Suck on this

The shounen fighting stuff is pretty generic, but I found moments like this kinda funny. Also, so much chemistry…

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Paranoia Agent 8
2. Random Thoughts on Hunter X Hunter

Small pool

I took most of last season off, but I’m hoping to watch (and blog) more series this winter.  Fortunately, I can’t get too ambitious because there are not that many shows listed for the upcoming winter season.  Rather than catch up on Tatakau Shisho and continue it through next season, I think I’ll just drop it now and pick up all new series in winter.  Pickings look to be especially slim this winter.  Most of this information comes from the chart at Denizen’s blog, as well as MAL and ANN.

Durarararararara... oops, I stuttered

Title: Durarara!!
Episodes: 24
Air Date: January 7, 2010
Producers: Brainsbase

Summary: From the creators of Baccano!!, this story takes place in a downtown neighborhood of Tokyo, Ikebukuro where teenage punks gang up and fight against each other.  The gangsters are afraid of an urban legend, “Dullahan” headless rider, who rides a black motorcycle without head lights nor sounds of engine. Ryuugamine Mikado is a normal high school boy who seeks peculiar beings but when he transfers to a school in Ikebukuro (at the invitation of his childhood friend Masaomi), a mad scramble for Dullahan’s missing head breaks out.  The story features an ensemble cast of street thugs, high school students, a female radio host, and underworld doctor, a young information vendor, and a headless Irish fairy.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: This show has me pretty psyched, in spite of the plot summary.  I love that the art style looks very similar to that of Yozakura Quartet, except with a good budget.  I liked Baccano!! a lot, and so I have faith that Durarara!! will be able to handle the ensemble cast deftly.  There’s even violence against cell phones and a neko-mimi motorcycle helmet.  Hopefully this show will be able to put it’s best Pussyfoot forward. (Will watch | Will blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: “From the creators of Baccano!!” SOLD!! Also, you can’t go wrong with double exclamation marks (for emphasis)!! The art style is looking pretty lanky (<3) and I have high expectations for Brain’s Base, considering they’ve also done some of my other favorites, including Kure-Nai, Kamichu!, and Natsume Yujin Cho (lets forget about this one, kay?). Definitely on the watch list! (Will watch| Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : I never saw Baccano!! so I have no expectations. Looks like it could be an interesting show, but also looks like they are being really ambitious. It could end up sucking big time if they don’t pull it off properly considering the large cast. (Will watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

At first I thought it was Dance In The Vampire Bung T__T

Title: Dance in the Vampire Bund
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 7, 2010
Producers: SHAFT

Summary: After millennia in hiding, Mina Tepes (the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants change). Using the vast wealth of the Tepes line, she has paid off the entire gross national debt of Japan and in so doing, gained the authority to create a “special district” off the coast of Japan that is to become the future haven to vampires the world over!  Now, on the eve of the landmark press conference announcing the existence of vampires to the world, terrorists and rival factions are plotting to assassinate Mina Tepes before she has a chance to make her world-changing announcement.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Reminds me of Eden of the East, except with more decapitations, groping, and fanservice; this is so much better than spending all your money on NEETS.  The production values look pretty nice, and perhaps this show won’t be prone to quite as many SHAFT-isms (haha, what am I saying?).  If nothing else, the trailer suggests that Dance in the Vampire Bund should be a bloody, gratuitous ride; also, there is a werewolf. (Will watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Loli vampire with UPPER-LIP?!?! SOLD!… but to be honest, Vampires are getting old… but this one isn’t because she’s a loli *ba dum psh* No seriously, Vampires are really starting to tick me off, but I do love me some upper-lip! (Will watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Despite the fact that the main character looks loli, if she’s actually 1000 years old that’s okay right? Anyway, as long as this isn’t too SHAFT (I couldn’t keep up with Bakemonogatari because I watch anime after work and my brain is too zonked to read 100000000 words a second) this looks like it will be good! (Will watch | Will blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Is this like Lucky Star?

Title: So・Ra・No・Wo・To
Episodes: 13
Air Date: January 4, 2010
Producers: A-1 Pictures

Summary: The story takes place in an imaginary town Seize (the model cities are Cuenca and Alarcón Fortress in Spain).  A long war brings a gradual decline to the world, people disappear from Seize, and fishes cease to exist in the sea. 15-year old Kumika realizes her dream of enlisting in the army, and joins a unit of five in  protecting a fortress.  Together they create music that reverberates across the skies, over empty towns and empty seas.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I guess the whole light music club thing didn’t work out, eh?  This looks like it will probably end up being a slice-of-life show, which doesn’t draw me in much, but at least it’s only 1-cour long.  I find it interesting that it’s set in Spain, as that’s not your typical setting in anime.  In spite of the K-ON look, there’s no connection on staff.  (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: There’s an Owl in the background! *BA DUM PSH*  Show ▼

(Will watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction : K-ON! meets one of those zillion of  ‘group of girls in the military’ shows eh? Sounds dumb. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Better keep Shin away

Title: Hanamaru Kindergarten
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 10, 2010
Producers: Gainax

Summary: Anzu goes to a preschool with her friends, the shy Koume and the eccentric Hiiragi. Together they try to attract attention from their caretaker Tsuchida. However, he is clearly more interested in the pretty Yamamoto who supervises the class next door.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: If only I could know this show would be more like Potemayo, I’d give it a chance.  Alas, I expect this to be more traditionally heart-warming than wacky.  Trailer looked cute, but boring.  Let me know if the caretaker throws his wards in plug suits and EVA units, though. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Gainax?!?! Shy Koume?!?! SOL-….*looks at picture again* I’ll let someone else take the dive for me. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : I know Gainax is making this but… what the heck? (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Needs more CG instruments

Title: Nodame Cantabile Finale
Episodes: 11
Air Date: January 14, 2010
Producers: J.C. Staff

Summary: At a top music academy in Japan, Shinichi Chiaki is a talented pianist.  When sent to a low class after an argument with a teacher, he meets a girl, Noda, who moves in next to him.  When they are given the chance to study at Paris, Noda goes with Chiaki to Europe, as he strives to fulfill his dream of being a conductor.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I thought the first season was alright, but Noda kinda pisses me off.  So unless Chiaki starts cheating on her with some hot slutty conductor, I think I’ll pass on this one. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I thought the first/second season was great, but the second did end on a dry note *hyuk*. Definite watch! And it looks like the other groupies Sluggies won’t pick it up! FORTE FORTE! BASALBINE!! MAMA-MIA!! WOO-HOO! *swoosh swoosh* (Will watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction : I watched the live-action version a while ago… I think that got to the end? It was a while ago. I didn’t watch NC Paris yet, but I guess I would have to if I’m to properly watch this. If I get around to it, I’ll watch this show. (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Reminds me of Samurai Jack

Title: Katanagatari
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 25, 2010
Producers: White Fox

Summary: This story teakes place in the Edo era where Yasuri Shichika is the seventh head of the Kyotou school of Japanese sword martial arts living in Fushou Island with his sister Nanami. With the order from a female samurai general Togame, he sets out for a trip to collect the twelve treasured swords created by a legendary swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: That hair!  That is some You Don’t Mess With the Zohan-level feathering!  There’s even something that looks like the love child of a hime cut and twin drills!  Shows like this tend to be too artsy and slow, but with only 12 swords and 12 episodes…  Too bad, this is a historical anime that some reports state will consist of monthly 1-hour long episodes. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Oh! Very interesting style, but I’ll let others check it out before making my decision. Too much online-hw! (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Inuyasha meets weird art style… hmmm (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

I like mine with cereal

Title: The Qwaser Of Stigmata
Episodes: 24
Air Date: January 4, 2010
Producers: Taki Corporation

Summary: In St. Mikhailov Academy, Oribe Mafuyu meets a silver haired boy called Alexander.  He is a Qwaser, a being who can manipulate iron and draws his power from breast milk.  A mystery surrounding an icon tranforms the academy into a setting for conflict between the various Qwasers.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: As a new dad, I have to say that this premise is ridiculous and makes me throw up in my mouth a little.  On the other hand, the production values look nice and I like the character designs. Things might go better if purposely absurd plot elements are worked in, but I hear the plot is actually about Russian Orthodox religion.  Encouraged by some other people’s reports, I read the first few chapters.  There were bare breasts on the first page, and explicit (and unrealistically fast) breastfeeding within the first chapter.  Basically, in every chapter some girl will get attacked by a scary demon and after she gets her top torn off, Alexander stops by for a drink and defeats the demon with his superior knowledge of chemistry.  In between fights, you get typical fanservice-filled Christian private school fluff.  Also, as I understand it, women do not normally just lactate, so unless all those girls were recently knocked up, Alexander would be trying to squeeze water from a stone. (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Draws his power from breast milk? Are you (ce)REAL? *BA DUM PSH* After reading Kabitzin’s reaction (it’s above mine… *blush*), I’ve got to say that I’m excited, and I’m definitely gonna read the manga (but only if Mentar recommends it ;3)  (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Y’know that poster looks awesome… the plot description sounds insipid. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

So do the top students get bidets?

Title: Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu (The Idiot, the Tests, and the Summoned Creatures)
Episodes: 13
Air Date: January 6, 010
Producers: Silver Link

Summary: The story centers around Akihisa Yoshii, the titular “baka,”  who attends an academy that divides up the student body into classes based on the results of tests. The prodigies are in the A class with reclining seats complete with air conditioning, but Akihisa is in the lowest F class, which is furnished only with low, decrepit tables and worn-out straw tatami mats. A girl named Mizuki Himeji is actually one of the smartest girls in Akihisa’s sophomore year, but she had a fever on test day and was pigeonholed into the F class. Besides Mizuki (who Akihisa secretly adores), the F class also has Yūji Sakamoto, the class president who has been Akihisa’s friend and partner-in-crime since the freshman year.

