Summer 2014 Anime Preview

Can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to the new season, I am so ready for the Spring season to end!  Upcoming Summer season has some really promising looking shows, I already have a few ear-marked as possible shows to write about – major improvement on Spring already.  There is also a notable shift in there being a lot more shows geared at the female fanbase – sure a lot of it is just as trashy as the LN adaptations geared at teenage boys, but it is interesting to see the fujoshi market getting a bit more attention.

Anyway, onto the actual preview. (….I somehow managed to also fuck up my left wrist as well as my right arm writing this thing – I have no idea how…..)

TV

 

Aldnoah. Zero

Website: http://www.aldnoahzero.com/
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online) & TROYCA
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Kensho Ono, Natsuki Hanae, Sora Amamiya
Director: Ei Aoki (Fate/Zero, Hourou Musuko)
Series Composition: Katsuhiko Takayama (BakaTest, Mirai Nikki)
Writer: Gen Urobuchi (Madoka Magica, Gargantia)
PV: http://youtu.be/XISiRFPbshs

Summary: Original production.

In 1972, a hypergate was discovered on the surface of the moon. However, war breaks between humans on Earth and those who immigrated to Mars.

Kicking off with an original mecha series written by Gen Urobuchi – and while the plot details are thin on the ground, it is safe to say I’m excited about this.  Urobuchi penned shows always have that something special that sets them apart from the crowd (the exception of course being Gargantia which was a bit of a mess).  The director is also pretty solid and has worked with Urobuchi before on Fate/Zero, but the fella in charge of composition could be an issue – he’s got a rather checkered record.  Production values should be great given A-1’s high standards, plus we should also be in for a great OST given Hiroyuki Sawano’s (Kill la Kill, Attack on Titan, Guilty Crown) presence. Yeap, definitely looking forward to this one!

 

Akame ga Kill!

Website: http://akame.tv/
Animation Studio: White Fox (Jormungand, Steins;Gate)
Japanese Airdate: 6^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Sōma Saitō, Sora Amamiya, Kanami Satou, Katsuyuki Konishi
Director: Tomoki Kobayashi (Ichigo 100%, Tears to Tiara)
Series Composition: Makoto Uezu (Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Katanagatari)
PV: http://youtu.be/nsqpjtceIZo

Summary: Two cours anime adaptation of Takahiroand Tetsuya Tashiro‘s manga series.

In a fantasy world, fighter Tatsumi sets out for the Capitol to earn money for his starving village, and finds a world of unimaginable corruption, all spreading from the depraved Prime Minister who controls the child Emperor’s ear. After nearly becoming a victim of this corruption himself, Tatsumi is recruited by Night Raid, a group of assassins dedicated to eliminating the corruption plaguing the Capitol by mercilessly killing those responsible.

I don’t actually know too much about Akame ga Kill apart from the fact it seems to have a rather dedicated fanbase who don’t like to hear people saying negative things about their beloved manga, and that it is meant to be pretty gory.  I don’t mind some gratuitous violence in my life, but I can’t really say I’m all that excited by the premise or character designs on display for this series nor is my world set alight by the team White Fox are putting on the show.  I will of course be giving the show a chance, but at the moment it is on my maybe list.

 

Ao Haru Ride (Blue Spring Ride)

Website: http://aoha-anime.com/
Animation Studio: Production IG (Haikyuu!!, Kimi ni Todoke)
Japanese Airdate: 7^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Yuuki Kaji, Maaya Uchida, Ai Kayano, Daisuke Hirakawa
Director: Ai Yoshimura (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)
Series Composition: Tomoko Konparu (Kimi ni Todoke, UtaPri)
PV: http://youtu.be/U0mrFMj3wLQ

Summary: Anime adaptation of Io Sakisaka‘s shoujo manga series.

Ao Haru Ride revolves around Futaba, a girl who was in love with a boy named Kō Tanaka in middle school. However, after a misunderstanding, their relationship as friends ends when he transfers schools over summer vacation. In high school, her world is turned around once again when she meets Kō again, this time under the name of Kō Mabuchi.

Yeah this is pretty much shoujo by numbers, but looks like extremely competent and solid shoujo by numbers.  I have nothing to complain about in regards to staff or studio, but at the same time I have absolutely nothing to get excited about or interested in either – this just looks and sounds like every other shoujo manga out there.  Will be checking it out to see if there is anything to latch onto, but Ao Haru Ride isn’t going to be high on my priorities list.

 

Bakumatsu Rock

Website: http://bakumatsu.maql.co.jp/anime/
Animation Studio: Studio Deen (Meganebu, Shion no Ou)
Japanese Airdate: 2^nd July 2014
Seiyuu: Kishô Taniyama, Kensho Ono, Showtaro Morikubo, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Toshiyuki Morikawa
Director: Itsuro Kawasaki (Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Rental Magica)
Series Composition: Mitsutaka Hirota (X-Men, Prince of Tennis II)
Music: Tomoki Kikuya (Hidamari Sketch, Ika Musume)
PV: http://youtu.be/EKlQ36GjiHg

Summary: Anime adaptation of Marvelous AQL‘s otoge.

In the Bakumatsu era, at the end of the shoguns’ rule over Japan in the middle of the 19th century: the Tokugawa shogunate uses the brainwashing Heaven’s Songs by the top idols in Shinsengumi to subjugate the country and its people. In this Japan, writing or singing any songs besides the Heaven’s Songs is a capital offence. Sakamoto Ryouma and the other rockers rise up and change the world with rock ‘n’ roll for freedom and justice.

