Category: Seasonal Previews

To give an impression of this season: it’s got 25 TV-series in total that are airing. In the history of anime, there was only one summer season that premiered as many TV-series as here, and that was 2007. On top of that though, I’ve marked a whopping six series with a potential of 85% or above (meaning that I’m really, really looking forward to it), and beyond that there also are a large number of shows that seem interesting to watch once you take a bit of a better look at their premise and who is going to create them. As usual, I don’t read any manga so I can’t say anything about original material (aside from that one show that’s written by the same guy who wrote Denyuuden).

it’s a huge season for sequels: a ton of interesting ones are coming out. It’s a big season for slice of life and mystery. Especially Production IG is on fire, JC Staff is doing what it usually does (unambitious but decent looking moe shows), A-1 Pictures is being totally weird, even for their standards and Noitamina is looking out for a very solid season. Oh, and Satelight and Gonzo are finally back.

R-15

Summary: “The story centers around Taketo Akutagawa, a student with a secret: he is a talented pornographic novelist with a newspaper-serialized work. He enrolls in a school that only accepts geniuses, and risque trouble ensues there. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Munenori Nawa
Series Composition: Sumio Uetake
The Positives: Boobs.
The Negatives: So yeah, this is the crappy fanservice show of the season, produced by AIC and none other than the director of KissxSis is directing it. I think that that says enough here…
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Manyuu Hiken-chou

Summary: “The historical story is set in a parallel Taihei Edo period and follows Chifusa, an amply proportioned sword fighter in the Manyuu clan.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiraku Kaneko
Series Composition: Seishi Minakami
Other Notable Staff: Jun Takagi (Character Design/Animation Director)
The Positives: Seishi Minakami. I like him a lot (more on that below, he’s doing three series this season; Mari Okada showed that that is possible)… but what the hell is he doing here? Much more bizarre though, is that a director of various children’s series and World Masterpiece Theaters… is doing the animation direction and character designs…. wtf…
The Negatives: Just look at the url of this thing’s website. With that, you don’t even need to know that this has the director of Seikon no Qwaser to know that this one’s going to suck.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Morita-san wa Mukuchi

Summary: “The quiet life of Mayu Morita, an extremely reticent high school girl.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Naotaka Hayashi
Other Notable Staff: Satou Yuu (Script)
The Positives: It’s not like Naotaka Hayashi doesn’t have any experience: he has been directing quite a number of episodes of great series before.
The Negatives: Here’s the thing though: the Morita-San wa Mukuchi OVA was really poorly produced. The animation was the bare minimum of what you could get. The scenarios were poorly told, without any kind of dynamics to them. The timing made every scene go on for way too long and it was completely bland in every single way, so much that I couldn’t even go further than 10 minutes in before dropping it. This TV-series has the same creators and I really don’t hope that they will go on with the same bad pacing as here.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Mayo Chiki

Summary: “17 year old Konoe Subaru is the butler of classmate Suzutsuki Kanade. One day, classmate Sakamoto Kinjirou discovers that Konoe is actually a girl.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Series Composition: Reiko Yoshida
The Positives: Reiko Yoshida. I mean, the premise is stupid and all, but she’s a very solid writer with a lot of experience. If the manga actually turns out to be good, then she’ll be able to get that into the anime.
The Negatives: Keiichiro Kawaguchi is currently directing Sket Dance. While doing a good job on it, can he really do two shows at the same time? I mean, a premise this crappy really needs all the attention you can give it in order to become a bit worthwhile, and this guy has made a huge share of very generic moe shows as Nyan Koi and Moetan.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu 2

Summary: “Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: None of the staff is announced yet, though it’s probably going to be the same as the first season
The Positives: The director and series composition guy of the first season (Shin Oonuma and Katsuhiko Takayama) are quite solid, having worked on a number of good and very good Shaft shows.
The Negatives: The same can be said for their sequels, though: ef and Natsu no Arashi’s sequel were significantly less impressive and I fear that the same will carry over to this series. Plus, I always felt like this series was a bit of a one trick pony (which is why I never bothered to continue watching it). Yeah, it’s fun for one episode, but do I want to watch this for an entire season, let alone two? Nah. There are many better comedies out there.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Ro Kyu Bo

Summary: “The story centers around a high school freshman boy named Subaru Hasegawa who joined the basketball team, but the team stopped playing due to the captain being suspected of being a lolicon. Subaru somehow ends up as a coach of an elementary school’s basketball team with five girls. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Keizo Kusakawa
Series Composition: Mikchiko Itou
Other Notable Staff: Taizo Yoshida (Assistant Director)
The Positives: The assistant director is the director of White Album’s second season!
The Negatives: Why couldn’t he have been the main director? That’s just what this premise would need. Keizo Kusakawa is a good director and all, but he really needs a good storyline for that. The same for Michiko Ito, the story has potential and all, but this premise doesn’t depend on how good the manga is, but rather how well the creators can make these characters come alive. I don’t see these guys pull that off so easily.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Uta no Prince-sama— Maji Love 1000%

Summary: “In the slapstick romantic comedy, a girl goes to a school for the performing arts with boys who are budding idols. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yuu Kou
Series Composition: Tomoko Konparu
The Positives: I’m a bit baffled here at what A-1 are trying to do this season… seriously… they make two separate shows about a group of budding idols, one shounen and one shoujo. And despite these crappy premises, they do put on talented writers who can make something good out of it. Tomoko Konparu is one of the best writers you can get here, having adapted and written just about everything: Les Miserables, Genji Monogatari, Chi’s Sweet Home, Ashita no Nadja, Glass Mask, Nodame Cantabile, Nana, Oniisama e and the Hi no Tori movies, while Yuu Kou completely baffled me last year with his amazingly accurate and sharp adaptation of Giant Killing. What the hell are these people planning with a show like this?
The Negatives: I also have to remember that Yuu Kou did direct a bunch of really bad moe and bishie shows. Plus, what the hell kind of a title is this?
First-Glance Potential: 50%

The IDOLM@STER

Summary: “In the original Xbox 360 game, the player manages the careers of 10 aspiring Japanese idol singers as a producer.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Atsushi Nishigori
Series Composition: Atsushi Nishigori, Touko Machida
Other Notable Staff: Touko Takao (Episode Director), Akira Takata (Chief Animation Direction), Haruko Iizuka
The Positives: Akira Takata is going to be really busy. He’s currently doing C, and the next season he’ll be supervising the animation for two shows. But he really is an excellent guy to do it, with a ton of experience on beautiful series. Haruko Iizuka makes this even better, especially considering how this is going to be a A-1 Pictures series, who have been really good with animation and eye candy for the past years. The director is also involved everywhere: from the direction to the writing to the animation. This will be the first time he directs a full series, but he’s really making sure to keep control of everything, that’s a great sign. Before this he designed the characters for Gurren Lagann, worked on episodes of Panty and Stocking, Storyboarded the second Evangelion Movie and animated on various Gainax shows. He can really make something awesome out of such a bad premise as managing a bunch of idols.
The Negatives: Touko Machida. A terrible writer. The only good thing to come out of her were GA and Muteki Kanbanmusume’s adaptations. Apart from that, all of her works bored me. Oh, and she also adapted Ookami Kakushi, Lucky Star, Seikon no Qwaser, Allison & Lillia and Sengoku Otome. I mean, the rest of the staff members here are awesome, so don’t let this woman ruin things. That’s very easy with the kind of premise that Idolm@ster is…
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Nyanpire The Animation

Summary: “The story follows a black cat who was abandoned and left to starve. Just before the cat’s life was to be extinguished, a vampire emerged from the darkness and gave it blood. Now, “Nyanpire” (a combination of the Japanese pronunciations for a cat’s meow and “vampire”) lives as a seemingly ordinary house cat raised by a human girl. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takahiro Yoshimatsu
Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi
The Positives: Gonzo! They’re finally back, with a doujinshi about a vampire cat, of all things. I really have no idea what to expect of this one. It’s a really famous doujinshi apparently, and the director is a famous character-designer (think everything from Les Miserables to Basquash, Oh Edo Rocket and Trigun), while Natsuko Takahashi is a prolific screenwriter. All in all the potential to become a funny series…
The Negatives: … and yet it looks like a really cheap flash show. Heck, the director only directed one series before, and that was the really, really bad Kaito Reinya…
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Nurarihyon no Mago – Sennen Makyou

Summary: “Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despit the fact he dilikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Junji Nishimura
Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi
Other Notable Staff: Mariko Oka (Character Design)
The Positives: Look, I consider Junji Nishimura to be an amazing director. I still count Simoun my top 5 favourite anime I’ve ever seen, and True Tears and Windy Tales both were just brilliant…
The Negatives: But this just isn’t the kind of series where he can really show his talents. Instead he needs series that are either seinen or transcend genres. In the first season, he just got too much caught up in adding in his own stuff while adapting the manga faithfully as well, making both just mediocre. The second season is bound to be better after all that build-up and all, but if it suffers from the same pacing issues it won’t matter because it’ll be too boring. Natsuko Takahashi can write really well, but she also tends to be really sloppy with adaptations.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Itsuka Tenma no Kuro-Usagi

Summary: “The “reverse school fantasy” light novel series follow an ordinary high school boy named Taito Kurogane who is given a “poison” by a female vampire named Saitohimea, thus changing his life. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takashi Yamamoto
Series Composition: Shigeru Morita
Other Notable Staff: Kiyoko Yoshimura (Screenplay), Itsuro Kawasaki (Storyboard), Takaya Kagami, Masaaki Sakurai (Art Design)
The Positives: Here’s the thing: the premise sounds really unoriginal. And yet the original novels that this is based on are written by the guy who also wrote Densetsu no Yuusha no Denetsu. That has to say something here. Shigeru Morita also is a good designer, and an interesting choice to adapt this story.
The Negatives: First of all, it’s an ongoing series of light novels that they’ll never be able to fully finish. Second of all, they really got a crappy director to direct this thing. Nanatsuiro Drops was okay, I guess, but the other shows he directed (Final Approach and Jewelpet Tinkle) were utterly abysmal and completely unwatchable.
First-Glance Potential: 55%

Blade

Summary: “”Blade” Eric Brooks — known as Blade — seeks revenge on Deacon Frost, the vampire lord who killed his mother while she was still pregnant with Eric. With all the powers of a vampire and none of their weaknesses, Blade’s quest leads him throughout Southeast Asia in search of Frost, and, in Viet Nam, he discovers a vampire plot that threatens to take down the whole world. “ – (Taken from AniDB)
The Positives: It always takes a little longer than usual for the Marvel series to get their creators announced, but that’s going to be a key here in whether Blade will be a worthwhile closure to this experiment. It really deserves to, because in the right hands a modern day vampire story can turn into a great action series.
The Negatives: In the wrong hands though… urhg. Let’s not think about it…
First-Glance Potential: 55%

Kaitō Tenshi Twin Angel – Kyun Kyun☆Tokimeki Paradise!!

Summary: “Haruka Minazuki and Aoi Kannazuki are freshman high school students and best friends. During the day they help with school activities but at night they thwart enemies like Black Auction and other villains as Red Angel and Blue Angel, the Twin Angel team.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yoshiaki Iwasaki
Series Composition: Michiko Itou
The Positives: The original Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel OVA was… mediocre. It actually did take itself seriously though, and I guess that that’s the potential here if the creators can use it well; the OVA just had too much cheese due to its short length, with neither characters being interesting to make up for it. The director of Love Hina, Sky Girls and Ookami-san… it could have been much worse.
The Negatives: But then again: with the way where this is going, there is no way in which this series is going to be anything more than just a decent story. My prediction is that the creators will do well on creating decent and likable characters, but are totally going to mess up the story, both by making it uninspired and completely unbalanced.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Dantalian no Shoka

Summary: “Hugh Anthony Disward inherits an old mansion and a personal library from his grandfather. In the basement of the mansion, he meets a mysterious girl Dalian. She is a Dantalian and a gateway to “Dantalian’s bookshelf”, which stores the prohibited books of the demons.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yutaka Uemura
Other Notable Staff: Gakuto Mikumo (Original creator)
The Positives: Okay, so this is Gainax, coming with a project that’s being created by people who pretty much all are unremarkable. The director only directed two episodes before, there is nobody behind the series composition and everybody else hasn’t really done or worked on anything that caught my attention. The original creators is the same as Asura Cryin’, but that is a series that I quickly dropped because of bad acting and scriptwriting, not because the premise and story weren’t interesting.
The Negatives: This show will only have 13 episodes, so the creators can’t just sit back and calmly produce a series; it’s too short for that. Fresh blood has always been a big gamble: they have the potential to try something really great there; the premise is interesting enough for that, but at the same time it also can very easily become a bore-fest.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Yuruyuri

Summary: “Four fun-loving schoolgirls take over the former room of a tea ceremony club for their own “Gorakubu” (amusement club). “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Masahiko Oota
Series Composition: Takashi Aoshima
The Positives: I’m not sure why, but something about this series is telling me that there are lesbians in this show. In any case though, this thing is being handled by the same people who adapted Mitsudomoe. In other words: this could just as well become a really funny series. If the source material has great jokes, then these are the people who have the timing and experience to make them work as an anime.
The Negatives: The people from Dogakobo have been known to half-ass things, though. That’s definitely a bad thing…
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Kamisama Dolls

Summary: “The story centers around Kyōhei, a college student who grew up in a village that deified figureheads named kukuri as gods. Kyouhei abandoned his hometown when he moved to Tokyo and immersed himself in college life. However, he comes across his younger sister Utao with her kukuri in Tokyo. He learns from his sister that a fugitive named Aki from his hometown has also arrived in Tokyo (with his kukuri in tow) and is responsible for a horrific crime that Kyouhei had just witnessed. Kyōhei realizes that he cannot escape what he tried to leave behind in the village. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Seiji Kishi
Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
The Positives: The premise doesn’t seem to be anything ground breaking, but nevertheless it has the potential to become really interesting. Ah, Seiji Kishi, the director of comedies such as Tentai Senshi Sunred and Seto no Hanayome, but also of serious series as Angel Beats. He’s definitely an interesting director for this series, especially if the manga this is based on delivers as well.
The Negatives: That is especially important for Makoto Uezu, though: he tends to be a faithful adapter and all, but he really often adapts utter crap (Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka, School Days, Seikon no Qwaser, Tayutama…)
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Nekogami Yaoyorozu

Summary: “Koyama Yuzu is running an antique shop. Mayu, a cat god (nekogami), is living off Yuzu and leads an idle life playing games. Lots of other gods visit Mayu and enjoy merrymaking.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiroaki Sakurai
Series Composition: Touko Machida
Other Notable Staff: Masahiro Yokotani (Screenplay), Tomoko Konparu
The Positives: Hiroaki Sakurai! Thankfully this series seems much more up his alley compared to last year’s failure that was Kaichou wa Maid-sama. He is a really great director (heck, he directed Les Miserables for god’s sake), but with Maid-sama he just made a bad premise even worse. This reunites him with the ones who wrote the adaptations of GA and Les Miserables (heck, Tomoko Konparu wrote and adapted a huge amount of awesome series), so this has a good chance of being a really fun series to watch.
The Negatives: Machida Touko is actually doing two shows this season. Oh god no. Ah well, at least she produced her best work (GA) while working with Hiroaki Sakurai, so there is hope. At the same time though, Masahiro Yokotani also is among the writers here. I did not like what he did on Maria Holic, World Destruction, and most importantly Beelzebub.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Appleseed XIII

Summary: In the wake of the destruction of a worldwide non-nuclear war, the city Olympus has become the control center of the world. Run by Bioroids (cloned humans made from only the best DNA), it is defended from terrorists by special military forces. Among these are former LAPD SWAT member Deunan Knotts and her multipurpose cyborg partner Brialeos. They face a challenge from the Human Liberation Front and its terrorist underbelly the Argonauts. The leader of this group, Al Ceides, supposedly died 20 years ago in an attack on Poseidon, but now his shadow emerges once again. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takayuki Hamana
Series Composition: Junichi Fujisaku
Other Notable Staff: Masamune Shirow (Original Creator), Takayuki Goto (Character Designs), Yoshiki Sakurai (Screenplay)
The Positives: Originally slated for the Spring Season, Appleseed will finally arrive in the middle of June. The team of Takayuki Hamana and Takayuki Hamana already produced Moshidora this season, which was very good, and especially Junichi Fujisaku wrote some of the most amazing series, with pretty much his only flop being the Loups Garous movie. These people can do a great job on adapting the Appleseed manga and give it more depth than what the movies could give it. With the right balance, it really has the potential to become a great story. Takayuki Goto also is an excellent and original character designer, and the trailer looked quite interesting for a 3D tv-series.
The Negatives: I remain a bit iffy on Takayuki Hamana. He is the guy who always comes with some very imaginative ideas, and yet doesn’t know how to execute them properly. He did well on Moshidora, but even there his usual cheese was really apparent, and that kind of cheese will definitely get in the way for something like Appleseed.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Sacred Seven

Summary: ??
Director: Yoshimitsu Ohashi
Series Composition: Shin Yoshida
Other Notable Staff: Yuki Kajiura (OP)
The Positives: Ahaha! A cheesy mecha series. This can go both ways, really, but with Yuki Kajiura doing the OP it’ll have at least one thing to look forward to. And really: Shin Yoshida behind the script here rocks: he also wrote Argento Soma, Karas and episodes of The Big O, Zone of the Enders and Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto. This guy has the potential to write an awesome script here. Oh, and the director directed Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto alongside Ryousueke Takahashi. that definitely has potential here!
The Negatives: The big problem is that the trailer had a lot of cheese in it. That has me worried the most. Also, the director also was the one behind Aquarian Age and some of Galaxy Angel’s seasons… Oh, and Shin Oonuma is also currently writing Yugioh Zexal…
First-Glance Potential: 75%

No. 6

Summary: “The story is set in No. 6, a future model city in 2013. Raised as a top-ranking elite since the age of 2, a boy named Shion lives in an exclusive area in No. 6. On the night of his 12th birthday, he rescues a boy who calls himself Nezumi (Rat). Nezumi ran away from the city’s Special Security Area. From that moment on, Shion’s life is changed forever…” – (Taken from AniDB)
Director: Kenji Nagasaki
Series Composition: Seishi Minakami
Other Notable Staff: Keiichi Suzuki (Music), Atsuko Asano
The Positives: Josei and adventure. Those are two genres that we really don’t often see combined, and I love it already. Seishi Minakami, who was behind the series composition of epics as Birdy the Mighty Decode 02, Occult Academy, Asatte no Houkou and Shigurui was an excellent choice for this one. The soundtrack is from the same guy who composed the music for Tokyo Godfathers and the new Enma-Kun series (which really had surprisingly good and creative music, by the way). Bones also selected a director with no prior experience in directing a full series, which also has the potential to go everywhere. He worked on some awesome episodes before though, and being the assistant director of Oh Edo Rocket also really helps. Oh, and this doesn’t have anything to do with a blue submarine, does it?
The Negatives: The key with this series is going to be balance. It’s good to see that the setting is intriguing and exciting, and yet doesn’t sound like it’ll be huge. But still, series length has always been the biggest problem for Noitamina. Let’s see whether No.6 can avoid this.
First-Glance Potential: 85%

Kami-sama no Memo-chō

Summary: “The story centers around a “NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) detective” girl named Alice and her assistant, a high school freshman boy named Narumi Fujishima. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Katsushi Sakurabi
Series Composition: Seishi Minakami
Other Notable Staff: Taku Iwasaki (Music)
The Positives: Seishi Minakami! He also wrote the series compositions for Occult Academy and Birdy the Mighty Decode 02 and adapted Asatte no Houkou and Shigurui and I’m interested to see what he can do with this adaptation (which does sound quite interesting in theory despite its lack of originality). On top of that, he gets reunited with Katsushi Sakurabi with whom he adapted Asatte no Houkou. And heck, Katsushi Sakurabi is also an excellent director, having done Uragiri, Tsukihime and Rescue Wings. If the manga is good, then this is promising to be both an awesome drama and suspense series.
The Negatives: … another Gosick?
First-Glance Potential: 85%

La croisée dans un labyrinthe étranger

Summary: “The story takes place in the second half of the 19th century, as Japanese culture gains popularity in the West. A young Japanese girl, Yune, accompanies a French traveller, Oscar, on his journey back to France, and offers to help at the family’s ironwork shop in Paris. Oscar’s nephew and shopowner Claude reluctantly accepts to take care of Yune, and we learn how those two, who have so little in common, get to understand each other and live together in the Paris of the 1800s.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Kenji Yasuda
Series Composition: Junichi Sato
Other Notable Staff: Mamiko Ikeda (Screenplay), Ko-Ko-Ya, Hnata Takeda, Thomas Romain, Yann Le Gall, Stanislas Brunet (All three are behind the Art Setting)
The Positives: Satelight is finally back, and how! With Sato Junichi they really promise to make a unique slice of life series that promises a ton of character development and historical background. Heck, they even got three French people to help them on the art setting, and these are the ones who also created Basquash and Oban Star Racers, so they definitely know what they’re talking about in terms of creating a unique setting. The creator of Gosick’s art as the original manga creator also really helps as well, along with Ristorante Paradiso’s soothing background music.
The Negatives: The director here is the only weak spot: it’s the director of Shugo Chara, which went on for bloody ages, never advancing whatsoever. Obviously Sato Junichi is bound to prevent this, but still.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Usagi Drop

Summary: “In the story of the original Usagi Drop manga, 30-year-old bachelor Daikichi comes home from his grandfather’s funeral to discover a little girl named Rin in his garden. Rin is the 6-year-old illegitimate daughter of Daikichi’s grandfather, and Daikichi decides to take her in when no one in the family accepts the responsibility. “ – (Taken from ANN)
Director:
Series Composition: Suguru Kishimoto
Other Notable Staff: Tasuku Yamashita (Character Designs)
The Positives: That is just one heck of an adorable premise. Plus, it’s always awesome to see protagonists that aren’t in their tens or twenties; the current Spring Season also rocks partly because of that. On top of that, we have the director of Tales of Vesperia, a guy who managed to make an awesome game adaptation by being not afraid to take liberties. A real plus considering Noitamina’s limited time.
The Negatives: The guy behind the series composition is either a pseudonym, or a completely new writer. In both ways, this can be either good or bad, but I’m definitely intrigued as to why this guy was chosen to adapt this series.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Natsume Yuujinchou San

Summary: “Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, which he has long kept secret. However, once he inherits a strange book that belonged to his deceased grandmother, Reiko, he discovers the reason why spirits surround him. Containing the names of these spirits, a binding contract was formed between the spirits and the owner of the book. Now, Natsume is determined to free the spirits and dissolve the contracts. With the help of a spirit cat, his days are filled trying to return the names to these spirits.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takehiro Omori
Series Composition: Sadayuki Murai
Other Notable Staff: Akira Takata (Character Design)
The Positives: Of course, normally I’d already be very excited for a third Natsume Yuujinchou season. But heck, this time the creators got an absolutely amazing writer to adapt the source material: Sadayuki Murai wrote the adaptations for Mouryou no Hako and Boogiepop Phantom, two utterly brilliant adaptations in their own unique way. Having written many more excellent episodes for many other series, I’m really excited to see what he can do with Natsume Yuujinchou. Add that to Takehiro Omori who has already proven to be an excellent director for this series.
The Negatives: Now, I did find the second season to be less impressive than the first. It just lacked something in comparison. Will the material for the third season be back to the old level again? Seriously though, that’s about the only criticism I have at the moment: this series really has an all star cast.
First-Glance Potential: 95%

Blood-C

Summary: “Teropterids are evil beasts which pose as humans and live only to drink human blood. Fortunately for the human world there are groups dedicated to destroying them. A brooding and mysterious girl named Saya is the best teropterid slayer there is, and now, in 1960’s Japan, she is sent to a U. S. army base which may be infested…” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
Series Composition: Nanase Ookawa
Other Notable Staff: Junichi Fujisaku (Screenplay), Naoki Sato, Hiromasa Ogura, Takayuki Goto (Chief Animation Director), Kazuchika Kise (Aniamtion Character Design), Tomoki Tsukamoto (3D Director), Kazuchige Kanehira (Art Setting)
The Positives: Holy crap! Production IG is on fire here. I mean, talk about an utter dream-team here, having Clamp write a completely original TV-series, including the director of xxxHolic who did an amazing job on their manga in the past was already enough to make me anticipate this wildly. And yet the rest of the staff here is just godly: the soundtrack guy also wrote the epic soundtracks of X, Eureka7 and Heroic Age, the director of the Blood+ series is behind the script so that he can write awesome episodes, and yet doesn’t have to worry about the ending (Blood+’s biggest weakness), we have the art director of Last Exile, Ghost in the Shell and FLCL, the animation director of Eden of the East’s second movie, Ghost in the Shell and Seirei no Moribito, the character designer of xxxHolic, a 3D director who worked on quite a few episodes of the beautiful RD Sennou Chousashitsu and Seitei no Moribito, plus as a dessert, the guy who did the freaking art setting and design of Birdy the Mighty, Noein, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood and Ayakashi Ayashi! How much talent can you put into a series anyway?
The Negatives: None. Well, if I had to say something, then it’s Junichi Fujisaku working on too many other series with Appleseed and Moshidora.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

I was pretty shocked when I went through the list of movies for the upcoming season. Seriously, while it’s going to be packed with TV-series, it will be incredibly dry in the movie department. I only saw two really good movies that will premiere, and that’s it. The rest all were cheap cash-ins and kiddie movies. You know, those franchises that release a new filler movie every year? They especially like the months March and April to do this. Seriously, I have not seen such a bad series for movies since I started compiling these Movie and OVA previews.

Thankfully, the OVAs did provide a lot of interesting stuff here. Even when leaving out the ones what will carry over from previous seasons, there are a few really interesting premises, and rock-solid staff members involved here that I’m really looking forward to. Especially the game adaptations will interesting. There’s not much to say about which major studio is the most active this time, though: a lot of stuff here is being made by independent studios that worked on hardly anything else. The only major studio that has a lot of stuff on this list is Toei, but that’s entirely in a bad way. Beyond that, Production IG and A-1 both have multiple smaller but interesting projects.

As for the series that are on this list:
– All the new OVAs and Movies that are scheduled in March, April and May, plus the spring season in general, on Moonphase
– Episodes of continuing OVAs (like Gundam Unicorn 03, .Hack//Quantum 02) are omitted because I don’t want to repeat myself too much. New series of OVAs and DVD Specials though are properly included, including DVD specials of series that I didn’t watch, for the sake of completion.
– Two movies are listed to debut on “2011G.W.”. I have no idea what that means, so I decided to not include those until I can figure out when they air.

Shukufuku no Campanella OVA

Summary: The story takes place in a trading city Ert’Aria. Leicester Maycraft is an item engineer belonging to an adventurer guild “Oasis”. One night, he is at a party with his friends to see a meteor stream on the rooftop of a chapel. One meteor grazes them and hits the steeple of the chapel. There he finds a secret room and a sleeping girl. The girl wakes up and says “You must be my father”. The encounter with the mysterious girl brings an unexpected adventure to Leicester. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: DVD OVA
Director: Shinji Ushiro
Script: Koujiro Nakamura, Saharu Amiyama
The Positives: None.
The Negatives: Shukufuku no Campanella was by far the worst series of the Summer Season of 2010. And now they’re planning to make more of it. Especially the OVAs of these terrible moe shows are notorious for being terrible.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Asobi ni Iku Yo OVA

Summary: The story will follow an Earth-style game with the Catia and Earth people, and a wonderful prize for the winner has the players playing their very best. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: DVD OVA
Director: Yooichi Ueda
Script: Katsuhiko Takayama
The Positives: Katsuhiko Takayama can be a pretty good scriptwriter. When he’s dealing with actually good source material in any case.
The Negatives: Apparently the OVA will air “unairable content”. Guess what this one will be about?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Nana to Kaoru

Summary: Nana and Kaoru are next door neighbours and schoolmates, but Nana is a model student and popular, while Kaoru is a poor student and social outcast. One night, however, their relationship changes forever, when Nana discovers that she enjoys being on the receiving end of perverted domination play with Kaoru. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA
Director: Hideki Okamoto
Other Notable Staff: Atsuko Watanabe (Character Design, Animation Director)
The Positives: Atsuko behind the animation isn’t anything bad. She’s quite solid, though not the best, as a character designer as well.
The Negatives: Oh dear lord… they’re making anime about sadomasochism fetishes now? AIC, why don’t you just start making hentai series with these premises? Oh, and the director directed Nagasarete Airantou and Da Capo II before, so we shouldn’t really expect much from him either.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

One Piece 3D: Mugiwara Chase

Summary: Luffy and his crew must find his missing hat. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie, co-billed with the Toriko 3D Movie
Director: Hiroyuki Sato
Script: Yasuyui Tsutsumi
The Positives: It uses the One Piece name.
The Negatives: The award for the biggest cash-in… definitely goes to this movie. I mean, there is nothing inherently wrong with 3D and all, but to use it just as a gimmick here is just terrible. Not to mention that the plot is the most terrible premise of a movie I’ve ever seen, they really did not care in the slightest about this thing. Toei really needs to stop producing all this crap and focus on what they’re good at.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Toriko 3D: Kaimaku Gourmet Adventure!!

