... or should I say the ultimate yaoi season? This is the probably the best anime season for gay otaku! not even half the shows are watchable by the straight audience and even from them, not even half are not shounen/harem crap. A very disappointing season in general. To sum it up:
Yaoi: Himitsu, Junjou Romantica
Bishounen: Vampire Knight, Monochrome Factor, Kyou Kara Maou, Neo-Angelique
Shoujo: Itazura na Kiss, Amatsuki, Geass, Special A, xxxHOLiC
Bishoujo/Ecchi: To Love-ru, Kanokon, Da Capo, Kamen no Maid Guy, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Penguin Girl Heart
Shounen: Soul Eater, Nabari no Ou
Mecha: Macross F, BLASSREITER
...other: Crystal Blaze, Druaga no To, Golgo 13, Nijun Menzou Musume, Real Drive, Allison to Lillia, Kurenai, Toshokan Sensou
Colour Code: Exciting, deserve a try, testosterone-trap
Soul Eater
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Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon technicians, the series revolves around 3 groups of each a weapon technician and a human weapon. Trying to make the latter a "Death Scythe" and thus fit for use by the Shinigami, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.
Animation: Bones
Shounen meets Tim Burton ... the concept is very generic as are the characters, but as it's always the case with shounen it's a guy trap, until you get sick and tired. On the positive side the animation is very good and the art less mainstream, plus the lead is just beautiful.
Vampire Knight
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Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, there to protect the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires.
Animation: Studio DEEN
And the shoujo show of Mondays. I do not really get why girls are fascinated with bloodsucking and chronicly depressed monsters? Anyway, the concept is pretty generic and animation/art so and so.
Monochrome Factor
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Akira Nikaido is a typical slacker high school student who thinks he has a normal life--until a mysterious man called Shirogane appears and tells him to meet him at the school that night. He is skeptical but goes anyway...and gets attacked by a shadow monster! Shirogane convinces him that the balance between the human world and the shadow world has been distorted, and that Akira must become a shin--a creature of the shadow world--in order to help restore the balance.
Animation: A.C.G.T.
And the gay-band, plus more-gay-mystery-man, slaying stuff ... give me a break!
Real Drive
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The story takes place in 2061, 50 years after humanity developed the "Net society" that depended on information networks despite their security issues. To improve security, a new network called Meta Real Network — or "Metal" for short — was developed. People's personal memories are reduced to information and placed within "protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves" called bubble shells online. The result was a virtual "explosion" of creative freedom as people felt safe enough to explore instincts and desires on Metal that they would not otherwise explore in real life. This "friction" between the Metal's alluring lack of restrictions and rules-bound reality led to trouble and incidents that investigators known as "cyber divers" must handle. Masamichi Haru is one such cyber diver.
Animation: Production I.G
?????
Crystal Blaze
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S&A Detective Agency is a jack-of-all-trades in Lags Town placed on the outskirts of Diver City. Shu used to be a hot-shot police detective and fought for justice. He stood up against state authority but lost everything he had as a consequence and drifted into this town. Now he lives an easy life with his right-hand man (Akira), two assistants (Manami and Ayaka) but feels empty inside. One day, an incident leads Shu to come across the mysterious heroine, Sara, who has no memory of her past. The unprecedented truth is about to be revealed as he investigates the incident, and it will provoke a crisis involving the entire Diver City…
Animation: Studio Fantasia
Cool protagonist, teenage detectives, cross-dressing macho bartender and the ... bionic woman. Put them all together and you have a recipy for destruction. I mean, come on, who can who can take a plot like this seriously!
Himitsu - The Revelation
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The ninth forensic lab of the National Research Institute of Police Science, called Dai Ku (the 9th), uses technology to reproduce images of when the victim was alive from memories residing in the brain to solve difficult cases. This is the story of Maki, the leader of Dai Ku, and Aoki, a newcomer. Everyone has a secret in his mind. This anime shows the agonies of the investigators who have to know these secret unwillingly.
Animation: MADHOUSE
This show concludes the rediculousness of Thuesdays! melancholic gay boss X closet-gay newbie ... and their work is to disect murder victims brains and catch their killers by reading their memories. I guess the japanese script-writters have begun studying in Hollywood!
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The story takes place in a world with only one big continent. This world is divided into two federations engaged in an endless series of fruitless wars. The story starts when a girl, Allison, and a boy, Will, who have been raised together in an orphanage, set out on an adventure to find a great treasure which is worth ending the war for.
