With the summer season just around the corner, I thought I’d poke my head in and give an overview of the 26 new shows lined up. At first glance, there are some noteworthy continuations such as Rinne no Lagrange Season 2 and Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II, but a closer look reveals some gems such as Yuruyuri ♪♪ and Moyashimon Returns. In terms of all-new series, we have the highly anticipated Sword Art Online, an adaptation of Accel World creator Kawahara Reki’s other virtual reality fantasy novel — TARI TARI, another original slice-of-life series by P.A. Works — Natsuyuki Rendezvous, a romance/drama airing in the noitaminA time slot — plus a good selection of romantic comedies to round everything out. So without further ado, let’s have a look shall we?

Note: I don’t plan to write any more season previews while I’m on my indefinite hiatus. This was a special case since I was personally asked to write this season’s.

As a quick reminder, each entry is divided into two paragraphs:

The overall impressions at the very end categorize the shows in a way that should help you decide what to watch.

Disclaimer: Regular readers of the site probably already know that my tastes are fairly diverse, but a quick look at MyAnimeList should give everyone else an idea of my seventeen year history of watching anime. With that in mind, please be aware that I’ll often watch mediocre and even controversial series for the sake of variety, or simply so that I can make an informed judgment at the end. However, I would only recommend such shows if you’ve seen something similar, enjoyed it to a certain degree, and know what you’re getting yourself into. I still have my usual genres, so it’s usually not too difficult for me to decide what to watch based on premise, art style, production, and cast (a big one for me) after going through some source and/or promotional material. For the purpose of this preview, I’ll try to identify what appeals to me about each series, in hopes that it will help you determine if it coincides with your own tastes.

By no means does this list reflect every single anime series that is going to be aired, though it’s meant to be as comprehensive as possible. Shows that stray far from the anime norm or are deemed oriented towards younger children are omitted, so check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing, syoboi’s calendar for specific air times, and Fansub Wiki’s page for who’s tentatively subbing what.

Technical Note: The list is ordered by the date and time that the shows premiere. The links in the schedule will take you to a series’ corresponding entry and the “Top” links on the right will bring you back. You can also use the back/forward buttons in your browser to jump between links you’ve clicked. All times are given in a 24-hour, relative-day format where times are extended to show which day they belong to. For instance, Friday morning at 1:30AM would become Thursday at 25:30 to show that the episode aired late Thursday night.

* Jump to OVA/Movies.

Kingdom | キングダムTop

http://www9.nhk.or.jp/anime/kingdom/ Animation: Studio Pierrot Premiere: June 4, 2012 Genre: Action, History Airtime (GMT+9): Mondays at 19:00 Episodes: 38 Station: NHK Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Kicking off the summer season a month ahead of the actual July start is a 38-episode historical action series set in 245 BC China in the State of Qin, during the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period. The story is adapted from an ongoing 25-volume manga and revolves around a war orphan named Shin (Morita Masakazu, Kurosaki Ichigo in Bleach), whom together with his friend Hyou, train in combat every day and dream of becoming generals on the battlefield. However, their fates forever change when Hyou is summoned to the royal palace because of his skill, gets caught up in a power struggle, and barely escapes with his life back to his hometown. Hyou ends up entrusting a map to Shin, who sets out on a journey and encounters a young boy who resembles his late friend — Sei (Fukuyama Jun), the current King of Qin. Studio Pierrot, the production company behind Naruto, Bleach, and other long-running shounen series, is using copious amounts of CGI in the animation for this adaptation. It’s almost a venture project of sorts, and while the end result doesn’t look bad, it definitely shows that most of the scenes are computer rendered. The series itself I’m rather indifferent about, as the feudal Chinese setting is something I’m interested in, but not something I’m overly compelled to watch an anime about. At first glance, the biggest draw of this NHK prime time offering is Morita Masakazu and Fukuyama Jun’s casting in the lead roles. There’s likely a lot more substance to the manga, given its five-years-and-counting serialization in the seinen magazine Weekly Young Jump, so it’s worth a peek if the premise piques your interest. Plans to Watch: Guardian Enzo Potential Bloggers:

Show Kingdom Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_01.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_01.jpg 355 200] Episode 01 Preview (0:58) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_02.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_02.jpg 355 200] Episode 02 Preview (0:16) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_03.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kingdom_Preview_03.jpg 355 200] Episode 03 Preview (0:16)

Rinne no Lagrange Season 2 | 輪廻のラグランジェ season 2Top

http://lag-rin.com/ Animation: XEBEC Premiere: July 1, 2012 Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi Airtime (GMT+9): Sundays at 22:00 Episodes: __ Station: Tokyo MX (MX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Jersey club girls, legendary robots, and galactic battles, oh my! Production I.G and car manufacturer Nissan’s original series makes its much-awaited return after a scheduled season break. Things last left off with emotional highs and lows that saw our three heroines — Kyouno Madoka (Ishihara Kaori), Lan (Seto Asami), and Muginami (Kayano Ai) — going separate ways, and the mystery behind the “Blossoming of Rinne” still not unraveled. A lot was revealed about the alien invaders who constantly attacked Madoka’s beloved ocean-side city of Kamogawa in the first season. This continuation is expected to build on those revelations and work towards a satisfying conclusion that not only sees the three girls reunited, but answers all the questions surrounding the three legendary “Vox” robots: Aura (wind), Lympha (water), and Ignis (fire). It’s no secret that the original season of Lagrange and Ano Natsu de Matteru were my favorite series in winter and candidates for my favorites of 2012, so saying that I’m eagerly anticipating the continuation (not sequel) of the former would be a huge understatement. This original series was budgeted for two cours from the very beginning, and the halfway point that it left off on was (for lack of a better phrase), “Damn good.” While we learned the true identities of the intergalactic races from Le Garite and De Metrio who were vying over control of the lengendary Vox robots left on Earth, we were utterly teased about what’s to come following that revelation. This series features amiable characters and the perfect blend of action, comedy, and drama, so if you haven’t watched the original, you should check it out before season 2 airs. Highly recommended. Plans to Watch: Moomba, Stereoman, Stilts Potential Bloggers: Stilts

