The 2010 Winter Season Preview

And another new season of anime is upon us. Doesn’t feel too long ago since I wrote up the Fall preview. So here we are again. As usual, note that not every single new show is on the list as I excluded the kiddy stuff and shows I’m pretty sure nobody else cares about (ie. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3, Gag Manga Biyori++). Also note that like most Winter seasons, the new anime list is rather short and this is no exception. I feel like this season is kind of a mixed bag, but I’m sure people will be able to pick out at least one thing from here that they’ll enjoy. One more thing, Katanagatari isn’t on here because it’s a monthly OVA-type thingy but check it out if you’re a fan of NisiOisin’s works (Bakemonogatari, Zaregoto). First episode airs on January 25th. Anyways, enjoy the read and happy New Year.

Chu-Bra!! ANN Encyclopedia | ちゅーぶら!! Genres: Comedy Premiere date: January 4 OP: “Choose Bright!!” by Chihara Minori, Kotobuki Minako, Yahagi Sayuri, Hikasa Yoko ED: “Shy Girls” by Chihara Minori, Kotobuki Minako, Yahagi Sayuri, Hikasa Yoko Production: ZEXCS

Leon: I find myself shaking my head at a lot of anime these days and Chu Bra is one of them at the very top of that pile. I’m not sure why that is but it probably has something to do with the whole “Underwear club” part. The premise is hilarious and ridiculous to boot as well. I may check out an episode or two but chances are I won’t be following this one.
Youko: I know this is gonna be awful for the most part, so I think I’ll check it out just for the songs because they apparently got seiyuu singers doing this, including Hiyocchi. There was a special pre-screened episode already, but I didn’t even know about that. I expect there to be a lot of potty humor and upskirt shots.
Gene: “Underwear club.” Oh, Japan. What will they think up next. Normally I’d immediately look at this as fap material, but the art looks so bad I don’t think I’d be able to pull it off. Right now the only aspect that looks appealing is that Chihara Minori is taking on the lead role. No, that doesn’t mean I’ll watch but it’s nice to see her name on quite a few of the Winter entries.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Seikon no Qwaser ANN Encyclopedia | 聖痕のクェイサー Genres: Action Premiere date: January 4 OP: “Errand” by Faylan ED: “Passionate squall” by Fujimura Ayumi, Toyosaki Aki, Chihara Minori, Hirano Aya, Hikasa Yoko Production: Taki

Leon: I checked out a few chapters of this manga a long time ago if memory serves me correct. It was pretty par for the course stuff until I saw the main guy engage in some breast sucking for milk that apparently gives him his power. My first thought: “What the hell?” Then I quickly realized it wasn’t as crazy as I thought but it still is a hilarious attempt at maximizing fanservice. I don’t know why I didn’t continue or if the scans stopped but I’ll probably watch this to get back into it. Also, Minorin/Hiyocchi/Aya combo? Madness!
Youko: I remember this is from the manga with the artist who worked on the ecchi manga versions of the My- series. Yeah, I did kind of digged that, but the anime were always better so there’s really no hope that this adaptation will catch on, aside from breast milk, which I think just blows Queen’s Blade’s rep already. And goddamn it fucking all, more songs from Minorin and Hiyocchi. Looks like another way to draw people in besides even more fanservice.
Gene: I checked the manga out like a year ago because I wanted to read more from the artist whose worked I liked from series like My-HiME and Mai-Otome. I go in and see an Allen Walker look-a-like and I’m like ok I can get past that if this turns out to be a decent ecchi action series like his other works. Then comes the breast sucking and I have no idea what I was reading anymore. Needless to say I didn’t go past the first chapter. From the trailer, I noticed Taki does a good job adapting the art style so it looks like a pretty good adaptation so far. But I’m not in the mood to give this one another shot.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

So-Ra-No-Wo-To ANN Encyclopedia | ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト Genres: Premiere date: January 4 OP: “Hikari no Senritsu” by Kalafina ED: “Girls, Be Ambitious.” by Tomatsu Haruka Production: A-1 Pictures

