j1m0ne’s blog

Here we go again, another load of anime to foist on people who have neither the time nor the will to watch them. Thankfully it’s the winter season, which (my) records show as having been pretty crap for the last five years. So take your pick from Eroge Conversion #1, Bishojo Game Adaptation #456 or Sequel #89. As usual this is a no-frills, plot-free, easy-to-read seasonal anime guide that gives you all the ‘important’ details so you don’t have to go traipsing through various sites trying to find out who sings an opening theme or which studio animated what.

For more detailed, plot orientated season previews, go here or here. I was hoping to get this done before Christmas but new info is pretty slow coming, so there are still a lot of holes to be plugged. Might update this post before the new year is in. Note for the uninitiated - 1-cour = 3 months, 12/13 episodes & so on. Series listed by air dates & times, and I didn’t bother with those that don’t have a confirmed air date or start in February.

12th December
AYAKASHI (OP animation)

In a nutshell: Yet another anime with ‘ayakashi’ in the title. Mysterious powers, battles, annoying girls etc etc
Source material: Game by CROSSNET
Animation studio: Tokyo Kids.
-A mixed bag of past works; Zoids: Fuzors, Gallery Fake & Terra e… that get anybody excited?
Episode count: 12
Music: Hosoi Soshi
Opening Theme: Cloudier Sky by Ayane
Ending Theme: Kagaribi by KAORI

L-R(back):Shimizu Ai, Nogawa Sakura, Matsuki Miyu
L-R(front):Mizuki Nana, Takada Jun (director), Kishio Daisuke
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-It’s an OK cast, they’re all recognisable names but none that make me go ‘Wow’ or ‘Yay’. Sugita Tomokazu, Namikawa Daisuke & Satsuki Yukino are in this one too.
Radio Show?: Miyu to Sakura no Ayakashi R, obviously hosted by Matsuki Miyu & Nogawa Sakura.
Comment: First two episodes didn’t do much for me, but apparently the game is pretty good so I might give it another go depending on how other shows turn out.

28th December
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 -Kurenai no Tsuki-

In a nutshell: If anyone’s still keeping track…. tell me how many sequels & specials there’ve been cos I’ve lost count. This is another hour-long special.
Source material: Visual novel series by Ruby Party
Animation studio: Yumeta Company
Music: Hirano Yoshihisa (Ouran, Meine Liebe)
Episode count: 1
Opening Theme: Unmei no Tsuki wa Kurenai by Takahashi Naozumi, Miyata Kouki & Hoshi Soichiro (Oh noes, Hoshi instead of Seki Tomokazu -_-)
Ending Theme: Gyakufu no Jiku ni Hitori by Miki Shinichiro

-I won’t bother naming those ppl……there’s too many of ‘em!
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-The usual large, mainly male cast.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Presumably Harukanaru will have as many sequels as long as there’s fangirl interest in it.

1st January
Wellber no Monogatari Dai 2-maku

In a nutshell: A sequel to a show nobody watched in the first place.
Source material: Original
Animation studio: TRANS ARTS (Prince of Tennis)
Episode count: 13
Music: Dobashi Akio
Opening Theme: Theme of Wellber by Dobashi Akio
Ending Theme: End of the Dream by E.O.D.
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Takahashi Mikako, Takeuchi Junko, Namikawa Daisuke, Chou, Sugita Tomokazu; great cast - shit anime
Radio Show?: There was one for Season 1, but no news on whether Season 2 will get one.
Comment: I guess the show must have some fans if it warrants a sequel….. guess the talking tanks are one of its USPs.

2nd January
H20~FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND (promo)

In a nutshell: A harem anime with a blind protagonist.
Source material: Visual novel by Makura
Animation studio: ZEXCS (Sister Princess)
Episode count: ?
Music: Fujita Junpei (Elements Garden)
Opening Theme: Katayoku no Icarus by Sakakibara Yui
Ending Theme: Kazahane by Shimotsuki Haruka

L-R:Naruse Mia,Sakurai Harumi,Koshimizu Ami,Tanaka Ryoko,Sakakibara Yui
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Koshimizu Ami voices a male lead for the first time. Then there’s the rest of the game’s cast retained (Naruse Mia etc). Incidentally, Naruse & Sakakibara Yui are two seiyuu who don’t bother to use pseudonyms to differentiate their eroge and anime work…..are those even their real names?
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: See, even blind dudes can assemble a bishojo harem these days. When will we get an obese, pimply, buck-toothed & club-footed protagonist?

