Posts Tagged ‘tms entertainment’

Sengoku Otome
Battle Girls – Time Paradox -
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Premiere Date: 4/3
Genre: Action
Available via Crunchyroll

First Impression: How can one girl be so dumb?

Hideyoshi just wants to have fun. She’s in middle school, the prime of her life, and she’s stuck trying to get to school on time in spite of her terrible luck. Her teacher just wants her to do her best and either pass the next test or face make up classes all the way until summer. On her way home, Hideyoshi tries her luck at a local shrine but stumbles across a woman conducting a strange ritual. Thanks to her terrible luck causing her to get involved, she is transported back hundreds of years to the warring states period.

After she wakes up, she finds herself in a female dominated world and the female version of Oda Nobunaga inviting her to join her search for the legendary crimson armor. With this armor, Nobunaga thinks that she will be able to unite Japan into one nation while Hideyoshi thinks that it might help her get home again.

Good and the Bad

I tried not to expect too much from the debut episode and wasn’t disappointed in that regard. Here’s the thing about Battle Girls, it has its moments. Starting with an initial battle setup, the first half of the episode is filled with lots of little things that are standard set up tropes. The heroine is a clumsy, unlucky girl but very cute so you just want to sympathize with her. Sadly that honeymoon is over really quickly as Hideyoshi drops the typical dumb student routine on the audience and things just start to slide down slightly from there.

Despite the premise being just a slight tweak on a very standard plot, the writing manages to get a few chuckles along the way. The writers do their best to capture a girl getting caught in the past which leads to plenty of confusion with electronics she has with her and Hideyoshi’s general culture shock. Initially Battle Girls isn’t so bad with creating this atmosphere and generally having a good time with it. There is only so long that a girl can remain in a state of confused shock however and Hideyoshi crosses that line. Repeatedly. As in oh my god please make this girl stop thinking stupid things.

From the animation, it’s obvious that this series is going after a very core male demographic. In this episode alone, Nobunaga will fend off mighty warriors wearing the skimpiest of armors while carrying the biggest sword. Her special attack will send forth energy that destroys a wall of enemies and smite her foes. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t be sweet on the new girl that she finds along the way too.

Music

There were only a handful of themes used throughout this episode and only a couple of them actually stand out for particularly positive reasons. While fairly standard, the battle theme used to start the episode is a positive way to start things off while the string melody that follows Hideyoshi’s introduction manages to get her off on the right foot as well. From there though, the background themes started to melt away and stopped leaving a mark on the episode. Always present but never obvious, the music here will always be more of an accent than a point in itself.

Overall

Normally with a weak first episode, I might be hesitant to get back into things but I honestly enjoyed myself enough with this that I can stick it out awhile longer. It does break the streak of strong first episodes this season but this is still an average little skin and action piece. It’s not going to blow anyone away but there are redeeming moments if you look for them. It’s not ultimately worth going out of your way for but if you are bored, this could be pass the time.

Yesterday was one big blur of activity that started around 5:30am and ended sometime around 1am so sorry that I wasn’t able to get this up sooner. Crunchyroll has been pretty busy this week with the announcement of 4 more simulcasts (which brings the total up to 9 I believe): Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka, Hourou Musuko and the ‘we already knew that’ pick, Mitsudomoe Zoryuuchi. Four series to cover and not enough time to do it in so here’s the rundown (in order of which ones I’m most excited to watch):

Kore wa Zombie desu ka (Is That a Zombie?): Produced by Studio Deen and based off the light novels, this series involves a high school boy being murdered by a serial killer and brought back to life as a zombie by a necromancer. The series premieres on Monday January 10th for users in North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil and Portugal. The series will also be available to paid users in the UK and Ireland.

As much as I love that Crunchyroll is bringing this series overseas I have to admit there are two things that I’m a bit bummed about. First, I agree with everyone who has said that the title for this series really should’ve been translated to English but that’s a tiny nitpick that doesn’t actually matters. What does matter is that Crunchyroll is only able to offer the series until June 30th so if you plan on watching this series, be careful about procrastination or you might miss your chance.

Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son): Hourou Musuko is notable for multiple reasons. First, it’s arguably the most important series of the season for dealing with such a serious topic. Second, this is the title airing in the noitaminA television block this season which indicates that Funimation’s deal has expired (or is currently not active for whatever reason I’m not privy to) freeing up the titles to be picked up by other streaming sites. It will be interesting to see if Crunchyroll is able to pick up the other series slotted for the noitaminA block, Fractale.