The school happens to have developed experiments to summon fantasy creatures, and Akihisa decides to rally F class to take on the higher-tiered classes and seize their perks. The F class uses the summoned creatures in an all-out battle for school supremacy.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: My pokemons; let me show you them.  This sounds retarded to me, but the thought of my HS classmates imagining fantasy summons while I dominated them in terms of grades makes me giggle nostalgically.  Trailer makes it look like something for kids, though some might like the chibi RPG clashes.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Whoa! Pretty intense background music! (?) but I’m going to pass on this as well. Perhaps it might be cheesy in a good way, but I’d rather not find out. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : I read the description and still have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT THIS SHOW IS ABOUT (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Sketchier than ever

Title: Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆
Episodes:
Air Date: January 7, 2010
Producers: SHAFT

Summary: Yuno has begun her new artist’s life in her new dream school, Yamabuki High School.  In front of the school is an apartment complex called Hidamari-so, where she moves in and meets classmates, senior students, and other strange artists.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I have never seen a single episode of Hidamari Sketch, and I don’t plan on breaking my streak.  How do you even pronounce this ridiculous title, anyway? (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: WASSHOI! WASHO SHOI! SOLD!!! BLOGGIN’ IT!!! I’M BRINGIN’ YOU DOWN TO HELL WITH ME, YA BASTARD!!! But honestly, it’s great to have more Hidamari Sketch, and the introduction of two new wide-faced characters is a 16:9 15:9-aspect-ratio-plus (interesting hair color…). Did Yuno that I know that Yuno is Sweet? (Also, Yuno is mai waifu. Do not claim) (Will watch | Will blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Didn’t see the first 2 seasons, don’t see why I should start now. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Deuce Bigelow 3

Title: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 ~Owarinaki Unmei~ (In a Distant Time 3: Neverending Destiny)
Episodes:
Air Date: January 3, 2010
Producers: Yumeta Company

Summary: Akane Motomiya is pulled by a demon into another world where she becomes Priestess of the Dragon God, protected by eight men known as the Hachiyou.  The people of this world tell her she is the only one who can stop the demons, who mean to claim her power, from taking over.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Tamahome!  Miaka! I think this is supposed to be a retelling, rather than a sequel, but it’s a retelling of a story I wasn’t interested in the first time around.  (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Not my style. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Why is this called In a Distant Time 3? Were there 2 previous shows I missed? If the artwork didn’t remind me of that horrible Saiyuki anime a while back, I’d give it a chance. Unless this secretly becomes 12 kingdoms, I won’t be watching. Unlike Kabitzin I actually like this genre though, Fushugi Yugi was fun! (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

This is gonna stain, isn't it?

Title: Ookami Kakushi (Hidden God)
Episodes:
Air Date: January 7, 2010
Producers: AIC

Summary: Nestled in the mountains far away from the city, the serene village of Jogamachi is divided by a river that separates old Jogamachi from new Jogamachi.  The story follows Hiroshi Kuzumi, a 16-year-old boy who has just moved to Jogamachi and soon discovers that the village’s ancient mysterious traditions and customs have been kept alive over the ages. Although a bit bewildered by the new environment, Hiroshi begins to settle into his new life and quickly earns the affection of his classmates.  The sole exception is aloof class president, Nemuru Kushinada, whose only words to Hiroshi are a warning to stay away from the old part of town.  There terror and mystery awaits.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I am a big Peach Pit fan, so I’ll definitely give this one a chance.  There’s not too much on the website to go by, and I never played the mystery game (a collaboration between Peach Pit and Ryukishi07, of the “When They Cry” series) the anime is based off of.  However, as much as I like Peach Pit (who I think only did the designs), this sounds more Higurashi style than anything else, as there are reported to be “10 stories, intertwined by the idle thoughts of people caught in repeating nightmares.” (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Love the hat! Definitely love the hat! (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Unless there’s baseball bats and hatchets, I’m staying away from this one, kyuh kyuh. (Might watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Merry Christmas!

Title: Omamori Himari
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 6, 2010
Producers: ZEXCS

Summary: Yuuto is your average, high school boy just turned 16. His childhood friend, Rin has taken care of him ever since his parents died when he was younger.  All of a sudden, a girl named Himari walks into his life. Himari is a beautiful spirit descended from a family known for subjugating demons; there’s only one small problem: Yuuto is allergic to cats!

Kabitzin’s Reaction: At first I thought I had accidentally found the description for Nyan Koi…  This sounds pretty generic, and the art isn’t good enough to perk my interest.  Also, cat allergies are usually caused by cat dander and saliva, and since I assume Himari doesn’t lick herself clean, she could probably solve the dilemma by wearing a hospital-grade hair net. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Whoaa!!! Those are some nice tits! =D… It’s like Azu-Nyan, BUT WIT DAH TITS, MAN!!! Of course I’m not watching this crap! The cats in the background are cute, though =3 (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : I like how the description doesn’t mention cats until it says it’s a problem… like it makes no sense. I guess that nekkid girl is a cat spirit? (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

The Butler Battle Book

Title: Ladies Versus Butlers
Episodes:
Air Date: January 5, 2010
Producers: XEBEC

Summary: Hino Akiharu lost his parents when he was small and was adopted into his uncle’s family. When he noticed his uncle is after the inheritance of his parents, he decides to enter a boarding school, Hakureiryou high school.  Akiharu is placed in the school’s new servant training department, where students are raised to be maids or butlers.  However his delinquent boy-like appearance frightens the girls, who make up the majority of the students. Unable to get along with the classmates, Akiharu meets his childhood girlfriend Saikyou Tomomi and finds himself stuck in the middle of the school’s bickering cliques.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: There’s not a lot of information to go on, but I’m pretty confident that this show will have a generic plot, crappy production values, and plenty of fanservice.  The preview supports my hypothesis, and looks exactly as you would expect it to. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: …what is that yellow device in the background?… is that her hair?!?! HOLY BA-JEEVER-KITTENS!!! How long *ba dum psh* has she been growing that thing? (disclaimer: I’m not certain if that really is her hair…) (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : Boarding schools are only fun if filled with Yuri. Xebec needs to go back to doing Sci-Fi! (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

This must be the Chubrakabra

Title: Chu-Bra!!
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 4, 2010
Producers: ZEXCS

Summary: The story centers on Nayu, a middle school girl who shocks her schoolmates on the first day of school by wearing black lace panties. She likes this kind of underwear, and she tries to “spread the word on the merits of [these kinds of] underwear” via an underwear club with her schoolmates, who are worried about their bodies’ development and which underwear to choose.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Middle-schoolers wearing black lace panties… what an idea for a plot!  And how does Nayu run her advertising campaign?  Witty bumper stickers worn on the bum?  Art looks extremely crappy, though, so I guess I’ll never find out. (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Oh?! Another title with double-points-of-exclamation!?! SOLD (lol @ the boob jiggle at the end)!! But they shouldn’t copy the patented wide-face. That’s not cool. (Will watch | Won‘t blog)

Epi’s Reaction : If only she got energized by breast milk… (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Winter 2007
2. Winter 2009

So I heard you like sequels...

Most of this information comes from the chart at Denizen’s blog, as well as MAL and ANN.  I’m excited because we’ll have three people blogging again, which means more series covered by SS!AB.  I might cut my load to 3 new series (depending on episode counts), to leave room for Winter series since I will be picking up all new shows in the Fall.  Putting this together was soul-sucking, but less soul-sucking than in the past because I got to read what Epi and Jesus159159159 had to say about the various series.

Kemeko Deluxe meets Kaleido Star

Title: Kuchu Buranko (Trapeze)
Episodes: 11
Air Date: October 15, 2009
Producers: Toei Animation

Summary: In modern Japan, people visit “doctors of neurology,” rather than therapists.  Dr. Ichiro Irabu is an eccentric neurologist with an injection fetish, an Oedipus complex, and a green Porsche, known for making patients much worse before they get better.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I don’t usually like these episodic help-people-out shows, unless all the clients end up victims like in Franken-Fran.  Nothing I’ve seen so far has enticed me, although the idea of an injection fetish makes me snicker.  And how can a little girl have an Oedipus complex?  (Won‘t watch | Won‘t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I’ve heard many good things about the Director’s work, but I really hate that Takashi Murakami-styled art. I’ll definitely give the first 2-3 episodes a try, but hopefully they don’t get too funky with the art. (Might watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Looks like a ridiculously weird show. I don’t know what to think about this. From the website it looks like they might be doing some weird SHAFT-type animation/live action hybrid stuff. I don’t know if I’m interested in that, especially if there’s a lot of talking, puts me to sleep. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Prose before hoes

Title: Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra (Fighting Librarians)
Episodes: 26
Air Date: October 2, 2009
Producers: David Production

Summary:  In a world where “Books” are the crystallized forms of the dead, Tonisu has his memory erased and a bomb implanted in his chest. Books are stored in the Bantorra Library where anyone who reads a book can learn their past. Bantorra Library is maintained by Armed Librarians who wield psychic powers and their enemy is a religious society known as Sindeki Kyoudan. Tonisu is ordered to kill the most powerful armed librarian Hamyuttsu Meseta.  However, he falls in love and is caught up in the ongoing battle of the library.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I really like the character art, and how much less believable than Toshokan Sensou could this really be?  Unfortunately, the trailer looked generic as hell, and I get the feeling that the battle choreography will be a series of flashing lights followed by one fighter falling to the ground.  I do, however, like where the latest in librarian fashion trends are heading. (Will Watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Having fun isn’t hard WHEN YOU’VE GOT A LIBRARY CARD!!! Wow, glad that’s out of my system! Anyways, the trailer did seem a bit bland, but I like the guy with the hat. Definitely like the hat! Yup… that’s pretty much it. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: The art from the website and the trailer look pretty spectacular, and the character designs are as detailed as hell. Whether or not this will continue throughout the show remains to be seen. Looks like there’s quite a richly detailed fantasy world, and as always if that’s done well I’m game. I just hope it isn’t really hokey. (Will Watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Darker than Darker than Black

Title: Darker than Black 2
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 8, 2009
Producers: Bones

Summary: In the sequel, Hei and Yin are now on the run after betraying the Syndicate in the previous season. After leaving Japan, Hei encounters Suou Pavlichenko, a 13 year old Eurasian girl who becomes embroiled in the war and politics of the various factions and Contractors vying for power. Meanwhile, Hell’s Gate remains standing in Tokyo, after Hei’s efforts to stop the Saturn Ring anti-Gate particle weapon from activating.

