At least for me this Winter season has been very lackluster. Only two new shows piqued my interest, and one turned out to be a disappointment. So looking forward…Jump Hop Step! posted a link to the Moon Phase list of new Spring 2008 anime, which I hadn’t seen before. Here’s a list of what I’m looking forward to in the new season:
- Amuri in Star Ocean – (03/31) -
“Solar wind causes an increase in skin cancer in the future, but a new race of “adapters” is born — all of whom appear to be exotically-dressed young girls, for some reason.“
Future space adventure with eye-candy spaceship battles, and loli looking girls as a new evolution of human. It’s apparently all done in a cel-shaded CGI as well. Looks like it could be decent if it heads down a dark and gritty path, though the shots of cake slices with bombs on top and spaceships with cutesy chibi octopi on the side are questionable. I’ll be watching the first episode or two and making my decision from there.
- Allison & Lillia – (04/03) -
“The series will be a compilation of the two manga “Alison” and “Lillia and Treize,” both original works by Shigusawa Keiichi (Kino no Tabi). The series will take place in a country split into two factions in a 1940’s-like world, that have been repeatedly warring with each other for over 100 years. The first half will involved Alison and her male friend Treize who will set out from an orphanage in order to search for a “treasure” to end the war. The second half will take place after Alison and Will find the “treasure,” and the war ends, in an era where a united state is possible. Lilia, a mother of two daughters, as well as Treize’s girlfriend, will play an active roll in the second half.“
In a 1940’s type world two orphan friends set out to find a treasure that could end the war between two nations, with a lot of 1940’s-looking airplanes all over the place. I am the hugest fan of Last Exile so I may be a bit biased, but I am looking forward to this one. The story sounds down-to-earth (no pun intended) and real enough that the interaction between the friends is worth watching and if they throw in some dogfights or large-scale airplane battles, this may be a star of the new season.
- Kure-nai – (04/03) -
“16-year-old Shintaro Kurenai is a Mediator – a specialist in settling squabbles between people. Despite his youth and easygoing nature, he is a man of some skills when it comes to protecting both his clients and his client’s interests. And then one day, he is approached by the daughter of a rich and powerful family asking him to be her bodyguard, which somehow ends up with him having a seven-year-old fan, landlord and self-proclaimed fiancé. Shintaro Kurenai finds himself living in run-down tenement with Murasaki Kuhouin (his new 7-year-old apprentice and landlord) and several other eccentric ladies. His childhood friend (Ginko) acts as his Mediator booking agent. Then there is his (adopted) older sister and martial arts teacher, Yuuno, who does not like to see her Kurenai troubled by any of the difficulties of his Mediator assignments. And Yuuno’s younger (7-year-old) sister, Chi-chan (Houdsuki Chidzuru) also seems to take a troubling worry when her ‘onii-chan’ gets beaten up by Yuuno or his assignments.“
The 16-year-old male protagonist is hired by a wealthy family to be a young girl’s bodyguard, but she’s rather bossy and insists that she is his fiance. Okay, so both the loli and harem angles (apparently there’s a crew of female characters involved as well) would make me not give this a second glance. However it’s got a nice, gritty style to it, reminiscent of Ergo Proxy and Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto, both of which the director worked on. With that sort of pedigree I’m confident the whole loli element will be a comedic foil rather than straight out loli-fantasy (ala Kodomo no Jikan).
- Druaga no Tou – (04/04) -
“It is said that every few years, there is what’s known as the “Summer of Anu.” During that summer, thanks to the divine protection of the sky-god Anu, all of the demons in the tower lose their power. The country of Uruk has begun an invasion of the tower in order to suppress the demons. They’ve built up positions inside the tower, with their sights set on getting to the upper levels. The Uruk army knows that this is the third Summer of Anu-a perfect time to launch a mission to suppress the monster Druaga once and for all. The army soldiers aren’t the only ones in the tower, though. An enitre city called Meskia has formed inside the tower’s first floor. It plays host not just to soldiers, but also to adventurers who have heard rumors about a legendary treasure called the Blue Crystal Rod, which is said to rest at the very top of the tower. With all these different groups in the mix, each with its own agenda, one can only guess how things will play out during this unusual summer.“
Yes, yes, YES. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a good fantasy-anime, and this looks like a great one. Not only is it directed by the same director behind Last Exile (AUTOMATIC POINTS) but it has a great looking style to it, and sounds like it may contain some military campaign type elements to it. Definitely looking forward to this one.
- Itazura na Kiss – (04/04) -
“It was love at first sight for Aihara Kotoko as top student Irie Naoki delivers a speech on the first day of high school. After 2 years of secret admiration, “I don’t want it” is the rejection she gets when she plucks up enough courage to hand him a love letter. Dejected, Kotoko vows to give him up. By a twist of fate, Kotoko’s house collapses; her dad and her put up at a friend’s place, who happens to be Naoki’s father. And thus, life with Naoki begins and Kotoko’s love for Naoki rekindles again. Much laughter ensues when scatterbrain Kotoko makes her countless advances (supported by Naoki’s wacky mum) on ice-cold Naoki who hates girls and is a genius at practically everything from studies to sports. The story spans >10 years where we see their relationship slowly development despite their many differences and romantic hurdles.“
I’m feeling good about this series, as it has a Lovely Complex/Nodame Cantabile vibe to it. The antagonistic romantic foil and the comedic premise is a good start, and I have the feeling that since it’s a shoujo series the female lead won’t be a wilting flower of a woman. Oh, plus the director of Towards the Terra is directing… I’m not sure what he’s doing behind a shojo series, but he is a great director.