Good lord this is going to be terrible, but all kinds of awesome at the same time!  Just read that synopsis and look at the promo materials – how can anyone not be dying to check out at least one episode of this ridiculousness!?  Otome game adaptations are always somewhat trashy and kitsch, which isn’t really a bad thing in my book, but this is way up there in the hilarious concept books…….kinda can’t wait to watch it!

 

Barakamon

Website: http://www.barakamon.jp/
Animation Studio: Kinema Citrus (Black Bullet, Yuyushiki)
Japanese Airdate: 5th July 2014
Seiyuu: Daisuke Ono, Suzuko Hara, Junichi Suwabe, Megumi Han
Director: Masaki Tachibana (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, .hack//Quantum)
PV: http://vk.com/video-55690413_168454112?hash=3d773e52b38ef394

Summary: Anime adaptation of Satsuki Yoshino‘s countryside comedy manga.

The slice-of-life comedy centers around the handsome 23-year-old calligrapher Seishū Handa, who moves to the remote Gotō Islands off the western coast of Kyushu. Seishū grew up in the city, and the manga chronicles his interactions with the people of the island, who drive tractors on public roads and don’t enter through his front door when they visit. On top of that, Seishū’s house becomes a hangout for the island’s children.

Nothing to complain about here again, Barakamon looks to be another very solid series with competent staff and a talented cast.  Interestingly they are casting an actual child in the lead role for that extra bit of authentic precociousness. I am surprised this isn’t noitaminA to be honest, but also very happy that series like this are finding homes outside of that timeslot – can only be a good thing.

DRAMAtical Murder

Website: http://dmmd-anime.com/
Animation Studio: NAZ (Hamatora)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Atsushi Kisaichi, Hiroki Takahashi, Satoshi Hino, Kenichirou Matsuda, Masatomo Nakazawa, Ryota Takeuchi
Director: Kazuya Miura
Scripts: Touko Machida (Hamatora, Karneval)
PV: http://youtu.be/2GlN_oxV4oI

Summary: Anime adaptation of Nitro+CHiRAL’s (Togainu no Chi) BL otoge.

The game’s story centers on a young man named Aoba who lives with his grandmother on the island Midorijima. He works at a junk shop in the island’s Former Residents District after Toue builds the Platinum Jail resort on part of Midorijima and forces residents to move. Aoba is content with his simple life but gets pulled into mysterious events unfolding on the island.

I should be more excited about this, but after seeing how Nitro+Chiral’s other BL game’s anime adaptation, Togainu no Chi, turned out I’m less than enthused.  The whole reason people play BL games is for the fecking BL – water that down/cut it out and you’re left with a shallow, empty husk of confusing plotlines and a pretty crap show.  The studio don’t fill me with confidence given they’ve only really got Hamatora under their belts, and the production quality for that show was less than stellar.  The director is new to the job too, being primarily an animator.  However despite saying all that negative stuff I’m obviously going to be watching Dramatical Murder anyway.

 

Futsuu no Joshikousei ga Locodol Yatte Mita. (Normal High School Girls Tried Being Local Idols)

Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/locodol/
Animation Studio: Studio feel. (Listen to me Girls, I am your Father, Kiss x Sis)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Miku Itō, Sachika Misawa
Director: Munenori Nawa (Nakaimo, Kiss x Sis)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Kōtarō Kosugi’s 4-koma manga series.

In the story, high school girl Nanako became her town’s local idol at the request of her uncle. She and her upperclassman Yukari, a girl who seems perfect but ends up being airheaded, both become idols of their provincial area. They get interviewed (by the town’s shopping center), go on television (low-budget cable), and hold concerts (on the roof of the department store). The girls’ salaries come from the town’s taxes.

Can these idol shows just go away already?

 

Gekkan Shoujo Nozuki-kun

Website: http://www.nozakikun.tv/
Animation Studio: Dogakobo (Engaged to the Unidentified, Yuruyuri)
Japanese Airdate: 6^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Ari Ozawa, Yūichi Nakamura, Ayako Kawasumi, Daisuke Ono, Miyuki Sawashiro
Director: Mitsue Yamazaki (Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East)
Series Composition & Screenplay: Yoshiko Nakamura (Hiiro no Kakera, Junjou Romantica)
PV: http://youtu.be/BOjdanNLFAI

Summary: Anime adaptation of Izumi Tsubaki‘s shoujo manga series.

Sakura Chiyo confesses her feelings to her classmate Nozaki. Due to a misunderstanding, Nozaki thinks Sakura is just a fan. She then discovers Nozaki’s other identity; a shōjo manga artist. As she gets closer to Nozaki, she befriends Nozaki’s quirky acquaintances who assist him and serve as inspiration for his manga.

Again I don’t have much to complain about here – looks like another very solid series.  The one thing that makes me want to check it out is the director – I really liked Mitsue Yamazaki’s work on Hakkenden – that show was beautifully directed, which was surprising given it was basically a bishie fluff show.  Will be another wait and see show – could be a good romcom.

 

Glasslip

Website: http://glasslip.jp/
Animation Studio: PA Works (Nagi no Asakura, Uchouten Kazoku)
Japanese Airdate: 3^rd July 2014
Seiyuu: Daiki Yamashita, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Risa Taneda, Ryota Ohsaka, Ai Kayano
Director: Junji Nishimura (Ranma ½, True Tears)
Series Composition: Rika Sato (Tari Tari)
PV: http://youtu.be/bjHPAEnUiqw

Summary: Original anime.

The story follows six high school students who meet during the summer. The protagonist is Tōko Fukami, a 17-year-old born in Fukui Prefecture. Her dream is to become a glass artisan.

