Fall 2013 Preview!

Preview by Kairi

The Shinmoto siblings, Chiko (Yamamoto Nozomi) and Chika (Ohsaka Ryouta), are a pair of narcissists, whereas the Saitou siblings, Mao (Ishikawa Kaito) and Mako (Kayano Ai) are somewhat mysterious. As a result of their similarities, the Shinmoto and Saito kyoudai are all friends, sharing an otaku lifestyle under the life motto that those of a feather should stick together.

Based on a manga by Shin Shinmoto, SSB is definitely one of the quieter entries this season. Theres not a lot of information available as far as plot and staff goes, but I got that slice-of-life vibe so common among shows that feature the everyday lives of high school students. I think theres definitely charm to a premise like this one, where the relationship is between siblings and friends at once rather than focusing exclusively on one, and I have a gut feeling that the dynamic, being of the josei denomination, might be a tad more profound and realistic than it might otherwise. If anything, this sounds like a pleasant sort of comedy, and well worth giving a chance.

Preview by Kairi

At a certain night school for celebrities, theres a rumor that vampires exist among the student body. Komori Yui (Suegara Rie), an optimist with a penchant for the supernatural, is a second year transfer to this particular school as a result of her fathers job. Somehow she finds herself living among those very rumored vampires, the six Sakamaki brothers, who crave and demand her blood and make her everyday life a sadistic endeavor.

Lately it seems that were getting an otome game adaptation every season or so, which is always good news for fans of the genre. Personally, I dont have very high expectations for Dialover, if only because of the poor track record I hold with reverse harems. Vampires are also something I tend to stay away from as far as premises for romance shows go, so Im somewhat apprehensive to see how this series handles itself. So far, Im at least glad to hear that the female lead has been assigned a personality, though I do have to wonder how risqu an otome game about sadistic vampires is willing to be, or how much that allows for character development. Nevertheless, it would be nice if the series did overcome those tropes and limitations and work on creating real characters instead of character types, as the genre is wont to do. If it does this could be worth a look, as long vampires and harems are your thing.

Preview by Stilts

After Miss Monochrome debuted as a 3D virtual singer at Horie Yui’s March 2012 “Horie Yui wo Meguru Bouken III ~Secret Mission Tour~” concert, the character took off. Created and played by Hocchan herself (that’s Horie Yui’s nickname, for you non-seiyuu buffs), Miss Monochrome has since appeared in a range of merchandise and even a social network game. Now she’s getting an anime as well. True to her name Miss Monochrome dislikes all color, and dreams of changing the world into her ideal monochrome paradise. Now she’s working at becoming a best-selling idol. Each episode will be five minutes long.

Am I the only one going “Uhh…what?” I’m a pretty big fan of Horie Yui – I blame for Divine for that, she’s long been his favorite – but the idea of basing an anime on a gimmick a seiyuu thought up for one of her concerts is worrisome at best. This will only be a short, so it’s not like it will take much to watch an episode or two and see if it’s any good, but the uncertain origins coupled with weak characterization – so far Miss Monochrome’s dislike of color is about the only thing noted about her, and that’s not exactly a strong basis to build on – have me more than a little skeptical. The idol thing + Miss Monochrome’s origins practically ensure some Hocchan singing during the show, so there’s that. For this one I’ll fall back on my old standard for shorts – if this at all interests you, each episode will only be five minutes long, so there’s little stopping you from checking it out. A little Hocchan might be exactly what you need.

Preview by Zephyr

The year is 2016. Following the meltdown of a nearby nuclear power plant in Odaiba, the Japanese government is forced to relocate its capital and evacuate Tokyo. Despite this, over 90% of Tokyo’s citizens perish following the incident, and the city becomes a ghost town. Two decades later a sudden distress signal leads to the deployment of “Coppelion,” a special forces unit within the Self Defense Force. Composed of three high school girls in Fukusaku Aoi (Hanazawa Kana), Naruse Ibara (Tomatsu Haruka), and Nomura Taeko (Akesaka Satomi)–all of which have been genetically engineered to withstand radiation–the girls are sent to the city to find and retrieve any survivors. Amidst a city reclaimed by nature and filled with nothing but the remnants of the past, the girls find themselves searching for people that shouldn’t exist, all the while unraveling the mysteries of a land long abandoned by mankind.

Having been initially delayed following the meltdown of Fukushima’s nuclear power plant, I’m surprised GoHands received the go ahead to reboot this adaptation–especially considering the new developments regarding that same reactor. With that said, I’m glad they’re doing so, because the first few chapters of the manga were promising. There’s nothing quite like the surreal backdrop of high school girls walking across a radioactive wasteland to pique one’s interest. Combine that with its sci-fi components, it’s philosophical relevance regarding nuclear reactions, and the obvious fact that the city holds more than meets the eye, and everything culminates in a series that could get going in a hurry. The lack of information regarding the staff does curb my enthusiasm, but at the very least the seiyuu choices are superb. Ultimately there’s a fair amount to like in GoHands’ adaptation of Inoue Tomonori’s seinen manga. This is a show most viewers should keep in mind for the fall season, especially if you’re a fan of the Sci-Fi or Action genres.

Preview by Stilts

Straight from KyoAni’s light novel division comes an adaptation of the dark high school fantasy Kyoukai no Kanata. The story follows high school second-year Kanbara Akihito (Kenn), a normal-looking boy who is actually an immortal half-demon whose heritage caused him to be ostracized from his underworld peers. One day Akihito meets first-year Kuriyama Mirai (Taneda Risa) when it looks like she’s about to jump off the school roof. Mirai also feels isolated due to her ability to manipulate blood, which is as unique among underworlders as it is feared. Along with friend and Akihito’s fellow club member Nase Mitsuki (Chihara Minori) and her chronically cold older brother Nase Hiroomi (Suzuki Tatsuhisa), disturbing events begin to unfold after Akihito saves Mirai.

I consider myself something of a KyoAni skeptic, but it’s hard not to be excited about this one. Finally they’re not doing some hyper-moe slice-of-life show, but a dark fantasy where KyoAni’s skill at atmosphere and pacing ought to come in handy. We’re also finally getting some serious action out of them again, the first time since…Full Metal Panic? (Unless you count those Chu2koi action scenes, which were good, if sadly brief.) The staff is chock full of KyoAni veterans, including director Ishidate Taichi (Clannad After Story, Hyouka, K-ON!), script writer Hanada Jukki (Chu2koi, Steins;Gate), and character designer–okay, they look like all KyoAni characters, but that’s not a bad thing. Don’t expect them to completely discard KyoAni’s normal bag of tricks, though – at least one of the promos included their standard moe comedy stylings. Really though, the big draw of Kyoukai no Kanata is finally getting a story that looks like it “deserves” KyoAni’s talent. They can do pulse-pounding action, dark drama, and the delicate characterization that makes it all work, but will they? If I were to guess, I’d bet a lot of us will be tuning in to find out.

