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With winter already upon us and the third year of the Tyranny of Stilts set to begin, it’s time to introduce you to the upcoming anime season. Last season was strangely weak for fall, with many of the most highly anticipated series ending in disappointment while only a few dark horses stepped up to pick up their slack. Can winter, traditionally one of the weaker seasons, do any better? I think it may be able to, and that’s not just my eternal optimism talking. This season is pleasantly plump with original series, including the anime-saving space adventure SPACE☆DANDY, the ridiculous interplanetary mecha brawl Nobunaga the Fool, the world dominating loli fantasy Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda~, and the magical courtroom procedural Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil. Notable adaptations include the magical fantasy mish-mash Witch Craft Works, the airborne epic Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta, the Shaft harem romcom Nisekoi, and another ridiculous Nobunaga-based sci-fi romp in Nobunagan. There are encouraging sequels as well, including a second season of the perverted slice-of-life comedy Seitokai Yakuindomo, another season of ridiculously awesome mahjong with Saki Zenkoku-hen, the second cour of the deep agriculture coming-of-age story Gin no Saji, and the second season of KyoAni’s delusional romcom Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! There’s a lot of enjoy this winter, so join me for Random Curiosity’s Winter 2014 Season Preview. Read on to find out what you should be watching.
As a quick reminder, most entries are divided into two paragraphs:
- A brief introduction to the series and its premise, often with the starring cast of characters.
- The writer’s impressions, expanding on the plot and highlighting specific points of interest.
That said, we’ve allowed individual writers to mix things up if they think another way will work better, so the format may differ slightly from preview to preview.
This season we’ll continue using the Expectation Levels we implemented a few seasons ago. As always, remember that these reflect our own subjective excitement level for each show, and as such do not necessarily reflect how shows will pan out. For more information check out the overall impressions section at the bottom, which includes an expanded explanation of each category and a list of all shows by expectation level.
Disclaimer: Way back in the ancient era of 2012 – wow, has it been that long? – previews were done by a single writer, Divine. Unfortunately none of the current writers are nearly as masochistic awesome as him, so we’ve divvied up the writing among our seven current writers (Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Kairi, Takaii, Zanibas, Zephyr, and yours truly, Stilts) in order to maintain the quality of this preview. As always we will try to point out what appeals to us in each series, in the hope that it will help you determine if it coincides with your tastes.
Disclaimer #2: Please note that this list does not reflect all the series airing this coming season. It is meant to be as comprehensive as possible, but omissions have been made for shows that stray from the anime norm or seem to be oriented towards young children. Please check out MOON PHASE for complete listings, syoboi for specific air times, and Fansub DB for a list of potential subbers for each series.
Thank you once again to everyone who helped make this preview a reality. Special thanks go to our tech guy Xumbra for helping encode the PVs, and the big man Divine himself for stepping up to help with the back end work so the rest of us didn’t have to spend our entire holidays slaving over this post. Special props also go to Guardian Enzo, who helped out with this preview even as he did his own over at his site. Check it out in case you want a second opinion on any of these series.
Technical Note: the list is ordered by the date and time that the shows premiere. The links in the schedule will take you to a series’ corresponding entry and the “Top” links on the right will bring you back. You can also use the back/forward buttons in your browser to jump between links you’ve clicked. 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 Thursday at 25:30 to show that the episode aired late Thursday night.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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| Nobunagun 22:00 MX (1/5) |
SoniAni -SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION- 20:30 AT-X (1/6) |
Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road 19:00 MX (12/31) |
Double Circle 00:00 YouTube (12/18) |
Mikakunin de Shinkoukei 21:30 AT-X (1/9) |
Nourin 25:00 MX (1/10) |
Robot Girls Z 17:30 Toei (1/4) |
| Witch Craft Works 22:30 MX (1/5) |
Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta 22:00 MX (1/6) |
Hamatora THE ANIMATION 25:40 TX (1/7) |
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2 24:30 MX (1/8) |
Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2 24:45 CX (1/9) |
Wake Up, Girls! 25:23 TX (1/10) |
Seitokai Yakuindomo* 20:30 AT-X (1/4) |
| SPACE☆DANDY 23:00 MX (1/5) |
D-Frag! 26:05 TX (1/6) |
Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha. 25:00 MX (1/15) |
Strange+ 25:00 TVS (1/9) |
Pupipo! 25:53 TX (12/20) |
Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. 22:30 MX (1/4) |
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| Noragami 23:30 MX (1/5) |
Maken-ki! 2 25:30 MX (1/15) |
GO! GO! 575 25:25 MX (1/9) |
Nisekoi 23:30 MX (1/11) |
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| Buddy Complex 24:00 MX (1/5) |
Onee-chan ga Kita 27:00 MX (1/8) |
Mahou Sensou 25:28 TBS (1/9) |
Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda~ 24:00 MX (1/11) |
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| Wizard Barristers Benmashi Cecil 24:30 MX (1/12) |
Hoozuki no Reitetsu 25:35 MBS (1/9) |
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| Nobunaga the Fool 25:05 TX (1/5) |
Z/X IGNITION 25:50 TX (1/9) |
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| Saki Zenkoku-hen 25:35 TX (1/5) |
Sakura Trick 25:58 TBS (1/9) |
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| Tonari no Seki-kun 26:05 TX (1/5) |
pupa 26:30 SUN (1/9) |
* Jump to OVA/Movies.
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The Japanese electronics corporation Toshiba and the city of Kawasaki are collaborating on a 6-episode short series for the winter season. The title “Double Circle” refers to the infinity symbol as well as the community that “evolves infinitely by the energy and ICT [information and communication technology] in the smart community project.” This is a story about community development dealing with both environmental considerations, convenience versus comfort, and activating the regional economy. Join a cast that include a salaryman, an engineer, a boathouse-dwelling foreigner, a gifted IT prodigy, and an alien from outer space. I’m leery when a massive consumer product corporation and/or government agency gets involved in the arts, and not just because they tend to be bad at it. Does this sound like propoganda to anyone else? It feels like they’re trying to promote their particular view of the future, one which I assume will heavily factor in Toshiba and the city of Kawasaki. But I’ll be charitable – my first impression upon seeing the promotional arc was “This looks like Gatchaman Crowds x Servant x Service“, and lo and behold, Gatchaman Crowds’ character designer Kinako is the original character designer. The seiyuu cast is also quite good, with big names like Okamoto Nobuhiko, Saito Chiwa, and Horie Yui starring, continuing the trend of shorts with surprisingly high production values. It is set to be an ONA though, which aren’t usually broadcast in high quality even if they’re made that way. Can you tell I’m conflicted? There are good things here, but the underlying premise and the entities backing it fill me with nothing but dread. It is a short, so there’s a low barrier to entry, but I’m not sure whether I’ll bother to check this one out. Someone tell me if it turns out to be amazing, alright?
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Pupipo! is a short story about a young girl who has the ability to see the dark spirits following her around. Growing up, Himeji Wakaba (Sasaki Shiho) is constantly isolated at school, and the other kids call her “The Witch” because bad things happen to people around her. To cope, Wakaba finds some happiness in rescuing stray animals and bringing them home. Unfortunately her parents never allow her to keep them due to their fear of dogs and cats. After repeatedly turning down Wakaba’s attempts to bring home a pet, her parents promise to let her keep the next animal she brings home. The next thing she brings home is Pupipo (Mori Chisato). Pupipo is neither a dog nor a cat. He’s some kind of pink blob that has a very small vocabulary, but shows a lot of affection towards Wakaba. He also eats or scares away the evil spirits that try to hurt Wakaba, and by doing so he helps her make friends and conquer bullying. This anime will be a short, given that the source material is only 3 volumes long. There’s quite a bit of content packed into each chapter, which revolve around Wakaba’s life and the “evil spirits” that come with it. Most of these situations end up being quite comedic though, and I would say the story isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. It might take a while for the story to ramp up, but give it 3 weeks and it’s sure to take the audience interesting places. I don’t promise the material is completely original, but it’s not as predictable as you may imagine and Wakaba experiences growth in areas outside of school as well. Pupipo is simply the catalyst for the many funny situations to follow.
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Originally announced in 2003, the mecha mixed-media project Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road has been restarted with an anime special. This is a collaboration between Bushiroad, Bandai Visual, the software company Nitroplus, and anime studio Kinema Citrus, and it comes with a distinguished pedigree: the late novelist Yoshida Sunao (Trinity Blood) is the original creator, and it was his death that stalled the original 2003 project. The story takes place on an Earth in the pits of despair thanks to a poison called “shinobi”, which came to the planet from an asteroid. Humanity has run away to a place called Kairiku, which used to be at the bottom of the ocean, and where they now fight the effects of the poison. In a world with little hope, there is one bright spot – the Holy Weapon Giga Road and the legendary warrior Yagyuu, which have the power to counter the effects of the poison. In order to save the world, Ame (Han Megumi), princess of a fallen nation, will stand up and fight. Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road will also be incorporated into Bushiroad’s new hybrid trading card game, Five Qross. I have mixed feelings about this show. First of all, I love originals – even when they don’t end up working, I appreciate that studios are still willing to take the risk, and they’re usually at least interesting. Then there’s how the original creator is the late Yoshida Sunao of Trinity Blood fame, which is not a name I ever thought I would hear again, though I’m glad I did. Trinity Blood was one of my gateway anime (in the best possible way), so the idea of getting to peek in Sunao-sensei’s mind one more time is enticing. That said, there are a lot of hands in this particular pie. Four different companies, a lot of previous work, an original creator who is no longer around to guide things – I can easily see this veering into a corporate nightmare of writing-by-committee like Guilty Crown and Gen’ei wo Kakeru Taiyou. There’s also the fact that they’re already planning to incorporate it into some trading card game, which makes it seem like a shallow cash grab. This is only a one episode special, so there’s not much time commitment, but… Well, ask yourself this: How much do you like mecha and/or Trinity Blood? If the answer to either is “a lot”, check this out.
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From the studio that brought you classics such as Digimon, Dragon Ball, and One Piece comes the sci-fi comedy Robot Girls Z. A series of 10-minute shorts, Robot Girls Z reimagines robots from the Mazinger series (Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and UFO Robo Grendizer) as beautiful girls. Related to the 2011 series Toei Robot Girls, this new iteration focuses on three girls named Z-chan (Honda Mariko), Gre-chan (Minase Iori), and Grenda-san (Aranami Kazusa). Collectively known as “Team Z,” they promote a revolutionary new energy source known as Photon Power. At the same time, they ensure its safety by fighting off the “Mechanical Beasts,” another team of girls trying to steal it. Having watched the first four minutes of the series via advance stream, I found Robot Girls Z surprisingly fun to watch. There was something amusing about seeing girls transform into fancy costumes based on giant robots, and it looks like a fun series in general, even if you haven’t watched any of the series it references. Considering they’re only 10-minute shorts, Robot Girls Z is one of those series you don’t have much to lose by trying. It may turn out to be a good show for when you have a quick break, want a lighthearted comedy to watch, or just want to watch something without investing the full 20+ minutes a normal series would require.
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If you haven’t watched the first season of this Seitokai Yakuindomo (or the following OVAs), I highly advise you do so. For those of you who have though, aren’t you excited!? Returning to his post as Vice President/Male Representative of a formerly all female high school, Takatoshi Tsuda (Asanuma Shintaro) is back and ready to be everyone’s favorite punching bag and tsukkomi. Alongside him returns Student Council President Amakusa Shino (Hikasa Yoko), with her insatiable thirst for everything related to the male anatomy, Secretary Shichijo Aria (Satou Satomi) and her dirty yet lovable mind, and Treasurer Hagimura Suzu (Yahagi Sayuri), who probably hasn’t grown a single centimeter. This show is basically your typical high school slice-of-life if someone decided to base it off of people who went through high school wanting to experience anything and everything possible. With sex jokes being the norm and enough wordplay to write a dirty novel with, this show is not for the innocent minded. Once you get passed the perverted jokes there are cleaner things to keep you coming back for more. Between the deadpan humor from the famous Arai Satomi to the superb short jokes (you’ll have to see it to understand what I mean), there’s a lot more to this show than just “chocolate covered bananas” and dirty gags. But if all you want is perverted jokes, which at times get really dirty, this show will fulfill your needs without making you feel that bad about watching it. Trust me, I’m a pro.
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High school girl Kanzaki Mitsuki (Hashimoto Chinami) just got a new older brother after her mother remarried a fellow divorcee. Shortly after the wedding her new stepfather gets transferred overseas and her mother decides to go with him, leaving Mitsuki all alone with her new stepbrother, Kanzaki Yuuya (Majima Junji). Mitsuki feels like her mother has been taken from her by men, so she keeps her distance from Yuuya…until one day when she meets the spirit of a young girl named Kotobuki Hiyori (Ogura Yui). Hiyori is a lost spirit who can’t reach the gates of heaven and the eternal peace beyond without help, and Mitsuki is that help, whether she wants to be or not. Hiyori puts a special belt on Mitsuki called the TST with a meter that fills up every time Mitsuki has sexual feelings for Yuuya. Every time the meter fills up Hiyori gets one step closer to heaven, so if Mitsuki wants to get rid of this annoying ghost, she’s going to have to get much, much closer to her new stepbrother. I stumbled across the manga this series is based on a while back, and I enjoyed it. The setup is a bit lazy and convenient – what kind of parents move away and leave their kids behind right after they got married? – but once it gets moving the setup works. Mitsuki is a heavily justified tsundere thanks to her body frequently being taken over by Hiyori, and her conflicted feelings for Yuuya are very clear. (Mitsuki’s, not Hiyori’s…Hiyori isvery clear about her feelings for “Yuuya-oniichan”.) Yuuya’s confusion over how to deal with his new younger sister also works well, and since she effectively has two personalities in addition to her tsundere nature, I don’t blame him. He’s also just a nice guy, which quickly made me start rooting for their romance. And the romance is still the big draw; though there’s certainly suggestive material – and I expect the studio behind Ro-Kyu-Bu! to maintain that – it’s generally in service of romance rather than straight titillation. (Usually.) This may seem to be cashing in on the imouto craze, and perhaps it is, but mostly the setup is there to force two high schoolers into close proximity so we can watch their romance bloom. I know I’ll be watching.
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Based on the 2011 action manga by Hisa Masato, Nobunagun comes in as the first of two Nobunaga series airing this winter. Animated by Bridge (Devil Survivor 2), the series revolves around a high school student named Ogura Shio (Mutou Shiori). During her school trip to Taiwan, monsters known as “Evolved Invaders” suddenly attack. Impervious to normal weapons, their arrival leads to the deployment of government agents known as “E-Gene Holders.” Wielding historical figures in the form of weapons, they fight back against these hostile invaders. Amidst the chaos, Shio awakens to her E-Gene powers in the form of an Oda Nobunaga-infused machine gun. Just when you thought there couldn’t be anymore Nobunaga themed series, we get two in one season. Like Nobunaga the Fool, Nobunagun offers a similarly ridiculous take on historical figures, and it’s hard not to get excited about something as over the top as this. Having Nobunaga, Gandhi, Newton, Jack the Ripper, and Galileo as weapons is a great recipe for entertainment, and this show looks like it will supply a healthy amount of action-packed awesomeness. Director Kondo Nobuhiro doesn’t have much experience in his role though, and Bridge hasn’t done anything substantial either. For most of you it may be wise to temper your expectations of this series, which has potential but may fall short of fulfilling it. Action fans would do well to give this series a try, even if it looks like it’ll be less entertaining than the other Nobunaga series airing this season.
