Another great year. Maybe not as great as 2006, which produced three classics: Simoun, NANA, and Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. But 2007 was full of interesting shows.The top ones for me are one show from last spring -- Lucky Star -- and two from this fall -- ef ~a tale of memories~ and Blue Drop: Tenshitachi no Gikyoku.Lucky Star began by alienating much of its potential audience. The humor was so unemphatic, and the show had such spare drawing and animation that it was unrecognizable as KyoAni work. But although it may not have had many belly laughs in it, I found myself laughing quietly in my bones from start to finish.Hirano Aya really created something in Konata's comic burbling voice. The sly earthiness of that voice was the foundation of the whole show, it seemed to me, setting up the other voices to seem even more moe. And the script provided the kind of humane absurdity I love in a comedy. The un-KyoAni-like animation was KyoAni-like in two things: in its great consistency, and in the smooth animation of movement.ef ~a tale of memories~ was a complete surprise. The preview made me fear that the voice actors -- who came over from the game -- might not be up to the task. How wrong I was. This show is true art, made by Shinbou Akiyuki's protege Oonuma Shin from an ero-game by minori.Once again, many animephiles were put off by the show's style. Its visual complexity seemed pointless and confusing. In fact, every one of those odd angles and strange palettes has an emotional purpose. This show is great romantic melodrama, underpinned by powerful music from Tenmon, who does background music for Shinkai Makoto's work (e.g., Byousoku 5cm). The interwoven romances are fascinating, and the characters really have individual character.Blue Drop: Tenshitachi no Gikyoku expertly traces the emotional currents in a girls' school with a difference: the top girl in the school is actually the commander of a hidden alien warship, in disguise. And her new roommate is the only survivor of the annihilation of the population of an entire small island in Japan five years before. Humans don't realize that the disaster was caused by a malfunction in the hidden ship's propulsion system.The life of girls at the school is interwoven with the progress of an impending alien invasion of Earth, and with the progress of the relationship between the commander and the survivor. I guess the yuri undercurrents may have alienated a slice of potential viewership here. The leads are played by Yajima Akiko (Crayon Shin-chan) and Sawashiro Miyuki (Shinku in Rozen Maiden), both of whom seem to me to be at their best. Yajima-san's 40-year-old voice fills her character with youthfulness.It's a little early for final judgments, and Blue Drop and ef could yet end badly, but I have come to trust the people making them, and I don't think that will happen.My judgments are rooted in my personal taste, and there are other good shows that just didn't happen to suit me, or weren't in genres I appreciate. I couldn't watch more than a few episodes of Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann, for example. The pacing and the style of humor just didn't do anything for me. But I could recognize what a good show it was, in its way. Anyway, here are comments on some shows of note, by season:Winter 2007:Nodame Cantabile -- My enjoyment of this show was probably impaired by the fact that I knew the story too well, having already watched the TV drama version. But the music was wonderful, and so was Kawasumi Ayako. Her Nodame may have been the best seiyuu performance of the year. And Seki Tomokazu was her match as Chiaki. Real character development all round.Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora -- I took this strange show a lot more seriously than most people did. It won me by its bizarre storytelling and eroticism. Yahagi Sayuri and Matsuoka Yuki were both outstandingly moe.Manabi Straight -- Here's another show that I loved at first, but that seemed to dry up as it went along. The emotional bonding of Nonaka Ai and Hirano Aya's charcters in episode 4 made that one of the year's outstanding episodes for me. The animation was sharp, bright, and attractive.Hidamari Sketch -- This is one of those shows that I will praise, but that I haven't finished watching. In that, it resembles Negima!?, another show from Shinbou Akiyuki's group at Shaft. The animation was great, the voice-acting superb, the humor enjoyable. But I could get all I needed in a half-dozen episodes. I think that ef~a tale of memories~ takes Shinbou's style to the next level, both in the effectiveness of the images and in the strength of the story.Les Miserables ~Shoujo Cossette~ is a well-made and emotionally strong show that is just nearing the end of its 52-week run now, in December. Nazuka Kaori does a fine job in the title role, but it is Victor Hugo's classic story that gives the show its punch.Spring 2007:Emily of New Moon -- More or less completely ignored by animephiles, this show was one of the best of the year. Good animation and backgrounds, a solid story (by Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables), and excellent voice-acting, particularly from Kawakami Tomoko (Utena, Misuzu in AIR) in the title role. Beautifully evoked feelings.Hitohira -- The first half of the series was very strong, with complex relationships well portrayed. But it seemed as if they they were spinning their wheels by the end. Kawasumi Ayako, and particularly Yukino Satsuki, were brilliant in this show.Hayate the Combat Butler -- It has some funny episodes, and has clearly maintained its popularity, but it became very same very soon, for me.Claymore -- Outstanding voice-acting by Kuwashima Houko and Paku Romi. Hou-chan's performance is another candidate for best of the year. Loathing monster anime as I do, it was amazing how long this one held my attention. One of the best shows of the year, with some shocking drama and real style.Seirei no Moribito -- More outstanding voice-acting, particularly from actress Andou Mabuki. The animation, when it was at its best, was to die for. The story was interesting, but seemed to take a long time to play out.Touka Gettan -- Few people liked this show, but I loved it. It was a brilliant idea to have the story go in reverse order -- episode 1 was chronologically the last episode in the story. But like other shows directed by Yamaguchi Yuji (e.g., Yami to Boushi to Hon), it seemed more interested in playing with its world than in telling the story, and a lot of episodes seemed like filler, as far as the story was concerned.However, this show was one of the highlights of my own anime year. The performance of 15-year-old Hayami Saori as Momoka was wonderful, and her singing of the ED was even better. And one of the episodes written by seiyuu Noto Mamiko was very sharp, making me think she may have a second career awaiting. The sparkling animation and backgrounds were a never-ending source of delight. Carnelian's character designs were animated by Nishida Asako with her usual sensual flair.Saiunkoku Monogatari II -- It started well, but I have had trouble finding time to watch more. Perhaps the 39 episodes of season one were enough for me. Kuwashima Houka continues to help make Shuurei a great character, the first female official in a kingdom that is a