The snow has finally melted, and you know what that means… the Spring anime season is just around the corner!
So, to celebrate the return of my lawn, here’s a not-so-exhaustive list of the new shows I’m looking forward to…
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS - Honestly, a lot of the fun of Nanoha came from watching little girls beat the living daylights out of each other. Hence, I’m not entirely sure yet how I’ll respond to Nanoha and Fate as teenagers. It’s still Nanoha, though, so I’m excited.
Idol Master Xenoglossia - I’ve always had a strange fascination with the Idol Master games… but this has little to do with that, I suppose. I get the feeling Sunrise is looking for their next Mai-HiME here. If so, it could prove entertaining.
Hayate the Combat Butler - Even though there’s nothing particular about the show that grabs me, there’s so much praise for the manga that I feel compelled to give it a try.
Kamichama Karin - It’s been ages since a Koge Donbo manga has received an anime adaptation, hasn’t it? What really gets my attention, however, is that the series will be directed by Anno Takashi. Talk about old school.
Sola - As has been pointed out elsewhere, this show is the brainchild of Hisaya Naoki (of Kanon fame). What’s more, the character designs are being provided by Nanao Naru (Da Capo). There’s some serious star power in the cast, too, with Nakahara Mai, Shimizu Ai, and teh Mamiko present (just to name a few). And, despite its eroge adaptation appearance, it’s actually an original work. This could be good.
Kono Aozora ni Yakusoku wo - I’m kind of fascinated by the premise, I’ll admit. The character art is attractive as well. All in all, it seems like it could be a bit more interesting than your average eroge adaptation.
Lovely Complex - Gotta get my shoujo fix.
Lucky Star - KyoAni does 4-koma. I’m just as curious as the rest of you.
>> I get the feeling Sunrise is looking for their next Mai-HiME here.
Well, given that Sunrise originally announced it as “the next project from the My-* team” (even though very few of them are actually working on it), I think that’s a safe assumption. In any case, it’ll be pretty much the same thing.
Just because you said so…I’m gonna check out all of these. Really, you’ve never steered me wrong in the past, so why think for myself. Other than that…nice socks. :D
For the record, I do NOT typically wear sandals with socks. I have better fashion sense than that.
Honest.
This is going to be a great season…it’s hard not to keep hitting ‘refresh’ on AnimeSuki looking for subbed promos, or any new info in discussion threads. I think Seto no Hanayome could be good too–it’s very possible that I’m just easily amused, but the boy-meets-girl, girl-turns-out-to-be-mermaid-in-a-yakuza-family-so-now-her-family-wants-to-kill-him premise just cracks me up. The manga also reminds me of Urusei Yatsura just a little–although the leads are nothing like Lum and Ataru, like UY there are lots of side characters making the male lead’s life a living hell.
I think it’s quite obvious that the only thing worth watching is GURREN LAGANN.
I didn’t know that about Sola. My interest in that series just peaked considerably. Personally, these are the series on my radar, in alphabetical order.
Claymore
—- —-
I am a fan of the manga, and since it is Madhouse doing it, I have great faith in their ability to adapt the material faithfully or even improve it. Despite its’ description, there’s not a lot of action in this series. It is more about character development and the bitter path of revenge. The background story of the main protagonist in particular, is very poignant.
Idolmaster Xenoglossia
—- —-
The concept is so ridiculous, it might actually turn out to be gold. My right eyebrow was scratching the clouds when I read the summary for this show and found out about the original source material.
Lucky Star
—- —-
Yes, I am curious. Will it be KyoAni’s first bomb or will they succeed in yet another genre-type?
MSLN StrikerS
—- —-
As Jeff already said, girls beating the living tar out of each other. Okay, okay, so there is actually more substance to it than that, but it is one of the main draws.
~~~~ ~~~~
That’s about it really. I don’t usually have a long list of expectations. Additional series will be added to the fold as reviews pour in and curiosity takes over.
Cheers.
