Another thing about Japanese anime is that in most cases it does not illustrate what living in Japan is really like, both for Japanese natives and foreigners as well. Although I've never lived in Japan, I am sure of this, having watched or read people's testimonies on youtube and various blogs. Sometimes anime completely misconstrues what happens in real life, and other times it presents the topic from the wrong angle.For example, school girls do not wear mini skirts, and cultural festivals do not turn every schools into maid cafe theme parks. And curry isn't the only thing Japanese like to eat for dinner. The list can go on as to show how Japan is significantly more perverted in anime than in real life. I think this sense of other-worldliness can be explained by two things. First, anime bears a negative connotation in Japan that, while it appears in the mainstream for kids, puts adult fans in a bad light. Because of this, anime schools are attended by people who are generally poor financially and academically and are in the margins of the society, and so the animators are obviously going to have a perception of the world that is drastically different from the normal experience. The other reason is that anime serves as an escape from the real world for its audience, although people of different cultures have different things to escape from. I think for some Asians there can be this desire to separate oneself from certain practices or situations in a uniquely Asian context that are humiliating or unsettling. Students (including those in Korea) may want to completely do away with gym/disciplinary teachers who mete out embarrassing corporal punishments. Or guys might get sick of old ladies (including their moms) who are obsessed with store prices and haggling. And some Asians may wish their language sounded more sophisticated in western style and less "piko-piko" or "chingchongching"-ish.  And it is in the backdrop of this self-hating repulsion (but it's not anything serious) that emerges a paradisiacal image of a western medieval castle with a princess and a knight in shining armor, which then is the alternate reality of the anime. I've also found that it's hard to find kids who actually have parents or interact with them. A surprisingly large number of animes feature main characters as orphans or living separated from their parents (including Full Metal Panic, Elfen Lied, Neon Genesis Evangelion, True Tears, School Rumble, and Suzumiya Haruhi). And in the animes that depict parents, even for a brief moment, they are merely annoyances or play subservient and non-intrusive roles for the main characters. This could be because a lot of people in the animation industry are likely to have been students with poor grades when they were teenagers, and that generally correlates with more problems and difficult relationships with parents. Also, the teenagers, who are a main audience group, probably won't like having to deal with mom and dad even on the tv screen. We've seen how animators like to deviate from the real world in their works, but some have surprised me with their depiction of scenery or personalities with such character and realism. Believe it or not, some of the characters in anime can actually be found in real life with the same impressionistic facial traits, dress style, and language. For example, the aunt in Summer Wars is so like the mean aunt you meet in a gathering among relatives of a large extended family, and you want to hate and ridicule her face, but you really can't because she doesn't look bad at all.The aunt is on the right with red hairIn A Place Promised In Early Days, Takuya and Hiroki are example of childhood friends who differ sentimentally in their attachment to each other when they become adults. One is naturally going to look coldhearted and insensitive, while the other will seem naive and idealistic.   For some reason I can't think up more examples, so I will call it for this post.
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Sengoku Nadeko - Where a cap is fine too Bakemonogatari has to be one of the best anime romances in recent years (in the league Toradora and True Tears). Was so smitten that I had to bust out a favourite anime romance list so that BakeMono can be forever enshrined on the tanuki charts. Just [...] Related posts:Five favourite anime childhood friends Anime tribute – Losers in love (2nd edition) What does your top 5 anime say about you?
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i9FBk7HTfU From the people that made Cannan, True Tears and Angel Beats!, comes Hana Saku Iroha. The title is an original work with the character design by Kishida Mel whom also did So-Ra-No-Wo-To. The story follows the girl Matsumae Ohana, 16 years old, as she starts work at the Hot Spring Inn. I have taken [...] Related posts:Announced! Super Robot Wars 2nd TV Anime JAM Project 10th Aniversary! The 2-D Anime Body Pillow Phenomenon
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Hana Saku Iroha: P.A. Works (True Tears, CANAAN, Angel Beats) has announced that for their 10th anniversary they will be working on a series titled Hana Saku Iroha. The story centers on a 16 year old Tokyo girl who begins working at a hot springs inn while trying to decide on her future. While there [...]
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(c) moocheWhen I checked my first impression for Angel Beats! , I couldn't believe that most of us didn't have anything nice to say about this show. Even I was skeptical. I compared it with porn for fuck sake but I didn’t outright hate it. I said that it was a decent show but definitely not the best one for Spring 2010. Well, I was wrong and I stand corrected. Angel Beats! ended up among the few shows that I look forward to every week for this season.I guess I have to thank Monroe for this. He was pretty adamant that I watch this series so he has someone he can talk to. I wasn't keen at first, especially when everyone says that this series is trying to imitate The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. As a fan of Haruhi, I obviously have my reservations. Thank goodness, though it has similarities, it is not an exact copy.Angel Beats! is about a bunch of teenagers who found themselves dead and are living in the afterlife. Most of the students are the NPC while a small portion of the students fight to keep their personality and memories from their previous life. In other words, they have regrets. This small portion of students formed a brigade and they are lead by Yuri (this is where the similarities with Haruhi end). They believe that they have to fight the Angel/Kanade in order not to disappear. This is where normal ends and cue supernatural. They are able to make guns out of clay and so on. It kind of over the top but done with subtlety that you barely notice. The story took a different turn halfway through and that is where you will start to be very appreciative of this show. It throws something different in almost every episode though there is still something to link the plot together.The involvement of Maeda Jun has been discussed a lot. I have a hate-love relationship with his previous works. I love the beginning for both Clannad (the first season, I hate the ending too much to bother with second season) and Kanon but totally hate the ending. I was afraid that he will do the same thing to Angel Beats! Guess what? He did although it is not as chronic as those two series I mentioned earlier. He has the knack of pairing the male lead with a female that I like the least (read: borderline hate). Having said that, I love the roller-coaster journey from total happiness to sorrow, all which is done in one episode. You'll laugh your ass off only to feel extremely touched afterward, all in a blink of an eye. Some people may not like the abrupt transition but I for one love it.Reason number 23962 of why I like Angel Beats! is because of the brigade members. They have different personalities and most of the times, they are the reason why Angel Beats! turned out to be so great. Their antics are endless and it will keep you guessing. What next? So yeah, you'll be thoroughly entertained. This is guaranteed.