T.H.A.T. Spring 2009 Anime Preview

Calawain — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:30:48 +0000

Lets all welcome back one of the best harems ever, also led by an occasional trap.

I’d like to first thank the huge wealth of comments we receive each time we do a preview. I spend many, many hours of my time putting these together, and it makes it feel very much like my time was well worth it when I see all of the comments discussing the upcoming shows.

New feature added, trailers! Because apparently I had nothing better to do then spend the time to do this, I’ve added trailers for each series where one or more is available. They are located at the bottom of the details section of each entry. Aside from that addition, the format is the same as usual and most of you have seen our many previous previews. I also cut out most of the really kiddie shows as there are quite a few this season. If you want your fix of Sugar Bunnies Season 3 you may have to look elsewhere…

Much of this info is pulled from Fansub Wiki, AniDB, AnimeNfo, ANN, Wikipedia and MAL. So thanks to those fine sites for their databases and other information.

A Message from the NKVD: Well its time once again to point out this is a preview, and not a review. That “p” makes a difference a very big difference in fact. On another note many of us are old grouchy mean spirited cynics and not wide eyed idealistic fat cat communist NEETs. If you are part of the “animu is SRSfkn business” part of the fandom do yourself a favor and just read the summary from ANN so you can preserve your fragile optimism for your harem animu. Other than that Liberty Prime is watching and ready to initiate directive 7395, destroy all communists.

Pandora Hearts

Details
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/ph/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: Xebec (Buso Renkin, Kanokon)
Seiyuu: Ayako Kawasumi, Junko Minagawa, Kousuke Toriumi
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Adaptation of Jun Mochizuki’s manga.

Oz Bezarius, heir to one of the duke houses, has just turned fifteen. His life is rich and carefree, darkened only by the constant absence of his father. At his coming-of-age ceremony, however, everything changes. For no reason that he can discern, he’s cast into the prison known as the “Abyss”, only to be saved by a “chain” known as Alice, the bloodstained black rabbit. Why was he cast into Abyss, how does Alice factor into it all, and what does the organization known as “Pandora” want with him… (Manga summary from ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: The premise seems pretty interesting, I’m usually down for at least a whirl of some good fantasy action adventure of this sort. I’m also a big Ayako Kawasumi fan, and at least moderately fond of Junko Minagawa. As for the studio, I know Xebec can do a good job with action when they really try (see Heroic Age) and can even entertain us with a dirt cheap budget (Kanokon). So cross your fingers they bring out the big guns for this one.

Crusader: Calawain has elected to be the decoy, I hope he has fun.

Haesslich: Go nuts, Calawain! I’ve learned my lesson with Xebec already.

Shokkeru: I like the character designs on this one, but I’ve learned my lesson with expecting the same quality in cover art with the actual animation (especially with Xebec).

Possible Bloggers: Calawain

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Queens Blade Rurou no Senshi

Details
Website: http://queensblade.tv/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: ARMS (Genshiken 2, Elfen Lied)
Seiyuu: Atsuko Tanaka, Aya Hirano, Ayako Kawasumi, Mamiko Noto
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Based off of Hobby Japan’s combat picture book game series. C.A., a poster on AS, described said books as “Visual Combat books, each book a girl. And within each book are CGs of attacks and actions where you flip them and play with a dice, fighting against an opponent with another book. Its basically a stripping game, the more damage you do to the opponent, the less covered she ends up.”

The summary on ANN looked like it was rammed through Google translator, so I’ll summarize: there’s a competition to decide the next queen and a bunch of chicks with huge racks and few clothes will fight to the death over it.

Thoughts

Calawain: The studio behind this has done a lot of porn (with such subtle titles as Night Shift Nurses and G-spot Express) , and show’s that one can consider semi-porn such as Ikkitousen. But then they also did the second season of Genshiken. Considering some of the promo art and the gargantuan tits the characters have, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say it will be more like Ikkitousen. What’s also amazing is that they have managed to bring quite a storied seiyuu cast for this type of show.

Crusader: Might as well make it pr0n, oh wait that will be the DVD version I am sure.

Haesslich: Eroge again? I’m kinda surprised by the seiyuu cast brought in (especially Atsuko Tanaka), but not sufficiently intrigued to follow the bouncing bosoms.

Impz: BOOBIES. No.

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Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~

Details
Website: http://www.phantom-r.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: Bee Train (Blade of the Immortal, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle)
Seiyuu: Akeno Watanabe, Aya Hisakawa, Ayahi Takagaki, Miyu Irino, Miyuki Sawashiro
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (IE required -_-)

Summary
Adaptation of the visual novel from Nitroplus.

In the American underworld, mafia leaders are being killed one after another, with rumors of “Inferno” and the organization’s top assassin “Phantom” circulating around them. A boy traveling alone in America becomes involved in one of these incidents and unexpectedly encounters Phantom. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: I’ve played two Nitroplus titles (Saya no Uta and Chaos;Head) and enjoyed them, but I haven’t gotten around to playing the one this is adapted from. Not sure why they had to change the title into something that looks rather stupid though. Aside from that, Bee Train is hardly inspirational, and the seiyuu cast doesn’t include any of my favorites, so I’m wavering somewhat here.

Crusader:Bee Train + Girl with a gun… it doesn’t sound terribly interesting and the studio is very hit or miss for me, I’ll pass.

Haesslich: Another visual novel adaptation? I’ve not played the game, and I’m afraid Chaos:Head wasn’t quite my cup of tea. Between this and last Bee Train series I actually enjoyed being .hack//SIGN, I think I’m going to sit this one out.

