j1m0ne’s blog

Oh shoot, my season preview is weeks’ behind everyone else’s. But I’m aiming to make it as dynamic and up-to-date as I possibly can, covering all the nitty-gritty, minute details… except plot summaries & trailers, because many of my fellow bloggers cover those things better than I could hope to do. So head on over to the season guides I thoroughly recommend @ THAT Animeblog, Tenkai Seiha, Memento and Star Crossed Anime Blog. I’m sure hashihime and Omni will come up with theirs soon enough too.

Shows are listed in order of airdate and time, OVAs & shorts are not included. All information is accurate up to 21 March 2008. I’m likely to update the post as more staff and cast info trickle in, so do check back in the future. And do point out any errors you come across, I can get a bit cross-eyed sometimes so I may have messed links etc.

And please, don’t come waltzing into the post in September telling me to go and die just cos ‘you insulted something without watching it, therefore you are not entitled to an opinion’. I don’t own a crystal ball, so the only things I can judge an unreleased, wrapped book by are its cover, the author’s previous works, its publisher and the blurb written at the back. Junjo Romantica fans, show some mercy!

Notes:
1-cour = 3 months/12-13 episodes ∴ 2-cour = 24-26 episodes.
Seiyuu Power Ratings indicate how strong I believe the overall cast is in terms of voice acting ability and star power.

14 March
BUS GAMER

In a nutshell: A bunch of blokes battle in a business game for corporate secrets. Hence it should be called BIZ GAMER cos it’s not BUS as in School BUS, but BUS as in BUSiness.
Source material: Short-lived manga (1 volume/11 chapters) by Saiyuki creator Minekura Kazuya.
Animation studio: Studio Izena (who?)
Notable Staff: Creator Minekura Kazuya is supervising BUS GAMER which should ensure the series stays on the right course (I say should, cos GG: Il Teatrino sucks balls), but Kuzuya Naoki is a first time director.
Episode count: 3
Music: Nagashima Hiroyuki (film composer)
Opening Theme: NO NAME by Team『AAA(No Name)』(Suzumura Kenichi, Takahashi Hiroki & Suwabe Junichi)
Ending Theme: Train by Team『AAA(No Name)』
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Like Saiyuki, some big name male seiyuu - Suzumura Kenichi, Takahashi Hiroki & Suwabe Junichi.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Er well. It’s already started airing and I don’t think much of it - pretty much bored the socks off me.

17 March
Gag Manga Biyori 3

In a nutshell: It’s a gag anime. That’s gag as in joke, not gag as in something you put in somebody’s mouth to stop them from talking, nor is it gag as in the slang word for vomit. It might as well be though.
Source material: Manga by Masuda Kosuke
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Notable staff: Directed by Daichi Akitaro (Fruits Basket)
Episode count: ?
Music: Yamamoto Harukichi did the music for the first two seasons.
Opening Theme: Bodyline by Ueda Yuji
Ending Theme: Happy Ending by Kanmuri Tetsuya

Clockwise from top left:Nazuka Kaori,Maeda Tsuyoshi,Kanmuri Tetsuya (singer),Daichi Akitaro
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★☆☆☆
-Apart from Nazuka, the cast includes a lot of stellar but little-heard-of talent like Ueda Yuji, Yabe Masahito and Naito Ryo.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: It’s the third part of an anime adaptation of a manga that about 0.00000000000001811^84% of the gaijin otaku population will have heard of. I can’t even tell you what it’s about, so just trust me when I say that nobody will be interested in watching this.

24 March
Ikuze! Gen-san

In a nutshell: 9-minutes worth of slapstick comedy revolving around a hammer-wielding boy.
Source material: Irem’s Gen-san game franchise
Animation studio: Nippon Animation (Mizuiro Jidai, Porfy)
Notable staff: Directed by Okumura Yoshiaki (Bedaman), scripted by Hasegawa Katsumi (D.C.II, Otoboku).
Episode count: 24
Music: Noka Takuto (? - 苗加琢人)
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: ?

L-R:Yamamoto Azusa,Yamaguchi Kappei,Erika
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Other cast members include Inokuchi Yuka, Kurokawa Nami, Taniyama Kisyo & Nomura Kenji.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Wowzers, a hammer-wielding kid. You have no idea how stoked up I am about that…

31 March
Chi’s Sweet Home

In a nutshell: A lovely tale about a lost kitten that gets taken in by a family.
Source material: Manga by Konami Kanata
Animation studio: Madhouse
Notable Staff: Director Masuhara Mitsuyuki was assistant chief on darker material like Shigurui, Gungrave & Tokyo Tribe 2 so hopefully he doesn’t go shooting off the cats one by one. Scriptwriter is Konparu Tomoko who’s worked on a million different things including NANA, School Rumble & Nodame Cantabile.
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: ?

L-R(top): Hidaka Noriko,Kozakura Etsuko,Koorogi Satomi,Kiuchi Hidenobu
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Well, for an anime featuring animals they’ve sure got a cast experienced at that kinda thing. Koorogi Satomi was Menchi in Excel Saga and Kozakura Etsuko voiced Ryo-Ohki in the Tenchi series. Add to that the almighty Hidaka Noriko (Tendo Akane in Ranma, Kikyo in Inuyasha) and Kiuchi Hidenobu (Hei in Darker Than Black, Ren in NANA) and that makes Chi’s Sweet Home the lamest-anime-with-the-best-cast of the season.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Another one of those weird anime that nobody will sub or watch, like Noramimi.

