Exactly two years ago I posted “my ideal family” if it were to consist of anime, manga and game characters. Basically the idea came to me when I stumbled on an amazing thread randomly in which people would post a list of characters to form a family. Think of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki and that’s pretty [...]
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Hanazawa Kana 花澤香菜 has the moe-est voice in anime.As Shiika in Mushiuta, Sora in Sketchbook (2007), and Sora again in the underrated Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto - Natsu no Sora (2008), Kana-chan took vocal moe to a new level. (click photos to enlarge)But already in 2007 we could hear that there was more to her, in her strangely communicative grunts as the main character in Potemayo. In 2008 she did the quite un-moe Zange in Kannagi, although with uneven results. And in the spring of 2009, she shifted her moe voice to create the fey but powerful ojousama Sharon Rainsworth in Pandora Hearts.Then in the fall of 2009, as Suou in Darker than Black 2, she broke out as a real actress. She is entirely believable as the conflicted Suou, tossed about in a sea of events she does not understand, but gradually adapts to.And although the voice is still that of a young girl, she produces a range of sound, from whispers to screams, that shows more and more technical mastery.Kana-chan broke into voice-acting at 17, in 2006, as the popular character Kaminagi Ryouko in Zegapain. But she had been in show business since at least 2001, when she was a 12-year-old child actress. She was a regular cast member in the TV drama Gakko no Sensei that year. And she had a minor seiyuu role in Last Exile in 2003.Here are images of a few of her important anime roles: (mouseover for captions) After her performance in Zegapain, the highly respected seiyuu agency Osawa Office took her on. Osawa represents such major seiyuu as Kawasumi Ayako and Noto Mamiko. As seiyuu Minagawa Junko said: "Isn't Osawa amazing to have recognized her?" And I agree. Her acting in Zegapain is adequate at best, but she had that voice, and Osawa realized even then that she might have the ability to make the most of it. There is something about her voice that gives presence to her characters.Here is a video showing clips of her roles up to Natsu no Sora, in the summer of 2008:<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y9FViJj4nLE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y9FViJj4nLE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Kana-chan (the name she likes to be called by) is rather shy, and comes across in her many radio shows and guest appearances as somewhat out of it, and not too bright. In fact, she is intelligent and capable, just a bit dreamy. She has been a university student since 2007, working and studying at the same time, and will graduate in 2011. And she has hosted her own radio show for over a year. The show is called: Can Hanazawa Kana Do It Alone?Between her drama work when she was 12 and Zegapain when she was 17, Kana-chan didn't get much work, but kept searching for her place in show business. A post on 2channel describes her as having been an "underground idol," and there are photos to prove it: Kana-chan doesn't have a great singing voice, and that may be one reason her idol career never took off. But she did do a great job with the partly-spoken OP4 of Bakemonogatari, "Ren-ai Circulation":<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3VHMA4AcZNs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3VHMA4AcZNs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object>The adult Kana-chan (now 20) is no raving beauty, but she is quite attractive in an old-fashioned sort of way, as well as seeming to be a genuinely nice person: Here are a very recent and the oldest photo here. One of Kana-chan fron an interview this fall about Kobato. One showing her when she was twelve, and just about to begin her entertainment career: Here's a ridiculously cute video interview she did for Voicha magazine in late 2007:<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GwBAs-6qj58&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GwBAs-6qj58&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object>Here's another video, from about the same time, with her co-stars in Sketchbook, Nakase Asuka (centre) and Makino Yui. The beginning is Kana-chan at her loopy best:<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nj4bIkd2Ky8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nj4bIkd2Ky8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Here's a clip she did with her friend Tomatsu Haruka, talking about strange food combinations that Nagi ate in Kannagi, in which Kana played Zange to Tomatsu's Nagi. Tomatsu puts Italian-style salad dressing on her rice, while Kana-chan puts Bulldog sauce (like HP sauce) on hers. The bubbly Tomatsu thinks the Italian dressing makes the rice taste great, like "Italian cuisine." Kana-chan tries it and says drily: "It's okay."