a great show to watch if you are looking for an op main character.

2. Hunter x Hunter

The anime is a classic of the shonen genre and is unique in its style. Unlike most other shonen, it doesn’t treat its MC like a prodigious Gary Stu who will win no matter what.

The characters are well-developed and their abilities are balanced. The pacing is great and the fight scenes are impressive.

The arcs that stand out are Yorknew City, Greed Island and the Zoldyck family. However, the series does start to drag in later arcs.

3. Noragami

The manga is ending in 2023 and no news has been released about a season 3 yet. Nonetheless, it’s still worth checking out as the story is entertaining and op in its own way.

Translating to “stray God,” Noragami does an excellent job of humanizing powerful characters while also demonstrating their daily struggles and reliance on others, regardless of their power level. Specifically, Yukine is both the op god and a typical teen boy, making him highly relatable.

4. Seven Deadly Sins

A girl with preposterously massive breasts walks into a tavern and sets off a series of events that will see the Seven Deadly Sins reunited. They also uncover the standard sinister plot within the kingdom’s upper hierarchy.

This shounen anime may seem like it follows the classic formula, but it does a good job of varying up its characters and keeping things interesting. Gon Freecs, for instance, is a childish character at the start but will surprise you with his op powers over the course of the show.

5. Hellsing Ultimate

Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate is scarily overpowered and his bloodlust with terrific screen presence makes him one of the most scary OP characters. The show has a lot of action which goes from pretty awesome gruesome battles to full-on genocidal war against Nazi vampires.

The story starts off slow, but Gon Freecs’ power level keeps increasing over time and this is what makes the anime so addictive.

The animation is also top-notch, although it took a while to finish since the production studio changed on several occasions.

6. Kakegurui

Kakegurui was a huge hit when it aired back in 2017 because of its OP main character. Yumeko Jabami is a gambling maniac who outwits everyone at her school to prove she’s the best punter.

She doesn’t care about flashy displays of wealth or delicate hierarchies of power—she only wants to gamble for the erotic thrill she gets from it. She can be gross and sexual at times but still manages to come across as a rounded character.

7. Overlord

Overlord is a fantasy, action, and comedy anime with an extremely overpowered main character. The story begins when the popular game Yggdrasil is about to be switched off. However, the protagonist Momonga refuses to log out of the game and conquers a living world.

This anime flips the isekai subgenre on its head by making it about a conqueror rather than a hero’s journey. This is evident when the main character, Ainz Ooal Gown, pulls off fantastical feats that any human wouldn’t be able to accomplish.

8. Shigeo

While he starts out meek and insecure like most Shonen protagonists, Shigeo eventually grows to be one of the strongest espers in the series. He also has other talents that are useful outside of his psychic powers.

Shigeo is also very forgiving, never holding resentment towards those who have hurt him. This was shown with Minori, who ruthlessly bullied him in the mental world created by Mogami. He even forgives Ritsu for his pathetic attempt to fight him, despite being a powerful esper himself.

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Anime 3D Modeler

3D modeling gives artists a lot of freedom when creating their characters. They can use styles that range from simple sketches to photographic accuracy.

A 3D character model begins with concept art, which provides a visual representation of the intended design. Next comes the modeling process, which includes blocking, skeleton and muscle frame, and skinning.

Character Design

In the world of 3D video game art, character design is a crucial step in creating lifelike and engaging characters. The process involves a series of steps, including concept creation and modeling, rigging, texturing, and animation.

During the conceptualization phase, artists sketch out their ideas and vision for the character. This step is crucial, as it establishes the personality and narrative of the character. It also helps the animators understand how the character will move and act, which can save time later in the animation process.

A well-defined character design includes a clear sense of personality and a compelling backstory. Whether it’s a hero’s tragic past or a villain’s menacing demeanor, the character’s backstory drives their behavior and actions. A strong personality also adds depth and authenticity to the character, allowing them to connect with audiences and engage them in the story. Character design also involves experimenting with accessories and props that convey the character’s occupation, hobbies, or backstory.