Leon: K-ON Army Edition? That was the first thought I had when I saw the promo images a little while ago. I’m not exactly sure how a bunch of 15-year old girls are going to defend a fortress or if there will be any fighting at all but, like Youko and Gene, I’m looking forward to the music. Why? Two names: Endo Aya and Tomatsu Haruka. Awesome.
Youko: A complete original and out of A-1 Pictures. From the trailer, it’s supposed to be full of bliss or melancholy and with war time, it should prove to have some substance. There’s a manga version already started but I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be different, but I’m looking forward to this for the musical aspect.
Gene: K-ON! + Strike Witches = Profit? I wonder if A-1 knows what they’re doing here. With the setting “a 15-year-old girl who enlists with the army, is assigned to a unit of five girls as they defend a fortress” I’m not sure what to expect here. At least I know I can look forward to the music with composer Oshima Michiru on board and the Kalafina and Kajiura Yuki duo doing the opening theme song.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Medium

Ladies vs Butlers! ANN Encyclopedia | れでぃ×ばと！ Genres: Comedy Premiere date: January 5 OP: “LOVE x HEAVEN” by Kawasumi Ayako, Nakahara Mai, Kugimiya Rie, Koshimizu Ami ED: “my starry boy” by Nakahara Mai Production: XEBEC

Leon: Argh. At first I wasn’t interested in this but then I just had to go and look at the seiyuu talent and who did I see? Nakahara Mai, Goto Mai, Kawasumi Ayako and Kugimiya Rie. The synopsis doesn’t give off anything special but now I have four other reasons to check it out.
Gene: I didn’t even look at the synopsis. The fact that this reminds me of Kanokon makes me not want to see this.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu ANN Encyclopedia | バカとテストと召喚獣 Genres: Comedy, fantasy, romance Premiere date: January 6 OP: “Perfect-area complete!” by Aso Natsuko ED: “Baka Go Home” by milktub and the BakaTest All Stars Production: Silver Link

Leon: Ah, Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu. I’ve been folowing this one for a while. I really like the premise of class vs. class with magic and I’m also quite fond of the character designs, particularly Mizuki’s. I think I’m really going to enjoy this one even if it isn’t my most anticipated of the new season (ranked third-ish).
Gene: I immediately thought Zero no Tsukaima when looking at this show. Pink-haired lolita-type girl and a familiar? All that’s missing is Rie. In any case, while I do enjoy the ZnT series, this particular show doesn’t catch my interest so I won’t be seeing it anytime soon unless there’s a rave about it.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Omamori Himari ANN Encyclopedia | おまもりひまり Genres: Action, comedy, romance Premiere date: January 6 OP: “Oshichau zo!” by AyaRuka ED: “BEAM my BEAM” by Koshimizu Ami Production: ZEXCS

Leon: The Omamori Himari manga was always pretty enjoyable for me and while I am a few chapters behind this is a great time for me to pick this up and catch up too. Given the amount of episodes I’m guessing there will probably be multiple seasons or at least a second unless they really mow through the chapters and go for an original ending.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Dance in the Vampire Bund ANN Encyclopedia | ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド Genres: Action, horror, supernatural Premiere date: January 7 OP: “Friends” by Nakano Aiko ED: “Tsumeato” by hibiku Production: SHAFT

Leon: Easily the first of two shows that I classify as my most anticipated of the new season. Dance in the Vampire Bund has always caught my attention but I never got around to reading the manga because 1) scans were scant and 2) I was waiting for more volumes to be available for purchase. The latter will be remedied very soon. I’m looking forward to seeing how Yuuki Aoi, a rather fresh face, portrays Mina (one of her two main roles of the new season). SHAFT already guarantees that the animation will be delicious and I’m looking forward to seeing how they handle the story as well.
Gene: Just in time for the vampire fad going on over here, we have Dance in the Vampire Bund. The production values are looking excellent and I can always expect SHAFT to build up a great atmosphere so you’ll probably be in a for a treat if you’re looking for something bloody and suspenseful. I’m not into horror that much, but this show is something I’ll be looking out for when January arrives.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: High

Durarara!!! ANN Encyclopedia | デュラララ!! Genres: Action, romance Premiere date: January 7 OP: “Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook ED: “Trust Me” by Matsushita Yuuya Production: Brains Base