Impz: Due to my sudden disinterest over anime, I realize that a serious show such as this generally do not seem to work for me. I generally get interested for one or two episodes before dropping it faster than a hot cake. Moreover, it is Bee Train. So, no way for me. By the way, poor Lelangir for stealing my green font. Even if I am gone, the green is mine.

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Hayate no Gotoku!!

Details
Website: http://hayatenogotoku.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 3
Animation Company: JC Staff (Zero no Tsukaima, Slayers)
Seiyuu: Rie Kugimiya, Rie Tanaka, Ryoko Shiraishi
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (embedded on the title page)

Summary
Second season of the adaptation of Kenjirou Hata’s manga also known as Hayate the Combat Butler. This season will be produced by JC Staff, rather than the producers of season one, Synergy SP.

Hayate Ayasaki is an unlucky teenager who worked since childhood to make ends meet due to his parents’ irresponsible behavior. One day he finds out that his parents ran away from home, leaving behind a massive gambling debt on his shoulders. While running away from the debt collectors, he ends up meeting Nagi Sanzen’in, a young girl who is the sole heir of the wealthy Sanzen’in estate, and due to a misunderstanding, Nagi ends up falling in love with Hayate. After he rescues Nagi from some kidnappers, she hires Hayate as her new butler. (Wikipedia)

Thoughts

Calawain: I’ve been eagerly awaiting the second season of HnG if only for the fleeting hope that they will do that Hinagiku scene from volume 10 of the manga. Really, I just love this series and manga. I found it rather odd that they decided to change studios since Synergy SP did a great job with the first season. Whereas most studios attempts at comedy fillers tends to take a nosedive, they did a pretty decent job with most of them. On the other hand, JC Staff has a horrid track record when it comes to fillers.

Crusader: I think Calawain just called it, might tag along for fun.

Haesslich: I’ll be watching this for sure and heckling Calawain from the sidelines if he doesn’t let me inject comments into it somewhere. Wondering if they went to J.C. Staff since KuguRie was in the show.

Possible Bloggers: Calawain

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Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou

Details
Website: http://mechamote.tv
Japanese Air Date: April 4
Animation Company:
Seiyuu: Mana Ogawa

Summary
Adaptation of Tomoko Nishimura’s shoujo manga.

In the story, Mimi Kitagami is a kind, level-headed girl who aims to be the best, coolest student council president of her high school class. However, three trouble-making boys are always causing her grief — and she has a one-sided crush on one of the boys, Ushio Tōjō. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Hey, don’t get me wrong, I love student council president characters. However, this one is vastly underage-looking and trapped in a trashy shoujo plot. I mean christ, the title translates to The Best!! Extremely Cool Student Council President. Stab me in the eye please.

Crusader: When Calawain first showed me this entry I though it was Mecha Moe, otherwise it sounds like typical shoujo fare. I’ll do recon on this one and hope that it Mecha Moe.

Haesslich: I wish I could say something positive about this – I really do. But… no.

lelangir: Hey they could do something interesting with this. If it’s some underage, underdeveloped (uh, mentally too!) girl in some drastically new setting it could make for a great coming of age/rite of passage story. I was getting Bokura ga Ita vibes too. Will check out.

Impz: The first word is enough to tell me: Impz, you are not welcome.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Fullmetal Alchemist

Details
Website: http://www.hagaren.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Bones (Darker than Black, RahXephon)
Seiyuu: Rie Kugimiya, Romi Paku
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (embedded on the title page), Trailers 2,3 & 4

Summary
Long-awaited and rumored second TV season of the anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s ridiculously popular manga. One hopes none of you require a detailed description of the series, but one is provided below nonetheless. Unsurprisingly, scant information has been released regarding the story of this new season. What is known, is that Yasuhiro Irie (Kurau: Phantom Memory) will be the new director, replacing Seiji Mizushima (Gundam 00), and also that the seiyuu for Ed and Al will remain the same, while almost everyone else will change.

After losing their mother, Alphonse and Edward Elric attempt to bring her back using the forbidden science of human alchemy. However, alchemy operates on the theory of equivalent trade, and breaking the human alchemy taboo carries a heavy price. Ed loses his leg, and Al loses his body. Ed is able to seal Al’s soul inside of a huge suit of armor, at the cost of his arm. Years later, Ed (now with two mechanical limbs) and Al (still trapped in the armor) leave their childhood home, each brother concerned with the other’s happiness. Ed, who has a natural talent and skill for alchemy, becomes nationally certified and is soon known everywhere as the “Fullmetal Alchemist.” (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: FMA is a show I’m not afraid to admit I love just like every other idiot on ANN does. I found the ending pretty stupid, as I don’t like random, ambiguous endings, so hopefully now that this version will apparently stick close to the manga we can get something better.

Crusader: I loved this one to pieces too if there are subs I’ll give this one a go.

Haesslich: I’m the odd man out here, but I definitely won’t be watching this. Didn’t like the show, although the concept was good. There are other fanboys here to take up the slack anyways.

Impz: Your friends, your bloggers and your insider self wants to watch this (except Haesslich apparently). I am watching this too.

Possible Bloggers: Calawain, Crusader

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Konnichiwa Anne

Details
Website: http://www.nippon-animation.co.jp/before_GG/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Nippon Animation (Antique Bakery, Hyakko)
Seiyuu: Rina Hidaka

Summary
Adaptation of Budge Wilson’s new children’s novel Before Green Gables, a prequel to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables

Before Green Gables (translated as Konnichiwa Anne by Akiko Usagawa) describes the early life of the Canadian orphan girl Anne, before she meets her adoptive family Matthew and Marilla in the first Anne novel, Anne of Green Gables. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: This one is a repeat from last season’s preview, a show that apparently didn’t make it in time for a winter production. I still hold just as little interest as I did 3 months ago.