Animator

3D animation is a process that takes many different steps. The first step is the modeling phase, which involves creating a digital model of a character. This model is a representation of the character’s virtual skeleton and is then rigged to make it move.

The animator then uses a keyframe animation process to create the movement of the character. The keyframes are a series of static images that differ in minor details. The main goal at this stage is to achieve the most realistic movements possible.

Viewers are often shocked when they see some of the resulting shots. They may assume that the artist has some kind of magic power to achieve the effect, but in reality, it’s just a matter of perspective. For example, a powerful image of a character roaring can be achieved by distorting and modifying the modeled body. These kinds of images are harmless, but they can be confusing for some viewers.

Modeler

A 3D modeler is a specialist who creates digital models of characters and other objects in video games, films, and other media. They work with sketches, photos, and concept art to create highly detailed, lifelike models. Their job requires patience and close attention to detail, as they may spend months or even years working on a single character model.

In addition to modeling skills, a 3D modeler needs to be familiar with anatomy. This is especially important when creating characters, as it helps them convey the correct appearance and proportions of their bodies. They also need to be able to quickly and accurately translate the director’s intent into a digital character model.

3D modeling can be a challenging career, but it’s well worth the effort for those who love to create. There are many resources available online to help beginners get started, including free 3D modeling apps and tutorials. Some of these websites even offer a community of users who can offer support and advice.

Software

Anime animators use software programs to create 3D scenes, characters, and objects. These tools help them bring their anime visions to life and make the characters look realistic. These software programs also allow animators to manipulate characters to animate them.

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software program that lets you create and modify models quickly. It has a huge library of free model assemblies that you can use. The library is regularly updated thanks to user donations. Another useful 3D modeling tool is CGTrader, which provides free or low-cost models with high or lower polygon counts.

Autodesk Maya is an animation software that can be used for a variety of tasks, including 2D and 3D character animation. It offers a wide range of features, including a powerful motion capture system that can be used for virtual cinematography and traditional keyframe animation. It also supports BVH, universal 3D, and FBX formats. It is also compatible with a range of other 3D modeling applications.

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Anime Idol Movies

When people think of anime idol, they may see it as simply music-themed slice-of-life series with cute girls doing cute things. However, the genre has much more to it than meets the eye.

Rather than following conventional Music Stories, these shows bring a more realistic view of the entertainment industry and its pains and rewards. This is a refreshing take that can appeal to many more people than traditional idol anime.

Zombieland Saga

Zombieland Saga is a smart deconstruction of typical idol anime tropes. It’s easy to get drawn in by the girls’ tragic backstories and their struggle to become a genuine idol group.

Despite her desire to be a singer, Sakura Minamoto’s first steps towards success end up being deadly. In her hurry to make it on time to her performance, she’s hit by a truck.

The resurrected girls are brought together by shifty producer Kotaro Tatsumi, who recruits them for the zombie pop group Franchouchou to revitalize Saga Prefecture. But they don’t quite understand what he means when he says the girls must save their region from dying out.

As the girls work to overcome their own issues, they learn more about themselves and each other. For example, 1980s idol Junko and 2000s pop star Ai clash over their different conceptions of what it takes to be a famous singer: where Junko believes in maintaining a flawless image, Ai has grown up with social media and feels she needs to be more open to her fans.

Wake Up Girls!

Wake Up Girls, or WUG for short, is about a group of seven voice actresses that are trying to become idols. While they aren’t particularly talented musicians or dancers, they have a lot of drive and the determination to not give up. The prequel movie explains how they were selected to join the team, and then the show chronicles their struggles to be successful. They are held back by the lack of talent, and their resolve is only bolstered when former I-1 Club idol Mayu Shimada joins the group to keep them from becoming just another group of lost souls.

