Here is an overview of the new anime season, followed by full previews of 30 new shows and 25 OVAs, including pics, stories, staff, cast, and links to trailers, mangas, and discussion groups.First, here are nine shows I find particularly promising. Click photos to enlarge; mouseover for captions.Kuragehime – On noitaminA, the director of Durarara and the writer of Seitokai no Ichizon bring us a josei comedy featuring Hanazawa Kana and Saiga Mitsuki as an odd couple in an apartment building full of fujoshi (female otaku).Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru – Director Shinbou Akiyuki (Bakemonogatari, Natsu no Arashi, etc.) animates a funny manga about an airhead (Omigawa Chiaki) who loves mysteries and works in a shabby maid café with her bossy friend (Yuuki Aoi).Bakuman – Director Kasai Kenichi (Honey and Clover) and writer Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On) animate the popular manga about a boy who wants to draw manga; his friend, who wants to write the stories; and the girl he likes, who wants to be a seiyuu.Yumeiro Pâtissière Professional – For its second year-long season, the excellent Sunday morning show for young girls moves its setting from a school for pastry-makers to a real patisserie shop, and grows its protagonists from junior high students to young adults. One of my favorite shows – and not just because it stars Yuuki Aoi.Hyakka Ryouran - Samurai Girls – I’m not a fan of Queen’s Blade or Ikkitousen, two ecchi fighting animes by the same studio as this one. But the preview episode made me think that the humor, the voice-acting (Yuuki Aoi, Kugimiya Rie, Kotobuki Minako, Kobayashi Yuu, Gotou Saori), and the Shaft-like fantasy and stylishness of the look may make this show worth watching. Star Driver - Kagayaki no Takuto – Looks like Utena with magic mecha. Stars Fukuyama Jun and Hayami Saori, and is made by the director and writer of Ouran HS Host Club. Togainu no Chi – Perhaps this is the season real boys-love makes it to mainstream anime. Future fiction set in a society of strict social classes and pet boys. The title means “Blood of the Reprimanded Hound.” A great cast includes Toriumi Kousuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Midorikawa Hikaru, Konishi Katsuyuki, and Taniyama Kishou.Otome Youkai Zakuro – Human bishounen and comely female youkai (“monsters”) try to reach peaceful coexistence in an alternate-world 19th-century Japan. Lots of names make me want to see this: director Kon Chiaki (Nodame Paris), writer Okada Mari (true tears, episodes of Simoun), seiyuus Nakahara Mai, Sakurai Takahiro, Hanazawa Kana, Toyosaki Aki, Horie Yui, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Iguchi Yuka.Psychic Detective Yakumo – This looks like a solid show: a mystery show from BeeTrain featuring a detective who can see the spirits of the dead, with staff from Requiem for the Phantom and Ryouko’s Case File, and the voices of Ono Daisuke, Fujimura Ayumi, Yuzuki Ryouka, and Toyoguchi Megumi.A couple of promising shounen shows are coming:Iron Man – Madhouse animates a story based on the Stan Lee comic.Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector – A full-bore mecha adventure whose preview trailers have pleased mecha fans.In ecchi, moe and harem shows, we have: Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai – “My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute.” Comedy director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate) supervises the animation of an enjoyable novel and manga about a boy who discovers that his cold and beautiful younger sister is herself an otaku of little-sister ero-games. Stars the suddenly ubiquitous Taketatsu Ayana (Azunyan in K-On), along with Nakamura Yuuichi (Alto) and Hanazawa Kana.MM! – Can masochism be amusing? We’ll see if Fukuyama Jun and Taketatsu Ayana can make it so.Shinryaku! Ika Musume – Kanemoto Hisako (Kanata in So Ra No Wo To) stars as a super-cute squid girl who invades the beaches, as humans have invaded the sea.Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku – School comedy based on an ero-game in which a transfer student discovers that a girl and boy at the exclusive island school he enters are vampires. Various members of the show’s staff have been involved in Kiss x Sis and Omamori Himari. Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai ("The World God Only Knows") – A capable staff animates the popular manga about a nerd who is the god of gal-games, and can get any 2D girl. But now demons force him to apply his skills to getting real girls. Shimono Hiro, Itou Kanae, Taketatsu Ayana, Yuuki Aoi.Yosuga no Sora – From another ero-game, about a brother and sister who return to their family’s old village. The staff doesn’t inspire confidence, but it is always interesting to hear the original game seiyuus bring an ero-game to anime.Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt – The maniacal adventures of two angels – blonde idol Panty and dark loligoth Stocking. They look like Powerpuff Girls, but the anime is chaotic, violent and frankly sexual. From Gainax.We are getting new seasons of some popular recent shows: Arakawa Under the Bridge × BridgeHakuouki II – HekketsurokuMotto To Love-Ru: TroublePokemon - Best Wishes (now with Yuuki Aoi and Miyano Mamoru)Tegami Bachi ReverseTo Aru Majutsu no Index IISora no Otoshimono Forte.Some notable OVAs: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn – Episode two of the excellent new Gundam OVA series.Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail – Episode two of the strong reprise of Black Lagoon.Kure-nai OVA – Another episode of the new Kure-nai OVA, the first episode of which disappointed me so much.Tamayura – The moe OVA by the director of ARIA, and starring Taketatsu Ayana, gets DVD/BD release of both its already previewed first episode and a new episode.To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA – The first OVA of the hit anime from last winter. Mirai Nikki OVA – The highly popular shounen manga gets its first OVA.TP Sakura - Time Paladin Sakura – A magical girl show based on a reimagining of Sakura from D.C. Da Capo.Koe de Oshigoto! – A young girl is persuaded by her big sister to work as a seiyuu at her ero-game company. The manga is good.Mayo elle Otokonoko – Boys in skirts. An entire school full of traps, from elementary to high-school age.Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka – Episode 2 of the new two-episode incest romance OVA series. As close to hentai as mainstream anime can get, but with an excellent staff: the director of Spice and Wolf; the writer of Rozen Maiden and Seitokai no Ichizon.And a few summer shows will be continuing through the fall: Shiki, Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Amagami SS, Nurarihyon no Mago. Continuing from past seasons are Fairy Tail, Beyblade, Heartcatch Precure, etc.Alphabetical listing, linked to complete previews:● Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori - Break on the Sky ● Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka ● Arakawa Under the Bridge × Bridge ● Bakuman ● Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail ● DC I & II PSP Reanimated ● Fight! Don't disappear!! Shikiso Usuko San ● Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku ● Hakuouki Hekketsuroku ● Hidamari Sketch X Hoshimittsu Special ● Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls ● Iron Man ● Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai ● Karl to Fushigi na Tou ● Katanagatari ● Kiss X Sis OVA ● Koe de Oshigoto! ● Kuragehime ● Kure-nai OVA ● Mahou Sensei Negima! - Another World - Extra: Ariadne ● Mayo elle Otokonoko ● Megane na Kanojo ● Mirai Nikki OVA ● MM! ● Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn ● Motto To Love-Ru: Trouble ● Nougyo Musume ● Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai ● Otome Youkai Zakuro ● Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt ● Pokemon - Best Wishes ● Princess Lover OVA ● Psychic Detective Yakumo ● Queen's Blade -- Beautiful Fighters ● Rita et Machin ● Robin With His 100 Friends ● Seikon no Qwaser - Portrait of the Empress ● Shinryaku! Ika Musume ● Sora no Otoshimono Forte ● Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru ● Star Driver - Kagayaki no Takuto ● Starry Sky ● Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector ● Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe'alla-hen ● Tamayura ● Tantei Opera Milky Holmes ● To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA ● To Aru Majutsu no Index II ● Togainu no Chi ● ToHeart2 adnext OVA ● TP Sakura - Time Paladin Sakura ● Yosuga no Sora ● Yozakura Quartet ~Hoshi no Umi~ ● Yumeiro Pâtissière Professional ● Tegami Bachi REVERSE Notes:-- dates and times may change, and will be updated in my anime calendar, which should come out around October 1. -- information from official sites, MoonPhase, AniDB, Anime News Network, Japanese Wikipedia, Who Subs What, et al.