As the year comes to a close, it also means that a new season is on the way as well. It is surprising how I drop so many of the fall season series within 8 episodes, and that is perhaps why I am somewhat looking forward to winter 2007/2008. I have to try and reignite the love for my anime. As usual, the winter preview will not cover OVAs but only the main series. I will also let my other bloggers talk about the sequels (like Sister of Welber 2) since I did not watch a single episode of it. I will not be mentioning the really strange anime such as Zenryoku Usagi and Major season 4. Do use the links below to access the entries for the preview and use the “back to top” function to go back here. Enjoy the preview!
New Series reviewed (click on link to jump to the series): Ayakashi | Rosario Vampire | H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~ | Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de | Hatenkō Yugi | Shigofumi: ~Stories of Last Letter~ | True Tears | PERSONA -trinity soul- | Ookami to Koushinryou | Noramimi | Hakaba Kitarou | Moegaku ★5
Sequel Series reviewed (click on link to jump to the series): Wellber no Monogatari 2 | Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei | Minami-ke ~Okawari~ | Aria the Origination | Gunslinger girl -Il Teatrino-
Summary
Adapted from the 2005 eroge superhuman battle action visual novel game Ayakashi, the story revolves around Ayakashi, a parasite life forece that gives superpowers to its host. However, it takes the host’s entire life force. Kusaka Yuu is a student that lost his will to live after a childhood friend died. One day, a mysterious girl named Yoake Eimu appeared. It is then when his life will never be the same as he is started to be hunted by Ayakashi and its hosts. The hidden within Yuu slowly awakens as his life battle begins.
Thoughts
Impz: This looks shounen. I do not like shounen. Nevertheless, the story looks somewhat interesting, and the character designs are ok. However, this is probably not in my list for viewing by any chance. This is a thumbs down.
Extrange:This sounds like a bloodless version of Parasite manga. And yes, it seems like typical mindless shounen. Unless it has girls with bloody machetes, I give it a -5.
Calawain: A couple of episodes got released already, and from what I’ve heard/seen the animation quality and storyline are both horrid. The story concept itself looks pretty mediocre itself, doubtful on this one.
Igunis:Shounen, Shounen, Shounen how I adore thee. The only anime where I don’t need to scratch my head to understand what the heck is going on. Despite all of the other bloggers negative ratings I saw the trailer and was pleased with both the character design and animation. However, Calawain viewed the first episodes themselves so I will have to see whether this will continue to be on my watchlist.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.ayakashi.info/
Japanese Air Date: December 12th, 2007
Summary
Due to poor grades, Tsukune Aono, an average high school student, has been unable to get accepted into any private academy of his choice. By some freak accident, he was accepted to a school. However, the school was occupied by monsters disguised as humans. When he realized this, he tried to flee from the school only to meet Moka Akashiya, a beautiful vampire lady. Tsukune, due to circumstances, decided to stay at the academy and tried to hide his secret that he is a human. Tsukune also found out that the removal of the rosary that Moka wears will cause her true nature to appear.
Thoughts
Impz: From the image itself, it looks like this is fanservice galore. I am still not too sure whether I will follow this series, considering how I have not read the manga as yet. Nevertheless, this show has quite a few cute babes. Yes, I am superficial and I enjoy such mindless indulgence once in a while. Hence, this is undecided for now.
Extrange: Impzie, you are missing one of the finest harem mangas. Besides vampires and succubus drooling for the main guy, we have a bisexual loli witch who wants to double time the main guy and the vampire. +4 just for that. But yes, this will be a good show filled with humor and fights. I just find odd they are only making 13 eps for the first season since cleary they have alot more material in the manga.
Calawain: I have no qualms about a handful of fanservice shows each season, plus Extrange tells me the manga rocks. I’ll probably be giving this one a whirl.
Igunis: I call dibs on the girl on the right. Where harem animes are, I am there, I like the character designs for the girls and am looking forward to giving this series a whirl. As for where fanservice is concerned, bring it on! I have 5 tissue boxes waiting to be utilised.
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.rosa-vam.com/
Japanese Air Date: January 3rd, 2008
Summary
Hirose Takuma has been traumatized by the death of his mother during his childhood years. He eventually transfered to the school in his mother’s home town in order to recover. It is there he met with three particularly strange girls. They include Kohinata Hayam, a girl who rejects any contact with other students. Kagura Hinata is a class leader who is kind but a little careless. The third girl is Otoha, an energetic girl who named herself a “fairy of time and sound”. Hirose Takuma, was traumatized by the death of his mother during his childhood. As he continued his school experience, Takuma tried to start afresh with his life, but with bullies like Tabata Yui and the past events haunting him, things look to be extremely complicated.
