Deadpan lolis, my favorite
Welcome to another edition of the T.H.A.T. anime preview! Out of a total of 26 series covered in this preview (I excluded the kiddie shows/educational stuff as usual), the statistical breakdown goes like this (some categories overlap):
Sequels: 8
Spin-offs: 3
New Shows: 15
Manga Adaptations: 9
Light Novel Adaptations: 6
Eroge Adaptations: 3
Original Shows: 2
Note: I am aware that Shugo Chara is getting a “new” season, but all they did was add a second “doki” to the title, it’s a continuation of the same thing without a break or anything. Feel free to talk about it in the comments, but I didn’t include a new show entry for it.
Much of this info is pulled from Fansub Wiki, AniDB, AnimeNfo, ANN, Wikipedia and MAL. So thanks to those fine sites for their databases and other information. I’m no longer going to list a source after each summary because many sites share amongst themselves. Figure it came from one of them.
A Message from the NKVD: Well its time once again to point out this is a preview, and not a review. That “p” makes a difference a very big difference in fact. On another note many of us are old grouchy mean spirited cynics and not wide eyed idealistic fat cat communist NEETs. If you are part of the “animu is SRSfkn business” part of the fandom do yourself a favor and just read the summary from ANN so you can preserve your fragile optimism for your harem animu. Other than that Liberty Prime is watching and ready to initiate directive 7395, destroy all communists.
Click on link to jump to the series: Queen’s Blade: Gyokuza wo Tsugumono | Kämpfer | Nyan Koi! | Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra | The Sacred Blacksmith | Letter Bee | Sora no Otoshimono | Natsu no Arashi! Akinaichuu | Miracle☆Train ~Ouedo-sen e Youkoso~ | Koihime†Musou- Otome Ryouran Sangokushi Engi | Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purezza♪ | Kobato. | Kimi ni Todoke | 11eyes | Sasameki Koto | Fairy Tail | Winter Sonata | Kuuchuu Buranko | Asura Cryin’ 2 | Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini | Inuyasha- The Final Act | Romance of the Three Kingdoms | To Aru Kagaku no Railgun | Seitokai no Ichizon | Kiddy Girl-and | White Album Final
Queen’s Blade: Gyokuza wo Tsugumono
Details
Website: http://queensblade.tv/
Japanese Air Date: September 24
Animation Company: ARMS (Genshiken 2, Elfen Lied)
Seiyuu: Atsuko Tanaka, Aya Hirano, Ayako Kawasumi, Mamiko Noto
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Second season of acid lactating boobies. The subtitle apparently translates to “Heir to the Throne,” although I really doubt anyone watches this for any story. Due to laziness here’s a copypasta of the lazy summary I did for the first season of the show:
Based off of Hobby Japan’s combat picture book game series. C.A., a poster on AS, described said books as “Visual Combat books, each book a girl. And within each book are CGs of attacks and actions where you flip them and play with a dice, fighting against an opponent with another book. Its basically a stripping game, the more damage you do to the opponent, the less covered she ends up.”
The summary on ANN looked like it was rammed through Google translator, so I’ll summarize: there’s a competition to decide the next queen and a bunch of chicks with huge racks and few clothes will fight to the death over it.
Thoughts
Calawain: I made most of my snide comments in the summary above, but suffice it to say this show really isn’t my style. No hate for anyone who digs it though, I bear no ill will toward fellow pervs.
Executive Otaku: I could do this as a HAET BLOG feature, but could never watch it seriously.
Crusader: No, but I know why it is still chugging along.
lelangir: Doesn’t anyone here understand the true genius of this show? I’ll tell you, but you have to keep secret, that I actually directed a large portion of this show. No, not those awful last episodes where the lack of budget was clearly visible, but I did the awesome of this show. That’s correct, I am responsible for the awesome here. I enjoyed deploying a postmodern Marxist deconstructionist semiotics in order to fully utilize all the glory of Hirano Aya and Mizuki Nana-sama. In fact my directing of this show was so superb I got a threesome. Well, I kind of just pushed Aya off the bed and ravished Nana like no other, but you get the picture. So yeah, watch this show, I will show you what true directing is! Believe it!
Kämpfer
Details
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/kenpu/
Japanese Air Date: October 1
Animation Company: Nomad (Rozen Maiden, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou)
Seiyuu: Marina Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Yui Horie, Yukari Tamura, Megumi Nakajima
Summary
Adaptation of Toshihiko Tsukiji’s (Maburaho, Umi Monogatari) light novel series, which has also been adapted into a currently-running manga.
Senou Natsuru is your normal, everyday high school student. However he’s been chosen to be a Kampfer, whose objective consists on fighting other Kampfer with either guns, swords or magic. But there´s a catch: first you can’t chose if you´re a Kampfer or not, and second, you must have the body of a girl to use your powers.
Thoughts
Calawain: Cross-dressing/gender transformation, close-quarters combat, multiple personalities, and bishoujos (delicious-looking character designs). This shit is cash. Also good to see several top seiyuu on the cast, as well as relative newcomer Megumi Nakajima (many of our readers will remember her as Ranka Lee). It may be a bit strange to hear Hocchan try to pull off Akane’s alternate personality, but Nomad is a pretty solid studio who has brought in a similarly solid director with experience. So I’m looking forward to this one.
Executive Otaku: So far from my cup of tea it may as well be coffee.
Crusader: Alright I guess they did do an IGLOO for the MS-18E Kampfer oh wait…hey there is a trap that makes it obligatory. I did like Umi Monogatari so here’s hoping for much hugging, confessions, and affirmations of protecting love in someone else’s heart. Bonus if we also get something similar to Marin’s patented tackle. You are sweet. Oh let me love you sooooo…
lelangir: I basically had to give Horie Yui rough buttsex for her not voice this show. She wanted me to direct this show, but I had to decline, otherwise Nana-chan wouldn’t service me for White Album. I don’t think this show will be very good, to tell you the truth.
Possible Bloggers: Calawain, Crusader
Nyan Koi!
