Since October of 2014, the anime production company Signal.MD has been putting out captivating and well-animated productions. While not having many shows or movies released at the moment, many exciting future projects are in the works. If FLCL: Progressive is any indication of their incoming output, then their new shows are guaranteed to grab audiences within a single episode.
Additionally, the upcoming Platinum End adaptation looks to be just as good as Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s previous anime adaptation. With projects like that Hikari no Ō in the pipeline, the future for both Signal.MD and anime fans is looking bright.
10 Cyborg 009: Call Of Justice 3 - 6.44
The third episode of the multi-part epic film re-imagining of the classic 1968 anime series Cyborg 009 is more than pulse pounding. From stunning animation to clever writing, the film was elevated to new heights in this 2 hour long conclusion. While it is never easy to remake a beloved classic, Signal.MD managed to combine aspects of the original with new animation and intense action.
Many fans seem to enjoy this new take on these beloved characters. The entire Cyborg 009: Call of Justice film series is available on Netflix as a single 12 episode season.
9 Hitorigurashi no Shougakusei - 6.46
The hilarious and heartwarming tale of nine year old Rin has left an impact on many anime viewers. Released as an ONA (Original Net Animation) series, the show boasts eye-catching animation and a well written story. Rin’s trials and tribulations as she tries to run a restaurant by herself in the aftermath of her parents death will bring a tear to viewer’s eyes more than once.
The message of the series is beautiful and timeless, resonating with viewers for quite awhile. This is a great starting point for new anime fans and touching enough to keep even the most seasoned anime fan’s attention.
8 Birthday Wonderland - 6.51
Boasting wonderful animation that simply pops on the screen and a very imaginative story, Birthday Wonderland is a joy to watch. Similar to the master of Japanese animation himself, Hayao Miyazaki, the film uses the lens of a young girl on a magical quest to make several statements about the real world.
Though different from a Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, the film has elements of what made those classics great. In their fourth feature film outing, Signal.MD more than proved that as time goes on the quality of their content is only going to rise. The film is a joy to watch and can serve to inspire any viewer to keep their imagination strong.
7 Fate/Grand Order: Shinsei Entaku Ryouiki Camelot 1 - 6.72
The numerous Fate/ series greatly vary in quality, story, and setting. Fate/Grand Order focuses on changing humanity’s fate from one of destruction to survival. Originally the series was an RPG game, with elements of visual novels like many of its predecessors.
The animation is sharp and the story is quite captivating. The film series focuses on the 6th chapter of the game and will be a two part adaptation. The first film was released on December 5th, 2020 and the second will arrive on May 8th, 2021.
6 Atom: The Beginning - 6.85
Serving as a prequel to the timeless and excellent Astro Boy manga, Atom: The Beginning is a fun, well animated series. Prequels can often be a mixed bag, but Atom manages to stand out enough for viewers to enjoy it in its own right.
In its 12 episode run, the story manages to move at a good pace and keep viewers entertained. There are also several moments that will make viewers look at the world of Astro Boy in a new light. This expansion on the Astro Boy saga is more than welcome as this universe is ripe for bold, creative, and fun stories.
5 Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari - 6.94
Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari (Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me in English) follows Kikone Morikawa as she ventures through multiple dreams. Set in a future Japan and fantasy world called the Heartland, the film is oozing with creativity.
The mix of fantasy and reality is a fun concept that manages to feel fresh even though it is a well worn trope. The animation is fantastic and well made. The story itself is familiar but not dull, and it’s full of heart. Signal.MD went above and beyond with this film, proving that there are still plenty of new ideas to explore in this genre.
4 Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san OVA - 7.08
This two part OVA focuses on several chapters that were not covered during the original run of the Yuragi-sou no Yunna-san anime. Released as a part of the manga’s 24th volume, the OVA hit stands on December 4th, 2020.
While two prior OVA episodes of the series were released and made by other production companies, Signal.MD still managed to leave its mark. Each episode told fun stories with good animation that enhanced its parent anime. This OVA is more than worth one’s time – it is just pure fun.
3 Mars Red - 7.11
Due to premier on April 6th, the hype for Mars Red is incredibly high. Judging from the bits of animation and the trailers that have been released, audiences may just be in for Signal.MD’s best project to date.
Focusing on a war against vampires in 1923, the show is shaping up to potentially being one of the best anime of this year. Only time will tell what the actual quality of the show will be, but many anime fans are filled with excitement over its release. It is a safe bet to say that Mars Red will be a topic of much discussion amongst anime fans in the coming months.
2 Net-juu no Susume Special - 7.41
The Net-juu no Susume Special is a nice and fun addition to its parent anime series. Viewers can enjoy this one-off special without much prior knowledge of the show and its characters. The story is lighthearted and the animation is very well done.
Additionally, the special’s comedy is enjoyable and the characters are more than likable. Specials or OVAs like this one can either be fun, or a huge waste of time. Luckily, this one is worth the time it takes to watch. The greatest aspect of this special lies in its fun and humorous character interactions.
1 Net-juu no Susume - 7.63
One of Signal.MD’s first anime series was Net-juu no Susume, the tale of two MMORPG obsessives and how their lives interact. The series take an interesting look at relations in real life as opposed to those online, a topic that will probably only be more relevant as time goes on.
The animation is simple yet perfect for what the show wants to be. The story is one that will capture viewers hearts and minds. At the moment this series currently has the highest MyAnimeList.net score of any Signal.MD production. Net-juu no Susume is more than worth one’s time, as it provides plenty of comedy, fun, and insight in just ten episodes.
NEXT: The 10 Most Anticipated Anime of Spring 2021, Ranked
