There are a lot of good anime out there this year, but sadly, when they’re over, they’re over—or are they? These days, more and more series are getting extra, not-aired-on-TV OVA episodes that often don’t show up on legal anime streaming sites. So, let’s take a quick look at some of these “missing episodes” that have come out over the past year.
Attack on Titan
Episode Title: "Ilse’s Journal"
What It’s About: Ilse’s Journal is a prequel episode to the anime that follows Ilse, a young survey corps member and only survivor of a Titan attack. This episode follows her interaction with one peculiar titan and serves as the secret motivation for several of the series’ other characters.
Where to Get It: The Attack on Titan manga Volume 12 Special Edition.
Read our reviews of the series here and here.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Episode Title: "There's No Choice But To Wish Them Happiness Right Here As They Arrive At Their Destiny"
What It’s About: Hachiman and the rest of the Service Club are tasked with writing a bridal magazine designed to promote love and marriage among high schoolers. Soon, however, it devolves into a series of challenges to see who would make the perfect housewife—or, in the case of Hachiman, house husband. (It’s easily the funniest episode of the entire series.)
Where to Get It: The special edition of the My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Vita game.
Read our review of the series here.
Future Diary: Redial
Episode Title: "Data Migration"
What It’s About: This OVA serves as an epilogue to the entire series and shows what happened to all the characters of the series in their new lives. But even surrounded by a peaceful, normal life, Yuno can’t help but feel that something important is missing.
Where to Get It: The special edition of the Future Diary Redial manga.
Read our full review of this OVA here and of the full series here.
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Episode Titles: "Abandoned Fleet" and "Altar of a Rare Beauty"
What It’s About: There are actually two extra episodes of Gargantia that never aired on TV. The first follows our heroes as they come across an abandoned fleet of ships. The second episode, from the third Blu-ray, shows what happens to Ledo’s commander, Kugel, after the two were separated in the series’ first episode.
Where to Get It: The first Blu-ray box set and third Blu-ray box set, respectively.
Read our review of the series here.
Accel World
Episode Titles: "Reverberation" and "Vacation"
What They're About: Taking place after the events of the series, the first of these extra episodes tells the story of a mysterious character in the school network and its ties to a game that’s the clear precursor to Brain Burst. The second episode is your standard “everyone goes to a hot spring” plot—but with a fun twist.
Where to Get Them: The special editions of the PS3 games Accel World: Ginyoku no Kakusei and Accel World: Kasoku no Choten.
Read our full review of these OVAs here and of the full series here.
Blood Lad
Episode Title: "I Am Not a Cat"
What It’s About: This episode takes place right where the final episode of the series leaves off and follows Staz and Fuyumi as they head to Demon Acropolis. However, their progress is impeded when they encounter a group of vampire hunters.
Where to Get It: The special edition of the Blood Lad Volume 10 manga.
Read our review of the series here.
Of course, these are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to extra episodes. For a more complete list, check out AniChart. Oh and if you are wondering what extra episodes are currently in the pipeline, here’s a list of some of the most popular ones:
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
December 31, 2013
TV Special: Simulcast on Crunchyroll.
Sunday Without God
January 22, 2014
OVA Episode: Included in the fifth Blu-ray release.
Neptunia: The Animation
March 26, 2014
OVA Episode: Included in the seventh Blu-ray release.
Attack on Titan
April 14, 2014
OVA Episode: Included in the Attack on Titan manga Volume 13 Special Edition.
My Mental Choices are Completely Interfering with my School Romantic Comedy
May 20, 2014
OVA Episode: Included in the NouCome light novel Volume 8 Special Edition.
No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!
October 22, 2014
OVA Episode: Included in the Watamote manga Volume Seven Special Edition.
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