Yeap definitely looks like PA Works – all gorgeous background and characters so shiny that they look like they’ve had an encounter with a floor buffer.  I ended up enjoying Nagi no Asukara so I’m hoping Glasslip ends up worthwhile as well – a girl wanting to become a glass artisan certainly hasn’t been done before – but think this could be more along the lines of the rather forgettable Tari Tari than anything else.

 

Hanayamata

Website: http://hanayamata.com/
Animation Studio: Madhouse (Mahouka, Chihayafuru)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Kaya Okuno, Reina Ueda, Manami Numakura, Minami Tanaka, Yuka Ōtsubo
Director: Atsuko Ishizuka (No Game No Life, Pet Girl of Sakurasou)
Series Composition: Reiko Yoshida (Bakuman, Girls und Panzer)
PV: http://youtu.be/T5X1blJm8tA

Summary: Anime adaptation of Sou Hamayumiba‘s schoolgirl dancing manga series.

The story focuses on an ordinary shy 14-year-girl Naru Sekiya who has been yearning for the heroines in fairy tales. On one moonlight night, she encounters an exchange student from the US, Hana N. Fontainestand, who looks like a “fairy” to her. Guided by Hana, Naru starts stepping into the extraordinary world of Yosakoi Dance.

Latest in the cute girls do stuff genre – this time it is traditional dancing.  I can summon no enthusiasm for this concept, but it’s never really been my thing.  The staff and studio are all pretty decent, so I imagine this will be fairly decent if this is your thing.

 

Jinsei (La Bonne Vie)

Website: http://www.vap.co.jp/jinsei/
Animation Studio: Studio feel. (Listen to me Girls, I am your Father, Outbreak Company)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu:
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi (Sket Dance, OniAi)
Series Composition: Naruhisa Arakawa (Outbreak Company, Maoyu)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Ougyo Kawagishi‘s light novel series.

The story centers around Yūki Akamatsu, a boy who joins the staff of his school’s second newspaper. The editor-in-chief Ayaka Nikaidō immediately assigns him to the life (Jinsei) advice column. Three girls — the science representative Rino Endō, the liberal arts representative Fumi Kujō, and the physical education representative Ikumi Suzuki — answer requests from students about whatever is troubling them.

Bog standard LN adaptation right down to the series of cute girls on the covers.  Moving on.

 

Kantai Collection -KanColle-

Website: http://kancolle-anime.jp/
Animation Studio: Diomedea (Akuma no Riddle, Ika Musume)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Saki Fujita, Sumire Uesaka, Yuka Iguchi
Director: Keizou Kusakawa (Akuma no Riddle, Sekirei)
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada (Kyokai no Kanata, Love Live)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Kadokawa Games‘ moe-character card battle game.

In the game, players compete with cards featuring female moe characters inspired by Japanese World War II warships such as aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. Players build, organize, and repair their anthropomorphized fleet to progress through maps.

KanColle is huge phenomenon that I just do not get – kind of like Touhou.  There is a massive amount of fan materials out there for this game and people take their ship daughters very seriously, but I have no real notion what the fuss is all about.  The studio and staff on board for this is hardly the stuff of dreams, but no doubt fans will watch this regardless…….and then complain incessantly that the character designs / voice acting / costume choices are all wrong.

 

Love Stage!!

Website: http://lovestage-tv.jp/
Animation Studio: JC Staff (Witch Craft Works, Golden Time)
Japanese Airdate: 9^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Takuya Eguchi, Tsubasa Yonaga, DAIGO, Daisuke Hirakawa, Sayaka Ohara
Director: Kenichi Kasai (Bakuman, Honey & Clover)
Series Composition: Michiko Yokote (Genshiken, Nou-Rin)
PV: http://youtu.be/RrFOU4FYWkM

Summary: Anime adaptation of Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou‘s BL manga series.

The story revolves around Izumi Sena, a boy born into a family of ultra-famous entertainers. However, he is the only member of the family who is not in the entertainment industry, and he is a super otaku college student, too. He has been striving hard to become a mangaka, but he ends up starring in a television commercial. He eventually cross paths again with the very famous actor Ryūma, who becomes aware of his attraction towards Izumi.

Can’t say I’m a huge fan of the character designs but otherwise I have zero complaints as this looks like one of those extremely rare BL manga adaptations with more than pocket lint for a budget!  Talented cast, director can do brilliant things when on form and JC Staff’s rather consistent (if boring) production values – what planets aligned for this to get made?  Of course the glaring issue here is that the plot is basically BL manga 101, but we can’t have it all.  Maybe one day a legitimately interesting BL manga will get a decent anime.

 

Majimoji Rurumo

Website: http://anime-rurumo.com/
Animation Studio: JC Staff (Toradora, A Certain Scientific Railgun)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Mimori Suzuko, Takahashi Makoto, Fukuen Misato, Ishigami Shizuka
Director:Chikara Sakurai (Little Busters, Ano Natsu Matteru)
Scripts:Mariko Kunisawa (Hatsukoi Limited, Ika Musume)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Wataru Watanabe‘s (Yowamuchi Pedal) slapstick comedy manga series.

The “magical slapstick comedy” begins with Kōta Shibaki (the #1 pervert of his school) and some magical tickets that suddenly arrive for him. Rurumo, an apprentice witch who was demoted from a full witch, is training with these tickets in the human world. Shibaki can use these tickets to grant wishes that Rurumo must perform as part of her training. The catch is that each used ticket shortens Shibaki’s life.