<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eSDFKNw9PF4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eSDFKNw9PF4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object>And here they are doing a brief recording session, reversing their roles in Kannagi so that Kana-chan plays Nagi and Tomatsu plays Zange:<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j-lqesYSPBY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j-lqesYSPBY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object>Here is a very recent clip of Kana-chan talking about her role as the heroine Sofia in the Wii game Tales of Graces, which was released 10 December 2009:<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGMzLn_WeQ0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGMzLn_WeQ0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object>Finally, here is a brief clip from the 2006 TV drama Uramiya Honpo, showing the 17-year-old Kana as a girl in hospital first greeting a friend who has come to visit, and then actually dying on screen:<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-4dae9c53deeffe2" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvp.video.google.com%2Fvideodownload%3Fversion%3D0%26secureurl%3DpgAAAPCZD0ddCGBZjZs6HcCGJYdFx7cOI4aE--qXXKR8WwYKzutq5nvsD8fXM7toJJVPQGB6gK4h4nlvOp9B6Eowcgc3s_q90obL3e2edTzGU4lVWhHVJXMqXw1ORKX_B1xNy0hq_-EmVnmH9k-Mtw-GXc78BKPxOII9zBE4DfSeCpzrIYCXr-WTbkZ5ZlQxgt76lZnFFxlPu_xgzNOyaP3fbSqMD6b51dwHJhJmer3HC9st%26sigh%3D93WQba6rAAH_e26ibdJH8JRKOic%26begin%3D0%26len%3D86400000%26docid%3D0&amp;nogvlm=1&amp;thumbnailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D4dae9c53deeffe2%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw320%26sigh%3Do-e40LoujkTXS1m-GAiiBHSSrjA&amp;messagesUrl=video.google.com%2FFlashUiStrings.xlb%3Fframe%3Dflashstrings%26hl%3Den"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvp.video.google.com%2Fvideodownload%3Fversion%3D0%26secureurl%3DpgAAAPCZD0ddCGBZjZs6HcCGJYdFx7cOI4aE--qXXKR8WwYKzutq5nvsD8fXM7toJJVPQGB6gK4h4nlvOp9B6Eowcgc3s_q90obL3e2edTzGU4lVWhHVJXMqXw1ORKX_B1xNy0hq_-EmVnmH9k-Mtw-GXc78BKPxOII9zBE4DfSeCpzrIYCXr-WTbkZ5ZlQxgt76lZnFFxlPu_xgzNOyaP3fbSqMD6b51dwHJhJmer3HC9st%26sigh%3D93WQba6rAAH_e26ibdJH8JRKOic%26begin%3D0%26len%3D86400000%26docid%3D0&amp;nogvlm=1&amp;thumbnailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D4dae9c53deeffe2%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw320%26sigh%3Do-e40LoujkTXS1m-GAiiBHSSrjA&amp;messagesUrl=video.google.com%2FFlashUiStrings.xlb%3Fframe%3Dflashstrings%26hl%3Den" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Data:-- born 25 February 1989-- from Tokyo-- 158cm tall (5'2")-- likes: taking baths-- abilities: mimicry, magic, storytelling-- favorite food: dried taro-- likes: men who have dark hair and look good in a suit and glasses-- likes: Tomatsu Haruka, Kawasumi Ayako, Tsuji Ayumi-- likes: "picopico pop" electronic music like Perfume, Nakata Yasutaka, MOSAIC.WAV. Asian Kung-fu Generation.etc-- the mangaka of Potemayo was a big supporter of hers at auditions for the anime's cast, saying her version of Potemayo's sounds was just right for the character-- in the early years of elementary school, she and her friends used to "see fairies" and play by kicking and punching them-- she tends to daydream and lose focus, and her coworkers rag her about it. Toriumi Kousuke (Gil in Pandora Hearts) called her "Kana on a cliff," referring to the Miyazaki film Ponyo On a Cliff.-- she has one sibling, a brother four years younger, and she shows him her animes-- she has been a regular on twelve radio shows, two of which are still onStaff in:(2007) Sketchbook ~full color'S~ (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED2)(2008) Kyouran Kazoku Nikki (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED)(2008) Sekirei (TV) : Theme Song Performance(2009) Bakemonogatari (TV) : Theme Song Performance (OP4)Cast in:(2003) Last Exile (TV) as Holy Madosein(2006) Magical Witch Punie-chan (OVA) as Tanaka Potaru(2006) Zegapain (TV) as Kaminagi Ryoko(2007) Getsumen To Heiki Mina (TV) as Hazemi Nakoru/Minazuki Mina(2007) Mushi-Uta (TV) as Anmoto Shiika(2007) Higurashi no Naku Koroni Kai (TV) as Tomomi (eps 14.15)(2007) Potemayo (TV) as Potemayo(2007) Sketchbook ~full color'S~ (TV) as Kajiwara Sora(2008) Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- (TV) as Angelica(2008) Shina Dark - Kuroki Tsuki no Ō to Sōheki no Tsuki no Himegimi (OAV) as Mapul(2008) To Love-Ru (TV) as Yuuki Mikan(2008) Blassreiter (TV) as Elea(2008) Kyouran Kazoku Nikki (TV) as Midarezaki Yuuka(2008) Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora (TV) as Suzuki Sora(2008) Sekirei (TV) as Kusano(2008) Strike Witches (TV) as Suwa Amaki (ep 12)(2008) Kemeko Deluxe! (TV) as Riko At Androids(2008) Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens (TV) as Suzushiro Hakua; Zange(2008) Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- (OAV) as Angelica(2009) (The) Tower of Druaga: the Sword of Uruk (TV) as Henaro(2009) Asu no Yoichi! (TV) as Ikaruga Kagome(2009) Basquash! (TV) as Coco JD(2009) Pandora Hearts (TV) as Sharon Rainsworth(2009) To Love-Ru (OAV) as Yuuki Mikan(2009) Bakemonogatari (TV) as Sengoku Nadeko(2009) Sora no Manimani (TV) as An Yukie(2009) Cencoroll (movie) as Yuki(2009) Kobato. (TV) as Hanato Kobato(2009) Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini (TV) as Suou Pavlichenko(2010) Seikon no Qwaser (TV) as Mitarai Fumika(2010) Durarara!! (TV) as Sonohara Anri(2010) Bungaku Shoujo (movie) as Amano ToukoLinks:Anime News Network (eng)Wikipedia (eng)ja.Wikipediablog (radio show)live radio show video from TAF last summerpic search (English)pic search (Japanese)video search (English)video search (Japanese)idol photos
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I am sort of alive again and was able to do the review I promised around 2 Weeks ago ^^;; The Omnipotent Kyouka-sama graces the FlyingPussyfoot with her presence once again right after the Jump! Ill spare you all the talk about how great Kyouran Kazoku Nikki and Kyouka-sama is and simply direct you to the [...]
