Here are the main winners from the seventh annual Seiyuu Awards ceremony, which was held Saturday evening in Tokyo:

Leading man:                                                      Leading lady:
Kaji Yuuki                                Asumi Kana


Supporting men:
Ono Yuuki                                             Suwabe Junichi



Supporting women:
Oohara Sayaka                               Tomatsu Haruka


Newcomer men:
Shimazaki Nobunaga               Yamamoto Kazutomi

Newcomer women:
Ishihara Kaori                                 Ookubo Rumi

I'm fairly happy with the selections. Asumi Kana and Kaji Yuuki are both good seiyuus. Oohara Sayaka is one of the best, and Tomacchan getting better and better.

Suwabe Junichi is one of my absolute favorite male seiyuus.

Ishihara Kaori is one of my favorite female seiyuus, and Ookubo Rumi, while not at the top of the craft, did very well in YuruYuri and Acchi Kocchi. I like her more for herself than for her performances, but that's okay.

I must admit, however, that Carrie (Ishihara Kaori) is the only one of these whom I voted for myself.

Full results on Anime News Network. Kamiya Hiroshi won the award for most votes for all awards. The singing award went to Asumi Kana, Matsuki Miyu and Ootsubo Yuka for their work for Haiyore! Nyaruko-san.

Here's a nice little publicity show for OreShura (Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi Shuraba Sugiru). It features seiyuus Akasaki Chinatsu (left) and Kayano Ai (right), who play Chiwa and Ai, respectively.

I love the gentle tone, so natural to Kayanon of the Healing Voice. And it's nice to get such a good look at Akasaki-san, who has followed up her outstanding performance as Nibutani Shinka in Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai with good work in this show.



Here's the second half of the show:






Both videos are a bit better seen on the NicoNico site itself. Just click on the video to see it on that site (if you have an account, or watch it here if you don't).

Comments suggest that Kayanon has lost weight. That she is wonderful. And that she is cuuute. She and Akasaki are supposedly friendly off-screen, too. I like it that Akasaki refers to her as "Kayano-kun," suggesting a schoolmate/workmate sort of attitude. Kayanon calls her "Chinatsu-chan."

I believe this is a live broadcast of the weekly OreShura radio show. They are a bit disconcerted to find the makings for shabu-shabu on their work desk, but reconcile to it because there is meat involved.

Amazing news breaks this afternoon that Yuuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana are forming a new singing duo called "petit milady," or "puchi mire" for short.


The name means "little milady" in French/English, and is pretty appropriate for the pair: Ao--chan (left) is 4'9" (145cm) all, and Ayachi is 4'11" (151cm).

The announcement was apparently made on a big video screen in Akihabara. A movie announced: "The birth of a new unit with two seiyuus no-one would ever have imagined."




In the video, Ayachi says she was nervous when they told her she was going to form a new singing duo with someone. But when she heard it was Ao-chan, she became completely at ease.

Their first single will be a new Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal II OP, to debut on the April 14 broadcast. No indication that either of them will do voice roles there, but it remains possible.

Ao-chan is just about to turn 21. Ayanyan is 23. Ao-chan is with the Pro-Fit seiyuu agency and her albums have come out on Flying Dog records (Japan Victor). Ayachi is with Pro-Fit's acting agency Assemble Heart, to which she moved from the big I"m Enterprise agency last April. Her music has come out on Pony Canyon. This new single will come out on Universal Music's anime label Zero-A.

Ao-chan is a natural seiyuu with tremendous vocal power and invention (sometimes too much invention). She never went to seiyuu school, having started as a child TV performer and actress. Ayachi went to a big seiyuu school and, while not really a great seiyuu, has a knack for creating popular characters. She started in 2005 as one of the lustful sisters in KissxSis and her top roles are Azunyan in K-On and Kirino in OreImo (of which a new series starts in April).

Why are they getting (being put) together? Perhaps it's just the normal constant movement of the Japanese entertainment industry. Perhaps it's because neither one of them is good enough, or popular enough, on their own to sustain a recording career. I myself think that with the right music and production (e.g., her songs by DEKO*27) Ao-chan is terrific, but others may well not agree.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this.

EDIT: I found a pic of the big screen, which ad apparently been teasing viewers in Akihabara before the announcement was made:


The words are: "A new unit (i.e., singing group) is born."

This is the season of science fiction. There are seven shows with something sci-fi about them, from a remake of the Space Battleship Yamato series to three mecha shows to a kids' show and a harem romance.

But in this well-populated spring season, we have other genres, too: action fantasy, ecchi comedy, psychological drama, reverse harem....

Here are brief descriptions of 20 shows of interest, followed by full details on all 42 shows:

• Aku no Hana– Psychological drama involving a guy who steals a girl’s gym uniform. Another girl sees him do it, and uses that to control him. By the director of Mushishi.
• Arata Kangatari – Time travel, body transference, and a bit of skin, from a shounen manga adapted by the director of Shugo Chara and the writer of Pandora Hearts, and starring the voice of Kirito in SAO.
• Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge– Mystery romance about a girl whose hair no scissors can cut, and the boy whose scissors cut it.
• Date a Live– Science fiction with romance and comedy, starring Inoue Marina and directed by Motonaga Keitarou (Jormungand, Tayutama, School Days).
• Devil Survivor 2 The Animation– Action fantasy from an RPG, but with an overwhelming cast: Kamiya Hiroshi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Iguchi Yuka, Koshimizu Ami, Asumi Kana, etc., etc.
• Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince– Motonaga Keitarou and Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On) give us a sci-fi adventure comedy in which genetically altered teens save the human race.
• Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko– Ecchi romantic comedy starring Ogura Yui, Kaji Yuuki, Ishihara Kaori, Tamura Yukari.
• Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride– Another round of the odd supernatural/samurai action breast comedy starring Yuuki Aoi, Kugimiya Rie, Kobayashi Yuu, Kotobuki Minako.
• Karneval (2013)– The director of Kodomo no Jikan and the writer of Amnesia try to guide seiyuus such as Kamiya Hiroshi, Satou Satomi, and Ono Daisuke through an adaptation of a  josei fantasy manga.
• Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san– Crazy comedy with drunken mermaid Tamura Yukari. Directed by the director of the good recent OVA Aruvu Rezuru, adapted by the writer of Ben-tou.
• Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai – A new season of the tremendously popular ecchi comedy with proud blonde imouto Taketatsu Ayanaand sarcastic cat girl Hanazawa Kana.
• Photo Kano– A dating-sim-based harem romance like KimiKiss and AmagamiSS. A boy with a camera takes photographs of various girls....
• RDG: Red Data Girl– PA Works (True Tears, Hanasaku Iroha) animates a best-selling fantasy novel to celebrate Kadokawa Bunko’s 65^th anniversary. Stars Hayami Saori in one of her three leading roles this season.
• Shingeki no Kyojin– Science fiction horror from the director of Death Note and the writer of the new JoJo. Stars Inoue Marina.
• Space Battleship Yamato 2199– This remake of the classic sci-fi series was in theatres last year; BDs have come out for some of it; and a series hits television in April. Episode one looked good to me.
• Suisei no Gargantia– Mecha pilot space/time-warps to a backward planet he cannot get off. Written by Urobuchi Gen. With the tiny perfect voices of both Kanemoto Hisako and Kayano Ai.
• To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S– Ah, Biri-biri. New season of the school adventure-comedy involving students with superpowers.
• Valvrave the Liberator– Mecha science fiction from the director of Kurenai and the writer of Code Geass, starring Seto Asami, Tomatsu Haruka, Kayano Ai, Ousaka Ryouta, Kimura Ryouhei. Ao-chan in the cast.
• Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru– School romantic comedy starring Hayami Saori. Yuuki Aoi, Sasaki Nozomi, with Koshimizu Ami also in the cast.
• Zettai Bouei Leviathan– Hayami Saori in her third big role of the season,with Kitamura Eri, Taketatsu Ayana, and Hanazawa Kana in a fantasy adventure with lots of elf ears.

Of course, there are plenty of other shows that could be of interest to people. A new season of the extraterrestrial comedy Haiyore! Nyaru-ani. A super-deformed Hokuto no Ken. A comic retelling of Glass Mask with Maya and others as hoodlums. A new season of Hayate. A show in which the characters all personify different bloodtypes. A samurai adventure from the director of Prince of Tennis and Library War. A new season of Uta no Prince-sama. A couple of slice-of-life comedies.

I don't see any masterpieces here, just lots of watchable shows. But time will tell.

Anyway, here comes a complete list, in alphabetical order, linking to complete details (cast, staff, story, pic, preview, manga, forum, etc.):

● Aiura     ● Aku no Hana     ● Arata Kangatari     ● Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes Gekitouden     ● Chibi Devi!     ● Danchi Tomoo     ● Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge     ● Date a Live     ● DD Hokuto no Ken     ● Devil Survivor 2 The Animation     ● Dibetagurashi: Ahiru no Seikatsu     ● Gakkatsu 2     ● Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince     ● Glass no Kamen Desu ga     ● Haitai Nanafa 2     ● Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W     ● Hataraku Maou-sama!     ● Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties     ● Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko     ● Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride     ● Jewelpet Happiness     ● Karneval (2013)     ● Ketsuekigata-kun!     ● Mushibugyou     ● My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic     ● Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san     ● Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai.     ● Photo Kano     ● Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live     ● RDG: Red Data Girl     ● Shingeki no Kyojin     ● Space Battleship Yamato 2199     ● Sparrow`s Hotel     ● Suisei no Gargantia     ● To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S     ● Train Hero     ● Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 2000%     ● Valvrave the Liberator     ● Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru     ● Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Z     ● Yuyushiki     ● Zettai Bouei Leviathan

Notes:
-- dates and times may change, and will be updated in my anime calendar, which should come out at the beginning of April. 
-- 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.
-- click images to enlarge. 

Spring 2013 Shows in Chronological Order:

My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic
  (jp: マイリトルポニー ～トモダチは魔法～)   jpWiki

young girls' shoujo
director: James Wootton
writer: Rob Renzetti, Jason Thiessen. Lauren Faust (orig).
seiyuus: Mimori Suzuko, Tokui Sora, Sasaki Mikoi, Kitta Izumi, Kumai Motoko, Inoue Kikuko, Katou Emiri, Sawashiro Miyuki.
animation: DHX Media (Vancouver). OP Mimori Suzuko.
trailer. forum.
starts tue 02 apr 07:30

This is made by Vancouver studio DHX Media, and has already been shown in North America. The only reason I am including it here is the Japanese cast, which includes a number of well-known young seiyuus (Mimori Suzuko, Tokui Sora, Kitta Izumi) and some who are even more familiar (Sawashiro Miyuki, Katou Emiri, Inoue Kikuko).

I do look forward to seeing at least an episode or so of a show like this. Unicorn pony Twilight Sparkle is studious and quiet. Princess Celestia tells her she must not just sit and read, but learn to make friends. So she and the baby dragon Spike travel to the countryside, where they have adventures and find friends.

Check out early posts at the "forum" link for a discussion and links about the popularity of this kids' show among older teens and adults.


Train Hero
  (jp: トレインヒーロー)   jpWiki

young shounen sci-fi adventure with transforming trains
seiyuus: Namikawa Daisuke, Ono Daisuke, Okitsu Kazuyuki.
animation: Carloon.
26eps.
starts tue 02 apr 17:30

In the year 2100, under increasing environmental pressure, humans develop a system of fast trains running on "razor rails" around the world. Some of the people charged with managing the system develop the ability to transform into trains themselves. A Japan-China co-production.


DD Hokuto no Ken
  (jp: DD北斗の拳)   jpWiki

comedy
director: Daichi Akitarou (Fruits Basket, Bokura ga Ita, Gag Manga Biyori)
seiyuus: Tachibana Shinnosuke, Seki Tomokazu, Horie Yui, Okiayu Ryoutarou, Ichijou Kazuya, Ichimichi Mao, Kamiya Akira, Morishima Shuuta, Shocker Ono.
animation: Ajia-dou.
trailer. manga.
starts tue 02 apr 25:40

A special project commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Hokuto no Ken manga. Super-deformed versions of the characters from the original series are now living in peaceful contemporary Japan: working in a convenience store; in a factory; looking for work; or laid low by illness. The legend of the Fighting NEET North Star begins.


Gakkatsu 2
  (jp: ガッ活！第2シリーズ)   jpWiki

debate comedy
director: Rareko (Tender Tank)
writer: Rareko, Fukihara Kouta (TV drama Otomen).
seiyuus: Kawashi Miyuki, Azakami Youhei, Arai Souta.
animation: Fanworks, NHK.
trailer.
starts wed 03 apr 19:55

5 minute episodes. Middle school class rep Chiho keeps stirring up absurd debates, but the atmosphere she creates enlivens the whole class. She and her classmates duel with words, some of which strike home.


Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge
  (jp: 断裁分離のクライムエッジ)   jpWiki

mystery romance
director: Yamaguchi Yuuji (Strawberry Eggs, Fate Stay/Night, Touka Gettan)
writer: Urahata Tatsuhiko (Monster, Saki, OreShura). Hikagi Tatsuhiko (manga).
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki (TariTari/Wien), Koiwai Kotori (Joshiraku/Kigurumi), Uchiyama Yumi (Sukitte ii/Aiko), Fukuhara Kaori, Yasunoi Kiyono, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Yusa Kouji, Noto Arisa.
animation: Studio Gokumi. OP Aimi, ED Takahashi Karin x Endou Yurika.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 03 apr 24:30

Kiri seems like an ordinary high-school boy. But he is obsessed with cutting people's hair. Iwai, the "Hair Queen," has a curse on her that prevents anything from ever cutting her hair. It has been growing unchecked since she was born. But Kiri discovers that his scissors can actually cut her hair. Unfortunately, their meeting brings to life an old game aiming to murder the Hair Queen. Kiri becomes her protector.

Koiwai Kotori is a young seiyuu whose only other major role was as Kigurumi in Joshiraku. She also played Yuki in Psycho-Pass. Hanae Natsuki played Wien in TariTari. Director Yamaguchi Yuuji did the Unlimited Blade Works movie, but before that, his last show was Touka Gettan in 2007. Writer Urahata Tatsuhiko, however, is doing OreShura, and has many credits to his name, including Monster and Saki.


RDG: Red Data Girl
  (jp: RDG レッドデータガール)   jpWiki

supernatural fantasy drama (with romance?)
director: Shinohara Toshiya
writer: Yokote Michiko. Ogiwara Noriko (novel).
seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Uchiyama Kouki, Fukuyama Jun, Kimura Ryouhei, Kugimiya Rie, Yonezawa Madoka, Ishikawa Kaito, Emi Sarah Bridcut, Ishida Akira, Inoue Kazuhiko, Paku Romi, Nojima Hirofumi.
animation: PA Works. OP Annabel, ED Itou Masumi.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 03 apr 25:00

Kadokawa Bunko celebrates its 65th anniversary with this new show from PA Works starring Hayami Saori, Uchiyama Kouki, and Fukuyama Jun, among others.

Shy 15 year old Izumiko was born and raised at the ancient Tamakura Shrine. For some reason, her mere touch causes computers and phones to freeze up. Her parents -- who are working elsewhere -- want her to go to Tokyo for high school, but she wants to stay in the country, where she finally has a couple of friends. The opinion isn’t universal, but I loved the preview streaming of episode one, both the story and, especially, Hayami Saori's hesitant voicing of Izumiko.

Veteran director Shinohara Toshiya did various Inuyasha movies, as well as Gunparade Orchestra and Book of Bantorra. Veteran writer Yokote Michiko was lead writer on such shows as Princess Tutu, Genshiken, XXXholic, Squid Girl, and Joshiraku. Great cast, great staff. Promising show from PA Works (True Tears, Hanasaku Iroha, TariTari).


Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 2000%
  (jp: うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE2000%)   jpWiki

reverse harem with music
director: Kou Yuu
writer: Kou Yuu. Kunozuki Kanon, Broccoli.
seiyuus: Toriumi Kousuke, Suzumura Kenichi, Miyano Mamoru, Terashima Takuma, Suwabe Junichi, Shimono Hiro, Sawashiro Miyuki, Taniyama Kishou, Maeno Tomoaki, Yusa Kouji.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Miyano Mamoru, ED ST☆RISH.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 03 apr 26:05

In the first series, our heroine was in the composition course at an arts high school, and there were six bishounen singers for her to choose to partner with. Now they are all in the master course with students who are at an even higher level.

Great cast features Toriumi Kousuke, Suzumura Kenichi, Miyano Mamoru, Suwabe Junichi, Taniyama Kishou…and Sawashiro Miyuki. Director/writer Kou Yuu directed Loveless and Giant Killing. The "trailer" link is to a song by Miyano Mamoru from the first series.


Karneval (2013)
  (jp: カーニヴァル (2013))   jpWiki

josei fantasy adventure
director: Suganuma Eiji (Kodomo no Jikan, Alison to Lilia, Mashiro-iro Symphony)
writer: Machida Touko (Lucky Star, GA, Amnesia). Mikanagi Touya (manga).
seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Shimono Hiro, Hirakawa Daisuke, Satou Satomi, Ono Daisuke, Igarashi Hiromi, Honna Youko, Nakamura Yuuichi, Hoshi Souichirou, Kitamura Eri.
animation: Manglobe. OP Granrodeo, ED KAmiYU.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 03 apr 26:48

The first thing that strikes you is the cast list: from Kamiya Hiroshi (taking a break from the Bake-Nise-Neko-Kizu-Monogatari series) to Satou Satomi returning to the screen powered up by her excellent performance in Hyouka.

