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Love Live 2

It's early in the season, but here's a look at how much discussion each new anime is provoking on the general anime threads on 2channel, the huge Japanese message board.

The top show for the otaku on 2channel appears to be Love Live, which has started 33 threads since the beginning of April. Then comes the new JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, with its shounen passion and brilliant animation. That is followed, at a certain distance, by the enjoyable new Madhouse show Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei, in which Hayami Saori and Nakamura Yuuichi star.

There is then a range including Shaft's Mekakucity Actors, the moe triumph Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka?, and the 3DCG sci-fi adventure Knights of Sidonia. I myself like all three of these.

And then there is a large cluster of shows, with Akuma no Riddle, Captain Earth and Cardfight Vanguard leading the list, followed by Brynhildr and Wixoss, then Black Bullet, Daimidaler, and One-Week Friends. Here is the full list:

Love Live	33
JoJo	29
Mahouka Koukou	20
Mekakucity	12
Gochuumon Usagi?	11
Sidonia no Kishi	10
Akuma no Riddle	8
Captain Earth	8
Cardfight Vanguard	8
Brynhildr	7
Wixoss	7
Black Bullet	6
Daimidaler	6
Isshukan Friends	6
Kawaisou	5
Mushishi 2	5
Ping Pong	5
Escha & Logy	4
Flag wo Oretara	4
Hitsugi no Chaika	4
SoreSekai	4
Soul Eater Not	4
Break Blade	3
Lady Jewelpet	3
Mangaka to Assistant	3
Baby Steps	2
Blade & Soul	2
Dragonar	2
Fuuun Ishin	2
Date-A-Live	1
Hero Bank	1
Kamigami no Asobi	1
Kin-iro no Corda	1

The number is the number of the current thread. Threads close when they reach 1000 posts, so being on thread 20 means there have been over 19,000 posts.

Several shows are continuing from previous seasons, but I have searched out past threads on the Logsoku archive and tried to identify only the threads for the new season. Love Live has a total of 397 threads, with 33 started since April 1. JoJo has a total of 170 threads, of which 29 are titled for this season. Fairy Tail has a total of 38 threads, but I can't find enough info to be sure how many started since April 1. Probably only one or two, from what I can infer.

I probably missed a few shows for the list, since I didn't check much further than the 100 most recently posted-about shows.

2channel does not represent the full cross-section of Japanese anime fans. Its anime threads seems to have a high proportion of full-bore male otaku. TV ratings are usually much higher for "family" shows than 2channel postings would suggest.

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Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii

• Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou– Dawning romance in a boarding house. The usual puerile humour is well counteracted by a sweet romance and lovely images. Hanazawa Kana gives us something special here as the shy but determined girl who seems to be discovering love.
• Brynhildr in the Darkness – Enjoyable and involving. Extravagances in the plot may attract or repel you: the reappearance of a supposedly dead childhood friend, aliens, a secret government lab where young girls are experimented on, imminent death by general bleeding if you don’t keep taking special pills. From a manga by the author of Elfen Lied. Taneda Risa is excellent as the main girl.
• Gochuumon wa Usagi Desuka?– Incredibly cute. Well-drawn moe girls running a café. Good voices from Sakura Ayane, Taneda Risa, Uchida Maaya, et al. Nothing but cute girls doing cute things, but this version pleases me more than K-On ever did.
• Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san– Yuri comic-strip comedy starring Touyama Nao and Uesaka Sumire. Hilarious absurdity. Five-minute episodes, unfortunately.
• Isshuukan Friends – Sweet and deep. An unlikely but powerful set-up that produces heartache, some psychological depth, and growing romance. Beautiful look. Terrific performances from young seiyuus Amamiya Sora and Yamaya Yoshitaka, and Hosoya Yoshimasa as what may be the best wingman character ever.
• Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei– Excellent (and popular) show starring Nakamura Yuuichi and Hayami Saori, who are both at their best. Nakamura's character keeps revealing more and more fighting skills. Hayamin plays his brilliant sister, who keeps revealing her love for him. They navigate through shoals of friends and enemies in a high-school for powerful magicians.
• Mekakucity Actors– Shinbou's take on Kagerou Days has fans of the latter up in arms. As a Shinbou fan, however, I'm loving the show. And Jin, the author/composer of the original, is the one who is scripting it for anime, so perhaps he approves, too.
• Mushishi Zoku Shou– I finally get the beauty of this show, which has never reached me before. I used to think of it as just another boring monster show. We'll see if week after week of them vitiates the appeal of these touching fantasy short stories set in a version of bygone rural Japan.
• Ping Pong the Animation– At last, a Yuasa show I can appreciate. To me, Tatami Galaxy seemed over-complex and emotionally shallow. However, the simple framework of a well-told sports story here allows me to appreciate the brilliant, if rather ugly, animation.
• No Game, No Life– Hilarious comedy set in an online-game world, painted with wonderful extreme coloration. Our hero and heroine are mutually dependant siblings whose deep closeness stops just short of being erotic. He has crafty gamer macho; she is a loli genius. A nubile princess (played with brilliant exuberance by Hikasa Youko), in despair at her family's fall, feels herself inexorably drawn to our bold hero.
• Seikoku no Dragonar – Just another fantasy harem comedy, but I'm enjoying it. The dragon born to be our high-skilled hero's partner turns out to be a tsundere loli with an aversion to clothing. And human girls in this school for dragon-riders are also becoming his friends. Good voice work by Sakura Ayanae, and especially by Ise Mariya as the Kugimiya-esque tsundere girl/dragon.
• Sidonia no Kishi – Real science fiction, with a well-conceived future world in which huge colony ship/asteroids have fled an Earth devastated by giant alien invaders. Human photosynthesis, fast-growing clones, an intermediate gender, and a young hero who has risen from a rat-like life hidden in the bowels of the ship to become a super-skilled pilot who can confront the aliens.
• Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii – Shoujo fantasy with a strong, independent heroine who reminds me of Kajika in Hanasakeru Seishounen. And that's a good thing. She is a princess of a minor state sent to marry the emperor of the world, who turns out to be a brilliant, cold-eyed boy of eleven. Of course she will tame him with her magic and bring joy to them both and to the world.
• Soul Eater Not! – As the title is intended to suggest, this is not Soul Eater, but a different show set in its world. An enjoyable school comedy with violence – and with Hayami Saori and Yuuki Aoi in leading roles

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Ping Pong

• Akuma no Riddle– Vicious but effective. I don't like spending time with killers, but a fraught situation and the two main characters partly make up for a class full of beautiful but nasty school-girl assassins. Kanemoto Hisako is great as sweet Haru, their apparent target.
• Black Bullet– Entertaining adventure with a delicious villain played by Koyama Rikiya and a throng of exploited lolis with superpowers. Hard to resist.
• Blade and Soul– Might this be more than just a new Queen's Blade-style boobs and fighting anime? It seems more like a decent fantasy adventure, with added  mammaries. Takao Yuki is good as the main protagonist. Yuuki Aoi is brilliant as the evil queen.
• Hitsugi no Chaika– Ditzy goth-loli with a gun, and a lazy hero who is always being badgered by his beautiful sister. But the siblings have great fighting skills in this steam-punk mediaeval fantasy world, and the loli is more than she seems.
• Escha + Logy no Atelier: Tasogare no Sora no Renkinjutsushi ("Escha + Logy's Workshop: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky.") Pretty and healing. An alchemical fantasy with deep friendship and hints of romance that may remain just hints. Zero tension in ep1; just how I like it. But episode two didn’t sustain my interest, despite two good new characters.
• Haikyuu!!– A classic sports anime. Vivid characters and a clear story. Too much shouting for my taste, but good so far.
• Insufficient Direction– The life of an otaku director and his mangaka wife. Based on the marriage of Anno Hideaki (Evangelion) and Anno Moyoco (Sugar Sugar Rune, Hataraki Man). Funny first episode. Three-minute episodes.
• Kin-iro no Chord: Blue Sky– Like an old friend, a new Kin-iro no Corda reverse harem appears, with the same seiyuu (Takagi Reiko) playing a new lead girl. She and her ikemen osananajimi are all violin students, and will now work together to win an inter-school chamber music competition.
• Nanana's Buried Treasure– Our hero seems to take it amazingly well when he discovers a pretty ghost in his cheap rented room. They and his friends set out to collect the treasures she hid during her life, with the idea that they may be able to find her murderer. Moderately entertaining.
• Selector Infected Wixoss– Our heroine tries out the card game that is all the rage among girls at school, and slips into a separate space, where she becomes enthralled with battles using violent little pixy avatars. And so do we.

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No Game, No Life

• Baby Steps– Slow in the classic sports anime way, gearing up for a run of at least two seasons. Not my thing, but excellent pedagogy.
• Captain Earth– I couldn’t get through more than 3-4 minutes of each of the first two episodes. I guess shounen humour is not for me.
• Fuuun Ishin Dai Shougun – More shounen humour. Once again, not for me.
• Kanojo ga Flag o Oraretara– An interesting premise, and pretty well done,  but ends up being just another average harem comedy. At least the main character is not a nervous wuss.
• Kamigami no Asobi– Reverse harem with a bevy of god-like, well, gods. Nicely drawn, and with the normal stellar male cast (starting with Irino Miyu) to accompany the godly Hayami Saori, who plays the only human in the story. Zeus has brought gods of various cultures together in a heavenly school to learn how to love humans, of which our heroine is their example.
• JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stardust Crusaders– Excellent show that I don’t enjoy. This and Love Live may be the most popular of all the new shows, in Japan.
• Lady Jewelpet – More of the sweet young-shoujo series that promotes Sanrio toys and has been running for five years.
• Love Live! 2– My interest in season one waned, but I still think of it as a good show. Maybe Ive just seen enough of this. Excellent character design and animation by Nishida Asako (Simoun), and another terrific OP. But the music can’t stand up to idol groups like my favorites Nogizaka46, Fairies, and 9Nine.
• Mahou Shoujo Taisen– Couldn’t get into it. Maybe it's the four-minute episodes. And maybe it's just that I don't like pushy talking birds.
• Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to– The manga is slightly amusing. The anime has its moments, but is mostly boring and childish. Talks ecchi but isn't. A waste of Hayami Saori's talents.

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Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Crystal

Forty-three shows in a summer season? Wasn't the anime industry supposed to be in trouble? There's quantity this summer, anyway. And I think there may be some quality, too.

Here, in alphabetical order, are twenty shows I think may be particularly interesting, to me or to others. After that, I will give full details of all the new shows.

Aldnoah.Zero -- A new show from a story written by the Urobutcher, Urobuchi Gen. An ancient civilization's hypergate is found on the Moon by Apollo astronauts, and it allows Earth people to settle Mars. Within 15 years, however, there is war between the two planets. As the story opens, in 2014, they have been in a state of truce for ten years.

Ao Haru Ride -- Uchida Maaya, Kaji Yuuki, Kayano Ai, and Komatsu Mikako star in a shoujo romance from Production IG. Years before, our heroine loved a boy, but he moved away. Now in high school, he suddenly returns, with a new surname, and with no desire to speak with her.

Barakamon -- Ono Daisuke is a young calligrapher who has been banished to an island for punching one of his seniors. The director of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 and the writer of Bottom-Biting Bug show us his misadventures, as he gets used to rural life.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun -- Our heroine has a crush on a handsome schoolmate, who can't even hear her confession and thinks of her as just a fan. It turns out that he is a shoujo manga artist, and she ends up assisting him in his work.

Glasslip -- A new original from PA Works, directed (and co-written) by Nishimura Junji, the director of True Tears. If he can recapture that magic -- or his even greater magic in Simoun -- I will be very happy. Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Ousaka Ryouta, Touyama Nao, Kayano Ai.... This is the show I am most looking forward to.

Hana Yamata -- Young female director Ishizuka Atsuko (age 32) takes another step. She directed Sakurasou for JC Staff, and then No Game No Life for Madhouse. Now Madhouse gives her top writer Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On) to help her animate this shoujo ai manga, set in the world of traditional Japanese dance. Another of my most anticipated shows.

Love Stage!! -- Director Kasai Kenichi (Major, Honey and Clover, Bakuman) and writer Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken) venture into the world of boy's love, bringing us a shounen ai story of love between a young movie star and a beautifully feminine boy he had thought was a girl. JC Staff.

Majimoji Rurumo -- Our sex-obsessed teen hero is shunned by all the girls. He finds a book of magic and plays at summoning a witch...and a cute, impassive young witch appears, offering him a wish...after which she will kill him. Really, even if this show turns out to be awful, the idea of Mimori Suzuko as the cute witch is irresistible.

Minarai Diva -- An amazing concept: an anime ad-libbed and produced in real time, using motion capture of the seiyuus and MikuMiku Dance software. The producer describes it as like an animated radio show. The young seiyuus being put on the spot are Murakawa Rie (Hotaru in Non Non Biyori) and Yamamoto Nozomi (Ogiue in GenshikenSS).

Nobunaga Concerto -- And here's a show that's rotoscoped -- although the trailer looks quite different from Aku no Hana. Our hero is a teen boy who suddenly finds himself four hundred years in the past, having to play the role of the rising warlord Oda Nobunaga, of whom he is the spitting image. The director directs TV dramas. The writer did Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 and Brothers Conflict.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal -- This is the most anticipated show of the season: a remake of Sailor Moon, made on the 20th anniversary of the original show, and with the original seiyuu (Mitsuishi Kotono) playing the lead. Other roles are given to younger seiyuus: Hirohashi Ryou (!), Koshimizu Ami, Satou Rina, Kanemoto Hisako, Itou Shizuka, et al.

Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? -- Oonuma Shin tries his hand at harem comedy. I keep hoping he will someday produce something I like as much as his ef shows.

Sabagebu! -- The team of director Oota Masahiko and writer Aoshima Takashi has made a number of shows together, including Mitsudomoe, YuruYuri, Kotoura-san, and Love Lab. I liked the last three, and hope the team can do something with this manga featuring high-school girls playing survival games with air guns after school.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance -- The director of Kannazuki no Miko and the writer of Elfen Lied. I hope for something from them even in this ecchi harem comedy set in a school for spirit contractors, all but one of whom are girls. Kido Ibuki is one of the stars.

Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 -- An idol anime featuring bishounen idols. Why has no-one thought of this before?

Space Dandy 2 -- More craziness from Watanabe Shinichirou.

Sword Art Online 2: Phantom Bullet -- Kirito has to investigate a new game world, in which deaths of characters are linked to deaths in the real world. More of the same will be fine. ED by Haruna Luna.

Tokyo ESP -- Kido Ibuki plays a girl who gains the mysterious ability to walk through walls (and fall through floors). From a manga by the author of Ga-rei. ED by Yousei Teikoku.

Tokyo Ghoul -- A truly horrific horror story presented by a young anime director whose work was nominated for an Oscar and a young writer who has won multiple awards for writing and directing stage plays.

Zankyou no Terror -- A second show from Watanabe Shinichirou, apparently much more serious than Space Dandy: Tokyo is rocked by huge terrorist bombings. People are scared and confused. Meanwhile, the two young culprits methodically go about their plan to awaken the world.


Click a title in the alphabetical list below to go to full details of a particular show. Or just keep reading, for full details of all 43 shows, in chronological order by first broadcast.

● Ai Mai Mii: Mousou Catastrophe     ● Akame ga Kill!     ● Aldnoah.Zero     ● Ao Haru Ride     ● Bakumatsu Rock     ● Barakamon     ● Dramatical Murder     ● Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei!     ● Francesca: Girls Be Ambitious     ● Free! Eternal Summer     ● Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita     ● Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun     ● Glasslip     ● Gundam-san     ● Hana Yamata     ● Hanamonogatari     ● Himegoto     ● Jinsei     ● Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus     ● Love Stage!!     ● Maido! Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku     ● Majimoji Rurumo     ● Minarai Diva     ● Momo Kyun Sword     ● Nobunaga Concerto     ● Persona 4 The Golden Animation     ● Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal     ● PriPara     ● Rail Wars!     ● Re: ␣Hamatora     ● Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?     ● Sabagebu!     ● Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance     ● Sengoku Basara: Judge End     ● Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen     ● Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49     ● Space Dandy 2     ● Strange+ 2     ● Sword Art Online 2: Phantom Bullet     ● Tokyo ESP     ● Tokyo Ghoul     ● Yama no Susume: Second Season     ● Zankyou no Terror

Notes:
-- information from official sites, MoonPhase, AniDB, Anime News Network, Japanese Wikipedia, et al.
-- English titles link to the Anime News Network encyclopedia; Japanese titles link to official sites. "forum" links to AnimeSuki forum threads.
-- times and dates may change. my weekly calendar will come out at the beginning of July with the most recent data.
-- click images to enlarge.
-- Japanese names in Japanese order, surname first.



Summer 2014 Anime (in chronological order by first broadcast)


Bakumatsu Rock
  (jp: 幕末Rock)   jpWiki

bishounen idols historical fiction
director: Kawasaki Itsurou (Arc the Lad, Canvas2, Legendary Heroes)
writer: Hirota Mitsutaka (Prince of Tennis 2).
seiyuus: Taniyama Kishou, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Morikubo Shoutarou, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Ono Kenshou.
animation: Studio Deen. OP vistlip, ED Ultra-Souls.
trailer. forum.
starts wed 02 jul 23:30

Reinterprets 19th century Japanese history as a battle of the bands. The shogun uses idols' songs to brainwash and control the people, but Sakamoto Ryouma and others rise up to change the world with rock'n'roll.

Solid cast (Taniyama Kishou as an idol seems so right), veteran director…Studio Deen....


 


Free! Eternal Summer
  (jp: Free! Eternal Summer)   jpWiki

bishounen sports comedy/drama
director: Utsumi Hiroko (K-On2 eps, Nichijou eps, Free)
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (Keroro Gunsou, Reideen, Hataraku Maou-sama).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Yonaga Tsubasa, Hirakawa Dasuke, Miyano Mamoru, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Miyata Kouki, Tsuda Kenjiro, Watanabe Akeno, Yukino Satsuki, Yanaka Hiroshi.
animation: Kyoto Animation. OP Oldcodex, ED Style Five (seiyuus).
trailer. forum.
starts wed 02 jul 24:00

A second season of the KyoAni bishounen hit. The tournament is over, and our protagonists turn their attention to improving the team, deepening their bonds, and summer.