Show Rinne no Lagrange Season 2 Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Rinne_no_Lagrange_Season_2_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Rinne_no_Lagrange_Season_2_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (1:05)

TARI TARITop

http://taritari.jp/ Animation: P.A. Works Premiere: July 1, 2012 Genre: Drama, Slice-of-Life Airtime (GMT+9): Sundays at 22:30 Episodes: 13 Station: TV Kanagawa (tvk) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia P.A. Works, the studio behind true tears, Angel Beats, and Another, is churning out a new slice-of-life series in the same vein as Hanasaku Iroha from spring 2011. The producer, character designer, and composer from Hanairo return for TARI TARI, which portrays the daily lives of three high school girls who are too young to be considered adults, but don’t perceive themselves as children anymore. In this everyday depiction of laughs, fights, worries, and love, we have Sakai Wakana (Takagaki Ayahi), who suddenly gives up on music one day, Miyamoto Konatsu (Seto Asami), who won’t give up on singing, and Okita Sawa (Hayami Saori), who will help any friend in need. They’re soon joined by two male students: Badminton club member Tanaka Taichi (Shimazaki Nobunaga) and transfer student Wein (Hanae Natsuki), who’s spent the past twelve years in Austria. As much as I love P.A. Works, I’ll be the first to admit that the setup for TARI TARI sounds incredibly generic. It’s almost as if the Hanasaku Iroha staff members sat down over coffee and haphazardly decided on some character personalities so that they can make another slice-of-life series. Be that as it may, the promo material suggests that the production quality is what we’d expect from the studio, and there’s a very good possibility that the unassuming premise centering around music will turn out much better than I or anyone else thinks. While still a good series, Hanairo was a bit of a letdown for me, particularly in the middle stretch where the focus drifted away from the main cast, so I’m cautiously optimistic about what’s in store for TARI TARI. The good thing is that with P.A. Works, it’s a fairly safe bet this will be a “good” series if not a “great” one. Plans to Watch: BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Stereoman, Zephyr Potential Bloggers: BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Takaii, Zephyr

Show TARI TARI Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/TARI_TARI_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/TARI_TARI_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (2:09) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/TARI_TARI_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/TARI_TARI_PV1.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #1 (1:57)

Show La storia della Arcana Famiglia Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Arcana_Famiglia_CM.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Arcana_Famiglia_CM.jpg 480 270] Commercial (0:15)

Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita | 人類は衰退しましたTop

http://www.maql.co.jp/special/jintai/ Animation: AIC ASTA Premiere: July 1, 2012 Genre: Fantasy Airtime (GMT+9): Sundays at 24:00 Episodes: __ Station: TV Kanagawa (tvk) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Artist and scenario writer Tanaka Romeo, whose previous works include various adult games, is getting his first fantasy light novel adapted into an anime. “Mankind Has Declined” as the title suggests, depicts a distant future several centuries later where humanity is nearing extinction and a new Koro-pok-guru-like fairy species has emerged. Acting as a government mediator to these fairies is a nameless girl only referred to as “I” (Nakahara Mai) – a graduate of humanity’s last remaining school “Gakusha” who figured she’d have an easy life with this job, but gets caught up in all the fairies’ mysterious behaviour and inventions. Her grandfather serves as the chief of the mediator office in their hometown of Kusunoki, and a young boy he took in works as his assistant. The promo artwork will have you believing otherwise, but this surreal and refreshing story actually contains a fair bit of the author’s peculiar black humor — something that the promo video with a headless talking chicken gives a sense of. In addition, there are parodies and homages everywhere, as the setup generally showcases our nameless heroine’s interactions with fairies and their mysterious inventions. Not exactly what I would’ve expected given the character designs and color palette of this series, so I’m admittedly not sure what to make of it. In some ways, it does remind me of the Kozue Amano’s “healing manga” ARIA though. On the production side, director Kishi Seiji (Angel Beats, Kami-sama Dolls) is in charge of this adaptation, warranting a closer look. Plans to Watch: BakaMochi, Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Zanibas Potential Bloggers: Guardian Enzo, Zanibas

Show Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV3.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV3.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #3 (2:05) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV2.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #2 (1:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Jinrui_wa_Suitai_Shimashita_PV1.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #1 (1:00)

Chitose Get You!! | ちとせげっちゅ！！Top

http://www.takeshobo.co.jp/sp/tv_chitose/ Animation: SILVER LINK. Premiere: July 1, 2012 Genre: Comedy Airtime (GMT+9): Sundays at 24:56 Episodes: __ Station: AT-X Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia In an all-too-familiar setup, we have another comedy about an elemtary school girl who’s infatuated with an older guy. Adapted from a four-panel gag manga, Chitose Get You!! centers around the everyday life of 11-year-old Sakuraba Chitose (Nakaya Sayaka), who takes her crush on Kashiwabara Hiroshi (Hatano Wataru) — a government worker working at the town hall next to her school — to an over-the-top obsessive level. Hilarity ensues as a result, and Chitose’s friends, Misaki (Tokui Sora) and Hiiragi Hinako (MAKO), get caught up in her antics before long. Things even heat up a bit in the love rival department, when Chitose’s homeroom teacher Fuji Asako (Mitsuishi Kotono), who is constantly teased about being single and unmarried, is introduced to Hiroshi and takes a liking to him. I can’t be the only one reminded of Kodomo no Jikan in this “underage girl loves older guy” setup, but unlike that risqué drama-filled manga, Chitose Get You focuses heavily on the comedy. Hiroshi’s portrayed by Hatano Wataru, who’s voiced some of the most straightlaced male characters I can think of (see Nogizaka Haruka), and just goes along with Chitose’s childhood romance so that he doesn’t hurt her feelings. Judging from the chapters of the manga that I flipped through, the humor itself is expectedly a bit random, but struck a chord with me when Asako — voiced by veteran Mitsuishi Kotono (Sailor Moon) — gets pulled into the mix and attracts dangerously jealous stares from Chitose. I also like the simply yet subtlely different character designs, so I’m tempted to check out a few episodes for some cheap laughs. Production-wise, I’m always curious to see how producers turn a four-panel manga into a more seamlessly flowing anime. Plans to Watch: Potential Bloggers:

Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse | トータル・イクリプスTop

http://muv-luv-te-anime.com/ Animation: Satelight, Ixtl Premiere: July 1, 2012 Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Airtime (GMT+9): Sundays at 25:35 Episodes: __ Station: TV Tokyo (TX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Adult PC game developer âge — makers of the drama-filled Kimi ga Nozomu Eien — is getting another one of their titles adapted into an anime. This time, it’s a spin-off light novel based on the alternate world sequels to their 2003 Muv-Luv game, namely Muv-Luv Unlimited and Muv-Luv Alternative, which take place in a futuristic setting where humanity is struggling to fend off alien invaders known as BETA (a horrendous acronym that stands for “Beings of the Extra Terristrial orion which is Adversary of human race”). Since their arrival in 1973, the entire Eurasian continent’s been lost and the Earth’s population decimated by billions. Mankind’s only hope in a losing battle for the past 30 years are mobile mechanical weapons known as Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF). Total Eclipse takes place in 2001, when Takamura Yui (Nakahara Mai), a TSF pilot for the Imperial Royal Guards of Japan, is sent to Alaska to take part in a joint project with Russian and the US to develop next-generation TSFs. There, she meets Russian test pilot Cryska Barchenowa (Nabatame Hitomi) and US Army pilot Yuuya Bridges (Ono Daisuke), the latter of whom isn’t fond of his half-Japanese roots. I’m not overly familiar with the Muv-Luv franchise, but the alternate world bit is strikingly similar to IDOLM@STER’s own mecha spin-off, Xenoglossia. Generally, it’s a way of bolstering the popularity of a “new series” with already established characters, but Total Eclipse steps away from Unlimited and Alternative by featuring an all-new cast. As a fan of sci-fi robot anime, I’m naturally interested in the premise — even if there weren’t busty pilots in skintight suits — but the first few chapters of the manga variation were a bit slow and nothing really drew me in. However, I have heard good things about it and would never simply disregard an anime by Satelight that involves mechs, which gives me more than enough reason to give this series a go. I like what I see in terms of production quality, which is on par with Satelight’s stellar work on Aquarion EVOL these past two seasons. Plans to Watch: Asobi, Moomba, unlisted, Zephyr Potential Bloggers: Zephyr

Show Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Muv-Luv_Alternative_Total_Eclipse_PV_Long.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Muv-Luv_Alternative_Total_Eclipse_PV_Long.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (Long Version) (2:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Muv-Luv_Alternative_Total_Eclipse_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Muv-Luv_Alternative_Total_Eclipse_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (1:04)

Chouyaku Hyakunin Isshu: Uta Koi. | 超訳百人一首 うた恋い。Top

http://www.anime-utakoi.jp/ Animation: TYO Animations Premiere: July 2, 2012 Genre: History, Romance Airtime (GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30 Episodes: __ Station: TV Tokyo (TX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia The Hyakunin Isshu — a collection of a hundred traditional poems by a hundred famous poets — is the focus in an anime again, except it’s not over the card game karuta. In “Super Liberal Hyakkunin Isshu: Love Song”, we’re provided with author Sugita Kei’s loose interpretation of the poems, set in the Heian Period (794-1185). The emphasis is how love still blossomed during this feudal period of Japan, before there were mail or telephones to convey one’s feelings. As of July of last year, the first two volumes of the manga have sold an impressive 210,000 copies, prompting the green-light on this adaptation. Prior to becoming a professional mangaka, the author produced popular MAD videos on Niconico under the alias “cdm” — some of which generated over 5.5 million views — and was praised for having a unique artistic style and comedic sense. Some of that can be seen in Uta Koi, which is said to have a modernized comedic touch. With Bakuman and Honey & Clover director Kasai Kenichi on board, as well as various popular seiyuu that include Kaji Yuuki, Suwabe Junichi, Hayami Saori, Endou Aya, Shimono Hiro, and Oohara Sayaka, the only real intangiable is TYO Animations’ involvement — a studio that’s collaborated on many productions but haven’t led too many of their own. The liberal stories themselves seem to be popular and even educational to a certain degree, as the manga can be found in study reference sections of many bookstores. Sugita Kei’s art style is a real treat too, distinguishing itself from the stuff we typically see these days, so I’m rather curious to see how this adaptation turns out. I don’t care too much for the Hyakunin Isshu, much like I didn’t in Chihayafuru, but I’m always up for a good romance story in any setting. Plans to Watch: BakaMochi Potential Bloggers: BakaMochi

Show Chouyaku Hyakunin Isshu: Uta Koi Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Chouyaku_Haykunin_Isshu_Uta_Koi_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Chouyaku_Haykunin_Isshu_Uta_Koi_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (0:30)

Show Yuruyuri ♪♪ Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (1:55) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_CM1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_CM1.jpg 355 200] Commercial #1 (0:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_CM2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Yuruyuri_2_CM2.jpg 355 200] Commercial #2 (0:30)

