j1m0ne's blog

The large number of posts containing the words ‘winter’ or ‘preview’ flooding Anime Nano these few days is pretty amusing… and despite promising not to do season guides ever again, I’ve predictably reversed my decision, sort of.

I’m only doing full guides for the spring and autumn anime, as winter always sucks and nobody makes good anime for the summer either. For these crappy seasons, I’m going to cover the music and seiyuu bits in a little more detail. I suggest checking out the following blogs for more in-depth coverage of the anime itself:

Hashihime | Tenka Seiha | THAT Anime Blog

On to the guide.

Quick Jump: Akikan! | Asu no Yoichi! | Birdy the Mighty DECODE:02 | Druaga no To~The Sword of URUK~ | Genji Monogatari Sennenki | Hajime no Ippo New Challenger | Hetalia Axis Powers | Kemono no Soja Erin | Kokaku no Regios | Kurokami The Animation | MAJOR 5th Season | Maria†Holic | Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Season | Minami-ke Okaeri | Rideback | Shikabane Hime Kuro | Slayers EVOLUTION-R | Sora o Kakeru Shojo | Sora o Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai | VIPER’S CREED | WHITE ALBUM | Zoku Natsume Yujincho

Akikan! [アキカン！]

Episode one was just full of lol. It’s been a while since I’ve surrendered my brain to watching something as dumb as Akikan! (Inukami was the last one maybe?).

Cast: Fukuyama Jun, Narita Sayaka, Toyosaki Aki, Noto Mamiko, Yuki Aoi, Okubo Aiko, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Okiayu Ryotaro, Toyoguchi Megumi.
-Fukuyama and Okiayu are on top comedic form as usual.
Web Radio: Melon.Najimi no Sparkling☆KISS hosted by Narita Sayaka & Toyosaki Aki
Opening: Miracle Plan ga Dekichatta! by Charmmy Queen
Ending: [Untitled] by Nomico
-Charmmy Queen are Lantis’ new idol group or something, but judging by the song names and artists, I bet both songs will be irritating as hell.

Asu no Yoichi! [明日のよいち！]

Hooray token harem anime. Actually, Kurata Hideyuki (R.O.D., Kamichu!, Kannagi) is writing this so it may not turn out to be that bad.

Cast: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Sato Rina, Tomatsu Haruka, Hanazawa Kana, Tamura Yukari, Nakai Kazuya, Asanuma Shintaro, Konishi Katsuyuki, Yahagi Sayuri
-Okamoto is like Shimono Hiro Mk.II, which means he’s perfect to voice harem leads. Otherwise, there’s the usual bunch of moe-voiced seiyuu to fill the tsundere, loli etc etc roles.
Web Radio: Asu no Yoichi Radio hosted by Okamoto Nobuhiko & Sato Rina.
-Okamoto is a very entertaining person as I learnt from Persona radio. He’s so high tension and talks weird a lot of the time…
Opening: Egao no Riyuu by meg rock
Ending: Life and Proud by Misato Aki
-I was expecting a theme song by the four female seiyuu but… ah well, meg rock is not a bad substitute.

Birdy the Mighty DECODE:02 [鉄腕バーディー DECODE]

No comment on the anime, didn’t watch any of the first season.

Cast: Chiba Saeko, Irino Miyu, Ito Kanae, Fujiwara Keiji, Nazuka Kaori, Matsukaze Masaya, Kawasumi Ayako, Sugo Takayuki, Asanuma Shintaro, Ono Atsushi, Kaida Yuko, Ginga Banjo, Miyata Koki, Shiraishi Ryoko, Shimaka Yu
-I like how Asanuma (blonde dude) totally looks like a psycho killer.
Web Radio: Tetsuwan Birdy DECODE:R hosted by Irino Miyu & Chiba Saeko
-Dull as hell.
Opening: [Untitled] by Nirgilis
Ending: Tane by No Sleeves
-At least Birdy always manages to get good opening and ending themes… or so I thought. No Sleeves (no3b for short) is an offshoot of idol group AKB48.