(c) hizunoOtonashi started out as a blah character. He was so ordinary compared to the other more colorful characters in the brigade. He was completely developed till the very end. The other brigade members received the same treatment although half of them were left out (though they deserved to be developed further). The only other character that gets a lot of development is Kanade. She changed from a stoic emotionless girl to someone who hums song and has springs in her footsteps. Everyone's character development has something to do with Otonashi though so basically the other characters are evolved around him.But let's talk about my favorite characters. Hinata started out as the gay partner for Otonashi, then Yui's arc enemy (or seemingly so) before becoming one of the most gentlemanly characters in anime history. I knew he's special the first time I laid my eyes on him. It was love at first sight. Besides Hinata, I also like the English-speaking, nonsensical TK. He is unique and needs no introduction. He is definitely one of the most memorable characters in anime fandom because of that. You can either hate or love TK. No in between. Who could forget episode 8 when he does that lookout dance. He's so random like that. As for female character, it has to be Yuri. Funny though because at first I really don't like her that much but as the story comes to an end, I found myself rooting for her. I guess I must have been attracted to her qualities and personality: she is strong and don't pull the "I'm the damsel in distress" bullshit. That's my kind of girl.If you read my episodic review, you will notice that I don't like Kanade much. I have only one problem with her. I was fine with her when she has almost zero personality. Once Otonashi got attached to her, she changed. This was when I started to dislike Otonashi too. I guess you guys would call it character development. I called it interference. Sure it has something to do with the whole plot, the way it developed around their friendship but it bothers me to no end. This is all Maeda's doing...So anyway, if someone asked me if I want a season 2 of Angel Beats! I would have said yes just so that I can see what Hinata, TK and Yuri are up to. After all, we didn't get the chance to send TK off =(Music and sound. They are one of this show strongest points (how many strong points does this show have?!). They timed and chose the background music for certain moments perfectly which is a big help in setting up the emotional scenes as well as the funny parts. The OP and ED are good and the songs from Girls Dead Monster becomes talk of the anime fandom. K-ON! can learn a thing or two from both the song choice and animations during the performance. My song sang by Iwasawa imo is pretty haunting and memorable on its own.<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sSd1caA4lBQ&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/sSd1caA4lBQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>The seiyuu too did an excellent job. I have high hopes for Otonashi when I found out that Kamiya Hiroshi does his voice. However Otonashi as a character at the end of the show ruined it for me. This doesn't mean that the seiyuus are at fault. If anything, they did a great job for invoking such reaction from me. They gave everything they have to put personality and attitude to the characters which give them life of their own. Kudos.The art and animation however are decent. I've seen better. It was because of the arts that I initially compared it to hentai. I believe P.A Works could have done a better job. I mean, I adore the animation and the arts in True Tears so it is not like they aren't capable to do so. Besides Aniplex is one of the producers. They have plenty of resources, I am sure. Or maybe Angel Beats! is such a success because of the lack in this department. For example, I thought in some of the episodes, the quality of the animation was top notch, especially when there is blood involved.Well, I guess it is obvious that I enjoy Angel Beats! At least up to episode 9 I did. Maybe the reason I was able to enjoy it is because I have learned to watch it at face value without questioning the facts and logics. Granted that the ending was a phailed attempt for tear fest, the other episodes easily make up for that. I managed to complete it on time, didn't I? That definitely accounted for something.Angel Beats! is a show that you truly have to get to know to fall in love with it. If you judge it from the first episode alone, you'll be missing a lot. My initial rating for it was 7 out of 10. After 13 episodes, I changed my mind slightly.Arts & Animation 8/10Sound 10/10Story 8/10Characters 9/10Enjoyment 9/10Overall 8/10For a longer additional read, you can check out Guy's review. He dedicated a paragraph for TK :PAlso of Guignol's post about the ending of the episode. He speaks my language.
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This is one unbelievable season… Too much to watch. Why can’t Japan kinda spread it a little? Mitsudomoe: A polarizing show if there was one, especially thematically. But the astonishing beauty of animation is acknowledged even by its detractors. Apparently it’s a flag show for a new studio in the same way True Tears was IIRC. [...]
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Angel Beats is a very odd Anime. It’s a anime original that was hyped not only because Key was producing it, but PA Works who worked on “True Tears” and “Canaan” was going to animate the show. What we got is the Tsundere of Anime with inconsistent storyline and out of place drama and comedy. [...]
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The three main female seiyuus in Mayoi Neko Overrun are doing a roadshow to publicize the anime for DVD sales. Here are a couple of photos from the Tokyo stop (the main Gamers store, in Akihabara). They go on to Osaka and Nagoya.Aya-nyan (Taketatsu Ayana) says in her blog that it was great to see everyone's smiling faces, and thanks people for their support. Kanae-chan says obscurely that it is good to be asked questions you aren't always asked. Pics from Aya-nyan's (left) and Kanae-chan's (right) blogs.Left-hand picture, left to right: Taketatsu Ayana (Nozomi), Itou Kanae (Fumino), Iguchi Yuka (Chise). The pics make Yukachii (Iguchi Yuka) look tall, but that's only because the other two are so short. Kanae-chan 147cm (4'10"-), Aya-nyan 149cm (4'11"-), Yukachii 157cm (5'2").There was also a surprise birthday celebration for Yukachii. Her 22nd birthday is today (Sunday). Among her well-known roles are Index in To Aru Majutsu no Index, Aiko in true tears, and Kaede in Nyan Koi. She works for the prestigious Office Osawa agency, with seiyuu such as Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, and Hanazawa Kana.But it hasn't been a great week for her. First, it was announced that another seiyuu (Kanemoto Hisako) will get the role of Ika Musume this fall, which she had been rumored to get. Then, a nude photo was circulated on 2channel, purporting -- falsely, it is pretty obvious -- to be Yukachii.
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With the new season getting rolling on Thursday, here's the coming season's weekly anime calendar, showing what days shows are on -- both new shows (in red) and continuing shows.For each show, the calendar includes highlights of staff and cast members, and has links to info pages in English and Japanese (mainly Anime News Network and official sites), as well as links to AnimeSuki forums. I find these calendars useful myself, and hope some of you may, too.Click here or on the image to go to the full calendar: As is often the case, Thursday looks like an interesting day, with new shows Shiki (horror - starts next week) and Amagami SS (romance), as well as Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu (fantasy adventure/comedy starring Fukuyama Jun, Takagaki Ayahi, Ono Daisuke, and Sugita Tomokazu); Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi (a JC Staff school comedy with Itou Shizuka and Itou Kanae); the new season of Kuroshitsuji, with Mizuki Nana and Sakurai Takahiro; and continuing show Kaichou wa Maid-sama (shoujo comedy/romance).Monday will see Highschool of the Dead (zombie horror from Madhouse), Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin (occult school comedy), and Nurarihyon no Mago (shounen supernatural comedy/adventure with Fukuyama Jun and Hirano Aya, and directed by the director of Simoun and true tears). The new Sekirei series will be on Sundays, along with a list of enjoyable continuing shows: Yumeiro Patissiere, Giant Killing, and Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru. There is one potentially hilarious off-color comedy on Fridays (Mitsudomoe, set in elementary school, like Kodomo no Jikan or Kyou no Go no Ni). And there is another on Saturday (Seitokai no Yakuindomo, set in high school), along with the more standard catgirl harem ecchi of Asobi ni Iku yo.As usual, nothing looks like being a masterpiece (except maybe Shiki). But also as usual, something may turn out to be better than we expect.Watch out also for some interesting OVAs (listed in black), such as the Kure-nai OVA that will come out on Friday; and Yamakan's Black Rock Shooter, which will come out at the end of July. I've also listed a couple of near-hentai OVAs: the yuri Sono Hanabira ni Kuchuzuke wo Anata to Koibito Tsunagi, and a new Aki-Sora OVA. Both come out on July 30.I know of two other useful anime calendars: mahou Showtime and AnimeCalendar.