Two lost souls: with only an abandoned bracelet as a clue, Nai searches for someone important to him; Gareki steals and picks pockets to get by. The two meet in a strange mansion where they are tricked into becoming wanted criminals. At a moment of desperate danger, they encounter none other than the country's most powerful defense organization, "Circus," which may become their way out.

Director Suganuma Eiji and writer Machida Touko, along with the strong cast, give this show possibilities. OP by Granrodeo (Taniyama Kishou), ED by KAmiYU (Kamiya Hiroshi and Irino Miyu). Another preview.


Hataraku Maou-sama!
  (jp: はたらく魔王さま!)   jpWiki

fantasy comedy
director: Hosoda Naoto (Shuffle, Mirai Nikki)
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (Keroro Gunsou, Reideen, Busou Shinki). Wagahara Satoshi (novel).
seiyuus: Ono Yuuki, Ousaka Ryoutarou, Touyama Nao, Hikasa Youko, Itou Kanae, Shimono Hiro.
animation: White Fox.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 apr 22:00

Mao the Demon King is defeated in his quest to conquer a world. He and his general end up in an even more alien world: contemporary Tokyo, where Mao has to work at a fast-food restaurant to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the female hero Emilia, who defeated him in that other world, shows up and confronts him.

Director Hosoda Naoto did Shuffle and Mirai Nikki. Writer Yokotani Masahiro has been lead writer for Keroro Gunsou, Reideen, and Busou Shinki (how's that for range, lol?) Interesting cast features Ono Yuuki (Zenkichi in Medaka Box) and Ousaka Ryoutarou (Eita in OreShura), with Touyama Nao, Hikasa Youko, and Itou Kanae.


Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince
  (jp: 銀河機攻隊 マジェスティックプリンス)   jpWiki

mecha science fiction adventure/comedy
director: Motonaga Keitarou (School Days, Jormungand)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, D.Gray-man, K-On, Girls und Panzer). Ayamine Rando (manga).
seiyuus: Asanuma Shintarou, Aiba Hiroki (Prince of Tennis, TV dramas), Iguchi Yuka, Hikasa Youko, Ikeda Junya, Asano Masumi, Suzuki Chihiro, Midorikawa Hikaru, Touchi Hiroki, Sawashiro Miyuki, Itou Shizuka, Toriumi Kousuke, Nojima Hirofumi.
animation: Douga Koubou, Orange. OP Kon Natsumi, ED Ishihara Chiaki.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 04 apr 22:30

Having succeeded in expanding into space, mankind has located multiple asteroids filled with resources which should allow for a safe and prosperous future. However, a powerful galactic empire begins to invade, pushing mankind to the brink of destruction. A secret genetic manipulation project may be the last hope for humanity. A group of genetically improved children known as "Team Rabbits" can use special weaponry. The team is sent to the front line. Can they survive against such an overwhelming enemy?

Motonaga Keitarou and Yoshida Reiko make a powerful director/writer team, if they are at their best (Motonaga's Jormungand, Yoshida's Nodame Cantabile) rather than their worst (AkaSaka, Romeo + Juliet). The mecha designs (Moriki Yasuhiro, Tani Hiroshi, Watanabe Koji) are drawing plenty of praise. The character designs by Hirai Hisashi (Gundam Seed, Linebarrels) turn some people off, but there is plenty here to attract interest. Quality cast includes actor Aiba Hiroki, as well as Hikasa Youko, Asano Masumi, and Sawashiro Miyuki.


Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru
  (jp: やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている.)   jpWiki

comedy, romance
director: Yoshimura Ai
writer: Suga Shoutarou. Wataru Watari (novel).
seiyuus: Eguchi Takuya, Hayami Saori, Sasaki Nozomi, Kondou Takashi, Yuuki Aoi, Yuzuki Ryouka, Koshimizu Ami, Inoue Marina, Komatsu Mikako, Touyama Nao.
animation: Brain's Base. OP Yanagi Nagi, ED Hayami Saori, Touyama Nao.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 apr 25:28

Antisocial high school student Hachiman has no friends and a sour view of life. His dream for the future is to live without having to work. He thinks his classmates are faking their apparent enthusiasm. A teacher gets Hachiman to join the volunteer service club, one member of which happens to be the school's prettiest girl….

The big attraction for me here is Hayami Saori in a leading role, and singing the ED. But the show also includes two more of my favorite seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi and Sasaki Nozomi (Nana-chan in Bokura ga Ita, Sapphy in Jewelpet). Not to mention Yuzuki Ryouka, Koshimizu Ami, Inoue Marina, Komatsu Mikako, and Touyama Nao.

Yoshimura Ai has done storyboards and/or episode direction on Sora no Manima ni and Daily Lives of High School Boys, but this is her first job as director of a whole series. Writer Suga Shoutarou was lead writer for the second half of the first season of Darker than Black, and on all varieties of Rinne no Lagrange.


Photo Kano
  (jp: フォトカノ)   jpWiki

seinen harem romance
director: Yokoyama Akitoshi
writer: Yokoyama Akitoshi.
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Itou Kanae, Nakahara Mai, Kanemoto Hisako, Mizuhara Kaoru, Saitou Chiwa, Oogame Asuka, Sawashiro Miyuki, Ise Mariya, Endou Aya, Hasegawa Akiko, Takagaki Ayahi, Midorikawa Hikaru, Okamoto Nobuhiko.
animation: Madhouse. OP hayatokaori, ED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. 12eps. forum.
starts thu 04 apr 25:58

Like KimiKiss and AmagamiSS, this is based on a dating sim game from Enterbrain. On the last day of summer vacation, main character Kazuya gets a camera from his father. Fall semester begins and Kazuya starts taking photos of girls…photo sessions that slide toward romance. We don't know yet whether the show will be an anthology of girl friends, like Amagami, or will end up following one particular girl's route. Most likely, we will have a number of small relationships culminating in one larger relationship.

Director/writer Yokoyama Akitoshi is doing his first TV series. His only previous directoral job was the Marimo no Hana OVA, but he has done lots of storyboards and episode direction: Samurai Champloo, Gurren Lagann, Kaiba, Tatami Galaxy, Deadman Wonderland. How he will adapt to romance remains to be seen, lol. Madhouse. Great cast. Photography. I'll be there to see episode one.


Devil Survivor 2 The Animation
  (jp: Devil Survivor 2 The Animation)   jpWiki

action fantasy
director: Kishi Seiji (Seto no Hanayome, Angel Beats, Persona 4)
writer: Uezu Makoto (Seto no Hanayome, Seikon no Qwaser, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita). Atlus.
seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Uchida Aya, Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Yamaguchi Rikako, Iguchi Yuka, Saitou Fuko, Koshimizu Ami, Asumi Kana, Namikawa Daisuke, Madono Mitsuaki, Koyama Rikiya, Sakurai Takahiro, Inoue Kikuko.
animation: Bridge.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 apr 26:05

From an RPG for Nintendo DS. Thirteen "devil survivors" make deals with devils to obtain abilities to fight against unknown invaders. With only 7 days left until a world catastrophe, they need to make crucial decisions….

Director Kishi Seiji and writer Uezu Makoto did Seto no Hanayome together, and now they get back together to make a very diifferent show. The cast is fairly overwhelming: Kamiya Hiroshi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Uchida Aya, Suwabe Junichi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Iguchi Yuka, Koshimizu Ami, Asumi Kana, etc., etc. Definitely worth a look.


Aku no Hana
  (jp: 惡の華)   jpWiki

shounen psychological drama
director: Nagahama Hiroshi (Mushishi)
writer: Itami Aki. Oshimi Shuuzou (manga).
seiyuus: Ueda Shinichirou, Ise Mariya, Hikasa Youko, Uemura Ayako, Hamazoe Shinya, Hara Sayuri, Matsuzaki Katsutoshi.
animation: Zexcs. OP Uchuujin.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 05 apr 22:00

Kasuga is a bookish boy who loves the poems of 19th-century French poet Charles Baudelaire ("Flowers of Evil"). One day after school, he steals the gym clothes of the girl he has a crush on. However, another girl in his class sees him and blackmails him into a contract, threatening to reveal his secret and spoil his chances with the girl forever.

I'm not a big fan of the manga, partly because none of the characters are likable. But if you enjoy dabbling in the dark recesses of the soul, there are some dark recesses here to dabble in. And the animation is something different: rotoscoping. This means that they trace over images of live actors to make the animation. Check out the trailer for some interesting images.

Director Nagahama Hiroshi did Mushishi, and writer Itami Aki wrote a number of episodes of that show. I found that show boring, myself, but it was quality work. Not the most famous cast, but the presence of Ise Mariya and Hikasa Youko sounds good.


Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride
  (jp: 百花繚乱 サムライブライド)   jpWiki

samurai action comedy with nudity and violence
director: Kobun
writer: Nishizono Satoru. Suzuki Akira (novel).
seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Hirakawa Daisuke, Kugimiya Rie, Kobayashi Yuu, Kotobuki Minako, Gotou Saori, Toyosaki Aki, Mizuhara Kaoru, Koshimizu Ami, Akasaki Chinatsu, Hikasa Youko, Tomatsu Haruka, Shindou Naomi, Satou Satomi, Sakurai Takahiro, Noto Mamiko.
animation: Arms. OP Hashimoto Miyuki.
trailer. forum.
starts fri 05 apr 22:30

A new installment of the ecchi samurai action comedy starring Yuuki Aoi, Kugimiya Rie, Kobayashi Yuu, Kotobuki Minako, Gotou Saori, Toyosaki Aki, Hirakawa Daisuke and many other known names.

 Director Shizuno Kobun has only done the first Hyakka Ryouran series and a show called GI Joe Sigma 6. But he has done storyboards and/or episode direction for shows from Ai yori Aoshi through Bakuretsu Tenshi, Nanoha Strikers and Blue Drop, to Sekirei. Fortunately, after the confusion of the first series, they have brought in a new writer. He is Nishizono Satoru, lead writer on shows such as Zoids Genesis, Welcome to the NHK, Naruto Shippuuden and B Gata H Kei. On second thought, that may not be an improvement….

The first series was fitfully entertaining, and had a very interesting look about it. But the main attraction for me is hearing Yuuki Aoi.


Date a Live
  (jp: デート・ア・ライブ)   jpWiki

comedy romance science fiction
director: Motonaga Keitarou (School Days, Tayutama, Katanagatari, Jormungand)
writer: Shirane Hideki (Yumekui Merry, Kill Me Baby). Tachibana Koushi (novel).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Inoue Marina, Togashi Misuzu, Taketatsu Ayana, Nomizu Iori, Sanada Asami, Endou Aya, Sadohara Kaori, Katsu Anri, Koyasu Takehito.
animation: AIC Plus+. ED Nomizu Iori.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 05 apr 25:30

Devastating "spacequakes" unpredictably destroy large areas of the Earth. Itsuka meets a girl who turns out to be one of the "spirits" who cause the quakes. Itsuka has a mysterious ability to seal the powers of such spirit girls…if he can get them to fall in love with him.

I gained a new appreciation of director Motonaga Keitarou (School Days, Katanagatari) from his work on Jormungand. Now he's back to romantic comedy and I hope his work doesn't fall back to the level of his Tayutama or AkaSaka. Lead writer Shirane Hideki wrote Yumekui Merry and Kill Me Baby. Interesting cast includes Inoue Marina, Togashi Misuzu, Taketatsu Ayana, Endou Aya, and Koyasu Takehito. Preview stream on NicoNico 30 March.

I'll mention here that there are no new noitaminA shows this season: their place will be taken by a rerun of Motonaga's Katanagatari, broadcast an hour-long episode a week, rather than an episode a month, as it was in 2010.


Danchi Tomoo
  (jp: 団地ともお)   jpWiki

seinen slice-of-life comedy
director: Watanabe Ayumu
writer: Yamada Takashi. Oda Tobira (manga).
seiyuus: Sanpei Yuuko, Hitosugi Kasumi, Fujimura Ayumi, Nabatame Hitomi, Makino Yui, Sakamoto Chika, Tone Kentarou, Asako, Takeda Hana, Tamura Mutsumi.
animation: Shougakukan Music and Digital Entertainment.
forum.
starts sat 06 apr 09:30

A fourth-grade boy named Tomoo lives in an apartment complex with his mother and elder sister. His father is away on a long-term work contract. Tomoo and his friends roam around getting into one scrape after another. The manga has reached 21 volumes.

Director Watanabe Ayumu has directed several Doraemon movies, as well as Space Brothers and Mysterious Girlfriend X. Veteran writer Yamada Takashi did Hime-chan's Ribbon, Ojamajo Doremi, Yumeiro Patissiere, and Ginga e Kickoff.

Sanpei Yuuko (of course) plays the lead boy. Other familiar names in the cast include Fujimura Ayumi, Nabatame Hitomi, Tamura Mutsumi, and Makino Yui (Welcome to the NHK, Amuri in Star Ocean). This staff and cast have a chance of making a very good show here, even if it isn’t my cup of tea.


Jewelpet Happiness
  (jp: ジュエルペット ハッピネス)   jpWiki

young shoujo magical girl
director: Sakurai Hiroaki (Di Gi Charat, Les Miserables)
writer: Sega/Sanrio.
seiyuus: Saitou Ayaka, Hirano Aya, Sasaki Nozomi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Toyosaki Aki, Kayano Ai, Han Megumi, Aizawa Mai, Shimizu Ai, Hayama Izumi, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Fukuyama Jun, Kimura Ryouhei, Yusa Kouji, Ueda Youji.
animation: Studio Comet.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 09:30

Fifth year-long series for this popular and well-made magical girl show that is actually aimed at little girls. This is the only place you can hear Hirano Aya as a seiyuu, now that Fairy Tail is over. For me, it has always been the place I go to hear the burbling tones of Sasaki Nozomi, as well. Director Sakurai Hiroaki is strong addition to the staff, having done Di Gi Charat and Les Miserables - Shoujo Cossette.


Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live
  (jp: プリティーリズムレインボーライブ)   jpWiki

young shoujo dance and music
director: Hishida Masakazu
writer: Iuchi Shuji.
seiyuus: Katou Emiri, Serizawa Yuu, Komatsu Mikako, Sakura Ayane, Tomatsu Haruka, Gotou Saori, Uchida Maaya.
animation: Tatsunoko, Dong Woo Animation. OP Prizmmy☆.
trailer.
starts sat 06 apr 10:00

Eighth-grader Naru can see the colours of music. At a Prism Dance audition one day, an aura she has never experienced spreads out around her, and a mysterious girl asks her if she can see rainbow music….

Lovely cast, headed by Katou Emiri. This is the third Pretty Rhythm series, a franchise that centers on the Prism Show, which involves skating idols who dance and sing on ice. Director Hishida Masakazu has done little as a director except this series. Writer Iuchi Shuji did a lot of work in the 80s and 90s, but very little since 2000. Original character designs by Okama.


Haitai Nanafa 2
  (jp: はいたい七葉 第2期)   jpWiki

supernatural slice of life
director: Kimura Hiroshi (Recorder and Randsel)
writer: Konuta Takeshi (Toshokan Sensou).
seiyuus: Yonamine Ritsu, Matsuda Ruka, Yabiku Karin, Matsuzaki Rei, Inoue Nana, Igarashi Yumi, Toujou Hisako.
animation: Saitou Kazuhiro.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 17:55

Made specifically for Okinawa, and only later distributed nationally, Haitai Nanafa tells the story of a young girl who accidentally removes the seal on a sacred tree, releasing two spirits. From then on, her life is filled with interactions with various spirits. The only seiyuus whose names I recognize are Inoue Nana and Igarashi Yumi. Five-minute episodes.


Zettai Bouei Leviathan
  (jp: 絶対防衛レヴィアタン)   jpWiki

fantasy adventure
director: Yatagai Kenichi
writer: Ide Yasunori. Gree.
seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Kitamura Eri, Taketatsu Ayana, Hanazawa Kana.
animation: Gonzo.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 23:30

Hayamin in her third big role of the season, along with Red Data Girl and Yahari Ore (she is also in OreImo). And oh yes, she is accompanied here by KitaEri, Ayachi, and Kana-chan.

Aquafall is a green watery fantasy world populated by dragons and fairies. Meteorites suddenly bring forth evil creatures that threaten life on the planet. The fairy Syrup assembles the Aquafall Defence Force, with three girls of the dragon clans as recruits. Syrup and the dragon girls Leviathan, Bahamut, and Jörmungandr work together to battle the demons. Based on the mobile social game by Gree.

Director Yatani Kenichi's last directoral jobs were seven years ago, on Doujin Work and Magical Pokaan. But he has been assistant director of all the Strike Witches shows, doing lots of storyboarding and episode direction. Writer Ide Yasunori directed both Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins, and was lead writer on Magical Pokaan. More recently, he has storyboarded several episodes each of Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? and Sukitte ii na yo. Nice character design and coloring. Love those pointed ears.


Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai.
  (jp: 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない.)   jpWiki

ecchi comedy with imouto and friends
director: Kanbe Hiroyuki
writer: Kurata Hideyuki. Fushimi Tsukasa (novel).
seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana, Nakamura Yuuichi, Hanazawa Kana, Nabatame Hitomi, Satou Satomi, Hayami Saori, Tamura Yukari, Tachiki Fumihiko, Watanabe Akeno.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP ClariS.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 24:00

A second season for the tremendously popular ecchi comedy. Same cast. Same director and writer. New studio (A-1 Pictures instead of AIC Build), but both are part of Aniplex and one suspects many of the same hands will be at work.

Fans hope for more of Hanazawa Kana's character, the loli-goth tsun-with-very-little-dere Kuroneko ("black cat").

Director Kanbe Hiroyuki has only one directoral credit besides this show. Writer Kurata Hideyuki, however, did Now and Then Here and There, Kannagi, and The World God Only Knows. And the OP will be by ClariS.


Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Z
  (jp: よんでますよ, アザゼルさん. Z)   jpWiki

comedy
director: Mizushima Tsutomu
writer: Kubo Yasuhisa (manga).
seiyuus: Namikawa Daisuke, Onosaka Masaya, Satou Rina, Kamiya Hiroshi, Shiraishi Ryouko, Genda Tesshou, Nakai Kazuya, Kobayashi Yuu.
animation: Production IG.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 25:00

A detective and his assistant summon an ecchi little demon who is hard to handle, but whom they have power over and can force to help them. This is the kind of simply animated comedy that goes over better with a Japanese audience than overseas.

Top director Mizushima Tsutomu has done Genshiken, Squid Girl, Another, and Girls und Panzer.


Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san
  (jp: 波打際のむろみさん)   jpWiki

ecchi crazy comedy w/violence
director: Yoshihara Tatsuya (Arve Rezzle)
writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Ben-tou, Milky Holmes, OniAi). Nashima Keiji (manga).
seiyuus: Mizushima Takahiro, Tamura Yukari, Nonaka Ai, Uesaka Sumire, Harada Hitomi, Nakahara Mai, Sakai Kanako, Saitou Chiwa.
animation: Tatsunoko. OP Uesaka Sumire.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 25:15

Takurou is a lonely teenager who spends his time fishing at the pier. One day, to his surprise, he reels in a mermaid, Muromi. Muromi is wild and stupid and drinks too much, and up to this point hasn't even realized she is a mermaid.

This is supposed be a deeply crazy show. Comparisons are being made to Kemeko Deluxe. Apparently Muromi-san and her friends are behind legends such as the Bermuda Triangle, Leviathan, and the Dragon King's Palace.

This is only Yoshihara Tatsuya's second show as director, after the excellent recent OVA Arve Rezzle earlier this hyear. Writer Fudeyasu Kazuyuki wrote Ben-tou and Milky Holmes. Tamura Yukari sounds perfect for the nutso Muromi. Nonaka Ai? Uesaka Sumire? Nakahara Mai? Saitou Chiwa? The return of Sakai Kanako? Sign me up.


Shingeki no Kyojin
  (jp: 進撃の巨人)   jpWiki

shounen action horror sci-fi
director: Araki Tetsurou (Death Note, HSoTD, Guilty Crown)
writer: Kobayashi Yasuko (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure). Isayama Hajime (manga).
seiyuus: Inoue Marina, Kaji Yuuki, Ishikawa Yui, Shimamura Yuu, Mikami Shiori, Shimono Hiro, Taniyama Kishou, Ousaka Ryouta, Kobayashi Yuu, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Hashizume Tomohisa, Fujita Saki, Fujiwara Keiji.
animation: Wit Studio.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 apr 25:58

Highly promising science fiction horror anime from the director of Death Note, HSoTD and Guilty Crown. Adapted from a popular manga by the woman who did the same for last year's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. A cast featuring Inoue Marina and Kaji Yuuki. And a starry trailer.

Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by giants. Giants were humanoids several stories tall, seemed to have no intelligence, and devoured human beings. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest of giants. The city has now not seen a giant in over 100 years. Suddenly, however, teenage boy Elen and his foster sister Mikasa see the city walls destroyed by a super giant that appears out of thin air. As smaller giants flood the city, the two kids see their mother eaten alive. Elen vows that he will murder every single giant and take revenge for all of mankind. (Mangafox)

Director Araki Tetsurou (Death Note, HSoTD, Guilty Crown) has brought much of his staff with him to Wit Studios (Production IG) for this show.


Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes Gekitouden
  (jp: バトルスピリッツ ソードアイズ激闘伝)   jpWiki

young shounen battles
director: Watanabe Masaki (Battle Spirits storyboards, directed last series)
writer: Tomioka Atsuhiro (Prince of Tennis, Inazuma 11). Yatate Hajime (pseud. for Sunrise staff; orig.).
seiyuus: Minagawa Junko, Horie Yui, Fukuyama Jun, Ono Yuuki, Tachibana Shinnosuke, Midorikawa Hikaru, Hayami Shou, Neya Michiko, Yanaka Hiroshi, Yasumoto Hiroki, Kanda Akemi, Suwabe Junichi, Koyama Rikiya.
animation: Sunrise.
starts sun 07 apr 07:00

The fifth Battle Spirits series continues, as part of TV Asahi TV's Sunday morning block of kids' shows. The anime is an outgrowth of the the trading card game. The cast is populated almost exclusively wiith veteran stars: Minagawa Junko, Horie Yui, Fukuyama Jun, Midorikawa Hikaru, Hayami Shou, Neya Michiko, etc.


Dibetagurashi: Ahiru no Seikatsu
  (jp: ぢべたぐらし あひるの生活)   jpWiki

four-panel comic
director: Mino Taiki
writer: Matsuda Yuka (manga).
seiyuus: Matsuno Taiki, Ishijima Kuniko, Kiuchi Hidenobu, Kosugi Juurota, Kikuchi Kokoro, Yoshida Asami, Shimozaki Hiroshi.
animation:
forum.
starts sun 07 apr 08:00

From a four-panel comic. "Dibetagurashi: A Duck's Life" follows the daily life of a group of birds, including a duck, an old nihilistic great grey owl, and a gluttonous Caique parrot. Director/writer Mino Taiki is a flash animator and short-story writer with a number of works online. Matsuda Yuka did the original manga. Full-length episodes, not shorts.


Space Battleship Yamato 2199
  (jp: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199)   jpWiki

science fiction adventure
director: Izubuchi Yutaka, Enomoto Akihiro
writer: Izubuchi Yutaka. Matsumoto Leiji (orig), Nishizaki Yoshinobu (orig).
seiyuus: Sugo Takayuki, Ono Daisuke, Suzumura Kenichi, Kuwashima Houko, Ootsuka Houchuu, Mugihito, Ootsuka Akio, Wakamoto Norio, Itou Shizuka, Chihara Minori, Fujiwara Keiji, Hisakawa Aya, Tanaka Rie, Suwabe junichi, Ohkawa Tooru, Satou Rina, Uchida Aya, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Yamadera Kouichi, Hirakawa Daisuke, Chou, Yusa Kouji, Inoue Kikuko.
animation: AIC, Xebec. OP Sasaki Isao, EDs Yuki Aira, Misato Aki, Sasaki Isao, KOKIA, Kageyama Hironobu, JAM Project.
trailer. 26eps. forum.
starts sun 07 apr 17:00

This remake of Leiji Matsumoto's 1974 classic was shown in theatres in Japan last year and now comes to TV in what is by most accounts a good remake. In 2199, a war with a techologically superior alien race has rendered the Earth uninhabitable. Survivors live underground. Our heroes learn of a friendly alien race which is willing to give humans the technology to defeat their enemies -- if only they can come to their very distant world and get it. They provide plans for a faster-than-light ship and the Yamato is built. We follow its crew on their difficult journey to get technology that can save the human race.

Directed and written by multitalented designer/writer Izubuchi Yutaka, who created and directed RahXephon. Excellent cast starts with Sugo Takayuki, who began his career as Fang Tchewling in LoGH, and has been Wanyuudou in Hell Girl, Albert de Blois in Gosick, and Cardeas Vist in Gundam UC. To him, add names from Ono Daisuke through Kuwashima Houko to Suwabe Junichi.

BD releases are already well underway, but it is only now reaching Japanese TV. I've seen episode one and enjoyed it.


Glass no Kamen Desu ga
  (jp: ガラスの仮面ですが)   jpWiki

shoujo romance gag anime
director: Asahi Eri, Shinohara Yukari
writer: Nonomura Yukiko. Miuchi Suzue (manga).

animation: DLE.
17eps.
starts sun 07 apr 21:54

Gag anime based on great shoujo manga/anime Glass Mask. Five-minute episodes. Created to mark the original manga reaching 50 million volumes sold!

Maya and Ayumi are hoodlums, members of the "Crimson Goddess Gang." Hayami Masami appears to be a cop…. I love both the manga and the 2005 anime series, so I will definitely take a look at this…with some trepidation over the unknown staff and peculiar set-up (which has apparently been approved by mangaka Miuchi Suzue).


Suisei no Gargantia
  (jp: 翠星のガルガンティア)   jpWiki

science fiction adventure
director: Murata Kazuya (storyboards for Eureka 7, Code Geass, Gundam UC)
writer: Urobuchi Gen (Phantom, Fate/Zero, Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass).
seiyuus: Ishikawa Kaito (age 20), Kanemoto Hisako, Kayano Ai, Asumi Kana, Itou Shizuka, Oohara Sayaka, Konishi Katsuyuki, Ono Yuuki, Sugita Tomokazu, Fujimura Ayumi.
animation: Production IG. OP Chihara Minori, ED ChouCho.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 07 apr 22:00

"The Butcher," writer Urobuchi Gen, brings us something that seems a little lighter than his usual fare. Based on his own game. Veteran storyboarder Murata Kazuya directs. While fighting an inter-galactic war, a mecha pilot is accidentally warped into a space-time neither he nor his mecha recognize.... Waking up from a long hibernation, he finds himself trapped on a planet with human residents speaking an unknown language, using inferior technologies, and -- amazingly -- breathing naturally breathable air. (ANN)

Stars 20-year-old newcomer Ishikawa Kaito as the mecha pilot, with Kanemoto Hisako, Kayano Ai, Asumi Kana, Itou Shizuka, Sugita Tomokazu and other luminaries. OP by Chihara Minori (many people's favorite) and ED by ChouCho (one of my favorites). Promising show.


Ketsuekigata-kun!
  (jp: 血液型くん!)   jpWiki

comedy based on blood types
director: Ooyama Yoshihisa
writer: Yamashita Kenichi (Ishida to Asakura). Real Crazy Man (aka Park Dong Seun; orig).
seiyuus: Ishida Akira, Fukuyama Jun, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kakihara Tetsuya.
animation: Assez Finaud Fabric, Feel.

starts sun 07 apr 22:27

From a Korean manhwa in which the characters anthropomorphize various blood types. In Japan (and I guess Korea) many people believe that blood types are linked to personality: people with Type A blood are reliable (played by Fukuyama Jun), Type B blood types are passionate (Nakamura Yuuichi), Type O blood has an independent streak (Ishida Akira), and Type AB people are capricious (Kakihara Tetsuya).

Ooyama Yoshihisa is a director of photography doing his first-ever directoral job. Yamashita Kenichi was lead writer on Ishida and Asakura.  Two-minute episodes.


Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W
  (jp: 這いよれ! ニャル子さんW)   jpWiki

ecchi comedy
director: Nagasawa Tsuyoshi
writer: Kimura Noboru. Aisora Manta (novel).
seiyuus: Asumi Kana, Kitamura Eri, Matsuki Miyu, Kugimiya Rie, Arai Satomi, Kouda Mariko, Hisakawa Aya, Ootsubo Yuka, Hatano Wataru.
animation: Xebec. OP seiyuus, ED RAMM.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 07 apr 25:05

A new season for the successful ecchi comedy in which an ordinary boy lives with cute girls (and a cute shota) who are actually Lovecraftian ancient monsters. Or perhaps aliens.

Director Nagasawa Tsuyoshi did Kyou no Go no Ni and MM before his success with the first Nyaruko-san series. Writer Kimura Noboru did AmagamiSS+ and the current Problem Children from Another World.

Excellent cast helped to make this show the popular success it was: Asumi Kana even won the top seiyuu award for 2012 partly based on her role in this show.


Mushibugyou
  (jp: ムシブギョー 蟲奉行)   jpWiki

samurai adventure, with comedy
director: Hamana Takayuki (Prince of Tennis, Library War, Beast Player Erin)
writer: Katou Youichi (Miracle Train, Aikatsu). Fukuda Hiroshi (manga).
seiyuus: Kenn, Akesaka Satomi, Ookubo Rumi, Terashima Takuma, Eguchi Takuya, Serizawa Yuu, Miyano Mamoru, Koyama Rikiya, Fukuyama Jun, Han Megumi.
animation: Seven Arcs. OP Gagaga SP, ED Iris.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 08 apr 18:00

In Tokyo in the early 1700s, the shogun ordered boxes to be installed so commoners could submit their thoughts. After hearing the voices of the people, the shogun created a new magistrate unit — Mushibugyou — to protect people in the heart of the city. Each member is a specialist with unique fighting skills.

Director Hamana Takayuki has some excellent credits: Prince of Tennis, Library War, Beast Player Erin. Writer Katou Youichi, not so much: Miracle Train and Aikatsu. Interesting mixed cast includes Ookubo Rumi, fresh from winning a seiyuu award and continuing her successful radio program. Tiny, hilarious Rumi is on the way up. Staff and cast make this show seem worth a look.


Chibi Devi!
  (jp: ちび☆デビ！ 新シリーズ)   jpWiki

shoujo supernatural comedy
director: Kamitani Maki
writer: Tsuchiya Michihiro. Shinozuka Hiromu (manga).
seiyuus: Iguchi Yuka, Shitaya Noriko, Hirohashi Ryou, Takahashi Mikako, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Bandou Kouichi, Nishi Asuka, Yamaguchi Rie, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Fujimura Ayumi, Hoshi Souichirou.
animation: Synergy SP.
trailer. manga.
starts mon 08 apr 18:20

The popular young shoujo series starts up again with episode 46. In the first series, timid middle-schooler Honoka was bullied by her classmates, and always alone. Then one morning she discovered a tiny baby in her bed, which turned out to be a devil baby. When the baby saw girls bullying Honoka, it breathed fire at them like a dragon. Honoka lives with her aunt, who is rarely home, and can only depend on two neighbour boys -- the mild one and the aggressive one -- to help her figure out what to do. Now more devil babies have shown up, and her adventures continue.

Adapted by Tsuchiya Michihiro (Kirarin Revolution, KimiKiss Pure Rouge, Cross Game) from a popular manga. Director Kamitani Maki seems to have done no other anime. Stars Iguchi Yuka and Shitaya Noriko -- and I'm always glad to hear Takahashi Mikako.


Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties
  (jp: ハヤテのごとく! Cuties)   jpWiki

harem comedy
director: Kudou Masashi
writer: Oshika Rie. Hata Kenjirou (manga).
seiyuus: Shiraishi Ryouko, Kugimiya Rie, Itou Shizuka, Tanaka Rie, Kawasumi Ayako, Takahashi Mikako, Yamazaki Haruka.
animation: Manglobe. OP Itou Shizuka.
manga. forum.
starts mon 08 apr 25:35

Hayate series have been made by Synergy SP, JC Staff, and Manglobe. This is another by Manglobe, like the last one, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." And like it, this is directed by Kudou Masashi (no other directoral credits) and written by Oshika Rie (Minami-ke Okaeri, MM). But we continue to have the same excellent cast and look as all the previous series.


Arata Kangatari
  (jp: アラタカンガタリ ~革神語~)   jpWiki

fantasy adventure
director: Yasuda Kenji (Shugo Chara, Croisee in a Foreign Labyrinth)
writer: Sekijima Mayori (Saber Marionette J, MoonPhase, Pandora Hearts, Phi Brain). Watase Yuu (manga).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (SAO/Kirito), Okamoto Nobuhiko, Ono Yuuki, Takagaki Ayahi, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Ishida Akira, Namikawa Daisuke, Kimura Ryouhei, Minagawa Junko, Yamamura Hibiku.
animation: Satelight, JM Animation (Korea). OP Sphere, ED OldCodex.
manga. forum.
starts mon 08 apr 26:05

The director of Shugo Chara and the writer of Pandora Hearts animate a manga by the author of Fushigi Yuugi and Zettai Kareshi, with music by Ootani Kou (Haibane Renmei, Hakuouki, Another, etc.).

Every 30 years, a new princess is chosen from the Hime family to govern the land of Amawakuni. Over the past 30 years, 15-year-old Arata is the only girl to have been born. Unfortunately, the registration was falsified, and Arata is actually a boy! Forced to disguise himself and act as princess candidate until a better one can be found, he attends the festival...only to see the current princess, Kokuri-hime murdered by her personal guard, which then pins the blame on him. He races to escape and somehow ends up in present-day Tokyo, switching places with a modern Arata, who finds himself back in the first Arata's world….

Nice seiyuu lineup includes Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (Kirito in SAO), as well as Okamoto Nobuhiko, Ono Yuuki and Takagaki Ayahi.