-- generally, English titles link to the Anime News Network encyclopedia; Japanese titles link to official sites.-- the list includes TV series, OVAs, ONAs, and TV specials, but not movies, whose overseas availability is hard to predict.-- click images to enlarge. -- TV series are listed first, then OVAs,ONAs, etc. Each of the two lists is in chronological order. TV SERIES (in order of broadcast date) for OVAs click herePokemon - Best Wishes (jp: ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ)kids adventureNew season of the kids adventure fantasy that is always in the top ten anime TV ratings. Yuuki Aoi and Miyano Mamoru come in to take lead roles. I'm looking forward to seeing a few episodes of this solely to hear how Ao-chan and Mamo-chan do their characters.seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Miyano Mamoru, Matsumoto Rika, Ohtani Ikue, Hayashibara Megumi, Miki Shinichirou, Fukuen Misato. director: Sudo Norihiko writer: Tomioka Atsuhiro. animation: chara-des: Yamada Toshiya. animation supervisor: Hirooka Toshihito. art: Kanemura Katsuyoshi. music: Miyazaki Shinji. trailer. subs: DATS, Generation neXt. thu 23 sep 19:00 Iron Man (jp: アイアンマン)superhero adventureMadhouse anime based on the Stan Lee comic. Tony Stark is a physicist, engineer, inventor, and CEO of a large weapons manufacturer. Wounded by shrapnel from one of his own weapons and held captive by terrorists, he develops the Iron Man suit and escapes. From then on he vows to change the world for the better, using the power of the suit. After many adventures, Stark plans to retire as Iron Man and manufacture more suits to take over his duties. He comes to Japan to join a power station project that promises to solve the world's energy problems. At the ceremony, however, he is suddenly attacked by invading mecha….Fujiwara Keiji is the perfect seiyuu for the role. Preview airing 25 Sept.seiyuus: Fujiwara Keiji, Oka Hiroe, Ishizuka Unshou, Itou Shizuka, Honda Takako. director: Satou Yuuzou (Pita Ten, One Outs) writer: Ellis Warren (script). orig: Stan Lee, Don Heck, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber. animation: Madhouse. trailer. subs: Licensed by G4. 12eps. forum. fri 01 oct 22:00 Sora no Otoshimono Forte (jp: そらのおとしものf (フォルテ))ecchi sci-fi comedyThe ecchi sci-fi comedy with lots of good songs first spawned an OVA, and now porduces a new series. Fukuhara Kaori joins a good cast including Hoshi Souichirou, Hayami Saori, Nomizu Iori, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, and Takagaki Ayahi.The same director and writer return, so we should be getting more of the same things that made the first series popular. We are at least getting a second girl group from it: Sora no Shoujo Tai will feature Mina, Nomizu Iori, Fukuhara Kaori, and Oogame Asuka. So now the show has two top seiyuu singers (Hayami Saori and Takagaki Ayahi), one seiyuu-based group for the OP and some EDs (Blue Drops, featuring Saorin and Yoshida Hitomi), and another for some more EDs. The ecchi comedy + lots of music formula must be profitable.seiyuus: Hoshi Souichirou, Hayami Saori, Mina, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Takagaki Ayahi, Nomizu Iori, Fukuhara Kaori, Oogame Asuka. director: Saitou Hisashi (Kigurumikki V3, SoraOto1) writer: Kakihara Yuuko (Kamichama Karin, Stitch, SoraOto1). Minazuki Suu. animation: AIC ASTA. chara-des: Watanabe Yoshihiro. animation supervisor: Ishino Satoshi, Kadekaru Mutsumi. trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. 12eps. forum. fri 01 oct 25:00 Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector (jp: スーパーロボット大戦OG -ジ・インスペクター-)mechaFull-bore mecha show with strong cast (Canna Nobutoshi, Sugita Tomokazu, Shimizu Kaori, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Takahashi Mikako). The preview looks good and is earning rave reviews from mecha fans on AnimeSuki.Director Oobari Masami did Gravion, Dancougar Nova, and Prism Ark.seiyuus: Sugita Tomokazu, Canna Nobutoshi, Shimizu Kaori, Takahashi Mikako, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Mizutani Yuuko. director: Oobari Masami (Gravion, Dancougar Nova, Prism Ark) writer: Takeda Yuichirou (Xenosaga, Olynssis), Yatsufusa Tatsunosuke. animation: Asahi Production. chara-des: Ebata Risa, Hamazaki Ken'ichi, Ogomori Yukihito, Ebata Risa, Hamazaki Kenichi, Ogomori Yukihito, Yamane Masahiro; orig: Kawano Sachiko, Saitou Kazue. animation supervisor: Kabashima Yousuke (chief; Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo), Yamane Masahiro. OP Jam project. trailer. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. 26eps. forum. fri 01 oct 25:00 Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt (jp: パンティ���ストッキングwithガーターベルト)violent ecchi comedyBlonde teen idol Panty and black-haired loli-Goth Stocking are angels sent to Earth to battle ghosts. Garterbelt is a big priest who appears to be their handler. The character design is like Powerpuff Girls, but the animation is fast and chaotic and the story is "basically a parade of sex, violence and dirty humour." In a preview comic, Panty declares roundly: "I like sex." The staff says that people will wonder how such extreme violence can be shown on Japanese TV. I wonder if Crunchyroll will be surprised. The preview goes at a mad pace. A must-see, but whether it’s a keeper remains to be decided. Animation production by Gainax.seiyuus: Ise Mariya, Ogasawara Arisa, Ishii Kouji, Nakamura Takashi, Yoshino Hiroyuki. director: Imaishi Hiroyuki (Gurren-Lagann movies); asst. Ohtsuka Masahiko writer: Geek Fleet. animation: Gainax. chara-des: Nishigori Atsushi. art: Nomura Masanobu (Biho). trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. 13eps. forum. fri 01 oct 27:00 MM! (jp: えむえむっ!)ecchi romantic comedyThe protagonist is an actual masochist, deriving real pleasure from being beaten up by girls. But he wants to change, so that he can have a normal love life. Unfortunately, the group he goes to for help is dominated by a sadistic girl…. The moe Taketatsu Ayana gets the non-moe role of the group leader. That alone is intriguing. Add the sweetness of Hayami Saori, and Fukurama Jun as the protagonist, to say nothing of Yahagi Sayuri, Satou Rina, and Tanaka Rie, and this is a show that I'll be giving a chance.Director Tsuyoshi Nagasawa did Kyou no Go no Ni. From a novel. The manga version is pretty funny, but whether the focus on cartoon violence will actually be funny on screen or not remains to be seen.seiyuus: Fukuyama Jun, Taketatsu Ayana, Hayami Saori, Asumi Kana, Gibu Yuuko, Satou Rina, Yahagi Sayuri, Tanaka Rie, Yonaga Tsubasa. director: Nagasawa Tsuyoshi (Kyou no Go no Ni) writer: Oga Rie. Matsuno Akinari (novel). animation: XEBEC. chara-des: Hori Taeko, QP:flapper (orig). animation supervisor: Hori Taeko. OP Taketatsu Ayana, ED Aso Natsuko. trailer. manga. subs: Ryuumaru. 12eps. forum. sat 02 oct 09:30 Bakuman (jp: バクマン)shounen romantic comedy dramaFrom a popular manga about a high school student who loves drawing, but hesitates to try to become a mangaka because of the hard life his mangaka uncle lived. His friend wants to write mangas and have him draw the pictures. The girl he loves aspires to become a seiyuu. Written by Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On). Directed by Kasai Kenichi (Honey and Clover, Major, KimiKiss). Animation by JC Staff. With an excellent young cast including Abe Atsushi, Hino Satoshi, Hayami Saori, Yahagi Sayuri, and Okamoto Nobuhiko. One of the most promising shows of the fall, broadcast in a prime early-evening Saturday timeslot.seiyuus: Abe Atsushi, Hino Satoshi, Hayami Saori, Yahagi Sayuri, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Suwabe Junichi, Fujimura Ayumi, Hamada Kenji, Kawada Shinji, Nojima Hirofumi. director: Kasai Kenichi, Akitaya Noriaki (epdir ToHeart, Shana, Code Geass, Sora Otoshimono) writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On). Ohba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi. animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Shitaya Tomoyuki. trailer. manga. subs: gg, Tomodachi. 