Category: Season Preview

The Fall 2006 Season is just around the corner, so it’s time for a preview of what’s coming. But before we get started, a few notes. I am once again not specifically saying what I am and am not going to watch. As usual, I’ll watch the first episode of almost every show within certain parameters (in other words, probably not the kiddie shows like Pokémon or Rockman). What I will do here is say what the odds of me blogging the show are. However, even if chances are good that I’ll blog the first episode of a series, that doesn’t mean I’ll stick with it for more than that. Certain days of the week – Thursdays and Saturdays – have always had too many interesting shows, and I have to ultimately make a decision on what to follow and what not to. This season isn’t quite as bad as the previous Spring one, but it’s close.

By no means does this list reflect all of the anime that are going to be aired, though I did try to be as comprehensive as I could. Check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing, syoboi’s calendar for specific air-times, and AndrewLB’s Fall 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.

Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~ http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/lovedol/ Premieres October 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Mondays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This season’s Navel-related show, with original character designs by Nishimata Aoi of SHUFFLE! fame. It sounds like this might be another Lemon Angel Project girls-becoming-idols type show, but there’s some major voice talent signed on for this: Nakahara Mai (she’s in everything), Chihara Minori (Yuki from Suzumiya Haruhi), Nogawa Sakura (Nemu from DC), and Gotou Yuuko (Mikuru, Kaede, Nanami…). I think that alone makes this a must-see. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed

Sumomomo Momomo http://www.tv-sumomo.com/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 26:40 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 12:40 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo If I had to describe the manga this show is based on quickly, I’d call it a martial arts series crossed with a good deal of lolicon. For examples, I point you to Exhibit A and Exhibit B (probably NSFW). Basically, the story involves a guy who is the heir to a fighting style, but has no interest in it, and a very strong loli girl who wants to have his children. Hilarity ensues. I’ve been looking forward to this series ever since my friend introduced me to the manga. It also helps that Hirano Aya is in this too. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good

Note: This is a rather long and fairly comphrehensive list of all the shows coming in October. Much much more after the jump.
Updated 9/22/2006: Bakumatsu YouTube video link fixed; Added Super Robot Wars OG Divine Wars, History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi, and Soukou no Strain entries.

Next week marks the start of the Summer 2006 season, so it’s time for another preview. What the last couple of seasons have taught me is that I’ll watch the first episode of almost every show within certain parameters (in other words, not the kiddie shows). So instead of specifically saying what I’m going to watch and not going to watch, I’m going to outline my initial thoughts here most of the shows based on preliminary information and trailers. In addition, I’m adding a line about the chances of me blogging the first episode with at least screencaps and some impressions, if not a summary. Keep in mind this list does not quite include everything, and in particular does not have the two WOWOW series Taiyou no Mokushiroku (which appears to be a short) and Kemono Zume (which isn’t starting until August and doesn’t have much information to go on right now). Finally, even if chances are good that I’ll blog the first episode of a series, that doesn’t mean I’ll stick with it for more than an episode. Certain days of the week – Thursdays and Saturdays – have always had too many interesting shows, and I have to ultimately make a decision on what to follow and what not to. This season fortunately doesn’t have the insane number of new shows that Spring did, but we’ll see how it turns out.

Note: All times are given in a 24-hour, relative-day format where times are extended to show which day they belong to. For instance, Friday morning at 1:30AM would become Thurday at 25:30 to show that the episode aired late Thursday night.
By no means is this list complete, these are just the series I watch/am planning to watch. Check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing, syoboi’s calendar for specific air-times, and AndrewLB’s Summer 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.

	FLAG http://www.flag20xx.net/ Premieres June 16th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Every Other Friday at 12:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Every Other Thursday at 23:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A camerawoman follows around a mobile suit group in a not-so-far future setting with global strife. This is a mecha series, but it has a little similarity to current geopolitical situation. I’m not a big fan of the character designs, though the premise and the fact that this is a mecha series has me interested at least a little. Technically the first episode of this show has already aired, and the second episode is due in a few days, but it’s on Bandai Channel, which is a premium service. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent
	Night Head Genesis http://www.nighthead-genesis.jp/ Premieres June 17th, 2006; Regular Airing Starts July 29th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Saturdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Two brothers with psychic powers on the run. I watched the trailer on the main site, and it looked rather horror supernatural. Personally though, I doubt this is my type of series. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor
	Honey and Clover II http://www.hachikuro.net/ Premieres June 29th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 24:45 Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Thursdays at 11:45 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo The series that needs no introduction, this is the continuation of the highly popular series from last year, meaning the return of Morita, Takemoto, Hagu-chan, and all the others. This time around, the series will only be 13 episodes. I’m most looking forward to a lot of good music by Suga Shikao and Spitz. What’s more, this season will feature background music by the popular acoustic guitar duo DEPAPEPE, which makes me doubly excited. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed

Note: All times are given in a 24 hour format, using what I call relative day time 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.

By no means is this list complete, these are just the series I’m planning to watch. Check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing and AndrewLB’s Winter 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.

A brief run-down on my choice of shows:

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