After relatively slow winter and spring releases that consisted mostly of re-releases, anime licensor and distributor Funimation Entertainment has schedule a huge summer of releases that surely dry up lots of happy anime lover’s wallets (including mine) of their hard earned cash. While June mostly consists of re-releases, the real meat of the summer season comes in July & August, where we get a continuation of certain series and brand new shows being released. Here are the highlights for the coming months.

June:

Appleseed XIII

[springboard type=”video” id=”724921″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Based on the popular manga series “Appleseed“, this 13 episode series is a retelling of ES.W.A.T. Member, Deunan Knute (Luci Christian) & her cyborg partner Braireos Hecatonchires (David Matranga) as they try to stop a terrorist group called the Argonauts from wrecking havoc on the city. Boasting some impressive CGI visuals, this show is definitely a wonder to look at and is must see for fans of Appleseed and cyber punk stories.

July:

Fairy Tail Part 5

[springboard type=”video” id=”724929″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

The wizards of Fairy Tail are back for Season 2, but they haven’t come alone. Boasting new enemies and allies, season 2 promises to be just as action packed as the 1st Season. After an ancient weapon is reactivated, it’s up to Natsu (Todd Haberkorn), Erza (Colleen Clinkenbeard), Lucy (Cherami Leigh), Gray (Newton Pittman), & Happy (Tia Ballard) to stop it, but they aren’t alone as they have to form an alliance with the other guilds across Fiore to get the job done. Part 5 contains the 1st 12 episodes of the Season 2, which is about half of the Nirvana Arc. Fans (like yours truly) will be very happy that the show will be returning after about a year.

Release Date: July 23rd, 2013

Note: The set is NOT available now, for some reason the narrator botched.

Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

[springboard type=”video” id=”724937″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Based off of the popular Lupin III (or Lupin the 3rd) franchise from Monkey Punch, this 13 episode series focuses on the beautiful yet illusive burglar Fujiko Mine (Michelle Ruff), who is sort of the Catwoman to Lupin’s Batman…if Batman were a thief, as she  partakes in various missions and encounters different people throughout the “Lupinverse”. Boasting some amazing visuals this is certainly eye candy of the highest caliber, but don’t let that fool you, this anime is chock full of action, intrigue, and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end.

Release Date: July 30th, 2013

One Piece Season 5, Voyage 1

[springboard type=”video” id=”724991″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

The Straw Hats are back and rowdy as ever in the highly anticipated 5th Season. Taking place right where Season 4 left off, the remaining Straw Hats and their allies arrive on the judicial island of Enies Lobby in order to rescue Straw Hat member Nico Robin (Stephanie Young) and Franky (Patrick Seitz) from execution; but before they can do that, they have to fight against the governments most elite covert agents, Cipher Pol 9. Part 1 covers about the 1st 11-12 episodes of the Enies Lobby Arc (which is the arc that got me into One Piece) and is filled to the brim with action, humor, and drama.

Release Date: July 23rd, 2013

August:

Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail OVA

[springboard type=”video” id=”724951″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Based off the critically acclaimed manga and anime series of the same name, Roberta’s Blood Trail is a 5 Episode OVA that continues the adventures of the crew of the Black Lagoon as they are drawn into a violent killing spree led by Roberta (Tabitha St. Germain), the near superhuman Colombian maid of the Lovelace Family, after her employer, Diego Lovelace, is killed. Boasting the same cast from the original anime (good stuff Funimation) this is surely to hit fans of the series with a hard blow of nostalgia. Still as violent and raunchy as ever, Roberta’s Blood Trail is certainly a must buy for fans of the series or lovers of action.

Release Date: August 6th, 2013

Eureka Seven AO (Astral Ocean) Part 1

[springboard type=”video” id=”724957″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Eureka Seven AO follows a young boy named Ao (Micah Solusod) as he uses the mecha suit known as Nirvash to find his mother Eureka as well as his own origins. A direct sequel to “Eureka Seven”, AO boasts beautiful visuals, kick ass mech designs, and a story of a boys search for his past. Containing the 1st 12 of the 24 episode series, Eureka Seven AO Part 1 looks great and is a definite must have for fans of the original series.

Release Date: August 13th, 2013

Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends

Based off of the light novel series of the same name, Haganai follows Kodaka Hasegawa, a transfer student to St. Chronica’s Academy, a Catholic School. Due to his blond hair and “fierce-looking” eyes, he finds it difficult to makes friends, however he soon comes across Yozora Mikazuki, a socially awkward girl who has an imaginary friend named Tomo. The two soon form a club called the “Neighbors Club” which is dedicated to making friends and increasing social skills. While I’ve never seen or heard of this anime until yesterday, Hanagai looks like a pretty standard slice of life anime that can relate to a lot of people.

Release Date: August 6th, 2013

 High School DxD

[springboard type=”video” id=”725985″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Issei Hyodo (Scott Freeman) is your typical perverted high school student who has just been admitted into the formally all girls school known as Kuoh Academy, after going on a date with a girl named Yuma Amano, he is killed by her when she reveals herself to be a fallen angel (its always the pretty ones that get ya). He is soon revived by Rias Gremory (Jamie Marchi), a third-year student at Kuoh Academy and a devil who has reincarnated as a devil to be her family’s servant. Again this anther series I’m not totally familiar with, but it is surely one that has been anticipated for a while, so it may be worth checking out.

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

Fairy Tail Part 6

Basically a continuation of Part 5, Part 6 covers the rest of the Nirvana Arc as well as the filler Daphne Arc. Hopefully Funimation will get the rest of Season 2, as the latter half has the stellar Edolas Arc (fingers crossed).

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

The Future Diary Part 1

[springboard type=”video” id=”730141″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Another highly anticipated anime that I covered in my 5 More Anime That Should be On Toonami article a couple of weeks ago. Covering the 1st 13 of the 26 episode series, this is definitely a show worth checking out for fans of suspense, mystery, and horror. An is definitely on my must buy list for the summer season.

Release Date: August 13th, 2013

Guilty Crown

[springboard type=”video” id=”726935″ player=”ulfb001″ width=”480″ height=”400″ ]

Guilty Crown follows Shin Omua (Austin Tindle), a young boy who possesses an ability called “The Power of Kings”. This ability allows him to draw out items known as “Voids” from peoples bodies. He is soon drawn into a conflict between a resistance group Funeral Parlor and the governmental organization GHQ, Shin is soon plagued by the burden of his powers as well as the tragic events of his past. Guilty Crown is an interesting series blending many different genres together, but mostly draws from science fantasy. This one also looks like a series worth checking out.

Release Date: August 27th, 2013

Looks like Funimation is pulling out all the stops to make sure this summer is one spent indoors watching anime. Personally, I’m going to be throwing my meager paychecks towards Fairy Tail, One Piece, Future Diary, Guilty Crown & Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, may also pick up High School DxD as I always enjoy a good harem series (don’t judge me).

What about you fellow anime fanboys & girls? What are you looking forward to this summer? Let us know in the comments below.