Fall 2008 Preview

by eternal on September 10, 2008

 

Well, people, it’s that time of year again: the time when every show of the season nears it’s hopefully impressive conclusion, and when we plan out our watch lists from the anime set to come at us in only a few weeks. Admittedly, I’m a bit late with this one, with sites such as THAT already posting their (quite extensive) coverage on the upcoming season, so I’ll try and keep the info to a minimum and focus on my own opinions of what to watch. Without having to think about it, though, I can tell you one thing right away: new season of ef + new season of Clannad = EPIC WIN.

Hakushaku to Yousei

Description (from MAL):
Set in 19th century England this is the story of the 17-year old “fairy doctor” Lydia Carlton. Her life gets thrown into confusion after meeting Edgar, the count of the Blue Knights. She agrees to help him search for the precious sword that is his family heirloom.

Thoughts:
As vague as that description is, I’m not quite sure what to think. The genre sounds quite a bit different from what I usually watch, and it’s the sort of thing that would usually bore me to death unless it has an astoundingly good story. Apparently it’s based on a light novel and the main character is voiced by Nana Mizuki, but that isn’t quite enough inscentive to watch it. Verdict: I’ll probably wait ’til other people start watching and see if it’s better than it looks or if it’s mediocre.

Tytania

Description (from MAL):
Stellar Callendar, Year 446. The capital of the Empire of Euria is attacked by the Empire of Titania, his much more powerful enemy who controls a large part of the galaxy. This harsh battle planted in the minds of a small group of persons ideas of rebellion…

Thoughts:
Epic space opera? Again, not really my style: off hand the only show of it’s kind I recall watching is Crest/Banner of the Stars, which disappointed me. It probably wasn’t the fault of the show (it’s too highly praised to actually be bad), but I just couldn’t get into it, and I probably won’t be able to get into this one. Apparently it’s based on the novels by the writer of Legend of Galactic Heroes, though, so I guess that’s a plus.

Nodame Cantabile Paris Chapter

Description:
Second season of Nodame Cantabile, enough said. Presumably based on the manga, it looks like our (or my) favourite musicians in anime are venturing off into the great unknown – namely, Paris.

Thoughts:
I loved the first season, and I’ll probably love this one as well. It’s nice to have a little shoujo in your diet now and then, anyhow.

Tales of the Abyss

Description (from ANN):
Luke fon Fabre, the spoiled son of a noble from the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lavaldear, has been confined inside his father’s mansion ever since he was kidnapped seven years ago by a rival country, the Malkuth Empire. Now Luke’s memory of the life he led before is missing, and a strange voice, which only he can hear, has been calling out to him ever since. One day while training with his mentor, Van Grants, a strange woman called Tear breaks into the mansion with the sole intent of taking Van’s life. During the struggle Luke is transported far from home, along with Tear, and now that Luke has finally gained the freedom he’s been dreaming of what awaits him in the outside world will shatter everything he’s ever known about himself.

Thoughts:
First of all, it shares the same OP as the game! w00t! Otherwise…I dunno, 26 eps for a game that really didn’t have THAT much of a story? It was probably my personal favourite of the Tales series, but I’m not sure if it’s worth an entire two seasons. Maybe I’ll watch the Symphonia OVA first and see how that turned out.

Gundam 00 Second Season

Description (from ANN):
2312 A.D. Four years have passed since the final battle between Celestial Being and the UN Forces. Humanity, after having established the Earth Sphere Federation, forms an independent security force, Arrows, separate from the formal Federation army to further unify nations and the will of mankind. But the reality is the inhumane oppression of anti-government powers, doctrines, and ideologies in the name of unity. Setsuna F. Seiei, after surviving the battle four years ago, has decided to once again fight with his Gundam.

Thoughts:
I don’t talk about it much, but the first season of 00 impressed me, and it’s more than likely that I’ll be following the second, though I doubt I’ll blog about it. Unless it turns out like Geass.

Vampire Knight Guilty

Description:
Er…none available, seeing as I never watched the first season.

Thoughts:
As mentioned, I never got around to watching season 1 and I’m not sure if I ever will. I don’t hold anything againstthe series, per se, but it certainly isn’t at the top of my list.

Hyakko

Description:
Long story short: comedy/slice of life. Four girls are attending a school, and they engage in everyday activities that should prove to be entertaining to watch. It’s been done a million times, but it works. On yeah, and it’s based on a manga by Haruaki Katou.

Thoughts:
Now this is a tricky one…I have yet to post about it yet, but although I LOVE shows like AzuDai, School Rumble, and Pani Poni Dash, I could never really get into the “true” slice-of-life anime like Hidamari Sketch and Aria. I’ll probably give this one a shot for the first ep or so, but if it proves to be more slice of life than comedy, I’ll probably have to drop it.

Rosario to Vampire Capu2

Description:
Basically, second season of Rosario + Vampire based on Ikeda Akihisa’s shounen/harem manga.

