Akagami no Shirayukihime

When I first started looking at the summer season shows, I was pretty disappointed. There were 14 (count 'em, 14!) sequels, some short anime, and not much new of interest.

As I learned more, I found a number of promising shows. But this is still a summer season, traditionally the low point of the anime year.

My shows "most likely to succeed":

• Charlotte -- A new show from PA Works, written by Maeda Jun, who wrote the Air, Kanon and Clannad games, and the Angel Beats anime. Starring Sakura Ayane, Uchiyama Kouki and Uchida Maaya. Secret superpowers and a depressed atmosphere.
• Gangsta -- The director of Ergo Proxy sets another dark tale in a dirty city. Great cast.
• Akagami no Shirayukihime -- Shoujo romantic adventure set in mediaeval times. Stars the glorious voice of Hayami Saori as "Red-Haired Snow White."
• Overlord -- For Madhouse, the director of Iriya no Sora animates a powerful game-world-becomes-real story.
• Prison School -- A famous girls' school admits boys for the first time. The four boys who become students find themselves shunned, and enemies of a secret council. Top director (Mizushima Tsutomu). Top writer (Yokote Michiko). Top cast (Kamiya, Namikawa, Hanazawa, et al.). JC Staff.

• Aoharu x Kikanjuu -- Girl dressed as boy teams with club host and ero-mangaka to become top survival-game team. Komatsu Mikako. Brain's Base.
• Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Sen'eki -- Historical fighting fantasy starring Sawashiro Miyuki.
• Classroom Crisis -- The travails of students with part-time jobs. The director of No.6, the writer of White Album 2.
• Gakkou Gurashi! -- Four girls live at their ruined school after a zombie apocalypse. It's a comedy.
• Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri -- Fantasy adventure starring Suwabe Junichi, Kanemoto Hisako, Touyama Nao and Taneda Risa.
• God Eater -- Sci-fi action from the director of Garden of Sinners 5, for ufotable.
• Joukamachi no Dandelion -- A family of princes and princesses with superpowers is tracked by hidden cameras so that their people can vote on which of them should be the new ruler. The director of Bakuman, written by Yoshida Reiko.
• Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace -- Kishi Seiji and Uezu Makoto reunite for a school mystery anime featuring Sakurai Takahiro.
• Rokka no Yuusha -- Six heroes are chosen to fight the reawakened demon king. By the director of Spice and Wolf. 
• Sore ga Seiyuu -- Young seiyuus learn about the seiyuu world. Created by seiyuu Asano Masumi, written by Yokote Michiko.
• Ushio to Tora (2015) -- Shounen supernatural action adapted from an award-winning manga by the writer of Death Note.
• Wakako-zake -- Anime remake of a live-action TV series in which a woman unhappy at work goes alone to eat and drink fine cuisine. It's about the food. Stars Sawashiro Miyuki.

• Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou -- From a popular manga featuring seductive monsters coming to live in a schoolboy's home.
• Okusama ga Seito Kaichou! -- The beautiful new student council president (Taketatsu Ayana) moves into the schoolboy's home and says she is his wife. 
• Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai -- Ecchi hijinks from the director of Henneko. Matsuki Miyu, Gotou Saori, Ogura Yui.
• Makura no Danshi -- "Pillow boys." Twelve episodes featuring twelve different bishounen sleeping next to you and whispering sweet nothings. A reverse Sleeping with Hinako.

Click a title in the list below to jump to full details of a show. Scroll down for full details of all shows, in order of first broadcast.

● Akagami no Shirayukihime     ● Aoharu x Kikanjuu     ● Aquarion Logos     ● Bikini Warriors     ● Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Sen`eki     ● Charlotte     ● Classroom Crisis     ● Danchigai     ● Durarara!!x2 Ten     ● Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei Herz!     ● Gakkou Gurashi!     ● Gangsta     ● Gatchaman Crowds Insight     ● Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri     ● God Eater     ● Hetalia The World Twinkle     ● Himouto! Umaru-chan     ● Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls Second Series     ● Jitsu wa Watashi wa     ● Joukamachi no Dandelion     ● Junjou Romantica 3     ● Kaijuu Sakaba Kanpai!     ● Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan     ● Makura no Danshi     ● Million Doll     ● Miss Monochrome The Animation (2015)     ● Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou     ● Non Non Biyori Repeat     ● Okusama ga Seito Kaichou!     ● Overlord     ● Prison School     ● Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace     ● Rokka no Yuusha     ● Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX: Believe in Justice and Hold a Determination to Fist     ● Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai     ● Sore ga Seiyuu     ● Suzakinishi The Animation     ● Teekyuu 5     ● To Love-Ru: Trouble - Darkness 2nd     ● Ushio to Tora (2015)     ● Venus Project: Climax     ● Wakaba Girl     ● Wakako-zake     ● Wooser no Sono Higurashi Mugen Hen     ● Working!!!
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. 
-- times and dates may change. my weekly calendar will come out at the beginning of July with the most recent data.
-- click images to enlarge. 


2015 Summer Anime
-- in chronological order by first broadcast
Charlotte
  (jp: Charlotte)   jpWiki

superpowers, school life, multiple personalities
director: Asai Yoshiyuki
writer: Maeda Jun (Air, Kanon, Clannad games; Angel Beats anime)
seiyuus: Uchiyama Kouki, Mizushima Takahiro, Sakura Ayane, Uchida Maaya, Asakura Momo.
animation: PA Works. OP Lia, ED Tada Aoi.
trailer.
starts ?? jul

One of the most awaited anime of the season: PA Works does a show written by Maeda Jun, the original writer of Key's Air, Kanon, and Clannad games, and the writer of Angel Beats. Directed by a long-time PA Works episode director doing his first full show. Unfortunately, Angel Beats did little for me. Here's hoping this is different.

Nice cast includes Sakura Ayane, Uchiyama Kouki, and Uchida Maaya. Secret superpowers and a depressed atmosphere.


Makura no Danshi
  (jp: 枕男子)   jpWiki

short anime with sleeping boy

writer: Ayana Yumiko (Denpa Onna, Kiniro Mosaic), Sekine Ayumi (scripts for Baka to Test, Watamote, Inari Konkon).
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki.
animation: Assez Finaud Fabric, Feel.

starts fri ?? jul

Twelve sleeping boys, one per episode. Each "pillow boy" will "sleep beside you and whisper...to heal a tired heart." Twelve different "types," all living on one street "under the starry sky."

Reminiscent of 2010's Sleeping with Hinako, which was aimed at the other gender. Times change, lol.


Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou
  (jp: モンスター娘のいる日常)   jpWiki

ecchi supernatural harem comedy
director: Yoshihara Tatsuya (Muromi-san, Yatterman Night)
writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Milky Holmes). Okayado (manga).
seiyuus: Aikawa Natsuki, Yamazaki Haruka, Amamiya Sora, Ozawa Ari, Nakamura Sakura, Nomura Mayuka, Kobayashi Yuu.
animation: Lerche. OP seiyuus, ED Kobayashi Yuu with MON.
trailer.
starts ?? jul

"Everyday Life with Monster Girls." Three years ago, the world learned that harpies, centaurs, catgirls, and other fabled creatures were real. Hapless teen Kimihito is given the task of helping a sexy, snake-like lamia integrate into human life. She comes to live with him and is joined by more beautiful sexy monsters. But the law against "interspecies breeding" is absolute….

A professional staff should be able to translate the popularity of the manga into a popular ecchi anime. Inexperienced cast is headed by rising star Amamiya Sora (Kaori in Isshuukan Friends, Asseylum in Aldnoah, Isla in Plastic Memories). The wonderful Kobayashi Yuu is also in the cast.


Suzakinishi The Animation
  (jp: 洲崎西 THE ANIMATION)   jpWiki


director: Hiramine Yoshihiro (animator directing first show)

seiyuus: Nishi Asuka, Suzaki Aya.
animation: feel.

starts ?? jul

Newish seiyuus Suzaki Aya and Nishi Asuka have had a popular radio show for two years now. They do a good version of a standard seiyuu show, with quick patter, cute voices, and great good nature.

Here are the stars' profiles, from the radio show's official site. I haven't been able to discover just what this animated version of their show will be like. But I'll certainly seek it out and take a look.


Okusama ga Seito Kaichou!
  (jp: おくさまが生徒会長!)   jpWiki

ecchi school comedy
director: Furukawa Hiroyuki (debut as director)
writer: Nakata Yumi (manga).
seiyuus: Taketatsu Ayana, Okitsu Kazuyuki, Tsuda Minami, Fujimoto Aoi, Sugiyama Yoshie, Nagatsuma Juri, Kaneda Tomoko.
animation: Seven. OP Katagiri Rekka, ED1 Taketatsu Ayana, ED2 Tsuda Minami.
manga.
starts wed 01 jul 24:30

"My Wife is Student Council President." Strait-laced high-school boy Izumi is running to be student council president. But when a beautiful new candidate promises free love and flings condoms into the crowd, Izumi ends up losing -- and she makes him vice president. The new president soon invites herself over to his house, and announces she will live there as his wife, according to an agreement their parents made years before.

Nice cast stars Taketatsu Ayana (Kirino in OreImo) and Okitsu Kazuyuki (Muroi in Shiki, Akiharu in Ladies v. Butlers). The super-high voice of Kaneda Tomoko makes a rare appearance.

It gives one pause that the director is doing his first full show, and no writer is named in the staff list. But the manga is irresistibly ecchi and sweet. The heroine is charmingly nuts, in a way I think Taketatsu-san can handle.


Gangsta
  (jp: Gangsta)   jpWiki

seinen action comedy romance
director: Murase Shuukou (Ergo Proxy) Hatsumi Kouichi (asst.; Deadman Wonderland)
writer: Inotsume Shinichi (Ristorante Paradiso, Nyan Koi, Pilot's Love Song, Akatsuki no Yona). Kousuke (manga).
seiyuus: Noto Mamiko, Tsuda Kenjirou, Suwabe Junichi, Kaneo Tetsuo, Ishikawa Kaito, Koshimizu Ami, Houki Katsuhisa, Yoshino Hiroyuki, Inada Tetsu.
animation: Manglobe. OP Stereo Dive Foundation, ED Annabel.
trailer.
starts wed 01 jul 26:44

Nick and Worick take on jobs from both the mafia and the police in a rotten town filled with hoodlums, prostitutes, pimps, mafia and dirty cops.

The director made Ergo Proxy. The lead writer has some great credits. Some top voices in the cast: Mamiko Noto, Suwabe Junichi, Koshimizu Ami...and Ishikawa Kaitou. A stylish trailer. Seems promising.


Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Sen'eki
  (jp: ケイオスドラゴン 赤竜戦役)   jpWiki

fantasy historical fighting
director: Matsune Masato (first full show)
writer: Kodachi Ukyou, Aikawa Shou (30 eps of FMA, Ayakashi Ayashi, Oh Edo Rocket).
seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki, Inoue Marina, Ishizuka Unshou, Uchida Maaya, Terui Haruka, Saitou Souma, Yamadera Kouichi, Ootsuka Houchuu, Akabane Kenji, Eguchi Takuya.
animation: Connect, Silver Link. OP Kon Natsumi.
trailer.
starts thu 02 jul 22:30

In the year 3015, two great nations each rule half the world. The island country Nil Kamui has lost its independence, but now its guardian god, Red Dragon, goes berserk. Will the island manage to regain its independence?

The director is doing his first full show. The two lead writers are a newcomer and a man who has been writing top shows since the 1980s. The cast is replete with outstanding voices, starting with Sawashiro Miyuki and Inoue Marina.


Aquarion Logos
  (jp: アクエリオンロゴス)   jpWiki

mecha science fiction action
director: Satou Hidekazu (Slayers Next, Engage Planet Kiss Dum, Nobunaga the Fool)
writer: Kumagai Jin (Hamatora, Persona 4 Golden). Satelight, Kawamori Shouji (original plan).
seiyuus: Shimazaki Nobunaga, Sakura Ayane, Asai Takayuki, Nakano Saima, Nakata Jouji, Adachi Yuuto, Chisuga Haruka, Umehara Yuuichirou, Shiraishi Ryouko, Ozawa Ari.
animation: C2C, Satelight. OP May'n, ED Chisuga Haruka.
trailer.
starts thu 02 jul 24:00

An undistinguished but professional staff brings us a new show in the Aquarion franchise. Some wonderful voices, and some less wonderful voices. The trailer shows the snazzy look that we saw in previous Aquarion shows.


Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace
  (jp: 乱歩奇譚 Game of Laplace)   jpWiki

school murder mystery
director: Kishi Seiji (Seto no Hanayome, Angel Beats, Humanity Has Declined, Blue Steel Arpeggio)
writer: Uezu Makoto (School Days, Seto no Hanayome, Humanity Has Declined, Blue Steel Arpeggio). Edogawa Rampo (plan).
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Yamashita Daiki, Takahashi Rie.
animation: Lerche. OP amazarashi.
trailer.
starts thu 02 jul 24:55

Several murder cases take place at student Kobayashi's middle school. Genius detective Akechi comes to the school to investigate, and takes an interest in Kobayashi who, despite his friend's worries, volunteers to be Akechi's assistant.

Kishi Seiji and Uezu Makoto (Seto no Hanayome, Humanity Has Declined, Blue Steel Arpeggio) reunite for a school mystery. The full cast has not been announced, but Sakurai Takahiro as the detective is a good start.


Danchigai
  (jp: だんちがい)   jpWiki

seinen comic-strip comedy
director: Kimura Hiroshi (Recorder+Randsel, Hamatora, Military)
writer: Yoneda Kazusa (manga).
seiyuus: Abe Atsushi, Akesaka Satomi, Horino Sayaka, Tokui Sora, Komatsu Mikako.
animation: Dream Creation. OPED seiyuus.
12x5min eps.
starts thu 02 jul 25:00

Haruki and his four sisters live together in an apartment complex: level-headed older sister Mutsuki, difficult younger sister Yayoi, and mischievous twin sisters Uzuki and Satsuki.

The director has some decent credits. The cast can do the job. And Komatsu Mikako is a draw in herself, for me.


Aoharu x Kikanjuu
  (jp: 青春x機関銃)   jpWiki

survival game, girl disguised as guy, comedy
director: Nakano Hideaki (first full show)
writer: Konuta Kenji. Naoe (manga).
seiyuus: Maeno Tomoaki, Komatsu Mikako, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Kitamura Eri, Okitsu Kazuyuki.
animation: Brain's Base. OP Toy☆Gangan, ED Komatsu Mikako.
manga.
starts thu 02 jul 25:46

A high-school girl disguised as a boy is drawn into the world of survival games by a club-host and his friend, an ero-manga artist. Together, they form a survival-game team that aims to be the best in the country.

The lead character sounds perfect for Komatsu Mikako, and the rest of the cast is capable, too. The director is an experienced episode director doing his first full show. The writer did Library War and Ace of Diamond, which were both fairly unexciting but well made.

I can’t help thinking of Ouran High School Host Club.


Joukamachi no Dandelion
  (jp: 城下町のダンデライオン)   jpWiki

seinen comedy
director: Akitaya Noriaki (Bakuman)
writer: Yoshida Reiko. Kasuga Ayumu (manga).
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Kayano Ai, Kimura Ryouhei, Ishihara Kaori, Murase Ayumu, Matsui Eriko, Ogura Yui, Katsuta Shiori, Suzuki Mana, Yukino Satsuki, Aisaka Yuka.
animation: Production IMS. OP YuiKaori, ED Ogura Yui.

starts thu 02 jul 26:16

The nine siblings of the royal family all have superpowers. Their daily lives are followed by surveillance cameras and broadcast nationwide. One of them will be elected monarch by the population.

Director Akitaya Noriaki did Bakuman. Writer Yoshida Reiko has done many top shows. Strong cast stars Hanazawa Kana and Kayano Ai, as well as Ishihara Kaori and Kimura Ryouhei, with the outstanding Yukino Satsuki making one of her infrequent appearances.