Preview by Stilts

The hyperactive, frenetic, and frequently insane world of Kyousogiga is back with a full-length television series at last! In the ‘Mirror Capital’ Kyoto, ruled over by a monk (Suzumura Kenichi), a demon (Kitamura Eri) and a priest (Nakahara Shigeru), Koto (Kugimiya Rie) continues her search for the rabbit that will allow her to return home to her mentor, Inari (Ishida Akira). Along with the two spirits A (Hidaka Noriko) and Un (Shiraishi Ryoko) – and with the occasional appearance of the powerful and enigmatic Lady Koto (Hisakawa Aya), a youkai who resides within our heroine – Koto wreaks havoc throughout the city, causing extensive frustration for Shouko (Saito Chiwa). There will be ten episodes with three 7-minute chapters each, along with two recaps and one special episode.

Kyousogiga is an energetic, entertaining, and mind-boggling spectacle – it’s as simple as that. Well, perhaps simple isn’t the best way to put it – this time last year Moomba likened Kyousogiga to FLCL, and I think this still holds true. While the plot is frequently convoluted, it makes up for its lack of sense with style, flair, and beautiful animation. This is one of those stories that only anime can truly tell, as it takes all the unique strengths of animation – the bright colors, the stylized character designs, the fluidity of action and form – and shows us a nonsensical and fantastic world that hums with life even though it’s about as far from realistic as can be. If you enjoy seeing an anime do what only an anime can do, or watching some of the most inventive and spectacular action sequences you’ll ever see, check this out. The most disappointing thing about the last season was that it aired as low definition online streams, but that problem has (finally!) been rectified. Kyousogiga is unique, entertaining, and totally crazy – and when it slows down it can be downright touching to boot. I will absolutely be tuning in.

Preview by Zephyr

Born from the collaborative effort between P.A. Works and ASCII Media Works is the original series Nagi no Asukara. Set in a universe where all of humanity once lived in the sea, the world is now home to two types of people: those who chose to leave the sea (the land-dwellers) and those who chose to stay (the sea-people). Following the closure of their undersea school, childhood friends Sakishima Hikari (Hanae Natsuki) and Mukaido Manaka (Hanazawa Kana) find themselves forced to attend school on land. Joining them are two other friends in Hiradaira Chisaki (Kayano Ai) and Isaki Kaname (Ohsaka Ryota). Together they find their lives changed as their new school life starts with a fateful encounter.

Once in a while there are series whose staff are so good it makes you can’t help but want to see how it works out. And with P.A. Works, Okada Mari (AnoHana, Toradora, Hanasaku Iroha), and Buriki (Haganai and Denpa Onna character designs) all coming together to work on an original project, Nagi no Asukara is one of them, at least for me. Sure, P.A. Works hasn’t exactly been at the top of their game and Okada has produced terrible scripts on top of her good ones, but there’s a “magical romance” vibe this series gives off that is quite attractive. It’s reminiscent of the well-received AnoNatsu from over a year ago, a notion further reinforced by both Ray and Yanagi Nagi performing themes for this series. It remains to be seen whether this series ends up as promising as the promos seem to indicate, but I would keep an eye out to see how this develops, as it just might end up being a dramatic romance that sweeps everyone off their feet. Either that or it’ll be the series that makes everyone rage quit–that’s just the kind of variance this staff can give.

Preview by Zanibas

The plot for Outbreak Company comes off as surreal and crazy. Imagine your “professional otaku”, with his insights and knowledge on the topics of anime and moe, being shipped off to a fantasy world–containing loli princesses Petrarca Ann Erudanto III (Fuchigami Mai) and maid Myuseru Foaran (Mimori Suzuko)–to be the ambassador of “moe” to this new land. That’s the plot, where the ambassador is Kanou Shinichi (Hanae Natsuki), whose job is to spread the good news and glory of moe. On top of spreading the word of the d’awwwww, Kanou has to deal with the inevitable social conflicts that aris–wait…social issues? And I thought this sounded like an ecchi comedy in the making!

At first I had my doubts, and I still have some, but with studio Feel at the helm, I have more confidence in this show’s ability to pull off the ridiculous and thoughtful simultaneously. Their track record in saving Minami-ke and producing some pretty good romance/romantic comedies has earned my respect–it’s a risky project, but I have confidence in their success. The plot intrigues me enough to definitely give this show at least half a season, to see if the so-called “social issues” actually end up becoming as profound as they hint. The staff looks weak in terms of experience, but the seiyuu on board are fresh and successful. Joining the above will be the voices of Dekomori and Rikka reunited again, as Uesaka Sumire and Uchida Maaya voice the characters of Hanaiman Erubia and Koganuma Minori respectively. Be on the lookout for this show if you’re looking for something different, because this might just be the dark horse of the season.

Preview by Stilts

After a publisher change and a two-year wait, the harem/mecha stylings of Infinite Stratos are back for a second season! In the near future, a Japanese scientist created powerful combat exoskeletons known as “Infinite Stratos” (IS). What could have led to war instead lead to peace, as the nations of the world signed the “Alaska Treaty” and distributed existing IS technology among themselves equally. The IS have had one major effect on society, though – since IS can only be piloted by women, there has been a power shift as women came to dominate society over men. That is until it was discovered that 15-year-old high school boy Orimura Ichika (Uchiyama Kouki) can pilot IS too. Now Ichika is the only guy in the prestigious international Infinite Stratos academy, which includes an abundance of beautiful (and powerful) young women like Shinonono Houki (Hikasa Yoko), Cecilia Alcott (Yukana), Lingyin Huang (Shimoda Asami), Charlotte Dunois (Hanazawa Kana), Laura Bodewig (Inoue Marina), and new this season, student council president Sarashiki Tatenashi (Saito Chiwa) and her younger sister Sarashiki Kanzashi (Mimori Suzuko).

Infinite Stratos is one of the best harem anime I’ve ever seen. That’s a bold claim, but I stand by it. The trick lies in how interesting, varied, developed, and above all viable all the haremettes are. Usually the winner is blindingly obvious from the beginning, but while there’s still a favorite to win, she’s not the one with the special nickname, nor was she the one who took Ichika’s first kiss. Yes, Ichika is as dense as a brick like so many other harem protagonists, so if that annoys you then be prepared – the girls practically throw themselves at him and nothing seems to stick. It has a really good sense of humor though, so even when I’m shaking my head I’m usually laughing too. As a bonus, the mecha combat is actually quite good – I could name shows that beat it, but it’s definitely upper tier when they focus on the fighting. The same studio (and director) are working on this season, and all the cast from season one are returning, so if you liked the first season then this is an easy choice. If you haven’t watched season one and you like harem anime, you owe it to yourself to watch it now. It was one of the greats, and I expect this season to be more of the same.

Preview by Zephyr

Armed with ex-GAINAX members and the creators of Gurren Lagann, Studio Trigger (Little Witch Academia, Inferno Cop) comes in with their first original TV anime series, Kill la Kill. A battle action series, the story revolves around a high school where uniforms give students special powers and the Student Council president Kiryuin Satsuki (Yuzuki Ryoka) rules by force. However, the arrival of transfer student Matoi Ryuuko (Koshimizu Ami) threatens to change the status quo. Armed with a unique scissor-shaped sword, it’s kill or be killed as the school heralds the beginning of a new calamity.

