Vanilla from Galaxy Angel by ashishunIt's Saturday which means it's time for a small gallery of flat chests. I totally forgot about it last week, for which I apologize. It's because this Saturday weekly posts had started just recently and I hadn't grown accustomed to it. So it slipped off my mind last Saturday ^^' Anyways, I'll do my best to make up for it today.I almost forgot. This post has a bit NSFW character, which will certainly apply to every DFC Saturday post, but I think that goes without saying.picture by 47agdragonFinnel by matsuryuuShinku by Sorimura YoujiUshiromiya Maria by nukaLouise by yokaze japanpicture by marumiFinnel by Mizuki MakotoShirai Kuroko by makacoon. This picture is great. Kuroko in speed skating uniform looks absolutely gorgeous. But I believe she would rather see it on Mikoto.Himamori Amu by makacoon
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There often seems to be one new show that most people despise, but I think is outstanding.A couple of summers ago, it was Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto, which it seems only I thought was one of the best shows of 2008. Last fall, it was the hilarious and deep Seitokai no Ichizon, which was derided by its early reviewers. This season, the show in question is Dance in the Vampire Bund. (click images to enlarge)Posters on the show's AnimeSuki forum, and also many bloggers, have been enraged at the way the first episode bears no relation to the manga. They find the TV game show that is used to introduce the story quite stupid. They rail against the fuzzy drawing in the two episodes that have been aired so far. They repeat the common criticism of Shaft and director Shinbou Akiyuki that there are too many still frames and not enough actual animation. They ridicule the use of monsters and amnesia in the plot. They say the show is boring and trite.But after watching episode two, I consider this by far the most promising show of the season, with great visual art, excellent voice-acting, unusual story-telling, fascinating rhythms in the direction, interesting characters, and a romantic story with strong elements of myth.Japanese comments have been mixed, but nowhere near as negative as those in the West. Posters on the Japanese discussion board 2channel have compared the look of the show to shows of the 1980s and earlier. To me, it has echoes of the great German "proto-postmodern" artist Joseph Beuys and his school: dry, unemphatic, strange. The dramatic visual patterns of Shinbou's Bakemonogatari are still there, but muted and more complex. For me, Bakemonogatari took Shinbou to a new level, and this show -- or at least episode two -- is yet another step up.The rhythms of the scenes are brilliant. The deft interplay of sound and silence, image and blank screen in an early classroom scene in episode two is a masterpiece in itself, embodying the protagonist's unsettled state of mind in a way that moves like music.The basic situations are mythical: a queen of the vampires who looks like a child. A vampire island in Tokyo Harbor. A young man who has forgotten his true nature and his life's purpose. A spider/vampire who restrains the queen from crossing the water to her home, but whose attack on the hero releases him from his amnesia and launches him on his true path. The monster spider is like the guardian who blocks the start of the Hero's Journey in classic myth.And mythic images keep appearing: the head poking out of a tiny window in a school wall is like some subterranean or subconscious god. The little queen's face peeking out of the shrubbery shows her integration with the power of the natural world.There is a sequence in episode two where the queen, Mina Tepes, wears the Noh mask of a woman's vengeful ghost and gives a brief Noh-like performance introducing her real vampire nature: "First, drink the lifeblood of humans. Second, live a free life in an immortal body. Third, destroy anyone who interferes with my world." For me, this is a memorable 20 seconds of animation: script, image, and voice.Vampires have always embodied forbidden sexuality. The queen is really the age of an adult, but appears so far in the form of a pre-pubescent child. The scene in which the hero rubs protective gel on her half-naked body is forbidden sexuality for our time, a time when most other forms of sexuality are considered perfectly okay.This aspect of the anime is one that does justify people in shutting it off in horrified disapproval, if that is what they feel.Her apparent age aside, the love story between the queen and her hero is already quite moving: she is searching for the boy who comforted her years ago and promised to protect her. When she comes to him, he has lost his memory. But at a time of crisis, he instinctively tries to protect her and suddenly remembers everything, and they are reunited in joyful tears. Meanwhile, the human girl who also loves him says, in a voiceover: "This is the story of a promise, a fairy tale about a great demon queen and the young man who offered her everything. A story of love, both beautiful and evanescent."People who came to this expecting a shounen anime featuring vampires and fighting may find the emphasis on romantic myth less than ideal. Even if they just expected a faithful adaptation of the manga, they will be justifiably disappointed. The mangaka himself, Tamaki Nozomu, has approved the re-imagining of his manga and is working closely with the director, Shinbou Akiyuki (Tsukuyomi Moonphase, PaniPoni Dash, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Bakemonogatari, etc.), and the lead writer, Yoshino Hiroyuki (Mai-HiME, Macross Frontier, Denpateki na Kanojo, So·Ra·No·Wo·To).Realism plays little part here. We have attack helicopters strafing the streets of Tokyo with no apparent response from the authorities. We have a hero being dashed against a building with great force and surviving. And so on. But this is myth, not reality. I have always believed that anime does myth best.The voice-acting is really outstanding. Seventeen-year-old Yuuki Aoi (Murasaki in Kurenai) as Mina Tepes demonstrates why she is getting so many and such varied roles. She can be commanding and distraught in equal measure. She can scream and she can whisper. It is amusing to hear her in the totally different role of Ichigo, the aspiring young pastry-maker in the excellent little girls' anime Yumeiro Patissière. Mina is about the most varied character imaginable, ranging from vulnerable child to romantic heroine to confident queen to vicious and athletic vampire.The hero, Akira, is played with a beautiful gentle strength by Nakamura Yuuichi, who was Alto in Macross Frontier and Graham Akers in Gundam00.And Saitou Chiwa, who gave last year's best seiyuu performance, as Senjougahara in Bakemonogatari, returns as Yuki, the girl whom Akira leaves behind. And also in the important role of narrator.But what most strikes me about this show is the ironic but powerful way the story is being told. There is a lightness that makes it seem as if some things are just being tossed off. Drama is not artificially induced. But somehow the feelings of the characters come through vividly.The first episode -- which many are now calling "episode 00" -- introduced the situation by way of a cheesy Japanese TV panel show discussing whether vampires were real. The show was thrown in chaos by the revelation that one of the panelists was a vampire himself. He transformed into a ludicrous reptilian monster and then was killed by a glance from the tiny queen, who had been pretending to be an audience member. Serious events happen, but surrounded by bizarre humor.The story is told with great economy. Each sequence has a meaning, and the links are brief and not explicit. Instead, there can be a punctuation of short scenes from elsewhere in the narrative: such as when we see a series of still scenes around the school, informing us that the afternoon has passed.The still scenes work wonderfully well for me. But many people hate it when the screen is still, and say it is not real animation. For me, the still scenes can be drawn with more art and care than an animated sequence, and that has a force of its own. They are certainly a way for the director to save money in the production, which for me is a good thing, since it allows him to make money and therefore more shows.The music is by Dobashi Akio, who was the keyboardist for the group Rebeccca in the 1980s, is a well-known music producer and DJ in Japan, and did music for the Wellber shows and Yozakura Quartet. The music is quite odd, and often used to undercut the message of a scene, either by trivializing it or working directly against it. This is a technique I usually find quite effective, to keep a scene from being too heavy or blunt.The OP song is enjoyable, a cover by Nakano Aiko of the song "Friends," a big hit for Dobashi and Rebecca in the 1980s, used here apparently by special request of the mangaka. The visual rhythms are excellent in the OP animation, which was storyboarded and directed by assistant director ("series director") Sonoda Masahiro. He is a veteran key animator and episode director who has directed many episodes of various animes, including Welcome to the NHK, Di Gi Charat Nyo, Scrapped Princess, and some Galaxy Angel shows. He also storyboarded and directed episode 2.The OP includes a passionate dance at faster than human speed by Mina Tepes, wearing next to nothing. It is an index the "dangerousness" (to quote the Moonphase blog) of the animation that I will not post it here. Look it up on YouTube, if you want. Some posters on the Japanese discussion board 2channel think it is the best OP of the season. So do I.The art director is Azuma Kouji, who got his start in hentai, as art director in a couple of Bible Black anime, but has recently become a close collaborator of Shinbou and Oonuma Shin, having done many episodes of ef melodies, as well as being art director of both Natsu no Arashi series and the current Baka to Test.The overall animation director is Konno Naoyuki, the director and animation director of 009-1, a fanservicey adventure show that looked great, whatever else it lacked.A note about the title: bund in German means an association or league. But that is not its meaning here. In the period around a hundred years ago when Britain occupied Shanghai, the main waterfront area there was known as "The Bund." This comes from the Urdu word band, which means an embankment or dam. The connection to this show is that an artificial island rising from Tokyo Harbour is occupied by the vampire nation.Will the show continue to impress me? We shall see. But since one writer is doing all the episodes, and the director/storyboarder of episode two is the man who will direct more episodes than anyone else, I expect the quality to keep coming. At least for me.
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Merry Christmas. English Patch: http://bmw.seiha.org/GAPatchv98.rar Subtitled Movie Pack (~272 MB): http://rapidshare.de/files/48870144/GA_Movies.rar.html http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y7Z8ZAL8 Direct all questions, typo/error reports, and comments to http://bmw.seiha.org/viewforum.php?f=3. Whew. Done. Well, 99.9% done. In more than enough time for Christmas too. All that’s left outside of typo fixes is a little bit of image fixing, but if you don’t mind a couple random things being mis-aligned or a location [...]
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Reference: Galaxy angel picture by Nyama.Due to spams in comment by registered users over the last few months, I have set moderation/review on the comment prior to publishing.
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Aoi Bungaku is pretty trippy - it's a psychological mindrape that has no intention of showing it's hand to the viewer. The series is set to adapt four separate novels done with four different character designers and directors. I knew beforehand that the character designs for the first segment were done by the superb Takeshi Obata (Death Note, Bakuman, Hikaru no Go), but I only just found out that the first segment is also done by one of my all-time favorite directors (!!!) Morio Asaka (CardCaptors Sakura, Chobits, Galaxy Angel, Gunslinger Girl, Nana) who, as usual, is storyboarding and directing. You can't go wrong with that combo!
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 Miyuki Sawashiro That headline is not a joke or hyperbole. Word on Gigazine is that seiyuu Miyuki Sawashiro , with whom you are probably already familiar-- she's Di Gi Charat's Puchiko , Galaxy Angel's Mint Blancmanche , Rozen Maiden's Shinku , Utawarerumono's Aruru , Strike Witches' Perrine H. Clostermann , Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei's Maria Tarou Sekiutsu , Persona -trinity soul-'s Jun Kanzato , Shugo Chara!'s Yoru , CANAAN's Canaan , Letter Bee's Lag Seeing ...you get the idea --is reportedly playing every single role in a new anime from Ufotable. The new title is Yawarakame , which is a new anime collaboration between studio Ufotable and Yuu Yagami , who you may remember for Those Who Hunt Helves and Dokkoida?!. Ufotable also adapted Dokkoida?! into an anime,and apparently Yagami works on anime stuff at Ufotable a couple of days a week. Who knew? Not much info on the anime's story is available at the moment, but it's going to be a mobile phone anime on BeeTV, rather than a standard TV anime. It looks kind of interesting. There are also some shots from a trailer for the PSP game God Eater, which Ufotable is doing the animation for, so check out the original post .