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Winners: Evangeline, Kamyu, Mikoto, and Yoshinoya-sensei. Group G-1 Results: 1位　279票　(Evangeline A.K. McDowell @ Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba~) 2位　197票　(Felli Loss @ Chrome Shelled Regios) 3位　126票　(Midarezaki Yuuka @ Kyouran Kazoku Nikki) 4位　91票　(Mio @ Zettai Karen Children) ========================================================= Group G-4 Results: 1位　245票　(Kamyu @ Utawarerumono OVA) 2位　155票　(Kaja @ Natsu no Arashi!) 3位　153票　(Kimura Kaere @ Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei) 4位　126票　(Akimoto Komachi (Cure Mint) @ Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!) ========================================================= Group [...]
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I don't think there were any huge battles at stake, but boy, we're coming down to the end of the first round brackets!  Today's Battles 8/27 Evangeline McDowell Mikoto Misaka I'm sure it'll come to no surprise that magical loli Evangeline A.K. McDowell, of Negima fame, won her bracket without much difficulty-- it looks like a lot of people didn't even bother voting-- the winner of the second battle had more votes than almost any two of the first battle combined. Of course, Evangeline's competition wasn't all that strong: Zettai Karen Children's Mio Tsukushi, Chrome Shelled Regios' Felli Loss, and Kyouran Kazoku Nikki's Yuuka Midarezaki. Score one for the witches!Across the aisle, A Certain Magical Index's Mikoto Misaka took the win with 450 points, about 268 more than the second placer, Sawako Yamanaka (from K-On!). She beat Shigofumi's Chiaki by over 300 points, and Combat Butler Hayate's Fumi Hibino by exactly 400. Ouch. Kamyu Yoshinoya Utawarerumono's Kamyu won in her bracket, with Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei's Kaere Kimura and Natsu no Arashi!'s Kaja Bergmann fighting a bitter battle for second (Kaja won, by two points). Cure Mint, Yes! Pretty Cure 5's Komachi Akimoto, was last, but even she wasn't far behind the other runners-up.Finally, Hidamari Sketch's Yoshinoya won the last bracket, to the bitter pain of Rosario + Vampire's Moka Akashiya, who took a fairly distant second about a hundred points behind). Gintama's Kagura sawt and watched the battle uncaringly, while Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei's Ai Kaga just stood around apologizing for losing.Tomorrow's Battles: 8/28Nabari no Ou's RAIMEI SHIMIZU vs Zero no Tsukaima's HENRIETTA DE TRISTAIN vs Clannad's RIE NISHINA vs Zettai Karen Children's SHIHO SANNOMIYACombat Butler Hayate's ATHENA TENNOS vs White Album's YUKI MORIKAWA vs Polyphonica's PERSERTE vs Minamike's TOUMA MINAMIToradora!'s SUMIRE KANOU vs Ef's KEI SHINDOU vs Kemeko Deluxe!'s MEI MISHIMA vs The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's HARUHI SUZUMIYAK-On!'s RITSU TAINAKA vs Combat Butler Hayate's SAKI KIJIMA vs Hatuskoi Limited's KEI ENOMOTO vs Candy Boy's YUKINO SAKURAIMy predictions: Henrietta or Rie, Touma Minami (Athena's more of a manga character so far and I don't think Perserte is that well-known; Yuki could take it I suppose...but I think 2ch loves its reverse trap), Haruhi may surprise us in the third battle, and I'd bank on either K-On!'s drummer Ritsu or the clumsy made Saki in that last one.Whew...four more days before we've finished all the first brackets, so expect a BIG SaiMoe post with the next round of brackets on September 1st!Your Turn!Are my predictions horribly wrong? Did a grave injustice occur in today's battles? Go ahead, let out your pain in the comments.
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And we come to the second last group of the huge first round of Saimoe, Group F. Saimoe is currently taking a break due to Comiket 76, and will resume in another two days’ time as of this post. G01 Knowns: Midarezaki Yuuka (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki) Prediction: Too many unknowns I would like to say the cute Yuuka has [...] Related posts:Saimoe 2009 Group DSaimoe 2009 Group ESaimoe 2009 Group B
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Winners: Kana, Haruna, Isumi, and Chihiro. Group B-3 Results: 1位　617票　(Ikeda Kana @ Saki) 2位　262票　(Kouzuki Kallen @ Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2) 3位　146票　(Midarezaki Kyouka @ Kyouran Kazoku Nikki) 4位　93票　(Sahashi Yukari @ Sekirei) ========================================================= Group B-6 Results: 1位　350票　(Sairenji Haruna @ To-LOVE-Ru) 2位　312票　 (Ayanami Rei @ Evangelion: 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance) 3位　233票　(Miyazaki Nodoka @ Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba~) 4位　213票　(Nue @ Tayutama -Kiss on [...]