Hetalia The World Twinkle
  (jp: ヘタリア The World Twinkle)   jpWiki

comedy shorts
director: Watanabe Hiroshi (Bandit King Jing, Jigoku Shoujo 3, Hetalia Beautiful World)
writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Princess Resurrection, Kamen no Maid Guy, Milky Holmes, Ben-tou). Himaruya Hidekaz (manga).
seiyuus: Namikawa Daisuke, Yasumoto Hiroki, Takahashi Hiroki, Konishi Katsuyuki, Sugiyama Noriaki, Onosaka Masaya, Takato Yasuhiro, Kaida Yuki.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Namikawa Daisuke.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 12:00

And now for the sixth Hetalia series. The mixture of comedy, international stereotypes, and a hint of boys'-love has many fans.

Namikawa Daisuke (Italy) takes the lead in this series. The staff that made Hetalia Beautiful World returns.


Ushio to Tora (2015)
  (jp: うしおととら 2015)   jpWiki

shounen supernatural action
director: Nishimura Satoshi (Trigun)
writer: Inoue Toshiki (Tenjho Tenge, Death Note, Chaos;Head). Fujita Kazuhiro (manga).
seiyuus: Hatanaku Tasuku, Koyama Rikiya, Komatsu Mikako, Yasuno Kiyono, Fujiwara Keiji, Makino Yui, Namikawa Daisuke, Kayano Ai, Sakamoto Maaya, Takagaki Ayahi, Toyosaki Aki, Nanri Yuka, Hanazawa Kana, Mizuki Nana.
animation: Mappa. OP Kinniku Shoujo Tai, ED Sonar Pocket.
manga.
starts fri 03 jul 22:30

The human Ushio has to release the demon Tora so that they can work together to defeat monsters. But will the demon partner be better or worse than the monster enemies?

The director is a long-time animator/storyboarder who has only directed a couple of shows, including Trigun. The lead writer, however, wrote Tenjho Tenge and Death Note. Excellent cast. Award-winning manga. Worth taking a look at, if you like darkish shounen supernatural action.


Miss Monochrome The Animation (2015)
  (jp: ミス・モノクローム 第2期)   jpWiki

idol, comedy
director: Iwasaki Yoshiaki (Love Hina, Bottle Fairy, Zero no Tsukaima, Hayate 2)
writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Kamen no Maid Guy, Milky Holmes, Is the Order Rabbit?).
seiyuus: Horie Yui, Fujiwara Keiji, Inoue Kikuko, Kanda Akemi.
animation: Liden, Sanzigen.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 23:00

The series began two years ago with a season of shorts. This time it is part of the "Ultra Super Anime Time" half-hour of three different short anime series, along with Wooser and Wakaba Girl.

Horie Yui stars as an android idol determined to reach the top. Fujiwara Keiji and Inoue Kikuko are also in the cast. Hocchan created the character and is credited with the original character design.

Director Iwasaki Yoshiaki directed Hocchan's breakthrough role as Naru in Love Hina, in 2000, as well as her first robot role as Multi in To Heart the year before.


Wooser no Sono Higurashi Mugen Hen
  (jp: うーさーのその日暮らし 夢幻編)   jpWiki

comedy shorts
director: Mizushima Seiji (FMA, Oh Edo Rocket, Gundam00.)

seiyuus: Miyano Mamoru, Kamiya Hiroshi, Tamura Yukari, Nagamune Haruka, Ozawa Minori, Tia, Sato Yuri.
animation: Sanzigen. OP Yun*chi.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 23:09

Wooser is a a mysterious mascot character who lives on the Internet and whose charming appearance belies a corrupt heart that craves money, meat, and girls. He is played by Miyano Mamoru, and Kamiya Hiroshi and Tamura Yukari are also in the cast.

The original creator, Usa Yoshiki, is a member of the pop/rock group supercell. The director is Mizushima Seiji, who directed FMA, Oh Edo Rocket, and Gundam00.

None of these comic short anime using simple animation and supposedly mature humour do much for me, but I can hardly deny that there's something here of interest. Short episodes, part of the "Ultra Super Anime Time" half-hour. Give it a look.


Wakaba Girl
  (jp: わかば*ガール)   jpWiki

moe slice of life comic with yuri overtones
director: Watanabe Seiji
writer: Hanada Jukki. Hara Yui (manga).
seiyuus: Ozawa Ari, Mao, Murakawa Rie, Izawa Mikako.
animation: Nexus.

starts fri 03 jul 23:17

From a manga by the author of Kiniro Mosaic. Wakaba is an off-kilter rich girl, elegant and attending a high-class school...but she is also a "gal," liking the low-class "gal" style. She is so out of it that she buys "gal games" (dating sim games) expecting them to involve her style. Her friends are a pure and innocent fairy-tale girl, a capricious girl, and a boyish girl who likes boys-love mangas.

The director is doing his first show, but the writer is Hanada Jukki (MadoMagi, Hibike Euphonium). The cast is all promising seiyuus just beginning to rise. Hard to say how this will go. Short episodes, part of the "Ultra Super Anime Time" half-hour.


Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
  (jp: GATE 自衛隊 彼の地にて, 斯く戦えり)   jpWiki

fantasy adventure with violence and comedy
director: Kyougoku Takahiko (Love Live)
writer: Urahata Tatsuhiko (Strawberry Panic, Saki, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere, Black Bullet). Yahai Takumi (novel).
seiyuus: Suwabe Junichi, Kanemoto Hisako, Touyama Nao, Taneda Risa.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Akeboshi Rockets, ED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 24:30

A gate suddenly appears in Tokyo's Ginza district and out come monsters, mediaeval knights -- all manner of fantasy beings -- attacking and killing everyone in sight.

After stemming the tide, the Japanese government sends a small troop of soldiers through the gate. Led by an otaku soldier, they find that the villages in the other world are being attacked by a dragon. An elf-girl survivor of the dragon's rampage joins the group in their travels through this dangerous new world.

The announced cast is excellent. The staff is interesting: the director of Love Live and the writer of a variety of successful shows.


Classroom Crisis
  (jp: Classroom☆Crisis)   jpWiki

comedy, romance
director: Nagasaki Kenji (No.6, Gundam Build Fighters)
writer: Maruto Fumiaki (White Album 2).
seiyuus: Morikubo Showtarou, Ozawa Ari, Amamiya Sora, Suzaki Aya, Natsukawa Shiina, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Tsuda Minami.
animation: Lay-duce (Magi Adventures of Sinbad, Go! Go! 575). OP TrySail, ED ClariS.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 25:55

A comic take on the troubles faced by high-schoolers with part-time jobs. Promising young female cast includes Amamiya Sora (Kaori in Isshuukan Friends, Princess Asseylum, Isla) and Suzaki Aya (of Suzakinishi, below), and is anchored by veteran Morikubo Showtarou and the excellent Toyonaga Toshiyuki.

The director did No.6. The writer did White Album 2. These are good things.


Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX: Believe in Justice and Hold a Determination to Fist
  (jp: 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアGX Believe in justice and hold a determination to fist)   jpWiki

mortal combat by song
director: Ono Katsumi (Symphogear G, Yu-Gi-Oh Arc V)
writer: Kaneko Akifumi (all Symphogear anime). Agematsu Noriyasu, Kaneko Akifumi (games).
seiyuus: Kayano Ai, Mizuki Nana, Hikasa Youko, Yuuki Aoi, Nanjou Yoshino, Takagaki Ayahi, Minase Inori, Kuno Misaki, Murase Michiyo, Izawa Shiroi, Ishigami Shizuka, Tazawa Masumi.
animation: Satelight. OP Mizuki Nana, ED Takagaki Ayahi.
trailer.
starts fri 03 jul 27:10

A third series of the show in which female heroes protect the world by song. Outstanding main cast, all of whom can sing (especially the first and last): Mizuki Nana, Yuuki Aoi, Kayano Ai, Nanjou Yoshino, Takagaki Ayahi.

This time, two young seiyuus whose high voices I have always thought of together, actually join the cast together: Minase Inori (Hestia in Dungeon ni Deai) and Kuno Misaki (Hawk in Seven Deadly Sins). The same staff that did the second series returns.


Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
  (jp: 下ネタという概念が存在しない退屈な世界)   jpWiki

ecchi school comedy
director: Suzuki Youhei (Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko)
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (Keroro Gunsou, Reideen, MariaHolic, Free). Akagi Hirotaka (novel).
seiyuus: Matsuki Miyu, Gotou Saori, Ishigami Shizuka, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Arai Satomi, Ogura Yui, Miyake Kenta, Horie Yui, Uesaka Sumire.
animation: JC Staff. OP Sox, ED Uesaka Sumire.
trailer.
starts sat 04 jul 23:00

Sixteen years ago, the "Law on Public Order, Morals and Healthy Child-Rearing" banned coarse language and other improprieties nationwide. Our hero enrolls in the leading elite school of morals, but is soon blackmailed into joining an association opposing public morals and ends up taking part in obscene acts of terrorism against the student council president, a beautiful girl whom he happens to have be in love with. Got it?

A couple of underused female stars -- Matsuki Miyu and Gotou Saori -- head a consistently capable cast. Ogura Yui is back with the director who directed her in Henneko, one of the first roles that made me think she was actually a seiyuu.

The writer is a top hand who has done many episodes of Keroro Gunsou and was lead writer on both Reideen and Free. If you like ecchi school comedies, this one from JC Staff should be enjoyable.


Durarara!!x2 Ten
  (jp: デュラララ!!x2 転)   jpWiki

supernatural comedy/drama with violence
director: Oomori Takahito (Koi Kaze, Jigoku Shoujo, Natsume Yuujinchou, Durarara)
writer: Takagi Noboru (Baccano, Durarara, My Little Monster). Narita Ryougo (novel).
seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Miyano Mamoru, Hanazawa Kana, Kamiya Hiroshi, Ono Daisuke, Fukuyama Jun, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kaji Yuuki, Takagaki Ayahi, Terashima Takuma.
animation: Shuka. OP Toyonaga Toshiyuki, ED Revalcy.
trailer.
starts sat 04 jul 23:30

Excellent director and writer, great cast, weird stories set in Ikebukuro. What's not to like? Well, in my case, I never feel much in the characters. But the popular franchise continues, doing its thing, to general praise.


Working!!!
  (jp: Working!!!)   jpWiki

seinen slice of life comedy
director: Kamakura Yumi (first-time director)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (DearS, Elfen Lied, Sekirei, Working2, Watamote). Takatsu Karino (manga).
seiyuus: Fujita Saki, Fukuyama Jun, Asumi Kana, Ono Daisuke, Watanabe Kumiko, Shiraishi Ryouko, Kamiya Hiroshi, Hino Satoshi, Kitamura Eri, Kawase Akiko, Hirohashi Ryou, Nakamura Yuuichi, Yusa Koji, Nakata Jouji, Tomatsu Haruka, Hikasa Youko, Saitou Momoko.
animation: A-1 Pictures.
trailer.
starts sat 04 jul 24:30

Working!! Now has three exclamation marks -- Working!!! -- to symbolize that this is the show's third season. It has survived for good reason, even though the setup may be beginning to exhaust itself.

Good cast features Fukuyama Jun, Fujita Saki, and Asumi Kana, and more big names keep joining in. I love the work of Hirohashi Ryou. Episode director Kamakura Yumi moves up to take over her first full directoral gig. Yoshioka Takao, who wrote the second series, continues with this one. Worth another look.


Gatchaman Crowds Insight
  (jp: GATCHAMAN CROWDS insight)   jpWiki

bizarre comedy adventure
director: Nakamura Kenji (Tsuritama, C, Mononoke)
writer: Ono Toshiya (Tsuritama, Sweets Precure).
seiyuus: Uchida Maaya, Ishihara Kaori, Ousaka Ryouta, Namikawa Daisuke, Koiwai Kotori, Hirano Aya, Hosomi Daisuke, Murase Ayumu, Tenge Sakura, Umehara Yuuichirou, Miyano Mamoru, Hanazawa Kana, Mori Katsuji.
animation: Tatsunoko. OP White Ash, ED Angry Frog Rebirth.
trailer.
starts sat 04 jul 25:55

I liked the original series more than most people, particularly for the extravagant performance by Uchida Maaya. Now Ishihara Kaori (of YuiKaori) joins the cast as a co-star, and I'm hoping we get something special from a second underrated seiyuu, more famous for her idol activities than her surprisingly excellent seiyuu work. I'm happy to see Hirano Aya in the cast, too.

The same staff and most of the same cast returns. The trailer link is to a promo by the two stars.


Rokka no Yuusha
  (jp: 六花の勇者)   jpWiki

fantasy fighting mystery
director: Takahashi Takeo (Spice and Wolf, Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, H ga Dekinai)
writer: Urahata Tatsuhiko (Saki, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere). Yamagata Ishio (novel).
seiyuus: Saitou Souma, Kakuma Ai, Yuuki Aoi, Uchiyama Kouki, Suzumura Kenichi, Satou Rina, Hikasa Youko.
animation: Passione. OP/ED Mich.
trailer.
starts sat 04 jul 26:58

"The Heroes of the Six Flowers" were given the power to fight the evil Majin when he awoke from the depths of darkness. The deity of fate chose six heroes and bestowed on them the power to save the world. Our protgonist is a boy who proclaims himself the strongest on Earth. He has been selected as one of the six heroes, but when he reaches the gathering place, there are seven people there. Is one of them the Enemy? Suspicion falls on the boy.

Capable cast features up-and-coming Saitou Souma and Kakuma Ai, as well as Yuuki Aoi and Hikasa Youko. The director did Spice and Wolf, the writer did Saki and Horizon. Promising.


Venus Project: Climax
  (jp: VENUS PROJECT -CLIMAX-)   jpWiki

idol music battles
director: Nakayama Takehiro (long-time key animator directs first show)
writer: Go Zappa (Koihime Musou, NakaImo).
seiyuus: Hata Sawako (of SKE48), Hayase Marika, Iida Riho (Rin in Love Live).
animation: Nomad. OP/ED seiyuus.
6eps.
starts sun 05 jul 22:00

In a new form of entertainment, Venus Project, top idols battle in live performances. Drama, passion, and friendship blossom among the girls in the V-P. The show stars Hata Sawako, formerly of SKE48. The Venus Project franchise is a media mix, involving game, manga, radio, and TV anime.

The director is a long-time key animator directing his first show. The writer did Koihime Musou and its successors, and NakaImo, among other shows. My hopes are not high for yet another idol show (the flavour of the times?), but just maybe.


Wakako-zake
  (jp: ワカコ酒)   jpWiki

food and drink
director: Yamaoka Minoru (first full show)
writer: Shinkyuu Chie (manga).
seiyuus: Sawashiro Miyuki.
animation: Office DCI. ED Ueno Yuuka.
12x3min eps.
starts sun 05 jul 22:27

Murasaki Wakako, 26, loves going out alone to enjoy eating and drinking, especially after something unpleasant happens at work. An anime about food and drink.

The director is doing his first full show, but Sawashiro Miyuki is the main voice, so this could be good. There is also a live-action version of the show. 


God Eater
  (jp: ゴッドイーター)   jpWiki

action, from game
director: Hirao Takayuki (Garden of Sinners 5, Yoyo and Nene)
writer: Bandai Namco (games).
seiyuus: Kijima Ryuuichi, Hirata Hiroaki, Sakamoto Maaya, Nakai Kazuya, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Oohara Sayaka.
animation: ufotable. OP Old Codex.
trailer.
starts sun 05 jul 22:30

In the mid-21st century, unknown creatures called "oracle cells" began an uncontrolled consumption of all life on Earth. A decimated humanity both fears them and reveres them as gods.

They have been immune to all weapons, but new weapons made using oracle cells are enabling humanity to begin to fight back. The wielders of these new weapons are called "God Eaters."