Sparrow`s Hotel
  (jp: スパロウズホテル)   jpWiki

4-panel comic-strip comedy
director: Nakamura Tetsuharu
writer: Santou Yuka (manga).
seiyuus: Chihara Minori, Kishio Daisuke, Nagashima Haruka, Ono Daisuke, Yuuki Asuka, Morishima Shuuta.
animation: Hotline.
forum.
starts tue 09 apr 20:25

Sparrow's Hotel is on a busy downtown street and trouble keeps coming through the door, from drunks to hoodlums. But they hire a new person for the front desk, Sayuri, whose main qualifications are large breasts and assassination skills. Working with Tamaki, a very capable girl who looks like a middle-schooler, she keeps chaos from breaking out -- but sudddenly becomes tongue-tied when she has to talk with Tamaki's elder brother, the hotel's manager.

I like the set-up, but the director comes with little directoral experience and not much anime work in the past several years. And no lead writer is named. Tamaki is played by Nagashima Haruka, who made an impression as Kaori in Shiki.


Aiura
  (jp: あいうら)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy shorts
director: Nakamura Ryousuke (Mouryou no Hako)
writer: Nakamura Ryousuke. Chama (manga).
seiyuus: Nakajima Yui, Iida Yuuko, Tamura Nao.
animation: Liden Films.
manga. forum.
starts tue 09 apr 25:35

Five-minute episodes based on a four-panel comic strip about three deeply unambitious high school girls. "What happens when nothing is happening." The comic is fairly amusing but untranslated, as far as I know. (The "manga" link below goes to an online raw.)

Director/writer Nakamura Ryousuke did the shoujo mystery-adventure Mouryou no Hako. Stars three new seiyuus.


Yuyushiki
  (jp: ゆゆ式)   jpWiki

four-panel slice of life comedy
director: Kaori
writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Gakuen Heaven, Blue Drop, Tokyo Magnitude 8). Mikami Komata (manga).
seiyuus: Taneda Risa, Tsuda Minami, Ookubo Rumi, Kayano Ai, Shimizu Mana, Horie Yui, Han Megumi.
animation: Kinema Citrus. OP seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts tue 10 apr 24:30

The manga follows the school life of three girls in the data processing club. Not having seen the manga, it's hard to say what this show will be like. The cast looks good, starring Taneda Risa, who was excellent in Shinsekai Yori (as the young Saki) and in Sukitte ii na yo (as Asami). And there is Ookubo Rumi, who won a newcomer seiyuu award a few weeks ago.

Lead writer Takahashi Natsuko is good: she did Gakuen Heaven, Blue Drop, and Tokyo Magnitude 8, among other shows. Director Kaori is hard to figure. One source says she is the same person as seiyuu Tomiyama Akari, who has had a few roles in anime and many in ero-games. I suspect she may not be the seiyuu, but no source has made this clear yet. As a staff person, "Kaori" has done episode direction and/or key animation for .hack//quantum, Hanasaku Iroha, and Code:Breaker.


Valvrave the Liberator
  (jp: 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ)   jpWiki

mecha science-fiction adventure
director: Matsuo Kou (Red Garden, Kurenai, Natsuyuki Rendez-vous)
writer: Ookouchi Ichirou (Angelic Layer, Planetes, Code Geass, Shigofumi).
seiyuus: Ousaka Ryouta, Kimura Ryouhei, Seto Asami, Tomatsu Haruka, Ono Yuki, Kayano Ai, Fukuen Misato, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Nakamura Yuuichi, Namikawa Daisuke, Kotobuki Minako, Yuuki Aoi, Hatano Wataru, Horie Yui.
animation: Sunrise. OP Mizuki Nana x TM Revolution, ED angela.
trailer. forum.
starts thu 11 apr 25:35

Seventy percent of humanity has migrated to space. A small nation -- living in a Dyson Sphere -- is squeezed between two warring powers. During an attack by one of the powers, our hero diiscovers a mysterious mecha….

Talented director Matsuo Kou (Red Garden, Kurenai, Natsuyuki Rendez-vous) and top writer Ookuchi Ichirou (Angelic Layer, Planetes, Code Geass) work with an outstanding young cast: Oosaka Ryouta, Kimura Ryouhei, Seto Asami, Tomatsu Haruka, Ono Yuuki, Kayano Ai, Kotobuki Minako, Yuuki Aoi and others. Sunrise. OP by Mizuki Nana/TM Revolution. ED by angela.


To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S
  (jp: とある科学の超電磁砲[レールガン]S)   jpWiki

superpowers school adventure
director: Nagai Tatsuyuki
writer: Minakami Seishi. Kamachi Kazuma (manga).
seiyuus: Satou Rina, Arai Satomi, Itou Kanae, Toyosaki Aki.
animation: JC Staff. OP fripSide, ED Iguchi Yuka.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 12 apr 23:30

The same staff and cast return for a new series of Railgun. What's not to like?

To be honest, this show had trouble holding my interest through more than a couple of episodes at a time. There was just something a bit more juvenile than usual about the story. But by now I have seen it all and can say I enjoyed it. Great cast.



Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko
  (jp: 変態王子と笑わない猫.)   jpWiki

ecchi romantic comedy
director: Suzuki Youhei
writer: Itou Michiko. Sagara Sou (novel).
seiyuus: Kaji Yuuki, Ogura Yui, Ishihara Kaori, Tamura Yukari, Terakawa Aimi.
animation: JC Staff.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 13 apr 22:30

High-school sophomore Youto is always thinking about sex, but is such a model student that no one notices. He learns about a statue of an "unsmiling cat" that supposedly grants wishes, and goes to pray that he will be able to express his lustful thoughts in ways that people will actually hear. At the statue, Youto encounters Tsukiko, a girl from his high school with her own wish: that she become less childish and not display her feelings so openly.

This is Ogura Yui's biggest role yet, and I think she has finally got the chops to succeed in it. Her voice work is now rising to match the level of her extreme cuteness. Her singing partner in YuiKaori, Ishihara Kaori, is also in the show. Kaori is already one of the top young seiyuus, and won a "new seiyuu" award a couple of weeks ago. And Tamura Yukari is here, too.

Director Suzuki Youhei is doing his first show. He has done storyboards and episodes of Mahoraba, Zero no Tsukaima, Kimikiss, Ookami-san, etc. Lead writer Itou Michiko has done Ookami-san and Ro-kyu-bu, as well as multiple episodes of shows such as Suzuka, KimiKiss, Tegami Bachi, and Sakurasou. I'm feeling positive about this show. Original character design by Kantoku, who did the illustrations for the novel.

The new season approaches. Here is a weekly schedule, showing all the shows, both new and old, that are aired on each day of the week, and giving basic info about staff and cast: 


Click here or on the image to go to the full page. Find out about the shows from my season preview.


A couple of shows are already being streamed on NicoNico. RDG: Red Data Girl began two weeks ago, although its TV run won't start until Wednesday, April 3. Date a Live will begin its NicoNico run on Saturday, but won't start its TV run until next Friday.

Next Tuesday, April 2, a couple of kids shows will start (My Little Pony, Train Hero), as well as the intriguing super-deformed version of Fist of the North Star.

Six shows start next Wednesday: Kuromajo-san ga Tooru!! 2, Danball Senki Wars, Gakkatsu 2, Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000%, and Karneval. Karneval and Crime Edge are the two I'm most interested in.

Six more shows start on Thursday: Hataraku Maou-sama!, Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru, Photo Kano, Devil Survivor 2 The Animation. I'm looking forward to all of these.

Just two new shows on Friday, both of interest in their separate ways: Aku no Hana, and Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride.

Next Saturday, there is an avalanche of nine shows: Danchi Tomoo, Jewelpet Happiness, Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live, Haitai Nanafa 2, Zettai Bouei Leviathan, Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai, Yondemasu yo Azazel-san Z, Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san, Shingeki no Kyojin.

Next Sunday, another avalanche of eight shows: Battle Spirits Sword Eyes Gekitouden, Dibetagurashi Ahiru no Seikatsu, Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Glass no Kamen Desu ga, Suisei no Gargantia, Ketsuekigata-kun!, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W.

And on Monday, April 8, four more shows: Mushibugyou, Chibi Devi!, Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties, Arata Kangatari. 

More shows keep popping up over the following weeks: Sparrow's Hotel, Yuyushiki, Aiura, Valvrave the Liberator, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S, Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. 

 I don't see any potential masterpieces, but I do see a lot of interesting shows. Bring it on.

I decided to make Tamura Yukari 田村ゆかりmy seiyuu for spring mainly because she's a highly popular seiyuu whom I haven't featured yet and who has three good roles in the coming anime season. I've always liked her voice work, in a lukewarm sort of way, but I've never taken her that seriously.

But now that I've seen more of her, in researching this post, I can understand the passionate support her fans give her. She's a charming person and a real entertainer.

Yukarin is one of 2channel's absolute favorites. On the Japanese discussion board, her thread is enormous: over 800,000 posts. Among seiyuus, this is second only to Mizuki Nana (who has just over a million posts), and well ahead of Horie Yui and Hirano Aya, who each have around 500,000. I hasten to add that Aya's thread is now full of negative posts, unlike Yukarin's, which is basically a love-fest.

Yukarin's most famous role is as Nanoha in Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha. Other well-known roles include Ichigo in Please Teacher, Kawasumi Mai in Kanon (both versions), Akazukin in Otogijushi Akazukin, Tenten in Naruto, Togame in Katanagatari, Yamada in B-gata H-kei, Kanako and Meruru in OreImo, Rika in Higurashi, and Masuzu in the recently completed OreShura. This season, she will be the mermaid Muromi-san in Namiuchigawa no Muromi-san, and Wakatsuki-sensei in Aiura, as well as reprising her role(s) in OreImo.

Her list of works on Japanese Wikipedia is huge: anime, music, games, concerts, TV appearances, radio, and even planetarium narration. If any seiyuu is making a good living, it must be Yukarin.

Yukari-hime  was born 27 February 1976 and grew up in Fukuoka, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. In elementary school, she admired Fukuoka-born idol Matsuda Seiko and the idol/magical girl anime Magical Angel Creamy Mami, and decided she wanted to become an idol. At the same time, her friends made fun of her high voice, so she started to learn how to make her voice sound lower.

In middle school, she joined both the choir and the drama club. In high school, she was in the drama club and the manga research club. She went to a commerce-oriented high school, where she gained qualifications in abacus, book-keeping, insurance, and other subjects.




After graduation, she went to work in a company, but at the same time took courses at the Yoyogi Animation branch school in Fukuoka. She got a position as an assistant on a local late-night radio show, but no real seiyuu roles. So she quit her job, packed up, moved to Tokyo and became a student at the big Nihon Narration seiyuu school.

She got her first role at about 19, as a waitress in a PC game on which one of her teachers was the sound director. She got very few seiyuu roles at first, and did more singing. She had little money and lived a hard life.

In 1996, she became a regular on a radio top hits show. In 1999, the show put Yukarin and Horie Yui together as a singing unit called Yamato Nadeshiko. This helped make both of them popular idols. Later, some fans said they were actually a couple. This seems to have been based mainly on Hocchan saying later that they had once walked around their hotel room naked.

Yukarin's singing career was making progress. She put out her first single in 1997. In 1999, she issued four singles. None of these sold enough to enter the charts, however.

But starting in 2002, she crept up above 100th place, and slowly made her way up to the top ten, which she reached in 2005, with Spiritual Garden. Since then, almost all her songs have been in the top ten, as high as #4. She has had a total of 27 singles, of which ten have reached the top ten.

Her anime work was continuing to grow. From 1998 on, she had several roles a year, in addition to an even larger number of voice roles in games.

Most of you may have an idea of her seiyuu work. But her true popularity comes from her work as an idol, and the relationship she creates with her fans. Here are a couple of videos that opened my eyes. First, from 2001, a live event in support of the release of her first album:



Next, I believe from last year (ten years later!), a clip from a concert on a grander scale, showing just how well she and her fans work together:



She has the knack of seeming relaxed and intimate even in the midst of a grand performance. She presents herself as ditzy and vague, but is somehow able to twist huge crowds around her little finger. There is more to her than she lets on.

And here is a clip entitled "Tamura Yukari destroys the human race."  She tells the audience that her magic wand will make them all fall madly in love with her. After she uses it once, they all chant "again, again" and she obliges, with devastating results:



One of the things that makes her such a favorite is how closely she corresponds to the otaku notion of an ideal female: cute, sexy, and obliging. As I say, I think there is more to her than this public image, but she wears the image seamlessly.

To get an idea of what she is like in a calmer setting, here are three videos: an interview about an early role (2001), some clips from what appears to be an internet TV show, and finally a "making of" video for the PV for her 2008 single Bambino, Bambina:










Finally, we reach her actual seiyuu roles. Here are pics of a few of her characters (mouseover for names):





And here are a couple of videos giving us a taste of her seiyuu voice. First, a compendium of voices she has used playing Nanoha:



Next, a scene from Kanon:




Finally, two more videos: first, "An Angel's Day Off," showing Yukarin wandering around Paris:



And here is the music video for her most recent single:




Rather than trying to type out a complete list of her work, I'm going to link you to Wikipedia, which has a good, if incomplete, list of her anime, game, and musical work. For a complete list, I'm afraid I have to send you to Japanese Wikipedia. There are just too many roles and CDs and events for a blog post. Anime News Network has a fairly complete list of her anime work.

For more pics of Yukarin, check here or here. For more videos, search YouTube on her name in Japanese: 田村ゆかり

I've done character/seiyuu pages for four spring shows so far: RDG: Red Data Girl, Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, Suisei no Gargantia, and Yuyushiki.

The pages show images of characters and their seiyuus, with some info about each seiyuu.

So far, Suisei no Gargantia is my favorite show of the season. Red Data Girl is a close second. Kanemoto Hisako in Gargantia and Hayami Saori in RDG are both giving fascinating performances.

I'm also enjoying Shingeki no Kyojin ("Attacking Giants"), which is almost too heavy for me. As anime, it may be the bet show of the season. Aku no Hana is another excellent show, but it is so dark that I can't actually bear to watch it.

Crime Edge is weird but enjoyable, and former gravure idol Koiwai Kotori has a voice that suits the character. Yuyushiki is another little comedy show featuring cute girls doing cute things, but the off-kilter humour pleases me.

I'm also enjoying Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru, in part for another excellent performance from Hayami Saori. She may be putting herself in line for a seiyuu award this year.

I'm a huge fan of Yuuki Aoi, but even I can't sit through the stupidity of Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride just to hear her voice.

I haven't been watching Kakumeiki Valvrave. Sunrise mecha shows are not usually my thing. But on NicoNico someone has posted a four-second clip from episode 8 of Yuuki Aoi's character Renboukouji Akira saying arigatou ("thank you"):



I find this amazingly effective. Others may find it ridiculous. But in any case I can't imagine anyone other than Ao-chan having the daring invention and vocal skill to say the line this way.

In the scene, she has been tied up and kept out of commission for a while, and the girl she is speaking with has just come and untied her. The hesitancy arises from her character's shyness: she hardly ever speaks to anyone other than her brother. The girl she is speaking with (Sashinami Shouko) is played by another emerging star, Seto Asami. The clip comes at about the 8:00 mark of episode 8.

The comments are: "Read: 'Ar...ga...tou,'" "Cute!" and "Kewt!" Click the three dots at the lower right to hide the comments. The clip takes a few seconds to appear after you click the arrow.

Monogatari Series: Second Season

Perhaps the anime industry has recovered from some of its doldrums. Summer is usually a down season, but there are 37 new series starting this summer, and almost all of them hold some promise. I'll quickly mention some shows first, then go on to detailed info about all the shows.

I've been able to whittle down the list to six that I am most looking forward to…but there are another 12 that deserve special attention, too. First my six most anticipated shows:

• Monogatari Series: Second Season– I’m one of the people who thinks of Shinbou as a genius and Bakemonogatari as a masterpiece, so I’m more than eager to see this continuation of the story.
• Kingdom 2– Underrated partly because of its unique style, this rip-roaring tale of the time of the First Emperor of China grabbed me from the start and has not let go.
• Uchouten Kazoku– PA Works animates an award-winning novel (not a "light" novel) by the author of Tatami Galaxy, set in a magical version of Kyouto.
• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui! – A dark comedy from Oonuma Shin featuring a teen girl who spends all her time dating guys in games and is surprised to discover that in real life, she has become a creepy hikikomori.
• Rozen Maiden (2013)– A revival of the mid-2000s franchise, with the same great cast, but now written by Mochizuki Tomomi (YKK, Touka Gettan, Zettai Shounen). I can’t wait to see what he does with it.
• Genshiken Nidaime– Our familiar club members are graduating, and a new crop of young members arrives, including one played by real-life otaku Uesaka Sumire.