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There are more new shows this fall than in any season over the past few years. But I'm not sure the quality -- or at least the appeal to my taste -- will be that high. I don't see any shows I expect to be as good as the great shows of this past summer season, such as Aoi Hana and Bakemonogatari. But I'm ready to be surprised. (click pics to enlarge)We'll certainly have a lot of shows to choose from. But a growing number are OVA episodes or pre-released OPs being used to sell a manga volume, or advertise a future series. I'm not sure what the overall trend is in total production or total profit.I'll give complete details of pretty well all the new shows: staff, cast, dates, times, pics, sub groups, and links to more info in English and Japanese, as well as to the shows' AnimeSuki forums, which have more info and discussion. But first, here are some shows I am looking forward to:Sasameki Koto is a yuri school drama. The manga isn't as subtle and deep as Aoi Hana, but the show stars one of my favorite seiyuus: Takagaki Ayahi.Sora no Otoshimono is a shounen fantasy about a guy who gets a buxom, all-powerful angel as his servant. Ecchi comedy is not everyone's cup of tea, but this stars Hayami Saori, the most beautiful voice in anime, as well as Takagaki Ayahi, and is directed by the director of Bamboo Blade and Kigurumikku.Kimi ni Todoke was voted the top shoujo manga of 2008. I enjoy the manga, and I'm eager to see what Production I.G. can do with it. It stars Noto Mamiko -- the second-most beautiful voice in anime.Winter Sonata may have been the most successful Asian romantic TV drama ever. Now we get a chance to see a Korean animated version, voiced by the original actors.White Album now resumes, giving us the second half of the slowly evolving story of an aspiring idol's romantic and professional life. With Mizuki Nana and Hirano Aya.Miracle Train is the most bizarre show of the season: a comedy in which stations on a Tokyo subway line are personified as bishounen. What makes this so attractive is the fact that it will be directed by Kasai Kenichi, who did a masterful job with Aoi Hana.Darker than Black 2 continues the hard-boiled sci-fi mystery/adventure whose first season I enjoyed. Directed by Okamura Tensai (Wolf's Rain), and starring Kiuchi Hidenobu (Ren in NANA).Koishigure is not so much an anime as an actress reading romance stories over illustrations, but the format and the quality of the stories get my attention.Aoi Bungaku gives us another interesting format: four classic modern Japanese novels animated in three episodes each, with top character designers and artists involved.Tegami Bachi is a charming little fantasy about a girl (played by Sawashiro Miyuki) who is a letter-carrier in a mediaevalesque fantasy world.To is a two-episode OVA based on stories from a famous space-fiction manga and directed by the man who produced Appleseed and directed Vexille.Kuuchuu Buranko is the new offering from the makers of Mononoke, and is based on an award-winning novel about visits of neurotics to their even more neurotic therapist.Denpateki na Kanojo hasn't received much attention, but I loved the first ep of this two-episode OVA starring Hirohashi Ryou, about a weird girl, the boy she adores, and a series of murders.I am also looking forward to the one-episode OVA Aki-Sora, although I hesitate to admit to enjoying the almost-hentai manga, which gets closer to incest than even kissxsis.Yamakan's second music video of the season, Black Rock Shooter pilot edition, is also on my list. His Tonari no 801-chan is growing on me.I'm also looking forward to the big, serious China-Japan co-production of a 52-episode version of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.This may not be my season, but it may well be a season for shounen fans. We have the extremely popular shounen comedy adventure manga Fairy Tail being animated, with Hirano Aya in a leading role, along with Kugimiya Rie and Kakihara Tetsuya (Simon in Gurren-Lagann).And Inuyasha gets a new season, with all the original cast returning.The fighting fantasy ero-game 11eyes is also being animated, starring Ono Daisuke and Gotou Mai, directed by the director of Someday's Dreamers 1 and Zegapain, and written by the writer of Hell Girl.Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra is another shounen fantasy, based around fighting librarians who guard books that are people's souls. A fabulous cast stars Paku Romi and includes Sawashiro Miyuki, Tomatsu Haruka, Ishida Akira, Hirohashi Ryou and others.The moe fantasy Index also gets a spin-off, in To Aru Kagaku no Railgun.Clamp returns with the anime Kobato, about a girl who must collect in a bottle the suffering from people's hearts, and who must not fall in love with a particular boy.And last but hopefully not least is the yaoi science fiction fantasy Ai no Kusabi, directed by the director of Pumpkin Scissors, and written by the woman who wrote the original novel.Anyway, here is an alphabetical list of all 57 shows, linked to a full preview of each one:||11eyes       ||Ai no Kusabi       ||AIKa ZERO       ||Aki-Sora       ||Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu       ||Aoi Bungaku       ||Asura Cryin' 2       ||Battle Spirits: Shounen Gekiha Dan       ||Black Rock Shooter pilot edition       ||Cheburashka Arere?       ||Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini       ||Denpateki na Kanojo       ||Fairy Tail       ||Gokyoudai Monogatari       ||Hidamari Sketch x 365       ||Inuyasha: The Final Act       ||Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari       ||Kaidan Restaurant       ||Kämpfer       ||Kanokon ~Manatsu no Daishanikusai~       ||Kemono to Chat       ||Kiddy Girl-And       ||Kimi ni Todoke       ||kissxsis       ||Kobato       ||Koishigure       ||Kuuchuu Buranko       ||Mahoromatic: Tadaima Okaeri       ||Mahou Sensei Negima! "Another World"       ||Miracle Train: Ooedo-sen e Youkoso       ||Natsu no Arashi 2       ||Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza       ||Nyan Koi       ||Queen's Blade: Gyokuza no Tsugumono       ||Romance of the Three Kingdoms       ||Sasameki Koto       ||Seiken no Blacksmith       ||Seitokai no Ichizon       ||Shakugan no Shana S       ||Shin Koihime†Musō: Otome Ryōran Sangokushi Engi       ||Shoujo Fight       ||Shugo Chara Party!       ||Sora no Otoshimono       ||Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra       ||Tegami Bachi       ||Tennis no Ouji-sama OVA Another Story: Kako to Mirai no Message       ||Tentai Senshi Sunred 2       ||To       ||To Aru Kagaku no Railgun       ||To Love-Ru OVA       ||Today in Class 5-2 -- Takarabako       ||ToHeart2 adplus       ||Tonari no 801-chan R       ||Utsurun Desu       ||White Album part 2       ||Winter Sonata       ||Yumeiro Pâtissière       ||Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Bangaichi       notes:English and Japanese titles link to more info in their respective languages"forum" links to a show's AnimeSuki forumwhere no real trailer is available, "trailer" links to a streamed episode of a previous series of the same showsubs info from the Who Subs What wikistaff, cast, and other info from MoonPhase, official sites, AniDB, and Anime News Networkepisode numbers uncertain; "2/4eps" means "second of four episodes"times and dates may change, and will be updated in the seasonal anime calendar I will post later this monthanimes listed below in order of date of first release: broadcast, rental, or saleTonari no 801-chan R(jp: となりの801ちゃんR)The fourth volume of Kojima Ajiko's Tonari no 801-chan manga shipped in Japan on September 10 with a "Tonari no 801-chan R" anime short on DVD. The manga follows the personal life of a fujoshi (female boys-love otaku) and her otaku boyfriend. Yutaka Yamamoto (Kannagi) directed the production of the 90-second "opening anime" at Aniplex's A-1 Pictures studio (Kannagi, Ookiku Furikabutte). Info from animeanime.jp via ann (Anime News Network).An excellent OP. Not overwhelmingly exciting, but it has grown on me, and seems like something whose appeal will not fade. A good teaser for the coming anime: the characters look interesting. Excellent animation gives the figures a physical presence.director: Yamamoto Yutakaanimation: A1xOrdet. chara-des: Haruna. animation supervisor: Kadowaki Satoshi.music: Nishimura Masatoshi; Slowcurve. theme: Bagyou no Fujoshi.streamed here or here. forum. OP OVA. 1/1eps.thu 10 sepBattle Spirits: Shounen Gekiha Dan(jp: バトルスピリッツ 少年激覇ダン)shounen fighting fantasySecond kids' shounen series based on the trading card game. Great cast, good director, competent lead writer.seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Honda Youko (Ichika/UtaKata, Mana/sola), Oura Fuyuka (Mizuki/Shikabane, Naruki/Regios), Yukino Satsuki, Kawasumi Ayako, Okamoto Nobuhiko (Yorito/sola, Layfon/Regios), Horanai Ai (Lua/YuGiOh 5Ds), Ono Daisuke.director: Nishimori Akira (PetoPeto-san, Hitohira, Zombie Loan)writer: Tomioka Atsuhiro (Nishi no Yoko Majou, Pumpkin Scissors, Zombie Loan, Inazuma 11).animation: Sunrise. chara-des: Yumoto Yoshinori (Growlanser 4, Strait Jacket, some Shounen Toppa).OP Jam Project, ED Oikawa Mitsuhiro.trailer. 13?eps.sun 13 sep 07:00Koishigure(jp: 恋時雨���吉高由里子と6つの恋���)josei love storiesAn illustrated anthology of short stories read aloud by 21-year-old actress Yoshitaka Yuriko. Based on six love stories and their accompanying illustrations from the Koishigure short story series in Media Factory's Da Vinci magazine. A popular music group is contributing a love song to each story. (ann)Music: Mochida Kaori, Koto Ringo, Oohashi Trio, Maekawa Hiroki, Takasugi Satomi, moumoon.Artists: Kishino Makiko, Suwa Sayaka, Nishi Shuhu, Hiramatsu Kei, sioux, MARYCO.This appears to be less anime than reading to pictures, but I'm still eager to see it.seiyuus: Yoshitaka Yuriko (actress; Vanessa in ep13 of Michiko & Hatchin).director: Kamebuchi Hiroshi (? 