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This summer, I'm looking forward to new anime from directors Nishimura Junji (Simoun, true tears), Amino Tetsurou (Macross 7, Zeta Gundam), Hiraike Yoshimasa (Working!!) and Araki Tetsurou (Death Note).And to multiple appearances by seiyuus Takagaki Ayahi, Hikasa Youko (Mio in K-On, Junko in Dai Maou), Itou Shizuka, Itou Kanae, Tomatsu Haruka, Sawashiro Miyuki, Hanazawa Kana, and Yahagi Sayuri.As well as to significant roles for Hirano Aya, Yuuki Aoi, Hayami Saori, Namikawa Daisuke, and Fukuyama Jun.Here are brief notes on a few shows of interest to me or to others. Following that are full descriptions of 38 shows scheduled to air this summer, including images and details of story, staff and cast, as well as links to preview trailers, online mangas, and AnimeSuki discussions.Shiki – From a good horror novel, directed by veteran director Amino Tetsurou (Macross 7, Zeta Gundam), and starring voices like Ohkawa Tohru, Yuuki Aoi, and Tomatsu Haruka. noitaminA.Nurarihyon no Mago – Director Nishimura Junji (Simoun, true tears) gets a good shounen manga to work from and top seiyuu to work with, including Fukuyama Jun, Hirano Aya, Nakata Jouji, Toriumi Kousuke, and Horie Yui.Highschool of the Dead – The director of Death Note and the writer of Requiem for the Phantom do a zombie show starring Inoue Marina, Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, and Miyano Mamoru.Kure-nai OVA – One more episode of the highly satisfying drama starring Sawashiro Miyuki and Yuuki Aoi. With a new look that is closer to the original novel illustrations.Amagami SS – The director/writer of Working! brings us a romantic drama reminiscent of KimiKiss, featuring the four-episode stories of six different heroines: Itou Shizuka, Satou Rina, Konno Hiromi, Yukana, Shintani Ryouko, and Nazuka Kaori.Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu OVA – A straight shoujo romance of the good girl-bad boy variety, starring Itou Kanae and Namikawa Daisuke.Mirai Nikki OVA – An OVA based on the popular manga involving a killing game and cellphone diaries that tell the future.Mitsudomoe – Mix Kodomo no Jikan with Kyou no Go no Ni, ramp up the humor, the violence, and the ecchi aspects; give the project to the director and the writer of Minami-ke; and bring in seiyuus Takagaki Ayahi and Tomatsu Haruka.Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail OVA series– Toyoguchi Megumi and Namikawa Daisuke return for a third series of the dark and exotic thriller.Black Rock Shooter OVA – The long-awaited 50-minute OVA created by Yamamoto Yutaka’s Ordet studio around the violent moe of the GoodSmile Company’s best-selling figure "Black Rock Shooter."Hen Zemi OVA – A one-episode OVA based on a manga about a seminar in abnormal sexual psychology.Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu -- Fukuyama Jun, Ono Daisuke, Takagaki Ayahi, Sawashiro Miyuki, and other top names in a fantasy adventure directed by the director of Koukaku no Regis and Sengoku Basara. Kuroshitsuji II – Sakurai Takahiro and Mizuki Nana take over as the new super butler and young master in the second season of this popular show.Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi – Looks like another solid school comedy from J.C Staff, about a wolf of a girl (Itou Shizuka) who, along with her little red sidekick (Itou Kanae), works to solve the school’s problems.Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin – The Anime no Chikara series (Sora no Woto, Senkou no Night Raid) gives us what seems like an interesting tale of time travel and the occult, starring seiyuu like Hikasa Youko (Mio in K-On, Junko in Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maou), Takagaki Ayahi, Hanazawa Kana, and Koyasu Takehito.Seitokai Yakuindomo – Hikasa Youko and Yahagi Sayuri in the animation of a somewhat raunchy 4-panel comic about a school with a 20-1 ratio of girls to boys.Asobi ni Iku yo! – A cat-eared alien, a put-upon boy, a childhood friend….what more do you need? How about Hanazawa Kana, Itou Kanae, Tomatsu Haruka, and an OP by Sphere?Sekirei - Pure Engagement – Season two of the popular harem show featuring big-breasted women with super-powers. And starring Hayami Saori, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, and Endou Aya.Strike Witches II – Season two of the extraordinarily popular show featuring moe girls wearing (or not wearing) pantsu, who fight aerial battles against a dangerous enemy, and have yuri feelings for each other.Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka OVA – A two-episode OVA following the well-made one-episode OVA about love between an older sister and a younger brother, featuring fanservice that teeters over the edge of hentai.Sono Hanabira ni Kuchuzuke wo Anata to Koibito Tsunagi OVA – The frankly erotic animation of the frankly erotic yuri visual novel and doujin. Made by the director of Strawberry Panic and the animator of both that and Ichigo Mashimaro.Click anime names below to go to full descriptions:● Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka     ● Amagami SS     ● Asobi ni Iku yo!     ● Battle Spirits new series     ● Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail     ● Black Rock Shooter     ● Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu     ● Digimon Xros Wars     ● Hen Zemi     ● Highschool of the Dead     ● Kure-nai OVA     ● Kuroshitsuji 2     ● Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu     ● Mahou Sensei Negima! - Another World     ● Mirai Nikki OVA     ● Mitsudomoe     ● Nurarihyon no Mago     ● Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi     ● Osaka Hamlet     ● Princess Lover OVA     ● Queen's Blade -- Beautiful Fighters     ● Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin     ● Seitokai Yakuindomo     ● Sekirei - Pure Engagement     ● Sengoku Basara 2     ● Shiki     ● Shin Koihime Musou OVA     ● Shukufuku no Campanella     ● Sono Hanabira ni Kuchuzuke wo Anata to Koibito Tsunagi     ● Sora no Otoshimono OVA     ● Stitch! ~Zutto Saikō no Tomodachi~     ● Strike Witches 2     ● Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe'alla-hen     ● ToHeart2 adnext OVA     ● Tono to Issho     ● Utawarerumono OVA 3     ● Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san     ● Zettai Karen Children OVA Notes:-- dates and times may change, and will be updated in my anime calendar, which should come out in a week`s time. -- information from official sites, MoonPhase, AniDB, Anime News Network, Japanese Wikipedia, Who Subs What, et al.-- generally, English titles link to the Anime News Network encyclopedia; Japanese titles link to official sites.