*Four more titles have been added to the article following Muse Asia’s announcement on 3 April.

**Two titles from Ani-One and two from dimsum have been added.

***No Guns Life has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus will not be airing on Muse Asia this season. Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater will be postponed after the third episode.

The Spring 2020 season is here, which means a new bunch of anime simulcasts! Here, we’ll be looking at the legal Spring 2020 simulcasts that will be available in Malaysia. But first, a couple of notes.

You’ll notice that a lot of shows are being simulcasted on Aniplus Asia and Muse Asia. In the case of Aniplus, whose shows we access through Astro GO, not all of its titles are guaranteed to be available here. I’ll update the article if necessary once the shows start airing but for now, assume that the Aniplus simulcasts are tentative (update: all the shows are available).

For Muse Asia, the YouTube channel says that they’re trying to add more simulcast titles. I’ll update this article if and when they announce them. Similarly, I’ll keep an eye out for any Amazon Prime Video announcements, should there be any.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at what Malaysians can look forward to this anime season!

Sing “Yesterday” For Me

Premiere date: 5 April 2020
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: Ani-One YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Doga Kobo
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: Rikuo Uozumi is a college graduate with no ambition or direction in life. Instead, he lives out his simple life as a part-time convenience store worker.

One day, he meets an eccentric girl, Haru Nonaka, who walks around with a crow. Then, his former college mate and crush Shinako Morinome, who is now a high school teacher, returns. What will happen to his life now?

Sakura Wars: The Animation

Premiere date: 3 April
Genre: Mecha, Sci-Fi, Music
Where to watch: Ani-One YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Sanzigen
Is it an adaptation: Based on a video game

What’s it about: Steampunk mecha meets idols in historical Japan. The anime’s story, as translated by DualShockers, revolves around the Imperial Combat Revue Flower Division. One day, their captain Seijuro Kamiyama returns from his assignment in Europe with Clara, the sole survivor of the Moscow Combat Revue.

Clara joins the Imperial Combat Revue Flower Division, which was led by Sakura Amamiya in Seijuro’s absence. Soon, people claiming to be the Moscow Combat Revue show up, leading to a new battle.

Gleipnir

Premiere date: 5 April
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Ecchi
Where to watch: dimsum entertainment website
Production Studio: Pine Jam
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga

What’s it about: Kodansha Comics calls the manga a “dark and sexy body-horror action” experience. It’s about a high school kid who discovers the power to turn into, to quote Kodansha, “an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back”. He saves a girl from a fire with this power, and she now wants to use him to seek revenge for her family, who was killed by her sister.

Bungo and Alchemist – Gears of Judgement

Premiere date: 4 April
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Where to watch: dimsum entertainment website
Production Studio: OLM
Is it an adaptation: Based on a game

What’s it about: Books by famous Japanese authors are being affected by an evil force known as Taints. Writers who have been reborn with special powers delve into these books to do battle with the Taints and defend literature.

Tower of God

Premiere date: 2 April 2020
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Where to watch: Aniplus Asia (via Astro GO)
Production Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manhwa series

What’s it about: An adaptation of a Korean manhwa, which Crunchyroll describes as the “closest WEBTOON has to a Naruto or Bleach-sized hit shonen comic”. The synopsis on Webtoon is pretty vague, but Crunchyroll (who partnered up with Webtoon last October) has a more detailed description:

“If you climb the tower, you will get everything. At the top of the tower, there is everything in the world, and you can get this world……become a God.

This is a story about the beginning and end of Laheru, a girl who climbs the tower to see stars, and Yoru, a boy who doesn’t need anything if he can have her.”

Kakushigoto

Premiere date: 2 April 2020
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Where to watch: Aniplus Asia (via Astro GO)
Production Studio: Ajia-do Animation Works
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: Main character Kakushi Goto draws manga for a living, but there’s a problem. You see, the guy draws raunchy manga, and there’s no way he can let his young daughter Hime find out about that. Despite the comedy tag, the trailer also gives off the impression of a heart-warming family story.

There’s also some wordplay going on with the title. In the trailer, one of Hime’s lines mentions “kakushigoto” twice, but the first “kakushigoto” means secret while the second one refers to Kakushi’s, to use a literal translation, “drawing job”.

Princess Connect! Re: Dive

Premiere date: 7 April 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Where to watch: Aniplus Asia (via Astro GO)
Production Studio: CygamesPictures
Is it an adaptation: Based on a mobile game

What’s it about: A young guy called Yuuki ends up in the fantasy land of Astraea, with memories of his past life forgotten. There, he meets a guide who looks after him, a swordswoman who’s always hungry, and a cat-eared spellcaster. “Led by fate, these four come together to form the “Gourmet Guild,” reads Aniplus’ synopsis (via Anime News Network).

The anime is an adaptation of Cygame’s mobile game of the same name, which was a sequel to the now-defunct Princess Connect!. KonoSuba and Is This A Zombie? director Takaomi Kanasaki is at the helm.

The House Spirit Tatami-chan

Premiere date: 10 April 2020
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Where to watch: Aniplus Asia (via Astro GO)
Production Studio: Zero-G
Is it an adaptation: Original anime

What’s it about: “Horror gag” anime involving a “foul-mouthed but cute house spirit”, according to Aniplus. Aniplus’s synopsis (via Anime News Network again) describes the show:

‘Cute, but sharp-tongued!!

Amidst new Reiwa Era, the peculiar but cute new heroine “Tatami-chan” is busy taking on the spirits, demons, and even humans that reside in the metropolitan city of Tokyo…!

The horror gag comedy that spells “Rensuke Oshikiri” begins now!’

My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!

Premiere date: 10 April 2020
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Where to watch: Animax (via Astro and Astro GO)
Production Studio: Silver Link
Is it an adaptation: Based on a light novel series

What’s it about: It’s an isekai, albeit one where the heroine discovers that she’s been transported into an otome game after hitting her head and recovering her memories.

In the game, she’s Catrina, the daughter of Duke Claes. Unfortunately, Catrina is the villainess of the game, with all of the game’s routes resulting in the character’s death or exile. The heroine now has to find a way to change her fate.

Woodpecker Detective’s Office

Premiere date: 14 April 2020
Genre: Mystery
Where to watch: Animax (via Astro and Astro GO)
Production Studio: Liden Films
Is it an adaptation: Based on a novel

What’s it about: Based on a mystery novel, the show is set in 1909 and features fictionalized versions of the poet Taokuboku Ishikawa and linguist Kyosuke Kindaichi.

In this story, Takuboku runs a private detective agency. He teams up with Kyosuke to investigate a supposed haunting at the now-demolished Ryounkai skyscraper, also known as the Asakusa Junikai.

Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE 2nd Season

Premiere date: 9 April 2020
Genre: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Where to watch: GundamInfo YouTube channel
Production Studio: Sunrise Beyond
Is it an adaptation: Original anime

What’s it about: In the ending of the first season, a beam fired by an orbital satellite unexpectedly impacts the real world. With this development, protagonist Hiroto Kuga and his teammates discover that their battles may be more than just a game.

Now, it’s time for the Build Divers to reunite with their new Gunpla. Ahead of them, there are mysteries to uncover, people to find and save, and one more mission on Eldora that must be completed.

A3! Season Spring & Summer

Premiere date: 7 April 2020
Genre: Music
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: P.A. Works and Studio 3Hz
Is it an adaptation: Based on a mobile game

What’s it about: Based on a smartphone game, the anime is about Izumi Tachibana, a girl who takes over an all-male theatre called Mankai Company while searching for her father. The theatre has seen better days, as it only has one remaining member and is in debt when Izumi becomes its new owner. It’s up to her to rebuild the troupe and restore glory to the Mankai Company.

The first three episodes of the anime originally premiered during the Winter 2020 season, but Anime News Network reported that scheduling issues that were worsened by the COVID-19 outbreak caused the rest to be delayed to April.

Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 2

Premiere date: 5 April 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Slice-of-Life
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Ajia-Do
Is it an adaptation: Based on a light novel series

What’s it about: A continuation of the adventures of Myne. Originally a book-loving college girl called Urano Motosu, she dies from an accident before fulfilling her goal of becoming a librarian. With that, she reincarnates in another world as five-year-old Myne.

Myne still has a love for reading, but the world she’s now in has a low literacy rate and doesn’t have many books. Books in this world cost a ton of money, so she decides to make her own books and continue striving to become a librarian.

ARGONAVIS from BanG Dream!

Premiere date: 11 April 2020
Genre: Music
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Sanzigen
Is it an adaptation: Based on a mobile game

What’s it about: You’ve probably heard of BanG Dream!, the mobile game-based anime about a group of girls who form a band. This is basically the boy version.

Main character Ren Nanahoshi isn’t good at communicating, but he can’t forget the way he felt when he saw a live performance during his younger days. One day, as he’s singing karaoke alone, he’s discovered by two other boys. While Ren initially flees after being asked to form a band with them, fate has other plans for him.

Arte

Premiere date: 4 April 2020
Genre: Historical, Drama
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Seven Arcs
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: Set in 16th century Firenze, Italy, the story follows Arte; a noble girl and an aspiring artist. But while this may be the Renaissance era, Arte faces a problem: art was a male profession during this time, and women would face discrimination.

Of course, Arte won’t be so easily dissuaded. Despite the opposition she faces, she remains determined to achieve her dreams.

Gal & Dinosaur

Premiere date: 5 April 2020
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Kamikaze Douga, Space Neko Company
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: A gyaru called Kaede finds a dinosaur and ends up sharing her room with it. If that wasn’t bizarre enough, the dinosaur “eats human food, watches TV, and even enjoys being fashionable”, according to Anime News Network. The story follows their life together.

Shachibato! President, It’s Time for Battle!

Premiere date: 6 April 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Comedy
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: C2C
Is it an adaptation: Based on a mobile game

What’s it about: The show follows the story of a company in a fantasy land. Said company engages in dungeon exploration, monster subjugation, and treasure collection, while also seeking to expand. It’s based on a mobile RPG where players take the role of a company’s boss and employ heroes to deal with monster-infested dungeons.

Shironeko Project

Premiere date: 6 April 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: project No.9
Is it an adaptation: Based on a mobile game

What’s it about: Another mobile game adaptation. Here’s the synopsis:

“Based on the popular mobile game Rune Story, a young hero joins a party of travellers along with a talking white cat on a fantastic journey to a cluster of mysterious islands. But after arriving at the isle’s ruins, one of the adventures becomes corrupted by darkness. Afraid that the balance between light and darkness will be broken, the party race to find the Seven Great Runes before it’s too late!”

Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater (Postponed after Episode Three)

Premiere date: 7 April 2020
Genre: Slice-of-Life
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Doga Kobo
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: Hina Tsurugi moves to the countryside, where she plans to join a handicraft club and have a fun high school life. However, a chance meeting with Yuki Koirowa leads to her joining the Breakwater Club, whose activities revolve around fishing.

Based on the trailer, this is going to be another chill, high-school-club-themed “cute girls doing cute things” anime.

No Guns No Life Season 2 (Postponed)

Premiere date: 10 April 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Where to watch: Muse Asia YouTube Channel
Production Studio: Madhouse
Is it an adaptation: Based on a manga series

What’s it about: A continuation of No Guns Life, which first aired back in October 2019. The show is set in a future where modified humans known as Extended live among regular humans.

Main character Inui Juzo is an Over-Extended with a revolver for a head. He’s also a Processor, who deals with problems involving other Extended. Things get interesting when he meets Tetsurō Arahabaki, a boy with the power to control Extended, and who is on the run from the powerful Berühen Corporation.