Stay at home and watch anime! Don’t get sunburnt like Azusa…
I kind of missed the Spring 2010 preview due to school but I shall make it up to you guys by at least coming up with a (hopefully, more than) semi-decent preview of the upcoming anime this Summer. I will be focusing on the animes which interests me as well as the major anime series. Synopsis are from AniDB or ANN unless otherwise stated.
As usual, the anime will be listed in chronological order based on the dates stated on AniDB.
Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi – Based on Okita Masashi’s romantic comedy light novel series. The story centres around Ookami Ryouko, a high school freshman girl known for her fierce looks, unusual canine teeth when she smiles, and wild demeanour (her family name is homonymous with the Japanese word for “wolf”). Akai Ringo is a short high school freshman girl with seemingly cute, angelic looks but a dark demeanour (her name is a Japanese wordplay on “apple” and “Red Riding Hood”). Together with their odd friends, the two fight to change the world, one issue at a time.
(Japan broadcast date: 01/07/2010)
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Thoughts: With seiyuus like Shizuka Itou, Rie Kugimiya, Yui Horie and Aki Toyosaki in the cast, this comes under my “must-watch-at-least-first-episode” category. The plot seems rather interesting as well, with an interesting romantic comedy – fairytale parody combination.
Amagami SS – Based on the PlayStation 2 romance simulation game Amagami by Enterbrain. Tachibana Junichi, a 2nd year high school student, always feels depressed around Christmas time due to a certain past experience. Due to his fear of opening his heart to love, his school life is rather lonely. Setting aside his fears, Junichi determines that he will spend the coming Christmas with a girl. Thus resolved, he goes on to meet many different girls. In the end, what will Christmas hold for Junichi?
(Japan broadcast date: 02/07/2010)
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Thoughts: I actually enjoyed Kimikiss Pure Rouge, which was another anime adaptation of a Enterbrain visual novel, so I will likely watch this. Having Shizuka Itou and Yukana in the cast helps too. Another interesting aspect of this anime is that it will be an omnibus format, with each heroine getting their own “route” animated, so fans of the different characters need not complain about their “favourites” getting the “short” end of the stick.
Sekirei: Pure Engagement – The battle to find the supreme Sekirei continues. Still some of the fighters and their masters refuse to participate in the battle since loosing it means to loose the Sekirei forever, and many of them actually care about their partners, while others just use them as tools. A storm is rising on the horizon, a bigger threat approches the city and its about to bring pain and suffering to those who love and care for their Sekireis.
(Japan official broadcast date: 04/07/2010)
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Thoughts: A direct sequel to Sekirei, this is your standard harem/super-powered girls anime and is essentially Pokemon with boobs (GFoppy: “That’s disturbing…”). The plot though, keeps the anime from degenerating into typical ecchi territory and I’ll at least watch the first couple of episodes. The large breasts are still there though (at least it’s covered). Watch at your own risk.
Note: Tokyo MX broadcast a sneak preview of episode 1 on June 13.
DK says: While I have a soft spot for fanservice harem anime, occasionally some things are just too much. Especially if they are concentrated largely at chest level.
Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin (Eng: Occult Academy)- It is the year 1999. In Nagano Matsushiro stands the pyramid of Japan, the private Voltstein Academy. This place is famous for the repeated occurrences of occult phenomenon within its premises. Hence, it is also called the Occult Academy. The dean is committed to studying the occult, while the students are zealous in their everyday schoolwork.
One day, the dean passes away and his occult-hating daughter, Kumashiro Maya, visits the academy. There, she meets a self-proclaimed spoon-bending “time agent” from the year 2012, Uchida Fumiaki. As the two encounters various bizarre phenomenon within the academy, the reason for Fumiaki’s timeslip to 1999 becomes clear.
(Japan broadcast date: 06/07/2010)
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Thoughts: Supernatural phenomena + time travel = convoluted storyline and ridiculous plot twists? Yes, the plot for this anime does seem to be a recipe for trouble…or perhaps I am just too pessimistic. It does seem interesting enough and has potential. Having Yoko Hikasa and Minori Chihara in the cast certainly helps too.
Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail – Okajima Rokuro – now known almost exclusively as ‘Rock’ – was once a typical, put-upon Japanese businessman. Then, on a routine business trip, he was kidnapped and ransomed by the Lagoon Company: a band of mercenary pirates operating out of the crime-riddled city of Roanapur. Abandoned by his bosses, he joined the Lagoon Company. Now he must try and stay afloat amongst the ever-shifting politics of the criminal underworld, while simultaneously avoiding death at the hands of his quick-tempered, gun-toting co-worker, ‘Two Hand’ Revy. Roberta’s Blood Trail will be following the El Baile De La Muerte arc in the manga.
(Japan Blu-ray release date: 17/07/2010)
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Thoughts: This 5 episode OVA will focus on one of the longer arcs in the manga series, El Baile De La Muerte (which loosely translates to The Dance of Death). Action anime fans would probably like this, considering the number of guns and explosions (with maids) in the Black Lagoon series. I probably should get around to watching the first season…
So what animes will you be watching this summer season? Think we should be previewing other series? Drop us a comment!