I’ll admit that Gurren Lagann looks interesting (it’s GAINAX, after all), but it’s just not my thing…
Same could be said for a lot of the season’s mecha and/or action pieces. My hunger for slice-of-life is limitless.
I’m hoping the Hayate adaptation turns out well. It’s the show I’m looking forward to most, although is the new Emma starting in April?
I’m also interested in all the shows you mentioned, except for Xenoglossia and Nonoha. Though I’m not sure if I’ll watch Lovely Complex or not.
I marked Mushi-Uta as something I may check out if I need a shonen fix, and I also marked Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonia, though I can’t remember if I marked that because I wanted to see it or if I just wanted to use it as a reminder that eufonius is doing the opening and I wanted to hear the song.
If Hayate works for you, I’d also suggest Seto no Hanayome, which also has some madcap comedy from what I’ve read in the manga. :3
The series I’m most looking forward to is definitely, beyond the shadow of a doubt, my most anticipated show in a long time. It’s not your typical mecha, not by a long shot. It’s more about the lives of the children and their reaction to their fate. I don’t know if you liked NaruTaru, but it’s very similar in atmosphere and plot of children with power.
Other than that, I suppose I’m looking forward to StrikerS, Lucky Star and Idolmaster. I’ll test some of the other shows as well.
Errrm, you didn’t say what show you mean Chrno (unless I’m blind of something). I’m presuming its Bokurano?
>>I’ll admit that Gurren Lagann looks interesting (it’s GAINAX, after all), but it’s just not my thing…
Yeah, I know. Haha. I was just kidding around. A lot of other stuff looks good, but I only really care about Gurren Lagann. I’ve been going crazy over it ever since I saw the first bit of promotional art in the summer.
Slice of life is good, yes, but after too much I begin to go nuts and want nothing more than robots destroying things.
Needs moar Lily White.
Unfortunately, around here, Letty Whiterock sticks around until the end of April.
I don’t know about you, but the fanboy in me is itching to watch Nanoha again. I’m counting the seconds.
Another must watch is this season’s Kyoani. I learned my lesson after Haruhi and Kanon 06. Lucky Star would be great.
It looks familiar, but I can’t remember what it was. What series is picture? I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight until I remember. @_@
The image is from Idol Master Xenoglossia.
Unfortunately, around here, Letty Whiterock sticks around until the end of April.
ZOMG Touhou!
Yes, I did mean Bokurano. It’s only one of three manga (the others being Gantz and High School of the Dead) I read online.
I’m anticipating this spring season like I’m anticipating the cherry blossoms on the Saigyouji Ayakashi.
(…ok ok I’ll, go stand in the shame-corner for that :p)
That is to say there’s not very much that gets my pant rolling in the spring outlook, but then again, that’s the case with me almost every season :p. Well, Idolmaster Xenoglossia looks pretty at least and ticks off my “Hay this seems so stupid it could be good” -meter, I don’t think there’s a single show that, though the whole Mecha ordeal does worry me a bit in a “Sunrise plays too close to home turf” -manner.
Personally I don’t get the hype around the Hayate manga - For me it was just another anime comedy that mostly sticks to the standard tropes. Not a bad one, but not particulary something that’d stand out very much or that I’d go gaga over. But perhaps animation will bring something more in it to life, like in School Rumble’s case.
Your description of Sola makes me want to check it out though - Except for the fact that the Da Capo style character designs really, really, rub me the wrong way, like they’d taken the generic bishoujo look of something very generic and made it even more annoyingly generic. Or something. I just hope the show itself can take my mind off from going GRAAAAH over the designs with what it delivers, but I’m a bit skeptical :P.
I’ve always found Nanao Naru’s character designs to be easy on the eyes… most likely because they’re generic. It’s kind of odd seeing them in a non-Da Capo show, however. I automatically associate that look with the Da Capo universe.
I don’t know about you but we just got 4 inches of snow last night >_>
XD spring my ass!!
I too am looking forward to Idol Master Xenoglossia - Boshojo all the way ^^;