Nice to see Sakamoto Maaya in the cast. The director did the excellent Garden of Sinners 5. No writer named, unfortunately. From a series of games. Awkward but somehow appealing animation in the trailer.


Akagami no Shirayukihime
  (jp: 赤髪の白雪姫)   jpWiki

shoujo romantic historical adventure
director: Andou Masahiro (Hanasaku Iroha, Canaan, Blast of Tempest)
writer: Akao Deko. Akizuki Sorata (manga).
seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Oosaka Ryouta, Kaida Yuuko, Ishida Akira, Nazuka Kaori, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Umehara Yuuichirou, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Fukuyama Jun, Sanpei Yuuko.
animation: Bones. OP Hayami Saori, ED eyelis.
trailer.
starts mon 06 jul 24:00

"Red-haired Snow White" is a beautiful girl who works as a medicine woman. When the prince of her country proposes to her and chases after her, she runs away -- only to meet the prince of a neighbouring country. She comes to respect him and decides to serve as his court doctor.

Hayami Saori sounds perfect for a role like this. The rest of the cast are all good seiyuus -- especially Kaida Yuuko.

Andou Masahiro, however, has directed good anime that all seemed somehow lacking to me. And Akao Deko wrote two of my least favorite Shaft shows and the disappointing Etotama; but she also wrote that enjoyable trifle, Astalotte no Omocha.

I like this kind of shoujo historical romantic adventure, so I will deinfitely be taking a look.


To Love-Ru: Trouble - Darkness 2nd
  (jp: To LOVEる－とらぶる－ダークネス2nd)   jpWiki

ecchi harem comedy
director: Ootsuki Atsuhsi (Kanokon, Ladies v. Butlers, Working!2).
writer: Hasemi Saki (manga).
seiyuus: Fukuen Misato, Iguchi Yuka, Toyosaki Aki, Watanabe Akeno, Nazuka Kaori, Tomatsu Haruka, Hidaka Rina, Yuzuki Ryouka, Noto Mamiko, Itou Kanae.
animation: Xebec. OP Ray, ED Kawda Mami.
trailer.
starts mon 06 jul 24:00

Director Ootsuki Atsushi has the ecchi thing down (Kanokon, Ladies v. Butlers). He was an episode director on the first To Love-Ru series, and has now directed three more.

This show is the most recent in a classic and very successful harem franchise, with beautiful alien girls moving into our hero's home and falling for him one after the another.


Teekyuu 5
  (jp: てーきゅう 5)   jpWiki

comedy shorts
director: Itagaki Shin (Black Cat, Basquash, Ben-tou)
writer: Itagaki Shin. Roots.
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Mimori Suzuko, Narumi Kyouko, Watanabe Yui.
animation: Millepensee. OP Hanazawa Kana.
trailer.
starts mon 06 jul 25:05

Here comes a fifth season of the tennis comedy directed by the director of Ben-tou.

This show never did much for me, but lots of people like it. Hanazawa Kana and Mimori Suzuko may be good reasons.





Million Doll
  (jp: ミリオンドール)   jpWiki

idols and otaku
director: Kawaguchi Keiichiro (Hayate no Gotoku)
writer: Murakami Momoko (script). Ai (manga).
seiyuus: Itou Miku, Watanabe Yui, Iizuka Mayu, Umehara Yuuichirou, Kusuda Aina, Uchida Aya.
animation: Asahi Production.
manga.
starts mon 06 jul 25:11

Suuko is a hikikomori idol otaku who takes pride in her ability to make any idol popular through her blogging. She pushes the Fukuoka idol group Itorio, but is opposed by the charismatic otaku Ryuu-san, who is pushing the brilliant underground idol Mariko.

The manga is both fascinating and a bit confusing. Capable director Kawaguchi Keiichirou (Hayate, Getsumen to Heiki Mina) may be able to give the story more rhythm and shape, while preserving its uniqueness.

Aside from Uchida Aya, none of the young seiyuus in the cast have impressed me previously. From the scheduling, it looks as if these are ten-minute episodes.


Jitsu wa Watashi wa
  (jp: 実は私は)   jpWiki

vampire romantic school comedy
director: Yamamoto Yasutaka (Problem Children, ServantxService)
writer: Yamashita Kenichi (Ishida and Asakura). Masuda Eiji (manga).
seiyuus: Hanae Natsuki, Serizawa Yuu, Minase Inori, Ueda Reina, Mao, Nitta Emi, Hirakawa Daisuke, Hatano Wataru, Shimono Hiro, Uchida Aya.
animation: TMS Entertainment. OP Ars Magna, ED Minmi.
manga. 13x3mineps.
starts mon 06 jul 25:35

Our hero is unable to tell a lie. His face always betrays him. But now he discovers that the girl he has a crush on is in fact a vampire! He still loves her, but can he keep her nature a secret?

Serizawa Yuu gets the starring role. Hanae Natsuki is perfect as the guy. Minase Inori (Hestia) is class president and something more. Ueda Reina plays the dangerously nosy reporter for the school newspaper. The manga is a bit ugly, but can be entertaining.

Director Yamamoto Yasutaka did Problem Children from Another World and Servant x Service. Writer Yamashita Kenichi did Ishida and Asakura.


Non Non Biyori Repeat
  (jp: のんのんびより りぴーと)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy
director: Kawatsura Shinya (Kokoro Connect, Non Non Biyori)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, D.Gray-man, K-On, Yowamushi Pedal). Atto (manga).
seiyuus: Murakawa Rie, Asumi Kana, Sakura Ayane, Koiwai Kotori, Nazuka Kaori, Fukuen Misato.
animation: Silver Link. OP nano.RIPE, ED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts mon 06 jul 26:05

A second season for the entertaining slice-of-life comedy set around a rural school.

The director did Kokoro Connect and the first series. The matriarch of anime writing, Yoshida Reiko, adapted the manga.

Capable cast includes a mix of relative newcomers and established stars. This show worked for me the first time around, at least for a few episodes.


Kaijuu Sakaba Kanpai!
  (jp: 怪獣酒場カンパーイ!)   jpWiki


director: Kawasaki Minoru
animation: DLE.
trailer.
starts tue 07 jul 21:55

"Monster Bar Cheers!" The "Monster Bar" appears in Ultraman live-action shows as the bar where the bad guys gather. It is the name of a real izakaya bar in Kawasaki (and another in Osaka), themed after the original.

And it is now an anime. Director Kawasaki Minoru is basically a live-action director and writer with a background in sentai.

Kawasaki Monster Bar.  Osaka Monster Bar.


Overlord
  (jp: オーバーロード)   jpWiki

dark fantasy in game world
director: Itou Naoyuki (Iriya no Sora)
writer: Sugawara Yukie (eps of SAO and Irregular at Magic High School). Maruyama Kugane (web novel).
seiyuus: Hino Satoshi, Hara Yumi, Uesaka Sumire, Katou Emiri, Uchiyama Yumi, Katou Masayuki, Miyake Kenta, Chiba Shigeru, Numakura Manami.
animation: Madhouse.
trailer.
starts tue 07 jul 23:00

In 2138, virtual reality gaming is booming. One day, Yggdrasil, a popular online game, quietly shuts down. But if a player stays logged in, the game world gradually becomes real, with non-playing characters gaining consciousness.

Our protagonist Momonga stays logged in, and is transformed into a powerful skeletal wizard. Having no parents, friends, or place in society, this ordinary young man strives to take over the new world the game has become.

I would never doubt Madhouse. The cast is professional. The director has done few shows, but among them is the minor classic Iriya no Sora. The writer is doing her first full show, but wrote several episodes of both SAO and Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei.


Sore ga Seiyuu
  (jp: それが声優!)   jpWiki

gag comedy
director: Ikehata Hiroshi (Robot Girls Z)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, xxxHolic, Shirobako). Asano Masumi (seiyuu), Hata Kenjirou (Hayate manga).
seiyuus: Takahashi Rie, Kouno Marika, Nagaku Yuki.
animation: Gonzo. OPED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts tue 07 jul 23:00

The world of voice acting is seen through the eyes of three rookie seiyuus, played by real-life young seiyuus Takahashi Rie, Kouno Marika, and Nagaku Yuki. The original comic was written by voice actress Asano Masumi and drawn by Hata Kenjirou (Hayate manga).

Directed by the director of Robot Girls Z, written for anime by top writer Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, xxxHolic, Shirobako). From Gonzo. Looks like a decent-quality anime about seiyuus. I'm in.


Bikini Warriors
  (jp: ビキニ・ウォリアーズ)   jpWiki

ecchi fantasy fighting comedy
director: Kazuya Naoyuki (Saiyuki Gaiden, Wild Adapter)
writer: Tamai Gou (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, Momo-kyun Sword).
seiyuus: Takahashi Chiaki, Hikasa Youko, Kakuma Ai, Ueda Kana.
animation: feel, PRA.
trailer.
starts tue 07 jul 25:35

Buxom and scantily dressed fighters challenge the demon king's claim to the throne. Reminiscent of the set-up for Queen's Blade.

Outstanding main cast. The director has only done OVAs previously. The lead writer did Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, and Momo-kyun Sword.


Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan
  (jp: 空戦魔導士候補生の教官)   jpWiki

fantasy fighting w/magic
director: Imagaki Takayuki (Marginal Prince, Rosario+Vampire, Jewelpet Sunshine, Seiken Tsukai no World Break)
writer: Yamaguchi Hiroshi (To Heart, Gatekeepers, Rosario+Vampire, Gingitsune, World Break). Moroboshi Yuu (novel).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Touyama Nao, Yamamoto Nozomi, Nomizu Iori, Taneda Risa, Yamada Yuuki, Zougou Saeko, Kakihara Tetsuya.
animation: Diomedea. OP Nomizu Iori, ED la la larks.
trailer.
starts wed 08 jul 24:30

The story is set in a world where humans, driven off the land by magical armored insects, now live in the sky in floating cities, defended by aerial combat wizards. Kanata was once famous as the Black Master Swordsman. But after an incident with his team, he is now despised as a traitor.

He is assigned to be instructor of a team that has suffered 10 consecutive defeats. The three girls who make up the team each have their own peculiarites.

The cast is excellent, but the presence of Rosario+Vampire in the credits of both director and writer makes me very afraid.


Junjou Romantica 3
  (jp: 純情ロマンチカ 3)   jpWiki

boys-love comedy drama
director: Kon Chiaki (Higurashi, Nodame Paris/Finale, Junjou Romantica, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, Golden Time)
writer: Possibly but not certainly Nakase Rika (Rocket Girls, Junjou Romantica, Kanamemo, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi), who did the previous series. Nakamura Shungiku (manga).
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Hanada Hikaru, Mizuki Nana, Shimono Hiro, Gouda Hozumi, Toyonaga Rika, Namiki Noriko, Hatano Wataru, Taniyama Kishou, Kosugi Juurouta, Toriumi Kousuke.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Fo'xTails, ED Luck Life.
trailer.
starts wed 08 jul 25:05

It is what it is -- full-on boys-love -- but this should be a well-done version. The same director and writer did the highly effective Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi.

Wonderful cast. Sakurai in a starring role is always a good thing. Mizuki Nana is here, and there's a rare appearance by rocker Toyonaga Rika -- to say nothing of rocker Taniyama Kishou. And Toriumi Kousuke's voice always pleases me.


Himouto! Umaru-chan
  (jp: 干物妹! うまるちゃん)   jpWiki

sibling gag comedy
director: Oota Masahiko (Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri, Love Lab).
writer: Aoshima Takashi (Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri, Love Lab, Kotoura-san, Re-kan).
seiyuus: Nojima Kenji, Tanaka Aimi, Kageyama Akari, Shiraishi Haruka, Furukawa Yurina, Yasumoto Hiroki, Kakihara Tetsuya.
animation: Douga Koubou.
trailer.
starts wed 08 jul 26:14

At school, little sister Umaru is beautiful, smart, proper, and athletic. At home, she is an otaku slob who torments her big brother, a white-collar worker.

The director did Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri, and Love Lab. The writer did those and Re-kan. Mitsudomoe and Re-kan are red flags, to me, but Yuruyuri and Love Lab were pretty good. The trailer is just okay. I didn’t really enjoy Umaru's voice, that of a newish seiyuu called Tanaka Aimi. But the comic can be amusing.


Gakkou Gurashi!
  (jp: がっこうぐらし!)   jpWiki

comic seinen zombie fantasy
director: Andou Masaomi (White Album 2)
writer: Kaihou Norimitsu (Gunslinger Stratos). Chiba Sadoru (manga art), Kaihou Norimitsu (manga story).
seiyuus: Ozawa Ari, Takahashi Rie, Minase Inori, Mao, Kayano Ai, Kimura Juri, Katou Emiri.
animation: Lerche. OP seiyuus.
starts thu 09 jul 21:30

"Staying over at school." Four girls decide to sleep over at school...and find themselves the final survivors of a zombie apocalypse. They continue to live happily at the school, fending off the student-zombies that wander the halls and fields. One of the weirder comic fantasies I can remember.

I'm not that familiar with the staff, although the director's White Album 2 was pretty good. But the cast is fascinating, with some names I really like: Minase Inori (Hestia), Kayano Ai (many good roles), Kimura Juri (Aoi in Shirobako). And even Katou Emiri (Kagami in Lucky Star, Mayoi in Bakemonogatari, Kyuubei in MadoMagi). I like the character design, as well.


Prison School
  (jp: 監獄学園[プリズンスクール])   jpWiki

ecchi seinen romantic comedy with violence
director: Mizushima Tsutomu (xxxHolic, Squid Girl, Joshiraku, Girls und Panzer, Genshiken Nidaime, Shirobako)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, xxxHolic, Shirobako). Hiramoto Akira (manga).
seiyuus: Okitsu Kazuyuki, Kamiya Hiroshi, Konishi Katsuyuki, Namikawa Daisuke, Suzumura Kenichi, Oohara Sayaka, Hanazawa Kana, Itou Shizuka.
animation: JC Staff. OP/ED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts fri 10 jul 25:05

Hachimitsu Academy, known for its strict academic standards and even stricter school code, is making a giant change this year. For the first time, boys are being admitted. Kiyoshi is one of only five boys at the school. But none of the girls will will even speak to them. They discover that the girls are being threatened by a secret student council.

Top director. Top writer. JC Staff animation. Overwhelming cast. A show to look forward to, if the story can support the cast and staff.


Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls Second Series
  (jp: アイドルマスター シンデレラガールズ 2ndシーズン)   jpWiki

idols
director: Takao Noriko
writer: Takao Noriko, Takahashi Ryuuya. Bandai Namco (games).
seiyuus: Oohashi Ayaka, Fukuhara Ayaka, Hara Sayuri, Kurosawa Tomoyo, Uesaka Sumire, Oozora Naomi, Uchida Maaya, Yamamoto Nozomi, Aoki Ruriko, Suzaki Aya, Igarashi Hiromi, Takamori Natsumi, Ootsubo Yuka, Matsuzaki Rei.
animation: A-1 Pictures.
trailer.
starts fri 17 jul 24:00

We resume the series with episode 14. The franchise is wildly popular with a certain group of Japanese otaku, and this is a show worth checking out. Based on the Idolm@ster games.

Director Takao Noriko did storyboards for many of KyoAni's biggest hits, but the first series was only her second full show, following the movie Saint Young Men. That was also the first full show for scriptwriter Takahashi Ryuuya.

Lots of good young seiyuus, starting with Oohashi Ayaka and Uchida Maaya, and going on through rising stars like Kurosawa Tomoyo and Suzaki Aya. The seiyuus' idol concerts in Japan are big events.