Kill la Kill has been eagerly anticipated by many since its announcement, and it’s easy to see why. The pedigree behind Trigger (and this series) speaks for itself. Director Imaishi Hiroyuki has been working on anime since Evangelion, both he and script writer Nakashima Kazuki were behind Gurren Lagann, and the studio’s Little Witch Academia was so well received that it’s getting a fan-funded sequel in the future. This might be the first TV series the studio is releasing, but it’s far from the first for its staff. From the art and the story to the star-studded staff, there’s plenty to be excited about regarding Kill La Kill, which makes this perhaps the series to watch this coming season. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s bound to impress one way or another–whether with its unique style, its entertainment value, or because it represents the potential of one of the fastest rising studios out there.

Preview by Kairi

Tada Banri (Furukawa Makoto) has just started law school and gotten himself lost even before orientation begins when he meets and befriends a fellow freshman, Yanagisawa Mitsuo (Ishikawa Kaito). However, Mitsuo isn’t just an ordinary law student; he has run off to Tokyo in the hopes of shaking off his past, a very beautiful and seemingly perfect past by the name of Kaga Kouko (Horie Yui), whos followed her childhood friend and fianc (despite his attempts to escape) and enrolled in the same school. From the author of Toradora comes this romantic comedy about the golden time that is the college experience.

Im probably an anomaly in that I really like J.C.Staff as a studio (Stilts edit: no you’re not, I do too. And so does Zani!); I like their projects and I like most of their shows just fine, even if theyre not as fancy as others studios. Yet J.C.Staff is only the icing on the cake when it comes to Golden Time. As a huge fan of Toradora and Takemiya Yuyukos work, Im excited to see this project come to life. I dont necessarily expect excellence or an instant classic, but I do expect a solid series, especially since its so rare that we get to see protagonists older than high school age. That J.C.Staff is in charge only makes me feel more confident that this will be pretty enjoyable, if only because the studio has a knack for depicting social lives and friendships in a fairly entertaining and insightful way. Whatever happens, we can at least expect some good humor and romcom antics.

Preview by Seishun

A.C.G.Ts adaptation of Im Dall Youngs sci-fi action manhwa is returning for a second season. Set in a futuristic world where Earth is constantly at war with the Novas, an alien race from another dimension, the story follows the exploits of the genetically-modified female soldiers known as Pandoras, as well as their male Limiters who employ a support power called “freezing”. In West Genetics Academy there’s a powerful but unapproachable (thanks to her haphephobia) Pandora known as the Untouchable Queen, Satellizer L. Bridgette (Noto Mamiko). Against the advice of his friends, Aoi Kazuya (Ichiki Mitsuhiro) decided to aid Satella in her many tribulations, both as a potential love interest and her Limiter during battle. They are joined by an excellent supporting cast, which includes the feisty Rana Linchen (Hanazawa Kana), the happy-go-lucky Chiffon Fairchild (Inoue Marina) and a slew of Pandoras voiced by a team of all-star female seiyuu, including Kitamura Eri, Kugimiya Rie, Koshimizu Ami, Ueda Kana, Asakawa Yuu and Kaida Yuuko, just to name a few. The many conflicts that ensued, both from inter-Pandora politics and the ongoing Nova attacks, drive most of the action and drama of this series.

For those of you who saw the first season, you should know what to expect. Freezing is more than just an excuse for fanservice – the beautiful, busty female warriors are one of its key attractions, but Freezing also boasts a compelling sci-fi setting chock-full of character drama and action-packed thrills. Both the physical action and the verbal strife are nothing short of brutal – Pandoras have to cope with getting their limbs chopped off, their throats slit, and even their eyeballs gouged out! The first season ended with a victory for the Pandoras in the 10th Nova Clash, a highly intense battle that pitted Satella against Cassie Lockheart, one of the top five Pandoras in the world, and if anything the second season should be even more entrancing, as one of Freezing’s most gripping and elaborate storylines is next. The all-star cast is also set to expand further as the rest of the world’s top five Pandoras make their formal appearance. I have high hopes for this series and theres certainly more than enough going on to keep me watching for another season.

Preview by Zephyr

From the team of SILVER LINK and Connect (the animators behind Mawaru Penquindrum, Prisma Illya, and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S) comes the adaptation of Mikumo Gakuto’s Strike the Blood. An action fantasy series, Strike the Blood revolves around the legend of “The Fourth Primogenitor.” Supposedly a source of great calamity, the Fourth Primogenitor is also rumored to be the most powerful vampire in existence. As it turns out, the legends are true, and the Fourth Primogenitor is none other than high school student Akatsuki Kojou (Hosoya Yoshimasa). To observe and eliminate him if necessary, an organization known as the Lion King send an attack mage named Himegari Yukina (Taneda Risa). Also known as a Sword Shaman, she arrives at Saikai Private Academy wielding the strongest of all anti-Primogenitor spears, the “Schneewalzer” (or Snow Waltz).

I’m interested in seeing how this series develops. As the winner of numerous awards (including Japanese Sci-Fi Rookie of the Year in 1999), creator Mikumo Gakuto brings a notable resume to the table. Considering that two of his previous works (Asura Cryin’ and Dantalian no Shoka) have received anime adaptations as well, it’s safe to say he’s done something right when it’s come to source material. But as with any adaptation, a good pedigree doesn’t guarantee a great anime, especially when you consider that Chief Director Sano Takao and Director Yamamoto Hideyo have little experience in those roles, and Yoshino Hiroyuki (Guilty Crown, Gundam Seed Destiny) is behind the screenplay. The former two (along with SILVER LINK and Connect) do have extensive experience in animation however, which may be all they need in this case. It’s still up for grabs whether or not they do a faithful adaptation and if Strike the Blood is as good as Mikumo’s previous works, but there’s definitely enough of a historical precedent to make this series worth keeping an eye on.

Preview by Stilts

It’s a renaissance of Maou and/or Yuusha light novel adaptations, and YuShibu is next in line to join the party. The story revolves around Raul Chaser (Koumoto Keisuke), a boy who did not become a hero because the demon lord was defeated just before his hero exams. With his dreams dashed, Raul is now working at a magic shop in the capital. One day, none other than the vanquished demon lord’s daughter Phino Bloodstone (Tadokoro Azusa) comes in looking for a part-time job! So begins the fantasy work comedy of a former hero-in-training and the daughter of the demon lord.

If you read the premise and immediately thought of Hataraku Maou-sama!, you’re not alone. The Maou/Yuusha thing is becoming so common as to border on clich, but I admit I’m fond of it. I like seeing old foes trying to get along, and it’s a solid setting that can be very good when done well. The work angle also provides fertile ground for comedy, as this past summer’s Servant x Service proved so well. That said, I’m not calling this as a sleeper quite yet. The staff and cast either have unimpressive resumes or are practically new, though it is being animated by asread, which can do a very good job when they’re given good source material – Mirai Nikki comes screaming to mind. It comes down to the source material, and what little I could get my hands on was…okay. I laughed a few times, there was some solid romantic potential, the characters were likable…it was fine. If this doesn’t seem like a swimming endorsement, that’s because I’m not sure what to think yet. I underestimated Hataraku Maou-sama! and it blew me out of the water, but I’m not ready to assume all Maou/Yuusha shows are going to be hits quite yet. If you like fantasy romcoms, definitely tune in. For everyone else I can tell you I’ll be watching, and I’ll leave the rest up to you.