Thoughts
Impz: I do not know. For one, this looks like one of the token harem for the winter season. On the other hand, the girls just look so cute that I cannot resist and call them moe. I am still undecided for now.
Extrange: Well…..this definitly has that sola/Myself:Yourself feeling and I bet the whole series will revolve around the hidden plot twist. But the show seems to be a bit too much reliant on eroge, which can lead to a detriment of the plot. Like Impz , I am undecided.
Calawain: I’ll vote a third undecided, the whole blind male lead voiced by a woman kinda turns me off but I dunno. It just looks like eroge adaptation #45612341 with a slight twist to make it not a total clone of everything else. I’ll wait until some blogs I trust have commented on it before I try it.
Igunis: I’ll vote…watch. Haha, I’m such a trend breaker. Although I’m not too particularly fond of the “Key” type artstyle with giant eyes and poofy hair, (Key is famous for series such as Kanon, Air, and Clannad), I am interested in how the main character interacts with the three girls. Depending on how well the story is written, this may be one of the surprises of the winter anime.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://anime.webnt.jp/h2o/
Japanese Air Date: January 3rd, 2008
Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de (They are my noble Masters)
Summary
Ren and Mihato have grown up in a terrible home environment. One day, they leave their house, and move to another city. After twists and turns, they start to work at a big house as a maid and a butler. They are happy to get a job, but people living there have unique personalities.
Thoughts
Impz: I dare say with 100% guarantee that this is a series filled with all the fetishes and fanservice that you can ever find in a series. Moreover, when I tried to surf the site, I realized that this is in fact an eroge show. However, since the loli in this series looks so pretty and I think my girlfriend will like to watch something ridiculous stupid with me. So, despite all the bad comments I give it, this is a undecided series.
Extrange: …Is this some wierd pseudo sequel of He Is My Master? And it’s based on a h-game…oh well, I’ll probably gonna see it because of the eyepatch butler girl (I call dibs on her.)
Calawain: Mmmmm this one looks delicious. A tsundere for me, a maid for Igunis, eyepatch for Extrange, and a loli for Impz. I think the show will provide us with every bit of moe we ever wanted. I really enjoyed He Is My Master, it delivered what it promised to, fanservice and laughs. So a show that appears to be the concept in reverse could work really well too, looking forward to this one.
Igunis: Oh, miss maid-san, how I adore thee. Yet ANOTHER harem anime to be watched, geez, is this a conspiracy or something? I’m going to run out of tissues D:. Although I like the character designs, they all look like they’re evil aside from the maid. Hopefully this anime won’t try and cram all of the typical harem stereotypes in, but otherwise, sign me up for the watchlist!
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://kimiaru.jp/
Japanese Air Date: January 4th, 2008
Summary
A young girl named Rahzel is booted out of her house one day by her father with the instructions to ’see the world.’ Her journey begins but she is not alone. She meets two rather interesting guys. Alzeido is a stoic young man that is seeking revenge for his father’s murder. Extremely different in character, they often get into conflicts, yet finding themselves attracted to each other. It might be that or their shared identify as a magic user. The reluctant pair travel from town to town, using their powers to help the helpless while discovering their existence in life.
Thoughts
Impz: This looks so interesting, not only from the graphics itself but the actual plot. I am always easily drawn to shows about self actualization and this is no different. I am easily attracted to shoujo art and this is no different. I guess this is at least a thumbs up for now.
Extrange: Having read the manga, I must say this will be interesting. The girl is extremely tomboyish and the guy extremely cold and the plot revolves around the connection that slowly forms between them. I actually hope they change some things, specially the art style, which isn’t my favourite kind.
Calawain: I’m always up for a journey type episodic show, and this one has an interesting looking plot. Although I usually have problems with odd art styles, so we shall see. Giving this a maybe, depending on buzz and the first couple of episodes.
Igunis: The last part of the summary got me. Any anime that deals with finding the meaning of life always attracts me. Although it appears to have a shoujo type feel, It will be interesting to see how the plot turns out. However, I am dreading this feeling that there will be a romantic conflict amongst the three, which may push this series a bit lower on my priority list. Plus, the girl’s eyes are a bit creepy looking.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://hatenkouyugi.com/
Japanese Air Date: January 4th, 2008
Shigofumi: ~Stories of Last Letter~
Summary
This is a story about miracles. Fumika, a quiet but hard working girl, wears a mail uniform. Along with her talkative partner Mayama, she sends the Shigofumi, a posthumous letter that is the way for relaying a deceased person’s last message to his/her loved ones: family, friends, and significant other.