Druaga no To~The Sword of URUK~

More MMORPG goodness? I wish they’d make the entiere anime more like the first episode of the first season, that was awesome.
Cast: KENN, Orikasa Fumiko, Sakurai Takahiro, Horie Yui, Hayamizu Risa, Goda Hozumi, Chihara Minori, Ishida Akira, Yasumoto Hiroki, Hashi Takaya, Yajima Akiko, Yukana, Terasoma Masaki, Mizuno Risa
-It’s the same cast, which means more KENN. Yum. Also, I am always terrified when an anime has both
a) Hayamizu Risa (早水 リサ) & Mizuno Risa (水野 理紗)
or
b) Kaida Yuko (甲斐田 裕子) & Kaida Yuki (甲斐田 ゆき)
in it. My brain just can’t straighten out who’s who…

Web Radio: Tocho!! Druaga hosted by KENN & Orikasa Fumiko
Opening: Questions? by Nakamura Yu
Ending: Mahou Tsukai desukedo. by Orikasa Fumiko
-Lol, Nakamura Yu. Can’t forget her original song on Sakux2 LMAO (see video below). Questions? will be her solo CD debut and I really want to buy it just because she’s so adorable on Sakux2 :3
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Genji Monogatari Sennenki [源氏物語千年紀Genji]

Genji is an anime adaptation of a book not meant for unrefined brains such as mine ie. this is supposed to be impressive and artsy but I’ll be damned if I understand a single thing! Plus it’s supposed to be all about the romance, which is a huge turn-off for me.

Cast: Sakurai Takahiro, Fujita Toshiko, Endo Aya, Tamagawa Sakiko, Horiuchi Kenyuu, Sugita Tomokazu, Hirata Eriko, Tsuru Hiromi
-Delicious cast. I can’t quite remember the last time Tsuru had a decent role. Probably Trigun’s Meryl Stryfe, and that was ten long years ago…
Opening: Hiyori Hime by PUFFY
Ending: Koi by Atari Kosuke
-Both look like winning songs to me - Hiyori Hime is written by the almighty Shiina Ringo.

Hajime no Ippo New Challenger [はじめの一歩 New Challenger]

Nearly 10 years in the boxing anime franchise now; the first Hajime no Ippo anime aired in 2000.

Cast: Kiyasu Kohei, Koyama Rikiya, Takagi Wataru, Fujiwara Keiji, Seki Tomokazu, Horiuchi Kenyu
-They’ve managed to bring back the original cast - Kiyasu is still such a shexxxy boy after all these years :3 And all the rest have turned into ossan.
Opening: HEKIREKI by LAST ALLIANCE
Ending: 8AM by coldrain
-Ippo gets +1 points for cool indie band factor.

Hetalia Axis Powers [ヘタリア Axis Powers]

Actually went to check out some of the web manga and it’s not bad, pretty amusing by my admittedly low standards.

Cast: Namikawa Daisuke, Yasumoto Hiroki, Takahashi Hiroki, Konishi Katsuyuki, Sugiyama Noriaki, Onosaka Masaya, Sasanuma Akira, Takato Yasuhiro, Takeuchi Ken, Neya Michiko, Paku Romi, Kaida Yuki, Kugimiya Rie, Inoue Go, Tanaka Kazutada, Kosaka Atsushi, Kanada Aki, Konno Jun
-The anime’s got a who’s who list of BL drama male seiyuu. And Kugimiya Rie. And oh, Onosaka… I’d at least try to watch anything he’s in. Just look at his fruity shirt (dude sitting down on the far right).
Theme song: Marukai de Chikyuu by Namikawa Daisuke
-My god. The guy can’t sing, y’know.