2 April
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s

In a nutshell: You don’t want me to tell you what Yu-Gi-Oh! is about…..
Source material: Manga by Takahashi Kazuki.
Animation studio: ?
Notable Staff: Helmed by Hataraki Man director Ono Katsumi.
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Kizuna by Kra
Ending Theme: Start by Nakagauchi Masataka
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★☆☆☆
-Like all kids’ shows, 5D’s is dominated by a bunch of unknowns.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: It’s Yu-gi-oh, a word that is hardly going to illicit fangirl/fanboy screams from the masses… I think.

3 April
Kyo Kara Maoh! 3rd Season

In a nutshell: Another sequel (Yay!) to a very popular shojo series with plenty of BL overtones.
Source material: Light novels by Takabayashi Tomo
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Notable staff: Directed by Nishimura Junji (Simoun, Windy Tales, true tears)
Episode count: 39
Music: Kitagawa Yoichiro
Opening Theme: Sekai yo Warae by Yoshida Jungo with M-Tone
Ending Theme: Going by Yoshida Jungo
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-The cast list has always been impressive; Inoue Kazuhiko as Gunther is always a blast. Other highlights include Saiga Mitsuki as the very old, very blond, very tsundere Wolfram and Morikawa Toshiyuki as Conrad.
Radio Show?: Shin Makoku Hoso Kyokai, hosted by Saiga Mitsuki, Sakurai Takahiro & Miyata Kouki.
Comment: I actually really liked KKMO! when it first started airing but the longer it dragged on the less attention I paid. I’m sure there are people out there waiting for more of this, but another 39 episodes??

Allison to Lillia

In a nutshell: The adventures of Allison and Lillia, as Wilhelm & Treize whose names are apparently, not pretty enough to add to the main title.
Source material: A mash-up of two light novel series (Allison, and Lillia to Treize) by Sigsawa Keiichi, better known as the author of the revered Kino no Tabi.
Animation studio: Madhouse
Notable staff: Directed by Nishida Masayoshi (Mokke), series composition by Machida Doko (Wolf’s Rain, Lucky Star)
Episode count: 26
Music: Murai Shusei
Opening Theme: Tameiki no Hashi by Kuricoder Quartet & Yukawa Shione
Ending Theme: Sayonara no Omajinai by Kuricoder Quartet & Matsumoto So

L-R:Nishida Masayoshi(director),Mizuki Nana,Kumai Motoko,Sigsawa Keiichi(author)
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
Mizuki Nana & Kumai Motoko take up the leads for the ‘Allison’ part. Noto Mamiko is also in there somewhere. Lillia and Treize cast still unknown. I’m fond of Kumai as she voiced Syaoran in my No.1 fave anime Card Captor Sakura, and it’s nice to see her get back to regular work after an illness forced her to take a 1-year hiatus in 2006.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Allison to Lilia airs on NHK, so it’s probably safe to say we won’t be getting some tasteless, fanservicey moe-fied anime. Since it’s 26 episodes, it’s also a fair bet that the 1st-cour will cover the Allison arc and the 2nd-cour Lilia to Trais. I expect it to be a well-written series with good character development and a solid storyline, but I fear it will get lost in the spring shuffle.

Macross FRONTIER

In a nutshell: A new series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macross.
Source material: Franchise
Animation studio: Satelight
Notable staff: Directed by the legendary Kawamori Shoji
Episode count: 2-cour?
Music: Kanno Yoko
Opening Theme: Triangler by Sakamoto Maaya
-Yeah, finally they made up and collaborate again. Will it be as good as stuff like Hemisphere and Purachina? Fingers crossed.
Ending Theme: Diamond Crevasse by May’n

L-R: Kamiya Hiroshi,Endo Aya,Nakamura Yuichi,Nakajima Megumi,Konishi Katsuyuki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-Apart from newcomer Nakajima Megumi, the rest of the cast is just mind-blowing - some of the current hottest seiyuu (Endo, Kamiya, Nakamura) & a lot of seasoned stalwarts (Kuwashima Houko, Kobayashi Sanae, Okawa Toru, Fukuyama Jun etc etc)
Radio Show?: Macross ○※△ hosted by Kamiya Hiroshi, Nakamura Yuichi & Nakajima Megumi - airs Friday nights (25:30) on JOQR.
Comment: Mmm, Macross. I’m not really much of a mecha fan but I have fond(?) memories of watching Robotech as a kid so it’s likely I’ll stick with this for a while.

xxxHOLiC: Kei

In a nutshell: Yet another sequel for a so-so anime.
Source material: Manga by CLAMP
Notable staff: Once again directed by Mizushima Tsutomu (Here+Guu, Oofuri) & co-scripted by Yokote Michiko and CLAMP’s Ohkawa Ageha
Animation studio: Production I.G.
Episode count: Likely 1-cour.
Music: S.E.N.S.
Opening Theme: NOBODY KNOWS by Suga Shikao
Ending Theme: Honey Honey feat. AYUSE KOZUE by SEAMO

L-R(back):Kojima Kazuko,Mizusawa Fumie(?),Kikuchi Mika,Mochizuki Hisayo,(some really tall guy)
L-R(front):Ito Shizuka,Ohara Sayaka,Fukuyama Jun,Nakai Kazuya
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Same cast which makes me rejoice for just one reason - Kikuchi Mika as Mokona ^o^b
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: I got bored halfway through the first season. Is there any reason for me to watch this (apart from Mika)?