Animation: MADHOUSE
Not bad, though below my expectation, I'll follow since I really like a lot of the studio's other works. Plot-wise it is an adventure, which might become pretty exciting or totally boring. Animation is standard and art style reminds me a little bit of Ghibli, which I do not really like though. Also I really wonder when you have a female lead with strong personlaity, why is it always coupled with a male lead that lacks confidence?
Macross F is set in around 2070A.D.. F denotes "Frontier"; "Frontier" stands for the migration fleet which is the setting of the story. The story is about the fleet's encounters with space monsters (or things to that effect) while on its course.
Animation: Satelight
LOL! pop-singers, mecha-pilots, star-wars, clear-cut good-evil ... I really liked these stuff when I was 6. But I doubt 20 years afterwards if the package can gain the attention of todays 6-year olds.
xxxHOLic Kei
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Still working to get his wish complete, Watanuki finds himself into more mess than he can handle when certain facts about his everyday life gets revealed and when he needs to learn the lesson of Yuuko the hard way.
Animation: Production I.G
I really liked the first season, though I hoped for a greater plot and not stand-alone episodes. In any case the new season is basically on the same lines, but with multi-episode story arcs ;-)
To Love-Ru
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The story is about Yuuki Rito, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Sairenji Haruna. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth. Commander Zastin has been ordered to bring Lala back and has already battled Rito. He reports to the emperor that Rito would be suited to marry Lala, after hearing Rito say that marriage is impossible unless it is with the person you love (Rito was actually defending himself but Zastin and Lala thought he was defending Lala). With this speech, Lala truly falls in love with Rito and decides that she wants to marry Rito. Her father decides that, if Rito is able to protect Lala from her fiances, then he can be her fiance, but if Rito cannot protect Lala from her other fiances, Lala's father will kill Rito and destroy Earth.
Animation: XEBEC
Harem-show, date-sim/hentai art, thus tons of fanservice and no plot, nothing more to say.
Harem anime with a lot of boobs and skimy outfits. Art is standard hentai-style, animation below average and plot non-existant. Need more?
Kurenai
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16-year-old Shintaro Kurenai is a Mediator - a specialist in settling squabbles between people. Despite his youth and easygoing nature, he is a man of some skills when it comes to protecting both his clients and his client’s interests. And then one day, he is approached by the daughter of a rich and powerful family asking him to be her bodyguard, which somehow ends up with him having a seven-year-old fan, landlord and self-proclaimed fiancé. Shintaro Kurenai finds himself living in run-down tenement with Murasaki Kuhouin (his new 7-year-old apprentice and landlord) and several other eccentric ladies. His childhood friend (Ginko) acts as his Mediator booking agent. Then there is his (adopted) older sister and martial arts teacher, Yuuno, who does not like to see her Kurenai troubled by any of the difficulties of his Mediator assignments. And Yuuno’s younger (7-year-old) sister, Chi-chan (Houdsuki Chidzuru) also seems to take a troubling worry when her ‘onii-chan’ gets beaten up by Yuuno or his assignments.
Animation: Brains Base
Interesting plot, but too much screenteime of loli fun-service, which I do not really apreciate. Apart from that, art and animation are pretty good.
Toshokan Sensou
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In the year 2019, the explosion of information and misinformation became a direct threat to society. In a daring decision, it was decided to create a new government agency dedicated solely to information management. Now some thirty years later, the government still monitors and controls information, suppressing anything they find undesirable, but standing against their abuses of power are the libraries, with their special agents called ‘the book soldiers.’
Animation: Production I.G
Interesting plot concept, though the characters are kind of predictable, as well as, the "twist" at the end of the first episode. Still, I had a couple of laughs and overall it was enjoyable. Art is pretty nice and animation quite good, though not anything spectacular.
Junjou Romantica
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Misaki is suddenly having some unexpected and odd problems. What started as a need for some college entrance exam tutoring has somehow led him to being romanced by a suave older man who also happens to be his big brother’s best friend. Confused by all of his brand new emotions, Misaki struggles to deal with his suddenly very odd life. And if that wasn’t enough, his suitor, Usami, has plenty of issues of his own. A man-child who decorates his room in giant teddy bears and toys, Usami is a famous novelist who also writes steamy boys’ love novels on the side. When Misaki cracks open one of these books and reads sentences like “Misaki licks every inch of Usami’s hot body”…well, let’s just say that all hell breaks loose.
Animation: Studio DEEN
Oh my god! I am speechless ... I think the screenshots are enough! This is far beyond ...