3rd January
Rosario + Vampire (CM)

In a nutshell: Harem anime with vampires, witches, werewolves etc etc
Source material: Manga by Ikeda Akihisa. Serialised in Jump Square (formerly in Monthly, then Weekly Shonen Jump)
Animation studio: GONZO
Episode count: 2-cour
Music: Tanaka Kohei (Love Hina, Sakura Taisen) & Hamaguchi Shiroh (various FFs)
Opening Theme: COSMIC LOVE by Mizuki Nana
-I didn’t like what I heard of it in the TV CM.
Ending Theme: Dancing in the velvet moon by Mizuki Nana

L-R(back):Inoue Kikuko, Inoue Norihiro
L-R(front):Fukuen Misato,Kishio Daisuke,Mizuki Nana,Koyama Kimiko
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Also in the show are Koyasu Takehito, Seki Tomokazu, Kugimiya Rie & Chiba Saeko.

Radio Show?: Starting 27th December (Thursdays) on Onsen, hosted by Fukuen Misato & Koyama Kimiko. The radio icon looks really cute……….
Comment: GONZO + harem inspires very little confidence.

4th January
Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de

In a nutshell: Kimiaru - They Are My Noble Masters. That title screams ‘Harem!!!’ already. Think Hayate no Gotoku! with half the humour & twice the fanservice.
Source material: Visual novel by Minato Soft
Animation studio: A.C.G.T (Wangan Midnight, Koi Kaze)
Episode count: 1-cour
Music: Agematsu Noriyasu & Fujima Hitoshi (Elements Garden)
Opening Theme: Hizamazuku made 5-byo dake! by Hashimoto Miyuki
Ending Theme: Butler Switch On! by Goto Yuko

L-R:Asakawa Yuu, Seki Tomokazu, Ito Shizuka, Minamori Shizuka
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-A mix of big names (Seki Tomokazu, Tanaka Rie) and eroge seiyuu.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Anything with the words ‘Goshujin’ or ‘Maid’ in the title tend to get me running in the opposite direction. So with ‘Aruji’ & ‘Shitsuji’……. you get the picture.

Hatenko Yugi

In a nutshell: Girl travels the world with bishonen dudes.
Source material: Manga by Endo Minari
Animation studio: Studio DEEN
Episode count: ?
Music: ZIZZ Studio (Isoe Toshimichi & co.)
Opening Theme: Heartbreaking Romance by Ito Kanako
Ending Theme: Te no Naka no Eien by Hikita Kaori

Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-No change from the drama CD cast it seems. The main trio are Kobayashi, Miki & Sakurai Takahiro a.k.a. Allen Walker, Bak Chan & Yu Kanda (D.Gray-man) ^^;; If it fully follows the drama CD, then the likes of Koyasu Takehito, Nakahara Mai, Shimono Hiro & Neya Michiko should also appear.
Radio Show?: Hatenko Radio, hosted at animate.tv by Kobayashi & Miki - one freaky pairing on paper but it works pretty well IRL actually.
Comment: The premise doesn’t sound very exciting to me, but you never know. I’ll give it a few episodes….

Zenryoku Usagi

In a nutshell: The life and times of a group of hard-working construction building rabbits.
Source material: Manga by Ikeda Kei
Animation studio: TMS Entertainment (Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Kenichi)
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: Zenryoku Dash! by Zenryoku DG Parsons
Ending Theme: Zenryoku no Uta by Zenryoku DG Parsons
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Most of the talent pool is from 81produce, with a bunch of very experienced seiyuu such as Araki Kae, Takagi Wataru & Mitsuishi Kotono. However, the main character is voiced by Aoyama Toko whose biggest role appears to be somebody in Digimon Tamers….
Radio Show?: No
Comment: Details are very sketchy at the moment. I’m not quite sure who the target audience for this kind of stuff is.

5th January
MAJOR 4th Season

In a nutshell: I had no idea MAJOR was still going on.
Source material: Manga by Mitsuda Takuya
Animation studio: Studio Hibari
Episode count: 26
Music: Asakura Noriyuki
Opening Theme: RISE by Otomo Kohei
Ending Theme: ONE DAY by THE LOOSE DOGS
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Morikubo Showtaro, Sasamoto Yuko, Paku Romi, Kusao Takeshi & Hoshi Soichiro are amongst the big names in the large, top-notch cast.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: I’m pretty sure there’s some people out there who’ve watched those three seasons and are hungry for more…..

