I really enjoyed last season’s shows mainly because they are really interesting and there area lot of shows to choose from. So when I saw this summer’s line up I was disappointed because almost all of the shows are not interesting at first glance but I don’t want to judge shows yet.
As usual I’ll list shows that have caught my attention and the pics that I’ll be posting are from the PV of that anime but if the one on the PV sucks then I’ll stick with the promotional poster. I’ll try to blog the first episodes of the series listed below but I can’t guarantee that I’ll blog them. The summary are courtesy of Danizen’s very helpful chart and AniDB.
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Animation Production: BONES
Release Date (in Japan): July 9
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Mirai goes to Tokyo’s Odaiba Island with her brother Yutaka, but a powerful tremor emanates from an ocean trench. This causes Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge to crumble and fall, instantly changing Tokyo’s landscape. Mari, a motorcycle delivery woman they meet in Odaiba, helps them head back to their Setagaya home in western Tokyo.
Impression:
The premise of the story is interesting and I think this is the kind of show that shows the bonding of the characters as they grow from the hardships of their journey. This will be animated by BONES so I expect the animation would be good as the one I’ve watched from the PV. I’m quite interested in watching the show but I think this type of show is good for marathon so I think I’ll watch the show but I think I won’t be able to blog it.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Hmmmm….maybe?
CANAAN
Animation Production: P.A. Works
Release Date (in Japan): July 4
Episodes: 13
Summary:
A present day story about a detective, a young man, a virus researcher, a free lance writer, and a cat mascot character who are brought together by bizarre events with worldwide implications in the Tokyo neighborhood Shibuya.
Impression:
Wow, the characters were designed by Type-Moon and the girls are so gorgeous in the PV. The last anime that was produced by P.A. Works is True Tears which has really high production value and a very good plot so I’m expecting that this visual novel adaptation would be really good in their hands. The latest Type-Moon adaptation that I’ve watched was the 5th movie of Kara no Kyoukai and I think that was a really good movie. The white haired girl (is that a flat chested girl or a cross dressing guy??) looks like Shiki by the way. The series would 13 episodes long so I think I can blog it and at the same time enjoy it since the story seems interesting.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
Element Hunters
Animation Production: NHK Enterprises & Hee Won Entertainment
Release Date (in Japan): July 4
Episodes: 39
Summary:
Chemical elements disappear from the planet, causing forest, buildings and life itself to disappear. Research reveals the elements have been flowing into another earth on the other side of the dimensional wall – that can only be accessed by those with flexible minds. A team of element hunters is formed to return the elements to earth.
Impression:
The production is a joint project between Japan and Korea for both television and merchandising. Oh ugh, the PV looks like a kiddie show and the character design makes the children look like malnourished. Noting is interesting in this show so no I won’t watch nor blog this.
Watch: No
Blog: No
Aoi Hana
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Release Date (in Japan): July 1
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Fumi was close friends with Akira until she had to move away. Ten years after losing touch, the two girls meet again as high school freshmen. The two struggle to reconnect, and both deal with the trials and tribulations of high school—sometimes independently and sometimes with each other’s help.
Impression:
The PV was just random images from the manga so I don’t know if the animation would be good but I doubt it because this seems like a slice-of-life show especially because of the water color hues in the promotional poster. From the looks of the summary this would tackle issues about sexuality and feelings so there might be a lot of shojo ai moments here. I think J.C. Staff would do good in this type of shows so I’ll watch this one but if it will disappoint me in the first few episodes I’ll drop it. Well, I really like Yuri series so I think I’ll watch it but I don’t know if I’ll blog it because that depends on how many episode this series has.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
Spice and Wolf II
Animation Production: Brains Base
Release Date (in Japan): July 9
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Continuation from the first series:
Lawrence is a traveling merchant who finds a 600 year old pagan deity/wolf girl named Horo in his wagon one night. She begins traveling with him, and her wisdom helps increase his profits. But her true nature draws unwanted attention from the church...
Impression:
I haven’t finished the first series yet but I think I can finish it this week since it’s only short then I can proceed watching the sequel. I think the first series was quite good even though I haven’t finished it yet and I like the tandem of Lawrence and Horo so I think I’m in for another spin again to this series but I don’t know if I’ll blog it.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Maybe
Bakemonogatari
Animation Production: SHAFT
Release Date (in Japan): July 3
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Koyomi Araragi is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. When Hitagi falls down the stairs into his arms, he discovers she weighs almost nothing, and offers her help from a middle-aged homeless man. Koyomi encounters many different ‘apparitions’ in a series of interconnected stories.