Details
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/nyankoi/
Japanese Air Date: October 1
Animation Company: AIC (Seto no Hanayome, Tenchi Muyo)
Seiyuu: Shintaro Asanuma, Yuka Iguchi
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Sato Fujiwara’s manga.
Junpei Kōsaka is a second-year high school student who despises cats and has an allergy to them. It just so happens that his high school crush is Kaede Mizuno, a girl who adores cats. One day, while walking home from school, Junpei kicks an empty can and unfortunately beans the local neko-jizō-sama (guardian deity of cats). He finds he can now understand what cats are saying, including his family’s own ill-tempered cat, Nyamusasu. However, if he does not grant 100 wishes from cats, he will turn into cat himself.
Thoughts
Calawain: Well it’s a show about cats and presumably the chick with the huge rack on the left side of that image. High schoolers these days…
Executive Otaku: Huh. I like cats and all, but it seems like an odd premise. Borderline if I’ll even do recon on it.
Crusader: I hate cats, nasty little bastards… As there is no mecha to make up for the cats I’ll pass, doubly so since there seems to be non trappy Y chromosome in this series.
lelangir: Unlike some fools of this world, I am not possessed by a crab demon god that steals my weight. Nor can I communicate with cats – who would want to? Therefore, based on my experience, I know this show will suck, because I cannot talk to cats and do not want to. But do you know what? I can talk to onions and socks. Now what?
Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra
Details
Website: http://www.bantorra.com/
Japanese Air Date: October 2
Animation Company: David Production (Dogs: Bullets & Carnage)
Seiyuu: Romi Paku
Available Trailers: Trailers 1&2
Summary
Adaptation of the Tatakau Shisho (Fighting Librarians) light novel series written by Ishio Yamagata.
All the dead people of the world have been turned into “books” stored in the Bantorra library. A boy named Koria Tonisu has had his memories erased and his chest embedded with a bomb. He is sent to kill Hamyuttsu Meseta, the world’s most powerful armed librarian. However, he falls in love at first sight with this beautiful woman in charge of the “books,” and he gets enveloped in the great war over the library.
Thoughts
Calawain: The best part of this show has got to be another original and completely unique Ali Project OP, I’m so suicidal excited! More seriously, ROD 2.0 at least has Ayako Kawasumi, Haruka Tomatsu, and Miyuki Sawashiro, but who knows how prominent their roles will be.
Executive Otaku: I’ll pass, one season of ROD was enough for me thanks.
Crusader: I’ll put this under maybe since I think I will be otherwise occupied…
lelangir: I told the guys over at Toshokan Sensou to ju…OHSHI
The Sacred Blacksmith
Details
Website: http://www.blasmi.com/
Japanese Air Date: October 3
Animation Company: Manglobe (Ergo Proxy, Samurai Champloo)
Seiyuu: Ayumi Fujimura, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Aki Toyosaki, Megumi Toyoguchi
Available Trailers: Trailers 1&2 (bottom right after the intro)
Summary
Adaptation of Isao Miura’s fantasy light novels.
The story takes place after an abominable war that foisted a “devil’s contract” upon a land. Cecily Campbell, a former noble’s daughter who joined a knighthood, encounters a man who dispatches some hoodlums with one sweep of a mysterious sword. The man possesses the power of the same “devil’s contract” that has become taboo, now that peace has been restored. Cecily has been searching for a blacksmith who can repair an old sword she inherited from her father, and that mysterious young man happens to be blacksmith named Luke. This encounter launches their adventures together.
Thoughts
Calawain: This sounds like half the JRPGs I’ve played, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Character designs look pretty decent, although that red haired girl reminds me a lot of Alicia from Valkyria Chronicles. Manglobe is a fairly decent studio, and amusingly enough the director here also directed Pokémon. Ayumi Fujimura is pretty good at voicing tsunderes, but I have no idea whether her character in this actually is.
Executive Otaku: Will investigate. Hopefully it will keep my interest better than Tales of the Abyss.
Crusader: Sounds like high fantasy stuff might look into it.
Letter Bee
Details
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/tegamibachi/
Japanese Air Date: October 3
Animation Company: Studio Pierrot (Bleach, Naruto)
Seiyuu: Ayumi Fujimura, Miyuki Sawashiro
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Hiroyuki Asada’s manga.
Gauche is a governmental employee, given the task to deliver any letter to it’s destination. Meeting a young boy who is the letter to be delivered, Gauche makes friends with Lag and inspires him to take up the job. Five years later, Lag Seeing finally becomes his dream, that of a Letter Bee. However, the one who inspired him has gone missing and only there does the mystery start.
Thoughts
Calawain: I want to make some post office jokes, because the US Post Office is having a rather difficult time of late. A few seiyuu in the cast I’m a fan of, although it appears a good chunk of them are voicing males, mostly shoutas I assume. That tends to turn me away.
Executive Otaku: I’m not thrilled about those character designs, but the premise sounds like it could have potential depending on how serious/intrigue they go with it. Will watch first episode, three episode test if that goes well.
Crusader: I am surprised that there is still snail mail, surely Fedex can deliver anywhere right? Still not my kind of postal.
Sora no Otoshimono
Details
Website: http://anime.webnt.jp/soraoto/
Japanese Air Date: October 4
Animation Company: AIC ASTA (Bamboo Blade)
Seiyuu: Saori Hayami, Souichiro Hoshi
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Suu Minazuki’s Sora no Otoshimono (Heaven’s Lost Property) manga.
The story centers around Tomoki Sakurai, an ordinary middle school boy whose motto is “Peace is the #1 priority.” However, a strange girl often appears in his dream to ask for his help — only he cannot remember her face when he wakes up. Then, his life gets more complicated when an unidentified mysterious animal (UMA) falls out of the skies. The “animal” turns out to be Ikaros, an angel.
Thoughts
Calawain: It amazes me how Souichiro Hoshi can voice one of the most emo, rage inducing male protagonists (Kira Yamato) as well as one of the manliest (Keiichi Maebara). I hope he does the latter because the story material revealed in the trailer is your run of the mill childhood friend waking up her friend who has morning wood and calling him a pervert. Doesn’t mean it will definitely suck, there are some shows that were able to rise above it, but the chances remain somewhat low (although, my interest was shamelessly piqued at the fact that one episode was declared too hot for TV).