Director Utsumi Hiroko really gave her career a boost with the first series. KyoAni management simply has good judgment of who can do the job and what will sell.


Glasslip
  (jp: グラスリップ)   jpWiki

fantasy slice of life romance
director: Nishimura Junji (Ranma 1/2, Simoun, True Tears)
writer: Nishimura Junji, Satou Rika (eps of TariTari).
seiyuus: Fukagawa Seria, Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Oosaka Ryouta, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Yamashita Daiki, Touyama Nao, Kayano Ai.
animation: PA Works. OP ChouCho, ED nano.RIPE.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 22:30

The director of True Tears returns with another original for PA Works. This time, he co-wrote it with a newish writer named Satou Rika.

Touko is a 17-year-old girl living in a small city. She plans to become a glass artisan in her family's glass workshop. During summer break, a new student transfers in who says a voice from the future speaks to him and has led him to Touko.

First named role for 18-year-old Fukagawa Seria, who is supported handsomely by Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Ousaka Ryouta, Touyama Nao, Kayano Ai, and others. I look forward to all PA Works animes, but this one gives me an especially good feeling. Nishimura Junji at his best (Simoun, True Tears) is an excellent director.


Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen
  (jp: 白銀の意思 アルジェヴォルン)   jpWiki

mecha
director: Ootsuki Atsushi (Kanokon, Ladies vs. Butlers, To Love-ru Trouble Darkness)
writer: Satou Tatsuo (dir. Martian Succ. Nadesico; dir/wri Bodacious Space Pirates).
seiyuus: Oosaka Ryouta, Oonishi Saori, Tsuchida Hiroshi, Oohara Sayaka, Sakurai Harumi, Hamada Kenji, Tezuka Hideaki, Akasaki Chinatsu, Hashimoto Chinami, Aimi, Hayama Ikumi, Hayami Shou, Hamada Kenji, Matsumoto Shinobu, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Yamamoto Itaru, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Kondo Takayuki, Chiba Susumu, Sakurai Takahiro.
animation: Xebec. OP Kotoko, ED Misawa Sachika.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 23:00

The story takes place in a world where two countries, Arandas and Ingelmia, have been warring against each other for a very long time. Tokimune, a young man belonging to the eighth autonomous unit of Arandas, saves a girl named Jamie when she is attacked by enemy forces. In order to survive, he mounts the new weapon Argevollen.

Nice cast, with top sound director Aketagawa Jin to guide them. His only show of this season. But the director and writer make me wonder: the director of Kanokon? The writer of Bodacious Space Pirates? What kind of show will this be? The trailer emphasizes mecha fighting. We shall see.


Tokyo Ghoul
  (jp: 東京喰種[トウキョウグール])   jpWiki

seinen horror
director: Morita Shuuhei (Freedom, Oscar-nominated for Tsukumo, formerly with Studio 4°C)
writer: Mikasano Chuuji (award-winning playwright/director of live plays). Ishida Sui.
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki (Kiri/Crime Edge, Hikari/Nagi no Asukara, Kal-el/Love Song for a Certain Pilot), Amamiya Sora (Liliana/Log Horizon, Fujimiya/One Week Friends), Hanazawa Kana, Miyano Mamoru, Sugou Takayuki, Morohoshi Sumire, Konishi Katsuyuki, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Asanuma Shintarou, Nakamura Yuuichi, Sakurai Takahiro.
animation: Studio Pierrot. OP tk (of Ling Tosite Sigure), ED People in the Box.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 24:00

Kaneki is a book-loving college student in Tokyo. At his favorite café, he meets a nice girl his age who is also reading all the time and enjoys his favorite author. But it turns out that she is not what she seems.

A young (early 30s) director and writer, both of whom have received various awards for their work, bring us this true horror story. Morita Shuuhei directed Freedom in 2006, and was nominated for an Oscar this year for his Tsukumo. Writer Mikasano Chuuji has won multiple awards for his plays and directing. He works with theatre Spacenoid.

Interesting cast stars Hanae Natsuki, Amamiya Sora, Hanazawa Kana, Miyano Mamoru, and others. Morohoshi Sumire (Ichigo/Aikatsu, Arisa/OniAi), who is now 15, takes another step on her direct ladder to the top. OP by tk of Ling Tosite Sigure, who did the amazing OP "Abnormalize" for Psycho-Pass.


Strange+ 2
  (jp: 真 ストレンジプラス)   jpWiki

from a josei gag manga
director: Furukawa Hiroyuki (debut as series dir), Nishikawa Takashi (first series was his debut as director)
writer: Nishikawa Takashi. Mikawa Verno (manga).
seiyuus: Seki Tomokazu, Fukuyama Jun, Okiayu Ruoutarou, Yukino Satsuki, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Kawada Myouko, Konishi Katsuyuki, Hatano Wataru, Saiga Mitsuki, Yukana, Orikasa Ai, Ishikawa Kaito, Ono Kenshou, Terasaki Ayano, Nagahiro Shouko.
animation: Seven. OP Poaro.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 25:00

Second series of five-minute comic shorts. Any show featuring Yukino Satsuki has my attention, but my attention didn’t last long for season one.

In any case, a terrific cast, guided by an inexperienced staff.


Rail Wars!
  (jp: Rail Wars!)   jpWiki

school and life comedy
director: Sueda Yoshifumi (debut)
writer: Suzuki Masashi (Shuffle, Kanokon, Sacred Blacksmith).
seiyuus: Fukuyama Jun, Numakura Aimi, Uchida Maaya, Hino Satoshi, Igarashi Hiromi, Nakahara Mai, Horie Yui, Chihara Minori, Konno Hiromi.
animation: Passione. OP Chihara Minori, ED Zaq.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 25:46

In an alternate Japan where the national railway system was never privatized, our hero is an ordinary high school student who aspires to a comfortable life working at Japanese National Railways.

He ends up working as a security trainee, where he has to deal with his strange colleagues -- as well as with RJ, a group of extremists fighting to privatize the railway.

I hope the excellent cast will make up for the less than inspiring staff. Fukuyama Jun, Uchida Maaya, Nakahara Mai, Horie Yui.... And Chihara Minori and Zaq singing the themes.


Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita
  (jp: 普通の女子校生が【ろこどる】やってみた.)   jpWiki

idol comedy
director: Nawa Munenori (Nogizaka Haruka, KissxSis, Nakaimo)
writer: Ayana Yuniko (Denpa Onna, Kin-iro Mosaic).
seiyuus: Itou Miku (Yuuho/Wanna be the Strongest), Misawa Sachika (Kuroyukihime/Accel World), Yoshioka Maya (Taeko/Girls und Panzer), Minase Inori (Suzu/Love Lab, Chino/Gochuumon Usagi?), Shimoda Asami, Izawa Shiori, Izawa Mikako, Tsuda Minami, Matsui Eriko, Murosono Takehiro, Iida Toshinobu, M.A.O..
animation: Feel. OPED Nagarekawa Girls (seiyuus).
trailer. forum.
starts thu 03 jul 26:16

High school girl Nanako is asked by her uncle to become the town's local idol ("locodol"). Together with her senior Yukari, who seems perfect but is actually an airhead, she is interviewed (by the town's shopping centre), goes on television (low-budget cable), and does concerts (on the roof of the department store). The girls' salaries come from the town's taxes. (ANN)

Rising young seiyuus Itou Miku and Misawa Sachika (Accel World) star. Minase Inori, whose work I enjoyed in Love Lab and Gochuumon Usagi, also has an important role. Solid staff features capable comedy director Nawa Munenori, and the writer of Denpa Onna and Kin-Iro Mosaic, Ayana Yuniko.

This show could work, as long as Feel's animation holds up and you can ignore Itou Miku's second-rate singing.


PriPara
  (jp: プリパラ)   jpWiki

young shoujo idol
director: Moriwaki Makoto (Onegai My Meody, Milky Holmes)
writer: Tsuchiya Michihiro (Kaikan Phrase, Major, Cross Game, Chibi Devi). Takara Tomy ARTS.
seiyuus: Akaneya Himika (PR AllStar Lala), Serizawa Yuu, Kubota Kiyu, Suzuki Chihiro, Terashima Takuma, Takano Urara, Itou Kanae, Suwabe Junichi.
animation: Tatsunoko Pro, Dongwoo A&E. OP1 i☆Ris (seiyuus), ED1 Prizmmy.
trailer.
starts sat 05 jul 10:00

A Pretty Rhythm spin-off. Lala is a 5th-grader who, like most girls, admires the world of PriPara, a competition that tests idol girls on song, dance, and fashion. There seems no hope, but Lala miraculously passes the audition to become a PriPara idol.

Despite comng from a game for elementary-school girls, Pretty Rhythm has stood up fairly well over its three years on the air. Perhaps this new spin-off -- without skates -- can do the same, especially with the help of the director of Milky Holmes.


Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal
  (jp: 美少女戦士セーラームーン Crystal)   jpWiki

shoujo mahou shoujo
director: Sakai Munehisa (One Piece)
writer: Kobayashi Yuuji (Aoi Bungaku 11-12). Takeuchi Naoko (manga).
seiyuus: Mitsuishi Kotono, Hirohashi Ryou, Koshimizu Ami, Satou Rina, Kanemoto Hisako, Itou Shizuka, Nojima Kenji.
animation: Toei Animation. OPED Momoiro Clover Z.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 05 jul 19:00

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original Sailor Moon anime, we have a new series retelling the Dark Kingdom story. Clumsy but spirited Tsukino Usagi meets Luna, a black cat with a white crescent on her forehead. And Tsukino suddenly transforms into the pretty sailor-suited guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon, who has a mission to protect a princess, and to find her fellow Guardians and the powerful Silver Crystal. Meanwhile, Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom sends her agents to Usagi's town, looking for the Silver Crystal.

The original seiyuu for Sailor Moon, Mitsuishi Kotono, returns in the same role. But the other roles get new seiyuus. The director is a veteran of One Piece.

The first episode will get an advance premiere screening on Usagi's birthday, June 30th, at a birthday party sponsored by women's fashion magazine ViVi. Male attendees are not admitted unless accompanied by a female.


Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49
  (jp: 少年ハリウッド -　HOLLY STAGE FOR 49　-)   jpWiki

bishounen idols
director: Kuroyanagi Toshimasa (Sukitte ii na yo series dir.)
writer: Hashiguchi Ikuyo. Hashiguchi Ikuyo (novel, mixed media project).
seiyuus: Oosaka Ryouta, Kakihara Tetsuya, Yamashita Daiki, Aoi Shouta, Ono Kenshou, Nitta Masashi, Namikawa Daisuke, Asanuma Shintarou, Hoshi Souichirou, Suzuki Yuuto, Toriumi Kousuke, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Kishio Daisuke.
animation: Zexcs. OP Shounen Hollywood (seiyuus).
trailer.
starts sat 05 jul 20:30

At the Hollywood Tokyo theater in Harajuku, the members of the idol group Shounen Hollywood develop their talents with diligent work and studying. The anime is set 15 years after the story in the original novel.

Hard to say how this will work out. The early trailer shows a detailed but somewhat static drawing style for the bishounen. It will either work for you or it won't. And the director is doing his first show, after a career spent in key animation, with only a little bit of episode direction and storyboarding in the past two years.

It's a good concept: an idol show featuring guys. Let's see how they execute it.


Sword Art Online 2: Phantom Bullet
  (jp: ソードアート・オンラインII)   jpWiki

game world fantasy adventure
director: Itou Tomohiko (Occult Academy, SAO, Silver Spoon; storyboards for Monster, Death Note)
writer: Kawahara Reki (novel).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Sawashiro Miyuki.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Aoi Eir, ED Haruna Luna.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 05 jul 23:30

A year has passed since Sword Art Online (SAO) was cleared. Kirito is asked to investigate a new online game, Gun Gale Online. Deaths in the game's world seem to be linked to deaths in the real world.

This anime is based on the third arc of the SAO light novel series. Only two cast members have been announced so far: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (Kirito) and Sawashiro Miyuki. But because their characters return, we can expect to hear Tomatsu Haruka (Asuna), Hidaka Rina (Silica), Taketatsu Ayana (Suguha), and Takagaki Ayahi (Lisbeth).

This is really the only game-world show I have enjoyed and watched all of. Perhaps it was just simple enough for my taste. And for many other people's. ED by the unique and enjoyable Haruna Luna.


Aldnoah.Zero
  (jp: アルドノア・ゼロ)   jpWiki

sci-fi with violence and romance
director: Aoki Ei (Hourou Musuko, Fate/Zero)
writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (ef memories, Mirai Nikki). Urobuchi Gen (orig story).
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki, Ono Kenshou, Amamiya Sora, Misawa Sachika, Komatsu Mikako, Murata Taishi, Kakuma Ai, Yamaya Yoshitaka, Oohara Sayaka, Nakai Kazuya, Toriumi Kousuke, Kayano Ai, Shimamura Yu, Minase Inori, Hayami Shou, Ookawa Tooru.
animation: Troyca, A-1 Pictures. OP Kalafina, ED Sawano Hiroyuki.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 05 jul 24:00

A new story from the Urobutcher: in 1972, the Apollo 17 mission discovers a hypergate to Mars on the surface of the moon. Earth people go to settle Mars, but by the mid-1980s, strife begins and there is a war between the planets that ends up with the hypergate running wild and destroying the Moon. By 2014, the two sides have been in a state of truce for ten years. We keep expecting horrors from the Urobutcher, but this show may (or may not) end up closer to Gargantia than to MadoMagi.

I thought Amamiya Sora was terrific as Fujimiya in One Week Friends, but fairly awful as Jin Hazuki in Blade and Soul. Producers obviously love her: she has three major roles this season, here and in Akame ga Kill and Tokyo Ghoul. The director and writer are not so famous, but have good credits: Hourou Musuko and Fate/Zero (the director) and ef memories and Mirai Nikki (the writer).


Barakamon
  (jp: ばらかもん)   jpWiki

slice of life comedy
director: Tachibana Masaki (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0)
writer: Pierre Sugiura (Bottom-Biting Bug). Yoshino Satsuki (manga).
seiyuus: Ono Daisuke, Hara Suzuko, Furuki Nozomi, Ookubo Rumi, Uchiyama Kouki, Endou Rina, Kimura Seiya, Han Megumi, Sugino Tanuki, Tachiki Fumihiko, Suwabe Junichi, Kaji Yuuki.
animation: Kinema Citrus. OP Super Beaver.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 05 jul 26:20

After punching a famous calligrapher, a handsome young calligrapher is exiled to a small island. As a city boy, he has to adapt to his strange new neighbors: people traveling on a tractor, unwanted visitors who come in through the back door, annoying kids who use his home as a playground, etc. Innocence and laughter.

The director did the excellent Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, and the writer did the popular Bottom-Biting Bug. Mixed cast of unknowns and stars (Ono Daisuke, Suwabe Junichi). The first two episodes will be shown June 29 in Tokyo and on the Goto Islands, where the story is set.


Gundam-san
  (jp: ガンダムさん)   jpWiki

comic-strip comedy
director: Mankyuu (Utsurun desu, Tono to Issho, Puchim@s)
writer: Mankyuu. Oowada Hideki (comic).
seiyuus: Konishi Katsuyuki, Han Megumi (Gon in HunterxHunter, Cure Princess in PreCure, Kayo in Black Bullet), Yonaga Tsubasa, Nazuka Kaori, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Shimoyama Yoshimitsu, Matsuyama Takashi, Hirohasi Ryou, Yamaguchi Rikako, Okizu Kazuyuki, Han Keiko, Furuya Tooru.
animation: Sunrise.
manga. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 19:28

Just announced: animation of the Gundam-san four-panel comic. Directed by Mankyuu, who did Utsurun desu, Tono to Issho, and Puchim@s. Probably short episodes. Great cast, starting with Konishi Katsuyuki and including both Han Megumi and her mother, Han Keiko (Lalah Sune in Gundam, Athena in Saint Seiya, Luna and Queen Beryl in Sailor Moon).


Jinsei
  (jp: 人生)   jpWiki

school comedy
director: Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate, Nyan Koi)
writer: Arakawa Naruhisa (Shirayuki Hime, Steel Angel Kurumi, Yosuga no Sora, Kingdom, Outbreak Company). Kawagishi Ougyo (novel).
seiyuus: Takumi Yasuaki, Nitta Hiyori, Toyota Moe, Suwa Ayaka, Oonishi Saori, Maeda Rena.
animation: Feel.
trailer. 13eps. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 22:00

Top comedy director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate) works with capable veteran writer Arakawa Naruhisa (Yosuga no Sora, Kingdom) to give Feel its second show of the season, along with Locodol.

Our hero joins the staff of his school's second newspaper. He is assigned to the "Life" column: he and three girls on staff answer people's questions about their life problems. Cast includes Toyota Moe (Kurumi in Saki Zenkoku), Suwa Ayaka (Ruri in Flag o Oretara) and Maeda Rena (Nike in The World is Still Beautiful).


Maido! Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku
  (jp: 毎度! 浦安鉄筋家族)   jpWiki

madcap family comedy
director: Daichi Akitarou (Fruits Basket, Bokura ga Ita)
writer: Hamaoka Kenji (manga).
seiyuus: Mimori Suzuko, Ichijou Kazuya, Toujou Kanako, Kitta Izumi.
animation: Studio Deen.
trailer. manga.
starts sun 06 jul 22:27

The misadventures of a second-grade boy and his family and friends. Sequel to the 1998 anime translated as Super Radical Gag Family.

Another starring role for Mimori Suzuko. I also like Kitta Izumi. I thought she was uncomfortably good in Watamote.

The trailer link is to an episode from the first season. The current series appears to be in three-minute episodes.