ToLove-Ru -Toraburu-

In a nutshell: Alien girl land’s in teenage boy’s bathtub. Cue hilarity, boobs/pants, nosebleeds beach episodes, onsen episodes, etc etc
Source material: Popular manga written by Hasemi Saki & illustrated by Yabuki Kentaro, he of Black Cat fame.
Animation studio: XEBEC (Stellvia, Mahou Sensei Negima)
Notable staff: Directed by Kato Takao, series composition by Yamatoya Akatsuki (both Busou Renkin)
Episode count: 26
Music: ?
Opening Theme: forever we will make it! by THYME
Ending Theme: Lucky Tune by SANTOS ANNA (Bon-Bon Blanco vocalist)

L-R (back): Yahagi Sayuri, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Hanazawa Kana
L-R (front): Watanabe Akeno, Tomatsu Haruka
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-I wasn’t too comfortable with Tomatsu doing Lala at first, didn’t think her voice fitted the character from watching the Jump Festa PV. I’ve kinda gotten used to it now with the drama CD….. I think. Supporting cast is mega-fabulous though. Kawasumi Ayako (as the obnoxious Saki), Yuzuki Ryoka & Koyasu Takehito are particular highlights.
Radio Show?: Akeno.Sayuri no Sainan Koko Hosobu hosted by Watanabe Akeno & Yahagi Sayuri.
Comment: I predict I will last approximately 2 1/2 episodes of watching this, before I realise that alien boobs are not something I look for in my anime.

kure-nai

In a nutshell: 16-year old mediator takes on 10-year old kid as apprentice. Romance hopefully, doesn’t ensue.
Source material: Light novel by Katayama Kentaro
Animation studio: Brains Base (Gigantic Formula, Innocent Venus)
Notable staff: Directed and series composition by Matsuo Ko (Red Garden, Rozen Maiden)
Episode count:
Music: Muramatsu Ken (Sketchbook)
Opening Theme: Love Jump by Kuribayashi Minami
Ending Theme: crossing day by Shintani Ryoko

L-R: Masu Nozomi, Yuki Aoi, Sawashiro Miyuki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Yuki Aoi is not a newcomer; it’s just a name change for Yabusaki Aoi - some might remember her as the bratty Marika (Yuzu’s classmate, the one who had a crush on Kippei) from Aishiteruze Baby. Lots of other Matsuo seiyuu favourites apart from Sawashiro feature in the show - Shintani Ryoko, Sanada Asami, Kuroda Takaya etc.
Radio Show?: Otona no Jikan, hosted by Sanada Asami & Kuroda Takaya.
Comment: I’m still contemplating watching this cos I like the cast. Not fond of little girls though.

4 April
Druaga no To~the Aegis of URUK~

In a nutshell: A bunch of youngsters try to overthrow monsters living in a tower.
Source material: An 80s Namco game, Druaga no To.
Animation studio: Gonzo
Notable staff: Directed by Chigira Koichi (Brave Story, Last Exile), scripted by Gatoh Shoji (Full Metal Panic!), original designs by Hakua Ugetsu.
Episode count: 12
Music: Sakimoto Hitoshi
Opening Theme: SWINGING by Muramasa☆
Ending Theme: Tochosha-tachi by KENN

KENN & Orikasa Fumiko
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-OMG, KENN ^_^ (sorry, fangirl mode out of the way). Erm, yeah. He’s been in a few anime; Yugioh, Reborn & Air Gear and was in the PoT musical too. There’s also Chihara Minori & Horie Yui for the fanboys and Sakurai Takahiro & Ishida Akira for the fangirls.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: With a Druaga MMORPG also being launched, there’s obviously high hopes for this series. I generally have little patience with all these sci-fi fantasy thigamajigs that require me to leave my common sense in a musty cupboard somewhere. On the plus side, Druaga along with BLASSREITER will be streamed free on CrunchyRoll & Youtube with English subs on the same day as they air in Japan.

Amatsuki

In a nutshell: Kid gets stuck in Edo period.
Source material: Manga by Takayama Shinobu
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Notable staff: Directed & scripted by Furuhashi Kazuhiro (Kenshin, YUA, Chevalier)
Episode count: ?
Music: Fukuhara Mari, a pianist/keyboardist.
Opening Theme: Casting Dice by Kanno Yuki
Ending Theme: Namae no nai Michi by Hikita Kaori
-Lyrics by Iwasato Yuho, composition by Kajiura Yuki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Fukuyama Jun, Yusa Koji & Paku Romi lead a very talented cast that also includes Nakata Jouji, Morikubo Showtaro, Suzumura Kenichi and Matsuoka Yuki.
Radio Show?: Amatsuki Yamitsuki Radio, hosted by Yusa Koji & Suwabe Junichi.
Comment: Despite the awesomeness of the cast, I’m giving this one a pass. I’ve already got one Edo-era anime on my plate (Gintama) that gives me enough of a headache every week. In a good way.

Itazura na Kiss

In a nutshell: The token shojo show of the season.
Source material: An unfinished manga by the late Tada Kaoru (Ai Shite Knight). She died from a brain hemmorhage after a bad fall when moving house with her husband and child in 1999.
Animation studio: TMS Entertainment (Snow Queen, Noramimi)
Notable staff: Directed by Yamazaki Osamu (Terra e…)
Episode count: 26
Music: Takanashi Yasuharu (Jigoku Shojo)
Opening Theme: Kimi,Meguru,Boku by Hata Motohiro (Yay, Hata!)
Ending Theme: Kataomoi Fighter by GO!GO!7188 (OMG, they’re doing anime songs. I never thought I’d see the day.)

L-R:Matsui Naoko,Yamazaki Osamu(director),Mizuki Nana,Hata Motohiro(singer),Nishikawa Shigeru(Tada Kaoru’s husband)
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Mizuki Nana & Hirakawa Daisuke voice the leads. Also features Paku Romi.
Radio Show?: Nope.
Comment: There’s been no decent shojo anime to plug the gap that was left by Lovely Complex’s ending 6 months ago so I’m looking forward to this. That’s despite my dislike of the designs which look like someone ran a roller over Irie(the lead male character)’s face. Oh, and I like to spoil people so I can tell you that those two characters in the promo pic do eventually get married in the end.