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So, SaiMoe-- the yearly competition to determine the most 'moe' (or, essentially, popular) female anime character –has been underway for a few days now. Let's see how the first few rounds went!   There have been relatively few surprises so far, but there was a significant upset for K-On! fans when Mio Akiyama lost to Kana Minami. Presumably that's a Miofanatacism backlash? I suspect that Endless Eight also ruined Ryouko Asakura's chances, as she lost to Ayama Ikaruga (but not by much).Strike Witches is doing unsurprisingly well, with Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke thoroughly trouncing major competition from Maka and Rukia with impressive ease.  The biggest win of the first rounds, however, went t Tsukasa Hiiragi, who beat out (among others) Winry Rockbell.Here are all of the competitions so far:AUGUST FOURTH: Chiaki Minato Chiaki Minami (Minamike) had no trouble beating out Isara Gunther (Valkyria Chronicles), Mei Isayama (Ga-Rei Zero), Nagi Hirono (Ef), and Eriko Futami (KimiKiss), but it was a slightly closer contest for the other round one winner, Minato Nagase (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka)-- ToHeart 2's Tamaki Kousaka came in a relatively close second, and a mere eleven points behind Tamaki came Tower of Druaga's Fatina. Toradora!'s Maya Kihara came in fourth.  Ayame Ikaruga Misaki Hayakawa In the second half of the competition, it was a pretty close contest between Asu no Yoichi!'s Ayame Ikaruga and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's Ryouko Asakura. Fan's distaste for Endless Eight resulted in Ayame's win, however; Nao Chikura (Hatsukoi Limited) and Nanami Kiri (Maria Holic) fell far behind. The final contest of the day was also close, with Kemeko Deluxe! lead Misaki Hayakawa beating out Negima's Asuna by a mere eight points. TokiKake Girl's Honoka Kawai took third, with poor Kaguya from Code Geass in last.  AUGUST FIFTH: Last Order Mei LOLI HEAVEN DAY! A Certain Magical Index's Last Order blew away the competition, Aloe (Quiz Magic Academy), Sonou Mori (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), and Ibuki Ikaruga, while CLANNAD's Mei Sunohara creamed MISAKA #10032 (A Certain Magical Index), Lucky Star's Misao Kusakabe, and Saki's Ayumu Sugino.     Shokatsuryou Nunnally The other two competitions were also pretty fierce: Koihime Musou's Shokatsuryou Koumei took the win over ToHeart 2's Sasara Kusugawa, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei's Chiri Kitsu, and Natsu no Arashi!'s Jun Kamigamo. I'm pleased to note that Nunnally had no trouble whipping Shugo Chara!'s Ran, TokiKake girl's Sakura, and School Rumble's Mikoto into shape. AUGUST SIXTH: Yutaka Yuuki Konata's cousin Yutaka Kobayakawa beat out reps from ToHeart 2 (Konomi), Wagaya no Oinari-sama (Byakki), and Phantom (Cal Devens), while Saki's Yuuki Kataoka showed Strike Witches' Gertrud who was boss (as well as To Love-Ru's Saki Tenjoin and Zettai Karen Children's Kaoru Akashi).        Minna Utau And, well, a Strike Witch had to win somewhere. With 430 votes, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke trounced the competition, including Maka from Soul Eater, Rukia from Bleach, and Flora Skybloom from Basquash. Meanwhile Shugo Chara!'s Utau Hoshina squashed Shangri-La's Kuniko, Tears to Tiara's Octavia, and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei's Meru Otonashi under the heel of her boot.   AUGUST SEVENTH: Holo Perinne A mere snarl from Holo sent Chrome Shelled Regios' Nina Antalk, Asura Cryin's Misao Minakami, A Certain Magical Index's Hyouka Kazakiri, and Seto no Hanayome's class representative running in fear. Meanwhile our second winning Strike Witch, Perinne H. Closterman, took on Keiko from Minamike, Takane Shishidou from TokiKake Girl, and Yasuko Takasu from Toradora! without fear.    Yuuno Miki Hidamari Sketch's Yuuno won over Kannagi's Tsugumi, Fresh Pretty Cure!'s Setsuna, and Seto no Hanayome's Mawari, while Miki Hanabishi (Hayate the Combat Butler) destroyed Chika Midarezaki (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki), Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei's Harumi Fujiyoshi, and Allison and Lillia's titular Allison.     