Executive Otaku: Premise isn’t enticing me and those character designs aren’t doing it for me either.
Crusader: I have made clear my hatred for all things Cosmic Era, so hell no, fuck no, and shit no.
Natsu no Arashi! Akinaichuu
Details
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/natsunoarashi2/
Japanese Air Date: October 4
Animation Company: Shaft (Bakemonotogari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Seiyuu: Ryoko Shiraishi, Yuko Sanpei
Summary
Second season of the adaptation of Jin Kobayashi’s (School Rumble) Natsu no Arashi (Summer Storm) manga.
The story centers on a boy named Hajime Yasaka who meets an older high school girl named Sayoko “Arashi” Arashiyama in an old town coffee shop. “Arashi” happens to have a secret that Hajime learns one fateful summer vacation. Arashi makes a bond with Hajime, enabling them to travel back through time, sometimes to rescue those who died in WWII.
Thoughts
Calawain: I never got through the first episode of this anime with strange belly buttons. Perhaps I’m still bitter over what happened to School Rumble, but I don’t see myself having the slightest urge to pick this up.
Executive Otaku: Definitely watching. The first season started off a little weird but became very fun and interesting and even pretty touching. The characters played well off each other, the time travel was done interestingly, and I’m always interested in shows that actually talk about WWII instead of pretend it never happened. SHAFT animation is always a plus in my book.
Crusader: EO called it.
Possible bloggers: Executive Otaku
Miracle☆Train ~Ouedo-sen e Youkoso~
Details
Website: http://www.miracle-train.tv/index.html
Japanese Air Date: October 4
Animation Company: Yumeta Company (Neo Angelique Abyss, La Corda D’Oro)
Seiyuu: Hiroshi Kamiya, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Kenn, Kouki Miyata, Miyu Irino, Ryotaro Okiayu
Summary
The Miracle Train project anthropomorphizes several heavily travelled train stations in Tokyo into young handsome male characters. This television series will feature a different cast of characters inspired by the Ouedo subway line — specifically, Fumi Roppongi, Rintarou Shinjuku, Izayoi Tsukishima, Iku Shiodome, Saki Tochou, and Itsumi Ryougoku.
Thoughts
Calawain: There are way too many gay jokes I could make with a cast of bishounen in a show called Miracle Train. I’m going to resist though, because it’s too easy. Also, I don’t think this is supposed to be yaoi.
Executive Otaku: Hey, the concept works very well for countries in Hetalia and I’d love some nostalgia for Tokyo and all those subway/train lines I absolutely did not dodge fairs using my student pass on. Will preview, potential for blogging.
Crusader: A Happy Ending after every ride! I sit on the opposite side when it comes to relations between folks of the same gender, this one isn’t for me. If it were up to me I’d probably try and derail this thing.
Possible bloggers: ExecutiveOtaku
Koihime†Musou- Otome Ryouran Sangokushi Engi
Details
Website: http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/shinkoihime/
Japanese Air Date: October 5
Animation Company: Dogakobo (Myself; Yourself)
Seiyuu: Hiroka Nishizawa, Nami Kurokawa
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (low quality cam)
Summary
Second season of the adaptation of the BaseSon eroge. This anime is loosely based on the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Having lost her family to bandits during night raid, Kanu swears, she will not let others share the same pain. She quickly becomes a well-known and feared by villains bandit hunter. During her journey she comes across others, who wish to join her cause. One of them is a girl named RinRin, who had similar experience with bandits in the past.
Thoughts
Calawain: This show was actually less stupid than I thought it was going to be, if only for the blonde lesbian with what I believe was an armpit fetish. Apparently this show was pretty popular over in Area Eleven, enough to warrant a second season when I really didn’t expect one.
Executive Otaku: A second season of this? I’m also quite surprised. Not for me, thanks.
Crusader: Even if this was popular in Area 11 I am no Eleven and I think I will pass. This second season suprises me as well.
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purezza♪
Details
Website: http://www.nogizaka-haruka.com/
Japanese Air Date: October 5
Animation Company: Diomedea, formerly Studio Barcelona (Kodomo no Jikan, Nanatsuiro Drops)
Seiyuu: Mamiko Noto, Wataru Hatano
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (low quality cam)
Summary
Second season of the adaptation of Yuusaku Igarashi’s Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu (Haruka Nogizaki’s Secret) light novels.
The story centers around Yuuto Ayase and Haruka Nogizaka. Yuuto is seemingly ordinary, but Haruka is attractive, intelligent, and rich, which prompts other students to idolize her and even give her French nicknames like “Nuit Étoile” (The Silver Star of the Night) and “Lumière du Clavier” (The Shining Princess on the Piano). One day, Yuuto wanders into the school library in order to return a book and accidentally stumbles upon Haruka’s deepest, darkest secret: she is a diehard fan of anime and manga, in other words, a regular otaku. Promising Haruka to keep this a secret, Yūto becomes her advisor and confidante.
Thoughts
Calawain: The first season of this show was wickedly awesome, and one of the few shows loaded with cheesy blushing moments that I could stomach. The repressed inner shipper in me came out on multiple occasions. Oh yeah, and this show gives us by far the greatest imouto of all time in Mika. She is the personification of the “I like you, come fuck my sister” meme. The second season promises to introduce a few new characters so it should keep things fresh.
Executive Otaku: I haven’t seen the first season and it’s probably not for me anyway.
Crusader: Calawain called it and I never got into the first season though it was largely due to a lack of trying, will see what I missed out on though.
Possible Bloggers: Calawain
Kobato.
Details
Website: http://www.kobato.tv/top.html
Japanese Air Date: October 6
Animation Company: Madhouse Studios (Black Lagoon, Monster)
Seiyuu: Kana Hanazawa, Tetsu Inada
Summary
Adaptation of the manga by CLAMP.
