Is it already that time of year? It’s been warm lately - I’m sitting outside, enjoying it at this very moment - but the leaves are nonetheless changing color and the nights are growing cooler. The cold and snow is just around the corner.
I don’t know how much value there is in doing these season previews, as I often change things up a few weeks in, but who am I to argue with tradition? Here’s what I’m looking forward to…
Clannad: After Story - That’s it for the laughs. We will now proceed to mope. Seriously, though, from what I’ve heard from people who have played the original game, the After Story arc is quite the tear-jerker. I’ll have the tissues ready. I’m happy that the second season is a two cour show, as it suggests the pacing will be “just right”. When all is said and done, Clannad will be (at least) a 49 episode show. Crazy.
ef - a tale of melodies - I’m still ruminating on whether I should watch this as it airs or wait and marathon it at a later date. I’m leaning toward the former. I could go for some “arthouse” anime right about now.
Hyakko - This looks an awful lot like slice of life comedy, which is clearly my favorite genre of anime nowadays. I have a feeling this might be the surprise hit of the season - for me, at least. My fingers are crossed.
Kannagi - I’ve been excited about this show ever since it was first announced. This, despite the fact I know jack all about the original manga. I think it’s the character designs - I love that style of “simple” moe. Also, it’s good to have Yamakan back. I look forward to his quirky direction.
Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter - The final episode of the first season left me a bit conflicted, as I felt it was a great place to stop, but at the same time, I wanted more (and then some). Cue second season. Problem solved.
Toradora - You know, I think Nagai Tatsuyuki has a bright future as a director. His work on the second season of Honey & Clover was really solid (I recently rewatched it, so it’s fresh on my mind). Same with Idolmaster XENOGLOSSIA - although I recognize that I’m in the small minority of people who actually have a positive opinion of said show. Either way, it’s Nagai’s involvement alone that has me interested in Toradora. I guess I’m a fan.
Yozakura Quartet - This is another instance of a show’s staff attracting my attention more than anything else. On it’s face, the premise makes the show sound like something I wouldn’t necessarily dig, but my gut is telling me to check it out. Who am I to argue?
Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka - This one goes in the “maybe” category. I’ve been hungry for a good eroge adaptation as of late, and since I’ve heard so many good things about the original game from people who have played it, it’d be silly not to at least give it a try. These shows can be a lot of fun every now and then.
Shugo Chara!! Doki - I’m way behind on the first season, but I’ll get to this eventually. It might just take awhile. Still, I feel I should list it, lest you guys think I gave up on what is probably the best mahou shoujo show to come out of Japan in years.
Skip Beat - Speaking of shoujo… why on earth did it take so long for this to get an anime adaptation? I feel like I’ve been hearing about Skip Beat for ages. Anyway, “aspiring idol” shoujo is one of my favorite types of shoujo (yes, it’s a genre almost all its own), so I’m really looking forward to this. Tis my hidden pleasure.
HELL YEAH! SKIP BEAT! (although a lot of places are getting the summary wrong. She doesn’t want to become a singer, she wants to become an ACTRESS.)
What makes it better is that we have Marina Inoue, Mamoru Miyano, and Katsuyuki Konishi signed on as the leads. Sweet!
(out of curiosity, have you read the manga? Or just heard a lot through the grapevine?)
On the topic of Akane-Iro, have you seen the cast lineup yet? Just amazing. Marina Inoue, Rie Tanaka, Ryou Hirohashi, Aya Hirano (not my cup of tea but whatever), Erino Hazuki, and Rie Kugimiya. I don’t even care if the show sucks, I’ll be watching it all anyway. It says something about how otakufied I’ve become when I watch a show based soley on the seiyuu cast.
I only heard about Kannagi recently, but it does sound like it might be good.
Should be a good season.
I think I might try out Akane-Iro, thanks for point it out. I’m not too big into eroge adaptations myself but I’m a sucker for fun looking character designs.
Great selection. I’ve got five items in my own fall viewing queue: Clannad A.S., Yozakura Quartet, ef, Hyakko, and part 2 of Eve no Jikan. I’ve read the manga version of Yozakura (messy story, brilliant art) so I’m especially looking forward to that, and since I’ve already spoiled myself about the ending of Clannad A.S. I might as well find out how they get there.
I support your opinion about Nagai Tatsuyuki (and yes, I’ve positive thoughts about Idolmaster XENOGLOSSIA..)
I’m hoping that Hyakko and Kannagi will be shows that will surprise people into watching them. They’ve been in my sights for months now, and at the moment, those are the ones that I’ll be paying most attention to. ::
Very much looking forward to Clannad and Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter. Hope they at least measure up, if not exceed the quality of the previous season.
Any idea when the widescreen version of CLANNAD: After Story will be aired? Also, does anyone know why is CLANNAD in caps?
ILM: Many people believe that CLANNAD will follow the format it used with the first season regarding HD-format broadcasts, meaning the widescreen version will air about 2 weeks after.
I think Eve no Jikan might tickle your fancy. 6 episode ONA, 15 minutes per episode, so you might be able to squeeze it in. The atmosphere is one you might enjoy.
Thanks, Myssa Rei. How about Yozakura Quartet then? It is by Nomad, and I don’t believe they didn’t make a widescreen version.
Toradora is one of those rare anime I actually find funny, but you should really check out GAREI-zero-. It’s been getting a lot of good feedback lately, except from Kabitzin. Although ridiculous at the start, the last three minutes of the first episode is epic.
It’s been almost a month…
Your header pictures are as neat as ever.