亀渕裕 )1/6eps.wed 16 sep 26:08Mahou Sensei Negima "Another World" (jp: 魔法先生ネギま������もうひとつの世界���)comedy with magic and moeYet another Shinbou Negima OVA series begins. The OVAs have been following the manga more closely than the TV series did -- perhaps because the mangaka, Akamatsu Ken, is writing the screenplays.seiyuus: Satou Rina, Kanda Akemi, Horie Yui, Inokuchi Yuka, Inoue Marina, Ishige Sawa, Kobayashi Yu, Noto Mamiko, Saitou Chiwa, etc..director: Shinbou Akiyukiwriter: Akamatsu Ken.animation: Shaft. chara-des: Jitsuhara Noboru. animation supervisor: Jitsuhara Noboru.OP Satou Rina, Kanda Akemi, Nonaka Ai, Noto Mamiko, Kobayashi Yu. ED Satou Rina, Inoue Marina.trailer. forum.OVA. 1/4eps. sold with v27 of manga; ep2 comes w/v28 on 17nov.tue 17 sepUtsurun Desu(jp: 伝染るんです)bizarre comedyAn anime adaptation of Sensha Yoshida's Utsurun Desu "nonsensical" gag comedy comic-strip manga. The manga uses a stable of off-the-wall characters to tell jokes that defy logic. (anidb)Director Mankyuu is a young filmmaker (just turned 29) who made his name with short flash animations and now has this OVA series.I haven't seen the first episode, and have no idea what to expect. A guest seiyuu (comedian Takayama Takenori) says that the lines he was asked to say were all just onomatopoeic sounds that he shouted out. (ann)seiyuus: Chafurin (Inspector Megure in Detective Conan), Mamiko Noto, Seki Tomokazu, Nakahara Mai, Wakamoto Norio.director: Mankyuuwriter: Yoshida Sensha (orig).trailer.OVA. 2/3eps. ep3 23oct.fri 18 sepIsekai no Seikishi Monogatari(jp: 異世界の聖機師物語)fantasy adventureEpisode 7 of the continuing fantasy adventure based on the mediaevalesque fantasy world of Tenchi Muyo.seiyuus: Nakagawa Rie, Satou Takaya, Kuwatani Natsuko, Tsunematsu Ayumi, Yasumoto Hiroki, Yonezawa Madoka, Shimono Hiro, Saitou Momoko, Sonozaki Mie.director: Yoshikawa Koji (DN Angel, Goshuushousama Ninomiyakun)writer: Shirane Hideki (Bottle Fairy, Girl's High).animation: AIC/BeStack. chara-des: Watanabe Hajime (School Rumbles). animation supervisor: Watanabe Hajime (School Rumble 3).music: Tada Akifumi (Tenchi Muyou, Touka Gettan, Skip Beat).trailer. subs: Sora.OVA. 7/13eps.fri 18 sep 04:00 (ep7 preview broadcast)Queen's Blade: Gyokuza no Tsugumono(jp: クイーンズブレイド 玉座を継ぐ者)ecchi fantasy adventureWhat can you say about this terrible but very popular show about large breasts? Oh, yes, there is fantasy and fighting in there, too. And a great cast.One thing you can say is that it is popular enough to get a second season immediately on the heels of the first.seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, Hirano Aya, Tanaka Atsuko, Mizuhashi Kaori, Kaida Yuuko, Nabatame Hitomi, Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Yuuko, Itou Kanae.director: Yoshimoto Kinji (Plastic Little, Genshiken2, QB1)writer: Yoshioka Takao (Elfen Lied, ZnT, QB1).animation: chara-des: Rin Shin (WordsWorth, Ikkitousen DD, QB1). animation supervisor: Rin Shin, Noguchi Takayuki (Kamichama Karin, QB1).sound director: Aketagawa Jun. OP ENA. ED Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Yuuko, Itou Kanae.trailer. forum.subs: SFW, PZ. 12?eps.thu 24 sep 08:00Tennis no Ouji-sama OVA Another Story: Kako to Mirai no Message(jp: テニスの王子様　OVA ANOTHER STORY ���過去と未来のメッセージ)sports bishounenThe Prince of Tennis Another Story OVA continues.seiyuus: Minagawa Junko, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Kondou Nakayuki, Tsuda Kenjirou, Kaida Yuuki, Takahashi Hiroki.director: Tada Shunsukewriter: Hirota Mitsutaka; Sakai Fumiyo (? 坂井史世). Konomi Takeshi (mangaka).animation: chara-des: Ishii Akiharu. animation supervisor: Irie Kenji; Ishii Akiharu.OVA. 3-4 of 6eps.fri 25 sepBlack Rock Shooter pilot edition(jp: BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER -PILOT Edition-)music videoNinety-second music video in advance of next spring's full series based on huke's revisioning of a Hatsune Miku-like character with guns. Stills here.With Tonari no 801-chan, this is the second animated music video that Yamamoto Yutaka and his staff will put out this fall. Perhaps Yamakan has created a new form, based on his OP and ED triumphs for Haruhi, Lucky Star, and Kannagi.But this one is not directed by Yamakan himself, who passes the job to Yoshioka Shinobu and retains the title of "supervising editor," as Shinbou sometimes does. Music by suddenly famous amateur ryo, who wrote the Bakemonogatari ED sung by supercell.director: Yoshioka Shinobuwriter: huke (orig).animation: Ordet. chara-des: Matsui Yuusuke.music: ryo.forum. OP OVA. 1/1eps.wed 30 sepAsura Cryin' 2(jp: アスラクライン)shounen mecha supernaturalFrom a light novel series involving mecha, romance, and supernatural science. The first series was a decent show that never quite captured me. But it did capture the attention of enough people that it is getting a second season.Irino Miyu stars, with Tomatsu Haruka, Nonaka Ai, and Tanaka Rie. And there are some good names in the supporting cast: Yahagi Sayuri, Morikubo Showtarou, and the K-On combination of Satou Satomi, Toyosaki Aki, and Hikasa Youko.This is from the company that did Nanoha and Inukami, and is directed by the man who directed StrikerS, Sekirei, and Inukami.seiyuus: Irino Miyu, Tomatsu Haruka, Nonaka Ai, Tanaka Rie, Morikubo Shoutarou, Satou Satomi, Yahagi Sayuri, Toyosaki Aki, Hikasa Youko.director: Kusakawa Keizou (StrikerS, Inukami, Sekirei)writer: Akao Deko (script work on Natsu no Arashi and Zettai Seigi Love Pheromone). Mikumo Gakuto (orig).animation: Seven Arcs. chara-des: Komori Atsushi (Inukami, Bleach).sound director: Aketagawa Jin. music: Tajiri Mitsutaka. OPED angela.subs: AllOfThem, Chihiro, AnimeYoshi?. mecha: Oda Hiroyasu13?eps. trailer. forum.thu 01 oct 09:30Kämpfer(jp: けんぷファー)fighting comedy romanceOne day, a normal high school boy wakes up to find himself transformed into a girl. A stuffed tiger comes to life and tells him to fight as a female psychic fighter "Kämpfer". Having no idea about what's going on, Natsuru is involved in the battles against other female Kämpfer. Kämpfer fight each other with guns, swords, and magic. From a series of light novels.Excellent cast includes Inoue Marina, Horie Yui, Nazuka Kaori, Tamura Yukari, Mizuki Nana, and Mamiko Noto, with the reappearance of Nakajima Megumi (Ranka in Macross F) as a seiyuu, as well as a singer.The staff is a bit more questionable, featuring the director of Chocotto Sister. But he also did Kyouran Kazoku, so there is hope for some decent comedy. The lead writer did Kamen no Maid Guy, and Hajime no Ippo New Challenger, so he has breadth. The original writer also did both Maburaho and Umi Monogatari.seiyuus: Inoue Marina, Horie Yui, Nazuka Kaori, Asumi Kana, Nakajima Megumi, Nomura Michiko, Tamura Yukari, Mizuki Nana, Noto Mamiko.director: Kuroda Yasuhiro (Chocotto Sister, Kyouran Kazoku, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou)writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Kamen no Maid Guy, Hajime no Ippo New Challenger). Tsukiji Toshihiko (creator of Maburaho, Umi Monogatari).animation: Nomad (Rozen Maiden, Yozakura Quartet). chara-des: Senmu (orig), Fujita Mariko (Galaxy Angel, Rosario+Vampire).OP Kuribayashi Megumi, ED Inoue Marina/Nakajima Megumi.subs: Koharubi, SFW. forum. 12?eps.thu 01 oct 25:29Nyan Koi(jp: にゃんこい!)shounen comedy, romanceKousaka Junpei is a second-year high school student who both despises and is allergic to cats. His high school crush, however, is Mizuno Kaede, a girl who adores cats. After a minor accident, he finds he can understand what cats are saying, but if he does not grant 100 wishes from cats, he will turn into a cat himself.Director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate 1, Zettai Karen, Getsumen) stands a good chance of being able to make something funny out of this set-up. Lead writer Inotsume Shinichi did both Hayate and Ristorante Paradiso.Looks like a normal high-school romantic comedy, but staff and cast make me think there could be something good here.seiyuus: Asanuma Shintarou, Iguchi Yuka, Shiraishi Ryouko, Kobayashi Yuu, Tanaka Atsuko, Fukuyama Jun, Satou Rina, Tomatsu Haruka.director: Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate, Zettai Karen, Getsumen)writer: Inotsume Shinichi (Hayate, Ristorante Paradiso). Fujiwara Sato (mangaka).animation: AIC. chara-des: Morita Kazuaki (Seto no Hanayome, Sunred). animation supervisor: Yamane Masahiro, Sako Yukie.sound director: Iida Satoki (Seto no Hanayome, Sunred, Ayakashi). music: Miwa Manabu, Ookawa Shigenobu (Tayutama). OP Sakakibara Yui, ED Imai Asami.trailer. forum. subs: AnimeHimitsu?, Yuurisan.12?eps.thu 01 oct 25:5911eyes(jp: 11eyes)fantasy adventure ero-game adaptationKakeru lost his sister to suicide and has been living a dull life since then. One day, he is transported into the bizarre world "Red Night" along with his female friend Yuka. In order to survive and escape from Red Night, he and his companions fight against Dark Spirits and Black Nights. (ann)Adaptation of a popular ero-game. Director Shimoda Masami did Someday's Dreamers 1 and Zegapain, as well as the less successful Polyphonica1. Top writer Kanemaki Kenichi did Ai yori Aoshi, PaniPoni Dash, and Jigoku Shoujo.Ono Daisuke and Gotou Mai star. Supporting seiyuus Asakawa Yuu and Morikubo Showtaro were married in 2007 and divorced this year.This kind of anime isn't really my thing. But this particular staff could make something of it.seiyuus: Ono Daisuke (Yukito/Air, Itsuki/Haruhi, Hosaka/Minamike, Jack Bez./Pandora Hearts), Gotou Mai (Mizuki/ef, Mika/Nogizaka Haruka, Mai/Yoakena), Asakawa Yuu (Motoko/Love Hina, Sakaki/AzuDai, Karen Clavius/Yoakena), Rikimaru Noriko (Nori/Rozen Maiden, Komaki/ToHeart2, Mashiro/Tayutama), Ichimura Oma (Ibuki/Happiness), Morikubo Showtaro (Nara/Naruto), Hagiwara Emiko (Mayu/Elfen Lied, Ilfa/ToHeart2), Mizuhashi Kaori (Taeko/Ai yori Aoshi, Yuuno Scrya/Nanoha, Ai/ARIA, Ogiue/Genshiken), Takahashi Chiaki (Mitsuki/KgNE, Takako/Otoboku).director: Shimoda Masami (Someday's Dreamers, Zegapain, Polyphonica1)writer: Kanemaki Kenichi (Ai yori Aoshi, PaniPoni Dash, Jigoku Shoujo, Sayonara Zetsubou, Natsume Yuujinchou).animation: DogaKobo (Ryoko's Case File, Myself;Yourself, Koihime Musou). chara-des: Hara Shoji (Sasami Magical Girl). animation supervisor: Hara Shoji (Sasami, Akasaka).OP Ayane, ED Asriel.trailer. forum. subs: SFW.12?eps.thu 01 oct 26:00To(jp: TO���トゥー���)space adventureAfter producing the first computer-animated Appleseed film and directing Vexille, director Sori Fumihiko is now adapting two stories from Yukinobu Hoshino's 2001 Nights (2001 Ya Monotogari) manga. "Symbiotic Planet" and "Elliptical Orbit" are part of a centuries-long narrative about mankind's voyages into space.The two animated stories will be released simultaneously on DVDs which the distributor (Avex) will begin renting in Japanese video stores on October 2. No other release plans have been officially announced yet.Paku Romi, Fukuyama Jun, Ohtsuka Akio, Hirano Aya. Space fiction and a great cast? I'm there.seiyuus: Ohtsuka Akio, Paku Romi, Fukuyama Jun, Hirano Aya.director: Sori Fumihiko (Appleseed, Vexille)writer: Hoshino Yukinobu (mangaka). CG: Miyazaki Hirokazu.sound design: Kasamatsu Kouji (Hellsing, Appleseed).music: Takahashi Tetsuya (Appleseed).trailer. OVA. 1-2 of 2eps.fri 02 octTatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra(jp: 戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra)shounen fantasyIn the story of the light novels, all the dead people of the world have been turned into "books" stored in the Bantorra library. A boy named Koria has had his memories erased and his chest embedded with a bomb. He is sent to kill Hamyuttsu Meseta, the world's most powerful armed librarian. However, he falls in love at first sight with this beautiful woman, who is in charge of the "books," and he becomes enveloped in the great war over the library. (ann)Top cast inludes Paku Romi, Ogawa Toru, Sawashiro Miyuki, Tomatsu Haruka and more big stars. Top writer Okada Mari did true tears, Vampire Knight, and Toradora. But director Shinohara Toshiya did Gunparade Orchestra and Kuroshitsuji, neither of which did much for me. We'll see how this goes. From Studio David Production, animators of Code Geass R2.Not my genre, but could be good.seiyuus: Paku Romi, Ogawa Toru, Sawashiro Miyuki, Tomatsu Haruka, Nakamura Yuuichi, Ishida Akira, Hirohashi Ryou, Miyake Kenta, Irino Miyu, Kawasumi Ayako.director: Shinohara Toshiya (Gunparade Orchestra, Kuroshitsuji)writer: Okada Mari (true tears, Vampire Knight, Toradora, Canaan, Kodomo no Jikan). Yamagata Ishio (novels).animation: David Production (Code Geass R2). chara-des: Yamada Masaki (Appleseed, Magical Kanan).sound director: Motoyama Satoshi (Haibane Renmei, Bartender, Skip Beat). music: Hirano Yoshihisa (Beyblade, Strawberry Panic, Death Note, Real Drive). OP Ali Project, ED Annabel.trailer. forum. subs: AnimeHimitsu?, Enigma Collective. 