Although Contractors are safe from the danger of having their existences erased, this does not prevent new and old Contractors from abusing their powers. As Misaki Kirihara and her team in the Public Security Bureau deal with the increasing Contractor cases, she also has to keep the Syndicate at bay, who has major positions in the Japanese police and intelligence bureaus around the world. The storyline setting primarily takes place in both Japan and Russia.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: What to say about this sequel… well unfortunately I haven’t watched the first series, and this usually dooms a sequel for me.  However, I’ve heard good things about this show and I’ve hoarded all the episodes to watch in the hospital while my wife is giving birth (conveniently before the start of the Fall season).  (Will Watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I was very fond of the first season, especially the character designs. I will admit that I completely forgot what happened during the first season, but I’m sure I’ll remember as I watch this one. Since Kabitzin will do White Album 2, and Epi will continue FMA2, it would only make sense that I pick up a sequel as well, no? Plus, all the big-wig Team Blogs will definitely blog this, and we at the Sea Slugs Empire cannot let our fanbase down! True-er Than Tears/Darker Than Black all the way! (Will watch | Will blog)

Epi’s Reaction: I quite liked the first season, even if Amber was a CC clone and Pizza Hut ruled the day. I mean sure, there wasn’t much in the character development segment, and there was literally no ending to the show, but it was FUN dammit. I’m excited that there is going to be a second season because I did not expect this at all. Hopefully they will make a real ending to this show this time around and answer some questions about the contractors and so on. (Will Watch | Might blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Your tax dollars at work

Title: A Certain Scientific Railgun
Episodes:
Air Date: October 2, 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff

Summary: Academy City. 2.3 million inhabitants. 80% of the students are active in the ‘Brain Development Program’ and out of those only 7 are Level 5s.  Meet the civilian protagonist Mikoto and her friend Kuroko, maintainers of peace and order in the University district. Kuroko is a member of ‘Judgment’.  A Certain Scientific Railgun is based on to A Certain Scientific Index, but this side story follows Mikoto.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: The original series got pretty boring, but I remember while reading the manga (which I read quite a bit of) that I found the spin-off to be rather entertaining.  I guess it helps that Mikoto is so much more interesting than Index, and of course this show promises plenty of yuri fanservice. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Never seen the first season, so this one will probably be a pass. The characters do seem pretty cute (or cute pretty?…*BOO*) Anyways, if this has absolutely nothing to do with the first season, I guess I can catch a couple of episodes. (Might watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction: The girl in the far right looks like Isurugi Noe! I watched the first bunch of episodes of Index and then I got pretty bored of it. Don’t know what to say about this show other than if it has more of Mikoto I’m happy. When I saw the first episode of Index I thought she’d be a main character but up until I stopped the show she was rarely ever seen! Perhaps I’ll finish it someday… (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Isn't that actually a hornet/wasp on his hat?

Title: Tegami Bachi (Letter Bee)
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 3, 2009
Producers: Studio Pierrot

Summary: Gauche is a governmental employee, given the task to deliver any letter to it’s destination. Meeting a young boy who is the letter to be delivered, Gauche makes friends with Lag and inspires him to take up the job. Five years later, Lag Seeing finally realizes his dream of becoming a Letter Bee, a courier who delivers mail throughout Amber Ground.  However, the one who inspired Lag has gone missing and only there does the mystery start.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Personally, my dream is to become a Spelling Bee or an Apple Bee, but to each his own.  I can’t help thinking that sending your letter with a courier named “Lag” would be almost as bad as buying an FPS game named “Lag,” but now I’m just being mean.  I usually like journey anime series, but the last few I’ve watched have had subpar endings.  This letter be good, or I won’t watch it. (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Oh boy, I hope they deliver the liver in BIG PACKAGES, cause if it fits, it ships! *crickets-crickets* I should watch the OVA/special to get the gist of it, but so far it doesn’t interest me at all. That guy reminds me of those .HACK// characters, just sayin’. (also, that’s a pretty weird rat-hat she got there…) (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Miyuki Sawashiro, Jun Fukuyama, Ami Koshimizu and Nana Mizuki? Looks like this show has a pretty awesome cast. It sounds really stupid though but hey you never know. Hard to say at this point. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

In French they call this "Ménage à trois du royaume" since they use the metric system

Title: Sangoku Engi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms)
Episodes: 52
Air Date: October 2009
Producers: Beijing Glorious Animation, Future Planet

Summary: Sengoku Engi is a 52-episode adaptation of the classic Chinese novel, depicting the tumultuous warring period of second-century China and the political intrigue between the different factions.  It is a joint partnership between Chinese and Japanese animation companies.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I can never think of anything good to say about these straight-up Romance of the Three Kingdoms adaptations.  They’re officially banned from future preview lists. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I’ll assume that the story is good since it’s been adapted so many times, but I’m still not interested. Also, 52 is a big number. Almost as big as 159! (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: This must be the 23,473th adaption of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I’ll watch the John Woo version instead. I’ll take this time to comment though that for some reason anime with English dubs sound horrible, but anime with Chinese dubs seem to work for some reason. I don’t know why. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Sauron will not have forgotten the sword of Elendil. The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.

Title: The Sacred Blacksmith
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 3, 2009
Producers: Manglobe

Summary: Once upon a time, there was a tragic war, in which the power of the devils was involved. After the war, the devils’ power was banned and the world was restored to peace. Cecily Campbell is a knight, who has been looking for a blacksmith to repair her old sword given by her father. One day, she saw a man fighting with a ruffian who used the tabooed devil’s power. The man defeated him with one blow of his weirdly shaped sword. The man turned out to be a blacksmith called Luke. The fateful encounter was the beginning of the adventure.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: The art looks nice and Manglobe does nice stuff, but the trailer was so terribly generic that it really turned me off this series.  The plot reminds me of Lord of the Rings combined with Pirates of the Caribbean, but in a bad way. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Hmm, I found absolutely nothing wrong with the trailer! If you’re gonna be generic, at least do it good, right? So I’m willing to give this show a chance. I’m not a big fan of breast armor though. It doesn’t jiggle. (Might watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction: I’m with Kabitzin on this one. While the art looks kind of nice, the trailer looks super generic to me. The story sounds even more generic. I’ll probably see the first episode and decide from there, but it’s not promising! BTW Aria’s outfit reminds me of Naru from the Love Hina Spring Special. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Time for some guild drama

Title: Fairy Tail
Episodes:
Air Date: October 6, 2009
Producers: A-1 Pictures, Satelight

Summary: Lucy is a 17-year-old girl, who wants to be a full-fledged mage. One day when visiting Harujion Town, she meets Natsu, a young man who gets sick easily by any type of transportation. But Natsu isnt just any ordinary kid, he’s a member of one of the world’s most (in)famous mage guilds: Fairy Tail.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I read this manga series regularly, so I don’t have that much interest in covering the series.  Depending on the pace and animation quality, I may tune in for the occasional battle, but I don’t think that Fairy Tail really offers anything that you couldn’t find in another shounen series.  Fairy Tail looks and feels like One Piece (since Hiro Mashima and Eiichiro Oda were both influenced heavily by Akira Toriyama), so if you like one you will probably like the other.  The execution and art should be pleasing, if the director sticks to the manga and has a decent budget.  (Might watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Since I don’t follow Fairy Tail or One Piece, I’ll try not to make too many judgments, but seriously, how can you not make any connections between the two? Those characters look exactly like Luffy and Nami (just sexier)! Perhaps they have different personalities, but still. Either way, I did follow One Piece (manga) for awhile, and it was pretty good. If this show is exactly like One Piece, then I’m probably better off continuing One Piece. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Even if Aya Hirano and Rie Kugimiya are in this show I don’t really think I’ll watch it. Not really into Shounen shows at all. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Kobato is obviously a fan of Twitter and blue Peeps

Title: Kobato.
Episodes: 24
Air Date: October 6, 2009
Producers: Madhouse Studios

Summary: Kobato is a sweet and perky girl, but also extremely naive about the world around her. She has a “mission”, which is to fill a mysterious bottle of hers with the suffering from people’s hearts so her wish to go a certain place that she desires to go can be granted. However, she must not fall in love with a particular boy she works with and whose heart she must heal.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Now we’re even adding periods to anime titles?  And something seems a little off about that dog plushie.  Anyway, I usually like CLAMP stuff, but sometimes their series tend to drag a little.  This sounds a little like CLAMP does True Tears, but I can see this being a really heartwarming series, and Madhouse usually does good work.  If “sweet and perky” really means “sweet and crazy” I will be sure to root against Kobato! (Will Watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I’ve been wanting to read the manga for a long time, but it was usually never translated and/or I lost interest. I like the hat, definitely like the hat! (Will Watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Madhouse and CLAMP are always good, although Kobato’s limbs are not nearly long enough, so I’m not sure what to make of it all. Sounds like the opposite of Hell Girl. I’ll watch this if it isn’t TOO sweet and moe~~~ (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Ok, Ok, I promise to copy your crappy DS game and distribute it to as many people as possible, so please don't kill me!

Title: Kimi ni Todoke (Reaching You)
Episodes:
Air Date: October 6, 2009
Producers: Production I.G.