Free

And now for 12 more shows of interest:

• Brothers Conflict – When her father remarries, a girl goes to live in a mansion with her eleven new brothers. Classic reverse harem with a good male cast.
• Danganronpa The Animation– The staff that made Humanity Has Declined puts fifteen bright teens in a school where they can only graduate by killing or being killed.
• Fantasista Doll– The director of Bamboo Blade and Haganai, and the writer of Ebiten, give us a story involving cute magical fighting dolls, with a cast of young stars including Uesaka Sumire (Dekomori in Chuunibyou), Akasaki Chinatsu (Nibutani), and Misawa Sachika (Kuroyukihime in Accel World).
• Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya – Oonuma Shin directs a strange Fate/Stay Night spinoff in which Illya is a magical girl attending high school.
• Free!– Kyoto Animation has elicited plenty of griping from its core fans by presenting this story centred on a boys' high school swim team. Fujoshi buying power, lol.
• Gatchaman Crowds– Uchida Maaya (Rikka in Chuunibyou) stars in a remake of the old fighting series, remade by the staff that did Tsuritama.
• Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji – Male friendship among warriors in the Sengoku Period. Based on a manga by the author of Fist of the North Star. Directed by the director of Hetalia and Hiiro no Kakera. Moar fujoshi powah!
• Gin no Saji (Silver Spoon)– The director of Sword Art Online adapts the story of a studious city boy who gets more than he bargained for when he goes to a school in the countryside.
• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou– Sakurai Takahiro, Inoue Marina, Itou Shizuka, Uchida Maaya, Saitou Chiwa…in the story of a boy who dies and is resurrected as a dachshund.
• Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi– Strong novel and manga about a world of death, and an unlikely partnership. Starring Toyosaki Aki and Namikawa Daisuke, and written by Konparu Tomoko (Nadja, NANA, Nodame Cantabile).
• Kimi no Iru Machi – From a popular shounen romance manga by the author of Suzuka. Adapted by the writer of Marimite and K-On, directed by the director of Casshern Sins.
• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku– Talented mid-teen seiyuu Kido Ibuki gets another starring role, in a moe slice-of-life anime.
• Love Lab– Seiyuu Akasaki Chinatsu (Nibutani in Chuunibyou) stars in a seinen/josei comedy about girls practicing for love, made by the staff than made Mitsudomoe and YuruYuri.
• Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist – Kon Chiaki and Yokote Michiko bring us a story about demons and a beautiful young man.
• Rou Kyuu Bu! SS -- Pure moe gets a second season. Or maybe it's not actually so pure…. Hanazawa Kana, Ogura Yui, Hikasa Youko, et al.
• Senki Zesshou Symphogear G– A new season of the musical magical girl anime starring Yuuki Aoi, Mizuki Nana, and Takagaki Ayahi.
• Servant x Service– From a comic manga about life in a government department, by the author of Working. With Kayano Ai, Nakahara Mai, Toyosaki Aki, Sakurai Takahiro, Ookubo Rumi, Takahashi Mikako….
• Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C3– Girls and guns. About a girls’ high school with a program teaching military theory and practice. Fans of Girls und Panzer, take note.
• Tamayura: More Aggressive – A new season of Satou Takuya’s healing anime. Not very aggressive, really.

Read on for more details about all the shows: story, staff, cast, trailer, manga, image, forums, etc.
shows in alphabetical order. click to go to more info on each show.

● Blood Lad     ● Brothers Conflict     ● Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation     ● Danganronpa The Animation     ● Fantasista Doll     ● Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya     ● Free!     ● Futari wa Milky Holmes     ● Gatchaman Crowds     ● Gen`ei o Kakeru Taiyou     ● Genshiken Nidaime     ● Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji     ● Gin no Saji (Silver Spoon)     ● Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2     ● High School DxD New     ● Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou     ● Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami Hen     ● Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi     ● Kimi no Iru Machi     ● Kingdom 2     ● Kiniro Mosaic     ● Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku     ● Love Lab     ● Maji de Otaku na English! Ribbon-chan: Eigo de Tatakau Mahou Shoujo the TV     ● Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist     ● Monogatari Series: Second Season     ● Recorder to Ransel Mi     ● Rou Kyuu Bu! SS     ● Rozen Maiden (2013)     ● Senki Zesshou Symphogear G     ● Senyuu 2     ● Servant x Service     ● Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C3     ● Tamayura: More Aggressive     ● Teekyuu 2     ● Uchouten Kazoku     ● Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!


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.
-- click images to enlarge. 


Summer 2013 TV Anime Series
(in chronological order by date/time of first broadcast)


Kingdom 2
  (jp: キングダム)   jpWiki

shounen historical drama with big battles
director: Iwanaga Akira (Tegami Bachi)
writer: Arakawa Naruhisa (Blue Seed, Yosuga no Sora, Maoyuu). Hara Yasuhisa (manga).
seiyuus: Morita Masakazu, Fukuyama Jun, Nojima Yuji, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Kugimiya Rie, Hikasa Youko, Katou Akio, Nakano Yuu, Yusa Kouji, Suwabe Junichi, Toriumi Kousuke, Morikawa Toshiyuki.
animation: Studio Pierrot.
trailer. manga. 39eps. forum.
starts sat 08 jun 23:45

Second season for the underrated classic tale of a young man striving among the complex wars of the rise of the Chinese "First Emperor," 1200 years ago. One of my favorite recent anime, despite not being in a genre I normally follow.

Awkward 3DCG and stylized dialogue turned a lot of people off the first series. A new director for this new season seems to have changed the approach somewhat. New director Iwanagi Akira directed Letter Bee. There's also a new Art Director, Kim Hyun-suk. (The name is Korean.) Terrific cast includes Fukuyama Jun, Morita Masakazu, Kugimiya Rie, Hikasa Youko and more.


Recorder to Ransel Mi
  (jp: リコーダーとランドセル ミ☆)   jpWiki

slice of life comedy
director: Imazaki Itsuki (Ai Mai Mi)
writer: Imazaki Itsuki. Higashiya Meme (orig).
seiyuus: Okiayu Ryoutarou, Kugimiya Rie, Sakurai Takahiro, Hirano Aya, Tamiyasu Tomoe, Uchida Aya, Suwabe Junichi, Ino Maki, Iizuka Mayu, Nanjou Yoshino, Akesaka Satomi, Kashiyama Nanami.
animation: Seven. OP Kashiyama Nanami.
trailer. forum.
starts mon 01 jul 22:25

A third season of five-minute episodes of the comedy featuring an elementary-school age brother who looks like an adult, and a high-school age sister who looks like a small child.

A new director takes over, Imazaki Itsuki. His only other anime was Ai Mai Mi. Hirano Aya appears in one of her two roles this season.


Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou
  (jp: 犬とハサミは使いよう)   jpWiki

absurd mystery comedy
director: Takahashi Yukio (eps. Of Shangri-la, Last Exile Fam)
writer: Nemoto Toshizou (Tokyo Majin, InuxBoku SS). Sarai Shunsuke.
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Inoue Marina, Serizawa Yuu, Asumi Kana, Itou Shizuka, Uchida Maaya, Igarashi Hiromi, Hatano Wataru, Saitou Chiwa, Kakuma Ai.
animation: Gonzo. OP seiyuus, ED Serizawa Yuu.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 01 jul 25:00

Kazuhito lives on his own in Tokyo, going to hgh school. But he is obsessed with books, and reads several a day. One day, he is killed during a robbery in the café where he is reading.

Somehow, he is resurrected as a dachshund, and can no longer read. He goes on to live with the sadistic girl Kirihime, who uses scissors as a weapon. Scissors again! As in Dansai Bunri. The story is weird enough to be interesting.

The names in the cast are very interesting: Sakurai Takahiro, Inoue Marina, Itou Shizuka, Uchida Maaya, Saitou Chiwa, et al. But the staff brings only question marks. First-time director Takahashi Yukio directed epsiodes of Shangri-la and Last Exile Fam. Animation by Gonzo.


Brothers Conflict
  (jp: Brothers Conflict)   jpWiki

reverse harem
director: Matsumoto Atsushi (Persona Trinity Soul, Night Raid)
writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Blue Drop, Moyashimon, Yuyushiki).
seiyuus: Satou Rina, Toriumi Kousuke, Kenn, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Namikawa Daisuke, Kamiya Hiroshi, Suwabe Junichi, Takeuchi Ken, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Maeno Tomoaki.
animation: Brains Base. OP Gero, ED Kamiya Hiroshi + seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts tue 02 jul 19:30

Ema is the only daughter of a famous adventurer. One day, she learns that her father is going to remarry. She is to move out and live with her 11 new brothers in a mansion called Sunrise Residence.

With a girl now living among the boys, discord and romance begin to grow. A classic illogical reverse harem set-up, with a glorious cast of male seiyuus. The director and writer have done good things in the past. Maybe they can bring something to the genre.


Senyuu 2
  (jp: 戦勇. 2)   jpWiki

comic fantasy
director: Yamamoto Yutaka (eps of Haruhi; Kannagi, Fractale)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Genshiken, Squid Girl). Haruhara Robinson.
seiyuus: Shimono Hiro, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kayano Ai, Suzumura Kenichi, Nakata Jouji, Katou Emiri, Uchida Yumi, Sakurai Takahiro, Ueda Youji, Sugita Tomokazu, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Okamoto Hiroshi.
animation: Ordet x Liden. OP Jam Project, ED Shimono Hiro.
trailer. manga.
starts tue 02 jul 25:35

Another season of five-minute episodes of this comic fantasy directed by Yamamoto Yutaka -- who has appaently not quit anime, as he threatened to a couple of years ago.

Long ago, there lived an evil being called Satan Rukimedes, who reigned over the world through fear. He invaded the human world with his many demons, spreading madness and chaos. A thousand years ago, he was sealed away by the hero Creation, and peace returned to the world. Now a hole has opened up and the demons are coming back. It's up to the descendants of the hero to kill the demon king.

Great cast. Top writer Yokote Michiko is back. And Yamakan does have something….


Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji
  (jp: 義風堂々!! 兼続と慶次)   jpWiki

historical drama with bishounen
director: Bob Shirahata (Hetalia, Hiiro no Kakera)
writer: Imagawa Yasuhiro (Bartender, Shin Mazinger Z). Horie Nobuhiko, Hara Tetsuo (manga, Hokuto no Ken).
seiyuus: Satou Takuya (Toshiki in Cardfight Vanguard), Namikawa Daisuke, Katou Kazuki, Hirota Kousei, Kawamoto Naru, Gouda Hozumi, Ueda Youji, Yasumoto Hiroki, Terasoma Masaki.
animation: Studio Deen.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts tue 02 jul 25:40

Follows the friendship of great Sengoku period warriors Naoe Kanetsugu and Maeda Keiji, who lived around the same time as Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I.

Based on a manga by the author of Fist of the North Star. Directed by the director of Hetalia and Hiiro no Kakera. You can see where this is going: some fujoshi appeal, along with the manly violence.


Tamayura: More Aggressive
  (jp: たまゆら ~もあぐれっしぶ~)   jpWiki

schoolgirls slice of life
director: Satou Junichi (ARIA)
writer: Satou Junichi (series comp., orig.). script: Yoshida Reiko, Yamada Yuka, Harada Sayaka.
seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana, Asumi Kana, Iguchi Yuka, Gibu Yuuko, Kayano Ai, Hazuki Erino, Oohara Sayaka, Miyamoto Kanako, Fukui Yukari, Kotobuki Minako, Majima Junji, Ogata Megumi, Matsuo Yoshiko, Matsuki Miyu, Nakata Jouji.
animation: TYO. OP Sakamoto Maaya, ED Nakajima Megumi.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts wed 03 jul 21:30

Fairly popular slice-of-life show about girls in a seaside town, centred on Fuu (Taketatsu Ayana), who uses her deceased father's camera to take pictures around the town. This season, Kayano Ai shows up as another young photographer.

Written and directed by Satou Junichi (ARIA), with the help of top scriptwriters Yoshida Reiko and Yamada Yuka, who wrote most of the actual scripts under Satou's direction. The first season was not my cup of tea, and even its fans say it wasn't up to ARIA (which I also never really got). But this is a classic calm and soothing slice-of-life show that has a good following. Episode one pre-airs 30 June. "Aggressive" here means something more like "forceful," or "positive."


Free!
  (jp: Free!)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy drama with bishounen
director: Utsumi Hiroko
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (Keroro Gunsou, Reideen, Hataraku Mao-sama). Ooji Kouji (novel).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Miyano Mamoru, Yonaga Tsubasa, Hirakawa Daisuke, Watanabe Akeno, Yukino Satsuki.
animation: Kyoto Animation (AnImation Do). OP OLDCODEX, ED seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts wed 03 jul 24:30

From a prize-winning light novel about the lives of members of a boys' high school swim team. There is massive consternation among KyoAni fanboys over the all-male cast and evident fujoshi appeal.

First-time director Utsumi Hiroko is a KyoAni staffer. She did key animation for Haruhi, Kanon, Lucky Star, Clannad and K-On, and has directed and done storyboards for multiple episodes of K-On2, Nichijou, and Hyouka. Lead writer Yokotani Masahiro is an experienced hand, having been lead writer on shows from Keroro Gunsou through Reideen and MariaHolic to Hataraku Mao-sama.


Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C3
  (jp: ステラ女学院高等科C3部)   jpWiki

schoolgirl comedy with guns
director: Kawajiri Masayoshi
writer: Ikoma (manga story), Midori Tomomoka (manga art).
seiyuus: Makino Yui, Sawashiro Miyuki, Kayano Ai, Saitou Chiwa, Nishizaki Rima, Yonezawa Madoka.
animation: Gainax. OP Yano Anna, ED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 25:28

The "C3 class" at a girls' school specializes in military theory and practice…and moe hijinks.

Great cast brings Makino Yui into a leading role after years out of the spotlight. Behind her, Sawashiro Miyuki, Kayano Ai and Saitou Chiwa make this a must-see, for me, at least for a couple of episodes.

The staff, however, is a mystery. Director Kawajiri Masayoshi is doing his first show, and no lead writer is named. Gainax.


Danganronpa The Animation
  (jp: ダンガンロンパ 希望の学園と絶望の高校生 The Animation)   jpWiki

mystery with violence
director: Kishi Seiji (Angel Beats, Humanity Has Declined)
writer: Uezu Makoto (School Days, Katanagatari, Humanity Has Declined, Carnival Phantasm). Spike Chunsoft (game).
seiyuus: Ogata Megumi (Sailor Uranus, Shinji in NGE, Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh), Oomoto Makiko (bit parts in Sailor Moon S, Corrector Yui, etc.), Sakurai Takahiro, Hikasa Youko, Ishida Akira, Yamaguchi Kappei, Nakai Kazuya, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shiina Hekiru, Saitou Chiwa, Kujira, Matsukaze Masaya, Toyoguchi Megumi, Miyata Kouki, Ooyama Nobuyo.
animation: Lerche (Carnival Phantasm).
trailer. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 25:35

Fifteen elite high school students gather at a very special high school where graduation guarantees success in life. The school is presided over by a bear called Monokuma. He explains to them that the only way to graduate is to kill one of your classmates and get away with it. If the other classmates discover the identity of the killer, the killer is executed. But if they fail to catch the killer, only the killer graduates and all the others are killed. Which of the 15 will survive the bloodbath to come? The game has many dedicated fans, who say that the story involves good mysteries that make sense are are difficult but not impossible to solve.

Director Kishi Seiji and writer Uezu Makoto worked together on Humanity Has declined. Two veteran seiyuus head the cast: Ogata Megumi (Shinji in NGE, Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh), and Oomoto Makiko (Corrector Yui). They are supported by a bevy of stars: Sakurai Takahiro, Hikasa Youko, Ishida Akira, Yamaguchi Kappei, Saitou Chiwa, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shiina Hekiru, Nakai Kazuya, et al.

This could be one of the most popular shows of the season. Uezu Makoto has another bloody tale with which to try to repeat his iconic success with School Days. The first episode was pre-aired at a special event on 23 June.


Rozen Maiden (2013)
  (jp: ローゼンメイデン （新）)   jpWiki

fantasy adventure
director: Hatakeyama Mamoru (Sankarea)
writer: Mochizuki Tomomi (YKK, Touka Gettan). Peach Pit (orig.).
seiyuus: Ousaka Ryouta, Sawashiro Miyuki, Chiba Chiemi, Tanaka Rie, Kuwatani Natsuko, Morinaga Rika, Shimura Yumi, Nogawa Sakura, Sanada Asami, Kurata Masayo.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Ali Project, ED Annabel.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 25:58

A new director and writer handle substantially the same cast in a third series of the classic anime from 2004-05. New director is Hatakeyama Mamoru, who directed Sankarea. New writer is Mochizuki Tomomi, the genius who wrote and directed Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, directed Zettai Shounen and House of Five Leaves, and wrote Touka Gettan. The two take over from Matsuo Kou and Hanada Jukki, respectively.

Most of the same cast returns, with the addition of Ousaka Ryouta as an older Jun. In a new world where he has never met Shinku, Jun becomes a university student. Mysteriously, he now gets a new opportunity to meet her. More mysteriously, the new world and the world of the first series are intertwined. I didn't love the first two series, but Mochizuki Tomomi and the new story draw me in.


Love Lab
  (jp: 恋愛ラボ)   jpWiki

josei/seinen comic-strip comedy
director: Oota Masahiko (Mitsudomoe, YuruYuri)
writer: Aoshima Takashi (Mitsudomoe, YuruYuri). R. Miyahara (manga).
seiyuus: Numakura Manami, Akasaki Chinatsu, Minase Inori, Sakura Ayane, Taichi You.
animation: Douga Koubou.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 26:05

Akasaki Chinatsu (Mori Summer in Chuunibyou) gets a lead role in this anime about girls thinking about love…and practicing for when it comes.