Summary: ???
Type: Movie, co-billed with the One Piece 3D Movie
Director: Junji Shimizu
Script: Isao Murayama
The Positives: In this case they got the actual guy who writes the series composition for the Toriko TV-series for this movie.
The Negatives: The director is the director of Fresh Precure, various One Piece Movies, the YUGIOH movie, and some other random Precure Movies. Plus, like I mentioned above: it uses 3D as a gimmick, rather than trying to tell a good story with it.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Doraemon: Shin Nobita to Tetsujin Heidan – Habatake Tenshi-tachi

Summary: Giant robot parts fell from the sky, so Nobita and Doraemon took it into the mirror world to build it and called it the Zandacross. It seems that Zandacross is a dangerous weapon so they kept it a secret. A mysterious girl named Lilulu appeared and asked for Zandacross for the invasion but she doesn’t agree to invade the Earth. Doraemon and the others join forces to stop the invasion of the robot army but it seems that Lilulu is the only one that can stop it. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Yukiyo Teramoto
Script: Higashi Shimizu
The Positives: Every march of every year since God knows when, Doraemon has gotten a movie. This is no ordinary movie though, it’s a remake of the 1986 Doraemon Movie, Nobita and the Platoon of Iron Men.
The Negatives: Doraemon is a character that many people loved while growing up, but I never knew the guy and never really got into him. It’s also got the director of Boku no Imouto wa Koi Suru, which is slightly worrying considering how that was slightly badly written. This seems like just another one of those boring filler movies.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Gekijō-ban Anime Nintama Rantaro Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudō! no Dan

Summary: The anime is based on Soubee Amako’s Rakudai Ninja Rantarō ninja gag manga (Asahi Comics) about the adventures of Rantarō and other ninja apprentices at an elite ninjutsu academy. The story is set in Japan during the tumultuous Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Warring States). As first-graders, Rantarō and his ninja-in-training friends are called “Nintama” — a contraction of the words “ninja” and “tamago” (“egg”). – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Masaya Fujimori
Other Notable Staff: Tsutomu Shibayama (Supervisiom)
The Positives: It’s supervised by a guy who previously directed a whopping seventeen of the Doraemon movies.
The Negatives: The director of You Are Delicious is at the complete opposite of the spectrum. Again, it’s going to be just a kids’ movie.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Fairy Tail

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 isn’t just any ordinary kid, he’s a member of one of the world’s most infamous mage guilds: Fairy Tail. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA Side Story
Director: Shinji Ishihara
Script: Masashi Sogo
The Positives: Masashi Sogo did write the script of a bunch of really good series: the Snow Queen, Yukikaze and Rurouni Kenshin – Tsuiokuhen.
The Negatives: But couldn’t they have chosen a better promo picture for this one? Seriously, what the hell? Wasn’t this supposed to be a simple shounen fighting series fighting series? I remember that there were a lot of reasons why I didn’t like Fairy Tail’s first anime episode, but excessive fanservice wasn’t one of them. The staff both worked on some good stuff and bad stuff, so it could have had potential.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Seitokai Yakuindomo OAD

Summary: Takatoshi is a new student in a recently gender-integrated high school, and is asked to join the student council as the vice president. Thus begins his days as the only normal boy among 3 female student council officers. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: DVD OVA
Director: Hiromitsu Kanasawa
Script: Makoto Nakamura
The Positives: If you liked Seitokai Yakuindomo’s sense of humour: there’s more!
The Negatives: I didn’t like it at all, though. I found it really repetitive, and often badly delivered and just not funny.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. Solid State Society 3D

Summary: A.D. 2034. It has been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9. Togusa is now the new leader of the team, that has considerably increased its appointed personnel. The expanded new Section 9 confronts a rash of complicated incidents, and investigations reveal that an ultra-wizard hacker nicknamed the “Puppet Master” is behind the entire series of events. – (Taken from )
Type: Movie
Director: Kenji Kamiyama
Script: Kenji Kamiyama
Other Notable Staff: Masamune Shirow (Original Creator)
The Positives: It’s Kenji Kamiyama again.
The Negatives: Aaand also jumping on the 3D bandwagon is Production IG, converting the Solid State Society Movie into 3D. I haven’t seen the first movie (yet), but isn’t this just going to be another recap movie that will be exactly the same as the original save for updated graphics? Again: 3D should be used as a part of the storytelling. It’s NOT SOMETHING YOU MARKET YOUR MOVIES WITH!
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Precure All-Stars DX3 Mirai ni Todoke! Sekai o Tsunagu Niji-Iro no Hana

Summary: This movie aims to bring all lead characters of the eight Precure series together.
Type: Movie
Director: Takashi Otsuka
Script: Isao Murayama
Other Notable Staff: Daisuke Suzuki (CGI Director)
The Positives: If you thought the second All Stars movie had a lot of characters, you haven’t seen anything yet: this movie has 21 main characters: Cure Aqua, Cure Mint, Cure Pine, Cure Melody, Cure Egret, Cure Moonlight (yes, she’s in this movie, even though she didn’t appear in the previous one), Cure Berry, Milky Rose, Cure Marine, Cure Rhythm, Cure Sunshine, Cure Rouge, Cure Peach, Cure Lemonade, Cure Blossom, Cure Bloom, Shiny Luminous, Cure Black, Cure Passion, Cure White and Cure Dream: they all will make their appearance here!
The Negatives: … now this is just getting crowded. Not to mention that it also will have the same director as the previous All Stars movie, which… was rather bad and cheesy.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Detective Conan: Quarter of Silence

Summary: The story begins with a threat against the Tokyo governor, but Conan’s quick thinking prevents any fatalities when a subway tunnel is blown up. Conan learns there may be a connection to a village that was relocated for the construction of a dam, and he races to stop the criminal before the next attack. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Koibun Shizuno
Script: Kazunaru Koichi
The Positives: Kobun Shizuno is strange because he has worked on several different anime as the “co director”. I’m not sure what that exactly entails to, but at least he has the experience. This does sound like a decent thriller at the very least.
The Negatives: I still have yet to check out anything of the Conan franchise. The huge length is the culprit. I have no intention to try and what all of that when I can watch other, much more interesting sounding series.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi

Summary: Onodera Ritsu has just transferred from his father’s publishing company to Marukawa Shoten. Assigned to the shoujo manga division, he crosses path with the person he’d least expected to meet. Takano Masamune is the editor-in-chief of the division Ritsu’s been assigned to, and the two seem get off on the wrong foot right from the very start when Takano unexpectedly kisses him. However, there is more to than what meets the eye… Takano is actually Saga, Ritsu’s senpai and high school love– whom Ritsu had thought to have played him for a fool by taking his affections for granted when he confessed and summarily dumped him. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA, Bundled with Manga Volume
Director: Chiaki Kon
Script: Rika Nanase
The Positives: So, prior to the TV-series, the creators are also whipping out a quick OVA.
The Negatives: I never really saw the point of these kinds of OVAs, though. What do they really hope to tell extra with these episodes?
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Eiga Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi o Yobu Ōgon no Spy Daisakusen

Summary: The bratty lead character Shin Chan becomes a secret agent.
Type: Movie
Director: Soichi Masui
Script: Kyoko Kogure
The Positives: Soichi Masui is really an excellent choice for the director of this one: he’s the director of Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzoo. He can really make good kids’ movies with that experience, and he has done two Shin Chan movies before. Out of all the rip-off movies this season, this one is looking the best because it actually has some creativity in its premise.
The Negatives: I do have to admit that I don’t really like Shin Chan, though. I mean, his antics were fun for one episode. Not… 720 episodes and nineteen movies.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu OVA

Summary: Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 2 Episode OVA
Director: Shin Oonuma
Series Composition: Katsuhiko Takayama
Other Notable Staff: Kouji Azuma (Art Director)
The Positives: This seems to have been delayed a season, so I’ll just copy what I said about it during my last preview: “Katsuhiko Takayama’s work on Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru, Ga-Rei Zero, Hantsuki and the first seasons of ef and Natsu no Arashi was very solid. Same goes for Shin Oonuma on Pani Poni Dash and Natsu no Arashi and ef’s first seasons, and finally he can do something without Shinbo.”
The Negatives: “I didn’t like the TV-series of Baka to Test much, though. It felt like it wasted all of its best jokes in its first episode, and quickly got repetitive and annoying afterwards. ”
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Spelunker Sensei

Summary: The online four-panel manga itself is based on Irem Software Engineering’s Spelunker action game franchise. Tomokazu Sugita stars as the title character, the world’s most reckless explorer who becomes a high school teacher. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA adaptation of a 4-koma manga
Director: Minoru Ashina
The Positives: Just… take a look at the trailer. Just… watch it.
The Negatives: FYI, this is coming from the creators of Boku, Otariman, which aired about a year ago. Boku, Otariman stood out with its incredibly slow delivery and jokes that didn’t fall. It did however produce a good satire on otaku. This, however… what the hell is it supposed to be anyway?!
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Katteni Kaizo

Summary: Kaizo Katzu is a former student of the “Institute for Genius”, but his childhood friend Umi Nattori make an idiot out of him by hurting his head. His crazy ideas had put the “Institute for Genius” in jeopardy and then shut down. The Kaizo’s former co-students comes to him looking for revenge for their “half-cooked skills”. So, Kaizo, Umi, Suzu Saien (also know as “The doctor”) and Chitan Tsubouchi are shown in the most surreal situations. The humor is sometimes vulgar and some sex scenes are shown. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA
Director: Naoyuki Tatsuwa
Series Composition: Fuyashi Tou, Katsuhiko Takayama
Other Notable Staff: Kouji Kumeta (Original Creator), Akiyuki Shinbo
The Positives: Katsuhiko Takayama usually compiles quite some solid series for Shaft, as long as he doesn’t go for second season. This series definitely sounds interesting for an OVA, and it is done by the mangaka who wrote Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei as well.
The Negatives: Blegh, Shinbo. That’s four series at once that he’s working on this time. On top of that we have the series composition of Bakemonogatari, which also doesn’t promise that much.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Nichijou OVA

Summary: While the title suggests a story of simple, everyday school life, the contents are more the opposite. The setting is a strange school where you may see the principal wrestle a deer or a robot’s arm hide a rollcake. However there are still normal stories, like making a card castle or taking a test you didn’t study for. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA Bundled with Manga
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Script: Jukki Hanada
The Positives: Well, so Nichijou also gets a preview OVA (officially titled as “Episode 0”). At the very least it’s good to see Tatsuya Ishihara back again.
The Negatives: While episodes like these make a bit more sense for Nichijou than for Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi, I still wonder whether they’re the right point to get introduced to the series, because it’s bundled with the 6th volume of the manga…
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Saiyuki Gaiden

Summary: 500 years before the story of Saiyuki, a heretic child with golden eyes is brought into Heaven. He is given into the reluctant care of a minor deity named Konzen, the nephew of the Merciful Goddess Kanzeon Bosatsu. Konzen eventually gives the child the name “Goku”. Goku becomes friends with two other minor gods, Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren of the Western Army of Heaven. He also meets a strange little boy who seems to be his own age, the War Prince Nataku. Although Goku is happy in his new home, Heaven is not kind to heretics. There are those who would use Nataku and Goku as tools in an attempt to seize the throne of Heaven, and Konzen, Tenpou, and Kenren may not be able to save them. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA
Director: Naoyuki Kuzuya
Series Composition: Kazuya Minekura
Other Notable Staff: (Minefumi Harada)
The Positives: It’s a prequel of the Saiyuuki manga, so you probably don’t need to have seen Saiyuuki (I haven’t seen it in any case) in order to get it. The writer of the manga this is based on will also handle the series composition in order to prevent continuity issues.
The Negatives: We do have the director of Bus Gamer here, which may have been nice, but it wasn’t very solid…
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Bannou Yasai Ninninman

Summary: Something about a strange blob with a big grin that harasses a bunch of school children.
Type: Third installment of the Young Animator Training Project
Director: Masayuki Yoshihara
The Positives: Okay, so the Young Animator Training Project is an initiative to fund four 30 minute anime in order to train young new animators. Because they’re all different stories by different creators, I decided to give all of them a separate entry on this list. PA Works is responsible for the third installment. The director seems to be fond of little projects like these: he’s also doing Mai to Mahou to Katei no Hi this month.
The Negatives: This does look the weakest of the Young Animator Training Project, though. If you look at the trailer, you’ll notice that the blob here is a bit too cartoonish. Plus the soundtrack they chose sounds really bad.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Kizuna Ichigeki

Summary: Some sort of fighting story.
Type: First installment of the Young Animator Training Project
Director: Mitsuru Hongo
The Positives: The first installment of the Young Animator Training Project is done by a completely new production company, Ascension, but it has a veteran director: the guy behind Igano Kabamaru, Outlaw Star, Reideen and the Spirit of Wonder OVA, which really sounds quite promising, especially if you look at the animation in the trailer.
The Negatives: The looks are a bit childish, though.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

High School of the Dead OVA

Summary: – (Taken from )
Type: OVA Bundled with 7th Manga Volume
Director: Tetsuro Araki
Script: Yousuke Kuroda
The Positives: Tetsuro Araki (the director of Death Note and Kurozuka) and Yosuke Kuroda (adapted a ton of different series, including Trigun, Phantom, Ookiku Furikabutte, Honey and Clover and Gungrave) both managed to make High School of the Dead much more than a generic fanservice series with their great sense of atmosphere. The anime ended right in the middle of the action, so extra episodes are always good here.
The Negatives: Obviously the large amounts of fanservice, which probably will only increase in the DVD only format…
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Morita-san wa Mukuchi

Summary: The story follows the everyday life of Mayu Morita, a girl who is exceedingly gentle and thoughtful, to the point that she does not say much of anything to anyone in high school. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 4-Koma manga Adaptation OVA
Director: Naotaka Hayashi
Script: Hiroshi Sato
The Positives: Produced by Studio Gram, who previously only worked on Lilpri. Great to see new companies emerge. Naotaka Hayashi also directed some awesome episodes of Birdy the Mighty Decode, Bokura no and Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto, while Hiroshi Satou is someone who can do anything: he did a soundtrack once, he worked on the composites of Heat Guy J, the screenplay of Ghost In the Shell Standalone Complex, 3D CG, Photography, Production, Background art and I wonder what he did to get a special thanks for Umineko no Naku Koro ni.
The Negatives: So, that makes me wonder why they went with such a simple looking slice of life story about a shy girl. I would rather have seen them pick a more interesting premise beyond a 4-koma manga.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Ojii-san no Lamp

Summary: Something about a grandfather and a lamp.
Type: Second Installment of the Young Animator Training Project
Director: Teiichi Takiguchi
The Positives: The second installment will be done by Telecom Animation Film. They’ve only produced a few series themselves, most notably Mjuin Wakusei Survive and the Secret of Cerulean Sand. This installment will probably be quite down to earth, judging by the title and the promo art. The director was the director of the Fourth Kara no Kyoukai Movie, so he should be able to do this justice.
The Negatives: Again, it does look rather childish, but not as childish as Kizuna Ichigeki.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Tansuwarashi

Summary: Something about a girl who suddenly has to take care of six young kids.
Type: Fourth Installment of the Young Animator Training Project
Director: Kazuchika Kise
The Positives: The last installment of the Young Animator Training Project also looks to be the best. Kazuchika Kise is a very interesting choice here, as he directed the animation of the xxxHolic movie, the second Patlabor movie, the Tales of Vesperia movie and the Eden of the East movie, among many others.
The Negatives: I do hope that this will be more than what the trailer suggests it to be, though.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki

Summary: Blazers are gallant warriors that consider the well being of others and the safety of the land as their priority, and work hard to defeat monsters and criminals. Estel is an aspiring Blazer who lives near the city of Rolento in Rebel Kingdom. Together with her friend Yoshua, Estel continues to train herself in the arts of Blazers. The story begins when Estel’s father receives a strange letter, starting a chain of events. – (Taken from IGN)
Type: OVA adapted from an RPG
Director: Masaki Tachibana
Other Notable Staff: Atsuko Nozaki (Character Designs)
The Positives: We have the character designer of Tokyo Magnitude here. Plus its director. That’s plenty of reasons to look forward to this one.
The Negatives: Eiyuu Densetsu seems a lot more generic than .Hack//Quantum though, but I’m still very curious what the creators can do with this.
First-Glance Potential: 85%

Senjou no Valkyria 3 “Dare ga Tame no Juuyu”

Summary: Taking place during the Second Europan War, Valkyria Chronicles III focuses on Gallian Army Squad 442, also known as “The Nameless”. The Nameless are a penal military unit composed of criminals, foreign deserters, and military offenders whose real names are erased from the records and thereon officially referred to by numbers. Ordered by the Gallian military to perform the most dangerous missions and dirty work that the Regular Army and Militia will not do, they are nevertheless up to the task, exemplified by their motto, Altaha Abilia (“Always Ready” in Latin.) – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Type: OVA
Director: Nobuhiro Kondo
Script: Hiroshi Ounogi
The Positives: It’ll have different people behind it compared to the TV-series. Which people? Well, for one it has the guy who wrote Birdy the Mighty Decode 02 and Noein, along with adapting Full Metal Alchemist – Brotherhood and Shangri-la. This guy is awesome! Oh, and none of the annoying characters of the television series also seem to be making their return.
The Negatives: The director did a bunch of really weird 90s OVAs in the past. Is he the right person for this?
First-Glance Potential: 85%

The Moon – Tsuki ga Hoshii to Oujo-sama ga Naita

Summary: A young princess wants to travel to the moon, which results in her disappearance, which in turn causes an uproar at the palace. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Original Creator: Eleanor Farjeon
The Positives: The Moon is based on a story by Eleanor Farjeon, a children’s novelist who lived more than sixty years ago. To get a real idea of what this movie will be about, you really need to look at the screen-shots provided on the main website. They’re all over the place with many different designs and visual ideas. This movie will look really unconventional, but it’ll probably have some unique graphics.
The Negatives: No word yet on who’s going to adapt it, though. It might be that the storytelling is really terrible here, though being based on a classic story does help.
First-Glance Potential: 85%

Hoshi o Ou Kodomo

Summary: The story centers on Asuna, a girl who spends her solitary days listening to the mysterious music emanating from the crystal radio she received from her father as a memento. However, she embarks on a journey of adventure to meet a boy again, and thus comes to know the cruelty and beauty of the world, as well as loss. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Script: Makoto Shinkai
Other Notable Staff: Tenmon (Music)
The Positives: Makoto Shinkai, finally it’s time for him to release another of his works. The movie still is about teenaged romance, but the themes seem significantly different from his previous works. That could be very interesting, but in any case this will become a huge feast for the senses.
The Negatives: Makoto Shinkai’s movies have always been a tad too draggy and slow paced for my tastes to really consider them masterpieces. Let’s see how this movie will change that.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

xxxHolic Rou Adayume

Summary: Kimihiro Watanuki is a young boy with a cursed gift. He has the ability to see evil spirits, and somehow they seem attracted to himself. One day he meets a mysterious woman who names herself Yuuko. She claims to have the means to end his torment, but she never works for free, and she wouldn’t help him until he works for her enough to pay for her services. Thus he starts to work in her shop and discovers that in that place, nothing is what it seems. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA Shipped with 19th Manga Volume
Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
Script: Nanase Oukawa
The Positives: Finally! It will have been nearly a year since the original xxxHolic Rou left with that damn cliff-hanger, so I’ve been aching to see the conclusion. Tsutomu Mizushima and Nanase Oukawa are still handling this show, so there should be no problems in the production department.
The Negatives: Oh, how I wished that this could have been a full length TV-series. xxxHolic Rou was one of those exceptions that worked perfectly, even though it skipped ahead many chapters. The biggest challenge will be to make this work for both the fans of the anime and the manga.
First-Glance Potential: 95%

Norageki

Summary: The story is set in a certain isolated prison with four prisoners and a cat. One day, a sudden power outage opens the locks and everyone is mysteriously set free from their cells. However, all of the guards are missing, and the prisoners cannot find any exits. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA
Director: Hiroaki Ando
Script: Dai Sato
Other Notable Staff: Yuusuke Takeda (Art Director), Kimitoshi Yamane (Mechanical Designs)
The Positives: Here is one that I’m really going to keep my eyes out for. Hiroaki Ando worked on Mahou Shoujotai and a ton of other projects of Studio 4C, like the bizarre Chicken Insurance, Tobira o Akete and Princess Arete, and he even was the CGI Director of Steamboy. It’s great to see him direct something again. Dai Sato meanwhile was the one who wrote Freedom Eureka 7, Ergo Proxy and Eternal Family. Combine that with an awesome premise and you really have one of the most interesting upcoming OVAs.
The Negatives: The usual complaints I have with OVAs like this: it’ll probably be too short.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

Ohoho, we’re in for a treat in the upcoming season. There are 47 series in total, and a ton of those are promising to be really interesting. Sure, there is a lot of crap, but there are also plenty of powerhouse directors and writers to make up for it. that’s the great thing of getting a large season again, and it’s great to see another season that has so many different series.

This season has a good balance of original stories, manga adaptations, game adaptations and surprisingly few light novel adaptations. There are many different production companies active with one or two new series. The studios with the most projects are Production IG and Tatsunoko Productions of all things. Surprisingly absent are Satelight, Bones, AIC and Studio Pierrot.

The two main genres of this season seem to be dark adventures and slice of life series. Unforunately there also are a bunch of uninspired moe shows, but these are far from the only bad ones. the biggest pitfall of this season is a trend of working on multiple series at the same time. There are quite a few people who do this this season, and I just hope that this will end up all right.

Also as usual, I haven’t seen anything of the source material of the adaptations aside from the X-Men, so I’ll mostly be commenting on the staff lists and premises.

30-sai no Hoken Taiku

Summary: A guide book teaching shy men around 30 how to date and have sex with women. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Mankyuu
Series Composition: Ryou Akiyama
The Positives: It’s aimed at adults.
The Negatives: What the hell?! Oh, and for the order: this one’s being directed by the director of Tono to Issho, so it’ll be incredibly cheap.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Tono to Issho Gantai no Yabou

Summary: Random Sketches in the Sengoku Era.
Director: Mankyuu
The Positives: I’m blank on this one.
The Negatives: Oh god no, there’s more? Tono to Issho was ridiculously cheap and poorly executed. Just about everything about it was terrible and boring. And now they’re planning to make more? Also, why is Mankyuu doing two series at once?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Metal Fight Beyblade 4D – (New)

Summary: A new cast of characters take on the continued battle between good and evil. Ginga, our hero, and his group of loyal friends take on a dangerous group called the Dark Nebula. Dark Nebula’s mission is to take over the world and unleash their evil upon it; but before they can do so, they must destroy Ginga as he is the only person that’s strong enough to stand in their way. The plot thickens as friends become enemies and enemies become allies. Everything starts and ends with Ginga as he struggles to find the strength to defend his world and the honor of Beyblade. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: ???
Series Composition: ???
The Positives: Oh god, they’re making more of this?
The Negatives: This basically is the continuation of Metal Fight Beyblade. For those wo haven’t seen it: be glad. I have rarely seen an anime that was so poorly produced. Even for a kids’ show. I only watched its first episode, but it was utterly terrible in every single way: abysmal acting, stupid story, moronic premise and a scenario that felt like it was written by a ten year old.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Ring ni Kakero 1: Sekai Takai-hen

Summary: After defeating Black Shaft’s makeshift Team USA and proving their worth to the Shadow Clan, Team Golden Japan Jr. will finally enter the World Jr. Boxing Tournament. In order to fulfill their goal of a perfect victory they’ll have to take on teams from countries like Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, and the mysterious and godlike Team Greece. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiroshi Ikehata
Series Composition: Yousuke Kuroda
Other Notable Staff: Masami Kurumada (Original Creator)
The Positives: Yosuke Kuroda is good! He adapted many great series, like Ookiku Furikabutte, Gungrave, Madlax, Trigun and many others. Hiroshi Ikehata also isn’t bad as a director: he worked on episodes that ranged from bad to good.
The Negatives: But I had the chance to watch the first two episodes of the third season (Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow). This premise is beyond salvage. It’s a ridiculously cheesy boxing series full of ridiculous moves and badly paced set-ups. The director is different this time, but I don’t see any way for this one to work. And this is already the fourth season of this thing!
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Ore-tachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai

Summary: The game this is based on follows the coming-of-age drama of young people in Yanagihara, a big city where countless people cross paths. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Shinji Ushiro
Series Composition: Takamitsu Kouno
Other Notable Staff: Kumi Ishii (Character Designs)
The Positives: Um, in theory it could have gotten excellent character designs. Kumi Ishii designed the characters of Rozen Maiden, Red Garden and Kurenai. I get the feeling that she didn’t really care about this one, though…
The Negatives: Oh dear lord. How does Shinji Ushiro still get work? All of his series have been atrocious, especially Shukufuku no Campanella and Omamori Himari. Takamitsu Kouno’s only strong point is that he did adapt Hen Zemi quite effectively, but I doubt that we’ll get to see that here.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Jewel Pet Sunshine – (New)

Summary: In Jewel Land, Jewelpets, creatures who has the natural ability to use magic lived in harmony with the Witches, attending the Magic Academy to learn to use magic with their Jewel Eyes. However for Ruby, a white Japanese Hare whose magic sometimes fail, is appointed to go to the Human World to search for her partner. But when she used the card the magicians gave her, she was sent to the Human World by accident. In the Human World, A girl named Akari Sakura met her on the beach on her way to school. At first, Akari can’t understand her due to her Jewel Land Language until Ruby took a special candy so she could speak and understand human language. As the day passes, Ruby knew about her problems and later apologized. A Jewel Charm appeared on Akari’s hand and she realized it that she’s chosen by Ruby to be her partner. After that, she decided to become a student along with Ruby as they were accepted and entered the Jewel Star Grand Prix. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: ???
Series Composition: ???
The Positives: The official staff isn’t known yet, but the series composition of the previous season was written by Michiru Shimada, who can be pretty good at times.
The Negatives: Oh, this series is really starting to get on my nerves now. The first episode of the first season was passable, but then the second season premiered with an utterly terrible episode. The acting was outright horrendous, and now they’re trying to make more? Please, give these kids some actual good series to look forward to…
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Maria Holic Alive

Summary: The story centers on a sophomore named Kanako who enrolls in all-girls school because she has a phobia of men and wants to find her destined yuri partner. She meets a captivating freshman named Mariya who fits her criteria — except her seemingly ideal mate happens to be a cross-dressing sadistic boy. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
The Positives: I’m blank.
The Negatives: It’s a shaft sequel. I have NEVER seen a Shaft sequel that was not significantly worse than the original. And I already didn’t like Maria Holic in the first place!
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Lotte no Omocha

Summary: The story of Lotte no Omocha! revolves around Naoya, a man who is brought to a magical world to be a candidate for the harem of the princess, Astarotte. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Fumitoshi Oizaki
Series Composition: Deko Akao
Other Notable Staff: Mai Otsuka (Character Designs), Akiyuki Shinbo (Series Composition Cooperation), Yui Haga (Original Creator)
The Positives: The director at least has a lot of experience, even though I didn’t really like the series he directed before.
The Negatives: What the hell is Shinbo doing here? Does he need to keep holding Deko Akao’s hand, even though this isn’t for Shaft? I mean, she already is a pretty mediocre scriptwriter, you don’t need to make her more generic. Also, please tell me that we’re not getting the umpth Kugimiya Rie tsundere here…
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Suzy’s Zoo Daisuki! Witzy

Summary: The anime adapts the American greeting card line Suzy’s Zoo from the San Diego-based artist Suzy Spafford. The story will center around a duckling named Witzy and his stuffed animal friends in a verdant backyard. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hidekazu Ohara
Series Composition: Kaori Kita
The Positives: It’s a bit bizarre to have a director who has experience with something like Cannon Fodder to also produce a ton of kids’ shows, but ah well.
The Negatives: That’s what this is, though: a kids’ show, nothing more, nothing less.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Seikon no Qwaser II