13?eps.fri 02 oct 22:00To Aru Kagaku no Railgun(jp: とある科学の超電磁砲���レールガン���)seinen superpower comedySidestory from To Aru Majutsu no Index. The story is set in Academy City, where 80% of the 230,000 citizens are students, and deals with the adventures of level-five psychic Misaka Mikoto.The director of Toradora and the writer of Asatte no Houkou bring us the animation of this popular seinen superpower comedy novel. Same studio as Index -- JC Staff -- but the director and writer are new. The novels were both written by Kamachi Kazuma.Interesting cast, with Toyosaki Aki back as the moe voice of the day. She and the wonderful Arai Satomi back up Abe Atsushi, Satou Rina, and Itou Kanae.seiyuus: Abe Atsushi, Satou Rina, Itou Kanae, Arai Satomi, Toyosaki Aki.director: Nagai Tatsuyuki (Honey Clover 2, Toradora, Idolmaster X)writer: Minakami Seishi (Asatte no Houkou, Birdy2, Shigurui). Kamachi Kazuma (creator).animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Hajimura Kiyotaka, Tanaka Yuichi (Last Exile).sound director: Aketagawa Jin (Ichigo Mashimaro, Aoi Hana, Toradora). music: Iuchi Maiko (Index). OP fripSide, ED Elisa.trailer. forum. subs: Eclipse?. 12?eps.fri 02 oct 25:30White Album part 2(jp: ホワイトアルバム)The second half of the series that aired last winter. We were left with a very inconclusive conclusion. What are Rina and Eiji's real intentions? Will Yuki and Touya really get together?From a game by Aquaplus. The first series developed slowly and unevenly, but had some strong aspects.seiyuus: Hirano Aya, Mizuki Nana, Maeno Tomoaki, Takamoto Megumi, Masu Nozomi, Paku Romi, Tomatsu Haruka, Sakaguchi Daisuke (Keel/Tideline Blue, Sunohara/Clannad), Hayami Shou (Maximilian Jenius/Macross7, Julious/Angelique).director: Yoshimura Akira (new, dir. eps of Planetes, Samurai Champloo, Gundam00, etc.)writer: Satou Hiroaki (dir. Yoshimune).animation: Seven Arcs. chara-des: Yoshinari Kou, Kawata Hisashi.sound director: Shioya Yoku. music: Elements Garden. OP: Mizuki Nana, ED: Suara.trailer. forum. subs: Eclipse?. eps. 14-26.fri 02 oct 25:30Seitokai no Ichizon(jp: 生徒会の一存)comedyA private high school has a student council chosen entirely by popular vote. Ken Sugisaki is the only male on the otherwise all-girl council. Only council members are 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. (adb)A cast largely made up of new or unknown seiyuus is directed by Satou Takuya, who directed Ichigo Mashimaro (a good thing) and Mission-E (not so good). The writer is Hanada Jukki, who did Rozen Maiden and sola. From a series of light novels.seiyuus: Honda Mariko, Saitou Yuka (Lucifer/Umineko), Togashi Misuzu, Horinaka Yuki, Kondo Takashi (Train/Black Cat, Ralph/Strain, Ariabart/Tytania).director: Sato Takuya (Ichigo Mashimaro, Mission-E)writer: Hanada Jukki (Rozen Maiden, sola, Sorakake Girl). Aoi Sekina (creator).animation: Studio Deen. chara-des: Horii Kumi, Inugami Kira (orig).sound director: Iwanami Yoshikazu.forum. subs: Nuke.13eps.fri 02 oct 25:58Inuyasha: The Final Act(jp: 犬夜叉 完結編)adventure, comedy, romanceThis series will cover the story in volumes 36 to 56 of the manga. The first series lasted from 2001-2004, with over 160 episodes. Then there have been specials and movies, the last of which was in 2004. But the show continues to be popular in re-run, and there is plenty of excitement at seeing the old cast and staff return.Aoki Yasunao directs, as he has since about halfway through the first series. And what a cast: Yamaguchi Kappei, Yukino Satsuki, Kuwashima Houko, Yajima Akiko, Yukana, Cho, Noto Mamiko, et al.seiyuus: Yamaguchi Kappei, Yukino Satsuki, Kuwashima Houko, Tsujitani Kouji, Watanabe Kumiko, Yajima Akiko, Yukana, Cho, Noto Mamiko, Morikawa Toshiyuki.director: Aoki Yasunao (Inuyasha 45+, Yakitate Japan)writer: Sumisawa Katsuyuki (Ryu Knight, Gundam Wing, Naruto, Yakitate Japan). Takahashi Rumiko (mangaka).animation: Sunrise. chara-des: Hishinuma Yoshihito. animation supervisor: Hishinuma Yoshihito.sound director: Tsuruoka Yota. music: Wada Kaoru (D. Gray Man, Gilgamesh, Inuyasha, Princess Tutu).forum. 13+?eps.sat 03 octSeiken no Blacksmith(jp: 聖剣の刀鍛冶���ブラックスミス���)shounen fantasy adventureAfter a great war, the devils' power was sealed. Later, a young noblewoman knight, Cecily Campbell, is looking for a blacksmith who can repair the sword she inherited from her father. She comes upon a young blacksmith who despatches a gang of hoodlums with one sweep of his own mysterious sword. And their adventure begins. Based on a boys' light novel series by Isao Miura.Good cast: Fujimura Ayumi (Ayano in Kaze no Stigma), Okamoto Nobuhiko (Layfon in Regios), Toyoguchi Megumi, Toyosaki Aki (Yui in K-On). I'm not so sure about the director (Pokemon, Linebarrels) and the writer (Shuffle, Kanokon). Animation by Manglobe (Ergo Proxy, Michiko to Hatchin).Shounen fans are highly optimistic about this one, but the staff makes me pessimistic. To say nothing of the fact that this isn’t a genre I love. Worth a look, however.seiyuus: Fujimura Ayumi (Ayano/Kaze no Stigma, Kyouka/Kyouran Kazoku), Okamoto Nobuhiko (Yorito/sola, Layfon/Regios), Toyoguchi Megumi (Revy/Black Lagoon, Klan/MacrossF), Toyosaki Aki (Yui/K-On).director: Hidaka Masamitsu (Pokemon, Linebarrels)writer: Suzuki Masashi (Shuffle, Kanokon, Minami-ke Okawari). Miura Isao (novels).animation: Manglobe (Ergo Proxy, Michiko to Hatchin production). chara-des: Runa (orig), Nakai Jun (Tokyo Majin).sound director: Yano Satoshi (recording engineer RahXephon, Blood+, Shangri-la). music: Terashima Tamiya (Glass Mask, Jyuushin Enbu). OP Gotou Mayumi, ED Toyosaki Aki..trailer. subs: Saikyo, Nuke, Kesenai?,Koharubi. forum. 12?eps.sat 03 oct 09:30Shugo Chara Party!(jp: しゅごキャラパーティー���)The third Shugo Chara series will be part anime and part live-action. The show will contain three elements: the continued anime, known as Shugo Chara DokkiDoki; some anime shorts known as Shugo Chara Pucchi Puchi; and some live-action.The live-action will be interesting, as will the fact that the OP will be sung by the Shugo Chara Egg teen idol group, whose final member is being chosen by open audition.seiyuus: Itou Kanae, Katou Nanae, Toyosaki Aki, Takagi Reiko, Miyake Kaya, Nakamura Yuuichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Mizuki Nana, Chiba Saeko.director: Yasuda Kenjiwriter: Ohnogi Hiroshi. Peach-Pit (orig).animation: Satellite. chara-des: Sai Fumihide.OP Shugo Chara Egg!subs: Crunchyroll?.sat 03 oct 09:30Tegami Bachi(jp: テガミバチ)heartwarming fantasy dramaLittle-known special from late last year gets an anime series. Outstanding cast stars Sawashiro Miyuki, Fujimura Ayumi, Fukuyama Jun, Konishi Katsuyuki, Koshimizu Ami.New director, a writer who did work on Death Note and I"s Pure, animation by Kanbe Mamoru (director of Elfen Lied, I"s Pure, Denpateki na Kanojo) for Studio Pierrot. From a manga.Last year's special can be seen here. I liked the special and am looking forward to this. Music by Kunihiko Ryou (Twelve Kingdoms, Saiunkoku, Emma)seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki, Fujimura Ayumi, Fukuyama Jun, Konishi Katsuyuki, Koshimizu Ami, Nagasawa Naomi, Nakai Kazuya, Kishio Daisuke, Suganuma Hisayoshi, Mizuki Nana.director: Iwanaga Akira (new, work on I's Pure, Bleach, Gunslinger Girl)writer: Oishi Testsuya (work on Death Note, I's Pure). Asada Hiroyuki (mangaka).animation: Studio Pierrot. chara-des: Shiba Minako (D. Gray Man, Kuroshitsuji, Phantom). animation supervisor: Kanbe Mamoru (dir. Elfen Lied, I's Pure, Denpateki Kanojo).music: Kunihiko Ryou (Twelve Kingdoms, Saiunkoku, Emma). OP Suga Shikao, ED Himeka.trailer. forum. subs: Last Impressions, Mochi, Kesenai. 13+eps.sat 03 oct 22:55Tentai Senshi Sunred 2(jp: 天体戦士サンレッド)seinen comedyTentai Senshi Sunred is a powerful, battle tested hero of many years. He has sold his super bike, which is seen in the opening credits. Now he smokes a lot, is effectively unemployed, and lives by the grace of his girlfriend, Kayoko Uchida. His arch enemies in the Evil Florsheim Army are still trying to take over the world. Under the direction of their local leader, Vamp, they help members of the community, run a cooking show, assist Kayoko Uchida whenever possible, and try to attack the ever powerful Sunred. A light parody of the Japanese hero general. (ann)Directed by new director Matsumoto Takehiko, under the supervision of original director Kishi Seji (dir. Seto no Hanayome). I've never watched this show, but it has some strong followers, and the comedy may work for you. I'll give it a go myself.seiyuus: Takagi Shun, Nabei Makiko, Louis LIII Yamada.director: Matsumoto Takehiko (new). chfdir: Kishi Seiji (dir. Galaxy Angelune, Seto no Hanayome)writer: Uezu Makoto (Utawarerumono, Seto no Hanayome, School Days, Akasaka).animation: AIC A.S.T.A.. chara-des: Morita Kazuaki (Seto no Hanayome, Sunred).music: Kakijima Shinji (Sunred). OP manzo.trailer. forum. subs: ANBU. 13+eps.sat 03 oct 23:30Yumeiro Pâtissière(jp: 夢色パティシエール)family shoujo cookingEarly Sunday morning show about a girl who wants to be the best pâtissière possible. Young Yuuki Aoi (Murasaki in Kure-nai) gets her second starring role of the fall.Director Suzuki Ko has been around a long time, but has only directed one show previously: a 1997 OVA called Princess Rouge. Writer Yamada Takashi, however, did Onegai My Melody and Marie & Gali.seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Taketatsu Ayana, Hamazoe Shinya, Yonaga Tsubasa.director: Suzuki Kouwriter: Yamada Takashi (Onegai My Melody, Marie & Gali). Matsumoto Natsumi.animation: Pierrot. chara-des: Akiyama Yukiko.sound director: Tanaka Kazuya.forum. 13?eps.sun 04 oct 07:00Sora no Otoshimono(jp: そらのおとしもの)comic ecchi sci-fi romantic fantasyTomoki loves his peaceful life in a country town, but a strange girl often enters his dreams, asking for his help. One night, a buxom angel suddenly falls on him from the sky. She turns out to be an "entertainment purpose angeloid" -- and his peaceful life is done. I've read some of the manga, and it is ecchi comic fantasy, but with some interesting sci-fi ideas, too, and a bit of romance.Director Saitou Hisashi did Bamboo Blade and the little-known but hilarious Kigurumikku.Great cast features Hayami Saori, Takagaki Ayahi, and Hoshi Souichirou. Hayamin's popularity is growing quickly with her performance in the virally popular new DS dating game Love Plus.Takagaki Ayahi's career seems to be catching up with her talent. She co-stars in this show and stars in Sasameki Koto. Her range of voice and acting keeps growing.This show sounds a lot like Sekirei on the surface, but the manga doesn’t feel at all the same.seiyuus: Hoshi Souichirou (Kei/Onegai Teacher, Kaoru/Ai yori Aoshi, Kira/GundamSD), Hayami Saori, Nomizu Iori, Takagaki Ayahi, Mina, Suzuki Tatsuhisa (Tezuka/Library War).director: Saitou Hisashi (Bamboo Blade, Kigurumikku v3)writer: Kakihara Yuuko (Kamichama Karin, Stitch!). Minazuki Suu (manga).animation: AIC A.S.T.A.. chara-des: Watanabe Yoshihiro (Yoakena).OP Yoshida Hitomi.trailer. forum. subs: Nekomimi, Hitode/Genjo, Mochi. 