5 April
Kanokon

In a nutshell: Little boy builds harem consisting of big-boobed fox girls.
Source material: Light novels by Nishino Katsumi
Animation studio: Xebec
Notable staff: Otsku Atsushi is a first-time director, Shuffle! & Minami-ke: Okawari writer Suzuki Masashi is scripting.
Episode count: ?
Music: Ito Tsuyoshi
Opening Theme: PHOSPHOR by Miyazaki Ui
Ending Theme: Koi no Honoo by Sakakibara Yui

L-R(back):Miyazaki Ui,Toyonaga Toshiyuki,Saito Chiwa,Seto Saori
L-R(front):Takeuchi Miyu,Noto Mamiko,Kawasumi Ayako
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Who cares about the rest as long as we have Noto Mamiko & Kawasumi Ayako?
Radio Show?: \[^o^]/ The return of the Mamiko-Ayako radio duo will be hosted at Media Factory Net Radio
Comment: I hope I’m not supposed to be impressed or amused by all those stupid ‘Oops, my clothes suddenly disappeared’ images that feature on the official site. I know what I’m in for with this, so I won’t even bother.

D.C.II S.S – Da Capo II Season 2

In a nutshell: Moar. Harem. Anime!
Source material: Game by Circus.
Animation studio: Feel
Notable staff: It’s the same staff from the first one.
Episode count: 13
Music: Likely to be Kikuya Tomoki again I believe.
Opening Theme: Sakura Amaneku Sekai by yozuca*
Ending Theme: Bokutachi no Yukue by CooRie

L-R(back):Yamaguchi Kappei,Mizuhashi Kaori,Asanuma Shintaro,Ito Shizuka,Kishio Daisuke,Yanase Natsumi
L-R(front):Aoki Sayaka,Nanjo Yoshino,Takagaki Ayahi,Horie Yui,Chihara Minori,Okajima Tae
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-The original cast returns.
Radio Show?: Hatsunejima Nikki at Animate.tv, hosted by Asanuma Shintaro and Nanjo Yoshino.
Comment: I really hope this is the end of the Da Capo franchise, I simply can’t bear anymore of it. I don’t want to see D.C.II S.S.II, or D.C.D.C.

Kamen no Maid Guy

In a nutshell: Two maids protecting two heirs to a fortune. One of the maids is a guy with gnashy teeth and a gleam in his eye.
Source material: Manga by Akai Maruboro
Animation studio: Madhouse
Notable staff: Directed by Sakoi Masayuki (Strawberry Panic, Kaibutsu Ojo)
Episode count: ?
Music: Okubo Kaoru
Opening Theme: Special Life! by KOTOKO
Ending Theme: Wakagai! by Fukuyama Yoshiki

Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-It’s actually got a really excellent cast, with Koyama Rikiya (Hakuoro in Utaware), Iguchi Yuka (Ai-chan in true tears), Toyoguchi Megumi, Sakaguchi Daisuke and Kobayashi Yu.
Radio Show?: Kamen no Maid Guy: Kyosei Gohoji Radio is hosted by Koyama Rikiya & Iguchi Yuka…. man. What an odd couple, Koyama is old enough to be Yukachi’s dad ^^;
Comment: Look, that big intimidating bloke is supposed to be a maid. What other sort of inane rubbish do we have to put up with?

BLASSREITER

In a nutshell: It’s got demons in it. And there’s people who turn into demons too.
Source material: Original
Animation studio: Gonzo
Notable staff: Itani Ichiro (GANTZ) directs.
Episode count: 24
Music: Hibino Norihiko, the man behind the Metal Gear and ZOE games’ music.
Opening Theme: Detarame na Zanzo by GRANRODEO
Ending Theme: sad rain by Misato Aki

L-R(back):Hiyama Nobuyuki,Ohara Sayaka,Nakamura Yuichi
L-R(front):Miyake Kenta,Matsukaze Masaya,Ito Shizuka,Endo Aya
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Oh boy, the Ito-Miyake combo again - their collaborations together must number in the double digits now; Pumpkin Scissors, Hayate, D.Gray-man, Shana, Zoids, .hack//ROOTS etc etc. They’re good friends & also frequent drinking partners, so expect more tales of drunken episodes/assaults in the future.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Wow, the premise is like, sooooo original. And it’s Gonzo - I don’t know if there’s a bigger turn-off than that. Oh yeah, I forgot about the 3D CG. I have an apathy for anything in 3D.

6 April
Net Ghost PiPoPa

In a nutshell: It’s a Digimon-like kids’ show that features a young boy and three freaky looking creatures called Pit, Pot & Pat.
Source material: Original creation by Iwata Naomi
Animation studio: Studio Hibari (Kasimasi, Major)
Notable staff: Kimura Shinichiro is an experienced director, having overseen Popotan, Sugar, Maburaho, Mahoraba & Karin.
Episode count: ?
Music: Iwasaki Motoyoshi (Hamtaro)
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: ?
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-There’s a sort of mini Negima-reunion going on here, with Sato Rina (Negi) and Yabe Masahito (Chamo-kun) among the cast. Shiraishi Ryoko & Arai Satomi round things off.
Radio Show?: Nooooo.
Comment: Uhhhhhhh. No, I do NOT want to watch something that features non-human characters called Pit, Pat & Pot. At least it’s not Shit, Shat & Shot, I suppose.