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In a reversal of the “damsel in distress” trope, Witch Craft Works features your plain male lead, Takamiya Honoka (Kobayashi Yuusuke), being guarded by his quiet yet beautiful female classmate, Kagari Ayaka (Seto Asami). Donning a witch hat, a trusty flying broom, and a face that’s as stoic as one can get, Ayaka protects Honoka from antagonists who wish to bring both of them harm. Prepare to immerse yourself in a story with giant scythes, giant scissors, giant chests, giant robot bunnies, and tons of kemonomimi characters in this weird fantasy world. I recommend checking out this series if you enjoy a fairytale-themed setting mixed with the real world. There’s lots of action to be found in this story, and from what I’ve read of the original material, there are some touching moments between the characters as well. Though it’s nowhere close to uncommon to see the male protagonist in the “beta” position, Ayaka’s character is pretty hilarious to watch when she breaks from her calm demeanor. In terms of staff, the seiyuu aren’t too remarkable, though Seto Asami is on the radar, but director Mizushima Tsutomu is definitely a good sign, having directed works such as Another, Hare+Guu, and Girls und Panzer. All that’s left is to cross our fingers that J.C. Staff puts effort into the animation, as a critical point for this show will be proper animation of the many fight scenes that will occur. Since this show is similar to past J.C. Staff works such as Shakugan no Shana and Zero no Tsukaima (exchanging tsundere with dandere/kuudere), do give this show a shot. The dynamics between our main couple in particular may be worth checking out.
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The future of anime as a medium depends on the success or failure of Space Dandy. Is that hyperbole enough for you? Yes, it’s a bit of an overstatement, but in a sense this series represents the best hope for BONES to prove that their strategy (as outlined by founder Minami Masahiko) of not going after the same 30-40,000 otaku Blu-ray buyers as everyone else has a chance to work. BONES is trying to make anime not just for a broader segment of the Japanese audience, but the international market as well – Space Dandy has the distinction of premiering in the United States (in English – it can’t really be called a dub if it’s the first release) before it does in Japan. They’ve lined up the legendary director of their most beloved series, Watanabe Shinichiro (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Sakamichi no Apollon), and writer of probably their second, Satou Dai (Eureka Seven, Samurai Champloo), along with a spectacular group of musicians and composers for the soundtrack. But will it work? If recent history is any judge, I wouldn’t be too sure. The downside of Space Dandy seems pretty obvious – that it will turn into another Kill la Kill, a hyped series from a legendary director-writer team that turns out to be pretty unambitious and mediocre (though Kill la Kill seems likely to sell reasonably well). Space Dandy seems to be touting itself in similar fashion – a lighthearted and sexy screwball comedy with plenty of action and fanservice. But I put Watanabe on another level than Imaishi (or just about anyone else) and Dai has declared how he longs to write anime that are story-driven and about something. This story seems pretty simple – a “dandy in space” who hunts for aliens (and presumably hot chicks) with his robot assistant and a talking cat alien. The look and feel of Space Dandy could hardly be more old-school, but with stunning animation and detailed art. In a generally soft season especially, a lot is riding on Space Dandy being a special show, and its commercial fate is going to say a lot about both BONES’ future and that of anime that don’t come from a cookie cutter.
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This is a story about two unlikely individuals who meet after a travesty in both their lives. Yato (Kamiya Hiroshi) is a “God”, but he’s known as a lesser God. His dream is to make enough money to build his own shrine one day, and in order to do so he grudgingly helps others with the most menial of tasks. To make matters worse, his weapon decides to get up and quit (yes, weapons are other dead human beings). Iki Hiyori (Uchida Maaya) also has her own problems, and she accidentally bumps into Yato one day after saving him from an oncoming bus. Instead she’s the one who was hit, and since then she experiences “out of body” phenomena which leave her in limbo for a short period of time before returning to her body. She asks Yato for help, and the two go on a search for a solution to Hiyori’s condition. At the same time, Yato manages to find himself a new weapon by the name of Yukine (Kaji Yuki). In a nutshell, this is another show about Gods and Spirits, but with a nice twist. If you remember last year’s Hataraku Maou-sama!, the manga atmosphere and comedy reminded me a lot of that. Noragami is a little more serious, and the action revolves around evil spirits that reside around people’s negative energies. I’m a huge fan of BONES, so I know the animation is going to be top notch, and I don’t doubt they’ll probably adapt the manga as faithfully as possible. After reading some of the manga, I’m definitely excited to see where this anime takes us, especially with its great cast and strong source material. It’s got everything that I love in an anime – action, comedy, and romance, all nicely wrapped up in a supernatural setting.
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As the end of summer gives way to opening ceremonies, it’s just another day in the life of high school student Watase Aoba (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu)…until he ends up in the crosshairs of a giant robot. Rescued by fellow classmate Yumihara Hina (Hayami Saori), Aoba suddenly finds himself thrust into a conflict between the Free Treaty Alliance and the Great Zogiria Republic. Now a Free Treaty pilot, he meets fellow pilot Junyou Dio Weinberg (Uchiyama Kouki) in a fateful encounter that will change the world. A Sunrise original series, Buddy Complex tells the story of the duo’s friendship and their coming of age. This is Sunrise doing what they do best, and it looks like mecha fans will have reason to rejoice early this year. It might not be a new Gundam series, but it may as well be. The premise reeks of Gundam, the mecha designs are similar (with a bit of Code Geass and Super Robot Wars), and we’re guaranteed an epic soundtrack with Kato Tatsuya (Kyoukaisen, Prisma Illya) on board. Topping things off are an array of great seiyuu in Sugita Tomokazu, Hanazawa Kana, Satou Rina, and Sakurai Takahiro (to name a few), making this look like a great treat for fans of the genre. The story might be a tad generic and the director (Tanabe Yasuhiro) may be making his debut in that role, but there are few things quite like a “traditional robot action” series, and Sunrise at the helm means it’s bound to have some level of quality, even if it probably won’t be a masterpiece.
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From the mind of Kawamori Shoji (Macross, Aquarion) comes the Sci-Fi original series Nobunaga the Fool. Produced by Satelight (Log Horizon, Macross Frontier, Symphogear), Nobunaga the Fool is part of a project that includes live stage plays and an online novel. The series is set in a universe where two planets exist: the Western Planet and the Eastern Planet. Since the severance of the link between them known as the “Dragon Pulse,” the two planets have since lived separately for countless years. In the present day the Western Planet finds itself in a cultural renaissance, while the Eastern Planet finds itself embroiled in continuous war. Amid all of this Jeanne Kaguya D’Arc (Hikasa Yoko)—prophesied to be the world’s savior—visits the Eastern Planet with Leonard Da Vinci (Sugita Tomokazu). There she meets Nobunaga “the Fool” (Miyano Mamoru) in an encounter that will change both worlds. Blatant bastardization of historic figures? Da Vinci and Nobunaga piloting mechs? Kawamori Shoji as series creator and in charge of mechanical design? An all-star cast? Sign me up. One of the more ridiculous premises in recent memory, this is one of those series that you have to watch just to see how it turns out. Kawamori Shoji is just one of those names that make you perk up, and for good reason, because even though his stories don’t always end up as masterpieces, the entertainment value they provide is usually off the charts. Over the top action and top notch animation are some of the constants in Kawamori projects, so it follows that Nobunaga the Fool will follow suit, even if he’s not the series’ director. Ultimately this is a series that will make action and Sci-Fi fans drool, and likely provide more than enough for the general audience to enjoy as well. Take a peek. You won’t regret it.
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Miyanaga Saki (Ueda Kana) was a high school freshman who didn’t like mahjong, until her childhood friend dragged her to Kiyosumi High School’s mahjong club and her love for the game was reborn. Now she and the rest of the Kiyosumi team – including big-breasted prodigy Haramura Nodoka (Koshimizu Ami), reckless club president Takei Hisa (Itou Shizuka), Hisa’s meganekko best friend Someya Mako (Shiraishi Ryoko), and the rambunctious and taco-loving Kataoka Yuuki (Kugimiya Rie) – have fought their way through regionals to earn their place in the National Inter High School Mahjong Championships. They need to make it all the way to the championships so Saki can try to reconcile with her estranged older sister (and the reigning champion) Miyanaga Teru (Nakahara Mai), but there will be plenty of tough competition along the way. After a 2-cour original series + a spin-off in the recent Achiga-hen, you probably already know whether you’re on the Saki train or not. For those who are, expect a good time – most of the pacing and focus problems we saw in Achiga-hen will be instantly fixed by going back to the main cast, who were introduced long ago and tend to have less bullshit powers. This will be adapting the Inter High tournament from Kobayashi Ritz’s original manga, and nobody knows what makes the Saki world work like it creator. For those who aren’t watching this series yet, let me ask you a question: How do you feel about crazy awesome sports anime? Because that’s what this is, with emphasis on crazy awesome! These are 4-way duels on the mahjong table, with ridiculous superpowers, intricate back-and-forth strategies, and dramatic tile slams to drive the action home. You can even get into this if you don’t understand mahjong, because they always make sure to explain the moves well. I for one am totally pumped to watch the girls from Kiyosumi climb the brackets and shoot for the finals once again. Oh, and did I mention all the heavy yuri undertones? Because it has those too. Clearly, Saki has everything you could want!
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You may have read the premise for this show somewhere else. Something along the lines of “Kid does random stuff during school which sometimes involves ruining his desk and pisses off girl next to him” or “Plays golf on his desk”, right? Well let me tell you something — this series is so much more than that. If anything, you could call it the pinnacle of what someone who’s bored in class should strive to become! Seriously though, something about watching an innocent girl in Yokoi Rumi (Hanazawa Kana) fall prey to her classmate Seki-kun’s (Shimono Hiro) antics – without him even saying a word – got me so riled up that I couldn’t stop “researching”. Add in the fact that the ever elusive Seki-kun is actually a master carpenter, gifted golfer, efficient post master, skilled magician, and who knows what else, I can’t imagine an anime adaption not being hilarious! However, I say that with a few disclaimers. First, I don’t know how faithful or well thought out of an adaptation Shin-Ei Animation will do with their track record of shows for a younger audience. could see this show being really good or really bad depending on how they decide to execute the humor. But with things like Doraemon under their belt, I can’t imagine anything less than good at worst. Second, I’m not sure how many episodes an adaptation of the manga could really bring out, because while the premise is freaking hilarious the whole concept seems like it’d get tedious after too many repetitions. I have to admit that I loved every moment I spent “researching” this show though. Even with grand total of two characters, one of whom apparently doesn’t talk, it’s really surprising how engaging every skit becomes. Sure, some of the more obscure cultural references may go right over your head, but when the humor hits home – and it hits quite often – it may take you a while to stop giggling.
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Super Sonico–pink haired and significantly endowed mascot of the visual novel company Nitroplus–is moving on to the next stage. From her own visual novel, manga, and character songs, Super Sonico now appears in her own animation. Voiced by Yamamoto Ayano, the animation centers around Sonico’s exciting daily life, centering around her blooming musical endeavors, modeling career, and friendships. Not much is known about the story so far, but her adventures will be accompanied with her two friends Fujimi Suzu (Gotou Mai) and Watanuki Fuuri (Ozaki Mami), both of whom also have a knack for music with the bass and drums respectively. Together they will form friendships while also promoting the Nitroplus (stylized nitro+) brand. Though obviously promotional material that will enhance the company name, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this title. At the very least, the animation will be of some quality, with studio WHITE FOX taking the reins. Having animated titles such as Hataraku Maou-sama!, Jormungand, and Steins;Gate, I trust the company to put forth decent effort here. Other notable staff working on the show include scriptwriter Kuroda Yosuke, whose work on Ano Natsu de Matteru and Honey and Clover may turn this series’ original material into something interesting. The promotional videos don’t hint at much of a realistic story though (she wears her headphones to bed), so I expect more of a cute girl comedy than anything too dramatic. Definitely check this out if you are a fan of Super Sonico already, and give this a try if you’ve been impressed with WHITE FOX’s work so far.
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Prince Kalel Albus (Hanae Natsuki) is blinded by hatred and revenge. A revolution has stripped him of both his parents and his humanity, and sets him off on a journey to avenge his parents and himself. However, upon taking to the skies and the floating islands that grace it, he finds not revenge, but compassion, friendship, and love. It’s all thanks to a girl called Claire (Yuki Aoi), who happens to be the symbol of the very revolution he hates. In a story of aerial combat, the good and bad of romance, and transformation of the heart, Prince Kalel will find that what he was looking for wasn’t revenge, but forgiveness. From the trailers, this show looks like it will definitely excel in displaying extended aerial combat, something that hasn’t appeared on the anime scene in a while. The action scenes look great, and though the 2D animation isn’t anything spectacular, it’s good enough to uphold TMS Entertainment’s standing as a veteran animation company. With Taketatsu Ayana joining Yuki Aoi as the main female leads, I’m excited to hear their acting skills shine in a more dramatic take. Hanae Natsuki should also prove a formidably emotional male lead–I was impressed with his performances as Shinichi in Outbreak Company and Kiri in Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, so props to him for getting the main role in this show as well. If done right, Koiuta has a good chance of garnering a lot of emotional investment through Prince Kalel’s transformation into a compassionate being. If you’re looking for the action-romance offering of the season that provides some exciting aerial scenes, this might be a dark horse in waiting. Though it was originally set to air last year, it’ll be interesting to kick the new year and new season off with this hopefully epic-scaled series.
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One guy. Four girls. One straight man. Four crazy personalities. That’s D-Frag! for you, where everything is crazy beyond belief, often to the detriment of poor Kazama Kenji (Konishi Katsuyuki). In fact, it looks like everyone just picks on poor Kenji, ranging from the girls of the game clubs–president Shibashi Roka (Hanazawa Kana), other president Takao (Itou Shizuka), Karasuyama Chitose (Saito Chiwa), and Mizukami Sakura (Takahashi Mikako)–to Kenji’s own fellow gangmates, Yokoshima and Nagayama Hiroshi (Matsuda Kenichirou). It’s a high-energy comedy that’s waiting to be unleashed, where everyone seems to be either crazy, jealous, disappointed, hyperactive, or all of the above. In a classic formation of the straight man against a crazy world, D-Frag is the winter season’s unabashed straight-up gag comedy. Though sticking close to well-used comedy archetypes and typical gag setup, there is no immediate need to change the formula–as long as the jokes hit home and the characters are likable, let the archetypes continue! After reading a bit of the manga, it looks like the slapstick, gag, and retorts are in full swing, all of which are executed quite well. I’m excited to hear the likes of Sato Chiwa, Hanazawa Kana, Fukuyama Jun, and Konishi Katsuyuki inject their enthusiasm into the material. With Uezu Maokoto (Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?) on board as series composer, I look forward to cracking a smile as Kenji gets constantly punched, coerced, and verbally abused by his peers. With Brains Base having a good record for adapting comedies, I expect D-Frag! to bring a good number of smiles and laughs for those looking for a high-octane Manzai-type comedy act.