Kobato is a young girl that for unknown reasons, needs to fill a mysterious bottle with the feelings of people with a heart in pain. For that she needs to “cure” other people’s hearts and make them happy, but this could become even more difficult than she thought. Her companion for this task is a grumpy plush dog she calls Ioryogi-san.
Thoughts
Calawain: Kana Hanazawa may have a sexy voice, but I’m one of those rare individuals who doesn’t much care for CLAMP material. The art is always great, but the stories are way too out there in many ways.
Executive Otaku: On the one hand I generally think well of Clamp. But on the other the premise sounds like some of their more childish shows. I’m gonna call myself out for this one.
Crusader: I could use a dose of shoujo this time of year will do recon. I am hoping said bottle is from Noe and the principle protagonist must also find True Tears. Oh and there is a dog which is superior to a cat in every way.
Possible bloggers: Crusader
Kimi ni Todoke
Details
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/kiminitodoke/
Japanese Air Date: October 6
Animation Company: Production I.G. (Eden of the East, Ghost in the Shell)
Seiyuu: Daisuke Namikawa, Mamiko Noto
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Karuho Shiina’s shoujo manga Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You).
Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine… for a horror movie. With her jet-black hair, sinister smile, and silent demeanor, she’s often mistaken for Sadako, the haunting character from Ringu. Unbeknownst to but a few, behind her scary facade is a very misunderstood teenager. Shy and pure of heart, she just wants to make friends. But when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class, befriends her, she’s sure to make more than just that – she’s about to make some enemies, too!
Thoughts
Calawain: Mamiko Noto and Miyuki Sawashiro can’t change the fact that most shoujo makes me nauseous. Neither can Production IG.
Executive Otaku: Production I.G. gives it a point, and half of that description makes me hope it will be something other than run-of-the-mill shojo, but the ‘most popular boy in class’ part makes it lose points. Have been hearing some good things about the manga though, enough for me to commit to a three episode test.
Crusader: Will do recon considering it’s lineage, besides there seems to be a crazy chick in this one, maybe she will knife some one along the way.
11eyes
Details
Website: http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/11eyes/
Japanese Air Date: October 6
Animation Company: Dogakobo (Koihime Musou, Myself; Yourself)
Seiyuu: Daisuke Ono, Emiko Hagiwara, Mai Goto
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (low quality cam)
Summary
Adaptation of Lass’ 11eyes -Tsumi to Batsu to Aganai no Shoujo- eroge.
The story centers on Kakeru Satsuki, a boy who has been mourning the loss of his last remaining family member, his older sister, for the past five years. Satsuki, his childhood friend Yuka Minase, and four other Kōryōkan Academy schoolmates are suddenly transported to the world of “Red Night,” where a giant black moon hangs over the skies. The six can only return home after dealing with the six black knights of this alternate world.
Thoughts
Calawain: Dogakobo has a rather small resume of being the lead studio, but so far nothing crater-worthy. I was actually halfway pleased with Myself;Yourself. I assume this will have action in it, although I can’t say anything in the story premise strikes me as must see. Perhaps some of those who have played the eroge can shed some light on the flow.
Executive Otaku: The premise does kind of sound interesting, despite my skepticism due to its eroge roots. Will recon.
Crusader: I was kind of hoping for this to be a spin off centering around AWACS Thousand Eyes, but alas. The Black Knights never lose! Have at YOU!
Sasameki Koto
Details
Website: http://www.sasameki.com/
Japanese Air Date: October 7
Animation Company: AIC (Seto no Hanayome, Tenchi Muyo)
Seiyuu: Ayahi Takagaki, Megumi Takamoto
Summary
Adaptation of Takashi Ikeda’s yuri manga Sasameki Koto (Whispered Words).
The story revolves around Sumika, a popular high school honors student who has a secret she does not reveal to anyone: she loves her classmate Ushio. Sumika hears that Ushio is also “a girl who likes girls,” but Sumika’s feelings have yet to be reciprocated.
Thoughts
Calawain: One of my favorite yuri manga for sure, and a show I’m looking forward to. It spends a lot more time on comic relief and less time on serious themes than say Aoi Hana, and has decidedly less melodrama (at least in the first 3ish volumes scanlated into English). Sumika is an awesome lead character, a black belt tomboy of sorts madly in love with a blonde bishoujo. If you like yuri, and are looking for something on the lighter side, I think you’ll dig it.
Executive Otaku: I tend to like my yuri serious, and I’ve had my fill from this season so I’ll have to leave this one to Calawain and Crusader who are obviously looking forward to it.
Crusader: Alright yuri. Recon effort confirmed. Girls who like girls WOOOOOOOOOO!
Possible bloggers: Crusader
Fairy Tail
Details
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/fairytail/
Japanese Air Date: October 12
Animation Company: A-1 Pictures (Kannagi, Valkyria Chronicles), Satelight (Macross Frontier, Shugo Chara)
Seiyuu: Aya Hirano, Tetsuya Kakihara, Rie Kugimiya, Sayaka Ohara,Yuuichi Nakamura
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Hiro Mashima’s (Rave Master) manga.
Cute girl wizard Lucy wants to join the Fairy Tail, a club for the most powerful wizards. But instead, her ambitions land her in the clutches of a gang of unsavory pirates led by a devious magician. Her only hope is Natsu, a strange boy she happens to meet on her travels. Natsu’s not your typical hero – he gets motion sickness, eats like a pig, and his best friend is a talking cat. With friends like this, is Lucy better off with her enemies?
Thoughts
Calawain: After the first few volumes of this I lost interest, the loveliness that is Erza could only keep me into it for the duration of her story arcs. Its got heaps of shounen action cliches and the like, so if that’s what you dig I’m sure you’ll like it. I may indulge to see Erza kicking some ass, but I don’t see myself slugging my way through the 50+ episodes I’m sure it will get.
Executive Otaku: Shonen action shows have to be really outstanding to get my attention, and this doesn’t really sound like it’s for me.
Crusader: I think that for me this is a no go. I have another Shonen series on my itinerary already.