Zettai Karen Children

In a nutshell: Really Lovely (ESPer) Children.
Source material: Manga by Shiina Takashi
Animation studio: SynergySP (Major 4)
Notable staff: Directed by Kawaguchi Keiichiro (Hayate no Gotoku!, Moetan)
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Over The Future by Karen Girl’s
Ending Theme: Zettai loveXLove Sengen by Hirano Aya, Shiraishi Ryoko & Tomatsu Haruka

Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Hirano, Shiraishi & Tomatsu voice the three main girls. Two of them have appeared in other anime directed by Kawaguchi (Shiraishi in Hayate & Tomatsu in Moetan) and the other (Hirano) was requested by the mangaka, apparently. Nakamura Yuichi, Yusa Koji & Miyake Kenta make up the numbers.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: I guess Powerpuff Girls is the closest comparison? I hated the Powerpuff Girls, I was more of an er… Rugrats kind of kid. There goes my credibility.

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2

In a nutshell: The return of Zero.
Source material: Sequel to the ultra mega-popular Code Geass.
Animation studio: Sunrise
Notable Staff: Directed once again by Taniguchi Goro.
Episode count: 2-cour
Music: Nakagawa Kotaro
Opening Theme: 02 by ORANGE RANGE
Ending Theme: Shiawase Neiro by ORANGE RANGE

L-R: Koshimizu Ami,Fukuyama Jun,Mizushima Takahiro
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-All star cast returns – with some big name additions including Midorikawa Hikaru, Goto Yuko, Hoshi Soichiro & Mizushima Takahiro.
Radio Show?: A brand-new radio show called Code Geass RuruKuru Station will be airing on JOQR starting 5th April at the god-awful hour of 2am. Hosted by Fukuyama Jun (Ruru) and Sakurai Takahiro (Kuru).
Comment: If you don’t know Code Geass, you’ve either: a)Lived under a rock for the last 2 years b)Only started watching anime in 2008 or c)Been deaf, dumb and blind your whole life. But you wouldn’t be reading this if you are…… Anyway, it’s been a long-awaited return for the series, and I’m sure the hype machine is already on overload.

Wagaya no Oinari-sama.

In a nutshell: The adventures of a 1000-year old guardian fox that can’t remember whether it’s male or female.
Source material: Light novels by Shibamura Jun, which won a gold prize in Dengeki’s Novel Prize awards back in 2003.
Animation studio: Zexcs (Sister Princess, Da Capo, Rental Magica)
Notable staff: Directed by Iwasaki Yoshiaki (Bottle Fairy, Zero no Tsukaima), Series composition by Yoshida Reiko (ARIA, Romeo X Juliet, School Rumble)
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: KIZUNA~Harukanaru mono e~ by Hitomisora (Yoshida Hitomi)
Ending Theme: Kaze ga nani ka o iou toshiteru by Hayami Saori

L-R(top): Hayami Saori, Mizushima Takahiro, Shimamura Yu, Ono Daisuke
L-R(front): Nakamura Yuichi, Yukana
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-It’ll certainly be interesting to hear the same character being voiced in its different forms by Yukana & Nakamura, who are incidentally signed to the same agency (Sigma 7).
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Great, just what we needed - another girl/animal hybrid anime. The fact that the light novels won some fancy prize suggests a good back story. Then again, Spice and Wolf was supposed to have that too, but it still bored the eyeballs off me. Let’s wait and see if this is any better…

Nabari no O

In a nutshell: Teenager discovers hidden powers, morphs into king of alternate ninja world (called Nabari)
Source material: Manga by Kamatani Yuhki
Animation studio: J.C.Staff
Notable staff: Directed by Sugishima Kunihisa (Speed Grapher, Yu-Gi-Oh), series composition by Yokote Michiko (Genshiken, xxxHOLiC)
Episode count: ?
Music: Oshima Michiru (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Opening Theme: Crawl by VELTPUNCH
-Holy shiz. Another indie band gone the anime song route. I wonder what sort of song they’ll be putting out for a cartoon, but my guess is that it won’t be of the metal headfcuk type.
Ending Theme: HIKARI by ELISA
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Kugimiya Rie voices a guy. I’m not sure I like that – can they put a bucket over her head or something a-la-Alphonse Elric? ^^;;
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Promo was very nice, and Oshima’s epic score makes me want to watch it, even if I have to put up with lame ninjas.

S.A.~Special A~

In a nutshell: It’s another one of those school-based teenage rom-coms.
Source material: Manga by Minami Maki
Animation studio: AIC (Tenchi) & Gonzo (a whole loada crap). What a recipe for disaster :/
Notable staff: First time Miyao Yoshikazu is directing an entire series. Script by Hanada Jukki (Rozen Maiden, sola)
Episode count: 24
Music: Kaida Shogo & Matsunaga Rie, neither who I’m familiar with.
Opening Theme: Special Days by Goto Yuko
Ending Theme: Hidamari no Gate by Fukuyama Jun, Shimono Hiro, Yonaga Tsubasa & Horie Kazuma (O.M.G. Ready the ear plugs, ppl….)

L-R(back):Takagaki Ayahi,Horie Kazuma,Yonaga Tsubasa
L-R(front):Shimono Hiro,Fukuyama Jun,Goto Yuko,Nabatame Hitomi
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-I just want to say that Fukuyama’s coat in the pic above is nice (if you’re a girl), but the tie has got to go - it’s something I’d reserve for strangling the annoyingly whiny neighbourhood cat.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: I’m actually pretty keen on Special A, with its shojo goodness, non-yaoiness and seiyuu hotness (Horie Kazuma!).