Preview by Stilts

From the creator of the Maoyuu Maou Yuusha novels comes a new trapped-in-a-fantasy-MMORPG anime, Log Horizon. The story starts when 30,000 Japanese gamers are trapped in the fantasy online game Elder Tale. Join loner spellcaster Shiroe (Terashima Takuma), his old friend and tank Naotsugu (Maeno Tomoaki), the beautiful ninja Akatsuki (Kato Emiri), and the rapier-wielding cat creature Nyanta (Nakata Jouji) as they join together to form the guild Log Horizon and try to survive the sword-and-sorcery world that is now their reality.

One of the reasons Sword Art Online was so disappointing (to me; you’re welcome to your own opinions) was because the setting had such great potential which the characters and story didn’t live up to. Here we have another gamers-trapped-in-a-fantasy-MMORPG story, and I’m pretty optimistic it will go better. First of all, the source material was written by Touno Mamare, the original author of the Maoyuu novels, and whatever flaws the anime adaptation had the source material (and manga based on it) are innovative, interesting, and just roundly well done. Secondly it seems lighter in tone, both from what I saw in the promo and because the characters apparently aren’t in danger of dying in real life. There also appears to be more focus on the party – rather than Shiroe running around alone, he’s always mentioned along with his friends and guildmates, and it was this group dynamic that I most missed in SAO. There’s also the fact that Shiroe is a spell-caster, which I like because A) nuker is my default role in MMOs (blow em all up, bwahaha!), but because B) it’s harder for a glass cannon to run off and try to be an invincible hero. If even Lina Inverse traveled with a party, I doubt this guy can go it solo! It remains to be seen whether Statelight and their staff can pull off a good adaptation, but the fundamentals look good. Bottom line, if you’ve ever played a fantasy MMORPG – which should include roughly all of you – then you should watch at least a few episodes of this show. It’s based in a world we’re all familiar with – let’s see if they can do it right.

Preview by Enzo

I’ve already covered two cours of Little Busters! here on RC, so my feelings about the series are well-established. There was always something about the innocence and the focus on loyalty and friendship that appealed to me, and while the first season had its ups and downs, I stuck with it even as it was bombarded with complaints from viewers who never got over Kyoto Animation not being chosen to animate it, or who were just turned off by the stylistic differences between it and the likes of Clannad and Kanon.

That first season was effectively a prologue though, and now the real story begins with Refrain. I havent played the VN but I know things are going to get much darker (the preview makes no secret of that), and the tonal change can be pretty jarring. This had already started to happen by the end of the first season, in fact. I think it goes without saying that if you havent played the VN or seen the first season, you should do one or the other before watching Refrain, or it wont make a whole lot of sense. For viewers like me the challenge is going to be avoiding the weekly barrage of spoilers about the secret of this world that are sure to follow every episode, as they did in the first season. If youre not a fan of Key but enjoy drama built around friendship, Id give Little Busters! a chance – I think its quite unique even among Key series.

Preview by Stilts

Taking place ten years after the original series, White Album 2 centers around college junior Kitahara Haruki (Mizushima Takahiro) and his relationships with Ogiso Setsuna (Yonezawa Madoka) and Touma Kazuki (Nabatame Hitomi) in the light music club. Love, music, and drama are in the air in this visual novel adaptation.

First things first: the original White Album anime did not have a particularly good reputation. Uneven animation, slow pacing, and not-particularly-likable characters lead to Omni dropping it from coverage before the first cour was finished (yes, the original aired that long ago!). That said, from what I hear of the White Album 2 visual novel it was apparently an improvement over the original. Now it’s up to the team at Satelight to show us whether they can adapt it correctly. The staff is lacking in experience but the main seiyuu cast is back from the visual novel, and they’re all seasoned anime vets, so no problems there. What else to say… Honestly, this is a dating sim adaptation that gives no outward signs of breaking the mold, save for perhaps having fewer heroines than usual (only two). If you like romance stories or dating sim adaptations, this should be right up your alley, and fortunately you don’t even have to worry about watching the original. For skeptics, I would wait to hear the initial reactions. It could end up being an unexpected gem, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets lost in all the other dating sim adaptations instead.

Preview by Zephyr

After four years, Hajime no Ippo returns with a third season. Once again led by Madhouse Studios, Hajime no Ippo: Rising continues the anime adaptation of Morikawa Joji’s boxing manga of the same name, which has now eclipsed 100 volumes since its 1989 debut. As with its previous iterations, the focus remains on Makunouchi Ippo (Kiyasu Kohei), a bullied student turned boxer trying to reach the top of the boxing world. Joining Kiyasu will be Takagi Wataru, Namikawa Daisuke, Fujiwara Keiji, and Koyama Rikiya, all of who will reprise their respective roles as part of the main cast. Sadly, Utsumi Kenji (the voice of Kamogawa Genji) passed away this past June, and it is unknown who will take over his role for this third season.

Well, what can I say? It’s without a doubt that fans of this series are excited for this sequel, and it’s been a long-awaited one to say the least. There still isn’t much information regarding the exact content that will be covered this time, but with the a majority of the cast and staff returning for this new season, it’s safe to say that fans won’t be disappointed with Hajime no Ippo: Rising, especially considering it will be at least 26 episodes. Still, keep in mind that this is a third season, so if you’re reading this and you haven’t read the manga or watched the previous iterations, be sure to catch the first two seasons and two OVA’s before you give this a glimpse.

Preview by Seishun

A second season of Kuroko no Basuke is coming at us courtesy of Production I.G. A story about high school boys and their fervent passion for basketball, Fujimaki Tadatoshi’s Shounen Jump serialization centers on Kuroko Tetsuya (Ono Kensho) and Kagami Taiga (Ono Yuuki), two first-years at the Seirin High School basketball club. Kagami, an intimidating six footer, is a powerhouse of raw talent who stands in stark contrast to Kuroko, who is short, slow and somewhat flimsy. While seemingly unremarkable, Kuroko is actually the Phantom Sixth Man of Teiko Junior Highs Generation of Miracles, and a unique player who excels solely in the support roles of passing and stealing. The yin and yang relationship between Kuroko and Kagami is at the heart of the story, as their friendship, teamwork, and an assortment of entanglements – both on and off the court – drive most of the action and character drama of the series. This is especially so when their path crosses with the core members of the Kiseki no Sedai Kise Ryouta (Kimura Ryouhei), Midorima Shintarou (Ono Daisuke), Aomine Daiki (Suwabe Junichi), Murasakibara Atsushi (Suzumura Kenichi) and Akashi Seijuro (Kamiya Hiroshi)!

Kuroko no Basukes popularity is beyond doubt more than 24,000 copies of its BD/DVD have been shipped and a whopping 8 million copies of its manga were sold in 2012, a figure that dwarfs even the likes of Naruto. The series has been frequently associated with a large fujoshi following hardly a surprise, considering its large cast of bishounen and a storyline that draws attention to bromance so very often! Spin this any way you like, the charm of this series extends beyond its pretty boys Kuroko no Basuke is a very well-written sports shounen story. The series has a lot to offer, whether its action-packed thrills, comedic gags, slice-of-life, or the drama that surrounds each and every player. Speaking as a devoted fan of the genre, I wouldn’t think twice about calling Kuroko no Basuke one of the best its right at the top along with the likes of Slam Dunk and Captain Tsubasa. The first season ended on a high note, an intense inter-high match that pitted Kise and Aomine against each other – tears for the former and cheers for the latter. With the entire production team making a return, I expect the same high-quality presentation in its second season. Akashi and Murasakibara, the yet-to-be-introduced Kiseki no Sedai, are set to receive their share of the spotlight. Character drama has always been one of the series strongest suits, and their appearance will almost certainly bring the buzz and exhilaration to a whole new level.