-- click images to enlarge. Summer 2010 Anime (in chronological order): Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu   (jp: 今日、恋をはじめます)shoujo romanceOVA episode to be released with volume 9 of the manga, which is a shoujo romance of the "good girl and bad boy fall in love" variety.Director Yamauchi Shigeyasu did various Dragonball movies, Xenosaga, and Casshern Sins. Nice cast includes Itou Kanae (perfect for the role), Namikawa Daisuke (ditto), Yahagi Sayuri (today's all-purpose classmate), Yuzuki Ryouka, and Ise Mariya.Since I like the manga, I am looking forward to this. Here's hoping it is the harbinger of a full series.seiyuus: Itou Kanae, Namikawa Daisuke, Yahagi Sayuri, Yuzuki Ryouka, Ise Mariya. director: Yamauchi Shigeyasu (Dragonball films, Xenosaga, Casshern Sins)animation: JC Staff. manga. OVA. wed 23 junUtawarerumono OVA 3   (jp: OVA うたわれるもの 第3巻)moe fantasy dramaThe third and final episode of an OVA based on the popular fantasy adventure game and anime series. All new staff and studio from the original TV series, and many fans were disappointed with the first two episodes. First-time director Katsura Kenichirou did character design on Comic Party Revolution and wrote some of DC Da Capo. The outstanding cast is back, however, including Koyama Rikiya, Yuzuki Ryouka (Yuki-nee in Candy Boy), Sawashiro Miyuki, Ohara Sayaka, Nakahara Mai, Kugimiya Rie, and Tanaka Atsuko.seiyuus: Koyama Rikiya, Yuzuki Ryouka, Sawashiro Miyuki, Ohara Sayaka, Nakahara Mai, Kugimiya Rie, Tanaka Atsuko, Watanabe Akeno. director: Katsura Kenichirou animation: Chaos Project/Aquaplus. chara-des: Katsura Kenichirou. OP Suara, ED Uehara Rena. OVA. 3/3eps. forum. wed 23 jun Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail   (jp: BLACK LAGOON Roberta's Blood Trail)dark adventureThe same staff and cast return for a third Black Lagoon series: a five-episode OVA. Put-upon Japanese salary-man Rock (Namikawa Daisuke) continues to navigate the dangerous shoals of the moden-day pirate world inhabited by sadistic killer Revy (Toyoguchi Megumi). They return to the criminal chaos of the fictional pirate town of Roanapur, Thailand.Preview broadcast 26 June. DVD release 17 July.seiyuus: Hirata Hiroaki, Isobe Tsutomu, Toyoguchi Megumi, Namikawa Daisuke, Koyama Mami, Saitou Shirou, Ogawa Shinji, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Yukino Satsuki, Ikura Kazue. director: Katabuchi Sunao writer: Katabuchi Sunao. animation: Madhouse. chara-des: Shino Masanori. animation supervisor: Shino Masanori. trailer. subs: God Speed Otaku. OVA. 1/5eps. forum. sat 26 jun 27:28 Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi   (jp: オオカミさんと七人の仲間たち)school comedy romanceWolf (Ookami) by name and fierce by nature, Ookami Ryouko (Itou Shizuka) works with her partner, little red Akai Ringo (Itou Kanae), and the members of their club, to fix the school's problems.With Irino Miyu, Horie Yui, Toyosaki Aki, Arai Satomi, Kawasumi Ayako, Kugimiya Rie, Yahagi Sayuri, Kaida Yuko, Fukui Yukari, and others.Directed by Iwasaki Yoshiaki (Zero no Tsukaima, Sky Girls, Hayate2). Lead writer Itou Michiko is doing her first full show, having done scripts for Railgun and Letter Bee. Looks like another good J.C. Staff comedy.seiyuus: Itou Kanae, Irino Miyu, Itou Shizuka, Horie Yui, Nojima Hirofumi, Toyosaki Aki, Kawasumi Ayako, Asanuma Shintarou, Kugimiya Rie, Yahagi Sayuri. director: Iwasaki Yoshiaki (ZnT, Hayate2, Sky Girls) writer: Itou Michiko (scripts for Letter Bee, Railgun). Okita Masashi (novels). animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Iizuka Haruko, Unaji (orig). animation supervisor: Iizuka Haruko. art: Niida Teruhiko. music: Oohashi Megumi. OP Nakabayashi May. trailer. subs: Hasaki Fansubs, Ryuumaru. forum. thu 01 jul 09:00 Kuroshitsuji 2   (jp: 黒執事 II)shoujo butler comedyThe new series of Kuroshitsuji will feature a new super-butler and young master, with Sakurai Takahiro and Mizuki Nana taking the places of Ono Daisuke and Sakamoto Maaya. The director is new, too, with episode director Ogura Hirofumi doing his first full show, in place of Shinohara Toshiya (Bantorra). New art director, as well, although the character designer is the same. Okada Mari (true tears, Vampire Knight) remains as lead writer.seiyuus: Mizuki Nana, Sakurai Takahiro. director: Ogura Hirofumi writer: Okada Mari (true tears, Vampire Knight, Bantorra, Kuroshitsuji 1). Toboso Yana (creator). animation: A-1 Pictures. chara-des: Shiba Minako (Kuroshitsuji, Phantom Requiem, Letter Bee). art: Otsuzuki Manabu. music: Iwasaki Taku. OP the GazettE, ED Matsushita Yuuya. trailer. manga. forum. thu 01 jul 25:20Amagami SS   (jp: ア マガミSS)romance, school life, seinenLonely high-school sophomore Tachibana Junichi resolves to spend the coming Christmas with a girl. Which girl will it be?From a PS2 visual novel by Enterbrain. Directed and written by the director/writer of Working, Hiraike Yoshimasa. That show gives me hope that he will make the best of his material.  Stars top female seiyuus Itou Shizuka, Satou Rina, Nazuka Kaori, Shintani Ryouko, Yukana, Asumi Kana, et al., with up-and-coming young star Maeno Tomoaki (Doujo in Library Wars, Touya in White Album) as the lead. Each of six female seiyuu will get her own four-episode arc, and will sing that arc's ED. From the same game studio as KimiKiss, with which the story seems to share something.seiyuus: Itou Shizuka, Satou Rina, Maeno Tomoaki, Nazuka Kaori, Shintani Ryouko, Konno Hiromi, Yukana, Asumi Kana, Terashima Takuma. director: Hiraike Yoshimasa (Working, Sketchbook, Solty Rei) writer: Hiraike Yoshimasa (Working). scripts: Machida Touko, Kimura Noboru. animation: AIC. chara-des: Gohda Hiroaki (Please Teacher, Please Twins); Takayama Kisai (orig). art: Takahashi Maho. music: Omori Toshiyuki. OP azusa; EDs by Itou Shizuka, Rina Satou, Hiromi Konno, Yukana, Shintani Ryouko. trailer. subs: UTW, Formula?, Chihiro? 24eps. forum. thu 1 jul 25:25 Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu   (jp: 伝説の勇者の伝説)shounen magical adventure"The Legend of the Legendary Heroes." Lyner Lute loses all desire to live, after his classmates at the royal school for magicians die in an attack by a neighboring country. New king Shion Astarl sends Lute out, accompanied by beautiful swordswoman Feris Eris, to find the relics of the legendary heroes.Great cast stars Fukuyama Jun, Ono Daisuke, and the hitherto underappreciated Takagaki Ayahi. Also with Sawashiro Miyuki, Hino Satoshi, Sugita Tomokazu, Taketatsu Ayana, Takahashi Mikako, Suwabe Junichi and others.Director Kawasaki Itsurou did Regios and Basara. But writer Yoshimura Kiyoko did Tetsu no Linebarrels. The director and cast give me hope.seiyuus: Fukuyama Jun, Takagaki Ayahi, Ono Daisuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Murata Tomosa, Fujita Saki, Suwabe Junichi, Hino Satoshi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Sawashiro Miyuki, Taketatsu Ayana, Oura Fuyuka, Takahashi Mikako. director: Kawasaki Itsurou (Regios, Basara, Mamoru-kun) writer: Yoshimura Kiyoko (Tetsu no Linebarrels, Dogs Bullets Carnage). animation: ZEXCS. chara-des: Shimazawa Noriko. OP Yuki Aira, ED Ceui. trailers. subs: Enigma Collective, Kaze no Koe Fansubs? 