Fall 2010 Anime Preview

Yes, I know this is really late since some fall shows are already airing but the previous week was really a hassle since it was our finals and now, I'm finally free hoorah!!! Honestly, I am not done watching the shows last season but I can say that it was decent though, shows like HOTD was a let down and my personal favorite would be Occult Academy. Just wait for my reviews on the summer shows if you want to read my impressions on those shows, I'll post them when I finished watching them. There are a total of 24 new shows this season and pale in comparison with last season's line up and number.

As usual I’ll list shows that have caught my attention and the pics that I’ll be posting came from AniDB. I’ll try to blog the first episodes of the shows I'm most interested in but I can't guarrantee I can do a weekly recap on those but I can only guarantee that I''l review some of them. I don't include kiddie shows or shows that promote toys (e.g. Bakugan, Yu-gi-Oh!). The information on this anime preview is based from: Chart fag's charts, Fansub WIKI, AniDB, ANN, MAL.The summary are courtesy of Chart fag's very helpful chart, AniDB and MAL.

Here's Chart fag's chart for reference:

Iron Man

Release Date: October 1, 2010

Animation Production: MADHOUSE

Episodes: 12

Trailer

Summary:

Tony Stark, CEO of a large weapons manufacturer, physicist, engineer, and brilliant inventor, is wounded by shrapnel from one of his own weapons. While held captive by terrorists, he develops the Iron Man Suit and escapes. From that day on, he vows not to waste his second chance at life and to change the world for the better. For that purpose, he comes to Japan.

In Lab 23 in Japan, great strides have been taken to develop, and build, a unique power station which does not run on fossil fuels, the Arc Station. Stark intends to join this project, and, for that, he is ready to announce his retirement as Iron Man. At the same time, he will also announce the Mass-produced Iron Men, to which he will pass on his duties. However, during the ceremonies, Stark is suddenly attacked by combat mecha belonging to an organization known as Zodiac.

Impression:

Sure, I like the Iron Man movie but I'm not particularly fond of western comics so I'll pass this one. It's one of those shows that features east meets west and in my experience, they don't really blend well with each other. What really turns me off is the character design, Tony Stark looks way too old for my taste.

Sora no Otoshimono: Forte

Release Date: October 1, 2010

Animation Production: AIC ASTA

Episodes: 12

Trailer

Summary:

The second Season of Sora no Otoshimono

Sakurai Tomoki has been having the same strange dream since he was a child and would wake up in tears. Sugata, an upperclassmen at his school, believes the dream to be of the new continent. Later that night, while waiting under the cherry trees for Sugata and his childhood friend, Sohara, an angel comes flying down and his peaceful life changes from then on.

Impression:

Due to time constrains or got overshadowed by other shows, I still haven't finished watching the first season of this one so it's a pass again. I'll probably pick this up when I finish watching the first season. I hope I can tolerate the ecchi aspect of this show.

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
Release Date: October 1, 2010

Animation Production: GAINAX

Episodes: 13

Trailer

Summary:

Heaven sends two fallen angels to Earth and tells them to collect Heaven Coins if they want to avoid falling all the way to Hell. These Heaven Coins can be obtained by defeating peculiar ghosts.

The angels, called Panty and Stocking, find and fight ghosts based on hints relayed to them by their black, afro-wielding reverend handler, Garterbelt, and they are aided by their trusty Humvee, See Through.

The ghosts are tricky but the two have very unusual weapons at their disposal: Panty's panties turn into a gun and Stocking's stocking turns into a sword. With the aid of these weapons, the ghosts are vanquished, one by one.

Impression:
What's up with the name of the characters? Also, have you noticed that this season is just full of moé and I'm kinda getting sick of it already. The only thing that interests me in this show is that the people behind this are also the one behind Gurren Lagann so I'll probably watch the first few episodes of this show just for the animation style and also to see how it goes.

MM!

Release Date: Oct 2, 2010

Animation Production: Xebec

Episodes: 12

Trailer

Summary:

Sado Tarou suffers from sexual masochism; he experiences sexual pleasure from pain. He feels he won't ever have a normal relationship with his condition and decides to visit the Voluntary Club, a place that grants students' wishes, for a cure. At the club, he finds Isurugi Mio, a girl who thinks she is a god, and Yuuno Arashiko, the girl who caused his condition in the first place...

Impression:
Well, the character design sure is cute but if you look at the summary and watch the pv it doesn't really interest me. The only thing that caught my attention is Fukuyama Jun voicing the masochist protagonist of this series. I don't really know if I'll try watching this but it really seems unlikely.

Bakuman.

