Fall 2017 Preview!

Preview by Choya

Shinsengumi Officer #90078, reporting in to notify our loyal followers of this troublesome news. It’s been a few months, which means there’s yet another season of Gintama. After raking in the money from a live-action adaptation and video games for the PS4 and the widely successful PS Vita, we continue to be overwhelmed by the adventures of Sakata Gintoki (Sugita Tomokazu) and his friends Shimura Shinpachi (Sakaguchi Daisuke), Kagura (Kugimiya Rie), and their dog Sadaharu (Takahashi Mikako). In a world where swords are outlawed by our alien overlords that rule over feudal Japan, these mercenaries make their living doing odd jobs as hired hands for Yorozuya while they avoid the wrath of the police, rebels, assassins, their overbearing landlord, and the fourth wall. If you find these miscreants, please report them to the Shinsengumi where we will act in a rude, mean-spirited manner towards them. Also, if any Kewpie reps are reading this inquiry, a sincere thank you for all of the work you’ve done. We cannot thank you enough, and owe you the world. I would give you every yen this series has made, but my creator Sorachi-sensei has spent it all on bananas.

For real though, it’s exciting to see Gintama returning for more. As one of the last series remaining of the 2000’s era of Shonen Jump, the manga has been hinting at its impending end. With the movie doing well and the video game announcement, Gintama is riding higher than ever, and it’s reassuring that the series is still doing so well after all these years of causing ire among media watchdog groups, parents, and politicians. Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with it as much as I should, but it is a funny anime that can still strike a good balance between its comical stories and its serious arcs. According to TV guides, this upcoming season will cover some of the previously un-adapted chapters, presumably being the light-hearted comedic chapters that were skipped over to get to the more serious arcs. If this is a more comical Gintama season, it will be a nice breather to segue into the final arc, but some serious episodes wouldn’t be unwelcome. Either way, I’m wondering how this season will turn out with the manga’s finale coming close.

Preview by Zaiden

It’s the Year 2086, and the world has greatly changed since magic became widespread. After getting attacked by a bounty hunter, Tota Konoe (Takakura Yuka) discovers a truth about the terrible incident that claimed the lives of his parents. Two years prior, when he stood at the doors of death, Evangeline A.K. McDowell (Matsuoka Yuri) saved his life by transforming him into a vampire. Once he becomes aware of this fact, she invites him into her secret organisation known as ‘UQ Holder,’ a fellowship comprised of immortal beings. Join our ragtag bunch of eccentrics who just won’t die as they become caught up in a struggle that could threaten to destroy the entire world.

I can’t have been the only one who felt upset about the Negima manga’s abrupt ending, so I’m sure people will be glad to know that UQ Holder is a spiritual successor that should tie off many loose ends. That said, the story should still be accessible to newcomers, since the cast is different, for the most part, meaning it mostly concerns the adventure of immortals. No knowledge of Negima is required to enjoy this series, though some might be needed to appreciate occasional throwbacks. However, J.C. Staff may be opting for a worrying approach. UQ Holder is a distinct work in its own right that Akamatsu Ken runs as a standalone series, yet Negima 2 is being forced into the title. On Suzuki Youhei’s record as director, I was rather skeptical of his adaptation for Danmachi: Sword Oratorio. Hopefully that was just an attempt to climb a steep learning curve, because with Negima frequently receiving the short end of the stick, UQ Holder surely deserves a more comprehensive adaptation. Anyway, expect a series packed with action, craziness, and the power of friendship overcoming extraordinary odds!

Preview by Choya

SHEEEEEEEH! Another season about these pesky sextuplets!? In the first season of this Osomatsu-kun sequel/reboot, we followed the lives of the grown-up Matsuno brothers as they cope with their quarter life crises by getting into as much mischief as they can. The brothers spent a majority of the first season tackling employment, love, gambling, and drinking the only way they can: through sheer mayhem. Osomatsu (Sakurai Takahiro), the leader of the brothers, has a hard time reigning in his other fellow sextuplets, the suave and chivalrous Karamatsu (Nakamura Yuuichi), the avoidant cat-lover Ichimatsu (Fukuyama Jun), the idol-otaku Choromatsu (Kamiya Hiroshi), the bishounen lady killer Todomatsu (Irino Miyu), and the eccentric Juushimatsu (Ono Daisuke), as he joins them in their journey to put growing up on hold. Along the way, they are smitten by their childhood friend Totoko (Endou Aya), are caught up in the schemes of the Francophile trickster Iyami (Suzumura Kenichi), and dine-and-dash from an oden cart owned by Chibita (Kokuryu Sachi), who all join the Matsuno brothers in acting out of their own self-interest.

The first season was a wildly hilarious re-imagining of the series, with all of the characters from the 60’s and 80’s anime caught up in the wackiest scenarios imaginable. Whether the brothers worked together towards a common goal of ruining somebody’s day or sabotaged one another for their own benefit, the show was consistently funny throughout its run. The last episodes of the series made me anticipate the second season since we were left on two of the craziest episodes. As Osomatsu drove a wedge between himself and his other brothers who had ended up getting jobs without him, he gathered everyone together for one last hurrah in a baseball game against aliens that got them catapulted into space. Preview summaries I found say that they’ll show how the brothers return to Earth, but does that mean they will be in the same place they were in the episode before, with everyone but Osomatsu getting promising jobs? How hard of a reset button did they put on the brothers? Will they all be back at the house, or will Osomatsu find a way to hang out with his fellow brothers while they’re away making something of themselves? I am looking forward to finding out already, zanzu!

Preview by Zaiden

Asta (Kajiwara Gakuto) and Yuno (Shimazaki Nobunaga) were raised as foster brothers, having both been abandoned at the same church. Soon after, it becomes apparent that Yuno was a natural genius when it comes to magic, whereas Asta has to make up for his lack of aptitude through intense physical training. In spite of these differences, they make a promise to compete to become the next Wizard King, a title rewarded to the most powerful grimoire user in a generation. When their grimoires manifest at the age of 15, Yuno summons one with a four leaf clover, widely considered to be one of the best available. Meanwhile, Asta is left with nothing. That is, until a rogue wizard makes an attempt on Yuno’s life, fearing the young boy’s magical potential, and the true extent of Asta’s powers are uncovered. To protect Yuno, Asta summons a grimoire bearing the five-leaf clover, as well as a dark and heavy sword that can negate magic. Such an occurrence may change the course of the Clover Kingdom, as Asta regains his chance to vie for the position of Wizard King.

Black Clover is an action-packed series that hits the ground sprinting at full pelt, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Studio Pierrot has taken charge. When you look at Yoshihara Tatsuya’s work as director, a list which includes Longriders and Muromi-san, his comfort zone seems to be slice of life, and his projects that do not fall within that category tend to lose focus of their overarching goal, as seen with Yoru no Yatterman and Arve Rezzle. That said, Black Clover should actually compensate for this shortcoming, because the heavy emphasis on action + Asta wanting to be Wizard King should keep Yoshihara-san from getting off track. If you dislike conventional shounen storytelling, you might want to give Black Clover a pass. It’s guilty of drawing inspiration from just about every recent action shounen on the block, so while that might prove entertaining to some, it certainly doesn’t offer anything new to old hands in the genre.

Preview by Takaii

Sengoku Night Blood is the adaptation of the hit otome mobile game of the same name. Taking place in a parallel universe on a world called Shinga, the story thrusts you straight into Shinga during their Sengoku or Warring States period. In the world of Shinga, there was a mysterious woman known as the Himemiko who was able to unite a race called the Gekkazoku (made up of vampires and werewolves) with the humans who shared the planet with them. This peace was short lived, though, as the Himemiko mysteriously disappears, but not before predicting the appearance of woman similar to herself from another parallel universe (you, the player). A woman who, besides sharing her unique ability to empower and heal the Gekkazoku with her blood, would be able to bring peace back to the world of Shinga.

I’ll be honest with you: the more I dove into the story and background of Senbura, the more I started to really get into groove of the universe it was trying to create. Unlike another show that happens to also be based on a mobile/browser game by a certain 3 letter Japanese company that focuses on the same era and that I had high expectations for but have been subsequently let down by, Senbura looks likes it might have not only the story but the manpower and support to become everything I hope it can be. Mind you, this is just based on how polished the mobile game is, but with seven factions to pick from, and an average of four members per faction, who represent the various political factions during the Sengoku Jidai, all of whom are voiced, and have their own unique storylines? Sounds like ample content to cherry pick from to create a fantastic story that can be then adapted into an anime! I will put in my word of warning: there isn’t a whole ton of information out except a few PVs and the vocal cast. However, and this is solely based on how much content exists for the thing, I think it’d be tough for a show like this to be bad and at worst I can’t imagine it being anything less than good. And in the best case, we’ll hopefully be treated to a show that focuses on a popular time in Japanese history with a bit of fantasy to turn it into a fun time for all!

