Isumi won Nagi?

OMG! Isumi won against Nagi ... not her childhood friend, but the used incarnate spirit from Kannagi ;)




Mandatory image appreciation follows for my favourite Hayate no Gotoku! character :p




Seems japanese otaku really have a fixation on virgins, unlike europeans ;) Read more!

Bakemonogatari

Bakemonogatari (化物語, lit. Ghostory, a portmanteau of ghost and story) is a Japanese light novel series written by Japanese novelist NisiOisiN and illustrated by Taiwanese illustrator VOFan; the series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint. The story centers on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who has recently survived a vampire attack, and finds himself mixed up with all kinds of apparitions; gods, ghosts, myths, and spirits. The series is made into an anime in July 2009.

Bakemonogatari, volume one 化物語(上) 11.2006		Hitagi Crab (ひたぎクラブ), episodes 1, 2 Mayoi Snail (まよいマイマイ), episodes 3 Suruga Monkey (するがモンキー)
Bakemonogatari, volume two 化物語(下) 12.2006		Nadeko Snake (なでこスネイク) Tsubasa Cat (つばさキャット)
Kizumonogatari 傷物語 07.2008		Koyomi Vamp (こよみヴァンプ)
Nisemonogatari, volume one 偽物語(上) 09.2008		Karen Bee (かれんビー)
Nisemonogatari, volume two 偽物語(下) 06.2009		Tsukihi Phoenix (つきひフェニックス)
Kabukimonogatari 傾物語 ??.2010
Nekomonogatari 猫物語 ??.2010

The anime series was announced in April 2008 and started broadcasting in July 3, 2009 on Tokyo MX. The series is part of Kodansha's Nisio Isin Anime Project and is produced by SHAFT, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo with an assistant of Tatsuya Oishi, written by Fuyashi Tou and featuring a character designs by Akio Watanabe based on VOFan's original concepts. The music for the series is produced by Satoru Kousaki under the supervision of Yota Tsuruoka. The theme song for the series, titled "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" (君の知らない物語, lit. The Story You Don't Know) is produced by Supercell with a scheduled release in August 12, 2009. The series is scheduled to be 15 episodes long but will broadcast only the first 12 episodes. The remaining episodes will be distributed on the official website.

Bakemonogatari centers on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. One day, a classmate named Hitagi Senjougahara, who infamously never talks to anyone, falls down the stairs into Koyomi's arms. He discovers that Hitagi weighs next to nothing, in defiance of physics. After being threatened by her, Koyomi offers his help by introducing her to Meme Oshino, a middle-aged homeless man who helped him stop being a vampire.

The series tends to introduce only one new heroine per chapter, each involved with a different "apparition". The events of the previous chapters play an important role in the subsequent ones. The series primarily focuses on conversations between characters; it contains a fair number of parodies of other series, as well as NisiOisiN's trademark wordplay and metahumor.

阿良々木・暦 (Araragi Koyomi)

VA: Kamiya Hiroshi

Koyomi, the main character of the story, is a third year high school student who is close to failing every class except math. Shortly before the novel begins, he was attacked by vampire during spring break, and became a vampire himself. Although Meme Oshino helped him become human again, there are a few lingering side effects; he can see in the dark, and he heals faster than the average human. He is still scared of morning sunlight even though it no longer has any effect on him. He started dating Hitagi at the end of Mayoi Snail.

戦場ヶ原・ひたぎ (Senjougahara Hitagi)

VA: Saito Chiwa

Hitagi, the main character of Hitagi Crab, is a weak-looking girl with an "incurable disease". She is in the same class as Koyomi, but he has almost never heard her speak. When she was in the first year of high school, she encountered a mysterious crab, after which she became weightless. Ever since, she has avoided contact with everyone else, threatening everyone who discovers her secret. She called herself a tsundere and always speak in abusive style. At the end of Mayoi Snail, she admitted she has feelings for Koyomi.

八九寺・真宵 (Hachikuji Mayoi)

VA: Katou Emiri

Mayoi, the main character of Mayoi Snail, is a fifth-grade elementary school girl. She always carries around a big backpack, wears a hair-band, and has her hair in ponytails. Koyomi met her in a park on Mother's Day and offered to help her find her mother's home. She later reveals that, due to a Snail, they can never reach their destination and will always be lost. She makes a lot of spelling mistakes and has a habit of misspelling Koyomi's name. Her family name before their parents got divorce was Tsunade (綱手).

神原・駿河 (Kanbaru Suruga)

VA: Sawashiro Miyuki

Suruga, the main character of Suruga Monkey, is Koyomi's underclassman, ace of the school's basketball team and one of Hitagi's acquaintances from back in junior high school. Immediately after she entered senior high school, she became aware of Hitagi's secret and was threatened by her, just like Koyomi was. She's an admitted lesbian, fujoshi, lolicon and masochist. Back in elementary school, she inherited the Monkey's Paw from her mother. She started stalking Koyomi after she discovered he was dating Hitagi.

千石・撫子 (Sengoku Nadeko)

VA: Hanezawa Kana

Nadeko, the main character of Nadeko Snake, is Koyomi’s sister’s friend back in elementary school. She always wears a waist pouch; always cast her eyes downward, have her bangs covering her eyes, not talk much and can be easily amused. Koyomi plays with her a lot whenever she visited his house after being invited by his sisters. Her friend put a curse on her over a love affair, and was going to die until Koyomi found out and offers her his help.

羽川・翼 (Hanekawa Tsubasa)

VA: Horie Yui

Tsubasa, the main character of Tsubasa Cat, is Koyomi's classmate and the class president. Koyomi describe her as "the class president of all class presidents". Prior to the novel begins; she was possessed by bakeneko during a Golden Week due to stress over her family. Although it has since been resolved with the help of Shinobu at a cost of her memories, the problems emerged again right before the school festival because of different stress.

忍野・メメ (Oshino Meme)

VA: Takahiro Sakurai

Meme is a middle-aged man who lives in an abandoned building. Koyomi calls him "psychedelic aloha guy". Being an expert in apparitions field, he solves Koyomi and others' problems, although with compensation.

忍野・忍 (Oshino Shinobu)

VA: Hirano Aya

Shinobu is a girl who lives with Meme in the abolished building. She appears to be an eight year old girl, but she was originally a beautiful vampire who had lived for more than 500 years. After the events at the end of Koyomi Vamp, she was left in a weakened condition with no powers or traces of her original personality and therefore have to abandon her "Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade" (キスショット・アセロラオリオン・ハートアンダーブレード) name. She was named Shinobu by Meme at the beginning of Hitagi Crab, suggesting her kanji name Shinobu (忍), having "heart" (心) under "blade" (刃), matches with her original personality.