12?eps.sun 04 oct 24:00Kanokon ~Manatsu no Daishanikusai~(jp: かのこん ���真夏の大謝肉祭���)ecchi comedy, romance, supernaturalSummertime. More nudity and over-the-top ecchiness. Director Ootsuki Atsushi hit gold with Kanokon as his first directing job, and now gets this new two-episode OVA series. Maybe not the most artistic anime ever, but championship-caliber fanservice.seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, Takeuchi Miyu (Nozomu, Aldra/Queen's Blade), Miyazaki Ui (Kirino/Gift, Suzuho/Macademi), Saitou Chiwa, Seto Saori (many bit parts since 2005), Toyonaga Toshiyuki (Ayumu/Zettai Shounen, Kaname/Umisho).director: Ootsuki Atsushi (Kanokon was his debut)writer: Suzuki Masashi (Shuffle, Gift, Minamike Okawari). Nishino Katsumi (manga).animation: Xebec (Fafner, Major, Pandora Hearts, To LoveRu). chara-des: Koin (orig), Takami Akio (Shaman King, Busou Renkin, Kanokon). animation supervisor: Takami Akio (Shaman King, Busou Renkin).sound director: Nakajima Toshihiko (Kemonozume, Rideback). music: Itou Tsuyoshi. OP Sakakibara Yui, ED Miyazaki Ui.trailer. forum. subs: Ayako?. OVA. 1/2eps. TV preview showing 4oct, 11oct; DVD 25nov, 22dec.sun 04 oct 25:00Natsu no Arashi 2(jp: 夏のあらし���春夏冬中)romantic comedy with time travelAnother quality show from Shinbou Akiyuki, but one whose recent first season never quite reeled me in.Sanpei Yuuko does an excellent job as a shounen. Nazuka Kaori is as ethereal as ever as a German girl.Writer Takayama Katsuhiko adapted both ef shows.Worth a look.seiyuus: Shiraishi Ryouko, Sanpei Yuuko, Omigawa Chiaki, Nazuka Kaori, Nabatami Hitomi, Horie Yui, Nonaka Ai, Sugita Tomokazu, Yasumoto Hiroki.director: Shinbou Akiyukiwriter: Takayama Katsuhiko (both efs, Hantsuki). Kobayashi Jin (mangaka).animation: Shaft. chara-des: Ota Kazuhiro (Negima, PaniPoni).OP Yakushimaru Etsuko.trailer. forum. subs: SFW, Crunchyroll?. 13eps.sun 04 oct 25:30Miracle Train: Ooedo-sen e Youkoso(jp: ミラクル☆トレイン���大江戸線へようこそ���)bishounen comedyAnime adaptation of the Miracle Train multimedia franchise, which portrays stops on Tokyo’s Chuo commuter train line as handsome young men.Now, that sounds just weird, except for all the bishounen. But wait a minute: who's the director? Kasai Kenichi, the director of Nodame Cantabile, Honey & Clover, KimiKiss and Aoi Hana? Are you kidding?After the stunningly simple and subtle direction of Aoi Hana, I can’t wait to see what Kasai can do with this odd setup, clearly made possible by the success of Hetalia Axis Powers.seiyuus: Kenn, Sugita Tomokazu, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Ono Daisuke, Kaji Yuuki, Morita Masakazu.director: Kasai Kenichi (Aoi Hana, KimiKiss, Nodame Cantabile, Honey & Clover)writer: Kato Yoichi (script work TM8, Shangri-la).animation: Yumeta (NeoAngelique, Corda D'Oro, Harukanaru). chara-des: Kai Tomohisa, Tsunaki Aki. animation supervisor: Tsunaki Aki (Harukanaru, Yu-Gi-Oh).sound director: Watanabe Jun (Pumpkin Scissors, KimiAru, Hayate).trailer. forum. 12+eps.sun 04 oct 26:00Shin Koihime†Musō: Otome Ryōran Sangokushi Engi(jp: 真・恋姫†無双 ���乙女繚乱☆三国志演義���)ecchi-yuri historical fantasySurprisingly successful yuri parody of Three Kingdoms gets another series. Director Nakanishi Nobuaki did the hilarious Kashimashi and Sumomomomomo. Writer Go Zappa did the rather poor Chocotto Sister and Myself;Yourself. Together they produced a first season that was entertaining for most of its run and which had some hilarious moments, as well as lots of ecchi-yuri ones.The seiyuu are largely game seiyuu, the same ones who voiced the original ero-game.seiyuus: Gotou Mai (Mai/Yoakena, Mizuki/ef), Kurokawa Nami (Raika/Demonbane, Tamaki/DCSS), Nishizawa Hiroka (Asa/Sora no Iro), Narumi Erika (Kagami/Lamune), Motoi Emi (Naoko/CCS), Kobayashi Maki, Amamiya Yuu (Chiharu/KimiAru).director: Nakanishi Nobuaki (Kashimashi, Sumomomo Momomo, Koihime Musou)writer: Go Zappa (Chocotto Sister, Myself;Yourself; Koihime Musou). BaseSon (original game).animation: DogaKobo. chara-des: Hiratsuka Tomoya (Myself;Yourself), Oshima Miwa (Hit wo Nerae, Love Love, Koihime Musou). animation supervisor: Hiratsuka Tomoya (Myself;Yourself), Oshima Miwa (Love Love; Koihime Musou).trailer. forum. subs: Ayako?, AnimeOne/Menclave? 12?eps.mon 05 oct 11:30. ep1 preview broadcast oct1.Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu(jp: あにゃまる探偵 キルミンずぅ)magical girl comedyIn this "heartwarming comedy," three cute sisters come across a mysterious cosmetics compact in an attic. With it, the girls go from cosplay to a magical transformation into real animals. And start solving mysteries.Stars young Yuuki Aoi, who was Murasaki in Kurenai. Project developed by Kawamori Shoji, the creator of Macross. Directed by Masui Soichi, director of Scrapped Princess. As childish as it appears to be, this show may have something going for it.seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi (Murasaki/Kurenai), Satou Satomi (Ritsu/K-On), Anzai Chika, Tamura Mutsumi (Toppa/Battle Spirits Shounen Toppa), Ikebe Kumiko, Tange Sakura (Sakura/CCS), Nojima Kenji (Haruhiko/Touka Gettan, Masaki/Eve no Jikan), Neya Michiko (Honey/Cutie Honey, Melissa Mao/FMP, Riza Hawkeye/FMA1).director: Masui Soichi (Scrapped Princess, storyboards for Soul Eater, Edo Rocket, Melody Oblivion)writer: Kawamori Shoji (creator; dir. Macrosses, Aquarion, created Basquash). Matsuda Eriko (Itazura na Kiss eps), Yuuki Yousuke.animation: Hal, Satelight, JM. chara-des: Aizawa Sumie (dir. eps of Kemeko).sound director: Gotou Masahiro. 13?eps.mon 05 oct 17:30Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza(jp: 乃木坂春香の秘密 ぴゅあれっつぁ♪)moe comedyIn the first series, our protagonist discovered that school princess Nogizaka Haruka was actually a secret otaku. He kept her secret and they became boy friend and girl friend. Based on a series of light novels.Good cast stars Noto Mamiko. The first series was funny, moe, and slightly ecchi. I spent a lot of time defending it on AnimeSuki. But it didn’t really have enough to it to last a full season, so I'm not sure it has much to give us in a second season.Director Nawa Munenori did Otome wa Boku ni Koi wo Shiteru. The writer who adapted the novels for anime (Tsuyoshi Tamai) did the same for Inukami.seiyuus: Noto Mamiko, Hatano Wataru (Shuuichi/Monochrome), Gotou Mai, Satou Rina, Shimizu Kaori, Ueda Kana, Matsuki Miyu, Nabatame Hitomi, Kugimiya Rie.director: Nawa Munenori (DCSS, Otoboku)writer: Tsuyoshi Tamai (Inukami).animation: Diomedea (formerly Studio Barcelona). chara-des: Ishino Satoshi (Puni Puni Poemi); Shaa (orig).OP Milan Himemiya and Chocolate Rockers. ED N's.trailer. forum. subs: m33w, Aquastar? 12?eps.mon 05 oct 26:14Kobato(jp: こばと)young shoujo romantic adventureClamp arrives again, in full regalia, with writing by Ohkawa Nanase and Yokote Michiko. The director of Chi's Sweet Home gets a chance with human characters.Kobato is a sweet and perky girl, but extremely naïve about the world. She has a mission to fill a mysterious bottle with the suffering from people's hearts so her wish to go a certain place can be granted. However, she must not fall in love with a particular boy she works with and whose heart she must heal….Hanazawa Kana sounds perfect for the lead. Sakamoto Maaya does the OP and Nakajima Megumi the ED.seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Inada Tetsu (Kurogane/Tsubasa), Maeno Tomoaki, Orikasa Fumiko, Kuwashima Houko, Nakajima Megumi, Miki Shinichirou, Saitou Chiwa.director: Masuhara Mitsuyuki (Chi's Sweet Home/New Address)writer: Ohkawa Nanase (CCS, Xxxholic). Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, Valkyria Chr.).animation: Madhouse. chara-des: Kato Hiromi (Needless, dir. Beck). animation supervisor: Tazaki Satoshi (Rideback).sound director: Mima Masafumi, Nakajima Toshihiko. music: Hama Takeshi. OP Sakamoto Maaya, ED Nakajima Megumi.forum. subs: ACG/The14th, gg?, Generation NeXt, Yuurisan. 24eps.tue 06 oct 20:00Kimi ni Todoke(jp: 君に届け)shoujo romanceKuronuma Sawako’s one wish in life is to make friends. That’s a difficult proposition when everyone who meets her cowers in terror at her dark expression and strange manner. The class nicknames her Sadako (as in The Ring). She admires her classmate Kazehaya-kun, a popular, easygoing and "100% refreshing" guy who is nice to everyone, even her. (ann)Voted best shoujo manga of 2008. Director Kaburaki Hiro gets his first full anime, after having done episodes of NHK. Writer Kanparu Tomoko has a longer resume: she wrote Nodame Cantabile and Genji Sennenki, among many other shows.Noto Mamiko and Namikawa Daisuke play the leads, and are surrounded with a stunning supporting cast including Sanpei Yuuko, Sawashiro Miyuki, Nakamura Yuuichi, and Hirano Aya.I love the manga, and I’ll be right there for the start of this show.seiyuus: Noto Mamiko, Namikawa Daisuke (Rock/Black Lagoon), Sanpei Yuuko (Nakiami/Xam'd), Sawashiro Miyuki, Nakamura Yuuichi (Tomoya/Clannad), Hirano Aya.director: Kaburaki Hiro (Welcome to NHK storyboards and epdir)writer: Kanparu Tomoko (Nodame Cantabile, Genji Sennenki). Shiina Karuho (mangaka).animation: Production IG. chara-des: Shibata Yuka (key animator).sound director: Yamada Tomoaki (Death Note, Real Drive).forum. subs: Frostii?, Formula? 12?eps.tue 06 oct 24:59Today in Class 5-2 -- Takarabako(jp: 今日の5の2 宝箱���仮���)ecchi heartwarming grade-school comedyThe ecchi grade-school comedy gets another OVA. Only occasionally funny, for me, and sometimes a bit too loli-ecchi even for my liberal taste.seiyuus: Kobayashi Yu (Setsuna/Negima, Mriya/MariaHolic), Shimoda Asami (Ameri/Tayutama), Asumi Kana (Yuno/Hidamari, Marin/Umi Monogatari), Akesaka Satomi (Miho/Suzuka, Nanonano/Galaxy Angelune), Honda Youko (Itsuka/Uta-kata), Takagaki Ayahi (Noe/true tears), Mako (Yurie/Kamichu), Yamato Megumi.director: Nagasawa Tsuyoshi (new)writer: Kouno Takamitsu (Lamune, Ayakashi). Sakuraba Koharu (mangaka).animation: Xebec. chara-des: Chikaoka Nao (Minami-ke).sound director: Kameyama Toshiki (Nanoha, Red Garden, MariaHolic). music: Haneoka Kai (Negima, Himawari).trailer. forum. OVA. sold with a special collection of the manga.sun 06 oct 25:30ToHeart2 adplus(jp: ToHeart2 adplus)moe romantic comedyThe second and final episode of another OVA in the perennially just-popular-enough ToHeart franchise. If nothing else, these shows give Ochiai Yurika some work.And I must admit that they can be enjoyable, lame as they may seem. Of course, their main function is to provide a firm foundation for continuing streams of ancillary goods.Director Sakata Junichi is a long-time storyboarder (NANA, Inukami) who directed Kaze no Stigma. This is his first ToHeart show. (Moonphase and jp.Wikipedia say the director is Katou Yasuhisa. My info is from the official site.)seiyuus: Sakurai Hiromi, Yamakawa Kotomi, Hagiwara Emiko, Ochiai Yurika, Itou Shizuka, Honda Chieko, Natsuki Rio, Ono Ryouko, Kogure Ema.director: Sakata Junichi (Kaze no Stigma, storyboards for Nana, Inukami, etc.).writer: Kobayashi Naruo, Kouno Takamitsu, Sakurajima Eki (? 