AUGUST EIGHTH: Tsukasa Kana This is the biggest win I've seen so far...Tsukasa Hiiragi, of Lucky Star fame, beat out her second-placer by over four hundred points. That second-placer is Fullmetal Alchemist's Winry Rockbell, followed by Ryouko Kurosaki (Kemeko Deluxe!) and Naomi Umegae (Zettai Karen Children). On the other side of the board, the K-On! craze must be backfiring, because Mio Akiyama lost to Kana Minami of Minamike by less than 40 points. Hidamari Sketch's Hiro and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei's Tarou Maria Sekiutsu didn't stand a chance. Fuuko Nagi CLANNAD's sea star-loving Fuuko smiled obliviously clutching a wooden sea star while Yuuko Amamiya (Ef), Manaka Komaki (To Heart2), and Ume (Hidamari Sketch), while bitchy goddess Nagi danced her way through past Vampire Knight's Yuuki, Tayutama's Mashiro Mito, and Kirarin Revolution's Kirari Tsukishima.     AUGUST NINTH: Kana Isumi Saki's Kana Ikeda picked up an easy first over Kallen from Code Geass, Kyouka from Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, and Yukari from Sekirei, while the wispy Isumi Saginomiya (from Hayate the Combat Butler) vanquished Tiffania Westwood (Zero n Tsukaima), Haruka Minami (Minamike), and Kafuka Fuura (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei).       Haruna Chihiro Finally...Haruna Sairenji of To Love-Ru beat out Negima!?'s Nodoka, Tayutama's Nue, and interestingly enough, Neon Genesis Evangelion's Rei Ayanami. Meanwhile Ef finally took a win via Chihiro Shindou, who beat Lucky Star's Konata by fifty points, as well as Fresh Pretty Cure!'s Inori and Asura Cryin's Shuri Kurosaki.   What do you think of the results so far?
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My personal choice. If you've spent much time in the seedy underbelly of the online anime fandom (and/or 4chan), you know SaiMoe, Japan's yearly tournament to determine what female character is the most “moe.”This year's SaiMoe preliminaries are over, and the brackets are set! Since I can't post the entire giant image, here's a lengthy listing so you don't miss out. I've organized them a bit differently than the conveniently bracketed image-- by date, specifically. So now you have both options!  August 4th Group A1-I Isara Gunther (Valkyria Chronicles) Mei Isayama (Ga-Rei Zero) Nagi Hirono (Ef) Eriko Futami (KimiKiss Pure Rouge) Chiaki Minami (Minamike) Group A2-I Maya Kihara (Toradora!) Tamaki Kousaka (To Heart )2 Minato Nagase (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka) Fatina (Tower of Druaga) Group A1-II Ryoko Asakura (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) Ayame Ikaruga (Asu no Yoichi!) Nao Chikura (Hatsukoi Limited) Nanami Kiri (Maria Holic) Group A2-II Honoka Kawai (TokiKake Girl) Asuna Kagurazaka (Negima?!) Misaki Hayakawa (Kemeko Deluxe!) Kaguya Sumeragi (Code Geass)August 5th Group A1-III Last Order (A Certain Magical Index) Aloe (Quiz Magic Academy) Sonou Mori (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)* Ibuki Ikaruga (Asu no Yoichi!) Group A2-III Ayumu Sugino (Saki) Misao Kusakabe (Lucky Star) MISAKA #A10032 (A Certain Magical Index) Mei Sunohara (Clannad) Group A1-IV Sasara Kusugawa (To Heart 2) Shokatsuryou Koumei (Koihime Musou) Chiri Kitsu (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) Jun Kamigamo (Natsu no Arashi!) Group A2-IV Sakura Shishidou (TokiKake Gir)l Nunnally vi Britannia (Code Geass) Ran (Shugo Chara!) Mikoto Suou (School Rumble) August 6th Group A1-V Konomi Yuzuhara (To Heart 2) Byakki (Wagaya no Oinari-sama) Yutaka Kobayakawa (Lucky Star) Cal Devens (Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~) Group A1-V Gertrude Barkhorn (Strike Witches) Yuuki Kataoka (Saki) Saki Tenjouin (To Love-Ru) Kaoru Akashi (Zettai Karen Children) Group A1-VI Maka Alban (Soul Eater) Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach) Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke (Strike Witches) Flora Skybloom (Basquash) Group A1-VI Kuniko Houjou (Shangri-La) Utau Hoshina (Shugo Chara!) Octavia (Tears to Tiara) Meru Otonashi (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei)August 7th Group B1-I Holo (Spice and Wolf) Nina Antalk (Chrome-Shelled Regios) Misao Minakami (Asura Cryin') Hyouka Kazakiri (A