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

ecchi comic action fantasy
director: Jinbou Masato (Nozo x Kimi), Oonuma Shin (chiefdir)
writer: Inoue Kenji (Baka to Test creator). Type-Moon (game), Hiroyama Hiroshi (manga).
seiyuus: Kadowaki Mai, Saitou Chiwa, Nazuka Kaori, Nabatame Hitomi, Koshimizu Ami, Sugiyama Noriaki, Itou Miki, Katou Emiri, Oohara Sayaka, Satou Satomi.
animation: Silver Link. OP fhana, ED Kouda Yumeha.
trailer.
starts fri 24 july

The same staff and cast retun for another series of the comic ecchi action fantasy, set in a rather distantly parallel world to Fate/Stay Night.

Based on the Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Zwei! manga, itself a spin-off of the Fate/Stay Night erotic visual novel by Type-Moon.

The new anime season gets started on Wednesday with Gangsta and Okusama ga Seitou Kaichou.

Gangsta is dark urban action from the director of Ergo Proxy, and features top names like Noto Mamiko, Suwabe Junichi, Koshimizu Ami, and Ishikawa Kaito.

Okusama ga Seitou Kaichou ("My Wife is Student Council President") is an ecchi fantasy starring Taketatsu Ayana. Our straight-laced male hero is defeated in the election for student council president by a new girl who supports free love and distributes condoms...then he arrives home to find that she has moved in as his willing bride, following an agreement between their fathers. (I've recently a post stating this show has ten-minute episodes. No official word.).

Click here or on the image to go to a full weekly calendar of the new season:


New shows are in red, shows that started in various prior seasons are in other colours.


 Fridays and Saturdays are shaping up to be the most crowded nights this year, with 13 shows broadcast on Fridays and 14 on Saturdays.

Three of the shows I personally am looking forward to are on Saturday: Charlotte, the new show from PA Works, and two sequels: Gatchaman Crowds Insight, with Ishihara Kaori joining Uchida Maaya in a starring role; and Working!!!, the third series of that entertaining comedy.

But the show I am most hopeful for is on Mondays: the shoujo adventure Akagami no Shirayukihime, starring Hayami Saori as "Red-haired Snow White."

This is a normally full anime schedule, but there are fewer new shows than in some seasons. The difference is made up with a large number of shows continuing from previous seasons. Not just the usual ones, like Gintama, Naruto, Aikatsu!, and Pokemon, but other shows that started in April and that I expected to go just one season, like Ore Monogatari, The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, Denpa Kyoushi, and Kekkai Sensen.

And as I mentioned in my full preview of all the new shows, there are fourteen new shows that are just sequels of previous hits. Check out that preview for details of all the new shows, including pic, trailer, story, cast, staff and some comments.

Komatsu Mikako 小松未可子 had her first leading role in 2010, as Joey in Heroman. She became a star in 2011, playing the schoolgirl pirate captain Kato Marika in Mouretsu Uchuu Kaizoku (aka "Bodacious Space Pirates").

As a seiyuu, she has sailed along ever since, a minor star just below the level of super-stardom. But as a personality, she is very well known among Japanese anime fans. She has hosted 13 different radio shows, and has released seven singles in her own name as a singer. And now she is getting more and more roles.

As a personality, Mikakoshi (her nickname) is a lovely combination of forceful and sweet. She has a deep voice and can be loud and strong, but always gives a natural, easy, honest feeling.

She admires multitalented seiyuu/singers Horie Yui and Sakamoto Maaya, as well as the great Kaida Yuuko, who is a highly successful anime seiyuu but has the kind of range that makes her one of the very top voices in dubbing. Kaida-san also has a coolness and strength that Mikakoshi can easily aspire to.

Here are pics of four of Mikakoshi's best-known characters, Marika (Space Pirates), Neko (K), Miuna (Nagi no Asukara) and Tsugumi Seishirou (Nisekoi):



Here is a clip of voice samples from her spring 2015 roles, Hina (Tesagura Bukatsumono Puru Purun Shanumu to Asobou), Totsuka Saita (Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu), and Seishirou (Nisekoi), three roles that cover quite a wide range:



This summer, she has four roles, Ginger (in Gangsta), Hotaru (Aoharu x Kikanjuu), Asako (Ushio to Tora) and Yayoi (Danchigai):



To get an idea of what she's like in person, have a look at this compendium of minor embarrassments:



Mikako was born 11 November 1988 (she is now 26).

Her given name Mikako was the name of a synchronized swimmer, Kotani Mikako, who was competing in the Seoul Olympics while Mikakoshi was still in the womb. Her three-year-old brother kept shouting "Mikako!" in support of the swimmer, and whenever he did, the baby moved. So her parents gave her that name.


She loved the Great Detective Conan animes as a child, and adorned the walls of her room with posters of the theme-song singer, Kuraki Mai, whom she continued to admire as she grew up. Earlier this year, she sang a duet with Kuraki-san.

She began in show business as a 14-year-old in 2003, when she won an audition to become part of a new idol group associated with a radio program. Here is a somewhat uncomfortable video clip from that time:



In 2007-8, age 18-19, she had roles in some TV dramas.

In 2010, age 21, she began her seiyuu career as Joey in Heroman.



In 2012, aged 23, she released her first two singles, Black Holy and Tsumetai Heya, Hitori ("A Cold Room, Alone"). At the release concert for Black Holy, the audience generated so much heat that she took off her hat, then her jacket, then her boots, and ended up singing barefoot.



In 2013, she proclaimed her adherence to a new religious sect she called "Sweet Sixteen," modelled after Inoue Kikuko's declaration that she would always be 17.

Here she is in 2013, singing Owaranai Melody wo Utaidashimashita:



In 2014, she attended a publicity event for her hometown of Kuwana, in Mie prefecture. She went to a private school there until she was in high school, then moved to a private school in Tokyo.

Mikakoshi was given her nickname by otaku fellow-students in college. It means something like "Mme. Mikako" (or even "Mr. Mikako").



It was when she heard the low voice of Saitou Ayaka playing the male role of Mitsukuni in Ouran High School Host Club that she first thought she herself could become a seiyuu. She never liked her low voice, but when the director of a play she was in praised her for sounding "just like a young man," she began to be reconciled to it. And when the director of Bodacious Space Pirates said her character Marika sounded like "a handsome girl," she finally accepted it.

Here she is on location in Yokohama for shooting the cover of her album e'tuis, in 2014:



She uses Apple's Garage Band software to compose songs.




Some of Her Anime Roles

2010
Shinryaku Ika Musume (Tanaka)
Heroman (Joey)
Great Detective Conan Magic Kaitou (student)

2011
Gosick (Ian Musgrave)
Hanasaku Iroha (3 roles)
Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal (Kotori)
Last Exile Fam (Erio)
Towa no Quon (Yuuma)

2012
K (Neko)
Sukitte Ii na yo! (Mihiro)
Senki Zesshou Symphogear (Andou Kuriyo)
Natsuiro Kiseki (Keita)
High School DxD (Hanakai)
Mouretsu Uchuu Kaizoku ("Bodacious Space Pirates" - Capt. Kato Marika)

2013
Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (4 roles)
Sunday Without God (Ulla Hecmatika)
Gundam Build Fighters (Iori Sei)
Nagi no Asukara (Miuna)
Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live (Suzuno Ito)
Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko (young Youto)
Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu (Totsuka Saita)
Sanjougattai Transformers Go! OVA (Tatewaki Isami)


2014
Ao Haru Ride (Murao Shuuko)
Aldnoah Zero (Inko)
Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji (Tezuka Aki)
Sora no Method (Togawa Shione)
Nisekoi (Tsugumi Seishirou)
Noragami (Mutsumi)
Mahou Shoujo Taisen (Kamiki Suzuka)
Madan to Vanadis (Alexandra Alshavin)
Momokyun Sword (Kaguya)
Chain Chronicle OVA (Cain)

2015
Gourmet Girl Graffiti (Shiina)
Junketsu no Maria (Priapos)
Nekota no Koto ga Ki ni Natte Shikatanai special (Amane Mikiko)
Plastic Memories (Andie)
Tesagura Bukatsumono Puru Purun Shanumu to Asobou (Usami Hina)
Gangsta (Ginger)
Aoharu x Kikanjuu (Hotaru)
Ushio to Tora (Asako)
Danchigai (Yayoi)




Games
-- 41 games


Dubbing
-- 3 films, including Snow White in Mirror, Mirror (Lily Collins)
-- 3 TV shows, including Harmony in Glee.


Radio
-- host of 13 shows, two current, including her self-titled Mikakoshi no Rajiokoshi, a half-hour show she has hosted every Friday at midnight since 2012.



TV Drama
-- 4 TV dramas, 2007-2008


Stage
-- has starred in 2 plays, in 2010 and 2015, including this year's stage/reading adaptation of Hoshi no Koe (by Shinkai Makoto), with the Catmint theatre troupe.



Music

-- she has released six singles: 2012 - Black Holy, Tsumetai Heya Hitori; 2013 - Owaranai Melody wo Utaidashimashita, Niji no Yakusoku; 2014 - Sail Away, Latimer Road
-- new single comes out in August: Gunjou Survival.
-- two limited-edition singles: ABC (2013), Naminori Glider (2014).
-- two albums: THEE Futures (2013), e'tuis (2014)
-- one mini-album: cosmic EXPO (2012)
-- one remix album: cosmic Explosion (2014)
-- five special music videos: Mikako Komatsu the First All Days, MK Music Crips, MK The First Live(s), Komatsu Mikako Live Tour "Thee Futures" (all 2013); Mikako Komatsu 2nd Live Tour -in the suite- +Music Clips (2014).
-- participated in 17 anime music CDs
-- 28 live events, including Animelo Summer Music Live (2012-2013)


(Click images to enlarge.)

Links

in English:
Anime Database
Anime News Network
Wikipedia

in Japanese:
Wikipedia
agency site
music site
twitter
blog (ended 2013)

YouTube

She apparently reads 330 characters in 30 seconds -- eleven characters a second. Many of these are probably single syllables and some double or more.

Ao-chan has great vocal skill. I think she's a good actress, too, but her powerful vocal equipment and control are what really set her apart.

Sakura Ayane 佐倉綾音 burst onto the scene in 2011, at the age of 16, with the starring role in Yumekui Merry. That was not a huge hit, and even I found her voice amateurish.

But the years have passed and her ability has grown. I keep hearing good performances and then discovering she is giving them.

It happened with Miyabi in NakaImo in 2012, where she played a second-fiddle girl in love.

It happened again with the nasty rival Eno in Love Lab. It happened last fall with the tsundere sorceress Suzuka in Tokyo Ravens.

And it happened this winter with Nadeshiko, the student council vice-president who drily kept her flaky president in line in Engaged to the Unidentified. Sakura-san makes an impact over a range of characters.

Ayaneru (her nickname) is with the I"m Enterprise agency, which may be the biggest and most powerful in the business. She and another I"m Enterprise seiyuu, Yahagi Sayuri, have a long-running radio show together. To get an idea just how many well-known seiyuus are in the I"m Enterprise stable, click here. Saitou Chiwa, Tamura Yukari, Ueda Kana, Hayami Saori, Nakahara Mai, Kugimiya Rie....

This coming season, Ayaneru has four major roles: in Selector Infected Wixoss (Kurebayashi Yuzuki), in Dragonar Academy (Silvia Lautreamont), in Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? (Kokoa), and in Knights of Sidonia (Kunato Mozuku).

Wixoss starts on Thursday, and is a JC Staff horror anime directed by Satou Takuya (Steins;Gate) and written as an original by Okada Mari (True Tears, Nagi no Asukara, etc.).



Ayaneru is on a number of radio shows, and was host of the TV show Girls News for 40 weeks in 2012.



Here are some of her best-known characters, including three coming up this season:

Merry (Yumekui Merry) -- Hotaru (Hotarubi no Mori) -- Kannagi (NakaImo)

Buratei Mari (Joshiraku) -- Natsumi (Non Non Biyori) -- Nadeshiko (Engaged to the Unidentified)

Yuzuki (Selector Infected Wixoss) -- Silvia Lautreamont (Dragonar Academy) -- Kokoa (Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka?)


Here's a short sample of her work as the powerful tsundere sorceress Suzuka in episode 18 of Tokyo Ravens. The video is from NicoNico and will be slow to appear, but have patience:



In radio shows and other appearances, you get the idea that Ayaneru is a fairly boisterous person. There is even something a bit masculine about her. She says she used the informal masculine first-person pronoun boku until she was in middle school, where the boys' reaction made her change -- but she only changed as far as the gender-neutral watashi, and has never gone as far as the feminine atashi.

At first Ayaneru seems a quiet girl...then she bursts out with loud laughter or an off-color joke. Here are examples from her radio show with Ohagi:





Yahagi Sayuri is hilarious, isn't she? She was the first young seiyuu I ever featured in this blog. At that time, she was 19. Now she is 27, and has adopted the role of Ayaneru's senpai (elder at school). In fact, Ayaneru's nickname for her is that word reversed: "Paisen."

Here is Ayaneru with Nakajima Megumi and Takao Yuki, publicizing Kimi no Iru Machi:



Here's an interview with top anime interviewer/publicist Washizaki Takeshi:



And here is something a bit more formal, publicizing the game Chain Chronicle:



Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry-blossoms, but that is when it is written with the kanji 桜. Ayaneru's surname is written 佐倉, kanji which could be interpreted to mean "officer's storehouse." Quite a different feeling. I don't know if this is her real name or a stage name. I've seen no indication it's a stage name, but it could be.

She is also a capable singer, with 19 CDs to her credit. Here she is singing as Rinne in Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live:




And she is one of the best seiyuu artists. Her agency even called her a "master painter." And she is indeed pretty good:



She draws on the computer, and in fact she says that in elementary school she intended to become a software engineer. That ended in grade five, but she still likes to "fool around with computers."




On the radio show, she has said that her goal for this year is to graduate from being a "zombie youth" to being a real adult and a "sweet lady." Not likely. She's an entertainer.


And part of her entertainment schtick is yuri. She is particularly effusive about how much she likes Hanazawa Kana. Read about it on Ambi'Seiyuulog. Here is her reaction to receiving a message from Kana-chan wishing her a happy 19th birthday:



Ayaneru was originally in a theatre troupe. But at a certain point, her voice teacher said her voice was so good she should become a seiyuu, instead. Perhaps her chunkiness and slightly awkward movements entered into the decision, too.


Here is a list of her major roles, basically copied from ANN. For a fuller list, check AniDB, Anime News Network or Wikipedia. AniDB also has a full list of her vocal work. I'll include here a list of some of her songs, also from ANN. The fullest info, however, is on Japanese Wikipedia.


Roles:
2010
 Ookami-san & Her Seven Companions as Futaba (ep 9)
 Oreimo as Electric little sister (ep 4); Maid (ep 2); Mikoto (ep 5)
2011
 Dream Eater Merry as Merry Nightmare
 Sacred Seven as Ayane
 Hotarubi no Mori e (movie) as Hotaru
 Haganai as Sora (Taka's friend; eps 3, 6, 11)
 Mobile Suit Gundam AGE as Ruth Remi
2012
 Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future as Ayami Ooruri
 Joshiraku as Buratei Marii
 NAKAIMO - My Little Sister Is Among Them! as Kannagi Miyabi
 Kokoro Connect as Kiriyama Anzu (Yui's little sister)
2013
 Love Live! School idol project as Ayase Arisa
 Vividred Operation as Isshiki Akane
 Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki (movie) as Ladylee Tangleroad
 Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live as Rinne
 Aiura as Yanase Mei
 Love Lab as Enomoto Yuiko ("Eno")
 il sole penetra le illusioni as Shinzaki  Fuyuna
 Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku) as Kaisei
 High School DxD New as Gaspard Vurati
 Kimi no Iru Machi as Mishima Asuka
 Non Non Biyori as Koshigaya Natsumi
 Tokyo Ravens as Dairenji Suzuka
2014
 Engaged to the Unidentified as Kashima Nadeshiko
 Pretty Rhythm All Star Selection: Prism Show☆Best Ten (movie) as Ayami Ooruri; Rinne
 Selector Infected Wixoss as Kurebayashi Yuzuki
 Dragonar Academy as Silvia Lautreamont
 Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? as Kokoa
 Knights of Sidonia as Mozuku Kunato



Music:
2011
 Dream Eater Merry  (ED)
2012
 Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future (insert song - 10 episodes, OP3)
 Joshiraku (OP)
 NAKAIMO - My Little Sister Is Among Them! (ED)
2013
 Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live (insert song - 7 episodes)
 Love Lab (theme)
 High School DxD New (ED2)
 Non Non Biyori (ED)
2014
 Pretty Rhythm All Star Selection: Prism Show☆Best Ten (movie) (insert song as Rinne, Sprouts)
 Dragonar Academy (ED)
 Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? (OP)



Links
Anime News Network
AniDB
Wikipedia
ja.Wikipedia (Japanese)
agency home page (Japanese)
Ayane*LDK radio show (Japanese)
Yahagi/Sakura radio show (Japanese)
Sakura/Tone Kentarou radio show (Japanese) (Tone-san is Akira in Bakuman)
more photos (Japanese)
even more photos (mogyutto, English)

EXTRA:

Here is the video of her latest radio show, broadcast hours ago, teamed with Uchida Maaya (Rikka/Chuunibyou). Mayayan is another young seiyuu who keeps surprising me by being so good. She is also a former amateur gravure idol, and will appear in gravure in Young Gangan magazine #8, out on Thursday. The two star together in this season's Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? Ayaneru begins the show asking Mayayan if she has an iPad. Then says she has had one (actually two) for two years. They are working out how to interact.