阿良々木・火憐 (Araragi Karen)

VA: Kitamura Eri

Karen, the main character of Karen Bee, is one of Koyomi's sisters. She's older than Tsukihi and always doing outdoor activities.

阿良々木・月火 (Araragi Tsukihi)

VA: Iguchi Yuka

Tsukihi, the main character of Tsukihi Phoenix, is one of Koyomi's sisters. She's the youngest of Araragi family. Unlike her sister, Karen, she is always doing indoor activities.

Since I am tired of transcoding and processing the images, the write-up is basically copy-past from wikipedia; I'll add more info as the series unfolds and then when I go through the novels in autumn, hopefully ;) For now enjoy the show on your iPhone XD

[iPhone-Raws] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
[iPhone-Subs] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
A/V Source: Zero-Raws, Subs Source: TBA

Read more!

CANAAN

I bet that almost everyone is not anymore oblivious about the new work from TYPE-MOON. CANAAN is based on an extra animated scenario (well ... sort of) that Takeuchi/Nasu team worked on for the "live-action" visual novel 428. If you're also not familiar with the game, no worries the series can be enjoyed without knowing anything, but you can spoil yourself at Akihabara Channel, where EvoSpace has generously provided a detailed summary of both the game and the extra scenario on Canaan and Alphard ... well the rest is quite spoilerish ;) Interested? Read, watch & listen more on:

1. Background & Development
2. Art & Animation
3. VAs, BGM & OP/ED
4. Characters & Plot
5. iPhone Torrents

CANAAN
aka 428
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview
Studio: P.A. Works
Directed by: Ando Masahiro
Character Designs by: Sekiguchi Kanami
Original Character Designs by: Takeuchi Takashi (of TYPE-MOON)
Original Game by: Chunsoft, Sega (just in case you've never heard of it)
Original Scenario by: Nasu Kinoko (of TYPE-MOON)
Series Composition by: Okada Mari
Sawashiro Miyuki (Canaan), Sakamoto Maaya (Alphard), Nanjou Yoshino (Maria)
Tanaka Rie (Liang-Qi), Tomatsu Haruka (Yun²), Minagawa Junko (Natsume), Noto Mamiko (Hakkoo)
Hamada Kenji (Minoru), Oukawa Toru (Kamingusu), Hirata Hiroaki (Sentana)

Background & Development

The series was known in its initial planning stages as 428 The Animation when it was first announced in Newtype's October 2008 issue and by Sega at the 2008 Tokyo Games Show, where a trailer for the series was aired and announced as an adaptation of Type-Moon's original scenario for the game. The title was subsequently changed in December of the same year to CANAAN, with Sega also announcing that they would host a booth for the series in the 2008 Winter Comiket, where DVDs featuring specials and trailers for the show, packaged with a booklet featuring original character designs by Takashi Takeuchi and completed animation designs by animator Kanami Sekiguchi would be featured, along with CDs of the theme song, "Arousing Soul", performed by Faylan. [From wikipedia, but I can assure you it is fairly accurate for a change]

Art & Animation

Judging from the first couple of episodes, animation is top quality, even challenging Rakkyo, despite one being a TV show and the other a series of movies. Especially, the action scenes are fluid, well directed and choreographed, something quite rare even for action anime. The character designs are beautiful, very detailed and distict. Also with the exception of Canaan, they are quite different from what Takenuchi usually draws, though still very distinctive of his style. Another amazing feature is the atention to detail on background art, which depicts Shanghai very realistically, as well as the animation of crowds and the fluid integration of 3D CG.

VAs, BGM & OP/ED

Voice acting is also well done, but this is expected considering the names involved. Also I must applaud the inclusion of Chinese and English in many occasions which adds to the suspension of disbelief, especially for non-Japanese viewers. Finally, apart from the three theme songs, the BGM is very fitting and varies scene from scene.

Comiket Promo: "Arousing Soul" by Faylan

Opening Theme: "Mind as Judgement" by Faylan

Ending Theme: "My heaven" by Annabel

Characters & Plot

The atmosphere of the show is somewhat bleak, it will remind to many Black Lagoon, though because of the brighter pallette used and due to the philosophical stance of certain characters, it acts as an offset and balances the mood. The characters themselves are interesting and the main cast seems to have a lot of potential, but with only 13 episodes planned, do not expect a lot (if any at all) development. Putting that aside, the psychology of the main cast is explored through the events and interractive dialog instead of blatant and dull exposition.

iPhone Torrents
[iPhone-Raws] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
[iPhone-Subs] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
A/V Source: Zero-Raws, Subs Source: gg
Note that only when they become available internationally, I will kill the links ;)

Read more!

The Degeneration of Haruhi Suzumiya

No, it's not a new novel and certainly not a new episode ending finally the Endless Eight. What follows is a point of view on a studio and a publishing house that have no respect for their customers, a recurring theme these days.

So what's the deal here ... for those that are blissful but want to get enlightened on what Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu is I suggest wikipedia, but in short it is/was (past tense explained below) a light novel series published by Kadokawa and adapted into an anime by KyoAni. Both were very successful breaking away from the otaku fringe market into mainstream both in Japan and abroad.

That was up to the glorious year 2006. What followed is the focus of this post. First of all, the last novel that concludes the series is in limbo since the spring of 2007, with its publishing date being constantly pushed and finally ending in TBA status. Also the last published volume ended in a cliffhanger aggravating more the situation.

On the anime front the owner of the franchise and publisher launched ambiguous advertisements indicating that a second season would air soon and based on the fourth volume. They were careful enough to create a lot of anticipation but offer no definite dates which the company used as an excuse to do nothing after the marketing stunt became viral.

Finally, in 2009 after another attempt, they used a doujinshi for a couple of web-casts that appeased many (me included). And finally, they animated new material that indicated that the fourth volume will finally be on the air by the end of the summer.

But as the saying goes: "Hope die last, but certainly dies non-the-less". The tombstone was put when we entered an endless repetition of the same episode plot, The Endless Eight, for no less then a month already and possibly for a second one, eliminating almost all hope that volume four will be part of this re-airing, re-run, re-launch or whatever you want to call it.

Now let me move to the studio's sins. Let me first clear out that any adaption can not be 1:1 because of the differences between media, but in my book as long as it preserves the feel of the original I consider it loyal. But just being loyal does not cut it, it has also to be good considering the medium itself. For example Tsukihime is an excellent game, with a disloyal adaption that I found good. On the other hand, Kurokami, was not loyal and in addition sucked by itself ... and so on.

