Well, it’s been about three months since the fall season began so you know what that means… it’s time for another Otaku Review Season Preview! The 2010 winter season is interesting this year for one big reason: just fewer than two dozen titles are actually going to be hitting airwaves over the next three months (and that includes a couple of titles which have already premiered).

Interestingly, a lot of the usual front runners are nowhere to be seen this season. Studio Bones are absent, Production I.G is busy with their part in Halo Legends and Studio Deen has their hands full with the Fate/Stay Night TV reproduction and movie. Leading the crowd instead with two series each this season are ZEXCS (Chu Bra and Omamori Himari) and Shaft (Hidamari Sketch and Dance in the Vampire Bund).

There are a still plenty of other studios which will also be contributing one series this season though so let’s start this thing already. As always, all information is pulled from ANN, MAL, Anime Vice, AniDB and official websites. Images retain original copyrights, information is subject to change, links to legal streams will be updated as they are made available, yadda yadda yadda. As always, be sure to keep checking back throughout the month for my initial thoughts and from all the new shows this season. I will be hitting the first episode of as many series as I can so stick around and let the rest of us know what you like as its airing. As always I’ve tried to fact check this preview as much as I possibly can but if you notice something that is still wrong, feel free to leave a comment and point out how much of a dork I am for not having everything 100% correct. ~_^

Yawarakame
やわらかめ
Premiered: 12/1
Studio: ufotable
Genre: Comedy

This series of shorts is a collaboration project between Yu Yagami and studio ufotable. Each episode will be two minutes long and every role will be played by Miyuki Sawashiro (Puchiko in Di Gi Charat, Canaan in CANAAN, Lag Seeing in Letter Bee). The series premiered on the BeeTV mobile network at the beginning of December on mobile phones but fans can also see a raw version of the first episode on the official website (upper left hand menu, two choices up from the last option).

Rose O’Neill Kewpie
ローズオニール キューピー
Premiered: 12/2
Studio: TMS Entertainment

Based on the cute dolls originally created by Rose O’Neill, this is the first time the iconic dolls have been turned into an anime series.

The character designs are being drawn by Miyako Yatsu and are meant to capture the original hand drawn feel of the original artwork. Interestingly, you’ll also find Yatsu listed as the character designer for the loli underwear extravaganza that is Chu Bra. This is perhaps the greatest example of polar opposites in the history of examples.

Weiss Survive R
ヴァイス・サヴァイヴR
Premiered: 12/4
Studio: Hibari
Genre: Card Battle

Story

The first sequel of the new season, the series of card battle shorts will be returning as Takeshi and Michi continue their fight to get home.

Why You Should Care:

With the announcement of the second season, Studio Hibari has promised a new character and future collaborations. While I have no idea who/what the new character will be (even now since I don’t keep up with this series), future collaboration between Weiss Survive, Fate/Stay Night and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha should catch the attention of a few crossover fans.

Just like the first season, this series will actually be attached to another program dealing with the card game the series is based on leaving only two and a half minutes per episode.

Cobra the Animation
Premiere Date: 1/2
Studio: Magic Bus
Genre: Space Opera
Available via Crunchyroll

Story

Cobra is a well known and wanted space pirate who decides to escape from his life by altering his appearance and erasing his memories. Now living a normal life, he unsuspectingly decides to visit a dream machine and regains his memories. After reuniting with his android assistant, Cobra returns to his life as a space pirate so that he can pay off some old grudges.

Why You Should Care:

After two OVAs last year, this is the final portion of the Space Adventurer Cobra 30^th anniversary celebration. It’s been 27 years since Cobra has been presented as a television series (it was originally scheduled to air last year but was delayed).

While original creator Buchi Terasawa is stepping aside as director, the series is not being abandoned by its creators. Original director Osamu Dezaki was still directly involved with writing the screen play and creating the story boards.

Musical director Seiji Suzuki hasn’t done any other space series but he did have a hand in scoring Air the Movie, Black Jack and TEN different Lupin III releases so I’m looking forward to hearing some interesting background tracks.

Chu-Bra!!
ちゅーぶら!!
Premiere Date: 1/4
Studio: ZEXCS
Genre: School Comedy

Story

Nayu Hayama is a junior high school student who loves underwear so much she can tell if women around her are wearing properly fitting underwear. Wanting to help other girls in her school, she decides to form an underwear club.

Why You Should Care

Last season you went to Sora no Otoshimono for over the top fan service, pantsu and moe. This season fans will be flocking to Chu Bra!!. It’s worth noting that the series will be airing on Japanese satellite network AT-X which aired acid nipple action series Queen’s Blade last year and will be airing the ecchi comedy Kiss x Sis in the spring.

Yoshihisa Hirano, who composed the great scores for Death Note, The Book of Bantorra, Strawberry Panic and Ouran High School Host Club will be composing the score for this series as well. Something about that just seems really wrong.

So Ra No Wo To
ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト
Premiere Date: 1/4
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: Moe Military

Story

In the fictional town of Seize, a long term war has turned the countryside into a ghost town. People and food keep disappearing and quiet is a constant sound. The story follows five girls who live in and protect a fortress while playing their brass instruments.