Boyish girl Riko accidentally walks in on the very proper student council president Maki and is surprised to find her practicing kissing with a pillow. Riko is forced to keep Maki's secret and join her in practicing all aspects of romance, from holding hands on.

Director Oota Masahiro did Mitsudomoe and YuruYuri. Writer Aoshima Takashi did them, too.


Senki Zesshou Symphogear G
  (jp: 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアG)   jpWiki

magical girl fighting with music
director: Ono Katsumi (Hataraki Man, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds)
writer: Kaneko Akifumi (Symphogear). Agematsu Noriyasu, Kaneko Akifumi (orig).
seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Mizuki Nana, Takagaki Ayahi, Iguchi Yuka, Ishikawa Hideo, Hoshi Souichirou, Akabane Kenji, Seto Asami, Touyama Nao, Akasaki Chinatsu, Kayano Ai, Hikasa Youko, Nanjou Yoshino, Inoue Kikuko, Horie Yui, Tomokazu Sugita, Shibata Hidekazu.
animation: Satelight. OP Mizuki Nana, ED Takagaki Ayahi.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 26:35

A second season for the moderately successful magical musical girl anime, in which singing magical girls combat an enemy called Noise.

Season 2 will take place three months after the end of season 1. Japan has joined with America to research the Symphogear system. A new relic has been taken to an American military base. A flood of Noise spreads from the treasury of Babylonia that Fine left open in season 1. Hibiki, Tsubasa and Chris are charged with defending against the Noise onslaught. (solidvanz, AnimeSuki forum)

To go with Yuuki Aoi, Mizuki Nana, Takagaki Ayahi, Iguchi Yuka and others, now Kayano Ai, Hikasa Youko, Nanjou Yoshino, Horie Yui, Inoue Kikuko, and Tomokazu Sugita join the cast. This show never did much for me, despite the presence of one of my favorite seiyuus,Yuuki Aoi. Now there are even more seiyuus I admire. New director Ono Katsumi did Hataraki Man (very promising) and Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds. OP by Mizuki Nana, ED by Takagaki Ayahi. Ep1 pre-aired on 24 June.


Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku
  (jp: 帰宅部活動記録)   jpWiki

moe slice-of-life
director: Satou Hikaru
writer: Zappa Gou.
seiyuus: Kido Ibuki (Akira in OniiAi, Kasumi in GJBu), Tanabe Rui, Yuuna Mitsuki, Kobayashi Miharu, Aiuchi Sae, Senbongi Ayaka.
animation: Nomad.
forum.
starts thu 04 jul 26:43

Girls get together after school to do nothing in particular. Sound familiar?

Okay. I actually don’t care if the show is good or bad, I'll be watching at least a few episodes simply to hear talented 15-year-old Kido Ibuki in the lead role. The rest of the cast appear to be newcomers.

The club president is a free spirit. Another member is the heir to a martial arts school. Another is the daughter of the head of a powerful conglomerate. Natsuki (Kido-san) joins the club with another freshman, but is unprepared for what she finds….

Director Satou Hikaru is doing his first show. Writer Go Zappa did such masterpieces as Chocotto Sister, Myself;Yourself, and Koihime Musou…. But this show could be good. Stranger things have happened.


Servant x Service
  (jp: サーバントxサービス)   jpWiki

comic-strip comedy
director: Yamamoto Yasuka (Valkyria Chronicles, Mondaijitachi)
writer: Shimoyama Kento (Bleach eps., Binbougami ga). Takatsu Karino (manga).
seiyuus: Kayano Ai, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Nakahara Mai, Toyosaki Aki, Sakurai Takahiro, Ookubo Rumi, Takahashi Mikako.
animation: A-1 Pictures.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 04 jul 27:08

Droll humour among the staff of a local health and welfare office. Based on a manga by the author of Working.

Nice cast feaures Kayano Ai and Suzuki Tatsuhisa, as well as Nakahara Mai and Sakurai Takahiro. Ookubo Rumi seems to have established herself as a go-to girl for 4-koma adaptations. And the wonderful Takahashi Mikako takes time out from her radio show for another role.


Rou Kyuu Bu! SS
  (jp: ロウきゅーぶ! SS)   jpWiki

basketball loli-moe
director: Yanagi Shunsuke, Kusakawa Keizou (chief)
writer: Itou Michiko (Genshiken, Squid Girl, Joshiraku). Aoyama Sagu (novel).
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Iguchi Yuka, Hikasa Youko, Hidaka Rina, Ogura Yui, Kaji Yuuki, Itou Shizuka, Noto Mamiko, Itou Kanae, Seto Asami, Kuno Misaki, Tsuda Minami, Suzaki Aya, Taneda Risa.
animation: OPED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts fri 05 jul 22:30

Pure moe gets a second season. Or maybe it's not actually so pure…. Tales of a makeshift elementary-school girls' basketball club.

Hanazawa Kana for acting. Her beloved Ogura Yui for moe. Hikasa Youko for a real sportswoman. Hidaka Rina. Itou Shizuka. Noto Mamiko. Itou Kanae. Seto Asami. Taneda Risa.

The original series produced lots of character song CDs and sexy photo-shoots. And the seiyuus did at least one concert tour. A money-spinner that I expected to like but was even more bored by than by K-On. This year, we get a whole new team of underclassmen to provide subjects for risque scenes of loli-moe. Worth a look, just to see how far the producers intend to go.

Original director Kusakawa Keizou steps back to supervise first-time director Yanagi Shunsuke. Top writer Itou Michiko (Genshiken, Squid Girl, Joshiraku) manages the story.


Maji de Otaku na English! Ribbon-chan: Eigo de Tatakau Mahou Shoujo the TV
  (jp: マジでオタクなイングリッシュ！ りぼんちゃん～英語で戦う魔法少女～ the TV)   jpWiki

English lessons from magical girls
director: Nishouji Yoshito (eps. of Sunred, Amagami SS+)
writer: Nakamura Koujiro (eps. of Demonbane, Sunred). POP (orig; Moetan, Kowarekake no Orgel).
seiyuus: Tange Sakura, Kanemoto Hisako, Kobayashi Yuu, Nakakuma Rina 中隈 志保, Igarashi Hiroko, Kondou Takayuki, Murakami Yuuya, Fujiwara Keiji, Kawana Shiori.
animation: AIC Frontier

starts fri 05 jul 25:53

A team of magical girls fights their rival and teaches English to otakus in the process. Original character designs by POP (Moetan, Kowarekake no Orgel).

If the home page link doesn't work, try this alternative home page. Top cast for a show that may not require much acting. Five-minute episodes.


Kiniro Mosaic
  (jp: きんいろモザイク)   jpWiki

seinen four-panel comic school comedy
director: Tenshou (storyboards/ep dir Katanagatari, NakaImo)
writer: Ayana Yuniko (Denpa Onna, Hori-san to Miyamura-kun). Hara Yui (manga).
seiyuus: Nishi Asuka, Tanaka Manami, Taneda Risa (Saki in Shinsekai yori), Uchiyama Yumi, Touyama Nao, Tamura Yukari, Satou Satomi.
animation: Studio Gokumi.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 20:30

"Golden Mosaic." Comic strip school life comedy featuring five girls, one of whom is English, one half-English, and the others Japanese. Follows the foreign girls' adjustment to Japanese life. Golden hair and blue eyes feature prominently.

First-time director Tenshou has some examples of past storyboards on his home page. Lead writer Ayana Yuniko did two shows that worked for me: Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, and the OVA Hori-san to Miyamura-kun.

Mixed cast seems a bit promising, including Nishi Asuka, Taneda Risa, Touyama Nao, Tamura Yukari and Satou Satomi. The manga is amusing. For some reason, I have hopes for this minor show. Maybe because it reminds me of a similar show from the same studio: A Channel.


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

magical girl fantasy adventure school comedy
director: Oonuma Shin (ef, Baka to Test), Sakamoto Takashi (cdir)
writer: Inoue Kenji (Baka to Test novel). Hiroyama Hiroshi (manga), Type Moon (erogame).
seiyuus: Kadowaki Mai, Nazuka Kaori, Ueda Kana, Itou Shizuka, Takano Naoko, Sugiyama Noriaki, Matsuki Miyu, Terada Haruhi, Miyagawa Miho, Itou Miki, Ise Mariya, Katou Emiri, Itou Kanae, Satou Satomi.
animation: Silver Link. OP ChouCho, ED StylipS.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 23:30

Oonuma Shin's Silver Link studio takes its turn to being us an unusual Fate/Stay Night spin-off. Illyasviel von Einzbern is a Master of the 5th Holy Grail War. But in this alternate reality, she lives a radically different life as a normal school girl…who is also the magical girl Prisma Illya.

The cast is led by solid pros: Kadowaki Mai (in her second leading role of the season), Nazuka Kaori, Ueda Kana, Itou Shizuka, Matsuki Miyu, Katou Emiri, Satou Satomi, Itou Kanae. Itou Miki (Sachiko in Marimite) makes one of her rare recent appearances.

Directed by Oonuma Shin, with an assistant, and written by Inoue Kenji. Inoue wrote the Baka to Test novel and manga, but has not done anime series composition before. I'm not a fan of the Fate/ franchise, but I will look at anything made by Oonuma Shin, hoping for a return to the form of the ef shows. The rather bright look of the trailer makes me think some fans of the franchise may find this a little denatured.

OP by ChouCho, one of my absolute favorite anime singers since her first OP for Hyouka. ED by StylipS, now with Itou Miku and Toyota Moe replacing Ogura Yui and Ishihara Kaori.


Gen`ei o Kakeru Taiyou
  (jp: 幻影ヲ駆ケル太陽)   jpWiki

moe magical girl
director: Kusakawa Keizou (Nanoha A's, Ro-Kyu-Bu)
writer: Itou Michiko (Ro-Kyu-Bu, Henneko). sole; viola.
seiyuus: Kadowaki Mai, Kitamura Eri, Tokui Sora, Tatsumi Yuiko, Endou Aya, Inoue Kikuko, Aoki Ruriko, Touyama Nao, Tanezaki Atsumi, Horii Chado, Izawa Shiori, Sakura Ayane, Hisakawa Aya, Uchino Mao, Takahashi Minami.
animation: AIC. OP LiSA, ED Okamoto Natsumi.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 23:30

A magical girl show involving tarot cards. The world is ruled by two kinds of tarot cards: Diabolos Tarot feeds on the souls of those without sin. Elemental Tarot is the source of nature's power to counter the Diabolos Tarot. Girls are chosen to wield the Elemental Tarot in secret battles.

It's good to see Kadowaki Mai doing more and more all-ages anime, to go with the ero-games she has been specializing in for the past few years. Kitamura Eri and Tokui Sora also play major characters. Solid staff for a moe magical girl show. Good-looking trailer. From a game.


Monogatari Series: Second Season
  (jp: 物語シリーズ セカンドシーズン)   jpWiki

supernatural ero-comedy/drama
director: Itamura Tomoyuki (Nekomonogatari Black), Shinbo Akiyuki (chief)
writer: Tou Fuyashi (Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari), Shinbo Akiyuki. Nishio Ishin (novel).
seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Saitou Chiwa, Katou Emiri, Sawashiro Miyuki, Hanazawa Kana, Horie Yui, Sakamoto Maaya, Kitamura Eri, Iguchi Yuka.
animation: Shaft. ED Haruna Luna.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 24:00

Koyomi's relationships deepen with the strange girls who surround him. And he must deal with problems without the aid of the sorcerer Meme, who helped him deal with his vampirism, but has now disappeared.

Shinbou steps back to be supervising director, turning the day to day reins over to Itamura Tomoyuki, who also directed Nekomonogatari (Black). ED by Haruna Luna. This show includes material from several Nishio Ishin works: Nekomonogatari (White), Kabukimonogatari, Onimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, and Koimonogatari. I'm especially looking forward to that last one ("Love Tale").

The same fantastic cast returns. I'm one of the people who thinks of Bakemonogatari as a masterpiece, so I'm all over this one.


Genshiken Nidaime
  (jp: げんしけん 二代目)   jpWiki

seinen comedy with romance and manga
director: Mizushima Tsutomu (Squid Girl, Joshiraku)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, Joshiraku, RDG).
seiyuus: Yamamoto Nozomi, Yukana, Uesaka Sumire, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Uchiyama Yumi, Satou Rina, Yamamoto Kazutomi, Kayama Ai, Oozora Naomi, Kobayashi Misa.
animation: Production IG.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 25:00

A new generation of Genshiken members comes up behind the first. Uesaka Sumire? Yes, please. A more prominent role for Yukana? Yes, again. Yamamoto Nozomi (Tetora in Joshiraku) takes over from Mizuhashi Kaori as Ogiue Chika, who is now president of the club. That's just one of many cast changes, more of which are outlined here.

Mizushima Tsutomu (Squid Girl, Joshiraku) takes over as director. Yokote Michiko continues as lead writer. In addition to the trailer, here is a link to an hour-long special about the show.


Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi
  (jp: 神さまのいない日曜日)   jpWiki

shounen supernatural drama with violence
director: Kumazawa Yuuji (Oda Nobuna no Yabou)
writer: Konparu Tomoko (Nadja, NANA, Nodame Cantabile). Irie Kimihito (novel).
seiyuus: Toyosaki Aki, Namikawa Daisuke, Satou Rina, Noto Mamiko, Fujiwara Keiji, Kakihara Tetsuya, Komatsu Mikako, Uchiyama Kouki, Kitamura Eri, Nojima Kenji, Watanabe Akeno, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Imai Asami, Takahashi Minami.
animation: Madhouse. OP Kitamura Eri, ED Komatsu Mikako.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 25:30

God abandoned the world on a Sunday, fifteen years ago. Now nobody ever dies, and no babies are ever born. Death is managed by "gravekeepers." Little Ai (Toyosaki Aki) is the gravekeeper for a village. She has prepared 47 graves, one for each member of the village.

One day, a young man (Namikawa Daisuke) arrives in the village calling himself "Hampnie Hambart, the Man-eating Toy" -- which is the name that Ai's mother left behind as the name of her vanished father. The newcomer proceeds to slaughter everyone except Ai. And then he and Ai bury them together….

Director Kumazawa Yuuji is doing only his second show, having previously directed Oda Nobuna no Yabou. Previous to that, he did storyboards and episode direction on shows including Welcome to the NHK and High School of the Dead. Lead writer Konparu Tomoko is an experienced hand. She was writing anime scripts as far back as the 1970s, and has been lead writer on shows such as Ashita no Nadja, NANA, Nodame Cantabile, Utakoi, and Uta no Prince-sama 1000%. She and the interesting manga (written from the novel) are why I'm looking forward to this show.


Fantasista Doll
  (jp: ファンタジスタドール)   jpWiki

magical dolls, cards, cuteness, fighting
director: Saitou Hisashi (Bamboo Blade, Haganai)
writer: Kakihara Yuuko (Persona 4, Ebiten), Kimura Noboru (Amagami SS+, Mondaijitachi). Taniguchi Gorou (story).
seiyuus: Oohashi Ayaka, Tsuda Minami, Tokui Sora, Akasaki Chinatsu, Hasegawa Akiko, Oohara Sayaka, Uesaka Sumire, Misawa Sachika, Yamaoka Yuri.
animation: Hoods Entertainment. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. forum.
starts sat 06 jul 27:28

Our young heroine Uzume gets five cards, from which emerge five cute fighting dolls. Whenever evil is being done, Uzume can’t help herself from going toward it, and putting her dolls in action to save prople.

Star Oohashi Ayaka, 18, has been Ran in Aikatsu, and Ringo in Mangirl. Other well-known young seiyuus are with her: Tsuda Minami, Tokui Sora, Akasaki Chinatsu, Uesaka Sumire, and even Misawa Sachika, emerging from her long success in Accel World. Hasegawa Akiko was a new star in 2006, but has not done many anime since. She may now be appearing more often. Mature star Oohara Sayaka is here as well, perhaps as a steadying influence.

Director Saitou Hisashi (Bamboo Blade, Haganai) should be another steadying influence. The writers, who are adapting Taniguchi Goro's original story, have also written shows like Persona 4, Ebiten, and Amagami SS+. The cards make one think this is aimed at kids. But that's less likely in view of the fact that the show is being broadcast at 3:30 am Saturday night.


High School DxD New
  (jp: イスクールDxD NEW)   jpWiki

supernatural ecchi comedy-drama
director: Yanagisawa Tetsuya (Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (Elfen Lied, Sekirei, HSDD season one). Ishibumi Ichie (novel).
seiyuus: Kaji Yuuki, Hikasa Youko, Asakura Azumi (Kumin in Chuunibyou), Itou Shizuka, Taketatsu Ayana, Nojima Kenji, Taneda Risa, Uchida Maaya, Matsuoka Yoshitugu, Yamazaki Haruka.
animation: TNK.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 07 jul 20:30

A second season for this demons and cleavage comedy-drama. In the first season, a high school sophomore was killed by a girl on his first date ever. He is reincarnated as a devil, and from that day forward serves as an underling of a high-level devil who is also the most beautiful girl in the school. The same cast and staff return to try to recapture their moderate success.


