Posted by Next week marks the start of the Summer 2006 season, so it’s time for another preview. What the last couple of seasons have taught me is that I’ll watch the first episode of almost every show within certain parameters (in other words, not the kiddie shows). So instead of specifically saying what I’m going to watch and not going to watch, I’m going to outline my initial thoughts here most of the shows based on preliminary information and trailers. In addition, I’m adding a line about the chances of me blogging the first episode with at least screencaps and some impressions, if not a summary. Keep in mind this list does not quite include everything, and in particular does not have the two WOWOW series Taiyou no Mokushiroku (which appears to be a short) and Kemono Zume (which isn’t starting until August and doesn’t have much information to go on right now). Finally, even if chances are good that I’ll blog the first episode of a series, that doesn’t mean I’ll stick with it for more than an episode. Certain days of the week – Thursdays and Saturdays – have always had too many interesting shows, and I have to ultimately make a decision on what to follow and what not to. This season fortunately doesn’t have the insane number of new shows that Spring did, but we’ll see how it turns out.
Note: All times are given in a 24-hour, relative-day format where times are extended to show which day they belong to. For instance, Friday morning at 1:30AM would become Thurday at 25:30 to show that the episode aired late Thursday night.
By no means is this list complete, these are just the series I watch/am planning to watch. Check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing, syoboi’s calendar for specific air-times, and AndrewLB’s Summer 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.
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FLAG http://www.flag20xx.net/ Premieres June 16th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Every Other Friday at 12:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Every Other Thursday at 23:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A camerawoman follows around a mobile suit group in a not-so-far future setting with global strife. This is a mecha series, but it has a little similarity to current geopolitical situation. I’m not a big fan of the character designs, though the premise and the fact that this is a mecha series has me interested at least a little. Technically the first episode of this show has already aired, and the second episode is due in a few days, but it’s on Bandai Channel, which is a premium service. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Night Head Genesis http://www.nighthead-genesis.jp/ Premieres June 17th, 2006; Regular Airing Starts July 29th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Two brothers with psychic powers on the run. I watched the trailer on the main site, and it looked rather horror supernatural. Personally though, I doubt this is my type of series. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Honey and Clover II http://www.hachikuro.net/ Premieres June 29th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 24:45 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Thursdays at 11:45 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo The series that needs no introduction, this is the continuation of the highly popular series from last year, meaning the return of Morita, Takemoto, Hagu-chan, and all the others. This time around, the series will only be 13 episodes. I’m most looking forward to a lot of good music by Suga Shikao and Spitz. What’s more, this season will feature background music by the popular acoustic guitar duo DEPAPEPE, which makes me doubly excited. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Binbou Shimai Monogatari http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/binboushimai/ Premieres June 29th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 26:40 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Thursdays at 13:40 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A pair of poor girls in a slice-of-life series. I haven’t gotten around to reading the manga yet (that may soon change), but I’ve heard some good things about it. I’ll direct you to Kotonoha for more information about the story. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Powerpuff Girls Z http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ppgz/ Premieres July 1st, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 7:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Fridays at 18:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo PPGZ is the mix of the popular American cartoon with the Japanese animation style. This version has the same characters, but the storyline appears to be dramatically different (see the Wikipedia entry). The thing that sticks out in my mind is that this is now a henshin/magical girl-type series. Having seen a lot of the original cartoon, I’m quite curious about this rendition of it. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Mamotte! Lollipop http://www.mamololli.com/ Premieres July 1st, 2006 |
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Tsuyokiss http://www.tsuyokiss.jp/ Premieres July 1st, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 26:05 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 13:05 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo On face value alone, this looks like another school harem series based off an ero-game. But there appears to be a good bit of production money going into this one and I’ve heard a lot of good things about the game. It has been heavily publicized in certain anime circles on the net – Mentar told me, “Watch Tsuyokisu if you’re looking for a good comedy harem with strong girl characters who do NOT fawn over the male lead, and which has a low angst ratio.” Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Le Chevalier D’Eon http://www.chevalier.tv/ Preview July 2nd, 2006; Regular Airing Starts August 19th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 19:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 6:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A historical drama set in 18th century France just before the French Revolution. Production I.G calls this a gothic mystery series about the Chevalier d’Eon (based on the real person) investigating the murder of his sister and the supernatural things that go with it. I’m staying cautiously optimistic about this one – I can see myself really enjoying this or really hating it. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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ProjectBLUE Chikyuu SOS http://www.projectblue.jp Premieres July 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Sundays at 23:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Sundays at 10:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Three friends investigate mysterious disappearances that lead up to an alien invasion of Earth in the future. MOON PHASE lists this as an OVA airing once a month and each episode is an hour long. I have a feeling this will turn out to feel more like a movie than a series. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Zero no Tsukaima http://www.zero-tsukaima.com/index.html Premieres July 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Sundays at 24:30 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Sundays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A witch who has no magical talent and is in magic school suddenly summons and contracts with a boy through a kiss. They’re not exactly selling me on premise here, but the promo on the official site looked cute and interesting enough. This is a J.C. Staff production, and in particular the characters designs are by Fujii Masahiro, the same person who did Mahoraba’s designs. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Bokura ga Ita http://www.bokuragaita.com/ Premieres July 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 26:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Mondays at 13:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo To me, this series screams typical shoujo girl-slowly-falls-in-love-with-popular-guy. However, I’ve heard that this is a sad story, and I’m a sucker for sappy shoujo series (at least on paper). Lots of people have mentioned that Daichi Akitaro is going to be the director, though that doesn’t mean all that much to me personally. The thing that this series has going for it is that it has the same art director as Honey and Clover, Shibata Chikako. But then again, why watch something that’s like H&C when you can watch the real thing? 🙂 Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Coyote Ragtime Show http://www.ufotable.com/coyote/ Premieres July 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 26:10 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Mondays at 13:10 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo My very first impression of this series comes from the trailer I reviewed a while back. It had really good music and made the show look quite high production quality, though the angsty-man-protecting-the-special-young-girl story has been told before. Also intriguing are Marciano’s 12 Sisters characters, who are each named after a month. Production is being done by ufotable so that is a plus. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Muteki Kanban Musume http://www.onimaru.net/ Premieres July 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 26:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Tuesdays at 13:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A comedy revolving around a spunky girl working in her family’s Chinese restaurant. The reviews I’ve read about the manga, were lukewarm, particularly in reference to the comedy aspects. Now that doesn’t mean that the animated version won’t be funny, but I’m not going to hold my breath. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Koi Suru Tenshi Angelique ~ Kokoro no Mezameru Toki ~ http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/neoromance/tv/ange/index.htm Premieres July 8th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 21:30 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 8:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A fantasy series about a girl chosen to the legendary Étoile who will save the universe. To help her, she’s got nine bishounen. The promo video on the official site looked and sounded like a parade of male models. I really can’t see myself enjoying this show, but that’s left up to the first episode to determine. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Tona-gura! http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/tonagra/ Premieres July 8th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:30 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A romance-comedy about two childhood friends being reunited after many years, but the guy is now rather perverted. This is the next Starchild series, taking Himawari’s Saturday timeslot. The manga was romantic-comedy-haremish fluff, one of those guilty pleasure reads because there’s nothing better of actual substance around (or that’s the way it was for me). I liked the art in the manga, and likewise the animation’s art style isn’t bad, but I’m not expecting much out of this series in terms of story. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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NHK ni Youkoso! http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/hikky Premieres July 9th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Sundays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Sundays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo I don’t think it’s possible to talk about this series without first bringing up the word hikikomori, which refers to people who withdraw from society and stay enclosed in their room all the time. That’s exactly what you’d call the main character here, but fortunately (or not), a girl appears who wants to help him. The NHK in the title refers not only to the TV station, but also to the Nihon Hikikomori Kyoukai (Japan Hikikomori Society). The manga for this series is quite popular, but I actually didn’t like it that much (a bit too weird for me). The character designs on the front of the official website look really different from the manga (in a bad way), though the actual character page is much more similar. I’ve tentatively got this penciled in to replace Haruhi as a Sunday show, but I’ll have to see how the first episode turns out. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Chokotto Sister http://www.chocosis.com/ Premieres July 11th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Tuesdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A college student gets a present from Santa Claus (a female one) that turns out to be the little sister that he always wanted. Now theoretically, I should be excited about this series because of how much I enjoyed the manga. However the character designs for the animated version look really bad in comparison to the original work. That alone is almost enough to throw me off this series, but we’ll see how the first episode goes. As a side note, the website URL “chocosis” just sounds so wrong… Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Gundam SEED C.E.73: – STARGAZER – http://www.seed-stargazer.net/ Premieres July 14th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Not Applicable (see below) Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Not Applicable (see below) Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A Gundam series whose story is set during the Destiny timeline and will feature a pilot for the Earth Alliance/Phantom Pain side. I don’t even know why I’m including this here because this series is an original net animation, with only three 15-minute episodes each airing a month apart (July 14th, August 11th, and September 15th) on Bandai Channal. Maybe it’s because I continue to consume every Gundam related series, whether it’s good or not. Oh well, I can always hope… Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Innocent Venus http://www.innocent-v.com/ Premieres July 26th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Wednesdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo In a post-apocalyptical world, Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
What are you going to be watching?