fantasy version of ancient China.Darker than Black -- A story well told and well animated. The relations among the "contractors" -- friend and foe -- were fascinating. The voice-acting was terrific, particularly from Kiuchi Hidenobu as Hei. Directed by Okamura Tensai (Wolf's Rain).Dennou Coil -- Outstanding animation from Madhouse, and every so often an episode stands out, but in general I don't find the show very interesting.Emma 2 -- A good show that I am just finishing. Excellent voice work and writing, with some beautifully portrayed emotion. Kobayashi Sanae as the fiancée, Touma Yumi as Emma, and Touchi Hiroki as Hans are particularly effective, in my opinion. A Japanese sensibility understands so well these nuances of feeling and conflicts between love and society.Koutetsu Sangokushi -- I'm not going to call this show "good." But I mention it as the most bizarre adaptation of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms I have ever experienced. The yaoi undercurrents between Miyano Mamoru and Koyasu Takehito are wonderful.Summer 2007:Sky Girls -- This show seems to have slipped under everyone's radar, but is quietly and enjoyably proceeding toward 26 episodes, propelled by the wonderful voices of Kawasumi Ayako, Gotou Saori, and Itou Shizuka. The revealing outfits of the girl pilots promise more fanservice than the show actually delivers. Perhaps that turns off both people who like fanservice and people who don't. And the fact that the relationships in it are more important than the fighting probably turns off a big whack of fans. But the voices and the evolving friendship among the members of the team have brought me this far -- despite the silly monsters.Mononoke -- Fascinating animation. Good seiyuu performances (Sakurai Takahiro, Tanaka Rie, Kuwashima Houko, Yukana, Hayami Shou, Seki Tomokazu, Midorikawa Hikaru, Namikawa Daisuke). But perhaps my taste is not elevated enough for this. The stories I saw just didn't engage me.Mushiuta -- A weird story involving people being taken over by symbiotic insects. The story didn't grab me that much, but the way the seiyuus made the relationships work did. Nabatame Hitomi and Asanuma Shintarou were excellent. And in this show Hanazawa Kana established herself as one of the most moe voices in anime.Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei -- Dark comic brilliance from Shinbou Akiyuki and seiyuus including Kamiya Hiroshi, Nonaka Ai, and Sawashiro Miyuki.Potemayo -- A bizarre and funny little show. It's a comedy about a small toddler-like creature that the protagonist finds in his refrigerator beside the mayonnaise. Kitamura Eri as the male protagonist is excellent. Hanazawa Kana as Potemayo shows she can do hilarious grunts and squeaks as well as moe.School Days -- Of course, you can't talk about 2007 without talking about "nice boat." All I'm going to say is that the show was basically garbage, even before the violence started. But it did have an unexpected ending. And it did create anger and frustration in the viewer, so it was not without its emotional effects. For those who don't know, "nice boat" was a reaction posted in a Japanese forum when an episode of the show was suddenly taken off air because of the violence in it and replaced with images of what looks like a ferry in a Norwegian fjord.Autumn 2007:Genshiken2 -- It took me a while to start this show, but I've marathoned up to date, since I am enjoying it so much. Perhaps the romantic aspect has hooked me. Certainly the portrayal of the travails of the characters has. The voice-acting is excellent, particularly from Yukino Satsuki, Kawasumi Ayako, Hiyama Nobuyuki, and Mizuhashi Kaori.Sketchbook ~full Color'S~ -- I love some episodes of this gentle slice-of-life comedy, but sometimes a pall of sameness seems to descend. Being fairly calm already, perhaps I don't need further calming. However, Hanazawa Kana's moeness is off the scale at all times.Ghost Hound -- Production I.G.'s "20th anniversary production" seems unaccountably to be being generally ignored. The animation is good Production I.G. work, and the story and voices (Fukuyama Jun, Houshi Souichirou, Yajima Akiko) work very well for me. A show with atmosphere.Minami-ke -- I didn't really get the first episode. I thought it was too imitative of Ichigo Mashimaro, especially with Inoue Marina's wholesale theft of Orikasa Fumiko's Miu voice. But since then, the show has grown and grown. Inoue-san, Chihara Minori, and Satou Rina are doing very well. There are a couple of LOL moments in every episode. And now we have warm, humane, rather loony versions of both the trap and the reverse trap.Clannad -- Since I watch anime for emotion rather than animation, KyoAni's visual magic is enjoyable but not a deal-maker. In fact, I was lukewarm toward this show until the past two or three episodes, when my tears started to flow. Works for me. It's great to see KyoAni hire such big-name seiyuus as Nakahara Mai, Kuwashima Houko, Nonaka Ai, Noto Mamiko, Yukino Satsuki, and Inoue Kikuko.KimiKiss ~pure rouge~ -- Director Kasai Kenichi has given this ero-game story a maturity and complexity that remind me of his Honey & Clover2. Fine performances from Tanaka Rie and Koshimizu Ami, and particularly from Ikezawa Haruna (Yoshino in Marimite) as Mao-oneechan.Kodomo no Jikan -- I mention this show not for its quality, especially, but because it has the most obtrusive censorship I have ever seen in an anime. The version intended for broadcast clearly must have preserved much of the loli fanservice of the original manga, but then the distributors at the last minute decided it had to be censored. This was done with ugly animated squares, screens, and noises. The show is actually about the life situation that drives the third-grade protagonist to her "adult" acting-out, but the censorship makes even that aspect of things hard to follow.OVAs:ICE -- I'll just mention a couple of OVAs that might have escaped people's attention. ICE is a bizarre yuri sci-fi story with muddy animation and some amateur voices, but I enjoyed it a lot. I sometimes find amateur voices more emotionally believable than polished pros.O-kane ga Nai -- This show is for people who don't mind a little aurally graphic yaoi in their anime. Especially for those who want to hear Fukuyama Jun as a somewhat unwilling uke. I kid you not. But I found the story interesting through one episode, at least. Perhaps because it's the first yaoi anime I've ever seen.You'll notice the complete absence of anything like Gundam. Sorry, I still don't really get the appeal. Gundam00 seems fairly uninteresting to me, well-made as it may be. I enjoyed a number of episodes of Gigantic Formula, but for the relationships rather than the gundams. Dragonaut just seems poor to me. As for mainstream science fiction, I watched a few episodes each of Toward Terra... and Heroic Age but lost interest. They are both still on my "to watch" list.Finally, although I'm not really including films in this survey, I have to mention the greatest animation of this year -- and perhaps of any year: Byousoku 5cm, by Shinkai Makoto. This is more than just art, it is religious art. The filmmaker Ingmar Bergman said that all true art is art in praise of God. Byousoku is a Zen version of that. It is like a series of haiku moments showing us a world more real than reality.