桜島液).animation: Aquaplus/Chaos Project. chara-des: Yanagisawa Masahide, Katsura Keiichirou, Katou Yasuhisa; Mitsumi Miri, Kawata Hisami.. animation supervisor: Yanagisawa Masahide (ToHeart2, Bottle Fairy).trailer. forum. OVA. 2/2eps.wed 07 octCheburashka Arere?(jp: チェブラーシカ あれれ���)kidsBased on the Russian "national character" Cheburashka. From Eduard Uspensky's story about a mysterious creature who gets accidentally transported to Russia in a box of oranges.The second production -- after Princess Lover -- for new studio GoHands.Star Oohashi Nozomi is only ten years old. She made her debut at the age of three starring in a drama. At eight, she sang the title theme to Ghibli's Ponyo.Director Kudou Susumu did the underrated ecchi comedy KimiAru. Writer Shimada Michiru did Shugo Chara and Konnichiwa Anne. Good staff gives this show possibilities.seiyuus: Oohashi Nozomi (ten years old), Tsuchida Hiroshi (Yamazaki/Honey & Clover), Chou (Mine's father/Nodame Cantabile).director: Kudou Susumu (Koisuru Tenshi Angelique, KimiAru)writer: Shimada Michiru (Shugo Chara, Konnichiwa Anne). supervising editor: Nakamura Makoto (lead writer Noramimi, Princess Lover).animation: GoHands (Princess Lover). chara-des: Kishida Takahiro (Lain, Koi Kaze, Baccano).subs: II-Subs? 26x3mineps.wed 07 oct 07:30Sasameki Koto(jp: ささめきこと)yuri school romanceSumika is in love with her friend Ushio, but Ushio only shows interest in cutesy girls, and Sumika is a tall karate star who helps run her family's dojo. She is forced to watch from the sidelines as Ushio falls for girl after girl, none of them her. So far.Takagaki Ayahi as Sumika is a big draw for me. Takamoto Megumi, Katou Emiri, Saitou Chiwa, and 16-year-old Shimizu Ayaka are also in the cast.Director Suganuma Eiji did a good job with Kodomo no Jikan, and writer Kurata Hideyuki wrote ROD the TV and Kannagi.The manga is not at the level of Aoi Hana, but is still funny and touching.seiyuus: Takagaki Ayahi (Noe/true tears, Ein/Phantom), Takamoto Megumi (Chao Rinshen/Negima, Misaki/White Album), Katou Emiri (Kagami/Lucky Star, Mayoi/Bakemonogatari), Shimizu Ayaka (age 16?), Harada Hitomi, Saitou Chiwa, Makiguchi Mayuki.director: Suganuma Eiji (Kodomo no Jikan)writer: Kurata Hideyuki (ROD the TV, Kannagi). Ikeda Takashi (mangaka).animation: AIC. chara-des: Inomata Masami.sound director: Iwanami Yoshikazu (Marimite, Kanamemo). OPED Kiyoura Natsumi.forum. subs: Chihiro. 12?eps.wed 07 oct 26:20Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini(jp: DARKER THAN BLACK -流星の双子(ジェミニ)-)mystery violence science fictionSecond season of Okamura Tensai's dark sci-fi adventure. I enjoyed the first series, and now Hanazawa Kana and Kuwashima Houko join the cast.Hei and Yin are now on the run after betraying the Syndicate in the previous season. After leaving Japan, Hei encounters Suou Pavlichenko (Hanazawa), a 13-year-old Eurasian girl embroiled in the war and politics of various factions vying for power.Meanwhile, Hell's Gate remains standing in Tokyo, after Hei's efforts to stop the Saturn Ring anti-Gate particle weapon from activating. Although Contractors are safe from the danger of having their existences erased, this does not prevent new and old Contractors from abusing their powers.As Misaki Kirihara and her team in the Public Security Bureau deal with increasing numbers of Contractor cases, she also has to keep at bay the Syndicate, which has major positions in the Japanese police and intelligence bureaus around the world. (ann)seiyuus: Kiuchi Hidenobu (Ren/NANA), Hanazawa Kana, Kuwashima Houko, Hori Katsunosuke, Matsukaze Masaya, Miyake Kenta, Saiga Mitsuki, Mizuki Nana (not mentioned on official site).director: Okamura Tensai (Wolf's Rain)writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (My-Hime, Macross F), Okada Mari (true tears, Canaan). also Onishi Shinsuke (The Third), Suga Shoutarou (scripts GITS:SAC, Eureka 7, etc.).animation: Bones. chara-des: Iwahara Yuji, Komori Takahiro (Angelic Layer, Scrapped Princess). animation supervisor: Komori Takahiro (also RahXephon, Wolf's Rain).sound director: Wakabayashi Kazuhiro (Escaflowne, Princess Mononoke, Eureka 7). music: Ishii Yasunori.trailer. forum. subs: Koharubi, Yoroshi?, Anime-Devils?, FTV?, BSS? 12?eps.thu 08 oct 25:25Gokyoudai Monogatari(jp: ご姉弟物語)comedyFrom the award-winning comic manga (Baka Kyoudai "Idiot Siblings") about twins who are like the mascots of a shopping street in lower Tokyo.Great starring cast of Matsuoka Yuki and Kobayashi Yumiko as the twins, with Ohara Sayaka as the woman who looks after them in the absence of their parents.One season of about 13 weeks. Staff not yet announced. The setup and especially the cast make this intriguing.seiyuus: Matsuoka Yuki, Kobayashi Yumiko, Ohara Sayaka.writer: Adachi Tetsu (mangaka of Baka Kyoudai).one season of about 13 episodes.sat 10 oct 11:20Aoi Bungaku(jp: 青い文学)Anime adaptations of four literary masterpieces: Soseki Natsume's Kokoro (character design by mangaka Obata Takeshi of Death Note), Dazai Osamu's No Longer Human (charades by Obata), Akutagawa Ryunosuke's Hell Screen (charades by Bleach creator Kubo Taito), and Dazai's Run, Melos! (charades by Prince of Tennis mangaka Konomi Takeshi).Good writing is a great foundation. I will definitely be thre to see how they can adapt these classic novels to about three episodes each. No more staff info and no cast info available.12eps.sat 10 oct 25:20Fairy Tail(jp: フェアリーテイル)shounen comic adventureStory follows a teenaged girl named Lucy Heartfilia who aims to join the world's most notorious mage guild, Fairy Tail. During a daring rescue, Lucy encounters Natsu "Salamander" Dragneel, a quirky Fairy Tail member and practitioner of the ancient Dragon Slayer magic. Lucy is eventually welcomed into the Fairy Tail guild as she, Natsu, and other members go on various quests. (ann)Long-running manga could become a long-running anime. Hirano Aya scores her sixth role of the fall, three of them starring. Kugimiya Rie, Kakihara Tetsuya, Nakamura Yuuichi, Ohara Sayaka -- what's not to like? We'll see what the director of Tokyo Majin can do with this shounen comic classic.seiyuus: Kakihara Tetsuya (Simon/Gurren Lagann), Hirano Aya (Haruhi), Kugimiya Rie (Shana), Nakamura Yuuichi (Alto/MacrossF), Ohara Sayaka (Alicia/ARIA).director: Ishihira Shinji (Tokyo Majin)writer: Sogo Masashi (Gantz, Bleach, Snow Queen). Mashima Hiro (mangaka).animation: A-1/Satelight. chara-des: Yamamoto Aoi 山本碧 (key animator).forum. subs: Kubu, Kyuubi, Generation NeXt, I Eat Anime, Koharubi, SFW. 13++?eps.mon 12 oct 19:30Kaidan Restaurant(jp: 怪談レストラン)kids supernatural"School horror" show based on a series of kids' books that has sold seven million copies since 1996.Magic, monsters, and versions of stories of the supernatural from Japan and around the world.series dir: Ikeda Youko (eps. of One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh)writer: Yonemura Shoji (Guin Saga, Stitch, Glass Fleet). chief editor: Matsutani Myoko.animation: Toei. "drawing" by: Takai Yoshikazu and Katou Kumiko.tue 13 oct 19:30Kiddy Girl-And(jp: キディーガーランド)space adventure w/moeGotou Keiji is back, with his wife Kadonosono Megumi doing the character design, and Kimura Hidefumi doing the writing, as they did for Kiddy Grade, Uta-Kata, and Gigantic Formula.The story is set in Star Century year 0379, two centuries after the original Kiddy Grade anime and about five centuries from now. The spirited Ascoeur and serious Q-feuille work for the galactic government known as GTO. The two girls are training to become secret agents. (ann)New seiyuus Uchida Aya and Gouda Aya are backed up by Mizuhashi Kaori, Kiddy Grade seiyuus Hirano Aya and Nagata Ryouko, and names like Fukuyama Jun, Yukana, and Matsuoka Yuki.Animation producer Kaneko Fumio did Sketchbook. OP by Chihara Minori.The stories may or may not end up working for me (Uta-kata came closest, for me), but I will always watch the first couple of eps of any Gotoh Keiji show.seiyuus: Uchida Aya (Chikara/Munto2), Gouda Aya, Mizuhashi Kaori (Ogiue/Genshiken), Takizawa Itsuki, Nagata Ryouko (Éclair), Hirano Aya (Lumiere), Yukana, Matsuoka Yuki, Fukuyama Jun.director: Gotoh Keijiwriter: Kimura Hidefumi, gimik (orig).animation: Satelight. chara-des: Kadonosono Megumi. animation supervisor: Kaneko Fumio (Sketchbook).sound director: Satou Junichi (dir. ARIA). OP Chihara Minori. forum.thu 15 oct 24:40Kuuchuu Buranko(jp: 空中ブランコ)uncategorizable josei/seinen?The team that did Mononoke returns with an anime adaptation of Hideo Okuda’s award-winning 2004 novel. The 17th Noitamina presentation.Features the eccentric psychiatrist Irabu Ichirou and his various patients: the disturbed trapeze artist, the obsessive-compulsive neurologist, the professional baseball player who is incapacitated by nervousness. Their neuroses are matched only by their bewilderment at the therapist's eccentricities.One of the most anticipated shows of the season, for good reason.seiyuus: Paku Romi, Mitsuya Yuji (von Kummel/LoGH), Morikawa Toshiyuki, Sakurai Takahiro, Miki Shinichirou.director: Nakamura Kenji (Ayakashi, Mononoke)writer: Ishikawa Manabu (Mononoke screenplay). Okuda Hideo (orig).animation: Toei. chara-des: Hashimoto Toshifumi. animation supervisor: Hashimoto Toshifumi (Mononoke, Karas).sound director: Nagasaki Yukio (Itazura na Kiss, Dragon Ball Kai). music: Mori Hideharu (Yawara, Ranma).forum. 