Posts Tagged ‘david production’
Winter Early Impressions: Level E Episode 1
January 13th, 2011 | 
Author: 
Level E Studio: Pierrot/David Production
Premiere Date: 1/10/11
Reviewed: 1/13/11
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy
Available via Crunchyroll
First Impression: HEE! That was fun!
Tsutsui isn’t the most gifted baseball player but when he lands a scholarship to Kisaragi High, he doesn’t waste any time accepting. Finally getting to live on his own, he arrives at his new apartment to find a mysteriously beautiful man drinking his coffee claiming to be an alien who crash landed and lost his memories. After spending a day with him, Tsutsui finally sees proof of the man’s claims and must decide on if he wants to keep letting him stay there. Considering that the cute girl next door is the daughter of an alien researcher studying the vessel that crashed a couple of days earlier, that may not be an entirely easy decision.
Good and the Bad
This series was on my radar, once again, because of the staff behind it. Well, not so much the staff as a whole but one particular person: Yoshihiro Togashi who you might know as the original creator of Hunter x Hunter and Yu Yu Hakusho. While I didn’t really care for the former, YYH was a pretty pivotal series when I was starting down the road to otaku-dom. So I was curious to see what the creator of those two shonen series would do with a sci-fi comedy. Answer: just have fun.
Level E walks a very fine line throughout the first episode. Sure, the series is classified as a sci-fi series but surprisingly keeps these story elements toned down. Yes, the beautiful bishounen is an alien and various artifacts appear along the way but this isn’t really what the writing focuses on. Instead of using a bunch of jargon and confusing science, the writing is entirely centered on Tsutsui and Alien (they never mention his name) being in the same apartment… kind of like a very loud, dysfunctional Odd Couple and it works.
Playing off each other for most of the episode, the two leads in this series are written as perfect foils to each other. When one has an action, the other is given a perfect reaction. When Tsutsui kicks Alien out only to have Alien appear randomly out of nowhere, the reaction could not have been timed or written better. But more than laugh out loud funny and surreal; Level E is one of the most engaging premieres of the season. As the episode plays out, I constantly found myself actively thinking about what I was seeing and where I thought things would go next. In the final moments when the alien is making his big reveal I was literally on the edge of my seat waiting for the final image to finally appear.
Part of what keeps Level E so interesting to look at is the use of a much older art style. Based off a manga that ran from 1995 to 1997, the animation reflects the art of the time with realistic angles and much smaller facial features. For people who haven’t watched a lot of anime from this era, this will make for an interesting change. Personally my big shock moment was seeing Miho appear for the first time with a completely pre-moe design. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen a character that looked so… normal.
Music
With Ryo Kunihiko in charge of the soundtrack I really expected the music to play a much larger role in this episode. Instead, most of this episode is done with minimal assistance or intrusion from the music. While a couple of scenes in the second half show off some of Kunihiko’s talents (such as with the electronic guitar theme as Tsutsui runs out of his apartment or during the healing scene), nothing has stood out which makes me wonder if the music will be playing a much smaller role in this series.
Overall
This was a really nice change of pace and a lot of fun to view. Letting the leads verbally duke it out all episode could be disastrous in some cases but sharp writing and humor makes this premiere fly by. Actively engaging, Level E stands out for being different in all the right ways. Don’t let the sci-fi theme scare you away, this first episode is way too much fun to pass on.
Posted in Articles | 
Tags: anime, crunchyroll, david production, early impressions, level e, simulcast, studio pierrot | 
1 Comment »
And One More for the Road: Crunchyroll Picks Up Level E
So here I was sitting, kind of pleased that I was able to get caught up with enough time leftover to go get some lunch, completely oblivious that I had forgotten about one more announcement that was going to be made. Fast forward to me glancing at my phone and jogging back to the computer to type this one up and we come to Crunchyroll announcing a simulcast of the the alien slice of life, Level E. The only co production this season (worked on by both David Production and Studio Pierrot), the series focuses on a high school student who finally convinces his parents to let him live on his own only to have an amnesiac alien prince become his roommate.
The series premieres in North, Central and South America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of South Africa on January 10th.
Full press release below the cut
Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: anime, crunchyroll, david production, level e, News, simulcast, studio pierrot | No Comments »
Otaku Review 2011 Winter Season Preview Part 2: The Demon’s Son to OVAs
Well, we’re now a couple of days into the primary part of the new season and I’m already exhausted (for various reasons on top of the new anime)! But there are still a ton of new titles to talk about plus more simulcasts from Crunchyroll! Whew, it’s going to be a busy month!