Summary: This story is centered around a girl named Kuronuma Sawako who is nicknamed Sadako (ghost girl from “The Ring”) by her classmates because of her scary face and demeanor. She greatly admires Kazehaya-kun from afar, he is “100% refreshing” and is able to draw in people with his personality. Unlike her facial expressions she yearns to make friends and live as a normal student. Gradually she starts affects those around her, including Kazehaya-kun…

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Noooooooooooo!!!  I’ve heard word that this manga is great, but I don’t care.  The Ring scared the crap out of me, and there is absolutely no way I will sit through an anime series where the heroine’s main gimmick is looking like Sadako.  It’s even worse that they named it “Reaching You.”  Mark my words, this will be a 3-part series where part two will be “Haunting You,” and the final part of the trilogy will be “Killing You.”  I bet if you play the DS game, Sawako and Sadako both jump out of the dual screens and kill you!  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Wow, the premise sounds like my life story! Alright, finally someone I can relate to! She does look cute in that somewhat-creepy-way, and I love the bow, which is always a plus! Also:

She greatly admires Kazehaya-kun from afar

STALKERS UNITE!!! (Will watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Ringu? Nanako Matsushima = awesome. Scary TV girl? Not so much. Still Production I.G. hasn’t let me down for a long time, so I’ll be watching this for sure. Coupled with my love for high school romance animes this will be a sure winner in my books! (Will watch | Will blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

You can't spell "yuri anime" without "yu" and "me"

Title: Sasameki Koto
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 7, 2009
Producers: AIC

Summary: Murasame Sumika is popular in the high school for her excellence in the marks and sports. However, she has a secret: she is in love with her classmate Kazama Ushio. Sumika hears that Ushio is like her, “a girl who likes girls,” but Sumika’s feelings have yet to be reciprocated.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: As much as I like to joke about yuri undertones, I usually find full-on yuri to be boring as the main attraction.  Maybe if there was more competition and forces keeping their forbidden love apart it’d be more interesting, but I don’t see any of that happening in this show.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: AIC better turn up those AC’s cause it’s gonna get HAWT IN HERE so take off all your clothes! *smacks himself* What? Did I say hawt? Oh no, I must have been drinking again: This show is gonna suck, but probably not fish sticks. Definitely not fish sticks! Perhaps it might smell like fish though *BA DUM PSH*… okay I’ll stop. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Unlike Kabitzin, I actually am quite fond of Yuri. I’m still waiting for a worthy yuri successor to Strawberry Panic so I end up watching all these yuri shows in search for just that one. I’ll probably keep watching this show until it starts to suck (I’m thinking around first commercial break or so). Oneeeeee-sama!!!~~~~!!!!! \(^o^)/ (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Soap, falling from the sky

Title: Winter Sonata
Episodes: 26
Air Date: October 17, 2009
Producers: G&G, JM Animation

Summary: Kang Joon-Sang, a high school boy, has his life tied to that of his classmate, Jung Yu-Jin.  The drama follows the two as tragedy befalls them and those around them in the years between high school and young adulthood.  This series is based on the Korean drama television series about the love between two childhood friends and was a huge hit in Japan.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: While I don’t like the character designs or the realistic art style, the trailer showcased some really top notch production values.  At times I can really get into soapy doramas, but it depends on my mood.  I might have to look into the source to see if this is worth the heartbreak that is sure to ensue.  (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: As the Bizzaro version of Kabitzin, I actually like the sort-of realistic art style, especially when they have upper-lips! I’ve been hearing constant fanboying over this one, so I might as well give it a look. Who doesn’t like a good soap and true tears water, right? (Will watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: So after hearing so much about Winter Sonata, I finally decided to download it and watch it. I mean it was the #1 show all across the world apparently, even in the Middle East. I must say that those 70 minute episodes are pretty long though and I only got to episode 4 before I gave up so I have no idea how this show ends. I was happily surprised to learn though that modern South Korea really does have more technology than the first few episodes which were apparently set in the past. I might end up watching this just to bypass watching the TV show. Looks like they have the live-action actors reprising their roles as the animated characters. It also looks like the anime is a pretty decent adaptation of the TV show as the camera angles even look similar. I dunno how good this will be though because the real Choi Ji Woo is much better looking than her anime version. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

I like chicken, I like liver, Meow Mix Meow Mix please deliver!

Title: Nyan Koi!
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 1, 2009
Producers: AIC

Summary: Junpei Kosaka is a second-year high school student who despises cats and has an allergy to them. It just so happens that his high school crush is Kaede Mizuno, a girl who adores cats. One day, while walking home from school, Junpei kicks an empty can and unfortunately beans the local neko-jizo-sama (guardian deity of cats). He finds he can now understand what cats are saying, including his family’s own ill-tempered cat, Nyamusasu. However, if he does not grant 100 wishes from cats, he will turn into a cat himself.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I’ve always wanted to know what my cats would say to me if they could speak English.  This feels like the feline remix of What Women Want, but the art looks decent and I would probably watch most anime series focused on cats.  Also, 100 wishes might sound like a lot, but I bet it wouldn’t take that long to grant my cats 100 wishes. (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: What? This is almost like 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, but with cats! Interesting! That girl also has some nice Asian beavers K-ON! teeth! The show looks fun, but doing 100 wishes will most likely mean there will be more than 26 episodes (See, I’m good with math!). If they put some Cats in those Hats, I’m sold! (Might watch | Might blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Even if THE MAJOR is going to be a cat, I don’t know if I’m going to watch this. Not really much of a cat person (don’t tell the gf!). Will watch one episode to see THE MAJOR. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

I couldn't find any new pictures so I made one

Title: Natsu no Arashi! 2
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 4, 2009
Producers: SHAFT

Summary: It centers on a boy named Hajime Yasaka who meets an older high school girl named Sayoko “Arashi” Arashiyama in an old town coffee shop. “Arashi” happens to have a secret that Hajime learns one fateful summer vacation.  Arashi makes a bond with Hajime, enabling them to travel back through time, sometimes to rescue those who died in WWII.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Oh jeez, the first season was about time travel?  I’m still so bitter about School Rumble dragging that I absolutely refuse to watch this show.  Plus, the character designs are ugly. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Oh no, not this show again! I did have fun blogging it over at Sufoki, but I received absolutely no comments! It is an okay-show, but I’ll have to finish the first season to go to the next. Also, unlike Kabitzin, I liked the character designs. I was also a big fan of the OP song. It was refreshingly funky-desu! (Will watch eventually | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Saw the first episode of the first season and it… sucked. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Waiting for Yuki to betray the human race and fly off to hang out with the Vajra

Title: White Album 2
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 2, 2009
Producers: Seven Arcs

Summary: Touya Fuji, a college student, is dating a rising idol singer named Yuki Morikawa.  There are numerous challenges to the couple’s relationship from the other people at Fuji’s college, Morikawa’s work, and elsewhere.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I really enjoyed White Album’s first season, in spite of some of the production dips and the occasionally slow pace.  I am excited to see how Touya will outdo himself as one of the worst boyfriends in anime history.  Kyon-kun, denwa! (Will watch | Will blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: There are so many fond memories I have with White Album that it would be impossible for me to miss this. I definitely liked the whole anime-blogger-atmosphere that the show brought to the community, and it was fun bashing the last episode (btw, they touched-up Yuki’s badly animated performance in the DVD/Blu-Ray… *sniff* WHY?!?!) I also recall this being my first introduction to Nana Mizuki, or rather, the first time being completely fanboy over her! Lets hope for some more Yayoi-Upper-Lip stench! (Will watch | Want to blog but can’t Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Well looks like Kabitzin’s got dibs on this one so I won’t be blogging it, but I will for sure be watching! I need my weekly dose of being frustrated by Touya and need more makout sessions with the ice queen Yayoi herself. PLEASE! (Will watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Hey, what's that 4eyes doing in the poster?

Title: 11eyes
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 1, 2009
Producers: Dogakobo

Summary: Five years ago, Satsuki Kakeru lost his sister by suicide and has been living a dull life ever since then. One day, he is transported into a bizarre world “Red Night” along with his friend Minase Yuka. In order to survive and escape from Red Night, he fights against Dark Spirits (Ralva) and six Black Nights of this alternate world.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: My gut reaction is, “Bleh, eroge Rental Magica,” but hopefully the main character’s sister didn’t commit suicide after sitting through 11eyes.  This show seems super generic, but if the production values are decent maybe I will give the show a chance.  I’ve sat through both good and bad eroge adaptations, so what’s one more? (Might watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I’ve counted, and if my math is correct, there are more than 11 eyes in that poster, even if you don’t count the closed eyes or 4-eyes! Not much to say on a show that I will most likely never watch. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Alternate worlds are best experienced by high school female heroines. I dunno what to think of a male character escaping to an alternate world. They are also best done if based on a novel not an EROGE. P.S. TAMAHOME!!! (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

After the long wait, we're going to piss the fans off by airing the same episode 8 times

Title: Inuyasha: Kanketsu-hen
Episodes: Over 9,000 26
Air Date: October 3, 2009
Producers: Sunrise

Summary: Higurashi Kagome is pulled down a well to Feudal Japan, and learns a powerful jewel is inside her.  She awakens the dog-demon Inuyasha and works together with him to find the shards fo the shattered jewel.  The anime will cover the final 21 volumes of the manga.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I’ve only ever seen this show with English dubs.  That’s how old Inu Yasha is.  This is how I picture Zero no Tsukaima season 32 going.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I was a big Inuyasha fan during the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim run, so seeing this makes me squee in joy! IRON-REAVER SOUL STEALER!!! WIND TUNNEL!!! BOOMERANG!!! WIND SCAR!!! BACK-LASH WAVE!!! INU-YASHAaAaAaAAAAAA!!! KAGOMEEEeeeEeeEeeEee!!! (Will watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: I got through the first 4 episodes of Inuyasha, it looked good. But then there were 150 more to go or something. So I guess I won’t be watching this. I do miss Satsuki Yukino though, sad she doesn’t really do many shows anymore. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

I make my ghost girlfriend take off her ghost shoes before getting in my mech

Title: Asura Cryin’ 2
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 1, 2009
Producers: Seven Arcs

Summary: Tomoharu is a normal high school student… except for he’s not alone. Haunted by the ghost of his dead childhood best friend, he moves into a new home in time for the new school year.  That becomes a little more difficult than anticipated when his house becomes overrun with various female occult users. Even worse than that he has been pulled into a fight to protect a trunk within the house that others want to steal.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I never got around to watching this show, and I probably won’t marathon to catch up.  There certainly are a lot of unrelated cliches being blended into this series, but it’s good to see that the childhood friend romance buff does not wear off upon death.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Was there supposed to be a pun in the title, cause I always read it as “A-sure-a Cryin’” as in “Those guys are-sure-a-Cryin’ yo!” Anyways, never saw the first one, and not interested in the second. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Ghost girlfriend? High school hijinks? Mecha? Sign me up!! That was my first reaction when I heard about this show last season and I didn’t regret it. Asura Cryin’ was a fun show all around even if it wasn’t very deep. Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger and I’m definitely looking forward to more. (Will watch | Might blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Phallis