Sabagebu!
  (jp: さばげぶっ!)   jpWiki

girls with guns, school comedy
director: Oota Masahiko (Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri, Kotoura-san, Love Lab)
writer: Aoshima Takashi (Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri, Kotoura-san, Love Lab). Matsumoto Hidekichi (manga).
seiyuus: Oohashi Ayaka, Uchiyama Yumi, Ookubo Rumi, Lynn, Touyama Nao.
animation: Pierrot Plus. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 22:30

Yet another girls-with-guns show, but there is some nice weirdness in the manga, and the trailer looks good. And I like the work of at least three of the main seiyuus: Touyama Nao, Ookubo Rumi, and Uchiyama Yumi.

On Momoka's first day of high school, a man gropes her on the train. Suddenly a girl nearby pulls a gun on the man who touched her! This is Momoka's first encounter with her new high school's survival game club. Before long, she finds herself dragged into the club, which is full of cute girls wielding (air) guns.

The team of director Oota Masahiko and writer Aoshima Takashi has made a number of shows together, including Mitsudomoe, YuruYuri, Kotoura-san, and Love Lab. There is some quality there, so I'm hoping this may be a good adaptation of the pleasantly off-centre manga.


Space Dandy 2
  (jp: スペース☆ダンディ 2)   jpWiki

wild and crazy comedy in space
director: Watanabe Shinichirou (chiefdir; Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope), Natsume Shingo
writer: Satou Dai (Eureka Seven), Nobumoto Keiko, Ueno Kimiko.
seiyuus: Suwabe Junichi, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Satake Uki.
animation: Bones.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 23:00

The same main cast and staff return for a second season of the wild and crazy space comedy from Bones. The frenetic humour only worked for me for a couple of episodes, but it definitely held its appeal for many people. This is a quality operation, with high-level animation, and has been popular both in Japan and overseas.

One of the things that attracts me to this show is the presence of Satake Uki, of the excellent idol group 9Nine, as the robot crew-member QT. Of course, Suwabe Junichi and Yoshino Hiroyuki as the other two crew members have some appeal themselves.

Watanabe Shinichirou (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Kids on the Slope) is an excellent director. And Satou Dai (Eureka Seven) is one of the writers. The second season features a huge list of over 30 guest cast-members. You can see the full list here.


Akame ga Kill!
  (jp: アカメが斬る!)   jpWiki

shounen fighting adventure
director: Kobayashi Tomoki (Tears to Tiara, AmagamiSS+)
writer: Uezu Makoto (School Days, Humanity Has Declined, Blue Steel Arpeggio). Tashiro Tetsuya, Takahiro (manga).
seiyuus: Amamiya Sora, Saitou Souma, Tamura Yukari, Asakawa Yuu, Noto Mamiko, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Konishi Katsuyuki, Mizuno Risa, Akesaka Satomi.
animation: White Fox. OP Amamiya Sora, ED Sawai Miku.
trailer. manga. 24?eps. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 24:00

Fighting adventure written by the flashy Uezu Makoto, and directed by lesser-known director Kobayashi Tomoki. Lesser-known cast, as well, seeded with big names like Tamura Yukari and Noto Mamiko.

Tatsumi is a fighter who goes to the Capital in search of a way to make money to assist his poverty-stricken village. After falling victim to a robbery and losing all his money, Tatsumi is taken in by an aristocratic girl called Aria. When Aria's home is attacked by a group of assassins, Tatsumi at first tries to defend her. But then the assassins show him that Aria has been kidnapping and torturing villagers, including his friends. He kills her and joins the assassins.


Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
  (jp: 月刊少女野崎くん)   jpWiki

romantic comedy
director: Yamazaki Mitsue (Penguin Drum eps., Hakkenden)
writer: Nakamura Yoshiko (Hiiro no Kakera). Tsubaki Izumi (manga).
seiyuus: Nakamura Yuuichi, Ozawa Ari, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Ono Yuuki, Kimura Ryouhei, Sawashiro Miyuki, Nakahara Mai.
animation: Douga Koubou. OP Ooishi Masayoshi, ED Ozawa Ari.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 25:05

Our heroine has a crush on a handsome schoolmate, but when she confesses her love, he thinks she is just a fan and gives her an autograph. When she says that she always wants to be with him, he invites her to his house to help on some drawings. It turns out that he is a shoujo manga artist. They work together on his manga, and their relationship evolves.

Strong cast includes Nakamura Yuuichi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Sawashiro Miyuki, and newcomer Ozawa Ari. The director did Hakkenden and several episodes of Penguin Drum. The writer did Hiiro no Kakera. This seems fairly promising, to me.


Dramatical Murder
  (jp: ドラマティカルマーダー)   jpWiki

game-based future fantasy with fighting and bishounen
director: Miura Kazuya (directoral debut; key animator, recently turned storyboarder)
writer: Machida Touko (Lucky Star, Inari Konkon, Wake Up Girls), Fuchii Kabura (debut). Nitro+Chiral.
seiyuus: Kisaichi Atsushi, Takahashi Hiroki, Hino Satoshi, Matsuda Kenichirou, Nakazawa Masatomo, Takeuchi Ryouta, Takahashi Kenji, Majima Junji, Higuchi Tomoyuki.
animation: Naz (Hamatora). OPED Goatbed.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 06 jul 25:35

The time is many years in the future. Our hero lives quietly with his grandmother on a rural island. People's main preoccupations are local gang fights and an online game called Rhyme. Our hero is involved in neither, until he becomes enmeshed in a game of Rhyme, gets his own AI, and begins unravelling the mystery of why people seem to be disappearing.

Second anime (after Hamatora) from new studio Naz. Debut director. Voices of new seiyuus and second-rank stars.


Himegoto
  (jp: ひめゴト)   jpWiki

seinen trap comedy
director: Yanase Hiroyuki (debut)
writer: Hyodo Kazuho (Gundam Age, Wanna be the Strongest). Tsukudani Norio (manga).
seiyuus: Kuwahara Yuuki (Eleking/Haitai Nanafa, Rattle/Freezing Vibr.), Matenrou Yuka, Ono Saki, Toujou Hisako, Sakura Ayane, Akasaki Chinatsu, Eguchi Takuya, Tsuda Minami, Tadokoro Azusa.
animation: Asahi Production. OPED I My Me Mine (seiyuus).
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 07 jul 23:54

Arikawa's parents flee and leave him to deal with their large debt. Chased by debt collectors, he is saved by the three girls of his school's student council. In return for their paying off his debt, he agrees to become the student council's "dog" and spend his high school life dressed as a girl.

Directed by experienced animation director Yanase Hiroyuki, making his debut as a show director. A young and/or inexperienced cast is bolstered by two young favorites: Sakura Ayane and Akasaki Chinatsu. I'm also eager to again hear Tadokoro Azusa, who won the audition Kido Ibuki just placed in.


Ao Haru Ride
  (jp: アオハライド)   jpWiki

shoujo romance
director: Yoshimura Ai (Teen RomCom Snafu)
writer: Konparu Tomoko (Ashita no Nadja, Kimi ni Todoke, Sunday Without God). Sakisaki Io (manga).
seiyuus: Uchida Maaya, Kaji Yuuki, Kayano Ai, Komatsu Mikako, Kenn, Hirakawa Daisuke.
animation: Production IG. OP Chico/Honeyworks, ED Fujifabric.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 07 jul 24:00

From an enjoyable shoujo manga, in which our heroine suddenly finds herself at school again with the boy she used to love but who transferred away one summer. And now he returns with a new surname.

Surprising star Uchida Maaya takes lead billing, which she deserves, even over Kaji Yuuki. Kayano Ai and Komatsu Mikako are two voices I really like, too. Writer Konparu Tomoko is an old hand who did a nice job with Kimi ni Todoke. The drawing and animation in the trailer are good, as you would expect from Production IG.


Hana Yamata
  (jp: ハナヤマタ)   jpWiki

seinen, shoujo ai
director: Ishizuka Atsuko (Sakurasou, No Game No Life, 10 eps of NANA)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On, Non Non Biyori). Hamayumiba Sou (manga).
seiyuus: Ueda Reina, Tanaka Minami, Okuno Kaya, Ootsubo Yuka, Numakura Manami, Yamamoto Ayano, Takai Maika, Koyama Tsuyoshi, Toyoguchi Megumi, Wakai Yuuki.
animation: Madhouse. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 07 jul 25:35

Our entirely average and normal 14-year-old protagonist admires "heroines," but lives a life that is entirely normal -- until one moonlit night she meets a blonde "fairy." This foreign girl then draws her into the extraordinary world of traditional Japanese dance.

Talented young director Ishizuka Atsuko (Sakurasou, No Game No Life) teams up with top writer Yoshida Reiko (Marimite) to adapt the shoujo ai manga for Madhouse. They will be working largely with young and lesser-known voices. But the staff and the yuri aspect attract me to this show.


Re: ␣Hamatora
  (jp: Re: ハマトラ)   jpWiki

supernatural mystery
director: Kishi Seiji (Angel Beats, etc.)
writer: Kumagai Jun (Hamatora). Kodama Yuuki (orig plan).
seiyuus: Oosaka Ryouta, Hatano Wataru, Kamiya Hiroshi, Katou Emiri, Akimoto Yousuke, Fukuyama Jun, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kitamura Eri, Murase Katsuki, Ono Atsushi, Akimoto Yousuke, Eguchi Takuya.
animation: Lerche.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 07 jul 26:05

"Reply: Hamatora." A new season of Hamatora. Minimum Holders (i.e., possessors of superpowers) Hajime and Murasaki form a new detective duo, Hamatora Mark Two, after the death of former leader Nice.

Kishi Seiji and Kumagai Jun return to direct and write the show, but Lerche is the animation studio, rather than NAZ. The same main cast returns.


Momo Kyun Sword
  (jp: モモキュンソード)   jpWiki

supernatural comedy adventure
director: Yanagi Shinsuke (Roh-Kyu-Bu SS)
writer: Tamai Tsuyoshi (Nogizaka Haruka, Ladies vs. Butlers). Kibidango Project (novels).
seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana, Tsuda Minami, Morikubo Shoutarou, Imai Asami, Hatano Wataru, Mikami Shiori, Mimori Suzuko, Ookubo Rumi, Ootsubo Yuka, Asano Masumi, Shimoda Asami, Hino Satoshi, Katou Emiri, Komatsu Mikako, Egawa Hisako, Chou, Takahashi Chiaki, Suganuma Hisayoshi, Ginga Banjou.
animation: Project No.9, Tri-Slash. OP Chisuga Haruka, ED Taketatsu Ayana.
trailer. forum.
starts tue 08 jul 24:30

Story based on the Japanese folk hero Momotaro, with Taketatsu Ayana as a female version of Momo, working with animal gods to subdue demons.

We can perhaps tell what kind of show this will be by looking at the director, who did Roh-Kyu-Bu SS, and the writer, who did Ladies vs. Butlers. The trailer and art feature glistening breasts and skimpy clothing. Excellent large cast.


Majimoji Rurumo
  (jp: まじもじるるも)   jpWiki

supernatural ecchi comedy
director: Sakurai Chikara
writer: Kunisawa Mariko. Watanabe Wataru (manga).
seiyuus: Mimori Suzuko, Takahashi Makoto, Fukuen Misato, Endou Yurika, Shiraishi Mari, Ishigami Shizuka, Shimono Hiro, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Nagatsuma Juri, Majima Junji.
animation: JC Staff. OP Mimori Suzuko, ED Endou Yurika.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 09 jul 21:00

Shibaki is his high school's famous pervert, shunned by all girls. He happens on a book of magic and plays at summoning a witch -- and a cute, impassive witch appears, to grant any wish and then take his life.

Mimori Suzuko should make a very cute witch. Takahashi Makoto has only his second role, and first named role, as Shibaki.

Long-time key animator Sakurai Chikara debuts as a director. Writer Kunisawa Mariko did Hatsukoi Limited and wrote many episodes of Squid Girl. From the trailer, it seems to me that the rough but very effective drawing style of the manga still works when it is transformed into smooth JC Staff style.


Yama no Susume: Second Season
  (jp: ヤマノススメ セカンドシーズン)   jpWiki

cute girls climbing cute mountains
director: Yamamoto Yuusuke (Keroro Gunsou, Welcome to NHK, Yama no Susume 1)
writer: Yamamoto Yuusuke. Shiro (manga).
seiyuus: Iguchi Yuka, Asumi Kana, Hikasa Youko, Ogura Yui, Hisakawa Aya, Ogino Seirou.
animation: 8bit. ED Ogura Yui.
trailer. 24x15mineps. forum.
starts wed 09 jul 22:00

Aoi is an indoor girl and is afraid of heights. Hinata likes the outdoors, and climbs mountains. They and some friends start going on ever longer hikes into the mountains, even staying overnight to watch sunrise from the top.

The success of the first season has expanded this new season from five- to fifteen-minute episodes, and to a complete six-month run. Strong cast includes Iguchi Yuka, Asumi Kana, and Hikasa Youko, as well as moe-monster Ogura Yui, who sings the ED. And Hisakawa Aya gives the cast a some heft.

Professional and experienced director Yamamoto Yuusuke (Keroro Gunsou, Welcome to the NHK) directs and writes.


Love Stage!!
  (jp: Love Stage!!)   jpWiki

bishounen, boy-moe, shounen ai
director: Kasai Kenichi (Major, Honey and Clover, Bakuman)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken). Tsuda Mikiyo, Eiki Eiki (manga).
seiyuus: Yonaga Tsubasa, Eguchi Takuya, Daigo, Hirakawa Daisuke, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Kimura Ryouhei, Sakai Kyouko, Oohara Sayaka, Majima Junji, Oohara Sayaka, Yamamoto Kazutomi, Morikubo Shoutarou.
animation: JC Staff. OP Screen Mode.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 09 jul 25:05

The fujoshi market continues to advance. Top comedy director Kasai Kenichi and top writer Yokote Michiko adapt a yaoi manga for JC Staff.

Feminine-looking otaku college student Izumi aspires to be a mangaka, despite his complete lack of drawing talent. His mother is a film star, his father a singer, his elder brother -- who adores him -- is the lead singer of a popular band. Ten years before, Izumi was in a TV commercial with Ryouma, who fell in love with him, thinking he was a girl. Now they meet again, when Ryouma has become a star actor. Although Ryouma discovers Izumi is a guy, he still can't help feeling attracted to him. Yonaga Tsubasa seems well cast as Izumi, and Eguchi Takuya plays Ryouma. The manga is good. The anime could be just as good. Worth a look.


Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei!
  (jp: Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ 2wei!)   jpWiki

magical girl adventure/comedy
director: Jinbou Masato (debut), Oonuma Shin (chiefdir; ef, Baka to test, Kokoro Connect chiefdir)
writer: Inoue Kenji (orig series). Hiroyama Hiroshi (maga), Type-Moon.
seiyuus: Kadowaki Mai, Nazuka Kaori, Saitou Chiwa, Ueda Kana, Itou Shizuka, Takano Naoko, Matsuki Miyu, Sugiyama Noriaki, Terada Haruhi, Itou Miki, Ise Mariya, Katou Emiri, Itou Kanae, Satou Satomi, Koshimizu Ami, Miyagawa Miho, Nabatame Hitomi, Koyama Rikiya, Oohara Sayaka.
animation: Silver Link. OP Kuribayashi Minami, ED Kouda Yumeha.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 09 jul 25:35

A second season for the moe magical girl anime. The same staff returns, and the excellent cast is augmented with Nabatame Hitomi and Koshimizu Ami.

After all the Class cards have been captured, Illya and My are once again ordered by Rin and Luvia to help them stabilize the Earth's pulse, which went off-kilter when they started capturing the Class Cards. However, something goes wrong after the ceremony. Illiya protects everyone from the destructive explosion, but when the explosion is averted, and seemingly everyone is safe…Illya finds a clone of herself sitting beside her. (Mangafox)


Zankyou no Terror
  (jp: 残響のテロル)   jpWiki

dystopic mystery adventure
director: Watanabe Shinichirou (Cowboy Bebop, Kids on the Slope)
writer: Watanabe Shinichirou (orig plan).
seiyuus: Ishikawa Kaito (Harutora/Tokyo Ravens, Ignacio/Pilot Love Song), Saitou Souma (Karashi/Hoozuki no Reitetsu), Tanezaki Atsumi, Sakuya Shunsuke, Han Megumi.
animation: Mappa. OP Ozaki Yuki, ED Aimer.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 10 jul 24:50

Watanabe Shinichirou brings us his second show of the season, something a bit more serious than Space Dandy.

In an alternate version of the present, Tokyo has been decimated by a shocking terrorist attack. No-one knows who did it, and people are in a panic. Meanwhile, two mysterious children masterfully carry out their terrible plan, determined to wake the world from its slumber.

Music by Kanno Youko. Noitamina.


Persona 4 The Golden Animation
  (jp: ペルソナ4 ザ・ゴールデン)   jpWiki

supernatural mystery adventure
director: Taguchi Tomohisa (eps of first series, dir of movie), Kishi Seiji (chiefdir)
writer: Kumagai Jun (eps of first series; Hamatora).
seiyuus: Namikawa Daisuke, Morikubo Shoutarou, Horie Yui, Koshimizu Ami, Seki Tomokazu, Kugimiya Rie, Yamaguchi Kappei, Paku Romi, Ishizuka Unshou, Kanda Akemi, Madono Mitsuaki, Tanonaka Isamu, Oohara Sayaka, Hanazawa Kana.
animation: A-1 Pictures.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 10 jul 25:49

For this new Persona 4 series, a new director takes over from Kishi Seiji, who remains as "chief director" to supervise him. And Hanazawa Kana joins the cast as Marie, a mysterious girl who inhabits the Velvet Room.

This is a retelling of the original story, with the addition of Marie, a girl with no past. Our hero moves to a new town and a new school. Mysterious murders keep happening, and they are predicted on an equally mysterious TV channel that comes on only at midnight. Our hero and his friends become connected with the strange world of the TV and the murders, and awaken to the power of their hearts, from which appears a Persona for each of them.

Great cast, including Namikawa Daisuke, Koshimizu Ami...and Paku Romi.


