AnimeJapan 2021 Predictions

Every year since 2018, AnimeJapan (basically the Comic Con of anime for Japan) holds a poll for fans to vote on what manga they would like to see get an anime adaptation. The top 10 winners of the poll get clout, but not necessarily an anime adaptation. But it is a nice gauge to see what’s popular. And some of the winners do go on to get adapted. So I’m here to see the past trends and try to predict 2021’s winners (results on March 27-28). With yuri-tinted goggles of course.

Winners of 2020 AnimeJapan:

1. Komi Can’t communicate (confirmed anime Fall 2021)
2. Atarashii Joushi wa do Tennen
3. Oniichan wa Oshimai!
4. Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu
5. Spy x Family (confirmed anime for 2022, updated: June 22)
6. Act-age
7. Tasuuketsu
8. Gokushufudou Way of the House Husband (confirmed anime adaptation)
9. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
10. Chainsaw Man (confirmed anime adaptation)

Winners of 2019 AnimeJapan:

1. Great Priest Imhotep
2. Tasuuketsu
3. Gunjou ni Siren
4. Shobo Shobo Man
5. Toilet Bound Hanako Kun (anime release in 2020)
6. Uramichi Oniisan (2021 confirmed release)
7. Zero’s Tea Time
8. Satsukare
9. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
10. Nishikida Keibu wa Dorobou ga Osuki

Winners of 2018 AnimeJapan: 

1. Umehara: fighting gamers!
2. The vampire dies in no time (2021 confirmed release)
3. Psyren
4. Taishou Otome Otogibanashi (2021 confirmed release)
5. 10Dance
6. Nogi Wakaba wa Yuusha de Aru
7. Fate/Strange Fake
8. Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (anime release in 2018)
9. Bloom into you (anime release in 2018)
10. Promised Neverland (anime release in 2019 and 2021)

Analysis: 

For 2020, Chainsaw Man and Way of the House Husband Gokushufudou. No surprise there. Honestly I’d bet good money that it is only a matter of time before Spy x Family and Komi San get their anime adaptations soon. They’re in the top sales for manga. Two huge factors for what gets adaptations are popularity, and basically being an advertisement to promote the source material for sales. 

For 2019, Toilet Bound Kun winning is interesting, as it got its anime a year later. And from what I’ve heard, it was extremely popular in Japan, being a top anime of 2020. 

For 2018, is where I get the most hope from. Bloom into you, got its anime release less than a year later, in late 2018. And deservedly so, as the #1 ranked and best selling yuri manga that year. 

Take-aways:

So the key points: 

1. How long does it take between becoming a winner and getting an anime adaptation? 

A year is my general consensus. Sometimes even two years or more. Anime takes time to make. 

2. How likely is a winner going to receive an anime adaptation?

Lots of factors here. The prior winners were either really popular manga that it was only a matter of time before they got their anime, or were niche anime. I think it really depends on the current industry trend, what’s popular, what’s hot. That, and a strong fan following. 

3. Likelihood of Yuri?

Have hope. The S tier yuri, Bloom into you, was #1 yuri manga of its time and took a year from winning to coming into anime release. That’s extremely quick relatively.

The yuri contenders this year are strong, although I wish Useless Princesses was on the list. 

2021 Animejapan Predictions:

1. Spy x Family (this one is only a matter of time, way too popular)
2. Oshi no Ko (same author of kaguya sama, probably a matter of time as well)
3. Solo Leveling (this one is iffy, extremely popular, but controversial material)
4. Komi San (definitely just a matter of time)
5. Sono Bisque Doll
6. Awkward senpai

My Yuri hopefuls:

1. Yuri is my job
2. Whispering you a love song
3. Tadokoro san
4. I favor the villainess

As a wise man once said, a win for any yuri, is a win for all yuri. But personally, please let Rei x Claire come to the screen.