25eps. forum. sat 02 oct 18:00 Tegami Bachi REVERSE (jp: テガミバチ 第2期)fantasy adventureA second season of Lag, Niche and friends in their well-conceived fantasy world. Lots of good voices: Sawashiro Miyuki as the serious boy, Fujimura Ayumi as the cute monster. Konishi Katsuyuki, Koshimizu Ami, Mizuki Nana, Fukuyama Jun, Kishio Daisuke, Horie Yui, et al.Directed by the director of the first series (which was also known as Letter Bee). Written by the writer of that and Index. Music by Ryou Kunihiko. OP by Stereopony, who did the great Darker than Black 2 OP.I eventually lost interest in the first series, but it was still a good show.seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki, Fujimura Ayumi, Nagasawa Nao, Konishi Katsuyuki, Koshimizu Ami, Mizuki Nana, Suganuma Hisayoshi, Fukuyama Jun, Horie Yui, Yusa Kouji, Kishio Daisuke. director: Iwanaga Akira (Tegami Bachi 1) writer: Akahoshi Masanao (Ikkitousen GG, Index). Asada Hiroyuki (manga). animation: Studio Pierrot. music: Ryou Kunihiko. OP Stereopony, ED pico. trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. forum. sat 02 oct 23:55 Hakuouki Hekketsuroku (jp: 薄桜鬼 碧血録)supernatural historical bishounen adventure with a hint of romanceContinues the story of Chizuru, who falls in with the Shinsengumi in the midst of their unsuccessful struggles to support the shogunate and resist the founding of the new Meiji regime in the mid-19th century.By the end of the first series, the Shinsengumi was losing ground, and Chizuru had found that her blood (in two senses) was not what it seemed.Directed for Studio Deen by Yamasaki Osamu (Toward the Terra, Itazura na Kiss). Great cast includes Kuwashima Houko, Miki Shinichirou, Morikubo Showtaro, Toriumi Kousuke, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Usa Kouji, Ohkawa Tohru, et al.The first venture into anime of Otomate, the games-for-girls company. I loved the set-up, the look, the history, the well-drawn bishounen, and the voice-acting. But Chizuru is not Kuwashima Houko's best character, and the story was losing traction with me before the end of the first series.seiyuus: Kuwashima Houko, Miki Shinichirou, Morikubo Showtaro, Toriumi Kousuke, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Usa Kouji, Ohkawa Tohru. director: Yamasaki Osamu (Toward the Terra, Itazura na Kiss) writer: Otomate (original story). animation: Studio DEEN. chara-des: Nakajima Atsuko (Ranma, You're Under Arrest, Trinity Blood); Kazuki Yoko (orig). OP Yoshioka Aika, ED mao. trailer. manga. subs: Dattebayo? Ruri Subs? 12eps. forum. sat 02 oct 24:30 Yumeiro Pâtissière Professional (jp: 夢色パティシエール プロフェッショナル)family shoujo cookingA second year begins for the excellent early Sunday morning show about a girl who wants to be a patisserie-maker. Yuuki Aoi's seventh role of the fall. One of my favorite recent anime.Director Suzuki Iku had been around a long time, but had only directed one show previously: a 1997 OVA called Princess Rouge. Writer Yamada Takashi, however, did Onegai My Melody and Marie and Gali. This second season will depart completely from the original manga, showing Ichigo and friends a few years older, running a patisserie shop.The cast has not yet been announced, but will include some new characters. I expect they will be in addition to most of the current fine supporting cast, which includes Okamoto Nobuhiko, Taketatsu Ayana, Yonaga Tsubasa, Yahagi Sayuri, Kitamura Eri, and eleven-year-old seiyuu phenom Iino Mayu. I expect the same staff, but that has not been announced yet, either. The staff and cast lists below are tentative.seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Taketatsu Ayana, Hamazoe Shinya, Yonaga Tsubasa, Iino Mayu, Yahagi Sayuri, Kitamura Eri. director: Suzuki Iku writer: Yamada Takashi (Onegai My Melody, Marie and Gali). Matsumoto Natsumi. animation: Pierrot. chara-des: Akiyama Yukiko. patisserie consultant: Aoki Sadaharu trailer. manga. subs: Wasurenai, Crunchyroll? 50eps? forum. sun 03 oct 07:00Star Driver - Kagayaki no Takuto (jp: STAR DRIVER 輝きのタクト)shoujo mecha?Looks like Utena with magic mecha. Takuto washes up on the shore of an island alone and without possessions. He enrols in the great school there, which hides a secret: under it sleep giant mecha, which various students can bond with and pilot. Songs of shrine maidens play a part, too. The trailer looks and sounds very good.Stars Miyano Mamoru and Hayami Saori, whose golden singing voice will no doubt play a prominent role. I can’t wait.Directed by Igarashi Takuya (Doremi, Ouran, Souleater), written by Enokido Yoji (Melody of Oblivion, Ouran, Nodame Paris)Also in the cast are Taketatsu Ayana, Koshimizu Ami, Sakamoto Maaya, Hirohashi Ryou, and Kuwashima Houko.seiyuus: Miyano Mamoru, Hayami Saori, Fukuyama Jun, Niina Ayano (11eyes/Lisette, Memories Off game/Ririsu, TV presenter), Taketatsu Ayana, Koshimizu Ami, Chiba Chiemi, Sakamoto Maaya, Tomatsu Haruka, Hirohashi Ryou, Kuwashima Houko. director: Igarashi Takuya (Doremi, Ouran, Souleater) writer: Enokido Yoji (Melody of Oblivion, Ouran, Nodame Paris). animation: Bones. chara-des: Itou Yoshiyuki, Mizuya Hiroki and Mizuya Misa (orig). animation supervisor: Itou Yoshiyuki. art: Waki Takeshi; Nagai Kazuo (art design). mecha: Koyama Shigeto.music: Kousaki Satoru. trailer. subs: gg, Timeless-subs. forum. sun 03 oct 17:00Psychic Detective Yakumo (jp: 心霊探偵 八雲)detective mystery supernaturalDetective Yakumo, a young man in his twenties, can see the spirits of the dead with his red eyes. Bee Train has put the manga in the hands of a capable staff: director Kurokawa Tomoyuki (Murder Princess, episodes of Requiem for the Phantom), and writer Kawasaki Hiroyuki (Ryouko's Case File, Sakura Taisen). Stars the suave power of Ono Daisuke, with Fujimura Ayumi, Yuzuki Ryouka, Toyoguchi Megumi, and Seki Toshihiko.Looks like a solid show.seiyuus: Ono Daisuke, Fujimura Ayumi, Yuzuki Ryouka, Toyoguchi Megumi, Seki Toshihiko, Touchi Hiroki, Kawashima Tokuyoshi. director: Kurokawa Tomoyuki (Murder Princess, eps of Requiem for the Phantom) writer: Kawasaki Hiroyuki (Sakura Taisen, Ryouko's Case File). Kaminaga Manabu (orig). animation: Bee Train. chara-des: Shiba Minako, Oda Suzuka (orig). OP Jangled cat (Ono Daisuke), ED Komine Risa. trailer. manga. subs: Phantom-Subs and Kindaichi Academy Workz? gg? 13eps. forum. sun 03 oct 23:00 Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (jp: 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない)moe comedy"My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute." From an enjoyable novel and manga about a guy whose beautiful but cold younger sister turns out to be an otaku of little-sister ero-games.Directed by strong comedy director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate, Nyan Koi) and starring Taketatsu Ayana, in yet another of her major roles this fall. Co-starring Hanazawa Kana and Nakamura Yuuichi, with Nabatame Hitomi, Satou Satomi, Hayami Saori, and Tamura Yukari.Otaku expectations are running high for this one. The character design is very moe. In a fitting but somehow uncomfortable touch, the OP will be sung by ClariS, two junior-high girls who have made a name for themselves by uploading excellent covers of anime songs to NicoNico under the name Alice and Clara. Their photos are never shown.seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana, Nakamura Yuuichi, Hanazawa Kana, Nabatame Hitomi, Satou Satomi, Hayami Saori, Tamura Yukari. director: Kanbe Hiroyuki; supervisor: Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate, Nyan Koi) writer: Kurata Hideyuki (screenplay). Fushimi Tsukasa (manga). animation: AIC. chara-des: Oda Hiroyuki, Kanzaki Hiro (orig). music: Kousaka Satoru. OP ClariS. trailer. manga. subs: Himatsubushi? Mazui, Eclipse? Doki? 12eps. forum. sun 03 oct 23:30 Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (jp: 百花繚乱 サムライガールズ)ecchi historical comedy drama with fightingPart of a big Dengeki Daioh franchise set in an alternative Tokugawa 21st century, featuring an ecchi level similar to Queen's Blade, centred on a samurai school filled with female warriors who often seem half-dressed.Stars Yuuki Aoi in her most ecchi and most violent role yet. With Hirakawa Daisuke, Kugimiya Rie, Kotobuki Minako, Kobayashi Yuu, Gotou Saori, Koshimizu Ami, Toyosaki Aki, and Sakurai Takahiro. Directed by unknown KOBUN, written by Kingetsu Ryuunosuke (Futakoi Alternative, Manabi Straight). Original character design by well-known illustrator Niθ. ARMS also gave us Ikkitousen and Queen's Blade.Episode one was shown as a preview on September 3. The woodblock-print style drawing was Shaft-like in its stylishness. Instead of being childishly ecchi, I thought the nudity was on the one hand natural and on the other hand erotic. If the rest of the show is as entertaining as ep1, I will keep watching.seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Hirakawa Daisuke, Kugimiya Rie, Kotobuki Minako, Kobayashi Yuu, Gotou Saori, Koshimizu Ami, Toyosaki Aki, Mizuhara Kaoru, Sakurai Takahiro. director: KOBUN writer: Kingetsu Ryuunosuke. Suzuki Akira (creator). animation: ARMS. chara-des: Niθ. animation supervisor: Miyazawa Tsutomu. art: Higashi Junichi. music: Katou Tatsuya. OP Faylan, ED Kotobuki Minako, Kugimiya Rie, Yuuki Aoi.. trailer. manga. subs: Himatsubushi, Okawari, Ryuumaru, Generation neXt? Hatsuyuki. 12eps. forum. sun 03 oct 24:30 Arakawa Under the Bridge × Bridge (jp: 荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ×ブリッジ)Shaft comedy with a hint of romanceSecond season of Shinbou's popular show about an upper-class not-quite-twit, a beautiful homeless Venusian girl, and the weird cast of characters living under the Arakawa Bridge in Tokyo.Stars the fascinating combination of Kamiya Hiroshi and Sakamoto Maaya, supported by a bevy of voice stars: Sugita Tomokazu, Koyasu Takehito, Fujiwara Keiji, Saitou Chiwa, Sawashiro Miyuki, Sanpei Yuuko, Koyama Rikiya, Tanaka Rie, et al. And Omigawa Chiaki gives us the non-flat version of her voice.The first season never quite clicked for me, much as I like some of Shinbou's work. The characterizations seemed shallow -- although some people whose opinion I respect rated the show very highly.seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Sakamoto Maaya, Sugita Tomokazu, Koyasu Takehito, Fujiwara Keiji, Saitou Chiwa, Sawashiro Miyuki, Omigawa Chiaki (Maka/Soul Eater, Jun/Natsu no Arashi), Shintani Ryouko,, Sanpei Yuuko, Koyama Rikiya. director: Shinbou Akiyuki; series dir Miyamoto Yukihiro writer: Akao Deko (singer Mieno Hitomi; wrote Natsu no Arashi2). Nakamura Hikaru (manga). animation: Shaft. chara-des: Sugiyama Nobuhiro (ef). animation supervisor: Sugiyama Nobuhiro (ef assistant). music: Yokoyama Masaru (KimiKiss, Queen's Blade 2). OP Yakushimaru Etsuko, ED Suneohair. trailer. manga. subs: Nutbladder? Ruri Subs? forum. sun 03 oct 25:35 Yosuga no Sora (jp: ヨスガノソラ)ecchi harem mystery romanceKazugano Haruka and his twin sister Sora have fond childhood memories of going during summer vacations to a distant mountain village to visit their now-deceased grandfather. After losing their parents in an accident, they decide to go and live in their grandfather's old house.The twins get reacquainted with old childhood friends and new classmates, including a local shrine maiden, and live what seems a peaceful life. However, there are secrets lurking beneath the surface, including the real reason they chose to come back to the village.Stars Shimono Hiro and Taguchi Hiroko (Hiro and Miyako in ef) and the rest of the original ero-game cast. Directed by the director of Spice and Wolf. Adapted from the game by the writer who adapted Naishou no Tsubomi.seiyuus: Shimono Hiro (Hiro/ef, Jin/Kannagi, Yoshii/Baka to Test), Taguchi Hiroko (Sakura/Lamune, Miyako/ef), Sakata Kayo, Inokuchi Yuka, Ono Ryouko, Okajima Tae, Tanaka Ryouko, Minegishi Yukari, Nakakuni Takuroku. director: Takahashi Takeo (Love Love?, Spice and Wolf, Aki-Sora) writer: Arakawa Naruhisa (Steel Angel Kurumi, Love Love?, Naishou no Tsubomi). animation: feel. chara-des: Kamimoto Kanetoshi; Hashimoto Takashi - Suzuhira Hiro (orig). music: Miwa Manabu. OP eufonius, ED Momoiro Clover, insert song Team Nekokan. trailer. subs: pwq, Okawari. forum. mon 04 oct 23:30 Otome Youkai Zakuro (jp: おとめ妖怪 ざくろ)historical romantic comedy, catgirls, bishounenHumans and youkai ("monsters") share Japan in an alternate 19th century. When the humans decide to switch from the old lunar to a new solar calendar, the youkai resist. A "Youkai Office" is set up to deal with the problem. A group of young male officers and a group of young female youkai are sent to represent the two sides and promote understanding.It's hard to know what this show will be like, but the names in the staff list (director Kon Chiaki and writer Okada Mari) suggest that there will be some seriousness and romance in the comedy.Nice cast including Nakahara Mai, Sakurai Takahiro, Hanazawa Kana, Toyosaki Aki, Horie Yui, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Iguchi Yuka, et al.I have hopes for this show.seiyuus: Nakahara Mai, Sakurai Takahiro, Hanazawa Kana, Toyosaki Aki, Horie Yui, Hino Satoshi, Kaji Yuuki, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Iguchi Yuka, Tamura Mutsumi. director: Kon Chiaki (Higurashi, Nodame Paris/Finale) writer: Okada Mari (true tears, Vampire Knight, Kuroshitsuji; Simoun eps). Hoshino Lily (novel). animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Hasegawa Shin'ya. music: Sugimoto Osamu. trailer. forum. mon 04 oct 25:30 Shinryaku! Ika Musume (jp: 侵略���イカ娘)moe comedy"Invasion of the Squid Girl." Moe comedy featuring a cute squid girl who tries to invade the beaches as humans have invaded her sea.Kanemoto Hisako -- the moe star of Sora no Woto -- gets her second leading role. A good cast features Fujimura Ayumi, Tanaka Rie, Itou Kanae, Nakamura Yuuichi, and Nabatame Hitomi. Solid staff. Director Mizushima Tsutomu did xxxHolic and Ookiku Furikabutte. Writer Yokote Michiko did Genshiken, xxxHolic and Kobato. Entertaining manga could produce a good anime of its kind.seiyuus: Kanemoto Hisako, Fujimura Ayumi, Tanaka Rie, Ootani Miki, Itou Kanae, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kataoka Azusa, Nabatame Hitomi. director: Mizushima Tsutomu (xxxHolic, Ookiku Furikabutte) writer: Yokote Michiko (Genshiken, xxxHolic, Kobato). animation: Diomedea. chara-des: Ishikawa Masakazu (Kodomo no Jikan, Nogizaka Haruka). animation supervisor: Ishikawa Masakazu (Kodomo no Jikan, Nogizaka Haruka). music: Kikuya Tomoki (Hidamari Sketch, Asobi ni Iku yo). trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. forum. mon 04 oct 26:00 Motto To Love-Ru: Trouble (jp: もっとTo LOVEる -とらぶる-)ecchi sci-fi school comedyA second series follows the OVA of this popular ecchi comedy starring Tomatsu Haruka, Yahagi Sayuri, and Watanabe Akeno, supported by an excellent cast including Kawasumi Ayako, Hanazawa Kana, Nazuka Kaori, and others. But there is a big difference this time: a new director and a new writer. Ootsuki Atsushi directed Kanokon and Ladies vs. Butlers. Yamada Yasutomo wrote Potemayo and Charger Girl Juuden-chan. I see the possibility for more sexiness and crazier humor.seiyuus: Watanabe Akeno, Tomatsu Haruka, Yahagi Sayuri, Hanazawa Kana, Kawasumi Ayako, Nazuka Kaori, Oura Fuyuka, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Chiba Chiemi, Hashimoto Mai, Mizuhashi Kaori, Noto Mamiko, Ogata Kenichi, Fukuen Misato, Itou Kanae, Toyosaki Aki. director: Ootsuki Atsushi (Kanokon, Ladies vs. Butlers) writer: Yamada Yasutomo (Potemayo, Juuden-chan). Hasema Saki and Yabuki Kentarou (manga). animation: Xebec. chara-des: Ouka Yuichi. music: Watanabe Tsuyoshi (Ichigo Mashimaro, To Love-ru, Nogiaka Haruka). OP Kotoko, ED Tomatsu Haruka. trailer. manga. subs: Chihiro? 