Preview by Stilts

Tesagure! Bukatsumono is a CG anime that centers around the extracurricular activities of students. It will be made using the freeware “MikuMikuDance” CG software, which has previously been used to animate shows like Chokkyuu Hyoudai Robot Anime and gdgd Fairies.

CG animation is starting to become more and more common, as smaller creators use software like MMD to do what would take entire teams of animators working the old way. Look at the anime-styled webseries RWBY, which is animated using a similar program. That said, “animated a different way” isn’t a major draw. The plot and characters seem like an afterthought, which is worrying to a story-focused guy like me. It could be the best animated CG show ever, and it’ll all be for naught if the story isn’t good. RWBY drew me in with fantastic action sequences that made me willing to forgive any awkward animation, while this show is promising…the same thing we always get, just animated differently. I may check out the first episode out of curiosity, but unless someone tells me it’s a really good show than I can’t imagine myself jumping all in. I’ve been wrong before, though.

Preview by Takaii

Im not the biggest fan of sports manga because of just how ridiculous things can get, but Diamond no Ace (also called Daiya no A) is probably one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time. But before we get into anything related to the story or how GAR all the characters are, have you seen the powerhouses behind this adaptation? With big names like Madhouse and Production I.G. handling the important parts AND a long-running, successful manga to draw material from, I can’t imagine this show being anything less than awesome.

But if you ask me whether I liked the story, I would say I freaking loved it. You have a headstrong protagonist who understands the importance of friends and building relationships, some random stranger who quickly befriends him, and tons of questions surrounding just what makes the main character so awesome. Tack on a possible love interest thats too shy to do anything plus lots of profanity being thrown around and what more could you ask for? And lets not forget that, at least in the manga, theres a scene where they use bitch-slapping to make a point. And trust me, when bitch-slapping is done correctly it’s just so satisfying to watch.

Preview by Zanibas

Magi returns for a second iteration, aptly subtitled The Kingdom of Magic. The wandering trio–Aladdin (Ishihara Kaori), Alibaba (Kaji Yuki), and Morgiana (Tomatsu Haruka)–continue their quest as they journey to the distant magical country of Magnostadt to hone their skills. Though the usual cast of characters will still play crucial roles, such as Sinbad (Ono Daisuke), Ren (Hanazawa Kana), and Judal (Kimura Ryouhei), new characters such as the Magi of Magnostadt and the various characters associated with the Magicians will take center stage. SID will be back to perform the first OP, while Aqua Timez–known for performing some of Bleach’s OPs–performs the ED.

Magi has been gaining fans for quite some time, with its wide audience appeal, large dynamic cast, great seiyuu appeal, and overall fresh setting. Fans and followers of the first season should definitely check out the progress of the Magnostadt arc, though it may be hard for newcomers to catch up with 25 episodes before the current season. The main concern lies with A-1 Pictures’ handling of the show, in regards to animation quality and story integrity. Viewers who watched the first season are well aware of how terrible the animation was handled towards the end (I still cry for Morgiana’s dance), and manga readers were irked by the original-style ending, which created many plot holes for the second season to fix. Overall, Magi is still a fairly good show and still worth checking out, but be prepared for any inconsistencies that may arise.

Preview by Zanibas

Though some may disagree with the quality of this show, the timeslot ratings for Phi Brain have been consistently good; as such, NHK and Sunrise are pairing up once again to bring “Puzzle Time” back for a third season. The plot revolves around Daimon Kaito (Saito Chiwa and Asanuma Shintaro), a puzzle-solving “Einstein” who, with his companions, fights against various evil organizations who use puzzles to wreck havoc on the world. Central to the new season will be two new rivals, Reitzell (Chihara Minori) and Enigma (Nakata Jouji), who, if past seasons are any indication, probably have connections to Kaito in some way. So begins an adventure with more puzzles to be solved.

Newcomers will probably have a hard time getting into this show–it’s said the characters take a while to warm up to, and with two previous seasons to tackle, this third season will mainly appeal to its existing viewers. Fortunately, with Sunrise doing its usual job there shouldn’t be any surprises as compared to previous seasons, so continuing fans should have no worries about shifts in the production.

Preview by Zanibas

One only needs to look at the PV to know where this is going. Saw it? Good. This is going to be one of the sexiest offerings this season, titled Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai!. Courtesy of ecchi specialists from ARMS, the show revolves around Hagiwara Sakura (Taketatsu Ayana), an idol who’s turned to pro wrestling because her friend and fellow idol, Miyazawa Erena (Asumi Kana) was hurt by an overly aggressive Kazama Rio (Tomatsu Haruka). Vowing to avenge her friend, Hagiwara enters the pro-wrestling spotlight to climb the ranks and beat down (in a sexy manner of course) the provoking Kazama.

Past its sexy nature, this show has a lot going for it in terms of the cast. Besides the big three above, you’ve got HanaKana, the Kitamura Eri, Satou Rina, Kanemoto Hisako, and many more after that. Imagine: scantily clad wrestlers, voiced by some of the best in the industry, directed by a man that has experience in both the hentai and ecchi genres, Kujou Rion (Hagure Yuusha no Estetica). Even if the plot ends up shallow, as long as ARMS can keep up production values I’m sure many people will enjoy this portrayal of a very physical sport.

Preview by Stilts

Note: since it hasn’t even been a season since we last previewed this show, below is a copy/paste from the Summer preview. Have no fear – I checked out Season 2, and everything is still valid.

Teekyuu is a comedy sports short about four girls in a tennis club. There’s the main character (and the only sensible one) Oshimoto Yuri (Watanabe Yui), the bizarre Shinjou Kanae (Mimori Suzuko), sempai Takamiya Nasuno (Narumi Kyoko), and the perverted Bandou Marimo (Hanazawa Kana). Each episode is two minutes long.

After watching the first season, my immediate reaction was “What the hell were they smoking?” Overdose on sugar, down a bunch of speed, chug a dozen energy drinks, and maybe you’ll just begin to approach the craziness of this show. Personally, it wasn’t for me. The jokes flew so fast and heavy that sometimes I didn’t realize a joke was done until I was three jokes away. The animation is also a bit lacking. It does fit the drug-fueled tone the show is going for, but it ended up striking me as haphazard and sloppy, even though I assume it’s a stylistic choice rather than studio Mappa cheaping out. In the end, with a two minute comedy short only one thing matters – is it funny? For me, it was not. Not even perverted HanaKana was quite able to do the trick. The good news is that at two minutes per episode, if absolutely anything interests you about this show then there’s little excuse for not giving it a try. Who knows, it just might be your thing!