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In the not-so-far future, select humans known as “Minimum Holders” are born with special abilities. Partners Nice (Oosaka Ryota) and Murasaki (Hatano Wataru) are both Minimum Holders working as detectives in Yokohama, forming the duo known as Hamatora. Our story kicks off when a cop walks in and asks for Nice and Murasaki’s help on a serial murder case. The murderer is targeting other Minimum Holders, and thus Nice and Murasaki are reluctantly thrown on the case, whether they like it or not… I won’t lie, there’s not a lot of information on this series. It’s based on a very brief manga that’s still unfinished, and besides the short introduction available on the website, I can tell you only two other things: A) the story has a rich cast of characters, ranging from gluttonous little girls to scientists and doctors, and B) the characters are all connected to our main duo. I’m a sucker when it comes to a good mystery, so this is definitely a series I’m looking forward to, especially given that it will pretty much be an original story. The only things I’m wary about are whether the animation is lacking in budget and how mystery plots like these can be super cheesy and predictable. I would love to see some conspiracy theories thrown into the mystery elements, as well as an overarching story, but that might be asking for too much. Either way, I’ll give this series a chance to prove itself in the first arc; it may turn out to be a surprise hit.
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The KyoAni romcom of delusions and mayhem is back for a second season with Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren. It’s the next year, and the whole cast has advanced a grade, while Togashi Yuuta (Fukuyama Jun) and Takanashi Rikka (Uchida Maaya) have, due to various events, advanced to living together. These two lovebirds should be all doki doki from secretly cohabiting, but not all is well in their fairy tale romance. As Yuuta worries about how to advance his relationship with his delusional girlfriend, the source of Yuuta’s own embarrassing chuunibyou past arrives in the form of Shichimiya Satone (Nagatsuma Juri), AKA Sophia Ring SP Saturn VII. With a new character appearing and their old friends Nibutani Shinka (Akasaki Chinatsu), Tsuyuri Kumin (Asakura Azumi), Dekomori Sanae (Uesaka Sumire) never far from the action, this embarrassing romantic comedy is back to make you laugh and perhaps cry. I’ve spent a lot of time beating up on KyoAni lately, mostly because they deserve it. Their last three series – Tamako Market, Free!, and Kyoukai no Kanata – have all been decent at best and mediocre at worst, and not deserving of the studio’s sterling reputation. KyoAni has been mailing it in, and hasn’t put out a show I seriously enjoyed since…well,Chu2koi Season 1. The good news: Chu2koi is funny, funny stuff. The comedic skill and organic character interactions that made K-ON! and Lucky Star so funny were on display in Season 1, so when it was going for the laughs, it got them in spades. Not so good was when it tried to go serious, which fell flat far more often than not, and nothing the studio has done since then makes me believe this will change. This new season is introducing a rival for Yuuta’s affections in Schimiya Satone…is what I originally thought, but rumor is she might not be a rival at all, which I would very much appreciate. Endless repetitions on the love triangle formula can get tiresome, and I’d like to see a couple left to their own devices without romantic competition for once. With a story that starts with Yuuta and Rikka (secretly) living together, it sounds like they’re going more for funny than touching…hopefully. I’ll be watching this because I blogged the first season and I do sincerely like the characters, but I will remain skeptical until KyoAni proves they can stop mailing it in and tell us a good story with the last good series they made.
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Onee-chan ga Kita is adapted from a comedy 4-koma about scary sisterly love. Mizuhara Tomoya (Terakawa Aimi) is a 13-year-old boy who just gained a big sister thanks to his father’s new marriage. 17-year-old Mizuhara Ichika (Nagatsuma Juri) is a little strange, and her affection for Tomoya is rather overwhelming, if not downright scary. If that wasn’t enough, Ichika comes with her two friends: the ultimate sadist Hayasaka Ruri (Minami Omi) and the big-breasted quarter-Japanese Mochizuki Marina (Inoue Marina). I like what I see, but I haven’t seen a whole lot. I was unable to get my hands on any of the source material, so please excuse me while I guess wildly. As one of two series being produced by C2C, a studio whose only other previous work (Yurumates 3D) I haven’t seen, I can draw few inferences there. Likewise, director Yuuzumi Yoshihide has only directed one other series (Yurumates 3D again), so that tells me nothing past him not having a lot of experience. Seiyuu-wise they seem to have gone the bargain route, though there are a few big names scattered about, and I like seeing Kanna’s seiyuu getting more work. Of the story I can only guess, but it strikes me as a comedy headlined by a beleaguered, frequently abused male character. If I’m right about that then whether or not you tune in will depend on whether you can deal with the unknowns, and whether the idea of three cute older girls indulging in comedic sociopathy (trope!) on the male lead strikes you as funny or cruel.
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This romantic comedy revolves around four individuals living under one roof: Yonomi Kobeni (Terui Haruka), her sister Benio (Matsui Eriko), high school boy Mitsumine Hakuya (Hatano Wataru), and his sister Mashiro (Yoshida Yuri). The story starts off by revealing to Kobeni that she is engaged to Hakuya at the age of 16, and he’s going to start living with her and her family. Unfortunately, the unlikely pair have quite a few differences in terms of personality; Kobeni is seen as a motherly figure and is quite competent at both chores and cooking, while Hakuya can only be described as tall, introverted, and a bit absentminded. Given their circumstances, the two are forced to continue living together along with their sister-in-laws. Judging from its 4-koma manga source, Mikakunin de Shinkoukei is more of a comedy and slice-of-life than anything else. It’s very lighthearted and comes with an interesting cast of characters that will really drive this show. Being the main protagonist, Kobeni isn’t ditsy or clumsy, but she’s actually described as busty and she sounds like the ideal girlfriend (*coughgoodchef*). Her sister Benio is the opposite, and she’s terrible with house chores (instead, she’s perverted!). With all these different personalities and the awkward situation that brings our couple together, I can imagine the hilariousness that will ensue. The premise is not the most original or unique, but its primary focus should be the character dynamics and how well (or terribly) they get along. To me it’s all about the situational comedy, and I’m sure the show will deliver on that.
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Arakawa Hiromu’s autobiographical take on life at an agricultural high school in Hokkaido returns for the second of its split-cours on NoitaminA. This may be one of the least unpredictable series in a very long time – not only is it the second cour of an ongoing series, but even the first delivered exactly what anyone who knew the source manga well would have expected. It was pure class. Fullmetal Alchemist this ain’t, but Arakawa is clearly very much at home with the material, and it represents some of the subtlest and most authentic found anywhere in anime. Gin no Saji’s first cour was in turns funny, warm, thought-provoking, and heartbreaking. It had strong slice-of-life elements, but it also subtly and intelligently (without offering easy answers) explored the ethics and morality of commercial agriculture and raising animals for meat. At heart it’s very much a coming-of-age tale about the hero, Hachiken Yugo (Kimura Ryouhei), trying to free himself from his past and discover what kind of man he wants to become. I expect that element will be more prevalent in this second cour, though with the manga ongoing I don’t expect to see a definitive conclusion.
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As one of the obligatory short anime of the season, Strange+ focuses on the detective work of the Mikuni Detective Agency, where Kou (Seki Tomokazu) has just found his long-lost older brother After looking at the premise and seeing that studio Seven (Recorder to Randoseru, Ai Mai Mi) is working on it, this is clearly a show aimed at providing a quick laugh each week. It’s a no-strings package and Seven has been doing this kind of stuff for years. The mystery-comedy genre combination has been fairly successful, as seen with Cuticle Detective Inaba and Detective Conan, but compressing mysteries into 5 minute segments will undoubtedly result in a comedy with mysteries on the side. Though the production isn’t anything special, the main seiyuu are actors with very thick portfolios, comprising of the two seiyuu above along with Okiayu Ryotaro and Yukino Satsuki. Those who absolutely love mystery-comedies may want to give this a whirl, but otherwise nothing much stands out from this production.
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GO! GO! 575 adapts Sega’s Project 575 games for PlayStation Vita and iOS, which allow anyone to create songs using the traditional Japanese 5-7-5-syllable meter found in haiku and tanka poems. It stars Masaoka Azuki (Ootsubo Yuka) and Kobayashi Maccha (Ohashi Ayaka), whose Vocaloid voices performed the player’s songs in the games. They are joined by their classmate Yosano Yuzu (Kotobuki Minako), who is original to the anime. Anime-to-game and game-to-anime transitions are always fraught with peril, with more failures than successes being relegated to the scrap heap of history. Where will GO! GO! 575 end up? I’m not sure, but early signs aren’t screaming anime of the year, even if they’re not signaling certain doom either. If something looks familiar about this series, I’d bet it’s the art style, which comes to us from OreImo’s character designer Kanzaki Hiro. The seiyuu cast is good too, even if there are only three of them. That’s it though. As of writing this I couldn’t find a single other cast member, and the studio, near as I can tell, is Sega. There was even talk of Sega producing this totally out of pocket, without any sponsors or anything. Can Sega make a good anime? Stranger things have happened, and the bar for a serviceable slice-of-life series is fairly low even if excellence is harder to grasp. Personally I’m not super pessimistic or anything, but neither am I planning to watch this. Whether you tune in will depend on whether the idea of cute girls singing haiku- or tanaka-like songs sounds like a good time or not.
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Mahou Sensou arrives on the scene as Madhouse’s latest light novel adaptation. Also known as Magical Warfare, this action-fantasy revolves around Nanase Takeshi (Miyano Mamoru), a high school boy with a dark past. Having led a relatively normal life despite being in a pretend relationship with his childhood friend, Nanase finds his world turned upside down after rescuing a girl named Aiba Mui (Touyama Nao). Apparently a magician, she reveals to Nanase that she’s turned him into one as well, and explains to him that there are two worlds: One where humans live and one where magicians live. Together with childhood friend Isoshima Kurumi (Seto Asami), Takeshi finds himself forcibly transferred into Subaru Magical Academy and thrown into a conflict against a group known as Ghost Trailer. Essentially an action-fantasy series that revolves around magic, I find myself on the fence regarding Mahou Sensou. The premise itself isn’t particular unique, and the manga chapters I read don’t do much to dispel the generic vibe it generates. A few chapters only tell so much however, and even if the story doesn’t turn out to be a masterpiece, it looks like we’ll at least get enough action to make this series worth watching. With Madhouse at the helm, the action scenes in particular are likely to get some solid animation, and it only helps that Kouda Masato is behind the soundtrack; having done superbly with the action series Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova, it stands to reason that his style will carry over well. Mahou Sensou also boasts a great male cast in Miyano Mamoru, Suzumura Kenichi, and Fukuyama Jun. Mahou Sensou holds the potential to be a solid series, and may provide a treat for fans of its genre, even if its story may not be the most unique.
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From the studio that brought you Shingeki no Kyojin comes their latest adaptation, Hoozuki no Reitetsu. Written by Eguchi Natsumi, the series has been running in Kodansha’s Morning magazine since 2011. Having amassed over ten volumes, it was nominated as a candidate for the 5th Manga Taisho Award and was a winner at last year’s Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. A supernatural comedy, the series’ name comes from its main character, Hoozuki (Yasumoto Hiroki). Armed with a calm demeanor and sadistic nature, Hoozuki tries to solve Hell’s many problems as the King of Hell’s aide. As with any comedy, whether or not you like it will depend on your individual tastes. Having read the first few chapters, I can say that Hoozuki no Reitetsu seems to rely heavily on dark, tongue-in-cheek humor regarding Heaven and Hell as its main drawing point. Personally I didn’t feel the jokes were as funny as some of the other comedies we’ve gotten in past seasons, but if the aforementioned premise and type of jokes seem to be down your alley, you may find something you like here. At the very least the animation should be solid with Wit Studio at the helm, though the staff’s general lack of experience lowers the bar somewhat.
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Continuing the trend of card game-inspired anime is Z/X: Ignition, also known as Zillions of Enemy X: Ignition. Marketed as a “free collectible card game” (free decks are available across Japan), the series takes place in a world where five portals suddenly appear in the near future. Known as “Black Points,” they are doors to parallel worlds of various timelines. To ensure their own world’s survival, each world deploys an array of strange creatures in order to destroy the others. Amid all of this, a card-shaped device ends up being the key to ending this conflict. Z/X: Ignition is being animated by Pony Canyon, directed by Yuji Yamaguchi (Fate/stay night), and its main characters are voiced by Nakamura Yuuichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Uchida Maaya, Ogura Yui, and Shimono Hiro. When it comes to Z/X: Ignition, what you see is likely what you’ll get. The fact that it’s based off of a card game means there’s going to be a set way they do things, and that makes it a series whose enjoyment will largely depend on your feelings about its genre. Those who like or don’t mind card game-based series will likely find something nice to watch with Z/X: Ignition, but those who are on the fence (or on the opposite side of the fence entirely) should probably steer clear of the series. Granted, it does have a solid cast, but this is one series where the cast doesn’t so much matter as does your feelings regarding the type of show, so it should be easy for you to decide whether you want to give it a try or not.
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Let me introduce you to the world of Sakura Trick, a yuri-esque show that piqued my interest after I was bestowed the responsibility to research it. You have two high school girls, Takayama Haruka (Tomatsu Haruka) and Sonoda Yuu (Iguchi Yuka), best friends who originally met because their last names placed them next to each other during seating arrangements. Luckily they’re in the same class, but because life sucks they’re placed on opposite ends of the room. Instead of doing the normal thing, like learning to deal with it or make new friends, they decide to spice up their personal relationship and make up for the hours they spend away from each other…and by spice up, I mean make out and do all sorts of other fancy things. Sarcasm and jokes aside, I really enjoyed the source material for Sakura Trick. While I may not be well versed in the art of yuri, I really enjoyed how I never thought of any scene as “yuri” so much as “accented with hints of yuri”. Throw in a bunch of humor from a wild cast of other girls who all have their own unique personalities (Minami being my favorite) and basically thrust themselves into Haruka and Yuu’s life, and you have the workings of your typical slice-of-life comedy. And let’s not forget that Studio DEEN is handling the adaptation, because who wouldn’t want some more Studio DEEN in their life?