Winter Sonata
Details
Website: http://anime-wintersonata.com/index.html
Japanese Air Date: October 17
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 and Trailer 2
Summary
Adaptation of Winter Sonata (also known as Winter Love Song), the blockbuster 2002 Korean drama television series that helped launch the “Korean wave” of pop culture in Japan.
The drama follows two childhood friends — a boy and a girl — and the tragedy and angst that befalls them and those around them in the years between high school and young adulthood.
Thoughts
Calawain: K-Dramas aren’t really my thing, nor do I really go for serious melodrama like this.
Executive Otaku: I have seen Korean drama influence spread to J-dramas, upping the level of angst, terminal illnesses, and generally stuff way too over the top for me. Will do recon but as it looks now probably a pass for me.
Crusader: I missed the boat on the live action one, might as well watch it since it is a rather infamous franchise. I did like my fair share of Korean Dramas so this shit is like the smell of cordite to me anyways. I anticipate much weeping and DORAMA.
Possible bloggers: Crusader
Kuuchuu Buranko
Details
Website: http://www.kuchu-buranko.com/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Toei (Monoke, One Piece)
Summary
Adaptation of Hideo Okuda’s Kuuchuu Buranko (Trapeze) short story collection.
The collection is Okuda’s second book featuring the psychiatrist protagonist Ichirō Irabu and his various patients — the title refers to the first story about a circus artist who can no longer perform. In modern Japan, people visit “doctors of neurology,” rather than therapists. Dr. Irabu is an eccentric neurologist with an injection fetish, an Oedipus complex and a green Porsche, known for making patients much worse before they get better.
Thoughts
Calawain: There’s always a couple of really strange shows each season technically qualifying as “anime” and I debate with myself on whether or not I should include them in the preview. This time I said, “hey why not?” But this is definitely a strange one.
Executive Otaku: Strange enough to get my attention. Will give it the three episode test and decide then.
Crusader: Odd enough to warrant recon in force I suppose. I did like Monnoke despite it being largely bypassed by the main stream viewership, if the excellent story telling is there the odd art style won’t matter as much.
Asura Cryin’ 2
Details
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/asura/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Seven Arcs (Nanoha, Inukami)
Seiyuu: Miyu Irino, Ai Nonaka, Haruka Tomatsu, Rie Tanaka
Summary
Second season of the adaptation of Gakuto Mikumo’s light novels.
Tomoharu is a normal high school student… except for he’s not alone. Haunted by the ghost of his dead childhood best friend, he moves into a new home in time for the new school year. That becomes a little more difficult than anticipated when his house becomes overrun with various female occult users. Even worse than that he has been pulled into a fight to protect a trunk within the house that others want to steal.
Thoughts
Calawain: This was one of those shows that illustrates the occasional difficulty in finding accurate preview info, because this show was not at all like what I imagined it to be. Thankfully it was even better that my preconceptions, and I was treated to flaming hau haus, mechas, ghost girls, and sexy cyborgs. Definitely a fun show to watch, even if most of the exposition material made absolutely no sense. And Seven Arcs knows their way around bishoujos and action, so it shouldn’t dissapoint.
Executive Otaku: I watched the first 5 episodes of the first season, didn’t hold my interest though. I make no claim on this show.
Crusader: Calawain has got this. Didn’t get into it during the first season.
Possible Bloggers: Calawain
Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini
Details
Website: http://www.d-black.net/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Bones (Eureka 7, Fullmetal Alchemist)
Seiyuu: Hidenobu Kiuchi, Kana Hanazawa, Misato Fukuen, Nana Mizuki
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (embedded bottom left)
Summary
Second season of the Bones original created by Tensai Okamura.
Hei and Yin are now on the run after betraying the Syndicate in the previous season. After leaving Japan, Hei encounters Suou Pavlichenko, a 13 year old Eurasian girl who becomes embroiled in the war and politics of the various factions and Contractors vying for power. Meanwhile, Hell’s Gate remains standing in Tokyo, after Hei’s efforts to stop the Saturn Ring anti-Gate particle weapon from activating. Although Contractors are safe from the danger of having their existences erased, this does not prevent new and old Contractors from abusing their powers. As Misaki Kirihara and her team in the Public Security Bureau deal with the increasing Contractor cases, she also has to keep the Syndicate at bay, who has major positions in the Japanese police and intelligence bureaus around the world.
Thoughts
Calawain: This is probably the biggest deal for western fans, and you can count me as a member of that group. Bones has a great record with original shows, providing a good storyline, fascinating characters, and quality animation. Also, my favorite lolis are deadpan lolis.
Executive Otaku: YES YES OH GOD YES! The first season was one of the best things I’ve seen in some time. The large but still well developed cast, the stories, the pacing, it was so well done.
Crusader: Fuck I missed this boat, will try and catch up but I will let these two have their fun.
Possible bloggers: Calawain, Executive Otaku
Inuyasha- The Final Act
Details
Website: http://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/yasya-kanketsu/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Sunrise (Gundam, Cowboy Bebop)
Seiyuu: Houko Kuwashima, Kappei Yamaguchi, Kouji Tsujitani, Kumiko Watanabe, Satsuki Yukino
Summary
Sequel to the adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s manga.
Higurashi Kagome, after being pulled down a well by a demon, finds herself in Feudal Japan, where she learns that a powerful jewel has been reborn inside her body. After the jewel shatters in an attempt to retrieve it from one of the many demons who was after its power, Kagome must join forces with the half-demon Inu Yasha (also after the jewel’s power) to track down the shards of the jewel before its power falls into the wrong hands.
Thoughts
Calawain: The many ways in which this anime/manga is horrid would fill a page, yet it gets another set of episodes after a run of 150+ while so many true gems toil unfinished. I guess that’s the power of fangirl legions.
Executive Otaku: I actually really liked Inuyasha. I’m almost afraid to say so for fear of being associated with ‘those’ Inuyasha fans, but while it wasn’t the best series ever it’s pretty good and I enjoyed watching it. I may be interested in blogging this.