The Tower of Druaga ~the Aegis of URUK~
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Animation: GONZO
What can I say, from the opening I hoped for something in the lines of NHK's MMORPG arc, but there is no connection to real-life, so I was partialy dissappointed. At least GONZO did not employ its talentless 3D-animators for this show and thus animation is quite good, while art is also above average. What seems promising is that a lot of characters have interesting personalities, but beign a GONZO show, I really doubt that they will develop.
Itazura na Kiss
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Animation: TMS Entertainment
Well, the first episode had its moments, but I don't really think that this kind of show can keep up my interest in the competative spring season.
Amatsuki
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Animation: Studio DEEN
Originally, I missjudged this show for another gay-fest, but as things progressed it seems at least half-deceant. The plot is along the lines Jyuni Kokuki and the shoujo factor is thus quite high. Art and animation are mediocre. Though the characters introduced thus far make an interesting combination.
Golgo 13
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Animation: The Answer Studio
Miami Vice is back! really retro anime from a period that japanese viewed europeans like "oni" (tall, fat and hairy). Too much show-off and ugly designs. Also it is very predictable.
Kanokon
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Kanokon's story revolves around Kouta Oyamada, a young first-year high school student who moves from the country to the city and thus transfers to Kunpō High School. On his first day at his new school, a beautiful second-year female student named Chizuru Minamoto asks him to meet her alone in the music room. When he arrives, she reveals her that she is in fact a fox deity and from that day on the two hang out together. Nozomu is a first year female student at Kouta's school, she is in fact a wolf deity and in love with Kouta, and a rival of Chizuru for Kouta's affections.
Animation: XEBEC
10:30 in the morning? for real? this show is very heavy on fanservice, so it must be airing on porn-cable or something ... anyway it kind of reminds me Girls Bravo. In any case, despite having no plot, animation was ok and I liked the art, plus it is funny (in a mindless way).
D.C. II S.S.~Da Capo II Second Season~
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Animation: CIRCUS
Some people never learn or get over, probably interesting games (I have no personal opinion), but crappy anime.
Kamen no Maid Guy
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Fujiwara Naeka is a typical 17 year-old high school student. Or so we thought. She's really one of two surviving heirs of a tycoon who has the right to inherit his mass fortune when she turns 18 in half a year. Fubuki, a young and beautiful maid, and Kogarashi, a big burly maid guy with a mask, have been assigned to keep Naeka and her brother Kousuke safe from those who would plot their demise, and to steal the fortune she would inherit.
Animation: MADHOUSE
Cross-dressing, Masked-Macho? What will we see next? Anyway, excessive funservice, absence of plot, below average animation. But having a maid (not the macho, a normal one) is enough for me to give it shot.
BLASSREITER
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Set in the near-future, in a town in Germany. There have been incidents of dead people coming back to life, transforming into "grotesque shadows", and attacking people. Living people show up who can transform themselves into demons whenever they want. They used to be regular humans, but when they gained this power to transform, people rejected them and called them demons. But they still use their powers, each for his own reason. However, they cannot deny their fate: to fight in a deadly battle royal with others who have turned into demons.
Animation: GONZO
Classical GONZO crap, horrible 3D, no script, etc. The originallity is that they managed to screw up from the first episode, usually it takes them half a season.
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
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About 1,000 years ago, there was a creature called “Enka”. Enka was very powerful and almost ruined the world with destruction and holocaust. Human beings were in danger of extinction. The survivors banded together against Enka, and they managed to defeat it. However, Enka left a ominous curse before its death. “My child, sleeping where no one knows, will wake up 1,000 years later, and it will succeed my will to ruin the world."
2063 AD: Several children that are potential heirs of Enka are discovered via DNA testing. However, even with the latest technology, no one can identify the true child with certainty.
Therefore, the Japanese Imperial Agency for Supernatural Phenomena, which handles supernatural phenomena and abnormal life forms, launches an operation.
OPERATION: Peaceful Family
They gather potential children of Enka into one place to watch each other and find the true child. Also, they expect that the child will develop a love of family while it is living as a member of a family, and that he/she will feel reluctant to kill his/her family, i.e. by destroying the world.
The person who plays the role of the father is Midarezaki Ohka. He works for the agency, and was chosen to be the father before he was aware of it. The mother is Kyoka, a possible child of Enka. Add to this five possible children and a strange family life begins.
Animation: Nomad
Very funny, quite wacky plot and characters and excellent animation and art. The catch is that this kind of shows tend to either become repetative or sacrifice originality for mainstream, time will tell.
Nijuu-Menzou no Musume
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The story revolves around a female thief named Chico, who is the spiritual successor to the Kaijin Nijū-Mensō (The Fiend with 20 Faces) thief character created by famed suspense and detective novelist Ranpo Edogawa. (Edogawa is a pen name for Tarō Hirai; when written in Japanese family-name-first order, it spells out a Japanese pun for the name of the American suspense and detective author "Edgar Allen Poe").