Certain Magical Index) Class Rep (Seto no Hanayome) Group B2-I Keiko (Minamike) Perinne H Clostermann (Strike Witches) Takane Shishidou (TokiKake Girl) Yasuko Takasu (Toradora!) Group B2-II Tsugumi Aoba (Kannagi) Setsuna Higashi (Fresh Pretty Cure!) Mawari Zenigata (Seto no Hanayome) Yuno (Hidamari Sketch) Group B2-II Allison Whittington (Allison and Lillia) Miki Hanabishi (Hayate the Combat Butler) Chika Midarezaki (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki) Harumi Fujiyoshi (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) August 8th Group B1-III Tsukasa Hiiragi (Lucky Star) Naomi Umegae (Zettai Karen Childre)n Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist) Ryouko Kurosaki (Kemeko Deluxe!) Group B2-III Kana Minami (Minamik)e Hiro (Hidamari Sketch) Mio Akiyama (K-On!) Tarou Maria Sekiutsu (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) Group B1-IV Yuuko Amamiya (Ef) Manaka Komaki (To Heart 2) Ume (Hidamari Sketch) Fuuko Ibuki (Clannad) Group B2-IV Yuki Cross (Vampire Knight) Mashiro Mito (Tayutama ~Kiss On My Deity~) Nagi (Kannagi) Kirari Tsukishima (Kirarin Revolution)August 9th Group B2-V Karen Kouzuki (Code Geass) Kyouka Midarezaki (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki) Yukari Sahashi (Sekirei) Kana Ikeda (Saki) Group B2-V Isumi Saginomiya (Hayate the Combat Butle)r Tiffania Westwood (Zero's Familiar) Haruka Minami (Minamike) Kafuka Fuura (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) Group B2-VI Nue (Tayutama ~Kiss on my Deity~) Haruna Sairenji (To Love-Ru) Nodoka Miyazaki (Negima?!) Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion) Group B2-VI Chihiro Shindou (Ef) Inori Yamabuki (Fresh Pretty Cure!) Konata Izumi (Lucky Star) Shuri Kurosaki (Asura Cryin') August 10th Group C1-I Chouun Shiryuu (Koihime Musou) Charlotte E. Yeager (Strike Witches) Airi (Quee'ns Blade) Hisa Takei (Saki) Group C2-I Kokoa Shuzen (Rosario + Vampire) Rhiannon (Tears to Tiara) Mika Nogizaka (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu) Kazumi Aihara (Kyou no Go no Ni) Group C1-II Nozomu Ezomori (Kanoko)n Mion Sonozaki (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) Yukine Miyazawa (Clannad) Fumika (Shigofumi) Group C2-II Kyouko Kirisaki (To Love-Ru) Yukari Sendou (Rosario + Vampire) Megumi Kamigaki (Saki) Emi Kizaki (Linebarrels of Iron) August 11th Group C1-III Sae (Hidamari Sketch) Luna Edomae (Seto no Hanayome) Louise de la Valliere (Zero no Tsukaima) Chiharu Harukaze (Hayate the Combat Butler) Group C1-III Anise Tatlin (Tales of the Abyss) Kyou Fujibayashi (Clannad) Marina Ismail (Gundam 00) Kaaya (Tower of Druaga) Group C1-IV Yuumi Hoshino (KimiKiss Pure Rouge) Tsuruya-san (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) Tsukiumi (Sekirei) Kotori Shirakawa (Da Capo) Group C-IV Chika (Hidamari Sketch) Kotomi Ichinose (Clannad)
CC (Code Geass) Kiri Komori (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) August 12th Group C1-V Yoshino (Minamike) Mio Sakamoto (Strike Witches) Risa Asakaze (Hayate the Combat Butler) Riko (Minamike) Group C2-V Konoka Konoe (Negima) Shiori Makimura (Hayate the Combat Butler) Nobue Itou (Strawberry Marshmallow) Haruka Nogizaka (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu) Group C1-VI Kyon no Imouto (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) Kuugen Tenko (Wagaya no Oinari-sama) Karen Ayanokouji (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka) Musubi (Sekirei) Group C2-VI Aruru (Utawarerumono) Tsumugi Kotobuki (K-On!) Rebecca Miyamoto (Pani Poni Dash!) Momoko Touyoko (Saki)August 17th Group D1-I Yukiji Katsura (Hayate the Combat Butler) Sousou Moutoku (Koihime Musou) Ao Nanami (Yozakura Quartet) Misae Sagara (Clannad) Group D2-I Yumi Fukuzawa (Maria Watches Over Us) Rin Itoshiki (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) Erica Hartmann (Strike Witches) Mari Illustrious Makinami (Neon Genesis Evangelion) Group D1-II Alicia Melchiott (Valkyria Chronicles) Akiha Shishidou (TokiKake Girl) Rin Kokonoe (Kodomo no Jikan) Yakumo Tsukamoto (School Rumble) Group D2-II Itsuki Kannagi (TokiKake Girl) Ranka Lee (Macross Frontier) Mizuki Hayama (Ef) Main Hiiragi (Cooking Idol Ai! Mai! Main!) August 18th Group D1-III Patricia Martin (Lucky Star)