Link from twitter @cowboybibimbop

Just yesterday, the video of the first episode of a new show starring Mayayan (Uchida Maaya 内田真礼) and Ayaneru (Sakura Ayane 佐倉綾音) came online.

The two seiyuus star together in the new anime Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka?, which starts next Thursday. But this show appears to be unrelated to that. However, it no doubt is related to the fact that they both are with the big I'm Enterprise seiyuu agency.



Ayaneru begins the show asking Mayayan if she has an iPad. After Mayayan says no, but that she wants one, Ayaneru eagerly proclaims she has had one for two years, confirming the interest in computers I mentioned in the previous post.


Like Ayaneru, Mayayan is another young seiyuu who keeps surprising me by being so good. She was more than adequate as Sanka Rea. Then she leaped to stardom as Rikka in Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai. I was still only partly convinced, but I thought she was excellent in her following roles of Mao in GJ Club and Hajime in Gatchaman Crowds. Then she did the very different role of officer-minder Koganuma in Outbreak Company and I was officially impressed.

She is also a former amateur gravure idol, and will appear in gravure in Young Gangan magazine #8, out on Thursday. I say "amateur," to cover what I understand to be the situation: I believe she was like a cosplayer, agreeing to pose for groups of otaku for little or no money. This endeared her to Japanese otaku from the start of her seiyuu career.

The first episode of the radio show seemed a bit awkward to me. The utterly beautiful Mayayan may be a bit intimidating for the pretty but ample Ayaneru. And Ayaneru apparently doesn't hesitate to brag about her computer savvy. They were working out how to interact as two young seiyuus flying solo together, without a more experienced hand to guide the show. Not that they aren't both quite experienced as radio personalities.

I posted the video as an addendum to my previous post on Ayaneru, but I think it deserves a post of its own, so people will see it. I was alerted to the new show by a tweet from @cowboybibimbop. Future episodes should be available on the GA Bunko YouTube channel.

I've made character/seiyuu pages for a total of 15 new anime:

• Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou
• Brynhildr in the Darkness
• Dragonar Academy
• Is the Order a Rabbit?
• Isshuukan Friends
• Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san
• Kanojo ga Flag wo Oretara
• Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
• Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to
• Mekakucity Actors
• Nanana's Buried Treasure
• No Game, No Life
• Selector Infected Wixoss
• Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii
• Soul Eater Not 

The pages show pictures of all the characters the anime's official site has pics of, adds a pic of the character's seiyuu (voice actor) and gives some info about the seiyuu.

So far this season, my favorite, as expected, is Shinbou's Mekakucity Actors. Shinbou in a world inspired by technology. A perfect match.

But I enjoyed all the shows I've made pages for, and others besides. I'm not seeing any masterpieces quite yet, but I'm enjoying a lot of the shows, each for its different reasons.

I hope the pages will be useful to you (as they are to me). As I make them, I will add new pages in the list to the right.

Love Live 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii

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

Ping Pong

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

No Game, No Life

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

Glasslip

The summer anime season starts on Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Tuesday
Momo Kyun Sword - 08 jul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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



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



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

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

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




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

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



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




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

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




Anime Roles

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

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

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

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

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




Music

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

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

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

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


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


Radio/TV

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

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

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

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


links
Anime News Network
AniDB
images onetwo

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


 

Glasslip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bakumatsu Rock– Humor-free humour, for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


Autumn 2014 New Anime


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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




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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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


Selector Spread Wixoss
  (jp: selector spread WIXOSS)   jpWiki

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


Kaitou Joker
  (jp: 怪盗ジョーカー)   jpWiki

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


Akatsuki no Yona
  (jp: 暁のヨナ)   jpWiki

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


Shirobako
  (jp: SHIROBAKO)   jpWiki

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Agency portrait

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

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

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

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

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

In real life

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

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

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


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

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




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

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

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

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

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



Here she is as the fighting avatar Tama in Wixoss:



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




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


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

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

Here are images of her main roles:

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


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


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



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



List of Works 

Anime Roles

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

2010
Oreimo (TV) Bridget Evans (ep 10)

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

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

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


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


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


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

Internet TV
Wixoss -- 2 shows

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

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

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


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

Le Fruit de la Grisaia

As in previous seasons, I am making character/seiyuu pages for a number of the new anime this fall.

The pages include pics of main characters and their seiyuus, with a bit of info about each seiyuu. I find them useful when I'm watching the shows. I hope you will, too.

So far, I have done the following shows:

• Amagi Brilliant Park
• Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken
• Denkigai no Honya-san
• Donten ni Warau
• Le Fruit de la Grisaia
• Gugure! Kokkuri-san
• Seven Deadly Sins
• Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete

You'll see the links in the upper right of any page of this blog.

So far, I have enjoyed the two shows in this list that I have seen, both of which are comedies. Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken ("The Matter of My Not Understanding What My Husband is Saying") follows the life of a woman who has married a total anime otaku: she goes out to work, he stays on the Net, making a bit of money from his blog. But they do love each other and seem to enjoy their lives, so far, even if she doesn't understand what he's talking about much of the time. Tamura Yukari and Suzumura Kenichi star -- and I do mean star. Episodes are three and a half minutes long.

Denkigai no Honya-san is about the weird young freeters working in a manga shop suspiciously resembling Toranoana. Strong echoes of Working, but with a lot of anime and manga references, general and specific. In episode one, everyone ends up admitting proudly that they love porn.

Two romance shows based on ero-games start this weekend: Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete ("In Search of a Lost Future") on Saturday, and Le Fruit de la Grisaia on Sunday. Both star the members of the original game's cast. Check the character/seiyuu pages to see how many hundred ero-games some of the seiyuus have been in.

I have particularly enjoyed the work of Taguchi Hiroko, who was Miyako in ef memories (game and anime, the game under the pseudonym Natsuno Koori), and of Yanase Natsumi, who was Chihiro in that show (does ero-games under the pseudonym Maki Izumi). Both have roles in Grisaia.

Thank you! (Simoun)

I started this blog almost nine years ago, with a post on Paradise Kiss. Other shows featured in those early days: Noein, Glass Mask, Lemon Angel Project (an early idol anime), Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, and especially Simoun, which remains my favorite show of all time.

That was 856 posts ago. I missed it when the hits topped a million. Now, after many years, they have hit two million. Thank you all.

I hope the blog has brought you some pleasure and some information. Making the posts has done both of those things for me.

My anime-viewing is slowing down a bit, so I'm not sure how often I will post as time goes on. But I'm enjoying doing character/seiyuu pages for a number of current shows, so it probably won't die out entirely.

And seiyuus continue to be my greatest anime interest. I started as a big fan of Hirano Aya, after hearing her in Haruhi. As her personal and professional life crumbled, I moved on to a new young seiyuu, Yuuki Aoi. Now that she is established as a top name, I find myself following the growth of young Kido Ibuki. At least my taste is improving a bit. And as producers continue to prefer cheap young voices to expensive older ones (except for a few big stars), there is a continuous supply of interesting new voices to listen to.

So I guess I'll keep posting a bit -- unless I continue to find myself loving shows that everyone else hates (Glasslip) and just get too depressed to carry on. Lol.

The first episode of Shirobako was entertaining in more than one way. I enjoyed the human interactions, but I also enjoyed the look inside the world of anime production.

In making a characters/seiyuus page for the show, I was able to include the job titles of each character, from director to line producer to animation director to production assistants -- 24 characters after only one episode! Click on the image to go to the full page.


To understand what each job does, have a look at this page, which I used to standardize the translations of the job titles.

The cast is an interesting mix of new and experienced seiyuus, featuring the newer ones (mainly in the top row of the table). I can't say I was that impressed with the voice work. It was good enough but no better. But the story and the characters came through.


There is lots of positive comment about this show, both in Japan and overseas. Overseas commentators are praising it in relation to the last P.A. Works show, Glasslip, which most people didn't like. I'm here to say that I think the first episode of Shirobako was good, but Glasslip was a masterpiece from start to finish. I'm the only person who says that, but I believe it strongly and (I'm sorry to say) will keep saying it.

There is speculation as to which real-world anime staff member is being portrayed by each character in the show. I think there may be more than one referent for some characters. The president of the anime production company at one point is making curry for the staff. I've seen a short about Ghibli in which its founder Miyazaki Hayao is (rather ostentatiously, I thought) making ramen for his staff:



And here is an image from Shirobako:

I keep hearing that anime is dead, but there are more new anime this season than in any season I can remember: over fifty.

Now, I admit I've been finding fewer and fewer shows I like over the past couple of years, but at least the industry seems to be surviving -- perhaps on the backs of its workers; perhaps with a larger number of shows that are only three to fifteen minutes long; perhaps with a larger number of new seasons of past successes -- but surviving and apparently thriving.

Anyway, here are 15 shows that sound potentially interesting to me. There are others that may be more interesting to you. After this brief list will come full notes about all (or almost all) the new shows: cast, staff, story, image, trailer and a few words from me. Hope it helps you find the shows you like.

• Ame-iro Cocoa– A new show from Mochizuki Tomomi (YKK, Touka Gettan, Zettai Shounen, Saraiya Goyou). This one is a sentimental comedy set in a coffee shop full of bishounen. The only problem is that it looks as if episodes may be very short, as with Mochizuki's pupa, which suffered because of that. We shall see.
• Danna ga Nani o Itteiruka Wakaranai Ken 2– A second season of the short comic anime portraying real married life (and love), with Suzumura Kenichi and Tamura Yukari as an otaku and his long-suffering but loving wife. 
• Denpa Kyoushi– Kamiya Hiroshi as an otaku who becomes a strange but effective schoolteacher. 
• Etotama: Eto Tamashii– Nya-tan the cat wants to become one of the animals of the zodiac. She and the other animals have two forms: pretty teen girl and cute SD character. From the team that gave us the pretty and enjoyable Astalotte no Omocha. 
• Hibike! Euphonium– KyoAni presents another after-school music club, this time a brass band. The set-up makes me groan, but the staff and cast look great. Written by Hanada Jukki, directed by the director of Kanon, Clannad, and Haruhi. 
• Kekkai Sensen– Bones and the director of Kyousougiga create an elegantly vicious show set in a New York where humans and weird creatures from another dimension mix. Koyama Rikya and other top male voices star. 
• Knights of Sidonia: Battle for Planet Nine– My favorite science fiction show in nine years is back for a second season. 
• Kyoukai no Rinne– A manga by Takahashi Rumiko (Ranma ½, Maison Ikkou) adapted for anime by Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, Shirobako). Our heroine can see ghosts, and is surprised when a new transfer student turns out to be a shinigami. 
• Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku -- Kimura Juri (who was terrific as Aoi in Shirobako) stars in a show based on the work of Vocaloid composer Last Note. 
• Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu– A completely different Nagato Yuki, from a completely different studio and staff, but with all the same voices as in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. I'm intrigued. 
• Ore Monogatari!!– Madhouse, the director of Cardcaptor Sakura and NANA, the writer of Blue Drop and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, and a highly professional cast. These all make me confident about this story in which the big lummox apparently gets the girl. 
• Owari no Seraph– A virus kills all adult humans and the surviving children are enslaved by powerful vampires, who keep them like milk-cattle for their blood. Our hero is determined to do the impossible, and defeat the vampires. From the director and writer who did the somewhat similar Attack on Titan. 
• Plastic Memories– Our hero works for a company that produces androids that are indistinguishable from humans – but that only live ten years. He and a pretty android are a team sent out to recover androids who have reached the end of their lives. From the director of the enjoyable Mikakunin de Shinkoukei. 
• Re-Kan!– The young but immensely talented Kido Ibuki stars as a girl who can see spirits. 
• Show by Rock!!– Excellent cast (Uesaka Sumire, Sakura Ayane, Taniyama Kishou, Miyano Mamoru, Kayano Ai, etc.) in a young-shoujo fantasy about a magical world of music. Our heroine joins a rock band whose members can turn into cute little stuffed animals. Animation by Bones. Produced by Sanrio, the makers of Hello Kitty. 
• Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Revolutions – Another season of pure shoujo wish-fulfilment, with our heroine surrounded by bishounen in a school for idols.

As I said, those are the shows that sound promising to me. Others may be more interested in the new Nanoha series (centered on her daughter); or the new seasons of Baby Steps, Fate/Stay Night UBW, Gintama, Kiniro Mosaic, High School DxD, Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu, Nisekoi, Saint Seiya, or Diamond no Ace; the new Noitamina show Punchline; the ecchi action comedy Triage X; or the gender-switching comedy Yamada and the Seven Witches.

Click on a title in the alphabetical list below to go to its full preview:

● Ame-iro Cocoa     ● Arslan Senki (2015)     ● Baby Steps (2015)     ● Bar Kiraware Yasai     ● Battle Spirits: Burning Soul     ● Danna ga Nani o Itteiruka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sureme     ● Denpa Kyoushi     ● Dia no Ace: Second Season     ● Digimon Adventure Tri.     ● Duel Masters VSR     ● Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatte Iru Darouka     ● Eikoku Ikke, Nihon o Taberu     ● Etotama: Eto Tamashii     ● Fate stay/night Unlimited Blade Works 2nd season     ● Future Card Buddyfight 100     ● Ghost in the Shell Arise: Alternative Architecture     ● Gintama` (2015)     ● Grisaia no Meikyuu     ● Grisaia no Rakuen     ● Gunslinger Stratos The Animation     ● Hello!! Kin`iro Mosaic     ● Hibike! Euphonium     ● High School DxD Born     ● Houkago no Pleiades (2015)     ● Jewelpet: Magical Change     ● Kaitou Joker 2     ● Kekkai Sensen     ● Knights of Sidonia - Battle for Planet Nine     ● Kyoukai no Rinne     ● Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Vivid     ● Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku     ● My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu 2     ● Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu     ● Narudoma     ● Ninja Slayer From Animation     ● Nisekoi:     ● Nyuru Nyuru!! Kakusen-kun 2-ki     ● Omakase Mamitasu     ● Ore Monogatari!!     ● Owari no Seraph     ● Plastic Memories     ● PriPara (2015)     ● Punchline     ● Re-Kan!     ● Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold     ● Shokugeki no Souma     ● Show by Rock!!     ● Super Short Comics     ● Takamiya Nasuno Desu!     ● Tamagocchi! Tama to Mo Daishuu GO     ● Teekyuu (2015)     ● Tesagure! Bukatsumono Spin-off Purupurun Sharumu to Asobou     ● Triage X     ● Urawa no Usagi-chan     ● Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Revolutions     ● Vampire Holmes     ● Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (2015)

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. 
-- times and dates may change. my weekly calendar will come out at the beginning of April with the most recent data.
-- click images to enlarge. 
__________________________________

Spring 2015 Anime-- in chronological order by first broadcast



  (jp: おまかせマミタス)   jpWiki

comic shorts w/cats
director: Hashimoto Mitsuo
writer: Sonoda Hideki. Nakagawa Shouko (orig plan).

animation: OLM. trailer.
starts tue 31 mar 18:45

Shorts from an original plan by seiyuu/singer/TVpersonality Nakagawa Shouko. On her website she says the characters are based on the Nakagawa family's ten cats, and says the series will involve both slapstick comedy and heartful emotion.