26eps. forum. thu 01 jul 26:15Kure-nai OVA   (jp: 紅 OVA)drama with sentiment and some violenceIncluded with limited edition version of v5 of manga (which is in turn based on the novels). A new and as yet unnamed staff is turned loose on Kure-nai. Features the same cast as the original anime. The character design will be closer to the original novel illustrations and the manga.Animation is still by the same company, though: Brains Base.A deep and charming story with outstanding voice-acting by Sawashiro Miyuki and Yuuki Aoi,seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shintani Ryouko, Masu Nozomi, Sanada Asami, Kimura Haruka. animation: Brains Base. trailer. manga. OVA. forum. fri 02 jul Shukufuku no Campanella   (jp: 祝福のカンパネラ)comedy"La Campanella della Benedizione." From an ero-game. A harem comedy featuring much comedy and a protagonist who is a bit older and more accomplished (as a swordsman) than the norm -- but totally unaware of how much the ladies like him.A cast of talented but largely lesser-known pros includes Okamoto Nobuhiko, Kadowaki Mai, Koyama Kimiko, Imai Asami, Mizuhashi Kaori, Gotou Mai, Fujiwara Keiji, and Gotou Yuuko.Director Ushiro Shinji did Omamori Himari, which should attract some people --- although not me. Nakamura Koujirou is doing his first lead writer job, having provided scripts for Tayutama and Sunred.seiyuus: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Kadowaki Mai, Koyama Kimiko, Imai Asami, Mizuhashi Kaori, Yuimoto Michiru, Yunoihara Yuri, Gotou Mai, Fujiwara Keiji, Gotou Yuuko. director: Ushiro Shinji (Omamori Himari, Straitjacket) writer: Nakamura Koujirou (scripts for Tayutama and Sunred). Windmill Oasis (orig game). animation: AIC. chara-des: Fujita Mariko (Galaxy Angel, Kampfer). animation supervisor: Koga Makoto (ARIA). art: Sugiyama Yuuko. music: Elements Garden. OP Misako Aki, ED Hashimoto Miyuki. trailer. 12eps. forum. fri 02 jul 25:30 Mitsudomoe   (jp: みつどもえ)ecchi kiddy comedyThe Marui triplets terrorize their teacher (Shimono Hiro) and all of class 6-3: sadistic Mitsuba (Takagaki Ayahi), boob-loving muscle-girl Futaba (Akesaka Satomi), gloomy and mysterious Hitoha (Tomatsu Haruka). Ayahi gets her second role as a precociously hilarious child, after Hiiragi in Hanamaru Kindergarten -- and her fifth role of the summer.The manga is reminiscent of Kodomo no Jikan, but darker, funnier, even raunchier, and less psychologically serious. The cast is excellent. Director Oota Masahiko and writer Aoshima Takashi did Minami-ke.Definitely worth a look. Animation by little-known studio Bridge.seiyuus: Takagaki Ayahi, Tomatsu Haruka, Akesaka Satomi, Saitou Chiwa, Shimono Hiro, Toyosaki Aki, Sanpei Yuuko, Toyosaki Aki, Saitou Momoko, Inoue Kikuko. director: Oota Masahiko writer: Aoshima Takashi. Sakurai Norio (orig). animation: Bridge. chara-des: Ookuma Takaharu (Macademi Wasshoi). trailer. manga. forum. fri 02 jul 26:00 Seitokai Yakuindomo   (jp: 生徒会役員共)4-koma school comedyAnimation of a funny, somewhat raunchy 4-panel comic about life in a high school that has only recently begun to admit boys and so has a student body of 524 girls and 28 boys. If we're lucky, it will combine the strengths of Seitokai no Ichizon and Working. But director Kanazawa Hiromitsu did Princess Lover, and writer Nakamura Makoto did Telepathy Girl Ran -- so I have my doubts.Nice cast, though, with Hikasa Youko, Yahagi Sayuri, Satou Satomi, Arai Satomi, Katou Emiri, and Kobayashi Yuu, among others. Maybe GoHands will produce a hit with its second anime, after Princess Lover.seiyuus: Hikasa Youko, Yahagi Sayuri, Satou Satomi, Asanuma Shintarou, Tamura Mutsumi, Arai Satomi, Katou Emiri, Omigawa Chiaki, Shinoda Asami, Kobayashi Yuu. director: Kanazawa Hiromitsu (Princess Lover) writer: Nakamura Makoto (Telepathy Girl Ran). animation: GoHands. chara-des: Furuta Makoto. animation supervisor: Furuta Makoto. art: Nomura Masanobu (Biho). OP Triple Booking, ED angela. trailer. manga. subs: Ryuumaru. 13eps. forum. sat 03 jul 24:30 Sekirei - Pure Engagement   (jp: セキレイ���Pure Engagement���)ecchi harem fighting fantasyThe same staff and cast bring us a second season of Sekirei, the popular ecchi harem fighting fantasy set in the year 2020.A great cast featuring Hayami Saori, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, Endou Aya and others play sekirei, female creatures with extreme fighting powers who are taking part in a desperate city-wide game. Several sekirei are all bound to our hero, whose genes enable him to be their ashikabi, the male who can unconsciously release their immense powers.A preview of episode one aired on 13 June, and gave us the same entertaining combination of fighting, mystery, light romance, and juvenile ecchi fanservice that won it so many fans two years ago.In between the two shows, director Kusakawa Keizou (Nanoha A's, StrikerS) did Asura Cryin'. Writer Yoshioka Takao did Queen's Blade, Weiss Survive, and Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou.The seiyuus -- featuring the incredibly beautiful voice of Hayami Saori -- do the OP and ED. seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Tachibana Shinnosuke, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, Endou Aya, Oohara Sayaka, Kaida Yuki, Yukana, Nabatame Hitomi. director: Kusakawa Keizou (Nanoha As, StrikerS, Asura Cryin') writer: Yoshioka Takao (Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou, Weiss Survive). Gokurakuin Sakurako (novel). animation: Seven Arcs. OPED Hayami Saori, Inoue Marina, Hanazawa Kana, Endou Aya. trailer. manga. subs: Ryuumaru, Chihiro? forum. sun 04 jul 23:30. ep1 preview 13 JuneHighschool of the Dead   (jp: 学園黙示録 HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD)violence gore zombies fanserviceA high school is invaded by zombies who eat students, causing them to become unkillable zombies themselves.Directed by Araki Tetsurou, the director of Death Note. Written by Kuroda Yousuke, who wrote Requiem for the Phantom, Ookiku Furikabutte, and Gundam00.Stars the solid pair of Inoue Marina and Suwabe Junichi. With such luminous names as Sawashiro Miyuki and Miyano Mamoru, solid pros Kitamura Eri and Taniyama Kishou, and sweet-voiced up-and-comer Taketatsu Ayana.This wouldn’t normally be my thing, but I sense quality here. Animation by Madhouse.seiyuus: Inoue Marina, Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Miyano Mamoru, Taketatsu Ayana, Kitamura Eri, Taniyama Kishou, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Takeuchi Junko, Fukui Yukari. director: Araki Tetsurou (Death Note) writer: Kuroda Yousuke (Ookiku Furikabutte, Phantom Requiem, Gundam00). Satou Daisuke (manga). animation: Madhouse. chara-des: Tanaka Masayoshi (Toradora, Hitman Reborn); Satou Shouji (manga). OP Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets, ED Kurosaki Maon. trailer. manga. subs: Hatsuyuki, UTW, HiNA-subs. forum. mon 05 jul 11:30 Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin   (jp: 世紀末オカルト学院)occult comedy dramaThe Voltstein Academy in Nagano is famous both for high academic standards and for occult phenomena. One day in 1999, the dean, who studies the occult, suddenly dies. His daughter, who hates the occult, visits the school. At the same time, a young man appears who is a time-traveler from 2012. As the two encounter various bizarre phenomena within the academy, the reason for his timeslip to 1999 becomes clear. The third show in the "Anime no Chikara" series, succeeding Sora no Woto and Senkou no Night Raid.Intriguing show. The story has some promise. The cast is interesting, including Hikasa Youko (Mio in K-On, Junko in Dai Maou), Takagaki Ayahi, Hanazawa Kana, and