Binbougami ga! | 貧乏神が！Top

http://www.binbogamiga.net/ Animation: Sunrise Premiere: July 4, 2012 Genre: Comedy, Supernatural Airtime (GMT+9): Wednesdays at 25:50 Episodes: __ Station: TV Tokyo (TX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Sunrise is bringing us a new adaptation this season, which not only reunites the seiyuu trio from Kannagi — Hanazawa Kana, Tomatsu Haruka, and Shimono Hiro — but also features music by former Square Enix leading composer, Hamauzu Masashi (Final Fantasy XIII, XIII-2), marking his first foray into the anime industry. The series itself depicts a comedic battle between fortune and misfortune, where 16-year-old Sakura Ichiko (Kana), who’s been blessed with good looks, smarts, wealth, and athleticism, is pitted against the Japanese “God of Poverty” Binboda Momiji (Uchiyama Yumi), who’s been sent to correct the fortuitous anomaly that Ichiko is. The voluptuous “lucky girl” has been unknowingly sapping all the good luck energy from everyone around her and she’s unwilling to relinquish that ability even after Momiji confronts her about it, setting the stage for a lot of comedic back-and-forth bickering. Even for a surreal gag comedy, I’m amused by how unadultered and petty the humor in Binbougami ga’s manga can be, like how Momiji keeps remarking about Ichiko’s breast size and wanting to take them for herself. Also, rather than allowing a deity to fix the imbalance in the world, Ichiko pretty much tells Momiji to screw off, compounding problems and adding to the hilarity. The most surprising aspect is how multifaceted this series is, switching over to a more sentimental note when Ichiko inadvertently brings misfortune to those she holds dear. It’s a welcomed change-up that was seamlessly slipped in and should work well with the comedy that Gintama director Fujita Youichi is in charge of. I’m not sure where things are headed, but with Momiji’s masochistic summoned dog Inugami Momo (Hiro) and hot-blooded karate-crazed transfer student Rindou Ran (Haruka) among the regular cast, I do want to find out. Plans to Watch: Asobi, Moomba, Stilts Potential Bloggers:

Moyashimon Returns | もやしもん リターンズTop

http://kamosuzo2.tv/ Animation: Shirogumi, Telecom Animation Premiere: July 5, 2012 Genre: Comedy, School-Life, Science Airtime (GMT+9): Thursdays at 24:45 Episodes: __ Station: Fuji TV (CX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Five years later, Sawaki Tadayasu (Sakaguchi Daisuke) and his “Tales of Agriculture” at university make a return to the noitaminA time slot. Based on Ishikawa Masayuki’s seinen manga, Moyashimon involves the not-so-ordinary life of Tadayasu, who can see microbes with the naked eye and communicate with them — an ability that his professor Keizou Itsuki (Nishimura Tomomichi) and research assistant Hasegawa Haruka (Oohara Sayaka) deem priceless. He attends “Noudai” with his gothic-lolita cross-dressing childhood friend Yuuki Kei (Saiga Mitsuki), first-year germaphobe Oikawa Haruka (Kanda Akemi), the school’s “Miss Agriculture” Mutou Aoi (Noto Mamiko), and his two opportunistic seniors, Misato Kaoru (Konishi Katsuyuki) and Kawahama Takuma (Sugiyama Noriaki), where he gets caught up in crazy exploits involving fermentation and illegally brewed alcohol. The original season left off with Tadayasu regaining his ability to see microbes after suddenly losing it, which further deepened his bond with them. While this series is filled with microbiology jargon about cultivation and fermentation, it has an inexplicable charm to it that not only kept me watching the original season, but got me watching (and enjoying) the drama version too. I really like the university setting, as it’s a welcome change of scenery from the high school alternative that we see in just about every other anime. The characters are older and more educated, but their stupidity remains in spite of being well-learned in their field — a combination that’s pretty hilarious from a viewer standpoint. I don’t care much for the educational microbiology aspect, but it’s still easy to relate to what the characters are going through and getting a lot of enjoyment from that. There are also some overarching drama-filled plotlines, making this a truly unique seinen comedy that deserves some attention. It even has veteran seiyuu Touma Yumi voicing the microbe mascot Oryzae in a goofy voice. Plans to Watch: Guardian Enzo, Zanibas Potential Bloggers: Zanibas

Show Moyashimon Returns Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (0:31) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV1.jpg 355 200] Microbe Promotional Video #1 (1:17) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV2.jpg 355 200] Microbe Promotional Video #2 (1:27) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV3.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Moyashimon_Returns_Spin-off_PV3.jpg 355 200] Microbe Promotional Video #3 (1:15)

Natsuyuki Rendezvous | 夏雪ランデブーTop

http://natsuyuki.tv/ Animation: Dogakobo Premiere: July 5, 2012 Genre: Drama, Romance, Supernatural Airtime (GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:15 Episodes: __ Station: Fuji TV (CX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Taking over the second noitaminA time slot is an adaptation of a supernatural romance manga that completed its two-and-a-half-year, four-volume run earlier this year. Titled “Summer Snow Rendezvous”, the series revolves around Hazuki Ryuusuke (Nakamura Yuuichi), who hopped on the opportunity to work part-time at a flower shop after secretly falling in love with its eight-year-older owner, Shimao Rokka (Oohara Sayaka). One day, he happens to go up to the second floor of the building and runs into the ghost of her late husband, Shimao Atsushi (Fukuyama Jun), whom only he can see. Atsushi’s spirit lingered after Rokka begged him on his deathbed not to leave her, and now he’s intent on getting in Ryuusuke’s way to prevent him from taking Rokka from him. However, Ryuusuke is neither swayed nor afraid of Atsushi’s presence and makes strides toward telling Rokka how he feels and helping her move on. A quick flip-through of the manga has the romantic in me really looking forward to this adaptation, as the gimmicky setup of “young guy going after an older woman while her dead husband gets in the way” proved to be a lot better than it sounds. The depiction of the characters’ emotions feels very real, so much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if a live-action variation is produced at some point like so many other noitaminA shows (e.g. Honey & Clover, Nodame Cantabile, Usagi Drop). It was easy to get a sense of where the characters were coming from, making the drama that much more prominent when Ryuusuke decides to become Rokka’s replacement for Atsushi if need be. Then there’s the supernatural part where Atsushi wants Rokka to himself but can only communicate to her through Ryuusuke, which really throws this love triangle in for a whirl. Will they work together to make Rokka happy? I don’t know but I intend to find out. Plans to Watch: BakaMochi, Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Stereoman, Stilts, Zanibas Potential Bloggers: BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Zanibas