Preview by Stilts

The Yozakura Quartet anime franchise is getting a reboot with this season’s Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~. Sakurashin is a town where supernatural beings called youkai coexist peacefully with humans. The city was built around the “Nana-gou”, seven huge cherry blossom trees that connect the human and youkai worlds. The story revolves around a quartet of teenage heroes who have been chosen to protect the town and the gate. They are the super-strong mayor Yarizakura Hime (Fukuen Misato), mind reader Nanami Ao (Fujita Saki), half-youkai conjurer Isone Kotoha (Sawashiro Miyuki), and the mostly-normal human Hiizumi Akina (Kaji Yuki), who possesses the ability to send youkai back to their world.

I watched the original 2008 series, and I must admit I forgot almost everything about it. I remember liking the dynamic between the main characters, and I enjoyed both the action that formed the backbone of the series as well as the comedy that was interspersed throughout; it was the plot that never resonated with me, to the point where I honestly couldn’t remember whether I finished the series until I watched a few clips to jog my memory. To be fair, there have been changes since then – this series has the same staff as the Hoshi no Umi OVAs, which I understand are a lot closer to the manga (in animation and content) than the original series was. I can tell you that the previews I’ve seen of this season do look more “manga-like”, with action that’s more flowing and kinetic than the 2008 series. Personally, I don’t know whether I’ll be watching this one. It’s a reboot, so anyone who’s interested can jump right in, and there will even be new content and characters for those who watched the original series. Even so, I’ve seen the majority of this before, and it didn’t resonate then. Don’t let my ambivalence stop you – a more faithful take on the manga could be just what’s needed to show why this series keeps getting adaptations greenlit. If you like supernatural action, try out an episode or three and see what you think. If it’s new to you, it might be the sort of show you’ll enjoy.

Preview by Takaii

Im not sure how to describe this show. Being adapted by Studio DEEN from a collection of drama CDs, this show is described as a must watch for bishounen fans. With frilly characters who definitely round out the more feminine side of the male spectrum, the story revolves around five guys who create a club together because of their passion for glasses.

While I’m certainly not in the target audience for this show, I have to admit that it took a bit of willpower to do the research for it. Unlike Free!, which I am totally in love with (Makos back muscles anyone?) I couldn’t get myself to accept the art style. Maybe it was because the websites color scheme was just too pink or the characters outfits were just a bit too cutesy, but I dont think I could watch it. Dont get me wrong though! It is classified as a comedic slice-of-life and Studio DEEN has done some impressive work in the past. While Im not really holding my breath, I wouldn’t could this show out.

Preview by Zanibas

Anyone here remember Princess Lover! from 2009? The VN studio that produced the original material is getting another VN adapted, called Walkure Romanze. The protagonist, Mizuno Takahiro (Yamashita Seiichirou) is unable to become the knight he wanted to be thanks to injury. Instead he will now assist one of the many beautiful and competent girls around him in realizing their own dreams of becoming knights. First is Kisaki Mio (Shimizu Ai), whose childhood friend connection with Mizuno should surely give her a head start. However, competition from fellow knights Celia Cumani Aintree (Mizusawa Kei), Noel Marres Ascot (Nakamura Eriko), and Lisa Eostre (Taguchi Hiroko) should provide enough romantic and dramatic tension for an entire season. They’ll all compete both for Mizuno’s affections and in the jousting ring as love and competitive skill mesh together in this chivalrous production.

It’ll be interesting to see how much animation attention Walkure receives this season, since 8bit is producing both Tokyo Ravens and IS 2 this season, which are very high profile titles. 8bit does have a good, stable reputation in animating its titles, so perhaps I’m being pessimistic. After all, Director Yamamoto Yuusuke is taking the helm, whose wide experience should enhance this beyond the levels Princess Lover! achieved, with the whole “noble air” premise dialed up to the max. While the general structure may be similar to its predecessor by nature of being a VN, the production team at hand is reassuring. Add onto that the voice of Haruka from THE IDOLM@STER voicing Noel, and you’ve got a fairly good harem-type waiting to be unleashed. This’ll probably pass under the radar for most, but if you’re into harems, this season has an offering that looks like it may exceed expectations.

Preview by Stilts

Gingitsune is set in a small Shinto harvest shrine in present day Japan, where spirits and humans have been living in harmony. Saeki Makoto’s (Kanemoto Hisako) family possesses the power to see the messenger of the gods, but the ability is limited to one living relative at a time. When Makoto’s mother passed away, Makoto inherited the ability to see the kitsune (fox spirit) Gintaro (Miki Shinichiro) as the sole remaining family member. The story follows the everyday life of Makoto and Ginatro as they help the people of their community.

What attracted me to this show is the idea of a seinen slice-of-life – a slower paced, “everyday happenings” kind of show that is more mature, focusing on helping people with their everyday problems rather than the cutesy high-school-girls-doing-cute-things shows we’re so used to. There’s also the mixture of the supernatural and mundane that gives me Kannagi vibes, which is always a good thing. Animation is being done by Diomedea (Shinryaku! Ika Musume, Mondaiji), and is staffed by a bunch of Diomedea veterans, which makes me think they’ll work well together. The seiyuu cast is also really good, with the main two joined by Koshimizu Ami, Akasaki Chinatsu, Fujimura Ayumi, and more. The animation does look a bit dated, like this is airing in 2006 rather than 2013. Gingitsune promises a slower, more mature look on life and its problems mixed with a few supernatural spirits – if this sounds interesting to you, give this show a try. It has all the makings of an unsung favorite.

Preview by Zephyr

Continuing the long line of Gundam series is the latest iteration from Sunrise, Gundam Build Fighters. Created for Gundam’s 35th Anniversary, this series is based in part on the Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G OVA from 2010, which had customized Gundam models fighting each other in competitions known as GunPla Battles. Featuring new mecha designs and customized versions from previous Gundam series, Gundam Build Fighters revolves around middle school student Iori Sei (Komatsu Mikako) and the mysterious Reiji (Kokuryu Sachi). With the former being a skilled builder of GunPla and the latter an accomplished Gundam Fighter, they unite in an effort to win the GunPla Battle World Championships.

Essentially a Gundam take on Angelic Layer, Gundam Build Fighters looks like it’ll be a battle anime through and through. This newest iteration isn’t what many fans expected or wanted, and I’m admittedly disappointed we won’t be getting an actual Gundam series this time around. That doesn’t mean Gundam Build Fighters won’t be worth a watch, especially if you’re a Gundam or mecha fan. The designs and scripts are all being done by staff that have worked on previous iterations, and the series itself will likely provide fans with a lot of nostalgia in time for the 35th anniversary next year. Furthermore, the series has spawned a new set of customizable, high grade model kits, and the line’s not too shabby if I do say so myself. Overall the premise says it all, and Gundam Build Fighters likely won’t surprise in terms of what it’s going to offer. If you’re not in one of the aforementioned fan groups, it’s probably best to pass on this series.