Preview by Passerby

Every twelve years, twelve competitors fight in a secret tournament. Each competitor embodies one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, from the Rat down to the Pig, and each holds a special black gem signifying their participation in this competition. Otherwise, there are few other rules. It is a fight to the death, a battle royale where only one can stand at the top. All weapons are allowed, any methods are permitted, and it is a brutal conflict requiring alliances and betrayal, heroism and deceit. The prize for victory: the granting of a single wish. Each participant has their own reason for entering, and each has their own feelings about the wholesale slaughter of their peers, but each will have to fight all the same. So it has been every twelve years. But this is the twelfth tournament of this kind. For such an ominous occasion, what will go differently, and what will go wrong?

A generational tournament involving mythological figures with wish-granting magic as the prize may sound awfully like something from the Fate franchise, or at least require collecting Dragon Balls. I… can’t really refute that. Sitting in a locked drawer somewhere is a first draft titled Junni/taisen. The reason you should keep paying attention, though, is that the original Juuni Taisen (Twelve Wars) light novel was written by Nisio Isin, the author of the Monogatari series, and if you’re familiar with his past works you can immediately guess that there’s going to be more to Juuni Taisen than meets the eye. A supernatural death tournament full of psychological twists is right up his alley, and while the promotional material we’ve seen for the anime has been action packed, I expect it will be the cast of quirky and complex characters that will really drive the show. Still, it’s best not to draw too many assumptions from Monogatari; Juuni Taisen will be a very different adaptation, starting with an entirely different studio and staff. Bit of a mixed bag there: director Hosoda Naoto has a spotty record, but he’s accompanied by the veteran Murai Sadayuki on series composition, and for music we have Shiina Gou, whom you may remember from the Kyousougiga soundtrack (inter alia). Plus, this season has been billed as only the first, so if Juuni Taisen is good, we can be assured there will be plenty of it.

Preview by Zaiden

After ending on a high note with the Stagiaire Arc, who else is ready for the third plate of Shokugeki no Souma? Yukihira Souma (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) and his friends are back for another season, with their sights set higher than ever. At the Moon Banquet Festival, Souma looks to challenge Teranori Kuga (Kaji Yuuki), a member of the Elite Ten and a specialist in Sichuan cuisine. However, at this time, a dark figure from Erina’s past intrudes upon campus. How will Souma and the Polar Star Dormitory face up to their greatest challenge yet?

I’m sure most people are already familiar with the amazingly creative dishes, exciting cooking showdowns, and over the top foodgasms that Shokugeki no Soma has consistently brought to the table across two seasons. But I’ll provide a brief summary of the premise for those who don’t know why people are so hyped. Born the son of a chef at a family diner, Yukihira Souma’s dream has always been to eventually surpass his father and inherit the restaurant. One day, his father closes shop after getting called up to a new job. But before leaving, he offers Souma a new challenge: to graduate from the elite culinary school, Toutsuki Academy. However, there’s a catch: only 1% of students who enroll ever graduate! Against the flow of conventional wisdom, watch how Souma uses unorthodox but creative methods to overcome trials and tribulations. The good news is that the third season is showing no signs of slowing down, with the Moon Banquet Festival being Souma’s first challenge against a member of the Elite Ten, and the Central Arc framing them as antagonists. My hype levels are reaching unprecedented levels, because I know that the third season will be a complete blast!

Preview by Stilts

Based on Crystal na Yousuke’s web manga of the same name, Osake wa Fuufu ni Natte kara is a story of slice-of-life Yoidere (Drunken Dere) love. It stars Mizusawa Chisato (Kitamura Eri), a superbly skilled and normally reserved assistant manager in her company who, unbeknownst to her coworkers, likes to drink alcohol and becomes super cute when she’s drunk! This is a secret she shares only with her husband Mizusawa Sora (Ichiki Mitsuhiro), her unflappable husband who is always coming up with cocktails for his wife to try. With a catchphrase of “Shifuku~!”, enjoy this cocktail comedy of a lovey-dovey husband and wife.

The formula is pretty simple: start with serious/awkward Chi-chan running into some mild trouble during her day (often at work), then she loosens up at home with a new cocktail made by Sora, and then she gets super cute and lovey-dovey. Rinse, repeat, battle through the hangovers. The key selling points are: 1) drunk Chisato being kawaii, and 2) a new cocktail recipe every bit. The former (and the romantic married life, which is underrepresented in anime and thus appreciated) are fairly boilerplate, and a little one note; there’s only so much you can do with the limited space of a 10-page web manga, and it shows. Hopefully the anime will be able to expound on that. As for the cocktails, it’s fun getting to learn about new drinks from the comfort of your home, since asking at the bar can be nerve-racking. My main caveat is that you’ll likely need to be excited for both aspects for this show to have a chance at working, because neither feels strong enough to carry the series on its own. I’ll be watching, but then again, I’m a lush. More of a beer drinker, but still! I gotta support my fellow lush. Shifuku~!

Preview by Passerby

Kaido Emi (Kayano Ai) is not exactly what you’d call a people person. She shows little interest in either work or play. She’s cold to everybody around her. Despite her asocial apathy, though, Emi is granted great power: a pencil that can grant any wish. A bizarre sort of Holy Grail, perhaps, but it’s the real deal. She could have used it to defeat world hunger. Or maybe solve the mysteries of the universe. Or maybe just good old fame and fortune. But, she does nothing, until one day Emi is caught up in the robbery of a convenience store and her life is threatened. In her desperation she wishes for a hero that will save the day, and four respond to her plea: Gatchaman (Seki Tomokazu), Tekkaman (Sakurai Takahiro), Polymar (Suzumura Kenichi), and Casshan (Saitou Souma). Together they form the Infini-T Force, and do what heroes do: battle evil everywhere.

I couldn’t get my hands on the Infini-T Force manga, but that may not have been very informative anyway because apparently this anime will diverge from the manga and take the premise in an original direction. There’s also going to be an Infini-T Force movie coming February next year, so what we’re getting this season could be about any manner of things. So instead I’ll point you downwards to the PV, and urge you to have a look at it before we continue. Done? Looks like a videogame, doesn’t it? Yeah, it’s the kind of thing Digital Frontier does. As you may have been able to tell by the summary, Infini-T Force is the kind of big crossover story that would make for an interesting videogame (i.e. every other fighting game, the Super Robot Taisen) franchise), made to celebrate Tatsunoko Production’s 55th anniversary. Each of the featured heroes are the title characters of their older IPs, and enjoyment of Infini-T Force will probably hinge on your enjoyment or knowledge of those earlier works. It also helps if you enjoy the tokusatsu genre in general, which these Japanese masked heroes call cousin. I expect Infini-T Force to mostly be an action romp; director Suzuki Kiyotaka doesn’t have too much experience in that role, but has plenty of experience with 3D animation, so that’s what he’s probably there for. If nothing else, it’ll be a nostalgia trip, to see some very old characters looking very modern indeed.

Preview by Takaii

In a fantasy world where youkai and humans coexist with one another, there is an inn called Konohanatei that serves all kinds of patrons. Run by foxes, this inn services anyone and everyone as they make their way through. From gods to humans who have gotten lost on their way, the foxes who run the inn strive to provide service befitting of a god. Within this whimsical world exists a young wild fox named Yuzu (Oono Yuuko). Found by a priestess at a young age, she is brought to Konohanatei to not only work but discover what it truly means to interact and understand others.

There isn’t too much you can say about Konohana Kitan’s story, at first. It revolves around the trials that Yuzu (our “main” character) faces as she tries to integrate into a new lifestyle while learning how to be a proper host at a respectable hot spring inn. With a bunch of other fox girls to help teach her the ropes, you have some that are super nice and some that are rather harsh (in an adorable doting older sister kind of way). Sounds like typical fare, right? Except, as soon as you finish the first chapter, you realize that there’s something hiding underneath. And that something is the heartwarming situations that Yuzu brings to the story. As someone who’s out of touch with the way society operates, her innocence combined with just enough common sense will have you wondering why real life can’t be like this. Situations like someone politely saying let’s hang out more (out of obligation) are returned with a heartfelt thank you and the eyes of an adorable fox who can’t wait to get to know you better. If you were to make a comparison to real life, it’s the train of thought that the way society behaves is learned and not instinctual—an idea that, put into practice, tugs at your emotions way more than you may like to admit. I don’t think there’s a better studio than Lerche to grab this one, because while staff may matter more than studio in how a show turns out, when a studio has made some of my absolute favorite shows (AssClass and Kuzu no Honkai come to mind), I don’t feel bad about giving them a thumbs up since they have a knack for collecting the right people. If you’re looking for a show that has some strong Spirited Away vibes but adds a new element, look no further than Konohana Kitan!

Preview by Stilts

Brought to you by Crunchyroll and Chinese video sharing website Bilibili comes the adaptation of Crunchyroll’s PARK Harajuku: Crisis Team! webcomic. Three high school girls, Sudou Rito (Haruna Luna), Watatsumugi Kotoko (Iwami Manaka), and Shirako Mari (Uesaka Sumire), are putting together a limited-time shop called “PARK” in Japan’s famous Harajuku district. The only problem is that the great cities of the world are being destroyed by aliens from another planet, and their next target is . . . Harajuku! Only the trio of treasure-seeking shop girls can hope to save the district’s famed culture from theft and/or destruction. Do they have what it takes to become members of the PARK Harajuku: Crisis Team?