The show stars Shouko-tan's cat Mamitasu. No preview is available, so the trailer link is to a video of Shouko-tan with her long-suffering big tabby.



Battle Spirits: Burning Soul
  (jp: バトルスピリッツ烈火魂[バーニングソウル])   jpWiki

shounen battles
director: Sugishima Kunihisa (SpeedGrapher, Metal Fight Beyblade)
writer: Hasegawa Katsumi (Final Approach, KissxSis, Metal Fight Beyblade).
seiyuus: Kanada Aki, Yamashia Nanami, Yamashita Seiichirou, Suwabe Junichi, Arai Ryouhei, Sugita Tomokazu.
animation: BN Pictures (Sunrise). OP Kita Shuuhei, ED Sasaki Sayaka.

starts wed 01 apr 18:30

Seventh Battle Spirits series, featuring battles set in the Japanese Warring States period. Animation by BN Pictures, renamed spin-off from Sunrise for kids/family shows.


Danna ga Nani o Itteiruka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sureme
  (jp: 旦那が何を言っているかわからない件 2スレ目)   jpWiki

seinen comedy
director: Nagai Shinpei
writer: Nagai Shinpei.
seiyuus: Suzumura Kenichi, Tamura Yukari, Sakai Toshifumi, Kugimiya Rie, Horino Sayaka, Shimizu Kaori, Shintani Ryouko, Tonosaki Daisuke.
animation: OP Tamura Yukari.
trailer.
starts thu 02 apr 25:00

A second series of the hilarious and touching show about a married couple in which the woman has a steady job and the man is an otaku freeter. The first series ended with her becoming pregnant….

Trailer link is to the first half of the first season. Three-minute episodes.

Suzumura Kenichi and Tamura Yukari do excellent work. All in all, a very satisfying comedy about married life and married love.


My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu 2
  (jp: やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている. 続)   jpWiki

romantic comedy
director: Oikawa Kei (Minamike Okaeri, Outbreak Co.)
writer: Suga Shoutarou (Rinne Lagrange, Yahari Ore 1, Uchouten Kazoku, Isshukan Friends). Watari Wataru (novel).
seiyuus: Eguchi Takuya, Hayami Saori, Touyama Nao, Komatsu Mikako, Yuuki Aoi, Yuzuki Ryouka, Nakahara Mai, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Kondou Takeshi, Sakura Ayane, Tomatsu Haruka.
animation: Feel. OP Yanagi Nagi, ED Hayami Saori/Touyama Nao.
trailer.
starts thu 02 apr 25:46

A second season for the romantic comedy about a negative guy who is forced to join a club that has the school's prettiest girl as a member. The cast is to die for, with some of my favorites among today's top young female seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Touyama Nao, Komatsu Mikako, Yuuki Aoi, Sakura Ayane -- and some favorites who are not quite as young: Yuzuki Ryouka, Nakahara Mai, Tomatsu Haruka. The new director taking over for this second season has some good comic credits.Maybe he will give the show a bit more zing.


Re-Kan!
  (jp: レーカン!)   jpWiki

supernatural "heartful" comedy
director: Kudou Masashi (Hayate Eyes, Cuties)
writer: Aoshima Takashi (Crescent Love, Mitsudomoe, Kotoura-san). Seta Hinako (manga).
seiyuus: Kido Ibuki (Akiko/OniAi, Kasumi/GJ-bu, Oka/Golden Time, Rinka/TokyoESP, Claire/BladeDance), Itou Miku, Iida Riho, MAO, Yamazaki Erii, Yamaya Yoshitaka, Kawahara Yoshihisa, Kujira, Uchida Aya. Izawa Mikako, Matsui Eriko, Kino Futaba, Utada Wataru, Minaguchi Yuko.
animation: Pierrot Plus. OPED every♥ing! (Kido Ibuki + Yamazaki Erii).
trailer.
starts thu 02 apr 26:16

Hibiki can see ghosts and spirits. Some of her friends believe it when she says so, some don't.

I'm here for the starring voice actress, Kido Ibuki. Ibuki-chan is now 17, having debuted as the little sister in OniAi at 14. She has great natural power and colour in her voice, and has done some good acting, as well. The director is only doing his second show, but the writer did such successful comedies as Mitsudomoe and Kotoura-san.


Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Vivid
  (jp: 魔法少女リリカルなのはViVid)   jpWiki

magical girl action adventure
director: Itou Yuuki (Vividred asstdir)
writer: Kobayashi Naruo (main writer). Tsuzuki Masaki (orig).
seiyuus: Mizuhashi Kaori, Noto Mamiko, Kitamura Eri, Fukuen Misato, Tamura Yukari, Mizuki Nana.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Mizuki Nana, ED Tamura Yukari.
trailer.
starts fri 03 apr 22:30

Mizuhashi Kaori plays Nanoha's daughter, Vivio. Mamiko Noto plays the daughter's friend Einhart, also a magical girl. They both want to be the strongest fighter. The events take place four years after the end of StrikerS.

Director, writer, and studio have not done previous shows in the franchise.


Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatte Iru Darouka
  (jp: ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか)   jpWiki

magic fighting adventure/comedy
director: Yamakawa Yoshiki (Hatsukoi Limited, Little Busters)
writer: Shirane Hideki (Sensei Ojikan, Yumekui Merry, DateALive). Oomori Fujino (novel).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Minase Inori, Oonishi Saori, Uchida Maaya, Tomatsu Haruka, Ishigami Shizuka, Hikasa Youko, Kubo Yurika, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Hayami Saori.
animation: JC Staff. OP Iguchi Yuka, ED Wakeshima Kanon.
trailer.
starts fri 03 apr 25:05

Interesting cast and dubious staff. Matsuoka Yoshitsugu is the current go-to voice for young adventurers, for good reason. Minase Inori brings her tiny lisp to a leading role. Oonishi Saori is a rising young star. Uchida Maaya, Tomatsu Haruka, Hikasa Youko, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Hayami Saori -- lots to like.

But the staff did clumsy shows like Hatsukoi Limited, Little Busters, and Yumekui Merry. They are working with JC Staff, though, so the look should be professional.

Our hero is a new adventurer in the labyrinths of the town of Dungeon. Attacked by a minotaur, he is saved by a female adventurer whom he promptly falls in love with. In turn, a little goddess known as the "Lolita God" falls in love with him. The trailer includes lots of elf ears.


Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu
  (jp: 長門有希ちゃんの消失)   jpWiki

school comedy
director: Wada Junichi (eps of Gosick, Eureka 7 Ao, Gyrozetter)
writer: Machida Touko (Lucky Star, The Idolm@ster, Chaika). Puyo (manga).
seiyuus: Chihara Minori, Sugita Tomokazu, Kuwatani Natsuko, Gotou Yuuko, Matsuoka Yuki, Shiraishi Minoru, Matsumoto Megumi, Ono Daisuke, Hirano Aya.
animation: Satelight. OP seiyuus, ED Chihara Minori.
trailer.
starts fri 03 apr 25:40

Chihara Minori reprises a very different version of Nagato Yuki. The cast is the only thing that remains the same from the original Haruhi series. KyoAni is nowhere in sight.


Vampire Holmes
   jpWiki

escape mystery
director:
writer: Sena Yoshinobu (dir. Install movie), Cucuri.
seiyuus: Sena Yoshinobu, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Takagaki Ayahi.
animation: Cucuri. OP Tamaki Nami. 3-min eps.

starts fri 03 apr 25:55

Based on a smartphone game. A vampire slasher has been terrorizing London. Our protagonist suddenly awakens to find himself locked in a room in a mansion with someone calling himself Holmes. They must find a way out of the locked room and investigate the suspicious mansion.

Multi-talented Sena Yoshinobu (director, producer, singer-songwriter) is the original creator of the story and plays Holmes.


Shokugeki no Souma
  (jp: 食戟のソーマ)   jpWiki

cooking comedy
director: Yonetani Yoshitomo (Hoshi no Umi no Amuri, Tiger-Bunny movie)
writer: Yasukawa Shougo (Rokujouma no Shinryakusha, Terra Formars).
seiyuus: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Taneda Risa, Sakurai Takahiro, Takahashi Minami, Kayano Ai, Ishigami Shizuka, Uchida Maaya, Hanae Natsuki, Murata Taichi, Ono Yuuki, Kobayashi Yuusuke, Oonishi Saori.
animation: JC Staff. OP Uktratower.
trailer.
starts fri 03 apr 26:40

Food wars. Students compete at a high school devoted to cooking. Sensous eating animation reminds me of Shinbou's current Koufuku Graffiti.

Stars are Matsuoka Yoshitsugu and Taneda Risa -- and as if that wasn't enough, names like Sakurai Takahiro, Kayano Ai, and Uchida Maaya are also in the cast. Directed by the director of the weird and underappreciated Hoshi no Umi no Amuri. Written by the writer of Terra Formars. JC Staff.


Jewelpet: Magical Change
  (jp: ジュエルペット マジカルチェンジ)   jpWiki

young shoujo fantasy
director: Kondo Nobuhiro (Keroro Gunsou, Nobunagun)
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (MariHolic, Free, Lady Jewelpet).
seiyuus: Saitou Ayaka, Takagaki Ayahi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shishido Rumi, Ozawa Ari.
animation: Studio Deen. OP Magical☆Dreamin, ED Dorothy Little Happy.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 09:30

When the first Jewelpet series started in 2009, I preferred young Yuuki Aoi's Yumeiro Patissiere. I had no idea Jewelpet would just keep going and going, now reaching its seventh year-long season as "Lady Jewelpet" ends and "Jewelpet Magical Change" begins.

The show was designed to sell Sanrio and Sega toys, and it must be quite successful. It is a good version of what it is, which is a fantasy for pre-teen girls, involving sweet young ladies, flashing jewels, and talking stuffed animals. This season, the stuffed animals apparently magically change into actual girls.

I watch an episode now and then, hoping to hear Sasaki Nozomi and/or Hirano Aya. This year, I may be disappointed: the only cast lists I see do not mention them. For this series, Studio Comet has given way to Studio Deen. We'll see what difference that makes.


PriPara (2015)
  (jp: プリパラ (2015))   jpWiki

idol show for young girls
director: Moriwaki Makoto (LilPri, Milky Holmes, Jewelpet KiraDeco)
writer: Tsuchiya Michihiro (Kimikiss PureRouge, Chiko Phantom Thief, Cross Game).
seiyuus: Makino Yui, Watanabe Yui.
animation: Tatsunoko, Dongwoo.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 10:00

Second series of the 3DCG-heavy three-minute idol anime aimed mainly at young girls. Suspend disbelief and enjoy an episode or three. Trailer link is to an episode of an earlier series.





Denpa Kyoushi
  (jp: 電波教師 TV)   jpWiki

school comedy with harem overtones
director: Satou Masato (many eps of Conan shows, some direction)
writer: Maekawa Atsushi (Prince of Tennis, Jewelpet, HunterxHunter2011, screenwriter). Azuma Takeshi (manga).
seiyuus: Kamiya Hiroshi, Matsui Rena, Amamiya Sora, Mimori Suzuko, Oonishi Saori, Hidaka Rina, Tadokoro Azusa, Sakura Ayane, Toyosaki Aki.
animation: A-1 Pictures.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 17:30

An otaku becomes an inventive and successful high-school physics teacher. Stars Kamiya Hiroshi.




Kyoukai no Rinne
  (jp: 境界のRINNE)   jpWiki

supernatural comedy adventure
director: Sugawara Seiki (D-Frag; eps of various shows)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, Shirobako). Takahashi Rumiko (manga).
seiyuus: Inoue Marina, Ishikawa Kaito, Kimura Ryouhei, Kakihara Tetsuya, Tokui Sora, Suzaki Aya, Yamaguchi Kappei, Nabatame Hitomi, Yukino Satsuki.
animation: Brain's Base. OP Keytalk, ED Passepied.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 17:30

Dour Sakura is bothered by the ghosts she can’t help seeing. Then Rinne, the boy in the seat next to hers at school, turns out to be a shinigami! From a manga by Takahashi Rumiko, author of Ranma ½, Maison Ikkoku, and Urusei Yatsura.

Inoue Marina and Ishikawa Kaito make a great leading pair. This is only the director's second show, after D-Frag. But writer Yokote Michiko wrote Princess Tutu, Genshiken, and Shirobako, so I'm half-hopeful (make that two-thirds hopeful).


Owari no Seraph
  (jp: 終わりのセラフ)   jpWiki

sci-fi horror fantasy adventure
director: Tokudo Daisuke (asstdir Xamdo, epdir Tokyo Mag 8, Index2, Kyojin)
writer: Seko Hiroshi (epwrite Shingeki no Kyojin, Kill la Kill). Kagami Takaya (manga; Densetsu no Yuusha, Itsuka Tenma mangas).
seiyuus: Ono Kenshou, Irino Miyu, Nakamura Yuuichi, Suzumura Kenichi, Sakurai Takahiro, Hayami Saori, Ishikawa Kaito, Yuuki Aoi.
animation: Wit Studio.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 22:00

A virus suddenly appears that kills every adult on Earth. Vampires rise from the earth and enslave the children. Our hero lives in an orphanage where kids are kept by vampires like milk-cattle, having their blood drawn regularly as food for vampires. Our hero is determined to overthrow the vampires, but this is totally unrealistic: vampires' powers are an order of magnitude greater than human beings'.

Reminds me of the same studio's Shingeki no Kyojin: a long fight against invincible monsters. The director and writer both did episodes of that show. Wit Studio is an offshoot of Production IG. Top-level cast. Good-looking trailer, with well-animated action.


High School DxD Born
  (jp: ハイスクールDxD BorN)   jpWiki

shounen harem adventure
director: Yanagisawa Tetsuya (Kannazuki no Miko, HSDxD New)
writer: Yoshioka Takao (DearS, Elfen Lied, ZnT, HSDxD New). Ishibumi Ichie (novel).
seiyuus: Kaji Yuuki, Hikasa Youko, Asakura Azumi, Koyama Rikiya, Sakura Ayane, Itou Shizuka, Uchida Maaya, Nojima Kenji, Taketatsu Ayana, Oosaka Ryouta.
animation: TNK. OP ChouCho.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 23:00

A new series for the new version of High School DxD that first appeared in 2013. Director Yanagisawa Tetsuya gave us the stylish Kannazuki no Miko and Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora (Shattered Angels). I've always liked his aesthetic. Writer Yoshioka Takao has written shows ranging from DearS to Elfen Lied to Zero no Tsukaima. The cast is everything it should be.

The show is what it is: supernatural adventure with harem overtones. The show's official site has the URL "haremking.tv."