Impression:
I went and browse the site of this series and I found the promotional artworks and oh my goodness it’s gorgeous. I’ll post it below so you can see it, btw just click the link to view the enlarged version. The PV didn’t give us much info but from the summary it’s really interesting for me because of vampires. Last season’s Shaft anime was really good (Natsu no Arashi) so I’m hoping this one would also be awesome and also I wish that OP would be better than the Natsu no Arashi’s OP.
Watch: Yes
Blog: Yes
Umineko no Naku Koro Ni (When the Sea Gulls Cry)
Animation Production: Studio DEEN
Release Date (in Japan): July 2
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Umineko no Naku Koro ni takes place in the year 1986, during the time frame of October 4 and October 5 on a secluded island named Rokkenjima (六軒島, Rokkenjima). The head of a wealthy family named Kinzo Ushiromiya, who lives on and owns Rokkenjima, is near death, and eight of his family members arrive on the island to discuss how Kinzo's assets will be divided once he is dead. Also on the island are three family members who live there, five of Kinzo's servants, and his personal physician. After the eight family members arrive, a typhoon traps them on the island and shortly after people start to get mysteriously murdered. (ANN)
Impression:
The title seems similar with the Higurashi series and from the summary, it seems that it also involve murder. I don’t think I’ll watch this one mainly because I’m wary of picking up Studio DEEN produced shows. I think I’ll try watching the 1st episode but if it sucks its considered drop.
Watch: Maybe….I’ll watch the 1st episode
Blog: I don’t think so…
Zan Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei
Animation Production: SHAFT
Release Date (in Japan): July 4
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Continuation of the second series:
Itoshiki Nozomu is the world's most negative person. To his way of thinking, there is no hope or meaning in this existence. Even the three kanji of his name become the two-kanji word zetsubou, "despair", when compressed. What an ironic twist of fate, then, that he becomes teacher to a class containing his precise opposite, the invincibly positive-minded Fuura Kafuka. (ANN)
Impression:
I was able to watch the first episode of this series and I like it but I haven’t finished it either because I’m busy reading books these days. I think I could watch this but I’m not sure yet because I already have classes and I don’t know if I have the time to marathon the rest of the series.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: Nope..
Hellsing Ultimate 6
Animation Production: Madhouse
Release Date (in Japan): July 24
Episodes: 1
Summary:
The 6th installment of the Hellsing Ultimate OVA…
Impression:
OMG!!! I can’t wait to watch Seras kick butt!! Ack it’s been a long wait and I hope it’s worth it. I’m not sure if this is the last sequel but I think there would be a last OVA if I’m right because it’s been a long time since I’ve read and finished the manga. I hope it’ll get subbed right away.
Watch: Absolutely!!
Blog: Of Course!!
Hetalia Axis Power 2
Animation Production: Studio DEEN
Release Date (in Japan): July 3
Episodes: 26
Summary:
Continuation of the first series:
Italy, once home of the strongest empire in the world, has changed. This is the story of Italy, now a cowardly pasta-loving fool, and his friends (other personified countries of the world) as they live through strange moments in world history.
Impression:
Hmmm, I’ve only watched the first episode of this series and I can’t understand them because of the fast paced conversation. The characters talk to each other like there’s no tomorrow LOL.
Watch: Nope, I’m not interested anymore
Blog: No
Taisho Yakyuu Musume
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Release Date (in Japan): July 2
Episodes: 12
Summary:
Set in 1925, the story follows Koume and Akiki who decide to create a baseball team, in a Japan where not many teams exist. To reach their goal, they have to recruit more players and learn the basics of baseball.
Impression:
Ack, a sports themed anime but with a twist and the players are pretty girls. I don’t really like watching sports themed anime and the story is not that interesting so maybe I’ll pass but hmmm… I’ll try a couple of episodes.
Watch: A couple of episodes…yeah
Blog: No
Umi Monogatari
Animation Production: ZEXCS
Release Date: July 24
Episodes: 12
Summary:
Marin and Urin are sisters who live alongside the fish in the ocean. When a beautiful ring falls in the middle of the sea, they decide to go ashore for the first time to deliver the ring. Kanon tells them she doesn’t want the ring anymore because it was given by her boyfriend whom she just broke up with, and she throws it into the sea again. Marin thinks Kanon is still in love with him and looks for the ring. But she accidentally breaks a seal on the sea floor.