It’s not as light and fluffy as other idol anime, and it shows a more realistic side to the business where hard work and dedication are required for success. While it may be a little bit too mature for younger viewers, it’s an enjoyable watch with likable characters and a solid plot. It also has pretty good music from both vocal and non-vocal tracks.

White Album

White Album is a drama that centers on the Japanese idol industry. It’s a visual novel that requires very little player interaction and instead relies on text appearing on the screen to represent either dialogue or the protagonist’s inner thoughts. The characterization is fairly good and some of the characters have major voice talent behind them including Hirano Aya (Yuki) and Suara (Utawarerumono).

Most idol stories revolve around high school drama and the relationships between three or more students. Oftentimes these conflicts get bogged down with juvenile, childish arguments that only serve to irritate the audience rather than propel the story forward. White Album avoids these traps in two key ways.

First, the protagonist Haruki doesn’t seem to be all that interested in his love for both Setsuna and Kazusa. He is a fairly intellectual student and his sexuality seems to play a very minor role in the plot. This is a far cry from the protagonists in most other idol anime which are nearly all driven by their sexual desires.

The Seven Idols

The brash president of Green Leaves Entertainment in Sendai is determined to save her struggling agency by producing an idol group. As the movie opens, she dispatches manager Matsuda to scout raw talent. His fateful encounter with Shimada Mayu leads to the formation of IDOLiSH7.

The plot is straightforward enough, although the characterization isn’t as solid as it could be. The girls all have their moments, and the music is catchy enough to be a good gateway into the genre.

The real star here is Tenn Kujo, the eldest member of the group. He seems aloof but has a true passion for his job and cares deeply for the other members of the group. He entered the industry to get revenge on someone but has since realized that the world of idols can be a wonderful place. He’s a big brother figure to the others and has a firm yet kind heart. His music symbol is a triangle.

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How to Develop an Anime Drawing Style

A top anime artist has a unique drawing style. This is a result of years of practice and exploration. The best way to develop your own unique style is to start by learning the basics of art.

For example, most artists begin with the human anatomy. This helps them learn to draw things like eyes and hands.

Eyes

The eyes in anime are a key element in showing the personality and emotion of your character. It’s important to keep the eyes symmetrical and consider all the little details, like the curve of the eyelashes or the color of the pupil.

To draw an anime eye, start by drawing a circle for the eyeball. Then draw a curved line for the upper eyelid and another for the lower eyelid. Make sure the lines are a little bit narrower and less curved than the upper eyelid.

Next, add the iris. Draw a smaller circle inside the larger one to create the pupil. Then add a few eyelashes on the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelashes are a great way to add a cute aesthetic to your anime drawing. But remember, for male anime characters, they should be thin and not too abundant. Also, female anime eyes tend to be more rounded and have a more feminine shape than male eyes.

Nose

There are a few different types of anime noses some of which are very simple such as just a single curved line others are more stylized while still others are more realistic. Generally a basic or realistic looking anime/manga nose is going to have more curves and pay more attention to detail than a very stylized one.

In a front view draw the shape of the nose and then add the curves that are making up the bridge of the nose and the nostril. You may also want to give a small hint of the nostril as well with a short line.

For the side view position the nose as you did in the previous two examples based on the horizontal halfway point of the forehead and the bottom of the chin. Now sketch the upper and lower lines of the nose and add a short line for the nostril. This is pretty much all that it takes for a basic nose in a side view.

Mouth

Drawing a mouth in an anime style requires a certain level of skill. It is important to know that the mouth is an area of the face that can convey a lot of emotions. It is also important to understand how the shape of the mouth changes based on the expression that is being displayed.

For example, a mouth that is upturned at the corners can indicate anger or tension while a closed mouth shows fear or sadness. A mouth that is widened can show excitement or happiness. A mouth that is slightly opened can show attraction or interest.

When drawing a mouth in an anime style, it is a good idea to start with a curved line for the upper lip and another curved line for the lower lip. Then add the teeth, making sure they are a good size for the character you are drawing. Also remember to account for foreshortening when illustrating faces in three-quarters view.