PERSONA -trinity soul- (trailer)

In a nutshell: Sci-fi/supernatural show featuring undead thingies.
Source material: Persona 3, the PS3 game
Animation studio: A-1 Pictures (Oofuri)
Episode count: ?
Music: Iwasaki Taku
Opening Theme: Breakin’ through by Kita Shuhei
Ending Theme: SUICIDES LOVE STORY by Kitade Nana

L-R(back):Nakahara Mai,Tasaka Hideki,Asumi Kana
L-R(front):Koyasu Takehito,Okamoto Nobuhiko,Sawashiro Miyuki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Reunites the sola duo of Okamoto (Yorito) & Nakahara (Aono). Namikawa Daisuke, Kobayashi Sanae, Takagi Motoki & Tobita Nobuo are also in the cast.
Radio Show?: Persona Radio hosted by Okamoto Nobuhiko & Koyasu Takehito.
Comment: Preview looks OK, but 26 episodes is maybe too lengthy for me.

Zoku.Sayonara Zetsubo-sensei

In a nutshell: 絶望した！
Source material: Manga by Kumeta Koji
Animation studio: Shaft
Episode count:13
Music: Hasegawa Tomoki
Opening Theme: Kuso Rumba by Otsuki Kenji & Zetsubo Shojo-tachi (Nonaka Ai, Inoue Marina, Kobayashi Yu, Shintani Ryoko, Sawashiro Miyuki)
Ending Theme: Multiple ending themes - the main one is Marionette by ROLLY & Zetsubo Shojo-tachi, but this time it’s the other girls who get a chance at the limelight - Kiri, Matoi, Mataro, Abiru & Fujiyoshi Harumi.

L-R(top):Ueda Yoji,Mizushima Takahiro
L-R(middle):Kobayashi Yu,Yajima Akiko,Shintani Ryoko,Goto Yuko,Sanada Asami,Tanii Asuka
L-R(front):Matsuki Miyu,Inoue Marina,Kamiya Hiroshi,Nonaka Ai,Sawashiro Miyuki
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-Cast is retained, with a few new additions including Sugita Tomokazu as Ikkyu-san (that is, if it follows the drama CD cast).
Radio Show?: SZBH, the best anime radio show of 2007 is still running. Hosted by Kamiya Hiroshi & Shintani Ryoko.
Comment: Apart from Ikkyu-san, Kino Kuniya-kun and Okusa Manami get introduced this time too - looking forward to it.

true tears (promo)

In a nutshell: Harem anime… with lots of tears?
Source material: Visual novel by Lacryma
Animation studio: First time outing for P.A.Works.
Episode count: 13
Music: Kikuchi Hajime
-How surprising. The songwriting half of eufonius’ first venture into anime music composing.
Opening Theme: Reflectia by eufonius
-I loooooooooooooveeeee this song. But then…. I like most of eufonius’ stuff anyway.
Ending Theme: Sekai no Namida by Yuki Aira

Clockwise(from top left): Ishii Makoto, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Iguchi Yuka, Takagaki Ayahi, Nazuka Kaori.
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Young, maybe not so well known but still a solid cast.
Radio Show?: true tears is Chara Radio’s special feature for December, and I’ve already covered it in detail elsewhere. Continuation of the radio show on Bandai’s Beat Net Radio.
Comment: Long overdue, but is it worth the wait? OK, so the radio show has done its job and piqued my interest in the anime so I’ll give it a go.

Shigofumi (promo)

In a nutshell: Depressing tale about death - how would you feel if you received a letter from a dead person?
Source material: Light novels by Amamiya Ryo
Animation studio: J.C.Staff
Episode count: 6
Music: Nanase Hikaru
Opening Theme: Kotodama by ALI PROJECT
Ending Theme: Chain by Snow*

Clockwise from top left:Sendai Eri, Yonaga Tsubasa, Matsuoka Yuki, Sato Tatsuo (director), Ueda Kana
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
Radio Show?: Maruhi Nippo, hosted by Ueda Kana & Asano Masumi at Bandai’s Beat Net Radio.
Comment: Maybe a bit too similar to Shinigami no Ballad. And I don’t care for soppy tales really, I am a cold fish.

6th January
Porfy no Nagai Tabi

In a nutshell: World Masterpiece Theatre time again.
Source material: A french novel (Les Orphelins de Simitra) by Paul-Jacques Bonzon
Animation studio: Nippon Animation
Episode count: 52
Music: MOKA☆ (aka Konishi Kayo & Kondo Yukio)
Opening Theme: Porfy no Nagai Tabi by Ikuko
Ending Theme: Kimi e to Tsuzuku Michi by Da Capo

L-R: Shimamoto Sumi, Fujimura Ayumi, Kaida Yuki, Inoue Kazuhiko
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Solid cast. Not enough to make me want to watch it though.
Radio Show?: About as likely as snow in the Sahara desert.
Comment: I don’t have the patience to watch a year’s worth of some heart-warming story (with twists & turns) about a bunch of orphans. I doubt most people do either…..