Kemono no Soja Erin [獣の奏者エリン]

NHK anime = mildly pleasant but often outstay their welcome. The original light novels are written by Moribito’s Uehashi Naoko, but I seriously don’t think many people would be willing to commit to a year’s worth of Erin.

Cast: Hoshii Nanase, Hirata Eriko, Tani Ikuko, Takahashi Mikako, Ishida Akira, Kusunoki Taiten, Hanawa Eiji, Kawamoto Naru
-Hahaha. Hoshii Nanase. Hahahahaha. Gosh, I hope her voice acting is better than her singing.
Opening: Shizuku by Sukimaswitch
Ending: After the rain by cossami
-No idea who cossami are, but I obviously need to check them out - some of the stuff on their myspace page sounds good. Sukimaswitch songs almost always sound the same, so expect a mid-tempo happy pop song.

Kokaku no Regios [鋼殻のレギオス]

Emo boy tries to save world! This totally sounds like something I wouldn’t want to watch…

Cast: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Takagaki Ayahi, Nakahara Mai, Taniyama Kisho, Koyasu Takehito, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Takahashi Mikako, Ohgame Asuka, Sendai Eri, Oura Fuyuka, Iijima Hajime, Koshimizu Ami, Toriumi Kosuke, Kano Yui, Suwabe Junichi, Kirii Daisuke, Watanabe Akeno
-I just want to check out Ohgame Asuka.
Web Radio: Regios no Radio’su! hosted by Okamoto Nobuhiko & Taniyama Kisho.
Opening: Brave Your Truth by Daisy X Daisy
Ending: Yasashii Uso by Chrome Shelled
-As mentioned before, Daisy X Daisy’s MiKa is Mizuki Nana’s sister. Chrome Shelled is sort of like a Visual Rock supergroup, featuring members who used to be in DASEIN, Filter Fish and Ayabie. There will also be alternate versions of the ED featuring the three main female seiyuu Takagaki Ayahi, Nakahara Mai & Takahashi Mikako.

Kurokami The Animation [黒神 The Animation]

Based on a manhwa. The last time I tried to watch something based on a manhwa (Shin Angyo Onshi) I nearly puked, so I dearly hope this one is better.

Cast: Shitaya Noriko, Namikawa Daisuke, Oura Fuyuka, Ohara Sayaka, Tamura Yukari, Nakata Joji, Hino Satoshi
-It seems ages since Norinori had a lead role. Since Kannazuki no Miko in fact…
Web Radio: Kurokami~Radio System~ hosted by Namikawa Daisuke, Shitaya Noriko & Ohara Sayaka
Opening: sympathizer by Kuribayashi Minami
Ending: Irodori no nai Sekai by Yosei Teikoku

MAJOR 5th season

Oh hey, MAJOR is still around. I’m no baseball fan at all, but I’d really rather have more Oofuri to tell the truth…

Cast: Morikubo Shotaro, Morita Masakazu, Namikawa Daisuke, Sasamoto Yuko, Noda Junko, Sakuya Shunsuke
Opening: Hey! Hey! Alright by Scha Dara Parr & Kimura Kaela
Ending: Stay with me by Shimatani Hitomi
-The collaboration between rapper Scha Dara Parr & Kimura Kaela has already generated quite a bit of attention so I do want to check that one out.

Maria†Holic [まりあ†ほりっく]

I read some of the manga way back a year ago just before the drama CD came out and quite liked it back then. That’s why the dorm leader and Yonakuni have been decorating the top level of atemonai.com… Episode 1 stuck to the manga fairly faithfully but goodness knows if that will continue, this is SHAFT after all.