Why You Should Care

The cast and crew list for this series is hard to ignore: animation from A-1 Pictures, character designs from Akai Toshifumi (who provided key animation for Gurren Lagann, Negima and FMA: Brotherhood), Mamoru Kanbe (Elfen Lied, Demon Prince Enma) as director and theme songs composed by Yuki Kajiura!

This is the first series to be created for the Anime no Chikara (Anime of Power) series which is meant to highlight upcoming creators with original stories. Translation: this is one of the few series to not be adapted from a previous work. Hopefully this pays off and we see more collaborations of this sort in the future from Aniplex and TV Tokyo.

Though really, five girls playing instruments in an abandoned fortress? If this turns into ‘K-ON Joins the Army’ I’ll be really upset. And seriously, that’s one of the most irritating titles to have to type.

Ladies vs. Butlers
れでぃ×ばと！
Premiere Date: 1/5
Studio: XEBEC
Genre: Comedy

Story

The hero of this school comedy is Hino Akiharu who has enrolled in a fancy private high school that used to be a private all girls school. After arriving, he is instantly put into the servant training program and gets caught in the constant battles between the boys and the girls.

Why You Should Care

This is just one big, happy Kanokon staff reunion: XEBEC is doing animation, Atsushi Ootsuki is directing, Akio Takami is doing character designs and Ayako Kawasumi will be playing the female lead/childhood best friend, Tomomi.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
バカとテストと召喚獣
Premiere Date: 1/6
Studio: Silver Link
Genre: School Comedy

Story

In this school comedy, the setting is a high school where grades are everything and something to be fought for (literally sometimes). The best students in the school get to enter Class A complete with A/C, personal laptops, plasma screen TVs and more while the worst of the worst enter Class F which is lucky to have a roof over their head let alone supplies. Sick of being stuck in Class F, Akihisa Yoshii enlists the help of a genius student who was forced into Class F due to illness, Mizuki Himeji, to challenge Class A with their classroom and supplies on the line.

Why You Should Care

This is only the third series that studio Silver Link has produced on their own (the other two being last year’s Tayutama and Yumeiro Patissiere). If the style of this series is consistent with their previous titles, expect this series to have a better than average production values behind it and very cute characters.

Omamori Himari
おまもりひまり
Premiere Date: 1/6
Studio: ZEXCS
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Story

A romantic comedy that centers on sixteen year old high school student, Yuto, the story follows his daily life now that he has been given a new guardian spirit. Left alone after his family were killed in an accident seven years earlier, Yuto was left with only a charm to keep him safe from harm. Unfortunately the charm is set to become useless on his sixteenth birthday but coming from a family that uses demons as servants has its benefits as he gains a cat girl spirit wielding a sword named Himari to replace the protective necklace that has lost its power. Now if only he didn’t have that coveinently placed plot device… err cat allergy.

Why You Should Care

This is the second series from ZEXCS this season (Chu Bra being the other) to follow up on last year’s Chrome Shelled Regios and Umi Monogatari. This isn’t the first time ZEXCS has dipped their toes into moe romantic comedy; Sister Princess and D.C. ~Da Capo~ were also both done by the same studio.

Hidamari Sketch×☆☆☆
Premiere Date: 1/7
Studio: SHAFT
Genre: Comedy

Story

Three seasons? Really? After two popular TV seasons and two specials, the art students living in the Hidamari apartments return for more.

Why You Should Care

The obvious answer here is that unless you’ve been following this series, you probably don’t/won’t care no matter what I say here. However, all the cast and crew are returning to their roles/crew posts if that means anything.

Dance in the Vampire Bund
ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド
Premiere Date: 1/7
Studio: SHAFT
Genre: Vampire Action

Story

After years of hiding, the ruler of all vampires Mina Tepes has come forward with a call for change. Paying off the national debt of Japan with her family fortune, Tepes plans to create a safe haven for vampires all over the world off the coast of Japan. Before she can make the announcement however, enemies who wish to kill her before she can achieve her goals begin to appear.

Why You Should Care

Shaft is already positioning themselves to have a solid 2010. After a strong 2009 which saw them riding Maria Holic, Hidamari Sketch, Natsu no Arashi and Bakemonogatari throughout it’s going to be a lot of fun to see what they accomplish in the next twelve months.

Shaft regular Akiyuki Shinbo (who directed all of the titles mentioned in the previous paragraph) will be sitting in as director of this series as well.

Durarara!!
デュラララ!!
Premiere Date: 1/7
Studio: Brains Base
Genre: Action

Story

Before moving to the Tokyo neighborhood of Ikebukuro, Mikado’s friend warned him to stay away from certain people. Naturally upon arriving, Mikado gets into trouble anyway after running into the headless biker that can be seen around town. Suddenly, Mikado and his friends find themselves involved in a string of supernatural cases and the search for the mysterious biker’s missing head.

Why You Should Care

Created by the same man who brought us Baccano, Ryohogo Narita, this series was given one of the biggest online promo campaigns of the season. Admit it though; it’s hard to ignore a premise like that.