Leon: Durarara!!! is the second show of my most anticipated of the season. Narita Ryohgo is already responsible for creating one of my favorite shows of all-time that easily won over my heart this decade: Baccano!! It looks as if he may steal another spot with this uniquely titled creation that looks to guarantee a ton of crazy action and a slew of interesting characters.
Youko: Safe to say this is easily the most anticipated show. From the trailer, it looks crazy, what, with the guy getting punched so hard his clothes fall off. What a pro.
Gene: From the creators of Baccano! and the same animation studio behind it, it’s easy to get excited for Durarara! It’s definitely one of my more anticipated shows for Winter and I can’t wait to see if it’ll have the same charms as Baccano! that made me love it. From the trailer it looks like they got the eccentric cast part down already.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: High

Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimitsuu ANN Encyclopedia | ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆ Genres: Comedy, slice of life Premiere date: January 7 OP: “Dekiru Kanatte ☆☆☆” by Asumi Kana, Mizuhashi Kaori, Goto Yuko, Shintani Ryoko ED: “Sakura Sakura Saku ~Ano Hi Kimi wo Matsu, Sora to Onaji de~” by marble Production: SHAFT

Leon: Oddly enough I still haven’t seen the first season of Hidamari Sketch. I must remedy that soon.
Gene: I’ve always wondered if this series was for drawfags or for ronery otaku. I didn’t see any actual drawing involved in the trailer so I’m leaning towards the latter.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Ookami Kakushi ANN Encyclopedia | おおかみかくし Genres: Drama, mystery, supernatural Premiere date: January 7 OP: “Toki no Mukou, Maboroshi no Sora” by FictionJunction ED: “Tsukishirube” by Nanri Yuuka Production: AIC

Leon: Ryukishi07 and PEACH-PIT? What an odd collaboration. Don’t get me started on Kajiura Yuki/FictionJunction being responsible for the opening theme. It’s a bit weird that DEEN isn’t on this project but they probably can use the break while AIC gets to show their stuff. Despite seeing Higurashi and Umineko I’m not entirely sure what to expect but I wouldn’t be surprised if some tried-and-true themes are applied.
Youko: I don’t think even the game is out yet, or maybe it was, but it’s written by Ryukishi07 and the design is from PEACH-PIT. Not a joint I’d expect, but I’m looking forward to this. More FictionJunction to boot too.
Gene: So I heard this is related to the Higurashi/Umineko setting. I have no interest in Higurashi and I thought Umineko was just plain stupid so I’m not sure if I even want to see this. Though with the number of Winter anime I plan to watch, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot. At least DEEN isn’t handling this.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: High

Hanamaru Kindergarten ANN Encyclopedia | はなまる幼稚園 Genres: Comedy, slice-of-life Premiere date: January 10 OP: “Aozora Triangle” by Shindou Kei, Takagaki Ayahi, MAKO ED: Production: GAINAX

Leon: Y’know, at first glance a normal person (or even the average anime viewer) would probably write-off this show without a second thought because of kindergarten kids. Flags start to go up though when you see that GAINAX is behind it and hear whisperings of what Youko mentioned. This could be the season’s trojan horse.
Youko: I heard this was supposed to be about alien lifeforms that assume human toddlers. So they’re gonna go around and start shit up? It doesn’t seem as bland as I thought, but considering GAINAX doesn’t just pull this off without some tact, we’ll have to see just what potential it has.
Gene: Whenever I think of GAINAX I think of two things: mecha and the GAINAX “bounce.” So it was quite the surprise to see who was handling a slice-of-life show about kindergarten girls. I can’t see what reason the studio would choose to take on a project like this but they have me curious to find out.
Possibility of Getting Blogged: Low

Nodame Cantabile: Finale ANN Encyclopedia | のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ Genres: Romance Premiere date: January 14th OP: “Manazashi Daydream” by Sakai Yuu ED: Production: J.C. Staff

Leon: Yikes. The finale came sooner than I thought! This gives me a definite reason to finish up the previous seasons now since I really want ot see what happens to Noda and Chiaki in the end.
Youko: I enjoyed the first season, but I kinda lost interest during Paris, despite its shorter episode count. But if this is coming to its finale, I hope it ends on a good note, pun intended. Gyaboooooo!
Gene: Ahh, my most anticipated show for Winter. I just loved the first season and the live action drama (can’t wait for the movies). The second season was enjoyable but it didn’t have the same feeling as the first. Maybe because of the change in director. Which makes me wonder why Kasai Kenichi didn’t stick around (as the director) after the first season for yet another one of my favorite josei series. Oh well, either way this finale is something that I’m looking forward to. Here’s an obligatory mukya! to all us eager fans out there.