- Blassreiter – (04/05) -
“Set in the near-future, in a town in Germany. There have been incidents of dead people coming back to life, transforming into “grotesque shadows”, and attacking people. Living people show up who can transform themselves into demons whenever they want. They used to be regular humans, but when they gained this power to transform, people rejected them and called them demons. But they still use their powers, each for his own reason. However, they cannot deny their fate: to fight in a deadly battle royal with others who have turned into demons.“
Demons, humans with superpowers who fight them. This series has a nice, dark style to it, but my gut feeling is it’s got a Claymore/D. Gray Man/sentai show feel to it. Not something I’d enjoy, but I’m certainly willing to give it a first look.
- Nabari no Ou – (04/06) -
“Rokujou Miharu was a seemly reluctant junior high student living in his own world. However, within him, lurked the ultimate power of Nabari, “Omnipotent”. To possess such supreme weapon, the Wolf Pack of Iga swore to bring Miharu back to Iga village. On the other hand, Miharu’s English teacher, Kumohira sensei, and classmate, Kouichi, were the Banten ninjas whose mission was to protect Miharu. A war waged over the ownership of “Omnipotent” thus started. To survive, Miharu must enter the hidden world Nabari, to become the king.“
Hmm, I like the style of this series, but it sounds a bit too much like a supernatural sentai show and according to Star Crossed it’s got the Yugioh director on board. It depends on how dark and gritty they take it, which is what I’m hoping for.
- Special A – (04/06) -
“Hikari Hanazono, the main character, has always been second to Kei Takishima. While Hikari considers Kei a rival and somewhat of a friend, Kei loves Hikari. Everyone knows this, but she is too dense to notice. Their wrestling loving fathers first introduced them to one another when they were 6 years old. Assuming that she was the best in wrestling, young Hikari challenged Kei to a wrestling match only to be thoroughly defeated by him. Ever since that fateful incident, Hikari swore to beat Kei in school grades, a sporting event – anything. To do this she has enrolled in the same school as Kei since elementary. Now she attends Hakusenkan, an ultra elite school, that costs her carpenter father a lot of money. Hikari and Kei are the top two students in the school, with Kei holding firmly to that number one position.“
Another shojo, lovers-at-cross-purposes series. Could be interesting.
- Soul Eater – (04/07) -
“Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon technicians, the series revolves around 3 groups of each a weapon technician and a human weapon. Trying to make the latter a “Death Scythe” and thus fit for use by the Shinigami, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.“
Nice style, looks reminiscent of Guren Lagann to me, and it sounds a bit like a paranormal Tenjo Tenge. If they work in a Lagann-type wacky style it could work, and as long as it doesn’t end up a SUPER-END-ALL-PARANORMAL-BATTLE every episode it would at least be a fun diversion.
- Real Drive – (04/08) -
“The story takes place in 2061, 50 years after humanity developed the “Net society” that depended on information networks despite their security issues. To improve security, a new network called Meta Real Network — or “Metal” for short — was developed. People`s personal memories are reduced to information and placed within “protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves called bubble shells” online. The result was a virtual “explosion” of creative freedom as people felt safe enough explore instincts and desires on Metal that they would not otherwise explore in real life. This “friction” between the Metal`s alluring lack of restrictions and rules-bound reality led to trouble and incidents that investigators known as “cyber divers” must handle. Masamichi Haru is one such cyber diver.“
Real Drive definitely looks like a standout show and this season’s “psychological/philosophical” series. It helps that it’s Production I.G. and the director of Chevalier D’Eon, and so far there’s no signs that it’s anything less than a must-watch.
- Library War – (04/10) -
“In the year 2019, the explosion of information and misinformation became a direct threat to society. In a daring decision, it was decided to create a new government agency dedicated solely to information management. Now some thirty years later, the government still monitors and controls information, suppressing anything they find undesirable, but standing against their abuses of power are the libraries, with their special agents called ‘the book soldiers.“
Hmm, a vaguely Farenheit 451-esque plot and Production I.G. at the helm? Sign me up!
- Kyouran – (04/12) -
“…depict[s] the not-so-normal life of a “family” that includes a catgirl “mother,” a lion “son,” a living land-combat android weapon “son,” a jellyfish-like otherworldly “daughter,” and a hapless 27-year-old military officer as their “father.” This motley “family” was assembled as part of the Imperial Japanese Anti-Paranormal Phenomena Section’s Special Operations Forces to save Earth in 2063.“
From the premise and style it looks like this one could be a wacky, non-sequitur, family life series, and possibly a mainstay of the season.
- Nijuu-Mensou no Musume - (04/12)
“The story revolves around a female thief named Chico, who is the spiritual successor to the Kaijin Niju-Menso (The Fiend with 20 Faces) thief character created by famed suspense and detective novelist Ranpo Edogawa.“
This one could go either way. The art makes me hope it will at least be an action-oriented series, but the premise sounds like part of the “Magical Thief Girl” genre and makes me wince. The director’s done Futakoi and some work on Lupin, the original manga creator has nothing I’ve heard of to his name, but Aya Hirano is on board. …Wait, considering her recent roles that could be a sign towards a more light, perhaps girly series.
Special thanks to Star Crossed Anime Blog and Face of Fact for their extensive roundup lists of the new season and show summaries!
