Summer 2009
June 4th, 2009
Oops, I did it again
Summer’s almost here, and so it’s time for the preview post. I decided to go all out again, and even tried to make the preview a little more readable. As usual, this post ignores any series that look like they were made before 1985, series that look like they were drawn in MS paint, OAVs, and shows obviously aimed at very young children. Information was pulled from a variety of sources, including ANN, MAL, and Denizen’s helpful charts. I’ll be carrying over Valkyria Chronicles into the season, but I should have room to pick up 3-4 shows for blogging.
I also usually leave off sequels from these lists. Hetalia Axis Powers, Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and Spice and Wolf will all have continuations. I haven’t seen the first two, and I’m not sure if I really want to watch more Spice and Wolf. The first season was alright, but the production values really dipped in spots.
[ Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 | Canaan | Element Hunters | Aoi Hana | Bakemonogatari | Umineko no Naku Koro ni | Taishou Yakyuu Musume | Umi Monogatari | Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan!! | Sora no Manimani | Needless | Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou | Kanamemo | GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class | Princess Lover! | Seitokai no Ichizon ]
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
Hahaha, Quaker Oats!
Title: Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: Bones
Summary: Mirai goes to Tokyo’s Odaiba Island with her brother Yutaka, but a powerful tremor emanates from an ocean trench. This causes Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge to crumble and fall, instantly changing Tokyo’s landscape. Mari, a motorcycle delivery woman they meet in Odaiba, helps them head back to their Setagaya home in western Tokyo.
Reaction: This is an interesting premise, and I suspect it will be similar to most journey-type anime series where the main draw is watching the main characters grow and bond with each other. It sounds like this might take place in the future, since some summaries mention Mirai hanging out on an artificial island for a robot exhibition. This type of series doesn’t always make for compelling blog posts, so I suspect this may be a series I store up and marathon in chunks on my own time. It looks like the production values for this show will be pretty good.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]
Is this supposed to be a trap?
Title: Canaan
Episodes: 13
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: P.A. Works
Summary: This is an anime adaptation of Chunsoft and Sega’s VN/game 428. Type-moon fans will be happy to learn that Nasu Kinoko and Takeuchi Takashi are in charge of the script and character designs.
Canaan is a present-day story about a detective, a young man, a virus researcher, a freelance writer, and a cat mascot character who are brought together by bizarre events with worldwide implications in the Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya.
Reaction: Details are scarce, but at 13 episodes I’m almost definitely going to pick this one up. The source game has the distinction of earning a very rare perfect score from Famitsu, so the story should be decent. I haven’t really loved the previous Type-Moon adaptations that I’ve watched, but I keep on coming back for more. Also, I want to know more about the part-timer who has to dress up like a cat mascot. The official website had an extremely short preview, and the production values looked decent. Naturally, the character designs are pleasing (especially if you like other Type-moon works). I think the character in the red top is supposed to be a girly-looking boy, because it would be odd for a girl to have such a strangely squished flat chest.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
[ MAL | ANN ]
For just 10 cents a day, you can ensure these children get enough to eat
Title: Element Hunters
Episodes: 39
Air Date: July 4, 2009
Producers: NHK Enterprises, HeeWon Entertainment
Summary: In 2029, a large scale ground sinkage occurred in Mediterranean Sea and chemical elements such as oxygen, carbon, gold, molybdenite, and cobalt suddenly disappeared from the earth’s crust. Human population was decreased by 90% in sixty years. Researchers found out that the disappeared elements were drained into a planet “Nega Earth”, which located in different dimensions. To save the Earth, a special team “Element Hunter” is organized. All the members are under 14 years old because young and flexible brains are required to access to “Nega Earth”.
Reaction: Two things immediately stand out about this show: the super skinny, short-leg, big-head (even for anime) character designs, and the long series length. If all you need is a flexible brain shouldn’t we be sending in toddlers? Don’t get me wrong, I’m mad that Nega Earth is stealing our resources too, but I’m not quite mad enough to give this show a chance. Besides, molybdenite is overrated.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
We've got the truck full of sakura petals waiting out back
Title: Aoi Hana
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff
Summary: Fumi was close friends with Akira until she had to move away. Ten years after losing touch, the two girls meet again as high school freshmen. The two struggle to reconnect, and both deal with the trials and tribulations of high school—sometimes independently and sometimes with each other’s help.