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From director Mochizuki Tomomi comes the adaptation of Mogi Sayaka’s pupa, a story about a pair of very close siblings whose already shattered lives take a turn for the horrific. Utsutsu (Shimazaki Nobunaga) and Yume (Kido Ibuki) Hasegawa are victims of domestic abuse, children who only have one another for support, but when the siblings meet a mysterious woman who warns them to go home before they “see the red butterflies and it’s too late”, Yume is transformed into a man-eating monster and it’s up to Utsutsu to try to protect his precious little sister. Personally, I don’t do horror stories, but having read the manga I can say that as much as I wanted to look away and stop reading, Mogi-sensei does a good job weaving an interesting and bloody narrative. I’m more excited than I’d like to be to see director Mochizuki take on this graphic and rather fetishized tale of cannibalism; it’s not for the weak-hearted, and animation by Studio DEEN makes me a tad apprehensive about the adaptation quality, but it’s still a pretty good premise as far as horror and gore go. There’s definitely some of that popular brother-sister incestuous dynamic going on here, but it makes sense in a story this twisted, especially considering the things the Hasegawa siblings have to deal with on an everyday basis. If you like horror, violence, as well as interesting and disturbing symbolism, then this might be the series for you. If you can’t stomach images of guts being ripped out and people eating each other, you may want to give this one a wide berth.
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In a remarkable breakaway from the “RomCom light novels = long name” formula, Nourin is SILVER LINK’s next foray into the genre. In what looks like an interesting mix of the agricultural high school and school idol genres, Nourin seeks to reconcile the two under a romantic comedy setting. Hata Kousaku (Asanuma Shintaro) is your typical agricultural school student, except for the large amount of adoration he has for idol Kusakabe Yuka (Tamura Yukari). However, just as this national idol retires and leaves our protagonist heartbroken, she immediately pops up at Kousaku’s school as transfer student Kinoshita Ringo. This leads to an opportunity for Kousaku to finally meet his beloved idol in person, but also for Ringo to reveal the secrets that hide behind her idol facade. This is a standard romantic comedy through and through, and with SILVER LINK on the job, we can expect that formula to be executed fairly well, with some slight remixing–with Baka to Test and Kokoro Connect under their belts, I won’t be surprised if this show shines under the radar. With an excellent cast including Hanazawa Kana, Kato Emiri, Saito Chiwa, and Inoue Marina, as well as director Oonuma Shin (Baka to Test, ef – a tale of memories, Watamote), they’ve got a great workforce to make this show happen. All that matters now is the source material. The contrast between the highly fashionable and performance-based idol world and the down-to-earth nature of agriculture could prove to either be extremely shallow or fairly deep. With a one-cour show to work with (there’s not enough source material to adapt for two seasons), the success of the show will hinge on the execution of the comedy, but more importantly on how well they can develop our former idol Yuka as a character. If done properly this show could easily end up as one of the better offerings of the season, but at worst we can safely assume a level of OniAi given SILVER LINK and Oonuma’s reliable track record. Check this out if you’re a romantic comedy fan, especially if you like SILVER LINK, and definitely if you’re looking for a show with some of the more popular female seiyuu in the industry.
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Wake Up, Girls! is an idol anime with an interesting twist–all of the idol group members directly correspond with their real-life counterpart, with only their surnames being changed, and each member is voiced by said counterpart. With too many names to list here, check out this convenient page for all the seiyuu participating. As for the plot, Tange Junko (Hidaka Noriko), president of production company Green Leaves Entertainment, has a plan to revitalize the almost-dead Sendai-based company. That plan: make an idol group. The responsibility of making said group falls to manager Matsuda Kouhei (Asanuma Shintaro). The story follows Matsuda’s efforts to find the girls that will make up this new idol group, as well as the production company’s run-in with other idol groups. Though the characters don’t look much like their seiyuu, this show should be an interesting way for the real-life idol group to advertise themselves. Though I don’t expect much out of the plot (see director Yamamoto Yutaka and Fractale), this should prove an interesting experiment in having so many first-time “seiyuu” voice their respective anime caricatures. Though AKB0048 as an anime had AKB idols do voice work, this anime keeps itself much closer to a realistic setting, more in tune with the likes of The iDOLM@STER or especially Love Live! School Idol Project. Whether this combination will produce something distinct is yet to be seen. The animation companies in charge, Tatsunoko Productions and Ordet, have produced good series, but from the trailers I’ve seen the amount of resources gone into this show seems to be average at best. Fans of the idol genre should check this out, especially those who are fans of idol-type music. From what I listened to, the show’s insert songs sound pretty good, which may be the selling point this show will rest itself on.
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Everyone knows the old story about star-crossed lovers who aren’t allowed to be together because their families are at war with one another. Ichijou Raku (Uchiyama Kouki) and Kirisaki Chitoge (Touyama Nao) are just such a couple – their families are rival yakuza gangs and hate one another’s guts. The only thing is, in reality Raku and Chitoge can’t stand one another! In fact, Raku is in love with his classmate Onodera Kosaki (Hanazawa Kana), and Chitoge insists she’s not interested in a boy like Raku. In addition Raku made a promise to marry his childhood friend by giving her a pendant for which he has the key, though he can no longer remember her name or face. But in order to keep the peace between their families, the two have no choice but to act out a happy couple life together, no matter how much this false love gets in the way of their lives. From one of my favorite mangaka, Komi Naoshi, comes one of Weekly Shounen Jump’s currently running harem-romance series. It’s the first of Komi’s works to garner an anime adaptation, and it’s vastly different from the works he’s penned before; while Nisekoi doesn’t have much of the fantastical/adventurous charm he’s known for, the adaptation does have the added intrigue of being a Shaft production directed by (Shinbou) himself. This is just the right kind of bubbly, almost hyperactive kind of material to suit his style, what with plenty of crazy, larger-than-life characters and circumstances bouncing around, and plenty of girls for Raku to adorn his harem with. Hopefully the anime is short enough to keep that from overwhelming the senses though, something the manga is unfortunately a little too good at doing.
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Sekai Seifuku’s story follows the titular Zvezda, a secret society bent on glorious world conquest–and led by a little girl. There’s Hoshimiya “Venera-sama” Kate (Kuno Misaki), Zvezda’s loli leader; Jimon “Dva” Asuta (Hanae Natsuki), a second-year middle school student and Venera’s newest (and lowliest) minion; Natasha “Professor Um” (Hanazawa Kana), Zvezda’s expert in all things technical who speaks in a Hiroshima accent; Roboko (Yamazaki Erii), a girl robot; Yasu “Odin” (Toriumi Kousuke), Zvezda’s main combatant and the next lowliest minion after Dva; Shikabane “Plamja-sama” Itsuka (Ise Mariya), who becomes Zvezda’s sadistic top brass upon transforming; and Shikabane “General Pepel” Gorou (Hirota Minoru), Zvezda’s large in stature (and fairly skeletal) leader. Join them as they try to conquer the world, because let’s face it, “The world wants to be conquered!” Information is sparse on this original adaptation, so we’re going to have to dive into the production details. A-1 Pictures is producing this series, which, combined with Kuroboshi Kohaku’s (Kino no Tabi) original character design, have me assuming this will be a well-animated and aesthetically pleasing series. Okamura Tensai (Darker Than Black, Ao no Exorcist) is in the director’s chair, and is doing the series composition along with Type-Moon’s Meteor Hoshizora, so that would seem to indicate good things. So the staff is promising, but it’s whether the story will be any good that is a big fat question mark. I can’t draw many inferences from the material released so far, but it looks like an action-fantasy story with a splash of comedy that may not take itself too seriously – I mean, look at those character designs! – unless, of course, it does. Adding in how the heroes are actually the antagonists in the “White Light” sentai members Komadori “White Robin” Renge (Ichimichi Mao) and Shirasagi “White Egret” Miki (Kotobuki Minako), there’s certainly potential in this setup. This is a fantasy original with a good pedigree, so I’ll be watching it for sure, but it could still snap both legs off at the knee inside of five minutes and fail utterly. But isn’t that half the fun of an original series?
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The magical courtroom will now be in session with Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil, an original series from ARMS. It’s 2018 Tokyo, where normal humans are coexisting with those who can use magic. To maintain order, laws against the use of magic have been passed, and a “magical courtroom” has been created to preside over lawsuits regarding magic use. In these cases, “Benmashi”, or wizard barristers, defend those who use magic. The story follows Sudou Cecil (Tanabe Rui), the youngest Benmashi in history, and her associates as they defend their clients in these cases. This series has an interesting premise. Live action law procedurals are plentiful and popular, and adding in a magical twist could give us interesting new cases to see, as crimes come from angles we wouldn’t have normally imagined. I do have some areas of concern. ARMS as a studio has done a lot of series, but they’re mostly known for more fanservice offerings (Hyakka Ryouran, Queen’s Blade), and the last time they made a foray into more serious fantasy we got burned with the botched adaptation of Maoyuu. This series is the brainchild of the multi-talented Umetsu Yasuomi, who has held many positions over his career, most recently as the director of Galilei Donna. My trepidation aside, there’s definitely potential here, and it doesn’t look like the entire series will be spent in the courtroom – whether showing the interactions between Cecil and her more experienced colleagues or even some action that can be seen in the preview videos, it looks like Yasuomi-san and ARMS are going to be coming at us from multiple angles. I always like to check out original series because these are the shows that have the biggest potential to surprise and delight, but there’s always a risk that they’ll fall flat instead. Which fate awaits Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil? I have no idea, but if you’re a fantasy fan or like the occasional law procedural – or just want to see if this is the show that will shock and awe you – I suggest you try an episode or three and find out.
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Fushimi Inari (Ohzora Naomi) is a normal, if somewhat plain, middle school student who has a secret crush on her classmate Tanbabashi-kun (Okamoto Hiroshi). Unfortunately, as these things go, she accidentally makes a fool of herself one day in gym class, publicly shaming Tanbabashi and angering him to the point where he refuses to accept her apology. Even worse, when she tries to set things right she finds herself witness to a confession between Tanbabashi and the most popular girl in school, Sumizome (Minase Inori). Luckily the kindhearted Inari saved a puppy from drowning that same morning, and when it turns out the puppy is actually a spirit fox, an underling to the Goddess Uka-no-Mitami-no-kami (Kawashima Houko), the grateful god grants Inari her most heartfelt wish: to become Tanbabashi’s crush, Sumizome. Based on Yoshida Morohe’s manga of the same name, Inari Konkon is a series I’m semi-surprised to see an adaptation for. It’s a fun manga to read, though not really anything that’s never been seen before. You have some comedy, fanservice, magical abilities (specifically, Inari’s power to shapeshift) and their related misunderstandings, romance (there are some yuri undertones as well), and quirky characters. Inari is a bit of a dense protagonist, though she’s not stupid so much as clumsy and a bit awkward, but as a middle school student that’s not too unexpected. Most of the charm in the series comes not from Inari’s powers so much as how they relate to Uka-no-Mitami-no-kami and how the two become close friends and support one another, so it’s more an everyday life story despite the fantastic elements. Still, I’m happy to see it being adapted to anime form, and if any of this sounds like your cup of tea, I welcome you to give it a try and see if you find it to your liking.
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The battle-fanservice anime Maken-ki! is returning for another season. Perverted high school student Ohyama Takeru (Maeno Tomoaki) decided to enroll in Tenbi Academy because A) it didn’t require an entrance exam and B) it had just changed from all girls to co-ed, so imagine his surprise when he arrives at a school dominated by magical battles! Using spiritual energy known as Element, students wield specially crafted items called Maken and engage in magical duels. After struggling to find a Maken he could use, Takeru is finally getting the hang of life at Tenbi as he struggles to get stronger, but that won’t help him with his other problem – women. Whether it’s the perky, cat-loving, girl-who-says-she’s-his-fiancée Kushiya Inaho (Nomizu Iori), the popular (and occasionally hostile) blonde pettanko Himegami Kodama (Yahagi Sayuri), or his busty, sword-wielding childhood friend Amaya Haruko (Shitaya Noriko), Takeru’s troubles in women, battle, or mysterious antagonistic organizations don’t look like they’ll be ending anytime soon. So this is an ecchi series. A very ecchi series. If you don’t like bouncing boobs and a perverted protagonist, you should probably steer clear. That said, like its spiritual brother High School DxD there is more to this story than fanservice. I read the manga before I watched the first season and I was pleasantly surprised by the magical action it contained. Could it stand totally on its own? Maybe not, but when you add in fanservice and comedy-harem antics, this story can attack you from multiple angles. Anime-only viewers may already be disillusioned after AIC botched the first season with shoddy animation and by skipping a very important (and very good) arc in favor of a shifty anime original ending, but the good news is that they’ve been fired! Xebec and director (Kaneko Hiraku) are now on the job, and judging by the two OVAs they’ve already released they’re going to give us better animation and a much better understanding of what makes this story works. They even managed to pull off the rare feat of adding original material to flesh out a chapter (in the 2nd OVA) and it being as good or better than the source! Check this one out if you’d like to see some of Xebec’s famous big-breasted ladies. I don’t know how they’re going to clean up the mess in the plot left by AIC, but I wish them good luck in trying.
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| Release Date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12/29 | Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo Amazing Twins | 絶滅危愚少女 Amazing Twins http://amazing-twins.com/ |
Ep. 1 broadcast on AT-X at 22:30. |
| 12/31 | Sword Art Online Extra Edition | ソードアート・オンライン Extra Edition http://www.swordart-online.net/ |
Worldwide simulcast on Nico Nico, Crunchyroll, etc. |
| 01/04 | Mushishi Special Chapter “Hihamu Kage” | 蟲師 特別篇 「日蝕む翳」 http://www.mushishi-anime.com/ |
One-hour ep airs on Tokyo MX at 23:30. |
| 01/16 | Short Peace Movie | 武器よさらば http://shortpeace-movie.com/jp/ |
Four part movie compilation. BD/DVD release. |
| 01/17 | Kimi no Iru Machi OVA | 君のいる町 OVA http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/kimino/ |
Bundled with Limited Edition manga vol. 26. |
| 01/22 | Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi Special | 神さまのいない日曜日 未放送第13話 http://kami-nai.com/ |
Bundled with final BD/DVD release. Episode 13. |
| 01/24 | BAYONETTA: Bloody Fate Movie | ベヨネッタ ブラッディフェイト http://www.bayonetta-movie.com/ |
BD/DVD Release. |
| 01/24 | Wild Adapter OVA | ワイルドアダプター http://wild-adapter.com/ |
Episode 1 of 2. |
| 01/29 | Little Busters! EX | リトルバスターズ！EX http://litbus-anime.com/ex/ |
Bundled with Little Busters! Refrain BD/DVD. Episode 1 of 8. |
| 01/29 | Kikou Shoujo wa Kizutsukanai OVA | 機巧少女は傷つかない OVA http://www.machine-doll.com/ |
Bundled with BD/DVD vol. 2. Episode 2 of 6. |
| 02/05 | Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni OVA | 夏目友人帳 新作OVA いつかゆきのひに http://www.aniplex.co.jp/natsume/ |
Bundled with Limited Edition BD/DVD release. |
| 02/19 | Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin | 空の境界 未来福音 http://www.karanokyoukai.com/miraifukuin/ |
BD/DVD release. |
| 02/19 | Takanashi Rikka Kai: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Movie 小鳥遊六花・改 ~劇場版 中二病でも恋がしたい!~ http://www.anime-chu-2.com/ |
BD/DVD release. |
| 02/21 | Taka no Tsume GO: Utsukushiki Ariel Shoushuu Plus 鷹の爪GO 美しきエリエール消臭プラス 鷹の爪.jp/go/ |
BD/DVD Release. |
| 02/21 | Space Pirate Captain Harlock Movie | キャプテンハーロック http://harlock-movie.com/ |
CGI remake of original series. BD/DVD Release. |
| 02/26 | Kikou Shoujo wa Kizutsukanai Specials | 機巧少女は傷つかない http://www.machine-doll.com/ |
Bundled with BD/DVD vol. 3. Episode 3 of 6. |
| 02/26 | Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Movie 1: Kyoto Ranbu | 劇場版 薄桜鬼 第一章 京都乱舞 http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/hakuoki/ |
BD/DVD release. Part 1 of 2. |
| 02/28 | Wake Up, Girls! Shichinin no Idol Movie | Wake Up, Girls! 七人のアイドル http://wakeupgirls.jp/ |
BD/DVD release. |
| 03/05 | Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai Movie 劇場版 あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。 http://www.anohana.jp/ |
BD/DVD release. |
| 03/25 | Sengoku Musou SP: Sanada no Shou | 戦国無双SP 真田の章 http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/06044508.html |
Included in Sengoku Musou 4 PS3 game. |
Like I mentioned in the intro, this looks like a particularly good season for original series, and whether or not they turn our well or fail horribly will likely determine how this season comes out looking. There’s a good amount of magical fantasy series this time as well, which warms the heart of a fantasy fan like me, especially when so many of them look to be filled with action as well. Sci-Fi, romance, and slice-of-life fans will have at least a few shows to choose from as well, and there are once again a few shorts that don’t look too shabby to boot. There’s potential here, and plenty of it, so all that remains to be seen is whether it pans out or not.