Neo Angelique Abyss

In a nutshell: Holy mother of whatever-freaking-entity-you-wish! Not another harem series! Except it’s in reverse this time………
Source material: Those Neoromance dating sim games by Ruby Party.
Animation studio: Yumeta Company (Harukanaru blabla, Kiniro no Corda)
Notable staff: First time director in Katagai Shin. Scriptwriter Yamada Yuka also worked on Mushishi, Bokura ga Ita and er… Saint October, as well as the other Neoromance games.
Episode count: ?
Music: Nanase Hikaru
Opening Theme: Joy to the World by Takahashi Hiroki, Okawa Toru, Onosaka Masaya & Ono Daisuke
Ending Theme: ? by Tegomass

L-R(back):Yamaguchi Kappei,Kimura Ryohei,Kusunoki Taiten,Nakamura Yuichi,Irino Miyu,Hirakawa Daisuke
L-R(front):Onosaka Masaya,Okawa Toru,Endo Aya,Takahashi Hiroki,Ono Daisuke
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Hooray for Endo Aya as the harem lead.
Radio Show?: To be hosted by Daisukes Ono and Hirakawa at Lantis-net starting 6th April.
Comment: Oh God, no. It’s still a harem show, I don’t care that it’s in reverse; the probability of it sucking is as high as the probability of a US recession within the next 12 months.

7 April
Soul Eater

In a nutshell: Shinigami technicians try to create the ultimate weapon of death.
Source material: Manga by Okubo Atsushi, serialised in Monthly Shonen Gangan
Animation studio: Bones
Notable staff: Directed by Igarashi Takuya (Ouran)
Episode count: ?
Music: Iwasaki Taku
Opening Theme: resonance by T.M. Revolution
Ending Theme: I Wanna Be by Stance Punks

L-R(back):Uchida Yuya,Takahira Narumi,Miyano Mamoru,Watanabe Akeno,Koyama Rikiya
L-R(front):Kobayashi Yumiko,Omigawa Chiaki,Uchiyama Koki,Nazuka Kaori
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Bones’ regular sound director Wakabayashi Kazuhiro hires his golden boy Miyano Mamoru, and adds a good mix of fresh and old voices into the mix. Also appearing but not in the pic above are Okawa Toru, Sakamoto Maaya, Kuwashima Houko and Katou Emiri.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: OK, so the premise sounds ha-ha-laughable plus shinigami are so passe, but having Bones on board means that Soul Eater gets taken more seriously. Still, it’s slated to air for at least a year - I’m hopeful that it’ll turn out to be more Fullmetal Alchemist than Eureka 7. The designs look very stylish.

Vampire Knight

In a nutshell: Bishonen vampires and humans can co-exist in the world of Vampire Knight.
Source material: Manga by Matsuri Hino (runs in Shojo Beat)
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Notable staff: Directed by Sayama Kiyoko (Pretear), series composition by Okada Mari (Simoun, true tears)
Episode count: ?
Music: Haketa Takefumi
-Holy mother of some deity. Haketa Takefumi!! I have fond memories of his Someday’s Dreamer OST and his works with Onitsuka Chihiro.
Opening Theme: Futatsu no Kodo to Akai Tsumi by ON/OFF
Ending Theme: still doll by Wakeshima Kanon

L-R(back):Hoshi Soichiro,Suwabe Junichi,Minagawa Junko,Kitamura Eri,Mizuno Risa,Goda Hozumi
L-R(front):Chiba Susumu,Miyano Mamoru,Horie Yui,Kishio Daisuke,Fukuyama Jun
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Why do half the people in the picture above look incredibly unhappy? Kishio, MinaJun & KitaEri look like particularly pissed off. But anyhow, it’s a pretty awesome cast.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: WTF, DEEN are doing way too many series at one time (5 this season alone). Something’s gotta suffer in terms of animation & this might be it. I’ll give this a go, but in all likeliness will not survive very long

Monochrome Factor

In a nutshell: Slacker high schooler meets mysterious man and inexplicably ends up having to save the world from shadowy monsters or something.
Source material: Manga by Sorano Kairi.
Animation studio: A.C.G.T (KimiAru, Wangan Midnight)
Notable staff: Directed by Sugishima Kunihisa (Speed Grapher, Yu-Gi-Oh), series composition by Yokote Michiko
Episode count: ?
Music: Abo Takeshi & Murakami Jun
Opening Theme: Metamorphose by Asriel
Ending Theme: Awake~Boku no Subete by Ono Daisuke & Kamiya Hiroshi
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Apart from Ono & Kamiya, there’s lots of other heavyweights like Konishi Katsuyuki, Suwabe Junichi, Okiayu Ryotaro, Tamura Yukari & Yoshino Hiroyuki.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Has generic written all over it. It’s a pass from me.

8 April
Uchi no 3-shimai

In a nutshell: A minimalistic (read:flash-animated) slice of life show revolving around 3 sisters who look more like shiitake mushrooms than human beings.
Source material: A manga blog by Matsumoto Pretz
Animation studio: Toei
Notable staff: ?
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Shode!Shode!Dancing by Kudo Mayu
Ending Theme: Tatton Time by Noria
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-The three sisters are at least voiced by names I actually recognise; Otani Ikue (Pikachu in Pokeyman), Kanai Mika (Satoko in Higurashi) and Kawata Taeko (Hisa in ROD TV).
Radio Show?: Nonononononono.
Comment: Another one of those oddly designed, oddly animated shows that nobody will watch.

Real Drive – RD Senno Chosashitsu

In a nutshell: Cyberpunk, virtual networking, data, information, confusion.
Source material: Original creation by Shirow Masamune
Notable staff: Directed by Furuhashi Kazuhiro
Animation studio: Production I.G.
Episode count: 26
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Wanderland by 9mm Parabellum Bullet
-Blimey. 9mmPB doing an anime song!?!! Next thing y’know, NAHT & Ling Tosite Sigure will be doing them too…
Ending Theme: Katahiza no Yogore by LAST ALLIANCE
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-A reasonably experienced cast which includes Nonaka Ai, Kawasumi Ayako and Fujiwara Keiji.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: More Shirow, more nonsense that the common fool like me won’t be able to work out in the head. It’s interesting that Furuhashi’s directing two completely different shows this season, wonder how that’ll work out….