Thoughts
Impz: JC Staff is working on this, and that makes the JC fanboy Impz happy. Despite the fact that it feels like another variation of Shinigami no Ballad (which is average on anime, but particularly beautiful in manga), it is still a possible and surprisingly decent series at the end of the winter season. However, due to the familiar plot, I am still undecided.
Extrange: This reminds me of Tegami Bachi with the mail delivery theme, but without some more info, I can’t really say if it’s worth it.
Calawain: Looks a bit too touchy feely and sappy on its surface. Plot looks a bit recycled as well, doubtful on this one.
Igunis: I agree that it sounds a lot like Shinigami no Ballad, but unlike Impz, I liked Shinigami. Hopefully this series will have the same effect on me as the preview image looks quite nice. Although what is up with those four ears that are coming out of the side of her head…
Number of episodes: 12
Website: http://www.shigofumi.com/
Japanese Air Date: January 5th, 2008
Summary
Dreams, hopes, and aspirations are things that all people draw their visions of what the “future” may hold for them. This game adaptation (though having absolutely nothing to do with the game) talks about secrets and dreams, and how your choices will close up the hearts of the girls. There’s nothing much other than that on the series.
Thoughts
Impz: I will be crying for real if I watch this. No thanks, this is a thumbs down.
Extrange: Not another emo show -.-Y I’m still recovering from Clannad and NANA….
Calawain: The description makes me want to gag, I’ve had enough of typical secrets and dreams shows already. Sorry, I try to limit my sad girls shows to those made by KyoAni.
Igunis: The girls look like they should be from some comedy ecchi than a drama. Although it may be interesting to watch, as I feel a “School Days” type scenario coming on, this anime is very low on my watchlist, perhaps when I am at the peak of my boredom.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.truetears.jp/
Japanese Air Date: January 4th, 2008
Summary
The story takes place in Ayanagi City facing the Sea of Japan, a futuristic city recovering from the “Simultaneous Multiple Languish Syndrome” ten years after the events of Persona 3. Kazato Shin, a high school student and his little brother Jun met up with their brother Ryo who is the chief investigator in the police force. Lately, strange events such as sudden disappearances started to occur. The syndrome, a situation where students are killed and turned into stone figures, is reviving. As Shin stumbles onto this phenomena, he releases a persona, a manifestation of his powers. What is this persona?
Thoughts
Impz: I absolutely love Persona 3. I like how it is presented, but this anime seems to be only on the world of Persona. Nevertheless, I like the concept of the Persona and this looks like something I will catch at the very least. A-1 pictures is not very aspiring for me though, but it is still a thumbs up.
Extrange: Yay! I’m a fan of Shin Megami Tensei and the spin-off Persona series and I’ve played it since Persona 1. What’s best, the anime seems to focus more on the Persona 1/2 style instead of the stylized Persona 3 universe. If they announce that Maya and Baofu will make cameos on the anime, I’ll go nuts. Thumb up defnitly
Calawain: This has a really interesting concept behind it. While I’ve never played the games, I saw the trailer and read up on what it’s about and it seems really intriguing. I enjoy the occasional supernatural/paranormal type thrillers so I’m looking forward to the potential in this show.
Igunis: What else is there to say about Persona? Art looks great, story is great, animation looks great, this is THE series of the winter anime for me. I probably won’t be blogging it though, as my fellow veteran bloggers look to be dreamy eyed over this series as well.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.persona-ts.net/
Japanese Air Date: January 5th, 2008
Summary
Craft Lawrence is a travelling merchant wandering around the country-side selling and buying various things in villages he visits. His life changes one day when he finds a beautiful girl sleeping inside his coach full of the village’s finest sheaves. What’s more, she looks to be a wolf girl. She introduces herself as the village’s wolf sage that has blessed the land with good harvests. After bargaining with Craft, she travels with him back to the North to her homeland. The story is described as a fantasy novel with neither swords nor magic.
Thoughts
Impz: To be honest, I am completely turned off by the design of the anime character. However, the story is somewhat interesting since my eyes always gleam at anything related to fantasy. I am highly skeptical over the animation company, Imagin, simply because I have not heard of them before. According to Aroduc, Imagin is terrible. That means this is sadly undecided.
Extrange: Impz is such a furry hater….Horo (the wolf girl) is surprisingly cute and if the show manage to adapt the manga style, this will the one heck of a eye filler.
Calawain: Eh, I’m not a furry, nor do I think kitsune girls (or anything of that type) are moe, so I’m not too up on this one. Plus a fantasy show that has no swords or magic has to be really amazing for me to get into it, doubtful on this one as well.