Crusader: I fucking loved this shit despite there being fillers out the ass. Even after 167 odd eps and four movies I still come back for more. I am crazy enough to attempt to try and keep up with this and it will be nice to see Sunrise do something non-mecha.
Possible bloggers:Executive Otaku, Crusader
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Details
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Future Planet Co., Beijing Glorious Animation Co.
Summary
A joint Chinese-Japanese adaptation of the classic novel depicting the tumultuous warring period of second-century China and the political intrigue between the different factions. Sorry about the lack of additional information, but those commies are pretty good at keeping it close to the vest.
Thoughts
Calawain: I could care less about anything Three Kingdoms, but the Chinese studio in on this is called Beijing Glorious Animation Co. That is so communist, I love it. I almost fell out of my chair when I first read it. It should come as no surprise that it’s a subsidiary of a state-owned broadcaster.
Executive Otaku: Beijing Glorio….HAHAHA…ok, Beijing Glorious Animation Co. AHAHAHAHA. *phew* Now that that’s out of the way, I will do recon but unless it’s really great I’m not likely to blog it.
Crusader: Oh shit commies are going to make propaganda, shit is going to be awesomely bad like those shit plays from the Cultural Revolution. I am expecting ballet dancing soldiers with little red books and fabulous red banners. Chairman Cao and little red books in Wei is imminent.
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
Details
Website: http://www.project-railgun.net/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: JC Staff (Shakugan no Shana, Zero no Tsukaima)
Seiyuu: Rina Satou, Aki Toyosaki, Atsushi Abe, Kanae Itou, Satomi Arai
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (embedded bottom left)
Summary
Adaptation of To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (A Certain Scientific Railgun), Motoi Fuyukawa’s manga spinoff of Kazuma Kamachi’s To Aru Majutsu no Index (A Certain Magic Index) light novels.
In a world where science clarifies supernatural powers. In a huge college that has power development in its curriculum. To a resident high school student, Kamijou Touma, a pure white sister appears. She calls herself “Index” and says that sorcerers are chasing her. Thus, Kamijou Touma enters the world of the occult.
The spinoff focuses on Mikoto Misaka, one of the Level 5 psychics in the To Aru Majutsu no Index light novels.
Thoughts
Calawain: One of the few spinoffs that actually focuses on by far the best character in the show (Biribiri). The original Index was certainly entertaining (if you forget the silly exposition and how it often took Touma 5 minutes to cross a room during a fight), and this spinoff focuses on a delicious tsundere and her teleporting lesbian roommate who constantly tries to jump her bones. I approve of this show.
Executive Otaku: Not really my thing.
Crusader: I heard something about a teleporting and a girl trying to jump another girl for some yuri lurvin. That is all I need to know and that is all I care about. FUCK YEAH YURI!
Possible Bloggers: Calawain, Crusader
Seitokai no Ichizon
Details
Website: http://anime.webnt.jp/seitokai/index.html
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Studio DEEN (Fate/stay night, Umineko no Naku Koro ni)
Seiyuu: Mariko Honda, Takashi Kondo
Available Trailers: Trailer 1
Summary
Adaptation of Sekina Aoi’s Seitokai no Ichizon (Student Council’s Discretion) light novels.
The series, revolves around a private high school whose student council is chosen entirely by popularity vote. Because of this, Ken Sugisaki is the only male representative, in the otherwise all bishoujo student council, that may enter the “sacred sanctuary” of the council’s meeting room. At the behest of Council President Kurimu Sakurano, Sugisaki records the minutes of the council meetings, which devolve into daily conversations about the students’ lives and interests.
Thoughts
Calawain: This kind of reminds me of a new 4-koma, Seitokai Yakuin-domo, but I don’t think this one is going to aim for deadpan humor and dirty puns. All of the female seiyuu listed are basically brand new, but Studio DEEN usually does a halfway decent job of things, and they brought in the fellow who directed Strawberry Marshmallow. I’ll dabble for the cute bishoujos.
Executive Otaku: Hmm, tough to say from the premise, but my instincts tell me it’s not my kind of show. Will try the first episode though.
Crusader: Student councils…pfffffffttt. Unless one of them turns out to be a Sulla this probably won’t pique my interests.
Kiddy Girl-and
Details
Website: http://www.kiddygrade.com/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Satelight (Macross Frontier, Shugo Chara)
Summary
Spinoff of Kiddy Grade, created by gímik and Gonzo.
ES members Éclair and Lumière once were involved in a battle to decide the fate of the galaxy. They prevailed and peace was restored to the galaxy. Now, 50 years later, the galaxy once again stands on the brink of chaos. This conflict will see the dawn of two new heroines; Ascoeur and Q-feuille.
Thoughts
Calawain: Those sexy character designs reminded me that I always meant to watch the original series but never got around to it. Silly naming sense aside, it sounds somewhat interesting. Satelight is pretty busy this season, hope we don’t see a corresponding drop in quality.
Executive Otaku: I’ll have to decline.
Crusader: I actually watched Kiddy Grade and found it to be passable…since I have shit taste I might as well do recon on this. It’s Satelight so I expect a bit of wobbliness in the animation though if they do have a few good dog fights I will be thoroughly impressed.
Possible Bloggers: Crusader
White Album Final
Details
Website: http://www.whitealbum-tv.com/top.htm
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Seven Arcs (Asura Cryin’, Nanoha)
Seiyuu: Aya Hirano, Nana Mizuki, Tomoaki Maeno
Summary
Second season of the adaptation of the Leaf eroge.
The White Album game centers around Touya Fujii, a college student dating a rising idol singer named Yuki Morikawa. The game deals with the challenges to the couple’s relationship from the other people at Fujī’s college, Morikawa’s work, and elsewhere.
Thoughts
Calawain: An exceedingly silly premise, even for an eroge. Nana Mizuki and Seven Arcs can’t save this atrocious show. I’ll stick to my other Seven Arcs shows, thank you very much.
Executive Otaku: I would enjoy seeing Crusader rip into this second season too much to even think of blogging it.