Shalon (Quiz Magic Academy) Komoe Tsukuyomi (A Certain Magical Index) Yuuhi Katagiri (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka) Group D2-III Sakuya Aizawa (Hayate the Combat Butler) Tenma Tsukamoto (School Rumble) Kou (Wagaya no Oinari-sama) Yuka Uchida (Minamike) Group D1-IV Kanu Unchou (Koihime Musou) Yayoi Fushimi (Natsu no Arashi!) Kusano (Sekirei) Makie Sasaki (Negima?!) Group D2-IV Sanae Furukawa (Clannad) Mitsuki Shiina (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saku) Koyoi Bessho (Hatsukoi Limited) Alice (Pandora Hearts)August 19th Group D1-V Chihaya Ikaruga (Asu no Yoichi!) Kouko Ibuki (Clannad) Ein (Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~) Maki (Minamike) Group D2-V Izumi Segawa (Hayate the Combat Butle)r Noriko Nijou (Maria-sama ga Miteru) Koromo Amae (Saki) Miyako (Hidamari Sketch) Group D1-VI Corticarte Apa Lagranges (Polyphonica) Amu Hinamori (Shugo Chara!) Ui Hirasawa (K-On!) Aisa Himegami (A Certain Magical Index) Group D2-VI Misaki Sakura (Wagaya no Oinari-sama) Sena Aoi (Chaos Head) Seika Bundou (Saki) Hanyuu (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)August 20th Group E1-I Golden Darkness (To Love-Ru) Asuka Langley Shikinami (Neon Genesis Evangelion 2.0) Mifuyu Kisaragi (Tayutama ~Kiss on my Deity~) Matoi Tsunetsuki (Sayonara Zetsubou-sense)i Group E2-I Kanako Miyamae (Maria Holic) Lala Satalin Deviluke (To Love-Ru) Chika Koizumi (Kyou no Go no Ni) Tomoyo Sakagami (Clannad) Group E1-II Minami Iwasaki (Lucky Star) Misaki Yamamoto (Hatsukoi Limited) Torako Kageyama (Hyakko) Shimako Toudou (Maria-sama ga Miteru) Group E2-II Shiki Ryougi (Kara no Kyoukai ~Garden of Sinners~) Zashiki Warashi (xxxHOLiC) Miyuki Takara (Lucky Star) Tooru Taki (Natsume Yuujinchou)August 21st Group E1-III Touka (Utawarerumono) Aoba Tsukishima (Cross Game) Selvaria Bles (Valkyria Chronicles) Hinagiku Katsura (Hayate the Combat Butler) Group E2-III Hajime Kunihiro (Saki) San Seto (Seto no Hanayome) Chouhi Yokutoku (Koihime Musou) Ayumu Nishizawa (Hayate the Combat Butler) Group E1-IV Ameri Kawai (Tayutama ~Kiss on mY Deity) Yaya Yuiki (Shugo Chara!) Yui Hirasawa (K-On!) Hiyori Tamura (Lucky Star) Group E2-IV Ayumi Arihara (Hatsukoi Limited) Shirley Fenette (Code Geass) Teru Miyanaga (Saki) Bachou Mouki (Koihime Musou) August 22nd Group E1-V Mikan Yuuki (To Love-Ru) Yumina Takanashi (Tayutama ~Kiss on my Deity~) Dorm Mistress (Maria Holic) Nola Arendt (Spice & Wolf) Group E2-V Melon (Akikan!) Francesca Lucchini (Strike Witches) Mao Mizusawa (KimiKiss Pure Rouge) Yuri Koigakubo (Toradora!) Group E1-VI Rika Furude (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) Mutsuki Tsuyama (Saki) Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen (Strike Witches) Ryou Fujibayashi (Clannad) Group E2-VI Kagome Ikaruga (Asu no Yoichi!) Miyo Takano (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) Minori Kushieda (Toradora!) Klan Klan (Macross Frontier)August 23rd Group F1-I Nami Hitou (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei) Rimi Sakihata (Chaos Head) Maria (Hayate the Combat Butler) Touka Ryuumonbuchi (Saki) Group F2-I Chizuru Minamoto (Kanokon) Tsukasa Kiryuu (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka) Anya Alstreim (Code Geass) Mizore Shirayuki (Rosario + Vampire) Group F1-II Mikuru Asahina (the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) Feldt Grace (Gundam 00) Siesta (Zero no Tsukaima) Kagami Hiiragi (Lucky Star) Group F2-II Nagisa Furukawa (Clannad) Eri Sawachika (School Rumble) Shizu Shidou (Maria Holic) Touko Matsudaira (Maria-sama ga Miteru)August 24th Group F1-III Ana Coppola (Strawberry Marshmallow) Nanael (Quee'ns Blade) Asuka Sakino (KimiKiss Pure Rouge) Girl of the Illusory World (Clannad) Group F2-III Kuroko Shirai (A Certain Magical Index) Miu Matsuoka (Strawberry Marshmallow) Tianzi (Code Geass) Shion Sonozaki (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) Group F1-IV Koyomi Morishita (Yoku Wakaru Gendai Maou) Miharu Yoshitome (Saki) Ami Kawashima (Toradora!) Irukuku (Zero no Tsukaima) Group F2-IV Aoi Nogami (Zettai Karen Children) Nanako Kuroi (Lucky Star) Kuro Kagami (Kodomo no Jikan) Yue Ayase (Negima?!)August 25th Group F1-V Mubyou (Wagaya no Oinari-sama) Fubuki (Kamen no Maid Guy) Nodoka Manabe (K-On!) Maho