If you liked Baccano, here are a few additional reasons to watch:  Takahiro Omori is sitting in as director, music will be composed by Makoto Yoshimori and character designs are being handled by Takahiro Kishida; all of whom helped bring the Baccano anime to life.

Ookami Kakushi
おおかみかくし
Premiere Date: 1/7
Studio: AIC
Genre: Horror

Story

Based on the visual novel created by Ryukishi07 (Higurashi – When They Cry, Umineko) and mangaka Peach-Pit (Rozen Maiden), the dark adventure follows Hiroshi who has just moved into a small remote village with his family. While he makes friends at school easily enough, the class president remains distant and only provides him with a warning: stay out of ex-downtown.

Why You Should Care

I admit it, this is the series I am most excited about seeing. While Umineko was disappointing, I’m hoping that the between the writing of Ryukishi07, Peach Pit character designs, animation from AIC and theme songs composed by Yuki Kajiura that fans will get to see the kind of twisted, chilling horror story that we’ve come to know and love.

Seikon no Qwaser
聖痕のクェイサー
Premiere Date: 1/9
Studio: Taki Corporation
Genre: Horror

Story

Taking place at St. Mikhailov Academy, the dark series follows a war that has broken out amongst the religious school and individuals wielding powers. Those with the power are capable of manipulating elements as long as they replenish their power through soma (breast milk). Oh yes, it’s THAT kind of series.

Why You Should Care

It’s hard to think of another series that has gotten more buzz this season because one little small plot point. “Seikon no Qwaser? Oh yeah, isn’t that one with the breast feeding vampires?” Promising dark religious imagery, bloody violence and fan service by the truckload, this is not a series for the squeamish.

Fun Fact: the animation for this series is being produced by Taki Corporation who is also known for creating Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie. Bet Sonic is glad he only ever had to deal with looking for rings and a fat man with a fetish for kidnapping small furry animals.

In a change from the last few seasons, this is the only series this season featuring Aya Hirano (she’ll be playing the supporting role of Katja).

Kaito Reinya
怪盗レーニャ
Premiere Date: 1/9
Studio: Stingray
Genre: Shoujo

Story

Based on the manga, Kaito Reinya follows the title character in her daily double life. In her everyday life, Kaito is a sweet girl but by night she is a phantom thief constantly eluding the police.

Why You Should Care

The main character is based on and will be voiced by Morning Musume member Reina Tanaka. This begs the question can you imagine if a pop idol in the US tried to voice a young girl cartoon character who moonlighted as a thief?

Hanamaru Kindergarten
はなまる幼稚園
Premiere Date: 1/10
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Slice of Life

Story

Adapted from the manga, the story follows Anzu, Koume and Hiiragi in their daily lives in preschool and primarily centers on Anzu trying to get the attention of their male teacher Tsuchida.

Why You Should Care

The plot descriptions and trailer I’ve seen has me imagining Kodomo no Jikan only younger. I seriously hope that this is not the case and that it strays closer to Azumanga Daioh slice of life school comedy. Though two of the three leads (Ayahi Takagaki and Mako) had roles in school comedy Kyo no go Ni while the third lead, Kei Shindou (Anzu), is also Kuro in Kodomo no Jikan so it’s hard to say.

At least the series is going to be cute looking: Gainax is producing the animation, Seiji Mizushima (Oh! Edo Rocket, Shaman King, Slayers Next) is directing and Mai Otsuka (Shakugan no Shana) is doing character designs.

Nodame Cantabile Finale
のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ
Premiere Date: 1/14
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Music, Romantic Drama

Story

After a manga, two anime seasons and a live action TV adaptation; the musical romance comes to its finale.

Why You Should Care

Only one show this season from J.C. Staff and this is it. The staff and cast for the final season will remain the same as previous seasons.

Katanagatari
Premiere Date: 1/25
Studio: White Fox
Genre: Fantasy

Story

From the creator of Bakemonogatari, this fantasy series centers on a brother and sister pair. Charged with protecting the Kyotou School of martial arts, the siblings live their days on Fushou Island standing guard. After being approached by a general, the story will shift to the brother, Yasuri, as he leaves on a quest to retrieve the final twelve swords forged by legendary swordsmith Kiki Shikizaki.

Why You Should Care

Katanagatari stands out this season for being the first series of 2010 to experiment with a new release schedule. Lasting for twelve episodes, each episode for this series will be a one hour special which will air once a month.

Just because it’s from the same creator, fans of Bakemonogatari shouldn’t hope for more of the same. Early trailers show a drastically different art style being used by White Fox than what Shaft used for NisiOisin’s earlier title adaptation.

Something to look forward to: a soundtrack from Taku Iwasaki (Samurai X, Gurren Lagann, Now and Then Here and There, Kuroshitsuji).

Heart Catch Precure
ハートキャッチプリキュア！
Premiere Date: 2/7
Studio: Toei Animation
Genre: Magical Girl

Story

The ridiculously popular magical girl series returns for a seventh TV season which will feature new characters (and merchandise).

Why You Should Care:

Where would we all be without magical girls in our lives? I know that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a magical girl. That being said, the merchandise mover… err Shoujo series will premiere just in time to get fans excited for the new movie which premieres in March.

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