Uchouten Kazoku
  (jp: 有頂天家族)   jpWiki

magical comedy-drama
director: Yoshihara Masayuki
writer: Suga Shoutarou (Rinne no Lagrange, Yahari Ore). Morimi Tomihiko.
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Suwabe Junichi, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Nakahara Mai, Noto Mamiko, Inoue Kikuko, Sakura Ayane.
animation: PA Works. OP milktub.
trailer. forum.
starts sun 07 jul 22:00

PA Works adapts an award-winning novel (not a "light" novel) by the author of Tatami Galaxy. The story takes place in a magical version of Kyoto and follows the adventures of a family of shape-shifting tanuki ("racoon dogs") who spend much of their time in human form.

Director Yoshihara Masayuki was assistant director of Eden of the East and directed and storyboarded several episodes of various GITS:SAC animes. Lead writer Suga Shoutarou wrote Rinne no Lagrange and My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu.

Brilliant cast includes Sakurai Takahiro, Suwabe Junichi, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Nakahara Mai, Noto Mamiko, Inoue Kikuko, and Sakura Ayane. One of the most promising shows of the season, for cast, staff, original work, and studio.


Teekyuu 2
  (jp: てーきゅう 2)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy
director: Itagaki Shin (Black Cat, Ben-tou)
writer: Itagaki Shin. Roots (manga text).
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Watanabe Yui, Mimori Suzuko, Narumi Kyouko.
animation: Mappa.
trailer.
starts sun 07 jul 22:27

Second season for a three-minute comedy that I watched only a bit of the first time around. But director Itagaki Shin's Ben-tou was one of the best comedies in a while, so anything by him deserves a look.

And Hanazawa Kana and Mimori Suzuko deserve a listen. Slice-of-life comedy follows four girls who are on the tennis team, but don’t play much tennis.


Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2
  (jp: 八犬伝 -東方八犬異聞- 2)   jpWiki

supernatural adventure with bishounen
director: Yamazaki Mitsue
writer: Yamasaki Osamu (Toward the Terra), Yamazaki Mitsue. Abe Miyuki (manga).
seiyuus: Kakihara Tetsuya, Hino Satoshi, Takagaki Ayahi, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Maeno Tomoaki, Terashima Takuya, Miyake Junichi, Miki Shinichirou, Tsuda Kenjiro, Yonaga Tsubasa, Kamiya Hiroshi, Namikawa Daisuke, Akesaka Satomi, Fujiwara Keiji.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Faylan, ED Ceui.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 07 jul 22:30

One bishoujo, among several bishounen who are the bearers of sacred treasures and engage in ongoing battles, particularly with the Church. Like a lot of people, I didn't watch the first series, which seems to have gotten more involving as it went on.

This is the only show director Yamazaki Mitsue has done, but she is working with Yamasaki Osamu, who did Toward the Terra and Hakuouki. A highly professional cast, and Studio Deen in its higher-quality mode. Comments on the first series compared it to a Deen show from the early 2000s. The trailer link is to ep1 of season one.


Blood Lad
  (jp: ブラッドラッド)   jpWiki

seinen vampire fantasy comedy
director: Miya Shigeyuki (Buzzer Beater, Aoi Bungaku 7-8, Supernatural)
writer: Konuta Kenji (Toshokan Sensou). Kodama Yuuki (manga).
seiyuus: Kousaka Ryouta, Nomizu Iori, Terashima Takuya, Sara Emi Bridcut, Kimura Ryouhei, Komesu Taichi, Nanri Yuka, Yamamoto Kazutomi, Yusa Kouji, Saitou Chiwa.
animation: Brains Base. OP May'n, ED Nanri Yuka.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 07 jul 24:30

Vampire boss Staz is more interested in Japanese pop culture than in drinking human blood. He vows to bring a recently-killed Japanese girl back to life, since it will mean he can follow her to the human world, and Japan.

Nice mid-level cast and staff. I'm not sure if they can nurse excellence out of this popular manga, but there's a chance.


Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist
  (jp: 魔界王子 devils and realist)   jpWiki

josei with demons and beautiful boys
director: Kon Chiaki (Higurashi, Otome Youkai Zakuro, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, Squid Girl, RDG). Takatono Madoka.
seiyuus: Eguchi Takuya, Terashima Takuma, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Kakihara Tetsuya, Fukuyama Jun, Takashiro Motoki, Toriumi Kousuke, Saiga Mitsuki, Takashiro Genki.
animation: Douga Koubou. OPED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sun 07 jul 25:05

Kon Chiaki brings us a story of a demon and a beautiful aristocratic boy. Adapted for anime by Yokote Michiko. William Twining is blessed with both brains and wealth. He attends a prestigious school and lives in a huge mansion with his uncle and a butler.

But when his uncle's business fails, the Twining family is left bankrupt. While searching in a storeroom of his home for objects to put up for sale, William finds a secret room. The room contains a magic seal, with which he unintentionally summons a demon. The demon, Dantalion, tells William that he wields sole authority to select the new ruler of the demon world. So the candidates for the throne are all after William.…

Nice cast of male seiyuus, featuring Eguchi Takuya and Terashima Takuma, backed up by such names as Fukuyama Jun, Kakihara Tetsuya, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, and Toriumi Kousuke…to say nothing of the wonderfully androgynous Saiga Mitsuki.


Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami Hen
  (jp: 神のみぞ知るセカイ 女神篇)   jpWiki

harem comedy/drama
director: Oosedo Satoshi
writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Now and Then, Here and There; Kannagi; OreImo). Wakaki Tamki (orig).
seiyuus: Shimono Hiro, Itou Kanae, Hayami Saori, Nazuka Kaori, Touyama Nao, Taketatsu Ayana, Asumi Kana, Hanazawa Kana, Iguchi Yuka, Takagaki Ayahi, Tomatsu Haruka.
animation: Manglobe.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts mon 08 jul 25:35

"The World God Only Knows: Goddesses Arc." Third season for the popular anime from an extremely popular manga. Avid bishoujo game player Keima must win the hearts of several girls, freeing them from possession by demons. After succeeding in this in previous arcs, he now must awaken six goddesses, in order to prevent an imminent invasion of the human realm by a rebellious gang of demons.

The same cast returns, and the same writer, but the director has directed nothing before, except for the second OVA.


Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!
  (jp: 私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い!)   jpWiki

dark comedy
director: Oonuma Shin (ef, Baka to Test)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (Elfen Lied, Sekirei, Daimaou). Tanigawa Nico (orig).
seiyuus: Kitta Izumi (Cordelia in Milky Holmes), Nakamura Yuuichi (Houtarou in Hyouka), Hanazawa Kana.
animation: Silver Link.
trailer. manga.
starts mon 08 jul 26:05

"No matter how you look at it, it's you guys' fault I'm not popular." In the world of the otome games she always plays, Tomoko is a super popular high school girl who has had 50 years of dating experience and 100 boys. In the real world, she is a creepy-looking 15-year-old shut-in who talks to few people, and never to boys. Unfortunately for her self-image, she begins to realize the truth…but her attempts at making contact with other people end up being both pitiful and hilarious.

Kitta Izumi (Cordelia in Milky Holmes) gets a juicy role. Tomoko is quite peculiar. I keep hoping that director Oonuma Shin will recapture what he created in the ef shows, which made me a fan. I did enjoy Tasogare OtomexAmnesia.


Gin no Saji (Silver Spoon)
  (jp: 銀の匙)   jpWiki

comedy-drama with horses and pizza
director: Itou Tomohiko (Sword Art Online)
writer: Kishimoto Taku (script; Bunny Drop lead writer). Arakawa Hiromu (manga).
seiyuus: Kimura Ryouhei, Miyake Marie (Ringo in Penguin Drum, Tamaki in Hiiro no Kakera), Sakurai Tooru, Takagaki Ayahi, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Shouji Masayuki, Takanashi Kengo, Kobushi Nobuyuki, Izawa Shiori, Konishi Katsuyuki, Masutani Yasunori, Mitsuya Yuji, Ono Yuuki, Mizushima Takahiro.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP miwa, ED Sukima Switch.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts thu 11 jul 24:45

Desperate to get away from his family, our hero enrolls in an agriculture school in the country. He's a good student and thinks he will succeed at anything. But his city upbringing puts him at a disadvantage among the farm-raised kids that surround him.

We'll see if director Itou Tomohiko can duplicate his success with SAO in this very different anime. Writer Itou Tomohiko adapted Bunny Drop. Noitamina. The manga won the 2012 Manga Taisho Award.

Miyake Marie was Ringo in Penguin Drum and Tamaki in Hiiro no Kakera. Kimura Ryouhei and Takagaki Ayahi are here, too.


Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation
  (jp: 超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ THE ANIMATION)   jpWiki

fantasy with fanservice
director: Mukai Masahiro (eps. of Bantorra, Denpa Onna, InuxBoku)
writer: Yasukawa Shougo (eps. Of Milky Holmes, Ben-tou, OniiAi). Idea Factory, Compile Heart.
seiyuus: Tanaka Rie, Imai Asami, Asumi Kana, Satou Rina, Horie Yui, Kitamura Eri, Ogura Yui, Ishihara Kaori, Ueda Kana, Sakai Kanako, Kanai Mika, Nao, Takahashi Chiaki, Niiko.
animation: David Production. OP Nao, ED Afilia Saga.
trailer. forum.
starts fri 12 jul 22:00

The world is called Gameindustri. Four beings called Goddesses rule four countries there. They were always at war, but now, afraid of dissipating their powers, the Goddesses have signed a Friendship Treaty. They and their younger sisters move toward a new era. What does the future hold in store...? From a game.

A solid veteran cast, featuring the now-married Tanaka Rie, as well as Asumi Kana, Horie Yui, KitaEri, et al. The director and writer are both doing those jobs for the first time, after some experience doing episodes. The experienced cast may need to rescue them from time to time.

A recent event for this show was cancelled when a man with a drawn knife showed up, and Tanaka Rie slipped and fell trying to get away.


Gatchaman Crowds
  (jp: GATCHAMAN Crowds)   jpWiki

superheroes
director: Nakamura Kenji (C, Tsuritama)
writer: Oono Tohiya (Sweet Precure, Tsuritama).
seiyuus: Uchida Maaya, Ousaka Ryouta, Namikawa Daisuke, Koiwai Kotori (Iwai in Dansai Bunri), Hirano Aya, Hosomi Daisuke, Miyano Mamoru, Tenge Sakura, Katsuji.
animation: Tatsunoko.
12eps. forum.
starts fri 12 jul 25:58

A remake of a popular old anime. A small city is populated by people known as Gatchaman, warriors who fight in special reinforced suits powered by spiritual powers. The Gatchaman Crew (G-Crew) has been recruited to fight a mysterious entity known as MESS.

Some people are looking forward to this because the main staff did Tsuritama. I am looking forward to it (surprise, surprise) for the cast: Uchida Maaya leads, along with Ousaka Ryouta and Namikawa Daisuke. But behind them comes Koiwai Kotori (Iwai in Dansai Bunri) and….Hirano Aya! To say nothing of Miyano Mamoru and Tenge Sakura.


Futari wa Milky Holmes
  (jp: ふたりはミルキィホームズ)   jpWiki

moe detective comedy
director: Nishikiori Hiroshi (AzuDai, Index)
writer: Shirane Hideki (Bottle Fairy, Yumekui Merry, Kill Me Baby).
seiyuus: Terakawa Aimi, Itou Ayasa, Mimori Suzuko, Tokui Sora, Sasaki Mikoi, Kitta Izumi.
animation: JC Staff. OP/ED seiyuus.
manga. forum.
starts sat 13 jul 22:00

In this story set two years after the previous animes, a new Milky Holmes Feathers group of younger girls emerges.

Just two additions to the cast in Terakawa Aimi and Itou Ayasa, but an entirely new main staff: director Nishikiori Hiroshi (AzuDai, Index), and writer Shirane Hideki (Bottle Fairy, Yumekui Merry, Kill Me Baby).

This popular show never did much for me, but the new staff might make a difference. 12-minute episodes.


Kimi no Iru Machi
  (jp: 君のいる町)   jpWiki

shounen romance
director: Yamaguchi Shigeyasu (Casshern Sins, Dream-eater Merry)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On, Bakuman, etc.). Seo Kouji (manga).
seiyuus: Hosoya Yoshimasa (Arata in Chihayafuru), Nakajima Megumi (Ranka in Macross F), Sakura Ayane (Dream-eater Merry, Kannagi in NakaImo, Buratei in Joshiraku), Ono Daisuke, Masuda Toshiki, Takao Yuki, Kouno Nana, Fujita Saki, Endou Aya, Takahashi Chiaki, Yahagi Sayuri.
animation: Gonzo. OP MimimemeMIMI, ED Hosoya Yoshimasa.
trailer. manga. forum.
starts sat 13 jul 23:30

From a long-running manga by Seo Kouji, the author of Suzuka. I enjoyed the first part of the manga, but it began to repeat itself, and I gave up on it around chapter 100. It's now up to well over twice that figure.

The protagonist is a boy in the countryside near Hiroshima. He is shocked one day to discover that a girl from Tokyo is transferring in to his school, and will be staying with his family.

Director Yamaguchi Shigeyasu has not done romance before. Top-level writer Yoshida Reiko definitely has. Unusual cast features Hosoya Yoshimasa (Arata in Chihayafuru), Nakajima Megumi (Ranka in Macross F), and Sakura Ayane (Dream-eater Merry, Kannagi in NakaImo, Buratei in Joshiraku). And check out the names supporting them: Ono Daisuke, Endou Aya, and Yahagi Sayuri leap to my eye. Animation by Gonzo (!).

The summer anime season gets going in a big way tomorrow, with four new shows. New shows roll out through this coming week and the next.

This Monday, we get new seasons of Recorder and Randsel and The World God Only Knows. On Tuesday come a new season of Senyuu, as well as the new shows Brothers Conflict (a reverse harem), and Gifuu Doudou (about male friendship in the Japanese Warring States period). On Wednesday, it's a new season of Tamayura, and the KyoAni show Free!, about a high school men's swimming team. This is a season with a number of shows aimed at women.

Here is a calendar showing the weekly schedule of shows new and old over the next three months. Click here or on the image to go to the full page:


The big days of the week for new shows are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Read on for a simple list of shows for each day of the coming weeks:


mon 01 july -- Recorder to Ransel Mi
mon 01 july -- Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou
mon 08 july -- Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami Hen
mon 08 july -- Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!
continuing shows: Mushibugyou, Chibi Devi, Aikatsu.

tue 02 Brothers Conflict
tue 02 Senyuu 2
tue 02 Gifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji
continuing: My Little Pony-Friendship is Magic, Train Hero, Gyrozetter, Sparrow’s Hotel.

wed 03 Tamayura: More Aggressive
wed 03 Free!
continuing: Monsuno, Kuromajou-san, Danball Senki, Gakkatsu (may end son)

thu 04 Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C3
thu 04 Danganronpa The Animation
thu 04 Rozen Maiden (2013)
thu 04 Love Lab
thu 04 Senki Zesshou Symphogear G
thu 04 Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku
thu 04 Servant x Service
thu 11 Gin no Saji (Silver Spoon)
continuing: Pokemon, Naruto, Majestic Prince

fri 12 Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation
fri 05 Rou Kyuu Bu! SS
fri 05 Maji de Otaku na English! Ribbon-chan: Eigo de Tatakau Mahou Shoujo the TV
fri 12 Gatchaman Crowds
continuing: Railgun


sat 06 Kiniro Mosaic
sat 06 Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya
sat 06 Gen'ei o Kakeru Taiyou
sat 06 Monogatari Series: Second Season
sat 06 Genshiken Nidaime
sat 06 Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi
sat 06 Fantasista Doll
sat 13 Futari wa Milky Holmes
sat 13 Kimi no Iru Machi
continuing: Kingdom 2, Danchi Tomoo, Jewelpet, Pretty Rhythm, Uchuu Kyoudai

sun 07 High School DxD New
sun 07 Uchouten Kazoku
sun 07 Teekyuu 2
sun 07 Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2
sun 07 Blood Lad
sun 07 Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist
continuing: Battle Spirits, Dibetagurashi, Beast Saga, Nippon no Mukashibanashi, Space Battleship Yamato, Glass no Kamen Desu ga

Away we go!

It was her role as Nibutani Shinka (a.k.a. Mori Summer) in Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai that made Akasaki Chinatsu 赤﨑千夏 a star. Nibutani seemed to dominate the screen whenever she appeared.

After Chuunibyou, Akasaki-san appeared as Chiwa in OreShura, and she is about to start two new major roles this week: Maki in Love Lab and  Shimeji in Fantasista Dolls.

She had her first six minor roles in 2010, just after graduating from the 81Produce agency's acting school. Ten more minor roles came in 2011.

Then in 2012, she was suddenly in high demand. Altogether, she had 17 named roles in 2012, as well as unnamed roles in twelve other anime. And she had two major roles -- Nibutani in Chuunibyou, and Yasuna in Kill Me, Baby.

This year, she already has named roles in 15 shows, with major roles in three. She can act, has a good range of voices, and outside her seiyuu work, she can sing and is an entertaining personality on radio and TV.

Chii-chan came to the profession comparatively late. She was already around 21 when she won prizes at an audition, and started at the 81Produce agency's school. She is now 25. Born 10 August 1987.