Reaction: From what I’ve read, this show is based on a manga that addresses issues of romance and sexuality delicately. Aoi Hana sounds like a very sweet show, but one that you have to be in the right mood for to enjoy. The preview didn’t show much, but whenever you see a bunch of watercolor stills like that, you know you are in for some slice-of-life.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]
I can never resist anime basketball
Title: Bakemonogatari
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: Aniplex, Shaft
Summary: Koyomi Araragi is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. When Hitagi falls down the stairs into his arms, he discovers she weighs almost nothing, and offers her help from a middle-aged homeless man. Koyomi encounters many different ‘apparitions’ in a series of interconnected stories.
Reaction: The promotional artwork for this series is absolutely gorgeous, and from an art perspective, this is the series I am most looking forward to. I believe the source material is a set of humorous light novels, and the title is basically a “monster stories” pun. I’d watch this show just for Kanbaru Suruga, but the rest of the details sound promising as well. Everything I have read indicates that this will be a standard fluffy-plot, classic-Shaft production, but when the character designs look this good I don’t mind.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
[ MAL | ANN ]
Objection!
Title: Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When the Seagulls Cry)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN
Summary: Umineko no Naku Koro ni takes place in 1986 during the time frame of October the 4th and the 5th on a secluded island named Rokkenjima. The head of the wealthy Ushiromiya family, Kinzo Ushiromiya, who lives on and owns Rokkenjima, is near death, and eleven of his family members arrive on the island to discuss how Kinzo’s assets will be divided once he is dead. Also on the island are five of Kinzo’s servants, and his personal physician. After the eleven family members arrive, a typhoon traps them on the island and shortly after people start to get mysteriously murdered.
Reaction: I’m not usually into these mystery series, but I’ve read that this story has a similar feel to the various Higurashi series. That doesn’t float my boat at all, but your mileage may vary. The similarity in titles reminds me of all those girls jumping through time, space, etc.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
There's no crying in baseball!
Title: Taishou Yakyuu Musume (Taisho Era Baseball Daughters)
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff
Summary: Set in 1925, the story follows Koume and Akiki who decide to create a baseball team, in a Japan where not many teams exist. To reach their goal, they have to recruit more players and learn the basics of baseball.
Reaction: Baseball in anime completely repulses me the way basketball in anime completely attracts me. Obviously this sounds kinda like A League of Their Own, but without any fat chicks. The plot sounds like any number of anime series, but at least it isn’t based off of a 4-koma. I get a faint tingling of pseudo-yuri vibes from the official website, but I don’t know anything about the light novels that the anime is based on. What I do know, however, is that those gloves are really scary looking.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
My precioussssssssss…
Title: Umi Monogatari
Episodes: 12
Air Date: June 24, 2009
Producers: ZEXCS
Summary: Marin and URin are sisters who live alongside the fish in the ocean. When a beautiful ring falls in the middle of the sea, they decide to go ashore for the first time to deliver the ring. Kanon tells them she doesn’t want the ring anymore because it was given by her boyfriend whom she just broke up with, and she throws it into the sea again. Marin thinks Kanon is still in love with him and looks for the ring. But she accidentally breaks a seal on the sea floor…
Reaction: From stories about monsters to stories about the sea… it’s really hard to come up with titles nowadays. What’s the standard policy on gifts from an ex? If I was Kanon I probably would have sold the ring instead, especially if it had the power to destroy the world. I bet that would fetch a good price online. Also, the series blog has amusing and skimpy photos.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]
Nothing cheers a girl up like a bunch of tentacles
Title: Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan!!
Episodes: ?
Air Date: June 25, 2009
Producers: Studio Hibari
Summary: The story revolves around Plug, a mysterious office lady who came to our world from a parallel world to “charge” up dejected people. Plug recharges people down on their luck, spreading good cheer wherever she goes.
Reaction: Obviously this is just a stupid excuse to have lots of tentacles and fanservice. I always get the feeling that shows like this are just a cheap way to sell figurines. I expect this will mostly be a lot of wire tangles, licking, and boobs. The promo picture kinda reminds me of that experiment you can do with lemon batteries.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
Having only one telescope is almost as good as having only one umbrella
Title: Sora no Manimani (At The Mercy of The Sky)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 7, 2009
Producers: Studio Comet
Summary: Saku Ooyagi returns to his hometown after seven years and is soon reacquainted with his childhood friend, Mihoshi Akeno. The reunion is far from merry since the last memory they have of each other is of her falling off a tree and him saving her. In any case, Mihoshi is determined to improved their relationship and forces Saku to join the astronomy club she founded.