I wouldn’t have expected the previous work of the author of Yowamushi Pedal to be a perverted slapstick comedy series – kind of impressed really.  Still have zero interest in watching this, I have no love for magical girlfriend shows – especially magical girlfriend shows with unrepentant perverts as the main character – I’m pretty over juvenile sex jokes.  Still, the premise has enough scope to possibly be worth checking out if this is your genre.

 

Momo Kyun Sword

Website: http://momokyun.com/
Animation Studio: Project No.9 (ImoCho) & Tri-Slash
Japanese Airdate: 8^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Minami Tsuda, Ayana Taketatsu, Asami Imai, Banjou Ginga
Director: Shinsuke Yanagi (Ro-Kyu-Bu!)
Series Composition & Script: Tsuyoshi Tamai (Inukami!, Strike Witches)
PV: http://youtu.be/AFwvCBqPblk

Summary: Anime adaptation of Kibidango Project‘s digital light novel.

The story begins with a female re-imagining of Momotarō, a famous character in Japanese folklore. Momoko is a beautiful young sword fighter who was born inside a peach (momo in Japanese). She lives with her constant companions — the dog god Inugami, the monkey god Sarugami, and the pheasant god Kijigami — in a peaceful paradise. However, a demon army led by devil king invades the paradise and steals the precious treasure that protects Momoko’s land. To retrieve the treasure and save the people, Momoko embarks on a great adventure with her three companions.

Genderbent, boobtastic Momotarou……just no.

 

Nobunaga Concerto

Website: http://www.fujitv.co.jp/nobunaga-concerto-anime/
Animation Studio:
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Yuuki Kaji, Aoi Yūki, Mamoru Miyano, Nana Mizuki, Yūichi Nakamura
Director: Yūsuke Fujikawa
Screenplay: Natsuko Takahashi (Gankutsuou, Moyashimon)
PV:

Summary: Anime adapation of Ayumi Ishii’s manga series (also getting a live action show & film).

The story centers around Saburō, a high school boy who time-travels to Japan’s Sengoku Era. He must become Oda Nobunaga, the famed warlord who helps unite Japan.

And here’s our Oda Nobunaga show of the season…..this time our favourite warlord is a time travelling teenage boy…….so far, so not interested.  However looking a bit closer, it seems this is a well regarded award winning manga which is getting multiple adaptations, and it does looks like it at least attempts to keep in with the actual historical setting (no mecha in sight anyway).  I’m definitely interested enough to check out a few episodes – although it remains to be seen what the production values are going to be like since they haven’t announced the studio & there are no actual anime promo pictures yet.

 

Rail Wars!

Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/railwars/
Animation Studio: Passione (Naitai Nanafa, Moe Can Change!)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu:
Director: Yoshifumi Sueda
Series Composition: Masashi Suzuki (Shuffle!, Minami-ke: Okawari)
PV: http://youtu.be/h6g1SH7RTnk

Summary: Anime adaptation of Takumi Toyoda‘s light novel series.

The “dream railway paradise entertainment” story of Rail Wars! is set in a parallel world where Japan did not privatize its national railways. Naohito Takayama is an ordinary high school boy who dreams of a comfortable future working for the top-rated Japanese National Railways. He is assigned as one of four high school trainees in the Railways Security Force. Also in his group is Aoi Sakurai, a female troublemaker who hates men. On top of his sudden transfer, an extremist group called “RJ” plots to privatize the Japanese National Railways.

I honestly don’t know what to say about this thing – so many confusing elements!  I mean the premise is hilariously left wing, but the promo art with its basic character archetypes just screams generic LN adaptation, so I’m not really sure what they hell they’re trying to say with this show.  Pretty lacklustre staff too with a small studio and new director……but that premise really has my interest sparked just because it is something different.  Curious enough to watch a few episodes.

 

Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?

Website: http://corona106.tv/
Animation Studio: Silver Link (C³, Kokoro Connect)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Yūichi Nakamura, Aoi Yūki, Aya Suzaki, Ayana Taketatsu, Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Director: Shin Oonuma (Watamote, Nourin)
Series Composition: Shogo Yasukawa (Hyperdimension Neptunia)
PV: http://youtu.be/zTj7xPfMjZE

Summary: Anime adaptation of Takehaya‘s light novel series.

Due to his family’s financial circumstances, young Koutarou is forced to live in a small apartment (Rokujouma means 6-tatami) on a budget of 5000 yen a month. On the plus side, he lives rent free, but on the minus side, that’s because room 106 of Corona Apartments is cursed. As is the norm in these supernatural high school comedies, the ghost is a cute young girl, and hijinks ensue when she tries to drive him out. Between the haunting, Koutarou’s nosy neighbors, and a self-styled magical girls flying to the unneeded rescue, there’s way too much for the impoverished young man to handle.

So basically this is Nanana’s Buried Treasure except with way more girls, an even less interesting Potato-kun protagonist and Silver Link’s half-assed production.  Yeah, no.

 

Sabagebu! (Survival Game Club)

Website: http://sabagebu.com/
Animation Studio: Pierrot Plus (Beelzebub, Tegami Bachi)
Japanese Airdate: 6^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Ayaka Ohashi, Nao Tōyama, Lynn, Rumi Ookubo, Yumi Uchiyama
Director: Masahiko Ohta (Mitsudomoe, Love Lab)
Series Composition: Takashi Aoshima (Minami-ke, Love Lab)
PV: http://youtu.be/oaw-scjcsMs

Summary: Anime adaptation of Hidekichi Matsumoto’s manga series.