As usual, Comments, Questions, and Suggestions are welcome.
lol looks like you’ll be quite busy this summer
I’m busy at the beginning of every season. They’re my favorite times of the year. 🙂
Tsuyokiss and Stargazer..hmm
NHK ni Yousoko seems somewhat interesting too.
From what’s i’ve read and heard I think i’ll follow NHK, Ragtime, Chokotto, and chevalier the other stuff will probably be on a 3 episode test run sort of thing. So what will you be dropping out of the spring lineup?
I dunno, I really dunno how the schedule’s going to work out. I learned long ago that making such a decision before watching the new shows won’t work. Ask me again in two weeks once I’ve figured out what’s good and what’s not 🙂
lol i know what you mean disgaea, girl’s high, and a few others turned out less than stellar although I did end up watching them just because there was nothing else on.
Heh, part of why I like NHK is because of how weird it is. It’s also so beautifully dark.
This season actually has a bunch of shows I’m interested in, unlike the last one.
I probably give a chance to Muteki Kanban Musume since its food/cooking related. Didnt read the manga before so hopefully the anime worth watching. Other than that, most anime coming season are not interesting to me… luckily AMG, Tsubasa will span throught the season.
lol another gundam seed. honey and clover seems exciting! too bad no shakugan no shana!!
Nice preview! Now that I know that Zero no Tsukaima’s character designer is the same as Mahoraba’s, it’s turned into a definite watch.
I like BinBouShimai Monogatari.I’ve already read its manga.It’s look like a heartful manga that can fulfill your heart.I recommend this one!
Omni, how much time do you spend a week typing in this blog? You type quite a bit for everything, you must really love doing this. Keep up the good work.
H+CII: I haven’t seen the first season yet. I’m still trying to borrow from my friend’s cousin. 🙁
PPGZ: Maybe.
Tsuyokiss: I need a good harem anime.
NHK: Looks engaging. Reminds me of REC for some reason…
Must keep the count down…
I’ll be checking almost all of the series when they are released except Honey and Clover II and the PPG2
Wow, seems like I’ll have a full anime plate this summer. I’ll definitely be watching H&C (too bad it’s only 13 episodes this time around), Binbou Shimai Monogatari, NHK ni Youkoso!, Night Head Genesis, Bokura ga Ita, and Coyote Ragtime Show plus whatever series that are carrying over. Thank God it’s summer or else, I’ll be in trouble watching all these series.
Keep well, Omni!
Tsuyokiss ALL THE WAY!! w00t
COYOTE RAGTIME SHOW for sure!, NHK ni Youkoso sounds good, Tsuyokiss ( depends of the story plot but i think that yes…)and i dont know…i want more action shows,,,so maybe night head or inocent venus.
Zero no Tsukaima, Tsuyokiss, Honey and Clover II. These 3 series, and not more. I still have a couple of series I’m watching from last season. And I first have to watch Honey and Clover season 1^^
@ Omni: Is there something special from Gonzo? Ok, Bones has Ouran High and Kyoto now Kanon 2006.
What’s about, hmm, Satelitte? Pie Carrot?
HONEY & CLOVER II!!!! wooo! *cheer*
haha for sure watching that
but i hope they keep up the standard and quality for it
and then… NHK ni yokoso, gundam, zero no tsukaima, tsuyokisu…
perhaps….. tonagura
and of course…
following honey and clover, is BOKURA GA ITA!! haha
really? it’s a sad story?…. i’m reading the manga, (one of my favs)… i guess it’s kinda at a sad point… but it’s more of a love story i suppose…. hope the anime is gd
I’ll watch all the ones that gets subbed PLUS the good ones that aren’t… I won’t know what’s good and what’s not until I see the first ep. of every one though.
I don’t know…but I’m kind of over Honey and Clover, for the moment now. It’s full of humor and the characters are refreshing, but I got tired of the endless “A loves B, but B loves C” relationships that seems to be the staple of the show.
Night Head Genesis and Le Chevalier D’Eon seems to be my cup of tea, so at least I know I still have something to watch for the coming months, LOL. I will also probably watch the special Gundam installment, just because well, its Gundam. :p
The FLAG series looks intriguing though……..
thanks for the intro gonna intro some shows on my blog too.
Man, I finally can comment on your blog. Apparently i have to disable my antivirus to do so.
x.x
I’m glad you’re gonna be blogging most of the shows I’m targetting, though I think you should put Zero no Tsukaima as a must because the art is similar to Shakugan no Shana! XD
le chevalier déon seems pretty good too….
i want you blog all the harem genre ..!!
ahahaha lol
GUNDAM SEED MOTHER FUCKERS!!!!
What’ll I watch? I”ll give up watching anime. Won’t be able to keep track of so many……….
eventhough i hate the gundam series… (dont start with me … ) im gonna be watching it this time cuz its only 15 mintues and im gonna be watching the power puff girls Z judt for old times sake…. and nighthead seems really cool so that too
Le Chevalier D’Eon reminds me of an old anime series, don’t know the name, but it was very biolent and bloody and I hate it. Somehow I don’t like animes with french setting..
i like violent and bloody shows ! and seems that the animation is very good by the way…I like the desingns of the Innocent Venus
Thank you so much for the update!! I can’t wait to see Honey and Clover II, and its great you’ll also blog Powerpuff Girls Z, I used to watch the original series, i love it! Bubbles is my favorite. The gundam series looks very interesting, i heard about it being webcasted. I will be looking forward to all of these! 🙂
Shows I’ll watch and probally won’t drop:Zero no Tsukaima, Chokotto Sister, Tona-gura and NHK ni Youkoso.
Show’s I’ll watch and won’t drop: H&C, Stargazer, Tona-gura, Tsuyokiss, Coyote Ragtime Show and Bokura ga Ita.
I’m not completely sure what to watch, but Ill give these a shot:
– Innocent Venus
– Bokura ga Ita
– Le Chevalier D’Eon
– Coyote Ragtime Show
Honey & clover !!! Yeah! is my favorite n__n. Thanks for the notice !!!
i’m looking forward gundam seed CE 73 Stargazer!!!
and nhk ni youkoso!!! will be a interesting anime
is hagu-chan really 18? she needs to drink lots of milk for teh 13 episodes keh!? for zero no tsukaima… it better not be like maburaho of whom the main dude just turns to a ghost half way on the story… lawl!!!
@ Omni: Is there something special from Gonzo?
GONZO is doing the animation production for NHK ni Youkoso, and they have a movie coming out soon called Brave Story. In addition, they’ve got several shows in production that don’t have premiere dates yet such as Pumpkin Scissors, RED GARDEN, and some others. I would guess those are fall season shows.
Definitely Honey & Clover II.
Other series that i’ll be keeping an eye out for: NHK, Binbou Shimai Monogatari, Tona-Gura, Bokura ga Ita, Tsuyokiss, Le Chevalier D’Eon, and Zero no Tsukaima
There’s a good chance I’ll be watching Binbou Shimai Monogatari, Bokura ga Ita, NHK ni Youkoso!, and maybe Chokotto Sister and Innocent Venus. I’ll be continuing whatever I’m watching that goes on for 26. (Aria and Ouran.)
i think Le Chevalier D’Eon, Bokura ga Ita, Coyote Ragtime Show and Innocent Venus seem pretty interesting. Zero no Tsukaima seems okay too, but i wasn’t able to watch the promo for it for some odd reason
x__X
Did Innocent Venus ever come out with a promo? cuz i can’t seem to find it on the site… but then agian, that could be because of my lack of knowledge in the japanese language
x__x”
haha, btw, thanks for taking the time to write another one of these show preview thingys
funny that u put guaranteed for gundam seed stargazer -o-
HachiKuro FTW!
Tsuyokiss looks really good-
like always I don’t have any idea if i’ll watch any untill I see you’re reviews! XD
hope those holes wont attack you again ~_^
awww no TRC *tear*
Chokotto, Angelique, Tona-Gura, and Innocent Venus have just been added to ANN. Please update respective links. Thanks in advance.
For a second, Random’s post for the Summer 2006 Shows was gone. And now it’s back, did anyone else have this problem too?
A lot of it looks good. I’m looking forward to new shows like NHK ni Youkoso! and Tsuyokisu, but will definitely look forward to HCII. Wooo! Yay for the summer!
Hmmm, I’ll probably watch TsuyoKiss,NHK, Tona-Gura, Coyote RagTime Show.
I dont like French Series even I understand the language.
Maybe StarGazer but I never watch the other Gundam Seed.
I like Maburaho and I though Zero no Tsukaima was the second season but it didnt =[.
So I’ll probably watch this too. XD
gundam seed ,gundam seed……………Gundam Seed!!
WHY DOES ALL THE LOLIS HAVE PINK HAIR?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG I had nothing against it until a certain girl from a mecha series (and I’m not refffering to E7, Anemone was great) got me annoyed -.-*
anyways I’d watch Mamotte! Lollipop just for it’s stupidity (heh, I think that’s my weakness alongside with Pretear)
but for some blody series I’d choose Night Head Genesis and Le Chevalier D’Eon
something I DEFENITELLY won’t watch is the stupid Revolutionary Fuushigi YUGI like thing that is on the season bah even FG sucked
Honey and Clover II is defenitelly onj my list
and innocent venus….. Ill see if I sallow my anti pink hair beating^^’
I watched one episode of Honey and Clover from before and I didn’t like it so I dropped the series, but I will give it another try since Omni says it’s good.
by hook or crook ill watch ce73 stargazer!!!!!!!!!!
well animexpo had the first episode of: Muteki Kanban Musume, Coyote Ragtime Show, ProjectBLUE Chikyuu SOS. None of which I wanted to watch but gave it a chance anyway. I was right, I won’t be watching those. What I will be watching:
Honey and Clover II (saw first season)
Chokotto Sister (love the premise)
What I’ll watch a few episodes of and decide:
Tsuyokiss (getting tired of harems, we’ll see)
Le Chevalier D’Eon (never tried a historical anime)
Zero no Tsukaima (SHANA… drool… or so i hope)
Bokura ga Ita (sappy? might try it!)
Tona-gura! (hmm)
NHK ni Youkoso! (i’m not a fan of super crazy…)
What I’ll continue watching from last season:
Ah My Goddess Season 2
Ouran High School (behind)
School Rumble Season 2? (behind)
Third (behind)
Tsubasa Second Season
Utawareumono
xxxHolic? (behind)
Zegapain (behind)
Monogatari (behind)
So yeah… (possibly) lots of stuff. And I’m behind as well >.
Go honey & clover.
Le Chevalier D’Eon 9/10. Animation, fight scenes and style are awesome, can’t wait to see a sub.
I’m watching Honey & Clover II of course (seen the first season).
Didn’t find anything good from that list though. Still waiting for Innocent Venus and NHK ni Youkoso! and Nigh Head Genesis.