Release Date: October 2, 2010

Animation Production: J.C. Staff

Episodes: 25

Trailer

Summary:
Bakuman follows the story of high school student Mashiro Moritaka, a talented artist who does not know what he wants to do with his future. One day he draws a picture of Azuki Miho, a girl he is secretly fond of, during class and forgets the notebook at school. He comes back to find that his classmate Takagi Akito is waiting for him with his notebook. Takagi tries to convince Mashiro to become a mangaka, a manga artist, with him, only leading to Mashiro's disagreement. Mashiro goes home and thinks about his mangaka uncle, who had only one successful series before he died in obscurity. Mashiro is interrupted by a phone call from Takagi, who says that he is going to tell Azuki that Mashiro likes her. Mashiro runs down to Azuki's house to find Takagi waiting for him. Once Azuki comes out to meet them, Takagi tells her that he and Mashiro are aiming to be mangaka. Mashiro then learns that she wants to be a seiyuu, a voice actor, and has shown promise in the field. Mashiro, once again thinking about his uncle, accidentally proposes to Azuki who accepts. However, she will only marry him after they achieve their dreams.

Impression:

From the mangaka of Death Note and with the very interesting summary, of course I'll watch this. Well, I really like series with a touch of romance and comedy and let's not forget it is also going to be animated by J.C. Staff so yes2x I'll pick this up

Letter Bee Reverse
Release Date: October 2, 2010
Animation Production: Pierrot
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
The second season of Letter Bee

AmberGround, a world of endless night. In this world where the darkness is full of dangers, Letter Bees stake their lives to deliver the mail entrusted to them. Lag is one such Letter Bee, following in the footsteps of Gauche, a letter bee whom he met and admires from a young age. Gauche has since been dismissed as a Letter Bee but Lag has sworn to bring him back. However, when they finally reunite, it is at opposite barrels of a gun as Gauche declares himself to be the bandit Noir!

Impression:
I never had a chance to watch the first series since it didn't caught my attention so it's pass for me.







Hakuouki: Hakketsuroku
Release Date: October 2, 2010
Animation Production:Studio DEEN
Episode: 12
Trailer

Summary:
Season 2 of Hakuouki

The protagonist, Yukimura Chizuru, is the daughter of a doctor who works in Edo. The father leaves Edo to work as a volunteer doctor and moves to Kyoto without his daughter. As time passes by, Chizuru starts worrying about losing contact with her father, so she decides to go to Kyoto in search of him. On the way, Chizuru is attacked by few criminals and witnesses a fight between an oni and the Shinsengumi. Taking her into custody and saving her, the Shinsengumi debate on what to do with Chizuru when they discover that she is the daughter of the doctor they are also looking for. So they decide to become Chizuru's protectors and help her look for her father(the doctor). Lots of events happen while she stays with the Shinsengumi, as they discover mysterious secrets and also fight against the Bakumatsu group. The story is overall romantic with a historical and political background.

Impression:
I really enjoyed the first series despite it's flaws so yes I'll pick this up since I want more sexy, hot and handsome samurais on my daily dose of anime.

Yumeiro Pâtissière Professional
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: Pierrot
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
After 2 years studying abroad in Paris, Ichigo returns to Japan and St. Mary Academy as a 1st year high-school student. Together with the 3 Sweets Princes, Kashino, Andou and Hanabusa, she will once again form Team Ichigo in other to reach new heights in the art of the pâtissière. Or so she thought. The truth is, in the interim, the 3 have gone their separate ways in pursuit of their own ambitions. Ichigo is greatly shocked to learn that Team Ichigo is no more. Before she can come to grips with this development, she is summoned to a meeting with Henri-sensei regarding a project assignment. The project: To establish and manage her own "Sweets Shop"! Furthermore, the members of the project team includes certain persons she knows quite well...


Impression:
Errr.....I didn't watch the first season so pass...








Star Driver Kagayaki no takuto
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: BONES
Episodes: 25
Trailer

Summary:
In Southern Japan, there lies the verdant Minamijuuji Island. One night, a youth by the name of Tsunashi Takuto arrives on one of the island's beaches. This youth, who had swam to the island from the mainland, subsequently enters Minamijuuji Academy's High School Division. Possessing a positive and forward-looking attitude, he easily develops relationships with Agemaki Wako, Shindou Sugata, and various other people he meets at the Academy. However, Minamijuuji Academy hides a big secret. Beneath it, 20 humanoid constructs lie dormant. In this land that lies under a blue sky and surrounded by blue seas, a story of love, dreams and friendship begins.