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 transforms the academy into the setting for conflict between the various different Qwaser. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiraku Kaneko
Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
The Positives: Boobs.
The Negatives: The staff remained the same. Makoto Uezu is just one of those writers who writes mostly terrible series but once in a while does something good (Sunred, Katanagatari). I don’t think that this will be one of those exceptions.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Kämpfer für die Liebe

Summary: Senou Natsuru is your normal, everyday high school student. However he´s been chosen to be a Kampfer, who´s objective consists on fighting other Kampfer with either guns, swords or magic, however, there´s catch; first you can´t chose if you´re a Kampfer or not, and second, you must have the body of a girl to use your powers. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yasuhiro Kuroda
Series Composition: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
The Positives: It’s going to be really short! Only two episodes. And yeah, the staff worked on some decent and even great series here and there.
The Negatives: If it’s going to be anything like the first series though… oh dear. That was painful to sit through, it had nothing redeemable whatsoever apart from the fact that I couldn’t really complain about the fight animation.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Yu-Gi-Oh! Sexal

Summary: ???
Director: Satoshi Kuwahara
Series Composition: Shin Yoshida
The Positives: You know what the irony is? Shin Yoshida is actually a very good writer when he’s not busy with Yugioh: he wrote Argento Soma, Karas, Zone of the Enders, and episodes of Bakumatsu, the Big O and Texhnolyze.
The Negatives: Whahahaha! That hair! I have to grant it to Toei: they outdid themselves yet again here.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Aria the Scarlet Ammo

Summary: The story takes place in Tokyo Butei High School, a special school where armed detectives — “Butei” — are trained to use weapons. Kinji Tooyama is a second-year-student who has a special ability, but he keeps it a secret to maintain an ordinary, peaceful life. However, when he gets caught in a bombing on the way to school, he encounters H. Aria Kanzaki, the most powerful S-Rank Butei student in Assault Studies. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takashi Watanabe
Series Composition: Hideki Shirane
The Positives: Hideki Shirane is currently also adapting Yumekui Merry and I like the job he’s doing on it.
The Negatives: Takashi Watanabe… is doing the same show twice in two consecutive seasons… Seriously, this sounds exactly like a less bloody Freezing. Also, more Kugimiya Rie Tsundere? Oh please no!
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Sengoku Otome

Summary: Based on a bunch of pachinko games. The original 2008 game re-imagines Japan’s tumultuous sengoku jidai (Era of Warring States) with all of the warriors as female characters. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hideki Okamoto, Nobuto Sakamoto (Art Director)
Series Composition: Touko Machida
Other Notable Staff: Yoshihiro Sekiya (Director of Photography)
The Positives: It has the art director of Porfy no Nagai Tabi (for those of you who didn’t watch it, that series had the most amazingly consistent and accurate background art), plus the director of photography of Baccano and Mushiuta. combine that with a period piece and we might just get a lot of eye candy in the backgrounds here.
The Negatives: But yeah: the creators still are beating a really dead horse here. Re-imagining classical stories while turning all characters into fanservice females already was old when Ikkitousen’s first season did it. We really didn’t need three more seasons, plus Koihime Musou, plus Samurai Girls. The series composition is also written by someone notorious for bad storylines: Touko Machida, who adapted Allison to Lillia, Ookami Kakushi and Idolmaster Xenoglossia, while it’s got the director of Da Capo II. I don’t see this becoming anything more than moe pandering.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi

Summary: The story revolves around Kazuma Hoshino, a boy whose family moves to a new town for the sake of his younger brother’s health. Kazuma gets lost on his way to his new school, but he unexpectedly encounters a girl named Ui Nakatsugawa. Ui guides him, but when Kazuma trips, he accidentally bumps into Ui and kisses her. Plus, Ui’s close friend Ibuki Hinata happens to see the accidental kiss. Kazuma eventually meets Madoka Koumoto (the daughter of a priest at the local shrine), a third-year girl named Tsumugi Toudou, and Tsumugi’s spirited younger sister Koyori. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takenori Mihara
Series Composition: Go Zappa
The Positives: The only thing that intrigues me here is the director: he never directed a full series before, but he has worked on episodes of a wide scala of different series, including Guin Saga, Yumeiro Patissiere and did some of the best episodes of Konnichiwa Anne.
The Negatives: Go Zappa is exactly what this show didn’t need, because considering his track record, he won’t to anything to get rid of the bad premise of this show. I mean, the premise of this show really is terrible and looks like any average harem. You really need to put in effort to make it anything worthwhile, but I’m not seeing that happen.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Sofuteni

Summary: The tennis comedy centers around the members of a female middle school soft tennis team and the twists and turns that their lives take as they aim for the nationals. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Ryouki Kamitsubo
Script: Noboru Kimera, Takamitsu Kouno, Yousuke Kuroda
The Positives: There is some good stuff amongst the ones who are going to be adapting this story, Yosuke Kuroda is an excellent adapter, and Ryouki Kamitsubo is a pretty interesting director with experience on Hen Zemi and Hidamari Sketch 1.
The Negatives: This remains Xebec with another high school show, though. I’m especially saying this because the girls on the promo art for both the manga and anime look like a bunch of complete morons, and I’m really afraid that they’re going to be giving this show their usual treatment.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

A Channel

Summary: The story revolves around the everyday life of four high school girls: the flighty Run, the reckless Tōru, the timid Yūko, and the level-headed Nagi. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Manabu Ono
Series Composition: Tatsuhiko Urahata
The Positives: Tatsuhiko Urahata, among many others, wrote the series composition of Monster. That has to say something.
The Negatives: But yeah… we’ve got the director of Dragonaut and Saki here. They weren’t Gonzo’s worst series, but they were still pretty mediocre. And this guy is going to have to convince us that the lives of four random girls are worth watching. Seriously, if you don’t have anything besides that premise then it’s not going to be the most exciting series!
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Pretty Rythm Aurora Dream

Summary: Based on a shoujo game. In the game, a girl named Rizumu Amamiya aspires to compete in Prism Show, a new sport that combines skating and dancing. Players can collect heart-shaped Prism Stones by winning in the game. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Masakazu Hishida
Series Composition: Deko Akao
Other Notable Staff: Akio Watanabe (Character Designs)
The Positives: I’m finding a hard time finding anything positive about this one. It’s probably not going to be anything terrible, and the staff list is certainly not bad…
The Negatives: … they’re just underwhelming. I never enjoyed any of the series that Deko Akao adapted aside from the first season of Natsu no Arashi and Masakazu Hishida as a director has only worked on some kiddie shows before. This will probably be one of those “meh” shows.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi

Summary: The story follows the tension between a newly recruited manga editor and his tyrannical editor-in-chief — who happen to share a common past. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Chiaki Kon
Series Composition: Rika Nanase
The Positives: Junjo Romantica was really popular so let’s have the creators come together and create exactly the same thing once more. Fair enough from a business perspective…
The Negatives: Personally, my interest in Junjo Romantica faded somewhere in the second season, and I really don’t want to watch more of it. It was good for one season, but got dull fast, and it’s pretty much Studio Deen and its bisies again, a gimmick that they really need to abandon now.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Dog Days

Summary: In the story, Princess Millhiore of the Biscotti Republic decides to summon a brave warrior from an alternate world to defend her country from the neighboring fiefdom of Garrett. The “brave warrior” turns out to be a boy named Sink. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Keizou Kuzakawa
Series Composition: Masaki Tsuzuki
Other Notable Staff: Osama Sakata (Character Designs)
The Positives: It’s a parody, right? I mean, no series can be this stupid and not be a parody, right? Especially with the creators of Nanoha, right? I mean, it’s an original story, for god’s sake.
The Negatives: How on earth did the chief animation director of White Album of all things design characters that look this bad? But yeah, this is one of those series where my main problem lies with the premise and the looks. The staff is pretty good here, I just don’t think they’ll be able to get anything good out of this premise unless they start to parody the heck out of it.
First-Glance Potential: 35%

Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai

Summary: Keima Katsuragi is an avid galge gamer known at his school as “Otamega” (a derogatory term combining the words Otaku and Megane) and on the internet a “The Capturing God.” One day he receives an e-mail offering him a contract to “capture” girls. He accepts thinking it’s a challenge and a demon from Hell named Elsee appears. She asks for his help in capturing runaway spirits that are hiding in “real” girls. He refuses stating he only likes the girls from the game. She tells him that if he refuses then both of their heads will be cut off. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Shigehito Takayanagi
Series Composition: Hideyuki Kurata
The Positives: Hideyuki Kurata… he remains the one who originally thought up Kamichu and Read or Die and wrote Now and Then, Here and There.
The Negatives: He seems to have really lost it during the past half year though, with all these cliched premises. The World God Knows especially was disappointing due its lackluster execution and pacing (which probably was his fault, though don’t take my word on that one). The worst thing is that even the director didn’t change: we still have to deal with that mediocre director of Galaxy Angel and Hime-Sama Goyoujin.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Fireball Charming

Summary: Random sketches during a war between robots and humans. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Wataru Arakawa
Series Composition: Wataru Arakawa
Other Notable Staff: Takayuki Yanase (Character Designs)
The Positives: Wow. I did not watch Fireball, but those designs are looking pretty cool.
The Negatives: Too bad that it’s entirely in 3D, though. And that its episodes are only two minutes long.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Toriko

Summary: In the world of Toriko, many extravagant and delicious ingredients exist in the most dangerous places, and it is up to the Bishoku-ya, or Gourmet Food Providers, to hunt down these animals and plants in the face of danger. Toriko is one such Bishoku-ya, taking his place as one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Bishoku-ya with his immense strength and appetite. Together with Komatsu, a timid chef trianed in the art of preparing food; Coco, the poisonous Bishoku-ya who can see the future; Terry Cloth, the offspring of a clone of the long-extinct Battle Wolf; and many more, Toriko takes on job after job while searching for the foods great enough to make it into his dream full-course meal. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Akifumi Zako
Series Composition: Isao Murayama
The Positives: Half a year ago I watched the Toriko OVA to get a bit of a taste what this was about. It was terrible, but more on that below. The TV-series will be made by completely different people, so perhaps Toei is able to deliver this show with the right execution, because it’s definitely creative. I’ve noticed that they are rapidly assigning new people to do major jobs such as directing and series composition, instead of sticking to the veterans. The result is a director with hardly any experience here aside from being the director of the second part of Fresh Precure and some Heartcatch Precure episodes (including three Heartcatch Precure ones that were quite good), and the script is being written by the guy who wrote half of Kuchuu Buranko and the Precure All Stars Movies.
The Negatives: That also is a negative, yeah: directors with hardly any experience can really go anywhere, especially considering this is a shounen jump adaptation, which often can go quite wrong. I also didn’t like the preview OVA at all, but that mostly lied with the delivery: jokes were badly times, characters were shallow and one dimensional, and the whole gimmick of this show got boring after five minutes. That’s what the TV series really is going to have to avoid here…
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Sket Dance

Summary: The manga is about three highschoolers who start a club called “Sket-Dan” made for the purpose of helping people. The club consists of three members. Himeko Onizuka “yankee”-girl who has a weakness for cute things; Switch a smart, otaku who talks through a computer. And the leader Yuusuke Fujisaki aka Bossun who the creater of the club. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Series Composition: Shinichi Inotsume
The Positives: This is being produced by Tatsunoko Productions, who have quite an interesting history. They’re really old, and responsible for the excellent animation in Irresponsible Captain Tylor, and the Soultaker. For the past ten years though, they’ve been rather quiet and only really done kids shows, along with assistance to some other anime here and there, most notably proposing the original concept for Casshern Sins. So I’m excited to see them finally producing new shows again.
The Negatives: The people behind Nyan Koi aren’t the most solid ones to do it, though, so I really hope that the original manga story is solid (but then again, it is a shounen jump adaptation, so things can go anywhere even if that story is good). I don’t have much faith for the director of Moetan, though…
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Happy Kappy

Summary: The story revolves around Suguri Kinoshita, a nine-year-old third-grade girl who loves animals and making fashion accessories. One day, while Suguri is out buying materials for accessories, she comes across an unusual rock. Thinking it would look cute on a bracelet, she goes to pick up the rock and discovers a creature named Kappy. Kappy happens to be the three-year-old prince of Kapimeshia. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takyua Minazawa
Series Composition: Tomoko Konparu
The Positives: Tomoko Komparu is an excellent scriptwriter for the series composition: if a script is awesome she’ll give it an excellent treatment. She adapted Les Miserables, Genji Monogatari Sennenki, Ashita no Nadja, Nodame Cantabile, Oniisama E, the Hi no Tori movies and the Snow Queen among many others.
The Negatives: We’re talking about an adaptation of a manga aimed at really young girls here, though. The director also is a complete newbie (his only experience before this was as the ASSISTANT director of Penguin no Mondai…).
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Danbooru Senki

Summary: Based on a PSP Game. In the game, you play a boy named Ban Sanya in a world where kids can customize their own mini-robot, called LBX. A mysterious woman gives Ban a super-high powered LBX, Achilles-V, and unsurprisingly, the boy starts winning battles. – (Taken from AnimeVice)
Director: Naohito Takahashi
Series Composition: Atshuhiro Tomioka
Other Notable Staff: Level 5 (Original Producer)
The Positives: From the outside, this looks like another one of those generic Game adaptations for kids. Then I discovered that it has the director of Berserk and Figure 17. Whoa! I’m very interested what this guy can do with a game adaptation by the producers of the Professor Layton games.
The Negatives: Granted though, Naohito Takahashi did work on a number of lesser shows, like Ray, To Heart and Steel Angel Kurumi. The real downside to this series is the one who’s going to write it, though: Atsuhiro Tomioka. This guy couldn’t even properly pace a story if his life depended on it; Zombie Loan, Nishi no Yoki Majo, Disgaea, Trinity Blood: all series that could have been awesome if it wasn’t for this guy.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

Summary: The story revolves around a highschool boy named Niwa Makoto. He lives with his aunt’s family since his parents are away on business. It is there where he meets his mysterious cousin of the same age Touwa Erio — who happens to tie a futon mattress around her upper body and is a self-proclaimed alien. Her staple food is pizza. Erio had been missing for half a year and was found floating in the sea. She doesn’t remember anything about what happened during that period of time, but she began to think that it was the act of an alien and wanders the neighbourhood wrapped in the futon. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
Series Composition: Yuniko Ayana
Other Notable Staff: Asako Nishida (Character Designs)
The Positives: Well, Shaft did get the best character designer they could possibly get. I’m a big fan of Asako Nishida’s designs here. Also, for now it looks like Shinbo is going to direct this show on his own, which is good as well (although this also appeared to be the case with Madoka Magica at first, so the real director will probably be announced in about a month or so). Meanwhile, for Yuniko Ayana this will be her first job after writing episodes for series as Aoi Hana, Shangri-La and Occult Academy, so I’m very curious on how she’s going to adapt a full series.
The Negatives: Shinbo, obviously. The story could become good in the right hands so I hope that he doesn’t stick his nose too much in this. He’s setting another record here by the way: three series in one season.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Honto ni Atta! Reibai-Sensei

Summary: The story revolves around Kibayashi-sensei, a teacher whose hobby is speaking with the dead and whose special talent is exorcism. Kibayashi-sensei knows everything about the other world, but nothing about our own world. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: ?
Series Composition: ?
The Positives: Nothing is known about this one yet aside from the fact that it’s a horror comedy 4-koma adaptation. Has potential, but it all depends on the sense of humour of the ones who will adapt these jokes.
The Negatives: It’s another school series, there are already too many of those.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Hana-Saku Iroha

Summary: The story centers around Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year-old Tokyo native who ended up working at a onsen ryokan (hot spring inn). Matsumae has yet to decide her future. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Masahiro Ando
Series Composition: Mari Okada
Other Notable Staff: Kanami Sekiguchi (Character Designs), Yoshimasa Yamazaki (3D Director)
The Positives: The director of Canaan and Sword of the Stranger is a pretty interesting choice for a slice of life series. Mari Okada also really helps. It’s interesting how PA works is considering this series an appropriate way to celebrate their tenth anniversary. This won’t stand out at all, but as a charming slice of life series, I can see it work.
The Negatives: But please, Mari Okada: go and take a holiday some time…
First-Glance Potential: 60%

X-Men

Summary: The basic concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant sentiment, Professor Xavier created a haven at his Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the benefit of humanity, and to prove mutants can be heroes.[2] Xavier recruited Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast and Jean Grey, calling them “X-Men” because they possess special powers due to their possession of the “X-Gene,” a gene normal humans lack but which gives Mutants their abilities. Early on, however, the “X” in X-Men stood for “extra” power which normal humans lacked. It was alluded that the mutations were incurred as a result of radiation exposure. – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Director: Madhouse always tends to wait announcing the staff of its Marvel series until a few weeks before the airdate.
The Positives: When the four Marvel Series were first announced, the X-men was without a doubt the one I was looking forward to the most. Obviously when Iron Man aired my expectations lowered drastically, but wolverine showed that these four series have totally different people working behind it, and totally different visions. The fact remains after all that it’s a series about adults and Madhouse got permission to do what they wanted with these concepts.
The Negatives: Iron Man, obviously. That is going to be one flop of Madhouse that will take a long time to forget thanks to the fact that it was the first in a series of four. It’s clear that the Marvel series are not on Madhouse’s list of priorities.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Hen Zemi

Summary: Nanako Matsutaka is an innocent university student who is participating in a sexual perversion seminar led by the deviant professor Kenji Meshiya. She desperately tries to keep her morals as well as her sanity while amidst the strange group of students in the study group. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Ryouki Kamitsubo
Series Composition: Takamitsu Kouno
The Positives: The staff is going to be the same as the OVA, so we can pretty much expect the same execution. For those who haven’t seen that one: this show is completely disgusting. Its dialogue really went under my skin when I watched it, in a good way.
The Negatives: There is a ton of sex in this show, so I hope that it won’t be dumbed down. I can really see Xebec force it into yet another moe comedy, which this most certainly isn’t.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Ao no Exorcist

Summary: Based on a supernatural manga. It focuses on Rin Okumura, a boy raised by a famous exorcist named Father Fujimoto. After an argument between the two, Rin discovers he is the son of Satan. Rin decides to fight his fate by joining the True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and defeat demons. However, when he draws his father’s sword, it releases a dark power within him. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Tensai Okamura
Series Composition: Ryota Yamaguchi
Other Notable Staff: Keigo Sasaki (Character Designs)
The Positives: The aptly named Tensai Okamura, of course. You might recall him as the director of Darker than Black. He will at the very least make sure that this story is well and solidly told. Keigo Sasaki also is pretty solid for the script of this series, with more than a decade of experience on many different series.
The Negatives: My big beef with this show is the premise itself, which does sound rather dull, but dull in a way that can get better given enough time. If this show gets 26 episodes it can make some nice things out of that, but with 13 it’s probably doomed.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Gintama 2

Summary: Edo-period at Japan suffers a big cultural shock. First, the aliens invaded the earth, overpowered the nation’s government, disbanded carrying swords for the once proud samurais. moreover; these aliens took the people’s jobs and are currently running a sweatshop using them as laborers. going with the flow, Sakata Gintoki, an enigmatic vagrant samurai whose personal trademark is not only his naturally permed silver hair but also his love of anything sweet and addiction to Shonen Jump is making a life out of this chaotic era. He is self employed in a do-it-all shop named Yoruzuya Gin-chan who offers any job for any amount of money. Their jobs range from searching lost kittens and saving the world. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: ???
Series Composition: ???
The Positives: Gintama one was one of the greatest comedies that ever aired. It wasn’t just hilarious, it kept this up for a hundred episodes. It’s great to see it back after a one year hiatus.
The Negatives: I made a conscious decision to drop it after 120 episodes, though. The reason for this is that at that point, while it still was pretty decent, Gintama had lost the brilliance that made me originally fall in love with it, and I didn’t want to ruin that great image even more. I probably think that this is due to the swap of directors, so I’m really curious who gets into the director’s seat this time. That’s really going to decide whether or not I’m going to follow this one or not, but that information has not been announced yet.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Moshidora

Summary: Based on a 2009 novel. Its title has been translated as ‘What If a Female Manager of a High School Baseball Team Read Drucker’s “Management”?’, centers around a high school girl named Minami Kawashima who becomes the baseball team manager at Tokyo’s Hodokubo High School. Minami accidentally buys Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices — a classic productivity guide by the Austrian-American management guru Peter Drucker — and uses it to rally her dispirited team. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takayuki Hamana
Series Composition: Junichi Fujisaku
The Positives: Well, that premise certainly is bizarre enough to work. With the right execution it could be an interesting combination between a slice of life, baseball and management consulting.
The Negatives: Uh oh, it’s Trans Arts again. They often go with really interesting premises, but they don’t know how to execute them properly. This series also has their flagship director, who only made one good series (Kemono no Souja Erin) and apart from that all disappointments.
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Appleseed XIII

Summary: Appleseed takes place in the 22nd Century, after the non-nuclear Third World War decimates the Earth. While states like Great Britain, France and China have difficulty maintaining order and power, international organizations like the “Sacred Republique of Mumna” and “Poseidon” have been established in the aftermath. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takayuki Hamana
Series Composition: Junichi Fujisaku
Other Notable Staff: Masamune Shirow (Original Creator), Takayuki Goto (Character Designs), Yoshiki Sakurai
The Positives: Ah, Appleseed. I never watched the movies, but I’m very interested in this kind of premise. It’s also got an excellent character designer in Takayuki Goto, who also designed the characters for Ghost in the Shell, Kemono no Souja Erin and Please Save My Earth, among many others.
The Negatives: Please, someone tell me. Why the heck are Takayuki Hamana and Junichi Fujisaku both working on two series at the same bloody time?
First-Glance Potential: 75%

Nichijou

Summary: While the title suggests a story of simple, everyday school life, the contents are more the opposite. The setting is a strange school where you may see the principal wrestle a deer or a robot’s arm hide a rollcake. However there are still normal stories, like making a card castle or taking a test you didn’t study for. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada
The Positives: My favourite of Kyoani’s directors is back again. I personally loved Tatsuya Ishihara’s work on Air, Clannad and the Haruhi Movie, though this seems much more laid back. It’s probably going to be a very interesting slice of life series if they indeed do like what the synopsis predicted and have all kinds of bizarre situations take place, instead of making it as repetitive as Lucky Star was.
The Negatives: Why is Jukki Hanada doing two shows at once? She already is very busy. She’s quite a solid and interesting scriptwriter, but not the most stable one.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Yondemasuyo! Azazel-san – (New)

Summary: Akutabe, a detective, summons devils to solve the troubles of his clients. One day, a low class devil Azazel Atsushi is summoned by Akutabe and is used harshly by him and his assistant Rinko Sakuma. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
Series Composition:
Other Notable Staff: Junichiro Taniguchi (Character Design)
The Positives: More Tsutomu Mizushima (Hare Nochi Guu, Squid Girl, xxxHolic, Ookiku Furikabutte and much more). This time, he’s going to be involved everywhere in this project: he’ll do the direction, the storyboards and the scripts all together. That sounds very ambitious, and the OVA already showed that this premise can get really funny.
The Negatives: Granted, Tsutomu Mizushima is not the perfect comedy director. He often can’t seem to do moe comedies right (Ichigo 100%, Kujibiki Unbalance, Kemeko Deluxe, Dokuro-chan, Dai Mahou Touge; Only Squid Girl was the exception to this rule). Thankfully though, Azazel-san is about summoning demons and the female lead is far from your stereotypical moe heroine. Though she can get quite stupid at times.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Kaiji Hakairoku-hen

Summary: Itou Kaiji is a bum who steals car emblems and slashes tires on what seems to be a regular basis. This routine changes one day when he is paid a visit by a man in a trench-coat. Once the two get talking, it seems that the visitor (Calling himself Endou) is a debt collector. The reason for his visit is an unpaid loan which Kaiji had previously co-signed for a work-mate (Furuhata Takeshi). The original loan was 30000 yen and once Takeshi had disappeared, the loan then fell on Kaiji. Kaiji is then told of a way to clear the interest compounded debt (which stood at 3,850,000 yen), which involved getting on a boat with others in his position. Once on the boat the debtors would then have to gamble with loaned money, which would end with a few winning, and others getting into deeper debt and having to work to pay of their debts. After some coercing kaiji accepts a position on the boat, in order to clear himself and make a bit of money as well… – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yuzo Sato
Series Composition: Hideo Takayashiki
Other Notable Staff: Hideki Taniuchi (Music)
The Positives: Well, this is going to be a definite contender for the most intense show of the season. Unlike Akagi where the atmosphere crept up from behind you, Kaiji lacked any kind of subtlety and was 24 episodes of straight in-your-face yelling and screaming while playing gambling games. The staff is back entirely as well, so it should prove to be a lot old-fashioned entertainment, albeit a bit slow.
The Negatives: Look at the promo picture. Anyone who watched the first season will probably notice something very wrong with that picture… Also, three months ago the director was still majorly screwing up Iron Man, so I hope that he at least got back on his feet before starting with this series again. I’m also not sure whether I’m going to blog this, because last time blogging turned out to be a major annoyance because the pacing was so damn slow.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai

Summary: Six childhood friends grew apart in high school. One of them is Jintan, now a shut-in. He gets a request to fulfill a wish for Menma, the only one of their friends to have stayed the same over the years. In order to grant her wish, he will have to find and reunite their old friends. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
Series Composition: Mari Okada
The Positives: This one’s going to be the next Noitamina. Mari Okada obviously is a solid choice as the scriptwriter, although I’d wish that instead of doing so many shows at the same time (this winter season she’s doing three at the same time), she’d just focus on one and make that stand out, like what she did in the past. The director meanwhile worked on Honey and Clover II and Toradora (which I haven’t seen, but is supposed to be really good). It’s also an anime original project, so that also deserves plus points. The premise also is an excellent one that is bound to have a ton of character development in it.
The Negatives: I’m not sure whether the director is the right person for this series, though: he seems more comfortable with adaptations than original stories (considering that he also directed Idomasster Xenoglossia.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Deadman Wonderland

Summary: Ganta Igarashi has been convicted of a crime that he hasn’t committed, and sent to a new, privately owned and operated prison, where the inmates are the main attraction in a modern day twist to the gladiatorial coliseums of ancient times. Throw in a healthy dose of weird little girl, some new-found super powers, and a little conspiracy theory, and you have Deadman Wonderland. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Koichi Hatsumi
Series Composition: Yasuyuki Muto
Other Notable Staff: Michie Watanabe (Art Director), Takayuki Yanase (Mechanical Design),
The Positives: Manglobe! Let’s hope that they can shine again after The World God Only Knows, and things are already looking good in the graphics department. Michie Watanabe also was the art director of Sarai-ya Goyou, plus Takayuki Yanase desinged for a ton of interesting series. For the director this will be his first full series, but he did handle some excellent episodes of Real Drive, Darker than Black Gemini, Birdy the Mighty Decode 02 and Seirei no Moribito. The series composition will be done by the chief writer of Chevalier, so that’s also promising a lot here.
The Negatives: It should be noted that Yasuyuki Muto also wrote Sengoku Basara and Persona Trinity Soul, which had some major pacing issues. Thank god this isn’t a game adaptation but a regular manga one.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Showa Monogatari

Summary: The series follows the story of Kouhei Yamazuki as he lives in Japan in the 1960s, together with his friends, parents, grandmother, brother and sister. The series follows his every day life, along with some of the major points in his childhood.
Director: Hiroshi Kugimiya
The Positives: Now, I’ve already seen the first four preview episodes of this series, so I can get into a bit more detail of why this series rocks. It’s pretty much a slice of life series about a family in Japan in the 1960s, with a great balance between slice of life and drama that arises out of typical problems of those days. What’s especially good about this series is that it doesn’t just focus on the young boy. The entire family so far has gotten fleshed out and some depth and that made these first four episodes great to watch. Wao World has been making movies that celebrate Japan’s cultural heritage for a few years now (Nitaboh, Furusato Japan and Symphony in August), and I’m really glad that they finally started doing television series.
The Negatives: The show has a low budget, so the animation isn’t anything special. The most annoying part is the voice actor for the lead character, though (the kid, Kouhei): he can’t act!
First-Glance Potential: 85%