Koyasu Takehito. First-time series director Itou Tomohiko directed episodes of Death Note and was assistant director of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Writer Minakami Seishi did Railgun and worked with Satoshi Kon on Paprika. Part-time seiyuu and full-time idol and TV personality Nakagawa Shouko does the OP, and seiyuu/singer Takagaki Ayahi (of Sphere) gets her first solo ED under her own name.seiyuus: Hikasa Youko (Mio/K-On), Mizushima Takahiro (Rollo, Tsubaki/Giant Killing, Romeo, Nagasumi/Seto Hanayome), Chihara Minori, Takagaki Ayahi, Hanazawa Kana, Koyasu Takehito, Takahashi Hiroki. director: Itou Tomohiko (eps of Death Note, asst dir Girl Leapt Time) writer: Minakami Seishi (Railgun). animation: A-1 Pictures. chara-des: Chiba Takahiro; Asou Gatou (orig). animation supervisor: Chiba Takahiro (Kamichu). music: Elements Garden. OP Nakagawa Shouko, ED Takagaki Ayahi. trailer. subs: Kaze no Koe Fansubs? forum. mon 05 jul 25:30 Nurarihyon no Mago   (jp: ぬらりひょんの孫)supernatural adventure comedy romanceRikuo (Fukuyama Jun) is a quarter demon and three-quarters human. He lives in a house full of demons (youkai) with his grandfather, the lord of a demon clan. He tries to act human, especially in front of his childhood friend (Hirano Aya), but when needed he can become a powerful demon himself -- for a quarter of each day. Entertaining manga looks set to be an entertaining anime. Top cast, top director (Nishimura Junji - Simoun, true tears), top writer (Takahashi Natsuko - Blue Drop, Tales of Agriculture, Tokyo Magnitude 8). Studio Deen, but the good Studio Deen, it appears.seiyuus: Fukuyama Jun, Hirano Aya, Horie Yui, Yasumoto Hiroki, Toriumi Kousuke, Sakurai Takahiro, Sugita Tomokazu, Nakata Jouji, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Houshi Souichirou. director: Nishimura Junji (Simoun, true tears) writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Blue Drop, Tales of Agriculture, Tokyo Mag8). animation: Studio Deen. chara-des: Oka Mariko (Jigoku Shoujo, Ghost Hound). music: Tanaka Kouhei (One Piece). OP Monkey Majik, ED Hirano Aya, Horie Yui, Maeda Ai. trailer. manga. subs: Kaze no Koe Fansubs? forum. mon 05 jul 25:44 Tono to Issho   (jp: 殿といっしょ 1分間劇場)seinen 4-panel historical comedyAdaptation of a 4-panel comic strip. The comic manga follows the exploits of generals during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku (Warring States) period.Young director Mankyuu (Utsurun Desu) works with a nice cast including up-and-coming Suzuki Tatsuhisa, as well as this year's Seiyuu Award winner Ono Daisuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Noto Mamiko, Kobayashi Yuu, Kuroda Takaya (Murasaki's father in Kurenai, Simon in Durarara) and multitalented singer GACKT,seiyuus: Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Ono Daisuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Noto Mamiko, Tachibana Shinnoisuke, Hirakawa Daisuke, Kobayashi Yuu, Itou Asuka, Kuroda Takaya, GACKT. director: Mankyuu (Utsurun Desu) writer: Mankyuu. Ooba Kai (orig). animation: Gathering. trailer. forum. mon 05 jul 26:14 Stitch! ~Zutto Saikō no Tomodachi~   (jp: スティッチ������ずっと最高のトモダチ���)kids comedy adventureThe third part in a Japanese spin-off series based on Disney's character Stitch.In their new adventure Yuuna and Stitch move from their small island to the Okinawa main island where Yuuna is supposed to visit a school. A new cast of friends awaits them there as well as a new crisis approaching from space.seiyuus: Yamadera Kouichi, Kumai Motoko. director: Hata Masami writer: Kakihara Yuuko, Yonemura Shouji. animation: Madhouse. tue 06 jul 19:00 Digimon Xros Wars   (jp: デジモンクロスウォーズ)shounen sci-fi actionThe sixth Digimon series will be directed by the director of Hikaru no Go and Saiyuki Reload, and written by the writer of the most recent Gegege no Kitaro series and Dragon Quest. The hero is Taiki, a warmhearted seventh-grader, who crosses over into a Digimon world that resembles the chaotic Warring States period of medieval Japan.The show will help sell new lines of toy capsules and phone straps. Big seiyuu names involved include Kishio Daisuke, Sakurai Takahiro, and Kuwashima Houko.seiyuus: Takayama Minami, Shiraishi Ryouko, Kishio Daisuke, Kusao Takeshi, Kuwashima Houko, Sakurai Takahiro. director: Endou Tetsuya (Hikaru no Go, Saiyuki Reload) writer: Sanjo Rika (Dragon Quest, Gegege no Kitaro 2007+). animation: Toei Animation. chara-des: Asanuma Akihiro. art: Asanuma Akihiro; Yuki Shinzo. subs: Ryuu-Rogue. tue 06 jul 19:27 Strike Witches 2   (jp: ストライクウィッチーズ2)moe pantsu, a bit of yuri, and a bit of aerial war The popularity of the first season has spawned a second. This time, according to the director, there will be a little less focus on the dark aspects of the show and more on the light.The same director and character designer, but they will be working with AIC instead of Gonzo this time around. And the lead writer is now a committee.From what the director says in an interview translated in the AnimeSuki forum, if you liked season one -- especially if you liked the yuri sweetness and the pantsu -- you will like season two.Basically the same cast, except that Seto Saori takes over as Mio for the now-married Chiba Saeko.seiyuus: Fukuen Misato, Seto Saori (replaces Chiba Saeko), Nazuka Kaori, Sawashiro Miyuki, Tanaka Rie, Sonozaki Mio, Nogawa Sakura, Saitou Chiwa, Koshimizu Ami, Kadowaki Mai. director: Takamura Kazuhiro writer: Striker Unit. Shimada Humikane (orig). animation: AIC (replaces Gonzo). chara-des: Takamura Kazuhiro, Shimada Humikane (orig). subs: Strike-Subs. forum. wed 07 jul 25:30 Shin Koihime Musou OVA   (jp: 真・恋姫†無双 OVA)historical comedy with plenty of fanserviceSet at "St. Francesca Academy" school. After the student council battle is over, everyone goes to the southern islands….For the preview, I've linked to a stream from the first OVA, to which this is a sequel.seiyuus: Gotou Mai (Mai/Yoakena, Mizuki/ef), Kurokawa Nami (Raika/Demonbane, Tamaki/DCSS), Nishizawa Hiroka (Asa/Sora no Iro), Narumi Erika (Kagami/Lamune), Motoi Emi (Naoko/CCS), Kobayashi Maki, Amamiya Yuu (Chiharu/KimiAru). director: Nakanishi Nobuaki (Kashimashi, Sumomomo Momomo, Koihime Musou) writer: Go Zappa (Chocotto Sister, Myself;Yourself, Koihime Musou). BaseSon (original game). animation: Douga Koubou. chara-des: Hiratsuka Tomoya (Myself;Yourself), Oshima Miwa (Hit wo Nerae, Love Love, Koihime Musou). animation supervisor: Hiratsuka Tomoya (Myself;Yourself), Oshima Miwa (Love Love, Koihime Musou). trailer. OVA. forum. wed 07 jul Shiki   (jp: 屍鬼)horror mystery supernaturalnoitaminA brings us a true horror anime set in an out-of-the way village where a strange family buys the abandoned mansion on the edge of town, and people start to die in an apparent epidemic, one of the symptoms of which is anemia. "Shiki" means "zombie" (literally, corpse-demon).Directed by Amino Tetsurou (Macross7, Zeta Gundam), adapted by Sugihara Kenji (scripts for episodes of Pita Ten, sola, Minami-ke) from a best-selling novel by the author of Twelve Kingdoms.In an interesting cast, Ookawa Tohru, Uchiyama Kouki, and multi-talented singer Gackt are balanced by Tomatsu Haruka as a young girl who desperately wants to leave for the city, and Yuuki Aoi as a quiet young lady in the new family who loves to read, but is only seen out at night....seiyuus: Ookawa Tooru, Uchiyama Kouki, Gackt, Yuuki Aoi, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Tomatsu Haruka, Takagai Wataru. director: Amino Tetsurou (Macross7, Zeta Gundam) writer: Suguhara Kenji(episode scripts Pita Ten, sola, Minami-ke). Fujisaki Ryuu (orig). animation: DouMou. chara-des: Ochi Shinji (DearS, Tona-Gura, Minami-ke). animation supervisor: Ochi Shinji (Tona-Gura). art: Tatsuta Ichirou. music: Takanashi Yasuharu. OP Buck-Tick, ED nangi. trailer. manga. subs: Yuurisan-Subs, Chihiro? 