11eps.thu 15oct 24:45Winter Sonata(jp: 冬のソナタ)shoujo/josei romanceThe huge drama hit gets an anime series. Largely Korean production, with some Japanese input. Most of the original Korean actors do the voices.Get out your handkerchiefs. I know I'll be getting out mine. One of the shows I most look forward to this fall.seiyuus: Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo.director: Yoon Suk-howriter: Kim Hyon-wan (sp?).animation: G&G Entertainment×JM Animation. chara-des: draft by Nakayama Daisuke (studio realthing, ex-Studio 4 degrees C).sound director: Yu He-jyun (sp?).trailer. forum. subs: Koharubi, Saikyo, Live-Evil. 26eps.sat 17 oct 12:00Hidamari Sketch x 365(jp: ひだまりスケッチ×365)slice-of-life comedyThere's a new series coming, but first, here is a two-episode OVA of another of Shinbou's many successful franchises.seiyuus: Asumi Kana, Mizuhashi Kaori, Gotou Yuuko, Shintani Ryouko, Matsuki Miyu, Kugimiya Rie, Sawashiro Miyuki, Chou, Fukuen Misato.director: Shinbou Akiyuki.writer: Hasegawa Nahoko (Hidamari1). Aoki Ume (mangaka).animation: Shaft. chara-des: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Gakuen Alice). animation supervisor: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei).sound director: Kameyama Toshiuki (MoonPhase, Red Garden, Nanoha Strikers). music: Kikuya Tomoki (Potemayo, Kyouran Kazoku). OP seiyuu, ED marble.trailer. forum. subs: SoonSubs?, WinD?. OVA. 1/2eps. part 1 oct17, part 2 oct24sat 17 oct 24:30Mahoromatic: Tadaima Okaeri(jp: まほろまてぃっく ただいま◇おかえり)ecchi comedy sci-fi romanceAfter a six-year hiatus, here is a two-episode OVA of the automatic maiden, one of Kawasumi Ayako's signature roles.The staff of the OVAs (but not the original series) returns, with the exception of an interesting new writer: Urahata Tatsuhiko, who wrote Monster, Strawberry Panic, and Saki.Mangaka Ditama Bow also did kissxsis.seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Shimizu Ai, Takimoto Fujiko, Kikuchi Yumi, Mizuno Manabi, Sanada Asami, Ogihara Hideki, Kisaichi Atsushi, Koyasu Takehito.director: Saeki Shouji (FLCL, Ugly Beautiful World, He is My Master)writer: Urahata Tatsuhiko (Monster, Strawberry Panic, Saki).animation: Gainax. chara-des: Ditama Bow (manga), Takamura Kazuhiko (Mahoromatic, Ugly Beautiful, dir. Strike Witches). animation supervisor: Takamura Kazuhiko (Mahoromatic, Ugly Beautiful, dir. Strike Witches).sound director: Iwanami Yoshikazu (Marimite, Kanamemo, etc.). music: Masuda Toshio (Naruto, Mushi-shi, Ai yori Aoshi). OP Kawasumi Ayako, ED seiyuus.forum. OVA. 2eps.sat 17 oct 25:00 ep2 oct24Kemono to Chat(jp: けものとチャット)family comicAdaptation of Takayuki Mizushina's Kemono to Chat ("Chatting with Creatures") comic-strip manga.The story centers on high-school freshman Kenomoto Chacha, a girl who can understand the language of cats and speak with them.Brilliant cast stars Sakamoto Maaya, Ueda Kana, and Yahagi Sayuri. This is the director's first anime, but he is apparently well known for 3DCG design.seiyuus: Sakamoto Maaya, Ueda Kana, Yahagi Sayuri.director: Umoto Yuujiwriter: Mizushina Takayuki (creator).animation: Usagi.Ou (founded in April 2008).OVA. 1/1eps.23 octShakugan no Shana S(jp: 灼眼のシャナS)shounen supernatural adventure w/moeThis four-episode OVA will be followed by what is supposed to be one final Shana series. One of the great shounen franchises of the past few years, but I have never liked it much, myself.seiyuus: Kugimiya Rie, Hino Satoshi.director: Watanabe Takashi (Shana)writer: Kobayashi Yasuko (Claymore, Casshern Sins, Shana). Takahashi Yashichirou (novel).animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Itou Noizi (orig; Shana, Haruhi, Nanatsuiro Drops), Otsuka Mai (Shana).sound director: Aketagawa Jin (Genshiken, Ichigo mashimaro, Nodame Cantabile). music: Otani Kou (Haibane Renmei, Pumpkin Scissors, Shana). OPED Kawada Mami.trailer. forum. OVA. 1/4eps.23 octShoujo Fight(jp: 少女ファイト)sports, seinen"The story follows Neri Ooishi, a high school girl who is a talented volleyball player. She once was the captain of an elementary school team that went all the way to the national tournament. However, she spent three years as an alternate at a junior high school renowned for its volleyball program. Now she is in high school with new teammates, and she gets a chance to prove herself again. " (ann)Cast not yet announced, but it is supposed to be the same amazing group that did the drama CD: Mizuki Nana, Noto Mamiko, Watanabe Akeno, Kobayashi Yuu, Yukana, Ohara Sayaka, Yuzuki Ryouka, Kuwashima Houko, Nakamura Yuuichi, Suzumura Kenichi, Namikawa Daisuke, Fukuyama Jun, et al.writer: Nihonbashi Youko (manga and anime).animation: Production IG. OP BLiSTAR.OVA. 1/1eps. sold with v6 of manga.fri 23 octRomance of the Three Kingdoms(jp: 三國演義)historical adventureChina-Japan co-production is already being shown on Chinese TV. I've seen the first two episodes in Chinese, and it is a big, serious production, following the original novel fairly closely.The other end of the scale from Koihime Musou, and shows Liu Bei in a completely different way from Souten Kouro. Seems like the real thing, even though the approach is a bit old-fashioned.animation: Beijing Glorious Animation x Future Planet.trailer. subs: Huzzah?, FTV?. 52eps.octoberTo Love-Ru OVA(jp: OVA ToLOVEる)ecchi science fiction comedyModerately successful ecchi comedy gets yet another OVA. It appears that they will keep releasing them, one per manga volume, for at least two more volumes.A glamorous interstellar princess suddenly shows up naked in a teenage boy's room and decides he is to be her husband. Directed by the director of Busou Renkin and Rockman.EXE. Written by the lead writer for Blue Dragon, Busou Renkin, and Simoun.Outstanding cast features Tomatsu Haruka, Watanabe Akeno, and Yahagi Sayuri, as well as Koyasu Takehito. Tomatsu and Yahagi combine for the OP and ED.seiyuus: Watanabe Akeno, Tomatsu Haruka, Yahagi Sayuri, Arai Satomi, Koyasu Takehito, Hanazawa Kana, Kawasumi Ayako, Nazuka Kaori, Oura Fuyuka.director: Kato Takao (Busou Renkin, Rockman.EXE)writer: Yamatoya Akatsuki (Blue Dragon, Busou Renkin, Simoun).animation: Xebec.sound director: Mima Masafumi. OPED Tomatsu Haruka, Yahagi Sayuri.trailer. forum.OVA. 4/? eps. comes with v16 of manga. OVA5 w/v17 in feb.wed 04 nov 25:55Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Bangaichi(jp: 懺・さよなら絶望先生)Another successful season begets another OVA series for what is now one of the most successful franchises of recent years. The world's most negative man teaches a class of fairly odd high-school girls. Hilarious, for those who like the style of humor.After his brush with death in a motorcycle accident near the end of recording Honey & Clover, Kamiya Hiroshi has come back to be one of the top male seiyuus of all, having won the award as best leading man of 2008 for this role and that of Natsume in Natsume Yuujinchou.seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Nonaka Ai, Inoue Marina, Tanii Asuka, Sanada Asami, Kobayashi Yuu, Sawashiro Miyuki, Gotou Yuuko, Shintani Ryouko.director: Shinbou Akiyukiwriter: Tou Fuyashi (Zoku Sayonara). Kumeta Kouji (orig).animation: Shaft. chara-des: Morioka Hideyuki. animation supervisor: Morioka Hideyuki (REC, D.Gray-man, Sayonara, MariaHolic).trailer. forum. OVA. 1/2eps. comes with v19 of manga.tue 17 novkissxsis(jp: kiss×sis)ecchi comedy with incestDVD comes with volume 5 of the extremely ecchi manga, about a high-school boy whose two (non-blood-related) sisters are constantly trying to get into his pants. Episode one, while not that well made, was as hilariously over the top as the manga. Borderline hentai.seiyuus: Takeuchi Ken, Taketatsu Ayana, Tatsumi Yuiko.director: Nawa Munenoriwriter: Ditama Bow (Mahoromatic, mangaka).animation: feel. chara-des: Shitaya Tomoyuki (Night Wizard). animation supervisor: Shitaya Tomoyuki; Masuda Kuniaki (Kanamemo).sound director: Kikuta Hiromi.trailer. forum. OVA. 2/2eps.fri 20 novAIKa ZERO(jp: AIKa ZERO)ecchi comedySecond episode of "the return of the legendary low-angle, sexy action anime in an all-new OVA series." In this story, set in a future world (mostly submerged under water), the 19-year-old Aika Sumeragi is going to college while training as an agent. (ann)This show is all legs, boobs and guns, with a bit of plot to hold it all together. But with wonderful voices: Koshimizu Ami, Noto Mamiko, Gotou Yuuko, and Takahashi Mikako, in particular.Lead writer Kanemaki Kenichi was lead writer on Natsume Yuujinchou, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Jigoku Shoujo, Ai yori Aoshi, etc.Star Koshimzu Ami gets a chance to sing both the OP and the ED.seiyuus: Koshimizu Ami, Noto Mamiko, Fukuen Misato, Gotou Yuuko, Takahashi Mikako, Shimoda Asami, Ohtsuka Akio.director: Yamauchi Noriyasu (new, charades/animator)writer: Kanemaki Kenichi (Natsume Yuujinchou, Sayonara Zetsubou).animation: Studio Fantasia. chara-des: Yamauchi Noriyasu (Stratos 4, Najica Blitz Tactics). animation supervisor: Yamauchi Noriyasu.OPED Koshimizu Ami. trailer. forum. OVA 2/3eps. ep3 22 dec.tue 27 octDenpateki na Kanojo(jp: 電波的な彼女)mystery violence romanceI loved episode one. Hirohashi Ryou gave one of the best performances of 2009 as the weird girl who suddenly shows up and swears allegiance to the protagonist, just as a series of horrific murders is taking place.Director Kanbe Mamoru did Elfen Lied and I"s Pure. Writer Yoshino Hiroyuki did My-HiME and Macross Frontier.One of several OVAs this fall that are being sold with special editions of manga volumes. Sold with v4 of the Kure-nai manga (from a novel by the same author).seiyuus: Hirohashi Ryou, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Kobayashi Yu, Ueda Kana, Yoshizumi Kozue, Kitamura Eri, Nakahara Mai, Koshimizu Ami, Saiga Mitsuki.director: Kanbe Mamoru (Elfen Lied, I"s Pure)writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (My-HiME, Macross Frontier). Katayama Kentarou (novel).animation: Brains Base. chara-des: Tanaka Chiyuki (animator), Yamamoto Yamato (orig).sound director: Shimizu Katsunori (Elfen Lied, Kite Liberator).trailer. forum. OVA. 2/2eps.fri 04 decAki-Sora(jp: あきそら)ecchi comedy romance with cross-dressing and incestSora has an older sister Aki and a younger twin sister Nami, They have grown up saying "I love you" to each other. But now that they are older, do they still mean it in the same way? Incest happens.The manga is, uh, stimulating, with relationships and ecchiness to the point of hentai. We'll see how the anime works out. If sex sells, this could be a big success.Kitamura Eri is a great start on the cast. Director Takahashi Takeo did the fir
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The first two episodes of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 have been outstanding. And the perfect voices have been a big part of the deal.Hanamura Satomi as Mirai has been particularly brilliant. She did the sullen middle-schooler so perfectly in episode one that many people hated her. And her determination to find her brother in episode two is both moving and real.Hanamura, 25, is best known for playing Anise Azeat in Galaxy Angel Rune and Kanae, the surfing girl in part two of Byousoku 5cm.But she has also appeared in live-action films and on stage, particularly as a child and a teen, early in her career.Kobayashi Yumiko's fresh, open portrayal of little brother Yuuki makes it obvious why she is the go-to girl for young boy roles.I know her best for her brilliant comedy as Puni Puni Poemi. She also played Sarah MacDougall in Love Hina and Kobayashi Excel in Excel Saga. But in latter years, she has been doing boys: Akira in Dennou Coil, Black Star in Soul Eater, and the young Genji in Genji Monogatari Sennenki.She is 30, has two degrees in Japanese literature, and has been married for three years. She also does a reasonable amount of dubbing of foreign TV and films.And Kaida Yuuko is a suitably calm Mari, the woman who helps the siblings after the quake.She is probably best known now as Shimei in Ikkitousen and Amane in Strawberry Panic. But she does a certain amount of stage acting and a lot of dubbing of foreign films and TV. She voices Neera in ER.Kaida is 29 and is married to a stage actor.
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It’s not like I was a big fan of the original Galaxy Angel, but somehow I managed to pick an idea that Galaxy Angel A was improved over it. After renting a DVD, I suspect that I confused it with Nanoha and Nanoha As. The comedy seemed flat, uninteresting. The disc was barely playable; not scratched, [...]