Crusader: I probably should watch Anne of Green Gables though I have serious doubts about anyone wanting to sub this.

Haesslich: An anime version of someone else’s prequel to the Canadian classic Anne of Green Gables? I don’t know if anyone will sub it, or if I’ll even be watching. Maybe a few episodes, but I will admit that the concept’s not one that strikes my fancy.

lelangir: Only in a meta sense would I find this interesting (i.e. reading it and comparing translation, representation, etc.). But I’m not going to watch it just for that.

Impz: It’s a tad too slow for me, so I am counting this out. However, the World Masterpiece series (I think I got that right) is the type of anime series with a very strong but slow story plot. If that is your cup of tea, you should be taking a strong hard look at this.

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Hanasakeru Seishounen

Details
Website: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/hana/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Studio Pierrot (Bleach, Great Teacher Onizuka)
Seiyuu: Aya Endo

Summary
Adaptation of Natsumi Itsuki’s manga.

The story surrounds a political mystery involving a small Middle-Eastern country. A powerful industrialist directs his daughter to pick a husband from three chosen candidates. They enter her life, impressing her with their uniqueness, and they all leave an outstanding impression on her. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: Oh yeah baby, four hot bishounens fighting over a girl who has to marry one! And they look really Middle Eastern! Sign me up! On the other hand, I could jab myself in the eye with a red hot poker!

Crusader: I think this one is right up Impz’s or Thirteen’s alley, otherwise the girl looks a bit butch.

Haesslich: Shounen, shoujo, shoujo(?), shoujo reverse-harem… I think I’m starting to see a pattern here. The guys are a bit too pretty, and not in the Ouran Host Club-sorta way with individual quirks to make them stand out.

lelangir: Why did I instantly think Ranka Lee when I saw the middle girl? I think adaptations have the potential to kill the political backdrop of stories for the other, less interesting stuff and my underdeveloped clairvoyance is saying (屮゜Д゜)屮.

Impz: I am forced to watch this… and blog this by a certain bishie-loving girlfriend. Stupid woman.

Poor slave material: Impz

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Guin Saga

Details
Website: http://www.guinsaga.net/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Satelight (Hellsing, Macross Frontier)
Seiyuu: Kenyuu Horiuchi, Mai Nakahara, Tsubasa Yonaga
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Adaptation of Kaoru Kurimoto long-running novel series that began in 1979 and currently spans 122 volumes.

The heroic adventure series follows a “Conan-esque” character named Guin with a leopard mask on a fantasy land. The Middle Country suffered through the fires of war, plagued by demonic hordes, and begrudged by their enemies. In these dark times the people of the Middle Country have entrusted their fate into the hands of a noble warrior, Guin. The first arc, the Marshes Episode, focuses on Guin’s escape from invading Mongaul armies while he protects the young twin heirs of a defeated country. (ANN/Official Site)

Thoughts

Calawain: It certainly has an interesting premise, but I’ve had bad luck with fantasy adaptations like this in the past. Seiyuu cast looks decent, as Kenyuu Horiuchi can do a pretty manly voice, and it features the always talented Mai Nakahara. However, I’ve never found myself particularly attracted to anything Satelight has done.

Crusader:Hmmm… GRIMDARK fantasy? I am interested I did like the old Conan cartoons from back in the day. I’ll check it out, I just hope this Guin is a Warrior without fear.

Haesslich: A fantasy series animated by Satelight, scored by Nobuo Uematsu, and which has run 122 volumes? This might be interesting, or it could turn into the next Final Fantasy Unlimited. Atsushi Wakabayashi doesn’t appear to have had much directorial experience, but he did direct Episode 7 of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It’ll be a challenge to work with that much material.

lelangir: Watching it just for Uematsu.

Impz: Crusader wants it, Crusader gets it. I have no love for Science fiction/fantasy type (unless it is the greatness known as Planetes) and GITS is the type of show I watch to lull me to sleep. So, if that is the director for it (no matter how acclaimed he is), I am so not going close.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Tayutama -Kiss on my Diety-

Details
Website: http://www.tayutama.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Silver Link
Seiyuu: Asami Shimoda, Kaori Mizuhashi, Noriko Rikimaru, Shizuka Itou
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Adaptation of the Lump of Sugar eroge.

The story centers on Yūri Mito, a student at the Sōsei Academy and the only son of the man who runs the Yachimata shrine. At Yachimata, there is a legend of a deity named Tayutayu-sama who protected the area, but this deity and other so-called “Tayutai” have been lost in time. Mito and his friends discover a relic on the school grounds with mysterious patterns on them. Then, at the opening ceremony of the new school year, an equally mysterious girl named Mashiro appears before Mito. Mashiro is somehow tied to the relic and the legend of Tayutayu-sama. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: A couple of seasons ago I dismissed Kannagi out of hand due to the fact that I find Japanese mysticism dull. Now since that show was my pick for show of the year in 2008, I have to rethink my biases in that regard. That being said, this is an eroge adaptation, so its likely to go a different route. However, it has a great foundation for any school eroge adaptation-a solid seiyuu cast. Apparently, this is the first show that this studio has led, but they have brought in Keitaro Motonaga (Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka, School Days, ToHeart -Remember My Memories), a director with a lot of experience in some rather varied school eroge adaptations.

Crusader: I will do a fly by for possibility of blood, if it will be School Days again it will be like old times…

Haesslich: Passing on the school eroge. The best part of School Days were the OVA’s and the ending.

lelangir: Isn’t this the same character design as whatever game that ULTRA CATCHY SONG “True My Heart” is from? Will definitely watch just for that. I guess the miko/nekomimi stuff is an extra bonus?

Impz: The fanservice train is roaring to town, and I am taking the bus of decency out to No-pantsu land!