Title: Kampfer
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 1, 2009
Producers: Nomad

Summary: Bishoujo battle & school love comedy. Senou Natsuru is a normal high school boy. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger “Harakiri Tora” gains a life and tells him to fight as a female psychic fighter “Kampfer”. Having no idea about what’s going on, Natsuru is involved in the battles against other Kampfers.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Enough of traps going to high school to look for love and/or fulfill a grandparent’s last wishes!  It’s time to party like it’s 1987 and bring back fighting traps (with a side of love).  Obviously the premise sounds a little stupid, but I might give this show an episode or two to reel me in.  I get the feeling, however, that the art will be crappy and if that’s the case I probably won’t stay long.  However, I did check out the manga per Mentar’s suggestion and it ended up being pretty entertaining.  (Will watch | Might blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: /facepalm! What is this, the 10th time we have a trap attending what is most likely going to be an all-girl-school? Oh but wait, they are “psychic fighters”, and they have to battle each other for no apparent reason other than to be the best, and they have big breasts (which will be the only thing animated), and somewhere along the way we’ll have the evil corporation and whatnot. Yea, please stop watching this crap so they can finally stop making it. (to each his own of course) (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Marina Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Yui Horie, Yukari Tamura, Mamiko Noto and Megumi Nakajima in the same anime? Guy turning into a girl? Possible yuri situations in a high school setting? How would I not watch this show? (Will watch | Might blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Found this on the back of my milk carton

Title: Sora no Otoshimono (Heaven’s Lost Property)
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 4, 2009
Producers: AIC A.S.T.A.

Summary: Sakurai Tomoki has been having the same strange dream since he was a child and would wake up in tears.  He dreams of a strange girl asking for his help, but when he wakes up he can’t remember her face.  Sugita, an upperclassmen as his school, believes the dream to be of the new continent. Later that night while waiting under the cherry trees for his Sugita and Sohara, his childhood friend, an angel named Ikaros comes flying down and complicates his life of pacifism.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: It really doesn’t get more generic than heavenly ladies falling from the sky and having some kind of connection to your past/dreams/destiny.  The trailer reinforced this feeling, although it added an extra layer of super-annoying static in the dreams.  Other than that, expect lots of pantsu, chains between boobs, jiggling, and loser lead male shenanigans.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I noticed that the trailer had a lot of chibi-ness in some scenes, which would totally defeat the purpose of big boobs (unless the chibi versions have big boobs as well). The main character’s voice was a bit annoying too, so I probably won’t handle hearing it for 12+ episodes. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: The trailer looks decently nice, but then again the girls all have impossibly big boobs. Unless this show has the fun charisma of Princess Lover, I can’t see myself watching it. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

You call it theft, I call it parody

Title: Seitokai no Ichizon (It’s Student Council’s Judgment)
Episodes: 13
Air Date: October 2, 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN

Summary: The members of the student council of Hekiyou Gakuen are chosen by a popularity vote. As a result, all the members are cute girls except for Sugizaki Ken, who studied hard to enter the council. Ken is the only male allowed to enter the “sacred sanctuary” of the council’s meeting room. The council president records the minutes of the meetings, which consist of daily conversations about the students.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I thought this was supposed to show last season… There aren’t many details about this series, but what I’ve read sounds pretty terrible. I believe this is based off of a series of light novels where the characters chat and parody other anime series. It’s like a light novel version of those horrible mash-and-parody movies that always come out in the US.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: I guess this could be good, but I’ll let others check it out for me. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Well I’ve seen S.A., Gokujo Seitokai, Manabi Straight!, and so many others so I guess if this is a show about the student council I should watch it. That said if what Kabitzin says is true, this could really suck. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Every queen needs a (ceramic) throne

Title: Queen’s Blade 2
Episodes: 12
Air Date: September 24, 2009
Producers: ARMS

Summary: A competition to decide the next Queen. The strongest warrior will rule the country and expand it. The contestants need to be older than 12. They need not be human, intelligent or even of that country. The rules for the tournament: murder is allowed. Any weapon can be chosen.

This is based on a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan which based on the licensed works from Lost Worlds. First published in 2005, it features only female characters.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Wow, I’m impressed they got another season, but I’m not surprised.  You’ll find no hating here; there is a certain niche for (relatively) high budget H-series with lots of peeing. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Oh no, not the breast-armor again! To be honest, I actually like a lot of the character designs (who doesn’t?! :P), but I never got around to finishing the first season. I may catch up some day though. (Might watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: LOL they made a sequel to this? If the idea is NEXT queen, I guess this show won’t even benefit from the AYAKO DOCTRINE. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Red Hair!

Title: Shin Koihime†Musou
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 5, 2009
Producers: Dogakobo

Summary: The game is spinoff from the Koihime†Musou: Doki—Otome Darake no Sangokushi Engi game, which has already been adapted into a television anime series and a video anime. The franchise re-imagines the classic Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sangokushi) as a “moe (fiery), moe (preciously cute) action love comedy” with an almost all-female cast. The Shin Koihime†Musou game was just released in Japan on December 26.

The same Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel also inspired KOEI’s game franchise of the same name, KOEI’s Dynasty Warriors (Shin Sangoku Musouō) spinoffs, and dozens of anime and manga of varying historical accuracy.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: It’s pretty amazing what you can twist Romance of the Three Kingdoms into.  I only watched 1 episode of the first season and I don’t really enjoy RotTK anime all that much anyway.  I do like recommending this series to friends of mine who are RotTK fans/purists, however, just to see their reaction after the first episode. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Wow, so this is also based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Guess RotTK is pretty big… bigger than those D’s on those B%tches yo! I’ll take the manly-GAR-anime version to this one. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: LOL? (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

Normally only ugly dumbasses like anime and manga

Title: Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza
Episodes: 12
Air Date: October 5, 2009
Producers: Diomedea

Summary: In the story, Yuuto Ayase is an ordinary boy in an private high school with the usual cliques. Haruka, the school’s most unattainable girl, is so idolized in the school for both her beauty and smarts that her classmates nickname her Nuit Étoile (The Silver Star of the Night) and Lumière du Clavier (The Shining Princess on the Piano). However, in the school’s library, Yuuto stumbles across her and her darkest secret — she is a diehard fan of anime, manga, and otaku culture.  This looks to be a sequel of Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu.

Kabitzin’s Reaction: I had no interest in the first season, so needless to say I won’t be watching the sequel.  I don’t really like the art style that much either.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: wth is up with that caption?! Never even heard of the first season, so this one is a definite no-no. (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: Well I liked the first season even if it wasn’t that special. I mean it was a pretty generic show although Mamiko Noto really turned up the charm. (Will watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

I baked you some hontou ni jiBuns

Title: Yumeiro Patissiere
Episodes:
Air Date: October 4, 2009
Producers: Studio Peirrot

Summary: The story centers on a 14-year-old girl named Ichigo Amano who wants to be a pâtissière (female pastry chef), but she is stymied by her own clumsiness. One day, she enrolls in St. Mary Academy, a culinary school for sweets, and meets a “spirit of sweets.”

Kabitzin’s Reaction: Oh yeah, Shugo Chara patissiere edition!  As great as watching X eggs made into cakes would be, I am pretty sure this will be your standard shojou-with-chibi-spirit anime complete with a billion oji-samas and lots of sweets and friendships.  Props for having the green-haired guy hold a bunch of flours.  (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Jesus159159159’s Reaction: Mmm, she bettah bake me a cake as fast as she can! Mmm-hmmm! Err, I mean: Yum-Merry-Oh Pastries? That’s an interesting title. Btw, I like the hats! Definitely like the hats! (Won’t watch | Won’t blog)

Epi’s Reaction: So I was reading the author’s ANN profile and it says that the author’s favorites include – Kung Fu stars: Stephen Chow, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li.

Back to the show… If there are any BREAD REACTIONS then I’ll watch. Also the character designs remind me of Full Moon o Sagashite which is a definite plus. I’ll at least watch the first episode and then I’ll probably drop this show faster than Queen’s Blade (which I saw the first 2 minutes of).  (Might watch | Won’t blog)

[ MAL | ANN ]

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Kabitzin’s June 2009 List
2. Epi’s (bi)Weekly Roundup 02 (now with pics!)

Oops, I did it again

Summer’s almost here, and so it’s time for the preview post.  I decided to go all out again, and even tried to make the preview a little more readable.  As usual, this post ignores any series that look like they were made before 1985, series that look like they were drawn in MS paint, OAVs, and shows obviously aimed at very young children.  Information was pulled from a variety of sources, including ANN, MAL, and Denizen’s helpful charts.  I’ll be carrying over Valkyria Chronicles into the season, but I should have room to pick up 3-4 shows for blogging.

I also usually leave off sequels from these lists.  Hetalia Axis Powers, Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and Spice and Wolf will all have continuations.  I haven’t seen the first two, and I’m not sure if I really want to watch more Spice and Wolf.  The first season was alright, but the production values really dipped in spots.

[ Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 | Canaan | Element Hunters | Aoi Hana | Bakemonogatari | Umineko no Naku Koro ni | Taishou Yakyuu Musume | Umi Monogatari | Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan!! | Sora no Manimani | Needless | Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou | Kanamemo | GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class | Princess Lover! | Seitokai no Ichizon ]

Hahaha, Quaker Oats!

Title: Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Episodes: 11
Air Date: July 9, 2009
Producers: Bones

Summary: Mirai goes to Tokyo’s Odaiba Island with her brother Yutaka, but a powerful tremor emanates from an ocean trench.  This causes Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge to crumble and fall, instantly changing Tokyo’s landscape.  Mari, a motorcycle delivery woman they meet in Odaiba, helps them head back to their Setagaya home in western Tokyo.

Reaction: This is an interesting premise, and I suspect it will be similar to most journey-type anime series where the main draw is watching the main characters grow and bond with each other.  It sounds like this might take place in the future, since some summaries mention Mirai hanging out on an artificial island for a robot exhibition.  This type of series doesn’t always make for compelling blog posts, so I suspect this may be a series I store up and marathon in chunks on my own time.  It looks like the production values for this show will be pretty good.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Is this supposed to be a trap?