Reaction: I love how he wants to rekindle his childhood romance, but in order to do so he has to join her club. Sometimes a plot can be more than the sum of its cliches parts. I’m not sure how much more boring you can get than a slice-of-life anime about star-gazing, but I don’t plan to find out.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
I totally didn't steal this drill arm either
Title: Needless
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: Madhouse
Summary: Set in 2130, large swaths of Japan have been quarantined as polluted “Black Spots” in the aftermath of World War III. However, there are people settled behind the massive walls of the Black Spots, where they have developed mysterious powers. Among the survivors who had been abandoned inside the Blackspots, came forth possessors of uncanny abilities — Fire, wind, brute strength…they were defined by their supernatural abilities. The people on the outside have labeled them “Needless.”
Reaction: Needless to say, this sounds like a typical shounen show. A couple of the characters have that whole Kamina look going on, but the rest of the character designs are different from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Aside form the drill arm… and the sunglasses… and the little kid… well anyway, Needless does have more varied female characters in skimpy outfits, so that’s something. I am pretty sure this will be dumb, even though the summary makes it sound like there could be a real story in the background. After looking at the promotional art, however, I won’t be holding my breath.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]
Well, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Title: Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou (Properly Learned Modern Magic)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 11, 2009
Producers: Nomad
Summary: The story revolves around Koyomi Morishita, a clumsy high school freshman girl who is often mistaken for a grade-schooler because of her shortness. Koyomi becomes a disciple of Misa Anehara, a 25-year-old graduate student who happens to be one of the most powerful modern-day magicians.
Reaction: The character designs are nice, but the trailer makes it look like the type of show that is prone to dips in animation quality. Although this is supposed to be about magic, most of the characters seem to be sitting in front of their computers (with a billion screens!) or watching out-of-place CG bowls or papers fly past. It might be worth watching if the magical girl fights are good, like a poor man’s Nanoha (but with approximately the same sized budget).
Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
So this is why people still subscribe to newspapers
Title: Kanamemo
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 5, 2009
Producers: Feel
Summary: Nakamachi Kana is a junior high school girl. Her grandmother passed away and she was left all alone. Because of this, she ends up living and working at a newspaper delivery office. Everyone else living at the office is charming, self-assertive, and beautiful. The story follows Kana’s daily life in the fast-paced, yet joyous environment.
Reaction: What would we do without at least one moe-infused 4koma adaptation? The character art is very cute, but I expect this will be another standard adorable slice-of-life show. I think this is an all-female cast, and MAL has it tagged as yuri, so there will probably be lots of fanservice mixed in with the moe. If the production values remain high, I might turn my brain off and check this out for some light entertainment, but it’s not high on my priority list.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
If they lose a member, I bet their club will be shut down
Title: GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 6, 2009
Producers: AICPLUS+
Summary: The slice-of-life manga revolves around five freshman girls in a high school art class.
According to the web diary, Hiroaki Sakurai (Di Gi Charat, Kodocha, Cromartie High School) will direct off scripts that will be supervised by Doko Machida (Allison & Lillia, Lucky Star, Tears to Tiara). Atsuko Watanabe (Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!!) will reportedly design the characters that AIC will animate.
Reaction: Details about this show are sparse, but it sounds like the show is based on some very weak source material. I expect this to be a really crappy version of Hidamari Sketch.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
We were originally gonna call the company Tripe-moon
Title: Princess Lover!
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 5, 2009
Producers: GoHands
Summary: Arima Teppei lost his parents in a traffic accident. His grandfather Arima Isshin adopted him by force and ordered him to succeed the head of Arima Group Corporation. Isshin wields the puppet strings in Japan’s vast economy, and at Shuuhou Gakuen, a high school only for wealthly students, Teppei’s new life as a celebrity starts.
Reaction: All signs point to this being a low-quality eroge adaptation, complete with a spikey-haired, bokken-wielding male lead, and busty ladies with pointy boobs. I especially liked the Saber rip-off.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
You call it theft, I call it parody
Title: Seitokai no Ichizon (It’s Student Council’s Judgement)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN
Summary: The members of the student council of Hekiyou Gakuen are chosen by a popularity vote. As a result, all the members are cute girls except for Sugizaki Ken, who studied hard to enter the council. Ken is the only male allowed to enter the “sacred sanctuary” of the council’s meeting room. The council president records the minutes of the meetings, which consist of daily conversations about the students.
Reaction: There aren’t many details about this series, but what I’ve read sounds pretty terrible. I believe this is based off of a series of light novels where the characters chat and parody other anime series. It’s like a light novel version of those horrible mash-and-parody movies that always come out in the US.
Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]
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