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"Seiyuu Awards" is a new Japanese annual awards show that gave out its first set of awards last spring -- the awards for 2006. General voting for the 2007 awards starts now and runs into January, with the show itself scheduled for Japanese TV next March.The categories are fairly straightforward:leading man and leading woman (in an anime that started in 2007)supporting man and woman"new" man and woman (debut no more than 5years ago) singer"personality" (appearing on radio, TV, etc.)And there is a special top award for the seiyuu who has spread word of the seiyuu profession most in various media. That award, along with three other special awards, will be voted on only by industry members, but the main awards are open to public voting. I believe the public voting just creates the short list of nominees, and the final voting is by an industry panel, but I'm not sure.Last year, the winners were: Fukuyama Jun (Lerouche in Code Geass) and Paku Romi (Nana O. in NANA) in leading roles. Best supporting females were Koshimizu Ami, for Karen in Code Geass, and Gotou Yuuko, for Mikuru in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. Best supporting males were Ishida Akira, for Athrun Zala in Gundam Seed Destiny, and Miyata Kouki, for Yoshinaga Kazumi in The Gargoyle of the Yoshinagas. (mouseover photos for captions)Best new females were Hirano Aya, for Suzumiya Haruhi, and Kano Yui, for Momoko in Sumomo mo Momo mo. Best new males were Kakihara Tetsuya, for Mikoto in Princess Princess, and Morita Masakazu, for Ichigo in Bleach. Top seiyuu/singer was Mizuki Nana, for her CD Justice to Believe. Best personality was Asano Masumi, host of the A&G Super Radio Show ~Anisupa~ (from the broadcaster which is one of the sponsors of these awards...).From what I've seen in 2007, the male lead I've most appreciated is Kamiya Hiroshi as Zetsubou Sensei. The fact that just over a year ago he was almost dead in a motorcycle accident may have something to do with my preference, but I thought "zetsubou shita!" sensei was a brilliant comic portrayal. There are lots of other possibilities: Seki Tomokazu as Chiaki in Nodame Cantabile, for one. I'd also think of Ono Daisuke with his undramatic but effective portrayal of Kazuya in Kaze no Stigma. And I'd think of Kiuchi Hidenobu (Ren in NANA, Tenma in Monster) as Hei in Darker than Black.For the women, the leading role that bowled me over was Hirano Aya as Konata in Lucky Star. That slurping comic voice gave the whole show a special earthiness. I'd also think of Kuwashima Houko as Claire in Claymore, or as Shuurei in SaiunkokuII. Or Kawasumi Ayako as Nodame in Nodame Cantabile (as well as Sara in Soukou no Strain). There's also Andou Mabuki as Balsa in Seirei no Moribito. And since OVAs appear to count, I'd also consider Orikasa Fumiko as Miu in Ichigo Mashimaro OVA.Male supporting actor: I'm a bit at sea here. My knowledge and appreciation of male seiyuu is better than it was, but still rudimentary. I came up with Konishi Katsuyuki as Kamina in Tengen-Toppan Gurren-Lagann. He had a big effect in a few episodes. You could also go for Seki Tomokazu as the king in SaiunkokuII -- or with any of several other strong male supporting performances in that show. Or maybe Ikeda Masaru as Huang in Darker than Black. If he reappears in SaiunkokuII, I'd give it to Koyasu Takehito, whose performance as "Rin Senya" in the first series was dominating. I might even give it to him for Zhuge Liang in the bizarre Koutetsu Sangokushi.For supporting actress, Yukino Satsuki's Mirei in Hitohira stands out for me. Paku Romi's Teresa in Claymore was also riveting, but she won best lead female last year. I'd also think of Itou Miki for her over-the-top Yumiko in Touka Gettan. And personally, I thought Matsuoka Yuki was great as Setsuna in Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora. There's Kitamura Eri as Makoto in Touka Gettan. And there are any number of top women seiyuu in Nanoha Strikers and in Idolmaster Xenoglossia.For male newcomer, I am in a quandary. I had to scour the lists for actors who had been in the business five years or less. In the end, I came up with Ono Daisuke's Kazuya in Kaze no Stigma: Ono-san made his debut in 2002. There's also the younger Miyano Mamoru in Gundam00 and in Koutetsu Sangokushi. He should have won last year for Death Note.For female newcomer, I have my own unlikely choice: 16-year-old Hayami Saori -- Momoka in Touka Gettan. I thought she was outstanding, both as an actress and as a singer. Or I could go for Hanazawa Kana -- the newcomer who is in the running (with Sasaki Nozomi) for most moe voice in anime -- as Shiika in Mushiuta or Sora in Sketchbook ~Full Colors~, or even for Potemayo. Toyosaki Aki as Amuro in Umishou deserves consideration. And there are numerous top seiyuu who have not yet been in the business more than five years: Inoue Marina (Mina in Getsumen To Heiki Mina and Kanna in Minami-ke); Nonaka Ai (Mikan in Manabi Straight, Kafuka in Zetsubou Sensei, Fuuko in Clannad), and even Nabatame Hitomi (Nobue in Ichigo Mashimaro OVA, Rina in Mushiuta).For singer, Mizuki Nana won last year. I'm not familiar enough with all the CDs that have come out featuring seiyuus under their own or their characters' names, but of those that I do know, my own personal favorite by a long shot is Hayami Saori's ED for Touka Gettan. On that song, her voice is as skillful and beautiful as any of the non-seiyuu pro singers who do OPEDs. Second is all of the fascinating stuff that Hirano Aya has produced this year, from Motteke! Sailor Fuku and the karaoke EDs for Lucky Star through her three singles in a row this fall. She may not be as technically good a singer as Hayami Saori or Chihara Minori, but everything she does has something special about it.For top personality, there are numerous seiyuu with radio shows or who act as hosts on TV. Asano Masumi won last year, so perhaps it's time for another seiyuu with a long-running radio show: Takahashi Mikako. Or perhaps Yamamoto Maria or Nogawa Sakura for their TV work.In fact, the most active seiyuu personality this year has been Hirano Aya, appearing on radio and TV, in live shows, in her popular blog, and in numerous magazines. I personally would make her the top personality of the year. But I actually think she could be in line for the special top award to a seiyuu who does the most to publicize the seiyuu profession. She brought admiration for a seiyuu's verbal skills to mainstream TV shows.Just for the heck of it, I tried voting -- and the site said it accepted my vote. So maybe overseas voting is possible. I'm not sure it should be, but anyway the list of categories and criteria is here, and the voting page is here.The awards event is sponsored by the Tokyo Anime Centre, Kadokawa publishers, Shogakukan publishers, Bunka Housou broadcasting and others. General voting is open from 20 October to 15 January, and the awards ceremony will be on Saturday 8 March.
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This episode shoulda been called The End of Mushigelion because I had some major dejavu. The ending was pretty cool if you put that factor aside though. I still don’t get this series. I mean I get what’s going on but like why or what’s gonna happen next is still pretty bimyou~ which is another [...]
