Sonny Boy has built a real following in Australia on Crunchyroll, and in the US on Hulu and Crunchyroll among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. The 1-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 88 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Aoi Ichikawa's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Put it on tonight on Crunchyroll and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Sonny Boy is worth clearing space for. What makes Sonny Boy work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. On August 16, midway through a seemingly endless summer vacation, middle school third-year student Nagara, transfer student Nozomi, classmates Mizuho, Asakaze and their entire class are suddenly transported from their tranquil lives to a school adrift in an alternate dimension. They must survive with the super powers that have awakened within them. Aoi Ichikawa and Aoi Yuuki lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. It first aired in 2021. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give Sonny Boy a chance. Fans of Darwin's Game will recognise the sensibility here immediately. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Aoi Ichikawa's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.

Sonny Boy wrapped up in 2021 — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.