22eps. forum. thu 08 jul 25:15 Asobi ni Iku yo!   (jp: あそびにいくヨ���)ecchi romantic comedy with cat-eared alienThe title means "Let's go play!" A high-school freshman, his next-door childhood friend, and a big-busted alien with cat ears and tail who comes to Earth to gather information and have fun. From a novel series that has been turned into a manga.Nice cast stars Hanazawa Kana, Itou Kanae, and Tomatsu Haruka, with young female seiyuu Tamura Mutsumi as the male lead. Also features Horie Yui, Inoue Kikuko, Nomizu Iori (Nymph in Sora no Otoshimono) and the other members of Sphere (Kotobuki Minako, Toyosaki Aki, Takagaki Ayahi), which does the OP.The director is new in that job, but the writer did the two ef shows, as well as Natsu no Arashi and Baka to Test.seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Itou Kanae, Tomatsu Haruka, Tamura Mutsumi, Horie Yui, Hirata Hitomi, Inou Kikuko, Kotobuki Minako, Toyosaki Aki, Nomizu Iori. director: Ueda Youichi (animation direction, charades guy) writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (ef shows, Natsu no Arashi, Baka Test). Kamino Okina (orig.). animation: AIC PLUS+. chara-des: Morijima Noriko; Houdeneizou (orig.). animation supervisor: Morijima Noriko (key animator). art: Katou Hiroshi. OP Sphere, EDs Hanazawa Kana, Itou Kanae, Tomatsu Haruka. trailer. manga. forum. sat 10 jul 25:58 Sengoku Basara 2   (jp: 戦国 BASARA 弐)samurai actionMore samurai action set in Japan's Warring States period.Directed by key animator/storyboarder/episode director Nomura Kazuya. Written by Muto Yasuyuki, who wrote both the first series and Persona Trinity Soul.Many of the same great seiyuu return, including Nakai Kazuya, Houshi Souichirou, Koyasu Takehito, Paku Romi, and Wakamoto Norio.seiyuus: Houshi Souichirou, Nakai Kazuya, Morita Masakazu, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Genda Tesshou, Koyasu Takehito, Kaida Yuuko, Kuwatani Natsuko, Paku Romi, Tsuboi Tomohiro. director: Nomura Kazuya writer: Muto Yasuyuki. animation: Production IG. chara-des: Ookubo Tooru. OP TM Revolution. trailer. subs: Pretentious. sun 11 jul 17:00 Zettai Karen Children OVA   (jp: 絶対可憐チルドレン ���愛多僧生���奪われた未来������)ESP shounen comedyOVA sequel to the 52-episode series that ended last year.Can The Children -- three super-ESPers working for the government -- be tamed from their wildness and turned into refined young ladies?Staff has not yet been announced, but one would expect it to be same as for the series: director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Nyan Koi, Yutori-chan) and writer Nishizono Satoru (Needless, Welcome to the NHK).seiyuus: Hirano Aya, Shiraishi Ryouko, Tomatsu Haruka, Taniyama Kishou, Yusa Kouji. writer: Shiina Takeshi (creator). OP The Children (Hirano Aya, Shiraishi Ryouko, Tomatsu Haruka); ED Taniyama Kishou, Yusa Kouji (Karen GUY's). OVA. fri 16 jul Hen Zemi   (jp: 変ゼミ)seinen ecchiOVA episode will be released with the fourth volume of the manga about odd students in a university seminar on human sexuality. The title means "Abnormal (Psychology) Seminar." I'm looking forward to this.Stars two seiyuu from The Wallfower, Mori Norihisa (Hiroshi) and Takaguchi Yukiko (Sunako), as well as Hanazawa Kana, Ishida Akira, and Shiraishi Minoru.Directed by the director of Hidamari Sketch, adapted by the writer of Ayakashi and Kyou no Go no Ni.seiyuus: Mori Norihisa (Hiroshi/Wallflower), Kawaragi Shiho (Sekai/School Days, Aki/AkiSora), Hanazawa Kana, Matsuyama Takashi, Takaguchi Yukiko (Sunako/Wallflower), Ishida Akira, Shiraishi Minoru. director: Kamitsubo Ryouki (Hidamari Sketch) writer: Kouno Takamitsu (Ayakashi, Kyou no Go no Ni). TAGRO (manga). animation: XEBEC. chara-des: Chikaoka Sunao. music: Haneoka Kei (REC, Negima, Kyou no Go no Ni). OVA. forum. fri 23 jul Black Rock Shooter   (jp: BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER)stylish moe violence, school lifeThe first independent animation project by Yamamoto Yutaka's ordet studio.But this is not directed by Yamakan himself, who passes the job to fellow-KyoAni refugee Yoshioka Shinobu, while retaining the title of "supervising editor," as Shinbou sometimes does.Music by suddenly famous amateur ryo, who wrote the Bakemonogatari ED, and performed in it as part of supercell. Stars two outstanding voices: Hanazawa Kana and Sawashiro Miyuki (both of whom were also in Yamakan's Kannagi).The OP came out last year, now we get a 50-minute OVA featuring the Black Rock Shooter, a dark, lithe, gun-toting girl who is already the subject of several figures.To be streamed free June 25 to August 31. DVD will come out free with the September issue of Hobby Japan magazine, on July 24. It will come out shortly thereafter with Megami magazine and Monthly Animedia.This show is produced by the owner of the figure company, GoodSmile, and is being distributed free as advertising for present and future figures and other goods.seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Sawashiro Miyuki. director: Yoshioka Shinobu (eps of Haruhi, Kanon, Lucky Star, Kannagi). supervising editor: Yamamoto Yutaka (Kannagi, Lucky Star, Haruhi assistant director). writer: huke (orig). animation: Ordet. chara-des: Matsui Yuusuke. art: Morikawa Atsushi (Wolf's Rain, Kannagi). music: ryo. trailer. subs: Tomodachi, Moetron-Subs, Doki, Yuurisan-Subs. OVA. 1x50min ep. forum. fri 24 jul streamed free; DVD/BD later.Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka   (jp: あきそら ���夢の中���)ecchi, seinen, incest, trapThe one-episode OVA that was released with a volume of the manga last year was the most graphic incest anime I have ever seen. I thought it was fairly good, with the same strange passions and strong characterizations as the manga. Elder sister Aki seduces her beloved younger brother Sora. Sora's twin sister Nami and her friend Kana are kept in the dark, so far.This new two-episode OVA will delve more deeply into the manga story. The staff is the same as the previous OVA, but a couple of cast members appear to have been downgraded from better-known to fairly unknown seiyuus -- unless we are now dealing with pseudonyms....Director Takahashi Takeo did Spice and Wolf. The writer doing the adaptation is the famous Hanada Jukki, who adapted Rozen Maiden, sola, and Seitokai no Ichizon.Note the long list of potential subbers.seiyuus: Shirai Kumo, Natsuno Kori, Shirayuki Aoi, Gogyo Nazuna, Toono Soyogi. director: Takahashi Takeo (Spice & Wolf, Love Love) writer: Hanada Jukki (Rozen Maiden, sola, Seitokai no Ichizon). Itosugi Masahiro (manga). animation: Hoods Entertainment. chara-des: Kuroda Kazuya. animation supervisor: Kuroda Kazuya. music: C-Clays. OP Kotoge Mai. subs: CoalGuys?, Strike Subs and Ramen Subs?, SHiN-gx?, HANBU?, Yuurisan-Subs? OVA. 1/2eps. forum. fri 30 julSono Hanabira ni Kuchuzuke wo Anata to Koibito Tsunagi   (jp: その花びらにくちづけを あなたと恋人つなぎ)yuri eroticaFrom a well-known yuri ero-game. But the staff makes this seem not your ordinary hentai anime: the director of Strawberry Panic, Kamen no Maid Guy and Needless; the animator of Ichigo Mashimaro and Strawberry Panic. Cast not yet announced. Graphic trailer can be found from "start" link on website. Adult content.seiyuus: unknown. director: Sakoi Masayuki (Kamen no Maid Guy, Needless, Strawberry Panic) writer: Sakoi Masayuki. animation: chuchu. chara-des: Sakai Kyuuta (Ichigo Mashimaro, Strawberry Panic, Higurashi), Peco (orig). animation supervisor: Sakai Kyuuta (Ichigo Mashimaro, Higurashi chief anidir). OVA. fri 30 jul Mahou Sensei Negima! - Another World   (jp: 魔法先生ネギま������もうひとつの世界��� 第���話)magic moe comedyFinal episode of the four-episode OVA covering the Mahou Sekai story arc. Shinbou is back to direct, and mangaka Akamatsu Ken adapts his own manga. Also back from the previous OVA series is animator/character designer Jitsuhara Noboru.seiyuus: Satou Rina, Shiratori Yuri, Kimura Madoka, Sasagawa Ayana, Kuwatani Natsuko, Yamakawa Kotomi, Asakura Azumi, Itou Shizuka, Kanda Akemi, Bandou Ai. director: Akiyuki Shinbou writer: Akamatsu Ken. animation: Studio Pastorale, Shaft. chara-des: Jitsuhara Noboru. animation supervisor: Jitsuhara Noboru. OP Satou Rina, Akemi Kanda, Nonaka Ai, Kobayashi Yu,. manga. subs: Mamiko, AQS-Anime. OVA. 4/4eps. forum. mon 20 aug Queen's Blade -- Beautiful Fighters   (jp: クイーンズブレイド 美しき闘士たち 第1巻)oppai fantasy fightingThe first episode of a six-episode OVA, which follows hard on the heels of the two popular TV series.seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, Hirano Aya, Mizuhashi Kaori, Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Yuuko, Itou Kanae, Kaida Yuuki, Saitou Ayaka, Yuzuki Ryouka, Takahashi Mikako, Kitamura Eri, Tanaka Rie, Ohara Sayaka, Takeuchi Miyu. director: Yoshimoto Kinji writer: Yoshimoto Kinji (story concept). Hobby Japan (orig). animation: Arms. chara-des: Rinshin, Noguchi Takayuki. animation supervisor: Rinshin, Noguchi Takayuki. art: Higashi Junichi. ED sung by 19 seiyuus. OVA. 1/6eps. forum. wed 25 augMirai Nikki OVA   (jp: 未来日記)shounen action psychological dramaComes with the limited edition of 11th volume of popular manga Mirai Nikki (Future Diary).High school outsider Amano Yukiteru notes down everything he sees in a cell phone diary. He imagines a power called Deus Ex Machina, the Lord of Time and Space. Deus causes his cellphone diary to record events that will happen in the near future.Staff includes the director of Shuffle and the writer of the ef shows and Baka to Test).director: Hosoda Naoto (Shuffle) writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (ef, Natsu no Arashi, Baka to Test). Esuno Sakae (manga). animation: asread. chara-des: Hirayama Hidetsugu, Watanabe Ruriko. manga. OVA. forum. thu 09 sep Sora no Otoshimono OVA   (jp: そらのおとしもの)ecchi comedyComes with v9 of the manga. Staff and cast not announced, but probably the same as for the TV series.Trailer link is to the first part of ep1 of the TV show. Info link to info for the first series.seiyuus: Houshi Souichirou, Hayami Saori, Nomizu Iori, Mina, Takagaki Ayahi, Suzuki Tatsuhisa. director: Saitou Hisashi (?) writer: Kakihara Yuuko (?). animation: AIC ASTA. trailer. manga. OVA. forum. thu 09 sep Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe'alla-hen   (jp: テイルズ オブ シンフォニア THE ANIMATION テセアラ編)fantasy adventureBased on the Game Cube and Play Station game, Tales of Symphonia. Two worlds exist, each unaware of the existence of the other. In order for one world to flourish, the other has to perish. On the dying world, a Chosen one is sent on a journey to restore that world's mana by awakening the Spirits and becoming an angel. Colette Brunel, the Chosen of Sylvarant, sets out on her journey accompanied by her best friends Lloyd Irving and Genis Sage. As they travel further they meet more friends and even more enemies, and learn more and more about the truth behind World Regeneration. (ANN)Mizuki Nana does the OP (see trailer) and she and and Konishi Katsuyuki head the cast, which also includes able voices such as Touma Yumi, Tachiki Fumihiko, Kuwashima Houko, and Ohtsuka Akio. Written by the writer of Manabi Straight. This show is apparently more popular outside Japan than at home.seiyuus: Konishi Katsuyuki, Mizuki Nana, Orikasa Ai, Touma Yumi, Tachiki Fumihiko, Onosaka Masaya, Okamura Akemi, Kuwashima Houko, Ohtsuka Akio. director: Sotozaki Haruo writer: Kingetsu Ryunosuke (Futakoi Alternative, Manabi Straight). animation: ufotable. chara-des: Fujishima Kousuke (orig; Sakura Wars), Matsushima Akira (Marimite). OP Mizuki Nana, ED Shikata Akio. trailer. subs: Formula. OVA. 3/4eps. forum. thu 22 sep Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san   (jp: よんでますよ、アザゼルさん)gag comedyComes with limited edition of vol5. A first OVA slipped by me in February. Gag comedy about a detective and the various demons who assist him.seiyuus: Onosaka Masaya, Satou Rina, Namikawa Daisuke. director: Mizushima Tsutomu (XXXholic, Dokuro-chan, Genshiken) writer: Tanimura Daishirou. animation: Production IG. OVA.wed 22 sep Princess Lover OVA   (jp: OVA プリンセスラバー���)harem fanservice adventureA two-episode OVA of the moderately entertaining series from last summer. Info link is to info for the series.Ep2 comes out 29 october.seiyuus: Terashima Takuma, Katou Emiri, Yuzuki Ryouka (Yukino in Candy Boy), Toyoguchi Megumi, Shiraishi Minoru, Koyasu Takehito, Miyake Kaya, Mizuhara Kaoru. director: Kanazawa Hiromitsu (new, eps of Shugo Chara and Macross F) writer: Nakamura Makoto (Noramimi, Telepathy Girl Ran). animation: GoHands. chara-des: Suzuki Shingo. animation supervisor: Suzuki Shingo. OP Hashimoto Miyuki, ED yozuca. trailer. manga. 1/2eps. forum. thu 24 sepBattle Spirits new series   (jp: バトルスピリッツ新シリー ズ)shounen adventureA new series of the popular Sunday-morning shounen cartoon will begin in September. No info as yet on staff, cast, exact dates, etc. ToHeart2 adnext OVA   (jp: OVA ToHeart2 adnext)harem romance fanserviceThe fourth OVA, to go with three TV series. Few details available, but the director of the first OVA steps back in, along with a lead writer who has written several episodes of previous shows. Info and forum links for last OVA.Expect Fukuyama Jun, Sakurai Hiromi, Itou Shizuka, and Ochiai Yurika (now called Hase Yurina) in the cast.director: Katou Yasuhisa writer: Kobayashi Naruo. animation: Aquaplus/Chaos Project. OVA. 1/2eps. forum. september Osaka Hamlet   (jp: 大阪ハムレット)comedy dramaAward-winning manga was made into a movie in 2008. Little info yet available about the anime, which has been announced for "summer 2010." Various stories set in modern-day Osaka. Japanese title links to movie site.writer: Morishita Hiromi (manga).
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