Original Novel

The original artwork from the novels by Ito Noizi was OK. Still the first season was very loyal and both lead director and character designer improved upon the novels artwork, without altering the it's feel.

2006 airing

Unfortunately, though the studio fired a lot of it's most talented stuff, with the most known example that of Yamamoto Yutaka (Hare-Hare director) and in the three years that followed animated two 4-koma moe-blod shows and two Key moe-blob shows, all four of which share one important detail ... they need no competent writers.

2009 airing

This led to the abominable stills and amorphous animation, resulting in single-cellular organism instead of anthropomorphic characters. To indicate this influence Just compare the screenshots above from Haruhi to K-On! below and the 2006 airing. Haruhi (2009) ended up looking more like Yui than herself from three years ago XD

The culprit, K-On!

So what now, the optimistic rumor say that pressure from sponsors and the threat of DVD sales will either cut short the Endless Eight or force a rushed Disappearance by the end of the season. A more realistic rumor speculates either a back-to-back second season or at spring/summer 2010 with Disappearance and stories from latter volumes. Worse case scenario and most likely is that The Endless Eight iteration continue for either 6 or 8 episodes or even the end of August, then Sigh with or without a cliffhanger for Disappearance, with no deadline on air date.

So what can we do? Frankly, nothing! There are so many fanatics of Kadokawa, KyoAni, Haruhi, that we seem like annoying whiners and they act like rabid hounds to silence us in forums, IRC, etc. On the other side, they suddenly disappear when ignorant red-necks and jaded feminist twist reality. I just hope that in time, humans will become intelligent, managers competent, investors humane, animators talented, writers paid, ... and in other fairy-tales ;)

Read more!

Summer '09 Previews

With several shows that I enjoy carrying on from spring; add 14 new ones, plus Haruhi new episodes, Zetsubou Sensei 3rd and Ookami 2nd season; this summer looks very promising! The highlights are of course Canaan from the Type-Moon team, Umineko from Higurashi creators and SHAFT's second TV show this season.

25.6

Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto

Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-Chan!!

2.7

Umineko no Naku Koro ni

Aoi Hana

3.7

Needless

Taishou Yakyuu Musume

Bakemonogatari

4.7

Canaan

5.7

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

6.7

Princess Lover!

Kanamemo

7.7

GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class

Sora no Manimani

9.7

Ookami to Koushinryou 2nd Series

10.7

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0

12.7

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou

Continued

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi

Hayate no Gotoku!!

Pandora Hearts

Requiem of Phantom

Saki

Shangri-la

Senjou no Valkyria

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu

Tears to Tiara

Canaan
カナン
a.k.a. 428 the animation

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, additional art
Studio: P.A. Works (True Tears)
Directed by Ando Masahiro
Character Designs by Sekiguchi Kanami (Wild Arms)
Original Character Designs by Takeuchi Takashi (of TYPE-MOON) (Rakkyo, Tsukihime, Fate/Stay Night)
Original Scenario by Nasu Kinoko (of TYPE-MOON) (Rakkyo, Tsukihime, Fate/Stay Night)
Original Game by Chunsoft, Sega (just in case you've never heard of it)
Series Composition by Okada Mari (Toradora, Kodomo no Jikan, Vampire Knight, True Tears, Mamoru-kun, Sasami)
VAs: Sakamoto Maaya (Alphard), Sawashiro Miyuki (Canaan), Nanjou Yoshino (Maria)

Adaptation of Sega and Chunsoft’s 428 ~Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de~ visual novel for the Wii, titled CANAAN. It tells a present-day story about a detective, a young man, a virus researcher, a freelance writer, and a cat mascot character who are brought together by bizarre events with worldwide implications in the Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya. [ANN]

Finally, some new material from TYPE-MOON; don't get me wrong I love Rakkyo, but since I have read the novels it is hardly new to me. Anyway, having confidence in the source and an experienced writer in series composition, plus a good director raises a lot my expectations. But especially for people who are unfamiliar with TYPE-MOON games, whether the anime lives up to the legacy of Rakkyo will be unoticeable ;)

Umineko no Naku Koro ni
うみねこのなく頃に
a.k.a. When Seagulls Cry

AniDB, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki
Studio DEEN (07-Ghost, Higurashi, Simoun, Fate/Stay Night)
Directed by Kon Chiaki ()
Character Designs by Kikuchi Yoko (Phantom, El Cazador, Noir)
Original Game by 07th Expansion / Ryukishi07 (Higurashi)
Series Composition by Kawase Toshifumi (Higurashi, Ueki)
VAs: Ohara Sayaka (Beatrice), Inoue Marina (Jessica), Horie Yui (Maria)

Umineko no Naku Koro ni takes place in the year 1986, during the time frame of October 4 and October 5 on a secluded island named Rokkenjima (六軒島, Rokkenjima). The head of a wealthy family named Kinzo Ushiromiya, who lives on and owns Rokkenjima, is near death, and eight of his family members arrive on the island to discuss how Kinzo's assets will be divided once he is dead. Also on the island are three family members who live there, five of Kinzo's servants, and his personal physician. After the eight family members arrive, a typhoon traps them on the island and shortly after people start to get mysteriously murdered. [AniDB]

Higurashi, without lolis and good character designs. Most of the staff is the same, while on the VA front there are also strong presences. In any case, I expect a strong mystery and hope it will not take that prolonged off-air break that Higurashi suffered from.

Bakemonogatari
化物語

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: SHAFT (Natsu no Arashi, Maria Holic, ef, Hidamari Sketch, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Directed by Oishi Tatsuya, Shinbo Akiyuki (Natsu no Arashi, Maria Holic, Hidamari Sketch, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Character Designs by Watanabe Akio (Nurse Witch Komugi, SoulTaker)
Original Character Designs by VOfan
Original by Nisio Ishin
Series Composition by Tou Fuyashi (Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
VAs: Kamiya Hiroshi (Araragi), Saito Chiwa (Hitagi)

Bakemonogatari centers on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. One day, a classmate named Hitagi Senjougahara, who infamously never talks to anyone, falls down the stairs into Koyomi's arms. He discovers that Hitagi weighs next to nothing, in defiance of physics. After being threatened by her, Koyomi offers her help, and introduces her to Meme Oshino, a middle-aged homeless man who helped him stop being a vampire. In each chapter of the series, he encounters a different heroine, each involved with a different "apparition". The events of the previous chapters play an important role in the subsequent ones. The series primarily focuses on conversations between characters; it contains a fair number of parodies of other series, as well as Nisio Isin's trademark wordplay and metahumor. [AniDB]

The plot sounds promising, the studio is tried and tested, the chief director has created some psychedelic OPs and there is always Shinbo to back-up. Also another plus is the return of the character designer from SoulTaker. Finally, lets not forget the excellent BGM scores that the studio always manages.

