Spring 2006 Shows!

Spring Season 2006 is right around the corner, and I’ve finally made my picks for the series that I’m going to watch. Before I go into the list, I do have to say that there are tons of shows this upcoming season (estimated 70+) and that this list comprises maybe one-fourth of that. Of the shows I mention, odds are I’ll only end up blogging around eight or nine of them (plus the four series that carried over from last season).

For a more complete listing that includes the shows carrying over, see the Spring 2006 Schedule page (or the table version).

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 Spring 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.

Joshi Kousei Girl’s High
http://www.girls-high.net/
Premieres April 3rd, 2006
Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30
Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Mondays at 12:30
Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
A comedy series about six girls together in an all girl’s high school sounds like a good premise. They’ve also got Kage Kara Mamoru! director Fujimoto Yoshitaka and some solid voice talent (like Mamiko Noto).
Simoun
http://www.simoun.tv/
Premieres April 3rd, 2006
Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30
Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Mondays at 12:30
Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
Now this show has a really interesting premise: girls who have to choose their gender when they become 17 years old. The title Simoun apparently refers to the airplane/machine that the girls pilot. I don’t particularly like some of the character designs, but I think this show has good promise.
Strawberry Panic!
http://www.strawberrypanic.com/
Premieres April 3rd, 2006
Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 26:45
Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Mondays at 13:45
Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
With all of the hype around this series, it really needs no introduction. The setting of a all-girl’s academy reminds me a bit of MariMite, except this show has plenty of yuri. That alone should be a good reason to watch this 🙂 I’m also just a bit curious on why Shimizu Ai is voicing two different characters.
Ouran High School Host Club
http://www.ntv.co.jp/host/
Premieres April 4th, 2006
Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 24:50
Airtime in U.S. (EDT, GMT-4): Tuesdays at 11:50
Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
A Shoujo Comedy? Done by BONES? I am so there… I actually haven’t read the manga yet (but it’s apparently being put out by Viz), but this sounds like it has great potential. Now if only Maaya Sakamoto (who plays the female lead) did some singing too…