The story of the original manga revolves around Momoka Sonokawa, a girl who transferred into a certain girls’ high school. The club she ended up joining at school was the “Sabagebu!,” a club that conducts survival games.

Didn’t Gainax put out the exact same show a couple of seasons ago?  I didn’t watch that either.

 

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance (Spirit Elementalist’s Blade Dance)

Website: http://www.bladedance.tv/
Animation Studio: TNK (Daimidaler, High School DxD)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Ai Kakuma, Ibuki Kido, Kana Yūki, Makoto Furukawa,
Director: Tetsuya Yanagisawa (High School DxD, Shattered Angels)
Series Composition: Takao Yoshioka (Daimidaler, Zero no Tsukaima)
PV: http://youtu.be/1RyPI4ZwUTo

Summary: Anime adaptation of Yū Shimizu’s light novel series.

In the “elemental fantasy”, only a pure girl may enter into a spirit contract. At Areishia Spirit Academy, the daughters of nobility are assembled to take elite classes and become spirit elementalists. A boy named Kamito happened to be peeping on a student named Claire while she was taking a bath, and he accidentally makes a contract with a spirit instead of Claire. Now, Kamito has become something once thought impossible in this world — a male spirit elementalist.

So Infinite Stratos with spirits instead of mecha…….which means you’ve basically removed the only thing that made Infinite Stratos somewhat watchable for me.  Skipping~!

 

Shirogane no Ishi Argevollen (Silver Will Argevollen)

Website: http://argevollen.com/
Animation Studio: Xebec (Heroic Age, Broken Blade)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu:Ryota Ohsaka, Saori Ōnishi, Hiroshi Tsuchida, Sayaka Ohara
Director:Atsushi Ootsuki (Kanokon, Wagnaria! 2)
Scripts: Tatsuo Sato (Basquash, Bodacious Space Pirates movie)
PV: http://youtu.be/WNrO79PSrP8

Summary: New original mecha series.

No synopsis available at present.

Xebec finally doing a new original mecha show, but there’s not really much to go on to make any calls on Argevollen.  The promo materials make it look like a bog standard show though, and the staff don’t really have me falling over myself with excitement……still worth a look though.

 

Shounen Hollywood -Holly Stage for 49-

Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/shonen-hollywood-anime/
Animation Studio: Zexcs (Haiyore Nyaruko-san, Softenni)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Daiki Yamashita, Kensho Ono, Ryota Ohsaka, Shouta Aoi, Tetsuya Kakihara
Director: Toshimasa Kuroyanagi (Say ‘I love you’)
Series Composition & Original Creator: Ikuyo Hashiguchi
PV: http://youtu.be/dzBKlxiSYvA

Summary: Anime series inspired by Ikuyo Hashiguchi‘s mixed-media project Shōnen Hollywood.

The anime will tell an original story set 15 years after the original novel’s story. It takes place at a fictional theater called Hollywood Tokyo in Harajuku, where members of the idol group “Shōnen Hollywood” develop their talents with diligent work and studying. The newly announced cast includes several original members of Shōnen Hollywood from the novel.

More male idols.  Doesn’t look to be anywhere near as fabulous as UtaPri though so I’m not getting too excited…..great cast though.

 

Tokyo ESP

Website: http://www.tokyo-esp.org/
Animation Studio: Xebec (Fafner, Kanokon)
Japanese Airdate: 11^th July 2014
Seiyuu:Megumi Ogata, Ibuki Kido, Keisuke Koumoto, Sachika Misawa, Tetsu Inada
Director: Shigehito Takayanagi (KamiNomi, Kanamemo)
Series Composition: Hideyuki Kurata (OreImo, Samurai Flamenco)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Hajime Segawa‘s sci-fi manga series.

Story follows Rinka, an extremely poor high school girl who lives with just her father in modern Tokyo. One day, she is going home from school when she chases a “flying penguin” to the top of New Tokyo Tower — only to have “fish swimming in the air” suddenly appear before her. One of the fish goes through Rinka and gives her extraordinary powers beyond those of normal humans, particularly the ability to slip through solid objects.

This was on my hype list until the studio & staff was announced a few days ago – hype is considerably reduced now.  I’m still quite interested just going on the promo art and synopsis, but that is tempered by Xebec’s patchy production history and a director I don’t have much of an opinion on.

 

Tokyo Ghoul

Website: http://www.maql.co.jp/special/tokyoghoul/
Animation Studio: Studio Pierrot (Naruto, Polar Bear Café)
Japanese Airdate: 3^rd July 2014
Seiyuu: Sora Amamiya, Natsuki Hanae, Kana Hanazawa, Katsuyuki Konishi, Mamoru Miyano
Director: Shuhei Morita (Freedom, Kakurenbo, Tsukumo)
Series Composition & Screenplay: Chūji Mikasano
PV: http://youtu.be/1O4b5psUJJg

Summary: Anime adaptation of Sui Ishida‘s suspense horror manga.

The dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious “ghouls” who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. The story follows Ken Kaneki, a young man who receives organ donations from a “Ghoul” after he is nearly killed. Ghouls are creatures that look human but need to eat human flesh to survive. Kaneki soon realizes he is now half-human and half-ghoul.

Now this is something I’m very interested in.  Attention grabbing promo art and PVs, award winning director, an actual playwright handling the scripts, top-notch cast and a premise that is exactly my kind of thing.  The only possibly negative is Pierrot being the studio, but they’re good at action shows given their experience with Naruto/Bleach etc so I’m not really concerned about that.  Safe to say I’m definitely checking this out.