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Natsu no Arashi!

Details
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/natsunoarashi/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: SHAFT (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Maria+Holic)
Seiyuu: Chiaki Omigawa, Kaori Nazuka, Ryoko Shiraishi, Yuko Sanpei

Summary
Adaptation of Jin Kobayashi’s (creator of School Rumble) sci-fi lovecom manga.

The story centers on a boy named Hajime Yasaka who meets an older high school girl named Sayoko “Arashi” Arashiyama in an old town coffee shop. “Arashi” happens to have a secret that Hajime learns one fateful summer vacation. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: Yakumo clone?! The problem with School Rumble was that they started out wonderfully but never got anywhere on the vast majority of the relationships after 22 volumes. So, while I enjoyed the character personalities and character designs, I fear for a “we’re still in Namek” vibe from this one. And I have no idea what SHAFT is going to do to this with Shinbo at the helm.

Crusader: Looks like shouta Hanai and Yakumo-nee. Ah well I liked School Rumble enough despite its problems, will do recon.

Haesslich: So we’ve got SHAFT involved, which is a plus. Then we’ve got Jin Kobayashi, an automatic -50 points despite the nice-looking character designs. Might be worth watching once, but I’m preparing to drop the series despite its visual appeal.

lelangir: Has SHAFT, will check out.

Shokkeru: SHAFT = definite check out. By the way, is anyone else reminded of Detective Conan from looking at that boy in the picture? Or am I just going crazy?

Impz: Me reporting in. SHAFT is always good.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Tears to Tiara

Details
Website: http://tearstotiara.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Oriental Light and Magic (To Heart, Utawarerumono), White Fox
Seiyuu: Makoto Ishii, Toru Ohkawa, Yuko Goto
Available Trailers: Trailer 1&2 (downloaded, not streamed)

Summary
Adaptation of the Leaf/Aquaplus SRPG eroge.

Riannon is set to be sacrificed to appease resurrected demon lord Arawn. As her brother Arthur attempts to rescue her, Arawn defies those who resurrected him and frees Riannon from her captors, leading to her admiration of him. Arawn acts as a leader and assembles a party of companions. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: Unfortunately, this game is just bad. You know there’s a problem when you are hitting Ctrl within the first 5 minutes. It had horribly stupid characters, crappy and cheap CG art (in the PC version), a pathetic attempt at a combat system, and highly unstimulating h-scenes. Now, that’s not to say that the anime will go the same way, but it’s not a good start. Plus, all the good seiyuu are in the supporting cast.

Crusader: Taking evasive action.

Haesslich: Eroge-derived shows with Yuko Goto? Sounds like a formula for unintentionally funny. I might take a look at this with an untainted viewpoint, just to see how fast it fails if it doesn’t fly.

Impz: Sounds like porn. Without the porn bits. You get it.

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Saki

Details
Website: http://www.saki-anime.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Gonzo (Last Exile, Strike Witches)
Seiyuu: Ami Koshimizu, Jun Fukuyama, Kana Ueda, Rie Kugimiya, Ryoko Shiraishi, Shizuka Itou
Available Trailers: Trailers 1 & 2

Summary
Adaptation of Ritz Kobayashi’s manga.

The story centers around Saki Miyanaga, a timid freshman girl who has never enjoyed the Asian tile game of mahjong. However, another freshman brings her into their high school’s mahjong club and into the competitive world of mahjong tournaments. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Good god, Gonzo managed to rope in almost all of my favorite seiyuu into one show. Too bad I have absolutely no knowledge of mahjong aside from the fact it’s a tile game which requires you to yell out in victory and flip some tiles over. Good thing they brought in the director of Dragonaut!

Crusader: I hope they will take liberties and make this like God of Gamblers. or not. Well at least they all look loli so it won’t be a total repeat of Dragonaut.

Haesslich: Crusader: Prepare to be disappointed, then. The manga’s more moe fanservice with every fetish under the sun (meganekko, busty ojou-sama, pettanko with a bit of a fascination with the ojou-sama and a single talent, oneesama type) than it is God of Gamblers. And they screwed up Nodoka’s hair color – she’s a BLONDE, GONZO! I love the seiyuu, like the manga, but I’m wondering if we’re in for another Negima (complete with butchered manga storylines, dropped characters, and screwed-up hair colors). I’ll be watching this closely.

lelangir: Yeah, damn, quite a stacked seiyuu line up. I hope lelouFukuyama gets all conniving during this, though I should watch Akagi for some background in Mahjong.

Impz: Does anyone need any help in Mahjong? I have 17 years of experience when it comes to Mahjong, and I think I am equipped to watch this. That said, Haesslich reports that there is a lot of fan pandering. That dims my view of the show, but I will still watch it for the Mahjong.

Possible Bloggers: Haesslich

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07-Ghost

Details
Website: http://07-ghost.net/
Japanese Air Date: April 6
Animation Company: Studio DEEN (Fate/stay night, Marimite)
Seiyuu: Saiga Mitsuki, Sho Hayami
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (embedded on the title page)

Summary
Adaptation of Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara’s gothic fantasy manga.

The manga’s story revolves around Teito, a former slave with magical powers who is taking the graduation final to become an army officer in the Barsburg Empire. He does well during the first part of the final exam, but discovers his father’s killer in his school and tries to kill him. Teito eludes capture, but gets caught in the larger struggle between Verloren, the God of Death, and the “beings of light” sent by Heaven to oppose him: the Seven Ghosts. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Another action fantasy to at least ponder I suppose. The director has done basically nothing of inspiring value but at least the character designer did Kannuzaki no Miko. This combined with a middle of the road studio and middle of the road seiyuu leads makes me go “meh.”