We have another odd duck here, and in more than just premise. Crunchyroll with a producing credit for a source material they own is unusual enough, as is everything that’s going on with the story (and Haruna Luna is a seiyuu now?), but the animation in particular is worthy of mention. It’s certainly unique—and I don’t just mean in the Harajuku fashion way. Watch the promo video. See what I mean? The animation is soft and cartoony, and colorful in a way that’s both bright and filled with pastels. It still has a weird premise, of course, with aliens trying to steal culture and only shop girls able to save the day, because where’s the fun in the army getting to do it? It’s almost like a magical girl series, if the magical girls were much, much sillier. Yet don’t let my bemusement confound you, because I’m not hating on Urahara. More like, it’s an odd duck. “Stylish” is the way I’d put it, and if you bounce off that style—much like Harajuku’s street fashions themselves—you’ll probably bounce off the entire show. Me, I’m bouncing hard, but I don’t hate what it’s going for, and I’ll even admit to some curiosity. For all the unique things Urahara is doing, maybe its story will be unique as well. Stranger things have happened.

Preview by Takaii

This one is going to be weird for our typical previews, as we’re about to dive into some history about where this show is coming from, but trust me it’s worth it! So, TSUKIPRO THE ANIMATION is a new idol project show debuting this season. With hefty competition already out there (like UtaPri) and newcomers with shows coming over the horizon (Idolish7 woo!), what makes a show like TSUKIPRO stand out? For starters, this anime is actually based on a real talent agency that focuses on their 2.5D brand. By creating characters that are brought to life by their seiyuu, the company is actively creating idols and units completely virtually. Through the use of social media, drama cds, and constantly updating art, the minds at TSUKIPRO have taken it a step up from your typical idol groups that find their homes in mobile games. In addition, their units cover a wide range of themes and genres. In the anime’s case, we’ll be seeing the units SOARA, Growth, SolidS, and Quell. SOARA and Growth have a lighter tone while talking about things related to life, while SolidS and Quell have heavier, more powerful music that tries to focus on more mature topics.

The anime itself will be covering the lives of the members of SOARA, Growth, SolidS, and Quell as they venture out and try to handle all the stress, drama, and other complications that occur when you’re living that idol life. Essentially, if you’re looking for an anime about idols that has a solid foundation to draw from as well as ample music to listen to once you find the unit of your choice, you can’t really go wrong with TSUKIPRO. In the worst case, you’ll at least have something to fill your time with as you wait for your choice of idol/rhythm game to get an anime adaptation. However, with everything I’ve seen thus far, I don’t think this show will disappoint so long as your expectations are in the right place.

Preview by Stilts

From newbie director Kobayashi Atsushi and scriptwriter (and original creator of Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo) Kamoshida Hajime comes an original series animated by fledgling studio Pine Jam. Just Because! follows a group of students in the second semester of their third year of high school. It’s that time of the year when graduation is fast approaching and everyone is coasting to the end, which was these students’ plan as well—until he came home. Izumi Eita (Ichikawa Aoi) was their classmate in middle school, and he’s returned for the first time in four years, at this peculiar time. It has stirred up feelings in the students who were preparing for their high school lives to end.

From the author of Sakurasou, this is definitely going to be one of those high school drama anime. I wouldn’t read too much into Kamoshida-sensei’s involvement though, at least content-wise—because if this were truly a Sakurasou-esque anime, I would be losing my shit. I mention drama mostly because of the promo videos and the entire construction of the premise/cast, which is rife with dramatic potential. Not high drama, though; more the minor (but important at the time) drama that happens in your last year of high school. Cast, content, and most of the staff are question marks, for this is an original series without much of a pedigree, which is odd. That leaves it with plenty of potential to surprise, and I wouldn’t be overly shocked if it does; I have a mildly positive feeling about this one. But not so much as to unflinchingly suggest it, for there are too many questions unanswered. Keep an eye on it, and if a high school melodrama full of emotions sounds appealing to you, give it a try. This could delight.

Preview by Pancakes

In a desperate attempt to get away from past suffering, Kanazawa Nobuaki (Miyano Mamoru) transferred to a distant high school far from the troubles of his old life. Shutting himself off from others and afraid of making friends, Nobuaki valiantly remains a loner until one day he decides to take a chance and start anew. Unfortunately for him though, that day would prove unfortunate. In the middle of Nobuaki’s brave awakening, everyone receives an email from one ‘Ousama’, detailing a set of conditions for students to fulfill in 24 hours—or suffer punishment. Everyone of course thinks it’s a joke, but Nobuaki knows better. You see, Ousama and his game was the very thing Nobuaki wanted to escape, for this game is no laughing matter. Once the Ousama game starts there is no quick end, and for all participants involved their lives are very much on the line.

Horror shows are always a blast, they either spectacularly fall apart at the seams or become top notch thrillers, and you never know which is more likely. In this regard Ou-sama Game has all the necessary components: a mysterious game of death, a bunch of unsuspecting (i.e. hilariously stupid) participants, and the one poor sucker who knows what’s going on—it’s basically the new Danganronpa or Another. The only concerns here are all the glaring warning signs. We have a very inexperienced director in Sasaki Tokihiro, a producing studio in Seven which has never ventured far outside of smut/hentai material, and a source novel which starts stumbling badly after the halfway mark. And that’s before getting into this being an adaptation of Ou-sama Game’s sequel. It’s hard denying this looks more Mayoiga-esque train wreck than success story in the making. As pure popcorn entertainment there’s no doubt Ousama Game will perform well, but until it showcases its narrative chops it’s probably best hedging those bets on this being the next thriller masterpiece.

Preview by Takaii

Another otome-game sourced anime, Dynamic Chord looks to be the next big thing in its respective anime space. However, with stiff competition this season from other shows aiming to also be the next big thing, does it have something to help it stand out from the crowd? Amazingly, I think this show might be able to overcome the hurdle with just how much content it has. Looking back, one of the biggest flaws of anime that come from games is a sloppy adaptation of the story. In Dynamic Chord’s case, I was blown away when I realized that each of the units that the story focuses on has their own entire game! Under the “DYNAMIC CHORD” agency and music label, each group has their own style of music and related life problems that you would get to experience as the player. I also know that quantity doesn’t necessarily mean quality, but without a sufficient amount of material to go off of it can be tough to create enough “story” to adequately grow and develop your characters.

For some specifics about Dynamic Chord as an anime, it looks like the story will be revolving around four different groups as they try to put on their best performances. We have reve parfait, a progressive rock group; Liar-S, a rock band with a lighter style that still captures the intensity of the genre; KYOSHO, the group with lots of flare and just as much emotion when it comes to their performances; and last but not least, apple-polisher, a group focused on a younger demographic that combines elements of both the dance and rock genre. As we watch the lives of these bands progress, we’ll be in for an experience full of highs and lows as they try to figure out just what it takes to be a successful band.

Preview by Pancakes

The world is over, civilization is dead. Yet amidst the ruins of mankind’s post-industrial decadency, Chi (Minase Inori) and Yuu (Kubo Yurika) carry on the struggle of living. From the back of their NSU Kettenkrad, the two girls wander about, in search of no destination aside from the latest attention-grabbing curiosity or the likeliest location of the next day’s meal. Such a forlorn existence is not without its moments though, whether it be tasting a brand new food, experiencing music for the first time, or stumbling across a fellow wanderer in search of their own meaning of life. In a world without purpose, every little ray of sunshine helps these forgotten girls keep soldiering on.

Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is a funny one to categorize. At face value it looks a lot like Blame! gone dieselpunk moeblob, yet in reality functions more like Non Non Biyori or ARIA—or maybe Sora no Woto with zero action. This is very much your “healing” slice of life—there is no grand plan to save the world, no greater purpose to Chi’s and Yuu’s actions, no answers for the past. SSR is just the story of two girls exploring a ruined world one day at a time. It’s easy to think such a concept would fail badly, but due in part to Chi and Yuu, SSR makes it work. The two girls have a wonderfully warm and humorous chemistry, buoyed by Yuu’s enthusiastic love of anything edible and Chi’s embarrassingly cute fear of heights. Couple this with their persistent questions on purpose, meaning, and life, and SSR yields a hefty amount of philosophical food for thought underneath its barebones exterior. The key however, as with similar healing series, will be execution. These stories can quickly grow boring if improperly handled, and with a novice director in Ozaki Takaharu sitting in the big chair, it’s a shot in the dark what show we receive. Provided SSR can avoid the usual genre pitfalls, it has everything needed to be this season’s dark horse.

Preview by Zaiden

From Studio Lerche comes the remake of a timeless classic, deeply loved by many. A traveler named Kino (Yuuki Aoi), and a motorrad named Hermes (Saitou Souma). Inseparable partners in their journey of a lifetime, these two share in epic adventures across lands unknown. They see human nature for what it truly is, while witnessing the rise and fall of civilisations. When the time comes, will you keep faith or lose hope in humanity?

For newcomers who are interested, your thinking could be challenged by harrowing accounts presented throughout this series. Kino no Tabi is a collection of philosophical parables, each portraying the beauty and ugliness in human nature, while offering commentaries regarding various modes of society. Some celebrate the power of kindness and compassion, while others bemoan in despair at what we are. Fans of the original series should expect some hefty changes, because the production staff has been entirely revamped. As a director, Taguchi Tomohisa remains a big question mark, with his previous televised works only being Sousei no Onmyouji and Persona 4 The Golden ANIMATION. Whether we’ll see better or worse is difficult to determine. Some of you may even be asking if Kino no Tabi needed a remake. Living up to its previous instalment is no mean feat, and any skepticism is quite understandable. But only time can tell.

Preview by Zephyr

Labeled an “urban fantasy battle opera,” Dies Irae is an adaptation of the 2007 visual novel of the same name. Starting at end of the Second World War, the story focuses on a group of Nazi officers calling themselves the Longinus Dreizehn Orden. Wielding monstrous powers, they ruthlessly demolish both sides during the Battle of Berlin, using their souls to conduct an unknown ritual before fading into the annals of history. In the present day, high schooler Ren Fujii (Toriumi Kousuke) finds himself recovering from a brutal fight with his best friend Shirou Yusa (Maeda Takeshi). As Ren attempts to return to his daily routine, he is besieged by dreams of gruesome murders and images of a bloody guillotine. As if echoing his dreams, a series of inexplicable, violent events begin to happen around the city, culminating in the sudden reappearance of the Longinus Dreizehn Orden. To protect all that he holds dear, Ren chooses to fight, oblivious to the madness and carnage that await him. The series will be directed by Kudou Susumu (Ghost in the Shell: ARISE, K, Mardock Scramble), with script and series composition done by original creator Masada Takashi.

As one of the more popular and best rated series on VNdb, Dies Irae is a series that many visual novel readers likely know about already. Its recent Kickstarter and localization has only added to its popularity, and it’s fitting that its anime adaptation arrives just months after. As someone who’s going through the novel right now, I can say that Dies Irae deserves much of its accolades, through its dramatic action scenes and a cast of characters whose sense of morals are warped beyond recognition. Adding an epic soundtrack and 30-50 hours of plot-heavy reading adds icing on a packed cake, though the latter guarantees we won’t get everything with this adaptation. (I’ve read they’ll focus on Marie’s route with the addition of some content from the others.) Despite the omission of great moments from other routes, there’s much to get excited about from the source material alone, and the presence of the original creator should alleviate some of the issues that come from changing mediums. One should come in with the expectation that the series will inevitably push you toward reading the source material however.

Preview by Stilts

The third Garo anime series by MAPPA premieres this fall. The story is set in a prosperous metropolis called Russell City. Even as the city celebrates its prosperity, a conspiracy that threatens to shake it to its core begins to move. A man named Sword (Seki Tomokazu), the Makai Knight with the title of Garo, protects the city from Horrors that possess humans, fighting in secret. One day, he finds a clue to the plot: the words El Dorado. As he begins to investigate, he meets a woman named Sophie (Kugimiya Rie), who is searching for her missing older brother who left her with but one clue: the same words of El Dorado. With Sword having also lost his younger sister in the past, the two feel a connection, and they begin to work together to find the meaning in those words.

The Garo series and MAPPA are back, and if you’re a fan, you probably don’t need me to tell you whether to watch. For everyone else, Vanishing Line sounds like it could be a compelling action/mystery. It also has all the signature style of a MAPPA anime, with the dark palette and attention to detail that make for a good blend between artistic and pulpy. Expect the horror, drama, and demonic folklore of Garo to come into play, as well as the epic stature that’s lifted up the franchise. Garo anime can be really good, though with newbie director Seong-Hu Park on the job, who knows what we’ll get—which is always the danger, and a perk, of alternative timeline stories like Garo employs. Speaking of, if you haven’t watched a Garo series before, this third alternate setting provides another opportunity to jump on board. Hopefully it will keep the venerated franchise chugging right along like always.

Preview by Stilts

The first of two Yuuki Yuuna series airing this season, Washio Sumi no Shou is an adaptation of the prequel light novel, and the TV broadcast version of the three movies that have already aired (Tomodachi, Tamashii, and Yakusoku). The story takes places two years prior to the events of the original series, in year 298 of the Era of the Gods, and it follows a trio of elementary school-aged heroes who are tasked with an important mission. Washio Sumi (Mimori Suzuko), Nogi Sonoko (Hanazawa Kana), and Minowa Gin (Hanamori Yumiri) are heroes, and they must fight the Vertex, a mysterious enemy that is attacking Shinju-sama, the god-tree that protects Shikoku, the last place in the world that’s still habitable. What they don’t know is that this fight will cost them more than they could have ever imagined—in ways that viewers of the original series might be able to guess.

Washio Sumi no Shou is a prequel to the Studio Gokumi original series Yuuki Yuuna, and if you’ve watched that, you know something of what will happen. For the uninitiated, it starts out as slice-of-life + magical girls + monster-of-the-week, and then it gets . . . dark. Quite dark. We meet some of the prequel characters in the original, most importantly Washio Sumi, so viewers of that will be able to guess some of what will transpire here. The real trick is that, first, viewers of the original series are predisposed to care about Sumi at least, which I know makes me want to watch despite the drama to come. Second, this is only one of two 6-episode Yuuki Yuuna series airing the season, with the other a sequel—and that’s where my attention truly lies. The original season was good up until the ending, which was polarizing. Can the sequel make good on the series’ promise? Perhaps, but I have a feeling the groundwork to be laid in Washio Sumi no Shou will be necessary. If you haven’t seen the original series, I highly suggest watching it, either before the season starts or all in a marathon once this prequel concludes. It’s not a perfect series, but it’s better than anyone expected at the time. Hopefully this will be as well.

Preview by Stilts

The second of two Yuuki Yuuna series airing this season, Yuusha no Shou (Hero Chapter) is the sequel to both the Washio Sumi no Shou prequel and the original season. Information is frustratingly scarce for this sequel, but I’ll do my best. The original season took place in the year 300 of the Era of the Gods, and it followed the members of the Sanshu Middle School Hero Club, a group dedicated to helping those who request their help. Only that’s not all Yuuki Yuuna (Terui Haruka), Tougou Mimori (Mimori Suzuko), Inubouzaki Fuu (Uchiyama Yumi), and Inubouzaki Itsuki (Kurosawa Tomoyo) did: they also transformed into magical girls in order to battle the Vertex, a mysterious enemy that is attacking Shinju-sama, the god-tree that protects Shikoku, which is the last place in the world that’s still habitable. Joined along the way by Miyoshi Karin (Nagatsuma Juri), the girls fight in battles much more harrowing and costly than they ever could have imagined, and come out the other side irrevocably changed, if not quite broken. But it’s not over yet.

While I’m excited for the Washio Sumi no Shou prequel because I enjoyed the original and want to see what came before, it’s the sequel that truly has my attention. The ending of the first season was the part I was most unsure about, and as time has gone on I’m less and less sure it was a wise move. I may not be operating with all of the necessary information, though. Where before I wasn’t sure I wanted more Yuuki Yuuna because the story seemed finished, the more I think about it the more excited I get to see if Studio Gokumi can bring the story to a truly satisfying close. With so little information, and only six episodes for the sequel, I don’t think there’s any option for newcomers to enter the franchise with this one; watch the original and the Washio Sumi prequel, in either order, before this airs. Which I heartily suggest you do, because while Yuuki Yuuna wasn’t a perfect story, it was one of the most interesting, exciting, colorful, and unexpected shows of its season. It was a total dark horse, a show near the top of my “I Wish I Had Blogged It” list, a dark magical girl heroes story that drew from plenty of genres without getting lost in them, most of the time. I’m excited, and hopeful, to see what Studio Gokumi has in store.

Preview by Choya

This is the second season to the current reboot of the 1975 classic anime Time Bokan, one of Tatsunoko’s pivotal anime that eventually lead to the widely successful Yatterman series. In this iteration, a junior high student living in the present time named Tokio (Wakayama Akihisa) is suddenly made a member of the 24th century’s Space-Time Administration Bureau. Immediately, he learns that the history he has learned in textbooks is wrong, and there is a more interesting version of history. In this new version, the peerless beauty Cleopatra is actually the comedy duo of Cleo and Patra, and Momotaro is more of an ogre than an ogress. Together with his teammate Karen (Kito Akari), they use the 24 Bokan Mecha to search for the True History.

My exposure to Tatsunoko anime has only been through Yatterman, Casshern, and their crossover fighting game with Capcom, but this reboot looks like it would be a fun watch for those who love the whimsical spirit of the older Time Bokan, or who actively followed Time Bokan 24. It’s also a joint co-production with Level 5, so for those who follow Inazuma Eleven or Yo-kai Watch, you’ll be in for a treat by seeing what they add to the classic Tatsunoko anime. It does skew toward a younger audience, but if you’re a fan of the original series or are young at heart, this sequel is aiming to have the same whimsy and fun you’d expect from Tatsunoko.

Preview by Passerby

Surprise sequel time! From this time last year, it’s ClassicaLoid, and from the looks of things it’s business as usual. The ever-suffering Otowa Kanae (Komatsu Mikako) is still housing a bunch of oddball freeloaders styled after classical composers. Beethoven (Sugita Tomokazu) and Mozart (Kaji Yuuki) certainly seem to be musical prodigies back from the dead, but they’re actually ‘Classicaloids’, and the special ‘mujik’ they perform have incredible powers beyond the ken of mortal men, up to and including summoning giant robots. Because that’s what music does. Now, even more ClassicaLoid are joining in the madness, including Wagner (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) and Dvorak (Suwabe Junichi as a hippo. Yeah). There’s plenty of fuel for the fire, and hopefully it won’t burn the whole neighbourhood down.

ClassicaLoid was certainly… something. It certainly went out of its way to stand out, with its classical music focus, its bright aesthetic, and its non sequitur premise. For the most part, though, it was a comedy, perhaps of a slightly surreal bent, driven mostly by its eccentric cast. The titular ClassicaLoids are all larger-than-life caricatures of their historical namesakes, which provides plenty of opportunities for hijinks even before we factor in whatever whacky, magical thing they’re able to do with their music (all arrangements of classical compositions). They lend themselves more to a series of episodic comic sketches, much in the way of, say, Gintama, which was to be expected as the director for the first season was Fujita Yoichi. Notably, he’s stepping back into a supervisory capacity this season. Instead, the director’s chair will be filled by Umahiki Kei, and this will be his first project in that role. This staff shuffle may signal a change in tone for the show; the first season never really delivered well on a coherent overarching plot even though there were signs of one, and this second season may be shifting the focus there now. Whether it does or not, it will likely still aim for plenty of laughs and plenty of music, so if you enjoyed that the first time around you can do so again now.

Preview by Pancakes

Alone and downtrodden, the young Cardia (Hayami Saori) lives her days near London in agonizing solitude. Banished to the confines of an abandoned mansion due to the deadly poison flowing through her veins, Cardia’s only human contact is her father, who bluntly tells her to give up any dreams of love and friendship. That is, until that father goes missing one day. Seemingly abandoned, Cardia is almost ready to give up all hope, when a contingent of Royal Guards intent on capturing her break into her mansion. Normally, securing a girl would be simple for such men, but the guards run into trouble when the equally unexpected appearance of the thief Arsene Lupin (Maeno Tomoaki) upsets their plans. Rescuing Cardia, the unabashed Arsene dashes off with her while promising to help his reluctant companion locate her missing father and get an explanation for her poisonous touch. Travelling to London to begin their search, the unlikely duo will soon discover, though, that Cardia is far more special than meets the eye.

Well boys and girls, say hello to your next visual novel adaptation. From the imagination of none other than Idea Factory (Mars of Destruction, anyone?), Code:Realize is pretty much the Japanese take on Victorian themed romance. We have steam era Britain, the woeful maiden with more potential pretty boy suitors than time, and everything from vampire hunters to Frankenstein references. In effect, your usual female-targeted (i.e. otome) romance. Those enjoying this style of show will find a lot to like here, particularly the chemistry between strong-willed Cardia and ever-confident Arsene, and Code:Realize’s eclectic male cast. With Strike the Blood’s director Yamamoto Hideyo helming the ship, a good all round show is certainly not out of the question. While visual novel adaptations are almost always a hit or miss thing, so long as Code:Realize uses the scalpel in place of the axe when it comes to its story, there’s no reason to expect it being anything but a fun little romance adventure.

Preview by Passerby

In the future, life as we know it is wiped out by meteor strikes. Instead, the Earth is inhabited by a race of sentient, humanoid, silicon-based lifeforms called Houseki – Gems. They number 28, are essentially immortal, and embody the lustrous beauty of the stones they are named after, which makes them prized as decorations by enigmatic Moon dwellers who descend to Earth to hunt the Gems for trophies. Thus the Gems are always on defence, organising themselves into a structured society in which every person has a specific role, be it fighting directly or supporting those who do. Phosphophyllite (Kurosawa Tomoyo) is the youngest of the Gems, and wishes to fight the hunters from the moon, but is categorically terrible at it. Instead, he is assigned to catalogue an encyclopaedia, for there is much that the Gems do not know beyond what they can use in combat or medicine. It is in this capacity that he meets the pariah of the Gems, Cinnabar (Komatsu Mikako). It is a meeting that will change the lives of all those on the planet forever.

Elephant in the room: Houseki no Kuni (Kingdom of Gems aka Land of the Lustrous) is a CG anime. 3D models on 2D backgrounds. I know this can often be a dealbreaker for some fans, which I understand because I usually prefer traditional animation over whatever the kids are having fun with these days, but for Houseki no Kuni it might actually work out. Not only is Studio Orange generally skilled at CG, but there may be an aesthetic advantage here. Even competently executed CG can sometimes lead to an uncanny valley effect when character don’t look or move quite like you’d subconsciously expect them to, doubly so if you’re used to how 2D shows usually are. But everything in Houseki no Kuni can be a bit uncanny. The world is not quite like the one we know, and all life on it has become alien. The titular Gems have human faces, but biologically they are not anything akin to us. Houseki no Kuni straddles that blurred line between fantasy and sci-fi, presenting a detailed vision of the future that is, nonetheless, far removed from anything we can comprehend. This dichotomy extends far into Houseki no Kuni. The story is grounded in human motivations like survival, fellowship, and discovery, but the aesthetic is almost surreal, and is littered with unexplainable Buddhist imagery. It’s all fascinating, and while there’s no lack of interesting shows this season, Houseki no Kuni is definitely up there.

Preview by Takaii

For those of you out of the school idol loop, Love Live School Idol Project is one of, if not the most popular school idol shows out there. Revolving around the school idol group known as μ’s (pronounced Muse), the story followed their rise from common school girls in season one all the way to world renowned idols in season two. Building off of the success of the show (and the wildly successful mobile game with multiple versions for various regions), we were given Love Live Sunshine!!. Sunshine is a spin-off show that takes place one year after μ’s claimed victory at the Love Live Championships, and it follows the original’s formula pretty closely, with a few tweaks when it comes to interpersonal relationships between members. This upcoming season is continuing the story from where we left off, and I don’t think I could in good conscience recommend watching Season 2 unless you’ve experienced the first season. That said, for fans who’ve been waiting to see Aqours find some damn success, it looks like it’ll be now or never.

Not much to say here except I’m hoping the story kicks into gear since we’ve tackled all the interpersonal problems last season. We have Sunrise once again handling the adaptation and all of our favorite girls reprising their roles. With a bunch of new songs set for release and the rising popularity of the Aqours girls in real life, I’m expecting so much more than what we were given during the first season. Hopefully the surge in popularity and official retirement of μ’s funnels all Love Live fans together! Side note: For those of you who haven’t watched the original Love Live series (μ’s), don’t force yourself if you want to catch up to Sunshine quickly. The first season did a good job at highlighting some key points of the original and for the most part, the girls are all unique enough from their predecessors. I still wouldn’t mind a μ’s cameo though.

Preview by Passerby

There are many idol anime franchises these days, but few compare to the heavyweight champion IDOLM@STER. Now, with mobile games on the rise, the female demographic pumping new money into all quarters of the entertainment industry, and experiments in ‘male’ idol shows popping up every season, it’s time for The IDOLM@STER to throw its hat into the ring. Six years after the original, and two after Cinderella Girls (and forgetting Xenoglossia entirely), we have SideM. That is, basically the same thing, but with guys. The production studio is 315. Their idols number 19. Some are veterans of the business. Some have a different sort of music background. Some have never had anything to do with singing and dancing on stage at all. They come from all walks of life, but now they share one goal: nothing but the very top.

I guess this was a long time coming. If I were to be cynical, I would say they’re simply following the money. Male idols sell, so it’s time to sell them, and THE IDOLM@STER is well poised to use its domineering market position to push SideM. As far as anime goes, though, THE IDOLM@STER has always been free of cynicism, with each iteration taking pains to be genuinely worthwhile shows. The original was a surprisingly solid slice-of-life with a dash of character drama. Cinderella Girls went so far as to deconstruct and reconstruct the idol industry (in the most positive way possible). SideM could well bring a third, fresh angle to the genre. There’s been a shakeup in the staff again; while there are many familiar names, including Sugawara Yukie and Ayana Yuniko on writing duty, previous episode directors Kuroki Miyuki and Harada Takahiro are now in the full director role. I’m not too worried about what’s new, though, but what stays the same. Switching to a male-dominant cast is simply a matter of demographics (you’ll know if it’s your thing) and it’s not like male idols have never existed on THE IDOLM@STER before. The old staff are still hanging around in other capacities, so production shouldn’t be a concern. But the glaring weakness of Cinderella Girls still remains: the cast is too damn big. Even the original strained under 14 idols, and Cinderella Girls, being based on one of those social games with dozens of collectable characters, definitely buckled a bit despite their best efforts. SideM is from the same stock, so I hope they have a game plan for their huge cast. I’m optimistic, still; THE IDOLM@STER has always been the best of the idol anime genre, and the SideM niche shouldn’t present much difficulty for it.

Preview by Stilts

In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Silver Link is bringing us an original anime about competitive motorcycle sidecar racing. Yes, motorcycle sidecar racing, that venerated sport about racing with motorcycles, but with two people. Our stars: Miyata Yuri (Koga Aoi), the girlish, cool-headed driver who works the accelerator and brake, and whose household runs a guesthouse. The other: Meguro Megumi (Tanaka Aimi), the boyish, impulsive passenger who uses acrobatic skills and body weight to handle corners, and whose household runs an inn. They’re classmates, and complete opposites who butt heads and argue all the time, but they complement each other well during races. Together they’ll race other motorcycle sidecar teams from all over Japan, each with their own opposing traits to liven things up.

What a strange idea. If you told me Silver Link’s 10th anniversary anime was going to be about motorcycle racing—and not just that, but motorcycles with passengers!—I would have believed you, because that’s the least weird thing anime/the world has thrown at us lately. But it wouldn’t have been my first guess. Motorcycle sidecar racing is an odd premise, and the “each team has opposing traits” thing smacks of contrivance, but this is a sports anime, and admit it: sports anime get your blood going. Even if they’re not your genre, you know you’ve gotten into at least one! What little information is available makes it hard to recommend (or not), but sports stories work so well in anime that it’s hard not to give it a try, if only for a lack of sports options this season. If you need to scratch that itch, maybe give this a chance.

Preview by Takaii

Based on a 4-koma, Blend-S is an anime that revolves around the guys and girls who work at a maid cafe called Cafe Stiles. A maid cafe that, like most good maid cafes, revolve around a unique theme. Except in Cafe Stiles’ case, the theme is that all the maids have some sort of stereotypical anime trait. Yes, you heard me right, every girl has a stereotypical anime trait. With five different personalities to pick from (sadistic, tsundere, imouto, oneesan, and idol), Cafe Stiles tries its best to cater to the widest range of customers.

Okay, as sarcastic (or not, since text doesn’t always express emotion well) as that intro might have sounded, I’m actually really excited for Blend-S. As one of the bloggers here who really enjoys 4-komas that make the jump into the land of anime, this is the show that I need in my life right now. With a simple premise of having a unique maid cafe combined with every combination of anime trope you could ask for, the possibilities for this show are limitless. However, just like any good 4-koma adaptation, you need more than just a good idea for a fun show, and I think Blend-S’s characters will be what propels this show from decent to fantastic. Because if the adaptation is even remotely close to what little source material I was able to find, I can’t help but think that this show will be one of the best slice-of-life’s of the season. The main character (or at least the first one we’re introduced to) sets the story up by being unable to find a job due to her natural RBF (resting b**** face). However, she happens to cross paths with the owner of Cafe Stiles and ends up being offered a position that fits her perfectly—portraying a maid with sadistic tendencies. The thing is, her personality is far from what she needs to portray. Alongside her are the other girls (plus another guy) who round out the spectrum, with some being far better at their job than others. Toss in A-1 Pictures heading the charge and some fantastic looking art that manage to capture the essence of the source material, and I think we have all the ingredients for a great show. I’ll be watching Blend-S—come watch it with me!

Preview by Zaiden

In the depths of Japanese Hell, there lurks an effective administrator at the heart of a bureaucratic system, infamous for his demonic efficiency. Feared by his subordinates and superiors alike, our coolheaded Hoozuki (Yasumoto Hiroki) pulls the strings from the background, as he spends every waking moment trying to resolve Hell’s numerous problems.

We live in a modern era, where many anime series seem to be rehashes of the same old thing. It is here that Hoozuki no Reitetsu stands out for being unique, though it is a rather acquired taste. If dry humour and Asian folklore are your cup of tea, don’t spare a moment to put this on your watch list! A key thing to note is that the studio has changed from Wit to DEEN. Though DEEN has a generally unfavourable track record going against it, recent works like Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu and Kabukibu! are positive examples that help rehabilitate its poor reputation. The director chosen to preside over production, Yoneda Kazuhiro, might not have many series under his belt, but considering he oversaw the production of Akatsuki no Yona, I’m confident that any resulting adaptation should remain faithful to the manga.

Preview by Zaiden

Hatori Chise (Tanezaki Atsumi) is sold into slavery. Not just by anybody, but by herself. Abandoned by her male kin, and subsequently witnessing her mother commit suicide, anyone can tell this is the story of a girl who had lost all hope and the will to live. Yet she is offered a final lifeline when her freedom is bought by a non-human called Elias Ainsworth (Takeuchi Ryota), an ancient magus known as ‘The Child of Thorns’. After he takes her in as both his apprentice and bride to be, how will Chise’s life change from here on forth?

An adaptation of Yamazaki Kore’s fantasy manga, Mahoutsukai no Yome is no outlier from her trademark style. On top of showcasing gorgeous art, Yamazaki-sensei’s works tend to heavily incorporate literary themes, imparting greater depth to her stories. However, that’s not where the distinction ends. What sets Mahoutsukai no Yome apart from everything else is how it uniquely integrates Nordic folklore and culture, with the Japanese style of storytelling we’ve all come to love. The result? World-building that simply cannot be paralleled. When you throw magic into the mix, and loveable characters that get extensively fleshed out, it’s almost like there’s nothing this series can’t do. However, it’s not all good news. Although Studio Wit possess considerable reputation, their choice of director could be a cause for concern. It has been a while since Naganuma Norihiro directed, his last work being Yowamushi Pedal Movie. Even then, his portfolio of Blood-C: The Last Dark and Hiyokoi cannot be described as impressive. Simply put, his experience with directing televised projects is minimal. That said, I’m relatively optimistic about how the adaptation will go. Mahoutsukai no Yome could very well be anime of the season, or even the year!

Preview by Passerby

After more than two years—two years!—Kekkai Sensen is back and is now, apparently, prepared to go further. For those who missed it the first time around, New York has been destroyed! A gate to hellish parallel dimensions opened over the city and denizens of the netherworld poured forth. The superficially similar metropolis standing there now was named Hellsalem’s Lot, and a mysterious barrier quarantines it from the outside. In this isolated ecosystem, humans and demons tenuously coexist in a society of both martial law and rampant crime. But there are forces conspiring to tear down the barrier and unleash the paranormal terrors of Hellsalem’s Lot on the rest of the world, and only a vigilante group of superhumans called Libra can stop them. Dragged into this mess is freelance journalist Leonardo Watch (Sakaguchi Daisuke), and he’s no normal New Yorker. After acquiring a set of magical eyes in a Faustian bargain he and his sister, Michella (Mizuki Nana) made with an otherworldly being, Leonardo has a personal stake in uncovering the secrets of Hellsalem’s Lot, even as he is caught up in the crazy antics that are his everyday as the newest member of Libra.

I quite enjoyed the first season of Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront). The original manga by Nightow Yasuhiro was interesting in its own right, but it was also a bit of a mess. The anime adaptation managed to remix Nightow’s chaotic vision into a unique experience every episode, going so far as to introduce original characters and taking the show in a different direction from the manga, without sacrificing the stylistic flair of the source. So I approach the staffing changes for this second season with slight apprehension. Takayanagi Shigehito will be on direction and Kamo Yasuke will be on series composition, replacing Matsumoto Rie and Furuya Kazunao. While Takayanagi and Kamo have worked together before on Dagashi Kashi with commendable success, one may shy from putting them on the same tier as their predecessors. I can only assume that this staffing change signifies a change in approach; we’re done with the original characters, and now the anime will cleave closer to its source material, with more focus on the central relationship between Leonardo and his sister. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and in any case studio BONES simply does not make bad anime. It should still be safe to look forward to a new season of Kekkai Sensen.

Preview by Pancakes

Starting out at a new school is never the easiest thing, and first year Asagaya Minoa (Hondo Kaede) is no exception to the rule. Unsure and clumsy, little Minoa floats along the currents of high school life until her stupendously rich, uptight, and secretly anime-loving classmate Kamiigusa Arisu (Senbongi Sayaka) invites her to found an anime research club. Minoa may know next to nothing about those funky cartoons, but with Arisu’s help and many heated debates with an array of anime-obsessed upperclassmen, she quickly finds a passion for the medium we know and love. As this motley collection of anime geeks fends off the student council’s attempts to shut their club down and consistently ignores the warnings of impending world doom, they sit down and talk about what brought them together in the first place: anime.

If you’re slightly confused by that premise, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. At face value Animegataris looks to be the typical comedic club-life show. We have the lazy, recreation-focused club, several overindulgent club members, and the ever ubiquitous threat of club shutdown. Yet there’s that bit about the end of the world which sticks out like a sore thumb. I cannot shake the feeling we may be looking at another InoBato, where the initial concept cleverly disguises a different story and a swath of unexpected character development. Such a bait and switch wouldn’t even be that far-fetched, not between the obvious allusions to the Monogatari series and Animegataris’ partial origins as a promotional short for Ghost in the Shell—there’s too many “serious” tangents for it all to be coincidence. Sure WAO World is not the strongest of studios for such a production and director Morii Kenshiro’s experience is entirely in three minute shorts, but sometimes the best shows get their start from humble origins. We obviously won’t know what’s up until those opening credits roll, but betting on Animegataris being more than a simple gag comedy is not a bad idea.

Preview by Choya

This is the story about the daily life of young siscon novelist Hashima Itsuki (Kobayashi Yuusuke) and the wild adventures he has with his perfect little sister Chihiro (Yamamoto Nozomi). Along the way, he creates bonds with the genius author Kani Nayuta (Kanemoto Hisako), his troubled best friend Shirakawa Miyako (Kakuma Ai), and some insane partners from his publishers. Will his new group of friends cause his love for little sisters to waver, or will he continue worshiping little sisters as always? Regardless of the answer, our hero Itsuki is in for some wacky situations alongside his new friends.

If any of this sounds like Eromanga-sensei, you are not imagining it. From the protagonist’s sister complex being upfront to the cavalcade of goofy friends that could potentially be love interests, that’s exactly what it sounds like. However, one thing that sets this series apart from Eromanga-sensei is its author, Hirasaka Yomi, the writer behind Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, aka Haganai. That was the amusing series with two anime seasons where an intimidating-looking boy befriends a whole cast of crazy girls in a club they created for themselves. It wasn’t the most original series, but it was a lot of fun to see the scenarios they cooked up with the cast, and they really made the characters grow on you. A good chunk of my faith in the series lies in the possibility of Imouto sae Ireba Ii creating that same kind of magic by delivering a siscon novelist anime with a funny ensemble cast to help make things lively. I’m looking forward to seeing how this anime will turn out given its release is in close proximity with Eromanga-sensei, and to see if there will be more interaction between the main character and the supporting cast on par with Haganai. I do have faith that the anime will be an entertaining love comedy, so look out for Imouto sae Ireba Ii when it makes its grand debut this season!

Preview by Pancakes

In a world filled with endless seas of sand, there resides a small collective of people living upon the ever moving island Mud Whale. While an idyllic and peaceful community, Mud Whale’s inhabitants are split between the ephemeral Shirushi who wield a powerful psychokinetic power called Saimia, and the non-Saimia possessing Muin who govern the island due to their long lives. Never before has an inhabitant of Mud Whale seen a human being from outside the island, but that all changes one day when the community stumbles across an abandoned island eerily similar to their own. When Chakuro (Hanae Natsuki), the collective’s Shirushi archivist, helps explore this new discovery, he chances across a wounded girl named Rikosu (Iwami Manaka) who seemingly lacks any emotions. While encountering an outsider would typically be cause for celebration, this girl is just the harbinger of more to come. As Mud Whale’s inhabitants will quickly learn, the world around them is not at all what it seems.

Do you like fantasy? Is bold, colourful artwork your thing? Think traps are God’s gift to man? Well Kujira no Kora is the show for you. At its core this is your ubiquitous coming of age story complete with the well-worn boy-meets-girl setup. Chakuro starts off meek, weak, and introverted, but through his interactions and adventures with Rikosu starts coming into his own. Add in a few intriguing plot twists, a bunch of world building and good all-around character development, and you have a recipe for decent little fantasy. The concern with Kujira no Kora will be its execution. Ishiguro Kyohei is not the most consistent of directors, and with his noticeable love of style there’s the risk Kujira no Kora could sacrifice substance in favour of eye candy. Couple that with the hints of melodrama the manga and PVs ooze, and it could as easily become a cheesy, overproduced train wreck as an anime of the season contender. Nevertheless, I have my hopes up. With a stacked staff, excellent cast, and confirmed Netflix licensing (they only take the good stuff), there’s nothing stopping Kujira no Kora from realizing its full potential.

Preview by Pancakes

Smart, stunning, perfect in every way, Doma Umaru (Tanaka Aimi) is the ideal image of the impeccable high school girl. At least, until the school day ends and that front room door closes. Once donning her trusty hamster hoodie, darling Umaru becomes the helicopter parent’s worst nightmare. Gaming all night and chowing through mountains of snack food, Umaru fully embraces the lazy otaku lifestyle while foisting all responsible home upkeep onto the shoulders of her loving—and overworked—brother Taihei (Nojima Kenji). While close friends Ebina Nana (Kageyama Akari) and Motoba Kirie (Shiraishi Haruka) help break the monotony and self-proclaimed rival Tachibana Sylphinford (Furukawa Yurina) keeps Umaru on her toes, for the girl with a hidden side it’s all about having fun.

Well chalk another one up for sequels I never thought I’d see. Way back in summer 2015, Himouto was the comedy to watch. It was loud, it was crazy, and it featured one of anime’s most tragic brothers in the poor, downtrodden Taihei. Himouto was the quintessential slapstick joyride with an otaku gaming flair, which for those of us who loved it looks to be thankfully back on the menu with Himouto R. All previous staff including director Oota Masahiko are reprising their respective roles, and with a large amount of source material left for adaptation, we shouldn’t be lacking when it comes to the funnies—this is a Doga Kobo production after all. The bone of contention though, as before, will likely be with Umaru. The girl has, shall we say, less than endearing behaviour at times, with Taihei often the one suffering because of it. While Ebina’s bubbly cuteness and Kirie’s spastic personality can occasionally make up for Umaru, there’s no getting around the controversial nature of Himouto’s titular character. Those familiar with Himouto know where they stand, but if you’re new I suggest giving the first season a whirl first. Given Himouto’s comedic slice of life focus, I don’t anticipate Himouto R changing the formula in any serious way.

Preview by Takaii

Netojuu no Susume, or Recommendation of the Wonderful Virtual Life, is the whimsical story of Morioka Moriko (Noto Mamiko). A 30-year-old single ELITE NEET, the story begins shortly after she quits her corporate job and chooses to enter the neet life. Fed up with how the real world works and all the crap she dealt with working in the sales department for the past eleven years, Moriko decides it’s time to focus on 2D instead of 3D. Leaping into an online MMORPG, she creates the male ikemen (hot guy) character of her dreams as she heads out into the world as a swordsman. However, just like every newbie to an MMO environment, she inevitably gets her butt kicked by a boss and ends up sulking as she tries to figure out what to do. Luckily, a kind stranger by the name of Lily (Ueda Reina) happens to notice her and the two end up partying together as Moriko tries to get a grasp on things. After successfully clearing the dungeon, Lily ends up introducing and inviting Moriko to her guild @House Party where the rules are simple: adults only, greet each other when signing in, help others when you can, and no romances.

Sorry if that was a rather abrupt ending to the introduction, but trust me you’ll want to keep the rest of the story a surprise since it’s so damn good. Netojuu no Susume combines all the world building and sense of community you feel from playing an MMO with the trials and tribulations we all have to face as adults. Through the eyes and experiences of Moriko, we get to see how someone who’s become jaded by society deals with the aftermath of all those terrible experiences through an MMORPG. Slowly remembering that the world isn’t all bad and that for every horrible experience is an equally positive one, it feels like you’re riding a roller coaster of emotions as you get tossed from being happy one moment to depressed immediately after. And while you’re on that roller coaster, be prepared for a low key attempt at romance building, since it’s impossible to avoid in situations like this. Be it in real life or in-game, I’m sure we’ve all witnessed just how powerful bonds can become when you spend a lot of time with someone else. All in all, I think we can expect some great things for Netojuu no Susume. I for one am ready to hop in and experience the ride!

Preview by Zephyr

Created as a collaboration between Avex Entertainment, director Yamamoto Yutaka, and voice talent agency 81 produce, the Wake Up, Girls! idol unit made its debut in 2013 after the selection of seven winners from an open audition. In 2014, a movie and a one-cour series gave the group their debuts as seiyuu, focusing on a fictional talent management agency called Green Leaves Entertainment. After the last of their clients quit, the agency desperately attempts to create an idol group using any potential talent in the area. After a tumultuous process, the group makes their debut, only to end up in an even worse situation as their manager runs away with their concert profits. The arrival of a second chance comes in the form of a mysterious benefactor, and through the overcoming of various obstacles, the girls begin their rise as a notable idol unit. Following in the footsteps of two sequel movies, Wake Up, Girls! Shin Shou adds a new three-member unit called Run Girls, Run! and will feature the winners of a recent Anisong Vocal Audition. In the story, the girls will be middle school students longing to become idols as the industry enters a recession. The original cast will retain their roles, but Millepensee will replace Ordet as the animation studio for the series, with Itagaki Shin (Ben-To, Teekyuu) taking over as series director and Sugawara Miyuki coming in with new character designs.

It’s been a few years since I watched Wake Up, Girls!, but I have nothing but fond memories of their debut movie and one-cour from 2014. The music was catchy, the coming together of its members a fun watch, and the series benefited from a realistic take that didn’t shy away from some of the less savory aspects behind the creation of idol groups. From what I’ve heard, the two sequel movies continued to follow much of that formula, but didn’t exceed expectations in any significant way. The arrival of a sequel with new lead staff and new character designs could be the breath of fresh air the series is looking for, and it’s important to note that the core elements of the series are intact in regards to its main cast and music producers. This is a show you should keep an eye on if you’re interested in series that revolve around idol groups, though it’s likely best if you’re at least caught up on the movie and original series to get the full experience.

Preview by Pancakes

Computers and the internet are vital necessities in our modern world, but as with all good things some people take them too far. As the teenage population turns increasingly toward the online world for escape from disillusionment and loneliness, experts establish a special rehabilitation facility to treat these cases of so-called “net addiction.” Their goal: lead these young folk back to the prim and proper path. Unfortunately for new enrollee Hibiki (Shinichiro Ueda), the day-to-day operations of the facility are not that simple. With leaving forbidden and all students subjected to the harshest of “treatment” regimens, what appears to be a centre for rehabilitation quickly turns out to be a prison in all but name. As the ignorant and naïve Hibiki will soon discover, recovering from his addiction will prove to be the least of his concerns.

Let’s get the obvious out the way: Evil or Live is an Emon (i.e. Tencent) production. While Chinese anime haven’t had the greatest time of late (*cough* Bloodivores), they are here to stay and it’s undeniable they are slowly improving with every show. Evil or Live will be an interesting watch if only for this aspect, what with the obvious Shaft influences in animation/artwork and a plot almost assuredly based off of China’s infamous internet addiction boot camps; it’s perfect anime material. In a way Evil or Live is a more conventional (and real world applicable) take on Deadman Wonderland, although whether we receive similar levels of suspenseful psychology and insidious ultraviolence is anyone’s guess. While wariness is definitely advised considering Tencent’s past performances, with a decent cast (including Uchiyama Kouki) and a story tailor-made for thriller-esque entertainment, there’s no reason to count Evil or Live down and out just yet. Given the increasing number of Chinese anime heading our way, it’s about time one finds the success it’s striving for.

Preview by Pancakes

In an ordinary school in an ordinary community there exists the ever ordinary Shinozaki Haruka (Ichiki Mitsuhiro). His grades are nothing special and his social life is rather dull, but golly gee wiz does Haruka have a knack for putting his quirky friends in place with a witty retort or two. He’s just that kind of guy. Too bad for Haruka that his ordinary crush-turned-confession involving class rep Kousaka Akiho (Yuuki Aoi) blossoms into something far from natural. Akiho, you see, is a seeker of the truth. The sexual truth. Possessing a ravenous lust for the most kinky of information, Akiho quickly proves more than the sexually inexperienced and easily embarrassed Haruka can handle. With a brocon-obsessed sister Kanata (Yagi Yuki) and a sexually aggressive childhood friend Ariyama Shizuku (Takeda Rarisa Tago) only making matters worse, Haruka finding an ordinary high school romance has never looked more impossible.

Stop the presses, cancel the deliberations, we have our anime of the season right here. What, don’t believe me? Just look up the official title translation. No competition. Boku no Kanojo is just the latest racy romcom money printer to see adaptation, although unlike its more “honest” brethren (ex. Kiss x Sis) the title and synopsis are simply distractions for what this show really is: Seitokai Yakuindomo 2.0. Hentai, ecchi, blatant fan service? Left to the imagination I’m afraid, for in Boku no Kanojo it’s all about sexual innuendo, pun-based quips, and hilariously creative bits of humour. In a way this is a tamer, more romance focused Shimoneta, with visual fan service traded for dirty jokes and ridiculous situations. How well it works will largely be up to personal taste considering the subject matter, but with Yuuki Aoi voicing Akiho and Diomedea well acquainted with these types of shows, a half decent romcom is not out of the question. Provided Boku no Kanojo can actually stay funny and not let off the gas, this could very well be one of fall’s bigger surprises.

Preview by Passerby

Inuyashiki Ichirou (Kohinata Fumiyo) has lived a hard life. He’s 58 but, ravaged by disease, looks like a man twice his age. He has a normal nuclear family, but struggles to support them on his meagre salary. His wife is busy with work, and his children do not respect a decrepit geriatric like him. His only companion is his dog. To top it off, he gets hit by an alien spacecraft and dies. In the aliens’ defence, this wasn’t their intention, and in an effort to cover up their mistake they go out of their way to fix up Inyashiki with a cyborg body. Unfortunately, the only chassis they had on hand was a combat mecha, so that’s what he gets. So Inuyashiki finds himself rebuilt, faster, stronger, but also distinctly mechanical. He decides to use his new found robot powers to help other people, as that is what makes him feel human.

The Inuyashiki manga is by Oku Hiroya, the same who did Gantz, and many of the same sensibilities are in play. It’s a gritty story rife with sex and violence (and occasionally, sexual violence), and with something of a sadistic authorial streak in its undercurrents. What makes it interesting, though, is the protagonist, who is an old man (or at least, a middle-aged man who is inexplicably old). Anime seems a medium most comfortable when set in high schools and starring adolescents, which we can’t fault it for too much as old men usually don’t have the kind of youthful vigour needed for hijinks and adventure. When Miyazaki made Howl’s Moving Castle, making an old lady a dynamic protagonist was a conscious challenge. For Oku Hiroya, his central senior is a cyborg, so that basically solves itself. A crime-fighting geriatric may end up being unintentional comedy, but Inuyashiki is in good hands, with Satou Keichi (Gantz:O, Tiger & Bunny) directing, Yabuta Shuhei (Shingeki no Kyojin) overseeing the 3D animation, and Seko Hiroshi (Mob Psycho 100) doing the writing. The violent subject matter may not be for everyone, but someone’s certainly put a lot of effort into making sure it’s good.

Preview by Choya

Based on the RoboMasters competition hosted by Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI), the anime will focus on an original story about fictional college students who are inspired to take part in the competition that pits two teams of robots against each other. The show follows students such as Tantan (Yamashita Daiki), and Shou (Lynn) as they prepare their robots to take part in the tournament. Will they walk away victorious, or will they need to go back to the lab to perfect their fighting machines? Who will win the cash prize and a chance to work at DJI, and who will take a trip down to the repair shop to fix their broken pile of scrap that was once a battle robot? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s smashing them against each other in the ring!

There aren’t many details on what Robo Masters The Animated Series will be like. What we do know is that it is a co-production between the Japanese 3DCGI company Dandelion Animation Studio and the China-based drone company DJI, is based on real-life RoboMasters events, and the animation will be a mix between 2D characters and CG robot battles. This might send some red flags if you aren’t a fan of CGI animation or commercial tie-ins. In fact, with the little information we have about the characters and setting, it likely exists as an advertisement for the real RoboMasters tournaments. Nonetheless, it could appeal to you if you have heard of the RoboMasters tournaments, want to see a more battle-oriented version of Robotics;Notes, or are an enthusiast of robot fighting league material.

Preview by Zaiden

It might not be the right time of year, but our wait is finally over. March Comes in like a Lion once again, and Rei Kiriyama’s (Kawanishi Kengo) journey through life continues exactly where we left off. Following Shimada’s (Miki Shinichiro) defeat to Souya (Ishida Akira) in the Lion King Tournament, Rei’s resolve to rise from his slump and forge ahead is fiercer than ever. No longer alone, with Shimada’s shogi tutorial group providing friendship and emotional support, Rei puts aside his feelings of inadequacy and spends happy days with Akari (Kayano Ai), Hina (Hanazawa Kana) and Momo (Kuno Misaki). However, an apparition of misery looms over the Kawamoto sisters. Hina is deeply unhappy with her school life, and a dark figure from their past comes back to haunt the girls. The Kawamoto sisters will need Rei more than ever, so in their time of need, can he find the strength to protect their smiles?

I love how 3-gatsu simultaneously is and isn’t about professional shogi. It’s about people, and their connections to others through the game. Pulsing throughout the story, you can feel emotional conviction in Umino Chica’s characterisation, colouring every fictional life it touches with deeper meaning. SHAFT is making a triumphant return to the helm, though as of writing this preview there is no information to suggest that famed director Simbo Akiyuki will reprise his role as director. Now, some of you might have been put off by the odd pacing in season one. But hear me out! I promise that SHAFT had their reasons. The next arc spans a good portion of the manga, and would have greatly suffered from being split in half. To see it come to life may be the crown jewel for 3-Gatsu, and considering how the production staff seems relatively unchanged, I have incredibly high expectations for how things will work out.

Preview by Stilts

From the mad scientists at Square-Enix comes Dia Horizon, a brand new multimedia franchise that consists of a newly released smartphone game, a webmanga, a web novel, an ONA series, and of course, this anime. The story has to do with fate, destiny, freedom (or lack thereof), and two souls sharing one death in two lives. Basically, the story is a cipher for now, save that it’s chock full of the particular fantasy aesthetic that Square-Enix is known for. More will reveal itself as time goes on.

This is the kind of preview I specialize in: original series with little information. Even then, this is an edge case! The “plot synopsis,” such that any exists, comes from the cryptic word crawl on a promo video, and past that all we have is a few snatches of character art and a smartphone game that’s in Japanese. It’s giving definite vibes of high fantasy, with that signature Square-Enix aesthetic, i.e. overly designed costumes, armor plates slapped on willy-nilly, swords and magic, and a soupçon of magitech, or at least it looks like there’s a mechanical walking castle in one of the promo images. Past that it’s anybody’s guess, save that there appears to be a male (likely heroic) main character and a heroine who’s saddled with some unfortunate fate (here’s your princess-type). The staff is promising an ambitious work, which throws up all sorts of red flags, and “a heartrending story of the wavering feelings of adolescence,” which furthers my high fantasy assumption. Beyond that though, we’ll just have to wait and see. Square-Enix and co are being tight-lipped on this original series, so if your interest is piqued I’d suggest making time for the first episode and then going from there.