Dororon Enma-Kun Meeramera

Summary: Remake of a 1973 TV-series. Emma-kun, Yukiko Hime, and Kapaeru are members of a Demon Patrol that are sent to the human world to arrest demons. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani
Series Composition: Yoshitomo Yonetani
Other Notable Staff: Hiroaki Kitajima (Script), Takahiro Kimura (Character Design, Chief Animation Director), Takashi Nakamura (Art Direction)
The Positives: Holy crap! Takashi Nakamura? The director of Fantastic Children? And he’s doing the art direction here? Awesome! I’m really not sure what to expect of the graphics here: we have the designs of Go Nagai, reworked by the character designer of Code Geass, drawn by Brains Base. It’s proving to be an interesting smörgåsbord in terms of visuals. To make things even better, this basically seems like the pet project of the director of Hoshi no Umi no Amuri and Brigadoon. Also, the soundtrack will be composed by the one who did the music for Tokyo Godfathers. Holy crap, remakes are awesome.
The Negatives: Granted though, that promo art looks silly.
First-Glance Potential: 85%

Tiger & Bunny

Summary: ???
Director: Keiichi Sato
Series Composition: Masafumi Nishida
Other Notable Staff: Yoshihiro Ike (Music), MasaKuzu Katsura (Original Character Designs), Kenji Hayama (Character Designs), Masaki Yamada (Character Designs)
The Positives: Sunrise, and another original TV-series, by the Director of Karas with the character designers of DNA2, Karas and the Armed Librarians? Sign me in, this is what I’ve been waiting for for ages now! The actual story of this one isn’t known yet aside from being about superheroes, but the promo art looks just amazing. Not to mention that it also has one of my favourite composers, Yoshihiro Ike. This is one to keep my eye out for, because it looks ten times better than Heroman.
The Negatives: Masafumi Nishida either is a pseudonym, or has had no anime experience beforehand. Again, this can go anywhere.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Steins;Gate

Summary: Steins;Gate is about a group of friends who have customized their microwave into a device that can send text messages to the past. As they perform different experiments, an organization named SERN who has been doing their own research on time travel tracks them down and now the characters have to find a way to avoid being captured by them. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki, Takuya Sato
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada
Other Notable Staff: Kyuuta Sakai (Character Designs, Chief Animation Director), Nitroplus (Original Creator)
The Positives: The director of Texhnolyze and Shigurui is going to handle this one. It’s awesome to see another project of his, and the whole concept of people who time travel through microwaves holds a ton of potential here. Plus, he’ll be helped by the director of Niea Under 7 and Ichigo Mashimaro, which provides a very solid slice of life base.
The Negatives: Jukki Hanada is really quite solid, but I can’t forget the way in which she ended Kuragehime, so that could be a potential pitfall here. Plus, why is she doing two shows at once?
First-Glance Potential: 95%

[ C ] THE MONEY OF SOUL AND POSSIBILITY CONTROL

Summary: The Japanese government was rescued from the brink of financial collapse by the Sovereign Wealth Fund. For its citizens, however, life has not improved, and unemployment, crime, suicide, and despair are rampant. Kimimaro, raised by his maternal grandmother after the disappearance of his father and the death of his mother, is a scholarship student whose only dream is to avoid all this and live a stable life. One day, however, he meets a man who offers him a large sum of money if he’ll agree to pay it back. From then on his fate is radically altered as he’s drawn into a mysterious area known as “The Financial District.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Kenji Nakamura
Series Composition: Noboru Takagi
Other Notable Staff: Akira Takata (Chief Animation Direction), Takashi Hashimoto,
The Positives: Okay, so how could this possibly get any better? We’ve got Kenji Nakamura of Mononoke and Bake Neko fame, doing an original story, written by the guy who also did the series composition of Durarara, Baccano and Koi Kaze. It’s got two animation directors: the first also directed the animation of Bake Neko, Mononoke and Kuchuu Buranko, the other directed the animation of Durarara, Karas, Natsume Yuujinchou, Ookiku Furikabutte’s Second Season and designed the characters of none other than Haibane Renmei. If that isn’t a dreamteam then I don’t know anymore.
The Negatives: It’s Noitamina, so it’s only going to have 11 episodes. It deserves more!
First-Glance Potential: 100%

Hyouge Mono

Summary: The story is set during Japan’s Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Warring States) and centers on Sasuke Furuta, a vassal of the great warlord Nobunaga Oda and a man obsessed with tea ceremony and material desires in his pursuit of a fortuitous life. Having learned from Oda and the legendary tea master Sen no Soueki, Furuta walks the way of the “Hyouge Mono.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Koichi Mashimo
Series Composition: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
The Positives: Is anyone surprised that I’m looking forward to this? I mean, it’s not only Koichi Mashimo, we finally have another series that dares to go beyond 26 episodes without the need of an intermission. Thirty nine episodes sounds really intriguing, especially since most Bee-Train series are really slow paced, plus the premise of this show sounds awesome on so many levels.
The Negatives: Hiroyuki Kawasaki did adapt Blade of the Immortal, which really did stop in the middle of nowhere. Let’s hope that with 39 episodes, he can be more careful, because he definitely isn’t a bad adapter.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

As usual, with every seasonal preview I also realize a preview that discusses the upcoming movies and OVAs (the ones who are slated for December, January and February in this case). Note that it usually takes nine months for the movies to actually get released, but this seems like a good place to look forward to them. Most of the interesting stuff this season consists out of TV-based movies and OVAs, but in that department there really is a lot of neat stuff. Here is a list of everything you can find on this preview:

This list will NOT cover:
– Live-action (so no Gantz Movie)
– Simple episodes of series of OVAs or Movies that have already debuted (I do not want to repeat myself about Queen’s Blade’s OVAs over and over again). This also includes Tales of Symphonia and Break Blade. Exception to this is when the distance between the different instalments of these episodes is really big or significant (like with the Macross Frontier movies for example) or when they’re completely different from each other like the Votoms Trilogy.

Satelight, Xebec, Sunrise and Madhouse also have some great ambitions in terms of the movies and OVAs here. The season isn’t as full with movies as the current Autumn season, but there still are quite a number of interesting ones to check out.

Isshoni Training 026: Bathtime With Hinako and Hiyoko

Summary: Do you really want me to write this down?
Type: OVA
Director: Shinichiro Kimura
The Positives: The pain will stop once you turn your media player off.
The Negatives: I’ve just lost my faith in people ever stopping to release crap OVAs.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Dreams C Club Pure Songs Clips

Summary: It’s based on an XBox 360 Dating sim: The anime will recreate the heroines of the game with two-dimensional graphics for the Dream C Club Pure Songs Clips, a two-volume DVD/CD collection of character songs and music videos. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: A bunch of animated music videos.
Director: Sasa Fujisawa
Other Notable Staff: Mayumi Watanabe
The Positives: I’m blank.
The Negatives: The sample that they put on their main website looks and sounds utterly terrible. Is this entire project going to be full with that crap? What a cheap cash-in!
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Goulart Knights

Summary: The story begins after mysterious creatures named “Archons” suddenly appear in the world. Humanity faces the threat of annihilation from these creatures. Only the “Chalice,” the source of humanity, can defeat the powerful Archons. So, the humans assemble an Archon-slaying unit from fighters who have the ability to bring forth the Chalice to fight. The ones chosen to fight the Archons with the Chalice as their weapon are called Goulart Knghts. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA to promote a newly formed boy-band.
The Positives: It’s a completely original story, so it could possibly go anywhere with the right writers.
The Negatives: But ah, who am I kidding here: it’s just there to promote four random guys as a cheap cash-in. Their music sounds completely generic and the premise sounds as if it were written by a twelve-year old, there is no way that this is going to work.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Ah Megami-Sama

Summary: Keiichi Morisato is looking forward to university life. But in reality, he has no luck in anything, and he has trouble with clubs, love, etc. The truth is that he has an unlucky star above his head. One day, Keiichi is stuck watching the dorm while his sempai are away, and has a mountain of chores to do to boot. But Keiichi is a good-natured person, and is set about doing his duties. As he is about to finish his final chore, he makes a phone call to his sempai. But the words that came through the receiver are, ‘Goddess Help Line.’ Shortly afterwards, a beautiful goddess named Belldandy appears in front of him from the mirror of his room. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA, Shipped with a Manga Volume
Director: Hiroaki Gouda
The Positives: Is this one still going on?! Ah well, it’s got the same director and likely also the same staff behind it, so if you liked Ah Megami-sama’s previous anime instalments then you’ll like this one.
The Negatives: How much can you squeeze out of a premise like that anyway? At the moment, there are already 42 different volumes of Ah Megami-sama’s manga. Is it really that good of a story that it warrants such a long running time?
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Fortune Arterial OAD

Summary: – (Taken from )
Type: Original Anime DVD, bundled by manga volume
The Positives: Thankfully Fortune Arterial’s story turned out to be pretty good…
The Negatives: ..but what can they do with just one episode, meant to “commemorate the fact that it got made into an anime”? Most of the useless fluff of Fortune Arterial’s anime was hard to watch anyway, so are they really planning to make an entire episode with just nothing but that or something?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Bleach – Jigoku-hen

Summary: The Jigoku-Hen subtitle signifies that the story takes place in a place unvisited by Tite Kubo’s original manga, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Other Notable Staff: Kubo Tite (original creator, supervision)
The Positives: It’s only a movie, so the battles can’t drag on for as long as they did in the series. Kubo Tite is actually supervising the production of the movie, so it’ll probably be adding something to the world of Bleach, rather than being a pointless random side-story.
The Negatives: There really is a good and a bad Pierrot. The bad Pierrot is what I consider to be Naruto and Bleach, and Naruto at least has some good character-development. Bleach started off as a hilarious series, but after thirty episodes it started to drag on its fights on and on. After ninety episodes, I finally gave up on it. Furthermore, just look at the promo art here: all of the characters look like they’re incredibly constipated!
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Yuri Seijin Naoko-san

Summary: The surreal gag manga follows a quiet, timid girl named Misuzu whose older sister Naoko is returning from studying aboard. However, when she hurries home to meet her sister, Misuzu instead encounters Naoko-san, the strange alien from Yuri-sei (Yuri Planet) who loves eroticism, yuri, and girls. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA Included with Manga Volume
Notable Staff: All we know is that Ufotable will be producing it.
The Positives: The manga has been running for five years, so that must mean that there’s at least enough material for such a premise, right?
The Negatives: But really: are people running out of ideas or something? The “Yuri planet”… there is so much wrong with that and I can only hope that the creators realize this as well…
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Princess Resurrection OAD

Summary: Hiro Hiyorimi is a boy who has just moved to the city to meet his sister. While walking down the sidewalk, he is suddenly hit by a car (crushed by construction beams in the anime). On the verge of death, he is seen by a young woman clad in gothic clothes. She then resurrects him, leaving him alive in the hospital morgue. He wakes up confused over what happened, only to encounter the woman again as she eliminates some wolf creatures. She addresses Hiro as “her servant” and introduces herself as “Hime” (Japanese for Princess). The story then follows Hiro as he assists Hime in killing creatures that have been sent by her siblings to attack her. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: An Original Anime DVD
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Storyboard: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Other Notable Staff: Kukido Sadakata (Character-designs, Animation Director)
The Positives: The original TV series was completely generic (or at least the first two episodes were, before I gave up on it), but the staff behind the OVA is completely different here. The visuals seem a lot more interesting with the same character-designer from Shikabane Hime.
The Negatives: The director is really generic, with his only good work Zettai Karen Children (and perhaps also Hayate the Combat Butler, but I didn’t really like that one either). His other works include Yutori-chan, Moetan, Kowarekake no Orgol, Nyan Koi and Getsumen to Heiki Mina. I really don’t think that he can make this story any less generic than its anime counterpart.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu OVA

Summary: Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 2 Episode OVA
Director: Shin Oonuma
Series Composition: Katsuhiko Takayama
Other Notable Staff: Kouji Azuma (Art Director)
The Positives: Katsuhiko Takayama’s work on Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru, Ga-Rei Zero, Hantsuki and the first seasons of ef and Natsu no Arashi was very solid. Same goes for Shin Oonuma on Pani Poni Dash and Natsu no Arashi and ef’s first seasons, and finally he can do something without Shinbo.
The Negatives: I didn’t like the TV-series of Baka to Test much, though. It felt like it wasted all of its best jokes in its first episode, and quickly got repetitive and annoying afterwards.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai

Summary: The main character, Endou Mamoru, is a very talented goalkeeper and the grandson of one of the strongest goalkeepers in Japan, who died before he was born. Even though his skills are incredible his school lacks a real soccer club as the 6 other members don’t appear very interested even in training. But as soon as a mysterious forward called Gouenji moves to Endou’s town, the young goalkeeper sets out to find and recruit members for his soccer team. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Yoshikazu Miyao
Series Composition: Atsuhiro Tomioka
Other Notable Staff: Akihiro Hino (Original Creator)
The Positives: I didn’t watch Inazuma Eleven (heck, it’s been going on for two years now and there’s still no end in sight), but I can really see this work as a movie here: it’s basically just an incredible cheese-fest in which a bunch of kids use the most ridiculous powers while playing football: this can really work as an over the top brainless action movie.
The Negatives: Atsuhiro Tomioka has no sense of pacing! Just look at Good Witch of the West, Makai Senki Disgaia and Zombie Loan: all of them could have been so much better if they were actually paced properly.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

T.P. Sakura ~Time Paladin Sakura~ Jikuu Boueisen

Summary: The project is a spinoff from the developer’s D.C. ~Da Capo~ franchise and features the Sakura Yoshino character as a seemingly ordinary third grader with secret special powers. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA
Director: Takehiro Nakayama
Series Composition: Naoki Tozuka
Other Notable Staff: Makoto Koga (Character designs, Animation Director)
The Positives: They did get a pretty experienced guy as the animation director. His works include Aria the Animation, Sola and a bunch of Cardcaptor Sakura episodes. The director has also never directed an anime before, so this could be interesting, as he worked on quite a number of interesting projects. The scriptwriter meanwhile did write a bunch of episodes of Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou, so perhaps he’ll be able to put the same charms into this OVA.
The Negatives: I’m getting a bit tired of the milking of that Da Capo franchise, though. And if you’re going to start with a spin-off, please to an imaginative one instead of such an uninspired mahou shoujo knock-off.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Morita-san wa Mukuchi

Summary: The four-panel manga follows the everyday life of a high school girl named Mayu Morita who is exceedingly gentle and thoughtful, to the point that she does not say much of anything to anyone. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA (2 episodes have been confirmed), bundled with Manga Volume
The Positives: Nothing is really known about who is going to adapt this manga or anything, but the premise could turn into a gentle slice of life series.
The Negatives: I’m not exactly sure what’s up with the promo images, by the way. They just were there on the main website of this OVA, but I hope that they look a bit more… detailed than just that…
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Mirai Nikki

Summary: High school 2nd year, Amano Yukiteru, is a boy who has problem making friends. He thinks of himself as a bystander and will always write down everything he sees in a cell phone diary. Tormented by solitude, Yukiteru began to imagine things like a friend called Deus X Makina who is apparently the Lord of Time & Space. Seeing Yukiteru’s miserable state, Deus gives him a new ability. His diary will now record events that will happen in the near future. Yukiteru is then forced to participate in a game which the winner will become Deus’s successor. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Pilot OVA bundled with Manga Volume
Director: Naoto Hosoda
Script: Katsuhiko Takayama
Other Notable Staff: Eiji Hirayama (Character-designs)
The Positives: Everything is pointing to the fact that this is a pilot, meant to test whether or not Mirai Nikki will work as an anime. The premise of a diary that predicts the future does have a lot of potential in the right hands. Katsuhiko Takayama is a pretty good adapter, considering his works on Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru, Natsu no Arashi and ef.
The Negatives: The director and character-designer of Shuffle worry me a bit, though.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Mai no Mahou to Katei ni

Summary: In the story, eight-year-old second-grader Mai Tatsumi uses magic to understand her family’s feelings. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 30 Minute OVA
The Positives: This one isn’t listed on Moonphase yet, but I decided to include it anyway. An OVA either for kids or nostalgic adults, it seems promising anyway, especially since it’s from PA Works.
The Negatives: But then again, the exact adaptation staff is not known yet, so it could really be a flop as well.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Kara no kyoukai Final Chapter

Summary: Mikiya Kokuto finds himself intrigued by two things. The first is by Shiki Ryougi a beautiful, yet rather unsociable, girl and the other is the strange series of violent deaths that start occurring in his town. As he attempts to get closer to Shiki, he soon learns that the two are connected and that there are many supernatural forces at work which could very likely get him killed as well. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 30 Minute BD OVA
Director: ???
Script: ???
Other Notable Staff: Kinoko Nasu (Original Creator)
The Positives: More Kara no Kyoukai is of course always welcome, even though I have absolutely no idea what it’ll be about.
The Negatives: I mean, the movies were fairly conclusive, weren’t they? This Final Chapter isn’t even a movie, but an OVA, and it is shipped along with a 60-minute recap of the first seven Kara no Kyoukai movies.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Macross Frontier – Sayonara no Tsubasa

Summary: Macross Frontier marks the 25th anniversary of the Macross anime franchise. It is a direct sequel to the first Macross series and Macross 7 and follows the lives of Alto Saotome, Ranka Lee and a pop idol named Sheryl Nome on board the Macross Frontier colonization fleet. After the war against the Zentradi aliens, Humankind has spread across the universe in order to ensure its survival. The Macross Frontier fleet is part of a effort to spread and maintain the culture of humanity. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie (Part 2 of a Do You Remember Love-esque remake)
Director: Shoji Kawamori (Yes, he’s actually directing on his own this time)
Screenplay: Shoji Kawamori, Hiroyuki Yoshino
Other Notable Staff: Yoko Kanno (Music)
The Positives: The first Macross Frontier Movie was a really big surprise: it was much shorter than the TV-series, but actually much better: it was much more streamlined, the graphics were even better, the characters were nowhere as annoying. It’s now up to Sayonara no Tsubasa to continue this trend to make it really work and not give us the cop-out ending that the TV-series treated us with.
The Negatives: Hiroyuki Yoshino wrote the scripts and scenarios of Mai Hime and Mai Otome, Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny, Sora no Oto, Seikon no Qwaser, Denpa-Teki na Kanojo, Dance in the Vampire Bund and assisted in the series composition of Code Geass R1 and R2. Holy crap: when this guy is good, he really is great; when he’s bad, things become a trainwreck!
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Votoms Finder

Summary: Votoms Finder will center around Aki Tesuno, a guard for scrap salvagers and a pilot of a robotic mecha called an At or Altro (as opposed to VOTOMS’ trademark Armored Trooper mecha). – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie (second of a trilogy)
Director: Atsushi Shigeta
Script: Mayori Sekijima
Other Notable Staff: Junichi Hayama (Character designs, animation and art director)
The Positives: The fun part of the three Votoms movies of course is the fact that they’re going to be completely different. The Votoms Franchise has really gotten itself a unique conclusion when it already was a unique series, and this movie will detail more of a side story in the universe of Votoms. The director also has his first shot at directing something, and before this production he only worked as an animator and animation director before. I’m really interested what he’s able to do with this franchise. Mayori Sekijima meanwhile also wrote the Soultaker, Zegapain and Gad Guard and adopted Skip Beat, Pandora Hearts and le Portrait de Petit Cosette, so this should prove to be really interesting.
The Negatives: But yeah, the thing remains that Ryousuke Takahashi isn’t going to be involved with this one, while he was the big reason that Votoms became so good. Junichi Hayama behind the visuals doesn’t seem like the most solid choice, and you can see that in the rather cheesy promo art. Mayori Sekijima also did adapt a bunch of flops.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Fafner: Dead Agressor: Heaven and Earth

Summary: – (Taken from )
Type: Movie
Screenplay: Tow Ubukata
Other Notable Staff: Angela (Theme Song Performance)
The Positives: I have not watched the original Fafner in the Azure, but I’m really looking forward to watching it, as it sounds like an awesome action series. The same goes with this movie, and I’m very interested in what Xebec can do to it. Especially because Tow Ubakata also wrote the original stories of Mardock Scramble and Le Chevalier d’Eon.
The Negatives: Okay, so he also was the one who wrote the series composition of Heroic Age. That’s about the only reason why I’m a bit cautious about it, but as soon as I get the chance to watch the series of Fafner, I’m going to track this one down.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Tailenders

Summary: The destiny of Tomoe Shiro, a formidable racer with a very promising career, experiments an U-turn when a serious accident puts his life at stake. He recovers miraculously, though, when his heart is replaced with the engine of his own racing car. However, because of that very reason, race regulations demote him to the category of a mere mechanical part of the vehicle and is deprived from the right to participate as a pilot in regular races. Only in a far away colonial planet, along with a multitude of other charismatic pilots also vetoed from participating in regular competitions, he will be given the opportunity to race for his pride and the money of the prize. And so this exciting rally starts!! – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 28-Minute Movie
Director: Picograph
Producers: Anime Innovations Tokyo
The Positives: Oh god, I love Anime Innovatitons Tokyo already: this premise sounds even better than Cencoroll’s. Here’s hoping that they’ll be able to do many more projects after this.
The Negatives: They’re like Studio 4C, though: very creative and innovative, but their projects are often really short. This one is just going to be 28 minutes, and I’d love to see them sponsor some actual TV-series.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Supernatural the Animation

Summary: Two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, team up to find their father, John, who went missing on a hunting trip. However, their father isn’t a typical hunter: he hunts supernatural creatures like ghosts, vampires, and various demons and he’s trained his sons to do the same. Along the way, Sam and Dean save innocent people, fight creatures and ghosts, and collect clues to their father’s whereabouts. – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Type: 22 Episode OVA
Director: Atsuko Ishizuka, Shigeyuki Miya
Script: Sumino Kawashima, Akemi Moriyama
Other Notable Staff: Shusei Murai (music), Takahiro Yoshimatsu (character-designs, animation director),
The Positives: Holy crap! Where to start: Shusei Murai was the one who composed Mouryou no Hako’s haunting soundtrack, there are a ton of people who worked on Aoi Bungaku who are going to return for this one, including the directors of Kokoro and Hell Screen and the Spider’s Thread, Sumino Kawashima did some amazing work on the screenplay of Hashire Melos and a bunch of Himitsu the Revelation episodes and to top things off we have the character designer of Trigun and Ooedo Rocket in charge of the animation. On top of that, with 22 episodes this is promising to become the longest OVA since Legend of Galactic Heroes or something, and the creators will be animating the best episodes of the TV-series, along with some completely new ones. This really is one to look out for.
The Negatives: I have not watched anything of the Supernatural series. Would that be a disadvantage, or an advantage? Do the creators plan to create a standalone story here, or are they just going to end up animating a bunch of random episodes?
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Armored Trooper Votoms: Koei Futatabi

Summary: At an oasis, Chirico (the main character of the VOTOMS series) will reunite with his old friend Gotho and other characters after 32 years. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Director: Kazuyoshi Takeuchi, Ryousuke Takahashi
Script/Storyboard: Masashi Ikeda
Other Notable Staff: Masanobu Nomura (Art Direction)
The Positives: Hell yeah, I’m a big Votoms fan here, and based on the way that the Gen-ei hen is playing out, the creators are intending this to be the movie to conclude the entire franchise. Unlike the first two movies of the trilogy, this is one that Ryousuke Takahashi will be involved in as the director, which only makes things even better.
The Negatives: Why the heck is the director of Cluster Edge writing the script?
First-Glance Potential: 90%

The upcoming Winter Season will suck? Hell no! In fact, I see no way in which it isn’t going to be able to be better than the Winter of 2010. I’m actually very much looking forward to it.

I’d like to call it the season of mysteries: there are a ton of series that really can go anywhere, from bad to awesome. There are a lot of question marks in this season, but at the same time there are very few series that are completely hopeless at first sight. There are also 21 series, which is the highest of a small season since Winter 2009. What really intrigues me about this season how just about every series has the potential to become something really interesting.

It’s most of all a season for teenagers and romance, but there is a wide variety of different genres with action, science fiction, slice of life, mystery, historical, comedy and mahou shoujo. There also are a ton of different animation producers involved with just one series, ranging from the old veterans like JC Staff, Madhouse and Production IG to a lot of newcomers like David Production, Bridge and 8-Bit. Busiest will be Studio Deen (3 series) and Studio Pierrot (if you include shows carrying over from previous season, they’ll be working on a whopping six different series). The studios who impressed me the most while composing this preview were David Production, Pierrot, Shaft, 8-Bit and Xebec, the studios who impressed me the least were Zexcs, Studio Deen and Madhouse. Surprisingly absent are still Satelight and Sunrise.

The biggest problem with this season is that there are A TON of teenagers: only two series revolve around adults, and one of them is Wolverine. It’s also a season of rather generic character-designs, but instead there are a ton of interesting art directors, plus some of my favourite music composers are also involved here.

As usual, I tried to collect the information about each of the airing series, followed by a number of personal impressions. I don’t claim to be right with any of these impressions, especially considering how I have not read the source material of any of them. I can only comment on what I’m familiar with, which is the people who are going to adapt these stories, animate them and give life to their characters. If you want an impression of the source material of these series, I suggest you to find some sort of blog whose owner does read manga/games and light novels.

Oniichan no Koto Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara Ne—!!!

Summary: I refuse to write this down.
Director: Keitarou Motonage
Series Composition: Koyuri Ouba
The Positives: The director is mostly crap, but he is currently directing Katanagatari, which shows that he can really adapt a good story.
The Negatives: Just… no.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Cardfight!! Vanguard

Summary: It’s a series based on a children’s card game.
Other Notable Staff: Jam Project (OP)
The Positives: At least we’ll be getting an energetic and hot blooded OP.
The Negatives: Seriously, how long are they going produce these cheap Yugioh rip-offs?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Starry Sky

Summary: The heroine, Tsukiko, enrolled to a school that was recently changed from all-boys school to co-ed. Since the area where the school is conveniently rural and the rather exclusive curriculums the school has, up until now the heroine is the only one female who enrolled to the school. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Nobuhiro Takamoto
Series Composition: Makoto Nakamura
The Positives: Um, the series composition guy worked on at least a bunch of good series (the Air and Clannad movies, the Snow Queen)
The Negatives: OH GOD NO! Not Nobuhiro Takamoto! How many more series must he ruin after Hatenkou Yuugi, Ookami Kakushi and 07-Ghost? I liked his work on Sasami Mahou Shoujo Club, but after that this guy completely lost it. How does he still get work? And in fact, why does Studio Deen still go with this stupid of a premise?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft

Summary: The story centers around Nyarlathotep, a formless Cthulhu deity who can take on the shape of anyone it wishes, but particularly the shape of a seemingly ordinary silver-haired girl. Mahiro Yasaka is a normal high school student who is chased by aliens one night, until “Nyaruko” saves him. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Azuma Tan
The Positives: A couple of months ago, they made an OVA about this one. Apparently it was popular enough to warrant an actual TV-series. It’s also entirely done in flash.
The Negatives: I have not watched those OVAs, but with flash they do sound rather cheap. The producers also haven’t really worked on anything notable, and their only other experience is from a bunch of forgettably dull children’s comedies.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Wolverine

Summary: Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing factor that allows him to recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin at an accelerated rate. – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Director: All we know is that Rintaro directed the pilot.
The Positives: The trailer, indeed, looks amazing. Why can’t Rintaro direct the entire series?
The Negatives: Usually, I’d be really looking forward to this series. But yeah: Iron Man. Both Iron Man and Wolverine were made in a time in which Madhouse concentrated just about all of its talent on finishing the movie Redline. All I’m asking for now is for this show to at least not have the same sloppy script that Iron Man has. Is that too much to ask?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Beelzebub

Summary: The story follows the “strongest juvenile delinquent”, Oga Tatsumi, a first year in “Ishiyama High” the school for delinquents. One day while sleeping next to a river he sees a man floating down it, he pulls him to shore and the man splits in half revealing a baby boy. This boy is the son of the demon king and he has been chosen as the one to raise it with the baby’s demon maid Hilda. The story follows his life with the child and at the delinquent school. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Nobuhiro Takamoto
Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
The Positives: I really like that Studio Pierrot is finally doing a lot of other projects again aside from Naruto and Bleach. The manga is also supposed to be hilarious, so I’m intrigued.
The Negatives: But dear god, could they perhaps have chosen a bit of a better staff to do it? Nobuhiro Takamoto has no idea how to correctly adapt a source material (that was at least my impression from watching his adaptations) and why is he doing two shows this season? Masahiro Yokotani isn’t really much better with his work on World Destruction, Maria Holic and Reideen (though granted his smaller works are a bit more interesting).
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?