Crusader: I’ll just try and throw Calawain out there for this one.

Haesslich: Concept isn’t exactly original, but isn’t completely overdone (except for the father’s killer part). But I’m having problems working up the enthusiasm to even post about it, much less watch the show.

Impz: Gothic? That might just work for me. I am always in when it comes to something like this. As said by Haesslich, the concept isn’t like great or anything but it’s worth a look at the very least. It’s not blogging material though.

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Souten Kouro

Details
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/souten/
Japanese Air Date: April 7
Animation Company: Madhouse (Black Lagoon, Rideback)
Seiyuu: Mamoru Miyano, Masaki Terasoma

Summary
Adaptation of the King Gonta manga, which was adapted from an original story by Hagin Yi.

The story is based loosely on the events taking place in Three Kingdoms period of China during the life of the last Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao (155 – March 15, 220), who also serves as the main character. This adaptation differs greatly from most of the others on several points. One significant difference is its highly positive portrayal of its main character, Cao Cao. Another significant difference from others is that the storyline primarily uses the original historical account of the era, Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, as a reference rather than the aforementioned Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. By this, the traditional hero of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, takes on relatively less importance within the story and is portrayed in a less positive light. Yet, several aspects of the story are in fact based on the novel version, including the employment of its original characters such as Diao Chan, as well as anarchistic weapons such as Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade and Zhang Fei’s Viper Blade. (Wikipedia)

Thoughts

Crusader: Hmmm… Cao Cao as the protagonist with the Black Lagoon pedigree it sounds promising. I had to read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms when I was a lad, certainly it does border on low fantasy. Will do recon.

Haesslich: Alternate Chinese history which might not involve superpowers, magic, or Japanese protagonists showing the barbarian Chinese the civilized way? I’m in.

Impz: CAO CAO THE HERO? MINE. An extra carrot is that it is trying to paint Liu Bei in a less positive light. Now, we are talking. Haesslich, care to add in?

Possible bloggers: Impz, Haesslich

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Ristorante Paradiso

Details
Website: http://www.rispara.tv/
Japanese Air Date: April 8
Animation Company: David Production
Seiyuu: Fumiko Orikasa, Haruhi Terada, Kenji Nomura
Available Trailers: Trailers 1&2 (click the link for “Special”)

Summary
Adaptation of Natsume Ono’s manga.

The manga’s story is set in a restaurant in Rome that the heroine Nicoletta visits from the countryside. Her parents divorced when she was young, so her grandparents raised her while her mother tried to remarry. Unfortunately for Nicoletta, her mother abandons her even after remarrying. Nicoletta goes to the restaurant that is now owned by the new husband of Nicoletta’s mother, and ends up apprenticing there among a kitchen staff of colorful characters. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: When I first read the series title I thought it was going to be yaoi. Also, don’t be deceived by the fact it was serialized in a magazine called Manga Erotics F. From what I can gather it has nothing pornographic. Perhaps if it did I might have some small desire to watch it. Otherwise, being as I’m half Italian I’ll probably want to throw something at the monitor when they butcher the language.

Crusader: I’ll watch if this resteraunt is a mere front for a mafia family that makes offers that people can’t refuse.

Haesslich: I MIGHT watch this, but I’m more likely to start shouting rude things at the screen the moment I hear Italiangrish.

lelangir: Wut, do I get the feeling of cooking ’slife? Yes please.

Impz: This is very very interesting. I am taking at least a second look at this.

Possible bloggers: Impz

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Eden of the East

Details
Website: http://www.juiz.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 9
Animation Company: Production IG (Ghost in the Shell, XXXHolic)
Seiyuu:

Summary
Original work from director Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: SAC, Moribito) and Production IG

On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as “Careless Monday,” does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later… Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory. and he is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he’s holding with the other hand. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Having Kenji Kamiyama create and direct this gives me great hope, he did such an amazing job of turning Masamune Shirow’s GITS into something that the masses could consume.

Crusader: Sounds like fun.

Haesslich: Kenji Kamiyama and a series which promises a mystery along with terrorists? May be promising.

lelangir: Awesome premise, will watch.

Impz: Nah. Production IG always promises so much but gives so little in return. I am having a disenchantment of IG in general because they seem to always have the great plots that are derailed by sloppy writing and directing. It might be just me, so no. Look at the above comments for the great anticipation for this show. I am clearly not in the crowd.

Possible Bloggers: Calawain

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Hatsukoi Gentei

Details
Website: http://www.j-hatsukoi.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 11
Animation Company: JC Staff (Shakugan no Shana, To Aru Majutsu no Index)
Seiyuu: Mariya Ise
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Adaptation of Mizuki Kawashita’s (Ichigo 100%, Lilim Kiss) romantic comedy manga, also known as Hatsukoi Limited.

The manga features a series of short stories about eight girls in middle school and high school, plus their classmates and relatives. Each chapter focuses on a different main characters. These stories are entertwined and eventually lead to a main story involving most of the cast. The first story follows middle-schooler Arihara Ayumi when she receives a love letter from a high-schooler, a very large and intimidating boy, Zaitsu Misao, asking her out. He begins to follow her around and then one day she is kidnapped by rivals of Misao and it then turns out that Ayumi may infact be stronger than Misao himself. (Wikipedia/ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: If it’s anything like Ichigo 100% I think I’d rather bash my head into a wall then deal with the frustration of watching it. Save it for the masochists amongst us.