Show Natsuyuki Rendezvous Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Natsuyuki_Rendezvous_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Natsuyuki_Rendezvous_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (0:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Natsuyuki_Rendezvous_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Natsuyuki_Rendezvous_PV1.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #1 (0:29)

Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate | 恋と選挙とチョコレートTop

http://www.koichoco.com/ Animation: AIC Build Premiere: July 5, 2012 Genre: Comedy, Romance Airtime (GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:25 Episodes: __ Station: TBS Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia In the all too familiar scenario of an eroge turned anime, AIC Build is bringing us game maker Sprite’s first and only release thus far, “Love, Election & Chocolate” (or “Koichoco” for short). The setting is Takafuji Academy, a private institution with over 6,000 students where second-year Oojima Yuuki (Nakamura Yuuichi) spends his days leisurely in the Food Research Club, a.k.a. “Shokken”, that his childhood friend Sumiyoshi Chisato (Nakamura Eriko) is president of. In reality, the club doesn’t do anything but eat snacks. They’re accompanied by many other students, many of whom are members of Shokken, including Yuuki’s classmate Kiba Mifuyu (Mizuhashi Kaori), first-year Morishita Michiru (Imai Asami), and Michiru’s friend Aomi Isara (Kadowaki Mai). Their easygoing days are in jeopardy however, when the forerunner in the next student council president election, Shinonome Satsuki (Asakawa Yuu), proposes that all clubs with no merit be abolished. After consulting with the current president, Yuuki decides to run in the election against Satsuki to try and save their club. Naturally, the situation sounds a lot more grave than it really is, as I quickly found out in the manga version. Yuuki gets along really well with Satsuki and is stricken by her amazing looks, so the conflict surrounding the election is mostly there to drive out his romantic interactions with her and the rest of the heroines. The club’s easygoing activities of sampling food and goofy outbursts, coupled with the large support cast of eccentric characters, remind me a lot of Haganai, which is befitting since director Kitahata Tooru served as an episode director in its adaptation. Likewise, the story touches upon some more serious subplots, such as the bullying Isara has to endure at school since her family’s poor. While Koichoco doesn’t step too far away from the eroge adaptation norm, my opinion of it has definitely improved for the better. For those familiar with the game, the female cast is all here, except under their real names. Plans to Watch: Asobi, BakaMochi, Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Stilts Potential Bloggers: Asobi

Show Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Koi_to_Senkyo_to_Chocolate_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Koi_to_Senkyo_to_Chocolate_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (1:29) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Koi_to_Senkyo_to_Chocolate_Game_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Koi_to_Senkyo_to_Chocolate_Game_PV.jpg 480 270] Video Game Promotional Video (2:06)

Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru! | この中に1人、妹がいる！Top

http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/nakaimo/ Animation: Studio Gokumi Premiere: July 5, 2012 Genre: Comedy, Romance Airtime (GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:55 Episodes: __ Station: TBS Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Studio Gokumi, the one-year-old company comprised of former GONZO Studio 5 staff, is spearheading two productions this summer. Premiering first is their adaptation of a romantic comedy, “Among These Girls is My Younger Sister!”, where Mikadono Shougo (Sakurai Takahiro) inherits the wealthy Mikadono Group and begins training to become its next president. As per his father’s will, he transfers to a prestiguous high school where he’s asked to find a future wife before graduation. He soon finds himself surrounded by beautiful girls — Tsuruma Konoe (Ishihara Kaori), Kannagi Miyabi (Sakura Ayane), Kunitachi Rinka (Taketatsu Ayana), Tendou Mana (Oogame Asuka), and Sagara Mei (Hidaka Rina) — and is intent on getting close to them. However, he receives an anonymous phone call from someone claiming to be his younger sister and among the girls he’s gotten close to. She won’t reveal her true identity until he falls in love with her, leaving Shougo deathly afraid of ending up with a sister he didn’t know existed. Sakurai Takahiro starring in a harem anime is the first thing that stood out to me with this series, followed by a female cast that includes Ano Natsu/Rinne no Lagrange’s Ishihara Kaori and Denpa Onna’s Oogame Asuka. After that, it’s how rather convenient the setup is, forcing Shougo in a catch-22 scenario where he has to risk falling for his half-sister (and likely will). I don’t care for the whole incest bit, but I did enjoy the early chapters that I read where Konoe’s kindhearted nature and Miyabi’s forwardness noticeably change up the harem formula. Then there’s the twist with the stalkerish phone call that puts Shougo on edge and makes me suspicious of all the girls, which worked well in keeping me reading. I don’t anticipate this will be a standout series, but the premise does have a “little something” that makes the series compelling to read (…and watch). Plans to Watch: BakaMochi, Cherrie, Stilts, unlisted Potential Bloggers:

Show Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru! Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kono_Naka_ni_Hitori_Imouto_ga_Iru_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kono_Naka_ni_Hitori_Imouto_ga_Iru_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (1:03) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kono_Naka_ni_Hitori_Imouto_ga_Iru_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kono_Naka_ni_Hitori_Imouto_ga_Iru_PV1.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #1 (1:26)

Joshiraku | じょしらくTop

http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/joshiraku/ Animation: J.C. Staff Premiere: July 5, 2012 Genre: Comedy Airtime (GMT+9): Thursdays at 26:25 Episodes: __ Station: MBS Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia From Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei author Kumeta Kouji comes another gag manga, except this title is about the everyday lives of five girls who talk about a lot of meaningless drivel and get really into their conversations. Even their names are puns themselves, as we have “Bloody Mary” Buratei Marii (Sakura Ayane), “Hello Kitty Stuffed Animal” Haroukitei Kigurumi (Koiwai Kotori), “Breakwater Tetrapod” Bouhatei Tetora (Yamamoto Nozomi), “Cool Beauty Glasses” Kuurubiyuutei Gankyou (Yoshino Nanjo), and “Dark and Gloomy” Anrakutei Kukuru (Gotou Saori). Everything takes place in the backstage of a theatre, and the comedy almost always starts with one of the girls saying asking a random question or making a head-scratching statement. All the other girls then join in, adding their equally random input and taking the discussion off on wild tangents. Judging from the manga, this form of delivery provides a completely unscripted type of humor, similar to the kind I have with my friends when we talk about random stuff. In many ways, it reminds me of Yuruyuri’s depiction of a group of girls talking about extremely unimportant things, except without the slapstick lesbian undertones. What I found most amusing is how the girls are quick to turn on one another to make a point. In comparison, the endless stream of witty yet non-sensical remarks was only mildy amusing, but should benefit in an animated and vocalized form. The best summation of this series is probably “cute girls saying stupid things”, so if you enjoy a lot of satire, it’s worth a peek. Ika Musume s1 and Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san’s Mizushima Tsutomu is directing and Genshiken’s Yokote Michiko is handling the screenplay — two big pluses in my book. Plans to Watch: Potential Bloggers:

Show Joshiraku Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Joshiraku_CM.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Joshiraku_CM.jpg 480 270] Commercial (0:15)

Show Hagure Yuusha no Estetica Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (1:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV1.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #1 (0:50) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV0.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Hagure_Yuusha_no_Estetica_PV0.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #0 (1:00)

Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. | だから僕は、Hができない。Top

http://boku-h.com/ Animation: feel. Premiere: July 6, 2012 Genre: Comedy, Romance Airtime (GMT+9): Fridays at 11:00 Episodes: __ Station: AT-X Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia When it comes to risqué series like kiss x sis and Yosuga no Sora, feel is the studio to deliver. This season however, they’re going a safer route with the adaptation of “That’s Why I Can’t Have Sex”, where ultra-perverted yet unbelievably kind Kaga Ryousuke (Shimono Hiro) ends up losing his highly-prized sex drive to an elite death god, Lisara Restall (Endou Aya). She’s in the human world to look for someone with an enormous amount of spiritual energy, but requires some to remain here and continue her search, so she ends up forming a pact with Ryousuke to use his energy — effectively draining him of his main “drive” in life. He ends up helping her with her search to get his sex drive back, during which his childhood friend Ookura Mina (Ishihara Kaori), Lisara’s cousin Quele Sellier (Nishiguchi Arisa), and Lisara’s rival Fukumine Iria (Fukuen Misato) join the mix. The premise sounds a bit run-of-the-mill, but the execution in manga version is pretty hilarious since Ryousuke is quite outspoken about how he can’t even look at an attractive girl with lustrous eyes anymore, and not arrogant or self-loathing about his pervertedness. The humor that comes from his personality is very refreshing as a result and quite unlike the typical jokes in romantic comedies. Lisara on the other hand is a tsundere who isn’t overly violent and flips to her dere side quite frequently, leading to a lot of cute scenarios where she turns flush red. She’s also the least “endowed” out of all the female characters — something she has a bit of a complex about. The two of them are a fun tandem to watch — especially with Mina around, who clearly likes Ryousuke — so I’m looking forward to hearing Shimono Hiro opposite of Endou Aya in the lead roles. While there may be fan-service, their dynamic and the adult humor are the main draws for me. Plans to Watch: Moomba, Stilts, unlisted Potential Bloggers:

Show Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Dakara_Boku_wa_H_ga_Dekinai_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Dakara_Boku_wa_H_ga_Dekinai_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (2:00)

Campione! | カンピオーネ！Top

http://www.campi-anime.com/ Animation: Diomedea Premiere: July 6, 2012 Genre: Action, Fantasy, Romance Airtime (GMT+9): Fridays at 23:30 Episodes: __ Station: AT-X Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia A high school “battle fantasy” light novel about god slayers is getting an adaptation, produced by Diomedea (Ika Musume), directed by Kusakawa Keizou (Lyrical Nanoha), and screenwritten by Hanada Jukki (Steins;Gate, sola). The protagonist is 16-year-old Kusanagi Godou (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu), a baseball catcher and clean-up hitter who was selected to be Japan’s team representative but forced to retire from a shoulder injury and only wishes to spend his days peacefully. However, three months ago during his summer vacation in Sardinia, Italy, he gets caught up in a battle between two gods. Together with Erica Blandelli (Hikasa Youko), a member of the “Copper Black Cross” magicians’ society, Godou winds up defeating the “War God” Verenthragna, earning him the title as the seventh Campione — a select group of people who have defeated malevolent gods and obtained both their powers and status in the world — and pulling him into a world where he has to battle against other Campione and malevolent gods. Naturally, other mages are brought into the picture, including a Japanese shrine maiden, Mariya Yuri (Hanazawa Kana), a rival from the “Bronze Black Cross” society, Liliana Kranjcar (Kitamura Eri), and the daughter from a prestigous family, Seishuuin Ena (Saitou Yuka). Yuri has feelings for Godou, but Erica does as well, being his self-proclaimed lover and one of the few people who actually know what happened when he defeated Verethragna. Where things go from there I’m not entirely sure, but I do like what I see in the staff and cast, promo videos, and production in general. Also, the premise with god slayers and mages, albeit different, reminds me a bit of To Aru Majutsu no Index, whose direction I was never sure of either but still enjoyed a fair bit (when I’m not blogging it). This definitely has the potential to be one of the more plot-heavy shows of the season. Plans to Watch: Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Moomba, Stilts, unlisted, Zephyr Potential Bloggers: Zephyr