12eps. forum. tue 05 oct 26:00 Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai (jp: 神のみぞ知るセカイ)harem comedy"The World God Only Knows." Nerdy high-schooler Keima is a peerless player of dating sims, and can make any 2D girl his. He gets an e-mail offering him a contract to capture girls and accepts, but then a beautiful demon called Elsee appears and tells him the girls he is to capture are in the 3D world, girls whose hearts have been invaded by demons. And if he fails, demons will take his head.Very popular manga. Director Takayanagi Shigeito did the enjoyable Kanamemo, as well as a couple of Galaxy Angel series. Lead writer Kurata Hideyuki did Kannagi and Now and Then, Here and There. Add to the promising staff a promising cast, including Itou Kanae, Taketatsu Ayana, and Yuuki Aoi, as well as Shimono Hiro as the male lead. seiyuus: Shimono Hiro, Itou Kanae, Taketatsu Ayana, Yuuki Aoi, Hanazawa Kana, Higashiyama Nao. director: Takayanagi Shigehito (Kanamemo, Galaxy Angel A, X) writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Kannagi, NowThen HereThere). Wakaki Tamiki (manga). animation: Manglobe. chara-des: Watanabe Akio. art: Satou Ayumi; Tokouu Kayoko. music: Matsuo Hayato. trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. forum. wed 06 oct 25:50 Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (jp: 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ)moe detectivesBased on a card- and video-game franchise developed by Bushiroad, featuring a team of loli-moe detectives. Appears from the trailer to be tooth-achingly sweet.The story takes place in an imaginary early-modern Yokohama, where private detectives and phantom thieves are everywhere. Under the supervision of Kidani Takaaki, the founder of Broccoli. Directed by the director of Onegai My Melody, written by the writer of Kamen no Maid Guy and Kampfer.The heroines are played by little-known seiyuus. The bad guys are played by Shimono Hiro, Kishio Daisuke, Terashima Takuya, and Akesaka Satomi.This show could be a real ota-fest, depending on how well it is done. Check out a live PV of the OP,by the four main seiyuus. seiyuus: Kitta Izumi (Michi/Weiss Survive, Nozomi Bitou/Hell Girl3), Mimori Suzuko, Sasaki Mikoi, Tokui Sora, Morishima Shuuta, Shimono Hiro, Terashima Takuya, Kishio Daisuke, Akesaka Satomi. director: Moriwaki Makoto (Onegai My Melody, Lilpri) writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Kamen no Maid Guy, Kampfer). animation: JCStaff. chara-des: Numata Seiya, Tanihara Natsuki (orig). music: Kousaki Satoru. trailer. subs: Phantom-Subs and Kindaichi Academy Workz? KiteSeekers? 12eps. forum. thu 07 oct 23:00 Togainu no Chi (jp: 咎狗の血)violent yaoi drama"Blood of the Reprimanded Hound." Post-apocalyptic boys' love with fighting, gore, and mystery. Highly anticipated strong liquor will take over the timeslot just vacated by Kuroshitsuji's red wine.Directed by the director of 009-1 and chief animation director/character designer of Vampire Bund. Written by the writer of Blue Drop and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. Based on a BL game. Director Konno Naoyuki says he wants to make it so non-BL fans will watch, but the BL elements are preserved. We'll see if it works.Stars Toriumi Kousuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Fukuyama Jun, Midorikawa Hikaru, Konishi Katsuyuki, Taniyama Kishou, et al.seiyuus: Toriumi Kousuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Fukuyama Jun, Ichijou Kazuya, Midorikawa Hikaru, Okano Kousuke, Konishi Katsuyuki, Taniyama Kishou, Yamazaki Takumi. director: Konno Naoyuki (009-1)writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Blue Drop, Tokyo Mag 8). animation: A-1 Pictures. chara-des: Konno Naoyuki (Vampire Bund, 009-1). OP Granrodeo. trailer. subs: gg. forum. thu 07 oct 25:25 Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru (jp: それでも町は廻っている)comedy with romance and maidsShinbou's new offering for the fall, based on a funny manga.Arashiyama (Omigawa Chiaki) is clumsy and loves mysteries. She works in a highly unsuccessful maid café. Her classmate Sanada is one of the regulars, drawn by his love for the oblivious Arashiyama. But A's sharp and bossy friend Tatsuno (Yuuki Aoi) has always liked Sanada, so goes to work at the café to be near him and stop him getting together with A.The triangle spins as Arashiyama draws them all into odd bits of detective work. In a way, she is like a teen-aged Yotsuba, clumsy but lucky and undeterred. The clumsy voice of Omigawa Chiaki seems perfect here.I don’t like everything Shinbou does, but this looks promising to me.seiyuus: Omigawa Chiaki, Yuuki Aoi, Yazawa Rieka, Shiraishi Ryouko, Irino Miyu, Matsuki Miyu, Sakurai Takahiro, Sugita Tomokazu, Tamura Mutsumi, Sendai Eri, Kuroda Takaya, Kanemitsu Nobuaki, Sakurai Toshiharu, Yukino Satsuki. director: Shinbou Akiyuki (gen dir), Tatsuwa Naoyuki (asst. dir. on Sayonara Zetsubou, Natsu no Arashi) writer: Takayama Katsuhiko. Ishiguro Masakazu (orig). animation: Shaft. chara-des: Yamamura Hiroki. animation supervisor: Yamamura Hiroki (Zetsubou, MariaHolic). OP Sakamoto Maaya. trailer. manga. subs: pwq. forum. thu 07 oct 25:55 Karl to Fushigi na Tou (jp: カルルとふしぎな塔)young kids fantasy adventure"The story centers around a mysterious tall tower built from a stack of building blocks. Every morning, noon, and evening, an old timekeeper rings the bell in the tower to confirm the time for the local townspeople. "However, one day at noon, the tower bell fails to ring — leaving the townspeople confused about when to eat lunch. The fantasy adventure begins when Karl, an inquisitive boy living in the town, decides to go to the tower's plaza to see what is the matter. " (Anime News Network)seiyuus: Takahata Kitsuki, Nanba Shiho. director: Takagi Jun writer: Maruo Miho. animation: Nippon Animation. animation supervisor: Umoto Yuuji. fri 08 oct 10:30 To Aru Majutsu no Index II (jp: とある魔術の禁書目録)moe fantasy adventureA second season of the popular moe adventure show set in an city centred on a magic academy. It has has already spawned a similarly popular side-story anime, Railgun.seiyuus: Abe Atsushi, Iguchi Yuka, Satou Rina, Arai Satomi, Taniyama Kishou, Katsu Anri, Koyama Kimiko, Kawasumi Ayako, Itou Shizuka, Sawashiro Miyuki, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Yuuki Aoi, Noto Mamiko. director: Nishikiori Hiroshi (Azumanga Saioh, Index 1) writer: Akahoshi Masanao (Ikkitousen GG, Index 1). animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Tanaka Yuichi; Haimura Kiyotaka (orig). music: I've Sound; Iuchi Maiko. OP Kawada Mami. trailer. manga. subs: Saitei, Hatsuyuki, gg-UTW. 24eps. forum. fri 08 oct 23:30 Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku (jp: FORTUNE ARTERIAL -赤い約束-)romantic school comedy with vampiresRomantic comedy based on an ero-game in which a transfer student discovers that a girl and boy at the exclusive island school he enters are vampires. The manga is funny and charming. Stars Ono Daisuke, Suwabe Junichi, and the original female seiyuus from the ero-game.Directed by the director of the KissxSis OVA and Nogizaka Haruka. Written by the writer of KissxSis TV and Omamori Himari. This writer and director did OtoBoku together.seiyuus: Ono Daisuke, Kanda Rie, Minegishi Yukari, Narumi Erika, Nabatame Hitomi, Taguchi Hiroko, Suwabe Junichi, Tsuboi Tomohiro, Itou Kentarou. director: Nawa Munenori (KissxSis OVA, Nogizaka Haruka, OtoBoku) writer: Hasegawa Katsumi (KissxSis TV, Omamori Himari, OtoBoku). August (game). animation: ZEXCS, feel. chara-des: Ishihara Megumi. art: Abe Sachie. music: Anzai Takaaki. OP Lia, ED Veil. manga. subs: Licensed by Crunchyroll. forum. fri 08 oct 25:23 Robin With His 100 Friends (jp: ロビンくんと100人のお友達)young kidsA boy called Robin moves from the city to a green village, and is determined to make many friends.seiyuus: Takagaki Ayahi, Kaji Yuuki, Fujita Saki, Narita Sayaka. director: Max Weintraub writer: Hashimoto Hiroyuki. music: Kihara Kentarou. trailer. 