Cast: Kobayashi Yu, Sanada Asami, Inoue Marina, Kanda Akemi, Shintani Ryoko, Sawashiro Miyuki, Goto Saori, Kaida Yuko, Matsuki Miyu, Toyoguchi Megumi, Sugita Tomokazu, Takada Hatsumi
-SHAFT favourites dominate the cast, with a strong Zetsubo-sensei flavour - which might explain why Hirano Aya is absent from the list, replaced by Sanada (Matoi in Zetsubo). I think Asa-nee actually does a better job of Kanako than Hirano did on the drama CD, and Yu & Marina are at their foul-mouthed best.
Web Radio: Ame no Kisaki Hosobu hosted by Kobayashi Yu and Sanada Asami
-One word. CHAOS.
Opening: HANAJI by Kobayashi Yu
Ending: Kimi ni, Mune Kyun. by Ame no Kisaki Shojo Gasshodan (Kobayashi Yu, Sanada Asami, Inoue Marina)
-I lol’ed for days upon learning that the ending was a cover of the YMO song. I wish they would produce a PV that’s similar to the original’s (see video below)! This version is actually pretty good from what I can hear of it. And HANAJI’s PV looks hideous…
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Maria-sama ga Miteru: 4th season [マリア様がみてる 4thシーズン]

Long-time fans will shriek with joy, yuri haters will… well, continue being yuri haters.

Cast: Ueda Kana, Ito Miki, Ikezawa Haruna, Ito Shizuka, Nabatame Hitomi, Noto Mamiko, Kugimiya Rie, Shimizu Kaori, Koshimizu Ami, Sato Rina, Saito Chiwa, Shinohara Emi, Toyoguchi Megumi, Inoue Marina, Kawasumi Ayako, Koyama Rikiya
-Inoue Marina is the most significant addition to the cast as Naito Shoko. I really hope the Tsutako-Shoko arc is handled well…
Web Radio: Maria-sama ga Miteru radio hosted by Ueda Kana with regular guests.
Opening: Chizu Sanpo by kukui
Ending: Kumori Glass no Mukou by Hikita Kaori
-Gotta say I’m surprised Katakura Mikiya/AliPro have been ditched for the theme songs this season, but it’s a welcome change nevertheless. kukui have been dormant for too long!

Minami-ke: Okaeri [みなみけ おかえり]

The cast from the first season return - yes, that means the Minami brothers too \[^o^]/ But sadly the staff of the second season also return… uh, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic. Just keep Fuyuki away and things will be A-OK.

Cast: Sato Rina, Inoue Marina, Chihara Minori, Mizuki Nana, Morinaga Rika, Kakihara Tetsuya, Ono Daisuke, Asanuma Shintaro, Kawada Shinji, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Hayama Tatsuya, Takagi Reiko, Ono Ryoko, Chiba Saeko, Goto Saori, Takahashi Ao, Kitamura Eri, Toyosaki Aki, Ohara Momoko
-Oh how I missed the Minami-ke cast! Love the Rina-Marina-Minorin combination… and oh, Takagi Reiko, who voices Maki, sure is short (she’s the one with the fugly short black socks and sandals combo).
Web Radio: Minami-ke Okaeri radio [tentative title] hosted by Sato Rina, Inoue Marina & Chihara Minori (to update in January).
Opening: Keikenchi Soku Jojo↑↑ by Sato Rina, Inoue Marina, Chihara Minori
Ending: Zettai Colorful Sengen by Sato Rina, Inoue Marina, Chihara Minori
-As I mentioned before, the opening title is a cross between Season 1 OP Keikenchi Joshochu and mihimaru GT’s Kibun Jojo↑↑, while the ED is possibly Colorful Days meets Zettai lovexlove Sengen!! (Zettai Karen Children ED1). The opening seems catchy enough from the bits heard in the trailer.

Rideback [ライドバック]

It has a girl and a motorbike, but I’m guessing it’s not going to turn out like Kino no Tabi. Might make a good watch if I picked anime based on vocal talent alone.
Cast: Mizuki Nana, Paku Romi, Koyama Rikiya, Matsumoto Megumi, Toyoguchi Megumi, Ueda Yuji, Suyama Akio, Miki Shinichiro, Hayamizu Risa, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Kiuchi Hidenobu, Kobayashi Sanae, Shibata Hidekatsu, Sonozaki Mie
-The cast list that most impresses me this season.
Opening: RIDEBACK by MELL
Ending: Kioku by Younha feat. GOKU
-So it seems Younha hasn’t fallen off the edge of the planet after all.