Preview by Stilts

Straddling the line between technology and fantasy comes the adaptation of Kaitou Reiji’s modern magitech light novels, Kikou Shoujo wa Kizutsukanai. It’s the early 20th century and a student puppeteer from Japan named Akabane Raishin (Shimono Hiro) has come to Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machine Arts in England to study the emerging field of Machinart, a combination of magic and technology with military applications. He’s accompanied by a beautiful young girl named Yaya (Harada Hitomi), who is actually his Automaton, a living machine doll who is powered by magical circuits and controlled by a human puppeteer as a weapon. Raishin’s goal is to obtain the title of “Wiseman”, the greatest puppeteer, but with test scores that put him nearly dead last he’s going to have to depend on his determination and combat abilities to beat the myriad of deadly classmates standing in his way.

This is one of those stories that has been on my radar for a while, but I never dove in because, well, I didn’t have the time. No longer! After thumbing through the source material, I’m glad. For starters, the action in this is just damn good. Despite the technological underpinings this is basically straight fantasy, but Yaya is no fragile girl – she gets in there and punches, kicks, and beats the tar out of adversaries with her bare hands. I also instantly took a liking the main characters – Raishin for his cocksure confidence that sidles right up to arrogance without going over, and Yaya for her cheerful loyalty and constant attempts to get into Raishin’s futon. That’s right, Yaya is no emotionless girl – she’s as lively and expressive as any human character, and more so than many. There are hints of romance, and comedy too, but for me its Raishin’s unshakable drive and the exciting magical action that has me pumped up for this adaptation. This is a popular series with a solid fanbase, so if you like magic, fantasy, action, and especially a combination of the three, watch Kikou Shoujo wa Kizutsukanai. If the team at Lerche can adapt it well, it should be a wild ride.

Preview by Enzo

Sports manga, for all their popularity in Japan, tend to not have much of an impact with English-language audiences. When these manga are adapted into anime they seem to find one of two major audience demographics – young males or fujoshi (the irony is self-evident, but thats a subject for another post). A few, like KuroBasu, find both and thus become major commercial powerhouses in Japan, with huge Blu-ray/DVD sales and merchandising. I dont expect Yowamushi Pedal to achieve that kind of notoriety (or infamy, as the case may be) but judging by my last trip to Comiket it seems to have an appeal to both demographics. Already on its 29th volume in Japan, the manga is certainly an established success.

I see Yowamushi Pedal as a test of how open-minded the Western anime audience can be. It has everything an anime should need to succeed – sharp comedy, a little romance, action, a good story, cute characters of both genders – but it just happens to be a sports series, usually the kiss of death. We’ve had only a few cycling anime (Over Drive, Nasu), so Yowamushi should certainly fill a niche, albeit a small one. I’ve read much of the manga and it’s really good – the story of a high-school freshman named Onoda Sakamichi (Yamashita Daiki) who rides his cheap mamachari bike 45 KM each way to Akihabara to indulge his otaku hobby, catching the attention of school cycling club leader, Imaizumi Shunusuke (Toriumi Kousuke). Yowamushi Pedal has an excellent supporting cast, and it gets both the niceties of high school social order and the sport of cycling spot-on. If viewers give this show a chance, I think theyll be hooked.

Preview by Takaii

As much as I dont like to admit it, I’m very fond of shoujo/slice-of-life shows. While I cant say exactly what draws me to them, it’s probably the art style and the types of gags that get thrown out that resonate with me so well. And just like all the other ones before it, Non Non Biyori is no exception. With its detailed yet moe-moe-kyun characters, I got sucked in before I knew it.

When a story starts off in a small rural town with one school for all its kids, meaning elementary kids are together with middle schoolers, you know youre in for one heck of a ride. Don’t we all love it when someones older sibling appears randomly throughout a show? But how often do you see someones older brother or sister in the same class as them?! Throw in some role reversal due to the older sibling being tiny in comparison to their underclassmen and things just keep spiraling into the kawaii-abyss. And by the kawaii-abyss, I mean that dark part of your mind where you can’t stop “hnnnnnnnnnng-ing” because of all the moe.

Preview by Zanibas

By 2039, the seas will rise, the lands will mostly be lost, and a global conflict will be born. The Fleet of Mist, warships surrounded by mystery and mist, will cripple the naval freedom of humanity through force, preventing any sort of safe naval travel or trade. However, one submarine, I-401, will one day defect from the terror fleet and help a lowly cadet, Gunzo Chihaya (Okitsu Kazuyuki). Through the submarine’s organic humanoid interface Iona (Fuchigami Mai), I-401 will assist humanity in fighting back against their biggest enemy, and of course the other humanoid interfaces that will taunt them along the way. This is Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova.

SANZIGEN, the lead animation studio for this show, is untested in their current role–they usually do secondary animation for another studio. However, what their resume has is tons, TONS of practice with 3D CGI, which is clearly apparent in this show. While I do find the 3D animation of the characters to be slightly off-putting, the 3D CGI for the action scenes is superb and should be a treat to watch. While not in the same vein as anthropomorphic shows such as Upotte!!, the “humanoid interface” of the ships are present to allow dialogue to occur, which is more in line with the interfaces in Suisei no Gargantia. While perhaps not as highly animated as the latter, hope for a good adaption lies with Kishi Seiji, whose work with shows like Angel Beats! and Jinrui is promising. However, a director is only as good as the material he’s given, so here’s to hoping these ships have a good story to tell.

Preview by Zanibas

As one of three shows 8bit is releasing this season, Tokyo Ravens provides some of the supernatural-spirit-shounen flavor of this season. Main character Tsuchimikado Harutora (Ishikawa Kaito) starts off living the easy life, despite the prestige of his spirit-seeing family–Harutora can’t see spiritual energy like his relatives, so he doesn’t participate in his family’s duties. That all changes when childhood friend and relative Tsuchimikado Natsume (Hanazawa Kana) rolls in and pulls Harutora into the world of spirits he was destined to participate in.

One thing that immediately stands out in Tokyo Ravens is the A-star cast, rivaling even the cast of IS. Besides Kaito and Kana above, other veterans such as Toyosaki Aki, Kanemoto Hisako, Kitamura Eri, Sakura Ayane, Shimono Hiro, and Kimura Ryouhei are joining the fray. Though the overall synopsis doesn’t look too original, with this cast, the dialogue will at least be pleasant to hear. There’s also director Kanasaki Takaomi on board to bring his School Rumble and Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? experience to the fantasy-action-comedy table he knows so well. Judging from the promos, though it looks like the normal everyday life scenes will be plainly animated, the true shine should come from the action scenes that have people flying through the sky, blasting and raising crazy barriers, and of course some one-on-one fighting as well. I trust 8-bit to do a decent job on this piece, so if you’re looking for that balanced blend of comedy, shounen action, and supernatural events, check out Tokyo Ravens this fall.

Preview by Zephyr

Continuing the trend of game-to-anime adaptations is Blazblue Alter Memory, a collaborative work from TeamKG and Hoods Entertainment. Based on the BlazBlue series of arcade fighting games from Arc System Works, Alter Memory revolves around the rebel Ragna the Bloodedge’s sudden appearance in the city of Kagutsuchi. Also known as the “Grim Reaper,” his goal is to destroy the Novus Orbis Librarium, the multinational task force in charge of keeping the world’s balance. In order to stop him the NOL offer the largest bounty ever to anyone who can capture him, and the fight commences as the strongest warriors converge on the city to collect. This adaptation covers Blazblue: Calamity Trigger, the first in the Blazblue line of games.