13eps. mon 11 oct 07:00 Kuragehime (jp: 海月姫 ���くらげひめ���)josei comedy dramaAspiring illustrator Kurashita Tsukimi moves into an apartment complex that is full of fujoshi, and has a females-only policy. After inviting a very fashionable woman to stay at her flat, she discovers that the woman is not quite what she seems. Stars Hanazawa Kana and Saiga Mitsuki as the odd couple. noitaminA. Directed by Oomori Takahiro (Durarara), written by Hanada Jukki (sola, Seitokai no Ichizon). From a josei manga.Artistically, noitaminA has gone from strength to strength this year, with summer's Shiki (which continues into the fall) following spring's Saraiya Goyou and Tatami Galaxy. Will autumn make it three great seasons in a row? And will the generally disappointing audience finally realize what they are missing?seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Saiga Mitsuki, Suwabe Junichi, Saitou Kimiko, Okamura Akemi, Kumai Motoko, Noto Mamiko, Koyasu Takehito, Chiba Shigeru. director: Oomori Takahiro (Durarara) writer: Hanada Jukki (Seitokai no Ichizon). Higashimura Akiko (manga.). animation: Brains Base. chara-des: Hayama Kenji. trailer. subs: Funimation? 11eps. forum. thu 14 oct 24:45 Rita et Machin (jp: Rita et Machin���リタとナントカ)young children"Rita et Machin was originally a popular picture book series by Jean-Philippe Arrou-Vignod and Olivier Tallec. The books follow the happy daily lives of a precocious five-year-old girl named Rita and an easy-going yet somewhat lazy dog named Machin. Over a dozen Rita et Machin books has been published in their native France since April 2006. " (Anime News Network)writer: Jean-Philippe Arrou-Vignod x Olivier Tallec (orig). animation: Nippon Animation. mon 01 nov 07:35 Starry Sky (jp: Starry☆Sky)The heroine, Tsukiko, is the first girl to enrol in a hitherto all-boys school that specializies in astronomy.From a series of dating sim games and CDs based on 12 bishounen, one for each sign of the zodiac.To be streamed free on the animate.tv website.The male cast is exceptionally starry: Midorikawa Hikaru, Suzumura Kenichi, Sugita Tomokazu, Nakamura Yuuichi, Hoshi Souichirou, Yusa Kouji, Ono Daisuke, Hirakawa Daisuke, Ishida Akira, Kamiya Hiroshi, Fukuyama Jun, Miyano Mamoru. No female star yet announced: will there be one, or will the bishounen speak directly with the viewer?seiyuus: Midorikawa Hikaru, Suzumura Kenichi, Sugita Tomokazu, Nakamura Yuuichi, Hoshi Souichirou, Yusa Kouji, Ono Daisuke, Hirakawa Daisuke, Ishida Akira, Kamiya Hiroshi, Fukuyama Jun, Miyano Mamoru. director: Takamoto Nobuhiro (07Ghost) writer: Nakamura Makoto. honeybee (game). animation: Studio Deen. chara-des: Fujii Maki. music: Kikuya Tomoki. DecemberOVAs (in order of broadcast date)Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe'alla-hen (jp: テイルズ オブ シンフォニア THE ANIMATION テセアラ編 第3巻)fantasy adventureBased on the Game Cube and Play Station game, "Tales of Symphonia". Two worlds exist, each unaware of the existence of the other. In order for one world to flourish, the other has to perish. On the dying world, a Chosen one is sent on a journey to restore that world's mana by awakening the Spirits and becoming an angel. Colette Brunel, the Chosen of Sylvarant, sets out on her journey accompanied by her best friends Lloyd Irving and Genis Sage. As they travel further they meet more friends and even more enemies, and learn more and more about the truth behind World Regeneration. (Anime News Network)Mizuki Nana does the OP (see trailer) and she and and Konishi Katsuyuki head the cast, which also includes able voices such as Touma Yumi, Tachiki Fumihiko, Kuwashima Houko, and Ohtsuka Akio. Written by the writer of Manabi Straight. This show is apparently more popular outside Japan than at home.seiyuus: Konishi Katsuyuki, Mizuki Nana, Orikasa Ai, Touma Yumi, Tachiki Fumihiko, Onosaka Masaya, Okamura Akemi, Kuwashima Houko, Ohtsuka Akio. director: Sotozaki Haruo writer: Kingetsu Ryuunosuke (Futakoi Alternative, Manabi Straight, Hyakka Ryouran). animation: ufotable. chara-des: Fujishima Kousuke (orig; Sakura Wars), Matsushima Akira (Marimite). OP Mizuki Nana, ED Shikata Akio. trailer. manga. subs: Formula. OVA. 3/4eps. forum. thu 23 sep ToHeart2 adnext OVA (jp: OVA ToHeart2 adnext)moe harem comedyThe fourth OVA, to go with three TV series, in this storied moe franchise. The director of the first OVA steps back in, along with a lead writer who has written several episodes of previous shows.But the same great cast returns, including one of 2channel's favorite seiyuu personalities, Ochiai Yurika, who is now using the name Hase Yurina.For fans, there are wallpapers on this page.seiyuus: Rikimaru Noriko, Hase Yurina (Ochiai Yurika), Itou Shizuka, Kanzaki Chiro, Nabatame Hitomi, Nakajima Saki, Yoshida Konami, Ishizuki Sayori, Natsuki Rio, Satou Rina, Ono Ryouko, Toriumi Kousuke, Fukuyama Jun. director: Katou Yasuhisa writer: Kobayashi Naruo. animation: Aquaplus/Chaos Project. subs: SubSmith, AQS-Anime. OVA. 1/2eps. forum. mon 23 sep Princess Lover OVA (jp: OVA プリンセスラバー���)hentaiA two-episode hentai OVA of the moderately entertaining series from last summer, with a completely different staff and cast.The first episode of the OVA is already available, a week ahead of the previous schedule. It does its hentai thing quite effectively, but converts the hero into the standard smirking sexual aggressor, and Sylvie into a half-willing victim. Ep2 is scheduled to come out 22 october.writer: Ricotta (game). animation: Public Enemies, L. (production). chara-des: Kuroda Kazuya. OVA. 1/2eps. forum. thu 24 sep Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail (jp: BLACK LAGOON Roberta's Blood Trail)violent adventure dramaThe same staff and cast return for a third Black Lagoon series: a five-episode OVA. Put-upon Japanese salary-man Rock (Namikawa Daisuke) continues to navigate the dangerous shoals of the modern-day pirate world inhabited by sadistic killer Revy (Toyoguchi Megumi). They return to the criminal chaos of the fictional town of Roanapur, Thailand.Episode 2 of 5. Episode one was a worthy rebirth of the series, despite or because of the fact it featured two well-armed women fighters in full-skirted maid outfits. Episode 3 on Nov 3. Ep4 22 Dec.seiyuus: Hirata Hiroaki, Isobe Tsutomu, Toyoguchi Megumi, Namikawa Daisuke, Koyama Mami, Saitou Shirou, Ogawa Shinji, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Yukino Satsuki, Ikura Kazue. director: Katabuchi Sunao. writer: Katabuchi Sunao. animation: Madhouse. chara-des: Shino Masanori. animation supervisor: Shino Masanori. trailer. manga. subs: Licensed by FUNimation. OVA. 2/5eps. forum. thu 30 sep Tamayura (jp: たまゆら)slice of life, moeFor her first year of high school, a young girl moves with her mother to Takehara, a scenic old town near Hiroshima, on the Inland Sea. Her father has passed away, but lived there as a child. She loves taking photographs with her father's old film camera, a Rollei 35S. This "healing anime" follows her and the friends who gather around her as she comes to love her new home.OP by Sakamoto Maaya, ED by Nakajima Megumi. Directed by Satou Junichi (ARIA), written by Yoshida Reiko. Stars the omnipresent Taketatsu Ayana, along with Asumi Kana, Gibu Yuuko, and Iguchi Yuka. I enjoyed the 15-minute first episode, which was broadcast in early September, and which many other people loved. Now both episodes will be broadcast together on 3 October. Ep1 DVD/BD goes on sale 26 November, ep2 23 Dec.seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana (Azusa/K-On), Asumi Kana (Poplar/Working), Gibu Yuuko (Akira/Aoi Hana), Iguchi Yuka (Index), Hazuki Erino, Ohara Sayaka, Fukui Yukari, Nakata Jouji, Matsuki Miyu. director: Satou Junichi (ARIA, Umi Monogatari) writer: Satou Junichi (orig + adapt). Yoshida Reiko (script) (ARIA scripts, Marimite). animation: Hal Film Maker. chara-des: Iizuka Haruko (Wellber, Umi Monogatari, work on ARIA). animation supervisor: Onchi Masayuki (Aoi Hana, work on ARIA). music: Nakajima Nobuyuki. OP Sakamoto Maaya, ED Nakajima Megumi. trailer. subs: Mamiko. OVA. 1-2 of 2eps. forum. sun 03 oct 25:35 Nougyo Musume (jp: 農業ムスメ!)whimsical comedy"Agricultural Girls." A three-minute anime short, episode zero, produced to promote Kagura Minori’s slice-of-life comedy web manga series.Nougyou Musume is the story of the Koshino sisters, Hikari and Hikaru, who farm the rice paddy left them by their parents.A chance to hear Kitamura Eri's friend Hirota Shion.seiyuus: Mikami Shiori, Tsuji Ayumi, Hirota