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Reviewed this week: Baccano! 7, El Cazador 24, Clannad 1, Darker than Black 24-5, Higurashi Kai 12-13, Mononoke 9, Mushi Uta 11, Oh! Edo Rocket 16-18, SaiMono II 20, Seirei no Moribito 24 …and in manga: Bartender 2, Chokotto Sister 45, Spiral Alive 8-10
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Short Summary: Asami is late at school working for her club and updating her mushitsuki homepage, when her teacher appears. She's asked for her dream and when the teacher touches her neck it seems Asami gets infected with a mushi herself. The next day Rina oversleeps and when she wakes up Shiika has preapred a rather scary kind of breakfast. She finds out Rina attends the same high school as Daisuke and wants to come with her, but as it is better nobody sees her she stays at home. Still Shiika would love to go, so Rina takes her there in the afternoon and together with Rina's friends they pretend to have class. Afterwards they go to a karaoke club and suddenly Shiika wants to contact Daisuke. She calls him and they promise to meet, she feels better then. Both Rina, who's drawing a picture, and Daisuke who's looking for a ghost everybody tells rumours about, are lat at school. So is Asami who discovers her new ability to switch into the video films she's taken with her camera. It's astrange world within her camera with lots of pictures, bits and bytes. The next morning Daisuke is absent froms chool so Rina visits him after class to see wether he's okay. Daisuke has to think of his big sister because Rina resembles her. It's obvious now Rina has fallen in love with Daisuke and late at night in bed she tells Shiika she's found something besides sunsets she wants to draw. In the last scene we see a blond haired girl/boy (?) on a high building who says: "I'm back Ouka-City!" My opinion: Can it be Rina's class teacher is the strange woman from before or is she just another strange woman infecting people with mushis? Also Asami's power to cruise her videos is strange, how different the mushitsukis' abilities are. I already feel sorry for Rina who's by far my favourite character and has fallen in love with Daisuke who's heart belongs to Shiika. In her eyes it's love that keeps a host from being a monster, so what happens if she discovers her feelings are unanswered?
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Sorry for the delay this week, but we’ve been upgrading to the new site. In any case, thank you for your patience and here’s this week’s ringtone and two funny lines from Lucky Star.
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You know I’ll be quite honest. I don’t get it. It seems like the plot is moving a long, but I just don’t get it. I keep hearing them say stuff and I go “whoa that’s cool” but then what I though I heard, turns out completely different. I dunno if I’m just so [...]
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Here are just about all the series and OVAs scheduled to start this fall, according to the Japanese site MoonPhase -- 35 series and seven OVAs. I've tried to give a story intro, show a pic, and talk about the staff and cast of each one. Click images to enlarge.Nothing seems like an instant classic, but there are plenty of shows to try, including Kyoto Animation's long-awaited Clannad; a new Gundam; Shion no Ou, starring Kawasumi Ayako and Paku Romi, about a schoolgirl chess prodigy who stopped speaking as a child when her parents were killed before her eyes; Blue Drop, which involves a relationship between a high-school girl and a female alien spy; Nougami Neuro, the detective from hell; DaCapo II; Mokke, about two sisters who see and interact with spirits, starring Kawasumi Ayako and Mizuki Nana; Sketchbook, which is from a 4-panel comic and may have echoes of Lucky Star and Hidamari Sketch; Dragonaut, made by Gonzo but starring VAs associated with KyoAni; Bamboo Blade, seinen school comedy from a popular manga; Genshiken 2; Shakugan no Shana 2; KimiKiss, with its excellent staff and cast; ef - a tale of memories, a game conversion made by Oonuma Shin, working under Shinbou, and with music by Tenmon; a new Tsubasa OVA with a new staff, written by the person who wrote Cardcaptor Sakura; and possibly the most interesting of all: Ghost Hound, Production IG's 20th anniversary production.Shows are listed by day of the week, with OVAs last. English titles are linked to each show's Anime News Network information page. Japanese titles are linked to the show's official site. And there is a link to the informative discussions of each show in the AnimeSuki forums. Everyone will have different preferences, but shows that seem interesting to me are in red.SundayMaple Story メイプルストーリー. Based on a Korean free MMORPG that recently reached 1.6 million registrants. The anime is intriguing for its staff and cast. Director Ishiyama Takaaki did Otogijushi Akazukin, which was beautifully made, and there are hints of a similar world here.Lead writer Inoue Toshiki adapted Death Note and Sumomomo Momomo, as well as doing all or most of the Galaxy Angel series. And we have Kuwashima Houko and Endou Aya (Miyuki in Lucky Star) in the cast. Madhouse. oct07 sun08:30 AnimeSuki.Pururun Shizuku-chan ぷるるんっ！しずくちゃん. Kids' show starring a raindrop in a beautiful forest that it wants to preserve. The director is directing his first show in seven years.The only seiyuu I recognize is Yuzuki Ryoka (Minagi in AIR, Eruruu in Utawarerumono). Early-morning kids' show. TMS. oct07 sun09:00 AnimeSuki.Mokke もっけ. Fantasy mystery-drama based on a seinen manga. Shizuru and Mizuki are sisters born in a family with spiritual abilities. The elder sister, Shizuru, is able to see spirits; the younger, Mizuki, is easily possessed by them. As their calm and peaceful days of youth progress, the sisters have many encounters which lead them to respect and treasure life and all its beauties and marvels. (anidb.net)With an interesting set-up, animation by Madhouse, and Kawasumi Ayako and Mizuki Nana as the leads, this could be a sleeper — unless it's aimed too young. Directed by Nishida Masayoshi, who did Eyeshield, adapted by Nagatsu Seiko (Splash Star) from the manga. Madhouse. oct07 sun23:30 AnimeSuki.Rental Magica レンタルマギカ. Great cast, decent director. From a shounen novel that has spawned both a shounen and a shoujo manga. About an agency that hires out magicians of all kinds.Kawasaki Itsurou directed Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuko wo and Canvas2. Written by Ikeda Mamiko (Emma2, Keroro Gunso, Umishou). Stars include Fukuyama Jun (Lelouch), Ueda Kana (Yumi from Marimite), Takahashi Mikako (Ayu from Honey & Clover), Suwabe Junichi (Archer from F/SN), Kugimiya Rie (Shana), Itou Shizuka (Wilhelmina from Shana), Ono Daisuke (Kazuya in Kaze no Stigma). The preview shows good animation -- and that this series