Yumeno (Saki) Group F2-V Nia Teppelin (Gurren Lagann) Kaori Kanzaki (A Certain Magical Index) Azusa Nakano (K-On!) Index (A Certain Magical Index) Group F1-VI Ruby Toujou (Rosario + Vampire) Lynette Bishop (Strike Witches) Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!) Louise Halevy (Gundam 00) Group F2-VI Yoko Littner (Gurren Lagann) Kuro (Kurokam)i Suu (Shugo Chara!) Ai Enma (Hell Girl) August 27thGroup G1-IEvangeline A K McDowell (Negima?!)Mio Tsukushi (Zettai Karen Children)Felli Loss (Chrome Shelled Regis)Yuuka MidarezakI (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki)Group G2-IFumi Hibino (Hayate the Combat Butler)Mikoto Misaka (A Certain Magical Index)Chiaki (Shigofumi)Sawako Yamanaka (K-On!)Group G1-IIKomachi Akimoto (Yes! Pretty Cure 5)Kaere Kimura (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei)Kamyu (Utawarerumono)Kaja (Natsu no Arashi)Group G2-IIKagura (Gintama)Yoshinoya (Hidamari Sketch)Moka Akashiya (Rosario + Vampire)Ai Kaga (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei)August 28thGroup G1-IIIRaimei Shimizu (Nabari no Ou)Henrietta de Tristain (Zero no Tsukaima)Rie Nishina (Clannad)Shiho Sannomiya (Zettai Karen Children)Group G2-IIIAthena Tennos (Hayate the Combat Butler)Yuki Morikawa (White Album)Perserte Yugiri (Polyphonica)Touma Minami (Minamike)Group G1-IVSumire Kanou (Toradora!)Kei Shindou (Ef)Mei Mishima (Kemeko Deluxe)Haruhi Suzumiya (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)Group G2-IVRitsu Tainaka (K-On!)Saki Kijima (Hayate the Combat Butler)Kei Enomoto (Hatsukoi Limited)Yukino Sakurai (Candy Boy)August 29thGroup G1-VSatoko Houjou (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)Najimi Tenkuuji (Akikan!)Yuki Nagato (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)Nanami Nishijou (Chaos Head)Group G2-VMihoko Fukuji (Saki)Ryofu Housen (Koihime Musou)Nena Trinity (Gundam 00)Matsurika Shinouji (Maria Holic)Group G1-VIEruru (Etawarerumono)Misato Katsuragi (Neon Genesis Evangelion)Abiru Kobushi (Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei)Coopa (Tower of Druaga)Group G2-VIRima Mashiro (Shugo Chara!)Kanade Takatsuki (Asura Cryin')Natsume (Hidamari Sketch)Ushio Okazaki (Clannad)August 30thGroup H1-IYumi Kajiki (Saki)Kagura Tsuchimiya (Ga-Rei Zero)Karura (Utawarerumono)Saki Miyanagi (Saki)Group H2-IYoshika Miyafuji (Strike Witches)Atsuko (Minamike)Natsumi Hirakawa (Kyou no Go no Ni)Sakura Yoshino (Da Capo)Group H1-IIAi Haibara (Detective Conan)Sheryl Nome (Macross Frontier)Nagi Sanzenin (Hayate the Combat Butler)Kozue Orihara (Chaos Head)Group H2-IIMiyako Miyamura (Ef)Imoko Shishidou (TokiKake Gir)lKuromi (Onegai My Meldy)Ayano Minegishi (Lucky Star)August 31stGroup H1-IIIMako Someya (Saki)Setsuna Sakurazaki (Negima?!)Sanya V Litvyak (Strike Witches)Matsuri Sakuragi (Strawberry Marshmallow)Group H2-IIINodoka Haraumura (Saki)Budoko (Akikan!)Yui Kotegawa (To Love-Ru)Yoshino Shimazu (Maria-sama ga Miteru)Group H1-IVAyumi Nonomura (Hyakko)Nagomi Shiraishi (Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka)Satomi Kanbara (Saki)Rena Ryuuguu (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)Group H2-IVTomoki Sawamura (Saki)Miki (Shugo Chara!)Love Momozono (Fresh Pretty Cure!)Mrs. Katsura (Hayate the Combat Butler)September 1stGroup H1-VKurumu Kurono (Rosario + Vampire)The Sisters (A Certain Magical Index)Liechtenstein (Hetalia Axis Powers)Yomi Isayama (Ga-Rei Zero)Group H2-VSachiko Ogasawara (Maria-sama ga Miteru)Zange-chan (Kannagi)Kaori Senou (Saki)Tabitha (Zero no Tsukaima)Group H1-VIJun Inoue (Saki)Sayoko Arashiyama (Natsu no Arashi!)Yumiko Christina Ichinose (Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou)Angel Moa (Sgt. Frog)Group H2-VIRina Ogata (White Album)Akeno Shiranui (Seto no Hanayome)Shiina Amamiya (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu)Chika Itou (Strawberry Marshmallow) Whew! You don't even want to know how long I spent on that. Hope it's comprehensible for you guys.So who's your pick for each bracket, and who do you want to win overall? And who do you think WILL win? I'll share my thoughts in the comments.
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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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