Summary: The story centers around a lazy high school boy named Ayumu Aikawa who gets killed during a spate of mysterious serial killings. However, Ayumu is resurrected as a zombie by a necromancer girl named “Yuu” (Eucliwood Hellscythe), who Ayumu had just met before dying. Ayumu reawakens in a world surrounded by “masou shoujo” (magically equipped girls) and vampire ninja. Ayumu is assigned the duties of a masou shoujo by a magical warrior girl named Haruna. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takaomi Kanesaki
Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
Other Notable Staff: Shigeru Morita (script), Machida Touko
The Positives: This show has a pretty interesting scriptwriter: he did research on the settings of various mecha series (what the heck he’s doing at a mahou shounen/shoujo like this I don’t know, though).
The Negatives: The rest of the staff is a bit of a mess, though: the director only directed Macademi Wasshoi before, the series composition is written by a guy whose works range from Katanagatari and Tentai Senshi Sunred to Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka, Amaenaideyo, School Days, Seikon no Qwaser and Tayutama, while Machida Touko worked on series ranging from GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class and Muteki Kanbanmusume to Allison to Lillia, Ookami Kakushi and Lucky Star. Sure, it’s not a complete recipe for disaster… but it’s quite close.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Suite Precure

Summary: The Eighth Precure Series.
The Positives: Nothing is really known yet, so all we can do is wait until they announce the staff. If it is as good as Heartcatch Precure though, then we’re in for something awesome.
The Negatives: Toei is getting notorious for its sequels, though: a good example of this is Marie & Gali 2.0 and Digimon Xros Wars: the fact that they made one great series says nothing about its sequel.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Houkago no Pleiades

Summary: By Gainax and Subaru – The Pleiades is the English name for the star cluster that the Japanese call “Subaru” — the origin of the car maker’s name and six-star logo. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Shouji Saeki
Other Notable Staff: Hiroshi Kato (Art Director)
The Positives: I really am not sure why a famous car brand is targeting otaku of all people. Still, it holds potential. The director did direct some of the best parts of FLCL, plus the art director is an incredibly experienced guy. That also really helps.
The Negatives: I have not seen “This Ugly Yet Beautiful World” and “He is My Master”, but I’m a bit concerned here, as they’re considered the two worst things that Gainax produced.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Dragon Crisis

Summary: Kizaki’s story begins when a high school boy named Ryūji is dragged by his cousin Eriko to rescue a girl from black-market dealers. The blue-eyed “girl” turns out to be a dragon who is inexplicably fixated on Ryūji — following him even when he is bathing and sleeping. Ryūji has to protect the girl from the black-market dealers and others. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hideki Tachibana
Series Composition: Hideyuki Kurata
Other Notable Staff: Masashi Ishihama (character-designs, animation director)
The Positives: We’re getting a pretty interesting animation director here paired up with Studio Deen: Masashi Ishihama previously directed the animation of Read or Die and the Girl who Leapt Through Time, along with a ton of other interesting stuff. Hideyuki Kurata also still intrigues me, even though his works from the current season (Ore no Imouto and TWGOK) failed to live up to his standards. He did write Now and Then, Here and There, Brigadoon, Kamichu and Sasameki Koto, after all.
The Negatives: I do fear that Hideyuki Kurata is putting too much on his plate, though. And as with The World God Only Knows, he’s again stuck with a mediocre director, as Hideki Tachibana’s only other direction experience was H2O…
First-Glance Potential: 50%

GOSICK

Summary: The novels are set in 1924 in the small Alpine country of Sauville, where Kazuya Kujo studies abroad at the Saint Marguerite Academy. Kazuya joins forces with Victorique, a girl with deductive powers that rival Sherlock Holmes’, to solve mysteries. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hitoshi Nanba
Series Composition: Mari Okada
Other Notable Staff: Kotaro Nakagawa (will do the music)
The Positives: Mari Okada is an excellent scriptwriter: she’s got guts, she’s solid and is overall pretty dynamic…
The Negatives: …but Holy Hell is she busy this season. I mean, if Otome Youkai Zakuro goes on for two seasons she’ll be working on four series at the same time. What the heck? I’m also not really fond of the whole premise and the punny title (Gosick, Gothic, har har). Plus, we’re getting the director of Heroman. Yeah.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Kimi ni Todoke Second Season

Summary: Kuronuma Sawako is nicknamed Sadako due to her resemblance to the girl from the Japanese horror movies “The Ring”. Shunned by her classmates, her life starts to change after she befriends Shōta Kazehaya, a very popular boy in her class. Kuronuma Sawako’s one wish in life is to make friends. That’s a difficult proposition when everyone who meets her cowers in terror. She admires her classmate, Kazehaya-kun, a popular, easygoing and 100% refreshing guy who is nice with everyone, even with her. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Hiro Kaburaki
Series Composition: Tomoko Konparu
The Positives: Granted, Kimi ni Todoke is a very pretty shoujo series: Production IG really put in effort to make the first season look as crisp as possible, and this trend will likely continue onto the second. The script itself will also be pretty good, becuase Tomoko Konparu has a ton of experience as a writer on series as Les Miserables, Kodocha, Nodame Cantabile, Genji Monogatari Sennenki and Ashita no Nadja.
The Negatives: The problem though is the whole set-up of this series: it’s just such a cheesy shoujo flick where hardly anything out of the ordinary happens. It could be much worse, though. I’m definitely looking forward to this series more than Starry Sky.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Freezing

Summary: The story revolves around Kazuya, a boy who lost his sister in humankind’s fight against beings from another dimension. He enrolls in Genetics, a military academy for combat training against the dimensional beings. There, a group of girls known as “Pandora” prepare to fight the unknown enemy. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Takashi Watanabe
Series Composition: Masanao Akahoshi
Other Notable Staff: Satoru Kuwabara (Art Director), Seiichi Morishita (Director of Photography)
The Positives: I’m intrigued by that art director: his style is the complete opposite of what you’d expect for such a generic-sounding fanservice fighting series. Same goes for the director of photography. In fact, everything about the staff here is intriguing: the direction and the series composition guy have both made series that range from awesome to incredibly dull: Takashi Watanabe directed Boogiepop Phantom, Starship Operators and Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou, Masanao Akahoshi adapted Letter Bee, Soukou no Strain, and co-wrote Zone of the Enders.
The Negatives: But yeah, Takashi Watanabe also directed Shana, Lost Universe, Ikkitousen and Slayers Revolution, while Masanao Akahoshi also was behind the adaptations of Railgun, Viper’s Creed and Ikkitousen Great Guardians. Add to that that ACGT is just about the most generic you can get in terms of graphics, and you’ve got yourself a series that really can go anywhere.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Hourou Musuko

Summary: Shuichi Nitori appears to be a shy and quiet preteen boy, when he transfers to a new school he quickly makes friends with the tomboyish Yoshino Takatsuki who sits next to him. It soon becomes apparent that both Shucihi and Yoshino are more than simply a sensitive boy and masculine girl, they both are transgendered. Together they decide to take the first steps toward becoming the people they want to be. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Ei Aoki
Series Composition: Mari Okada
Other Notable Staff: Takako Shimura (original creator), Akira Ito (Art Director)
The Positives: The source material which was written by he author of Aoi Hana really makes such a dull sounding premise worth watching. The art director of Baccano and Durarara also promises a lot of interesting things here. Mari Okada as the scriptwriter should really be able to get the best out of that source material…
The Negatives: …if she wasn’t so goddam busy. I’m also not sure whether the director of Girls Bravo is good on a cross-dressing series, but his work on Ga-Rei Zero shows that he can do much more than blatant fanservice.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Mitsudomoe 2nd Season

Summary: Newly hired elementary school teacher Satoshi Yabe is assigned to class 6-3, room of the extremely problematic Marui triplets: Futaba, Mitsuba, and Hitoha. Newly hired teacher Satoshi Yabe is terrorized by his new students the Marui triplets. Satoshi Yabe alias Yabe-cchi is just starting his new life as an elementary school teacher. On his first day of work he falls in love immediately with the natural airhead School Nurse, little does he know that in his assigned class the law is made by the Marui triplets. Can Yabe-cchi survive this ordeal or will the three sisters get the best of him … – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Masahiko Outa
Series Composition: Takashi Aoshima
The Positives: 8 episodes! That means that they have really put some thought into how much material they still have left. The whole staff of the first season will also be working on the second season. It had its flaws, but when it was funny, it really was hilarious.
The Negatives: Still, there are very few comedy sequels that actually manage to be as good as their predecessors. The first season was already getting repetitive, so how will the second season solve this?
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Infinite Stratos

Summary: Infinite Stratos (IS), a weaponized exoskeleton system, has become the dominant tool of warfare and conflict. Unfortunately for the men in society, only women are able to operate Infinite Stratos… with very few exceptions. One of those exceptions is ORIMURA Ichika, an orphan raised by his older sister who is herself a famous IS pilot. When his compatibility with IS is discovered after he accidentally touches an IS at the age of 15, he’s given a scholarship and enrolled in a school that specializes in training IS pilots. Which of course means an… interesting life surrounded by girls for this shy, unassuming boy. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yasuhito Kikuchi
Series Composition: Fumihiko Shimo
Other Notable Staff: Hikaru Nanase (Music), Chinatsu Houjo (script/screenplay), Shunichiro Yoshihara
The Positives: Fresh blood: 8-Bit finally decided to adapt their own series, which is always nice. The character-designs are terrible, but the background art is going to be gorgeous, not to mention that Hikaru Nanase is one of my favourite composers. The director of Macross Frontier needs to pay attention to not dabble into romance too much, but I’m very interested in what he can do without Shoji Kawamori’s influence. Plus, we have the guy who wrote the adaptations of Air and Clannad.
The Negatives: Though granted, Fumihiko Shimo did write a bunch of stories I did not like, like Burst Angel and Gravion… Not to mention that the premise at first sight reeks of those two. I’m willing to give this one the benefit of doubt at this point, though. It seems ambitious enough for that.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Summary: Madoka is an kind, friendly, but ordinary second-year middle school girl. She wonders aloud what she should do if she can grant whatever you may wish through magic. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
Series Composition: Gen Urobuchi
Other Notable Staff: Yuki Kujiura (Music), Takashiro Kishida
The Positives: Shinbo again, but really: for the first time since bloody ages he’s actually directing again, instead of slapping his name on top of an already existing director again. Plus, the character-designer of Noein? Yuki Kajiura behind the music? I’m definitely intrigued here. On top of that, we’ve got the series that is written by the original creator of Phantom, who also wrote the series Blassreiter. This might just well be the series to really remove the bias I currently have about Shinbo.
The Negatives: So really, don’t screw this one up, Shinbo. It’s a mahou shoujo, but this feels like it’s going to be the most unique Shaft-series since ef (it’s certainly is the first Shaft series that I’m actually looking forward to since a LONG time). Don’t ruin this by making it a flimsy Tsukuyomi Moon Phase clone or something.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Fractale

Summary: The story is set on an island at the far reaches of a continent where the “Fractale System” is on the brink of collapse. A boy named Kurain embarks on a journey to search for Furyune — a girl who disappeared, leaving behind only a pendant. Kurain will eventually learn the secrets of the “System.” – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Yutaka Mamamoto
Series Composition: Mari Okada
Other Notable Staff: Isao Hayashi (Mechanical Designs), Yuusuke Tanaka
The Positives: Very interesting people behind the designs, and I must admit that this is one of the more interesting premises of the season. Mari Okada also really helps…
The Negatives: …but again, she’s so incredibly busy this season. The director of Kannagi has potential here, though he does have a tendency to focus too much on moe. But then again, the story here seems a lot more interesting than with Kannagi.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Yumekui Merry

Summary: It’s about a high school boy named Yumeji Fujiwara who has the mysterious power to see other people’s dreams or nightmares. One day, he meets Merry, a beautiful girl who came from the world of dreams. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Series Composition: Hideki Shirane
Other Notable Staff: Masahiro Fujii (Character Designer)
The Positives: When I first read the premise, I didn’t think much behind it. But SHIGEYASU YAMAUCHI!? The director of Casshern Sins? This guy can even make crap like Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu be good.
The Negatives: The scriptwriter is… mediocre. He neither wrote really bad nor really good series. We’ve also got the character-designs of Zero no Tsukaima…
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Rio – Rainbow Gate!

Summary: It’s a Pachinko Game Adaptation from Xebec.
Director: Takao Kato
Series Composition: Mayori Sekijima
The Positives: Mayori Sekijima also wrote Zegapain, the Soultaker, Gad Guard, Petit Cosette and adapted Pandora Hearts, Skip Beat and the Samurai Pizza Cats. The director meanwhile also adapted Pandora Hearts. Who says that Pachinko adaptations can’t be awesome?!
The Negatives: Though granted, the director also did To Love-Ru, Megaman and Buso Renkin while Mayori Sekijima also wrote Hero Tales and Kaze no Stigma. Ah, but who cares, this really looks like another one of those rare Good Xebec series.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Level E

Summary: Tsutsui Yukitaka is a freshman who has finally convinced his parents that he is ready to live on his own. When he arrives at his new apartment, he is surprised to find that someone has arrived before him; A young man who claims that he is an alien and that he is suffering from amnesia. A series of short stories involving aliens on Earth. – (Taken from ANN)
Director: Toshiyuki Kato
Series Composition: Yukki Hanada
Other Notable Staff: Yoshihiro Togashi (Original Creator), Kunihiko Ryo (Music), Itsuko Takeda, Yasufumi Soejima (3D Director, Visual Concept).
The Positives: This is BY FAR going to have the most interesting production values of the entire season. I mean, the creators composed an entire dream team here: we have Studio Pierrot and David Production animating a manga with art looking completely unlike what you’d expect from the mainstream, the character-designer designed for Blue Drop, Ristorante Paradiso, Mirage of Blaze and the Galaxy Railways, all of which are completely different. Not to mention that the guy behind the visual concept was also the guy behind the textures of Gankutsuou, along with the CG of Last Exile, the Book of Bantorra and the background art of Ritsorante Paradiso. If that isn’t going to be stylish then I don’t know anymore. Add to that, the director of Full Moon wo Sagashite and Maria-Sama ga Miteru’s fourth season (he also storyboarded a bunch of Simoun, Bantorra and Hunter x Hunter episodes which included some of the best episodes of those series), while Yukki Hanada wrote and adapted Kuragehime, Red Garden, Sola, Chobits and Rozen Maiden, and this becomes definitely the series I’m looking forward to the most this season.
The Negatives: Yukki Hanada, granted, did also write a bunch of mediocre series, like Idol Master Xenoglossia, H2O, the Girl who Leapt Through Space SA and Yozakura Quartet. Oh, and this is from a part of the creators of Mission E.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

So, since I noticed that at seasonal previews often omit movies and OVAs, I decided to make, alongside my usual seasonal previews, previews about all of the OVAs and Movies scheduled to come out in the upcoming Autumn Season. This list is based on Moonphase‘s data. Unfortunately, Moonphase has this habit of putting OVAs all over the place, also where they don’t belong, so it was a bit of a challenge to sort everything out.

Also, since I was a bit more thorough than usual, here’s a list of everything you can find on this preview:
– All animated movies scheduled to premiere between now and the end of November. Please note that it will usually take about nine months before most of these movies actually make it to the west.
– All standalone ovas that will premiere between now and November 15th (sorry about this indecisiveness. I changed my mind about this date halfway through compiling this list without realizing it).
– All DVD-specials and ovas based on television-series. Also of the ones that I didn’t finish. I won’t have much to say about them, but I decided to include them for completion’s sake.

This list will NOT cover:
– Live-action (so no Kaidan Restaurant Movie)
– Simple episodes of series that have already debuted (I do not want to repeat myself about Queen’s Blade’s OVAs over and over again). This also includes Gundam Unicorn and series of movies like Break Blade. The only exception to this is episodes that got announced after they were actually supposed to have been finished (Azazel-san for example)

With these previews, I’m not yet sure whether to set the dates between September 1st and November 30th or August 15th to November 14th, but next season I’ll be a bit clearer on the different dates.

Either way, my impressions of the upcoming Autumn season in terms of tv-series were a bit disappointed. There were quite a few interesting series (thank god it doesn’t have the quantity problem that the current Summer Season has), but there really wasn’t anything that really stood out as a potential classic and there were too many cute girls.

But holy crap, in terms of movies and OVAs it’s looking out to be an awesome season. There are a ton of interesting premises, ranging from slice of life to action, mecha and science fiction. A number of excellent sounding movies are set to premiere, and there also are a ton of spin-off OVAs and movies (meaning that they’re related in some way to a TV-series) with interesting concepts and great staff-lists. When you add to that the series of OVAs and movies that have been continuing from the previous summer season, we’re really in for something great here.

Nougyou Musume

Summary: Nougyou Musume is the whimsical story of Koshino Hikari and Hikaru, two sisters that farm the rice paddy left to them by their parents. – (Taken from AniDB)
Type: A short 3-minute OVA created to promote its manga.
Why you should look forward to it: The only thing that I could find about this thing is that Toei is going to animate it, and the character-designs are done by Sunagawa Masakazu, who is a relatively new animator.
Why you should not look forward to it: Yeah, don’t expect this one to stand alone as anything. 3 minutes is way too short, and this pretty much is a glorified commercial that somehow ended up at Moonphase.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Metal Fight Beyblade VS Taiyō Shakunetsu no Shinryakusha

Summary: It’s summer vacation. In front of Ginga an Co, who are excited about a Beyblade tournament, Helios, a mysterious youth, stands in their way. In his hands, he possesses “Sol Blaze”, a Beyblade that has been passed down since ancient times. As intense battle between Ginga vs. Helios unfolds, extreme weather develops throughout the world. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie based on a kids’ franchise about spinning tops
Why you should look forward to it: The premise sounds so incredibly silly that it’s bound to provide a laugh or two.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s another one of those kiddie movies. The TV-series it was based on was ridiculously poorly produced, so I really wonder whether this one even has what it takes to keeps a bunch of kids busy.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Love Live

Summary: It’s about a group of girls who become idols in order to get more kids to enroll in their school in order to prevent it from getting closed down.
Type: Seems to be some sort of one-shot OVA.
Why you should look forward to it: Um… it’s animated by Sunrise?
Why you should not look forward to it: Due to be pre-sold at one of the comikets, I don’t think it’s hard to imagine the primary target audience of this series. It’s yet another one of those cheesy idol series.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Sora no Otoshimono Unaired Episodes

Summary: Tomoki Sakurai often encounters a strange girl in his dreams asking for his help, but he can’t remember her face when he wakes up. When an Unidentified Mysterious Animal (U.M.A.) falls out of the sky, his life of pacifism suddenly becomes complicated. The animal turns out to be an angel, Ikaros. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: An unaired episode called “Project Pink”, which apparently was too dangerous for TV.
Why you should look forward to it: If you’re into fanservice obviously.
Why you should not look forward to it: To me, it seems no more than one of those pornish dvd extras, turned into an episode… so yeah, unless you’re really looking for that, stay away from this one.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Da Capo P.S.P

Summary: Junichi Asakura lives with his adoptive sister Nemu in the crescent-shaped island of Hatsune Jima, a place where cherry blossoms bloom throughout the year. In this island, people have mysterious powers and attributes. For example, Junichi has the power to see other people’s dreams, and he was also taught by his grandmother to magically create sweets. One day, Junichi’s cousin and childhood friend, Sakura Yoshino came back from America all of a sudden. To Junichi’s surprise, she looks exactly the same as the girl that moved away six years ago, and hasn’t aged one bit. And she came back to remind Junichi of their childhood promise… It is a bittersweet tale of magic, love, hidden desires, and unattainable dreams. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: An OVA that comes shipped with the PSP ports of the Da Capo games.
Why you should look forward to it: If you like harems then this is one for you! This is a series that doesn’t put three or four girls around our main character. No, here the lead character can date 27 of them. 27!
Why you should not look forward to it: Da Capo is one of those franchises that refuses to freaking die. I mean, we’re at more than eighty episodes in total right now. Isn’t that a bit overkill?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Seikon no Qwaser: Joou no Shouzou

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 transforms the academy into the setting for conflict between the various different Qwaser. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Seems like some sort of OVA or DVD side-story, but the actual format isn’t known yet.
Why you should look forward to it: 2010 really has seen anime progress further and further into pornography, with series like this one having a big part in the blame. Still, if you like that then this is for you. I also heard from a few people that the story itself has been quite decent, so who knows?
Why you should not look forward to it: Still, the thing remains: would the creators have chosen to turn this story into an anime if it didn’t feature breast feeding?
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Hidamari Sketch Hoshimittsu Special

Summary: It’s about a high school for the arts and the everyday life of four of its students. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Special based on TV-series. Two volumes seem to be scheduled.
Why you should look forward to it: All of the Hidamari Sketch series have gotten a special thus far, and this one is no different. I haven’t watched it, but if you liked the series you’ll probably like this.
Why you should not look forward to it: Blegh, Shinbo.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Koe de Oshigoto

Summary: The story follows a high school girl named Kanna Aoyagi who becomes a voice actress for adult games. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA, two episodes have been announced so far.
Why you should look forward to it: It’s being animated by a new company: Studio Gokumi. Apparently, it was formerly part of Gonzo, and it’s great to see that the parts it lost are starting over on their own.
Why you should not look forward to it: They really got someone terrible to write the script of this adaptation, though. Masashi Suzuki‘s previous experience in Kanokon, Seiken no Blacksmith and Shuffle suggests to me that he has no idea how to pace a story properly or make it interesting to the audience.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Rawr! You Are Delicious

Summary: It’s about a Tyrannosaurus who comes across an Ankylosaurus baby all by himself and says, “Gaō! Omae Umasou Dana” (“Rawr! You look delicious.”) However, the Tyrannosaurus ends up adopting the baby as his own. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: It could have its charms for a kiddie show.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m not really sure whether this is going to be the same as the television series or not. I mean, it’s going to suck if the movie is just a collection of the five-minute episodes of the tv-series.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Mayo Elle Otokonoko

Summary: All I managed to find was that it’s about a boy who dresses like a girl.
Type: A Promo Doujinshi OVA
Why you should look forward to it: I can somewhat support what Keiichiro Kawaguchi is trying to do: experimenting with a ton of different formats, ranging from long series to short doujin OVAs.
Why you should not look forward to it: … but couldn’t he really pick better premises?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori -Break on the Sky-

Summary: A face-off between Ikki and Ringo on their rocket-powered roller-blades. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: A OVA to bundle with a manga volume (adapting one of the later chapters of the manga)
Why you should look forward to it: First, I want to say that the manga author has one of the most awesome names. Second of all, the staff for this OVA is completely different from the Air Gear TV-series: instead of Toei, we now have Satelight and it’s going to have the director of Fairy Tail, Ichi the Killer and Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchou To.
Why you should not look forward to it: The script will be done by Jun Maekawa (he wrote the series composition for the Prince of Tennis, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Bomberman Jetters, the second Digimon series and Sisters of Wellber). Obviously not the right guy to try and stuff the manga’s story into this OVA.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA

Summary: Academy City is a highly developed place in terms of technology. It is said to be 20 to 30 years ahead of the rest of the world. 80% of it’s 2.3 million residents are students. The focus of studies here is directed towards esper powers. Misaka Mikoto, one of the top level espers in town, shares a room with Kuroko Shirai, another high level esper who is a member of Judgement, a law enforcing agency composed of students. Both attend to Tokiwadai, a private school reserved for the high-leveled and the rich. Kuroko’s partner at Judgement, Kazari Uiharu, is a low level esper who studies at Sakugawa middle school. Her best friend and classmate there is Ruiko Saten, a level zero (no esper powers). Together, the four encounter several adventures in the exciting scientific town. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: This one really seems like a normal OVA, rather than a DVD-special.
Why you should look forward to it: It’s probably going to be just a side-story, but if you liked the characters then this will be up your interests.
Why you should not look forward to it: I personally dropped railgun after a few episodes, mostly thanks to one particular character (the one with the twin-tails) who was really, really annoying. There also probably isn’t going to be a lot of plot in this OVA.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

ToHeart adnext

Summary: A collection of stories focusing on the girls of the ToHeart series
Type: Two-shot OVA
Why you should look forward to it: Its director has done a ton of stuff, along with a ton of storyboards, plus the direction of DNA2, which was pretty good.
Why you should not look forward to it: 3 television series. 4 ovas. Isn’t that a bit much for a harem?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Kuttsukiboshi

Summary: The anime centres around two girls’ “risky” summer vacation together. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Two-shot OVA
Why you should look forward to it: We’re talking about a one-man project here: Naoya Ishikawa, a freelance animator, entirely made this OVA by himself apart from the music and voice acting.
Why you should not look forward to it: I suspect that Primastea had little to do with the actual content this time, and seems more like a vehicle for animators to showcase their projects, but really? I mean, combined with the premise I wouldn’t be surprised if this turned into some semi lesbian porn or something.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Kowarekake no Orgol

Summary: One rainy day, young musician Keiichiro takes shelter in a shrine, where he meets an abandoned android girl, whom he is told may never function well again. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie, 34 minutes long + 7 minute side-story. Not sure yet whether it’s going to be original or recap.
Why you should look forward to it: It all depends on whether this is going to be simple recap or original, really. If it’s the former, then it’ll be a nice addition to an OVA that just was too short.
Why you should not look forward to it: If it’s the latter, however…. yeah. Keiichiro Kawaguchi as the director is a huge question-mark because of his influence on both good series (Hayate the Combat Butler, Zettai Karen Children), bad series (Nyan Koi) and really really bad series (Moetan).
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Flag 0

Summary: Katsuragi Keima is known on the net at the Capturing God, while in real life he is an otamegane who hates all real girls. However he is approached by Elsee, a devil from hell, to help her in catching runaway spirits that hide in people. Apparently the spirits only hide in the hearts of girls and the only way to get the souls out is by making the girl fall in love so the spirit gets forced out. Keima must capture all the spirits in the world so that his contract with hell ends. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: A DVD to bundle with the 10th volume of the manga. A prequel to the TV-series in a way.
Why you should look forward to it: I have been told that the manga is actually making fun of harem cliches. Of course, that’s no guarantee on how the creators of the anime are going to adapt it, but it definitely made me more interested in this series.
Why you should not look forward to it: The danger with these OVAs that are shipped alongside manga volumes is that they become either manga commercials or inaccessible to anyone who hasn’t read it. So, is this going to a Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu or a Kurenai? At this point it’s impossible to say, even though it’s a great chance for the producers to introduce people to this series.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Yondemasu, Azazel-san

Summary: The story revolves around the detective Akutabe, his assistant Rinko Sakuma, and the various magical demons that Akutaba uses for his cases. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: The second anime dvd, to be shipped alongside the manga.
Why you should look forward to it: Here is one that completely passed my radar (I’ll try to get a review up for it as soon as possible), but when Tsutomu Mizushima is directing it may very well be good for a quick laugh, because this guy is certainly going to know how to translate the jokes to animation. With so few episodes, he can really grab the best chapters of the manga. It’s also one of those very few comedies done by Production IG.
Why you should not look forward to it: The chief animation director of Ookiku Furikabutte’s second season is going to design the characters and the character-designer of Himawari is going to direct the animation. Why not reverse them?
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer

Summary: It is the year A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth have been depleted entirely, with mankind turning to the next available power source: solar energy. During this time, 3 orbital elevators with solar power generation systems are built, each under control by the Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations (formerly United States of America), the Human Reform League (Russia, China and India) and the Advanced European Union. However, not all countries are able to enjoy the benefits of this system, leading to widespread resentment and war. Arising out of the conflict, a mysterious military organization known as Celestial Being appears, dedicated to end all warfare using Mobile Suits called Gundam. This begins the stories of Gundam Meisters (pilots) Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism and Tiera Erde as they are thrown into conflict between the 3 superpowers and the various other factions. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie sequel of a TV-series
Why you should look forward to it: Yes! Against my fears, it turns out that this isn’t going to be a recap movie, and instead this will come with its own story. Kenji Kawai still is doing the music, Seiji Mizushima (Ooedo Rocket, the first Full Metal Alchemist) is still doing the direction and the script is still written by Yosuke Kuroda (he also wrote Ookiku Furikabutte, Infinite Ryvius, Risky Safety and Phantom).
Why you should not look forward to it: Obviously those Sunrise executives. I think I’ve repeated often enough how I hate how in the past number of years, especially with their popular franchises, they restrict their staff way too much and have them descend everything into strings of mecha battles that all look the same. This happened to the second season of Gundam 00. Will the movie be able to avoid it?
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Mazinkaiser SKL

Summary: The new project is billed as the return of the MazinKaiser anime franchise, which is itself a spinoff from Go Nagai’s classic super robot manga and anime series, Mazinger Z. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: Ah, Mazinkaiser. More hot-blooded mecha based on the original Mazinger. The director Jun Kawagoe has a lot of experience with these giant robot remakes with Kotetsujin Jeeg, Shin Getter Robo and Transformers.
Why you should not look forward to it: The big problem with this series is Shin Mazinger: when that series did just about everything you can do with the Mazinger franchise, how does this movie plan to top that besides a better animation? The original Mazinkaiser OVA already fell into its shadow, so this movie is really going to have to be more than just a homage.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Heartcatch Precure! Hana no To de Fashion Show… desuka!?