Crystal Blaze

In a nutshell: Futuristic detective story, and apparently features lots of guns and girls and probably lots of liquor too.
Source material: Original creation.
Animation studio: Studio Fantasia (Stratos 4, Agent Aika)
Notable staff: Director, scriptwriter and character designer from Saikano.
Episode count: 12
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Never Looking Back~Sukitooru kokoro de~ by Rie
Ending Theme: que sera sera by TASO
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Miki Shinichiro leads a pretty sizeable cast including Chiba Saeko, Kobayashi Yu, Ueda Yuji, Sawashiro Miyuki & Takahashi Mikako.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: How did ‘Crystal Blaze’ turn into Glass Maiden (its English title)? I see our trusty detective typically has curvy beauties to serve as his assistants - I predict that I am gonna absolutely hate this.

Himitsu -Top Secret-

In a nutshell: 50 years from now, the police utilise brain scanning techniques that can retrieve 5 years’ worth of memories from humans to solve crimes.
Source material: Manga by Shimizu Reiko (Kaguya Hime, Moon Child)
Animation studio: Madhouse
Notable staff: Directed by Aoyama Hiroshi (Rocket Girls), series composition by Suzuki Satoshi (Neuro)
Episode count: ?
Music: Hirano Yoshinori (Ouran, Death Note)
Opening Theme: Kokoro Film by ALvino
Ending Theme: Kemuri by Makichang
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Seki Tomokazu and Namikawa Daisuke head the cast.
Radio Show?: No
Comment: I quite like the sound of the premise, but with the litany of mystery/thriller/detective anime out this season, I fear my brain is gonna die of ‘whodunnit’ overload.

10 April
Kaiba

In a nutshell: A world where memories can be manipulated, purchased and sold. The tale of one dude who wakes up one day without any memories of anything but his own name (Kaiba) and a pendant with the picture of some girl he does not know.
Source material: Original creation
Animation studio: Madhouse
Notable staff: Created & directed by Yuasa Masaaki (Kemonozume)
Episode count: 12
Music: Yoshida Kiyoshi, who appears to be a drummer.
Opening Theme: never by Seira
Ending Theme: Carry Me Away by Seira
-Kagami Seira’s, who’s sung themes for Neuro & Noramimi has decided to be trendy & gotten rid of her surname.

L-R: Noto Mamiko, Kuwashima Houko, Paku Romi
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-3 of the biggest & bestest female seiyuu around.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Erm, what’s all these shows about memories and manipulation and what not? The designs are a bit…off-kilter, but I guess those with a liking for the unconventional non-harem, non-fanservice anime will find plenty to like about Kaiba.

Toshokan Senso

In a nutshell: A group of book soldiers fight the government’s media & information censorship laws.
Source material: A completed series of light novels (4 volumes) by Arikawa Hiro
Animation studio: Production I.G.
Notable staff: Directed by Hamana Takayuki (Wellber, Prince of Tennis)
Episode count: 12 (1-cour)
Music: Kanno Yugo (Da Capo, Hataraki Man)
Opening Theme: Atashi no Machi, Ashita no Machi by Takahashi Hitomi
Ending Theme: changes by Base Ball Bear

L-R(back):Sato Haruo,Ishida Akira,Suzuki Tatsuhisa,Suzumori Kanji
L-R(front):Sawashiro Miyuki,Inoue Marina,Maeno Tomoaki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Inoue Marina leads a talented cast which has already been in place since last year. And they thought they were going to create suspense by announcing it a few weeks before the show aired? Nobody but hardcore Marina fans noticed.
Radio Show?: It seems Toshokan Senso is adopting a rather novel approach - this is the first time I’ve seen a male/female version of a radio show for sure. Kanto Toshokichi Kohoka will be hosted at both Onsen & Animate.tv - the female side by Inoue Marina & Sawashiro Miyuki and the male side by Maeno Tomoaki & Suzuki Tatsuhisa.
Comment: Airing in the noitaminA slot, which has featured popular shows like the Hachikuro series and Nodame Cantabile. OK, so I had few plans to watch this but the fact that Iku is Inoue Marina’s only significant role this season, plus usagijen’s pimping of the show makes me eager to check it out. I should go read the novels at least… when I find the time to anyway :/

Junjo Romantica

In a nutshell: The token BL show of the season.
Source material: Manga by Nakamura Shungiku
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Notable staff: Directed by Kon Chiaki (Higurashi), Goda Hozumi is the sound director.
Episode count: 24
Music: MOKA☆
Opening Theme: Kimi=Hana by pigstar (ahahaha. No, really)
Ending Theme: Baby Romantica by SCRIPT

Hanada Hikaru & Sakurai Takahiro
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Your usual army of male BL drama CD seiyuu (Inoue Kazuhiko, Morikawa Toshiyuki) plus Namiki Noriko, a rose among thorns.
Radio Show?: Hosted by Hanada Hikaru, Ito Kentaro & Kishio Daisuke @ animate.tv
Comment: This is like, my idea of a nightmare. The words ‘BL’ or ‘yaoi’ instantly send me scrambling for cover, burying my head in the sandbox Naruto-style.

11 April
Golgo 13

In a nutshell: An assasin for hire, who has a bit of a way with the ladies. He looks like my granddad.
Source material: Manga by Saito Takao
Animation studio: The Answer Studio Co. (Flag, Transformers)
Notable staff: Directed by Oga Shunji (Mushiking)
Episode count: 50
Music: ?
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: ?