Ai Mai Mii: Mousou Catastrophe
  (jp: あいまいみー ~妄想カタストロフ~)   jpWiki

young shoujo comedy adventure
director: Imazaki Itsuki (Ai Mai Mii, Recorder and Randsel Mi)
writer: Imazaki Itsuki (Ai Mai Mii, Recorder and Randsel Mi). Choboraunyopomi (orig creator).
seiyuus: Ootsubo Yuka, Uchida Aya, Uchida Maaya, Kayano Ai, Tenshin Mukai.
animation: Seven. OP seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 10 jul 26:05

A sequel to the original Ai Mai Mii. Strong cast returns. Once again directed and written by Imazaki Itsuki.


Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus
  (jp: 黒執事 Book of Circus)   jpWiki

supernatural dark fantasy
director: Abe Noriyuki (Great Teacher Onizuka, Bleach)
writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (My-HiME, Macross F, Magi). Toboso Yana (manga).
seiyuus: Ono Daisuke, Sakamoto Maaya, Miyano Mamoru, Takagaki Ayahi, Kaida Yuuko, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Terashima Takuma, Tai Yuuki, Shintani Mayumi, Koyanagi Ryoukan, Touchi Hiroki, Kaji Yuuki, Katou Emiri, Fujimura Shunji, Sugiyama Noriaki, Kenn, Fukuyama Jun, Tachibana Shinnosuke, Yasumoto Hiroki, Tamura Yukari, Yusa Kouji, Yahagi Sayuri, Suwabe Junichi, Suganuma Hisayoshi, Kimura Ryouhei, Maeno Tomoaki.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Sid, ED Akira.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 10 jul 26:19

The Noah's Ark Circus enlivens nineteenth-century London with its grandeur and spectacular stunts. But children are disappearing from areas the circus visits. The Queen sends her Watchdog, Ciel Phantomhive, to investigate and to retrieve the missing children. Ciel and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, infiltrate the circus disguised as troupe members. (Kuroshitsuji Wikia)

This third Black Butler series is directed by Abe Noriyuki, the director of Bleach, and written by the workmanlike Yoshino Hiroyuki (Magi). Will a change of main staff be good or bad? The cast is overwhelming, filled with top pros.


Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?
  (jp: 六畳間の侵略者!?)   jpWiki

boarding house harem comedy, with ghost
director: Oonuma Shin (ef, Prisma Illya, Watamote, Nou-Rin)
writer: Yasukawa Shougo (Neptunia). Takehaya (novel).
seiyuus: Nakamura Yuuichi, Suzuki Eri, Oomori Nichika, Tazawa Masumi, Naganawa Maria, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Taketatsu Ayana, Yuuki Aoi, Hayami Saori, Takamoto Megumi, Suzaki Aya.
animation: Silver Link. OP seiyuus, ED petit milady.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 11 jul 25:05

"Invaders of My Six-Mat Room." Oonuma Shin tries his hand at harem comedy. His first anime were the two ef shows, for Shaft. Then Baka to Test, for his own new company, Silver Link. His most recent shows are Prisma Illya, Watamote, and Nou-Rin. For me, ef memories was his high-water mark, unfortunately. But the trailer for this show actully does look good, maybe enriching its genre.

Because his family is poor, in order to attend high school away from home, young Koutarou is forced to live alone in a small apartment (rokujouma="six-mat room", just under 9x12ft) on a budget of 5000 yen a month (~$50). He does live rent free, but on the other hand his room is haunted. The ghost of a cute young girl keeps trying to drive him out. And other invaders assail him, including nosy neighbours and interfering magical girls.

Nakamura Yuuichi could give the guy-cliché a good feeling. And I look forward to hearing a newcomer opposite him, Suzuki Eri. Yuuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana have minor roles and sing the ED, as "petit milady".


Tokyo ESP
  (jp: 東京ESP)   jpWiki

mystery comedy drama
director: Takayanagi Shigehito (Galaxy Angel X, Kanamemo, World God Only Knows)
writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Now Then Here There, World God Only Knows, OreImo). Segawa Hajime (manga; Ga-Rei manga).
seiyuus: Kido Ibuki, Koumoto Keisuke, Misawa Sachika, Hiramatsu Hirokazu, Nakata Jouji, Tadokoro Azusa, Genda tesshou, Ebara Masashi, Aizawa Mai, Konno Hiromi.
animation: Xebec. OP Faylan, ED Yousei Teikoku.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 11 jul 25:35

Rinka, an extremely poor high school girl, lives with her father in Tokyo. One day, she and a boy from her school chase a flying penguin, and then glistening fish swimming in the air appear and swim through her. This somehow gives her the unwelcome ability to slip through solid objects. And the story begins.

Kido Ibuki gets her second major role of the season, and one that should be right up her alley. She's only 16, but producers are continuing to cast her multiple times a season. She's got the big pipes and is developing her acting.

A capable director and writer, and a manga written by the author of Ga-rei, make me even more optimistic about this show. The fact that the dark metal of Yousei Teikoku ("Fairy Empire") will provide the ED is just icing on the cake. The lead singer of Yousei Teikoku is former seiyuu Itsuki Yui.


Nobunaga Concerto
  (jp: 信長協奏曲)   jpWiki

medieval fantasy time-travel adventure
director: Fujikawa Yuusuke (TV drama director)
writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Gakuen Heaven, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Brothers Conflict, Lady Jewelpet). Ishii Ayumi (manga).
seiyuus: Miyano Mamoru, Kaji Yuuki, Sugita Tomokazu, Mizuki Nana, Nakamura Yuuichi, Yuuki Aoi, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Koyama Rikiya, Asanuma Shintarou, Miyake Kenta, Takahashi Nobuya, Ogata Keiichi, Fukuyama Jun, Sakurai Takahiro, Kimira Ryouhei, Kuroda Takaya, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Sugisaki Akira, Murase Ayumu, Murase Ayumu, Uchiyama Kouki, Kiyokawa Motomu, Akimoto Yousuke.
animation: Fuji TV.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 11 jul 25:50

Fascinating team at the top: a director of TV dramas and the writer of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. The action will be performed live and rotoscoped into animation. I look forward to seeing what they can do. The trailer looks quite different from the rotoscoping in Flowers of Evil.

Saburo is an obstreperous high-school student who after a fall suddenly finds himself back in Japan's Warring States period, over 400 years ago. Not just that, but he is the spitting image of the warlord's son Oda Nobunaga, who history says went on to unify almost all of Japan. The real Nobunaga is physically weak and seizes the chance to evade his destined role and pass it on to Saburo. From then on, Saburo has to try to remember what Nobunaga actually did and not change it.

Huge and talented cast. I think Mamo-chan is a natural for this role.


Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance
  (jp: 精霊使いの剣舞)   jpWiki

ecchi harem adventure
director: Yanagisawa Tetsuya (Kannazuki no Miko, Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora, High School DxD)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (DearS, Elfen Lied, High School DxD, Watamote). Shimizu Yuu (novel).
seiyuus: Furukawa Makoto, Kido Ibuki, Yuuki Kana, Ishigami Shizuka, Oonishi Saori, Kakuma Ai, Tanaka Manami, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Nakahara Mai, Hikasa Youko.
animation: TNK. OP Harada Hitomi, ED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 14 jul 20:30

Kazehaya Kamito has been summoned to the girl's school Areishia Spirit Academy, which teaches noble young ladies how to make contracts with powerful spirits. On his way, he has the misfortune to catch sight of one of these lady spirit contractors bathing. She is Claire Rouge, and she is contracted to a spirit named Scarlet, though she has her sights set on a more powerful spirit. Kamito convinces her to lead him to the school, but she stops on the way to make a contract with this powerful spirit. When Kamito ends up 'stealing' the powerful spirit, it is revealed that he is actually that unheard-of thing, a male spirit contractor!

Two things interest me about this show. The first is Kido Ibuki, trying a new character as an arrogant but vulnerable princess, Claire Rouge. The second is to see if the director (Kannazuki no Miko) and the lead writer (DearS, Elfen Lied, Watamote) can revive the virtues of some of their previous work.


Francesca: Girls Be Ambitious
  (jp: フランチェスカ Girls Be Ambitious)

zombie comedy
director: (unknown)
writer: HeART-BIT (original music video).
seiyuus: Makino Yui, Tano Asami, Urayama Jin, Takahashi Hiroki, Naitou Ami, Sugiyama Noriaki, Kudou Saki, Nagumo Daisuke, Miyamoto Katsuya, Shingaki Tarusuke.
animation: (unknown)  OP Makino Yui.
trailer. forum.
starts: sun jul 06 25:20

This is a comedy personifying Hokkaido as "undead idol" Francesca. She and others fight an invasion of Hokkaido by a zombie Shinsengumi army.

Makino Yui stars and sings the OP. The hopefully interesting cast is largely made up of unknowns. There's no indication yet of who the staff is. This may be made by HeART-BIT in Hokkaido.


Minarai Diva
  (jp: みならいディーバ)   jpWiki

live anime
director: Ishidate Koutarou (Straight Title Robot Anime, Tesagure)
writer: Ishidate Koutarou (gdgd fairies, Tesagure). Yoshida Hisanori (orig idea, supervision).
seiyuus: Murakawa Rie (Non Non Biyori/Hotaru, Escha), Yamamoto Nozomi (Joshiraku/Tetora, GenshikenSS/Ogiue), Yoshida Hisanori.
animation: (unknown)

starts mon 21 jul 19:30

Live and ad lib. The lines and songs will be performed live, and the seiyuus' movements digitized using motion-capture technology and MikuMikuDance software.

During each program, the two voice actresses will think up lyrics for a new song. And since the program is live, they will even accept suggestions for lyrics submitted by Twitter and email. The producer says it will be like a live radio show, but transformed into animation by technology.

Definitely worth a look. The idea germinated on announcer/producer Yoshida's cell-phone video show. I expect short episodes, but have no direct info.


Sengoku Basara: Judge End
  (jp: 戦国BASARA Judge End)   jpWiki

samurai historical adventure
director: Sano Takashi (debut)
writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Gakuen Heaven, Blue Drop, Brothers Conflict). Capcom.
seiyuus: Nakai Kazuya, Hoshi Souichirou, Seki Tomokazu, Ookawa Tooru, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Genda Tesshou, Koyasu Takehito, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Ishida Akira, Tachiki Fumihiko, Morita Masakazu, Oohara Sayaka, Koyama Rikiya, Koshimizu Ami, Paku Romi, Kuwatani Natsuko, Miyazawa Tadashi, Nishikawa Takanori.
animation: Telecom Animation Film. OP Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, ED Material World.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat jul 05 25:50

This is the third Sengoku Basara TV series. It centres on the Battle of Sekigahara, in which Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated his last major opposition and opened the path to rulership of all Japan, beginning the long peace of the Edo Period.

Storyboarder/key animator Sano Takashi handles his first show as director. And experienced writer Takahashi Natsuko (Brothers Conflict) ventures into historical drama. The cast starts with Nakai Kazuya and just stays at that high level: Paku Romi, Koyasu Takehito, Koyama Rikiya, Seki Tomokazu, Ookawa Tooru.... The trailer looks good.


Hanamonogatari
  (jp: 花物語)   jpWiki

Shinbou comedy drama
director: Shinbou Akiyuki
writer: Shinbou Akiyuki, Tou Fuyashi. Nihio Ishin (novel).
seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki, Neya Michiko, Asumi Kana.
animation: Shaft.
trailer. 5eps. forum.
starts sat 16 aug

Monogatari SS, the five lost chapters. Perhaps due to production delays, the Suruga story will not be broadcast until August. At that time, we will get more Nishio Ishin and more Shinbou, conveyed via the great voice-talent of Sawashiro Miyuki.

You either love Shinbou's work or you hate it. I myself love it.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Glasslip

The summer anime season starts on Wednesday.

One of this Wednesday's two shows will be Bakumatsu Rock, an idol show set in mid-nineteenth century Japan (?!), and starring Taniyama Kishou.  The other will be the second season of KyoAni's bishounen school swimming anime: Free! Eternal Summer.

Then on Thursday, things really get going: Glasslip (a new original story from PA Works), Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen (mecha), Tokyo Ghoul (horror from two award-winning young creators), Strange+ II, Rail Wars(a comedy starring Fukuyama Jun and Uchida Maaya), and Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita(comedy about "local idols" in a small town).

There are seven new shows on Saturday:PriPara (a Pretty Rhythm spin-off),  Sailor Moon Crystal (the long-awaited remake of Sailor Moon), Shounen Hollywood (an idol show featuring male idols), Sword Art Online II: Phantom Bullet, Aldnoah.Zero(a new science fiction show from a story by Urobuchi Gen), Sengoku Basara: Judge End, and Barakamon (a slice-of-life comedy starring Ono Daisuke).

And there are nine new shows on Sunday: Gundam-san(from a comic-strip), Jinsei (a new school comedy from the director of Hayate), Maido! Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku (the gag misadventures of a second-grade boy), Sabagebu!(girls playing survival games, from the staff that made Kotoura-san and Love Lab), Space Dandy 2(Watanabe Shinichirou's brilliantly animated crazy comedy), Akame ga Kill (fighting adventure written by Uezu Makoto), Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun(Nakamura Yuuichi stars in a romantic comedy), Francesca (an undead idol defends Hokkaido from attack by a zombie Shinsengumi), and Dramatical Murder (an online game, its players, and their AIs).

That's just to whet your appetite. Below is a full list of this season's shows by day of the week, with the date of each show's first broadcast. Here are full previews of all the new shows. And here is a weekly anime calendar, including shows continuing from previous seasons.



Sunday
Gundam-san - 06 jul
Jinsei - 06 jul
Maido! Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku - 06 jul
Sabagebu! - 06 jul
Space Dandy 2 - 06 jul
Akame ga Kill! - 06 jul
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun - 06 jul
Francesca: Girls Be Ambitious - 06 jul
Dramatical Murder - 06 jul

Monday
Himegoto - 07 jul
Ao Haru Ride - 07 jul
Hana Yamata - 07 jul
Re: ␣Hamatora - 07 jul
Minarai Diva - 14 jul
Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance - 14 jul

Tuesday
Momo Kyun Sword - 08 jul

Wednesday
Bakumatsu Rock - 02 jul
Free! Eternal Summer - 02 jul
Majimoji Rurumo - 09 jul
Yama no Susume: Second Season - 09 jul
Love Stage!! - 09 jul
Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei! - 09 jul

Thursday
Glasslip - 03 jul
Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen - 03 jul
Tokyo Ghoul - 03 jul
Strange+ 2 - 03 jul
Rail Wars! - 03 jul
Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita. - 03 jul
Zankyou no Terror - 10 jul
Persona 4 The Golden Animation - 10 jul
Ai Mai Mii: Mousou Catastrophe - 10 jul
Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus - 10 jul

Friday
Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? - 11 jul
Tokyo ESP - 11 jul
Nobunaga Concerto - 11 jul

Saturday
PriPara - 05 jul
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal - 05 jul
Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 - 05 jul
Sword Art Online 2: Phantom Bullet - 05 jul
Aldnoah.Zero - 05 jul
Sengoku Basara: Judge End - 05 jul
Baraka - 05 jul
Hanamonogatari - 16 aug

A number of shows will be continuing on from previous seasons, including Mahouka Koukou, Captain Earth, Pretty Rhythm, Lady Jewelpet, Mahou Shoujo Taisen, and JoJo.

Here's a calendar showing what's on this summer, including both new shows and shows continuing from previous seasons.

Click here or on the image to go to the full calendar:

Here are character/seiyuu pages for three new shows that begin today:

-- Glasslip, a new story from PA Works and Nishimura Junji, starring newcomer Fukagawa Seria, Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Oosaka Ryouta, and Shimazaki Nobunaga.

--Tokyo Ghoul, a horror story starring Amamiya Sora (Fujimiya in One Week Friends), Hanae Natsuki (Hikari in Nagi no Asukara), Hanazawa Kana, Miyano Mamoru, 15-year-old Morohoshi Sumire (Ichigo in Aikatsu), and Konishi Katsuyuki.

-- Locodol,  a show about "local idols" starring Itou Miku, Misawa Sachika (Kuroyukihime in Accel World), and Minase Iori (Chino in Is the Order a Rabbit?), the seiyuu I am featuring this season.

The pages show pics of main characters and their seiyuus, and give a bit of info about each seiyuu. For example:

Minase Inori水瀬いのり had her first seiyuu role when she was still in middle school. But she graduated from high school this March, and her career has now shifted into high gear: she already has ten roles in 2014.

Her roles this summer are as Eddelrittuo in Aldnoah.Zero and as Mirai in Locodol.

I first noticed her last year, as the shy sidekick Suzu in Love Lab. Then in this past season's Is the Order a Rabbit? she really made an impression with the vividly quiet and contained character of Chino.

Inorin has a flexible, sinewy voice(link to voice samples) that ranges from soft and tiny through elegant to boyish. And she has a feel for acting. She has already had a minor role in a TV drama.

The sheer cuteness of her voice has helped bring her to her current rising popularity. And in her personal appearances on radio and the Web, she is cute, capable and funny. To say nothing of fast-talking. At the age of 18 (born 1995.12.02), she already has her own radio show, focused on anime and game music.

She loved Sailor Moon when she was little. She was still in kindergarten when she learned from her mother that there were actually people whose job it was to provide the voices in anime. And she decided to become a seiyuu.

She also loved detective Conan, and in particular the female protagonist Mouri Ran. She was even inspired by Ran to start learning karate. She says she's the kind of person who doesn't hesitate to take action.

She was a fan of Prince of Tennis, and spent one year of middle school in both the Theatre and Tennis clubs. But after long practice, she found she just wasn't strong enough for tennis, and concentrated on acting.


She says that, like Suzu in Love Lab, she couldn't talk to guys in middle school...until one of them threw a pencil case and hit her in the head. She had something to say then, and from then on could talk to boys. One interviewer said that even today, she is rather shy at first, but then relaxes to become quite talkative.

She says she loves anime, games, NicoNico, and surfing the internet. She grew up in Tokyo and went to anime stores regularly. One of her skills is singing anime song duets with herself at karaoke. Another is Tetris.