Minami-ke: Okawari

In a nutshell: More crazy antics from the Minami sisters + friends
Source material: Manga by Sakuraba Coharu (Kyo no 5 no 2)
Animation studio: asread (Shuffle!)
Episode count: 13
Music: Watanabe Takeshi
Opening Theme: Kokoro no Tsubasa by Satou Rina, Inoue Marina & Chihara Minori
Ending Theme: Sono Koe ga Kikitakute by Satou Rina, Inoue Marina & Chihara Minori
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-Same cast again, though I guess the neighbouring Minamis (Toma + co.) will get more airtime.

L-R:Chihara Minori,Inoue Marina,Satou Rina
Radio Show?: Still Minakike, still hosted by the three sisters.
Comment: Technically not a new anime, just the continuation of an excellent first half. asread have a huge task on their hands in keeping up the good work done by Doumu so far. I’m just thankful that they turned Kana’s hair back to black from that awful reddish brown shade that was seen in early promo pics.

7th January
ARIA THE ORIGINATION

In a nutshell: Sequel to a sequel to a sequel to a sequel.
Source material: Manga by Amano Kozue
Animation studio: Hal Film Maker
Episode count: 1-cour
Music: Choro Club & Senoo Takeshi
Opening Theme: Spirale by Makino Yui
Ending Theme: Kin no Nami, Sen no Nami by Arai Akino
-Fear not, ROUND TABLE are doing some insert songs….

L-R:Kawakami Tomoko,Hirohashi Ryo,Sato Junichi(director),Mizuhashi Kaori,Hazuki Erino,Ohara Sayaka,Saito Chiwa,Minagawa Junko
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-The usual cast we’ve all come to know and love(?). In the pic above, they’re lining up by company; from left to right - Orange Planet, ARIA Company & Himeya.
Radio Show?: ARIA THE STATION Tricolore is the current incarnation (after Due & INFORMALE) & has been running for 8-9 months now. Hosted by Hazuki Erino (Akari) & Nishimura Chinami (Aria-shacho) over at Onsen and animate.tv.
Comment: Do I want to watch this? Of course I bloody do. The banner of this blog already shouts ARIA, does it not? Too bad slice-of-life doesn’t appeal to a lot of people.

GUNSLINGER GIRL -IL TEATRINO-

In a nutshell: A sequel to the girls-with-guns action anime.
Source material: Manga by Aida Yu
Animation studio: Artland, who animated the wonderful Mushishi and the not-so-wonderful Happiness!
Episode count: 13 (+2 DVD)
Music: Otani Ko (Haibane Renmei, Shana)
Opening Theme: Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi by KOKIA
Ending Theme: doll by Lia & Tada Aoi
-Now that is one strange matchup. Everyone should be familiar with Tada as Ed in Cowboy Bebop, plus Lia is the Lia who sang AIR’s Tori no Uta.

L-R: Mizuno Risa, Shiono Anri, Akutsu Kana (WTF is up with those pink tights?), Enomoto Atsuko, Hanazawa Kana
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-I knew it would happen, but that doesn’t make the pain hurt any less. They’ve replaced the entire fukking cast. So no Sendai Eri, no Kiuchi Hidenobu, no Mitsuhashi Kanako & most of all NO NANRI YUUKA. Yay. Still, not many would’ve heard of those seiyuu when GG first aired. I already know 4 of the 5 leads this time out so it’s not that bad - casting Enomoto Atsuko as Triela pleases me anyhow.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: I loved the original so despite the wholesale changes I’m likely to watch this anyway - just keeping the expectations low.