probably isn't for me. ZEXCS. oct10 sun24:00 AnimeSuki.Prism Ark プリズム・アーク. Fantasy adventure-romance set in an alternative-universe medieval crusades era. Giant flying dragons, school uniforms, and medieval moe included. Based on an ero-game. The game has a very good reputation, particularly for its visuals.Interesting cast: Sakakibara Yui (singer, Haruhi in Happiness), Kakihara Tetsuya, Nabatame Hitomi, Mizuhashi Kaori, Momoi Halko, Asakawa Yuu (Rider in Fate/Stay Night), Kobayashi Yu (Setsuna in Negima!?), Asano Masumi, Gotou Saori (Barasuishou in Rozen Maiden), Koyama Kimiko (Uzuki in Happy Lesson).Director Obari Masami did Angel Blade, the Gravion shows and Dancouga Nova. Writer Hosono Yuuji did Trinity Blood, Ray, and Pumpkin Scissors. Animation by FRONTLINE. oct07 sun24:30 AnimeSuki.Minami-ke みなみけ. Three sisters living alone. A seinen slice-of-life comedy from a manga by the author of Today in Class 2-5. The manga has a bit of that show's fanservice. What worries me is that the animation house, Doumu, had its credibility damaged by the great inconsistency of the animation in Yoake-mae yori Ruri-iro na ~ Crescent Love, and that show's director, Oota Masahijo, is doing this show, too. As with Futakoi (also produced by Starchild), a second series with the same name and a completely different staff -- but maybe the same voice actors -- will begin in January.Great cast includes Satou Rina (Negi in Negima) as the responsible elder sister; Inoue Marina (Yoko in Gurren-Lagann) as the rambunctious middle sister; Chihara Minori (Yuki in Suzumiya Haruhi, in her third starring role this season) as the quiet youngest sister; Mizuki Nana; Morinaga Rika (Mamiina in Simoun); Kakihara Tetsuya (Simon in Gurren-Lagann); Ono Daisuke (in his third role of the fall); and Kitamura Eri (also in her third role). oct10 sun25:30 AnimeSuki.Juushin Enbu - Hero Tales 獣神演武　- HERO TALES -. Shounen historical action. Taitou and his sister Laila learn that he is the incarnation of a mysterious star. This gives him great power he has yet fully to master. From a manga drawn (but not written) by Arakawa Hiromu, who did both on FMA. Anime adaptation by Sekijima Mayori (Kaze no Stigma, Zegapain).The preview was a pleasing combination of heroic and comic, and some people are very enthusiastic, but it worries me that this is directed by Sekita Osamu (Ichigo 100%). Good cast includes Suzumura Kenichi (Asuka Shinn in Gundam), Sakurai Takahiro (Suzaku in Code Geass), Yuuki Tai (the Chevalier D'Eon), Hayami Shou (Julious in Angelique), Kanda Akemi, Kaida Yuko and Fukuyama Jun. Studio Flag. oct07 sun26:00 AnimeSuki.MondayBonolon ~Fushigi na Mori no Ii Tsutae ボノロン ～不思議な森のいいつたえ～. Bonoron is a young spirit born from the great trees in a forest. He travels through the forest solving problems and righting wrongs. nov05 mon08:25Chocomimi チョコミミ. Shoujo kids' manga will be presented in a combination of live action and flash animation. Details still unavailable. oct01 mon17:30Bamboo Blade Bamboo Blade (jp). Seinen comedy. High-school kendo instructor Kojirou is broke. He agrees to send his all-girl team to a competition against his senpai's team. If his team can win, he will have free meals for a year! But the problem is that Kojirou can't find five girls to form his "dream team" — and time is running out. (from the Fifay scanlation group via NeoSam's post on AnimeSuki).The cast is highly promising: Hirohashi Ryou, Toyoguchi Megumi, Kuwashima Houko, Satou Rina, Konishi Katsuyuki, Ishida Akira (voted top supporting voice of 2006 for Athrun Zala in Gundam), et al. Director Saitou Hisashi is new, but has done key animation on many good shows: Lodoss, Planetes, F/SN, Tokyo Majin. Writer Kurata Hideyuki did R.O.D., Now & Then and Kamichu. And the manga has a lot of fans. AIC A.S.T.A. oct01 mon25:30 AnimeSuki.Sketchbook ~full color's~ スケッチブック ～full color's～ Promising slice-of-life anime centred on a shy girl who likes sketching. Like Lucky Star and Hidamari Sketch, it comes from a 4-panel comic strip and features "tiny things that happen to anyone, any day...lots of laughs, and just a bit of heartfelt emotion."Lovely cast stars Hanazawa Kana (Shiika in Mushiuta, Ryouko in Zegapain), with Saitou Momoko (Solty Rei), Nakase Asuka (Itsuki in I"s Pure), Hirohashi Ryou, Tamura Yukari, Asano Masumi (Najimi in Doujin Work), Kuwatani Natsuko (Suiseiseki in Rozen Maiden).Director Hiraike Yoshimasa did Solty Rei. The manga was adapted by Okada Mari (Otoboku, many eps of Simoun). Animation by Hal Filmmaker. oct01 mon26:00 AnimeSuki.Kawaii! Jenny Kawaii! ジェニー. This is listed on MoonPhase, but appears to be less an anime than a special effects film, featuring animated dolls. Directed by Kawakita Kouichi, a veteran director who did a number of Godzilla films. Written by Urasawa Yoshio, who did Fushigi Yuugi and Nerima Daikon Brothers. 13eps. sep24 mon26:30TuesdayKaiji カイジ. This promises to be something unusual. Kaiji is a layabout and gambler who is saddled with a friend's huge gambling debt and ends up on a ship where he has to win at gambling to get free. He is far from brilliant, but with his back against the wall, he somehow keeps coming through, despite the presence of some very evil bad guys. He is apparently weak, selfish and stupid, but is nevertheless a rich character liked by fans of both sexes — there is male nudity in the manga, and there are almost no female characters.Stars Hagiwara Masato, who was Akagi in Akagi and Takuya in The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Director Sato Yuzo did Akagi, which was written by the same mangaka, Fukumoto Nobuyuki, and also involved gambling. Madhouse. oct02 tue24:59 AnimeSuki.Suteki Tantei Labyrinth 素敵探偵ラビリンス. Boy detective solves supernatural mysteries in the half-abandoned old capital of Tokyo. From the manga by Manjou Meito and Wakayama Seiji. Stars Sawashiro Miyuki (Shinku in Rozen Maiden).Animation Director Akiyama Yukiko did Black Cat. Lead writer Takahashi Natsuko did Gakuen Heaven and the weird and wonderful Koutetsu Sangokushi. Director Watanabe Hiroshi did Ueki's Law and Shining TearsxWind. This show is not at the top of my list. Studio Deen. oct02 tue25:30Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro 魔人探偵 脳噛ネウロ. Yako's father was murdered in a locked room. She meets a man named Nougami Neuro who turns out to be a demon from Hell who "eats riddles." He forces Yako to act as a detective so he can solve mysteries. Neuro longs to eat the ultimate mystery.Neuro can be "creepy, charismatic, sarcastic, and downright nonchalantly sick."