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
懺・さよなら絶望先生

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: SHAFT (Natsu no Arashi, Maria Holic, ef, Hidamari Sketch, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Directed by Shinbo Akiyuki (Natsu no Arashi, Maria Holic, Hidamari Sketch, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Character Designs by Morioka Hideyuki (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Maria Holic, REC)
Original Manga by Kumeta Kouji
VAs: Kamiya Hiroshi (Itoshiki Nozomu), ...

Third TV adaptation (4th overall, including an OVA) of Kouji Kumeta’s manga. The anime revolves around a very pessimistic high school teacher named Nozomu Itoshiki who, at the very beginning of the series, tries to hang himself on a sakura tree. Despite this effort of self-destruction, he is saved by an extremely optimistic girl known only as Kafuka Fuura. After having enough of the strange girl, Nozomu bolts to the school and starts his homeroom class, but the attempt to escape was in vain as he finds that the girl is one of his students. Not only that, but Kafuka is just the tip of the iceberg: each and every student in his class represents a new personality quirk or bizarre obsession, posing challenges that the suicidally-inclined teacher must overcome in spite of himself. [Wikipedia]

I do not really have something special to say, if you liked the previous seasons, you'll obviously like this one too.

Ookami to Koushinryou 2nd Series
狼と香辛料 メ第2
a.k.a. Spice and Wolf 2

AniDB, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki, Horo art
Studio: Brains Base (Natsume Yuujinchou, Akikan, Kurenai, Baccano)
Directed by Takahashi Takeo (Ookami to Koshinryo, Cosprayers, Hit wo Nerae, Love Love)
Character Designs by Kobayashi Toshimitsu (Futakoi Alternative, El Hazard)
Original Character Designs by Ayakura Juu
Original Novels by Hasekura Isuna
Screenplay by Arakawa Naruhisa (Kurumi, Cosprayers, Blue Seed)
VAs: Koshimizu Ami (Horo), Fukuyama Jun (Craft)

Second season of the adaptation of Isuna Hasekura’s light novels. For the second season, the former animation studio (IMAGIN) has been replaced by Brains Base as the studio primarily responsible for animation production. Craft Lawrence is a peddler who trades in various kinds of goods, visiting every village by cart. After he leaves the town of Pasroe, which was in the midst of a harvest festival, he finds a girl sleeping on a pile of fur in his cart. She is a beautiful girl, but she has the ears and tail of a wolf. She calls herself Horo - the Sage Wolf Horo - god of the harvest. Her craft is the art of conversation, and even Lawrence, an experienced peddler, is outmaneuvered by her. Although he doubts her identity as a god, he is moved by her wish to return to her home in the north, and so he promises to go with her. [AnimeNfo]

I loved the first season, but I understand the concerns of many people about digging too deep into the settings background through long dialogs. On the other hand judging from the OVA and PV, I expect that it will be toned down and the focus will shift to relationships, which was one of the strongest points of the first season along with the BGM and Horo's character designs.

Needless
ニードレス

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: Madhouse (RideBack, Kamen no Maid Guy, Black Lagoon)
Directed by Sakoi Masayuki (Kamen no Maid Guy, Kaibutsu Oujo, Strawberry Panic)
Character Designs by Kato Hiromi (Beck)
Original Mnaga by Imai Kami
Screenplay by Nishizono Satoru (Zettai Karen Children, Ultimate Girls)
VAs: Koyasu Takehito (Adam), Endo Aya (Cruz), Kitamura Eri (Eve)

Year 2130, after the third world war, large contaminated areas known as "Blackspots" formed all over Japan. Large Walls were used to quarantine off these "Blackspots". In time, signs of inhabitance appeared within these wastelands. Among the survivors who had been abandoned inside the Blackspots, labeled as "those who were unneeded", came forth possessors of uncanny abilities -- Fire, wind, brute strength...they were defined by their supernatural abilities. Others, fearful of their powers, expelled them and named them - - - Needless! (MangaUpdates)

Seinen Action Comedy by Madhouse a studio that I love and hate. As usual for them there is no promo around, staff is coming from varying works and we are left only with a short description to draw conclusions. Honestly I have no idea what to expect.

Taishou Yakyuu Musume
大正野球娘。

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: J.C. Staff (Potemayo, Daphne)
Directed by Ikehata Takeshi (Potemayo, Daphne, Genshiken, Kujibiki Unbalance, Happy World)
Character Designs by Kamimoto Kinetoshi (Bakuretsu Tenshi, Mushi-Uta)
Original Character Designs by Koike Sadaji
Original Novels by Kagurazaka Atsushi
Series Composition by Ikehata Takeshi
VAs: Itou Kanae (Koume), Nakahara Mai (Akiko)

The story is about two 14-year-old Japanese high school girls named Koume and Akiko who decide to start a baseball team in Japan in 1925. At the time, few baseball teams — male or female — exist in the country. First though, the two girls have no clue where to find nine players, how to use the equipment, and what even the rules are. [ANN]

Seinen All-Girl Baseball anime set in Taishou era ... from J.C. Staff. Well, if it wasn't for the studio and the director, I would have certainly ignored this one. If the source is decent though and does not degrade to some sports anime it has potential.

Aoi Hana
青い花
a.k.a. Sweet Blue Flowers

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: J.C. Staff (Hatsukoi Limited, Toradora, Honey & Clover, Nodame Cantabile)
Directed by Kasai Kenichi (Nodame Cantabile)
Character Designs by Onchi Masayuki
Original Manga by Shimura Takako
Series Composition by Takayama Fumihiko
VAs: Gibu Yoko (Akira), Takabe Ai (Fumi)

Fumi and Akira were best friends when they were little, with Akira always looking after the crybaby Fumi, but that all ended when Fumi's family moved away. Several years later, Fumi's family returned, and she and Akira happened to bump into each other on their way to school. They became friends again, quickly slipping back into old patterns. Shortly after, Fumi began dating a cool, attractive upperclassman who, coincidentally enough, had ties to Akira's current school, the prestigious Fujigatani Girls' Academy. [Lililicious]

Shoujo-Ai from J.C. Staff, hm ... I can not remember this combo, but anyway, the studio has an excellent track at romance and a decent one at adaptions, plus it has the director of Nodame Cantabile, so fans of the gerne rejoice!

Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto
うみものがたり ～あなたがいてくれたコト～
a.k.a. Sea Story

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: ZEXCS (Regios, Macademi, Oinari-sama, H2O)
Directed by Kou Yuu (Monochrome Factor, Zero no Tsukama 2/3, Chrono Crusade), Sato Junichi (Aria, Kaleido Star, Keroro Gunso, Sailor Moon)
Character Designs by Iizuka Haruko (Wellber Monogatari)
Original by Tsukiji Toshiko (Maburaho)
Series Composition by Yamada Yuka (Neo Angelique Abyss, Tide-Line Blue)
VAs: Kotobuki Minako (Kanon), Asumi Kana (Marin), Horie Yui (Urin)

The "transforming magical girl action" story centers on Marin and Urin, two "pure" sisters who live alongside the fish in the sea, but yearn to be in the world beyond the water and above ground. One day, a beautiful ring falls in the middle of the sea, and Marin and Urin retrieve it. The two decide to leave their waterbound world for the first time to deliver the ring. After an arduous journey, they come across an isolated island where a high school girl named Kanon lives. The encounter between Marin and Kanon — the maiden of the sea and the maiden of the skies — awakens a hidden power as the world is threatened by an enveloping darkness. [ANN]

The first thing that drew my attention were the beatiful character designs, unremarkably though as I noticed who did them (Wellber's high point was again the character ddesigns). Anyway, the studio and directors have a very good record at bishoujo gerne and the original comes also from an exerienced writter. My only fear lies with the series composition, especially this gerne can be extremely boring and very slow to pick up its pace.

Sora no Manimani
宙のまにまに

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio Comet (School Rumble, Saint October, Onegai My Melody)
Directed by Takamatsu Jin (School Rumble, Gintama, Ginban Kaleidoscope)
Character Designs by Watanabe Hajime (School Rumble, Kaleido Star, Animation Runner Kuromi)
Original Manga by Kashiwabara Mami

Saku Ooyagi returns to his old town after seven years and becomes reacquainted with a childhood friend, the ever-boisterous Mihoshi Akeno; but the reunion is far from merry since his last piece of memory between them is of her falling off a tree and him diving to save her. Regardless, Mihoshi focuses her all into improving their tattered relationship and forces Saku to join her astronomy club. [MangaUpdates]

School Rumble team (give or take), returns with another slice-of-lice, romantic comedy. Kind of repetetive, IMHO ... in any case I'll give it a shot just in case.

GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
GA 芸術科アートデザインクラス

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: AIC PLUS+
Directed by Sakurai Hiroaki (Di Gi Charat)
Character Designs by Watanabe Atsuko (Valkyria)
Original Manga by Kiyuduki Satoko
Series Composition by Machida Touko (Allison to Lillia, Lucky Star, Tears to Tiara)
VAs: Tokunaga Ai (Noda-Miki), Haruka Tomatsu (Kisaragi), Nazuka Kaori (Kyouju), Sawashiro Miyuki (Tomokane), Horie Yui (Namiko)

Anime adaptation of Satoko Kiyuzuki’s slice-of-life manga series GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class. The ongoing GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class manga series premiered in 2004, illustrating the daily lives of five freshman girls in a high school art class. (AniDB)

Where have I seen this before. Unoriginality aside, the staff is quite strong and they might be upto something interesting.

Kanamemo
かなめも
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: Feel (Shikabane Hime, Da Capo, Nagasarete Airantou, Futakoi Alternative)
Directed by Takayanagi Shigehito (Galaxy Angel)
Character Designs by Tatsuta Shinichi
Original Manga by Iwami Shouko
Series Composition by Nakase Rika (Junjou Romantica, Futago Hime, Rocket Girls)
VAs: Toyosaki Aki (Kana), Kitamura Eri (Hinata), Kugimiya Rie (Mia), Horie Yui (Haruka)

Adaptation of Shouko Iwami's Kanamemo four-panel manga. The story revolves around the daily life of Kana Nakamichi, an orphaned middle-school girl who begins living and working at a newspaper delivery office staffed exclusively by cute young girls. [ANN]

Decent character designs and good VAs on secondary roles. These being said, there is absolutely nothing else of interest here ... oh, I forgot bishoujos acting cute and stupid.

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou
よくわかる現代魔法
a.k.a. Properly Learned Modern Magic

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio Nomad (Yozakura Quartet, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Sola, Chokotto Sister, Rozen Maiden)
Directed by Kuroda Yasuhiro (Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Chokotto Sister)
Character Designs by Koga Makoto (Aria, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Sola)
Original Character Designs by Miyashita Miki (Maburaho)
Original Novels by Sakurazaka Hiroshi
Series Composition by Monda Yuuichi
VAs: Nonaka Ai (Koyomi)

The story revolves around Koyomi Morishita, a clumsy high school freshman girl who is often mistaken for a grade-schooler because of her shortness. Koyomi becomes a disciple of Misa Anehara, a 25-year-old graduate student who happens to be one of the most powerful modern-day magicians. [ANN]

More fan-service, though Nomad and Kyoran Kazoku staff know how to offer it with style and humor.

Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-Chan!!

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio Hibari (Venus vs Virus, Tsuyokiss, Kashimashi)
Directed by Kimura Sinichiro (Karin, Mahoraba, Maburaho, Venus vs Virus, Tsuyokiss)
Character Designs by Watanabe Atsuko (Valkyria)
Original Manga by Ditama Bow (Kiss X Sis, Mahoromatic)
Series Composition by Yamada Yatsutomo (Potemayo, Tsuyokiss, Venus vs Virus)
VAs: Fukuhara Kaori (Puragu)

Juuden-chan is the name given to a group of special girls who work as OL (office ladies) during the day and have a special mission to use electricity to cheer up (recharge) depressed people. Depressed people are graded into different levels of danger. At level A, they are at highest risk of suicide and are a danger to themselves. To help these people, a company is established which dispatches the invisible Juden-chan to help charge them up. Unfortunately the main character is new at her job, and often makes mistake and causes trouble. But she still manages to save people, but usually through some alternative means. [AniDB]

Studio and staff scream fan-service, just check the promo and you'll understand what I mean.