She had a yearly pass to Tokyo Disneyland and went there a hundred times a year, she claims. She says her ideal guy is...Mickey Mouse.



The three images above are from a Love Lab show. Here is a bit of the NicoNico video. She's riffing on something her character Suzu says:



She thinks her role in the TV drama Ama-chan last year was especially good for her because she discovered that even the younger actors were better than she was, and she dedicated herself to improving her acting.

Besides anime, she is also getting roles in games, appearing in five games this year already. (None are ero-games.)

Here is a sample of her anime work, as Chino in Is the Order a Rabbit?




She got her original role in Occult Academy as the prize for winning a Sony audition, when she was 15. She saw an ad for the audition in a magazine and decided to give it a try.

She has sung on ten music CDs, beginning with songs for Occult Academy. She says she wants to both be a seiyuu and to sing, and admires Mizuki Nana. Her ambition is to perform in a big hall like the Tokyo Dome. Here is the only clear sample of her singing I could find to post here, her first song, as a 15-year-old, for Occult Academy, "White Love":



Here's Inorin being embarrassed when people praise her, I think for her drama role. They say it was enjoyable and she was cute, and her reaction is even cuter:




Her roles this coming season are as Eddelrittuo in Aldnoah.Zero (left) and as Mirai in Locodol (right). Neither is a starring role, but Mirai comes close:

Here are three previous roles, as Suzu in Love Lab (left), as Gre-chan in Robot Girls Z (centre), and as Chino in Is the Order a Rabbit? (right):




Anime Roles

2010
Occult Academy (Okamoto Akari, eps 9-10)

2011
Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000% (students, ep 1 and ep 3)

2012
Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! (kindergarten child, ep 12)
Nukko (Sumire)
Symphogear (researcher, student, girl)

2013
Love Lab (Suzu) 
Super Seisyun Brothers (Kohara Shiyo)
Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 2000% (child, girl, young Cecile)

2014
Robot Girls Z (Gre-chan)
Nobunaga The Fool (Chibihane, Toku)
Black Bullet (Mibu)
Is the order a rabbit? (Chino) 
Sugar Soldier (Kisaragi Makoto) 
Escha and Logy (girl)
Suisei no Gargantia OVA -- Meguru Kouro, Haruka (Rima)
Futsuu no Joshikousei ga Locodol Yattemita (Mirai) 
Aldnoah.Zero (Eddelrittuo)
Sora no Method (Noel) 




Music

2010
Occult Academy DVD 1-3 special CD, song "Love Machine"

2011
Occult Academy DVD 5 special CD, song "White Love" (solo)  

2012 
Shimajiro to Fufu no Dai Bouken -- Sukue, Nanairo no Hana, song "Erai Koccha" (solo)
Ama-chan Uta no Album, song "Koyomi no Ue de wa December"

2013
Love Lab v1 special CD, song "Love ga Shitai" (solo and group)
Love Lab v2 special CD, song "Best FriendS" (solo and group)


2014
Robot Girls Z, songs "Robot Girls Z" and "Team Z no Chikara" 
Daydream Cafe (Is the Order a Rabbit?), songs "Daydream Cafe" and "Nichijou Decoration"
Poppin Jump (Is the Order a Rabbit?), song "Poppin Jump"
Is the Order a rabbit? character songs 1, song "Zenten Kougata Irassaimase", with Sakura Ayane and solo
Is the Order a Rabbit v.2 special CD, songs "A Cup of Happiness" and "Daydream Cafe" (Is the Order Chino? version) (solo)


Radio/TV

Radio
Tokiton Anisong Daijiten (four shows in 2010)
Love Lab Radio (episode 4 guest)
Roboga radio (2013.12 - 2014.05)
Gochuumon wa Rajio Desu ka? (2014.4 - current)
Minase Inori's Game Music Research Institute (2014.04 - current)
Aldnoah Radio (2014.06.28 - current)

Internet TV
Love Lab special NicoNico broadcast (episodes in June, August and September 2013)

TV drama
2013
Ama-chan (character: Narita Rina)

TV show
NHK 64th Red and White singing contest (Ama-chan special, New Year's Eve 2013)


links
Anime News Network
AniDB
images onetwo

Japanese
blog
twitter
agency page
ja.Wikipedia
2channel
radio show  onetwo


 

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Glasslip

After 4-5 episodes, here are my feelings about the new shows I've watched:

Glasslip – One of the best shows in years, in my opinion (but not in anyone else's, lol). Riveting performance by newcomer Fukagawa Seria, supported by the dependably excellent Hayami Saori and Taneda Risa. Romance(s); magic; sharp and beautiful flow of scenes; brilliant "show, don't tell" animation; outstanding visual and aural backgrounds that really put you there. And several good characters, both male and female. Another great anime from Nishimura Junji (Simoun, True Tears). I'm still trying to figure out why others don't admire this show as much as I do. But I had a similar experience with Simoun, so I should be used to it.

Nobunaga Concerto– I'm not sure why this show isn’t more popular, either. I guess it's partly the animation, which leaves the characters' expressions a bit flat. But this has turned out to be one of the shows I most look forward to every week. Fascinating to see a 21st century teenager become Oda Nobunaga (for real).

Aldnoah.Zero– I'm enjoying it, and so is 2channel. But it seems to move its characters slowly, and not give them much development. The basic situation is very strong, however, and the main characters have some presence.

Hanayamata – I haven't seen the promised yuri yet, but the show is energetic and open-hearted. Young seiyuus Ueda Reina, Tanaka Minami, and Okuno Kaya are all effective. 

Sword Art Online 2: Phantom Bullet– Just as good as the first series, so far. Bringing in Sawashiro Miyuki was a stroke of genius. Popular with 2channel Japanese otaku.

Ao Haru Ride– Nice shoujo romance. She'll discover his secret yet and bring him out of his self-imposed shell.


Locodol – Surprisingly enjoyable little idol story. Misawa Sachika is excellent as the straightforward rich girl.

Himegoto – Ecchi comedy centering on a boy whom the all-female student council forces to wear girl's clothes to school. Short episodes may even help to make this as good a trap comedy as it is.

Love Stage!!– I can’t help it, I just enjoy the story and characters. Another sort of trap comedy, but with real (yaoi) romance lurking. 

Tokyo ESP – Kido Ibuki is becoming a voice goddess. And Misawa Sachika is really finding herself. I didn’t like her in Yumeiro Patissiere, and wasn't even convinced by Accel World. But in this and Locodol, she is winning me over.

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance– A harem comedy/adventure that works for me, at least so far. Good work by a number of young/lesser known seiyuus, and particularly by Kido Ibuki, who at age 16 keeps justifying the number of good roles she is getting.

Tokyo Ghoul– I can’t decide whether this show is good or just vicious. The viciousness is fairly riveting, in any case, and at least some of the characters seem to have inner lives, which is something you can’t say about a lot of anime characters.

Majimoji Rurumo– Yes, Mimori Suzuko is perfect as a moe but expressionless little witch. Overall, however, the show is just adequate.

Zankyou no Terror – It's justly criticized as a limp Death Note, but this show has its charms, including a good version of the genius outsider-detective-with-a-past.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun– I liked this for a couple of episodes, but it is running out of steam for me. Maybe the highly second-rate Mangaka-san to Assistant-san ruined this setting for me forever.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal – Well done, but not my thing.

Bakumatsu Rock– Humor-free humour, for me.

Barakamon – Smarmy and pointless, for me. I enjoyed the first episode, but now I'm just hanging on to see how our calligrapher moves forward.

Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei!– It is what it is: a somewhat ecchi magical girl show. Not much energy, but some very cute girls.

Francesca: Girls Be Ambitious – More humor-free humour, for me.

Rail Wars!– Well done, and I enjoyed the first couple of episodes, but this just feels thin and childish to me. Doesn't keep my attention.

Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? – My record remains unblemished: I haven't really liked any Oonuma Shin show since he left Shaft. Pointless shenanigans.

Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49– Interesting for a couple of episodes, but basically worthless, unless you like these bishounen.

Sabagebu!– I'm sure this is a good show of its type, but the first couple of episodes just didn’t engage me.

Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen– The first episode was so awkward that I haven't gone back. I guess I'm just not cut out for standard shounen mecha.

This preview has two parts: in the first, each new show gets a very brief characterization, just enough to help identify it in your mind. In the second, I give full info about each show: staff, cast, story, image, trailer, comments, schedule, links to manga and discussion forum, etc.

I tried to make a list of the shows of particular interest, but the list was so long that I gave up.  Fans of shounen fighting fantasies have a lot to look forward to this season. But there are promising shows of most kinds coming. In years of participating in the AnimeSuki forums, I've learned that people all have their own preferences, and that there are many kinds of anime that people quite justifiably love and admire, whether I enjoy those shows or not.

Anyway, here is a list of all the new shows (a couple of kids' shows excepted), with a very brief comment. The shows I myself am most looking forward to are in purple:

• Ai Tenchi Muyou!– A teen boy's house fills with troublemaking alien women.
• Akatsuki no Yona– A red-haired princess is exiled from her comfortable life and travels with her cheeky but handsome guard.
• Amagi Brilliant Park– KyoAni in a run-down Disneyland.
• Bonjour: Koiaji Pâtisserie– Sweet young girl surrounded by bishounen at a pastry school.
• Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo– Sunrise mecha with women pilots, starring Mizuki Nana.
• Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai– Library club from an ero-game.
• Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken– Tamura Yukari as a hard-working wife, Suzumura Kenichi as her total otaku husband.  
• Denki-gai no Honya-san– Misfit freeters working in a manga store. The writer did Ben-Tou.
• Donten ni Warau– The Meiji government makes wearing swords illegal. Our three bishounen heroes ferry law-breaking samurai to an island prison.
• Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works– Highly anticipated new Fate/Stay Night seinen fantasy fighting series.
• Garo: Honoo no Kokuin– Highly anticipated new Garo fantasy fighting series.
• Girlfriend (Beta)– Eighty top female seiyuus in an animated dating sim. The writer did Genshiken.
• Grisaia no Kajutsu– Private school for hard cases. From an ero-game…. Good staff and cast.
• Gugure Kokkuri-san– Sad little girl is taken care of by a bishounen ghost. Excellent cast and staff.
• Gundam Build Fighters Try – Another iteration of the franchise featuring boys fighting with Gundam models. Also highly anticipated.
• Gundam G no Reconguista– 35th anniversary Gundam series directed by the franchise creator, Tomino Yoshiyuki. Very highly anticipated.
• Hi Scoool! Seha Girl– 3DCG game-world series that is one long advertisement for Sega.
• Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle– Second series of the romantic fantasy adventure featuring a cute little girl with a huge gun.
• Inou Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de– The five members of the Literature Club suddenly acquire superpowers. Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Okamoto Nobuhiko.
• Kaitou Joker – "Mysterious Thief" show written by Satou Dai (GiTS, Cowboy Bebop, Eureka Seven).
• Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu– True horror. Worm-like alien parasites invade people through their orifices and assume full control.
• Log Horizon 2– Another highly anticipated fantasy fighting adventure.
• Madan no Ou to Vanadis– This romantic fantasy fighting adventure features women warriors showing moderate amounts of flesh.
• Magic Kaito 1412– A "Mysterious Thief" show from a manga by the mangaka of Detective Conan.
• Mushishi Zoku Shou (2014)– A second season of the new series of gem-like short stories following a wanderer in old rural Japan.
• Nanatsu no Taizai: The Seven Deadly Sins– Shounen comic fantasy directed by Okamura Tensai (Cowboy Bebop, Darker than Black, Zvezda), and written by Suga Shoutarou (Darker than Black, Isshuukan Friends). Plus: Yuuki Aoi!
• Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji– I really like shoujo romance. And this show has a nice cast, good director, and promising writer. But the basic set-up, where the guy treats the girl as his "dog" makes me worry. Let's hope they get to the point where he realizes he loves her asap. Otherwise, this show will be for masochists only.
• Ore, Twintails ni Narimasu– The director of OreImo sends up magical girls with a gender-bent show where the male hero transforms into a real magical girl. With Uchida Maaya and Uesaka Sumire.
• Orenchi no Furo Jijou– Our hero rescues an ikemen merman, who ends up living in the hero's bathtub. A woman directing her first show. Another woman (the writer of Kiniro Mosaic) writing it. Plus Kido Ibuki.  
• Psycho-Pass 2– Season 2 of the future dystopia police drama starring Hanazawa Kana and written by Ubukata Tow (Mardock Scramble).
• Sanzoku no Musume Ronja– Ghibli TV series. Strong little girl in the forest. "The Mountain bandit's daughter, Ronya."
• Selector Spread Wixoss– Second series. Card-game with eagerly battling pixie avatars, brief triumphs, deep sadness.
• Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso– Brilliant manga about a genius boy pianist who stops playing when his domineering mother dies, but is opened up again by a genius girl violinist. Well cast with Hanae Natsuki and Taneda Risa.
• Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis– Arrestingly animated high fantasy from the director of Tiger and Bunny.
• Shirobako– Five girls chase their dreams in the anime industry. Unknown cast. Director and writer of Genshiken.
• Sora no Method– Magic, memory, and sad girls (in snow?). From the writer of the original Kanon game.
• Terra Formars - Annex 1– Science fiction horror featuring Martian cockroaches the size and shape of humans, but with many times the strength.
• Tribe Cool Crew– A young boy and girl come of age through dance and dance battles. Sunrise. Early Sunday mornings.
• Trinity Seven– Ecchi harem fantasy with seven beautiful sorceresses in a school of magic.
• Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete– "In Search of Lost Future." Tragic time-travel romance from the director of Mirai Nikki.
• World Trigger– A mysterious group of young warriors defends the Earth from attack. Written by Yoshino Hiroyuki (Mai-HiME). Directed by the director of Reideen…and Crayon Shin-chan.
• Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road– Season two of a popular sports anime.
• Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru– Yuuki Yuuna is in the Hero Club at her school. Director/writer Kishi Seiji/Uezu Makoto (as in Humanity Has Declined, Arpeggio of Blue Steel).

Read on for details of all shows, or click on the links in the following list to go to a specific show:


● Ai Tenchi Muyou!     ● Aikatsu! 3d season     ● Akatsuki no Yona     ● Amagi Brilliant Park     ● Bonjour: Koiaji Pâtisserie     ● Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo     ● Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai     ● Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken     ● Denki-gai no Honya-san     ● Donten ni Warau     ● Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works     ● Garo: Honoo no Kokuin     ● Girlfriend (Beta)     ● Grisaia no Kajutsu     ● Gugure Kokkuri-san     ● Gundam Build Fighters Try     ● Gundam G no Reconguista     ● Hi Scoool! Seha Girl     ● Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle     ● Inou Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de     ● Kaitou Joker     ● Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu     ● Log Horizon 2     ● Madan no Ou to Vanadis     ● Magic Kaito 1412     ● Mushishi Zoku Shou (2014)     ● Nanatsu no Taizai: The Seven Deadly Sins     ● Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji     ● Ore, Twintails ni Narimasu     ● Orenchi no Furo Jijou     ● Psycho-Pass 2     ● Sanzoku no Musume Ronja     ● Selector Spread Wixoss     ● Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso     ● Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis     ● Shirobako     ● Sora no Method     ● Terra Formars - Annex 1     ● Tribe Cool Crew     ● Trinity Seven     ● Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete     ● World Trigger     ● Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road     ● Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru


Notes:
-- information from official sites, MoonPhase, AniDB, Anime News Network, Japanese Wikipedia, et al.
-- English titles link to the Anime News Network encyclopedia; Japanese titles link to official sites. "forum" links to AnimeSuki forum threads.
-- times and dates may change. my weekly calendar will come out at the beginning of July with the most recent data.
-- click images to enlarge.
-- Japanese names in Japanese order, surname first.


Autumn 2014 New Anime


Terra Formars - Annex 1
  (jp: テラフォーマーズ アネックス1号編)   jpWiki

sci-fi action
director: Hamasaki Hiroshi
writer: Yasukawa Shougo. Sasuga Yuu (manga).
seiyuus: Hosoya Yoshimasa, Kiuchi Hidenobu, Itou Shizuka, Ishikawa Kaito, Kenn, Kayano Ai, Ono Daisuke, Takahashi Chiaki, Toyosaki Aki, Sugita Tomokazu.
animation: Liden Films.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 26 sep 24:30

With Earth's population rising, 21st century scientists seed Mars with dark moss and cockroaches, hoping to create a liveable world. Five centuries later, astronauts return to find a warmed planet covered in mosses, and man-like descendants of cockroaches, with enormous physical strength.

The first astronauts to reach the surface are massacred. Members of the second expedition submit to dangerous operations intended to let them live more easily on Mars. The story has been compared to Attack on Titan with human-sized cockroaches rather than giant-sized humanoids.

Director Hamasaki Hiroshi did Texhnolyze and Blade and Soul. Writer Yasukawa Shougo did Hyperdimension Neptunia and Rokujouma no Shinrakusha. Mismatch? Solid cast. An OVA came out in early September. The "trailer" link is to the full OVA.


Tribe Cool Crew
  (jp: トライブクルクル)   jpWiki

kids
director: Fujimori Masaya
writer: Tomioka Atsuhiro. Yatate Hajime (Sunrise staff).
seiyuus: Ishigami Shizuka, Yamaoka Yuri, Hara Yuuko, Tezuka Hiromichi, Sakurai Tooru, Saitou Souma.
animation: Sunrise.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 28 sep 07:00

Haneru is a middle school boy who loves dancing. He can't sit still. One day after school, Haneru meets Kanon, a girl who is practicing dancing at a training facility. The two gain great happiness from doing dance moves together. They come of age through meeting friends and having dance battles with rivals. This show takes over the Sunday morning timeslot held for the past six years by Battle Spirits series. Not my thing, but we'll see how well Sunrise can show the dancing. Might work. Avex-Sunrise co-production. Director Fujimori Masaya has done key animation for Doraemon movies and has directed a few movies, including Fairy Tale - Phoenix Priestess. Writer Tomioka Atsuhiro has written Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and Battle Spirits series.