(Nightengale on AnimeSuki). Great leading cast: Koyasu Takehito (Gym Ghingnham in Turn A Gundam) and Ueda Kana. Long-running Shounen Jump manga. I'll be there to see what's up with this one. Madhouse. oct02 tue25:59 AnimeSuki.Blue Drop ~Tenshitachi no Gikyoku~ ＢＬＵＥ ＤＲＯＰ ～天使達の戯曲～. Animation of a prequel story to a sexy yuri shounen manga by the author of Ray and Eat-Man. The story involves intended conquest of the Earth by a race of humanoid aliens who are all female. Against a background of school life, affection grows between a human schoolgirl and an alien spy masquerading as a schoolgirl. The alien starts off instinctively hating the schoolgirl, but eventually comes to doubt her own mission of conquest.The mangas are more Kashimashi than Marimite, but intriguing anyway. They create a world. The trailer is good and promises an artistic approach. Strong cast includes Yajima Akiko (Crayon Shin-chan), Sawashiro Miyuki (in her fourth show of the season), Gotou Yuuko (Mikuru in Suzumiya Haruhi, in her fourth show of the season), Yukino Satsuki (Ai in Planetes, in her third), Nonaka Ai (Mikan in Manabi Straight). OPED by Suara/Elements Garden. Director Ohkura Masahiko's second anime, after Yukikaze. Top sound director Tsuruoka Yota did Lucky Star, Rozen Maiden, etc. Animation by Ashi, BeSTACK. 13eps. oct02 tue26:00 AnimeSuki.Night Wizard ナイトウィザード The ANIMATION. From an RPG. Nice character designs. The game involves Wizards fighting against Emulators, creatures immune to physical attack. The director of Welcome to the NHK (Yamamoto Yuusuke) and a writer who did a lot of work on ARIA (Fujisaki Ayuna) make this seem interesting. Starring Satou Rina, Miyazaki Ui (Iroha in Sumomomo) and Gotou Yuuko, as well as the male lead from the Galaxy Railways shows (Yanagi Naoki). HAL Filmmaker. oct02 tue26:00 AnimeSuki.Myself ; Yourself Myself ; Yourself (jp). Potentially interesting high-school romance from the director and the writer of the fanservice anime, Chokotto Sister. Great cast features Koyasu Takehito, Koshimizu Ami (Karen in Code Geass), Tamura Yukari (Nanoha), Kaneda Tomoko (Peach in Powerpuff Z), Toyoguchi Megumi (Revy in Black Lagoon), Nakahara Mai (Mai in Mai-HiME).Tachibana Shinnosuke (Benvolio inRomeo+Juliet) plays the lead, Sana, who returns to his home town after five years during which his family lived in Tokyo. He finds everyone has changed over the years, and love blooms in what the official site describes as a "heartful love story." I like the sound of that. Dogakobo. 13eps. oct02 tue26:15 AnimeSuki.WednesdayD.C. II ~Da Capo II~ D.C.II ～ダ・カーポII～. New life for the successful moe/romance franchise. Joining Horie Yui, who has a new role, Chihara Minori enters the cast, along with her co-star from Venus vs. Virus, Takagaki Ayahi. Also new are Mizuhashi Kaori (Ai in ARIA), Itou Shizuka, Aoki Sayaka (Kyon's sister) and Yamaguchi Kappei (L from Death Note).A capable director is at the helm (Kobayashi Tomoki, who did sola and Utawarerumono). The lead writer, Amiyama Saharu, also did Ai yori Aoshi. And the new character designer, Shimazawa Noriko, should fit right in: she did Final Approach and Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru. This could be a good version of the harem genre. Animation by feel. 13eps. oct17 wed24:00 AnimeSuki.Dragonaut: The Resonance ドラゴノーツ -ザ・レゾナンス-. Space combat on flying armored dragons? Animation by Gonzo (with a first-time director), but starring Ono Daisuke and Chihara Minori from Suzumiya Haruhi as romantic leads. This is Minorin's third starring role of the fall, along with DaCapo II and Minami-ke.The starry cast also includes KyoAni stalwarts Gotou Yuuko, Sugita Tomokazu, and Hirano Aya (in a minor role). Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Mizuki Nana, the recently married Chiba Saeko (Natsuki in Mai-HiME), and Kobayashi Yu round out a truly outstanding group of seiyuus. And sound director Tsuruoka Yota comes over from KyoAni to guide them.The preview looks good -- highly romantic -- but the fact that no lead writer is credited on the official site worries me. OP by eufonius. GONZO. oct03 wed25:50 AnimeSuki. Kodomo no Jikan こどものじかん. A ten-year-old who lives alone with her doting elder brother and keeps throwing herself at her young male teacher? A manga that is full of ecchi scenes between them? But the manga is funny, serious and humane, nonetheless.An OVA with the same staff and cast as the series was well animated and well voiced, with Kitamura Eri (Saya in Blood+) as Rin and Kadowaki Mai (Behoimi in PaniPoni) and Shindou Kei as her friends. First major directorial job for experienced animator Suganuma Eiji (Pumpkin Scissors, Bincho-tan). Watashiya Kaworu's popular manga is adapted by Okada Mari. Studio Barcelona. oct03 wed26:00 AnimeSuki.Goshuushou-sama Ninomiya-kun ご愁傷さま二ノ宮くん. Straight-ahead ecchi harem comedy. The hero is forced by his sexy elder sister to live with a beautiful girl, Mayu, in order to cure her fear of boys: sleep together, bathe together, etc. Then the beautiful tsuntsun student council president enters the household…as a maid.The director's last big show was DN Angel, and the lead writer directed Black Lagoon and wrote Tokimeki Memorial. Tokimeki may be a recommendation to some people, but I disliked that show intensely. However, I look forward to hearing Kadowaki Mai in another major role. Sawashiro Miyuki is the student council pres. The late broadcast time (3am) suggests possible extreme fanservice. AIC Spirits. oct03 wed28:08 AnimeSuki.ThursdayGhost Hound 神霊狩/GHOST HOUND. Written by the writer of Lain (Chiaki J. Konaka) from a concept by the writer of Ghost in the Shell (Shirow Masamune). Directed by the director of REC and Kino no Tabi. VAs include Fukuyama Jun, Houshi Souichirou (Maebara in Higurashi), and Yajima Akiko (Crayon Shin-chan)."An eternal spiritual story for adults who have the minds of boys." An ancient electronic brain allows interchange between the open and the hidden world. This could be triumph or travesty, but it's Production IG's "20th anniversary" production, so I have high hopes. The trailer animation is interesting. oct18 thu23:30 AnimeSuki.Moyashimon もやしもん. Also known as "Tales of Agriculture." This is the Noitamina anime for the fall season. It's about a youth who can see and talk to cute chibi bacteria and other microscopic organisms, which gets him into all sorts of trouble. The theme is agriculture - fermenting alcohol, making yogurt, etc. (Robotic anime blog).Directed by Yano Yuichirou (Uninhabited Planet Survive) and adapted from the manga by Takahashi Natsuko (Gakuen Heaven, Koutetsu Sangokushi). The outline is so weird that one doesn’t know what to expect. The manga has fans. There are some interesting names in the cast: Ohara Sayaka (Alicia Florence in ARIA), Noto Mamiko, Konishi Katsuyuki (Sergay Wang in Mai-Otome), Kanda Akemi (Asuna in Negima). Telecom Animation Film. 11eps. oct11 thu24:45 AnimeSuki.You're Under Arrest: Full Throttle 逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル. This is the third series, and they are still using the original cast and staff from the mid-90s. If Tamagawa Sakiko is as good as she was as Onashia in Simoun, she will be