Summary: Erika’s mother has been invited to Paris to hold a fashion show. The lead characters will be its models. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie, based on the TV-series.
Why you should look forward to it: I am seriously intrigued by that premise. I mean, it’s sounding a lot better than the premise of the All Stars movie, and if the creators can really get the slice of life right, and really portray the characters as they explore Paris, it’ll make for an awesome movie. As long as the creators don’t make it too epic, I have high expectations of this. The staff won’t be the same as with the TV-series, do take note of that. The director especially is intriguing: Rie Matsumoto. She is relatively young (only 30 years old), this really is going to be the first anime she works on. For Toei, this is a very risky move, but I’m really interested in her style here.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m not sure why, but I’m a bit biased against these kinds of movies based on long-running franchises. I’m not sure why, actually, because I’ve seen very few of them.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Tamayura

Summary: For her first year of high school, Fu Sawatari moves to Takehara, a scenic old town near Hiroshima, on the Inland Sea. Her father, who has passed away, grew up in Takehara. She loves taking photographs with his old film camera, a Rollei 35S. This “healing” slice-of-life anime from the director of ARIA follows her and the friends who gather around – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA with at least two volumes confirmed.
Why you should look forward to it: Reiko Yoshida behind the script is also a very solid choice with her experience behind Maria-Sama ga Miteru, Popolocrois, Saiunkoku Monogatari and Umi Monogatari. And the Chief Animation Director of Aoi Hana only makes this even better.
Why you should not look forward to it: This really could have been a standalone TV-series just as easily, right? I know that in this way the creators will really have the chance to pace the OVA correctly, but I’m mostly worried about its short length here.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Yozakura Quartet – Hoshi no Umi

Summary: The story revolves around a quartet of teenaged heroes: A super-strong girl named Hime, a mind reader named Ao, a conjurer named Kotoha and an ordinary, powerless boy named Akina. The three girls and Akina protect the city of Sakurashin from supernatural threats – (Taken from ANN)
Type: This OVA will be unlike the TV-series: it will reset its storyline and follow the manga instead.
Why you should look forward to it: Take a look at that artwork here. I don’t know about you, but that is by far the best artwork of any TV-series or OVA I saw when I compiled this Autumn Season Preview. The OVA will have a completely different staff compared to the TV-series (which was a really good staff by the way, which really makes me wonder why it turned out to be such a bland series). The director, Ryoochimo Sawa is a newcomer: he only directed the sixth ED of Hanamaru Youchien (which was cheesy (but what did you expect with the source material), but really well animated). If that wasn’t enough, the music will be done by Atsushi Suemitsu, who composed together Nodame Cantabile’s OP. Now if that isn’t going to be a feast for the senses then I don’t know any more.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m very intrigued by the intentions of the mangaka: how exactly did he imagine carrying on the story of the manga through just an OVA? Won’t that be too short?
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Umikara no Shisha

Summary: The only thing that I could make out is that this is about a “Messenger from the Sea”, who protects a city that is about to get destroyed.
Type: Independent movie. Pretty much a one-man project.
Why you should look forward to it: Why the heck is there hardly any English information about this movie? I searched, but neither ANN or AniDB has any entry about the Messenger of the Sea, even though it looks like a terrific piece of animation, especially considering that it was just one guy who wrote, directed and animated it. It’s entirely in black and white, but that gives it a really interesting sense of style.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s supposed to be a short film, but I can’t find anywhere how long it’s supposed to be. 5 minutes? 60 minutes? Could be.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Onigamiden

Summary: The film’s story revolves around the war between oni (demons) and humans in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto, 1,200 years ago during the Heian period. The anime adapts a 2004 two-volume novel by the same name from author Takafumi Takada. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: Studio Pierrot, finally doing something that is not shounen again! This really caught my attention.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m really doubting whether I should get worried about the director, Hirotsugu Kawasaki. Yes, he did direct Spriggan and a Naruto movie, but those were completely different from what this is going to be. I mean, this guy’s visuals surely are going to rock here, especially in the combination with Studio Pierrot’s animators (especially when they can gather their best artists), so who knows whether this is a genre that he can deliver a great cast of characters in?
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Koisento

Summary: The story is set in 2710 in the city of Nara, where the national capital has been relocated. For historical preservation and tourism, the country’s cultural treasures — including entire buildings — have been moved en masse and assembled inside a humongous building. A second-year high school student named Shinichi is visiting Nara on a field trip. No matter where he looks, there are deer everywhere. Shinichi is getting bored when suddenly, a deer takes off with his bag, leading to a mad chase through the streets of Nara. In the middle of the chaos, Shinichi helps a mysterious, beautiful girl named Toto who is being chased by unknown followers. Because of these odd circumstances, the two ended up in on a sight-seeing date throughout the locales of Nara. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: OVA; not sure how long it’s going to be.
Why you should look forward to it: The director of FREEDOM and Kakurenbo? I must say, that this is one of the most interesting romantic comedies I have seen when making the Autumn Season Preview for this year. There are some cliches, I know, but I’m very interested in what kind of science fiction the creators are playing, 700 years into the future with talking deer running around everywhere (yes, the deer has a voice actor). I mean, I’m not really sure what’s up with Sunrise lately, but I’m really digging the way that they are experimenting with all sorts of interesting movie and OVA premises.
Why you should not look forward to it: I can’t think of anything, unless you’re really not a fan of romantic comedies. However, I’m not a fan of that genre either and I’m looking forward to this one.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Armored Trooper Votoms: Case;Irvine

Summary: ?
Type: If I understood correctly: there will be three movies released of Votoms to mark its end. The first is this Case;Irvine, set to premiere in November. All three movies are completely different, it seems, with different staff. Only the third one will have Ryousuke Takahashi.
Why you should look forward to it: It’s Votoms. I also like this idea very much in which three different kinds of staff are set to adapt and finish off this franchise. I was a bit unhappy to see that Ryousuke Takahashi (an amazing director IMO) wasn’t involved in the first two, but with the announcement of a third movie which DOES feature him, I suspect that he does have his influence on how they are meant to play out.
Why you should not look forward to it: I can’t find anything about the director and scriptwriter of this series, though. They’re complete newbies, and the only thing that I could find was that the director did a storyboard for an episode of Sora no Otoshimono. So unfortunately, we probably won’t get Ryousuke Takahashi’s tight direction. But really, who knows? Perhaps these guys were chosen because they really can become great writers in the future. Or it was just the influence of Sunrise’s executives rearing their heads around the corner. Please don’t let that be the case!
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Redline

Summary: Red Line is about the biggest racing game of the universe and it’s only held once every 5 years. And naturally everyone wants to take part. Follow the racings skills of men and women alike. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: There is Madhouse of course, but the director Takashi Koike is also very interesting. He did the opening animation of Samurai Champloo, directed the animation of World Record (Animatrix) and directed Trava – Fist Planet, which I still have to see. At the very least this is going to be great to look at. It gets really interesting for the script, though: Yoshiki Sakurai, who also wrote the script of the xxxHolic Movie, along with a number of episodes from Ghost in the Shell, Seirei no Moribito, xxxHolic and Otogizoshi. On top of that, Yuji Enokido will also be writing the script. Yeah, that’s also the guy who wrote Utena, and is also working on Star Driver.
Why you should not look forward to it: Um, the sound director, Youji Shizumu isn’t the best guy with most of his work ranging from Stitch to Hero Tales. This movie will be a feast for the eyes. But also for the ears?
First-Glance Potential: 100%

Mardock Scramble: The First Compression

Summary: Why me? It was to be the last thought a young prostitute, Rune Balot, would ever have…as a human anyway. Taken in by a devious gambler named Shell, she became a slave to his cruel desires and would have been killed by his hand if not for a private investigator and his self-aware Universal Tool, Œufcoque. Now a cyborg, Balot has not only physical powers, but the ability to disrupt social environments. She chases after Shell, his partner-in-crime Boiled, and faces down a variety of insane villains in this pulse-pounding cyberpunk noir adventure. – (Taken from AniDB)
Type: First Movie of a scheduled trilogy.
Why you should look forward to it: I’m intrigued: finally GoHands is going to do an actual interesting project. And I really love the use of colours on the promo art here. Especially the one who originally created this story is intriguing: Tow Ubakata, who also created the original stories for Fafner, Heroic Age and Chevalier. This guy’s awesome, and he’ll also be writing the script for the movies.
Why you should not look forward to it: The only one I’m a bit iffy about is the director, Susumu Kudo. I’m not really sure whether someone who has mostly directed cheesy romantic comedies will really be able to make this story come to life.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

.Hack//Quantum

Summary: In .hack//Quantum, the characters Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya form a party and embark on a high-difficulty-level quest in The World R:X. (The World R:X is the new version of The World – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Three-part OVA
Why you should look forward to it: Kinema Citrus is back. They really did an awesome job with Tokyo Magnitude, so I’m glad that they got a .Hack series next. The soundtrack will also again be fantastic with Kou Otani as the composer. But it gets even better: Masaki Tachibana, the director of Tokyo Magnitude is also going to direct this thing.
Why you should not look forward to it: The problem with this show is obviously the length. I mean, why can’t this be a full fledged series? It would be awesome to see another actual .hack television series and these people really know how to make such a thing work.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

The amount of series that will première in the upcoming Autumn season? 29. That’s about the same as the previous Spring Season. While I’d love to say that anime is getting better again, this season is looking pretty bleak, with only three series that do not focus on kids or teenagers and a lot of the more promising series only looking to be scheduled for 13 episodes. While this season at least has a number of interesting looking series, I’m afraid that I couldn’t really give any of them a potential higher than 80%.

I’d hate to say this, but if all these series play out according to my first impressions, then 2010 is going to be the worst year in anime for me since having started this blog, There just are too many fetish series, too many moe shows, and there are only about ten series that really piqued my interest. For a major season as in the autumn, that’s way too little. Yes, I really hope I’m wrong with this.

In any case, a few statistics: JC Staff is the most prolific studio this season with four series. Surprisingly absent are Sunrise, Satelight and Production IG again. There are a ton of romances in this season (a whopping 14 of them), and the teenaged adventure genre also seems to be doing well (12 of them). There are two detectives, six action series, two mechas, and a whopping NINE sequels.

Motto To Love-Ru

Summary: The story is about Yuuki Rito, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Sairenji Haruna. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: It has some decent scriptwriters.
Why you should not look forward to it: Xebec did the impossible: it took To Love-Ru, and made it even worse than it already was by assigning Atsushi Ootsuki, one of the worst currently active directors out there, as its director. I mean, this series is just going to be another excuse for porn here.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Fortune Arterial

Summary: The story revolves around a transfer student named Kouhei Hasekura who discovers that his new remote island school, Shuuchikan Academy, has a female vampire named Erika Sendou within its student body. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: To this day, I still don’t quite get what a “Director of Photography” does. Whatever it is though, it’s going to be pretty decent here: Tadashi Kitaoka seems to have worked on a number of pretty good-looking series.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s from the creators of KissxSis; what more do you want to know!?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai

Summary: Kousaka Kyousuke is an average high school student who doesn’t get along well with his younger sister, the cute and popular Kirino. Then one day he makes a startling discovery: Kirino’s secretly an Otaku. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: The director of Viper’s Creed? The series composition of Now and Then, Here and There?
Why you should not look forward to it: … they really made a series about this?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

MM!

Summary: The story follows Tarou Sado, a high school boy who discovered a side of himself that is into masochism. Even as he tries to hide this side from his high school crush, he tries to fix it through his school’s “2nd Volunteer Club.” – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: It’s a moe show by Xebec, but it’s actually full of relative new guys. The director will be Tsuyoshi Nagasawa, who only has done Kyou no Go ni, the series composition will be done by Rie Oga, who only did a few scripts and the animation director will be done by Taeko Hori. Perhaps these guys can give a new flavour to the Xebec moe series, which usually are utterly horrid, even for its genre’s standards.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, the entire premise of this series is built around a cliche: women beating up men. This will be fun for one episode. But after that? What the heck is this series going to do with such a flimsy gimmick? How do they expect to remain funny for an entire series?
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls

Summary: The era is Heisei 20+ in the reign of the 25th Tokugawa Shogun, Keikou. In the Christian calendar, it’s a bit past 2000 in the Empire of Japan. In the skirts of the Sacred Mount Fuji, there’s an enormous school built in a vast area. Its name is Buou Private Academy. All students are children of samurai and while encouraged to study, they spend their days preparing themselves in battles that sometimes put their life in risk. A peaceful school at first glance, but even there a shadow of turbulence draws near: the rebellious underground activities of discontents that oppose the Tokugawa clan that rules the school. Against the dissident students, the student council executive committee formed the Toyotomi Faction and began their suppression. Now with the Toyotomi Hunting as it became known, the tyranny of the student council escalated further. The high school student Yagyuu Muneakira who attends the Buou Private Academy and is also the assistant instructor of fencing at the Yagyuu Dojo, while a servant to the Tokunaga family, he was opposed to the excessive oppression of the Toyotomi Hunting. And before Muneakira appeared several girls carrying the names of the ancient swordsmen and generals. Is that the beginning of a commotion that will shake the History or is it—? – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: This one’s done by Arms, but Ufo-table have leant their series composition guy, Ryonosuke Kingetsu to this project. That’s awfully nice.
Why you should not look forward to it: The director of this series is working under a pseudonym. If that doesn’t say anything about how flimsy this premise is then I don’t know anymore. I mean, what can you really do with such a premise? It’ll be good for brainless entertainment I guess, but this premise doesn’t even try to make sense.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Yosuga no Sora

Summary: The story of the game is set in the distant mountain village of Okukozome-chō. Haruka Kazugano and his twin sister Sora have fond childhood memories of going to the village to visit their grandfather during their summer vacations. However, after losing their parents in an accident, the two must move in with their grandfather. The twins get reacquainted with their old childhood friend Nao Yorihime, their new classmate Ryōhei Nakazato, the miko (shrine maiden) Akira Amatsume, and Akira’s friend Kazuha Migawa. All seems peaceful and familiar. However, beneath the surface is a secret promise that the twins made with each other long ago, the whereabouts of an important lost item, and the real reason they chose to come back here. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Well, at least it attempts to tell a bit of a serious story. Right? Well, the thing is that this is by the creators of Spice and Wolf. Yeah, Takeo Takahashi and Naruhisa Arakawa. Now if that isn’t a double-edged sword then I don’t know anymore.
Why you should not look forward to it: For those who didn’t get my above hint: the anime is pretty much written and directed by a bunch of guys who had one amazing hit, with the very well written Spice and Wolf, and beyond that only produced crap like Love Love, Cosprayers and unashamed porn with Aki-Sora.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Battle Spirits: Brave

Summary: It’s the third season of an adaptation of a card game by Bandai
Why you should look forward to it: Believe it or not, but the director of Zombie Loan and the 90’s version of Ai no Kusabi is behind this. If you’ve got kids who like this sort of stuff they’ll probably be kept busy.
Why you should not look forward to it: Yeah, this seems to be part of the kiddie shows that appear every season. It actually does have a more experienced staff than usual with those kinds of series, but I watched the first episode of the first season a few years ago. It was full of stereotypes and the card games actually contradicted each other. It’s not the worst of the genre, but not enough to warrant any kind of attention.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge

Summary: A young upper-class elite man, Ichinomiya “Riku” Kou, who has a policy of not being in debt to anyone, ends up owing his life to a strange girl who rescues him. Nino is a beautiful homeless girl who believes that she is from the planet Venus and lives under the bridge by the Arakawa river. So the young man ends up living there too. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: While the official staff isn’t known yet, I think it’s safe to assume that the same people are going to be working on it.
Why you should not look forward to it: Whether that means that you’ll like this series if you liked the prequel… I can’t say that. Shaft has this very nasty tendency to become much worse in its sequels. I mean, blegh, Shinbo. Just pick one series to work on, instead of slapping your name and style on every single Shaft series that gets released.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Hetalia: Axis Powers Fourth Season

Summary: Hetalia is a comedy about personified European countries, along with Japan, China, the US and Canada. Skits range from historical references to gay jokes and quirky characters.
Why you should look forward to it: It’s much of the same, so if you haven’t gotten bored of Hetalia at this point you’ll probably enjoy this.
Why you should not look forward to it: But seriously, Studio Deen is pushing its luck just too far with this series. I know it sells DVDs and all, but Hetalia has gotten stale a long while ago. It doesn’t need yet another season.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Pokemon Black and White

Summary: The new season for Pokemon
Why you should look forward to it: I had a pretty nostalgic moment when I found out that Ash (or Satoshi) did not appear on the promo art here. I mean, I started watching Pokemon ages ago, and really was a fan of it for a while. To think that after more than ten years, he has finally retired and passed on the baton to a new group of lead character. That alone deserves credit.
Why you should not look forward to it: That may be, but the starting Pokemon are also starting to look more stupid with every incarnation.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes

Summary: The story takes place in an imaginary world in “the Age of Detectives”, where private detectives and phantom thieves overwhelm the cities. It is about four girls who aim to be great detectives. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: It’s got Kazuyuki Fudeyasu behind the series composition, who also did the series composition of Hajime no Ippo’s New Challenger. But he also wrote Penguin no Mondai and Kampfer so I’m not really sure what that means…
Why you should not look forward to it: Makoto Moriwaki really isn’t the best director here, considering his work on Lilpri, which quickly became really, really generic. Since this is another game adaptation, it really needs a good writing staff to make it work, and these guys just don’t seem up for it.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Rawr! You are Delicious

Summary: It’s adapted from a picture book about a Tyrannosaurus who comes across an Ankylosaurus baby all by himself and says, “Gaou! Omae Umasou Dana” (“Rawr! You look delicious.”) However, the Tyrannosaurus ends up adopting the baby as his own. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Just for the title this series deserves points, but apart from that there’s not much known. A movie also seems to be scheduled around the same time, which is being directed by Masaya Fujimori, who mostly has experience as an animation director. Could be interesting for its animation.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, it remains a kiddie show, adapted from a picture book. I don’t see the appeal of this concept outlasting a single episode.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai

Summary: The romantic comedy manga centers on Keima Katsuragi, a high school boy who is known as the “Capturing God” for his success at romance simulation games. However, thanks to a contract with a devil, he now has to capture the hearts of real girls to catch the runaway spirits hidden in those hearts. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Hideyuki Nurata? Manglobe?! What are you doing here? Why aren’t you working on more interesting premises?
Why you should not look forward to it: You know, I try to give every anime a chance. But shows like this really make it hard to keep this up. I mean, how many more of these series are they going to make? I mean, for this to work the creators are really going to have to put in all of their creativity to make up for this thing. While the series composition is excellent (Hello? Now and Then, Here and There, Read or Die, Brigadoon), the director seems mediocre: Shigehito Takayanagi is only good as an episode director: his main series only consist out of Hime Sama Goyoujin (seriously one of the stupidest series I have ever seen), Galaxy Angel and Kanamemo.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru

Summary: Clumsy Arashiyama is a girl with a love for mysteries and a knack for getting into trouble. She works for an old lady’s lackluster maid café in a small shopping district. The cafe is largely unsuccessful in attracting customers aside from Sanada, a regular and one of Arashiyama’s classmates (who has a secret crush on her). One day Arashiyama’s clever friend Tatsuno is invited to the café, and, upon seeing the miserable state of things (and Sanada, whom she has a secret crush on), decides to work there. Don’t miss the crazy antics of Arashiyama and friends, mismatched love stories, and all the hilarity that is created as a result, in Sore Machi. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: Well, it does have the series composition done by Katsuhiko Takayama, who knows how to make his series interesting (provided that they don’t go on for more than 13 episodes). The script behind Natsu no Arashi, Ga-Rei Zero, ef, Hantsuki and Asobi ni Iku Yo seems promising indeed and they could make something out of this incredibly cliched premise.
Why you should not look forward to it: Blegh, Shinbo. Just pick one series to work on, instead of slapping your name and style on every single Shaft series that gets released.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Hakuouki 2

Summary: Based on Idea Factory’s romance adventure game: Yukimura Chizuru has come to Kyoto looking for her father, a doctor who has gone missing. While there, she witnesses a fight between an Oni and the Shinsengumi. Taking her into custody, the Shinsengumi debates on what to do with Chizuru when they discover that she is the daughter of the doctor they are also looking for. The Shinsengumi then takes Chizuru along on their search after the missing doctor, from adventures to adventures. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Obviously the director of Toward the Terra, Osamu Yamasaki, but then again even he didn’t manage to make this any more interesting. The staff for this series is still unknown though, so it could be completely different.
Why you should not look forward to it: My big problem with Hakuouki was its characterization: it was just bland, and the lead character was very annoying in the way that she kept trying to do things, but never really wound up doing anything. Personally, I don’t want to find out whether it gets better.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Sora no Otoshimono Forte

Summary: Tomoki Sakurai often encounters a strange girl in his dreams asking for his help, but he can’t remember her face when he wakes up. When an Unidentified Mysterious Animal (U.M.A.) falls out of the sky, his life of pacifism suddenly becomes complicated. The animal turns out to be an angel, Ikaros. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: For what it was, Sora no Otoshimono at least knew what it was trying to be and made no attempt to be any thing more. Out of all of the moe shows that AIC churned out during the past year, that one looked the best, or at least in its first episodes. The director is solid here, and I guess that you could do a lot worse in this genre.
Why you should not look forward to it: Obviously if you hate fanservice you should stay away.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector

Summary: “It is two hundred years after the beginning of the Space Era, when human civilization on Earth began expanding into space. However, by the start of the 21st century, two meteors struck the planet, sending humanity into chaos. By the year 179 of the Space Era, secret technology, dubbed Extra-Over Technology, or EOT, was discovered by the Earth Federal Government within a third meteor that hit Earth in the Marquesas Islands of the South Pacific. Dr. Bian Zoldark, head of the EOTI Institute (Extra-Over Technological Investigative Institute), had evidence the creators of the EOT were heading to Earth, in order to reclaim it…or worse, invade the planet. In order to defend humanity from extraterrestrial threats, the government begins to research and develop humanoid mecha called Personal Troopers. Robot bugs suddenly attack Tokyo and robot gamer Ryusei is given a real, mechanical robot trooper to see whether he is a qualified fighter in a war which he has just now become a part of. Amazingly the controls to the personal trooper are just as in the game”> – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: This show is pulling a Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula: they got a bunch of famous designers to design the mechas for this series. Among them are Kazutaka Miyatake (Macross) and Mika Akitaka (Gundam War in Pocket and Stardust Memories).
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s going to need it, because the director really is terrible: Masami Obari, behind some of the more notoriously bad shows of the past two decades (Gravion, Battle Arena Toshiden, Prism Ark). The series composition guy is excellent – whenever he adapts the script of someone else (Banner of the Stars, Zipang, Infinite Ryvius). His own stories suck (Gin-iro no Olynssis, the first Super Robot Wars).
First-Glance Potential: 30%

To Aru Majutsu no Index II

Summary: In a world where science clarifies supernatural powers. In a huge college that has power development in its curriculum. To a resident high school student, Kamijou Touma, a pure white sister appears. She calls herself “Index” and says that sorcerers are chasing her. Thus, Kamijou Touma enters the world of the occult. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Same staff, it seems. Even though I haven’t seen the first season, Index intrigues me. I mean, the director worked on some pretty interesting stuff (Gad Guard, Azumanga Daioh, Angelic Layer, Ayakashi Ayashi).
Why you should not look forward to it: The huge streams of exposition though are a bit hard to get into, and I’ve heard that some of the arcs are pretty boring as well. This season, the series composition guy also seems to be doing two shows at once, which might be a bit too much on his plate…
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Rita et Machin

Summary: The books follow the happy daily lives of a precocious five-year-old girl named Rita and an easy-going yet somewhat lazy dog named Machin. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Nippon Animation doing a French picture book adaptation. That’s all that’s known here. But you know what? If the creators actually make this into more than just a kiddie show, and a full fledged slice of life series with the same art-style that they’re advertising with, then I can really imagine myself watching it.
Why you should not look forward to it: The problem is of course that these kinds of shows never really make it out of Japan.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Otome Youkai Zakuro

Summary: It’s the Meiji Era in a slightly alternate Japan, and the Gregorian calendar has just come into effect. The fox-eared girls living in the youkai part of town are about to be put to work together with a delegation of young human soldiers, to promote interracial understanding. So what will happen when Zakuro’s strong personality collides with human sensibilities…. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Well, it seems to have nice themes and an interesting setting. It’s got a couple of terrific art directors to back that up: Hiroshi Kato, whose work is too large to just list, and Izumi Hoki, who worked on the background art of Ghost in the Shell, Ayakashi and Boogiepop Phantom. Mari Okada, who has experience on writing the Sasami Mahou Shoujo Club, True Tears and the Armed Librarians, along with various episodes of Red Garden, Simoun and Rozen Maiden also offers a very solid base for this series.
Why you should not look forward to it: One look at the other works of the author who wrote the manga this is based on (Lily Hoshino) scared me away a bit. I mean, just look at some of the titles. They all look like really cheesy romantic comedies. And sure, I know that under the surface they could be very solid, but is Chiaki Kon really the right person to adapt it? It’s good that she took a bit of a break compared to last year, but I still don’t fully trust her. Her direction of Higurashi was great, but after that her series all lacked something, and felt like their direction was rushed.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Karl to Fushigi na Tou

Summary: The story centers around a mysterious tall tower built from an (unsteady) stack of building blocks. Every morning, noon, and evening, an old timekeeping man rings the bell in the tower to confirm the time for the local townspeople. However, one day at noon, the tower bell fails to ring — leaving the townspeople confused about when to eat lunch. The fantasy adventure begins when Karl, an inquisitive boy living in the town, decides to go to the tower’s plaza to see what is the matter. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: This doesn’t seem to be based on anything, and was created for television. And really, out of all of the kiddie shows this season, this one looks the most interesting. Especially the director here is interesting: Jun Takagi, who is also directing Chibi Maruko Chan, plus he directed one of the WMT-series (Nanatsu no Umi no Tiko) and the sequel of Mahou-jin Guru-Guru. The script is written by Miho Maruo, who also wrote the script of Saiunkoku Monogatari, the Dog of Flanders movie and a number of episodes from Kaidan Restaurant, Kodocha and Nodame Cantabile. I’m really glad to see Nippon Animation back again, because they do make the best kids’ shows.
Why you should not look forward to it: Still though, I doubt that this will be accessible to adults like Nippon Animation’s best works. It’s one of those kids’ series that really seems aimed at kids, though not as commercial as usual.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Summary: The comedy centers arounds a squid girl who vows to invade the beaches of mankind since humans have polluted the seas. However, her invasion is less than successful, and she ends up on dry ground. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: If you’re wondering who Diomedea is: it used to be Studio Barcelona who did a few mediocre series a few years ago, like Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu and Polyphonica’s second season. I was about to write this one off, but take a look at the director here: Tsutomu Mizushima, the director of xxxHolic, Hale Nochi Guu and Ookiku Furikabutte. The series composition is even better: Michiko Yokote, who did the series composition of Strange Dawn, xxxHolic, Princess Tutu, Kobato, Hale Nochi Guu, plus worked on the scripts of .Hack//Sign, Kaze no Youjinbo, Ookiku Furikabutte, Cowboy Bebop and Gintama.
Why you should not look forward to it: Please. Someone tell me that the manga is more than just meets the eye. I’d love to see another serious series from these two, not a moe comedy. That’s usually the thing that Tsutomu Mizushima is worst at.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Togainu no Chi