Igunis: The girl looks a lot like the girl from Inukami, except with brown hair. Kitsune girls always hit the spot but the plot looks like it may drag out a bit too slowly for me. This most likely will turn out to be a romance anime, so depending on character’s interactions, the anime could turn out to be a nice little romance series.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.spicy-wolf.com/
Japanese Air Date: January 8th, 2008
Summary
A world where mascots aren’t just marketing tools. Families contact mascot agencies, to find a suitable one for their children. This story focuses on one such agency, which has its very own mascot: Noramimi, the syrup-stirring Kaminari Kozo
Thoughts
Impz: What the… No, just a thumbs down.
Extrange: ….
Calawain: Uhhhhh, no?
Igunis: Dibs on the girl on the right with the Angelina Jolie lips
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://noramimi-anime.jp/
Japanese Air Date: January 8th, 2008
Summary
Kitaro is a yōkai boy born in a cemetery, and aside from his mostly-decayed father, the last living member of the Ghost tribe. He is missing his left eye, but his hair usually covers the empty socket. He fights for peace between humans and yōkai, which generally involves protecting the former from the wiles of the latter.
Thoughts
Impz: What the…part 2. No, just a thumbs down.
Extrange: Actually Hakaba Kitarou is the 5th anime adaptation of the manga with the same name (also know as GeGeGe no Kitaro). The setting has a peculiar taste which reminisce from the old manga style from the latter sixties. This won’t be a anime for everyone but if you enjoyed old school Astro Boy and Kimba the white Lion you will probably like this.
Calawain: Looks a bit too kid-centered and generic plot based. Never seen or read the previous incantations of this, don’t see myself checking this one out at all.
Igunis: I’ve never seen the original series but I heard that it was pretty fascinating in a strange and grotesque way. The kid itself makes me want to watch it, but it may just be too weird for me.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/hakaba/
Japanese Air Date: January 10th, 2008
Summary
I assumed that this is based on a parody game that teaches English. Nothing else is available.
Thoughts
Impz: Is this another version of Moe-tan? It looks like a splitting image of the rather famous (or infamous) series that has cute characters learning English. It is supposed to have some really cute characters and some bishies. i expect fanservice galore and the likes. In that case, count me out since Moe-tan sucked out my brain cells.
Extrange: O.o This show is supposed to be about 5 bishies who will teach 5 different languages at the same time to the girls….Too bad I already know 7 languages….
Calawain: I have no idea what this is about, but it doesn’t look good.
Igunis: Interesting how the girls are lolis and the guys are bishounens. If ANY romance happens between the two sexes, it shall be interesting how the animators pull it off. Aside from that, this show is a nono.
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://tv.moegaku.jp/
Japanese Air Date: January 10th, 2008
Summary
n the Kingdom of Wellber, Princess Rita is to be married to Prince Gernia of nearby Sangatras — a political marriage to prevent another war between the two countries. When the marriage plans go drastically awry, and Princess Rita is forced to flee the country on a mission to far-off Greedom, hoping to prevent the coming war, she finds a companion and friend in the cat burglar Tina, who has her own reasons for travelling to Greedom.
Thoughts
Impz: I didn’t watch the first season. I cannot comment much.
Extrange: Ditto, only saw the first 4 eps then I dropped it for some reason. Maybe due to the fact I had only 20 gb to download per month at the time. (which wasn’t enough for me:-)
Calawain: I haven’t watched the first season either, didn’t really grab me. Looks like some sort of Final Fantasy game plot gone awry, doubtful here.
Igunis: Hmm, a medieval setting. I had never heard of this series before Impz told me about it so I don’t know what to say. Character designs look decent, although not very original. Someone tell me if it turns out well!
Number of episodes: Unknown
Website: http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/wellber/
Japanese Air Date: January 1st, 2008
Summary
Itoshiki Nozomu is the world’s most negative person. To his way of thinking, there is no hope or meaning in this existence. Even the three kanji of his name become the two-kanji word zetsubou, “despair”, when compressed. He always thinks of suicide but was stopped by a student named Fuure. With the really strange and unique students in his class, Nozumu’s suicidal adventures goes on.
Thoughts
Impz: It’s rather embarrassing that I never got into this show even though it makes me laugh quite a bit. I think I stopped watching it at Episode 5 and never ventured anything beyond it due to time constraints. I think I might try to marathon this series before the second season comes out. This is a thumbs up, and one of the possibly bright stars this season.
Extrange: You deserve a Princess Peach slap in your face for not having seen SzS. One of the few shows with intelligeng humor and remarkable satire and doesn’t rely only on moeness to be a winner. I expect season 2 to be the same.