Title: Canaan
Episodes: 13
Air Date: July 4, 2009
Producers: P.A. Works

Summary: This is an anime adaptation of Chunsoft and Sega’s VN/game 428.  Type-moon fans will be happy to learn that Nasu Kinoko and Takeuchi Takashi are in charge of the script and character designs.

Canaan is a present-day story about a detective, a young man, a virus researcher, a freelance writer, and a cat mascot character who are brought together by bizarre events with worldwide implications in the Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya.

Reaction: Details are scarce, but at 13 episodes I’m almost definitely going to pick this one up.  The source game has the distinction of earning a very rare perfect score from Famitsu, so the story should be decent.  I haven’t really loved the previous Type-Moon adaptations that I’ve watched, but I keep on coming back for more.  Also, I want to know more about the part-timer who has to dress up like a cat mascot.  The official website had an extremely short preview, and the production values looked decent.  Naturally, the character designs are pleasing (especially if you like other Type-moon works).  I think the character in the red top is supposed to be a girly-looking boy, because it would be odd for a girl to have such a strangely squished flat chest.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
[ MAL | ANN ]

For just 10 cents a day, you can ensure these children get enough to eat

Title: Element Hunters
Episodes: 39
Air Date: July 4, 2009
Producers: NHK Enterprises, HeeWon Entertainment

Summary: In 2029, a large scale ground sinkage occurred in Mediterranean Sea and chemical elements such as oxygen, carbon, gold, molybdenite, and cobalt suddenly disappeared from the earth’s crust. Human population was decreased by 90% in sixty years. Researchers found out that the disappeared elements were drained into a planet “Nega Earth”, which located in different dimensions. To save the Earth, a special team “Element Hunter” is organized. All the members are under 14 years old because young and flexible brains are required to access to “Nega Earth”.

Reaction: Two things immediately stand out about this show: the super skinny, short-leg, big-head (even for anime) character designs, and the long series length.  If all you need is a flexible brain shouldn’t we be sending in toddlers?  Don’t get me wrong, I’m mad that Nega Earth is stealing our resources too, but I’m not quite mad enough to give this show a chance.  Besides, molybdenite is overrated.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

We've got the truck full of sakura petals waiting out back

Title: Aoi Hana
Episodes: 11
Air Date: July 1, 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff

Summary: Fumi was close friends with Akira until she had to move away.  Ten years after losing touch, the two girls meet again as high school freshmen.  The two struggle to reconnect, and both deal with the trials and tribulations of high school—sometimes independently and sometimes with each other’s help.

Reaction: From what I’ve read, this show is based on a manga that addresses issues of romance and sexuality delicately.  Aoi Hana sounds like a very sweet show, but one that you have to be in the right mood for to enjoy.  The preview didn’t show much, but whenever you see a bunch of watercolor stills like that, you know you are in for some slice-of-life.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

I can never resist anime basketball

Title: Bakemonogatari
Episodes: 15
Air Date: July 3, 2009
Producers: Aniplex, Shaft

Summary: Koyomi Araragi is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire.  When Hitagi falls down the stairs into his arms, he discovers she weighs almost nothing, and offers her help from a middle-aged homeless man.  Koyomi encounters many different ‘apparitions’ in a series of interconnected stories.

Reaction: The promotional artwork for this series is absolutely gorgeous, and from an art perspective, this is the series I am most looking forward to.  I believe the source material is a set of humorous light novels, and the title is basically a “monster stories” pun.  I’d watch this show just for Kanbaru Suruga, but the rest of the details sound promising as well.  Everything I have read indicates that this will be a standard fluffy-plot, classic-Shaft production, but when the character designs look this good I don’t mind.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
[ MAL | ANN ]

Objection!

Title: Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When the Seagulls Cry)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN

Summary: Umineko no Naku Koro ni takes place in 1986 during the time frame of October the 4th and the 5th on a secluded island named Rokkenjima. The head of the wealthy Ushiromiya family, Kinzo Ushiromiya, who lives on and owns Rokkenjima, is near death, and eleven of his family members arrive on the island to discuss how Kinzo’s assets will be divided once he is dead. Also on the island are five of Kinzo’s servants, and his personal physician. After the eleven family members arrive, a typhoon traps them on the island and shortly after people start to get mysteriously murdered.

Reaction: I’m not usually into these mystery series, but I’ve read that this story has a similar feel to the various Higurashi series.  That doesn’t float my boat at all, but your mileage may vary. The similarity in titles reminds me of all those girls jumping through time, space, etc.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

There's no crying in baseball!

Title: Taishou Yakyuu Musume (Taisho Era Baseball Daughters)
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff

Summary: Set in 1925, the story follows Koume and Akiki who decide to create a baseball team, in a Japan where not many teams exist.  To reach their goal, they have to recruit more players and learn the basics of baseball.

Reaction: Baseball in anime completely repulses me the way basketball in anime completely attracts me.  Obviously this sounds kinda like A League of Their Own, but without any fat chicks.  The plot sounds like any number of anime series, but at least it isn’t based off of a 4-koma.  I get a faint tingling of pseudo-yuri vibes from the official website, but I don’t know anything about the light novels that the anime is based on.  What I do know, however, is that those gloves are really scary looking.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

My precioussssssssss...

Title: Umi Monogatari
Episodes: 12
Air Date: June 24, 2009
Producers: ZEXCS

Summary: Marin and Urin are sisters who live alongside the fish in the ocean.  When a beautiful ring falls in the middle of the sea, they decide to go ashore for the first time to deliver the ring.  Kanon tells them she doesn’t want the ring anymore because it was given by her boyfriend whom she just broke up with, and she throws it into the sea again. Marin thinks Kanon is still in love with him and looks for the ring. But she accidentally breaks a seal on the sea floor…

Reaction: From stories about monsters to stories about the sea… it’s really hard to come up with titles nowadays.  What’s the standard policy on gifts from an ex?  If I was Kanon I probably would have sold the ring instead, especially if it had the power to destroy the world.  I bet that would fetch a good price online.  Since it’s only 1-cour, I will probably give this show a shot.  Also, the series blog has amusing and skimpy photos.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Nothing cheers a girl up like a bunch of tentacles

Title: Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan!!
Episodes: ?
Air Date: June 25, 2009
Producers: Studio Hibari

Summary: The story revolves around Plug, a mysterious office lady who came to our world from a parallel world to “charge” up dejected people.  Plug recharges people down on their luck, spreading good cheer wherever she goes.

Reaction: Obviously this is just a stupid excuse to have lots of tentacles and fanservice.  I always get the feeling that shows like this are just a cheap way to sell figurines.  I expect this will mostly be a lot of wire tangles, licking, and boobs.  The promo picture kinda reminds me of that experiment you can do with lemon batteries.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Having only one telescope is almost as good as having only one umbrella

Title: Sora no Manimani (At The Mercy of The Sky)
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 7, 2009
Producers: Studio Comet

Summary: Saku Ooyagi returns to his hometown after seven years and is soon reacquainted with his childhood friend, Mihoshi Akeno. The reunion is far from merry since the last memory they have of each other is of her falling off a tree and him saving her. In any case, Mihoshi is determined to improved their relationship and forces Saku to join the astronomy club she founded.

Reaction: I love how he wants to rekindle his childhood romance, but in order to do so he has to join her club.  Sometimes a plot can be more than the sum of its cliches parts.  I’m not sure how much more boring you can get than a slice-of-life anime about star-gazing, but I don’t plan to find out.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

I totally didn't steal this drill arm either

Title: Needless
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2, 2009
Producers: Madhouse

Summary: Set in 2130, large swaths of Japan have been quarantined as polluted “Black Spots” in the aftermath of World War III.  However, there are people settled behind the massive walls of the Black Spots, where they have developed mysterious powers.  Among the survivors who had been abandoned inside the Blackspots, came forth possessors of uncanny abilities — Fire, wind, brute strength…they were defined by their supernatural abilities.  The people on the outside have labeled them “Needless.”

Reaction: Needless to say, this sounds like a typical shounen show.  A couple of the characters have that whole Kamina look going on, but the rest of the character designs are different from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.  Aside form the drill arm… and the sunglasses… and the little kid… well anyway, Needless does have more varied female characters in skimpy outfits, so that’s something.  I am pretty sure this will be dumb, even though the summary makes it sound like there could be a real story in the background.  After looking at the promotional art, however, I won’t be holding my breath.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Well, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night

Title: Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou (Properly Learned Modern Magic)
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 11, 2009
Producers: Nomad

Summary: The story revolves around Koyomi Morishita, a clumsy high school freshman girl who is often mistaken for a grade-schooler because of her shortness. Koyomi becomes a disciple of Misa Anehara, a 25-year-old graduate student who happens to be one of the most powerful modern-day magicians.

Reaction: The character designs are nice, but the trailer makes it look like the type of show that is prone to dips in animation quality.  Although this is supposed to be about magic, most of the characters seem to be sitting in front of their computers (with a billion screens!) or watching out-of-place CG bowls or papers fly past.  It might be worth watching if the magical girl fights are good, like a poor man’s Nanoha (but with approximately the same sized budget).

Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

So this is why people still subscribe to newspapers

Title: Kanamemo
Episodes: 13
Air Date: July 5, 2009
Producers: Feel

Summary: Nakamachi Kana is a junior high school girl.  Her grandmother passed away and she was left all alone.  Because of this, she ends up living and working at a newspaper delivery office.  Everyone else living at the office is charming, self-assertive, and beautiful.  The story follows Kana’s daily life in the fast-paced, yet joyous environment.

Reaction: What would we do without at least one moe-infused 4koma adaptation?  The character art is very cute, but I expect this will be another standard adorable slice-of-life show.  I think this is an all-female cast, and MAL has it tagged as yuri, so there will probably be lots of fanservice mixed in with the moe.  If the production values remain high, I might turn my brain off and check this out for some light entertainment, but it’s not high on my priority list.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

If they lose a member, I bet their club will be shut down

Title: GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 6, 2009
Producers: AICPLUS+

Summary: The slice-of-life manga revolves around five freshman girls in a high school art class.