Onto the rundown. Our rubric remains the same as the last few seasons, with the five main expectation levels ranging from High to Low, plus Niche and Established hanging around for special cases. Hopefully this guide will help viewers with limited time know what shows to try first, based on our preliminary examination of the show’s staff, seiyuu, and source material.
We arrived at these levels by convening our seasonal (and reliably shady) “anticipation council,” consisting of Zanibas, Zephyr, and myself (Stilts). While we’ve gone to great lengths to try to be as objective as possible, we’re all fallible mortals here, and as last season proved even the most well thought out of predictions can prove themselves wrong in a hurry. Thus, take these designations with a grain of salt. Note: The lists are sorted in alphabetical order.
The Rundown:
High expectation shows give us reason to believe they have the makings of a very good series that should appeal to the widest audience in their given genres. If you consider yourself a “casual” fan who only gets your toes wet every season by watching the “best” shows (i.e. popular ones that generate the most buzz), then these are the ones we feel you should keep an eye out for. We’re also expecting good things from these shows, so if they fall short, disappointment is understandable.
- High Expectations: Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2, Nisekoi, Nobunaga the Fool, SPACE☆DANDY, Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
Moderately High expectation shows are ones that came close to joining the High expectation crowd, but missed out due to one or two elements that gave us concern. The series underpinnings are generally strong, but there is just something that keeps us from putting all our hopes and dreams on these shows. They still have most of the makings of very strong series, so if you watch only the “best” shows but want more than what the High category provides, keep an eye out for these as well.
- Moderately High Expectations: Buddy Complex, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2, Mahou Sensou, Noragami, Seitokai Yakuindomo*
Moderate expectation shows, also known as “True Moderate”, don’t provide any immediate indication that they’ll be amazing in retrospect. This is often the case with shows that fall into one of anime’s overused plot devices, which most people, particularly self-proclaimed critics, will perceive as mediocre at best. However, in many of our experiences these shows still provide a great deal of entertainment and may turn out a lot better than they appear. They’re good for “regular” fans who are aware of all these tropes and don’t mind seeing them used in different settings. Personal tastes come heavily into play, so your mileage will vary.
- Moderate Expectations: D-Frag!, Hamatora THE ANIMATION, Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha., Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road, Nobunagun, Nourin, Pupipo!, Robot Girls Z, Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga., Saki Zenkoku-hen, Sakura Trick, Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda~, Tonari no Seki-kun, Witch Craft Works, Wizard Barristers Benmashi Cecil
Moderately Low expectation shows don’t seem to be aspiring to much, but it’s hard to call them bad exactly. They might focus on senseless humor or fanservice, but there’s often at least one element that elevates them above other members of their genre. Once again, personal taste comes heavily into play with these shows, because if they’re part of one of your favored genres then chances are you’ll enjoy them no matter what. Just don’t expect them to break the bank with originality.
- Moderately Low Expectations: Maken-ki! 2, Mikakunin de Shinkoukei, Onee-chan ga Kita, SoniAni -SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION-, Strange+, Wake Up, Girls!
Low expectation shows don’t seem to be striving for much and choose to focus on more frivolous aspects such as senseless humor and fanservice. That doesn’t mean they’re the bottom of the barrel and shouldn’t get any consideration, but simply that you need to keep in mind what kind of show it is. Generally only “avid” fans will be interested in seeing what these have to offer, because they’re already watching all the better shows.
- Low Expectations: Double Circle, GO! GO! 575
Niche shows break away from the norm by being slower-paced, extremely dark/grotesque, or even controversial. In most cases these shows are oriented towards older audiences or those who feel that anime has become far too repetitive and want something different. Shows of this category tend to be highly under-appreciated, but can turn out to be hidden gems for that very reason. Includes works oriented toward female audiences.
- Niche: pupa, Z/X IGNITION
Established shows are generally long-running manga/anime series, geared towards younger viewers who are already fans of them. A commonality is that they all air early morning on weekends or well before midnight on weekdays so that “normal” people can watch them. They aren’t very dependent on expectations, but a love for never-ending shows and a willingness to get into all the material that’s out if they’re completely new to you. Shounen series fall into this category, hence why we treat them differently.
- Established: N/A
#tonarinosekikun
#seitokaiyakuindomo
#stilts’firstchild
Yes. Anyway will the list of shows being blogged will be decided after this?
Yes. Blogging schedule will be out within a week.
sigh, generally the older people(by that I mean who’ve stayed with this site) are the ones who should be mature enough to let go of past grudges… otherwise why the hell is this sort of comment getting red thumbs?
@amado:
Who’s post are you referring to? If it’s Takaii he was going “Yay, first post” earlier, then he edited it. Before he edited it some people downvoted it due to “downvote the first poster” meme. Maymay’s are fanneh and peepol do eet beecuz eet ees fanneh.
If it was mine, they just plain hate me but they can’t explain why: probably because I pointed something out and they got all butthurt but can’t argue because I was right.
There’s a simple word for that. It’s called “autism”. The people who downvoted me is suffering from autism.
Now watch as this post gets downvoted without being replied back because I’m right again and they’re all wrong.
I love it sitting on my high horse. I can see Rei’s house from here XD
Writers aren’t supposed to call first, Takkun >_< No one is supposed to, but especially you!
I’ll make it a more meaningful comment in a minute good-sir.
(I couldn’t resist *_*)
Well now I just like a fool. I like your updated comment though.
#takkunisdabomb
;A;
no love for
#mikakunin / #未確認で進行形
Mikakunin MV
what:
Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
why: because I love air combat!
what:
Seitokai Yakuindomo
why: perverted girls!
what:
Chunibyou 2
why: delusional laddle and umbrella fights!
what:
Nisekoi
why: because I actually started to read manga before and I liked it!
rest is up to other show’s successes reported by RC bloggers
Huuu… Rather only few interesting ones (Gin no Saji, Tonari no Seki). And here I am expecting that Winter 2014 will include KanColle. Come faster Fall 2014
Wait for WW3 aka Spring 2014.
There was news somewhere (magazine I think) that mentioned Kancolle Anime being Fall 2014.
Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road
Seitokai Yakuindomo*
Noragami
Buddy Complex
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2
Mahou Sensou
Nisekoi
These are the anime I plan to watch. My birthday month just looks SPECIAL come 2014.
Nisekoi having 2-cour? HELL YEAH.
Chuuninbyou is always a good thing XD,
Noragami’s manga is AMAZING!
Neppu looks promising!
Buddy Complex looks visually cool, hopefully the story is as well.
Mahou Sensou, I’ve read a bit of the manga and it was cool.
As for Seitokai, I still have to watch the first season.
WATCH IT. DO IT.
SEITOKAI YAKUINDOMOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Here, I made it even easier for you to start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8lqxLuU-AM
Show Spoiler ▼
@Takaii – I hope you’re planning on blogging Seitokai. I for one am very much looking forward to a second season.
I can’t wait for Space Dandy. It will air in Animax as well so I need not to DL subs.
I’d probably try out the whole line up and give the three episode rule, except Maken-ki!(which I dropped in season1), Pupa(which I am currently readsing it’s manga so I’d probably watch it) and SYD(which is a definite watch).
Space Dandy and Nobunaga the Fool, glad to have some manly shows this season.
You guys are AWWEEEEESSOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE
No, YOU ARE AWESOME! 😀
Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta is a spinoff of Toaru Hikuuushi e no Tsuioku???, ´cause it looks almost identical (btw, the movie is awesome)
Expecting a lot of this new season, especially Gin no Saji
Space Dandy, just looking at this screams a Japanese take on classic Star Trek. And nothing, NOTHING beats classic William Shatner womanizing, alien discovering, war averting, Prime Directive disobeying, Star Trek. How I hope it doesn’t flop, it’s the one show i’m really looking forward to.
Pupa also has my interest piqued, just because it sounds like necromorph meets zombie. And I do like my Dead Space.
Otherwise it’ll be a taste-testing per say as there are many comedies, rom-coms, and mecha action series which look to be interesting. Will be paying attention to Chuunbiyou to see how well it compares to the first cour as like the latest Steins;Gate movie it appears to me to be an attempt to cash in on one of KyoAni’s best-selling series.
The original Star Trek was accidentally campy. THIS show looks INTENTIONALLY campy. Totally different tone
Two important things I want to say now that I finally found time to comment again on my favorite anime blog:
The 1st is: like an old Mexican saying goes “I was not dead, I was out partying” (is the best translation I think) XD. For personal reasons I did not find time to comment, but if read the wonderful posts of my favorite writers and randomc. This year I hope to express more followed my pleasure and thank the writers from randomc for their wonderful work .
The 2do is: All hail Stilts-sama. For a funny and and tyrannical new year lol XD.
Thank you very much to all the writers for this winter preview. I take my time to read and watch the trailers for this season. I will comment after my expectations.
Happy New Year to everyone in randomc \(^o^)/
Nyahaha, domo domo *bows* I look forward to hearing more from you in the coming year!
Why are you trying so hard to backlog me with so many interesting shows?!?!?! I still got like 7 of Kyousougiga’s episodes left in my backlog and then I’m going to be feeling the pain in between the shows still going on that I do watch.
Most of the shows to me are under my “give it a try” section and there are few under my “must watch” section. The first obvious one being mothafucking CHU2KOI2 for MUST WATCH. Sunrise’s anime Buddy Complex just because it’s sunrise. Noragami because I love the manga and it’s the closest I’ll ever have to Alive Evolutionary Boy’s (i wish it got an anime too ;/) art style being animated.
I’m not touching Maken Ki with a stick, I dropped the anime just like I dropped the manga. I don’t want to watch Witchcraft Works because it’s 12 fucking episodes and no matter how much i love the manga it’ll never be completed which I can say the same about pretty much 90 percent of a lot of manga and light novels that always get anime yet always seem to be ongoing. We got manga that started 4 years before I was even born (jojo) and is still going on…
I’ll probably watch episode 1 of Witchcraft Works, but my expectation will be very low. I watched Dansai Bunri because I never expected it to get an anime in the first place and I guess WW is the same.
Setokai backlog, I saw the pv and I was like O.o, now I gotta watch season 1 >.<
I dropped Inari No Iroha's manga too so I probably won't watch the anime.
Dropped D-Frags too, what they gonna make an anime out of next? Fujiwara mates?!
I didn't like that latest Nobunaga anime with the genderbent blonde chick and Sengoku Otome was better anyways. These two Nobunaga anime look more interesting so I'll give them a try.
I'll give the other shows a try, except Pupipo and anything involving PSP, Vita, Sega, Super Sonico, Idolmaster whatfuckever, no mascots, no no no.
I got so backlogged with Silver Spoon's anime that I dropped it, I'll try my best to keep up with the second season. I kinda dropped the manga too.
Hop aboard the Saki train baby! SO STOKED!
SEITOKAI!! CUM ON WITH THE SEXY JOKES!!
DON’T GET TOU EXCITED! You might release too quickly 😐
Aw, don’t be such a DICK. Let him do got NUTS.
But don’t you SEE, MAN? We’ll be BALLS deep in those jokes! I mean, COME ON!
These sexual innuendos are too strong.
It’d be a shame if it came to a CLIMAX.
PENIS.
Wait, I think I did it wrong.
Yes, you did, sTITS- I mean Stilts-chan!
Puns aside, CUNT wait for Nisekoi!
This is getting out of hand. Good job guys.
I just somehow contributed to all this, didn’t I?
If you guys stop saying those word everyone will cum out of there HOLES and do IT…..write innuendos i mean.
I thought you meant the other thing.
You know, SEX.
Space Dandy
Noragami
Silver Spoon 2nd
Hozuki no Reitetsu
Nuff said
Seitokai, Tonari no Seki and Nisekoi are all big YES!
The only thing I planned on watching(and finishing is Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
Nisekoi!!! *O*
No mention of Space Dandy premiering first on Toonami before Japan? That seems like a pretty big deal. Only other dub first anime I’ve heard of is Pokemon.
No mention apart from me mentioning it in the summary, you mean? 😛
I just CTRL+F’d Toonami on this page and I’m not seeing it anywhere other than where I mentioned it…am I missing something?
Also are you going to blog the first episode when it first premieres or when the it premieres in Japan?
Whoever ends up blogging it will blog the Japanese version, assuredly. As far as I can remember dubbed (or English, in this case) anime has never been covered here, has it? When the time zone difference is factored in it’ll only be 10 hours earlier that it premieres on the US East Coast, in any case.
Please do everyone and especially yourself a favor and don’t blog Space Dandy.
Wow! What a 2014 Winter Season it’s going to be, more than 30+ shows. Can’t wait till the season starts (^_^)b Thanks for your time and effort you guys have put into this as usual!
Nisekoi is 2-Cour? OH YEAH!
For those who have read the manga
Show Spoiler ▼
There’s a good chance that it could be.
Show Spoiler ▼
Also looking forward to that 🙂
I just hope SHAFT ain’t gonna make much fillers..
Chuunibyou 2
Seitokai Yakuindomo
Sailor Moon
Happinesscharge Preure!
A small list but that’s all I plan on watching until I see some reviews of the various series.
Looking forward to Nisekoi and Seitokai Yakuindono the most, followed by Chuunibyou. The preview written for Space Dandy had me sold though.
We’re forgetting the seasonal obligatory:
“Winter 2014 looks terrible.”