Shion, Shindou Kei, Takaoka Kaori. director: Ikehata Hiroshi (eps of Phantom Thief, Saki, FMA2, etc.) writer: Kagura Minori (manga). animation: Toei, LandQ. chara-des: Sunagawa Masakazu. OVA. thu 07 oct 22:45 Yozakura Quartet ~Hoshi no Umi~ (jp: 夜桜四重奏 ���ホシノウミ���)fighting adventure with comedyThe new anime is supposed to be a "reset" from the earlier television anime series, and will closely follow the original manga. But fans of the first series are disturbed by what seems in the preview to be a lighter approach, with characters drawn younger.Fine cast continues, but a new studio takes over production. Sawa Ryouchimo takes over as director, character designer, and animation director, having only done key animation and episode direction before, and not on this show.I personally never did get into this show, so the change will make me take another look. OVA comes with v9 of manga.seiyuus: Fukuen Misato, Kaji Yuuki, Fujita Saki, Sawashiro Miyuki, Ono Daisuke, Tomatsu Haruka, Matayoshi Ai, Kuwatani Natsuko, Mizuhara Kaoru, Tanaka Rie. director: Sawa Ryouchimo (first-time dir) writer: storyboard: Kobayashi Hiroshi. animation: KMMI. chara-des: Sawa Ryouchimo. animation supervisor: Sawa Ryouchimo. music: Suemitsu Atsushi. ED Suemitsu and the Suemith. trailer. manga. OVA. 1/?eps. forum. fri 08 oct Queen's Blade -- Beautiful Fighters (jp: クイーンズブレイド 美しき闘士たち 第1巻)mega-boob fantasy fighting comedyPreview broadcast of the third episode of a six-episode OVA, which follows hard on the heels of the two popular TV series. Ep4 broadcast 14 nov. Ep5 12 dec.The highly ecchi fighting comedy has an unbelievable cast: Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, Hirano Aya, Itou Kanae, etc., etc.seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, Hirano Aya, Mizuhashi Kaori, Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Yuuko, Itou Kanae, Kaida Yuuki, Saitou Ayaka, Takahashi Mikako, Kitamura Eri, Tanaka Rie, Ohara Sayaka, Takeuchi Miyu. director: Yoshimoto Kinji writer: Yoshimoto Kinji (story concept). Hobby Japan (orig). animation: Arms. chara-des: Rinshin, Noguchi Takayuki. animation supervisor: Rinshin, Noguchi Takayuki. ED 19 seiyuus. trailer. OVA. 3/6eps. forum. sun 10 oct 25:00Katanagatari (jp: 刀語)historical samurai adventure comedyEpisode ten of the popular anime based on a novel by Nishio Ishin. Maybe I was spoiled by Shinbou's version of Nishio's Bakemonogatari, but this anime seemed beautiful but third-rate to me, through the three episodes I watched. Adapted for anime by one of my least favorite writers, Uezu Makoto (School Days).The story involves a simple young man who is the master of a "swordless" sword technique. He (played by Hosono Yoshimasa) goes on a quest with the shogun's general (Nakahara Mai) to gather the twelve best swords made by a great swordsmith. Twelve one-hour episodes broadcast monthly. Ep 11 in November, and the final episode in December.seiyuus: Hosoyo Yoshimasa (Juuzawa Juu in Denpateki), Tamura Yukari, Nakahara Mai, Ohkawa Tohru. director: Motonaga Keitarou (Yumeria, Amenaideyo, School Days, AkaSaka) writer: Makoto Uezu (Yumeria, Amenaideyo, School Days, Akasaka). Nishio Ishin (orig; Bakemonogatari). animation: White Fox. chara-des: Kawada Tsuyoshi (Best Student Council), Take (orig). animation supervisor: Kawada Tsuyoshi (HoneyClover2). music: Iwasaki Taku (Getbackers, Gurren-Lagann). trailer. subs: Mazui. OVA. 10/12eps. forum. fri 15 oct 26:05 Seikon no Qwaser - Portrait of the Empress (jp: 聖痕のクェイサー���女帝の肖像)ecchi shounen action adventureOne-episode OVA of the relatively successful series. Will be packaged with v10 of the manga. The preview involves lots of near-nudity -- but that's the least you can expect from this show.At St. Mihailov Academy, a Japanese Eastern Orthodox school, two students encounter many hardships until they find a mysterious silver-haired boy. The boy is a "quasar," a powerful being who derives power from sucking women's breast milk. Shounen action adventure story involving lots of fanservice and bloody violence. Stellar cast starts with the capable voice of Sanpei Yuuko (Nakiami in Xam'd, Renton in Eureka Seven, Hajime in Natsu no Arashi). Also features two of the K-On girls: Toyosaki Aki and Hikasa Youko, as well as two more seiyuu/singers, Hirano Aya and Chihara Minori, as well as Fujimura Ayumi.seiyuus: Sanpei Yuuko, Fujimura Ayumi, Toyosaki Aki, Chihara Minori, Hirano Aya, Hikasa Youko (Mio/K-On), Kawasumi Ayako, Takagaki Ayahi, Chiba Susumu (Scythe/Phantom), Ohkawa Tohru. director: Kaneko Hiraku writer: Uezu Makoto. Yoshino Hiroyuki (manga story). animation: Hoods Entertainment. chara-des: Uno Makoto; Satou Kenetsu (manga art). animation supervisor: Iijima Hiroya, Sugimoto Isao. OP Faylan, ED seiyuus. trailer. manga. subs: Yuurisan-Subs. OVA. 1/1eps. forum. wed 20 oct Mayo elle Otokonoko (jp: 迷elleオトコノ娘)trap comedyBoys in skirts. PV plus doujin manga. Promotional anime for series that will probably start next year.A beautiful big school on a cape by the sea: elementary, middle school, high school -- even a kindergarten. A crest featuring stars and a unicorn, and the name: Galaxy Private Academy (Shiritsu Ginga Gakuen). A liberal arts school producing performers for stage, screen, internet and television, and a student body of 600 otoko joshi ("boy girls").It's spring, and a lone boy transfers in to the middle school, with determination in his heart.Directed by excellent comic director Kawaguchi Keiichirou.seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Iguchi Yuka, Fujimura Ayumi, Fujita Saki, Ise Mariya, Sakakibara Yui, Makiguchi Mayuki. director: Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate) writer: Amagawa Nobuhiko. animation: Actas. chara-des: Sadakata Kikuko, POP (orig). OP Sakakibara Yui. OVA. 1/1eps. forum. fri 22 oct Hidamari Sketch X Hoshimittsu Special (jp: ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆ 特別編 前編)moe slice-of-life comedyA new two-episode OVA of the most recent Hidamari Sketch series. Episode 2 a week later, on 30 October.The Hoshimitsu series includes the two new charcters, Nori and Nazuna, played by Harada Hitomi and Omigawa Chiaki (using her high/moe, as opposed to flat/awkward voice).seiyuus: Asumi Kana, Mizuhashi Kaori, Gotou Yuuko, Shintani Ryouko, Harada Hitomi, Omigawa Chiaki, Matsuki Miyu, Kugimiya Rie, Sawashiro Miyuki, Chou, Fukuen Misato. director: Shinbou Akiyuki writer: Hasegawa Nahoko (Hidamari1); Yoguchi Natsue (eps of Hidamari). Aoki Ume (mangaka). animation: Shaft. chara-des: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Gakuen Alice). animation supervisor: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei). music: Kikuya Tomoki (Potemayo, Kyouran Kazoku). OP seiyuus, ED marble. trailer. manga. subs: Nutbladder? OVA. 1/2eps. forum. sat 23 oct 25:00 Fight! Don't disappear!! Shikiso Usuko San (jp: がんばれ���消えるな������色素薄子さん)moe slice of life shortVery short anime packaged with drama CD. Includes four song PVs. Shikiso Usuko is a weak and colorless person who seems to have so little presence that she might just disappear. But she and her friends pass pleasant days together.Stars the gentle voice of Hayami Saori. Produced by Lantis.seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Teramoto Yukika, Kotobuki Minako, Hanazawa Kana. trailer. OVA. 1/1eps. wed 27 oct. (MoonPhase says 6 oct., Amazon and the official site say 27 oct.) DC I and II PSP Reanimated (jp: D.C.I - II P.S.P. ���ダ・カーポ I - II��� プラスシチュエーション ポータブル特典OVA)magical moe romantic comedyFamous scenes of four Da Capo heroines -- Nemu, Kotori, Yume, and Otome -- re-animated in a special OVA that comes with a new PSP game.No info about cast or staff is yet available. OVA. forum. thu 28 oct To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA (jp: とある科学の超電磁砲OVA)moe adventure comedyA one-episode OVA of the popular series broadcast last fall and winter. A spin-off of To Aru Majutsu no Index, set in the same magic-academy city, and featuring some of the same characters.seiyuus: Satou Rina, Arai Satomi, Itou Kanae, Toyosaki Aki. director: Nagai Tatsuyuki writer: Minakami Seishi. Kamachi Kazuma (creator), Fuyukawa Motoi (manga). animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Tanaka Yuichi, Haimura