Beelzebub
Studio: Pierrot
Premiere Date: 1/9
Genre: Action Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Available via Crunchyroll
What It’s About
Considered to be the strongest juvenile delinquent, first year high school student Oga Tatsumi is constantly being targeted by other gangs. While beating up one gang by the river, he sees a man floating down river. After pulling him to shore, the man splits in half and reveals a baby boy who is the son of a demon. Seems that Oga has been chosen (as the baddest and most evil) to raise the baby along with his personal nurse.
Why You Should Care
This actually has a slightly interesting concept and, from what I understand, is told from Oga’s perspective which will make for a slightly different narrative than usual.
This is the second series this season for director Nobuhiro Takamoto (Starry Sky is the other), Miyuki Sawashiro (also playing Ayane in Kimi ni Todoke 2) as Beelzebub and Studio Pierrot (Level E).
Kore wa Zombie Desu ka
Is It a Zombie?
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Comedy
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll
What It’s About
So one day high school student Aikawa Ayumu is killed by a serial killer (don’t you hate when that happens?). Luckily for him, he is brought back by the necromancer Eucilwood Hellscythe. When he wakes up however, he finds that he is a zombie in a new world filled with magical girls and vampire ninjas doing battle. Finding that his existence is a drain on the magical girl Haruna, he is ordered to join the ranks of the magical girls to fight in her stead against the evil Magalo system.
Why You Should Care
Beyond Studio DEEN (by the way, this is series two for them this season), I don’t recognize hardly anyone amongst the cast and crew. Director Takaomi Kanesaki has only directed one other title (Magician’s Academy in 2008) although writers Shigeru Morita (Linebarrels of Iron, Seikon no Qwaser) and Touko Machida (Amagami SS, Lucky Star, Jellyfish Princess) have a healthy mix of drama, action and ecchi in their work histories.
Dragon Crisis!
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Action
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll
What It’s About
While out with his second cousin Eriko, Ryuji acquires a box from a black market dealer. Inside he finds a young, blue eyed red dragon girl named Rose. Instantly taking a liking to Ryuji, she starts to follow him around which leads him into the role of de facto bodyguard that must protect her from the black market dealers who want her back and others.
Why You Should Care
For those keeping score, this is the third (and last) series from Studio Deen this season.
Kurata Hideyuki is writing this series and has been writing great scripts for years: Battle Athletes, Magical Witchland, most of OreImo, The World God Only Knows and Kamichu just to name a few. Plus character designs from Masashi Ishihama (Kite, Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Honey and Clover, Welcome to the NHK, Welcome to the Space Show). PLUS Rose the dragon girl is played by Rie “Tsundere Queen” Kugimiya, Yukana will be the second cousin Eriko and Yui Horie will be in the supporting cast as Maruga and singing the OP theme.
I know the temptation is there but don’t write this one off too quickly.
Level E
Studio: Pierrot/David Production
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Alien Slice of Life
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll
What It’s About
First year high school student Tsutsui Yukitata finally convinces his parents to let him move into his own apartment. When he gets there, he finds a beautiful man already there who claims to be an alien with a lost memory. It turns out that the man is actually Prince Baka from the planet Dogra and he lost his memory by crashing into Earth… and there are thousands more just like him all over the world. What follows is Tsutsui quickly losing his normal life as Baka moves in.
Why You Should Care
Lots of good reasons to check this series out but we’ll start with it’s based on the manga from Yoshihiro Togashi whom you might know better as the creator of Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter.
As for the rest of the crew; director Toshiyuki Kato has done a bit of everything ranging from Code-E (supernatural romantic comedy) to Full Moon (shoujo) to Maria Watches Over Us Season 4 (Slice of Life Yuri). The music is coming from the very talented Ryo Kunihiko (Victorian Romance Emma, Letter Bee, Story of Saiunkoku, Twelve Kingdoms) and character designs from Itsuko Takeda (Galaxy Railways, Mirage of Blaze, Ristorante Paradiso) means angles so sharp you could cut yourself.
As for the cast, the leads will be an interesting pair to listen to as Daisuke Namikawa (resume a mile long but Rock in Black Lagoon, Kei in Gantz, Shota in Kimi ni Todoke) is the prince and Yoshimasa Hosoya (Shichika in Katanagatari) will be opposite him as Tsutsui.
Fractale
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Premiere Date: 1/13
Genre: Drama
Trailers
What It’s About
Taking place on a distant island, the mysterious “Fractale system” is on the verge of collapsing. While exploring one night, a boy named Crane finds a girl named Phryne under a cliff. After she eventually disappears, she leaves behind a pendant which Crane decides to take along with a girl shaped avatar named Nessa on a journey to find Phryne. Along the way, he discovers the secrets behind the Fractale system and why it is collapsing.