Show Campione Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Campione_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Campione_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (2:07)

Tanken Driland | 探検ドリランドTop

http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/Driland/ Animation: Toei Animation Premiere: July 7, 2012 Genre: Adventure, Fantasy Airtime (GMT+9): Saturdays at 23:30 Episodes: __ Station: TV Tokyo (TX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia GREE’s popular 2008 mobile social networking game where players adventure together and battle monsters in the world of Driland is getting an anime. Produced by Toei Animation, it follows the adventures of Elua’s princess, Mikoto (Miyamoto Kanako), who visited a small town when she was younger and met someone who inspired her to become a hunter — someone who travels across the land in search of treasure. Now grown up, she sets out an expedition with her caretaker Wallence (Nojima Kenji) and encounters and teams up with other adventurers: Pollon (Kumai Motoko), a hunter who dreams of becoming a hero, and Parn (Uchiyama Kouki), a wandering knight. As they continue their adventures together, meeting various other hunters along the way, a sudden crisis befalls on Driland in the form of a gigantic monster, prompting Mikoto and her party to rally against it. I always approach adaptations of role playing games with a fair bit of caution, as I like the fantasy setting, but am generally disappointed in the story itself (which is ironic since RPGs should have good stories). I don’t mind the more super-deformed character designs as they’re reminiscent to the 8-bit RPGs I grew up playing, so I’m going to wait and see what’s in store for the anime of the mobile game that was a No. 1 bestseller on the iTunes Store in Japan. I’m hoping that this will turn out better than it seems, but I’m still not expecting much at this point. Plans to Watch: Potential Bloggers:

Show DOG DAYS Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (2:11) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_CM15s.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_CM15s.jpg 355 200] Commercial (0:15) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_CM30s.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_CM30s.jpg 355 200] Commercial (0:30) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/DOG_DAYS_2_PV1.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #1 (3:22)

Sword Art Online | ソードアート・オンラインTop

http://www.swordart-online.net/ Animation: A-1 Pictures Premiere: July 7, 2012 Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Airtime (GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:00 Episodes: 2-cour Station: Tokyo MX (MX) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia It’s not too often that an author has two of their works adapted in parallel, but Kawahara Reki’s other virtual reality MMORPG series, Sword Art Online, will be airing alongside Accel World this summer. In SAO, a new technology called “NERDLES”, NERve Direct Linkage Environment System, revolutionizes the gaming world by interfacing directly with a player’s brain. However, upon the release of the first game, aptly titled “Sword Art Online”, Kirigaya Kazuto, a.k.a. Kirito (Matsuoka Yoshitsugu) and the rest of the players find themselves unable to log out from it. The game and NERDLES creator Kayaba Akihiko then informs everyone that they need to clear a 100-floor dungeon if they want to leave. The catch is, dying in the game or tampering with the “Nerve Gear” device externally results in death in real life. It’s been two years since then and only 6,000 of the original 10,000 players remain. Kirito, alongside his friend Yuuki Asuna (Tomatsu Haruka), continue fighting to clear the remaining 26 floors and free themselves from the game. The setup is fairly outlandish, as the real world is notified of what’s happening and told to keep the players on life support so that they can play for as long as needed. Beyond that, I find it rather twisted how people are forced to play a game and put their lives on the line. To me, it’s analogous to holding someone at gunpoint and forcing them to play World of Warcraft with Diablo’s hardcore mode. That, and entering The Matrix with no telephones to dial out. While the thought of that is enough to appeal to the “gamer geek” in me, a fantasy series produced by A-1 Pictures and featuring music by Kajiura Yuki makes this a must-watch. As a two-cour adaptation, it remains to be seen whether this will only cover the “SAO arc” or extend to the others that feature different virtual reality games, but given the first arc’s resemblence to Druaga no Tou, and Asuna and Kirito’s relationship with Tomatsu Haruka and Kamimemo’s Matsuoka Yoshitsugu voicing them, this adaptation should be a real treat either way. Plans to Watch: Asobi, BakaMochi, Cherrie, Guardian Enzo, Moomba, Stereoman, Stilts, unlisted, Zephyr Potential Bloggers: Asobi, BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Moomba

Show Sword Art Online Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (3:15) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM1.jpg 355 200] Commercial #1 (0:15) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM2.jpg 355 200] Commercial #2 (0:15) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM3.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_CM3.jpg 355 200] Commercial #3 (0:15) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_Project_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Sword_Art_Online_Project_PV.jpg 355 200] Project Announcement PV (1:28)