Gunslinger Stratos The Animation
  (jp: ガンスリンガー ストラトス)   jpWiki

science-fiction fighting adventure
director: Ezaki Shinpei (eps of Kimi ni Todoke, Guilty Crown, Attack on Titan, dir. Guilty Crown Lost Christmas)
writer: Kaihou Norimitsu (Nitroplus). Urobuchi Gen, Square Enix.
seiyuus: Abe Atsushi, Kanemoto Hisako, Nishida Masakazu, Sawashiro Miyuki, Ueda Kana, Hoshi Souichirou, Koyama Rikiya, Oohara Sayaka, Koyasu Takehito, Kobayashi Yumiko, Fujita Saki, Akimoto Yousuke, Hayami Saori, Ise Mariya, Ohkawa Tooru, Mizuki Nana.
animation: A-1 Pictures. OP Ayano Mashiro, ED GARNiDELiA.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 23:30

In 2115, Japan has split into two parallel worlds: there is a Japan full of outlaws and disorder, and a totalitarian Japan. Our heroes are mercenaries from the two universes, hired to go back into the past and battle their alternate selves, allowing only one universe to survive. Huge and capable cast, little-known and inexperienced director.


Fate stay/night Unlimited Blade Works 2nd season
  (jp: Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works 2ndシーズン)   jpWiki

supernatural fighting adventure w/feelings
director: Miura Takahiro
writer: Nasu Kinoko/TYPE-MOON (visual novel).
seiyuus: Ueda Kana, Kawasumi Ayako, Suwabe Junichi, Sugiyama Noriaki, Canna Nobutoshi, Itou Miki, Kadowaki Mai, Kamiya Hiroshi, Miki Shinichirou, Nakata Jouji, Seki Tomokazu, Shitaya Noriko, Tanaka Atsuko, Terasoma Masaki.
animation: ufotable. OP Aimer, ED Kalafina.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 24:00

A second season of ufotable's excellent retelling of the Fate/Stay Night story.The first season was director Miura Takahiro's first full show as director.


Plastic Memories
  (jp: プラスティック･メモリーズ)   jpWiki


director: Fujiwara Yoshiyuki (GJ-bu, Mikakunin de Shinkoukei)
writer: Hayashi Naotaka (script).
seiyuus: Amamiya Sora, Takumi Yasuaki, Hino Satoshi, Tsuda Kenjrou, Ogami Shinnosuke, Akasaki Chinatsu, Toyoguchi Megumi, Uesaka Sumire, Aimi, Tobita Nobuo.
animation: Douga Koubou. OP Sasaki Eri, ED Imai Asami.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 24:30

Our hero is a new graduate who has just entered the workforce. His company produces androids that are indistinguishable from humans, but that have a lifespan of only about ten years. Our hero and a female android are a team whose job is to go out and retrieve androids that have reached the end of their lives.

The director did GJ-bu and Mikakunin de Shinkoukei, both of which were well made. But the project was supposedly created by writer Hayashi Naotaka (who did a lot of writing on Steins;Gate) and character designer okiura (Infinite Stratos).


Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Revolutions
  (jp: うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ マジLOVEレボリューションズ)   jpWiki

bishounen idols
director: Hoshino Makoto (ep director, storyboarder)
writer: Konparu Tomoko (Oniisama-e, NANA, Nodame, etc.). Kunozuki Kanon, Broccoli (game).
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 Mamoru Miyano, ED seiyuus as ST☆RISH.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 25:00

Young idols compete for spots in a big event. First directoral job for episode director/storyboarder Hoshino Makoto, taking over from Kou Yuu, who directed the first two series. Outstanding cast of top male stars, revolving around Sawashiro Miyuki.

The franchise, based on a game, is pure shoujo wish-fulfilment. I lost interest in the first series, but seeing its fairly thrilling first episode again (see trailer link) makes me want to take a good look at the new show.


Tesagure! Bukatsumono Spin-off Purupurun Sharumu to Asobou
  (jp: てさぐれ! 部活もの すぴんおふ プルプルんシャルムと遊ぼう)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy
director: Ishidate Koutarou (Tesagure! Bukatsumono Encore, Minarai Diva)
seiyuus: Mikami Shiori, Takamori Natsumi, Ookubo Rumi, Uesaka Sumire, Akesaka Satomi, Ueda Reina, Nishi Asuka, Ogino Karin, Oohashi Ayaka, Komatsu Mikako.
animation: OPED seiyuus as Lady Go!.

starts sat 04 apr 25:55

Third season of the anime expands episodes from ten to 30 minutes, and adds seiyuus from the Minarai Megami anime. The anime uses MikuMikuDance CG software to animate its characters.


Kekkai Sensen
  (jp: 血界戦線)   jpWiki

science fiction supernatural dystopia
director: Matsumoto Rie (Kyousougiga; PreCure series eps)
writer: Furuya Kazunao (script; drama writer). Naitou Yasuhiro (manga).
seiyuus: Koyama Rikiya, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Nakai Kazuya, Ootsuka Akio, Kobayashi Yuu, Fujiwara Keiji, Miyano Mamoru, Ishida Akira, Ginga Banjou, Orikasa Ai.
animation: Bones.
trailer.
starts sat 04 apr 26:58

New York is open to other dimensions, and humans and weird creatures coexist in a crime-ridden dystopic bubble, disconnected from the rest of the world. The trailer shows more gore and hot-bloodedness than I prefer, but the general stylishness is attractive. One of my picks for this season.

Terrific male cast headed by Koyama Rikiya. Interesting director did the disorienting Kyousougiga.


Duel Masters VSR
  (jp: デュエル・マスターズ VSR)   jpWiki

young shounen duels, plus comedy
director: Sasaki Shinobu (Duel Masters VS)
writer: Kato Yoichi (Aikatsu, Mushibugyo, DM VS). Matsumoto Shigenobu (manga).
seiyuus: Kobayashi Yumiko, Ishino Ryuuzou, Hirata Eriko, Sugawara Masayoshi, Tange Sakura, Mizusawa Fumie, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Satou Setsuji.
animation: Ascension, Shogakukan.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 08:30

Second series of the shounen duel show based on a card game. Stars the wonderful Kobayashi Yumiko, who was Puni Puni Poemi, and whose blog about her growing daughter I sometimes follow.


Arslan Senki (2015)
  (jp: アルスラーン戦記 THE HEROIC LEGEND OF ARSLAN)   jpWiki

historical fighting adventure
director: Abe Noriyuki (Bleach, Kuroshitsuji)
writer: Uezu Makoto (School Days, Aoki Hagane Arpeggio). Tanaka Yoshiki (novel; Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Tytania).
seiyuus: Kobayashi Yuusuke, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Hanae Natsuki, Sakamoto Maaya, Kenn, Kaji Yuuki, Namikawa Daisuke.
animation: Liden Films, Sanzigen. ED Aoi Eir.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 17:00

The director of Bleach and the writer of School Days present a historical fighting drama. Strong cast.

Arslan is the crown prince of Pars, a powerful nation that sits at the heart of the trade route between East and West. When the pagan nation of Lusitania begins an invasion of Pars, the timid Arslan is confronted with battle for the first time. He barely escapes with his life as a Lusitanian stratagem routs the army of Pars. He and the loyal and indomitable warrior Daryun stand against the invasion and cruel fate. (ANN)


Baby Steps (2015)
  (jp: ベイビーステップ (2015))   jpWiki

sports
director: Murata Masahiko (Gilgamesh, Corpse Princess, Baby Steps 1)
writer: Chiba Katsuhiko (Rune Soldier, Baby Steps 1). Katsuki Hikaru (manga).
seiyuus: Murata Taishi, Kotobuki Minako, Namikawa Daisuke, Terashima Takuma, Shimono Hiro, Kakihara Tetsuya, Hatano Wataru, Yuuki, Kusunoki Taiten, Seto Asami, Asanuma Shintarou, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Sakurai Takahiro, Itou Kentarou, Kenn, Toriumi Kousuke, Kamiya Hiroshi, Han Megumi, Eguchi Takuya, Hanae Natsuki.
animation: Studio Pierrot. OP Abe Mao, ED Ganbare.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 17:30

The popular tennis manga gets a second season of anime. Our hero attends a very competitive tennis academy in Florida. Interesting cast.


Show by Rock!!
  (jp: )   jpWiki

idols, music, transformations, stuffed animals
director: Ikezoe Takahiro (Slap-up Party, Ozma)
writer: Machida Touko. Sanrio (game).
seiyuus: Inagawa Eri, Uesaka Sumire, Sakura Ayane, Numakura Manami, Taniyama Kishou, Uchiyama Kouki, Kakihara Tetsuya, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Hayami Saori, Matsui Eriko, Han Megumi, Miiyano Mamoru, Murase Ayumu, Ousaka Ryouta, Kayano Ai, Igarashi Hiromi, Murakawa Rie, et al..
animation: Bones. OPED and inserts by seiyuus as bands Plasmagica, ShinganCrimsonZ, Trichronica, Tsurezurenaru Ayatsuri Mugenan.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 22:00

A young girl suddenly finds herself transported to a magical game world of rock and roll, where she becomes part of a band of musicians who transform back and forth from stuffed-animal creatures to humans. Based on a game by Sanrio, the makers of Hello Kitty. Excellent cast includes Uesaka Sumire, Sakura Ayane, Taniyama Kishou, Miyano Mamoru, Kayano Ai, etc., etc. Competent staff. Bones. A show apparently aimed at little girls, but may provide good entertainment all round.


Ame-iro Cocoa
  (jp: 雨色ココア)   jpWiki

bishounen heartful comedy
director: Mochizuki Tomomi (Ranma 1/2, Yokohama Kaidashi, Saraiya Goyou, etc.)
seiyuus: Shimono Hiro, Midorikawa Hikaru, Hirakawa Daisuke, Miyano Mamoru, Horikawa Ryou.
animation: EMT Squared. OP Shimono Hiro.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 22:27

"Rainy Cocoa" is the official translation. "Heartful" comedy set in a café called "Rainy Color," and featuring a strong male cast. Directed by the great Mochizuki Tomomi (Yokohama Kaidashi, Sairaiya Goyou, writer of Touka Gettan).

No writer is credited here, but I'd be surprised if Mochizuki-sensei wasn't the lead writer, establishing the plot and farming out individual epsiodes to writers. Episodes may be quite short. We don't know yet


Ghost in the Shell Arise: Alternative Architecture
  (jp: 攻殻機動隊 ARISE ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECTURE)   jpWiki

dystopic science fiction adventure
director: Kise Kazuchika (long-time key animator/animation director)
writer: Ubukata Tou (Fafner Dead Aggressor, Mardock Scramble). Shirou Masamune (manga; Appleseed, Real Drive, Ghost Hound).
seiyuus: Sakamoto Maaya, Juku Ikkyuu, Matsuda Kenichirou, Nakai Kazuya, Dan Tomoyuki, Sakuya Shunsuke, Sawashiro Miyuki, Ueda Youji, Nakakuni Takurou, Shingaki Tarusuke.
animation: Production IG. OP Sakamoto Maaya.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 22:30

Four episodes remixed from the OVA, with two new episodes added.



Hello!! Kin`iro Mosaic
  (jp: ハロー!! きんいろモザイク)   jpWiki

moe comedy
director: Tenshou (KinMosaic 1, Grisaia Kajutsu)
writer: Ayana Yuniko (Denpa Onna, Orenchi no Furo, KinMosaic 1).
seiyuus: Tanaka Manami, Uchiyama Yumi, Taneda Risa, Touyama Nao, Nishi Asuka, Han Megumi, Murakawa Rie, Satou Satomi, Oonishi Saori, Suwa Ayaka.
animation: Studio Gokumi.
trailer.
starts sun 05 apr 24:00

A new season of the surprise hit comedy featuring blonde foreign girls in a Japanese school.







Dia no Ace: Second Season
  (jp: ダイヤのA 新シリーズ)   jpWiki

sports
director: Masuhara Mitsuyuki (Kobato, Polar Bear Café)
writer: Konuta Takeshi (Library War, Blood Lad). Terjima Yui (manga).
seiyuus: Ousaka Ryouta, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Sakurai Takahiro, Hanae Natsuki, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Asanuma Shintarou, Ono Yuuki, Namikawa Daisuke, Morita Masakazu, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Shimono Hiro, Hatano Wataru, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Uchiyama Yumi, Touchi Hiroki.
animation: Madhouse x Production IG.
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 18:00

A second series of the popular high-school baseball anime, which has already had over seventy epsiodes. Substantially the same staff and cast return. Produced by Madhouse and Production IG two top studios working together. Trailer link is to an episode from the first series.


Kaitou Joker 2
  (jp: 怪盗ジョーカー (2015))   jpWiki

shounen comedy/adventure phantom thief
director: Teramoto Yukiyo (Doraemon movies)
writer: Satou Dai (GITS-SAC, Eureka 7)
seiyuus: Murase Ayumu, Kobayashi Yumiko, Shimono Hiro, Sawashiro Miyuki, Shimada Bin, Takeda Naoki, Kosugi Juurouta, Saitou Souma, Tobita Nobuo.
animation: Shin-Ei Animation.
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 19:00

"Mysterious Joker." A second season of the show following the adventures of a young phantom thief.

Stars young Murase Ayumu (apparently 26, but looks 14 ). Also stars not-so-young (but excellent) Kobayashi Yumiko, beginning to take more time off from minding her little daughter. Trailer link is to ep10 of the first season.


Nyuru Nyuru!! Kakusen-kun 2-ki
  (jp: にゅるにゅる!!KAKUSENくん2期)   jpWiki

comic short episodes
director:モリ∩
writer:モリ∩.
seiyuus: Itou Yuuto, Uchida Aya, Kusuda Aina, Watanabe Yui, Yamaguchi Rikako.
animation: DLE.
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 23:54

"Kakusen" means "blackhead." High-class pimple humour. A second season of flash anime shorts from the company that made Thermae Romae, MonHun, Haiyoru!Nyaruani OVA, and Glass no Kamen Desu ka. Unknown new director, モリ∩ ("mori ∩"). The voice of blackhead boy is Itou Yuuto, now age 9.


Teekyuu (2015)
  (jp: てーきゅう 2015)   jpWiki

gag comedy shorts
director: Itagaki Shin (Black Cat, Ben-tou, Teekyu)
writer: Itagaki Shin; Roots/Piyo (manga).
seiyuus: Hanazawa Kana, Watanabe Yui, Mimori Suzuko, Narumi Kyouko.
animation:
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 25:05

As with its spinoff, Takamiya Nasuno Desu, this show has a good director, good cast, and (for me) hit and miss humour.

Trailer link is to an earlier episode.






Takamiya Nasuno Desu!
  (jp: 高宮なすのです!)   jpWiki

slice of life gag comedy shorts
director: Itagaki Shin (Black Cat, Ben-Tou)
writer: Itagaki Shin; Roots/Piyo (manga).
seiyuus: Narumi Kyouko, Ohsaka Ryouta, Hanazawa Kana, Mimori Suzuko, Takahashi Shinya, Watanabe Yui.
animation: Millepensee.
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 25:08

Spinoff of Teekyu, set during Nasuno's middle school years. Like the new season of Teekyu, this show is made by the Millepensee studio, rather than by MAPPA.

Itagaki Shin is a good comic director. The cast is fairly strong. But I have not been much of a fan of previous Teekyu series. The trailer link is to an earlier episode of Teekyu.


Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku
  (jp: ミカグラ学園組曲)   jpWiki

school, superpowers, music
director: Iwasaki Tarou (Ryouko's Case Files, Isshuukan Friends)
writer: Yokotani Masahiro (Reideen, MariaHolic, Free!).
seiyuus: Kimura Juri, Oonishi Saori, Ozawa Ari, Suwa Ayaka, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Hanae Natsuki, Hosoya Yoshimasa, Furukawa Makoto, Kakuma Ai, Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Ueda Reina, Kayano Ai, Nishi Asuka.
animation: Douga Koubou.
trailer.
starts mon 06 apr 26:35

Anime based on the work of Vocaloid composer Last Note. His popular compositions have spawned a series of light novels and now this anime.

But the big draw for me here is Kimura Jura as the lead. She is excellent as Aoi in Shirobako. The rest of the cast is promising. Staff has some good credits.

Our heroine enters a boarding school, expecting beauty and elegance, but finds that students battle each other with special powers to gain honour in the school.