As for the series itself, the AIC produced drama follows two transgender elementary school students (a boy named Shuichi and a girl named Yoshino) as they slowly begin to realize who they are. Finally finding friends who accept them, the two deal with the harshness of growing up. It premieres next Thursday the 13th for users in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Portugal. I urge everyone to watch at least a couple episodes of this title after it premieres.

Saint Seiya The Lost Canvas: So this one actually isn’t a simulcast but it’s an interesting addition regardless. Announced yesterday, Crunchyroll has revealed they will be adding all 15 episodes of the OVA series Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas. Based on the manga, this series had its first 13 episodes released starting in 2009 and will soon be getting two additional episodes released on DVD next month. The press release for this one was pretty vague but it does indicate that the first 13 episodes will be added to the site in the near future while episodes 14 and 15 will be uploaded next month to coincide with the Japanese release. The streams will be available to users in United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Finally wrapping things up, we have the announcement that pretty much everyone knew about a few days ago; Mitsudomoe Season 2. This one gets to be at the bottom of the list for multiple reasons though which makes it special. The first reason is the obvious everyone heard about this a few days ago. Second, it’s a terrible series that I’m glad is only getting 8 episodes. For the many of you out there who do like this series however (I’m pretty sure my opinion is the minority actually), the series will be available on Saturday the 8th for users in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Portugal.

Alright, that’s it for Crunchyroll streams up to this point. There are still a couple of blank slots left to fill before the end of the week. Anyone want to take any guesses on what the final announcements are going to be? I’m still holding out hope for Fractale and Freezing myself since I’m pretty sure that Madoka Magica is now a long shot to be picked up.

Full press releases below the cut

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The announcements keep coming (and are going to keep coming until long past my point of exhaustion) from Crunchyroll with three more simulcasts announced today! Here’s the thing though, I’m only going to tell you about two of them right now. Why? Because no one has said what the third announcement is going to be and probably won’t until I’m already at work and can’t write about it. Enough of my grumbling about never enough time though, we gots anime to talk about!

First to be announced today is new card fighting series, Cardfight Vanguard. Animated by TMS Entertainment and co-created by YuGiOh mangaka, Akira Ito and Bushiroad founder Takaki Kitani; the series follows a middle schooler who gets involved with a brand new, intergalactic card game. Using the card he was given as a child, Aichi is pulled into the game of Vanguard and strives to be the very best at it (this is the point where you can’t actually see me rolling my eyes but trust me, it’s happening). The series will begin streaming in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland on January 7th starting at 4:30pm Pacific.

The second series to be announced today is actually one of the titles on my wish list and so Crunchyroll earns some preemptive excitement for this one: YAY!

Produced by Studio Bones, GoSick takes place in the fictional country of Sauville during 1924. After a student transfers into the school, he meets a strange girl named Victorique. She skips class all the time and would prefer to read books and solve local mysteries. Becoming fast friends, the pair make their way around town solving cases and befriending those in the area. It’ll premiere this Friday at 10am Pacific for viewers in North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brazil and Portugal. Additionally, viewers in the UK and Ireland who have a paid membership will also have access which at least falls in the ‘better than nothing’ category if you really wanted to watch this series from Europe.

So that’s all I have for now. I couldn’t care less about Cardfight Vanguard but it seems like everywhere I go someone is talking about how amazing GoSick is so I’m pretty curious to check this one out. Either of these series look decent to you?

Press release below the cut

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January is a really important month for me because there is just so much going on! Oh right, yeah there’s the new year I guess but if you have your priorities in order, you’d actually be referring to the first new anime season of the year! It’s a really small season this year though. I only have 21 new series (down from 29 last year) on this year’s preview, not including the OVAs/OADs that will be listed in part 2. This is just not a season for studios to be multitasking it seems. A quarter ago, JC Staff were the busy ones but this season they’re quietly working on one (Yumekui Merry). Instead, Studio Deen are the busy ones this season with three different series premiering (Starry Sky, Kore wa Zombie desu ka and Dragon Crisis). Studio Pierrot is right behind them with two (Beelzebub and Level E) though that’s only technically since they’re only co-producing one of them.