Impression:
The summary looks interesting and the one who will direct this would be Junichi Sato the director of the Aria series. I’ll try a couple of episodes and if its good I think I’ll blog it since its only 12 episodes.
Watch: Yes, a couple of episodes
Blog: Maybe
Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan!!
Animation Production: Studio Hibari
Release Date: July 25
Episodes: ?
Summary:
The story revolves around Plug, a mysterious office lady who came to our world from a parallel world to “charge” up dejected people. Plug recharges people down on their luck, spreading good cheer wherever she goes.
Impression:
Eck…nope it this series looks ridiculous and full of fanservice, oppai that would come close with Queen’s Blade. The PV already looks like a hentai already so expect more nude on the real series.
Watch: NO
Blog: NO
Sora no Manimani
Animation Production: Comet
Release Date: July 7
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Saku Oyagi is a quiet bookworm who moves back to his former hometown. Ss a high school freshman, he meets his childhood friend Mihosi Akeno again. Although a traumatic incident long ago had left their relationship in an awkward state of high tension – Mihoshi brings Saku into her Astronomy club.
Impression:
Although I love romance themed anime, I found this one boring and it even looks mediocre that has a low production value. I think I’ll try watching the first episode and if it sucks then I’ll drop it immediately.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
Needless
Animation production: Needless
Release Date: July 2
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Set in 2130, large swaths of Japan have been quarantined as polluted “Black Spots” in the aftermath of World War III. However, there are people settled behind the massive walls of the Black Spots, where they have developed mysterious powers. Among the survivors who had been abandoned inside the Blackspots, came forth possessors of uncanny abilities — Fire, wind, brute strength…they were defined by their supernatural abilities. The people on the outside have labeled them “Needless.”
Impression:
I can’t find any PV for this anime but from the looks of the summary I think it’s a shonen show. The guy on the promotional poster reminds me of Kamina from Gurren Lagann. I don’t know whether this show would be good or what so I think I’ll try watching a few episodes then I’ll decide if I’ll continue to watch it or blog it.
Watch: Yes?
Blog: Maybe??
Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou (Properly Learned Modern Magic)
Animation Production: NOMAD
Release Date: July 11
Episodes: ?
Summary:
The story revolves around Koyomi Morishita, a clumsy high school freshman girl who is often mistaken for a grade-schooler because of her shortness. Koyomi becomes a disciple of Misa Anehara, a 25-year-old graduate student who happens to be one of the most powerful modern-day magicians.
Impression:
This is about magic right but why does the PV full of computers? Oh well….the girls are very gorgeous but for the animation it’s just so-so. I’m not familiar with the animation production but I think I’ll try to watch a couple of episode because on the PV the girl battle is quite cool.
Watch: Maybe
Blog: No
Princess Lover
Animation Production: GoHands
Release Date: July 5
Episodes: ?
Summary:
Teppei Arima is a second-year high school student who lost both of his parents in a traffic accident on their way home from a family trip. His grandfather, Isshin Arima, happens to wield the puppet strings in Japan's vast economy and demands that Teppei becomes his successor as the head of the Arima Group. To prepare for his debut into high society, Teppei enrolls in an elite academy for the scions of the rich and powerful.
Impression:
The animation in the PV is quite fluid and there are some interesting camera angles but from the looks of the summary, it looks like a mediocre harem. I noticed that the character design is not original, the blond haired girl looked like Saber and the twin tailed girl l looks similar to the one of the character of Strawberry Panic. I don’t mind watching this since I could watch mindless shows once in a while but I’ll certainly won’t blog it.
Watch: Maybe if it’s enjoyable and bearable
Blog: Nope
GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
Animation Production: AICPLUS+
Release Date: July 6
Episodes: ?
Summary:
The slice-of-life manga revolves around five freshman girls in a high school art class.
According to the web diary, Hiroaki Sakurai (Di Gi Charat, Kodocha, Cromartie High School) will direct off scripts that will be supervised by Doko Machida (Allison & Lillia, Lucky Star, Tears to Tiara). Atsuko Watanabe (Fight Ippatsu! Jūden-chan!!) will reportedly design the characters that AIC will animate. (ANN)
Impression:
I can’t find a decent summary and PV so I don’t know what this series is about. Maybe I’ll try the first episode then decide if its worth watching.
Watch: That depends…
Blog: No
So what's your pick/s for summer?
until then...
~ja