Summary: After being devastated in the third World War (known as The Third Division), Japan was divided in two. Several years after the end of the war, a crime organization called Vischio has taken control of the destroyed city of Toshima (formerly Tokyo, Japan’s capital city), where they are holding a battle game known as “Igura”. The game’s main character, a young man named Akira, is falsely accused of a crime. Once arrested, a mysterious woman appears before him, offering him freedom if he agrees to participate in Igura and defeat Igura’s strongest man: the king, or “Il-re”. The story follows Akira’s life in the harsh, lawless Toshima as he fights both to survive and to unravel the mysteries developing around him. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: A game adaptation. This is going to require a ton of input from the anime creators as well if it wants to work out. Natsuko Takahashi seems like a pretty solid choice due to her experience, though not the best because she’s currently also working on Nurarihyon no Mago. The director is an interesting guy, though: he’s usually an animator and character-designer, but once in a while he directs something. I don’t know much about those series since they’re rather obscure and very retro-y.
Why you should not look forward to it: The possible downsides to this series mostly have to do with the premise, really. I mean, it has the interesting post apocalyptic setting and all, but it remains a dating sim. This one really needs to be handled in the right way or it’ll flop.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Kuragehime

Summary: he story centres around Kurashita Tsukimi, a huge fan of jellyfish (kurage, a wordplay on the “kura/mi” and “tsuki/ge” in her name) and a girl who moves to Tokyo to become an illustrator. She moves into “Amamizukan,” an apartment complex that is full of fujoshi (diehard female otaku) with a no-men-allowed rule. However, one day, Tsukimi invites a stylishly fashionable woman to stay at her room at Amamizukan — only to discover that the guest is not who “she” seems to be. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: One of the things I love about Noitamina is that any production company can get a shot at it, ranging from Madhouse to Daume. This time, it’s Brains Base’s turn, and with this we return to the Josei roots of the timeslot with a simple romantic comedy. With this, it’s all going to depend on the execution. And really, with Takehiro Omori behind the direction, I really think that that’s going to be fine. He might be getting a bit too prolific, but his characterization throughout nearly all of his works, from Baccano to Jigoku Shoujo, Fancy Lala, Natsume Yuujinchou and Durarara has been really excellent. The background art with Mio Isshiki is also going to be beautiful, if going by her previous experience on Aoi Bungaku’s second arc, Death Note and Kaze no Youjinbo.
Why you should not look forward to it: The series composition guy, Jukki Hanada, is a bit of a mixed bag. His adaptation of Rozen Maiden (especially its first season) was very good, but most of his adaptations have been pretty generic: H2O, SA, Idol Master and Yozakura Quartet didn’t really have the most exciting plots… Plus, there are only going to be 11 episodes. Will that be enough?
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Iron Man

Summary: Born Anthony Edward Stark, and usually called Tony, he is an industrialist playboy and ingenious engineer who suffers a severe heart injury during a kidnapping in which his captors attempt to force him to build a weapon of mass destruction. He instead creates a powered suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity. He later uses the suit to protect the world as Iron Man. Through his multinational corporation, Stark Industries, Tony created military weapons and his own metal suit is laden with technological devices that enable him to fight crime. – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Why you should look forward to it: The reason I’m looking forward to this series is that Madhouse has been given full freedom on how to adapt this series. I’m really interested in what they ended up making of it. The staff still is unknown at this point; all we know is that some guy named Warren Ellis, a comic book writer, is going to write the script. Now, there is of course the danger that this will just turn into a cheesy crime fighting series, but with a good director and series composition this should be okay.
Why you should not look forward to it: At only 12 episodes, can the creators really do something interesting, or will they run out of time?
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Letter Bee Reverse

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 becomes his dream, that of a Letter Bee. However, the one who inspired him has gone missing and only there does the mystery start. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: YES! YES! The first season ended with one hell of a cliff-hanger, right at the point where it had gotten better than ever. I’ve been hungry for its sequel ever since, especially because the story is only really beginning now. The director Akira Iwanaga is the same, so the atmosphere should be the same. There is someone new behind the series composition though: Masanao Akahoshi, whose works are all over the place: from the bad (Ikkitousen Great Guardians) to the decent (Index, Viper’s Creed) to the good (Souko no Strain) and the awesome (Zone of the Enders).
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, let’s not forget the main problem with Letter Bee: the fillers. They actually did a very good job of fleshing out the cast, but they will feel out of place now that the real story is about to start. So hereby: please don’t abuse them here, Studio Pierrot?
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Bakuman

Summary: Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi are pretty much foils of each other. Mashiro, an average 9th grade student but talented artist, and Takagi, an overall advanced 9th grader and aspiring writer. After great convincing, Takagi convinces Mashiro to join him in becoming the greatest mangakas Japan has ever seen. Takagi, with his gift of writing, hopes to become a successful mangaka, and Mashiro, with his gift of art, hopes to marry the girl of his dreams, Azuki Miho. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Bakuman, written by the original manga author of Death Note. That’s at least something here, even though the genre is completely different. But Kenichi Kasai, the genius behind Nodame Cantbile, Aoi Hana and Honey and Clover can really make this one work. Directing along with him is a new guy, who has never directed a full series before. The script is also in good hands with Reiko Yoshida, who wrote a ton of different series before. To complete this dream team is another scriptwriter: Seishi Minakami of Asatte no Houkou, Birdy the Mighty Decode 02, Shigurui, Paranoia Agent and Rescue Wings fame.
Why you should not look forward to it: It remains a romantic comedy. A seemingly very solid one, but if you don’t like the genre then I’m not sure whether this premise will convert you.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt

Summary: The story centers around a teen-celebrity-like blonde-haired girl named Panty and a black-haired Goth Loli girl named Stocking. The two are angels sent from the heavens to battle the Ghosts on Earth. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: In a season chockful of moe and fanservice, the series with the most suggestive title actually is something completely different: Panty, Stocking and Garterbelt are actually the names of the lead characters. I admit that I laughed when I found that out. This show seems very intriguing, especially with the director of Gurren Lagann and Dead Leaves behind this thing. I’m really in the mood for some Gainax-esque action. What’s going to make this one different from the above two is the assistant director, though. Now, I’m not sure how much influence these guys can have, but FLCL’s director definitely has promise.
Why you should not look forward to it: Now, this show looks absolutely awesome, but I did have a beef with Gurren Lagann and Dead Leaves, and that was its characterization. I didn’t really care for the cast for some reason. So that’s my request for this series: have a bunch of enjoyable, yet well fleshed out characters in this series.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Psychic Detective Yakumo

Summary: The story is about a college student, Yakumo Saitou who was born with different eye colors. His red left eye gave him a special ability to see ghosts and spirits. He believes ghosts and spirits are bound to earth because of a certain ’cause’ and simply by eliminating that ’cause’ will those spirits rest in peace. Being asked for help by Haruka Ozawa, together they began the investigation – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Why you should look forward to it: Yes! Now this one looks to be right up my interests: mystery, a lead character beyond high school, lots of supernatural influences, Bee-Train. Although this seems to be Bee-Train without Koichi Mashimo (I really wonder what he’s up to right now). Instead, the director is going to be Tomoyuki Kurokawa (the director of Murder Princess), which admittedly isn’t the most solid choice. Still, the guy behind the series is Hiroyuki Kawasaki, who has a huge amount of experience on many different series.
Why you should not look forward to it: 13 episodes. Too little. And again, I have my doubts about Bee-Train without Koichi Mashimo. I mean, he’s the guy reason why I became a fan of them in the first place.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Star Driver Kagayaki no Takuto

Summary: On a cross-shaped island in the South, a mysterious and gigantic humanoid robot known as the “Cybuddy” is discovered sealed in the underground ruins for untold ages. A group known as the “Order of the Glittering Star Cross” attempts to remove the seal by abducting a girl named Wako Agemaki, who they dubbed the “shrine maiden” and is the key to activating the robot. A boy named Takuto Tsunashi arrives with his own Cybuddy named Tauburn to rescue Wako. Thus begins a struggle to unlock the secrets of the advanced technology and prevent disaster. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: First of all, it’s an original series: not based on anything. Furthermore, the series composition, done by Yoji Enokido, who also did the series composition for Revolutionary Girl Utena. How could I not look forward to that? On top of that, the director is Takuya Igarashi, who also directed Ashita no Nadja and it’s animated by Bones. These guys KNOW how to make such an adventure series work!
Why you should not look forward to it: Okay, okay, okay. I know that those aren’t the only works these people have done and I do realize that we’re talking about the creators of Melody of Oblivion and a bunch of Sailor Moon episodes here. These guys have worked on some series that I didn’t really like. But here’s the thing: this show can flop gigantically, but I feel that if it manages to work, it’s going to make for one hell of an epic.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

I’ve noticed that with most seasonal previews, movies and OVAs tend to be largely ignored. That’s why I decided to come with a preview, entirely dedicated to them. Sure, in the case of the movies it’s probably going to take nine months before we can actually get the chance to check them out, but this seems like a good point to look forward to them either way.

This post contains previews for the upcoming movies and OVAs that are scheduled in June, July and August as indicated on Moonphase. I’ve left out the porn and the continuing ones such as Negima and Break Blade. Aside from that, the order is mainly based on my preference: the ones I’m looking forward to the most are at the bottom, and the least interesting ones to me are at the top here.

The trend seems to be kids’ movies, but certainly not in a bad way. There are a ton of interesting looking family-movies scheduled with excellent staff behind them. There are also quite a few continuations of franchises, ranging from short to long and ambitious OVAs and CG movies. Anyway, I hope that this list is going to be useful for some people. I had a lot of fun making it in any case.

Shin Koihime Musou OVA

Summary: Kashin is afflicted with a disease that will turn her into a cat if an antidote is not found, and Kada is still seeking the Crucial Ways to the Key of Peace, so he entrusts Kanuu’s group to go seek the ingredients for an antidote. At the same time, Choujou is plotting something between the Kingdoms, and Kashin may have been only the first in a line of dominoes set to fall. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: One or a bunch of OVAs next to the TV-series.
Why you should look forward to it: I don’t get the director, Nobuaki Nakanishi: he actually did some pretty good stuff in the nineties: a few WMTs, Mahoujin Guruguru. What happened to this guy?
Why you should not look forward to it: Seriously though, how long do they still think that they can keep milking this thing out?
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Metal Fight Beyblade VS Taiyō Shakunetsu no Shinryakusha

Type: Kids’ movie.
Why you should look forward to it: If you’re under the age of 11.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s a beyblade movie.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Pocket Monster Diamond & Pearl: Genei no Hasha Zoroark

Summary: Celebi sees Raikou, Entei, and Suicune fighting in the future in an attempt to stop this from happening, Celebi then travels to the past. Ash encounters a shadowy figure that looks identical to how he looks, but the other appears to be evil. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie (The thirteenth one already)
Why you should look forward to it: More pokemon.
Why you should not look forward to it: More pokemon.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Zettai Karen Children

Summary: In a world where ESP is common, only three people have them at the highest possible level – Level 7. Those three are the special ESP team, The Children. The Children work for BABEL, a special ESPer organization committed to stopping crimes before they happen. Kouichi Minamoto is assigned to watch over them, and he’ll need to, because three superpowered ten year olds are a problem on their own. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: An OVA for the series, whether it’s a continuation, side-story or one-shot isn’t known yet.
Why you should look forward to it: To be honest, when I dropped it (it just wasn’t funny and the characters and premise were just stupid for my tastes), I did not expect this show to go on for 52 episodes. Zettai Karen Children is at least a franchise that gets enough time to show off, and for the characters to actually grow up.
Why you should not look forward to it: Obviously, I do assume that you need to have seen those 52 episodes in order to get this OVA, something which was very hard for me considering how boring the early episodes of the TV-series were.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Abnormal Physiology Seminar

Summary: In the story, Nanako Matsutaka has been assigned to the Abnormal Physiology Seminar, even though she herself is a rather ordinary person with no abnormalities in particular. On the other hand, her classmates, including the college upperclassman Komugi Musashi, have just about every abnormal condition to speak of. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: One-shot OVA bundled with a manga-volume.
Why you should look forward to it: The staff itself is decent. Nobody stands out, but it’s got the director of the first season of Hidamari Sketch (aside from Shinbo, I guess)
Why you should not look forward to it: Takamitsu Kouno is behind the script, and his work unfortunately only ranges from mediocre moe series. This is going to be yet another one of those slice of life comedies.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Hiyokoi

Summary: Hiyori, a small and timid girl, goes to school for the first time in a year since an accident left her hospitalized. Follow her as she struggles with her social skills, tries to make friends and maybe even a little bit more…? – (Taken from Myanimelist)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: This movie still is a big mystery at this point, but it’s quite rare for such a shoujo manga to be actually adapted into a movie of all things. It looks very cute in either case.
Why you should not look forward to it: But at the same time it’s also very typical: weak girl (probably weaker than ever here) who is being taken care of by a strong guy who is very popular. It’s standard shoujo fare. Can the movie-format really make this work?
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Kyou, Koi wo Hajimarimasu

Summary: Self-conscious Tsubaki Hibino enjoys hairstyling, but doesn’t think that style suits herself. When she arrives at her new high school, she is immediately teased by her delinquent-like classmates for maintaining such an old-fashioned look. That’s not the worst part — the top student of the grade, Kyouta Tsubaki, not only shares the same name as her, but is also an arrogant, promiscuous playboy. After Tsubaki cuts Kyouta’s hair in defiance, he ominously threatens to steal all of her first experiences. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Seems like a one-shot OVA that gets shipped along with a volume of the manga it’s based on.
Why you should look forward to it: It’s got an interesting director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi, whose other works include a bunch of Dragonball Z Movies… and Casshern Sins, and he also co-directored the first Digimon Movie. Enough hints that the manga will be portrayed accurately here.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, it’s just one episode of a much, much longer shoujo series. Still, the mangas seem to be selling quite well. Perhaps this hints at a full blown adaptation somewhere in the future. In that case, if the director remains the same things could get interesting.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Black Rock Shooter

Summary: Not sure, but it seems to be based on some moe karaoke character called Hatsune Miku.
Type: OVA, though the exact format doesn’t seem to be known yet.
Why you should look forward to it: Ordet is a newcomer as an animation-producing company, founded by Yutaka Yamamoto (among others) after Kyoani fired him. This is going to be their first full fledged production, and it’s always good to see new people here. The director also is usually just a storyboarder or a key animator, so there’s probably going to a lot of eye candy here.
Why you should not look forward to it: I never really understood what that “Vocaloid”-thing was all about though. Can you really make an OVA out of a karaoke program? Ah well, with enough imagination it’s possible I guess.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Gunpla Builders

Summary: The main character of the story is Haru Irei, a boy who becomes a “Gunpla Builder” after a fateful encounter with the Beginning Gundam plastic model. (In real life, Bandai is producing a Beginning Gundam model kit in 1/144 scale, but has not set a release date or price.) Rina Noyama is an always cheerful girl who, like her friend Haru, is a big fan of Gunpla. Haru’s pal Kenta Sakazaki is a boy who loves Gunpla and gives advice to Haru about building them. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: Just… no.
Why you should not look forward to it: Sunrise… just surpassed itself. Seriously for god’s sake, raping your own franchises over and over is one thing, but stop hogging all of those awesome directors for these pointless side-stories of yours, who you’re probably not even going to give the freedom they need to really make something awesome. First there was Kazuhiro Furuhashi, then my favourite director ever Kazuki Akane, and now also Kou Matsuou, the director of Red Garden, Rozen Maiden and Kurenai, along with the rest of an all-star cast. Sunrise is like that rich dorky kids who keeps paying all of the cool kids to stay around him. These people should be working on so many better shows, compared to the same Sunrise Mecha franchises that should have died by now. Apologies for this rant, but I’ve gotten even more tired of Sunrise than I already was after finding this out.
First-Glance Potential: 50%

Ginmaku Hetalia: Axis Powers – Paint it, White

Summary: The movie will adapt Hidekaz Himaruya’s Hetalia – Axis Powers web manga, just as the two earlier television seasons did and the upcoming new television season will in March. The film will retain the same main staff and cast from the television version, including director Bob Shirohata and the animators at Studio DEEN. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: I have no idea what to expect of this, really. I mean, Hetalia consists out of short one-minute sketches. Are they going to keep this up for sixty entire minutes or something? In any case, the creators did an interesting job of epic-ifying the main cast in the promo image there.
Why you should not look forward to it: The reason why Hetalia works is because the episodes are just five minutes long. I’m too afraid that those sixy minutes will be more like a test of patience instead.
First-Glance Potential: 60%

.Hack//Link

Summary: The .hack//Link game is intended as the final chapter in the popular .hack franchise. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Seems to be a 3D CG Movie, though not certain.
Why you should look forward to it: Well, so the .Hack franchise is finally coming to a conclusion with this one. It’s an incredibly diverse genre with just about every visual medium used to tell its story in: games, anime, movies, CG, manga, OVAs. It’s a bit of a shame that the finale can’t get a TV-series, but nevertheless this should be watched for its ideas.
Why you should not look forward to it: Having said that though, I’ve given up on trying to follow the entire continuity of this franchise. Leaving alone the different anime that got produced, I have not watched any of the other canon. Will the movie also be worthwhile to the ones who aren’t fully known to the entire franchise?
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Honeybee Hutch The Movie

Summary: The original anime followed a honeybee named Hutch who survives the destruction of his beehive by wasps. Hutch embarks on a journey to find his mother. The film will have a new story that deals with interactions with humans, as well as a new girl character named Amy. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Remake Movie.
Why you should look forward to it: Aww, this brings back memories. I remember how the original anime was shown on Dutch TV when I still was a kid. I disliked it though: Hutch looked rather stupid. Still: the creators are actually giving a totally new story to this movie. Hell yeah, remakes like this rock.
Why you should not look forward to it: Tetsuro Amino… isn’t this guy a bit busy right now? I mean, he also has to direct Shiki at this point.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Kurenai OVA

Summary: Based on a series of light novels, Kure-nai is about the adventures and misadventures of 16-year-old Kurenai Shinkurou. Shinkurou is an authority in settling disputes between people, and finds his life turned upside down one day when he is assigned as a bodyguard for Kuhouin Murasaki, the daughter of a powerful plutocratic family. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: A One-shot OVA bundled with a manga-volume
Why you should look forward to it: Awesome to see more of this. It’s not known whether the original director is also going to come back to handle this series, but I really hope he does, because it’ll mean that we get more of the amazing voice-acting, in which the voices get to be recorded before they actually get animated.
Why you should not look forward to it: At the same time though I also hope that this isn’t one of those “screw the people who haven’t read the manga”-OVAs, but that it’s also going to be for the fans of the anime.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Black Lagoon – Roberta’s Blood Trail

Summary: The story revolves around a typical Japanese businessman who gets caught up in the escapades of modern-day pirate mercenaries off the Asian shores. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: 5-Episoded OVA
Why you should look forward to it: I just love how the director of this series, Sunau Katabuchi, has other than this series mostly been working on cute and innocent anime. He’s the director of Princess Arete, for Christ’s sake. In any case, I absolutely loved the first season of Black Lagoon. It’s going to be awesome if he can get back on track here.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, my big problem with the franchise is that the second season kind-of lost focus of what it was about, and it dropped the interesting theme of modern-day pirates to instead focus on random action arcs. Either that, or I just was overreacting back when I watching. That tended to happen a lot back then.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Loups Garous

Summary: Virtual reality. Murder. Werewolves. And teen girls! In a future where nothing is as it seems, can old legends come true? In the near future, humans will communicate almost exclusively through monitors, making real interaction a rarified and weak occurrence for those living in a near totalitarian society. In this new world of communication, children are only allowed to interact personally on school grounds. So when a serial killer starts slaughtering junior high children the communication routes go under further surveillance. And despite all the safeguards put in place to avoid physical interaction, the killer’s latest victim turns out to have been in contact with three young girls: Mio Tsuzki, a certified prodigy; Hatsuki Matsuno, a quiet but opinionated classmate; and Ayumi Kono, her best friend. And as the girls get caught up in trying to quell curiosity under such terrorist scrutiny, Hatsuki learns that there is much more than meets the eye of their monitored communications. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: It may be about teenagers, but it’s definitely an interesting premise for a horror movie that we’ve got here. It’s done by production IG. Junichi Fujisaku (Blood+) will direct it, but the best thing is the original creator: Natsuhiko Kyogoku, who also wrote Mouryou no Hako.
Why you should not look forward to it: Trans-Arts, responsible for a lot of the less impressive works of Production IG over the past few years. The director also has screwed up a few times when it comes to series composition, so let’s hope he can see the general picture with this movie.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Colorful

Summary: The “heart-warming comedy” follows a person who finds himself trapped outside the normal endless circle of life and death. Thanks to “winning” a lottery in the angel world, the protagonist is brought back to inhabit the body of a 14-year-old boy — who is planning to commit suicide. Thus, the protagonist begins a new life. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Movie
Why you should look forward to it: At least I’m glad that at least a part of Sunrise is trying out interesting concepts. This movie is definitely based on an idea that kicks ass. Keiichi Hara is going to direct it, which seems like a solid choice after Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi. The scriptwriter of Nodame Cantabile is also going to help.
Why you should not look forward to it: Movies shouldn’t advertise themselves as a “heart-warming comedy”. Let the viewers determine instead.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Ai no Kusabi

Summary: On planet Amoi, a great society has developed, creating a computerized city called Tanagura, ruled by supercomputer Jupiter. The populace is almost entirely male and is based on hair color; silver and/or blonds are the elitist, ending with dark/black haired as the bottom of society, often known as “mongrels”. Blondies keep “pets”, young boys kept for a few years, especially made for performing sexual actions for the Blondie’s voyeurism entertainment. Blondies aren’t suppose to keep pets for long or interact sexually with pets, but one blondie named Iason Mink has kept a pet named Rikki, for years and is rumored to sleep with him. Iason refuses to let go of Rikki, even with Jupiter’s disapproval. Rikki fights with his emotions and society problems, unable to decide what to do about his old friend/lover Gai (Guy) and their gang. Iason is obsessed with keeping Rikki, and Rikki doesn’t know what to do; fight against him or surrender to him. – (Taken from ANN)
Type: Really long OVA: 13 episodes.
Why you should look forward to it: This has been delayed quite a few times by now, which seems to indicate that the creators really want to take their time to make this one turn out well, rather than trying to rush things. They even got the director of the original Ai no Kusabi OVA (released in 1992) back, Katsuhiko Akiyama, even though he hasn’t been involved into any anime during the past ten years, and Rieko Yoshihara, who created the novel that this show is based on is also involved everywhere, from the series composition to the screenplay. Yaoi it may be, but this seems much better than the regular bishie shows we get to see. Oh, and have I already mentioned that the characters are designed by Naoyuki Onda, who also designed the characters of Ergo Proxy, Blassreiter and Gantz? He’ll also be doing the animation direction.
Why you should not look forward to it: AIC may not be the strongest animation company though, and that does show in the character-designs: they just don’t look as good as on the promo of the 1992 OVA of Ai no Kusabi.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Karigurashi no Arrietty

Summary: The Borrowers is a children’s fantasy novel by Mary Norton about tiny people who “borrow” things from humans and keep their existence unknown. The central characters are the Clock family: Pod, Homily and their spirited teenage daughter, Arrietty. First published in 1952, it won the Carnegie Medal for that year, and was selected in 2007 by judges of the CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s literature as one of the ten most important children’s novels of the past 70 years. – (Taken from Wikipedia)
Type: Movie (adaptation of this classic novel)
Why you should look forward to it: A novel adaptation by Ghibly. What’s not to look forward to here? Hayao Miyazaki will even be planning out the movie, but the direction is in the hands of Hiromasa Yonebayashi. I’m not sure who he is, but he worked on the animation of various movies such as the Yamadas, Gedo Senki, Howl’s Moving Castle, Jin Roh, Spirited Away and even series as Monster and Serial Experiments Lain. New talent is always interesting to watch.
Why you should not look forward to it: Well, I guess it’s a children’s novel, so those looking for a story about adults shouldn’t look here.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW

Summary: A tiny mountain village in a remote woodland region. Five primary school kids have come together in this idyllic spot in order to spend their summer holidays at a camp. At first the children enjoy carefree days amidst unspoiled nature far away from adult supervision. But their life changes dramatically when they come across what they believe to be a small dog, badly in need of help. The creature – known as Pochi – turns out not to be a dog at all but an alien on an important mission. It seems there is a mysterious substance on earth that is coveted throughout the universe. Pochi had almost found it but was so badly injured during a fight that he had to give up his search. Thanks to the children’s help, the alien survives – and decides to reward them generously. “Where would you most like to travel?” is the question Pochi puts to his rescuers. Their answer is prompt, if vague: “As far as possible!” Pochi suggests they try the moon first of all, and so, the alien whisks away the kids to the satellite next door. This marks the beginning of an absolutely amazing adventure. During the course of their travels they discover that the substance coveted throughout the universe is in fact also integral to Japanese cuisine – and it just so happens that one of the kids has some of this mysterious substance in his pocket.
– (Taken from AniDB)
Type: Movie of two hours and 16 minutes.
Why you should look forward to it: The title really has something cheesy yet awesome here. And take a look at who’s producing it: Koji Masunari, the director of Read or Die and the incredibly charming series as Kamichu and Risky Safety. I’m predicting an incredibly charming family movie here with a ton of imagination. To make things even better, Yoshihiro Ike, one of my favourite composers, will be doing the soundtrack. The screenplay will be done by Hideyuki Kurata, who also wrote the Excel Saga, Now and Then, Here and There, Read or Die, Sasameki Koto and Brigadoon. It’s also going to be the first movie of A-1 Pictures to produce. If that isn’t the formula of an awesome family movie then I don’t know any more.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m blank on this one, though I guess it remains a movie about a bunch of kids.
First-Glance Potential: 100%

Okay, a few statistics first: this season has 18 tv-series. In comparison, the previous season had 31 of them while the past winter-season had 17. Out of these 18, there are five sequels. Nine (!) shows are going to focus a lot on moe and fanservice. Yeah… it’s going to be another dry and meagre season.

What strikes me the most about this season however is that from first glance, series either look extremely interesting, or extremely shallow. There’s hardly any in between. We have a number of really strong titles and strong staff making their appearance… while in the meantime AIC just surpasses itself with its sheer amount of mindless moe shows. I’ll probably be able to blog six of these series, which thankfully should still be possible.

Leaving the moe for what it is, this seems to me a season of action, horror and the supernatural. Horror finally returns, while action also is present in a ton of flavours, from the light-hearted and stupid to intense zombie-slaying to hot-blooded samurai duking it out.

Studios that are surprisingly absent are Sunrise, Bones (who’ll only have Heroman this season…), Bee-Train (Usually they go for one series a year… not this time though and I wonder why), Satelight, Shaft (the first time in what feels like ages in which Shinbo isn’t spamming something).