Haesslich: Pass. There are many ways to screw up an ensemble story, and this looks like it’ll stumble into every one of them.

lelangir: I’ll watch, and prey. Hopefully It’ll be pretty laid back, since I’ve been wanting a Kimikiss-esque ’slife. Actually I take that back. I read like, two pages of the manga and it was just Guy Accidentally Runs Into Huge Soft Boobs And He Gets Beaten To A Pulp kind of stuff. I don’t know, I’d watch it if it tried to be serious like H&C or, yes, even Kimikiss, but if it’s just banal stuff then I’d pass. Hopefully the adaptation proves to be better than the manga.

Impz: Lurking on this. I do not know whether I will have enough interest to follow through.

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Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S

Details
Website: http://www.polyphonica.tv/
Japanese Air Date: April 4
Animation Company: Diomedea, formerly Studio Barcelona (Kodomo no Jikan, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu)
Seiyuu: Haruka Tomatsu, Hiroshi Kamiya
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Second anime adaptation of the Ocelot visual novel series that has expanded into various additional light novels and manga. A previous anime adaptation exists, but this new adaptation is not officially listed as a continuation or second season, and is being done by a new studio.

In the continent of Polyphonica, spirits materialize in the world, surviving on the music that is played by humans, and live together with them. While the spirits don’t appear often, some spirits have enough power to materialize in human or animal forms and live together with humans. Dantists, who play special music called “Commandia,” are widely respected in this world. They also usually are in contract with powerful spirits. The story of Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica revolves around the new Dantist, Phoron Tatara, the spirit that he made contract with, Corticarte Apa Lagranges, and their friends, in their daily life and work. (ANN/Wikipedia)

Thoughts

Calawain: This title is a mouthful, and “Dantist” remind me of hated dentists. On the other hand, Haruka Tomatsu has certainly stormed into the anime world, a relative newcomer who has shined brilliantly in roles such as Nagi in Kannagi and Lala in To Love-Ru (say what you will about TLR itself, but she did a wonderful job voicing Lala). I watched the first season, and the premise was rather silly, but the voice acting at least prompted me to finish it. The new studio has changed the character designs somewhat, and they could go a somewhat different route from the first season, so I may at least give it a shot.

Crusader: Calawain called it.

Haesslich: Didn’t watch the first, probably won’t watch the second.

Impz: It’s a sequel?

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Basquash!

Details
Website: http://basquash.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: Satelight (Hellsing, Macross Frontier)
Seiyuu: Hiro Shimono, Kana Hanazawa
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Original creation by Shoji Kawamori (creator of Aquarion and various Macross series)

On the planet Earthdash, its inhabitants gaze on its moon and the technologically advanced lunar city of Mooneyes with awe. Dan JD, a boy living in Rollingtown on Earthdash’s surface, gets caught up in Bigfoot Basketball—a fast-paced sport played with giant Bigfoot robots. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: I despise Aquarion and didn’t particularly like anything Macross so this has a rough start. In addition it has a supremely stupid premise along with really bad attempts at slangy American names. The trailer has what I can only assume is Japanese rap, which I think is supposed to be in English, but it is so atrocious I can’t really tell.

Crusader: Oh so Kawamori is at it again eh? Well I am curious as to what his infamous bong has brewed up this time. Will do recon.

Haesslich: Bigfooted basketball robots. Pass.

Impz: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Prepare to read my absolute great flaming for the first episode. Unless it manages to be somehow respectable. The plot is avaricious and it feels like nothing can really save it.

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Sengoku Basara

Details
Website: http://www.sengokubasara.tv/
Japanese Air Date: April 1
Animation Company: Production IG (Ghost in the Shell, XXXHolic)
Seiyuu: Kazuya Nakai, Norio Wakamoto, Souichiro Hoshi
Available Trailers: Trailers 1,2,3 & 4

Summary
Based on the action-adventure game franchise created by CAPCOM, known outside Japan as Devil Kings.

In the age of the Warring Countries, Japan was fragmented in semi-independent provinces, governed by feudal lords or daimyo, who confronted each other in an endless struggle for power. Ambitious daimyos from every corner of the Archipelago had shouted their battle cry. Those were days of unrest and chaos. As war spread throughout the country, the map of power underwent rapid and dramatic changes.

In this never-ending conflict, one man finally seemed to be just one step from establishing total control over the country. He was the lord of Owari, the Sixth Heavenly Devil King. His name was Oda Nobunaga. But now, a young general clad in azure makes his unexpected appearance in this confused scenario, heading a huge army of cavalrymen from the Northern provinces. He is known as Date Masamune, the One-Eyed Dragon. And he is coming for Oda Nobunaga’s head, and for ultimate supremacy! (Official Site)

Thoughts

Calawain: I haven’t played the game it is based upon, but big epic army battles are often my style. If we ignore girly man Souichiro Hoshi, the two other males at the top of the seiyuu cast can do some bad ass voice acting. Production IG is one of my favorite studios, and they’ve brought in an experienced director (and comedically enough, the writer of the first Bible Black OVA). Perhaps they can be one of the few teams that makes a video game adaptation that doesn’t completely blow.

Crusader: I usually pass on game adaptaions, this will be no different.

Haesslich: Norio Wakamoto, Souichiro Hoshi, and a game-derived show. If the battles are good and the drama sufficiently entertaining, this may be worth watching.

Shokkeru: Hell yeah, baby! Aside from the awesome voice acting, I’m actually not sure what to expect from this. Let’s hope it’s not as bad as the fighting game (just kidding… not really).

Impz: I like the game. I like such stuff. I like war. I like chinese themed war anime series. I am a medieval war buff. I guess I am in for the first episode.

Historical War Buff: Impz

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K-ON

Details
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/k-on/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: Kyoto Animation (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star)
Seiyuu: Aki Toyosaki, Yoko Hisaka, Satomi Satou, Minako Kotobuki
Available Trailers: Trailer 1 (scroll down to the 2009/02/17 entry)

Summary
Adaptation of the school comedy 4koma created by kakifly.