Shikabane Hime Kuro [屍姫 玄]

Apparently, people are still watching this.
Cast: Akiyama Nana, Hasome Tatsuya, Nakamura Chise, Fujiwara Keiji, Kikuchi Mika, Chiba Saeko, Kawashima Tokuyoshi etc

Web Radio: D side hosted by Fuijwara Keiji & Akiyama Nana, and S side hosted by Nakamura Chise & Kikuchi Mika.
-[deadpan]I thought Akiyama and Hasome were fantastic in the lead roles - they channeled the concept of shikabane perfectly [/deadpan].

Slayers EVOLUTION-R [スレイヤーズEVOLUTION-R]

I enjoy watching the odd episode of Slayers to remind me just how much I loved ’90s anime!

Cast: Hayashibara Megumi, Matsumoto Yasunori, Midorikawa Hikaru, Suzuki Masami, Kobayashi Yumiko
Opening: Front breaking by Hayashibara Megumi
Ending: Sunadokei by Hayashibara Megumi
-Nothing compares to KUJIKENAIKARA…

Sora o Kakeru Shojo [宇宙をかける少女]

Mai-Idol-Hime-Master-Zwei?
Cast: MAKO, Endo Aya (S.ifr), Makino Yui, Fukuyama Jun, Nonaka Ai, Kuroda Takaya, Tamura Yukari (HiME), Yukana (HiME, Otome, S.ifr), Nanri Yuuka (HiME), Saito Momoko, Nakahara Mai (HiME, Otome), Shindo Naomi (HiME, Otome), Kikuchi Mika (Otome), Koshimizu Ami (Otome, S.ifr), Yahagi Sayuri, Kitamura Eri (S.ifr), COON, Shimono Hiro, Kimura Akiko (HiME, Otome, S.ifr), Ishida Akira (HiME, Otome, S.ifr), Ono Daisuke, Ginga Banjo, Kano Yui & Sawashiro Miyuki (Otome).
-Kerrazy, bloated cast. SoraKake picks its voice talent mostly from the Mai-HiME franchise and mixes in some from IDOLM@STER XENOGLOSSIA & adding in a few new names.
Web Radio: Sora o Kakeru Radio hosted by MAKO
Opening: Rara Eve Shinseiki by ALI PROJECT
Ending: Sora wa Shojo no Tomodachi sa by MAKO, Endo Aya & Makino Yui
-The main seiyuu trio couldn’t be more different in their vocal style and it’ll be interesting (or amusing) to see how the song turns out. Hopefully not like the Sekirei OP though =_=

Sora o Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai [空を見上げる少女の瞳に映る世界]

aka New Munto, cos the name is just too damn long.
Cast from previous KyoAni shows: Aizawa Mai (Lucky Star), Ono Daisuke (Air, Haruhi), Konno Hiromi (Lucky Star), Mizuhara Kaoru (Lucky Star), Shiraishi Minoru (Lucky Star), Matsumoto Megumi (Haruhi), Hiramatsu Hirokazu (Lucky Star), Inoue Kikuko (Lucky Star, CLANNAD)
-The cast is essentially the Lucky Star jobbers or Kyoto Animation favourites plus seiyuu plucked out of Ga-Rei - the two shows share the same producer (Ito Atsushi) & sound director (Tsuruoka Yota).
Those who were in Ga-Rei: Aizawa, Mizuhara, Shiraishi, Hiramatsu, Matsumoto + Takahashi Shinya, Horikawa Chika, Wakamoto Norio, Inada Tetsu, Tsuchiya Maki, Tanaka Ryoko
The truly new names: Endo Hiroyuki (遠藤広之), Saito Fuko (斉藤楓子), Uchida Aya (内田 彩) are all unknowns signed to JTB Entertainment, whose biggest name is Ogata Megumi.
Opening: Anemoi by eufonius
Ending: Hikari to Yami to Toki no Hate by Ceui
-Ceui!!! I have to resist the urge not to read her name ‘chewy’ (it’s supposed to read Sei). And eufonius is always win no matter what anime they’re featured in.