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Whew! At long last, the summer season preview is here! As usual, summer is big on comedies and other light-hearted fare, like GA Geijitsuka Art Design Class, Kanamemo, and Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou-- but that doesn't mean we have no darker shows. Keep an eye out for CANAAN, from Type-Moon (Fate/Stay Night), and Umineko no Naku Koro ni, from 07th Expansion (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni), as well as BONES' Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 if you want some drama. We're also seeing relatively few sequels compared to past summers, I think; Hetalia 2nd season, Spice and Wolf II, and Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei are the only ones, really. All in all it's shaping up to be a pretty strong summer. So let's get going! <object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xj9WVTORX7s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xj9WVTORX7s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Aoi Hana Japanese Title:  青い花 Studio:   J.C. Staff Genre:   Shoujo Airs:  Fuji TV, Thursdays at 2am, starting July 2nd. Site:   http://www.aoihana.tv Summary: Fumi and Akira, who were best friends ten years prior to the anime's beginning, reconnect in high school as very different students. The girls help each other get through the social vagaries of starting out in high school. I'm told there are at least touches of yuri in the show. Notable: Director Kenichi Kasai has made a name for himself with strong and relatively understated series: Nodame Cantabile , Honey and Clover , and KimiKiss Pure Rouge among them. Total newcomer Ai Takabe will be voicing the primary heroine, Fumi, while the relatively unknown Yuko Gibu ( Koi Koi Seven 's Akiwo) plays Akira. You may want to pay close attention to the soundtrack for this one; Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty's Takefumi Haketa has been tapped to compose. <object height="240" width="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tSmyq-AgUw4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tSmyq-AgUw4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="240" width="380"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Bakemonogatari Japanese Title:  化物語 Studio:   Shaft Genre:  Supernatural Airs:  Tokyo MX TV, Fridays at 11pm, starting July 3rd Site:   http://www.bakemonogatari.com Summary: After surviving a vampire attack, Koyomi Araragi begins stumbling upon a wide variety of supernatural mysteries, starting with his nearly-weightless classmate Hitagi Senjougahara. Notable: The series is based on NisiOisiN's series of light novels. You may recognize his name as the author of the Death Note : Another Note and xxxHOLiC novels. There are those who theorize that he is in fact Death Note manga writer Tsugumi Ohba as well. Calling all Zetsubou-sensei fans! Hiroshi Kamiya, who voices Nozomu Itoshiki (as well as Gundam 00 's Tieria Erde and Macross Frontier 's Mihael ), is voicing Koyomi. Chiwa Saito ( ARIA 's Aika, Pani Poni Dash! 's Becky) joins him as Hitagi. Remember how I said Zetsubou fans should be interested? Here's another reason: it's a Shaft/ Akiyuki Shinbo collaboration. They've done Zetsubou and Maria+Holic . <object height="215" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XjihkCCXp3o&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XjihkCCXp3o&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="215" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   CANAAN Studio:  P.A. Works Genre:  Mystery Airs:  Tokyo MX TV, Saturdays at 10:30pm, starting July 4th Site:   http://www.canaan.jp Summary: A group of Tokyoites are drawn togther by a series of strange events. These include, among other things, a detective, a writer, a virus researcher, and a catgirl. Notable: Yes, the art should look familiar to you: it's from Type-Moon co-founders Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi and features designs by the latter. You know them best as the Fate/Stay Night and Kara no Kyoukai people. One of my favorite seiyuu and singers, Maaya Sakamoto ( Host Club 's Haruhi , Final Fantasy VII's Aeris ), will be voicing the lead, Alphard. Miyuki Sawashiro, best known for cute voices like Puchiko in Di Gi Charat or Mint in Galaxy Angel , will voice the titular Canaan. The series will be directed by Masahiro Ando , who debuted as an anime director with the recently-released BONES film Sword of the Stranger . <object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNmUjFgmQbQ&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNmUjFgmQbQ&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Element Hunter Japanese Title:  エレメントハンター Studio:  NHK Enterprises x Hiuon Entertainment Genre:  Sci-Fi Airs:  NHK, Saturdays at 6pm starting July 4th Site:   http://elementhunters.com Summary: Set in the year 2089, sixty years after the human population has declined to a tenth of its peak after a huge natural disaster, scientists discover that the planets resources are flowing to a “Nega Earth.” A team of young children (under 13) is formed to save the world and learn the Periodic table. Yeah, I know. Notable: Edutainment it may be, but the staff's not bad: director Yoshiaki Okumura directed Antique Bakery , Bakkyuu Hit!, and episode-directed Eyeshield 21 . I'm more excited about the music, though: Chiaki Ishikawa, who I know best for the Bokurano OP “Uninstall” (but who you may recognize from a considerable amount of .Hack work) is performing the OP. I've got to say, the designs also look pretty neat; the character designs are from newcomer Daigo Okumura. <object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h8fyG51boE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h8fyG51boE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan Japanese Title:  ファイト一発!充電ちゃん!! Studio:   Studio Hibari Genre:  Comedy Airs:  AT-X, Thursdays at 8am, starting June 25th Site:   http://juden-chan.jp Summary: Rather than bringing back another season of Code-E, Japan has selected a new electric-charged heroine to represent this summer. This time it's Juuden-chan, a visitor from another world sent to perk up downtrodden humans...presumably by zapping them with electricity? And nudity. Can't forget the nudity. Notable: This is another one that may look familiar to you; it's based on the manga by Bow Ditama, who also did Mahoro-Matic . Director Shinichiro Kimura , who helmed Hand Maid May , both Maburaho AND Mahoraba, and Karin, will take on this comedy. Ayahi Takagaki ( Gundam 00 's Feldt Grace , True Tears ' Noe) and Kaori Fukuhara ( Lucky Star 's Tsukasa, Macross Frontier 's Lam Hoa) are playing the two parallel-world visitors, Aresta Blanket and Plug Cryostat, respectively. They're also singing the OP theme.   Title:   GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class Japanese Title:  GA 芸術科アートデザインクラス Studio:   AICPLUS+ Genre:  Slice-of-Life Airs:  YTV, Tuesdays at 2:15am, starting July 7th Site:   http://mv.avex.jp/ga Summary: Five freshman girls start out in their high school art club. Hmm...sounds kinda familiar. Ahem, Sketchbook . The manga it's originally based on also featured a lot of art tips, so it'll be interesting to see if the anime follows suit. Notable: The anime is based on the manga by Satoko Kiyuduki, who you may recognize as the creator of Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro. Yen Press is releasing both of these series, so if you want a real preview of GA, check out first manga volume, which came out in April. Hiroaki Sakurai , director of Cromartie High School and Kodocha (!!) is set to direct, so expect some top-notch comedy. Here are just a couple of the cast credits: Haruka Tomatsu ( Kannagi 's Nagi , To Love-Ru 's Lala ) as the lead, Kisaragi, and Kaori Nazuka ( .hack//SIGN 's Subaru , Eureka Seven 's Eureka , Code Geass ' Nunnally) as Miki Noda.   Title:   Hetalia Axis Powers Second Season Japanese Title:  ヘタリア Axis Powers 第2期 Studio:   Studio Deen Genre:  Comedy Airs:  Mobile Animate, Fridays at 4pm, starting July 24th Site:   http://hetalia.com Summary: Oh, Hetalia: a strange little series of animated short based on a manga which pits personified countries against one another in a school setting-- and every single nation is a cute boy. Notable: The first season of Hetalia was originally scheduled to air on TV, but South Korea was reportedly unhappy with its character and protested. The series was pulled from broadcast and aired online instead...and now the second season is online, too. I wonder if their characterization of Japan is a wuss? Looks like no cast or staff changes. Did you know that the director's name is Bob? Bob Shirohata. He's best known for directing Diamond Daydreams and series-directing the popular yaoi series Gravitation . Heh. <object height="215" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QgZ-Xim5Yps&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QgZ-Xim5Yps&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="215" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Kanamemo Japanese Title:  かなめも Studio:   feel. Genre:  Comedy Airs:  TV Tokyo, Mondays at 1:30am, starting July 6th Site:   http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/kanamemo Summary: An orphan winds up working at a newspaper delivery office, where she also lives, surrounded by strong and beautiful women. Sounds like heaven to me...the PV here is actually an ad for the manga. (There isn't one for the anime yet, as far as I can tell.) Notable: The anime is based on a 4koma comic strip manga by Shouko Iwami, who also created Suzunari!, which is being released by Yen Press. Top-notch voice cast here: Aki Toyosaki ( Shugo Chara! 's Suu ) will voice Kana. And the strong women around her? Aya Endo ( Macross Frontier 's Sheryl Nome , Lucky Star 's Miyuki ), Eri Kitamura ( Kodomo no Jikan 's Rin , Blood+ 's Saya Otonashi ); Kaoru Mizuhara (Lucky Star's Kasukabe, Ga-Rei 's Saki); Rie Kugimiya ( Fullmetal Alchemist 's Al , Combat Butler Hayate 's Nagi ); Ryou Hirohashi ( ARIA 's Alice, Clannad 's Kyou Fujibayashi ); and Yui Horie ( Love Hina 's Naru , Vampire Knight 's Yuuki ). Yeah.   Title:   Kuruneko Japanese Title:  くるねこ Studio:  Studio Dachs Genre:  Comedy Airs:  Kansai TV, Sundays at 8:55am, starting July 5th Site:   http://kuruneko.fc.yahoo.co.jp Summary: It's the crazy cat lady, anime-style! Actually, Kuruneko focuses on a main character with TWO obsessions: cats, and sake. Because nothing is more entertaining than alcoholics with obsessive-compulsive pet collecting disorders. Notable: This anime is based not just on a manga, but on a web-manga, by creator Yamato. It's reportedly the most popular blog manga in Japan. The series has one voice actor, and one alone: Satomi Kobayashi, who will provide all voices. I couldn't find any other credits for her, although it seems she has done some concept design work in the past. Director Akitaro Daichi is pretty used to the unusual, having helmed Animation Runner Kuromi, Gag Manga Biyori, and Kodocha (which had three directors).   Title:   NEEDLESS Studio:   Madhouse Genre:  Sci-Fi Airs:  Tokyo MX TV, Fridays at 1:30am, starting July 3rd Site:   http://needless.jp Summary: Set in Japan in the year 2130, NEEDLESS is the tale of the unnecessary: the world is split into the city, and the outside of the city. Those who live outside the city have developed unique abilities and powers, and are known as the “Needless.” Notable: This series is such a pain to search for because the word “needless” is so common in English. Needless to say. This show will be a fun reunion for Emiri Katou ( Lucky Star 's Kagami ) and Aya Endou (Lucky Star's Miyuki ). Endou is voicing lead Cruz Shild, and Katou will voice Disc. Director Masayuki Sakoi has worked all over the place, from the recent Kamen no Maid Guy to Princess Resurrection to Strawberry Panic! . <object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QvPNay6U7n8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QvPNay6U7n8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Princess Lover! Japanese Title:  プリンセスラバー��� Studio:  GoHand Genre:  Romantic Comedy Airs:  Chiba TV, Mondays at 12:30am, starting July 6th. Site:   http://www.prilover.tv Summary: After his parents die, Teppei is due to inherit a shit-ton of money from his grandfather. In order to inherit, though , he has to graduate from a super-elite prep school full of super-elite hot chicks. Notable: Based, of course, on the Ricotta-made eroge, Princess Lover will doubtless be full of fanservice. The designs are nice though. Director Hiromitsu Kanazawa directed Macross Frontier , if that piques your interest-- we know a few things about how he handles multiple women after the same guy. Relative newcomer to the seiyuu world Takuma Terashima, best known for playing Wataru in Princess Princess , Kaname in Shigofumi , and Jin in Sisters of Wellber , will play the lead here. <object height="215" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d74SRTJ55uk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d74SRTJ55uk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="215" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Sora no ManiMani Japanese Title:  宙のまにまに Studio:  Studio Comet Genre:  Drama Airs:  AT-X, Tuesdays at 10:30am, starting July 7th Site:   http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/soramani Summary: Are you ready for some star-gazing? And probably some navel-gazing, too. Sora no Mani Mani tells the tale of a high school boy named Saku Ooyagi who, after seven years, returns to his hometown. He tries to be friends with his childhood pal Mihoshi, but their last encounter was disastrous and it's awkward. But Mihoshi also wants to restore their friendship, so she drags Saku into her astronomy club. Notable: I'm actually really excited for this series, and for one primary reason: Kanae Itou, who voices Amu-chan in Shugo Chara! (and wonderfully), is voicing Mihoshi. I like her style a lot, with her naturally pleasant voice that doesn't sound saccharine like so many other seiyuu who play young females. Joining Itou is Tomoaki Maeno as Saku. Some of you may remember him as Atsushi Doujou in the anime of Toshokan Sensou (Library Wars), or as Tooru in Ga-Rei -Zero- . I think a lot of you are familiar with director Shinji Takamatsu 's work, such as School Rumble and Gintama . <object height="215" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Plle67SzqN4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Plle67SzqN4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="215" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Spice and Wolf II Japanese Title:  狼と香辛料II Studio:  Brains Base Genre:  Fantasy/Drama Airs:  TV Kanagawa, Thursdays at 1:15am, starting July 9th Site:   http://www.spicy-wolf.com Summary: Probably the show I'm most excited about this season, Spice and Wolf is set in a medieval Europe-style fantasy world full of trade and barter-- and also full of gods, like Holo, the Wise Wolf goddess. Holo will continue her adventures with the wandering merchant Craft Lawrence. Notable: Joining the stellar leads, Ami Koshimizu ( Geass 's Kallen ) as Holo and Jun Fukuyama (Geass's Lelouch) as Lawrence, is another seiyuu superstar: Romi Paku ( Fullmetal Alchemist 's Ed ), as a new character, Abe, who appears in the novel series. ROCKY CHACK, the artist who blew many of us away with the awesomeness of the first season Spice and Wolf ED “Ringo Biyori ~The Wolf Whistling Song~,” is back again with a new ED for the sequel: “Perfect World.” If you were curious, director Takeo Takahashi from the first season is helming the second, as are screenwriter Naruhisa Arakawa and music composer Yuuji Yoshino. So expect similar quality to the first season. v<object height="215" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HsR9h2VLzdc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HsR9h2VLzdc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="215" width="340"></embed></param></object>   Title:   Taishou Yakyuu Musume. Japanese Title:  大正野球娘。 Studio:  J.C. Staff Genre:  Comedy Airs:  TBS, Fridays at 2am, starting July 3rd Site:   http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/taisho Summary: Is this Japan's answer to the film A League Of Their Own? Perhaps! Set in 1925, before women even got the right to vote in Japan, a pair of girls decide to form a girls' baseball team. But they don't know anything about the game... Notable: Based on Atsushi Kagurazaka's popular novel series, a manga adaptation also exists, by Shinpei Itou. If you read the description for Sora no ManiMani , you'll remember my mentioning Kanae Itou, the seiyuu who voices
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