Tachi Hiroshi
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Actor Tachi Hiroshi voices Golgo 13, which frankly, is the only thing about the anime that excites me.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: This was a PASS from the moment I saw the designs, and is made even worse by the fact that it’ll be running for a whole year.

12 April
Kyoran Kazoku Nikki

In a nutshell: The Japanese defence forces keep tabs on a fake family made up of potential world destroyers.
Source material: Light novels written by Akira and illustrated by 6suke
Animation studio: Nomad (Rozen Maiden series, sola)
Notable staff: Scripted by Ikeda Mamiko, who’s worked on all sorts of things from Emma to Keroro Gunso to Midori no Hibi. Character designs are by Koga Makoto, who did the same job for the ARIA and Dokuro-chan series. Director Kuroda Yasuhiro’s background is less illustrious, with Chocotto Sister and Myself;Yourself among his latest works.
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Chosai Kenbo Sengen by MOSAIC.WAV
Ending Theme: Kyoran Senki~Nichijo no Kamisama~ by Fujimura Ayumi (written by Hata Aki)

L-R(back): ?,Hirohashi Ryo,?,Sato Rina,Yasumoto Hiroki,Goto Yuko,Fujita Yoshinori
L-R(front):Hanazawa Kana,Kondo Takayuki,Fujimura Ayumi,Tomatsu Haruka
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-Fujimura Ayumi is awesome as Kyoka, and look out for great turns by Fujita Yoshinori as Ginka and Tomatsu Haruka in a Hirano Aya-esque voice as Ginka’s stalker Chika. And looking at the pic above…. eh? I didn’t know Goto Yuko was in Kyoran.
Radio Show?: Surprisingly, KKN is getting a radio show on JOQR (Bunka Hoso) A&G+ that airs live every Friday 10-11pm starting 4th April. Called Susume! Kyoran Denpa Nikki, it will be hosted by Fujimura Ayumi and Sato Rina. I didn’t think that Kyoran had backers big enough to get it a radio show that wasn’t consigned to the internets.
Comment: The drama CD was fantastically fun, the characters are insane & Ginka will steal the show. You’ve got a lion, jellyfish & human weapon amongst the motley crew FFS. I just know it’s going to end up going absolutely nowhere plotwise, and that’s my kind of show.

20-Menso no Musume / Chico,Heiress of the Phantom Thief

In a nutshell: Chico, female. Heiress to some legendary phantom thief, who very likely does not have 20 faces.
Source material: Manga by Ohara Shinji
Animation studio: Co-production by Bones and TAF
Notable staff: Directed by Tomizawa Nobuo (Futakoi), Series Composition by Tsuchiya Rikei (KimiKiss, Kirarin Revolution)
Episode count: 22
Music: Miyake Kazunori
Opening Theme: Tsubomi by 369
Ending Theme: unnamed world by Hirano Aya

L-R(top):?,Mito Takashi,Okabayashi Fumihiro,?,?
L-R(middle):?,Nakamura Kotaro,(Is that Kishio Daisuke I see??),Toma Yumi,Miyake Kenta,?
L-R(front):Hamada Kenji,Matsukaze Masaya,Hirano Aya,Uchida Yuya,Takeda Masanori
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
Hirano Aya is the lead. That alone should be enough to make people watch it. Otherwise it looks likely to be a male-dominated cast, but Arai Satomi and Sato Rina (not pictured) are also going to be in the show. And by the looks of the cast pic above, I think there’s gonna be a fair bit of episodic stuff in Chico/Chiko.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Depressingly, a lot of the show’s staff also worked on the dreadful Futakoi. I doubt that I’ll have the patience to sit through 22 episodes of this - I’ve noticed my attention span of late only stretches to 1-cour shows whereas I once marathoned all the episodes of stuff like HunterXHunter within a week or two.

19 April
Penguin Musume♥Heart

In a nutshell: 7-minute snippets of the life of a big-boobed otaku high school girl. Lord help us all.
Source material: 4-koma manga by Takahashi Tetsuya
Animation studio: ?
Notable staff: Matsui Hitoyuki (Dokkoida) directs.
Episode count: 22
Music: ?
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: ?

L-R:Kadowaki Maii,Nogawa Sakura,Kataoka Azusa,Ise Mariya,Nanjo Yoshino,Hidaka Rina
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★☆☆☆
-Heavens, Kataoka Azusa voices the main character. I disliked her in Saint October as Kotono (not that there was a lot to like about that show anyway), and of the rest of the cast only Kadowaki Maii appeals. But she appears to be voicing somebody called Mary Chupacabra W. Whitebear, and I’m sure that’s NOT a good sign…
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Most notable for the fact that it’s going to be broadcast on Nico Nico Douga. I have zero desire of watching anything that features kids with overproportioned bodies, especially when I think that it doesn’t tally up with the fact that all my high-school cousins and acquaintances below the age of 15 are flatter than an airport runway, and have more interest in trying to catch the eye of ‘that cute boy in the track & field club’ rather than reading manga, watching anime, playing games and wearing cat ears.

In short:
Eventhough I say I’m gonna pass on stuff like Amatsuki and Kanokon, I have a feeling the masochist in me will insist that I watch at least one episode of everything. Except Junjo Romantica. Not even torture by way of electric chair will make me sit through that. But er well, a shortlist of anime that I consider high priority:
1.Allison to Lillia
2.Toshokan Senso
3.Code Geass R2
4.Itazura na Kiss
5.Kyoran Kazoku Nikki
6.Soul Eater
7.Special A
I am secretly hoping that some of them turn out to be atrocious as I know that trying to keep up with 8-9 shows at a time is impossible :/

Posted on March 21st, 2008 under anime, preview • RSS 2.0 feed • Leave a response, or trackback