Why You Should Care
This would be the first of two new series are joining the Noitamina time block this season.
Another really strong cast and crew are behind this series including A-1 Pictures (Black Butler, Sora no Woto) and Studio Ordet producing animation, a story created by otaku scholar Hiroki Azuma, and Yutaka Yamamoto (Haruhi Suzumiya, Kannagi, Lucky Star… up to ep 4) as director. In the cast there’s Yu Kobayakawa (Nice in Baccano, Setsuna in Negima, Maria in Maria Holic) as Crane and Kana Hanazawa (Angelica in Gunslinger Girl, Nadeko in Bakemonogatari, Lana in this season’s Freezing, Mikan in To Love Ru) as Nessa.
Hourou Musuko
Wandering Son
Studio: AIC
Premiere Date: 1/13
Genre: Coming of Age/Drama
Adapted From: Manga
Trailers
Available via Crunchyroll
What It’s About
Starting the story in grade school, the story centers on Shuichi, a transgender boy, who meets a girl named Yoshino who is also transgender. Finally finding friends that accept them, the series follows the pair as they begin to enter puberty and discover who they really are.
Why You Should Care
Even if this series isn’t the best of the season, it’s already the most important for openly bringing up such an important subject.
This is the other series which will be appearing in the Noitamina block.
I have concerns that I’m hoping are unfounded. The man who directed Ga Rei Zero and Girls Bravo is helming this one. I’m hoping that all my fears will be proven wrong.
There is one place that I have full confidence in: the music. Background score is being composed by Satoru Kousaki (OreImo, Lucky Star, Kannagi, Bakemonogatari) and the ending theme is the new single from Rie Fu titled ‘For You’.
Suite Precure
Studio: Toei Animation
Premiere Date: 2/6
Genre: Magical Girl
Sequel
What It’s About
In season 8 (!) of the magic girl series, two new cures named Cure Melody (Minamino Kanade) and Cure Rhythm (Houjou Hikibi). While initially polar opposites, over the course of the series the two will have to learn how to bring their hearts into harmony.
Why You Should Care
Seriously, it’s up to season 8 which is the main reason why I haven’t tried to catch up to this one. Oh and by the way, the 10th Precure movie is being released to theaters in Japan next March.
Houkago no Pleiades
Afterschool Pleiades
Studio: GAINAX
Premiere Date: 1/2011
Genre: Magical Girls with Cars?
Trailer
What It’s About
I’ll be honest, I’ve yet to find someone who can figure out what this series is supposed to be about. Five cute magical girls? With cars perhaps?
Why You Should Care
The character designs from Mai Otsuka (Shakugan no Shana) and the fact that Gainax and Subaru have teamed up for a streaming anime has me way too curious. I’ll be watching if for no other reason than to find what it’s about and what it has to do with the cars or stars even.
Mai no Mahou to Katei no Hi
Mai’s Magic and Family Day
Studio: PA Works
Premiere Date: 2/2011
Genre: Family
What It’s About
In this short anime, an eight year old girl uses magical powers in order to understand the feelings of her family members.
Why You Should Care
PA Works is producing this 30 minute release for the Toyama government to raise awareness of how important family bonds are. It sounds rivit…. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
OVAs
Kaibutsu Oujo OAD
Princess Resurrection OAD
Studio: Tasunoko
Premiere Date: 12/9
Genre: Supernatural Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Why You Should Care
I’m not sure if this is a sign of how bad the TV series was but every single cast and crew member from the TV series has been replaced for this release.
Mirai Nikki OVA
Future Diary
Studio: asread
Premiere Date: 12/9
Genre: Fantasy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer
What It’s About
Middle school student Yukiteru is content to watch life pass by and write in his cell phone diary. He even imagines a friend named Deus Ex Machina who is the lord of time and space which is fine until his friend comes to life. Giving Yukiteru the power to write events in his diary that will happen in the near future, he’s also forced to participate in a game to determine a successor for Deus Ex Machina.
Why You Should Care
It’s 7 minutes long so it’s easy to knock out when you just have a few minutes to spare.
Interesting names that stand out from the crew include Naoto Hosoda (Koe de Oshigoto, Shuffle) is directing, Katsuhiko Takayama (Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Demonbane) is doing the screen play,
Isshoni Training 026: Bathtime with Hinako and Hiyoko OVA
Studio: Primesta
Premiere Date: 12/24
Genre: Bathing?
What It’s About
Hinako and friend show viewers how to stretch in the tub.
Why You Should Care
Really?