Animation: BONES
?????
Penguin Musume Heart
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Plot? Synopsis? ... get serious !!!
Animation: Picture Magic
10 minute web-episodes of mindless fun/service in low resolution. Is there an audience for something like this?
Zettai Karen Children
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In the future, people with ESP are becoming more widespread. The Japanese government has hired three of the most powerful ESPers in Japan to work for B.A.B.E.L. (Base of Backing ESP Laboratory), but all three are ten year old girls with questionable attitudes.
Animation: Synergy SP
10:00 in the morning? for real? pedo-jokes (and just jokes), lolis, a gay shooting beams from his pants? not really my cup of tea. Though, it is somewhat reminescant of Inukami, so I will stick for a couple of more episodes to see how it progresses, though I don't have much hope.
Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
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Animation: Sunrise
I found the first season quite boring, but I really want to give it a shot after some doujin that I saw during last years saimoe.
Wagaya no Oinari-sama
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A long time ago, a sacred fox was deified as the guardian of the Mizuchi Family. Kugen the Fox was very wise and it could use various magics. However, because it was too mischievous, it was sealed into a small shrine in the hill behind the Mizuchi house by a priest. During the present, Takagami Toru, a Mizuchi descendant, often dreams of a woman who seems like a monster. The head of the Mizuchi household deduces that some sort of danger looms over Toru, and she releases the sealed Kugen in order to protect him. Contrary to what Toru imagines based on the legends, "Ku-chan", as Kugen is affectionately referred to, is not a dignified creature. Not only can it turn into a woman of great beauty, but it can also assume the form of a man.
Animation: ZEXCS
I hope Kuu-chan will be a nice substitute now that Ookami is over and I feel the withdrawl of Horo's wise-ass-ness. Also the shinto background is interesting, plus animation and art are above average. The catch is that Kuu-chan is transexual, which is a god damn downer ;-)
Nabari no Ou
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Rokujou Miharu was a seemly reluctant junior high student living in his own world. However, within him, lurked the ultimate power of Nabari, "Omnipotent". To possess such supreme weapon, the Wolf Pack of Iga swore to bring Miharu back to Iga village. On the other hand, Miharu’s English teacher, Kumohira sensei, and classmate, Kouichi, were the Banten ninjas whose mission was to protect Miharu. A war waged over the ownership of "Omnipotent" thus started. To survive, Miharu must enter the hidden world Nabari, to become the king.
Animation: J.C.STAFF
Why isn't the protagonist female? This is a fault of nature (well basically the scriptwritter's). Otherwise seems to be the less-mindless shounen variety, so I'll stick with it for a while. Art and animation were very good, but I do not know how they will manage to be consistent. Also why in the first episode no girl appeared? Anyway judging from the preview of the second we will be compensated for this.
Special A
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When Hikari was little, she and her father liked to watch pro wrestling, and she became very good at it. She was the pride of her family until one day she was introduced to Kei, the son of her father's friend. He instantly defeated her in wrestling, and started what would become Hikari's major ambition to one day beat him. To do this she enrolled in Kei's school, an ultra elite school that costs her father a lot of money. This unusual school created classes according to grades, and the top seven students become members of the "SA". They have their own building, and can optionally attend class. Hikari is usually the only one who does so, since she desperately wants to beat Kei with test scores. The members of the "SA" have been close friends since their first year.
Animation: AIC, GONZO
Yet, another shoujo show, with unoriginal concept and characters. Animation and art are unsurprisingly average. Not for me.
Neo Angelique Abyss
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While the young Angelique lives out her days peacefully in her school, attacks from the monstrous Thanatos has been increasing everywhere else. Two Purifiers show up one day, men with the power to exterminate the Thanatos. One of them, Nyx, attempts to convince Angelique to join them in their work, as she has the power to be the only female Purifier. As Angelique hesitates, a Thanatos shows up in their school. Nyx and the other Purifier, Rayne, fight a losing battle. With her classmates falling prey to the Thanatos, and the Purifiers beaten to submission, Angelique's desire to save everyone awakens. She became the only female Purifier in their land of Arcadia, the one known as the "Queen's Egg".
Animation: Yumeta
More gayness !!! Nooooo...
PS. Descriptions are taken from AniDB.
2008/04/29
Beginning of Spring Season
MONDAYS
TUESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
!!! NOTHING !!!
THURSDAYS
Allison to Lillia
FRIDAYS
SATURDAYS
SUNDAYS