The story about four high school girls that try to sustain their school’s popular music club despite being unable to read music or play instruments. (AnimeNation)

Thoughts

Calawain: I love KyoAni, but I dunno about this one. Aki Toyosaki has one of those really sugary sweet voices that would get on my nerves if I had to hear it for an entire episode from a lead character. Character design looks good, and I’m sure the animation quality will be solid, so maybe I’ll try an episode to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Crusader: Well KyoAni did prove that they can give us an awesome concert in SHnY I hope they can do the same again. Will do recon, besue I have propensity for LISTENING TO THEIR SONG. Hoping for Satsugai/Amai Koibito and some Fire Bomber.

Haesslich: Moe Guitar. No. Thank. You.

lelangir: Holy shit, moe guitar, YES PLEASE! She looks like Nagisa, I think Kyoani is teasing us…(屮゜Д゜)屮. Yes, but seriously, I will definitely watch this and transcribe all the songs that are bound to suck to high heaven. At any rate Les Paul’s are kinda heavy (I’m use to archtops) so maybe they’ll be all moe about “ooo this guitar is sooo heavvyyy!” (屮゜Д゜)屮

Shokkeru: Anything that’s Kyoani gets an automatic viewing from me, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!

Impz: Moe? Kyoto Animation? Pass. What? Is it wrong for me to hate moe?

Recon Team: Crusader

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Senjou no Valkyria -Gallian Chronicles-

Details
Website: http://www.valkyria-anime.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 4
Animation Company: A-1 Pictures Inc. (Kannagi, Persona ~Trinity Soul~)
Seiyuu: Marina Inoue, Susumu Chiba
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Adaptation of Sega’s simulation role-playing game.

In a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe divided in two by the Empire and the Federation, the Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia—situated in between the two great empires. Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation’s 7th Platoon are engaged in the battle. (MAL)

Thoughts

Calawain: Awesome sounding concept, but game adaptations have an atrocious track record. Marina Inoue is one of my favorite seiyuu, but playing her male opposite is Susumu Chiba, who has not voiced anything significant in any show I’ve seen. A-1 Pictures did pretty well in Kannagi, but they’ve brought in a new director to head this show. With all of these “buts”, one can only hope, right?

Crusader: I have heard good things about the game, still Germans vs Dutch is enough to warrant a recon operation.

Haesslich: I’m passing for now – alternate universes can be fun concepts if done right, but whether A-1 Pictures is up to it or not is up in the air.

Shokkeru: This is worth checking out despite being another game adaptation. The two reasons for this is that it’s: 1) A great game and 2) done by A-1 Pictures (aka Kannagi and Persona as stated above).

Impz: RPG adaptations are known to suck. So I will let Crusader burn in hell with this. Good luck, my comrade. You will get a sweet parade by the THAT Crew when you pass away from screaming your angry guts out.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Shangri-La

Details
Website: http://www.anime-shangri-la.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Gonzo (Afro Samurai, Rosario + Vampire)
Seiyuu: Mikako Takahashi, Yui Ariga, Yuka Iguchi

Summary
Adaptation of Eiichi Ikegami’s science fiction novel.

The story takes place in the middle of the 21st century when global warming has turned Tokyo into a tropical city. To reduce the temperature at the heart of the city by 5°C (9°F), the city is being reborn as the world’s largest forest city. However, despite the flow of refugees to the new city of Atlas, there are not many residents who can actually live there. Moreover, anti-government guerillas are attempting to stop the forestation. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: I occasionally wonder when making fun of Gonzo will get old. Think they can find a way to insert panties into serious business science fiction? That being said, I’m very excited about the character designs being done by Range Murata, who brings back memories of good Gonzo shows like Last Exile, whose character designs I found to be very pleasing to watch. Whomever the character in the above image is, she looks quite delicious.

Crusader: Far be it for me to try and get between Calawain and his targets, still I am curious about this one.

Haesslich: Gonzo, global warming, and anti-environmental activists. Range Murata’s character designs. Summary over.

lelangir: Premise sounds very cool, will check out.

Impz: I am an environmentalist. Count me in too.

Possible Bloggers: Calawain, Crusader, Impz

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Asura Cryin’

Details
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/asura/
Japanese Air Date: April 2
Animation Company: Seven Arcs (Nanoha, Inukami)
Seiyuu: Miyu Irino, Ai Nonaka

Summary
Adaptation of Gakuto Mikumo and Nao Watanuki’s light novel series.

The semi-serious school action story revolves around Tomoharu Natsume, a boy who has been haunted by a ghosty girl who was a childhood friend. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Seven Arcs doing a serious show? I dunno, I mostly associate these guys with often hilarious fanservice shows or AWESOME magical girls. I mean, they even brought in the director who did Inukami, Nanoha and Sekirei. I could use another show like either one of those, but I’m not sure I see it happening here. It also heavily depends on which type of voice Miyu Irino and Ai Nonaka bring, I can’t stand a full season of the Fuuko or Imo-chan voice as a lead character.

Crusader: I am a bit intrigued if only because the girl is a ghost, she can cloak, but can she call down a nuke?

Haesslich: The ghost part appears to be semi-original. Haunted by a childhood friend? Talk about the Unlucky Childhood Friend…

Impz: This looks somewhat interesting. The art feels a bit old school though, but the story plot is the type that will interest me. I might try to drag 13sugars to watch this with me.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Cross Game

Details
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/crossgame/
Japanese Air Date: April 5
Animation Company: Synergy SP (Hayate no Gotoku, Major)
Seiyuu: Miyu Irino

Summary
Adaptation of Mitsuru Adachi’s manga, his fifth manga to be animated.