I would like everyone to enjoy:
Norin – Kusakabe Yuka new song「Coredless tele PHONE」PV
and
SPECIALLY
Mikakunin Music Video
Double Circle
Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road
Seitokai Yakuindomo*
Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga
Nobunagun
Witch Craft Works
SPACE☆DANDY
Noragami
Buddy Complex
Nobunaga the Fool
Hamatora THE ANIMATION
Mahou Sensou
Z/X IGNITION
Pupa
Nourin
Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda
Wizard Barristers Benmashi Cecil
Gonna be a great season for me lol
I don’t expect Space Dandy to equal Cowboy Bebop, but if it can even near Samurai Champloo it will be one hell of a ride.
I’m not sure what to think of the English dub yet by the previews. I enjoyed the Cowboy Bebop in English, although I still preferred it in Japanese. So far I definitely prefer Space Dandy in Japanese.
I don’t universally hate dubs like some people though. English dubs have been getting better. Golden Boy and Baccano, in my opinion, are arguably better in English. I enjoy the One Piece dub for the most part too.
Nobunaga the Fool’s character designs are by illustrator Kazuki Yone, who did the designs for the Hakuoki and Scarlet Fragment dating games.
So many good, original shows and quality source adaptations
not to mention a bunch of shows that are 2 cour from the season before
I’m going to use you up, Crunchyroll, you dirty boy.
I’m glad a lot of the sources I’m reading are getting anime adaptations, but I might not survive considering that there are so many kinds of anime to watch!
Don’t forget to watch:
Little Busters! EX next season:
CM1
CM2
PV
Does anyone have any word on what the hell happened to Sailor Moon?
I second this. We need to know when this thing is actually airing. The lack of any substantial information makes me think it’s not airing in this upcoming winter season, unfortunately.
Last I heard was the original creator being a crazy control freak about the production and pissing off the staff.
With only a few Fall 2013 series I watch have ended, my Anime Schedule’s gonna be a packed one o.O
Still, the anime I’ve been waiting for and thinking of each single day these past few months is finally coming near: NISEKOI, I hereby expect a masterpiece of an Anime from you!! :))
<3 Gin no Saji 2 and Chu2koi 2 as well.. ^_^
An thus a new year of Stilts’ Tyranny will be foretold for years to come.
It would be something like this:
Stilts’ Tyranny is an era in the history of Randomc where the bloggers are always paranoid about spoilers. Day after day the bloggers monitor their follower’s replies to spot if there are any spoilers to put inside spoiler tags or to delete. Posts are usually clean, with some spoilers getting through in hidden ways, such as using names that spoil a certain aspect or character of a show.
You can’t “foretell” something that has already happened. It refers to telling about something before, not after, it happens.
I thought the bushiroad anime was going to be a special or something like that…
It’s going to be a series??? With episodes airing every week?
If so, yay!
If not, then oh well
nope its not going to air every week. I think its a 4 hour marathon special
Kinda like an RC podcast.
I dont know why i feel this way but, im very positive Space dandy wont turn out like Kill la Kill for some reason. The fear factor is still there but there’s something else about it that screams success. Plus it looks like funimation decided to get its veterans on the dub so no slouching on that department. i think we’re in for a treat……..i will be remembering these words.
Hell yeah SEITOKAI! 😀 Give me more innuendo, cause I can’t keep holding my excitement in!
…wait what.
I’m planning on watching the dub of Space Dandy, mostly cause I want to support Toonami as much as I can. :3 Plus from what I’ve heard it sounds pretty good. (Total side note, but I love Dandy’s pompadour. Reminds me of Gentaro/Kamen Rider Fourze, the astronaut Rider. Fitting, really. XD)
Crap, I’ve set myself up to at least watch the first episodes of like 30+ shows. …no pain, no gain, as they say.
P.S. I though the Sailor Moon remake was coming out in Winter 2014? :X
Ok lets see any anime with robots ,super powers or excessive fanservice are an automatic drop so what is left to watch this cold winter?
Sailor Moon. Where the firetruck are you?
Wish I knew 🙁
you guys have missed captain harlock BD – Feb 21st!
same with Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya OVA/special – Jan 25th.
Norgami 1st OVA – Feb 13th.
as for Neppu, please bear in mind this is 1 special of 90-min. it’s not gonna run as an anime or something.
other than that, I really look forward to this winter season. I think it’s not gonna be boring and sleepy as winter tends to be. plus, we have some great leftovers from the fall season.
“I really enjoyed how I never thought of any scene as “yuri” so much as “accented with hints of yuri”.”
“Even though the show is considered yuri, feels more like yuri undertones.”
“I view the duo kissing more as cutesy than lustful.”
So two girls making a firm, mutual resolve to take their relationship further than friendship, and having many many full-on kiss scenes together, is “hints” and “undertones” of yuri, is it? And I sure love how you felt it was really important to express that it was cutely chaste instead of nastily lustful! Because kisses filled with actual desire might make them icky lesbians, and we can’t have that right?
I sure as hell hope YOU aren’t the one writing up the Sakura Trick episodes.
It’s late, and I don’t want to ramble on especially to someone who hides behind the name Anonymous.
It’s High School, a time for discovery. I don’t care who’s dating who. Fuck, I don’t even care who’s kissing who.
Do you have a problem that I thought it was cute when they kissed because one of them was so damn awkward about it? Or how about the fact that before you even talk about what kissing is supposed to represent, there’s a much larger issue of self-confidence and learning how to deal with hardship?
But that’s beside the point. What I want to know is how from a few sentences, where do you get off assuming you can make a statement about how I feel about lesbians? If anything, you need to apologize for calling lesbians icky.
Please, take your nonsense elsewhere.
That was sarcasm, as should’ve been obvious. Since you’re apparently even dimmer than I thought, I’ll explain: I was criticizing the fact that you are heavily downplaying the yuri in a canonically yuri anime. Which is ridiculous and only something people who are homophobic or looking for waifus would do.
Also, is this name better? I hope it comes up to your apparently high standards in Random Internet Person handles.
Sarcasm over the internet is tough to understand — it’s not like I can hear your voice. And if you have a name, at least I can address you properly.
Anyways, sarcasm or not, my goal is to try to bring in a broader audience to a new show that I really enjoyed reading. And while going through chapters of it, I never got a real big “yuri” sense. Maybe it didn’t hit me, but if source material that I enjoyed isn’t watched in anime form because it’s called “yuri” when I didn’t really feel that much of it, I’d love to try to sway even one more person who’s on the fence.
As I’m sure you know, there are people out there who won’t watch good shows for stupid reasons like that.
Then let them not watch. If their inducement to watch the show is you saying “Hey guys, this yuri anime actually isn’t all that yuri! Isn’t that great?! It’s safe to give it a try!” Then they can rot, and so can you for suggesting that the lack of yuri is a selling point to be leveraged to get people to watch it.
I have read a few chapters of the manga and I could say that their kiss had no malice. They are actually pretty innocent
I get the impression that you are saying yuri and automatically implying that all yuri is smut. A series does not have to be explicit to count as yuri. As long as love between girls is one of the main themes, it is yuri.
For example:
Many people consider Maria-sama ga Miteru as an examplary yuri anime.
This is despite several important characters (including Sachiko, one of the main soeur pair) being straight and the only actual kiss (not counting Yumi kissing Sei on her cheek) that ever happens in the anime is the one between Sei and Shizuka.
Yuri fan raging over someone implying that characters might not be lesbians.
Where’s my green text dammit!!!!(oh right, not 4ch)Move along now folks, nothing new to see here.
Yeah, that irritated me too. Personally, the main reason I’m interested in Sakura Trick is because it’s actual yuri slice-of-life, not just jokes/ship tease like Yuru Yuri. The two main girls are actually in a relationship. It’s not just “untertones”.
Plus you know that if it was a slice-of-life show about two high school boys who kiss and decide to date, no one would be saying, “It’s not that gay! Sure, they kiss, but it’s not sexual, it’s innocent!” If two characters of the same gender kissing and deciding to go out isn’t gay, what is?
Anything that Stilts is watching, i’ll be watching as well….. which means i am about to waste a lot of my precious time…. thanks a lot Stilts
You and me both friend, you and me both >_< My kingdom for more self-control!!
Going to start with everything except Saki and Maken-ki since I haven’t watched the first seasons of these.
I am kind of amused how much Sunrise copied the character design of Valvrave for the main trio of Buddy Complex. Are we going to see these kind of characters more often from them?
Well this coming up season looks very interesting although I’m not gonna be watching these shows since I’m leaving to basic training at the end of January and will be away from the civil world/anime for months. So for that reason I read the mangas of some of these shows to get ahead start of what I’ll be missing, and few titles got my attention that I would recommend…
Nisekoi (9/10)
Gin no Saji 2nd season (10/10)
Witch Craft Works(9/10)
Oh! If any of you are into manga I recommend “Koe no Katachi” I have a feeling this can possible get animated once it has enough chapters.
http://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/sakura_trick_ch01#15
Clearly the most chaste, innocent kiss. If a male and a female character were kissing like this, everyone would agree that they are ABSOLUTELY NOT even remotely lovey-dovey, no lust was present anywhere, and that they’re really just friends.
Oh wait. Gotta love when male writers feel so threatened by possible lesbians that they do rather extreme mental gymnastics to pretend that the lesbians aren’t really lesbians in any way, shape or form, because clearly, lesbians would be a terrible, terrible thing.
Guys. You realize that these characters aren’t real, right? They can’t actually marry you. They will never be your WAIFU. You’ll handle them being lesbians. Honest. You’ll survive that horrible fact.
Seitokai Yakuindomo 2
Nisekoi
Saikin, Imoto no Yosu ga Chotto Okaishiin Da Ga
Tonari no Seki-kun
Saki: Zenkoku-hen
D-Frag!
No-Rin
Buddy Complex
+
Tokyo Ravens
Nagi no Asukara
Too many animes for me. XD
Cheers to another anime filled season and another year of RC ^-^
well the good shows I see here are probably more or less equal to last season, but since there’s a lot more during winter ive got to say there’s a lot more anime that arent very interesting/impressive.
also wasnt SHAFT supposed to be animating the kagerou project or is it gonna be next season/late this season?
never mind, turns out its still to be on summer. dang!
Little correction on the synopsis of Nisekoi. Raku has the pendant, his childhood friend has the key. You can see it in the promo pic there and the cover of the first volume.
And I counted….22 shows that I plan to watch. A step down from the 30 titles last Fall but more or less on par with how many I pick up every season. Coupled with the two-cour shows I’m carrying over(15) and, yeah, I am so dead. Watching anime is suffering. Why do I do this and what did I do to deserve this? щ(ﾟДﾟщ)
The ones I’m looking forward to are Nisekoi, Mahou Sensou, Space Dandy, Gin no Saji, Chuu2
2Ren, Buddy Complex and Seitokai Yakuindomo*.That Space Dandy trailer is looking real dandy. And all those colors, so many of them. This could be the anime of the season
I share the concerns for Space Dandy – not because it’s not promising, but because it would sadden me to see something bad from Mr. Watanabe. I hope that’s not the case.
As for other shows, I guess in addition to four series that will carry over from this season I’ll pick up Nisekoi, which was a very good read in its first chapters; Noragami didn’t particularly impress me when I read some chapters from the manga, but Hiroshi Kamiya voicing the MC gave me enough reason to give it a try. Hamatora looks quite generic, but i’ll give it a shot. Unfortunately, I haven’t watched the first season of Gin no Saji, so I’m passing on season two. Guess I’ll do it somewhere in the future.
I think I should be worrying more about the lacking number of writers than the shows here.
Stilts, please tell me you have plans to hire like 10 new writers, preferrably people who are not gonna choke on us because they have 2 full-time jobs, plus studies and other occupations. Seriously, I think I counted 3 people who quit RC because they had 2 full-time jobs; it’s just impossible to have a 3rd one at RC while living like this. It’s almost like you need to tell them how much minimum time they MUST spend on blogging one episode per week so they can get a general idea on how to manage their time.
IMHO Stilts, for each writer that quit RC, 2 more need to replace him or her. There are 36 shows this season, 3/4 of it needs to be covered at RC, so if you don’t have enough people, hire more to fill the blanks. Furthermore, maybe these new writers could also pick up other long-running shows that got dropped earlier, like One Piece and Space Brothers.
Look, you’re only 10 writers at RC… can you please ramp it up to 30? THAT would be more suitable and less stressful for everyone.
I don’t want to sound like a jerk or anything, but I feel strongly feel that the lacking number of writers isn’t gonna cut it for the number of shows you guys will have to blog.
These are not decisions that fall to me, and I’m not sorry – but I think that would be a move in the wrong direction. A core of strong writers who deliver quality work they care about would be better than a huge army of writers whose output would inevitably be all over the map. I don’t feel it’s necessary for any site to cover everything under the sun just because they can – I think covering shows well is more important than covering more shows for the sake of doing it.
I think Enzo pretty much hits on the finer points there.
It’s a give and take with every additional writer you add, and when you get to numbers well above what we have right now, the potential for quality control, timeliness issues, and administrative problems increases a lot more than the benefit we would receive in terms of more coverage.
What they said, plus the official word:
There are currently no plans to bring on any additional writers. This is something Divine and I agree on, and as you can see by Enzo & Zephy’s comments, the rest of the writers as well. We’d rather blog our shows well rather than let our speed and quality fall in favor of erratic quality, which is something we haven’t been as great about in the recent past when we tried to keep a larger team of writers around.
Also, please remember that we don’t have to do anything. None of us get paid for this, we just do it for fun, so anything that seriously lessens that fun – like managing 30 writers, which sounds like a nightmare to me – isn’t liable to happen. Now if you know a rich sultan who wants to support us then I’ll gladly bring on 20 more writers, though actually in that case I’d probably fire half the ones we have and blog 15+ shows myself, haha!
Bonus comment: I assure you that I’ve given every new writer a good idea of the time required to blog a show, just as Div did for everyone before I was helping. There’s a difference between hearing and actually doing, and people’s life situations do change. These things happen in any hiring situation, I’m afraid.
I’ll reply to all three of you at once, if you don’t mind.
I’m aware that you have no obligation to blog shows that you don’t care about. Nobody here, me included, ever forced you to do so, since the beginning. I’m aware that you’re doing this for free and as freelancers. I’m aware of all of that. You guys are doing what you can, and that is what matters the most. What I WOULD like to be more aware of are your backup plans.
Pretty sure that I’m not the only one who has been noticing less coverage, more delays, more drop-outs and more quitting due to personal life in recent months…
That’s the whole point of my comment: I’ve been noticing this trend recently, and this is what I’m worrying about. I don’t see many writers with 3 shows anymore, I don’t see shows being blogged by 2 writers anymore, like you Stilts did with Verdant, I don’t see the same amount of coverage anymore.
SOMETHING is sucking away the passion, dedication and fun at RC that I saw 2 or 3 years back. This needs to be addressed and fast.
Mmm, in general I get where you’re coming from, and that is exactly why we’re trying keep the group of writers as is for the current time. Considering all the things that have popped up in the past year, it’s important not jump into something that may seem logical to do.
Writers leaving should mean writers come in. Yes, it’s a logical conclusion. But it’s not also the best thing to do at this time. Because ultimately, some of the issues have arisen precisely as a result (as Stilts said) of us trying to keep a larger group of writers around.
As such, it’s important to first settle things down and focus on having a solid foundation before deciding what to do regarding the future. Part of that means posting what we already do now on time, without delays, and in a similar quality line viewers here have come to expect. And the best way to do this is to stick with the current core group of writers, many of which have now been around well over a year, know how we do things, and can be expected to be consistent (at least in the short term).
We need to get back to the way we were doing things before we move on to any other decisions, because otherwise, we risk taking a step back for every step we take forward. If we add new writers right now and some of them end up leaving in the short term, that will only make things worse, and potentially open up the floodgates to an endless input and output of new writers. That’s something that will do a lot worse for the site and that’s the risk we take if we just decide to rush hire a bunch of writers at this time. And this is why it doesn’t make sense to bring in new writers at this time. Getting the site back on track takes priority first. After that, who knows?
I think the important question is: When did I blog a show with verdant? Woulda probably been fun, I just don’t remember that happening. Or do I drink too much and have forgotten? o.O (It’s a legitimate possibility.)
@Stilts
My apologies, it’s Unlisted who worked with Verdant, specifically for Persona 4 The Animation. I got mixed up.
FYI, Zani & I worked on Outbreak together, Zani & Zephy teamed up on Ars Nova, & Zephy & Enzo are working together on Valvrave. There have also been times just this past season where we either covered or helped out each other on posts.
We work together quite a lot, we just don’t advertise it like we used to : )
Though it’s not like you don’t do enough as it is, but a short article explaining the managing and operation of a site like RC might give the viewers some idea of the amount of effort that goes into a quality site like this. Hard to understand the overhead required to accomplish this since all we see is the final product. And yes, you make it look easier than it must be.
@JiCi – I can understand how it might be frustrating for shows you like not to be covered. Certainly there are at least one or two shows every season which I watch and don’t get blogged by RC staff. Same goes for delayed reviews. Unfortunate, but “it is what it is” IMO.
To be frank, in your reply you write about being aware that this is something the staff do for free/on their own time and are doing what they can, yet you follow up statements like “…and this is what I’m worrying about. I don’t see many writers with 3 shows anymore…” Personally, I find that inconsistent. Perhaps aware technically speaking, I wouldn’t call that understanding or empathetic. RL constantly changes over time (if it doesn’t, you’re probably dead), and let’s be reasonable here, RL has to take priority. If their their working hours increase or they graduate school and are slogging it out “9-5” (if you’re working 9-5 literally, you’re lucky IMO), and thus can’t cover as many shows – it is what it is. Can’t be helped. Frankly, I’m more concerned about burnout than having every staff member take on 3+ shows.
I think it’s easy to sometimes overlook the amount of effort and time it takes to do a good job of blogging anime. Granted, not quite the same, but at one time I considered applying for an anime reviewer position on another blog site (sorry RC XD). I drafted a few sample reviews in preparation. Ultimately, I decided not to apply because I realized that it took more time than I originally thought to consistently write a good review (at least IMO) not to mention take screenshots, upload those, add links, etc.
IMO good anime blogging is far more than just a weekly episode recap. A good review adds some sort of insight about the show and/or episode – whether it’s execution, the characters, or the story told. Positive or negative, the review gives readers something more to consider beyond what watching the show itself inspires. To do that consistently week after week takes a surprising amount of time, effort and skill – certainly more than I had once thought. So even if you want to add staff, you can’t just do it wholesale. TL:DR – I completely agree with what Guardian Enzo wrote, and I’m not simply parroting RC staff opinion.
There are other factors involved beyond writing skill, but I’m not sure that it’s worth commenting upon them in detail. I will say that from my scanlation days, regardless of how much warning you give people regarding the time involved and long term commitment required, people are going to leave for a variety of reasons. It happens. Obviously adding quality staff isn’t impossible, but it also isn’t quite as simple as it may appear. Furthermore, there is a staff management time burden as well which should not be overlooked. Personally, I think adding one or perhaps two other staff writers wouldn’t be a bad idea, but if Stilts & Divine don’t agree, then I can’t reasonably argue against that since they know the situation (including what time they have or don’t have to deal with extra staff) far better than I.
Again, I can understand your frustration about limited coverage, but I honestly wonder if you fully understand all the issues involved. Even if you add the right staff, it won’t help much if the new people want to cover the same shows as current staff, and I definitely think that reviewers should not be forced to cover shows they don’t like. No point in that at all IMO.
As for the “fun at RC you saw 2 or 3 years back”, I’m not sure what you mean exactly by that. If your complaint is directed at post episode review discussion, then while JMO, I think all involved bear some responsibility for that – both RC staff and readers.
That they don’t blog shows or drop shows because they don’t like them, this I can understand.
That they don’t blog shows or drop shows because they just can’t do it anymore, this downright pisses me off. Not just me, but everyone who has been following the blog. It’s like the writer turns his or her back on us instead of fulfilling his or her contract.
“To be frank, in your reply you write about being aware that this is something the staff do for free/on their own time and are doing what they can, yet you follow up statements like “…and this is what I’m worrying about. I don’t see many writers with 3 shows anymore…” Personally, I find that inconsistent.”
Back then, all writers could blog 3 or even 4 shows per season. Today, blogging just 1 show seems to be the norm for every blogger. Some writers had to decrease the number of shows they can blog on RC. Even new writers often can take only one 1 show per season.
If free time is a major problem for veteran bloggers now, they need to fill the void. They mustn’t let this as it is or else in 2 or 3 years, RC is gonna shut down due to the lack of bloggers.
Yes, hiring 10 new writers might become unmanageable, but if 10 new writers can each blog 1 show, well, that’s gonna be 10 less shows off the veteran bloggers’ shoulders to blog.
look, it’s not like I don’t get you. I do. and I believe others, both readers and writers of RC understand your point.
but bringing 10-15 new writers so each will blog 1 series is wrong and it’s not gonna “solve the problem”, it’ll make things worse, not only for the writers, but to us, readers.
not only it’ll become unmanageable and everything that Stilts, Zephyr and rest pointed out, also it kinda loses the meaning of it. I don’t want to see about of 20-30 writers blogging 1 series in RC. this isn’t why I came and stayed in RC. I can go to MAL forum (or whatever forum that cross your mind) and see what other 20 people are thinking…I don’t care. and I assure you, as a reader here, it won’t be the same. and many as I will be disappointed if that will happen (that’s why it won’t happen HaHa).
the current crew maybe small, but it’s very efficient, they work together and are working well. when you keep a crew united and working for a long time, they work better. that’s why it’s important to minimize major changes that will shake the ship too much. you got to keep things in balance. and there is a great balance and core of writers that are here for quite sometime.
there is a reason why these people are writers. and I love them (except for..JOKING!). there is a dynamic and closed interaction with them specifically and it’s something you can’t achieve that with 20-30 writers. it’ll be chaos. I am not saying there is no place for “new blood”, but a mass of “freshman” will create a mess and chaos. it’ll affect readers.
and most readers love them for who they are and what they write, not just random people. if you keep 20-30 writers, you’ll see people being replaced like socks. not only it’s important to keep balance and all as mentioned above, but for me, as a reader, it’ll be hindrance to see every week or two someone leaving and someone else coming instead. because as a reader I have a clear image of each writer – what he likes, what he dislikes, on what I agree with him and on I don’t..as I said there is sort of something that bonds us to this people. you can’t have that with 20-30 people. you can’t. period.
I believe RC current staff is great and we can see how much it’s important that almost all of them are veterans of at least have a 1 year of seniority in RC. they complete each other, whether it’s on coverage or capping or whatever. you can see (and hear via podcast) how much they are united. that’s what it means to be.
sometimes, things you see from here as a reader/commenter, isn’t how it is as a writer/manager. you can say there are other things to do and all, and in fact it maybe true, but it’s always important to know your limitations and looking not one but 2,3,4 and 5 steps ahead. that’s what it means in management and in keeping well-oiled working machine. and I believe they considered many options, not only your suggestion.
and I do know they are thinking for both short and long term for the best of RC.
@JiCi – I’m just going to have to refer you back to my previous reply to you above eh. It’s about doing what’s right in the long term versus doing something that may seem logical, but is only a short term fix and will more than likely cause more harm than good.
The only thing I want to add though, is that “blogging 1 show” is not the norm. A vast majority of writers on the crew now have consistently blogged at least two (some, at least three) shows a season. Some have dropped down to one from time to time, but that’s because they knew there were potential timeliness issues at hand, and wanted to ensure they could at least blog that one show. Let’s not be too quick to jump to conclusions eh. The future of this site as is is not in some kind of serious jeopardy at this time.
@JiCi: “That they don’t blog shows or drop shows because they just can’t do it anymore, this downright pisses me off. Not just me, but everyone who has been following the blog. It’s like the writer turns his or her back on us instead of fulfilling his or her contract.”
Previously you wrote: I’m aware that you have no obligation to blog shows that you don’t care about. Nobody here, me included, ever forced you to do so, since the beginning. I’m aware that you’re doing this for free and as freelancers.
THAT is why I find your statements and sentiment inconsistent. You state that you are aware that the bloggers have no obligations, and are doing this “for free and as freelancers” (FYI “freelance” is not the correct term here), and now complain that the bloggers not fulfilling their “contract”!? WHAT contract!? There is NO contract, verbal, written, express or implied, and even if there was, it would not be enforceable (i.e. rendered null and void) for lack of consideration. That’s the whole point about the “we are not getting paid for this” response.
“Everyone who follows the blog is pissed off”? That’s a gross overstatement. I’m not pissed off, and I’d be more than willing to bet that I’m not the only one who feels that way. I’m disappointed that Seishun quit, but I’m not “pissed off” at him or feel “betrayed”. Frankly, I feel sympathy for the guy since he has to work two jobs, and respect him for doing humanitarian work on top of that. I would have liked for Moomba to stick around, but if he thinks that he needs to focus on his career, why should I hold that against him let alone expect him to do otherwise? I say “good luck and congrats on getting married”. You’re also mistaken about “one show coverage” being the norm, but Zephyr already covered that.
I get your point that coverage could be improved. I don’t disagree with that. I also think that adding a couple of more writers at some point wouldn’t be a bad idea either. However, IMO doubling or tripling the staff isn’t the quick fix panacea you make it out to be. You seem to be focused solely on quantity without regard to quality. At least for me, it is the bloggers writing style (quality) along with some interesting post-ep discussion which draws me to the site. I bet bloggers here could easily spam LQ recap only type “reviews” for 3-4 shows, but do you really want that? I don’t. Frankly, IMO having an army of 30 bloggers covering every show per season would make the site feel less like “the old RC”, rather than more like it.
Of course I don’t want to see the site shut down, and I highly doubt current staff wants that as well. From RC staff posted replies, it seems they understand there is room for improvement and are working towards that. The situation IMO is not as dire as you suggest.
Where did you get the episode number for Saki Zenkoku-hen? It seems to be a 1-cour show…
Considering the writers barely fact-checked, if at all, for the couple of “previews” I read, this borders on useless and shouldn’t be used as an actual preview for any series.
-Note (Dandy): Space Dandy’s international rights are held by Bandai Visual, who consistently promote franchises internationally on TV in Korea/Hong Kong. In fact, they actually aired “Kuroko’s Basketball” on nearly the same amount of stations OUTSIDE Japan as INSIDE Japan for both seasons weekly. Dandy’s success would just be more likely for Bandai to work with Cartoon Network in putting shows on quicker (maybe one/two max out of a season of 30). Not to mention the two shows the writer gives as example for the main staff have nothing to do with Bones despite mentioning “their biggest hit.”
-Note 2 (Chuunibyou): Ishihara has mentioned several times over that there won’t be a love triangle, yet that writer continually referred to the new character’s “affections” for the main character. Also, it’s called “Ren,” not “2” as the official licensed title hasn’t been revealed.
If I can look at two summaries and see those glaring mistakes, I fear for what I may misinterpret for other series I don’t know a lot about. Please double-check facts before releasing.
Space Dandy: Bones was involved in the Cowboy Bebop movie and I think there’s a case to be made for Eureka 7 being one of their biggest hits. Also, there were a total of four distinct shows mentioned, not two.
Chuunibyou: Although the title of the section says “2”, you might notice that the “Ren” title is used in the post. (And has since been edited to indicate there might not be a love triangle).
Having read the Nisekoi manga…well…it gets pretty ridiculous after a third possible female childhood friend pops up. Along with another one or two possible love interests.
All without advancing the plot in any meaningful manner.
See? This is what happens when a guy is far too nice.
No, that’s what happens in every shonen harem romance.
except for kami nomi zo shiru sekai(the world god only knows) and negima that is.
To be honest winter is normally filled with nothing but duds ,shows i would never even touch with 10 foot poll but this year looks quite nice some interesting looking shows here and it if this any indication then the rest of the yr should be good, alot better than last year at least
Yay! Finally time for more Rinshan Kaihou!
Anyone fighting for shows in the colosseum?
Is the writer battle royale this season interesting?
Has the injuries from last season healed?
Will the fight be streamed live on twitch?
RANDOMC INTENSIFIES
I wouldn’t be surprised if the writers duked it out in League of Legends. I know at least takaii and Stilts play.
The road to diamond,heh.Been going back & forth between 82 & 98 points in plat I for a few days myself >_<
I don’t like that plan. Takkun would totally kick my ass >_<
Make him try.
>:)
Come on, Stilts, just one practice game?
Would he say HYKUUUUU! while doing so? Streamplstakaii.
He occasionally streams at his Twitch.
If you follow him and turn on email notifications, you’ll know when he starts streaming.
If we could do a 3v3 I’d rock him. Me’n my team’s AP Soraka, AP Taric & AD Nami TT trio is undefeated. Yes, we make AD Nami a thing!
Looking forward to Nisekoi.
And thanks a lot for this amazing preview, you guys rock!!
Did I miss something? Why all the sudden hate for Kill La Kill?
It’s all been last episode pretty much. Looks as though the plot isn’t as deep and ingenious as many of us thought, so needless to say there’s some disappointment. Add on top the fact all major philosophical ideas have largely been discussed in depth and all your left with is action. Yeah the action is good and wonderful for a little popcorn entertainment, but it doesn’t make for much discussion and uphold the expectations going in from episode 1 onwards.
Still the chance to turn it around, but otherwise at the moment Kill la Kill is bordering on the edge of being plainly average.
Robot Girls Z
looks fun to me.
I’ve tried watching the OVA for Maken-ki, seeing as it features the same new character design.
Unfortunately, that said changed design makes it impossible to identify who the characters are, making the previous experience completely useless – and since it is supposed to be a “continuation”, making the whole thing unwatchable. Same thing that happened with Minami-Ke…
Got to say Pupa looks really cool. I hope the anime is like the tone of the second commercial. Also of course all the mecha love this season looks great too. Overall I’m excited.
I see sequels, “meh,” and “depends on what people have to say about it.” I shall count on you bloggers to do snapshots of EVERYTHING, so that I can be properly informed. 😉
On another topic, Nourin really pushes one of my pet peeve buttons. Preview picture of a cute girl, description starts off with “protagonist is an ordinary male student, etc…” If the protagonist is the guy, then the picture should be of the guy. If the guy isn’t interesting enough to warrant being the preview picture, then he probably isn’t interesting enough to warrant being the freaking protagonist either. Make the girl the protagonist, since she is apparently the one who makes things interesting. (note, this is obviously not the only show to do this, and quite probably not even close to being the worst example of this either, it merely happened to be the one on hand when my frustration with this issue caused me to snap)
LOL! This actually pisses me a lot too… when more than half the time, the main protagonist is a guy in a harem or something and he’s never seen in any of the promotional material =S
Oh wells… I guess it goes to show what we’re really watching anime for 😉
I’ll be trying quite a few shows:
– Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road
– Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga
– Witch Craft Works
– SPACE☆DANDY
– Noragami
– Buddy Complex
– Nobunaga the Fool
– Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
– D-Frag!
– Onee-chan ga Kita
– Mikakunin de Shinkoukei
– Strange+
– Adventure, Fantasy
– Nourin
– Nisekoi
– Seitokai Yakuindomo 2
– Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2
That being said, I’m not really looking forward to anything this season as it looks pretty damn bleak, even by winter standards, at least for me.
Good thing I have Golden Time,Nagi No Asukara,Strike the Blood & Tokyo Ravens continuing from fall.Also Samumenco but I’m still not sure if I want to pick it up.
Great job on the previews guys! Thanks to you guys I can start prep’ing my anime schedule before the season starts! :3 Happy Holidays to all!~
Gosh darnit, there’s too many interesting shows. 🙁 Winter is supposed to be weak. I’m gonna have to put some on hold and hope Summer is horrible so I can catch up on these shows.
This actually is looking better than pretty much everything we had this year…
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Buddy Complex
Chuunibyou demo koi ga shitai
D-Frag!
Double Circle [6 minutes]
Hamatora The Animation
Hoozuki no Reitetsu
Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road
Nobunaga the Fool
Noragami
Pupa [3 minutes]
Silver Spoon
Strange+ [5 minutes]
Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil
my list
Titles that interest me and those with (*) are on the confirmed watch list
Wizard Barristas
Wake Up Girls
Pupa
Sakura Trick
Mahou Sensou
Chuunibyou 2*
Toaru Hikuushi*
Sonico
SYD 2*
I must say… When I saw Toaru Hikuushi… I read it as “To Aru” and I thought it’ll be a science vs magic series again. Haha
That aside, saw the trailer for Hikuushi and I must say….. It reminds me of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX0Ox1DOLTM&noredirect=1
That aside….. There is another To Aru Hikuushi……
Released as movie in 2011
If it does not cause any burden to your schedules, would you guys fancy picking up Tokyo Ravens for its second half in the Winter 2014 season? Seeing people were saying how Strike the Blood and Tokyo Ravens were much better than anticipated…
They’ve indeed both been better than expected, but we usually don’t pick up things mid-way eh. There’s a chance of an occasional kinda teaser post though, if people who are watching it find time.
Tsundere Takao, this time not a ship(Mental Model).
I would be very interested to see another article on the FALL 2013 schedule in review.
Take the list of High, Moderate, and Low expectations prior to the start of the season and provide feedback on how well each one did in retrospect. Doesn’t need to be a long article. That would be incredibly useful for some of us.
There should an usual afterseason podcast where the guys talk about all the series and compare them with preseason’s expectations. But as they need to publish anime of the year post also, it will surely have to wait a bit.
I don’t know if this was mentioned in a previous post – but there will be no post-season Autumn 2013 podcast. There will be an AOTY post sometime in the new year, but unfortunately, with the workload and the holiday season, we do not have time for a retrospective podcast. Hope you understand ^^”
Isn’t Bushi Road a movie or OVA? I thought I read that on a poster.
It’s been said that it’s like a 90 minute movie being broadcast instead. Not sure if there’s anything coming after that. We kept it in the preview in its current format as a result.
Winter is coming.
My take for the winter 2014…
Carryovers
-Kill la Kill
-Log Horizon
-Gundam Build Fighters (ya, the battles are surprisingly good. Ex. a 1/48 Zaku in a 1/144 scale battle…)
3-episode standard
-Nobunaga the Fool (steampunk mechs? I’m in!)
-Tonari no Seki-kun (Nichijou? Is that you?)
-Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
Literally on the fence
-Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road (…”what is it supposed to be about?” even after looking @ the promo vids)
-Buddy Complex (feels like code geass)
…Surprising no garranteed series for me this time around.
Yay, another new season to fall behind on…
Things I’ll be attempting to keep up with:
Nisekoi
D-Frag!
Buddy Complex
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2
Mahou Sensou
Seitokai Yakuindomo*
Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga
Wake Up, Girls! (I really don’t know why… I hate the same-face that’s going on with the character designs but I know Yamakan is a big AKB48 fan so it’ll be interesting to see if his real life passions translates well into the series.)
Nourin
Witch Craft Works (Only reason I’m trying this is because of Jingrock… somebody kill me please)
And probably almost every other show after I see screens and go, “oh, this looks pretty good.” Then near the end of the season I’m stuck on episode 5 on like half my shows.
*cries*
I’d say this is a pretty drab season of anime though. Right now I’m not really seeing anything that looks like a hit. Just a bunch of shows that look like they’ll be a good watch.
At least spring’s soon. That’s looking real good. (Three months until Hayami-Saori-voiced-imouto induced death by fan/eargasm, more school idols and a sword wielding diabetic voiced by Hocchan. Waiting warmly needless to say.)
Hamatora makes me think of Durarara!!
I must be one of the very few people that still wish for Bones to make a 3rd sequel of Darker than Black or better yet, a prequel.
Whoever is interesting in playing Japanese Mahjong, just find Croos(me) or LightndarkShow Spoiler ▼
or Wave-master(specially this guy) in
Randomc IRC
IT’s TIME FOR TANOSHI GAME DESU YO~!!
Space Dandy below Otaku-Pandering crap like Chuunibyou and Nisekoi (Which is massively overhyped btw) is it a total joke
Are you referring to anything in particular, like sb’s comment or any line from the post? Or is it just whining for the sake of whining?
I whine about a terrible thing. People whinge about terrible things all the time. Get over it.
Ah, now I see it. So you yourself don’t know what your post is referring to.
Thank you for the anime list, will be watching
1) Noragami
2) Buddy Complex
3) Nobunaga The Fool
4) PuPa
‘Soul Eater Not’ by studio BONES is also part of Winter season but I can’t find it here at the preview, why is that?
It’s not listed as airing in the Winter according to the things we’ve seen. Some sites list January 6th, but that’s actually “select episodes of the original Soul Eater anime” rather than the new series.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-07/bones-animates-soul-eater-not-anime
weird…
according to official site and the page in MAL, ‘soul eater not’ will start broadcasting at Jan 6th 2014. that will make the 3rd series of BONES…oh my (:
It’s not in the previews but I’m also looking forward to the iDOLM@STER movie.
Mmm, we don’t list Movies/OVAs until they have been released on BD/DVD for audiences outside of Japan. It airs in theaters in Japan this coming January though, yes.
Chuunibyou Rika movie will be showing in Singapore Jan 16
My bad. Thanks for the clarification Zephyr.
NISEKOI~~~~~~~~~~~ <3 <3
Mr. stilts wouldn’t it be grand if someone made an anime like Charlie Brown or Hey Arnold.
Yes. Yes, it would. I’d watch the @#%& out of those.
Hey Arnold, now that takes me back… Wow, was that a show.
Noragami… I just love this manga so much!!! 🙂
I know right it’s a shame the anime writers care more about pandering to otaku than making a story about kids that they can enjoy and learn from at the same time
I’m surprised Nisekoi is getting a lot of popular points. It sounds very formulaic and not at all interesting. Very run-of-the-mill.
Space Dandy makes it to the general media!
http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/28/5250868/watch-this-space-dandy-is-a-swashbuckling-madcap-sex-caper
Very excited about Saki
when i heard that there is To aru……….. anime , i was like yeah may be it’s index III or railgun III or may be something from same author -> NOPE ! jinx it!
Anyone else find it interesting that they are doing a simulcast(?) dubbed/subbed for SPACE☆DANDY? Has this been done before? Does anyone know what American tv channels it will air on (hopefully Toonami so it will be easy to watch on tv)? Are you guys going to watch it dubbed or subbed? I’m going to try out both versions before I decide.
Can someone explain to me why Thursday is always so full?
Lots of good shows this season. Excited 😀
Thank you for the previews, I never would’ve started watching anime without these previews and this site, and the past year has allowed me to experience many great shows because of RandomC. My backlog is extremely large and growing, but that’s not stopping me from pushing forward. So, here’s my expectations for the coming winter.
Definitely Watching:
– Nobunagun
– Witch Craft Works
– SPACE☆DANDY
– Nobunaga the Fool
– Saki Zenkoku-hen
– Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
– Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2
– Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2
Checking Out (3-episode rule):
– Double Circle
– Pupipo!
– Robot Girls Z
– Seitokai Yakuindomo*
– Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga.
– Noragami
– Buddy Complex
– Tonari no Seki-kun
– D-Frag!
– Hamatora THE ANIMATION
– Mikakunin de Shinkoukei
– Mahou Sensou
– Hoozuki no Reitetsu
– Sakura Trick
– pupa
– Nourin
– Wake Up, Girls!
– Nisekoi
– Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda~
– Wizard Barristers Benmashi Cecil
– Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha.
– Maken-ki! 2
Roll-Over From 2013:
– Nagi no Asukara
– Kill la Kill
– Golden Time
– Strike the Blood
– Log Horizon
– Little Busters! EX
– Ace of Diamond
– Gundam Build Fighters
– Yowamushi Pedal
– Tokyo Ravens
– Samurai Flamenco
Which leaves me with a minimum of 19 shows and a maximum of 41. My realistic expectations is to level around 30 – 35, though.
Do I wish Non Non Biyori could have lasted forever? Yes, yes I do. It warmed my soul
If anyone is watching Yowamushi Pedal (I’m looking at you, Guardian Enzo), what do you think?
~ A. Wanderer
I see Yoko Kanno’s name among the music staff for Space Dandy too.
The team is complete.
My expectation for this series is off the roof!
And of course, Gin no Saji 2 😀
Two Bones Show? Well that is nice. Looking forward to it 😀
Guess I’ll add Gin no Saji Silver Spoon to my backlog, so i can chime into Season 2 as well. Still watching
-Golden Time
-Tokyo Ravens
-Magi S2
-Samurai Flamenco
-Log Horizon
from last season. Supprise of that season for me was Golden Time, which i had not planned on watching but turned out great. I have to now what the hell is up with Samurai Flamenco 😛
I’m so excited for Zenkoku-hen. I’m glad they decided to start it in winter instead of spring and even upgrade it to two cours! But this show being two-cour not only hopefully resolves the horrible pacing of Achiga-hen (which was just as bad in the manga), but it means Ritz can’t bs us anymore by skipping a chapter every month or else there will be no way she can finish the semis in time.
Awesome jobs this season, lots of read, lots of information, lots of fun.
Thanks so much, author-tachi.
Hoping for more good read this season. Especially with the continuation of Log Horizon and well, Saki Zankoku-Hen. The review of first episodes in this blog really determine which anime will I pick during the season afterall, lol. Keep the good work! =)
Is it just me or there are A LOT OF SHOWS THIS SEASON?? O.O I won’t get bored, that’s for sure xD
I’m still waiting for Yamada-kun and the Seven witches along with Hells Kitchen to finally get an anime -_-….but there’s still a good amount of shows I’m going to be watching so its all good ^_^
I’ve a friend who’s seen the first ep of Norigami (he’s in Japanese media sales) and says it’s solid, so hoping that one pans out.
Good job on the post as always!
Only one thing to say – even if all the new series turns out to be crap, we will still have Hunter X Hunter to watch. Enough said.
That Harima Kenji in D-frag… It gives me the School Rumble feelings 😛
Ichijou Raku is voiced by the same guy as Orimura Ichika…
1. Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
2. Saki Zenkoku-hen
3. Noragami
4. Chuu2koi 2
5. Inari Konkon
Definitely very baffled by the article on Sakura Trick. Seems to be some deep backwards thinking on Takaii’s part that s/he might not realize.
2014… It’s yuri time!!!
Im SOOOO hyped with Sakura Trick. After so many heavy subtext show to having a “full-text-canon” yuri anime is… beautiful. *wipes a tear*
And and waiting eagerly for Saki too. More super powered yuri-mahjong is always nice!!
I would probably watch Space Dandy too.
Sakura Trick will be good for cute girls doing cute girls.
I’m so ready for Winter 2014
-Mikakunin DE Shinkoukei
-Strange+
-Z/X IGNITION
-No-Rin
-GO! GO! 575
Now we have Sword Art Online: Gun Gale Arc to look forward to later in the year. Will it be Spring or Summer season I wonder…
– Sakura Trick <- Yuri Fan must watch this show
– Super Sonico, and
haven't decide the others
WoHooo! Can’t Wait. *_*
>The future of anime as a medium depends on the success or failure of Space Dandy
Don’t make me laugh
I just Saw Buddy Complex Ep 01
Well, the Start of this New Anime, was good. They dont spoiled to much in the Start, as they always do. This Anime has a very good start on the Story drive. Looks like Episode 2 is on the Action Part. Let’s see
Btw.. i could guessing how is the “pilot” of the Blue one… But this Anime is just Born
Well, you know. Animes and their Colors…..
This is quite an interesting winter season we got.
I am seeing in plenty of shows the potential to exceed our expectations, but as well as enough potential to possibly leave us some ever lasting impressions.
Im excited to get to know, if one of the animes of the current season will succeed to impress our keen randomc-bloggers to get rated as the AOTY??
And now that the first episodes are being released, I cant help myself, but to watch them with lots of random curiosity!!!
Thanks for the preview guys.
What the HELL?
Okay, I assume no one will see this but I have to try.
I just watched the first “episode” of Bushi Road and… what the hell was that?
It was an hour and a half-long and, as far as I can tell, finished the whole plot. It seemed like a movie. But everywhere, including here, lists it as a series. But either way it was still weird. THe first half-hour played like a normal, well-paced first episode. When the credits didn’t roll I got confused and realized it was an hour and a half. But the last hour was one long WTF. It’s like they vomited the rest of the series’ plot onto the screen. It was SO rushed and overwhelming in both speed and scale that I literally feel like my mind can’t cope. I called my buddy and he said I sounded drunk. What the hell was that?
they should do with the shows their not blogging the same way they did with horizon in the middle of nowhere where they blog about it after it’s finished airing or something like that.
SPACE☆DANDY
Hoozuki no Reitetsu
Nisekoi
Only 3 watchable anime without getting more retarded with so many crappy anime thrown at us.
anyone know when the spring previews’ are going to be up ?
The current pacing has it sometime next week.
Is there any ETA on the Spring 2014 preview?
Thanks.
New seasin preview PLEASSEEEE…
ip booter
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