8th January
Okami to Koshinryo (LQ promo)

In a nutshell: Spice and Wolf……. that’s not very catchy is it??
Source material: Light novel by Hasekura Isuna, which won a silver prize in the Dengeki Novel Prizes back in 2005.
Animation studio: IMAGIN
-You have no idea how underwhelmed I am to learn that the people behind this produced Cosprayers, Love Love and Hit o Nerae!
Episode count: 12
Music: Yoshino Yuji (.hack//DUSK, Brigadoon)
Opening Theme: Tabi no Tochu by Kiyoura Natsumi (singer of Sketchbook OP)
Ending Theme: Ringo Hiyori~The Wolf Whistling Song~ by ROCKY CHACK (singers of Zegapain ED)

L-R(top): Ayakura Ju (illustator), Hasekura Isuna (creator), Takahashi Takeo (director), Arakawa Naruhisa (scriptwriter)
L-R(front): Fukuyama Jun, Koshimizu Ami, Nakahara Mai
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★☆
-Nazuka Kaori (not pictured) is also part of the cast. Don’t they realise how stupid they look with all those brooms….Also, you may not see it in the pic above but Fukuyama & Amisuke are wearing almost identical boots ^^;;;
Radio Show?: Yeah, hosted by Fukuyama & Koshimizu at animate.tv - it kinda bored me cos both seiyuu are pretty bland & boring.
Comment: Let’s see if IMAGIN can pull their thumbs out of their asses and produce something good from such promising source material.

Noramimi

In a nutshell: Heartwarming family-oriented story, with pretty simplistic (read crap) character designs
Source material: Manga by Hara Kazuo
Animation studio: TMS Entertainment
Episode count: ?
Music: ?
Opening Theme: ?
Ending Theme: roundabout by Kagami Seira
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-Well, there’s Katou Nanae who’s spent most of her career voicing small/cute/non-human thingies. Also includes the two young Eris Nakao & Kitamura, plus one Shiraishi Minoru.
Radio Show?: No
Comment: I’ve heard the manga isn’t bad, but I doubt this kind of thing is likely to appeal to gaijin otaku.

10th January
Hakaba Kitaro

In a nutshell: The original version of Gegege no Kitaro.
Source material: Manga by Mizuki Shigeru
Animation studio: Toei Animation
Episode count: ?
Music: Wada Kaoru
Opening Theme: Mononoke Dance by Denki Groove
Ending Theme: snow tears by Nakagawa Shoko

L-R(back):Fujimoto Takahiro,Okawa Toru,Sato Masaharu,Hori Hideyuki,Hirai Keiji,Otomo Ryuzaburo
L-R(front):Nozawa Masako,Tanonaka Isamu,Otsuka Chikao
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★☆☆
-A lot of oldies, including Nozawa Masako (Son Goku). Shoko-tan is also part of the cast as Neko.
Radio Show?: No.
Comment: Never watched any Gegege in my life, so Hakaba is off my radar.

14th January
Moegaku★5

In a nutshell: An edutainment show - learn 5 ‘foreign’ languages, anime style.
Source material: English language learning dating sim.
Animation studio: AIC Spirits (Tokyo Majin, Girls Bravo)
Episode count: -
Music: -
Opening Theme: -
Ending Theme: -
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
-Well, there’s Hirano Aya… and er…..hmmm. That’s the only name I recognise….
Radio Show?: ….Well, it’s possible but rather pointless.
Comment: Apart from the fact that Hirano Aya is in it, I can’t imagine how anyone with half a brain would really want to watch Moegaku. Though I might seek it out to see how my native tongue (Chinese) has been decimated….

Yatterman (CM #1,#2,#3)

In a nutshell: An update of the popular 70s kids’ show.
Source material: Brainchild of the legendary Yoshida Tatsuo
Animation studio: Tatsunoko Production
Episode count: 70
Music: Jinbo Masaaki & Yamamoto Masayuki
Opening Theme: Yatterman’s Song by Onyakichi Saemon
Ending Theme: diverge by mihimaru GT

L-R(back):Girl in suit #1,Yoshino Hiroyuki,Ito Shizuka,Girl in suit #2
L-R(front):Takahashi Chiaki,Ohara Noriko,Nishioka Sumiko (PR girl),Yamadera Koichi
Seiyuu Power Rating: ★★★★★
-A mix of the old and new; Ohara Noriko (Nobita in Doraemon), Yanami Joji, Takiguchi Junpei & Tatekabe Kazuya reprise their roles from the original series. Throw in a bunch of younger, hip seiyuu and you have a winning combination.
Radio Show?: No
Comment: The original was 108 episodes long(!) Anyway, this sort of show tends to be popular in Japan with its family-friendly nature… which probably means it’s not for me.

The things I want to watch are all sequels (ARIA, Okawari, Zoku.SZBS, GG:IT). Nothing else looks awe-inspiring, though I’m hoping something like Hatenko Yugi or true tears might spring some surprises. Could be a nice time to shift my attention to dorama like Hachikuro or 1-Pound no Fukuin instead.

(22 Dec, 0828) EDIT: fixing some minor errors…..

Posted on December 22nd, 2007 under anime • RSS 2.0 feed • Leave a response, or trackback