Bar Kiraware Yasai
  (jp: BAR 嫌われ野菜)   jpWiki

comedy shorts
director: Mankyuu (Tono to Isshou, Puchimas)
writer: Mankyuu.
seiyuus: Tanaka Masato, Murakami Yuuya, Fujiwara Keiji, Michii Haruka, Maeda Rena, Kondou Takayuki.
animation: Gathering.
trailer.
starts tue 07 apr 23:10

A bar full of characters based on vegetables people hate. They banter back and forth with twitter-like negative opinions about everything.

Directed by the director of Tono to Isshou. 5-min eps.


Hibike! Euphonium
  (jp: 響け! ユーフォニアム)   jpWiki

school comedy
director: Ishihara Tatsuya (Kanon, Clannad, Haruhi, Chuunibyou)
writer: Hanada Jukki (Rozen Maiden, Steins;Gate, Chuunibyou, No Game No Life). Takeda Ayano (novel).
seiyuus: Kurosawa Tomoyo, Asai Ayaka, Toyota Moe, Anzai Chika, Kotobuki Minako, Hayami Saori, Chihara Minori, Ishiya Haruki, Sakurai Takahiro.
animation: KyoAni. OP TRUE, ED seiyuus.
trailer.
starts tue 07 apr 24:30

KyoAni brings us a larger after-school music club: a full brass band. Pardon my cynicism, but I wonder if KyoAni has jumped the shark. I say that as a fan of Haruhi and not of K-On or Free.

Maybe I should be more positive: excellent staff (just look at their credits). Interesting cast (Toyota Moe, Kotobuki Minako, Hayami Saori, Chihara Minori, Sakurai Takahiro and some newer names). I'll certainly be there to check this one out, in any case.


Gintama` (2015)
  (jp: 銀魂` 2015)   jpWiki

shounen comedy/adventure
director: Miyawaki Chizuru (key animator; storyboards on previous Gintama)
writer: Sorachi Hideaki (original manga).
seiyuus: Sugita Tomokazu, Kugimiya Rie, Sakaguchi Daisuke, Takahashi Mikako.
animation: Sunrise. OP Blue Encounter, ED Negoto.
trailer.
starts wed 08 apr 18:00

After well over 250 episodes, the great shounen comedy/adventure returns for a third full series (or fourth, depending on who's counting).

Some great voices, starting with Sugita and Kugyu, and bringing in top names regularly. But the show itself has always felt slow me, despite some funny moments.


Triage X
  (jp: トリアージX)   jpWiki

ecchi action adventure
director: Kato Takao (Buso Renkin, To Love-Ru), Takami Akio (veteran animation dir).
writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (ef memories, aldnoah). Satou Shouji (manga; High School of the Dead manga).
seiyuus: Akabane Kenji, Kondou Yui, Satou Amina, Oura Fuyuka, Asano Masumi, Hisakawa Aya, Shiraishi Ryouko, Misato, Tezuka Hideaki, Kitta Izumi, Nojima Kenji, Nomizu Iori, Hoshino Takanori, Kouda Yumeha, Kokuryu Sachi, Nakaya Sayaka, Satou Setsuji, Yasuno Kiyono.
animation: Xebec. OP Zougou Saeko/Nagareda project, ED Yamamoto Kazutomi.
trailer.
starts wed 08 apr 25:05

Nurses and other hospital staff go out into the community and fight evildoers.

The director did To Love-Ru, the writer ef memories. Veteran names in the cast include Asano Masumi and Hisakawa Aya.


Ore Monogatari!!
  (jp: 俺物語!!)   jpWiki

shoujo romantic comedy
director: Asaka Morio (Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, NANA, Chihayafuru)
writer: Takahashi Natsuko (Blue Drop, Tokyo Mag 8.0, Moyashimonn, Yuyushiki).
seiyuus: Eguchi Takuya, Shimazaki Nobunaga, Han Megumi, Kayano Ai, Genda Tesshou, Aoki Kazuyo, Enoki Junya, Kitagawa Rina, Namikawa Daiauke, Maeda Rena.
animation: Madhouse.
trailer.
starts wed 08 apr 25:29

The big lummox gets the girl. Professional cast, and a director and writer who have both done some good things. Madhouse. Promising show.




Houkago no Pleiades (2015)
  (jp: 放課後のプレアデス (2015))   jpWiki

science fiction fantasy
director: Saeki Shouji (Ugly Beautiful World, He is My Master, Medaka Box)
writer:
seiyuus: Takamori Natsumi, Oohashi Ayuru, Tateno Kanako, Makino Yui, Fujita Saki, Kuwashima Houko.
animation: Gainax. OP Kano, ED fragment (seiyuus).
trailer.
starts wed 08 apr 26:44

Fantasy science fiction commissioned by the makers of Subaru automobiles.

The story mixes school, aliens, and magical girls. The forerunner web OVA came out in 2011. Maybe this time I will understand what's going on.




Etotama: Eto Tamashii
  (jp: えとたま 干支魂)   jpWiki

comic fantasy
director: Oizaki Fumitoshi (RomeoxJuliet, Astarotte no Omocha)
writer: Akao Deko (Arakawa, Astalotte, Mysterious Girlfriend X). Shirogumi.
seiyuus: Murakawa Rie, Shimono Hiro, Oohara Sayaka, Uchida Maaya, Honda Mariko, Toda Megumi, Fuchigami Mai, Matsui Eriko, Sasaki Mikoi, Nabatame Hitomi.
animation: Shirogumi, Encourage Films. OP Murakawa Rie, ED Soruaru BOB.
trailer.
starts thu 09 apr 23:00

Nya-tan the cat wants to become a member of the Chinese zodiac. But she is quite the simpleton and none of the ridiculous methods she tries works. Then she meets Takeru, a high school student who lives alone in Akihabara, and moves in with him. Little by little, she gets closer to her goal.

Characters include various animals of the Chinese zodiac, each of which has two forms: pretty teen girl and cute little SD character. Directed and written by the team that made the entertaining Astalotte no Omocha. The trailer shows a bright and playful colour palette and vivid motion. Cast includes a number of interesting young voices: Murakawa Rie, Uchida Maaya, Fuchigami Mai, Oohara Sayaka, Honda Mariko, Sasaki Mikoi, etc. And an interesting older voice in Nabatame Hitomi.


Punchline
  (jp: パンチライン)   jpWiki

ecchi comic action
director: Uemura Yutaka (Dantalian)
writer: Uchikoshi Koutarou (script, ever17 manga story).
seiyuus: Inoue Marina, Amamiya Sora, Kotobuki Minako, Kugimiya Rie, Tomatsu Haruka, Yoshida Yuri.
animation: MAPPA. OP Shokotan ♥ Denpagumi, ED Ayumikurikamaki.
trailer.
starts thu 09 apr 24:55

Despite the fact that this is Noitamina, the show's slogan is: "Once he sees underwear, humanity is destroyed!?"

I like the look of the trailer. The cast-list is very attractive. But the director has only done Dantalian, which I couldn't appreciate, and the writer hasn't done much -- or any -- anime before.


Urawa no Usagi-chan
  (jp: 浦和の調ちゃん)   jpWiki

slice-of-life comedy
director: Ishibashi Mitsuyuki (music video producer, esp. for Jam Project)
writer: Hanamura Yuuichirou.
seiyuus: Seto Asami, Akesaka Satomi, Ookubo Rumi, Kubota Miyu, Toujou Hisako, Watanabe keiko, Taichi You, Tamura Nao.
animation: A-Real.

starts thu 09 apr 25:35

Anime set in Saitama Prefecture, starring voice actresses from Saitama -- and there are some good ones, including Seto Asama, Ookubo Rumi, and Akesaka Satomi. The director is best known for his music videos, paritcularly for Ali Project, Jam Project, and Yousei Teikoku.



Nisekoi:
  (jp: ニセコイ:)   jpWiki

harem comedy
director: Tatsuwa Naoyuki; chiefdir Shinbou Akiyuki
writer: Tou Fuyashi, Shinbou Akiyuki. Komi Naoshi (manga).
seiyuus: Uchiyama Kouki, Touyama Nao, Hanazawa Kana, Koyasu Takehito, Koiwai Kotori, Kaji Yuuki, Uchiyama Yumi, Sakura Ayane, Numakura Manami, Asumi Kana.
animation: Shaft.
trailer.
starts fri 10 apr 23:30

A sequel to last year's two-cour series. Not sure is this will be one or two cour. Shinbou is credited as "general director," so as has become his recent practice, he is not directing directly himself, but supervising someone else.

Personally, I loved the look of this show last year -- as I do all Shinbou's shows -- and enjoyed it for a dozen episodes or so, but ended up losing interest in the story. Great cast adds Numakura Manami (Riko in Love Lab, Rio in Assassination Classroom). Trailer link is to an episode from the first series.


Knights of Sidonia - Battle for Planet Nine
  (jp: シドニアの騎士 第九惑星戦役)   jpWiki

science fiction with space combat
director: Seshita Hiroyuki
writer: Murai Sadayuki. Nihei Tsutomu (manga).
seiyuus: Ousaka Ryouta, Suzaki Aya, Toyosaki Aki, Sakurai Takahiro, Kanemoto Hisako, Kitamura Eri, Oohara Sayaka, Tsuboi Tomohiro, Koyasu Takehito, Arai Satomi, Tanaka Atsuko, Mori Nanako, Honda Takako, Toriumi Kousuke, Sakura Ayane, Saka Osamu, Koyama Rikiya.
animation: Polygon Pictures. OP angela, ED CustomiZ.
trailer.
starts fri 10 apr 26:10

I loved the first series, and here comes a second. Same cast, same writer, new director -- the man who was assistant director on the first series. His first directoral job, but the director of the first show was similarly inexperienced.

What I most liked about the first series was that the people had a feeling of strangeness about them, as people from thousands of years in the future really would. I hope they can keep this special feeling. Another thing I loved about season one was the powerful OP, by angela. Here's hoping angela come up with as strong a piece of music this time.My favorite science fiction anime since Simoun (and before that, Crest of Stars).


Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold
  (jp: 聖闘士星矢 -黄金魂 soul of gold-)   jpWiki

bishounen mythological fantasy
director: Furuta Takeshi (Mangaka to Assistant"series director")
writer: Takeuchi Toshimitsu (Otogijuushi Akazukin, Weiss Survive).
seiyuus: Tanaka Hideyuki, Yara Yuusaku, Yamazaki Takumi, Seki Toshihiko, Genda Tesshou, Kanna Nobutoshi, Mitsuya Yuuji, Kusao Takeshi, Tanaka Ryouichi, Nanba Keiiichi, Horiuchi Kenyuu, Okiayu Ryoutarou.
animation: Toei. OPED Root Five.
trailer.
starts sat 11 apr 00:00

An original story set in the Saint Seiya universe. Web-streamed.



Future Card Buddyfight 100
  (jp: フューチャーカード バディファイト100)   jpWiki

card-based battling anime

OP fripSide, ED Saitou Souma.
trailer.
starts sat 11 apr 08:00

A second season for the shounen battling anime based on a collectible card game by Bushiroad.

The same cast and staff are likely returning, but I haven't seen confirmation of that yet. The trailer link is to a preview of an episode in the first season.


Grisaia no Meikyuu
  (jp: グリザイアの迷宮)   jpWiki

drama
director: Tenshou
writer: Kurata Hideyuki.
seiyuus: Tamiyasu Tomoe, Sakurai Takahiro, Suwa Ayaka, Shimizu Ai, Mizuhashi Kaori, Tanaka Ryouko, Taguchi Hiroko.
animation: 8bit.
trailer.
sun 12 apr 23:00

60-minute special










Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (2015)
  (jp: 山田くんと7人の魔女 2015)   jpWiki

school romantic comedy
director: Takuno Tomooki (OVA; epdir)
writer: Yokote Michiko (Princess Tutu, Genshiken, etc.).
seiyuus: Hayami Saori, Oosaka Ryouta, Hanazawa Kana, Ono Daisuke, Uchida Maaya, Ono Yuuki, Masuda Toshiki, Kitamura Eri, Makino Yui, Tazawa Masumi.
animation: Liden Films. OP Weaver, ED MimiMemeMimi.

starts sun 12 apr 23:30

"Yamada and the Seven Witches." The series follows an OVA that came out last year. It's a weirdly common situation in manga: high-school student Yamada bumps into the beautiful Shiraishi on the stairs, and their lips touch as they fall. When they recover, they realize that they have switched bodies. In this iteration of the meme, they soon see that this is not the only weird happening in the school.

The OVA was the director's first show, but writer Yokote Michiko is one of the top hands. As are some of the seiyuus: Hayami Saori, HanaKana, OnoD, et al. I'm looking forward to the OP by MimiMemeMimi, whose work I've liked on other shows.


Ninja Slayer From Animation
  (jp: ニンジャスレイヤー フロムアニメイシヨン)   jpWiki

violent action
director: Amemiya Akira (epdir Kill la Kill, key animator)
writer: Amemiya Akira.
seiyuus: Morikawa Toshiyuki, Hayami Shou, Saitou Chiwa, Amamiya Sora, Taneda Risa, Tsukayama Masane, Genda Tesshou, Goblin.
animation: Trigger. OP Boom Boom Satellites.
trailer.
starts thu 16 apr 23:00

Kenji Fujikido is a salaryman whose wife and child were killed in a ninja turf war. After almost dying himself, Fujikido is possessed by a ninja soul and becomes "Ninja Slayer" -- a Grim Reaper destined to kill evil ninja. Set in the dystopian underworld of Neo-Saitama, Ninja Slayer takes on Soukai Syndicate ninja in mortal combat. (King Records)

A long-time key animator directs his first full show.


Eikoku Ikke, Nihon o Taberu
  (jp: 英国一家, 日本を食べる)   jpWiki

anthropological food comedy
director: Rareko (Gakkatsu)
writer: Michael Booth.
animation: Fanworks.

starts thu 16 apr 24:40

Anime based on English food-writer Michael Booth's tales of his family eating in Japan, as told in his book Sushi and Beyond.





Grisaia no Rakuen
  (jp: グリザイアの楽園)   jpWiki

drama
director: Tensho (Kiniro Mosaic, Grisaia Fruit)
writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Brigadoon, OreImo, World God Only Knows).
seiyuus: Sakurai Takahiro, Taguchi Hiroko, Yanase Natsumi, Tanaka Ryouko, Tamiyasu Tomoe, Shimizu Ai, Narumi Erika, Mizuhashi Kaori.
animation: 8bit. OP Kurosaki Maon, ED Nanjou Yoshino.
trailer.
starts sun 19 apr 23:00

The cast and staff of Grisaia no Kajitsu return for a series based on another of the Grisaia trilogy of ero-games. I somehow never got into the first series, despite my hopes it could at least equal a White Album.

The trailer link is to a TV spot for both this TV series "Grisaia Eden" and the one-hour TV special "Grisaia Labyrinth," which is scheduled for April 12.



Digimon Adventure Tri.
  (jp: デジモンアドベンチャー tri.(トライ))   jpWiki

young shounen action
director: Motonaga Keitarou (Amenaideyo, School Days, Jormungand)
writer: Kakihara Yuuko (Otogijushi Akazukin, Jewelpet Sunshine, Machine Doll). Hongou Akiyoshi (orig plan).
seiyuus: Sakamoto Chika, Shigematsu Katori, Yamaguchi Mayumi, Sakurai Takahiro, Yamada Kinoko, Matsumoto Miwa, Takeuchi Junko, Tokumitsu Yuka .
animation: Toei. OP Wada Kouji, ED Miyazaki Ayumi. trailer.
starting date not yet announced

Fifteenth anniversary project of the franchise, which involves young humans and "digital monsters" working together to protect the ordinary and digital worlds from evil.

This version could be particularly interesting, since it is directed by Motonaga Keitarou (School Days, Humanity has Declined) and written by Kakihara Yuuko (Otogijuushi Akazukin, Jewelpet Sunchine, Machine Doll).