While I haven’t played the games myself, I have heard good things about them, and it’s a series that has sold well (two million copies) since its debut in 2008. This only means so much though, since game-to-anime adaptations typically miss the mark. Despite this, and the fact that Alter Memory will be TeamKG’s first production, the series does have some things going for it. Blazblue director Toshimichi Mori will be supervising the project, while Mizushima Seiji (Full Metal Alchemist) will join the series as Assistant Director. They’re joined by an all-star cast that includes Saito Chiwa, Sugita Tomokazu, and Nakamura Yuuichi, all of which are reprising their respective in-game roles. This series should be a treat for those that have played the games or those looking for a pure action series.

Preview by Zanibas

Light Novel. Long Title. What could this possibly mean? Choose from A) Another “Ore no” type romantic comedy; B) A high school story that revolves around a boy making multiple choice answers to progress through life; C) “Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh” is voicing the main character, Chocolat (Sadohara Kaori); or D) All of the above. If you chose D, you’re correct! Along with the main heroine we have main protagonist, Amakusa Kanade (Toyonaga Toshiyuki), and fellow classmates Yukihira Furano (Kondou Yui) and Yuuouji Ouka (Tsuji Ayumi). Together they’ll navigate through high school life light novel style, undoubtedly with many innuendo-laden mishaps along the way.

Continuing the light novel title trend, NouCome doesn’t seem to stand out among similar titles of its type, though it does have unique elements that should entertain current fans of the genre, myself included. The multiple-choice style is reminiscent of VN and school culture, while reminding me of Baka to Test’s school antics. Diomedea has done a fairly good job with its recent titles, so production shouldn’t be much of an issue–at worst we get a Campione!, while at best another Ika Musume. The art style should prove interesting, as art director Abe Yukio has extensive experience with old and new titles, along with a good number focused on children shows. The main seiyuu are all fairly fresh with exception of Toyonaga, so if you’re looking for new voices to hear, give an episode a listen. Overall, if you’re a fan of the light novel/long title trend, give NouCome a shot, and see just how its main plot device will stand against the competition.

Preview by Zephyr

Replacing Gin no Saji as the newest addition to the noitaminA lineup is the new original series, Galilei Donna. Produced by A-1 Pictures, this self-labeled “battle action adventure” focuses on the three female descendants of Italian astronomer Galileo, Hazuki, Kazuki, and Hozuki (Hidaka Rina) Ferrari. Known as the “three moons,” the three sisters suddenly find themselves under attack by an unknown organization. In a future where the world is consumed by the early comings of a new ice age, the sisters are forced to work together to fend off the organization and find out why they’re being targeted. That is of course, provided they can overcome the challenges caused by their vastly different personalities. At the helm is Umetsu Yasuomi, who was both responsible for the series’ original concept and the animation of series such as Akira, BECK, and Tegami Bachi.

Considering the series that have aired on the noitaminA block (Anohana, Nodame Cantabile: Finale, and PSYCHO-PASS are just a few examples) since its inception in 2005, the fact that Galilei Donna’s associated with it automatically makes it a series worth keeping an eye on. That’s not to say all noitaminA series are guaranteed to succeed, but they have been well-received and/or of the original variety that you won’t see anywhere else. Umetsu Yasuomi’s lack of experience with the director role does end up hurting the series’ prognosis, but it’s something countered by his extensive experience with animation and storyboards–the former of which is key considering the importance of animation quality and style in a “battle action adventure” series. Overall, what Galilei Donna gives us is another battle-focused series in a season full of intriguing ones. Given what we know so far it may not wow as much as others off the bat, but it’s noitaminA association makes it a potential sleeper, albeit one whose uniquity may cause quite the divide in impressions.

Preview by Stilts

Samurai Flamenco joins Galilei Donna as the other new original anime airing in the noitaminA block this fall. It follows Hazama Masayoshi (Masuda Toshiki), a male model turned superhero balancing a life of crime fighting and show business. The anime’s taglines are “To those ‘adults’ who don’t want to become adults…” and “Hero will never give up, never hide, never be defeated, never accept evil.”

Information is limited on this original project, but we can draw some assumptions. The noitaminA block generally airs more experimental anime with adult themes (Sakamichi no Apollon, Tsuritama, PSYCHO-PASS). Then move over to the tagline that caught my attention, which was about adults who don’t want to become adults. While I would argue that being a male model isn’t very “serious” (try being behind a desk all day, Masayoshi), I can certainly understand the desire to not grow up into all the responsibility that adulthood demands. Losing out on your silly, childish dreams, and deciding to chase after them anyway…that’s a meaty theme that interests me far more than “male model turned superhero” ever could. While noitaminA originals can be hit or miss – that’s one of the risks you take with experimental shows – they’re usually interesting. If you fancy yourself an advanced anime watcher or are looking for something a little more mature, try out Samurai Flamenco. I have a feeling it will give us all something to think about.

Preview by Seishun

The second half of Kakumeiki Valvrave, Sunrises latest mecha epic, kicks off in this fall. The two leads are Tokishima Haruto (Ohsaka Ryota), a pacifist from the neutral territory of JIOR who was dragged into the war, and L-elf Karlstein (Kimura Ryouhei), a prodigious soldier of the Dorssian military who was sent to steal JIOR’s prized humanoid weapon, the Valvrave. L-Elf and Haruto are polar opposites, but one thing leads to another and an unlikely alliance is formed between the ambitious, prophetic soldier and the immortal, vampire-like mecha pilot. The female side of the equation is represented by Sashinami Shouko (Seto Asami), Harutos childhood sweetheart, and Rukino Saki (Tomatsu Haruka), the lovely former idol who also pilots a Valvrave of her own. They are joined by a large cast, each with motives and allegiances of their own.

This series is penned by Okouchi Ichiro (Code Geass), and like his previous work there’s a wide difference in opinions on Kakumeiki Valvrave. Some rejoice at its complete lack of restraint, while others are put-off by its absurdity. For those who followed my coverage of the first season, you should know I hold Kakumeiki Valvrave in very high regard. What started out as stereotypical mecha sci-fi quickly developed into something unconventional – from body hijacks and flash forwards to multiple defections and deaths, and right down to a full-on sexual assault, the series has thrown more curve balls at us than I could count! Kakumeiki Valvrave encapsulates everything a great mecha show stands for fast-paced action scenes, top-notch animation, lovely character designs (by D.Gray-mans Hoshino Katsura), a terrific soundtrack (by FMA Brotherhoods Senju Akira), and a broad range of eye-catching mecha that are reminiscent of Super Robot Wars. The series also boasts a huge supporting cast, voiced by perhaps the most impressive seiyuu lineup I’ve ever seen, including Fukuyama Jun, Miyano Mamoru, Kaji Yuuki, Yuuki Aoi, Horie Yui, and Mizuki Nana, to name a few. The first season ended on a nut-cracking cliffhanger, with the entire fate of Module 77 left hanging in midair after Colonel Cain (Ono Daisuke) took control of Tekka, a supposedly defunct Valvrave. For its second season a time-skip is probably inevitable, and cross-planetary excursions might also be in the cards. My expectations for this series are very high, and Im really looking forward to seeing the many facets of Kakumeiki Valvrave again.