Crusader: I actually need to make a post on the last ep of the last season…It will get done in good time but how can I say no to shitty Harem Animu with such a loser like Touya. Here is hoping the Haruka puppy pounds on his door like a lost dog and the girls, with the exception of Rina, embarrass themselves for my sadistic amusement.
Possible Bloggers: Crusader
29 Comments
I remember a time when THAT had about 6 writers for a season preview.
There hasn’t been much hype for Letter Bee at all. I’m expecting that to be the ‘ZOMG SHOCK HIT’ of the season.
Mononoke not mainstream? It was a noitaminA show and got the upper range of ratings for a late night show (I think only Major was beating it in the late night slots at the time), so it was actually far more appealing to a mainstream audience than most of the shows listed here will be. Just because it doesn’t get the internet clamour of an otaku audience doesn’t mean no one watched it.
Kūchū Buranko’s also a noitaminA show, so should be awesome and well watched. Outside of Sunred season 2 it’s the only thing of interest in this season.
>>they brought in the fellow who directed Strawberry Marshmallow
I wasn’t planning to give that show a chance, but now I’m down.
I also have fingers crossed for Rot3K, because even if China’s communist, if Soviet Russia’s version of “War and Peace” (movie) can be really great, then I think this will have plenty of promise.
Not to mention, the novel’s legendary, so it’s not like they’ll be able to bend it too much around (hopefully). More than that though, the original is already fine in of itself as propaganda on some level… but maybe I’m being optimistic cause I’m Chinese (though not from China) and really love this story :<
I would have even kept watching Koihime Musou (it was really good about modelling it’s episode events around the battles from the original story, and also yuri-goggle adapting your-face-is-too-close things from the original story, i.e. Cao Cao and Guan Yu), if the fansubbers hadn’t stopped translating with Chinese Pinyin names (cause god damn I’m not relearning the 101 different names all over again in Japanese).
Damn I thought another series of kiddy grade will never come … I don’t know maybe the first season didn’t belong to on of the best animes but it’s my favorite… especially Éclair ^^. I spent searching every week for updates and noticeed just one manga so I thought it’s over. But hey I was wrong
@ Scamp
We true followers await the return of our Mahdi Impz, the Hidden AniBlogger, for the day of his return will see bloggerkind judged and lead us all into Paradise! (In seriousness, Impz is quite busy with law school and getting married from what I’ve been told. And I guess writers come and go.)
Letter Bee seems like it could have potential. I watched the preview episode-thing and while it didn’t strike me as ZOMG it could be a sleeper.
@ Brack
While I haven’t seen Mononoke, I pretty much give anything noitaminA my consideration out of respect for its track record, Honey and Clover, Eden of the East, Moyashimon, and Nodame Cantabile being among its many great shows.
@ ToastCrust
There have been so many adaptations of Rot3K (anime, video game, TV/film) that have been altered or changed that it might not be good to hold out hope for accuracy. That said, perhaps the Chinese-Japanese cooperation will add a more historical angle to it.
Darker than Black2, Kimi ni Todoke (the plot sounds rather generic, but I have heard a lot of good things about the manga,and Miracle☆Train (I like Hetalia, and while I don’t think that I would care about Bishonen trains the way I care about countries, that glass dude is just my type. Even if it turns out to be shitty, I would still watch a couple of episodes and collect the doujinshi) are probably my calling this Fall.
That cat show is also interesting. I have read a bit of the manga and I like it. I also like cats a hell lot. :3
Ohh !! I wait with a lot of impatience for this ! Well here my opinion :
- Queen’s Blade : I don’t want for the same reason as yours surely.
- Kampfer : since I read the manga, I wait it a bit like Calawain. And … action scene of course !
- Nyan Koi : I’m interested by the plot …and ..uh ..don’t hate Cat people !
- Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra : clearly wanted ! interesting plot / nice animation …well I will watch the day it’s subbed !
- The sacred Blacksmith : ..maybe maybe … lost interest day after day
- Letter Bee : .. mysterious attraction from this serie. Well … I suppose I should take a look first.
- Sora no Otoshimono : ..Harem you say ? ..well no thanks, I pass (or keep it if it’s really interesting)
- Natsu no Arashi : pass ! I didn’t watch the first season
- Miracle☆Train : I like how Calawain put his/her opinion. Well ..I won’t watch, not interested.
- Nogisaka : I watched the first season, I’ll watch the second, maybe not immediatly but I’ll !
- Kobato : Clamp ? …mysterious *pick it* … <3
- Kimi ni Todoke : I have to see more to know.
- 11eyes : why not 3 eyes …like Tenshinhan…lol but the anime sound interesting.
- Fairy Tail : I lack of Shonen recently, after Soul Eater, I need this !
- Winter Sonata : I’m impressed by the quality, just because of this fact I will watch !
- Asura Cryin’ 2 : oh …have to finish the last episode when I remember ~_~
- DtB : Obligation ? …I have to look at it, one of the fav’ serie of this season I suppose.
- To Aru Kagaku no Railgun : ..hum … have to take a look on it. If that catch me immediatly I continue, if not then I put it apart to look after.
- Kiddy Girl-and : oh … hum ..I know a lot of people wish this season, will I be influenced by this trend.
- White Album : I keep it for later ^^
It’s a new anime season, no the most interesting one, but there are always some who are outstanding ! The wanted anime for me is DtB, Book of Bantorra and Fairy Tail for the moment ! these are my priority pick. Once I watch all I want, I put comment on my blog. No real original anime this time.
Will wait for the confirmed list of the Fall season, and will add my thought for this season anime ! ^^
Correction, Kobato was originally serialized in a seinen magazine, so I think it’s probably for guys. Presumably the same guys most shows with cute girls cater to. Though I hear Kobato is actually cute in ways that ladies can get behind, if they’re not anti-frills-and-ribbons.
Personally? As a guy I am totally pro-frills-and-ribbons. And foul-mouthed stuffed animal sidekicks.
Looking forward to the debriefing.
The deal with Inuyasha is that Takahashi finally ended the manga. This anime is supposed to be based on the last part of what Takahashi wrote. That doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be loaded with filler, but it will be canon.