Calawain: Oh god yes this show is amazing. Even the OP and the ED are epic, not to mention the show itself. The ultimate harem parody that manages to make me laugh for 20 minutes every time, and I definitely give this one a high recommendation. Just make sure you get ready to pause your video to read the chalkboard =)
Igunis: Watched some of the first season but I think I’ll have to rewatch it in order to understand all of the parodies. As the first season was a smash hit amongst anime viewers, the sequel shouldn’t disappoint as well.
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/zetsubou2/
Japanese Air Date: January 5th, 2008
Summary
Minami-ke is a manga following three sisters, Haruka, Kana, and Chiaki in their lives at home and school. It’s a funny series that depicts how these characters interact with each other and their classmates. It’s a story about ordinary girls and their ordinary adventures told in an extraordinary manner. This is a different take with Kana as the youngest sister, and Chiaki the middle sister. This is corrected as it is a sequel of the series.
Thoughts
Impz: Even though it’s a different take on Minami-ke (and likely to be poor), I am still watching this if only to hope that it’s equally good with the first Minami ke. Go, KANA!
Extrange: This anime will have a diferent production team, but that’s not the biggest issues. Changing the ages of Chiaki and Kana means that Chiaki-chan will have bigger boobs?
Calawain: The current show is one of my favorites this season, the best comedy out there right now
Igunis: Why a different production team! I hate when that happens. Although I can’t totally diss the sequel as it hasn’t even come out yet, with a new production team, I don’t it will have the same comedic magic as found in the original series. They even changed the hair colors *sobs*
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/minami-ke/
Japanese Air Date: January 5th, 2008
Summary
Aria take place in the twenty-fourth century, on the planet Aqua (formerly Mars), which has been terraformed into a habitable planet covered in oceans and seas. The series follows the continued adventures of Akari, an apprentice Undine (gondolier) with Aria Company, one of the three most popular gondola companies in the city of Neo-Venezia. Akari seems to attract the supernatural towards her and each day she discovers new wonders of Neo-Venezia. The anime is about Akari’s life in this planet, along with other Undine such as Alice, Aika, Akari, Alicia and Athena.
Thoughts
Impz: Yes, I have left my favorite two at the last. Aria has been one of the best series to watch during a low day, or when you are feeling down and terrible. Its tranquil feel will touch you. It’s a must watch at all costs.
Extrange: This will be a instant legendary anime. This anime fills you up with fuzzy feelings and makes you want to hug fat cats. I f you have a girlfriend or a wife, this is the perfect anime to see together.
Igunis: Although Aria possibly has some of the best art of any anime, I have never watched the series myself as from the summary it appears to be a very ‘slow’ show, plotwise. However, after hearing Impz’s little rant about how great it is, I am willing to give it a shot.
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.ariacompany.net/
Japanese Air Date: January 7th, 2008
Summary
When the Social Welfare Agency investigates the disappearance of an operative, their inquiry leads them right into the lair of their rival, the Five Republics. The assassin Triela infiltrates the hostile organization, but her search is cut short when she finds herself staring down the barrel of a gun. This follows the first season where it follows the exploits of the Social Welfare Agency (often referred to as simply “the Agency”), ostensibly a charitable institution sponsored by the Italian government, but hires a group of mechanical girls brainwashed into espionage and assassination activities.
Thoughts
Impz: This is the show I am waiting for. I have been worshipping the first season since it ended. The creation of a sequel is just great. It’s heaven, and it’s a must watch for Impz!
Extrange:Lolis with guns, all said. Thumbs up.
Igunis: Fanboys rejoice, *blows nose*. First season was amazing and I was left craving for more. Hopefully, the sequel will give me the same breathtaking experience. THUMBS WAY UP!
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.gunslingergirl.com/
Japanese Air Date: January 7th, 2008
53 Comments
@Skylark: and edited after watching Episode 13 of Minami ke. I am misled due to the images =/
Some random comments: it’s a pity you guys commented mostly before seeing first episodes. Might have been considerably different. It was for me, anyway. For me, based on first episodes, the class of the season appears to be true tears, Spice and Wolf, Porfy no Nagai Tabi, and Hatenkou Yuugi. Rosario and KimiAru seem pretty lame to me, which is a pity since I had hopes for both of them. Like Impz, I liked SzS but didn’t finish it. With some shows, I can say they’re good, but I get everything I want from them in a few episodes, and don’t need to continue. Not that I won’t start this season and at least try to catch up with the first one sometime.
@hashihime: It’s because this was a preview posted before the start of the Winter season. If you want reviews about the shows based on the eps, cheack each show’s individual reviews here on THAT.