wonderful.Police officers Natsumi and Miyuki ended their partnership after their last adventure, but not for long! They’re reuniting after they’ve gone through extensive training: Natsumi with the Special Ops, and Miyuki with the Los Angeles police forensics. This time, they’ll have big responsibilities: they’ll be saving Tokyo City. ("Toua", AnimeSuki). Studio Deen. oct04 thu25:25 AnimeSuki.Shakugan no Shana II 灼眼のシャナII. Second season of the wildly popular Shana. Personally, the only things I liked about the first season were the character design (originally by Itou Noizi) and the voices, Kugimiya Rie's in particular. Monsters don't work for me.Director Watanabe Takashi did Shana, Starship Operators and Ikki Tousen. Lead writer Kobayashi Yasuko did Shana, Claymore, Witchblade, and Yume Tsukai. In the preview, the characters look either a bit older or a bit closer to the original character design from the novels. JCStaff. oct04 thu25:25 AnimeSuki.Clannad CLANNAD (jp). One of the most anticipated shows of the fall. KyoAni animates another visual novel by Visual Art's/Key. Director Ishihara Tetsuya did Kanon, AIR, and Suzumiya Haruhi. Writer Shimo Fumihiko did AIR and Kanon. Glittering cast includes Nakahara Mai, Kanda Akemi, Kuwashima Houko (Shuurei in Saiunkoku), Nonaka Ai (Iriya), Noto Mamiko, Yukino Satsuki, Enomoto Atsuko (starred in KareKano), Inoue Kikuko (Belldandy), Hirohashi Ryou (Alice Carroll in ARIA). The male lead is played by Nakamura Yuuichi (Abe in Ookiku Furikabutte).Okazaki Tomoya is a high-school senior who doesn't take his studies seriously. Always late for class, he's seen as a delinquent by the rest of his classmates, who are busy preparing for their entrance examinations. One day he meets a girl, Furukawa Nagisa, all of whose friends have already graduated. What a clumsy girl, he thinks. But while helping her, he meets some other girls. Although he doesn't care much about them at first, he soon opens his heart to them and they get to know each other better. If this has character, relationship and mood approaching what Kanon had, I'll be watching. Kyoto Animation. oct04 thu25:55 AnimeSuki.FridayGenshiken 2 げんしけん. Second series of the wonderful tale of a college "Modern Visual Culture" club. Director Yoshimoto Kinji is new, having previously done hentai titles (Night Shift Nurses: Experiment, Natural Obsessions 2, etc.) Writer Yokote Michiko did the previous series, as well as Princess Tutu and Kujibiki Unbalance.Mizuhashi Kaori, Gotou Yuuko, and Kaida Yuki (Shusuke in Prince of Tennis) join the cast, which already includes Kawasumi Ayako, Yukino Satsuki, Hiyama Nobuyuki (Ri Kouyuu in Saiunkoku), Ishida Akira, Seki Tomokazu (Chiaki in Nodame), etc. Not sure what significance there is in the change of animation companies: from Palm Studio for the first series, to Asiadou for the OVA, to Arms for this series. oct12 fri24:00 AnimeSuki.SaturdaySensei no Chommage ~Sengoku Gakudou Nikki~ 先生のチョンマゲ～戦国学童日記～. Just announced. "Master's Topknot - Diary of a Warring States Student." Appears to be a samurai comedy-drama intended for a younger audience. Slated for a three-season run (~39eps). No details available. oct06 sat07:00.Tensai? Doctor Hamax 天才？Dr.ハマックス. First full directorial job for Fusegi Kazunobu, who worked on ARIA and GITS:SAC. Doctor Hamax solves environmental problems. Nazuka Kaori gets another weekend family anime. Trans-arts w/Production IG. 12eps. oct06 sat08:00Shugo Chara! しゅごキャラ!. Elementary-school princess Amu finds three mysterious little eggs in her bed. Each egg contains a "Guardian Character". These are angel-like beings that can give a human the power to change their abilities. With help from these Guardian Characters, Amu will discover that her true self is even more amazing than she ever dreamed. (ANN)Directed by Yasuda Kenji, who directed several episodes of Noein. Written by Shimada Michiru, who did the adaptations of Emily of New Moon and Nanatsuiro Drops. OP/ED by Buono!, which is made up of members of the young-teen idol groups Berryz Koubou and ℃-ute. Intriguing cast includes newcomer Itou Kanae; young Asumi Kana, who was excellent as Yuno in Hidamari; Kato Nanae, who was Princess Tutu; and the refreshing voice of Toyosaki Aki, who is Amuro in Umishou. Peach-Pit manga animated by Satelight. oct06 sat09:30 AnimeSuki.Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 機動戦士ガンダムOO. Outstanding cast and staff promise an interesting 12th Gundam series. The series takes place 300 years from now, on Earth. The main lead, Setsuna F. Seiei (Miyano Mamoru, Light in Death Note), pilots a mobile suit named Gundam Exia for a mysterious private military organization that is fighting to eradicate the nonstop wars that plague the world. (from "Sety on AnimeSuki).Miyano is joined by Miki Shinichirou (Kurz Weber in FMA), Kamiya Hiroshi (Zetsubou Sensei), Honna Youko (Shizuku in Whisper of the Heart), Irino Miyu (Sena in Eyeshield 21), Saitou Chiwa (Hazuki in MoonPhase), Ueda Yuuji (Morita in Honey & Clover), and the surprising Endou Aya (Miyuki in Lucky Star) in her third show this fall. Director Mizushima Seiji of FMA is at the helm, with Kuroda Yousuke of Madlax and Honey & Clover 2 as lead writer. Music by Kawai Kenji (FS/N, Higurashi), OP by L'Arc-en-Ciel. Sunrise. oct06 sat18:00 AnimeSuki.ef - a tale of memories ef - a tale of memories (jp). Game conversion. Protagonist Hirono Hiro, a poor high school boy, draws shoujo manga for a living. One cold Christmas night after meeting one strange woman in church, his bike is stolen by another strange girl. He runs after her and finds her collapsed on the street. They start hanging out together, enjoying highschool life. Hiro’s life is also strongly influenced by Shindou Kei, his childhood friend. (ANN)Director Oonuma Shin did a good job with the Negima!? OVAs, and Akiyuki Shinbou is overseeing the project for Shaft. The adaptation is by Takayama Katsuhiko, who adapted Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora and edited KGnE. Music by Tenmon, who does the music for Shinkai Makoto's animes. The music in the preview is godly.Voice cast of lesser-known VAs comes over from the game. This may be a weak point, since the excellent trailer is marred by stilted, game-like voices. But the trailer hooked me, so I will definitely start this one. Shaft. 