Thoughts:
Considering I’m usually okay with all but the most extreme harem *coughKanokoncough*, I was awfully disappointed by the first season of the show. It was entertaining, yeah, but the constant fanservice got pretty annoying. And for what it’s worth, I like To LOVE-ru, so it’s not like I’m usually against fanservice. Verdict: I’ll watch it depending on my level of boredom. If I feel like filling time, then yes; otherwise, I know I won’t be missing much.

Kanagi

Description (from MAL):
Our unlucky protagonist, Jin, uses the trunk of a sacred tree to carve a statue for a school project. When he takes it outside, to his surprise it begins absorbing the surrounding earth and transforms into, hold your breath on this one, a girl! So like all similar setups this guardian deity is pretty pissed that her tree was cut down and lives with Jin while she takes out her anger on squashing bugs….er, cleaning the “Impurities”.

Thoughts:
Uh…what? No idea what to think about this one, but the art looks nice at it sounds like it might be entertaining, so I’ll wait and see what people think.

Kemeko Deluxe

Description (from MAL):
The story centers on a typical high school boy and a super-deformed, doll-like robot that suddenly appears in his bedroom. The robot declares itself to be the boy’s wife, and only then does a beautiful girl emerge out of the robot’s mouth. The girl turns out to be someone who was promised the boy’s hand in marriage ten year earlier.

Thoughts:
Looks pretty ordinary in terms of anime, though that isn’t always a bad thing. I might check it out at some point in time, though I doubt I’ll get to it in time for the current season.

Hokuto no Ken Raoh Gaiden: Ten no Haoh

Uh…wrong pic. Courtesy of these guys.

Description (from MAL):
Based on the manga by Youkow Osada. Focuses on the background story of Raoh, brother and enemy of Kenshiro.

Thoughts:
I mentioned this one not because I’m interested (which I’m not), but because I had no clue that this series was still alive. Call me ignorant if you want (I never pay attention to shounen), but isn’t Fist of the North Star, like, OLD? Last I checked it originated at approximately the same time as Gundam and Macross…either way, it’s ancient. I have no intention of watching this, but I was so shocked at the discovery that the series hadn’t died a few decades ago that I figured I might as well post it here.

CHAOS;HEAD

Description (from TL Wiki):
Chaos;Head is a Japanese visual novel developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus with gore, psychology, and science fiction elements. The game is described by the development team as a “Delusional Science NVL” . The game’s premise revolves around a high school student named Takumi Nishijō who unknowingly walks into the scene of a gruesome murder on his way home. More mysterious events starts happening afterwards as more gruesome murders occurs in the area. Takumi struggles to cope with reality and the delusions he experiences as he tries to avoid being getting caught by the perpetrator behind the chain of murders.

Thoughts:
Currently being translated, Chaos;Head looks promising to say the least. I’d probably be scared to death of the VN (I don’t mix very well with guro, which this one seems likely to contain), but I have a feeling I’ll love the anime. Besides, it’s based on a visual novel, and it’s by Nitroplus: could it really be that bad?

Kyou no Go no Ni

Description:
Apparently adapted from a manga by Coharu Sakuraba, this is supposed to be a TV adaptation (as opposed to the OVA adaptation it received quite some time ago).

Thoughts:
As you can probably tell I still haven’t seen the original OVA, but I’ve been thinking of checking it out for quite some time, and now’s as good a time as any.

Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~

Description (from MAL):
Based on a shounen manga by Yasuda Suzuhito serialised in Shounen Sirius.
Akina, Hime, Kotoha, and Ao are four members of the Hiizumi Seikatsu Soudan Jimusho (Hiizumi’s Everyday-life Consultation Office), which, in addition to helping kindergarteners deal with tough times, strives to preserve the peace of their little town, Sakurashin, by hunting down the troublemakers who dare threaten it.
Hime is a superheroine. Ao can read minds. Kotoha can conjure up anything with the right word. And Akina…well, he’s just a regular guy, surrounded by three supergirls! Together, they protect the town of Sakurashin. But that’s not easy, as the town faces demon dogs and other supernatural threats!

Thoughts:
Frankly, I have no clue what to think, but it looks pretty unique. This is the kind of thing I usually end up ignoring and watching a year from now, when some random forum poster says it’s good.

Clannad ~After Story~

Description:
If you’re reading this blog you shouldn’t need a description, but if you really want one, then here: Key, visual novel, slice of life/romance, family, sad girls in spring.

Thoughts:
To put it nicely, **** YEAH! There’s no way I’m missing this one, and even though I’m more than a little apprehensive after watching the movie (and thus probably spoiling the ending), I’ll sit through it like the man I am while crying manly tears. Nagisa FTW!

Shikabane Hime: Aka

Description (from ANN):
The title “Corpse Princess” belongs to Makina Hoshimura, an undead girl who seeks to hunt down 108 corpses in order to go to heaven.

Thoughts:
Meh…sounds like a pass to me. I’ve never been much of a fan of the undead.

Skip Beat

Description (from MAL):
The story revolves a teenaged girl named Kyōko who followed her childhood friend Shō to Tokyo as he pursues his dream of becoming a star. Despite playing housekeeper and taking care of Shō, Kyōko overhears Shō dismissing her as a boring nobody. Furious, Kyōko vows to also become a singer and defeat Shō.