So there’s a lot to cover to let’s get into it already. Part 1 of this season’s review covers everything up until 1/8, which is roughly half the season. Don’t forget that I’ll be spending the entire month getting my early impressions up as I am able to view the new episodes. Feel free to chime in with your own opinions along the way.

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft
Studio: DLE Inc.
Premiere Date: 12/10
Genre: Comedy
Adapted From: ONA/Light Novel

What It’s About

A Cthulhu deity has taken the form of a seemingly harmless silver haired girl. While wandering around, she comes across a high school boy, Mahiro Yasaka, being attacked by aliens and saves him. For those unaware, that’s never just the end of it when it comes to Cthulhu.

Why You Should Care

I haven’t looked at this one yet but I already know it’s going to make for interesting viewing. The most experienced people on the cast are the voice cast and character designer, Koin (Kanokon). But come on… it’s anime and Cthulhu! Are you really going to tell me that you’re not the least bit curious?

Starry Sky
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 12/23
Genre: Shoujo Romance
Adapted From: PSP Games

What It’s About

Yahisa Tsukiko is the first female to enroll in what was formerly an all boys school. While making her way through the school and meeting her classmates, she bumps into 12 different boys. Not so coincidentally, they all have personalities that match the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Why You Should Care

Studio DEEN is producing three series this season so if you don’t like this one, there are still two more chances down the road.

Cast and crew for this series include fan favorites Jun Fukuyama  and Daisuke Ono playing Azusa (Mr. Sagittarius) and Suzuya (Mr. Cancer) respectively; music is being composed by Tomoki Kikuya (Squid Girl, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Hidamari Sketch, Asu no Yoichi, Da Capo II) and the bishies are safe in the hands of Maki Fujii (07-Ghost).

Rio – Rainbow Gate!
Studio: XEBEC
Premiere Date: 1/4
Genre: Ecchi Comedy
Adapted From: Slot Machine
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Originally a popular slot machine character (don’t laugh, anyone remember pachinko based series Umi Monogatari?), Rio Rollins Tachibana makes her debut working in a casino where she is known as the ‘Goddess of Victory’. What she really wants is to get closer to her mother who was also known as one of the best card dealers ever and to do this she must collect 13 special cards called ‘gates’.

Why You Should Care

I’m not saying that this is absolutely going to be an ecchi series but it does have the same studio (Xebec) and director (Takao Kato) as To Love Ru. It’s also premiering on acid nipple satellite network AT-X. Draw your conclusions here.

Kimi ni Todoke Season 2
Studio: Production I.G
Premiere Date: 1/4
Genre: Romance
Sequel

What It’s About

The continuing stories of shy girl Sawako making friends in her class. In the first season, she was able to strike up a relationship with the most popular boy in class among others.

Why You Should Care

All of the cast and crew remain the same; Production I.G is still handling the animation and Hiro Kaburaki remains in the directors chair. The only change is the addition of Mamoru Miyano playing Kento.

This is one the series from this year that I would love to sit down and give another chance someday. It didn’t grab me the first time but there is still something special to this series.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Magical Girl Madoka Magica
Studio: Shaft
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Magical Girl
Trailers

What It’s About

After days of research and watching all 10 trailers here’s what I’ve put together about this series: there are magical girls and they grant wishes.

Why You Should Care

This is the first series of the season that I’ve given up all hope of being able to resist based solely on the crew: animation from Shaft (Bakemonogatari, Maria Holic, Hidamari Sketch), director Akiyuki Shinbo (Bakemonogatari, Hidamari Sketch), music composed by Yuki Kajiura (Madlax, Noir, Aquarian Age, Pandora Hearts, Mai Hime), theme songs from ClariS (OreImo) and Kalafina (Sora no Woto) and character designs from Umi Aoki (Hidamari Sketch).

So psyched to see this it’s not even funny. Alright, maybe a little.

IS: Infinite Stratos
Studio: 8-Bit
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Sci-Fi School Comedy
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailers

What It’s About

In the future, wars are fought with exoskeletons called Infinite Stratos and are almost exclusively piloted by females. When 15 year old Ichika discovers that he is one of the few exceptions, he is given a full scholarship to an all female school that trains IS pilots.