Princess Lover!
プリンセスラバー！

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: GoHands
Directed by Kanazawa Hiromitsu
Character Designs by Suzuki Shingo
Series Composition by Nakamura Makoto (Noramimi, Telepathy Shoujo Ran)
VAs: Terashima Takuma (Arima)

Teppei Arima is a second-year high school student who lost both of his parents in a traffic accident on their way home from a family trip. His grandfather, Isshin Arima, happens to wield the puppet strings in Japan's vast economy and demands that Teppei becomes his successor as the head of the Arima Group. To prepare for his debut into high society, Teppei enrolls in an elite academy for the scions of the rich and powerful. [AniDB]

Premise sounds lame, the promo has only ecchi, the studio and most stuff are newbies ... not really a lot to expect here.

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
東京マグニチュード8.0

AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: BONES (FMA, Xamdou, Darker than Black, Eureka Seven, Wolf's Rain, Scrapped Princess, RahXephon)
Directed by Tachibana Masaki
Character Designs by Nozaki Atsuko
Series Composition by Takahashi Natsuko (Blue Drop, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth, You're Under Arrest: Full Throttle)
VAs: Kaida Yuko (Mari), Hanamura Satomi (Mirai), Kobayashi Yumiko (Yuuki)

The premise of the story is the 70% or higher possibility that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake will occur in Tokyo in the next 30 years. The story depicts what would happen if a 8.0 earthquake tooks place. The story will center on Mirai, a middle school freshman girl who goes to Tokyo's artificial Odaiba Island for a robot exhibition with her brother Yutaka at the start of summer vacation. A powerful tremor emanates from an ocean trench, the famed Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge crumble and fall, and the landscape of Tokyo changes in an instant. With the help of a motorcycle delivery woman named Mari who they meet on Odaiba, Mirai and Yutaka strive to head back to their Setagaya home in western Tokyo. [ANN]

Is this the revival of the gerne? What will be next, Fuji errupting, typhons, tsunamis ... now on a more serious tone, BONES is a good studio, but as of lately it tries to be more commercial than creative.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱
a.k.a. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
AniDB, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki,
VAs: Sugita Tomokazu (Kyon), Hirono Aya (Haruhi), Chihara Minori (Yuki), Goto Yuko (Mikuru), Ono Daisuke (Koizumi)

Totally unexpected, but wellcome, though I do not like mixing old and new episode. Anyway, Despite all the trolling, we finally get new episodes, so rejoice!

Hayate no Gotoku!!
ハヤテのごとく!!
a.k.a. Hayate, the Combat Buttler
AniDB, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki
Studio: J.C.Staff (Slayers, Index, Toradora, Zero no Tsukaima, Shigofumi, Shana, KimiKiss, Nodame Cantabile, Asatte no Houko)
Directed by Iwasaki Yoshiki (Love Hina, Sky Girls, Wagaya no Oinarisama)
Character Designs by Fujii Masahiro (Eiken, Zero no Tsukaima, Mahoraba)
Original Manga by Hata Kenjirou
Series Composition by Kuroda Yousuke (Hayate no Gotoku, Demonbane, Honey and Clover, Madlax, Gungrave, Yumeria)
VAs: Shiraishi Ryoko (Hayate), Kugimiya Rie (Nagi), Tanaka Rie (Maria)

To be honest I wasn't expecting this so soon. Anyway it was another welcome surprise and despite prefering the previous studio's character designs, this time around storytelling is more coherent and from what I hear closer to the manga. On the other hand I somewhat liked the diverging from the source during the last run. Anyway, a solid pick for its gerne.

Pandora Hearts
パンドラハーツ
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview
Studio: XEBEC (Kyou no Go no Ni, Kanokon, ToLOVE-ru, Buso Renkin, Mnemosyne, The Third)
Directed by Kato Takao (Buso Renkin, To LOVE-ru ... and a lot of mecha)
Character Designs by Kobayashi Chizuru, Yamaoka Shinichi (The Third, Mizuiro Jidai, D.N.Angel)
Original Manga by Mochizuki Jun
Series Composition by Sekijima Mayori (Kaze no Stigma, Tsukuyomi, Saber Marionette J, Angel Sanctuary)
VAs: Kawasumi Ayako (Alice), Minagawa Junko (Oz), Toriumi Kousuke (Raven)

By far my favourite last season, despite the shoujo undertones. Alice is just perfect and in genral I like the chimestry between the characters. Also the music is excellent and very fitting.

Tears to Tiara
ティアーズ・トゥ・ティアラ
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview
Studio: Oriental Light and Magic (Deltora, Gift, Utawarerumono, Disgaea, Berserk)
Directed by Kobayashi Tomoki (Utawarerumono, Ichigo 100%)
Character Designs by Nakata Masahiko (Utawarerumono)
Original Game by AQUAPLUS
Series Composition by Machida Doko (Allison to Lillia, Lucky Star)
VAs: Ishii Makoto (Arthur), Oukawa Toru (Arawn), Goto Yuko (Riannon)

Not the deepest plot out there, but the cast is funny and drew me in, despite the obvious similarities to Utawarerumono.

Phantom: Requiem of Phantom
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview
Studio: Bee Train (Mugen no Juunin, El Cazador, Madlax, Noir, .hack)
Directed by Mashimo Koichi (Mugen no Juunin, El Cazador, Madlax, Noir, .hack)
Original Game by Urobuchi Gen
Series Composition by Kuroda Yousuke (Hayate no Gotoku, Demonbane, Honey and Clover, Madlax, Gungrave, Yumeria)
VAs: Takagaki Ayahi (Ein), Irino Miyu (Zwei)

Trademark slow-paced studio, this time hit a nice balance in storytelling and I expect that things will pick up.

Senjou no Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles
戦場のヴァルキュリア -Gallian Chronicles-
a.k.a. Battlefield Valkyria: Gallian Chronicles (Valkyria Chronicles)
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview
Studio: A-1 Pictures (Birdy, Kannagi, Persona)
Directed by Yamamoto Yasutaka
Character Designs by Watanabe Atsuko
Original Game by SEGA
Series Composition by Yokote Michiko (Genshiken, Nabari no Ou, xxxHOLiC)
VAs: Inoue Marina (Alicia), Chiba Susumu (Welkin)

Dunno people, I am not into these militaristic crap, war is depicted too cartoonish for my taste, on the other hand it is a cartoon. Anyway, most characters fall flat in the personality department and most situations are somewhat oversimplified to fit a black'n'white plot, with a couple of twists. But none-the-less, I must acknowledge the animation and art style.

