The summer anime season for 2025 started last week, and this summer has over 80 new titles, making it one of the busiest seasons in the Japanese anime market. Among the big titles already attracting attention even before their release, there are also some lesser-known gems that shine just as brightly. One of those, which I’ve mentioned before in this thread, is
Ruri no Houseki (English title:
Ruri Rocks).
I had already read the manga and watched the anime trailer beforehand, so I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of the story, the art, and the overall quality of the anime. But after watching the first episode, I was honestly surprised—it's even better than I imagined. It’s already shaping up to be a really solid series.
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s an educational story focused on the theme of mineralogy. While it’s educational, the engaging characters and well-crafted plot make sure it never feels too heavy-handed, giving us a wonderful entertainment experience. What really sets this anime apart and takes it to the next level is the studio behind it: Studio Bind.
Unlike theatrical films, TV anime are usually produced on a lower budget. But even if you throw a lot of money at it, that doesn’t automatically guarantee high-quality animation. Studio Bind is a relatively new studio, only a few years old, but everything they've worked on so far has had exceptional quality. So, even though they’re still new, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them already regarded as top-tier.
In this anime, the character designs are adorable, but what really stands out is how beautifully the natural world is depicted. Trees, minerals, even insects—all of it is stunning. With over 80 new TV anime set to release this summer,
Ruri no Houseki is a title I really hope doesn’t get overlooked and that many people get to enjoy.
The video below is the opening that was just released last night.
I agree with this guy.
Ruri Rocks - Official TV Trailer
Ruri Rocks