Hair

Hair is an area where many artists struggle. Some love illustrating the bouncy wefts of cute curls, but others find it a huge pain in the neck to get right. But there are a few tips you can follow to help make the process a lot more manageable.

First, draw major shapes. This will make it easier to later add individual strands of hair. It’s also a good way to check that the proportions are right.

Next, sketch the face. Use curved lines to trace the head and facial features. This is important for establishing the look of your character.

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Anime Series That Last a Long Time

Anime lovers love a good long-running series. These shows can hook you on the characters in ways short shows can’t. They also allow fans to connect with the show’s characters in a more emotional way.

This shonen follows a boy named Luffy on his quest to become the Pirate King. He amasses a crew, explores the open seas and battles self-proclaimed gods.

One Piece

The massively popular anime series One Piece has been entertaining fans since 1997. Its unique world-building features a wealth of imaginative locales and creatures, each with their own culture and language. This attention to detail is uncommon in the genre, but helps make the series feel more realistic and immersive.

One Piece also has exceptional character development, often developing the backstory and personality of even minor characters. This makes the characters feel real and authentic, which is why they’re so memorable. The show has inspired 50+ video games as well.

Although One Piece has a large number of episodes, it rarely changes the plot or introduces filler arcs. This is a testament to the quality of the original manga and anime, and also how well it has translated to live-action. The Netflix version of the series is a perfect example of how to faithfully adapt a classic and beloved manga into a successful adaptation. It’s sure to delight old and new fans alike.

Detective Conan

Detective Conan, or Case Closed in English, is a long-running manga series that has been adapted into a television show. It features many different cases involving murder, robbery, kidnapping, salvage and terrorism.

The series is heavily influenced by Sherlock Holmes, which was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It also takes influences from other series such as Jiro Akagaw’s Mikeneko Holmes, Maurice LeBlanc’s Arsene Lupin, and samurai movies by Akira Kurosawa.

Unlike other anime, it is not very violent and does not contain a lot of blood. In A June Bride Murder Case, for example, Conan rinsed the mouth of Miss Matsumoto after she had been poisoned by a water snake instead of letting her die.

Besides the main series, there are a number of spin-offs including Detective Conan Special (focusing on Furuya Rei’s day job at the Poirot Café) and Detective Conan: Zero’s Tea Time (a comedy starring the character of Hanzawa). It has also been made into a video game and several trading cards.

Anpanman

When it comes to food-based superheroes, Anpanman is at the top of the list. Originally a series of children’s picture books by Takashi Yanase, the franchise exploded into a juggernaut that includes clothes, snacks, toys, full-length movies and TV specials.

The show is centered around Anpanman, a hero with a sweet roll bean jam-filled pastry for a head, who fights a germ named Baikinman to protect the world. His weakness is water, but he can always count on his kind-hearted baker Uncle Jam to replenish him.

The show’s 30+ year history has seen the art style evolve over time, but it still looks fresh and modern today. Anpanman is the most popular children’s character in Japan, and his fame has helped the country develop a dedicated culture of anime-based kids’ entertainment. He is also known worldwide for his philanthropic work. When he encounters starving creatures or people, he lets them eat part of his head for energy.

Blue Period

Blue Period is an anime that features the struggles of a young artist. It follows Yatora Yaguchi, a high school student who discovers his talent for painting. It’s a touching, enthralling story about finding your passion and fighting against society’s expectations.

This is a very unique anime that doesn’t shy away from showing the difficulties of art as a career path. It also discusses a variety of different viewpoints on creating, including venues for creation (like taught vs untaught artists). It’s definitely a deeper experience than your typical shounen or action anime.

The animation in this anime isn’t the best, but it still manages to capture a great sense of style and emotion. The show has an excellent soundtrack and is incredibly well written. It’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys manga or art in general.

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