12eps. oct6 sat25:35 AnimeSuki.KimiKiss pure rouge キミキス pure rouge. Fabulous director and cast. Director Kasai Kenichi directed Major, Honey&Clover, and Nodame Cantabile. Writer Tsuchiya Rikei did Major and Kaikan Phrase. Cast includes Koshimizu Ami, Mizuhashi Kaori, Ikezawa Haruna (Yoshino in Marimite), Hirohashi Ryou, Tanaka Rie (Hiro in Hataraki Man), Noto Mamiko, Nogawa Sakura (Nemu in DaCapo), and Nakahara Mai.This is baased on a PS2 love-sim and appears to be a harem anime, with the protagonist coming to school in spring determined to get a first kiss from one of the six cute girls who surround him. But the good staff and interesting character design give me hope for something special. And Koshimizu Ami always gets my attention. JCStaff. oct06 sat26:45 AnimeSuki.Shion no Ou しおんの王 . Subtitle: The Flowers of Hard Blood. Shion's parents were murdered and she was taken in by a neighbor couple of whom the husband was a chess master. From the day she lost her parents, she stopped speaking, and came to communicate by notes. Young Shion becomes a chess prodigy, competing to become a pro against a mysterious cold girl with long blonde hair. The manga is good.Director Kawase Toshifumi did Tenjho Tenge and wrote the adaptation of Higurashi. Add Kawasumi Ayako (in her fourth show of the season) and Paku Romi (rocker Nana in NANA) and this is a must-watch, at least for the first few episodes. Kouda Mariko, who played Nayuki in Kanon, is also in the cast. Studio Deen. oct13 satlate AnimeSuki.OVAKoharu Biyori こはるびより. Set in a near future where robots are common. Takaya Murase has just purchased a maid robot. Maid Yui is ready to live a normal life cleaning, cooking, and serving her owner, But Takaya has other plans for her — like dressing her up to suit his fantasies (from ANN). From a manga running in Dengeki Moeoh.This sounds pretty low, especially considering that it is animated by Doumu, which did Yoake-mae yori Ruri-iro na ~ Crescent Love. The writer, Aoshima Takashi, did that show, and the director did Marginal Prince, which was also a marginal show (but which I liked better than most people). But any show featuring Kitamura Eri has a chance. Music by Watanabe Tsuyoshi (Ichigo Mashimaro). Preview broadcast in October. Doumou. OVA (one episode?) nov21 AnimeSuki.Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations ツバサ TOKYO REVELATIONS. A separate project from the Tsubasa Chronicle anime, this series is handled by Production I.G. and Ohkawa Ageha, CLAMP's scriptwriter. Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations is three 25-minutes OVAs covering the Tokyo Arc, which follows episode 42 of the anime series. The staff and cast make this a promising show.When Sakura, Syaoran, Fye, Kurogane and Mokona arrive in a strange, desolate world and meet a mysterious hooded group, little can they imagine that the inevitable events that will take place in this world will make their journey take a dramatic turn and change their lives forever. (summary by "Kathna/Miyazawa Lulu" from anidb.net)Starring Irino Miyu and Makino Yui (Misaki in Welcome to the NHK). With Kikuchi Mika (Mokona in Tsubasa and XXXHolic), Chiba Saeko, Endou Aya, Miyano Mamoru, Kobayashi Sanae (Maya in Glass Mask), Ohara Sayaka. Directed by Tada Shunsuke, who directed the Prince of Tennis National Tournament OVA. Written by Ohkawa Ageha, who wrote Cardcaptor Sakura. Production IG. OVA 1/3eps. nov16 fri AnimeSuki.Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files 装甲騎兵ボトムズ ペールゼン・ファイルズ. New OVA series of Armored Trooper Votoms, made by the original staff, using newer 3DCG. Mecha fans admire the realistic mecha design of the the classic original series. New story about the end of the 100 year (anidb.net).Stars Gouda Hozumi, from the original cast. Mecha design by Okawara Kunio, whose credits include many Gundam shows, as well as the original Votoms. Sunrise. OVA 1/12eps. oct26 fri AnimeSuki.Kyo Kara Maoh! R 今日からマ王！Ｒ. First of a five-ep OVA following the 78-episode series from 2004-06. Most of the same staff and cast return, including director Nishimura Junji, who also directed Simoun.The story of the new series has not been announced, but the original is about a timid high school boy who suddenly finds himself in another world, which is divided between humans and an enemy race — and he is king of the enemy race. I haven’t seen the original series, but its comic humanity has some strong fans. Studio Deen. OVA 1/5eps. oct26 fri AnimeSuki.Strait Jacket ストレイト・ジャケット. "Leon the Professional meets Blade Runner…but steampunk." In a world where industry and sorcery coexist, people can suddenly turn into Malevolents, the enemies of all mankind, and even a young boy has had to kill someone he loved. A "gun action fantasy." Already licensed for R1 release.From a popular series of novels by Sakaki Ichirou (Scrapped Princess). Director Ushirou Jinji was assistant director of Otoboku. Miki Shinichirou (Kurz Weber) leads the cast. Feel. OVA 1/3eps. nov30 AnimeSuki.Hidamari Sketch special ひだまりスケッチ 特別編 前後編. The TV series was a visually outstanding, amusing and "heartful" slice-of-life comedy, with great performances from stars Asumi Kana, Mizuhashi Kaori, Matsuki Miyu (Cordelia in RomeoxJuliet), Gotou Yuuko, and Shintani Ryouko (Rachel in Red Garden).Akiyuki Shinbou (Negima!?, PaniPoni) oversees the project, which is directed by Kamitsubo Ryouki. Two-part DVD special airs on one night. Shaft. OVA 1-2/2eps. oct18 thu24:30 AnimeSuki.Nasu: Migratory Bird with Suitcase 茄子 スーツケースの渡り鳥. Directed and written by Kousaka Kitarou, who was animation director of several great Ghibli titles, including Whispers, Mononoke, Spirited and Howl.This is the sequel to his previous OVA about Pepe, the Spanish cyclist. Star Ooizumi You is mainly a TV actor. Other main seiyuus include Sakamoto Maaya, Yamadera Kouichi (Spike Spiegel, etc.), and Ohtsuki Akio (Black Jack). Madhouse. OVA 1/1eps. oct24 wed AnimeSuki. Tales of Symphonia テイルズ オブ シンフォニア THE ANIMATION. Based on the Game Cube and Play Station game. 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, while they learn more and more about the truth behind World Regeneration. (ANN)Mizuki Nana and Konishi Katsuyuki head the cast, with Kuwashima Houko, Touma Yumi (Emma) and others. Written by the writer of Manabi Straight. New director. Top sound director Aketagawa Jin. OVA 3/3eps. oct24 wed AnimeSuki.Information in this post is from: MoonPhase, MoonPhase Notes, official sites, Shoboi Calendar, anidb.net, Anime News Network, AnimeSuki forums, and Japanese Wikipedia. In a few days, I will post a complete calendar of broadcast days and times during the week, including both new shows and continuing shows.
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SO because this weekend JRO2 is having a double exp event I am abandoning you all and picking game over blogging. (Well not completely but here’s a super short summary post of 3 shows in 1! JP Is also eagerly awating for OB to end so I can pay attention to him.) Anyway no blogging [...]
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Wow I kinda forgot I had this show…whoops.  So yeah finally got around to it.  I found it to be kinda confusing, though its been awhile since I saw episode 6, so that could lead to some of it.  Though I think how that happen is that there are these new characters that haven’t been [...]
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