VIPER’S CREED

Military/war anime? I’ll probably only watch it if lots of people die.

Cast: Kuroda Takaya, Toyoguchi Megumi, Kawada Shinji, Minagawa Junko, Fukuyama Jun, Kaida Yuki, Yanaka Hiroshi, Kojima Sachiko, Ohki Tamio
-The veteran’s cast of the season - quite likely the only one to feature an 80-year old seiyuu anyway. Interesting to see Kuroda in a lead role, this must be the first time he’s headlining an anime.
Opening: R.O.C.K. by iLL
Ending: Ai no Oto by moumoon
-Wow, moumoon. Not sure their mellow pop style would suit a sci-fi type show though.

WHITE ALBUM

Some anime based on a game about idol? *has LoveDol related nightmares* I know this is going to suck, zero intention of watching it.

Cast: Maeno Tomoaki, Hirano Aya, Mizuki Nana, Takamoto Megumi, Masu Nozomi, Tomatsu Haruka, Paku Romi, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Hayami Sho
-It is hilarious how poor Maeno gets shunted up to the top row of the cast pic despite supposedly voicing the lead male chara - I suppose in a harem anime with so many cute girls he was always bound to play second (or eighth) fiddle…and yeah, Paku Romi looks terribly pissed off in the pic as well, I can imagine her thinking ‘WTF! Who the hell put me in between the dekobitch and the round tomato?!?’
Opening: Shinai by Mizuki Nana
Ending: Maiochiru Yuki no Youni by Suara
-Because Mishima (Akio) is producing WHITE ALBUM, he ensured two of his King Records artists got the opening/ending theme gigs, shutting out Hirano Aya. Haha!

Zoku Nyanko Natsume Yujincho [続 夏目友人帳]

Nyan, nyan, nyan. Mmm, yeah. This and Marimite are the only winter shows I know I’m definitely going to watch.

Cast: Kamiya Hiroshi, Inoue Kazuhiko, Sawashiro Miyuki, Suganuma Hisayoshi, Horie Kazuma, Ito Miki
Web Radio: Radio Natsume Yujincho~Aki no Sho~ hosted (alternate weeks) by the pairings of Kamiya Hiroshi/Suganuma Hisayoshi and Inoue Kazuhiko/Horie Kazuma.
Opening: Ano Hi Time Machine by LONG SHOT PARTY
Ending: Aishiteru by Callin’ (高鈴)
-I’m amazed that anime theme songs are manage to drag up such obscure artists. Callin’!!! I really had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming when I saw their name come up… I’m sure their super-slow acoustic style will fit the show perfectly.

Useless statistics:
No. of shows covered in this guide: 22
No. of shows with an exclamation mark in the title: 2
No. of sequels, sidestories, prequels, remakes, blah: 10
No. of original shows not based on a manga, game, novels or random gimmick (& not including sequels): 1
No. of shows with a theme song by one of the seiyuu: 7

Other stuff I have to say:
-Sequels, sequels galore!
-As an iyashikei and yuri maniac, I am reasonably satisfied this season.
-After more than a year of doing all these guides, I have learned to identify the studio where each anime is recorded at by looking at the background of the cast pictures! Notice how Asu no Yoichi!, Birdy the Mighty DECODE and Toradora! are all recorded at PROCEN STUDIO… if that’s not sad, I don’t know what is =_=
-I did sample most of the new radio shows, and aim to cover them in a future scribblings post.