Aikatsu! 3d season
  (jp: アイカツ！3rdシーズン)   jpWiki

idol show for preteen girls
director: Kimura Ryuichi (Aikatsu)
writer: Kato Yoichi (Aikatsu).
seiyuus: Shimoji Shino, Wakui Yuu, Ishikawa Yui, Morohoshi Sumire.
animation: Sunrise. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 02 oct 18:00

I followed this show for the first few episodes, but now only drop in for a look now and then. After two years and a hundred episodes, the formula continues to work: new outfits, hard work, mutual support, and 3DCG dance performances.




Gundam G no Reconguista
  (jp: ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ)   jpWiki

mecha sci-fi adventure
director: Tomino Yoshiyuki (chiefdir)
writer: orig: Tomino Yoshiyuki, Yatate Hajime (Sunrise staff).
seiyuus: Ishii Mark (debut), Shimamura Yuu, Kotobuki Minako, Ousaka Ryouta, Satou Takuya, Takagaki Ayahi, Fukui Yukari.
animation: Sunrise. OP1 Garnidelia, ED Hasegawa Daisuke.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 02 oct night

As part of Gundam's 35th anniversary celebration, franchise creator Tomino Yoshiyuki returns as chief director. The story features a new timeline, the Regild Century, which is in the future of Gundam's original Universal Century timeline. It is also the first traditional Gundam series to initially broadcast in a late night time-slot, in MBS's Animeism block.

I'm neither a mecha fan nor a shounen fan, but I did enjoy both Turn A Gundam and Gundam UC. We shall see. The trailer has a nice look about it. After the new Fate/Stay Night series, this is the most anticipated new series in Japan. Here is a ten-minute preview of episode 1, with video comments from Tomino-sensei.




Denki-gai no Honya-san
  (jp: デンキ街の本屋さん)   jpWiki

seinen romantic comedy
director: Satou Masafumi (Saint October)
writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Milky Holmes, Ben-Tou, Is the order a Rabbit?). Mizu Asato (manga).
seiyuus: Takamori Natsumi, Oosaka Ryouta, Taketatsu Ayana, Kobayashi Yuu, Aizawa Mai, Tsuda Minami, Tomita Takahiro, Satou Satomi, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu.
animation: Shin-Ei Animation. OP Taketatsu Ayana.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 02 oct 22:30

Comedy involving the young misfits who work at a manga store in a shopping district resembling Akihabara. The manga seems amusing.

Young but interesting cast. Inexperienced director, capable comedy writer. The manga and my liking for Ben-Tou (adapted for anime by the same writer) encourage me to take a look. There are some interesting names in the cast, and some not so interesting.


Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken
  (jp: 旦那が何を言っているかわからない件)   jpWiki

comic-strip comedy
director: Nagai Shinpei (Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san)
writer: Nagai Shinpei (Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san). Cool Kyoushinsha (manga).
seiyuus: Tamura Yukari, Suzumura Kenichi, Kugimiya Rie, Sakai Toshifumi, Shintani Ryouko, Tonosaki Daisuke, Horino Sayaka, Shimizu Kaori.
animation: Seven. OP Tamura Yukari & Suzumura Kenichi.
trailer. manga. 13eps. forum.
starts thu 02 oct 25:00

"I can’t understand what my husband is saying." Daily life comedy featuring a hard-working wife, and a freeter otaku husband who spends most of his time on the Net. The manga is a bit funny and a bit moving. The cast is mostly outstanding. The director's Inigami-san to Nekoyama-san was moderately amusing. There is apparently enough manga material for full-length epsiodes, but the fact that the director's most recent had short episodes makes this seem likely here, too. Worth a look, to see if the cast can breathe real life into the characters.


Amagi Brilliant Park
  (jp: 甘城ブリリアントパーク)   jpWiki

romantic supernatural harem comedy
director: Takemoto Yasuhiro (Fumoffu, Lucky Star)
writer: Shimo Fumihiko (Fumoffu, Kanon, Clannad, Kokoro Connect, Mikakunin). Gatou Shouji (novel).
seiyuus: Uchiyama Kouki, Fujii Yukiyo (Patema), Kakuma Ai (fem Hato/GenshikenSS), Terminus Est/Blade Dance), Mikami Shiori, Shiraishi Ryouko, Kawasumi Ayako, Aisaka Yuuka, Tsuda Minami, Kurosawa Tomoko, Nonaka Ai.
animation: Kyoto Animation. OP Akino w/bless4, ED Brilliant4.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 02 oct 26:03

A beautiful and mysterious transfer student invites out hero on a date…at gunpoint. He agrees to go. He is not fazed by much, since, as the thinks himself: "I am popular and I love myself, for I am awesome." He is introduced to Ratifa, a real princess and the park's manager, and is asked to be the acting manager of this crumbling amusement park in the Tokyo suburbs, and save it from closing down.

A highly competent KyoAni staff works with mid-ranked seiyuus, among whom are a couple of stars (Kawasumi Ayako, Shiraishi Ryouko) and a promising newer voice (Kakuma Ai).


Selector Spread Wixoss
  (jp: selector spread WIXOSS)   jpWiki

fighting game fantasy
director: Satou Takuya
writer: Okada Mari. LRIG.
seiyuus: Kakuma Ai, Kayano Ai, Seto Asami, Sakura Ayane, Kubota Tamie, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Kuno Misaki, Kugimiya Rie.
animation: JC Staff.
trailer. forum.
starts fri 03 oct 25:05

The second season of the card- and avatar-based fighting game anime, in which nice girls get more than they bargain for. Good cast, good director, and good writer (although there's some disagreement about that last one).


Garo: Honoo no Kokuin
  (jp: 牙狼〈GARO〉-炎の刻印-)   jpWiki

high fantasy fighting adventure
director: Hayashi Yuuichirou
writer: Kobayashi Yasuko (Shana, Claymore, Casshern Sins, Attack on Titan). Amemiya Keita.
seiyuus: Namikawa Daisuke, Horiuchi Kenyuu, Nomura Katsuhito, Paku Romi, Kageyama Hironobu, Hashi Takaya, Doi Mari.
animation: Mappa, Touhoku Shinsha. OP Jam Project, ED Sasaki Sayaka.
trailer. forum.
starts fri 03 oct 25:23

Highly awaited by fans of the franchise, this show has a chance to be pretty good. The trailer raises hopes.

This is key animator Hayashi Yuuichirou's first TV anime as director. He previous directed Toyota's Peace Eco Smile web shorts. The lead writer, Kobayashi Yasuko, has a much longer list of credits: she wrote Shakugan no Shana, Claymore, Casshen Sins, and Attack on Titan.

Mendosa, the chief adviser of the king of Valiante, begins a campaign to hunt down "witches." This results in the deaths of many magical knights and their sorcerer assistants. Anna, a sorceress married to the knight Herman Lewis, gives birth to a son just before her execution. Herman takes their child, Leon, and flees, raising him to be the heir of the legendary Golden Armor. By the time Leon grows up, Valiante is completely in the control of Mendosa, who drives out Prince Alfonso and his mother. The prince decides to seek out the man who inherited the Golden Armor, in order to reclaim the throne and save his people.


Donten ni Warau
  (jp: 曇天に笑う)   jpWiki

shoujo historical action
director: Haraguchi Hiroshi (Eureka 7 movie 2009, GJ Club storyboards)
writer: Takahashi Yuuya (6 eps of Tiger and Bunny). Karakara Kemuri (manga).
seiyuus: Nakamura Yuuichi, Kaji Yuuki, Yonaga Tsubasa, Sakurai Takahiro, Satou Rina, Suzumura Kenichi, Noto Mamiko, Oohara Sayaka, Yasumoto Hiroki, Shimono Hiro, Toriumi Kousuke, Iwasaki Hiroshi.
animation: Douga Koubou. OP Galynerus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 3 oct 25:58

"Smiling on a cloudy day." In 1878, the new Meiji government, continuing its program of Westernization, bans the wearing of swords. Samurai are outraged, and the crime rate rises. The government opens a great new "inescapable" island prison, and the three handsome and capable Kumo brothers -- played by Nakamura Yuuichi, Kaji Yuuki, and Yonaga Tsubasa -- are given the job of ferrying law-breakers to the prison in Lake Biwa. Or is that all they are doing…?

A comparatively inexperienced staff has top seiyuus to work with. Interesting set-up. Worth a look.


Log Horizon 2
  (jp: ログ・ホライズン 2)   jpWiki

fantasy fighting adventure
director: Ishihira Shinji (Tokyo Majin, Fairy Tail, Log Horizon)
writer: Nemoto Toshizou (Tokyo Majin, Dog and Scissors, Log Horizon). Touno Mamare (novel, MaoYuu novel).
seiyuus: Terashima Takuma, Maeno Tomoaki, Katou Emiri, Nakata Jouji, Yamashita Daiki, Tamura Nao, Matsui Eriko, Kakihara Tetsuya, Hara Yumi, Takagaki Ayahi, Fujii Yukiyo, Kuno Misaki, Ousaka Ryouta, Kajikawa Shouhei, Inoue Marina, Shimono Hiro, Nazuka Kaori, Sakurai Takahiro, Ise Mariya, Fujiwara Keiji, Gotou Hiroki, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Hino Satoshi, Nakamura Yuuichi.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Man with a Mission, ED Yun*chi.
trailer. manga. 25eps. forum.
starts sat 04 oct 17:30

Trapped in an MMORPG, our large cast fights for survival in a second two-cour season of this popular show. Huge cast of well-known names, capable director and writer. Studio Deen takes over animation production from Satelight: this naturally has provoked a lot of pessimism among fans, but Deen has good crews as well as poor. We shall see.


Magic Kaito 1412
  (jp: まじっく快斗 1412)   jpWiki

detective adventure for a younger audience
director: Kudo Susumu (Baby Love, Mardock Scramble movies)
writer: Ono Toshiya (tsuritama, Gatchaman Crowds). Aoyama Goshou (manga; Detective Conan manga).
seiyuus: Yamaguchi Kappei, MAO, Hazama Michio, Kitamura Eri, Miiyano Mamoru, Ishizuka Unshou, Ikeda Shuuichi.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Lagoon, ED Revalcy.
trailer. manga.
starts sat 04 oct 17:30

A phantom thief story from the author of the Detective Conan mangas, and set in Conan's world. High school student Kaito loves magic. His father was a genius magician with a secret identity as the Phantom Thief Kid. But his father died eight years ago in an accident in a magic act. Kaito learns of his father's secret identity, and that he may have been murdered. He dons a silk hat and a white cape to follow in his father's footsteps as the Phantom Thief Kid, leading the police on wild chases as he searches for his father's killers.

The director did the outstanding Mardock Scramble movies. The anime writer did tsuritama and Gatchaman Crowds. Pretty good pedigree. Highly professional cast stars Yamaguchi Kappei (Inuyasha). This could be an entertaining old-fashioned show.


Madan no Ou to Vanadis
  (jp: 魔弾の王と戦姫[ヴァナディース])   jpWiki

ecchi harem fantasy adventure
director: Satou Tatsuo
writer: Satou Tatsuo. Kawaguchi Tsukasa (novel).
seiyuus: Tomatsu Haruka, Ishikawa Kaito, Komatsu Mikako, Kobayashi Yuu, Iguchi Yuka, Ise Mariya, Kayano Ai, Uesaka Sumire, Harada Hitomi.
animation: Satelight. OP Suzuki Konomi, ED Harada Hitomi.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 04 oct 20:00

The seven Vanadis are woman warriors who have received powerful weapons from the dragon, to rule over seven states. The Vanadis Ellen spares a skilled enemy warrior and commands him to serve her.

Terrific names in the cast, but Tomacchan sounds flat in the trailer. Director/writer Satou Tatsuo wrote Basquash and Argevollen, and directed Bodacious Space Pirates and Shigofumi. OP by talented big-voiced teen Suzuki Konomi.


Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete
  (jp: 失われた未来を求めて)   jpWiki

time-travel tragic romance
director: Hosoda Naoto (Mirai Nikki, Hataraku Mao-sama)
writer: Kawamata Rie (debut). Triumple (game).
seiyuus: Terashima Takuma, Takada Hatsumi, Tomonaga Akana, Mizusawa Kei, Tamiyasu Tomoe, Yamaguchi Kappei, Tanezaki Atsumi, Hirose Masashi, Satou Satomi, Gotou Yuuko.
animation: feel.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 04 oct 20:30

"A la recherche du futur perdu.""In Search of Future Lost." Before the students at Uchihama Academy move into a new building, the school will hold one last General Club Festival at the old building before it is closed down. Sou is a member of the all-girl astronomy club, but just before the festival is to begin, a male transfer student from America joins the club. From an ero-game.

The director of Mirai Nikki. A new writer with no previous credits. A cast I'm not sure of at the top, but with Tanezaki Atsumi and Satou Satomi lower down, and with Gotou Yuuko (Asahina Mikuru in Haruhi) in her first role of this year. She had only three roles last year, recovering from a serious illness. If this ended up resembling White Album, it might work for me.


Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works
  (jp: Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works)   jpWiki

seinen fantasy adventure
director: Miura Takahiro
writer: Nasu Kinoko, Type-Moon (game).
seiyuus: Suwabe Junichi, Sugiyama Noriaki, Shitaya Noriko, Kawasumi Ayako, Ueda Kana, Koyama Rikiya, Itou Miki, Kadowaki Mai, Nakata Jouji, Kanna Nobutoshi.
animation: ufotable. OP1 Ayano Mashiro, ED Kalafina.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 04 oct 24:00

The umpteenth Fate/Stay Night anime covers the second route of the original ero-game by Type-Moon. Animation by ufotable. I've never followed this great franchise, but it has a lot going for it, from top seiyuus to a vivid story and flashy fighting. Long-time animator/animation director Miura Takahiro is directing his first full show.

High school student Shirou has been orphaned twice: once by a fire that killed his parents, then by the death of the magus who took him in. Now seven magi are secretly gathering in his city for a great war. Each magus has a Servant who fights for them. After the war, only one Servant will be left alive, and its Master will possess the Holy Grail, which will grant each of them one wish. Shirou accidentally witnesses a battle, and is mortally wounded to keep him from revealing the secret. But he is saved by Rin, the school idol, with magic from her pendant. When he is attacked again, he unintentionally summons the servant Saber, who protects him and accepts him as her Master.


Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo
  (jp: クロスアンジュ 天使と竜の輪舞[ロンド])   jpWiki

Sunrise mecha
director: Ashino Yoshiharu
writer: Higuchi Tatsuto.
seiyuus: Mizuki Nana, Tamura Yukari, Ishihara Kaori, Ogura Yui, Miyano Mamoru, Honda Takako, Fuchigami Mai, Tamagawa Sakiko, Toriumi Kousuke, Yukana, Kitamura Eri, Kuwashima Houko, Koshimizu Ami, Uesaka Sumire, Horie Yui, Toyoguchi Megumi, Neya Michiko, Touyama Nao, Ise Mariya.
animation: Sunrise. OP Mizuki Nana, ED Kitamura Eri.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 04 oct 25:30

Sunrise mecha with female heroes, starring Mizuki Nana. Information science has risen almost to the level of magic, and Earth has become a utopia of peace and plenty. Princess Angelize is in line for the throne of the Empire, but is discovered to be deficient in the power "mana," which is how people can command information. Ange is exiled to an island of similar defectives, who spend their days riding mecha to resist an invasion by dragons from another dimension.

Mizuki Nana stars and sings the OP. The rest of the cast is like a who's who of great voices. I'm not much for mecha, but this cast is irresistible. The director is a veteran who did Tweeny Witches and Thundercats. The writer did Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman, as well as episodes of Toradora, Phi Brain, Danbooru Senki, et al.


World Trigger
  (jp: ワールドトリガー)   jpWiki

shounen action plus school comedy
director: Hongo Mitsuru (Outlaw Star, Reideen, Crayon Shin-chan movies)
writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki. Ashihara Daisuke (manga).
seiyuus: Muranaka Tomo, Kaji Yuuki, Tanaka Hideyuki, Tamura Nao, Nakamura Yuuichi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Hanazawa Kana, Morita Masakazu, Maeno Tomoaki, Kugimiya Rie, Fukuyama Jun, Kusao Takeshi, Fujiwara Keiji.
animation: Toei Animation. ED Sonar Pocket.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 05 oct 06:30

A gate to another dimension has burst open, and from it emerge gigantic creatures that threaten all of humanity. Earth's defense is a mysterious group of young warriors with special powers.

The manga starts well, with a couple of vivid characters and fighting against bullies inside the school and against a monster outside it. Good cast, experienced staff and Toei Animation should give us an enjoyable adaptation, although it does seem to be aimed at a younger audience.


Nanatsu no Taizai: The Seven Deadly Sins
  (jp: 七つの大罪 The Seven Deadly Sins)   jpWiki

shounen fantasy action comedy
director: Okamura Tensai (Cowboy Bebop, Darker than Black, Zvezda)
writer: Suga Shoutarou (Darker than Black, Rinne no Lagrange, Isshuukan Friends). Suzuki Nakaba (manga).
seiyuus: Kaji Yuuki, Amamiya Sora, Kuno Misaki, Yuuki Aoi, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Fukuyama Jun, Miyano Mamoru.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Ikimono-gakari, ED Flow x Granrodeo.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 05 oct 17:00

Okamura Tensai continues to broaden his reach. This time, he directs a shounen fantasy that looks as if it trends toward the comic. Kaji Yuuki stars; with young Amamiya Sora as a queen; talented newcomer Kuno Misaki as a pig; and one of my favorite seiyuus, Yuuki Aoi, as a jealous young giantess. Add Fukuyama Jun and Miyano Mamoru, and you have quite the cast.

The kingdom of Leones is protected by the Holy Knights, powerful magicians both revered and feared by the people. The most fearsome of these knights, the Seven Deadly Sins, supposedly betrayed the kingdom and made enemies of all the other knights. But Queen Elizabeth doesn't believe this story, and sets out to find the Sins. When she meets the first Sin at a tavern, however, he is just a boy looking after pigs. I wouldn’t be surprised if this had a long run like Fairy Tail, but we don’t know the number of eps yet.


