Monster Hunter Stories: RIDE ON is a fantasy story adapted from a game set in a world divided. There are those who hunt monsters, known as Hunters, and those who coexist peacefully with monsters, Riders. Ryuuto is a young man who lives in the Riders’ village of Hakumu. He had big dreams to be the world’s best Rider. A Rider and their monster share a unique relationship where as a Rider possesses Kizuna Ishi (Bond Stones) that help them awaken their monster’s hidden potential. Ryuuto knows he needs to find his Otomon (monster partner) at an early age in order to create a bond that will make them the best. Ryuuto and his friends Mabirou, Lilia, and Cheval head deep in to the wood to begin their adventure in this mystical land of Hunters, Riders and the various and spectacular monsters of this fascinating world.

You like animals, right? You like cute girls, right? Of course, we all do. You can now get your fix of both with Kemono Friends. The giant integrated zoo Japari Park, which we assume is a mash-up word of Japan and safari and is parodying Jurassic Park, is home to animals that can change to human-like appearances because of a mysterious substance called Sand Star. The popular park is frequented by families on a regular basis and one day a lost girl comes to the park seeking answers about where she came from. The girl makes friends with the many cute animal girls in the park who join in on her adventure of self-discovery. A video preview of a cute little maybe-leopard girl scratching a tree in the park as her fluffy tail wags behind her is very inciting for fans of the kawaii. We suggest getting out your binoculars and donning your pith helmet for a safari of the adorable.

Twin Star Exorcist is one part Shounen adventure, one part comedy, one part romance and a whole lot of fun. You get a great new battle each week in this ongoing series as exorcists use their powers to defend the living from attack by the demonic impure Kegare from the spirit realm of Magano. The Twin Stars are a pair of young exorcists by the names of Rokuro and Benio who are destined to give birth to the Miko. The Miko is prophesized to have the power to destroy Magano and seal the world of the Kagare forever. The comedic part is that Rokuro and Benio are only freshmen in high school, so they’re both still awkward around each other. Not to mention they are being told they need to “get it on” for the sake of the world. The relationship gradually warms over 30 episodes as they develop a deep friendship and possibly love. You should get your talismans ready because you’re going to need them as this series is definitely headed toward an all-out battle between the Kegare and the exorcists for control of our world.

Chuuta Kokonose may have a psychological problem. He hears a voice in his head. We all hear voices in our head from time to time, so that isn’t the problem -- the fact that he is often seen talking to himself answering the voice is. As a result, Chuuta is treated as a weirdo by the world. One day he is spotted while talking to himself by the elDLIVE Space Patrol Police, pushing him into an adventure that will explain the origin of the voice and challenges him to learn more about a world he’s never seen before. Viewers will have to make sure their seatbelts are firmly fastened for this action adventure filled with cat girls, cute girls, magical transformation scenes and hard-nosed police work keeping the planet safe for you and me.

Who wants to be frightened this winter? We have a just the series for you, now returning for its fourth season. Yami Shibai is a series of anime shorts focusing on Japanese urban legends and tales of terror. We find from the beginning that this isn’t the typical anime with thousands of key frames of cute girls and boys solving a mystery like in Scooby-Doo. The animation is very similar to the art of Kamishibai, a traditional paper-scrolling device used by wandering storytellers before motion pictures. You can’t help feel a sense of dread as the stories unfold. The stripped-down animation only adds to the macabre campfire feel of these horrific tales. If you want a good scare as the latest winter storm howls outside your window, Yami Shibai is the perfect choice.

The story of Reikenzan is adapted from a Chinese online manga series set in the year 6233. The world of the Nine Provences is in a time of upheaval when a comet collides with Earth bringing about a global catastrophe. The Reiken Clan has trained spiritual sword warriors for the last two millennia in hopes of finding a messiah prophesied to rise to power. Ouriku is a 12-year-old boy who undertakes the exam in the hopes of becoming a spiritual sword warrior. The second season takes place two years after Ouriku began his journey when he is sent to his hometown on a mission of self-discovery. What will happen when his desires conflict with destiny? You will have to watch this anime filled with magic and swordplay in a near-medieval fantasy setting to find out.

Sorey is a human who was raised high above the clouds in a village of Seraphim. Spiritual beings that are not visible to most humans, but Sorey can see them. A legend exists that says humans and Seraphim lived side-by-side, a legend that Sorey and his Seraphim friend Mikleo are keen to investigate. Their search leads them on an amazing adventure, taking them far from the village they grew up in and into the human world. Sorey finds he is very special, not just for being able to see Seraphim, but also his ability to wield a sacred sword, making him a Shepherd. A Shepherd isn’t a man who tends sheep, his is a force for good. He’s able to merge with Seraphim, gaining special strength and powers that can be used to exorcise destructive maleficence from people and the land. Along the way, Sorey makes great friends with other Seraphim, a lady who inhabits the sacred sword, a rogue, a human assassin, and a loli Seraphim. Sorey is also lucky to have a love interest in the role of Alisha, the princess of the human Kingdom of Hyland, who wants to cleanse her land and bring back the days of the Seraphim. The artwork and animation in this series are amazing and the action sequences are worthy of the Unfotable brand that brought you Unlimited Blade Works.

Spiritpact is described as an action, supernatural, shounen-ai, or BL Shounen action spectacular. Keika You is a poor boy, Keika is dead. He may look and feel 10 years younger, but he is dead. He was killed in a traffic accident. He opens his eyes again after his demise to see a super-hot, super-rich guy with white hair standing over him. The man introduces himself as Youmeishi the Ruler of Light and Dark, and before Keika can say “Aren’t you a little old to be a chuunibyou?” he finds himself forming a pact with him in order to fight various supernatural beings with powers he never knew he had. The story is filled with emotion and action hot enough to melt an ice rink.

We kind of think of this story as the “what if Harry Potter was a Magical Girl?” story. We don’t have a problem with that at all. The Little Witch Academia anime is based on the very successful Little Witch Academia movies. This time the story is about Akko, a little girl who is fascinated with magic and enrolls in the traditional European school for witches, the Luna Nova Magical Academy. The problem here is that Akko is no Harry Potter. She has no natural talent for magic. Akko is not one to let a lack of talent stop her from achieving her dream. She is joined on this adventure by her roommate, Lotte, who has a dry wit contrasting Akkos excitable personality, and Sucy, Akko’s roommate who sees her as a willing guinea pig for testing potions. Akko does try her hardest with a “I will try my best” spirit that leads her into to many adorably catastrophic situations in this magical fantasy comedy.