According to the web diary, Hiroaki Sakurai (Di Gi Charat, Kodocha, Cromartie High School) will direct off scripts that will be supervised by Doko Machida (Allison & Lillia, Lucky Star, Tears to Tiara). Atsuko Watanabe (Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!!) will reportedly design the characters that AIC will animate.

Reaction: Details about this show are sparse, but it sounds like the show is based on some very weak source material.  I expect this to be a really crappy version of Hidamari Sketch.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

We were originally gonna call the company Tripe-moon

Title: Princess Lover!
Episodes: 12
Air Date: July 5, 2009
Producers: GoHands

Summary: Arima Teppei lost his parents in a traffic accident. His grandfather Arima Isshin adopted him by force and ordered him to succeed the head of Arima Group Corporation.  Isshin wields the puppet strings in Japan’s vast economy, and at Shuuhou Gakuen, a high school only for wealthly students, Teppei’s new life as a celebrity starts.

Reaction: All signs point to this being a low-quality eroge adaptation, complete with a spikey-haired, bokken-wielding male lead, and busty ladies with pointy boobs.  I especially liked the Saber rip-off.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

You call it theft, I call it parody

Title: Seitokai no Ichizon (It’s Student Council’s Judgement)
Episodes: ?
Air Date: July 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN

Summary:  The members of the student council of Hekiyou Gakuen are chosen by a popularity vote. As a result, all the members are cute girls except for Sugizaki Ken, who studied hard to enter the council.  Ken is the only male allowed to enter the “sacred sanctuary” of the council’s meeting room.  The council president records the minutes of the meetings, which consist of daily conversations about the students.

Reaction: There aren’t many details about this series, but what I’ve read sounds pretty terrible.  I believe this is based off of a series of light novels where the characters chat and parody other anime series.  It’s like a light novel version of those horrible mash-and-parody movies that always come out in the US.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Spring 2009
2. Looking For More Writers

Reading Rainbow

I volunteered to review Lux-Pain a while back, but it took forever to get the game due to an address mixup. Still, it came just in time for me to enjoy on my flight to Las Vegas. Looking back, this was the perfect way to try this game. I didn’t finish, but I think I played more than enough to give an accurate preview.

Story

You've hacked our server for the last time

This is the best part about Lux-Pain. Lux-Pain is essentially a visual novel. Ironically, while I was playing the game, I had just started a project for my marketing research class on the Amazon Kindle, and the DS experience was very much like a portable electronic book. Here’s the official plot description (which is pretty accurate):

Lux-Pain is set in historical Kisaragi City, a town plagued by mysteries from small mishaps to murders. It seems “Silent”, a worm born through hate and sadness, has infected humans and forced them to commit atrocious crimes. The hero’s parents are victims of such crimes. To avenge his parents, Atsuki goes through a dangerous operation to acquire Lux-Pain in his left arm, a power so strong that his left eye turns golden when using it to seek and destroy Silent for good.

Lux-Pain follows Saijo Atsuki as he investigates “Silent” (which is essentially powerful contagious emo). The story deals with a lot of dark emotions and harsh realities, and at first the story-telling method was effective. I actually sat through all the inner-thought portions to read what the characters were thinking, and it was kinda cool. The game kept me guessing a lot, and after a while I started enjoying the characters as well. Without a doubt, the story is the best part of Lux-Pain, although it would have been nice to be able to affect the story at more points. I especially liked the BBS topics in the Internet Cafe, because they were so silly and yet realistic.

Gameplay

What gameplay should have been like

Unfortunately, the gameplay is terrible. I can forgive the massive amounts of text and mostly static characters laid over static backgrounds. This is a VN first and foremost. However, there is some really pathetic attempt at adding a sort of mini-game as the main player interaction. Basically, in order to read anyone’s mind, you have to activate your Sigma ability and then use the stylus to catch the thoughts. This sounds ok in theory, but in practice you feel like a cat in a litter box. As if that isn’t bad enough, the hit-detection is poor, and so catching the thoughts can sometimes be needlessly difficult.

My representation of what gameplay was really like

You erase the screen and behind the nice artwork is a dot that you have to catch. The boss battles involve having to touch more dots. Someone thought this was a good idea for thrilling gameplay, and that someone should never be allowed to design a mini-game again. When the game portion of the game annoys you by interrupting the endless text and static images, you know you have a problem. The dialogue gives you choices from time to time, but you don’t really feel like your choices affect very much.

Tilt

The voices are actually quite good in this game. Just to balance that out, however, is the fact that the text translation is bad. The voices and text aren’t really synched up that well, and this can be a bit jarring. I typically found myself listening to the voices and ignoring the text during exciting points in the plot, and reading quickly and skipping the voices during boring sections. The music is decent, but nothing special. Character art is good, thankfully, since you will be seeing the same scenes over and over again. I was slightly annoyed that you couldn’t save more often; although the mini-game is so easy that I never lost, I accidentally turned my DS off while playing by The Bellagio pool and then I had to reread/replay nearly an entire episode.

I have to give a special mention to the nice packaging, which included a small art booklet. It would have been even better if the booklet wasn’t glued so tightly to the box, though.

Verdict

If you want to listen to an audio book on your DS while looking at nice character art, Lux-Pain is a good choice for you. Otherwise, it’s a pretty boring “game”.

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Naruto 430
2. Hatsukoi Limited Review

This post ended up being a ton of work to put together, so I am skipping stuff that I will definitely not watch and continuations (Dragonball Z Remastered, Konnichi wa Anne, Hayate no Gotoku 2, Cross Game, Rainbow Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin, Marie & Gali, Robo Crosser, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Metal Fight Beyblade, Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-Chan!!, and Sugar Bunnies Fleur).

We love fridge magnets

Title: Full Metal Alchemist 2
Episodes: 51
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Bones

Summary: (Likely to be a faithful manga adaptation, this will be a remake of the first series)

Edward and Alphonse Elric try to revive their mother using Alchemy, and fail horrifyingly. Years later, Edward becomes a “State Alchemist” and with Alphonse, the two brothers set out to find a way to restore the damage done by their crime.

Reaction: This is one of those series that I am torn about. I figure this will draw a lot of readers (especially over time), and I hear the manga story is tighter. Although the first series aired about 5 years ago, I still remember most of the details. Also, this will likely be a long commitment, and in blogging 4-cours can seem like an eternity. I do want to see if the budget will be as high as a series of this caliber deserves.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

As the temperature rises, so do the hem lines

Title: Shangri-La
Episodes: 24
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Gonzo

Summary: Global warming has turned Tokyo into a tropical city. To reduce the temperature of the city by 5°C (9°F), it is being reborn as the world’s largest forest city. Despite the flow of refugees to the new city, Atlas, there are few who can actually live there, and anti-government guerrillas are attempting to stop the forestation.

Reaction: So this is one of the series that Gonzo is using its now-precious manpower on. My main question is: Are the anti-forestation, anti-government guerrillas going to fight the pro-forestation, pro-government gorillas? This anime is based on the manga by Ikegami Eiichi, and the character designs are by Last Exile artist Range Murata. I am always drawn to series with great art, so I am looking forward to some gorilla warfare.  I’d really like for this to be a less-confusing Last Exile in the jungle.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
[ MAL | ANN ]

Lost My Music

Title: K-ON!
Episodes: 13
Air Date: April 2, 2009
Producers: Kyoto Animation

Summary: (An adaptation of the 4-koma manga)

The story follows four girls who try to rescue their high school’s light music club, but they are all novices who cannot even play instruments or read music.

Reaction: KyoAni series always elicit strong reactions, and this one looks to continue the pattern. The character art looks cute, as expected, but I have found that 4-koma series tend not to lend themselves to episodic summary posts. There also seems to be one girl with thick eyebrows, which always totally drives me away. Wake me up in 5 years when the girls re-form as a DMC-esque band.

Watch: Yes
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Naked amnesiacs are the best amnesiacs

Title: Eden of the East
Episodes: 11
Air Date: April 9, 2009
Producers: Production I.G

Summary: 3 months after the failed terrorist attack “Careless Monday,” Saki Morimi, a young woman in the USA on her graduation trip, runs into trouble outside of the White House. She is saved by Akira Takizawa, a mysterious naked man without his memory, owning only a gun and a mobile phone stored with 8,200 million yen.

Reaction: Hmm, usually naked men with guns don’t save lost young women, but this is anime. In that case, helloooooo sugar-daddy! The promotional art is reminiscent of Honey & Clover (Chika Umino did the character designs), but I don’t think that there is any connection besides the similar artwork. I’m not thrilled by the description, but I always give a chance to 1-cour series.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Use the Moonsault Press!

Title: Guin Saga
Episodes: 26
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Satelight

Summary: “The seal will be broken after many years.” In the land of Nospherus, four heroes embark on a path of destiny that will weave a new legend. The story follows Guin, a powerful swordsman with a leopard head, the adolescent royal twins Remus and Rinda, and the young and ambitious mercenary named Istvan.

Reaction: Because I am incredibly shallow, I would have a very hard time taking Guin seriously for a whole season. There’s also a monkey girl and some Black Lagoon-esque twins. I don’t know, this doesn’t feel like something I’d be interested in, although it is based on some epic novels apparently. I noticed that Guin is not wearing any shoes, and this seems unrealistic to me.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Mustache Man is like a porcupine

Title: Sengoku BASARA
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 1, 2009
Producers: Production I.G

Summary: An adaptation of CAPCOM’s action-adventure game franchise, described as some as a “Japanese Dynasty Warriors.”

Reaction: I can never stand these large-scale epics, because there are inevitably way too many characters to keep track of. I took a look at the initial character list, and while there wasn’t a LoGH-sized list of names, the characters had some funny-looking designs.  At least not all of the characters have been replaced by girls in a piss-poor attempt to piggyback off the franchise name.  Although the cast and staff have some impressive names, I figure I’ll pass this one by and not look back.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Big guns vs. big boobs

Title: Valkyria Chronicles
Episodes: 26
Air Date: April 4, 2009
Producers: A-1 Pictures, Sega

Summary: In a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe divided in two by the Empire and the Federation, the Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia – situated in between the two great empires. Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation’s 7th Platoon are engaged in the battle.