 

Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance / Terror in Tokyo)

Website: http://terror-in-tokyo.com/
Animation Studio: MAPPA (Kids on the Slope, Teekyuu)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu:
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samuari Champloo, Space Dandy)
Music: Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Aquarion, Macross, Ghost in the Shell)
PV: http://youtu.be/ONnhZEnvaNA

Summary: Original anime airing in the Noitamina timeslot. The tagline of the anime is “Pull the trigger on this world.”

On a summer day a massive terrorist bombing suddenly struck Tokyo. The culprits behind the act that woke up this complacent nation from its slumber were just two boys simply called Nine & Twelve. Now, the culprits known as “Sphinx” begin a grandiose game that encompasses all of Japan.

Probably the most interesting show on the list – Terror in Resonance has everything going for it.  Original, highly relevant and attention grabbing premise, a world class director, exceptionally talented composer and a bunch of talented animators – this is the kind of show that restores my faith in the noitaminA timeslot.  So much hype – I can only hope it delivers.

 

Sequels & Spin-offs

 

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal

Website: http://sailormoon-official.com/animation/en/
Animation Studio: Toei Animation (Kyousogiga, One Piece)
Japanese Airdate: 5^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Kotono Mitsuishi, Ami Koshimizu, Hisako Kanemoto, Rina Satou, Shizuka Itou
Director: Munehisa Sakai (One Piece, Suite Precure)
Series Composition: Yūji Kobayashi
Music: Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, Shiki, Naruto)
PV: http://youtu.be/v9Ft3viBgtQ

Summary: Anime reboot of Naoko Takeuchi popular shoujo manga. Will consist of 26 episodes airing every other week.

Usagi Tsukino was a normal second-year middle school girl whose own life changes one day when she encounters a black cat. The cat’s name is Luna who can talk and bears a cresent moon on her forehead. Luna tells Usagi that she is the chosen guardian of justice with the power to transform into Sailor Moon. Usagi now has a new responsiblity which is a mission to find the Illusionary Silver Crystal as well as the other chosen guardians to protect the Moon Princess. During her mission, she must deal with various enemies sent by Queen Beryl who is also after the Illusionary Silver Crystal.

After numerous delays it is finally happening – so hyped!  Sailor Moon was one of my gateway anime – I loved that show even though the butchered dub was horrible!  I managed to rewatch the entire series in all its original, filler-tastic glory last summer and loved it all over again, so I am really interested to see how this reboot shakes things up a bit.  I’ve personally never read the Sailor Moon manga so I’m only vaguely aware of the changes the original anime made – really looking forward to this, even if it is only airing twice a month.

 

Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2wei!!

Website: http://anime.prisma-illya.jp/
Animation Studio: Silver Link (C³, Kokoro Connect)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Kana Ueda, Kaori Nazuka, Mai Kadowaki, Ami Koshimizu, Chiwa Saito
Director: Shin Oonuma (Dusk Maiden of Amnesia, BakaTest)
Series Composition: Kenji Inoue (BakaTest)
PV: http://youtu.be/6lITF0YNzkY

Summary: Second season of the magical girl themed spin-off from the popular Fate-verse.

Illyasviel von Einzbern is a normal schoolgirl in Japan. She lives with her overachieving nice guy older brother Shirou Emiya and her two maids, her parents are perpetually out of the country, and she has fanciful dreams of using magic to make her dreams of love with Shirou come true. Enter fierce rivals Rin Tohsaka and Luviagelita Edelfelt, two Magi who have been sent to Japan by Zelretch the Wizard Marshall, Master of Parallel Worlds, with the powerful sentient Kaleidosticks to collect the mysterious Class Cards and clean up their mess. After getting fed up with their constant infighting, one Kaleidostick, Magical Ruby, senses Illya’s fleeting dream of magic and leaves Rin for her, tricking her into becoming a magical girl. Now Illya is being forced by Rin to collect the dangerous Class Cards in her place. But perhaps more dangerous still are Illya’s own mysteries that may have unknowingly attracted Ruby to her.

I don’t even know why this exists.  Can we just let the Fate series die in peace – I think it’s done.

 

Free! Eternal Summer

Website: http://iwatobi-sc.com/
Animation Studio: Kyoto Animation (K-ON!, Kyokai no Kanata)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Mamoru Miyano, Tsubasa Yonaga, Daisuke Hirakawa
Director: Hiroko Utsumi
Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani (Hataraki Maou-sama, Maria+Holic)
PV: http://youtu.be/TbdiJX9v0CI

Summary: Second season of swimming anime.

Four boys named Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa and Rin all participated in a swimming tournament shortly before graduating elementary school and later parted ways. Years later, they reunite when Rin challenges Haruka to a race and wins. Not wanting to be defeated so easily, Haruka gathers Makoto and Nagisa and a new recruit named Rei to form the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club.

YES!  The completely unnecessary, but more than welcome, sequel to Swimming: The Anime is here!  Can’t wait to see how they attempt to top the first season’s genius ED, and there had better be more Rei and less wangsty Rin this season!

Monogatari Series Second Season – Hanamonogatari

Website: http://www.monogatari-series.com/2ndseason/
Animation Studio: SHAFT (Madoka Magica, Mekakucity Actors)
Japanese Airdate: 16^th August 2014
Seiyuu: Miyuki Sawashiro, Kaori Mizuhashi, Kana Asumi, Michiko Neya
Director: Akiyuki Shimbo (Bakemonogatari, Madoka Magica)
PV: http://youtu.be/Oyhz5homVLU

Summary: Cut from the airing of Monogatari Series Second Season because of time restraints (and because SHAFT), Kanbaru’s arc will be airing in one large 5 episode block in August instead.