The story revolves around Koh Kitamura, a grade-school boy whose family runs the Kitamura Sports store. He gets to know the four daughters of the family who runs the nearby Tsukishima Batting Center, thanks to the store’s business and his own batting practice at the center. Aside from playful bantering between Koh and the Tsukishima daughters, all is peaceful in their lives until a tragedy strikes their world. Four years later, Koh continues his baseball training, despite not playing a single game since the tragedy. The manga follows Koh’s gradual full return to the sport he loves, and his coming-of-age surrounded by the Tsukishima daughters and others. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: Cross Game sounds more like a title for a basketball show, not baseball… Regardless, I don’t really do sports anime.

Crusader: I will watch real sports, but for some reason sports anime don’t strike a chord with me.

Haesslich: I’ll let someone else do this. Most sports anime fails to inspire.

Impz: Watching. However, if the graphics are poor, I will rather rewatch Ookiku Furikabette.

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Chi’s Sweet Home 2

Details
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/chissweet/
Japanese Air Date: March 30
Animation Company: Madhouse Studios (Black Lagoon, Rideback)
Seiyuu: Satomi Koorogi

Summary
Adaptation of Kanata Konami’s slice-of-life cat manga.

Showcasing amazing animation techniques, this show is about how a family loves their new cat. It’s heart pounding, edge-of-your-seat love and affection. Be blown away by scenes of Chi drinking milk as if Chi’s very life depended on it. This is followed by people petting Chi mercilessly. (Me)

Thoughts

Calawain: YEEEAHHHHH…all joking aside it was kind of cute for a few minutes. Each episode was like five minutes long. I miss my cats *sniff*

Crusader: I prefer dogs, i despise cats.

Haesslich: Watched it, but didn’t blog it. Not going to start now.

Impz: Is Calawain drunk? I hate both cats and dogs.

Possible Bloggers: Calawain

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Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan!!

Details
Website: http://www.comicgum.com/topics_0901jyuden.php
Japanese Air Date: May
Animation Company: Studio Hibari (Kasimasi, Major)
Seiyuu: Kaori Fukuhara

Summary
Adaptation of the manga by Bow Ditama (Mahoromatic, KissxSis)

The story revolves around Puragu or Juuden-chan, a mysterious office lady who came to our world from a parallel world to “charge” up dejected people. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: When I looked at the title and the story description I almost ignored it figuring it was a kids show. But then I looked closer and saw that the manga author also did the quasi-incest almost-porn KissxSis and the art for this show has tentacles. So I’m gonna go ahead and guess this one will be very dirty, and I’ll be watching…

Crusader: What tentacle raep? I’ll pass.

Haesslich: “Charge” up? What happened to “Ecchi na no wa ikenai to omoimasu”? This appears to be fighting with Queens Blade for the bottom rung of the totem pole.

Impz: Boobs again?

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Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen

Details
Website: http://www.shin-mazinger.com/
Japanese Air Date: April 4
Animation Company: Bee Media (Night Head Genesis), CODE
Seiyuu: Ayumi Fujimura, Kenji Akabane, Yasuaki Suzuki

Summary
Remake of the classic Mazinger Z super robot series created by Go Nagai and Dynamic Planning studio. The following is the ANN entry for the original series:

Koji Kabuto was a normal high school student living with his little brother Shiro and his grandfather, doctor Kenzo Kabuto. One day, his house is severely damaged due to an earthquake. Inside, he finds a hidden passage to an underground laboratory. There, he finds his grandfather, injured by the earthquake and a giant robot. Before he dies, he gives as a present to Koji, the giant robot Mazinger Z, telling him that he has the choice to use it as he wishes. Now, Koji will fight against the evil Doctor Hell and his army of mechanical monsters with the help of the power of Mazinger Z. (ANN)

Thoughts

Calawain: At least the director has a lot of mecha experience…too bad the studios are practically brand new and I have no interest in the material or the seiyuu cast.

Crusader: My excitement is mitigated by the fact that I doubt there will be any regular subs for this one, but if there are…well how could I decline?

Haesslich: I’ll let Crusader do this – super robots were never my genre.

Impz: GARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Shokkeru: Yes, please. Do want.

Recon Team: Crusader

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Slap Up Party -Arad Senki-

Details
Website: http://www.sup-arad.jp/
Japanese Air Date: April 3
Animation Company: GK Entertainment, Gonzo (Last Exile, Rosario + Vampire)
Seiyuu: Akeno Watanabe, Takashi Kondo
Available Trailers: Trailer 1

Summary
Anime adaptation of the MMORPG maintained by NHN Japan Corporation through the game portal Hangame.

The anime will follow the adventures of Baron, a man living on continent of Arad in the year 981 after “the cursed light of Kazan” has fallen across the land. Thanks to the curse, one of his arms has become possessed. After finding a sword that has been possessed by the spirit Roxy, he embarks on a quest to unravel the secret of the curse and meets various people who also join his party. (ANN)

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T.H.A.T. Spring 2009 Anime Preview

Pandora Hearts

Queens Blade Rurou no Senshi

Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~

Hayate no Gotoku!!

Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou

Fullmetal Alchemist

Konnichiwa Anne

Hanasakeru Seishounen

Guin Saga

Tayutama -Kiss on my Diety-

Natsu no Arashi!

Tears to Tiara

Saki

07-Ghost

Souten Kouro

Ristorante Paradiso

Eden of the East

Hatsukoi Gentei

Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S

Basquash!

Sengoku Basara

K-ON

Senjou no Valkyria -Gallian Chronicles-

Shangri-La

Asura Cryin’

Cross Game

Chi’s Sweet Home 2

Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan!!

Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen

Slap Up Party -Arad Senki-