Armored Trooper Votoms: Koei Futatabi OVA
Studio: Sunrise
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Mecha
What It’s About
After 32 years, Chirico will reunite with characters that he was once separated from at an oasis.
Why You Should Care
This is a complete OVA retelling of the original novel. Author Ryousuke Takahashi will be returning as director along with original character designer Norio Shioyama and original cast members.
Ah! My Goddess OAD
Studio: AIC
Premiere Date: 2/23
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Sequel
What It’s About
Belldandy and Keiichi head to an amusement park for a date but Urd and Skuld have other plans in mind for them.
Why You Should Care
AIC returns to do a second OAD. All of the crew and cast remain the same as previous series.
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu: Matsuri OVA
Studio: Silver Link
Premiere Date: 2/23
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Sequel
What It’s About
The school is supposed to be in the middle of a festival but summoning wars are getting in the way.
Why You Should Care
Silver Link returns to deliver this before the second season later this year. Funimation simulcast the first season so keep this one on your radar.
Morita san wa Mukuchi
Studio: Studio Gram
Premiere Date: 2/26
Genre: Slice of Life
Adapted From: Manga
What It’s About
Based off the slice of life manga, the story centers on Mayu Morita who is a misunderstood turtle character. It’s not that she doesn’t want to speak up, she just spends such a long time thinking on her words that she always loses the opportunity.
Why You Should Care
The cast includes fan favorites Kana Hanazawa (in her third role this season) as Miyu and Haruka Tomatsu (Nagi in Kannagi, Lala in To Love Ru) as Miki.
Negima! Ariadone-hen
Studio: Studio Pastoral/Shaft
Premiere Date:
Genre: Magical Harem
Sequel
Why You Should Care
Yet another fun filled Negima release filled with all the characters that you’ve grown to love (or tolerate in some cases).
And that’s it for another season! As always, keep checking back as I watch as many of these new series as I can possibly manage in one month! If you miss something along the way don’t worry because the end of the season wrap up is fast approaching as well… well, at least a wrap up written by what’s left of my pale body by the time February rolls around.
Posted in Articles | Tags: a-1 pictures, ah my goddess, aic, anime, asread, baka and test, baka to test to shokanju, beelzebub, crunchyroll, david production, dragon crisis, fractale, gainax, Houkago no Pleiades, hourou musuko, issho ni training, kore wa zombie desu ka, level e, Mai no Mahou to Katei no Hi, mirai nikki, morita san wa mukuchi, pa works, primastea, season preview, silver link, simulcast, studio deen, studio gram, studio pierrot, suite precure, toei animation | 3 Comments »
Crunchyroll Adds Book of Bantorra, Sora no Otoshimono to Lineup!
And the simulcasts just keep on coming! Crunchyroll has alerted the media that they aren’t done with their simulcasts just yet by announcing the highly anticipated new series from David Production (Ristorante Paradiso, Code Geass R2) Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra to their fall lineup! Taking place in a world where the dead are turned into books, a young man is kidnapped and his memory erased. When he wakes up there is a bomb inside of him and organization that put it there has ordered him to kill a librarian named Hamutz (being played by Romi Paku in her only role this season) that protects the books. After he falls in love with her instead, he is caught in the middle of a war.
Based on the light novel, Tatakau Shisho has a lot going for it early: the director is Toshiya Shinohara (Kuroshitsuji), music is being handled by Yoshihisa Hirano (Death Note, Ouran High School Host Club) with fan favorite Ali Project handling the OP and Masaki Yamada (Appleseed, Appleseed: Ex Machina, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040) is doing character designs. Translation: This series has been tailored to be dark and filled with action. The series premieres tomorrow (Friday, October 2nd) at 7:30AM Pacific and will be available to viewers in United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Brazil, and Portugal.
Also announced today is the harem fantasy series, Sora no Otoshimono. Produced by AIC A.S.T.A, the series follows a high school boy who constantly dreams about a girl asking for help but can never remember her face after waking up. While out one day, a mysterious animal falls on him from the sky which turns out to be an angel named Ikaros. The fan service comedy will premiere on Monday, October 5th at 8AM Pacific and will be available in United States, Canada, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates. Wait a minute… a fan service harem comedy is going to be available in the Middle East? Wow… that’s different.
Edited 10/25: Corrected Bantorra source material, thx to commentor for pointing it out.
Posted in News | Tags: aic, anime, book of bantorra, crunchyroll, david production, News, simulcast, sora no otoshimono, tatakau shisho | 4 Comments »
2009 Spring Anime Preview *Updated 3/26*
| Title | Studio | Premiere Date | Genre | Summary | Preview | Reasons to Care about this Series | Episode Reviews |
| Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari | AIC | 3/20 | Sci-Fi | Taking place in the world of Geminar, Tenchi’s half brother, Kenji Masaki, is called in to help an alien race fight off invaders who wish to destroy them. | ~ The latest in the Tenchi Muyo franchise, this spinoff was originally slated to be a TV series before being changed into an OVA early in the year. | ||
| Kiniro no Corda ~Second Passing~ | Aniplex | 3/26 | Music/Comedy | Still playing her magical violin, Hino continues to study music at her school while dealing with her peers. | ~ Returning for a second season, the music harem series has pretty much the same cast and crew from the first season but a new director. | ||
| Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan | 3/27 | Special | The ultimate showdown between the world’s most famous thief and detective will take place. In a battle of wits, the detective stuck in a child’s body will attempt to stop the elusive Lupin from succeeding in his latest caper. | ~ While some fans are already convinced that the ending is going to an inconclusive stalemate, this battle between Conan and Lupin should make for some highly entertaining television. | |||
| Chii’s Sweet Home Season Two | Madhouse | 3/30 | Childrens | Still living with the family who has taken Chii in, the second season of this cute slice of life comedy will continue to follow the kitten through it’s daily life and desires to return home to its mother. | ~ The first season of this cute slice of life series has since been announced to be streaming on Crunchyroll in the very near future. This might mean that fans will have easier access to this season when it premieres making this a perfect time to get into it. | ||
| Cooking Idol ai Mai! Main! | Studio DEEN/NAS | 3/30 | Childrens | Main loves to cook and each week she and her seiyuu will attempt to make something good that kids can make at home. | ~ A fun way to learn some easy Japanese dishes? | ||
| Marie & Gali | Toei | 3/31 | Childrens | A gothic lolita (Marie) and Gali will teach children about science one five minute episode at a time. | ~ A not quite so boring way to learn about physics and science but not a series that I will be following very closely. | ||
| Mainichi kaasan | GALLOP | 4/1 | Slice of Life Comedy | Originally a gag strip in a newspaper, this slice of life comedy tells the semi-autobiographical trials of a person trying to raise two kids. | ~ Another series recently announced as picked up by Crunchyroll for streams.
~ If the artwork in the anime is similar to the artwork in the actual comic strip, this is going to be a not very pretty series to look at. |
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| Charady no Joke na Mainichi | Thefool Inc. | 4/1 | Comedy | A 26 year old American female graduate of Kyoto University will tell a new dirty joke from around the world every day for 365 days. | ~ A unique project, this seems like it’d be hard to keep up with but fun to watch none the less.
~ If the early artwork from the website is any indication, these jokes are not going to be the clean share around the office type of jokes. |
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| Sengoku Basara | Production I.G. | 4/1 | Action | As far as I have been made aware, the story for the anime series will follow closely to the second release in the game series of the same name though it may just be adapting the franchise in general. | Preview | ~ The seiyuu cast for this series is going to be the same as it was in the game. This is good news for fans as it means performances from amazing seiyuu such as Mamiko Noto. | |
| Queen’s Blade | ARMS | 4/2 | Action | In a country where the new queen is the winner of a deadly tournament, a group of girls begin preparing for the newest fight of their lives. | Preview | ~ Lots of action and lots of fan service make this series potentially a huge hit or a colossal miss.
~ The high fan service levels might turn off some viewers but some of the cast members should bring just as many back: Aya Hirano, Mamiko Noto, Hitomi Nabetame, Yuko Goto (just to name a few) |
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| Asura Cryin‘ | Seven Arcs | 4/2 | Action | Based on the light novels of the same name, this drama series follows a high school boy who is haunted by the ghost of his dead childhood friend. Soon his house is filled with various occult warriors and he is pulled into a fight he didn’t know was coming. | Preview | ~ I had a completely different impression of this series until recently. Artwork has changed that into something I’m curious in.
~ Miyu Irino will be providing the voice for the lead role. |
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| Basquash! | Satelight | 4/2 | Sports/Mech | A new sport is sweeping the planet, Basquash; basketball with giant mechs. | Preview | ~ Basquash is going to be a unique standout this season for its attempt at meshing basketball, giant mechs and hip hop culture. It will be interesting to see how close they come to succeeding.
~ Notables among the cast include Aya Endo and Yu Kobayashi |
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| Pandora Hearts | Xebec | 4/2 | Action | At his coming of age ceremony, the heir to a duke is cast into a dark prison where his only chance at escaping lies in a girl named Alice. | Preview | ~ One of the more eagerly awaited titles of the spring, Pandora Hearts will be carrying a fairly large fanbase into its premiere.
~ Though only one trailer has been released, the early animatin from Xebec looks absolutely fabulous. This is going to be one pretty series to look at! |
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| K-ON! | Kyoto Animation | 4/2 | Music Comedy | Four girls attempt to save their school’s music club by forming a band… despite the fact that none of them have the faintest idea how to play any instruments. | Preview | ~ Once again, only one promotional video has been made available for fans but early looks at the character designs leave little to be disapointed with initially.
~ Brought to us from the same studio that did Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star, Kyoto Animation is still on a major hot streak. |
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| Phantom ~ Requium of the Phantom~ | Bee Train | 4/2 | Action | After witnessing a murder commited by the mafia’s top assassin, Phantom, his mind is erased and he is turned into her new assistant Zwei. | Preview | ~ Despite some pretty action animation in the trailer, this is another series that has ‘hit or miss’ written all over it.
~ Originally an OVA, this is the first time that this title is getting a full TV release. ~ This will be the second series starring Miyu Irino this season. ~ With an OP by KOKIA, an ED by Ali Project and BGM by Hikaru Nanase (Chrno Crusade, Scrapped Princess) the music for this series is set to sound amazing. |
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| Higepiyo | Cinema Citrus | 4/3 | Slice of Life | The daily life of a baby rooster with a bitchin mustache on the farm. | ~ The only cast member to be revealed so far is Romi Paku as the title chick.
~ Cinema Citrus is still very new to the animation scene but they will be around quite a bit this season as they also handled the animation for the theatrical release of ‘Eureka Seven: Pocket Full of Rainbows’ |
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| Hayate no Gotoku! | J.C. Staff | 4/3 | Comedy | The harem comedy returns for a second season with Hayate continuing to serve faithfully as a butler/bodyguard. | ~ Picking up where the 52 episode first season and subsequent OVA left off, season two returns with most of the same cast and crew that fans loved originally but a new director. | ||
| Slap Up Party – Arad Senki - | GK Entertainment/Gonzo | 4/3 | Adventure | ~ Based on the MMORPG based out of Korea, Gonzo will be sharing the animation production duties with Korea based GK Entertainment who have never been a full production member before.
~ This is just one of five series that Rie Tanaka will be playing either a role in this season. |
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Gokyjiyou! Mecha Mote Linchou |
4/4 | Shoujo Comedy | Adapted from the manga of the same name, this series follows a high school student council president who is always trying to cool and popular. Unfortunately she is also always having to deal with three boys (including one she has a crush on) who always cause problems. | ~ Out of the five main cast members announced so far, the only one who has more than a few credits is Atsuko Enomoto. | |||
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Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen |
Bee Media | 4/4 | Mech | The staff behind this series took great pains with this series. Mostly in making sure that everyone realized that this won’t be a remake of the 70′s mech series but a brand new chapter in the franchise. | ~ The original series followed a boy who receives the strongest mech in the world after discovering his only relative killed. With how long its been since fans have seen a new chapter for this title, it will be interesting to see how it is updated for the times. | ||
| Shenjou no Valkyria -Gallian Chronicles- | A-1 Pictures | 4/4 | Action | Based off the PS3 of the same name, the story for the game takes place in 1930′s Europe right as two great powers are launching into the second great European War. In the middle of this war are Welkin who really just wants to be a science teacher and Alicia who wants to be a baker. | Preview | ~ One can only hope that most of the video game voice cast returns to reprise their roles for the TV series. In the original game fans got to listen to Marina Inoue (Alicia), Mamiko Noto (Princess Cordelia) and Jun Fukuyama (Maximilian) | |
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Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S |
Diomedea | 4/4 | Fantasy | A sequel to the 2006 original series, the latest chapter of the franchise will focus mostly on the stories told within the light novel adaptations which means a new dantist is entering with his own sprite. | ~ The new series will have a new animation producer in Diomedea replacing Ginga-ya.
~ Familar names grace the cast however as the five primary characters will all be reprised by their season one seiyuu. |
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| Metal Fight Beyblade | 4/5 | Action Tournament | The latest chapter in the long running franchise; Ginga will once again face off against a long string of opponents. | ~ Really if you’re not a long time fan of Beyblade or in the proper age range for the series I fail to see how this one is going to magically convert you. | |||
| Dragonball Kai | Toei | 4/5 | Action | What was originally thought to possibly be a new chapter in the series is revealed to be something much better: Finally fans can watch Dragonball Z without waiting five minutes for a single attack sequence to end! | ~ Admittedly one of the things I always hated about the Dragonball franchise were the long waits but this may be the chance a lot of fans have been waiting for to find out what the big deal is about this series. | ||
| Jewel Pets | Sanrio? | 4/5 | Fantasy | Adapted from the impossibly cute toys in Japan, I haven’t been able to pin down an actual story for this series but I’m guessing that saying ‘cute animals doing cute things while being impossibly cute’ will sum things up appropriately. | ~ Again, it’s a series aimed at children with very cute animals. What exactly are you looking for here? | ||
| Cross Game | Synergy SP | 4/5 | Sports | Based off the manga, the story in this series is about a fifth grader named Koh whose family owns a sporting goods store. Always a genius hitter, he stops playing baseball after a tragedy. Four years later he starts again and everyone waits to see if he can find the talent he once had. While romancing four sisters of course. | ~ Besides this series, Synergy SP might be better known to fans for the work they did on another baseball series; Major. | ||
| Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | BONES | 4/5 | Adventure | So far all I really know about this second season is that Ed and Al will be followed through another adventure filled with action. Though this time it promises to be a bit more like the manga. | ~ With a mostly new voice cast, what has me most curious about this new release is how well the fans will take to them. | ||
| Konnichi wa Anne (Before Green Gabels) | Nippon Animation | 4/5 | Historical | In this 39 (!) episode series, the staff will tell a prequel version of the classic novel ‘Anne of Green Gabels’ | ~ Even if you’re not familar with the classic book series, this may be a nice way to watch anime that has a little more depth behind it. | ||
| Hanasakuru Seishounen | Studio Pierrot | 4/5 | Romance | A half Japanese/half American heiress moves to the United States to attend high school for the first time. While overseas though she will be forced to choose between a lovely harem of suitors that her father puts before her. Let the bishie love commence. | Preview | ~ With little to go off of other than early character designs and some a PV from Tokyo Anime Fair I have to believe that there’s enough room here to be pleasantly surprised. Though that means that it shouldn’t shock you if it’s bad. | |
| Guin Saga | Satelight | 4/5 | Fantasy Action | A village is protected by a mysterious warrior in a leopard mask. With no memories from his time as human, the warrior protects those from harm until a new mysterious force arrives and he must destroy it. | ~ Based on the hugely popular fantasy novel series, ’Guin Saga’ has its work cut out for it right away. With a trailer already released that looks great, this is going to be one worth checking out.
~ Leading the cast are two notable veterans Mai Nakahara (Rinda) and Kenyuu Horiuchi (Guin) |
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| Shangri-La | Gonzo | 4/5 | Sci-fi | Based on the novel, Tokyo has been turned into a tropical city by global warming. To reduce temps in the city, the government has begun working to make Tokyo into the world’s largest forest city. Not everyone can live in the city however and some groups don’t want to see it happen at all. | ~ This is one of two series animated by Gonzo this season as a result of their cutbacks in late 2008.
~ Also a series that will be streamed by Crunchyroll. ~ Notables from the cast and crew include: Mikako Takahashi (Kuniko), Yuko Iguchi (Karin) and Jun Fukuyama (Shion). |
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| Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity- | Silver Link | 4/5 | Harem Romance | Based on an eroge, the story is about a boy whose father runs the local shrine. After discovering a relic related to the deity who protected the area, the boy starts high school meeting a girl who has something to do with the relic and the deity Tayutama. | ~ I admit it, early animation for this series makes me think that it’s going to be fun to watch | ||
| Natsu no Arashi | SHAFT | 4/5 | Sci-fi Romance | Based on the manga of the same name, this story centers on a boy who meets an older high school girl named Arashi during summer vacation. After learning her secret however, Hajime and Arashi share an unforgettable summer together. | ~ Created by the same author who brought us ’School Rumble‘ the comedy in this series seems to aim towards a similar vein. | ||
| Tears to Tiara | White Fox | 4/5 | Fantasy Romance/Action | The second anime this season to be based off an eroge, in this series a dark wizard ressurects a dark god named Arwan though Arwan has other ideas and decides to make a new life for himself with the girl who was to be his sacrifice and her tribe. Meanwhile the empire decides to strike back at the dark god. | ~ Part of a complete repackaging, the anime is a precursor to both a new game release and manga series. Plus it is being simulcast through Asia which tells you how much of a push is being put behind this series.
~ The character artwork has me very worried though the voice cast is filled with talent: Yuko Goto (Riannon), Kaori Nazuka (Llyr), Mai Nakahara (Morgan), Ami Koshimizu (Limwris) and the list goes on… |
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| Saki | Gonzo | 4/5 | Mahjong | A girl named Saki is pulled into the world of mahjong via a friend. | ~ Mahjong? Despite a great cast list, unless this series really takes the time to explain the game I doubt many viewers overseas are going to pick up on this series. | ||
| 07-Ghost | Studio DEEN | 4/6 | Military Comedy | In a class of 500, only 20 will be chosen to be one of the executive assistants, a top class of soldier. Teito has acheived that after rising from the ranks of a slave but a turn of events makes him a convict on the run. Sheltered by the church, he finds out the truth on why he’s being targeted and how far his roots go. | ~ Maki Fujii has also been the character designer for ‘Kannazuki no Miko, ’Strawberry Eggs’, ‘UFO Ultramaiden’ just to name a few. The characters in this series are going to be distinct. | ||
| Sugar Bunnies Fleur | Sanrio | 4/7 | Childrens | Another childrens anime based on the popular toy line. Don’t expect any drastic changes for the third season. | |||
| Souten Kouro | Madhouse | 4/7 | Historical Adventure | Telling the familar story of the Three Kingdoms, this series will go in a slighty different direction casting Cao Cao has a more likable hero character rather than the villain. | ~ If you’re familar with the history behind the Three Kingdoms or with any of the novels, manga, etc that have told this story this might be a fun opportunity to get a new perspective. | ||
| Ristorante Paradiso | David Production | 4/8 | Cooking Drama | In this story, a young girl moves to Rome and becomes the new kitchen apprentice in a restaurant filled with kindly (?) older men. | ~ Besides, Code Geass R2, David Production is still a very inexperienced studio making this a series to keep an eye on (the studio might not be around next season after all) | ||
| Eden of the East | Production I.G. | 4/9 | Drama | While visiting the US, a woman is attacked by thugs but saved by a naked man carrying only a gun, a phone that says he has billions in a bank account and no memories of who he is. | ~ This is likely the series with the biggest amount of buzz behind it at the moment.
~ A film version will be released sometime after the TV version finishes its run. Not sure if the film will be just retelling the TV version or serve as an epilogue but I think that shows some confidence in this series drawing power. |
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| Hatsukoi Gentei | J.C. Staff | 4/11 | Slice of Life Comedy | What happens in the everyday life of a junior high school girl named Ayami and her seven friends. | ~ By my count, Aki Toyosaki will be three series this season with this being the third. You can also hear her in Asura Cryin and K-ON this season | ||
| Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan | Studio Hibari | 5 2009 | Sci-Fi Comedy | The best description I can find for this series involves an office lady visiting this world from a parallel dimension in order to ’power up dejected people’ | ~ This series promises to be at least slightly ecchi so ‘power up dejected people’ could mean any number of things.
~ Further worth noting that this series is based off a manga that came from the same creators of Kiss x Sis. |
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| ROBO CROSSER | Telecom Animation Film | 4, 2009 | Sci-Fi Racing | A 12 year old boy obtains a mono wheeled mech and attempts to use it to win races. | ~ This series is being put together by the Jetix brand (under the Disney umbrella) while being animated by Telecom. It has been in production since 2004 so it better be good. | ||
| RAINBOW Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin | Spring 2009 | Drama | Set in the 1950′s, the story follows six youths in a reform school and their mentor as they go through the school and eventually leave to make their way in the world. | ~ Based off a critically acclaimed manga series.
~ Little is known regarding who is animating the series or even a premiere date beyond sometime this spring. |
Posted in Articles | Tags: 07-ghost, a-1 pictures, aic, anime, aniplex, arms, asura cryin', basquash, bee media, bee train, before green gabels, bones, charady no joke no mainichi, chii's sweet home, cinema citrus, cooking idol ai mai main, crimson s, cross game, crunchyroll, david production, detective conan, diomedea, dragonball kai, eden of the east, fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood, gallop, gk entertainment, gokujiyou mecha mote linchou, gonzo, guin saga, hanasakuru seishounen, hatsukoi gentei, hayate no gotoku, higepiyo, isekai no seikishi monogatari, j.c. staff, jewel pets, k-on, kiniro no corda, kiss on my deity, konnichi wa anne, kyoto animation, lupin the third, lupin vs conan, madhouse, mainichi kaasan, marie & gali, metal fight beyblade, nas, natsu no arashi, News, nippon animation, pandora hearts, phantom ~requium of the phantom~, production ig, queen's blade, ristorante paradiso, saki, sanrio, satelight, sci-fi, season preview, sengoku basara, seven arcs, shaft, shangri-la, shenjou no valkryria, shin mizinger, shinkyoku soukai polyphonica, silver link, slap up party arad senki, souten kouro, studio deen, studio pierrot, sugar bunnies fleur, synergy sp, tayutama, tears to tiara, thefool inc., toei, valkyria chronicles, white fox, xebec | No Comments »
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