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi
鋼の錬金術師
a.k.a. Full Metal Alchemist
AniDB, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki, Preview
Studio: BONES (Xamdou, Soul Eater, Darker than Black, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, Kurau)
Directed by Irie Yasuhiro (Kurau)
Character Designs by Kanno Hiroki
Original Manga by Arakawa Hiromu
Series Composition by Ounogi Hiroshi (Aquarion, Arjuna, Birdy, Kekkaishi, Noein)
VAs: Kugimiya Rie (Alphonse), Paku Romi (Edward)

Up to this point, I found the remake somewhat boring, not that I was the biggest fan of the original run, but I manged. Anyway, the best (and new) part is yet to come, so I will stick around.

Shangri-La
シャングリ・ラ
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: GONZO (Druaga, Linebarrels, Rosario+Vampire, Strike Witches, Special A, Blassreiter, Dragonaut)
Directed by Bessho Makoto
Character Designs by Murata Range
Original Character Designs by Yoshida Ken'ichi
Original Novel by Ikegami Eiichi
Series Composition by Ounogi Hiroshi (Aquarion, Arjuna, Birdy, Kekkaishi, Noein)
VAs: Takahashi Mikako (Kuniko), Ariga Yui (Mikuni), Igushi Yuka (Karin)

As I predicted green-left rip-off. Despite the fact that I agree with most of the stuff, I hate the populist perspective that dominates these parties, along with this cartoonish depiction. In other words this can be viewed as the eco-version of Valkyria.

Saki
咲-Saki-
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki
Studio: GONZO (Druaga, Linebarrels, Rosario+Vampire, Strike Witches, Special A, Blassreiter, Dragonaut)
Directed by Ono Manabu (Dragonaut)
Character Designs by Sasaki Masakatsu (Erotic Torture Chamber;)
Original Manga by Kobayashi Ritz
Screenplay & Series Composition by Urahata Tatsuhiko (Gunslinger Girl 2, Monster, Murder Princess, Strawberry Panic, Ichigo 100%)
VAs: Fukuyama Jun (Kyoutarou), Ueda Kana (Saki), Koshimizu Ami (Nodoka), Kugimiya Rie (Yuuki), Shiraishi Ryoko (Mako), Itou Shizuka (Hisa)

No-pan, yuri lolis, plus badly animated 3D mahjong tiles. Nothing else here.

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Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody

For the first time in almost three years, Kodokawa/KyoAni did not troll us and actually episode 8 of the infamous re-run was new, covering the only chapters from volume 2 that did not get animated.

Here is the new ED.

Timeline	2009 Airing	2006 Airing	Title	Volume	Chapter(s)
April & May	1-6	2, 3, 5, 10, 13, 14	涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi	1	Prologue, 1-7, Epilogue (all)
June	7	4	涼宮ハルヒの退屈 The Boredom of Suzumiya Haruhi	3	1
July	8		笹の葉ラプソディ Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody	3	2
	9*	7	ミステリックサイン Mystérique Sign	3	3
	10-11*	6, 8	孤島症候群 Remote Island Syndrome	3	4
August	12*		エンドレスエイト Endless Eight	5	1
November	13-15**		涼宮ハルヒの溜息 The Sigh of Suzumiya Haruhi	2	Prologue, 1-5, Epilogue (all)
	16**	1	朝比奈ミクルの冒険 Episode 00 Asahina Mikuru's Adventure Episode 00	6	2
	17**	12	ライブアライブ Live A Live	6	1
	18**	11	射手座の日 The Day of Sagittarius	5	2
	19**	9	サムデイインザレイン Someday in the Rain	anime original	anime original
December	20-25**		涼宮ハルヒの消失 The Dissappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi	4	Prologue, 1-6, Epilogue (all)
	26***		ヒトメボレLOVER Charmed at First Sight Lover	6	2
	27***		雪山症候群 Snow Mountain Syndrome	5	3
	28***		猫はどこに行った？ Where did the Cat Go?	6	4
January	29***		朝比奈みくるの憂鬱 The Melancholy of Asahina Mikuru	6	5
February	30-35***		涼宮ハルヒの陰謀 The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi	7	Prologue, 1-7, Epilogue (all)
March	36-37***		編集長★一直線！ Editor in Chief Straight Ahead!	8	1
	38-39***		ワンダリング・シャドウ Wandering Shadow	8	2
April	40-42***		涼宮ハルヒの分裂 The Dissociation of Suzumiya Haruhi	9	Prologue, 1-3 (all)
	43-?***		涼宮ハルヒの驚愕 The Surprise of Suzumiya Haruhi	10	TBA

* Speculation as of 22.5 (after the first new episode aired).
** Highly speculative, based on previous chapter to episode ratios.
*** Unlikely to air during the current run of the series.

screen-caps at the end of the post.

Hoping that this is not just a extra and that new episodes will air chronologically, we should expect The Endless Eight in four weeks, after Mysterique Sign and Lone Island Syndrome (originally episodes 6-8). Afterwards follows The Sigh, which has to do with the filming of Mikuru's Adventures, then the festival episodes (originally episodes 1 & 11-12) to finally reached The Disappearance, which was advertised a couple of years ago.

The episode itself was a welcome surprise, but it has some issues. First the art took a hit as all of KyoAni's latest productions. Animation was also minimal, compared with the treat of the first season. Especially the character designs of Mikuru and to a lesser extend of Haruhi, seem influenced heavily by 4-coma styles. Also the VAs seemed to struggle at parts to get back to their original characterization, but this is expected since three years have elapsed. Plot-wise, the episode was loyal to the novel, at least as far as I can remember since it's been quite some time since I read it.

All in all, if they continue to show new material, I am willing to forgive all this trolling and moe-crap they threw at us during the last three years, but both companies have a very bad record, so better don't get your hopes up.

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Winter '09 Short Reviews

Only a couple of months late, but the new semester's schedule is really tough. Anyway, winter had a couple of good one-cour series and another couple of two-cour also concluded.

Excellent:

Maria Holic

Good:

Ride Back, To aru Majutsu no Index, Toradora

OK:

Akikan, Shikabane Hime, Zettai Karen Children

Watchable:

Asu no Yoichi, Clannad, Tales of the Abyss

Avoid:

Druaga 2

Maria + Holic
まりあ†ほりっく
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview, Impressions
Studio: SHAFT
Directed by: Miyamoto Yukihiro, Shinbo Akiyuki
Character Designs by: Morioka Hideyuki
Original Manga by: Endo Minari
Series Composition by: Yokotani Masahiro
Sanada Asami (Kanako), Inoue Maria (Matsurika), Kobayashi Yu (Mariya)

SHAFT again delivered a hilarious series loaded with references and absurdity. Animation was typical of the studio, as well as the BGM and OP/ED. The cast of characters was quite large, but all got at least a centric episode, which helped characterization.