Reaction: The weirdest thing about the official website isn’t that it looks sorta like a newspaper, but that the characters blink on their profiles. The character art looks pretty decent, so I might pick this one up. I’m not usually into war series, but I do want to know if the Federation can take down Emperor Roman Puffypants and his bitchy, big-boobed assistant.

Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Summoning Playboy bunny, BRB

Title: Pandora Hearts
Episodes: 25
Air Date: April 2, 2009
Producers: Xebec

Summary: Oz Bezarius, heir to one of the duke houses, has turned fifteen. At his coming-of-age ceremony, however, he is cast into the prison “Abyss,” only to be saved by a “chain,” Alice, a bloodstained black rabbit. He seeks to explain what happened and what the organization known as Pandora wants with him.

Reaction: The art looks ok, but the description sounds really boring. This kind of emo stuff mixed with wannabe-Alice In Wonderland themes doesn’t sound promising, but you could say the same about Rozen Maiden. The manga was a bit creepy and pretentious, but I could see the anime being an average series. In some ways, it felt like a Victorian Shakugan no Shana with an extra helping of pretty-boys.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Like Chris Paul, I think I'll pass

Title: Basquash!
Episodes: 26
Air Date: April 2, 2009
Producers: Satelight

Summary: On the planet Earthdash, its inhabitants gaze on its moon and the technoligically advanced lunar city of Mooneyes with awe. Dan JD, a boy living in Rollingtown on Earthdash’s surface, gets caught up in Bigfoot Basketball — a fast-paced sport played with giant Bigfoot robots.

Reaction: At first I was really excited that it was an anime series about basketball, but then I realized it was mecha basketball =(. And why make it Earthdash? Just call it Earth. That is like saying I live in Pennsylvaniadash and I gaze upon the advanced city of New Yorkeyes. Of course even though this is about robo-basketball, the lead mechanic is still an annoying, short, loud-mouthed kid.  I fully expect this show to be an unmitigated disaster.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Aw damn, you just got peacocked

Title: Saki
Episodes: 25
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Gonzo

Summary: The story centers around Saki Miyanaga, a timid freshman girl who has never enjoyed the Asian tile game of mahjong. However, another freshman brings her into their high school’s mahjong club and into the competitive world of mahjong tournaments.

Reaction: Oh god, mahjong. I don’t usually like sports/games series, and nothing I’ve seen makes me think Saki will be any different. This was a curious choice for Gonzo, but perhaps many anime fans like mahjong. How many more boring games can they make anime series out of? How long before we get robot mahjong?!

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Before I watch, I'm going to need more wine

Title: Ristorante Paradiso
Episodes: 11
Air Date: April 8, 2009
Producers: David Production

Summary: A restaurant in Rome is visited by Nicoletta, who lives in the countryside with her grandparents. Her divorced mother abandons her after remarrying, and so Nicoletta goes to the restaurant owned by the new husband of her mother, and ends up apprenticing there among a kitchen staff of colorful characters.

Reaction: Who the heck is David Production? I see they worked on two episodes of Code Geass R2. I also see that the website menus are in Italian so neither Japanese nor English fans can really read them. This is based on a manga series, and I could see it being a sweet slice-of-life series, but nothing about the series interests me at all.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

I feel like I'm forgetting something...

Title: Queens Blade
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 2, 2009
Producers: ARMS, GENCO

Summary: The story follows a competition to decide the next Queen. The strongest warrior will rule the country and expand it. The contestants need to be older than 12. They need not be human, intelligent, or even of that country. The rules for the tournament: murder is allowed. Any weapon can be chosen.

Reaction: I have a low initial opinion of this series, even though it has quite a franchise (of game books… what?) behind it. I suspect this will lure in fans of the franchise, and will offer up a mediocre anime series. There is a very good chance this will be a poorly animated show about exploding shirts and bouncing breasts.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

You're not fooling me a second time

Title: Natsu no Arashi
Episodes: 13
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: SHAFT

Summary: (From the creator of School Rumble)

It centers on a boy named Hajime Yasaka who meets an older high school girl named Sayoko “Arashi” Arashiyama in an old town coffee shop. “Arashi” happens to have a secret that Hajime learns one fateful summer vacation.

Reaction: Like Hinano, I resent Kobayashi Jin for dragging out School Rumble for ever and ever and then giving us a lame ending. Combine the generally mediocre character art with Shaft’s propensity for weirdness, and I have no interest at all in this series. Never ever call this number again.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Had a really hard time shaving this morning

Title: Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~
Episodes: 26
Air Date: April 2, 2009
Producers: Bee Train, GENCO

Summary: In the American underworld, Mafia leaders are being killed one after another, with rumors of “Inferno” and the organization’s top assassin “Phantom” circulating around them. A boy traveling alone in America becomes involved in one of these incidents and unexpectedly encounters Phantom.

Reaction: Oh Bee Train, I wish I knew how to quit you. I thought this general theme was supposed to be a completed trilogy now, and yet this sounds just like all the others. I’ll still probably get tricked into watching and slogging through the slow middle section.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

It says, "You gonna get raped..."

Title: Hatsukoi Limited
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 11, 2009
Producers: J.C. Staff

Summary: The story begins when middle-schooler Arihara Ayumi receives a love letter from a very large and intimidating high-schooler, Zaitsu Misao, asking her out. It also follows the stories and everyday lives of the other high and junior high school girls in her life.

Reaction: While there are some definite silly fanservice elements in this manga, I could see this being a fun, light-hearted love-comedy. Shows with lots of couples and triangles tend to be fun to blog, and the character art looks pretty good. I’ll have to see how desperate I am for romance, but I’m willing to give this show a shot.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

Bondage, James Bondage

Title: 07-Ghost
Episodes: 25
Air Date: April 6, 2009
Producers: Studio DEEN

Summary: Barsburg Empire’s Military Academy is known for training elite soldiers with special abilities. Teito Klein passes the final exam, but suddenly finds himself an escaping convict from the empire. Finding shelter in the church, he seeks to uncover the mystery behind his exile, his past, and the “Ghosts” that protect the church.

Reaction: The trailer felt so incredibly CLAMP-ish, right down to the two bishies who have to fight, even though they really just want to make sweet sweet love to each other. I believe 95% of the characters are male in this show.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Bra's supposed to go under your shirt, dude

Title: Tears to Tiara
Episodes: 26
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Oriental Light and Magic

Summary: Riannon is set to be sacrificed to appease resurrected demon lord, Arawn. As her brother attempts to rescue her, Arawn defies those who resurrected him and frees Riannon from her captors, leading to her admiration for him. Arawn acts as a leader and assembles a party of companions.

Reaction: As soon as I read the description, I immediately knew that this had to be based off an RPG, and I was right. I pretty much never watch these RPG conversions, and nothing I saw on the website changed my mind. I like how they call it a “party” when they really mean a “harem.” Also, that brother probably feels really inadequate right about now. I bet he can’t mack on any of the floozies companions in the group in front of his sister.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

At least I'll never get fat or pregnant, right?

Title: Asura Cryin’
Episodes: 13
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Seven Arcs

Summary: A both lighthearted and serious school action story revolving around Tomoharu Natsume, a boy who has been haunted by a ghostly girl who seems to be his childhood friend.

Reaction: Not too much information out there, although this is based on a series of light novels. The story sounds pretty weak-sauce, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a dead childhood friend being the lead girl before. Watch she’s not really dead, but in a coma. This kinda reminds me of those horrible Gray’s Anatomy episodes where Izzie went around having ghost-sex all the time.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

We ran out of oil

Title: Hanasekeru Seishounen
Episodes: 39
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Studio Pierrot

Summary: The story surrounds a political mystery involving a small middle-eastern country. A powerful industrialist directs his daughter to pick a husband from three chosen candidates. They enter her life, impressing her with their uniqueness, and they all leave an outstanding impression on her.

Reaction: 3-cours of this stereotypical stuff? Ugh, no thanks. When I see the promo, I can’t help but think how hilarious it would be if all the bishies were redrawn in the style of Kaiji. Those chins really are a slippery slope. It’s pretty cool that the heroine’s name is Kajika Louisa Kugami Burnsworth, which is one of the longest names I have ever seen in anime. This story would be more fun if the guys were all jackasses, and the daughter still had to pick one at the end.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

Wolf and Spicy

Title: Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity-
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 5, 2009
Producers: Media Factory

Summary: There is a legend of a guardian deity named Tayutayu which has been lost over time. Mito and his friends discover a mysteriously patterned relic on the school grounds and at the new year opening ceremony, a mysterious girl, Mashiro, appears before Mito. Mashiro is somehow tied to the relic and Tayutayu legend.

Reaction: The description sounds terrible, just like the description of Kannagi. More importantly, however, I don’t really like that style of art. Naturally, this is based on an eroge, and there are plenty of cute little animal-blobs and moe-blobs. The trailer had tentacles and mediocre art. Then again, I’m pretty desperate for a 1-cour series to round out my blogging, so I’ll give this one a darkhorse chance. Also, a few commenters have mentioned that the game was enjoyable.

Watch: Maybe
Blog: Maybe
[ MAL | ANN ]

This series has a lot of hair in it

Title: Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 4, 2009
Producers: Diomedea

Summary: “Dantists” play music and communicate with Spirits who live alongside humans. Tatara Phoron is a Dantist in contact with a spirit, Corticarte Apa Langranges. The new series focuses on Corticarte and ties into the Polyphonica Crimson S light novel adaptation set during the Academy years of the storyline.

Reaction: I guess this is related to a show from 2007 that I didn’t watch. Since I don’t remember anyone talking about the prequel when it aired, I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be checking out the sequel either.

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

L is for Loser

Title: Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou
Episodes: ?
Air Date: April 4, 2009
Producers: ?

Summary: About an outstanding freshman and a kind and well-known chairman. Everything is easy for her, except for the three rebellious boys who disturb the whole class, and she must handle their trouble. Eventually she goes from trying to keep them in line to seeing the good in them.

Reaction: This looks like a typical shoujo, right down to the crappy art. Sounds like this girl totally failed in her police duties and ended up being converted by the opposition. Also, is that a ham-ham I see?

Watch: No
Blog: No
[ MAL | ANN ]

©2010 Sea Slugs! Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Related posts:

1. Get Your ABA Nominations In
2. Looking For More Writers