Posts Tagged ‘sengoku basara’

Already home to the soon to be opened ‘Evangelion: World – Life Size Eva-01 Construction Project’, the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park has announced a brand new attraction based around the video game turned anime franchise, Sengoku Basara.

As part of its 5th anniversary, a brand new attraction will open inviting visitors to go on a quest to defeat Oda Nobunaga. At the beginning, visitors will be given a card representing one of the main characters which they must insert into hidden slots all around the first and second floors of the building. By finding the various slots, the warriors earn weapons and armor but must act quickly to beat the time limit. After getting all powered up, visitors move onto the final floor where they have to clear some practice battles before doing battle with Oda Nobunaga himself.

The attraction opens on the same day as the Eva project (July 23rd) which means if you have plans to be in Japan around this time, I believe it’d be a good day to completely clear your schedule for an amusement park trip.

<Via Kotaku, Images via Game Watch>

After the first week, it’s easy to understand why everyone would lose a little excitement for the rest of the month but come on everyone, there’s still so much good stuff to look forward to! Featured in the last two weeks of the summer season are the returns of Strike Witches and Sengoku Basara and the much talked about premiere of Shiki. How can you not be excited? Asobi ni Iku Yo? Alright yeah good point.

So here it is, the last installment of the summer season preview! I know that in part 1 I said I’d be splitting this into three parts but I’d rather just get this all done in one swoop.

 

Strike Witches 2
Studio: AIC
Genre: Moe/Fanservice Action
Adapted From: Manga, OVA, First Season… and here we are 
Premiere Date: 7/7
Trailer 

 

First Impression: Didn’t want to watch season 1, feeling much the same for season 2 right now.

 

The girls who refuse to wear pants while flying around the sky are back for a second season. All pants should beware.

 

Why You Should Care:

- This is the third series that AIC is producing this season (there are four total if you count Asobi ni Iku yo from AIC+). Extra notably, this is also the series that was originally scheduled to be produced by Gonzo before they were replaced with AIC.

- Other than that, it appears that things are going to stay roughly the same with the cast and crew.

- If you had this one on your summer simulcast radar congratulations; Crunchyroll recently announced this one for their lineup.

 

Shiki
Corpse Demon
Studio: Daume
Genre: Horror
Adapted From: Manga 
Premiere Date: 7/8
Trailer

 

First Impression: Horror series haven’t been getting very far this year but this looks interesting.

 

A remote mountain village with 1300 residents are starting to drop like flies shortly after a family moves into an abandoned mansion. After doing some investigating the village realizes that they are under attack by vampires.

 

Why You Should Care:

- While he made a small guest appearance in the Tono no Issho OVA, this is the time pop singer Gackt has voiced a lead anime character.

- Not surprisingly, Shiki has already been announced for simulcast by Funimation. The series will be airing during Fuji TV’s Noitamina block which Funimation started simulcasting in the spring with The Tatami Galaxy and House of Five Leaves.

 

Asobi ni Iku yo
Let’s Go Play
Studio: AIC+
Genre: Sci-Fi Romantic Comedy
Adapted From: Light Novel 
Premiere Date: 7/10
Trailer

 

First Impression: I’m not sure you could drink this series watchable.

 

While attending a memorial service, a boy named Koi meets a mysterious girl with cat ears named Eris who claims to be an alien. Now Koi’s life involves living with a strange alien and protecting her from the government agents and his scheming best friend who want to take her away.

 

Why You Should Care:

- I’ll admit it, this is a tough one.

 

Sengoku Basara 2
Studio: Production I.G
Genre: Historic Action
Adapted From: Video Game
Premiere Date: 7/11

 

First Impression: As Funimation put it, the manliest manly anime ever.

 

The series that re-imagines famous figures from Japanese history as pizza eating shonen warriors (the non-turtle kind) returns for a second season.

 

Why You Should Care:

- Replacing popular Japanese rock band led by Takanori Nishikawa, Abingdon Boys School (Darker than Black, Soul Eater, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0), for the OP will be T.M. Revolution (aka Takanori Nishikawa).

- The cast remains the same for this season but a new director, Kazuya Nomura, will be leading them.

- Yup, Funimation will be simulcasting this one too.

 

OVAs/OADs are notoriously hard to get any sort of information on before their release. Consider below a rough primer for what’s coming up but keep in mind details might be sketchy in places.

 

Kure-nai OAD
Studio: Brains Base
Premiere Date: 7/2

In the original manga and anime series (which aired in 2008), a teenage boy works for a woman doing odd jobs that often involve putting his life on the line. On one occasion, his mission is to protect a young girl who is being hidden from her family for her own safety.

 

Why You Should Care:

- New character designs (that some fans are saying aren’t actually an upgrade)

 

Shin Koihime Musou
Studio: Dogakobo
Premiere Date: 7/7

In the newest release, the lady warriors return for a story set in St. Francesca Academy. After a fierce battle between students, everyone visits a southern island to unwind.

Why You Should Care:

- “visits a southern island” means this is going to be one long beach episode filled with fan service and bikinis.

 

Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail
Studio: Madhouse
Premiere Date: 7/17

The long awaited 3rd season takes the form of a 5 episode OVA focusing on warrior maid, Roberta.

Why You Should Care:

- Funimation wasted no time with this one so count this as licensed and set for release in the US next year.

 

 

Hen Zemi
Abnormal Physiology Seminar
Studio: XEBEC
Premiere Date: 7/23
Trailer

 

Based on the manga, the comedy series focuses on Nanko Mutsutaka who has been placed in an Abnormal Physiology class filled with weird students despite being fairly ordinary herself.

 

Why You Should Care:

- A comedy from the director of Hidamari Sketch and the studio that brought you Heroic Age, Kanokon and Shuffle.

 

Aki Sora Yume no Naka
Studio: Hoods Entertainment
Premiere Date: 7/30
Trailer

 

After receiving an OAD earlier this year, Aki Sora returns in an OVA telling the story of a forbidden relationship between siblings and their quest to keep it a secret.

 

Why You Should Care:

 

- Very ecchi in content (one of the trailers for this release was a 30 second sex scene with a voice over) so take that for what its worth.

- I didn’t get into the manga series but the OAD released earlier this year was a surprisingly enjoyable and well done release.

 

 

Queen’s Blade: Utsukushiki Toushi-tachi
Studio: ARMS
Premiere Date: 8/25

 

The warriors of Queen’s Blade return though no information is available on what they’ll be doing besides fighting.

 

Why You Should Care:

 

- Media Blasters has already picked up the TV series, could an OVA license be far behind?

- The ED theme features all 19 characters!

 

Sora no Otoshimono OAD
Premiere Date: 9/9

The super dangerous 14th episode of the TV series that was deemed too risqué to even be released as a DVD extra finally gets to see its release along with Vol. 9 of the manga.

 

Why You Should Care:

- Another one where the TV series has already been picked up (Funimation currently has it) so perhaps we’ll see it stateside eventually?

- The title of this bonus episode roughly translates to "Here and peep locker room girls!" And that sound you hear is my head banging against my desk as I think about how many people probably already have this pre-ordered.

- So apparently this episode was too hot for TV and too risky to be included as an extra on the DVD but it’s just safe enough to be released as a limited edition manga extra? Whatever.

 

And that’s it for the summer season! Be sure to keep checking back over the next couple of weeks as I make my way through as many of the new premieres as I can before the end of the month/end of the season wrap up post. So what’s been good for you so far this season? Anything coming up that you’re really excited about?

Today, an announcement went up on Japanese site Nico Nico Douga which has taken Japan one step further into the dangerous waters of paid online content. Throughout the summer, six series will be offered for free on the streaming site for free after their TV premieres: Strike Witches 2, Seikirei –Pure Engagement-, Shukufuku no Campanella, Kuroshitsuji II, High School of the Dead and Sengoku Basara 2. After 1 week the episodes will then become paid content for fans to view.

While slow to jump on the band wagon, it’s been fun to watch Japan slowly test the waters of streaming anime the last few months. While there were online exclusive series before, Hetalia is the first high profile series to be successful online before Bakemonogatari upped the bar with their exclusive episodes. It wasn’t until recently though that Japan finally started experimenting with offering episodes online for a fee (naturally it was Seikon no Qwaser that broke that mold). Which I always found odd, Japan slowly became OK with letting American companies offer their content online years ago but are only just now doing it in Japan? I believe the term, ass backwards is appropriate here but moving on.

Admittedly, this isn’t going to directly impact many of your lives (unless you speak fluent Japanese and have an account on NicoNico). But for a country like Japan that has been scared to death of moving onto the internet this is a huge step forward. We’ll have to wait and see how fans in Japan take to the new system but that’s going to be the easy part. Who knows though? If this ends up working out pretty soon we might even get to see something really wild like a worldwide subtitled online premiere… and while I’m dreaming, I’d really like to be able to click my heels together and be at Anime Expo right now.

<Via krnerdnews>

Update: It was pointed out to me on Twitter that TBS in Japan actually offered paid episodes of K-ON online before Seikon no Qwaser. I believe this would make it the earliest example of paid TV anime being offered online in Japan but if I find another, earlier example I’ll be sure to post it up.

The official website of historical action series Sengoku Basara has been updated to reflect the announcement of a second season. After completing its 12 episode run this week, it was revealed that a second season would be airing starting next year. One assumes that all of the current cast and crew will be returning for the series so what do you say, great news or whatever? Due to a hectic spring, I actually missed out on this series when it premiered over the spring so I’m leaving it up to you to be excited for me if need be.

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.
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.
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)
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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’
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.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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).
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…
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.
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.
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.