Kiyotaka (orig). OP fripSide, ED Elisa. trailer. subs: Chihiro. OVA. 1/1eps. forum. sun 29 oct Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (jp: 機動戦士ガンダムUC)sci-fi mecha romantic adventureThe second one-hour episode of the impressive (to me, at least) new Gundam series will be streamed on the Web.Interesting new/old style look. Appropriate music. Good new cast. Director Furuhashi Kazuhiro did Real Drive, Chevalier D'Eon and Rurouni Kenshin. Writer Muto Yasuyuki did Persona, Basara, and Chevalier D'Eon.Uchiyama Kouki was Soul Eater. Fujimura Ayumi is Niche in Letter Bee and Mafuyu in Seikon no Qwaser. Kaida Yuuko was Mari in Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. Shimono Hiro was Jin in Kannagi.seiyuus: Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater), Fujimura Ayumi (Cecily/Blacksmith), Shimono Hiro (Jin/Kannagi), Namikawa Daisuke (Kazehaya/Kimi ni Todoke, Benawi/Utawarerumono, Rock/Black Lagoon), Toyoguchi Megumi, Kaida Yuuko, Ikeda Shuuichi, Kakihara Tetsuya, Tezuka Hideaki. director: Furuhashi Kazuhiro (Real Drive, Chevalier D'Eon, Rurouni Kenshin) writer: Muto Yasuyuki (Persona, Basara, Chevalier D'Eon). Fukui Harutoshi. animation: Sunrise. chara-des: Takahashi Kumiko (Tokyo Babylon, CCS, Ouran). mecha: Ishigaki Gunya, Katoki Hajimemusic: Sawano Hiroyuki (Yoakena, Gigantic Formula, Sengoku Basara). trailer. subs: Licensed by Bandai. OVA. 2/6eps. forum. sat 30 oct 00:00Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori - Break on the Sky (jp: エア・ギア 黒の羽と眠りの森 -Break on the sky-)shounen competition adventureNew Air Gear OVA is produced by a new studio (Satelight, not Toei), and has a new director (Ishihara Shinji, director of Tokyo Majin) and writer (Maekawa Jun, writer of Prince of Tennis and Sisters of Wellber).New cast features Okamoto Nobuhiko, Tomatsu Haruka, and Fukui Yukari. The picture, from the official site, makes it seem that some fanservice is being added to the show.Comes with v30 of the manga and features the "Ikki vs. Ringo" face-off from v16. The preview looks good to me.seiyuus: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Tomatsu Haruka, Fukui Yukari. director: Ishihira Shinji writer: Maekawa Jun. Oh! Great (orig). animation: Satelight. chara-des: Horiuchi Osamu. art: Tayama Osamu - Yoshikawa Yoji. trailer. manga. OVA. forum. wed 17 nov Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka (jp: あきそら ���夢の中���)incest comedy dramaThe one-episode OVA that was released with a volume of the manga last year was the most graphic incest anime I have ever seen. I thought it was fairly good, with the same strange passions and strong characterizations as the manga. Elder sister Aki seduces her beloved (shota) younger brother Sora. Sora's twin sister Nami and her friend Kana are kept in the dark, at least temporarily.This new two-episode OVA delves more deeply into the manga story. The staff is the same as the previous OVA, but the cast has been downgraded from better-known to fairly unknown seiyuu names.Director Takahashi Takeo did Spice and Wolf. The writer doing the adaptation is the famous Hanada Jukki, who adapted Rozen Maiden, sola, and Seitokai no Ichizon.Episode one delivered as promised, with a combination of good animation, near-hentai sex scenes, emotional interplay among the siblings, and some comedy.seiyuus: Shirai Kumo, Natsuno Kori, Shirayuki Aoi, Gogyo Nazuna, Toono Soyogi. director: Takahashi Takeo (Spice and Wolf, Love Love) writer: Hanada Jukki (Rozen Maiden, sola, Seitokai no Ichizon). Itosugi Masahiro (manga). animation: Hoods Entertainment. chara-des: Kuroda Kazuya. animation supervisor: Kuroda Kazuya. music: C-Clays. OP Kotoge Mai. subs: UFW, CoalGuys? Strike Subs - Ramen Subs? SHiN-gx? HANBU? OVA. 2/2eps. forum. wed 17 nov Koe de Oshigoto! (jp: こえでおしごと! The ANIMATION)ecchi moe romantic comedyKanna's elder sister runs an ero-game company. On Kanna's 16th birthday, she asks her to work as an ero-game seiyuu. How will the inexperienced Kanna handle the job?The director is still not named on the official site. Will this be like Mayoi Neko Overrun, with a new director for each episode?Stars Mako (Yurie in Kamichu!, TV host). Enjoyable manga.seiyuus: Mako, Ishikawa Ayana, Shimagata Maina, Nagatsuma Juri, Watanabe Akeno, Chiba Susumu, Mizushima Takahiro, Takahashi Shinya. director: (unknown) writer: Suzuki Masashi. Konno Azure (manga). animation: Studio Gokumi. chara-des: Kiyomaru Satoru. animation supervisor: Kiyomaru Satoru. art: Matsumoto Hiroki. trailer. manga. subs: Ruri Subs. OVA. 1/?eps. forum. wed 17 nov Mahou Sensei Negima! - Another World - Extra: Ariadne (jp: 魔法先生ネギま������もうひとつの世界��� Extra アリアドネー編)magical harem comedy adventureOne-episode sequel to the Another World OVA series. Set in Britain. Shinbou is back to direct, and mangaka Akamatsu Ken writes this OVA as he did the previous two OVA series. Also back is animator/character designer Jitsuhara Noboru.seiyuus: Satou Rina, Shiratori Yuri, Kimura Madoka, Sasagawa Ayana, Kuwatani Natsuko, Yamakawa Kotomi, Asakura Azumi, Itou Shizuka, Kanda Akemi. director: Akiyuki Shinbou writer: Akamatsu Ken (manga and anime adaptation). animation: Shaft. chara-des: Jitsuhara Noboru. animation supervisor: Jitsuhara Noboru. OP Satou Rina, Akemi Kanda, Nonaka Ai, Kobayashi Yu,. trailer. manga. OVA. 1/1eps. forum. wed 17 nov Kiss X Sis OVA (jp: kiss×sis 第4話)ecchi incest comedyDVD comes with volume 7 of the ecchi manga about a high-school boy whose two older sisters are constantly trying to get into his pants.seiyuus: Takeuchi Ken, Taketatsu Ayana, Tatsumi Yuiko. director: Nawa Munenori (Kiss X Sis TV, Nogizaka Haruka) writer: Ditama Bow (Mahoromatic). animation: feel. chara-des: Shitaya Tomoyuki (Night Wizard), Masuda Kuniaki. animation supervisor: Masuda Kuniaki (Kanamemo). OP Takahashi Nana, ED Tatsumi Yuiko. trailer. manga. subs: Ayako. OVA. 4/4eps. forum. mon 22 nov Megane na Kanojo (jp: 眼鏡なカノジョ)romantic comedyThe gentle and rather plain manga tells cute stories about girls who are happy they wear glasses, in part because they can hide behind them.seiyuus: Moriya Satomi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Imai Asami, Hirakawa Daisuke, Hayami Saori, Abe Atsushi. director: Itou Koji (key animator) writer: Itou Koji. Tobi (orig.). animation: AIC Takarazuka. chara-des: Ishibashi Yukiko. animation supervisor: Ishibashi Yukiko (chief anidir Genshiken, Queen's Blade). art: Katou Hiroshi (Ayakashi, Sayonara Zetsubou, Asobi ni Iku). OP Imai Asami, ED Ayane. manga. OVA. 1/4eps. forum. thu 25 nov TP Sakura - Time Paladin Sakura (jp: T.P.さくら���タイムパラディンさくら���時空防衛戦 前編)magical girlOVA based on the DC Da Capo series, re-imagining Sakura as a magical girl. The OVA comes out in advance of a new ero-game, and stars the ero-game seiyuus. The staff appears to have first-timers as director and lead writer, but animator Koga Makoto did sola and ARIA.seiyuus: Mimori Suzuko, Kase Aina, Nitta Emi, Haruka Hitomi (operator/Weiss Survive). director: Nakayama Takehiro (key animator) writer: Tozuka Naoki. CIRCUS (ero-game). animation: chara-des: Koga Makoto (ARIA, sola). animation supervisor: Koga Makoto (ARIA, sola). OP Sasaki Ayaka. trailer. OVA. 1/2eps. forum. sat 27 nov Mirai Nikki OVA (jp: 未来日記 OVA)shounen action psychological dramaComes with a limited edition of the 11th volume of popular manga Mirai Nikki ("Future Diary").High school outsider Amano Yukiteru notes down everything he sees in a cell phone diary. He imagines into being a deity called Deus Ex Machina, the Lord of Time and Space. Deus then causes his diary to record events that will happen in the near future.Staff includes the director of Shuffle and the writer of the ef shows and Baka to Test. Cast not yet announced.director: Hosoda Naoto (Shuffle) writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (ef, Natsu no Arashi, Baka to Test). Esuno Sakae (manga). animation: asread. chara-des: Hirayama Hidetsugu, Watanabe Ruriko. trailer. manga. OVA. forum. december Kure-nai OVA (jp: 紅 OVA)comedy dramaIncluded with the limited edition version of v6 of manga (which is in turn based on the novels). This is a second OVA, following the one that came out with volume 5.The character
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