(By the way, I assume that Lelangir’s comments were delivered from his padded cell at the asylum?)
It’d be cool if you three reviewers came up with scores for each anime (not to post this, hold on) and then sum up the combined score for each show and (do post this) come out with what the highest rated show according to THAT would be, and the worst.
I’m extremely confused about these shows here. The only interesting ones seem sequels of stuff I haven’t watched!!
lol numerical ratings
@Scamp
The way it goes in a team blog, the number of writers goes up and down.
@Brack
I didn’t say Mononoke wasn’t mainstream, I just had the opinion that Kuuchuu Buranko wasn’t. This is an otaku-centered blog afterall~
@ToastCrust
The novel may be legendary, but the adaptations have ranged significantly in their faithfulness to the originals. And yeah I enjoyed Koihime Musou, but was often confused at the name switching, since they all had 3 names. I’m not really familiar with the characters so it threw me off.
@Emperor
Lots of stops and starts and direction changes for the long-rumored Kiddy Grade sequel. This one looks definite.
@Dorian Cornelius Jasper
While it was originally serialized in a seinen mag, it was brief and has been on Newtype for 3 years now. For those of us who haven’t had exposure to the material, a brief coursing of the preview materials and Wikipedia suggest shoujo on its surface. But I’ll admit that with CLAMP, things are never so cut and dry.
@Steven Den Beste
I think after the Jason Mraz post we can safely say that we hope Lelangir is confined in a pleasant and safe location with plenty of supervision.
@Animekritik
I’d prefer not to assign numerical ratings to previews, since much of the information is second hand and not always reliable. You can generally judge our level of interest by the comments.
Indeed.
THIS!
Ah, White Album, how I’ve missed you and your terrific examples of terrible human beings. I can’t wait.
OOOH!!!! KIDDY GRADE 2!! It’s been a long wait for this since 2002. They are finally giving us this instead of just dying quietly like they did last time. Anyway, other than that, I think that Darker than Black 2 is definitely on my list and many others. The one about delivering stuff actually seems interesting so going to give that a go.
The 11eyes game is actually good and has a quite enjoyable story. It’s the kind of “eroge” that doesn’t focus on the ero, but rather the story. If it’ll be a decent anime is another story, though…
I’m definitely looking forward to the new season considering some of the shows that are going to be in it.
Railgun is going to be one of the best considering BiriBiri has her own series
. Already read some of the manga for it so at least know good times are ahead for that one. Nothing like Mikoto trying to take down the pre-Index Touma and trying to avoid a girl who can teleport and has a crush on her.
It’s been a while but I’m glad to see Inuyasha will finally get finished. It was just one of those series I got into a while back and kept on checking out the movies as they came out.
Have good expectations for Fairy Tail though I lost a little interest in the manga lately. Still some great battles to be animated so I’m excited. A lot of the cast is pretty likable which will definitely help depending on how long this show goes on for.
One that I actually have no knowledge about but am curious about is Kämpfer. Though you have to wonder how the series will go when the best looking girl is the guy that turns into a girl…At the very least should be interesting.
Hopefully this season lives up to expectations. Great job on the preview.
A Certain Teleporting Lesbian?
I approve.
Will Watch:
Natsu no Arashi! Akinaichuu
Kiddy Girl-and
Will Check-out
Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra
Seitokai no Ichizon
Kimi ni Todoke
The Sacred Blacksmith
Sora no Otoshimono
A lot series I hated that I will not continue watching:
Koihime†Musou- Otome Ryouran Sangokushi Engi
Nogizaka Haruka no Himisu Purezza♪
Asura Cryin’ 2
Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini
Inuyasha- The Final Act
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
White Album Final
Anime I will watch from this season that I missed:
Guin Saga
Just for Kicks, my current watchlist:
Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Bakemonogatari
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei
Umineko no Naku Koro ni
Everything else seems like worthles Shounen/Harem/Drama/School Life junk that comes out every season.
Man, there’s sure seems to be a lot more harem than usual.
o_o hmm… not much to watch this season… I suppose I might just go ahead and watch whatever you guy’s are blogging…
the only show I really plan on watching is Darker Than Black’s Twins on a meteor or whatever it was called…
I couldn’t care less about 3/4th of the shows of this season, where the hell is my FATE/STAY NIGHT UBW OVA!?!?!?! I’m in need of epic GAR
@Izan
Are you sure FATE/STAY NIGHT UBW OVA isn’t a compilation movie? That’s the impression I’m getting.
lucyzk: No, it will be from the game’s second route, not a compilation of the first series.
btw I’m really looking forward for Fairy Tail, one of the best shounen mangas so far, at the level of One Piece/Bleach/Naruto (in popularity too). Oh, and there is a chance that it will be a “neverending” series. At least I hope so.
Also looking forward to Kimi ni Todoke, Kobato, and some other shows.
I know it’s “cool” to say everything is crap, but it isn’t right. There will be some really good anime this season, so please stop it, dear commenters.
@viral
Thanks for the heads-up on the F/S Night OVA.
I’ve watched enough anime to know that nothing good comes of strictly harem anime.
If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t the second season of Tytania supposed to air this Fall?
@Tasaio
Thanks for the game-player’s perspective!
@Anonymous
I should definitely refer to Railgun by that name forevermore.
@Lubczyk
I’ve heard nothing about a second season of Tytania even being planned. Nothing on Moonphase or ANN.
Looks like I’ll be watching some anime this season!
LOL. Guys! Kimi no Todoke is cute…I hope someone will blog this…but then…none of you will be picking it up… (T-T)
White Album Final
Darker Than Black
Winter Sonata
Inuyasha Final
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purezza
Sasameki Koto
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
But I’ll try to watch the first episodes of the other series’ to see if they’ll catch my interest…
Fairy Tail is a must watch for me =)
Yay ! I wait the V.2 picture show to put the comment on ! In short there are nothing more than what I say above in one of my comments.
http://animatsuri.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-anime-season-v2.html
i wasnt looking 4 any of these i was looking 4 the one where this girl gets close to this guy who turns into a totally pervy guirl at night it was something like komango domango
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