I don’t even attempt to keep the chronology of this show straight in my head any more.  It’s more Monogatari, that’s all you really need to know to decide if you’re watching this or not.  I definitely will, I like Kanbaru.

 

Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus

Website: http://www.kuroshitsuji.tv/
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Nanana’s Buried Treasure, Sword Art Online)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Daisuke Ono, Maaya Sakamoto, Ayahi Takagaki, Mamoru Miyano, Takuma Terashima
Director: Noriyuki Abe (Bleach, YuYu Hakushou)
Series Composition: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Code Geass, Guilty Crown, Qwazer of Stigmata)
PV: http://youtu.be/_B0zUnvFvCM

Summary: Third anime adaptation of Yana Toboso‘s gothic manga series – will be adapting the Noah’s Ark Circus arc.

In Victorian-era London, on the night of Ciel Phantomhive’s tenth birthday a fire destroyed his manor and killed both of his parents. In a moment of death Ceil strikes a deal with a demon, his soul in exchange for revenge. This demon becomes his butler and calls himself by name of Sebastian Michaelis, to protect and serve Ciel until the deal has been completed. One month after the fire Ciel returns from being missing, with his new butler Sebastian. Ceil is now the head of the Phantomhive corporation, handling all business affairs as well as the work as the Queen of England’s guard dog and looking for his parents murderers.

This will probably attempt to completely ignore the existence of the non-canon second season (and the ending of the first season for that matter) as this picks up with the rather interesting Noah’s Ark Circus arc of the manga.  Interestingly this season has pretty much an entirely new staff on board so I’m really interested in seeing what they bring to the series.  Kuroshitsuji can be excellent when it is on form – I’m quite excited for this (the promo art is glorious!).

 

Persona 4 – The Golden Animation

Website: http://www.p4ga.jp/
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Galilei Donna, Shin Sekai Yori)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Daisuke Namikawa, Ami Koshimizu, Kana Hanazawa, Kappei Yamaguchi, Sayaka Ohara
Director: Seiji Kishi (Angel Beats, Danganronpa)
PV: http://youtu.be/blH4qNm3GwA

Summary: Anime reboot of the events of the first anime based on the Atlus RPG, with a new character added.

In the spring when the cherry blossom petals fall, Yū Narukami moves to Yaso Inaba to live with his uncle and cousin due to his family’s circumstances. He transfers to Yasogami High School, where his event-filled school life begins. However, when serial murders begin occurring in the peaceful town, Yū is awakened to the power of his heart turned to physical form: A Persona. Within these new mysteries is Marie, a resident of the alternate world, the Velvet Room, who has no memories of her past. Together with his friends, Yū must solve all the riddles set in front of him and save Yaso Inaba from further violence.

So this is basically that confusing, rather boring P4 anime all over again, except with another character shoe-horned in??  How much more does the Persona franchise have to suffer before Seiji Kishi leaves it alone?

 

Re: _Hamatora

Website: http://hamatorapj.com/reply/
Animation Studio: Lerche (Carnival Phantasm, Unbreakable Machine Doll)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Hiroshi Kamiya, Ryota Ohsaka, Wataru Hatano
Director: Seiji Kishi (Persona 4, Angel Beats, Danganronpa)
Series Composition: Jun Kumagai (Galilei Donna, Persona 4)
PV:

Summary: Second season of the mixed-media project.

“Minimum” – a special inborn power found in a limited number of human beings, known as “minimum holders.” In Yokohama, the detective team Hamatora, formed by two minimum holders named Nice and Murasaki, comes across information connected to a serial killer being pursued by their old friend Art. It turns out all the victims are minimum holders like them. Unwillingly at first, the two detectives become involved in the investigation.

My reaction to the end of the first season was mostly rage at the fact that I was now going to have to watch the second season just to get some damn closure on this series!  Hamatora had some excellent episodes.  It also had some utter bullshit episodes and often looked like complete arse……I had a rather tumultuous relationship with the show where my opinion see-sawed weekly, and sometimes over the course of an episode.  It isn’t a good show, but it does have interesting elements and I’ll be watching this second season knowing full well that I’m going to experience that same see-saw of like/hate all over again.  Basically it’s the usual Seiji Kishi show.

 

Space Dandy 2

Website: http://space-dandy.com/
Animation Studio: Bones (Darker than BLACK, Captain Earth)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Junichi Suwabe, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Uki Satake
Chief Director: Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Sakamichi no Apollon, Samurai Champloo)
PV: http://youtu.be/xVde2A6zqUg

Summary: Continuation of the original series.
Space Dandy is a space hunter, someone who is paid to search for new, undiscovered alien species. It’s an industry where the prize goes to the person who finds aliens the fastest. Dandy searches unknown planets for strange beings with his companions, QT the worn-out robot and Meow from Betelgeuse. Meanwhile, they’re being chased by minions of the Gorgol Empire, for reasons that are still a mystery.

Woooo! More Space Dandy…..or should I say, the rest of Space Dandy, since this is just a continuation of the show.  Space Dandy is an incredibly creative show, every episode is a new experience – which isn’t surprising given that all of the best and brightest talents working in the industry seem to have gotten their fingers into this pie.  I’m incredibly excited to see what other talented individuals Watanabe manages to pied-piper onto this project for this second half of the show – should be a real treat.

 

Sword Art Online II

Website: http://www.swordart-online.net/
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Silver Spoon, Fractale)
Japanese Airdate: 5^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Miyuki Sawashiro
Director: Tomohiko Ito (Occult Academy, Silver Spoon)
PV: http://youtu.be/EK4i62i2aV0

Summary: Second season of the anime adaptation of Reki Kawahara’s light novel series.