Why You Should Care

There are a couple of reasons to get optimistic about this one. Director Yasuhito Kikichi has done giant mechs (Macross Frontier) and one of the writers, Fumihiko Shimo, has done school romance (Clannad, Full Metal Panic, Kanon [2006]). Additionally music is being composed by Hikaru Nanase (Chrno Crusade, Canaan, Da Capo, Scrapped Princess, Super Gals).

However, it’s still a school comedy with giant mechs and this is the first time studio 8-Bit has been credited for animation production. Keep your expectations reasonable.

Yumekui Merry
Studio: J.C. Staff
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Action Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailers

What It’s About

Fujiwara is a completely normal boy beyond the fact that earlier in his life he discovered a power to see the auras surrounding people while additionally having constant dreams about cats fighting a war. Not surprisingly, while walking around one day an odd cat girl falls on top of him and drags him into the middle of a war being fought by cats.

Why You Should Care

Early looks at the animation from JC Staff make me want to care about this release but it’s already becoming a struggle.

Director Shigeyasu Yamauchi has the most impressive resume out the cast and crew with having worked on 5 different Saint Seiya releases.

Wolverine
Studio: Madhouse
Premiere Date: 1/7
Genre: Action
Adapted From: Marvel Comic
Trailer

What It’s About

Wolverine, the tough mutant with superhuman healing, senses and retractable claws travels to Japan to investigate Advanced Idea Mechanics. While there he’ll run into familiar figures from his past.

Why You Should Care

Iron Man wasn’t really received that well so it’ll be curious to see how the second of four Marvel anime adaptations (Blade and X-Men are still to come) sits with fans.

Just like with Iron Man, the pilot will be directed by a veteran, in this case famed director Rintaro (a whole host of Leiji Matsumoto titles). Starting with episode 2, the series will be directed by Hiroshi Aoyama (Rocket Girls). As a side note, how lame is that? “Alright guy, Rintaro has done his thing. Now make the rest of the series just as good.”

Wolverine will be played by Rikiya Koyama who has done other tough guys like Emonzaemon in Katanagatari, Jubei in Ninja Scroll and Reiji in Witchblade.

Gosick
Studio: Bones
Premiere Date: 1/7
Genre: Mystery
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Taking place at the St. Marguerite Academy in the fictional European country Sauville during 1924, a boy named Kazuya Kujo transfers into the school. Eventually he meets and befriends a girl named Victorique who is only interested in solving mysteries (including some that even the local detectives can’t figure out). Throughout the series, Kazuya and Victorique will make their way around solving cases and forming bonds with those who need help.

Why You Should Care

Beyond animation from Studio Bones (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Ouran High School Host Club, Fullmetal Alchemist) it’s hard to come up with reasons to be genuinely excited about this one. Director Hitoshi Nanba worked on Heroman and Kotaro Nakagawa composed the music for Code Geass and Hayate the Combat Butler but other than that… eh.

Cardfight!! Vanguard
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Card Fighting
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Again, after careful research this is what I’ve come up with: the main character is a third year middle schooler and becomes really good with a new card game. But someone else comes along who says they are better and so the two must duel. Probably repeatedly.

Why You Should Care

Yet another series about dueling cards but this one was put together by YuGiOh mangaka Akira Ito, Duelmasters technical advisor Satoshi Nakamura and Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani and they really want you to like this series. So much so that JAM Project has been acquired to sing the OP.

Other interesting names attached to the crew include director Tsuji Hatsuki (Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai X, YuGiOh Duel Monster GX) and Tsubasa Yonaga (Ren in Big Windup!) as the lead card dueler.

Freezing
Studio: A.C.G.T.
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer

What It’s About

In an alternate future where Earth has been invaded by aliens, Aoi Kazuya enrolls to fight in the resistance. Entering a school that’s training genetically modified women called Pandoras to fight and men to be their partners, Aoi ends up meeting the most powerful and popular girl named Bridgette. Despite being warned of her unique personality, Aoi teams up with her to fight together.

Why You Should Care

At first I thought this was going to just like Infinite Stratos. Now I see that the primary difference is that this series will be darker, bloodier and more ecchi.

This is another series premiering on AT-X and features not only the director of IkkiTousen (Season 1), Takashi Watanabe, but also two writers who have worked on the franchise.

Animation is being produced by A.C.G.T who you might remember from Koi Kaze, Seven of Seven (I’m trying not to hold that one against them) and Human Crossing.

Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!!
Because For Some Reason My Big Brother Doesn’t Like Me At All
Studio: ZEXCS
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Sibling Complex Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer

What It’s About

Nao is in love with her brother Shusuke but contains her feelings because those types of relationships are still illegal. However, once she finds out that she isn’t actually a blood relative but rather adopted after her real parents died all bets are off! With no laws to stand in her way, Nao begins her quest for a real relationship with her brother despite his ex constantly standing in her way.

Why You Should Care

Tired of sibling complex series yet? Seems like this is a trend that’s going to be around for awhile longer.

This one will be broadcasting on normal television so keep your ecchi expectations a bit lower.

The cast and crew behind this series is impressive at least: ZEXCS (Da Capo, Chu Bra, Canvas2, H20 Footprints in the Sand) is handling animation, Keitaro Motonaga (Akane Iro Somaru Saka, Katanagatari, School Days, Princess Princess) is directing and Tomoki Kikuya is composing his second score of the season (Starry Sky being the other).  The cast includes Eri Kitamura (Yui in Angel Beats, Saya in High School of the Dead) as Nao, Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Tayura in Kanokon) as Shusuke and Marina Inoue (Kiryuu in Akane Iro Somaru Saka, Natsuru in Kampfer) as Iroha.

Mitsudomoe Zouryouchuu!
Studio: Bridge
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Comedy
Sequel
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

The continued adventures of the Marui triplets making life miserable for their teacher as he tries to hook up with the bumbling school nurse.

Why You Should Care

No crew announcements but the animation studio is staying the same so I’m assuming this means all or most of the cast and crew will be returning.

Whew, that’s it for now. Later this week I’ll be posting the second half which covers the rest of January, February and all of the OVAs and OADs that are starting to be released this season. So, got any picks on what looks good this season?

The summer season of 2009 is interesting on the surface in quite a few different ways. Only a little less than 40 titles will be released from June to August. That number includes specials, OVAs and movies being released which contrasts against at least 30 TV premieres last summer alone.

In terms of content, this is a summer of dreams for fans of manga based stories with up to eight series being adapted from a manga, though that number goes past a dozen when you factor in light, visual and traditional novels as well. Only two series are based off eroge this season but sequels and continuations are alive and well taking up 10 titles of their own.

In terms of studio activity, Madhouse and Studio DEEN are easily the most active of the season with three releases each. On the Madhouse queue are a TV series, a special and a movie while Studio DEEN will be releasing two television series and a series of web shorts. JC Staff and SHAFT aren’t far behind them though with two releases each and a wealth of others filling out the crowd with one each. One studio will even be making their debut their season with GoHands taking a shot at the eroge adaptation ‘Princess Lover‘.

So enough with the introductions, (with apologies to Gia of AnimeVice for adapting her preview style a bit) listed below the cut are as many of the releases that I could find information for. I have tried to make this listing as complete as possible with my resources but I’m not perfect. If you see any missing titles, feel free to drop me a line in the comments and I’ll make sure to get them added.

Titles are listed by premiere dates and will be continuously edited throughout June. Keep checking back for updates as new premiere dates are listed, previews are written and finally to read all the latest reviews as the new series premiere!

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For today’s trailer roundup, VAP has posted a new one minute trailer for their upcoming OVA, ‘Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas’. With animation produced by TMS Entertainment, the first volume of the new series will drop on store shelves later this month (June 24^th) and tells a story that starts 250 years before the original series takes place. The newest trailer shows quite a bit of character footage but not much else making this one purely something to get fans excited. Though that was likely already happening due to this being the first new Saint Seiya since last year’s six episode OVA. Well that and the cast list include names like Aya Hirano, Nana Mizuki and Jun Fukuyama.

I haven’t seen this series yet but with this one serving as a prequel of sorts, perhaps it would be a good time to start?

TMS Entertainment has opened a new YouTube channel and uploaded episodes of the series ‘Sherlock Hound’ in English for fans to view for free. The first six episodes of the series have been uploaded already but there is a note on the channel stating that all twenty six episodes are going to be uploaded. Directed by famed animator Hayao Miyazaki, the series originally aired in 1984-85 before being released in the states by Geneon in 2002. The story basically just reimagines the Sherlock Holmes series into anime using dogs as the characters.

Also included on the channel are various trailers including the recently revealed ‘Saint Seiya: The Lost Cavas’ trailer.