Grisaia no Kajutsu
  (jp: グリザイアの果実 -LE FRUIT DE LA GRISAIA-)   jpWiki

harem comedy seinen romance
director: Tenshou (Kiniro Mosaic)
writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Now Then Here There, Kannagi, OreImo). Front Wing (game).
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Tanaka Ryouko, Taguchi Hiroko, Mizuhashi Kaori, Tamiyasu Tomoe, Shimizu Ai, Yanase Natsumi, Nariumi Erika.
animation: 8bit. OP Kurosaki Maon, ED Nanjou Yoshino.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 05 oct 20:30

From an ero-game. Five girls with difficult pasts have been secluded in the quiet environment of an elite school they are not allowed to leave. Then a boy with a similarly hard past and a strong mind arrives, and the order they have settled into is thrown into disarray.

Capable cast stars the redoubtable Sakurai Takahiro and the female seiyuus from the game, including Taguchi Hiroko (Sora in Yosuga no Sora, Miyako in ef memories), Mizuhashi Kaori, and Shimizu Ai. Directed by the director of Kin-iro Mosaic, anime adaptation written by ecchi pro Kurata Hideyuki.

Some people are looking forward to Kurosaki Maon's OP. I am looking forward even more to Nanjou Yoshino's ED (she is the singer in fripSide, and did an excellent job with the Tokyo Ravens ED).


Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji
  (jp: オオカミ少女と黒王子)   jpWiki

shoujo romantic comedy
director: Kasai Kenichi (Major, Honey and Clover, Nodame, Aoi Hana, Miracle Train, Bakuman, Love Stage)
writer: Hirabayashi Sawako (eps of Shiki, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun). Hatta Ayako.
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Itou Kanae, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Murase Ayumu, Kayano Ai, Ise Mariya, Komatsu Mikako.
animation: OP SpecialThanks.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 05 oct 22:00

"Wolf Girl and the Black Prince." Sixteen-year-old Erika lies that a handsome boy in a photo she took on the street is her boyfriend. When that boy turns up as a schoolmate, she has to try to make him her actual boyfriend. Unfortunately for her, he is a smiling sadist, and makes her his "dog." For masochists only. I really can't watch much of this kind of relationship. Here's hoping he moves quickly to realizing he loves her, lol.

A top director whose earliest shows were his most interesting (Kasai Kenichi - Major, Honey and Clover, Nodame, Aoi Hana, Miracle Train, Bakuman, Love Stage). Skilled cast, but I personally haven't got much from Itou Kanae's voice since Amu. Sakurai Takahiro, on the other hand, is one of my favorites. His mellifluous flow may even be able to make the kind of jerk he plays somehow attractive.



Sora no Method
  (jp: 天体のメソッド)   jpWiki

magic, memory, and sad girls in snow
director: Sakoi Masayuki (Strawberry Panic, Needless)
writer: Hisaya Naoki. Hisaya Naoki (plan).
seiyuus: Natsukawa Shina, Toyosaki Aki, Yoshimura Haruka, Komatsu Mikako, Ishikawa Kaito, Minase Inori.
animation: Studio 3Hz. OP Larval Stage Planning, ED fhana.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 05 oct 22:30

Writer Hisaya Naoki wrote the original Kanon game, and it seems we can hope for some magic, and "sad girls in snow." Director Sakoi Masayuki did the ecchi yuri show Strawberry Panic. I have hopes, but they are tenuous.

Good set-up, anyway: about ten years ago a flying saucer appeared above a certain town and a blue-haired girl named Noel came out and interacted with some children her apparent age. Shortly afterward, one of the children had to move away to Tokyo. The current story begins when she moves back to the town for her last year of Middle School. The UFO is still there, and the townsfolk have come to accept it. The town is now known as "the town of the disc" and has even become a bit of a tourist attraction as a result. Noel is still around, but she has not grown like the other children. (based on a post by Flower on AnimeSuki).


Gugure Kokkuri-san
  (jp: 繰繰れ! コックリさん)   jpWiki

comedy
director: Hiraike Yoshimasa (Kaleido Star, Working!!, AKB0048)
writer: Endou Midori.
seiyuus: Hirohashi Ryou, Sakurai Takahiro, Ono Daisuke, Nakata Jouji.
animation: TMS. OP Ono Daisuke, Sakurai Takahiro, Nakata Jouji.
trailer. manga.
starts sun 05 oct 25:05

A sad little girl named Kohina summons a Kokkuri-san, a low-level ghost. The ghost turns out to be a handsome, white-haired young man. After seeing that she eats cup ramen for every meal, he decides to haunt her in order to look after her.

Absolutely outstanding cast features Hirohashi Ryou as the little doll who learns to deal with handsome spirits played by Sakurai Takahiro, Ono Daisuke, and Nakata Jouji. The original comic strip is quite amusing.


Kaitou Joker
  (jp: 怪盗ジョーカー)   jpWiki

shounen comedy thief adventure
director: Teramoto Yukiyo
writer: Satou Dai. Takahashi Hideyasu (manga).
seiyuus: Murase Ayumu, Kobayashi Yumiko, Shimono Hiro, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shimada Bin, Tatsuta Naoki, Sakurai Haruna, Tobita Nobuo, Kaneda Aki.
animation: Shin-Ei Animation. OP Aruka Rider, ED Mainya (Kotone Mai) w/Shuffle Sisters.
trailer. manga.
starts mon 06 oct 19:00

Joker The Mysterious Thief can steal anything with his magic tricks. Everything from special agents to the most sophisticated equipment is deployed to stop him, but he just goes on.

Young Murase Ayumu plays the thief, and his partner Hachi is played by the weird and hilarious Kobayashi Yumiko (who played Punipuni Poemi, and whose posts about her baby daughter I have been reading for the past couple of years. Teramoto Yukiyo has directed Doraemon movies, but this is her first TV anime. Writer Satou Dai gained fame for multiple episodes of both GiTS and Wolf's Rain, and as lead writer on Eureka Seven.


Ai Tenchi Muyou!
  (jp: 愛・天地無用!)   jpWiki

sci-fi harem comedy
director: Negishi Hiroshi
writer: Negishi Hiroshi, Yoshihara Junpei. Kajishima Masaki (manga).
seiyuus: Kikuchi Masami, Touyama Nao, Taichi You, Yuuki Kana, MAO, Fukuda Ai, Satou Azusa, Tanabe Rui, Kawasumi Ayako.
animation: ED Otome Shintou.
manga. 50x5min epseps. forum.
starts mon 06 oct 21:55

"Ordinary teenager Tenchi Masaki inadvertently releases the legendary demon Ryoko from his grandfather's shrine. It turns out that Ryoko ss actually a marooned space pirate! She becomes Tenchi's unwanted houseguest, and attracts a host of troublemaking alien women." From the original manga description.

 The original Tenchi Muyo OVA came out in 1992. There have been a number of spin-off OVAs, series, and movies. Our MC retains his original seiyuu, Kikuchi Masami. But a new generation of supporting seiyuu join the cast: Touyama Nao (as Ryouko), MAO, Tanabe Rui…and one more big name: Kawasumi Ayako. Director Negishi has done a number of Tenchi Muyo spin-offs, dating back to the 1990s. He has also done at least one ero-anime, Cream Lemon: New Generation. His last TV anime was Bakegyamon, in 2006. 50 x 5min episodes, running Mon-Fri.


Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis
  (jp: 神撃のバハムート GENESIS)   jpWiki

high fantasy adventure
director: Satou Keiichi (Karas, Tiger and Bunny)
writer: Hasegawa Keiichi (Zoids, Gegege no Kitarou). Cygames.
seiyuus: Yoshino Hiroyuki, Inoue Gou, Shimizu Risa, Hirata Hiroaki, Han Megumi, Enozaki Hiroshi, Morikubo Showtaro, Morita Masakazu, Kitamuri Eri.
animation: Mappa.
trailer. forum.
starts mon 06 oct 23:30

From a game. "In the past, the black-and-silver winged Bahamut threatened to destroy the land, but humans, gods, and demons overcame their differences to fight together and seal its power. The key to that seal was split in two, one half given to the gods and the other to demons, so that they would never be united and Bahamut never released. Now, two thousand years later, the world is in an era of peace - until the day a human woman steals the gods' half of the key." (ANN)

Capable cast. Good-looking trailer. If director Satou Keiichi can bring to this show the same invention he did to Karas and Tiger and Bunny, it could be very good -- but perhaps not my thing.


Orenchi no Furo Jijou
  (jp: オレん家のフロ事情)   jpWiki

shoujo bishounen fantasy comedy
director: Aoi Sayo
writer: Ayana Yuniko. Itokichi (manga).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Umehara Yuichirou, Kido Ibuki, Hanae Natsuki, Tsuda Kenjiro, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Tsuda Kenjirou.
animation: Asahi Production.
trailer. manga. 13eps.
starts mon 06 oct 23:54

Tatsumi is a high school boy who lives by himself until he rescues a devastatingly handsome merman, who then moves into the bathtub in Tatsumi's home. The merman is self-centered but cute, and Tatsumi tries to figure out how to afford a non-paying roommate.

Animator/ep director Aoi Sayo directs her first full show. Lead writer Ayana Yumiko wrote Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, and Kiniro Mosaic. Kido Ibuki plays Tatsumi's jealous imouto. Hanae Natsuki plays a gentle humanoid jellyfish who is 99% water and a friend of the merman.That I want to hear. I think Hanae-san has just the voice for it.


Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road
  (jp: 弱虫ペダル GRANDE ROAD)   jpWiki

shounen sports
director: Nabeshima Osamu (D.Gray-man)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On). Watanabe Wataru (mangas Majimoji Rurumo, Yowamushi Pedal).
seiyuus: Yamashita Daiki, Toiumi Kousuke, Fukushima Jun, Yasumoto Hiroki, Morikubo Showtaro, Itou Kentarou, Kishio Daisuke, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Suwabe Junichi, Suwa Aya, Han megumi, Miyata Kouki, Horiuchi Kenyuu.
animation: TMS Entertainment.
manga. forum.
starts mon 06 oct 25:35

A second full season for the popular and praised cycling anime.

I can’t really get into the sports aspect of sports anime, myself. About the only sports anime I've finished in the past few years was Giant Killing.

It's interesting to note that the mangaka who wrote Yowamushi Pedal also wrote the very different Majimoji Rurumo.


Inou Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de
  (jp: 異能バトルは日常系のなかで)   jpWiki

superpower school comedy
director: Takahashi Masanori (eps of Gundam00 2, Idolm@ster TV), Ootsuka Masahiko (chief dir; eps of NGE, Gurren Lagann, Panty Stocking)
writer: Ootsuka Masahiro. Nozomi Kouta (novel).
seiyuus: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Yamashita Nanami, Yamazaki Haruka, Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Terashima Takuma, Fukuhara Kaori, Katou Emiri, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Nazuka Kaori.
animation: Trigger. OP Qverktett, ED Kato*Fuku.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 06 oct 26:05

Half a year ago, the five members of the literature club awakened with superpowers. Unexpectedly, after this unexpected change, their lives continue much as before...so far.

 Supervising director Ootsuka Masahiko directed epsiodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and also of Gurren Lagann and Panty and Stocking and Kill la Kill. Director Takahashi Masanori did episodes of Gundam00 season 2, and Idolm@ster TV.

Some nice names in the cast, including Okamoto Nobuhiko, Hayami Saori, Taneda Risa, Katou Emiri (and Fukuhara Kaori, her sister in Lucky Star), and Nazuka Kaori.


Akatsuki no Yona
  (jp: 暁のヨナ)   jpWiki

shoujo romantic adventure
director: Yoneda Kazuhiro
writer: Inotsume Shinichi. Kusanagi Mizuho (manga).
seiyuus: Maeno Tomoaki, Saitou Chiwa, Suwabe Junichi, Morita Masakazu, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Minagawa Junko, Shimono Hiro.
animation: Studio Pierrot.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts tue 07 oct 23:00

Red-haired Princess Yona has been raised with great care by her doting father and protected by her annoying childhood friend and guard Son Haku. However, her fate changes on her 16th birthday, when her cousin Suwon -- whom she has always loved -- murders her father to claim the throne. She flees the castle with Son Haku and begins a new life on the run.

Saitou Chiwa stars, with Maeno Tomoaki, Suwabe Junichi, Morita Masakazu, Okamoto Nobuhiko and others. Director Yoneda Kazuhiro is directing his first full show, having directed episodes of shows such as Code Geass 2, Tiger and Bunny, and The Unlimited. Lead writer Inotsume Shinichi wrote Ristorante Paradiso, Sket Dance, and Love Song For a Certain Pilot. Now he adapts a popular shoujo adventure/romance published in the Hana to Yume series.


Trinity Seven
  (jp: トリニティセブン)   jpWiki

ecchi harem fantasy comedy w/magic and battles
director: Nishikiori Hiroshi (Index, Ju-Ou-Sei, Melody of Oblivion)
writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki. Saitou Kenji (manga).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Hara Yumi, Suwa Ayaka, Uchida Aya, Sakura Ayane, Hikasa Youko, Yuzuki Ryouka, Murakawa Rie. Touyama Nao, Suzaki Aya, Kugimiya Rie, Miki Shinichirou.
animation: Seven Arcs. OP ZAQ, EDs seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts tue 07 oct 25:40

The sun turns black and the small town where Arata lives is destroyed by a gravitational anomaly. His normal life is artificially reconstructed by a magic book left behind by his childhood friend. Then a sorceress appears, telling him that to live he must forget his childhood friend. However, he is a main character with some assertiveness and refuses, deciding instead to take the book and learn to be a magician himself. Waiting for him at magic school are seven beautiful sorceresses: the Trinity Seven.

The anime writer is the successful but uninspired Yoshino Hiroyuki (Mai-HiME, Magi). Original manga story by game-writer Saitou Kenji (Akane-iro ni Somaru Saku game). Director Nishikiori Hiroshi directed To Aru Majutsu no Index. Excellent cast. Worth a look.

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Gundam Build Fighters Try
  (jp: ガンダムビルドファイターズトライ)   jpWiki

shounen competition battles
director: Watada Shinya
writer: Kuroda Yousuke. orig: Yoshiyuki Tomino, Yatate Hajime (Sunrise staff).
seiyuus: Makino Yui, Togashi Kazumi, Uchida Yuuma, Endou Aya.
animation: Sunrise. ED Screen Mode.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 08 oct 16:00

Watada Shinya is directing his first TV anime, but has done episodes of various Gundam shows, as well as Zegapain, Tiger and Bunny, and Love Live.

The Gunpla battle world has moved on since a student from Seiho Academy won the world championship. But now new students enter the fray, and the battles begin!


Hi Scoool! Seha Girl
  (jp: Hi☆sCoool! セハガール)   jpWiki

3DCG fantasy adventure
director: Sugahara Souta (gdgd Fairies)
writer: Kibe Masayuki, Sugahara Souta. original work: SEGA (Sega Hard Girls).
seiyuus: MAO, Izawa Shiori, Takahashi Minami, Tano Asami, Takayama Yuuko, Mikami Shiori, Kingyo Wakana, Yamaoka Yuri, Momono Haruka, Aizawa Mai.
animation: TMS, Jinni's. OPED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts wed 08 oct 22:00

Three girls called Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, and Mega Drive have just enrolled in SeHaGaga Academy in Tokyo. In order to complete an assignment, they have to enter the world of Sega games. The Sega Hard Girls franchise anthropomorphises 17 different kinds of Sega game hardware into 17 beautiful girls. This anime features three of them. Original character designs by KEI, the designer of Hatsune Miku.


Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai
  (jp: 大図書館の羊飼い)   jpWiki

seinen
director: Team Niko (Konishi Kenichi, Kamiya Tomomi, Sodeyama Asami, Hayashi Kaori, Nobuta Yu.
writer: Yoshimura Kiyoko (Legendary Heroes, Last Exile Fam). August (ero-game).
seiyuus: Majima Junji, Tanezaki Atsumi, Yamamoto Atsumi, Saitou Yuka, Yonezawa Madoka, Sendai Eri, Tsuruoka Satoshi, Kusunoki Taiten, Nakajima Saki, Satou Rina.
animation: Hoods Entertainment.
trailer. forum.
starts wed 08 oct 24:30

From an ero-game. When he was young, Kyoutarou gained entrance to the Magic Library by being kind to everyone and trying to bring them happiness. One day while heading to school, he receives a text from the "shepherd" of the library telling him that his fate is going to change. He has a vision of an accident at the train station and calls a girl away from danger. That girl, Tsugumi, later comes to the Library Club room to thank him and ask for his help to make the school more fun. She has also received a text from The Shepherd. One by one, other students also join their group.

Uninspiring staff. Uninspiring cast with a few interesting names. But the game gets good reviews, and the trailer is comely.


Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle
  (jp: 棺姫のチャイカ AVENGING BATTLE)   jpWiki

romantic comedy fantasy adventure
director: Masui Souichi (Animal Tantei Kiruminzoo)
writer: Machida Touko (Ramen Fighter Miki, Inari Kon Kon, etc.). Sakaki Ichirou (manga story), Namaniku ATK (manga art).
seiyuus: Anzai Chika, Majima Junji, Hara Yuuko, Saitou Chiwa, Satou Kensuke, Nomizu Iori, Kouda Yumeha, Morishima Shuuta, Yamamoto Kazutomi, Kaneo Tetsuo, Oozora Naomi, Sarah Emi Bridcutt, Sakurai Takahiro.
animation: Bones. OP Nomizu Iori, ED "coffin princess".
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 08 oct 25:05

A continuation of the original Bones series shown last spring. Young retired soldier Tooru encounters Chaika Trabant, a younger sorceress carrying a coffin. They and his tough adopted sister Akari continue their travels and adventures. The same staff and main cast returns.


Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu
  (jp: 寄生獣 セイの格率)   jpWiki

seinen sci-fi horror
director: Shimizu Kenichi
writer: Yonemura Shouji. Iwaaki Hitoshi (manga).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Hirano Aya, Hanazawa Kana, Sawashiro Miyuki, Maeda Rena, Yasuno Kiyono, Tanaka Atsuko, Yoshino Hiroyuki.
animation: Madhouse. OP Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
trailer. manga. 24eps. forum.
starts wed 08 oct 25:29

Worm-like alien parasites invade the Earth. They can alter human bodies in any way they choose. Truly horrific. Our 17-year-old hero manages to only have his right hand taken over, rather than his brain and entire being. He and his parasite form a strange bond and fight to protect themselves from the new world's many dangers.

Long-time key animator Shimizu Kenichi is directing his first anime. Writer Yonemura Shouji did Guin Saga, Kaidan Restaurant, and Smile Precure. Neither inspires great confidence, but the manga is truly terrifying. The anime character design is much brighter and sharper than the manga, but still seems to work.

My main reason for making sure to see the first episode of this show, however, is the presence of long-lost Hirano Aya in a leading role.


Shirobako
  (jp: SHIROBAKO)   jpWiki

anime-industry comedy
director: Mizushima Tsutomu
writer: Yokote Michiko.
seiyuus: Oowada Hitomi, Kimura Juri, Chisuga Haruka, Takano Asami, Yoshimura Haruka.
animation: PA Works. OP Ishida Youko, ED seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 09 oct 23:30

Five girls chase their dreams in the anime industry. Unknown seiyuus are directed by the capable Mizushima Tsutomu (Genshiken, Dokuro-chan, Big Windup, Girls und Panzer, Joshiraku). Written by Yokote Michiko (Genshiken, xxxHolic, Squid Girl, Nou-rin, Love Stage). I think this is the first time either of them has worked with PA Works.

The trailer is a bit too manic for me, but I'll give this a good look, as I do any PA Works show. I have to admit, however, that PA Works has been disappointing to me since True Tears -- until Glasslip, which I (and maybe I alone) consider one of the best TV anime I have ever seen.

The excellent main staff and promising anime-industry background make this a show I will definitely watch at least a bit of. Even the fact that the seiyuu are unknowns is intriguing.


Psycho-Pass 2
  (jp: サイコパス 2)   jpWiki

police drama in a future dystopia
director: Shiotani Naoyoshi. chiefdir: Motohiro Katsuyuki
writer: Ubukata Tow (Mardock Scramble). plan/edit: Urobuchi Gen, Motohiro Katsuyuki.
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Nojima Kenji, Fujiwara Keiji, Sakura Ayane, Sakurai Takahiro, Itou Shizuka, Sawashiro Miyuki, Asano Masumi, Inoue Marina, Kimura Ryouhei.
animation: Tatsunoko. OP Ling Toshite Shigure, ED Egoist.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 09 oct 24:25

Kougami is gone. There is a new woman. But most of the main staff and cast return for a second season of this popular show. Season one somehow didn’t capture me, despite the fact that the UroButcher created the story, Ubukata Tou was lead writer, and Hanazawa Kana made the lead work. I'll give the show (and myself) another chance this fall.


Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
  (jp: 四月は君の嘘)   jpWiki

high school music romantic drama
director: Ishiguro Kyouhei (debut)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (DearS, Elfen Lied, Sekirei, High School DxD). Arakawa Naoshi.
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki, Taneda Risa, Kaji Yuuki, Hayami Saori, Sakura Ayane, Oosaka Ryouta.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP goose house, ED wacci.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 09 oct 25:15

Fourteen-year-old Arima Kousei is a former child prodigy who lost his ability to play the piano when his dominating mother died. His daily life is monochrome, but it begins to gain colour when he encounters a young female violinist who is an audacious go-getter overflowing with personality. Enchanted by her, Kousei starts to move forward again. noitaminA.

I like the manga. The animation drawing has lost a little of the glamour of the original, but still looks good. Among the seiyuus, Hanae Natsuki, Sakura Ayane, and Oosaka Ryouta are good, and Taneda Risa, Kaji Yuuki, and Hayami Saori are great. First director job for storyboarder/episode director Ishiguro Kyouhei (boards and eps for Fairy Tail, Hourou Musuko, Tonari no Kaibutsu). Lead writer Yoshioka Takao did Elfen Lied, Sekirei, and High School DxD. One of my most anticipated shows of the season, despite the knowledge that the anime is unlikely to live up to the manga.


Ore, Twintails ni Narimasu
  (jp: 俺, ツインテールになります)   jpWiki

magical girl gender-bender action comedy
director: Kanbe Hiroyuki (OreImo)
writer: Arakawa Naruhisa (Yosuga no Sora, Kingdom, Outbreak Company). Mizusawa Yumi (novel).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Aisaka Yuuka, Akasaki Chinatsu, Uchida Maaya, Uesaka Sumire, Hikasa Youko, Igarashi Hiromi, MAO, Inada Tetsu, Genda Tesshou.
animation: Production IMS. OP Uchida Maaya. ED Uesaka Sumire, Aisaka Yuuka, Akasaki Chinatsu.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 09 oct 25:33

The director of OreImo makes another show whose title starts with "Ore." This time it's a parody of super sentai. High-school first-year Souji loves the "twintail" hairstyle. One day a beautiful girl from another world suddenly gives him the power to transform into the (female) twintail warrior TailRed. Souji, with the help of his childhood friend Tsube Aika (a.k.a. twintail warrior TailBlue), Souji fights to protect peace on Earth.

Souji is played by Shimazaki Nobunaga, who is male. But when he transforms into TailRed, he is played by Uesaka Sumire, who is very much female. Uchida Maaya sings the OP and plays the alien.

The animation studio, Production IMS, was founded by producers from AIC, and in addition to working on other studios' shows, has so far made three shows: Inari Kon Kon, Date A Live 2, and this.


Bonjour: Koiaji Pâtisserie
  (jp: Bonjour♪恋味パティスリー)

bishounen romantic comedy
director: Akitaya Noriaki (Bakuman 1, 2 and 3)
writer: Ameba (game).
seiyuus: Ishikawa Kaito, Kakihara Tetsuya, Kimura Ryouhei, Midorikawa Hikaru, Ishikawa Yui (Mikasa/Attack on Titan), Konishi Katsuyuki, Hatano Wataru.
animation: Connect, Silver Link.
24x5mineps. forum.
starts sat 11 oct 19:00

Our heroine is attending an elite patisserie school in France. She is surrounded by handsome, charming and annoying students and teachers. From a game for girls.

 Fine male cast, with Ishikawa Yui (Mikasa Ackerman in Attack on Titan) as the lead girl. I was a big fan of Yumeiro Patisserie, so the setting works for me, even if the show will apparently be rather different. That show made me a fan of Yuuki Aoi. We'll see how I feel about Ishikawa-san here. Directed by the director of Bakuman.


Sanzoku no Musume Ronja
  (jp: 山賊の娘ローニャ)   jpWiki

fantasy adventure
director: Miyazaki Gorou (Tales from Earthsea, Up on Poppy Hill)
writer: Kawasaki Hiroyuki (Irresposible Captain Tylor, Psychic Detective Yakumo). Astrid Lindgren (novel).
seiyuus: Shiraishi Haruka, Uyama Reika, Seki Takaaki, Nozawa Yukari, Sasaki Umeji, Akaboshi Shouichirou, Nishi Rintarou, Ogawa Takeo, Sugimura Kenji, Shimada Takahiro, Tezuka Yuusuke, Himeno Keiji, Tani Atsuki, Doi Mika, Katou Saori, Endou Fukiko.
animation: Polygon Pictures. OP Teshima Aoi, ED Natsuki Mari.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 11 oct 19:00

A TV anime from Ghibli, directed by the founder's son Miyazaki Gorou. Lead writer Kawasaki Hiroyuki did The Irresponsible Captain Tylor and more recently Psychic Detective Yakumo (which I liked). He has no Ghibli credits I can see. From a novel by Astrid Lindgren.

Ronja is the only daughter of Mattis, a bandit leader who lives in a castle in the middle of a large forest. When Ronja grows old enough, she ventures into the forest to interact with the strange and magical creatures that live there. She learns to live in the forest by her own strength. Ronja's life begins to change, however, when she happens upon a boy her own age named Birk. (ANN)

Star Shiraishi Haruka is only 18, but has had smaller roles in Up on Poppy Hill, Sengoku Collection, Teen Rom-Com Snafu, and Mushishi Zoku Shou. She has also been a live actress, with roles on stage and on TV.


Girlfriend (Beta)
  (jp: ガールフレンド(仮）)   jpWiki

school romance compendium
director: Hayashi Naotaka (Morita-san Mukuchi)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, xxxHolic, Genshiken). Cyberagent (game).
seiyuus: Satou Satomi, Satou Rina, Nazuka Kaori, Tange Sakura, Harada Hitomi, Tomatsu Haruka, Ishihara Kaori, Inoue Kikuko, Yuuki Aoi, Tamura Yukari, Chihara Minori, Kotobuki Minako, Tsuda Minami, Uchida Maaya, Kugimiya Rie, Katou Emiri, Kuwashima Houko, Shitaya Noriko, Takagaki Ayahi, Kayano Ai, Ogura Yui, Mizuhashi Kaori, Hayami Saori, Shintani Ryouko, Toyosaki Aki, Itou Kanae, Gotou Saori, Suzaki Aya, Hidaka Rina, Taketatsu Ayana, Hirohashi Ryou + 49 others.
animation: Silver Link.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 12 oct 25:35

From a dating sim game. The staff is capable, but the big deal in this show is the cast: 80 seiyuus, many of them top names. How they will all be effective in one show is hard to imagine, but I'll certainly take a look…even if this is Silver Link, which never seems to make shows that hold my interest. I'm happy to see Satou Satomi in a lead role here. She was amazing in Hyouka, and I want to hear her in a big role again.


Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru
  (jp: 結城友奈は勇者である)   jpWiki

supernatural school fighting comedy
director: Kishi Seiji (Seto no Hanayome, Angel Beats, Persona4, Humanity Declined, Arpeggio)
writer: Uezu Makoto (School Days, Katanagatari, Humanity Declined, Arpeggio, Akame ga Kill). Takahiro (MinatoSoft).
seiyuus: Terui Haruka (Kobeni in Mikakunin), Mimori Suzuko, Uchiyama Yumi, Kurosawa Tomoyo.
animation: Studio Gokumi. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 16 oct 26:4

"Yuuki Yuuna is a hero." Yuuki Yuuna lives an ordinary life as a second-year middle-schooler. The year, in this version of our world, is Age of the Gods 300. Yuuna belongs to the Hero Club, where club activities involve battling evil.

Director Kishi Seiji again teams up with Uezu Makoto (as in Humanity Has Declined and Arpeggio of Blue Steel). Terui Haruka did a solid job as Kobeni in Mikakunin de Shinkoukei. Mimori Suzuko is Mimori Suzuko. Uchiyama Yumi has quietly become a dependable talent. Kurosawa Tomoyo was Tina Sprout in Black Bullet. MBS "Animeism" schedule block.


Mushishi Zoku Shou (2014)
  (jp: 蟲師 続章 (2014))   jpWiki

short stories about human life
director: Nagahama Hiroshi (Mushishi, Flowers of Evil)
writer: Nagahama Hiroshi. Urushibara Yuki (manga).
seiyuus: Nakano Yuto, Doi Mika.
animation:
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 18 oct 24:30

This is a great show that I have never really enjoyed much. Each episode is a self-contained short story about human interaction with tiny, invisible creatures called mushi ("bugs") that can have various deleterious (and other) effects on people and nature.

The protagonist Gin (Nakano Yuto) is an all-knowing wandering medicine-man in traditional Japan. Each week, another mushi problem arises, and he solves it, in his gentle, definite, knowledgeable way. The show is highly atmospheric and although it feels slow, a full story is told every week, sometimes complete with emotion.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

Agency portrait

Kuno Misaki 久野美咲 has a vivid new version of one of those high, childish voices that are beloved in Japan but not so much outside it.

I first noticed her as Hoshimiya Kate in World Domination -- the Zvezda Plot. She had great command of that powerful lisp. Then she really struck me as the voice of the bloodthirsty fighting pixie Tama in Selector Infected Wixoss.

To me, her uniqueness is the combination of cuteness and power. She makes a great demanding little girl. As a comment on one of her auditions said, her voice creates a real presence.

It didn't take long before I realized that she was a rising star. Comment streams on Nicovideo and 2channel praise her voice with lots of comments about how cute it is, and how well she works it.

The industry knows: she is represented by Osawa Office, the highly respected, somewhat old-fashioned agency that manages Kawasumi Ayako, Noto Mamiko, and Hanazawa Kana.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

In real life

Now that I am beginning to look for more info about her, it turns out that being an anime seiyuu is her second career in show business. Starting from age ten, she has done a lot of Japanese dubbing of foreign films: Alien 2, Finding Nemo, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many others.

She did only dubbing until she was 15, then after a two-year hiatus, she began doing both dubbing and seiyuu work. She is now 21, and getting a stream of good anime roles. She was born in Tokyo on 19 January 1993.

She began anime work in 2010 with a smaller part in OreImo, as Bridget. In Galilei Donna in 2013, she was Grande Rosso, the AI who looked like a goldfish. And she was Serara in Log Horizon (a role she will reprise this fall). This year, she has had her roles in Zvezda and Wixoss (she will also reprise that latter role this fall). And her new role this fall will be as the proud talking pig who is a friend of the hero in Seven Deadly Sins.


Those are just her major roles. She had a total of eight roles last year and now ten this year.

In TV appearances, she seems very nervous, but also seems to dominate any event. Her self-introduction in a Wixoss TV talk show was almost painful -- as well as painfully cute. Co-star Kakuma Ai held her hand and seemed to nurse her through the process. She has been a regular on three different radio shows, so I'm not sure how simulated her nervousness is, but it certainly seems real.




Her director in the 2010 anime film Ibara no Ou said that most of the time she was very quiet and like a well-behaved child. But as soon as she was at the microphone she switched to a different mode. She even inserted some perfect ad libs that the staff kept. This at age 17.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

At about age 10, when she was beginning her dubbing career.

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

With superior talents of two generations: Tamura Mutsumi (middle) and Yajima Akiko, recording the anime film "Big First-Grader and Litttle Second-Grader."

She has a very identifiable voice that seems suited for only one type of character. But that is how Hanazawa Kana seemed, too, before moving to Osawa Office and getting a somewhat broader range of roles. Check the voice samples on her agency page. And she played a male character (Keiichi) in Noragami.

Here are samples of three of her characters. The voice is the same, but the characters each have their own feel. First, here she is as the "little girl commander" Hoshimiya Kate in Zvezda:



Here she is as the fighting avatar Tama in Wixoss:



And here she is as Serara in some scenes from Log Horizon (with Nakata Jouji):




And here is the amazing way she looks and acts in live interview shows. This is from a Selector Infected Wixoss show, with (left to right) Kakuma Ai, Kuno Misaki, Kayano Ai, and Seto Asami:


Original full video on NicoNico Douga. I had the feeling that Seto-san and Kayano-san were less than thrilled with playing second fiddle to her weirdly fascinating schtick. From the video:

Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.

With other stars of Wixoss: (clockwise from top left) Kakuma Ai, Seto Asami, Kayano Ai

Here are images of her main roles:

Bridget (OreImo) -- Melln (Problem Children) -- Mimi (Roh-Kyu-Bu SS):


Grande Rosso (Galilei Donna) -- Kurumiko (Kanojo ga Flag) -- Saki (Nanana):


Hoshimiya Kate (Zvezda) -- Venera-sama (Kate's alter ego) -- Tama (Wixoss)



Serara (Log Horizon) -- Hawk (Seven Deadly Sins):



List of Works 

Anime Roles

2009
Black Rock Shooter (OAV) Hiro
King of Thorn (movie) Alice

2010
Oreimo (TV) Bridget Evans (ep 10)

2012
Black Rock Shooter (TV) Hiro
Naruhodo Agent (TV insert) Anna

2013
Problem children are coming from another world, aren't they? (TV) Melln
Oreimo 2 (TV) Bridget Evans (eps 5, 10)
Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS (TV) Mimi Balgerry
il sole penetra le illusioni (TV) Cerebrum (little girl; eps 10-11)
Strike the Blood (TV) Lydianne Didieh (ep 14)
Log Horizon (TV) Serara
Non Non Biyori (TV) Girl (ep 7)
Galilei Donna (TV) Grande Rosso

2014
Noragami (TV) Keiichi
Escha and Logy (TV) Kuu
World Conquest Zvezda Plot (TV) Hoshimiya Kate/Venera-sama
Selector Infected Wixoss (TV) Tama
Mahouka Koukou (TV) as Kasuga Nanami
Kanojo ga Flag o Oraretara (TV) Daishikyougawa Kurumiko
Nanana's Buried Treasure (TV) Yoshino Saki
Selector Spread Wixoss (TV) as Tama
Log Horizon (TV 2) Serara
The Seven Deadly Sins (TV) Hawk
Ookii Ichinensei to Chiisana Ninensei (movie) Mariko


Game Roles
2011 -- 1
2012 -- 2
2013 -- 1
2014 -- 5


Drama CD Roles
2013 -- 1 role
2014 -- 3 roles


Radio
guest appearances -- 7 appearances
regular show host -- 3 shows

Internet TV
Wixoss -- 2 shows

TV/Movie Dubbing
2003 -- 3 roles
2004 -- 3 roles
2005 -- 6 roles
2006 -- 1 role
2007 -- 2 roles
2008 -- 1 role
2011 -- 1 role
2012 -- 3 roles
2013 -- 6 roles
2014 -- 5 roles

Stage Plays
1999 -- 1 roles
2000 -- 1 role
2002 -- 1 role
2003 -- 1 role

Music CDs
2013
Roh-Kyu-Bu character song CD (as part of a group)
OreImo BD5 special CD (solo)
Roh-Kyu-Bu BD3 special CD (solo)
2014
Zvezda BD1 special CD (solo)
Mahou Shoujo Overage (solo)


Links:
Anime News Network page (en)
Wikipedia page (en)
Wikipedia (jp)
agency page (jp)
images (Mogyutto)
images (Google)