Chii-chan (she's also called Chii-sama) comes from Kagoshima, on Kyushu. That is about the furthest southwest point in Japan proper, and a long way from Tokyo. She was a school announcer in both elementary and middle school, and in high school she was in the drama club.

After graduation, she went off to teacher's college in Tokyo, and did some amateur acting on the side. She graduated from college, but meanwhile had begun moving toward a career in entertainment.

It was around this time -- before she became a seiyuu -- that she got to know Kayano Ai. They both worked part-time in the same cafe.


Her major recent roles: Nibutani Shinka (Chuunibyou), Harusaki Chiwa (OreShura):


As a TV and radio personality, she runs a show fairly efficiently, and can be quite commanding. But she can also be weird and cute, and people enjoy her conversation. Here is a recent episode of a monthly Internet TV show she hosts:




She and Uesaka Sumire -- who played her disciple/enemy Dekomori in Chuunibyou -- have developed a nice yuri act:

Sitting on Sumipe's lap.

Kissed on cue at a Chuunibyou event.

She can seem sweet and young, but she is smart and has some power. She is 25, not 18:






She and Yonezawa Madoka do an Internet TV show together:

Akasaki Chinatsu (left) and Yonezawa Madoka

Here is a clip from OreShura radio, with Kayano Ai. Watch out for a sudden jump in volume, as things go wrong in the studio:



Her friends in the business include Kayano Ai and Tamura Mutsumi, with whom she starred in Kill Me, Baby. Chii-chan and Kanemoto Hisako became friends during the making of OreShura and have even traveled together.

Here is a clip from the Internet TV show "Suki Imo," on which she and Tamura Mutsumi (3rd and 4th from the left) are the guests, with hosts Satou Nagisa and Fuchigami Mai:



Fans sometimes refer to Chii-chan and Mucchan as a "golden combo." Here is a clip from Kill Me, Baby, in which Chii-chan displays a number of comic voices. Her character, Yasuna, is the dark-haired girl doing the voices of both puppets:



She has a good range of voices. Check out a sample of some voices from her agency home page. There is also a sample of her announcing work.

Here are pics of a few more of her characters.

Yasuna (Kill Me, Baby), Itaba Yumi (Symphogear):


Kinuhata Saiai (Railgun), Nino Akane (Idolmaster Cinderella Girls game):



New roles this summer: Shimeji (Fantasista Girls), Maki (Love Lab):



Finally, here is a fairly full list of her work, based largely on Japanese Wikipedia:

Anime

2010
-- unnamed roles (Kaichou wa Maid-sama, K-On!!, Milky Holmes, Bakuman, Metal Fighter Beyblade)
-- Shimajirou (Nacchii)

2011
-- unnamed roles (AnoHana, Three Kingdoms, Sket Dance, Fate/Zero, Manyuu Hikenchou, Hourou Musuko)
-- Shimajirou (Shikako sensei)
-- Sacred Seven (Akasaki Nanami)   
-- Mashiro-iro Symphony (Asakura Itsuki)
-- Nana and Kaoru (Yurika)

2012
-- unnamed roles (Ixion Saga, Upotte, Sankarea, Sukitte ii, Zero no Tsukaima F, Milky Holmes 2, Papa no Iu Koto, Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future, Robin and His Hundred Friends, Precure movies, Hime Girl Paradise)
-- Ad-lib Anime Laboratory (Satsuma, Nishizato Don)
-- AKB0048 (Niika)
-- Kill Me, Baby (Yasuna)
-- Ojarumaru (bit parts, Tsukushi)
-- Kokoro Connect (bit part, Nakayama Mariko)
-- Shimajirou (Shikako-sensei, Kento)
-- Smile Precure (bit parts; Midorikawa Haru, Terada Runa, Okada Mayu, Kisumi Mayumi, Yura)
-- Zero no Tsukaima F
-- Symphogear (bit part, Itaba Yumi)
-- Tari Tari (Hirohata Nanae)
-- Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai (Nibutani Shinka)
-- Total Eclipse (Li Lingmei)
-- High School DxD (Iru, Neru)
-- Bakuman 2, 3 (assistant)
-- Mouretsu Space Pirates (Harada Maki)
-- Rinne no Lagrange (Sagishima Kokoro, Arisato Chiharu, Sogabe Yuria, Senjou Nami)
-- Rinne no Lagrange 2 (Tsurugizaki An, Arisato Chiharu, Niino Azami)

2013
-- unnamed roles (Amnesia, Ixion Saga DT, Tanken Driland Thousand-year Treasure, Hayate no Gotoku Cuties)
-- Little Witch Academia (Barbara)
-- Ojarumaru (Harumi, Numaho, bit part)
-- Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi Shuraba Sugiru (Harusaki Chiwa)
-- Kotoura-san (Mai, Nurse B)
-- Symphogear G (Itaba Yumi)
-- Railgun S (Kinuhata Saiai)
-- Yuyushiki (student council president)
-- Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride (Sarutobisasuke)
-- Fantasista Doll (Shimeji)
-- Love Lab (Maki Natsuo)
-- Chuunibyou movie (Nibutani Shinka)


Radio/Video
She has done 17 radio and TV shows over the past five years. Here are her current shows:
Monthly Gagaga Channel (video, 2011 to present, host)   
AG-ON Laboratory (2012 to present, with Sunayama Keitarou Washizaki Takeshi)    
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai radio (2012 to present, with Uchida Maaya, Uesaka Sumire, Asakura Asami)   
OreShura radio (2012 to present, with Kayano Ai)   
Sei-En Sisters (video, with Yonezawa Madoka)   
Love Lab radio (June 2013 onward, with Numakura Manami)

Games
Idolmaster Cinderella Girls (for phones; Nino Akane)
Bride Collection (seiyuu voices for phones)
Dungeon Travellers 2 (PSP; Conet Santnore)
Higurashi no Naka koro ni Kizuna 4 (DS; Ryuun Ooku)
Gensosuikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki (PSP; Efir and Nima)

Kokoro Connect Yochi Random (PSP; Nakayama Mariko)
Girl Friend (online phone game)
Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono 2G (PS3; Zohra)

Music
2011.06.29    TV Kids Songs -- Girls.  artist: Akasaki Chinatsu. song: "La♪La♪La♪Sweet Precure♪"
   
2012.01.28   Kill Me, Baby! -- Futari no Kimochi no Honto no Himitsu（PCCG-1231 - 33）    artist: Yasuna and Sonya（Akasaki Chinatsu, Tamura Mutsumi). songs: "Kill Me, Baby," "Futari no Kimochi no Honto no Himitsu."

2012.02.15    Kill Me, Baby Character Song CD - Yasuna.  artist: Oribe Yasuna (Akasaki Chinatsu)(PCCG-1239).  songs: "How to Enjoy," "Kyou mo Futari de."

2012.11.21    Inside Identity（LACM-14026）. artist: Black Raison d'être -- Takanashi Rikka, Nibutani Shinka, Tsuyuri Kumin, Dekomori Sanae (Uchida Maaya, Akasaki Chinatsu, Asakura Asami, Uesaka Sumire). songs: "Inside Identity," "Outsider."  Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai ED.

2012.12.26     Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Vocal Mini-album -- Ankoku Kousai Gakuten (LACA-15262）. artist: Nibutani Shinka (Akasaki Chinatsu).  song: "Deinabayotte☆Masarimo"

2013.02.27 Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru BD/DVD v1 special CD -- "Mizukara wo Enshitsu Suru Otome no Kai."  artists: Akasaki Chinatsu, Tamura Yukari, Kanemoto Hisako, Kayano Ai.  song: "Girlish Lover."  anime OP.


She has put a toe into almost all categories of seiyuu work: some TV dubbing (on iCarly, The Sinking of the Laconia, Ringer, Pixie Hollow Games, and Full House Take 2); narrating a TV ad by Softbank for GA Bunko magazine; a couple of drama CDs (Nana to Kaoru, and Seiyuu Sentai Voicetorm 7); and a character in a pachinko slots game (Atena in Cinderella Blade); and she was one of fifteen young seiyuus featured in person on an NHK show last year (R no Housoku -- Open Talk About Work -- Voice Acting - video link).


Links
home page at her agency (81 Produce)
Twitter
Anime News Network (in English)
Wikipedia (in English)
Japanese Wikipedia
more images (Japanese)
more images (English)

Finally, here are the two most recent pics to appear on the Net: cast photos from Love Lab and Fantasista Dolls. Chii-chan is front right in both:

My first two character/seiyuu pages of the season are for shows that could turn out to be disasters. Or triumphs. Let's hope. Both begin airing on Thursday of this week.

Kitakubu Katsudou Kirokuis yet another show about a girls' after-school club. It features four actual high school students making their seiyuu debuts. And it is written by the undependable Go Zappa (Chocotto Sister, Myself;Yourself) for a first-time director. But I'm interested in it because it has the tremendously talented 15-year-old Kidou Ibuki (Akiko in OniiAi) in the lead role. 

Love Lab is about a group of girls who practice on each other for the time when they get boyfriends. It involves at least one hug-pillow. But at least it is directed by the director of Mitsudomoe, YuruYuri, and Kotoura-san, Oota Masahiko. And it also features Akasaki Chinatsu (Mori Summer in Chuunibyou) and Sakura Ayane (Kannagi in NakaImo, Bloody Mary in Joshiraku).

In any case, click the titles above to go to the full pages, which look like this:

Here's another characters/seiyuus page, for Gatchaman Crowds, which starts on Friday.

The anime is a remake of an older fighting team anime, remade by the director and writer of tsuritama. That's certainly promising, but it's the cast that most interests me.

The stars are Uchida Maaya (Rikka in Chuunibyou) and Ousaka Ryouta (Yuki in tsuritama, Eita in OreShura). But they are just the beginning of this show's voice appeal.

The outstanding Namikawa Daisuke plays an important role. And there is also Hosomi Daisuke, a 40-year-old actor who had a role in tsuritama, but has also done 18 TV dramas and 2 movies, in addition to his 58 (!) stage roles.

I'm also eager to hear a couple of interesting women: Koiwai Kotori was extremely effective as Iwai in Crime Edge. And Hirano Aya returns in the role of what appears to be a small animal but is actually something quite a bit more.

There's also older seiyuu Mori Katsuji, who was in the original Gachaman. And at the other end of the age spectrum, Murase Ayumi, the (pre-?) teen who played the young Shun in Shinsekai yori. And there is Tange Sakura, who played Cardcaptor Sakura and also is Rinko in the Love Plus game. Not to mention Miyano Mamoru....

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

The new Genshiken series brings in some new characters, as the old crew begins to graduate. But it also features new voices for all of the old characters that appear. I'm not saying this is good or bad. We'll hear the results on Saturday.

The biggest change, for me, is Chika: she is no longer played by Mizuhashi Kaori. Now it is Yamamoto Nozomi, who was Tetora in Joshiraku. And she is the president of the club.

The great Kawasumi Ayako played Kanako. Now she is played by the near-great Yukana.

Ishida Akira played Manabu. This is a horizontal transfer, to Fukuyama Jun.

Perhaps partly because of her continuing illness, Gotou Yuuko drops out and Oozora Naomi gets her first big chance as a seiyuu, playing Susanna Hopkins.

Some of the old characters return, but apparently with only minor screen-time, and with different seiyuus: Sasahara (from Ooyama Takanori to Kobashi Tatsuya). Madarame (from Hiyama Nobuyuki to Okitsu Kazuyuki). Saki (from Yukino Satsuki to Satou Rina). And Yabusaki Kumiko (from Takagi Reiko to Yonezawa Madoka).

Of course, the cast is only part of the change: Mizushima Tsutomu (xxxHolic, Squid Girl, Joshiraku, Girls und Panzer) takes over as director. He did the 2006 OVA, and the same year's Kujibiki Unbalance series, but neither of the previous series (2004 and 2007). Yokote Michiko continues as lead writer, however. Those are two highly capable names, so I'm thinking positively, no matter how many cast changes there have been.

And there's another reason to think positively: Uesaka Sumire comes in, listed second in the cast list. So perhaps her memorable performance as Dekomori in Chuunibyou has earned her some juicy roles.

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

It's not as if we all don't know who plays whom in this show. But I just wanted to do the cast and the show the honour of laying it all out in front of us.

There have long been rumours of a relationship -- even marriage -- between Kamiya Hiroshi and Saitou Chiwa. They have both denied it, but the rumours live on. The story is that when he was laid up after his 2006 motorcycle accident, she was his most faithful friend. That may well be true, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything more. Can we still hope, though? Lol.

From the order the cast is laid out in on the home page (and which I have copied here), it seems as if there will be more Senjougahara and less Hanekawa than in recent shows. That suits me.

In any case, click here or on the image to go to the full page:

Nice show. Nice cast. Kayano Ai gives us another new voice. Sakurai Takahiro does the same. There's no-one better than those two, right now.

And it's good to hear Nakahara Mai and Takahashi Mikako.

Here's a characters/seiyuus page:

The new show has basically the same cast as the original 2005-7 series...with the addition of Ousaka Ryouta playing Jun as a college student. The new story follows a Jun who never met Shinku when he was younger, but meets her now.

The new story begins in episode 2. Episode 1 was a quick recap. Many viewers thought it was too quick. I thought it was a good introduction to the situation and the history. I had only seen bits and pieces of the previous series and OVAs, so my understanding was not that exact. Now I feel better equipped to get what's going on as things evolve. In any case, I look forward to the new story in an alternative universe, with an older Jin.

It is striking that all but the two main seiyuus are over 30. Some great names. The full characters/seiyuus page shows pics of the main characters and their seiyuus, with info about each seiyuu. Click here or on the image to go to the full page:

This is one of the most anticipated shows of the year: from a novel by the author of Tatami Galaxy, and animated by P.A. Works. Both good, but an unusual combination.

The first episode was interesting and well made, even if I felt (as I did with Tatami Galaxy) that there wasn't much emotional depth to be had. At least not yet.

I won't cavil about the cast, however. Two of my favorite male seiyuus lead the list: Sakurai Takahiro and Suwabe Junichi. And it's hard to complain about a cast that includes Nakahara Mai, Noto Mamiko, and Inoue Kikuko.

In any case, click here or on the image to go to the full characters/seiyuus page:

This is not a show I expected to enjoy that much. But the first episode was just about the cutest thing I can remember. I liked the look of it, I liked the characters, and I liked the way it flowed.

Click here or on the image to go to the full characters/seiyuus page:


 This is director Tenshou's first directoral job. He was originally a key animator, then an animation director (Starship Operators, Gift Eternal Rainbow), then an episode director and storyboarder (Tears to Tiara, Katanagatari, NakaImo). Around 2012, he changed his professional name from Tanaka Motoki 田中基樹 to Tenshou 天衝.

But he's not the only one responsible for the simple excellence of the first episode. He storyboarded and directed it, but the script was by lead writer Ayana Yuniko, who wrote both Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, and Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, both of which really worked for me.


The manga is a four-panel comic strip, but Ayano-san reworked it closer to a normal story, at least for this first episode. And it worked.

The cast is headed by near-unknown, supported by half-knowns, with only a couple of top pros further down the list. The stars are Nishi Asuka and Tanaka Minami. Nishi-san has had middling roles in shows such as Mouretsu Pirates and Ebiten.

Tanaka-san is even less known, but since she plays an English girl in Japan, she has the advantage of having spent a year of high school in England herself, so her English is comparatively good.

Then the cast goes through such promising young names as Taneda Risa, Uchiyama Yumi, and Touyama Nao. Then there are Tamura Yukari and Satou Satomi, whose performance as Eru in Hyouka elevated her to a fairly high rank in my eyes.

Danganronpa

It's early, with only one to three episodes having come out for each show, but here are the new shows generating the most interest on the Japanese message board 2channel at this moment.

The big hit is Danganronpa, which has received almost18,000 posts. Free and Rozen Maiden are well behind at around 11,000. And Watamote is just behind that at ~10,000.

A surprise to me is Kin-iro Mosaic. At about 8000 posts, it leads the middle of the pack, followed by Love Lab (~7000). And we go down from there: Fate/kaleid liner, Gatchaman Crowds.... A fuller list follows.

The list includes only new shows that are not just continuations (as far as 2channel is concerned) of earlier seasons. Symphogear seems to be plowing through the posts, for example, but I don't know where the posts for this season start, so it's hard to compare. Same for Monogatari.

The numbers represent which number of thousand-post threads the show is now on:

Danganronpa	18
Free	11
Rozen Maiden 2013	11
Watamote	10
Kiniro Mosaic	8
Love Lab	7
Fate/kaleid liner	6
Gatchaman Crowds	6
Fantasista Doll	4
Inu to Hasami	4
Neptunia	4
Stella C3-bu	4
Uchouten Kazoku	4
Gen-ei Taiyou	3
Genshiken Nidaime	3
Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi	3
Kitaku-bu	3
Silver Spoon	3
Brothers Conflict	2
Kimi no Iru Machi	2

My own favorites so far include Monogatari Series, Gatchaman Crowds, Genshiken Nidaime, Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi, Love Lab, Kin-iro Mosaic, Kimi no Iru Machi, Rozen Maiden, and Uchouten Kazoku.

Danganronpa and Watamote may be good, but I find them too depressing to watch. Silver Spoon hasn't captivated me yet. Same for Free: I can appreciate the look, but the characters don't reach me.