The story of Sword Art Online revolves around a genius programmer named Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya who enters a virtual-reality, massively multi-player online (MMO) world called “Sword Art Online.” There is no escape from this world unless the player clears the game, but “game over” means the death of the player. This new anime will follow the events of the Gun Gale Online arc of the light novel series.

I am adamant that I will not be watching this – I suffered enough by finishing the rather terrible first series.  I will content myself with reading other people’s reactions to the show – that has worked remarkably well for me this season with Mahouka after all.

 

Sengoku Basara – Judge End

Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/basara_je/
Animation Studio: Production I.G (Kuroko’s Basketball, Eden of the East)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu:Kazuya Nakai, Souichiro Hoshi, Toru Ohkawa,Tomokazu Seki
Director:
PV:

Summary: Third season of the anime adaptation of CAPCOM‘s popular game franchise.

Based on the Sengoku Basara 3, it will depict the epic Battle of Sekigahara.

Awww yeah, more testosterone fuelled Sengoku antics – bring me my motorcycle horse, I am so on board with this!

 

Shorts & OVAs

 

Himegoto

Website: http://www.himegoto-tv.jp/
Animation Studio: Asahi Production (Cross Game, Alice in the Country of Hearts)
Japanese Airdate: 7^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Yūki Kuwahara, Ayane Sakura, Azusa Tadokoro, Chinatsu Akasaki
Director: Takeyuki Yanase
Series Composition & Script: Kazuho Hyodo (Robot Girls Z, Tactical Roar)
PV:

Summary: Anime adaptation of Norio Tsukudani’s 4-koma crossdressing manga series.

The story follows Hime Arikawa, a boy who is being chased down by scary people. However, he is rescued from danger by the girls in his school’s student council — 18-Kin-san, President Unko, and Beru-sempai. The student council will assume Arikawa’s debt under one condition: “As the student council’s dog, you will spend your high school life in women’s clothes.”

All cross-dressing series seem to have the exact same premise……seen one, seen them all.

 

Strange+ 2

Website: http://www.dreamcreation.co.jp/stpl/
Animation Studio: Seven (Ai Mai Mi, Recorder and Randsell)
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Jun Fukuyama, Tomokazu Seki, Ryotaro Okiayu, Satsuki Yukino
Director: Takashi Nishikawa (Key animation – Love Lab, Ghost Hound)
PV:

Summary: Second season of the anime adaptation of Verno Mikawa‘s slapstick gag manga series.
Kou is searching for his older brother Takumi, who left home and has gone missing in the city. Worried that he’s in trouble, Kou decides not to go home until he’s found him., only to find him all too easily. Takumi, it turns out, has become head of the Mikuni Detective Agency, and has no intention of going back home. Kou decides that if he can’t make Takumi return, then he’ll join the agency himself.

This show is incredibly dumb – astoundingly dumb even, but it is very short and high energy, which makes it a great choice to watch while waiting for something else to finish downloading.

Yama no Susume 2 (Encouragement of Climb 2)

Website: http://www.yamanosusume.com/
Animation Studio: Earth Star Entertainment
Japanese Airdate: 9^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Kana Asumi, Yuka Iguchi, Yui Ogura, Yōko Hikasa
Director: Yusuke Yamamoto (Aquarion Evol, Walkure Romance)
PV: http://youtu.be/QiYxiMsroQY

Summary: Second season of the anime adaptation of Shiro‘s mountain climbing manga series.

The series tells the story of childhood friends: Aoi, a girl who prefers staying inside and who has acrophobia, and Hinata, a girl who loves mountains. The two decide to climb a mountain in order to once again see the morning sun from its peak as they did when they were young.

I don’t even know what this is as I’ve never even heard of the first season (I think it aired while I was in the Land of Shite Internet).  Regardless it is another cute girls do stuff show – this time it’s mountain climbing, which is somewhat different I suppose.  Still completely uninterested though.

 

Yami Shibai 2

Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamishibai/index2.html
Animation Studio: ILCA
Japanese Airdate: July 2014
Seiyuu: Kanji Tsuda
Director:Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge) & Noboru Iguchi
PV:

Summary: Second season of the horror series of shorts.

A series of short horror stories based around Japanese myths and urban legends. The series is framed around an old man telling these tales to schoolchildren on a playground using kamishibai, a traditional Japanese storytelling method using paper scrolls.

Some of the shorts in the first season managed to be genuinely unnerving despite the rather janky animation.  Definitely up for more Yami Shibai.

 

Girls und Panzer OVA: This is the Real Anzio Battle!

Website:
Animation Studio: Actas (Moetan, Nighthead Genesis)
Japanese Airdate: 25^th July 2014
Seiyuu: Mai Fuchigami, Ai Kayano, Ikumi Nakagami, Mami Ozaki
Director:
PV: http://youtu.be/YJiMAlfHhYE

Summary: OVA for the cute girls & tanks series.

Miho and her classmates must prepare for battle against the girls at the Anzio High School in the 2nd National Senshadō Championships.

More cute girls and tanks – I recently got round to watching the TV series and enjoyed it a lot much to my surprise.  Will be checking this OVA out too.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And that’s that.  A vastly more promising season than this Spring season – I am sure to have a couple of shows to talk about on a weekly basis – Anime isn’t dead quite yet!

As ever all information has been cobbled together from the ever reliable ANN, MAL, AniChart.net, Neregate and everyone’s friend – Google.

As ever expect a plethora of first impressions posts at the start of July.