Ride Back
ライドバック
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview, Impressions
Studio: MADHOUSE
Directed by: Takahashi Atsushi
Character Designs by: Tazaki Satoshi
Original Manga by: Kasahara Tetsuro
Screenplay/Series Composition by: Takayashiki Hideo
VA? (role?), ...?

Excellent animation and incorporation of 3D mech design. The theme was also a little heavier then the anime norm, but was well handled and avoided childish over-simplifications. What IMHO hurted the series was its short length, especially when one takes into account the 10+ volumes of the novels it was based on.

To aru no Majutsu no Index
とある魔術の禁書目録
aka A Certain Magical Index
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions (1st cour), Impressions (2nd cour)
Studio: J.C.Staff
Directed by: Nishikiori Hiroshi
Character Designs by: Tanaka Yuichi
Original Character Designs by: Haimura Kiyotaka
Original Novel by: Kamachi Kazuma
Series Composition/Screenplay by: Akahoshi Masanao
VAs: Abe Achushi (Touma), Iguchi Yuka (Index), Satou Rina (Mikoto), Koyama Kimiko (Komoe), Taniyama Kishou (Styil), Noto Mamiko (Aisha), Okamoto Nobuhiko (Accelarator), Arai Satomi (Kumoko), Itou Shizuka (Kaori), Seki Tshihiko (Alister Crowly)

A typical JCStaff action show. In all categories it had its ups and downs depending on the arc, but overall it was fairly enjoyable.

Toradora!
とらドラ！
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions (1st cour), Impressions (2nd cour)
Studio: J.C.Staff
Directed by: Nagai Tatsuyuki
Character Designs by: Tanaka Masayoshi
Original Character Designs by: Yasu
Original Manga by: Takemiya Yuyuko
Series Composition by: Okada Mari
VAs: Hugimiya Rie (Taiga), Majima Junji (Ryuuji), Kitamura Eri (Ami), Nojima Hirofumi (Kitamura), Horie Yui (Minori)

Lovcom at its prime. Normally I found these shows boring, but this one is a shining exception. My only gripe was the rushed (and somewhat irrational) ending, but otherwise the show was very nice.

Shikabane Hime: Kuro
屍姫 玄
aka Corpse Princess: Black
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Impressions (Aka), Impressions (Kuro)
Studio: feel. & GAINAX
Directed by: Murata Masahiko
Character Designs by: Kubota Chikashi, Sadakata Kikuto
Original Managa by: Akahito Yoshiichi
Screenplay/Script by: Aikawa Shou
VAs: Akiyama Nana (Makina), Hosome Tatsuya (Ouri)

Plot-wise the second season was better then the first, actually "meatier" since there was resolution. What the season lacked was Keisei's character. Anyway, the annoying VAs improved a little, with the exception of Ouri. Action was OK, especially during the last episode. In general a good action show.

Akikan!
アキカン！
aka Empty Can
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview, Impressions
Studio: Brains Base
Directed by: Himaki Yuji
Character Designs by: Tanaka Ryo
Original Character Designs by: Suzuhira Hiro
Original Manga by: Ranjo Riku
Series Composition by: Koyasu Hideaki
VAs: Fukuyama Jun (Daichi), Narita Sayaka (Meron)

The first half featured some of the worst animation I have seen recently, but this improved to average during the latter half. What I liked in the show was the innuendo, probably due to age category of the novels. Save for that the show would have entered my avoid list.

Zettai Karen Children
絶対可憐チルドレン
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions
Studio: Synergy
Directed by: Kawaguchi Keichiiro
Character Designs by: Kagami Takahiro
Original Manga by: Shiina Takashi
Series Composition by: Noshizono Satoru
VAs: Tomatsu Haruka (Shiho), Shiraishi Ryoko (Aoi), Hirano Aya (Kaoru), Nakamura Yuuichi (Minamoto)

Pulling out 50+ episodes is a terrible difficult feat and Synergy managed it for a second year. Otherwise, animation and especially art varied wildly, especially when GONZO got involved. As for story and characters, it was enjoyable, but I never really got into it as with other shows.

Clannad ~After Story~
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Forum@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions (1st cour), Impressions (2nd cour)
Studio: KyoAni
Directed by: Ishihara Tatsuya
Character Designs by: Ikeda Kazumi
Original Character Designs by: Hinoue Itaru
Original Game by: Key
Series Composition/Script by: Shimo Fumihiko
VAs: Nakamura Yuuichi (Tomoya), Nakahara Mai (Nagisa), Kawashima Houko (Tomoyo), Mamiko Noto (Kotomi), Hirohashi Ryou (Kyou), Kanda Akemi (Ryou), Tamura Yukari (Mei)

As I have said before what KyoAni/Key lack is originality, this is their third show which reshuffled the same plot and characterization. And also the visuals took a heavy hit during this season, though still are by far above average.

Asu no Yoichi!
明日のよいち!
AniDB, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, Preview, Impressions
Studio: AIC
Directed by: Kujo Rion
Character Designs by: ???
Original Manga by: Minato You
Screenplay by: Kurata Hideyuki
VAs: Okamoto Nobuhiko (Yoichi), Satou Rina (Ibuki)

Purely fan-service, with average animation at best. The only shining point was Chihaya and unfortunately she got only one centric episode.

Tales of the Abyss
テイルズ オブジ アビス
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions
Studio: Sunrise
Directed by: Kodama Kenji
Character Designs by: Hishinuma Yoshihito
Original Character Designs by: Fujishima Kousuke
Original Game by: NAMCO
Series Composition by: Omode Akemi
VAs: Suzuki Chihiro (Luke), Yukana (Tear)

Too much exposition and at times horrible writting. Otherwise standard J-RPG chaos.

Druaga no Tou: Sword of Uruk
AniDB, AnimePlanet, ANN, Official, Thread@AnimeSuki, TV-Tropes, Preview, Impressions
Studio: GONZO
Directed by: Chigira Koichi
Character Designs by: Hakua Ugetsu
Screenplay/Series Composition by: Gatou Shoji
VAs: VA (role), VA (role)

If Tales had at times horrible writting, Druaga 2 as its predecessor had ONLY rediculous writting. Couple that with GONZO's animation and you get a recipie for certain failure.

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