Kokoro Connect | ココロコネクトTop

http://kokoro-connect.com/ Animation: SILVER LINK. Premiere: July 7, 2012 Genre: School-Life, Supernatural Airtime (GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:30 Episodes: __ Station: TV Kanagawa (tvk) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia In what could (and probably should) be perceived as the basis for a hentai series, the premise of Anda Sananatsu’s “Connect Hearts” light novel and manga entails students at Yamaboshi High School mysteriously swapping bodies with one another — including the opposite sex. The members of the Literature Research Club — Yaegashi Taichi (Mizushima Takahiro), Nagase Iori (Toyosaki Aki), Inaba Himeko (Sawashiro Miyuki), Kiriyama Yui (Kanemoto Hisako), and Yushifumi Aoki (Terashima Takuma) — first experience this bizarre phenomenon when Yui and Aoki swap bodies for half an hour and find themselves in each other’s home. The next day, Taichi and Iori switch bodies at school, proving that it wasn’t all just a bad dream. After that, they find themselves swapping bodies with one another more frequently while trying to find a pattern and explanation for it. Not only that, they soon find out that they’re not the only ones at the school who are experiencing this phenomenon. The premise sounds eerie but the actual depiction is more comedic than anything else, which I quickly found out in the manga chapters that I skimmed though. There’s some awkwardness when two members of the opposite sex swap bodies and use their hands to “confirm” it for themselves (hence the hentai remark above), but there isn’t actually much in the way of spookiness. Based on what I read, I’m still not entirely sure what to make of this series as it’s primarily slice-of-life with a supernatural twist. I found it somewhat enjoyable because of the characters and their sexual teasing ways, but fairly slow to start. Still, with the female cast in the anime and original character designs by K-ON’s Shiromizakana, I’m curious enough to see where the bodyswapping leads. Plans to Watch: Asobi, BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Silts, Takaii, unlisted Potential Bloggers: BakaMochi, Guardian Enzo, Takaii

Show Kokoro Connect Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kokoro_Connect_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kokoro_Connect_PV2.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #2 (1:52) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kokoro_Connect_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kokoro_Connect_PV1.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #1 (1:13)

Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II | 境界線上のホライゾンIITop

http://genesis-horizon.net/ Animation: Sunrise Premiere: July 7, 2012 Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Airtime (GMT+9): Saturdays at 26:28 Episodes: __ Station: MBS Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia The “impossible to adapt”, highly convoluted, and extremely difficult to appreciate anime based on Kawakami Minori’s unbelievably long “short novels” returns with its scheduled second season. The various factions continue to fight over Kyokutou, the last remaining inhabitable space on Earth, and attempt to relive mankind’s history as transcribed in the “Testament” in hopes of returning to the “Heavens” one day. The story last left off with Aoi Toori (Fukuyama Jun), student council president and leader of the independent sky nation of Musashi, enlisting the help of Ariadust Academy’s Class-3 Plum to save his beloved Horizon (Chihara Minori) — an automaton whose emotions are spread out across the world’s Nine Deadly Sin Armaments, weapons of mass destruction — from being executed. To prevent the supposed apocolpyse that will occur on the last recorded day in the Testament, Aoi and his classmates declare to the world that they’ll retrieve all the Deadly Sin Armaments and return them to Horizon, restoring her emotions in the process. I’m not going to lie; this show is ridiculously hard to understand. Most people will probably give up on it because they can’t figure out what’s going on and I don’t blame them. In my case, I had to throw out my understanding of what I thought was going on and replace it with a lot of reference material on what was actually going on before I had a good grasp of the story. Once I did that, I was baffled by how someone could come up with such a complex story, set in a sci-fi world unlike anything I’ve seen or read before. While the series is still too convoluted for my liking, I really enjoy wrapping my head around the story that Kawakami’s trying to tell and making sense of the lengthy dialogue he’s written. This series definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, but those who have gotten into it like me can vouch for how good it is. Just be prepared to think …a lot. Plans to Watch: Moomba, Stilts, Zephyr Potential Bloggers: Stilts

Show Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Kyoukai_Senjou_no_Horizon_II_PV.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Kyoukai_Senjou_no_Horizon_II_PV.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video (1:46)

Show Oda Nobuna no Yabou Promotional Videos ▼ [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV3.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV3.jpg 480 270] Promotional Video #3 (1:17) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV2.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV2.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #2 (1:02) [flv:Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV1.mp4 Summer%202012%20Preview/Oda_Nobuna_no_Yabou_PV1.jpg 355 200] Promotional Video #1 (1:00)

Hakuouki Reimeiroku | 薄桜鬼 黎明録Top

http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/hakuoki/ Animation: Studio DEEN Premiere: July 9, 2012 Genre: Action, Drama, History Airtime (GMT+9): Mondays at 26:53 Episodes: __ Station: Yomiuri TV (ytv) Information Links: AniDB, ANN Encyclopedia, MyAnimeList, syoboi, Wikipedia Even with a conclusive second season and a six-episode OVA to fill in all the holes with character-centric side stories, Otomate’s Shinsengumi-based romance adventure game is back for a third — this time in the form of a prequel. It’s intended to show the beginnings of Hijikata Toshizou (Miki Shinichirou) and Kondou Isami’s (Ookawa Tooru) special samurai corps, and will likely provide the same blend of blood-thirsty demon fiction and actual Japanese history. Not a whole lot of specifics outside of that has been made available, but the popularity of this series — especially among female audiences — is undeniable as two movies with an all-new story are already slated for next year. I tried to give as much limelight to this series as I could when the second season aired in fall 2010, making it pretty obvious about my intentions with this prequel. I particularly like how it builds up a fictional story on top of non-fiction, sticking to a lot of the historic facts of what happened to the Shinsengumi in their couragous yet losing battles against pro-Imperial forces. The depiction of their struggle is powerful and moving, and appeals a lot to the sense of chivalry that I have. While the games may be targeted toward female audiences, the anime appeals to a much wider one with its serious outlook on the war, demonic powers, and plentiful bloodshed. If you’re looking for something that’s noticeably different from most shows these days, I recommend giving Hakuouki a try. Since this is a prequel, it’s the perfect opportunity to get into it too. Plans to Watch: BakaMochi, Stereoman Potential Bloggers: