It’s winter. It’s cold outside. That is, unless you are in warm country or in the Southern Hemisphere. Whatever, let’s stay inside and watch anime. That’s right, it’s that time of the year again. Time for Kotaku’s annual Winter Anime Guide—namely, the 2016 edition. Have a look at the shows below, which are in alphbetical order, and find the ones that strike your fancy. Active Raid: Special Public Security Fifth Division Third Mobile Assault Eighth Unit Studio: Production IMS Genre: Mecha, Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: A police unit that uses special exoskeletons to fight crime in Tokyo.cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({"playerId":"e3616d04-4972-4839-a63a-c6975e2e9731","settings":{"advertising":{"macros":{"AD_UNIT":"/23178111854/od.kotaku.com/article","CHILD_UNIT":"article","POST_ID":"1752676074","POST_TYPE":"post","CHANNEL":"kotaku-east","SECTION":"","SUBSECTION":"","CATEGORIES":"kotaku-east","TAGS":"","NOP":"0"},"timeBeforeFirstAd":0}}}).render("cnx-player-main")}); Ajin: Demi-Human Studio: Polygon Pictures Genre: Action, Supernatural, Horror Premier Date: January 16 Where to Watch: Netflix (mid-2016, outside Japan) What It’s About in One Sentence: After being hit and killed by a truck, a student discovers he’s an immortal “Ajin,” a rare demi-human form, and must live his life on the run to evade those who hunt down Ajin to use them for experimentation. [You can read the Ajin movie review here and the manga review here.] Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue Studio: Gonzo Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: At her new school, a transfer student discovers the popularity of a new aerial sport that uses anti-gravity shoes. Assassination Classroom Season 2 Studio: Lerche Genre: Action, Comedy, Supernatural Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Class is back in session for more trying to kill the tentacled teacher before graduation and, thus, saving the world from annihilation. BBK/BRNK (Bubuki Buranki) Studio: Sanzigen Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 9 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Arriving back in Japan after a decade away, Azuma is kidnapped by a group of armed dudes, but is saved by his childhood friend and the weapon with its own mind on her right hand. Dagashi Kashi Studio: Feel Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 7 (on Japanese TV) Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: A young man dreams of becoming a manga artist, but his dad enlists the help of a beautiful young woman to get him to take over the family sweets shop. Dimension W Studio: Orange, Studio 3Hz Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Set in the year 2071, when the world’s energy problem has been solved by tapping another dimension, a repo man and an android stop the illegal energy harnessing that the cops can’t. Divine Gate Studio: Pierrot Genre: Fantasy Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Youth with special powers race to reach the legendary Divine Gate—and remake the world. Durarara!!x2 Ketsu Season 2, Part 3 Studio: Shuka Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Animax Asia What It’s About in One Sentence: Durarara!! is back, once again following the adventures of several supernatural people living in Tokyo. Erased (aka Boku Dake ga Inai Machi) Studio: Aniplex Genre: Mystery, Supernatural Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Satoru Fujinuma might seem like a normal slacker, but he has the special ability to travel back in time a few seconds, allowing him to save others and “erase” catastrophes. Fairy Tail Zero Studio: A-1 Pictures, Bridge Genre: Action, Fantasy Premier Date: January 9 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation What It’s About in One Sentence: Seven years after a war, a female mage meets those who go on to found the Mage Guild known as Fairy Tail. Gate (second part) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfF6wZp4pCU Studio: A-1 Pictures Genre: Action, Fantasy, Military Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Anime Network, Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: The fantasy-meets-modern-Japanese-military series returns, with an otaku-led recon team sent through a portal that appeared in Tokyo and leads to a fantasy world. [In case you missed it, here is Kotaku’s review of the first season.] Girls Beyond The Wasteland (Shojotachi wa Koya o Mezasu) Studio: Project No.9 Genre: Drama, Romance Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Anime Network, Hulu, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: A student’s life changes when a beautiful classmate asks him to help her make a gal game. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Studio: A-1 Pictures Genre: Action, Fantasy Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Awaking in a mysterious place with no idea how they got there, a group enters the world of Grimgar, where, like a RPG, they have to pick their special abilities, class, and guild. Haruchika – Haruta & Chika Studio: P.A.Works Genre: Mystery, Romance, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Friends Haruta and Chika are out to not only save their school’s Wind Instrument Club, but also solve mysteries that have shaken up the campus. Ketsuekigata-kun! Season 4 (short-form anime) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-mXSJtPH2Y Studio: Assez Finaund Fabric, Feel, Zexcs Genre: Comedy, Gag Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What It’s About in One Sentence: This is the fourth season of a short-form anime starring faceless people that each represent the stereotypical personality traits for each blood type. KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world!! (aka Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o!) Studio: Studio Deen Genre: Comedy, Fantasy Premier Date: January 13 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: A gamer gets in a traffic accident, but after he comes to, he ends up in an RPG-style fantasy world. Koyomimonogatari (short-form anime) Studio: Shaft Genre: Comedy, Supernatural Premier Date: January 9 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What It’s About in One Sentence: A series of short anime centering around Monogatari protagonist Koyomi, a high schooler with supernatural powers. Luck & Logic Studio: Doga Kobo Genre: Sci-Fi, Magical Girl Premier Date: January 9 Where to Watch: Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: To keep the peace, the government rolls out a new special police force called the Logicalists, made up of folks with the ability to enter trances with Goddesses. Maho Girls PreCure! Studio: Toei Animation Genre: Magical Girl Premier Date: February 7 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What It’s About in One Sentence: This is the huc99 com 13th entry in the highly influential and long-running magical girl franchise, Pretty Cure Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desu Kara. (short-form anime) Studio: Pine Jam Genre: Comedy, Magical Girl Premier Date: January 12 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Yuzuka doesn’t want to be a magical girl, especially because when she transforms into her magical girl form, she ends up in a bathing suit. Myriad Colors Phantom World Studio: Kyoto Animation Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Set in the near future, students at Hosea Academy fight phantoms and deal with school life. Norn9: Norn + Nonette Studio: Kinema Citrus, Orange Genre: Drama, Otome, Romance, Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Anime Network, Hulu, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Time travel and alternate universes factor into this anime that follows the loves and lives of 12 characters aboard a giant spherical airship called the Norn. Nurse Witch Komugi R Studio: Tatsunoko Production Genre: Comedy, Magical Girl, Parody Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Middle school student Komugi develops the ability to morph into Nurse Witch Komugi and battle evil. Ojisan and Marshmallow (short-form anime) Studio: Creators in Pack Genre: Comedy Premier Date: January 6 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: An office romance between a woman and a man who adores marshmallows. Oya-san wa Shishunki! (short-form anime) Studio: Seven Arcs Pictures Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: A guy moves into a new apartment and discovers that his landlord is a schoolgirl. Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn Studio: AXsiZ, Studio Gokumi Genre: Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: From a manga conceived by Ghost in the Shell creator Masamune Shirow, this follows two cybernetic girls that fight an evil terrorist that has threatened their home. Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation Studio: Telecom Animation Film Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Here’s another opportunity for you to wonder why Sega hasn’t yet localized the Phantasy Star Online 2 game. Please Tell Me! Galko Chan (short-form anime) Studio: Feel Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: 75r Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: These three friends—an otaku, a gyaru, and a prim young lady—might all seem very different, but they do share something in common: their friendship. Prince of Stride: Alternative Studio: Madhouse Genre: Sports, Otome Premier Date: January 5 Where to Watch: Daisuki, Funimation, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: An anime about competitive urban relay races and handsome dudes. Rainbow Days (Niji-iro Days) (short-form anime) Studio: Production Reed Genre: Romance, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Funimation What It’s About in One Sentence: After getting dumped, a male student named Natsuki crosses path with a girl named Anna and, with the help of his friends, sets out to win her over. Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage Studio: Studio Deen Genre: Fantasy, Gag Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What It’s About in One Sentence: Based on an Chinese internet novel, Reikenzan features a protagonist with a one-in-a-1,000-year soul who decides to enter a clan of sages. Rilu Rilu Fairilu ~ Yousei no Door ~ Studio: Studio Deen Genre: Fantasy Premier Date: February 6 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What It’s About in One Sentence: Young Nozomi believes that fairies are real, and one day, she finds out that they 75r com are. Schwarzes Marken Studio: Ixtl, LidenFilms Genre: Mecha, Military, Romance Premier Date: January 10 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Set in a mecha-filled early 1980s, this is a Muv-Luv Alternative spin-off anime. Sekko Boys (short-form anime) Studio: LidenFilms Genre: Comedy, Gag, Parody Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: Forget boy bands, this anime follows a stone statue idol group. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Studio: Studio Deen Genre: Drama, Historical Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: An ex-con tries to make it in the world of rakugo, a traditional style of Japanese storytelling. Snow White with the Red Hair Season 2 Studio: Bones Genre: Fantasy, Romance Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: Funimation, Anime Lab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: Shirayuki, and her hair, once again return for a new season of Snow White with the Red Hair as she tries to escape the prince who wants her to become his concubine. Sushi Police (short-form anime) Studio: KOO-KI Genre: Comedy, Police, Premier Date: January 7 Where to Watch: No Western Simulcast Announced What’s It’s About in One Sentence: The Sushi Police is doing its part to rid the world of bad sushi. Tabi Machi Late Show (short-form anime) Studio: CoMix Wave Films with Ultra Super Pictures Genre: Drama, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 8 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: A series of short anime in which characters set off in turning points in their lives that deal with themes centered around saying good-bye or going on a journey. Teekyu Season 7 (short-form anime) Studio: Millepensee Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: This is the seventh season of a short-form anime about the crazy lives of the girls in a high school tennis club. Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle Studio: Lerche Genre: Action, Fantasy, Harem, Mecha Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: Anime Network, Hulu, AnimeLab (AUS/NZ) What It’s About in One Sentence: A former prince whose empire was overthrown by a coup ends up in a training academy for blue blood women to learn how to pilot large mechanical weapons. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories III (short-form anime) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZfHLuUXvv4 Studio: ILCA, Anima Genre: Supernatural Premier Date: January 11 Where to Watch: Crunchyroll What It’s About in One Sentence: The third season of a short-form anime that uses traditional Japanese cut-out animation to act out traditional folktales and urban legends surrounding the supernatural in Japan. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter@Brian_Ashcraft Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.