La campanella della benedizione

Summary: The original fantasy adventure game from Windmill Oasis is set in a port city known as the “treasury of the world” for the great riches that pass through it. The city is in the middle of preparations for a special harvest festival for the mysterious energy source known as Ēru, as a “Day of Shooting Stars” lights up the night skies. Leicester Maycraft is a young item technician who lives in the city as part of the Oasis adventurers clan. On the “Day of Shooting Stars,” one shooting star lands near a party that Leicester attends. When Leicester searches for where the shooting star landed, a girl appears before Leicester and says, “You are my Papa!” – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Watch this one for the awesome background artist: Yuuko Sugiyama. She worked on Millennium Actress, the xxxHolic Movie, Nausicaa, Kemonozume and Ghost in the Shell’s second gig.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s basically AIC and its cute girls again, and the rest of the staff doesn’t really promise anything to deviate from the many stereotypes that plague the genre. It’s directed by Mariko Fujita, whose previous character-designs were just forgettable moe. It’s only going to have 12 episodes, so there’s also hardly any chance of it developing into something interesting along the way.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Seitokai Yakuindomo

Summary: Takatoshi is a new student in the recently gender-integrated high school. He’s asked to join the student council as the vice president. Thus begins his days as the only normal boy among 3 female student council officers… – (Taken from Myanimelist)
Why you should look forward to it: Again, the show may seem like crap, but at least it’s going to have awesome backgrounds: Masanomu Nobura previously worked on series as Arjuna, Boogiepop Phantom, Gad Guard, First Squad, the Tsubasa OVAs, Votoms and Now and Then, Here and There.
Why you should not look forward to it: From the creators of Princess Lover, we get an new show that sparkles with originality as brightly as its predecessor. It’s yet another one of those silly school comedies that probably won’t even be funny.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Asobi ni Iku Yo

Summary: The story centers around Kio Kakazu, a high school freshman living in Okinawa. During a memorial service for one of his family ancestors. A mysterious girl with cat ears appears before him indroducing herself as Eris and claiming that she is an alien. However She be more troubling than he first realizes. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: The series composition seems solid here: Katsuhiko Takayama was behind some of the most solid shaft series, along with Ga-Rei Zero and Hantsuki. He doesn’t seem to be good with long series, but there’s no way that this show is going to run past 13 episodes anyway.
Why you should not look forward to it: AIC, for crike’s sake. Try doing something else than recycling those shallow romantic comedies of yours. I mean, in the past four seasons how many of them have you churned out by now? Looking at the staff, this doesn’t seem like the director is going to be able to make this one stand out. I predict that it’s not going to be funny and instead just mindlessly annoying.
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Strike Witches 2

Summary: The year is 1939 – it was then that the Neuroi appeared. Nobody knows where they came from or what their ultimate agenda is, but the fact remains that their attacks drove people out of their towns and cities. In order to take arms against them, humanity develops a new anti-Neuroi weapon called the “Striker Unit.” Using the power of magic to fight against the monsters, this new device enhances and amplifies the power of female magic-wielders. To use this device, young witches from all over the world have been brought together to form an elite task force unit called the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, commonly known as the “Strike Witches.” – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: What’s a Striker Unit and why is it behind the series composition? The director, Kazuhiro Takamura in any case is still the same, so you should expect much of the same.
Why you should not look forward to it: The thing is that while it was serviceable, it was also extremely forgettable. I don’t want to sit through the same thing again. And seriously, AIC. FOUR freaking moe shows in one season?
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Legend of Legendary Heroes

Summary: The story revolves around Raina Ryūto, an apathetic student who always dozes off at the Roland Imperial Special Academy. One day, Raina and his classmates get caught in the war waged by the opposing Kingdom of Esutabūru, and he loses many friends. After the battle, Raina goes on a quest on behalf of the Roland Empire and Emperor Shion Asutaaru, even as the darkness that has enveloped the land has begun to consume the empire. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Under a capable staff, this show would rock.
Why you should not look forward to it: But alas… ZEXCS is running away with this one. Itsuro Kawasaki is the epitome of mediocrity: his shows area all completely forgettable, have a few nice points here and there but only stand out in their shallowness. I feel that this is going to end up like Chrome-Shelled Regios: full of potential that he refuses to focus at.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Mitsudomoe

Summary: The story centers around the comedic misadventures of the Marui triplets of sisters in sixth grade. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Bridge, the animation company is completely new. It’s always interesting to see fresh blood amongst the anime producers.
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s from the creators of Minami-ke and *gulp* Yoake Mae Yori Ruri Iro Na -Crescent Love-. Gah, run away!!! Seriously though, it’s another slice of life comedy. With those shows being a dime a dozen, I’m only giving this show a chance if it proves that it’s actually funny.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Kuroshitsuji II

Summary: One of the noble families of England – Phantomhive, has a butler, Sebastian Michaels. He has unquestionably perfect knowledge, manners, talent with materials. martial arts and much more. But for some reason, he serves a 12 year old master… – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Wait, didn’t the lead character change compared to the first season? The director and series composition guy also changed. The series composition guy doesn’t even seem to be listed at Anime News Network, while it’s going to be the director’s first job at directing a full blown anime. It can go either way now.
Why you should not look forward to it: But I got bored of the series anyway. I found the first few episodes that I sat through formulaic and boring, the characters weren’t that appealing and I had little reason to keep watching. Was I wrong?
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Digimon Xros Wars

Summary: Story currently unknown, but seems be revolved around theme of Digimon armies, set to unveil battles like those of the Sengoku period[2]. – (Taken from Wikimon)
Why you should look forward to it: Nothing is known about it, however we should note that Toei has been in an interesting trend this, in which it revitalized its franchises like what happened to Heartcatch Precure. If it’s executed as well as the first season, then we could be in for something interesting.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah. It doesn’t really help that it looks like your average Beyblade promo. If you weren’t familiar to the Digimon franchise you’d just dismiss this another one of those silly shounen series. I liked the first season, but really did not like how the second season butchered it, so I want to see this work first before getting enthusiastic.
Update: Okay, the staff has been announced, and it’s… average. Riku Sanjo will be doing the series composition, and he’s the manga artist of Dragon Quest, Beet the Vandel Buster and MD Geist. The interesting part is the director, though: it’s the guy behind the Master of Epic anime, the director of Hikaru no Go, and a whole bunch of random adventure series. Can he bring this series to life?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~

Summary: Minato Sahashi is extremely intelligent, yet due to his inability to cope under pressure has failed the college entrance exam twice. As a result he has been branded an idiot and loser by many. One day after talking to his yet again disappointed mother he comes into contact with a girl named Musubi who was under attack. The girl runs but takes him with her and soon finds that Minato, while unknown to him, is an Ashikabi, one of the mysterious set of masters that have the genetic trait that can become partners with some of the 108 cute girls, buxom women, and bishōnen called “Sekirei”. The reason for the partnership allows the Sekirei to use all their power to win in the competition held by the mysterious MBI corporation. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: The same staff, so it should be pretty much the same as the first season. The director has had his hits and misses, and Sekirei was somewhere in between: often not funny, but it had its charms.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, that’s the problem. After two years, I nearly completely forgot what this show was about. Everything about it was forgettable, so I’m not sure whether I want to watch more of it.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Amagami SS

Summary: The original game centers around a second-year high school boy who find himself uneasy during Christmastime due to an experience in the past. However, this year at Christmas, he gets his last chance to ask out a graduating female senior named Haruka Morishima — or one of several other classmates. The story of the anime will be arranged in an omnibus format, with each heroine getting her own version of the story animated. Each heroine will sing her own version of the ending theme song. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: The director: Yoshimasa Hiraike; while I didn’t like Working, I liked some of the other shows he did (Kaleido Star’s second season, Solty Rei) a lot. The script writers also seem solid, having worked quite a few different series ranging from bad to good. AIC’s moe series either don’t try at all, or are actually quite interesting. My guess is that this show is going to belong to the latter category.
Why you should not look forward to it: I don’t think this show will stand out in the production-values though. Toshiyuki Omori may have worked on a ton of soundtracks, none of them were really memorable. The character designer also doesn’t have a lot of great designs on his name, same with the art director And yeah, it remains another one of those romance shows. I’m getting tired of those, unless they’re done really well like some of the current season’s series.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Tono to Issho

Summary: The manga follows the humorous exploits of generals during Japan’s tumultuous sengoku (Era of the Warring States) period. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: I thought that this was just going to be a one-shot OVA. This really changes things, though we still don’t know anything about what this show is going to look like. The director, Mankyuu is also a complete mystery.
Why you should not look forward to it: But is it really going to be a good comedy that will be funny for more than two episodes? I really have no idea.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Osaka Hamlet

Summary: “Osaka Hamlet” tells the story of the Kubo family and their life in Osaka. The mother (Keiko Matsuzaka), a hospital attendant by day, a club hostess at night — raises three sons with their uncle (Ittoku Kishibe). There is Hasanori – the skinny-but-spunky sixth-grader who likes to cross-dress, Yukio – the punkish junior-high-schooler who becomes fascinated with “Hamlet,” and Masashi – the high-schooler who falls for a an older woman with a father fixation. – (Taken from AsianMediaWiki) – Sorry, but at the time when I wrote this, the official website was down… so the images from the movie that was made about this will have to do. ANN has a small screenshot of the character-designs.
Why you should look forward to it: Hardly anything is known about this show at this point, other than that the manga it’s based on won a bunch of awards. Sounds promising!
Why you should not look forward to it: These character-designs can either be good or bad. It’s either a sign for a cheap series in which the creators aren’t even trying, or an attempt to move away from the mainstream of anime and instead focus on the characters. The acting is going to make or break this series.
First-Glance Potential: 40%

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi

Summary: The story centres around Ryouko Oukami, a high school freshman girl known for her fierce looks, unusual canine teeth when she smiles, and wild demeanor. (Her family name is homonymous with the Japanese word for “wolf.”) Ringo Akai is a short high school freshman girl with seemingly cute, angelic looks but a dark demeanor. (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. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: It’s a red riding hood parody. It’s going to be just another moe show, but at least it’s going to be a solid one with the direction of Yoshiaki Iwasaki; he’s very experienced and worked on shows as Bottle Fairy, Love Hina, Sky Girls and Wagaya no Oinarisama, which I actually quite liked.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m not that sure about the series composition though: Michiko Itou. Her works range from Letter Bee to Queen’s Blade and from Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou to Kimikiss. They were all quite flawed.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Sengoku Basara Two

Summary: In the bloody Warring States period of feudal Japan, many generals fought in an endless struggle for power, but one man proved to be too big a threat – The dark lord Oda Nobunaga. Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune, two young warriors from different regions who become heated rivals, begin to form an unlikely alliance with the rest of the generals to take down the Devil King. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: A new director, this sounds promising. The problem with the first season was that it was just too forgettable. However, with the prime-time slot of anime, and Kazyua Nomura who will be directing for the first time, my interest is piqued again. This guy is someone who can do everything: writing, planning, animating, drawing. He’s been behind some amazing episodes. Plus, he was the animation director of some episodes of Mahou Shoujotai. I just can’t ignore that. ^^;
Why you should not look forward to it: The thing remains however, that I expected better from Production IG. Such a hot-blooded series is nice and all, but the first season was completely forgettable. Will the second season really be better?
First-Glance Potential: 70%

High School of the Dead

Summary: The world is over taken with a deadly “disease” that turns people who get bitten into the living dead. In Japan, a group of students and the school nurse stick together and try to survive the wide spread chaos. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: The director of Death Note? Okay, that’s the last thing I saw coming from a fanservice show like this one. Still, I’m very glad with this: this guy is unique, and he’s bound to make this into a ride that’s even more intense than Rainbow is at the moment. Sure, it’s brainless zombies, but this guy can make that awesome. And god, the series composition also is amazing: Yousuke Kuroda, who did the series composition of shows like Phantom, Infinite Ryvius, Ookiku Furikabutte, Honey and Clover and the script of Tribun. I was NOT looking forward to this show before writing this preview. But now, I’m eagerly anticipating it.
Why you should not look forward to it: There’s not going to be any eye candy here though. Most of Madhouse’s best visual people are currently working on Yojou-han and the Marvel trilogy, which is reflected in the character-designer, Masayoki Tanaka, who did the character-designs for shounen flicks as Hitman Reborn and Toradora.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Occult Academy

Summary: The horror and school comedy story of Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin revolves around mystery and supernatural cases at Occult Academy, a fortress-like academy city. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: As the third Anime no Chikara series, this is a show that can go in any direction. A relative newbie and inexperienced director (Tomohiko Ito) will lead the project. The series composition will be amazing: it’s done by Seishi Minakami, whose works range from beyond awesome (Birdy the Mighty Decode 2(!!), Shigurui, Asatte no Houkou, Paranoia Agent, Rescue Wings, Boogiepop Phantom, Paprika) to surprisingly mediocre (Railgun… G-On Riders…). Takahiro Chiba will direct the animation, like what he did with a bunch of episodes of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, Baby Blue, Kamichu, Naruto, Read or Die and Otogizoshi. The art director will kick even more ass: Yusuke Takeda produced some beautiful backgrounds at Real Drive, Seirei no Moribito, True Tears, Eden of the East and probably Standalone Complex as well. A-1 pictures will animate it, with Xebec as assistance.
Why you should not look forward to it: It really screams an incredibly solid cast. But will it be the right premise for it? I mean, it’s going to be a horror comedy on a school between a bunch of teenagers. These people should be working on something much more interesting.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Shiki

Summary: During a fiercely hot summer in Sotoba, a peaceful and quiet village with a population of 1300 people, a series of bizarre deaths begin to occur. At the same time, a strange family moves into a long abandoned mansion in the region. Hospital dean Toshio Ozaki cannot figure out the cause of death in the deceased, initially suspecting an epidemic. As investigations continue between the hospital staff and the residents, it turns out that the village is being attacked by vampires. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Noitamina. For 22 episodes. Finally the timeslot goes for two seasons again! Finally we get some good horror again. The original source material was written by Fuyumi Ono of the Twelve Kingdoms and Ghost Hunt, which is bound to rock. The promo art here realy looks gorgeous. Daume as an animation company doesn’t look the most solid, but the rest of the visual staff certainly does: Masanori Sakaki (of the cinematography of Petit Cosette) will be the director of photography and the art direction will be done by Ichirou Tatsuya of Chevalier and Zettai Shounen. The music will also be excellent with the composer of the soundtrack of Toward the Terra, Mononoke, Jigoku Shoujo and Wagaya no Oinarisama behind the wheel.
Why you should not look forward to it: The problems are going to be the main staff members though. The director Tetsuro Amino has worked on a lot of series, but none really stand out; especially the ones he directed. The series composition guy (Kenji Sugihara) also just worked on a bunch of mediocre series aside from Minami-ke and Sola where he just did the script for a few episodes.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Nurarihyon no Mago

Summary: Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despit the fact he dilikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: With Studio Deen it’s always a bit of a question whether they can get the right staff or not. But this show actually has the DIRECTOR OF SIMOUN behind the direction! It’s still one of my favourite series out there, so I just have to look forward to this. Natsuko Takahashi is a very prolific and talented writer who really is at her best with a great series, and as for the music: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a composer with more soundtracks done than Kouhei Tanaka (includiging Angelic Layer, Betterman, Gad Guard and Overman King Gainer, this could be interesting). As for the visuals, the character-designs are going to be done by one of the best designers of the unrealistic ones: Mariko Oka: she also did the character-designs of Jigoku Shoujo, King of Bandits Jing, Ragnarok and Ghost Hound).
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s a shame that they couldn’t get to tackle an original story though, but the manga has potential if it’s going to continue past 13 episodes. It will, RIGHT?!
First-Glance Potential: 90%

So this is a bit of an experiment: with a lot of seasonal previews I’ve been noticing that OVAs and Movies often take the back seat (this also was the case with my own), up to the point that some gems like Furusato Japan completely passed the radar for years. So here it is: a seasonal preview that’s entirely focused on the upcoming OVAs and Movies. Do note that for the movies, you can expect them to only be available in six months or so.

In any case, the major players here are Sunrise and Production IG with four and three releases respectively. That explains why they felt rather absent with among the Television series. For the people who noted that the spring line-up didn’t look very impressive: a lot of the good stuff of the upcoming season also lies with its Movies and OVAs, with a number of awesome premises scheduled.

Doraemon: Nobita no Ningyo Daikaisen

Summary: It has something to do with Doraemon and his friends fining a mermaid princess and becoming mermaids themselves.
Why you should look forward to it: It will keep your kids busy.
Why you should not look forward to it: This movie wins the prize for having the most annoying website, including a movie that just won’t. stop. playing. Even when you attempt to shut it off, it comes back to bite you after a few seconds. In any case, it’s a harmless kids adventure, but I don’t see much depth or fun for anyone of an older demographic.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

To Love-Ru OVA 6

Summary: Following the adventures and trouble that surrounds Lala Satalin (princess of Deviluke stellar empire) and her unwilling fiance Rito Yuki (a mere human), and friends. The story from “ToLoveRU” continues with a lot of fun caused by Lala’s scientific research, her twin sisters, friends, and Rito’s sister. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Boobs?
Why you should not look forward to it: Xebec is a strange company. It’s definitely able to produce charming series with a lot of personality and depth. And then, their other side is this: cheap harem shows. If you like this sort of stuff, then good for you, but I’ve gotten tired of them looooong ago.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Mahou Sensei Negima!: Mou Hitotsu no Sekai #3

Summary: Negi Springfield and his gang of students, The White Wing (aka Ala Alba), continue their search for Negi’s father by planning a trip to the magic world. The series starts off with their arrival in London and their trip to Negi’s home town (Chapter 184). – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: This is how to correctly adapt a franchise: just animate whatever you can stuff into a bunch of tv-series, and continue the rest of the manga in a series of OVAs.
Why you should not look forward to it: Blegh, Shinbo. Plus, I haven’t watched the rest of Negima.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Sex Pistols

Summary: The 2003 sci-fi story deals with romantic relationships between human men that evolved from animals besides monkeys, such as leopards and bears. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: This is just… wrong on so many levels.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m… speechless. I mean, yaoi is one thing, but this premise is the product of deranged minds.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Eve no Jikan – The Movie

Summary: In the not too distant future androids have come into common usage. Taking the androids for granted, humans treat them as if they were common everyday tools, while on the other hand, some people empathize with androids due to their human-like appearance (save for a digital ring floating above their heads). This has become a social problem and these people are frowned upon as a result. Rikuo, one who has taken androids for granted for his entire life, one day discovers that Sammy, his home android, has been acting strangely and finds a strange phrase recorded in her activity log. He, along with his friend Masaki, traces Sammy’s footsteps and come upon an unusual cafe. This cafe’s main rule is to not discriminate between humans and androids. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: If you haven’t seen it yet, then this is your chance. While it could have been longer, Eve no Jikan was an interesting look at AI and science fiction. This is the movie release of it.
Why you should not look forward to it: It does seem like your average recap movie, though. It doesn’t have much to offer for those who already watched it like myself.
First-Glance Potential: 0%

Haiyoru! Nyaru-Ani

Summary: The full length 20 minute long Flash anime stars the cute silver-haired girl Nyaruko-san who is actually the ancient monster god Nyarlathotep (from author H.P. Lovecraft’s “Cthulhu mythos”). – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: You have to give the creators credit from coming up with such an obscure background character. The director, Azuma Tani is nearly completely new to the business, so it can go anywhere.
Why you should not look forward to it: DLE, the animation company, is only known for very, very, very cheap flash anime that anyone with a flash program could have made. The original character-designs are from the same guy who did them for Kanokon!
First-Glance Potential: 10%

Crayon Shin-chan: Chou Jikuu! Arashi o Yobu Ora no Hanayome

Summary: Shin-chan causes trouble at a wedding.
Why you should look forward to it: What made Shin-chan set himself apart from most other kids shows was simple: most leads are cheerful, nice and always perfect citizens. Shin-Chan is the complete opposite of that. The staff behind this movie also does not share its history: Akira Shiguno is the director, but he’s mostly directed other kinds of kids shows. The screenplay is even more interesting: Michiko Yokote, who worked on the series composition of gems as xxxHolic, Strange Dawn, Hale Nochi Guu and Princess Tutu, and wrote the script of Bake Neko, Cowboy Bebop and Kaze no Yojimbo.
Why you should not look forward to it: But here’s my experience with the Shin-chan franchise, or the TV-series at least, when it aired on Dutch television for a while: it’s fun at first, but after a while Shin-chan’s excessive whining REALLY gets on your nerves.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Tono to Issho

Summary: Adaptation of Tono to Issho 4-panel gag manga. The manga follows the humorous exploits of generals during Japan’s tumultuous Sengoku (Era of the Warring States) period. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: I have no idea. It could be a nice parody, though.
Why you should not look forward to it: But it’s most likely just another one of those gimmicky OVAs that’s not worth watching.
First-Glance Potential: 20%

Precure All Stars DX2: Kibou no Hikari— Rainbow Angel o Mamore!

Summary: Not sure, but it involves every single Pretty Cure lead character. All seventeen of them.
Why you should look forward to it: God, talk about overkill. When you take the characters of all seven Precure series thus far and stuff them into one movie, it’s going to be an interesting train-wreck to see how the creators plan to do all of them justice…
Why you should not look forward to it: It’s another one of these marketing ploys to sell toys. How can these creators, whoever they are, think that they can give everyone its own distinct role?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in The Sky

Summary: Kaitou Kid has his eyes set on the “Lady of the Sky” jewel aboard Bell 3, the largest airship in the world. However, a mysterious terrorist group called Red Shamu-neko has hijacked the airship itself, along with Conan, Kogoro and Ran. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: At this point it has become virtually impossible to try and catch up to the Conan TV-series, but a movie could be nice. With such a huge franchise, Gosho Aoyama, Yasuichiro Yamamoto and Kazunari Kouichi must have either gotten really good at the mystery genre…
Why you should not look forward to it: …or completely burned up. The thing I never understood about the Conan franchise is how you can keep with the exact same formula for more than a decade now, and still not run out.
First-Glance Potential: 30%

Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen

Summary: This seems to be a recap movie of the Benizakura chapter, in which Gintoki’s past gets its first major exploration.
Why you should look forward to it: Ah, back when Gintama was at its best. The arc was a bit cheesy, but well written and gave a lot of depth to the characters involved.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, it sounds like a recap movie with some new things added and subtracted. Will it be enough of a difference for those who already watched that arc?
First-Glance Potential: 30%

King of Thorn

Summary: A mysterious virus, nicknamed Medusa, is spreading around Japan, turning its victims into stone. Given the impossibility of finding an immediate cure, the government opts for cryopreserving a select group of patients until they come up with a solution. Kasumi, one of the chosen ones, has been asleep for years and her awakening, more than a bed of roses, is a bed of thorns, and happens in the midst of total chaos where monstrous creatures lie in wait all around. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: Ah, the next big-budgetted blockbuster. This one promises a lot of eye candy, and it’s good to see that the Sunrise executives are trying more than just ripping off their own franchises. Hiroshi Yamaguchi may have been behind a few flops, but also has shown that he can handle writing a serious story such as Argento Soma, Peacemaker Kurogane, Gatekeepers 21 and Yukikaze. It overall sounds like a very interesting mystery action series
Why you should not look forward to it: This movie is like what? 100 minutes long? The manga it’s based on consists out of 6 volumes. That ain’t gonna fit!
First-Glance Potential: 60%

Bungaku Shoujo

Summary: The “mysterious school comedy” centres on the unusual members of a high school literary club. Touko Amano, a high school senior who calls herself the “literary girl” as the club president, is actually a supernatural creature (youkai) that devours stories — she tears pages from books to munch on them. Her club subordinate is Konoha Inoue, a second-year high school boy who writes stories every day for Amano to eat. He once wrote an award-winning novel, but he wrote it under the pen-name Miu Inoue so readers thought the author was a mysterious 14-year-old bishoujo novelist. The stress from the novel’s fame and its movie and television drama plans turned Inoue in an introverted recluse. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: So, this is what Production IG will be working on for the upcoming spring season. The OVA of Bungaku Shoujo did a nice job of introducing the main characters, but I do hope that the movie will show them in more depth. Yuka Yamada behind the screenplay sounds very promising, considering that she worked the script for Bokura ga Ita, Hataraki Man, Mushishi and Umi Monogatari.
Why you should not look forward to it: Shunsuke Tada, the director of World Destruction doesn’t seem like the best director you could get, though. His works have been among some of the series that impressed me the least over Production IG’s repertoire.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Summary: The year is U.C. 0096. Three years have passed since the end of the Second Neo Zeon War. It is said that the Vist Foundation manipulates the Earth Federation and Anaheim Electronics from behind the scenes. Hoping to create a new world, the Foundation attempts to hand over a certain secret to the Neo Zeon remnants known as the Sleeves. This will mean the opening of Laplace’s Box, which holds a great secret tied to the origins of the Universal Century. The exchange between the Vist Foundation and the Sleeves is to take place at the manufacturing colony Industrial 7. This is the home of the student Banagher Links, who rescues a girl he sees falling through the colony’s zero gravity area. The girl gives her name as Audrey Burne and says she wants to prevent a war, spurring Banagher to step into the conflict surrounding Laplace’s Box—almost as if he is drawn in by his own bloodline. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: At first sight, this looks like yet another one of those Gundam series. For me the UC Gundam time-line derailed in the second half of Zeta Gundam, so what could this one hope to achieve. Now, take a look at the director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi, the director of epics as Rurouni Kenshin Tsuioukuhen, Real Drive, Zipang, Chevalier, Amatsuki and Hunter x Hunter: now I really have to look forward to it. The series will consist out of 6 episodes of about two hours in length, so that should be enough time.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, the big problem with Gundam series nowadays is very meddling Sunrise Executives who refuse any sort of creative freedom, just for the sake of a whole list of shallow marketing plot-devices, like a bunch of bishies or that masked guy. This whole OVA is going to be a tug of war between them and the staff of this series, so let’s hope that it’s not going to turn into another train-wreck because of it.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Break Blade 1

Summary: Rygart Arrow is the only one in his world who lacks the inherent ability to power up quartz, the energy source that makes all of the machines run. Nevertheless, he’s pretty well connected. The King and Queen of his country of Krisna happen to be old college friends. But so is Zess, the guy who is leading the army of a neighbouring kingdom in an attack on Krisna. How did it comes to this? There’s little time to ponder the implications as an army in giant, mechanized battle suits attacks. Arrow just feels like he’s in the way – until he comes across a powerful, ancient mech that no one has yet to be able to figure out how to run. But his natural affinity for the suit’s operating mechanism may just turn Arrow into the most important player of all. – (Taken from Mangaupdates)
Why you should look forward to it: It’s great to see that after Kara no Kyoukai’s success, there are more studios that release large series of movies in order to give their stories the time they need, rather than trying to stuff everything into just ninety minutes. Nobuyoshi Haraba, the director of Fafner and DNAngel is going to direct, which sounds like a solid selection.
Why you should not look forward to it: I’m a bit iffy about the chief director, though: Tetsuro Amino. while his experience is very broad, none of his series really seem that special.
First-Glance Potential: 70%

Trigun Badlands Rumble

Summary: The story is set in Makka, a town surrounded by quicksand. With rumours spreading that the legendary robber Gasback has his sights set on the town, the mayor Kepler has brought together bounty hunters to protect the town. These bounty hunters have been following Gasback from town to town in hopes of bagging the prize. Meryl and Milly have come to town to assess the situation as insurance agents, but are shocked by this turn of events. Moreover, Vash the Stampede is also in town, along with the female bounty hunter Ameria and Nicholas D. Wolfwood. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: The original director Satoshi Nishimura, who also directed the first season of Hajime no Ippo, is back with what apparently is a completely new story. Trigun had some great moments, so let’s hope that the movie can rekindle them.
Why you should not look forward to it: However, I had one problem with Trigun when I watched it: at some parts, it was a classic, but at others it tended to be a bit too dramatic than what was good for it, and it tended to drag this on for way too long, so that’s a potential pitfall. Yasuko Kobayashi, who is going to take care of the screenplay looks a bit iffy though. While she was the chief writer for Blassreiter and did the series composition for Casshern Sins, she also did the series composition for Claymore, Shakugan no Shana and Yume Tsukai…
First-Glance Potential: 80%

Eden of the East II – Paradise Lost

Summary: On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as “Careless Monday,” does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later… Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory. and he is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he’s holding with the other hand. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: So this movie will form the conclusion to Kenji Kawayama‘s Eden of the East, as its second conclusion movie. The original series had a great premise, and a lot depends on this movie for the success of this franchise. With two movies of a combined 172 minutes length, it’s bound to be interesting.
Why you should not look forward to it: But yeah, let’s not forget that the TV-series felt rather incomplete and disappointed a little in its second half. It’s really up to the movies to make up for it.
First-Glance Potential: 80%

xxxHolic Rou

Summary: Bundled with limited edition copies of XXXHOLiC manga volume 17. The OVA was originally announced for release with the 16th manga volume. – (Taken from AniDB)
Why you should look forward to it: Its excellent cast of characters. Watanuki is downright lovable, and through the course of two series, one OVA, one movie and a bunch of cameos in a ton of different series he’s turned into a very engaging character.
Why you should not look forward to it: But I’m still torn. After Tsubasa Chronicles pretty much decided to screw everyone who hasn’t read the manga, I’m very afraid that xxxHolic is going to end up doing the same.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Tales of Symphonia – Tethealla-hen

Summary: This sequel will explore the world parallel to the one that the first OVA took place in, exploring themes as balance, racism and trust, in two worlds in which humans, elves and half-elves have many troubles coexisting.
Why you should look forward to it: Hell yeah, I’ve been looking forward to this! Finally it’s about time for my two favourite characters, Regal and Presea to arrive. The first OVA set itself apart by following the games faithfully, and yet taking its own route when necessary. The staff is the same, so it’s bound to be fun.
Why you should not look forward to it: But granted though, four episodes still feels a bit too short in order to give all of the nuances of the games ample attention. Let’s hope that Ufo Table can skilfully insert the most important parts.
First-Glance Potential: 90%

Armored Trooper Votoms – Phantom Arc

Summary: 26 years after the original Armored Trooper Votoms combat robotic mecha anime series aired, this new six-volume video series is slated to be the final chapter in the franchise. – (Taken from ANN)
Why you should look forward to it: Ryousuke Takahashi, an incredible director who has created a huge amount of unique and exceptionally well written series. Votoms is his pet project, and 26 years after the original air-date, we finally get the conclusion to this epic.
Why you should not look forward to it: Sunrise Executives, don’t you dare to touch this thing or make it more mainstream and marketable like how you ruined the Brilliant Heretic!
First-Glance Potential: 100%