Thoughts:
Hmm…I’m not quite sure what to think. Shoujo is usually nice, and romance is always nice in my book, but this sounds a little…off. I guess I’ll see how things turn out but I doubt I’ll be watching it right away.

To Aru Majutsu no Index

Description (from MAL):
In a world where science clarifies supernatural powers. In a huge college that has power development in its curriculum. To a resident high school student, Kamijou Touma, a pure white sister appears. She calls herself “Index” and says that sorcerers are chasing her. Thus, Kamijou Touma enters the world of the occult.

Thoughts:
It’s based on a light novel, which is nice, but that description sounds painfully ordinary. It might turn out well, but it’s far too normal to pique my curiosity.

Toradora!

Description (from MAL):
Toradora!’s story begins with the male protagonist Ryūji Takasu who is frustrated at trying to look his best as he enters his second year of high school. Despite his gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent so he is utterly hopeless about his chances of getting a girlfriend anytime soon, and does not have many close friends either. After being greeted by his hungover mother in the morning, Ryūji goes to school and is happy to find that he gets to be in the same class as his best friend Yūsuke Kitamura and crush Minori Kushieda. However, it is then that he unexpectedly knocks into “the school’s most dangerous animal of the highest risk level” — Taiga Aisaka — who just happens to also be in his class, and is a good friend of Minori.

Thoughts:
Zettai ryouiki, loli tsundere voiced by Rie Kugimiya, and based on a light novel on top of that; there’s no way I’m letting this one slip by.
…Oh yeah, the story sounds pretty interesting, too.

Kurogane no Linebarrel

Description (from MAL):
Kouichi Hayase was involved in an accident and falls into a coma for half a year. Due to this accident he becomes depressed and lonely. However, unbeknownst to him he attained a great power and three years later a giant robot (Linebarrel), which was the cause for the incident, appears before him, causing Kouichi`s life to change.

Thoughts:
This…actually looks pretty interesting. I’m normally not into this stuff, but I get the feeling I may end up liking this one.

Ga-rei-zero

Description (from ANN):
Freshman Nimura Kensuke has the ability to see ghosts, and his life changes when he meets Kagura, a girl with the power to summon a “Ga-Rei” called Byakuei. The two work together to find evil spirita and devour them with the Ga-Rei.

Thoughts:
Eh…not sure what to think, but it doesn’t look like my sort of thing anyhow.

Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka

Description (from ANN):
In order to protect the girl Yuuhi Katagiri, a new transfer student, from danger, Junichi Nagase is forced to kiss her. Not understanding what happend, she screams at him, not knowing that her father has arranged for her to marry him

Thoughts:
I admit, I had no idea this one was coming due to my unfamiliarity with the company Feng, but I’ll probably watch it nonetheless. I always end up falling for VN adaptations like that. Also, Rie Kugimiya and Aya Hirano in the same show? Do want.

ef – a tale of melodies

Description:
Sequel to ef – a tale of memories and most likely an adaptation of Minori’s ef – the latter tale, which was obviously a sequel of the first tale.

Thoughts:
Calm down…must…calm…down……
… *deep breath* …
All right, I think I’m good to go. With Minori being pretty much my top visual novel company of all time (save for Key), it’s no wonder I fell for ef – a tale of memoies when I first watched it; it was fast-paced, romantic, moe, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I also LOVE Makoto Shinkai’s animation (though he only did the OP as far as I know), as well as Naru Nanao’s character designs, so it’s no surprise at all that I’m really looking forward to this one.

 

So, I guess that’s about all for the preview; I should probably give my fingers a little break now. I know I left a few things out, mostly the shows that I had absolutely no interest in, but you can probably find out more than enough about them somewhere in the blogosphere.
Either way, though, anyone see anything of interest? Needless to say, I’ll be eagerly following Clannad and ef, but I’ve also got my eye on quite a few of the other shows as I already mentioned. Just don’t let us down, KyoAni; you’ve got big shoes to fill, and a story as awesome as Clannad’s just has to get a flawless anime adaptation.

~ ETERNAL
つづく

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

M12 September 11, 2008 at 6:43 am

Clannad and Ef – I can’t wait. Why is there another season of Rosario <_<. I didn’t enjoy Nodame season one very much, so I’ll pass on season two. As for the rest, where ever there’s moe, there’s me I suppose.

M12s last blog post..You know you’re tired when…

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James September 13, 2008 at 11:18 am

I’ll so watch Clannad and Ef ! Chaos Head and Kurogane no Linebarrel too .

And of course Gundam ^^

Jamess last blog post..Wakou Ouka 1/8 (Kotobukiya)

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Nameless December 16, 2009 at 3:01 am

Description:
If you’re reading this blog you shouldn’t need a description, but if you really want one, then here: Key, visual novel, slice of life/romance, family, sad girls in spring.

Thoughts:
To put it nicely, **** YEAH! There’s no way I’m missing this one, and even though I’m more than a little apprehensive after watching the movie (and thus probably spoiling the ending), I’ll sit through it like the man I am while crying manly tears. Nagisa FTW!

oh yeah my friend cried too so did i =D

Reply

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