Impression:
My prayers have been answered but it's not a gundam franchise. I'm glad that there will be a mecha anime this time around since I missed watcing mecha shows. What was the last mecha show I've watched....ah it's Gundam 00 2 and it was like 2 years ago? My only rant is probably the pv it looks lame and I don't find the character design attractive but I'll try a couple of episodes.








Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: Bee Train
Episodes: 13
Trailer

Summary:
In order to help a friend possessed by a spirit, Ozawa Haruka knocks on the door of her university's movie research association. There she meets Saitou Yakumo, a rude, unkempt young man with a red left eye, who is said to have spiritual powers. At first Haruka is skeptical, but she comes to believe him when he conveys messages from her older sister, who died when she was a child. Together, they work to shed light on the terrifying events happening at their university. But this is only the prologue of what's to come...

Impression:
This one looks decent. I like the summary but the pv didn't give much but I would like a creepy show in my line up. Yep, it'll be in my list









Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: AIC
Episodes: 12
Trailer
Summary:
Kyousuke Kousaka, a normal seventeen-year-old high school student, hasn't gotten along with his younger sister, Kirino, in years. For longer than he can remember, Kirino has ignored his comings and goings and looked at him with spurning eyes. It seemed as if the relationship between Kyousuke and his sister, now fourteen, would continue this way forever.

One day, however, Kyousuke finds a DVD case of a magical girl anime entitled Hoshikuzu Witch Merle (Stardust Witch Merle), which had fallen into the entranceway of his house. To Kyousuke's surprise, inside the case is a hidden adult video game titled Imouto to Koishiyo! (Love with Little Sister!). Kyousuke attempts to fish out the culprit who dropped the case by bringing up the topic of magical girl anime at the family dinner table. All that comes out is a strong negative reaction from his parents, especially his anti-otaku policeman father.

That night, Kirino bursts into Kyousuke's room and, in perhaps the first conversation she has initiated with him in years, says they "have things to talk about." Kirino brings Kyousuke to her room and shows him an extensive collection of moe anime and lolicon bishoujo games she has been collecting in secret.


Impression:
Another decent looking show. I really like the animation and specially the character designs and the facial expressions on the pv so I think this one's worth a try.







Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: ARMS
Episodes: 12
Trailer 1, Trailer 2
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—?

Impression:
What had caught my attention is probably the unique animation style, those ink blots that somehow censored the ecchi parts of the show. As you all know, I tend to shy away to ecchi shows but since this show looks promising and I really like the premise, I'll give it a shot but if it gets too ecchi then considered dropped.








Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge
Release Date: October 3, 2010
Animation Production: SHAFT
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
The second season of Arakawa Under the Bridge

The continuing story of the elite Ichinomiya and the homeless extraterrestrial Nino. The relationship of this unusual pair is, at times, odd and, at times, stifling. However, the days they spend with the weird inhabitants of the riverbed are never dull.

Impression:
Love the pv, nice cosplay btw. Haven't got a chance to finish the first series so it's a pass. I'll pick it up if I could finish the first season.

Yosuga no Sora
Release Date: Octobeer 4, 2010
Animation Production: feel.
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
The story is set in the distant mountain village of Okukozome-chou. 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 Ryouhei Nakazato, the 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.

Impression:
Oh my the character design is just wow, the girls are oh so attractive. It looks like a harem drama and I think it's worth a shot cause mayber it's also a tear jerker like Clannad. I'll try a couple of episodes.

Otome Youkai Zakuro
Release Date: October 4, 2010
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Episodes: ?
Trailer 1, Trailer 2

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?

Impression:
Huh?? I don't understand the premise. A couple of episodes maybe to clears things up??





Shinryaku! Ika Masume
Release Date: October 4, 2010
Animation Production: Diomedea
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
The sea in our world has been polluted. All sorts of trash were thrown into the sea, making it unpleasant deep under the sea. One of the inhabitants of the sea, Ika Musume (Squid Girl) seeks to exact revenge on humanity for throwing trash into the sea. Clueless about the surface, she seeks to invade humanity alone, trying to rule over the world, only to find herself slaving away at one of the nearest beach-houses for breaking a side of its wall.

Impression:
Ok I had enough of moe blob so no......pass2x What the heck, this season is overloaded with moe shows.







Motto To Love-Ru Trouble
Release Date: Octobe 5, 2010
Animation Production: Xebec
Episodes: 12
Trailer 1, Trailer 2

Summary:
A new anime adaptation of Saki Hasemi and Kentaro Yabuki's To Love-Ru -Trouble- manga. This one is supposed to follow more closely to the original manga than the first series did.

Impression:
Another sequel and I have no idea on what's the original series is about so pass.








Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai
Release Date: October 6, 2010
Animation Production: Manglobe
Episodes: ?
Trailer

Summary:
Keima Katsuragi, a second-year high school student, is an avid dating sim gamer. He is known on the Internet as "The Capturing God" for his legendary skills to be able to "capture" any 2D girl in games. However, in his actual school life, Keima is known as otamegane, a derogatory portmanteau of the two words otaku (オタク) and megane (メガネ-"glasses").

At the start of the series, Keima receives an e-mail offering him a contract to "capture" girls. He accepts what is thought to be a challenge, and a demon from Hell nicknamed Elsee appears. She asks for his cooperation to help her in catching the runaway spirits. These spirits hide themselves inside the girl's heart, and Elsee suggests that the only method to force the spirits out is by "capturing" their hearts—making them fall in love. Appalled by the idea, Keima refuses after clarifying to Elsee that he is only interested in "capturing" 2D girls and that he detests reality. Nevertheless, with the contract already accepted, Keima would have to help Elsee no matter what; if they fail, both Elsee and Keima would lose their heads.

Impression:
Looks cheap and boring pass...







Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
Release Date: October 7, 2010
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Episodes: 12
Trailer

Summary:
The story takes place in an imaginary world in "the Age of Detectives", where private detectives and phantom thieves overwhelm the cities. It's about four girls who aim to be great detectives.

Impression:
Ugh....another moe show pass again.










Togainu no Chi
Release Date: October 7, 2010
Animation Production: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: ?
Trailer 1, Trailer 2

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 is 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.

Impression:
I really prefer yuri shows but I want to experience watching a yaoi show so I'll pick this up. Doesn't seem have bad with the very action packed pv and the guy in the pic reminds me of Zero from Vampire knight.

Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
Release Date: October 7, 2010

Animation Production: SHAFT

Episodes: ?

Trailer

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 lacklustre maid café in a small shopping district. The café 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.

Impression:
Looks like a good love-com. I'll try couple of episodes.

Toaru Majutsu no Index
Release Date: October 8, 2010
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Episodes: 24
Trailer

Summary:
The second season of Toaru Majutsu no Index

In the western part of Tokyo is Academy City, so-called because 80% of its 2.3 million inhabitants are students. These students undergo a special curriculum designed to develop psychic abilities and, depending on their abilities, they are grouped into 6 categories, i.e. Level 0 (no ability) to Level 5 (super ability).

Kamijou Touma is one such student. Although he is classed as a Level 0, in truth, he possesses the power known as Imagine Breaker which can cancel any and all powers.

Over summer break, using his Imagine Breaker, he had first saved the nun Index from the magicians pursuing her, and then assisted the Level 5 Electro-master Misaka Mikoto in her fight against the strongest among Level 5 Accelerator. Finally, Touma saved the world by averting the magic spell Angel Fall.

Now, the 2nd semester begins, and Touma will soon find himself embroiled in a battle between the practitioners of science and the practitioners of magic.

Impression:
I like railgun more than Index but I'm still interested in what will happened to the characters so yes I'll pick this up. I hope they reduced the nerve racking explanations.






Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku
Release Date: 8, 2010
Animation Production: ZEXCS / .feel
Episodes: ?

Summary:
Fortune Arterial's story revolves around the male protagonist Kohei Hasekura, who transfers into a prestigious public school in the style of an English six-year school encompassing junior-high and high school students. The school is on an island named Tamatsu Island off-shore from mainland Japan, and the only way to get there is by boat. Soon after transferring, he discovers that one of the student in the class next door to his, Sendo Erika, is in fact a type of vampire



Impression:
Errr.....looks lame but maybe I'll try a couple of episodes?







Kuragehime
Release Date: October 14, 2010
Animation Production: Brain's Base
Episodes: 11
Trailer

Summary:
The story centers around Tsukimi Kurashita, 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.

Impression:

It's not my cup of anime so I'll pass


I just noticed that there are a LOT of moe blob shows these season and I'm getting tired of them so I'll pass them now this season. Actually, this season seems less exciting than the last. The only show I'm only excited in watching is Hakuouki 2, Index and Bakuman. Nevertheless, maybe my opinion on this season would eventually change since I learned my lesson last season.

My picks this season are the ff:
Panty & Stocking (?)
MM! (?)
Bakuman. (!)
Hakuouki Hakketsuroku (!)
Star Driver (?)
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo (!)
Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls(!)
Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (?)
Yosuga no Sora (?)
Otome Youkai Zakuro (?)
Togainu no Chi (!)
Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru (?)
Toaru Majutsu no Index (!)

Legend
? = only couple of episodes or none at all
! = priority

until then...

~ ja