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Ikkitousen – Xtreme Xecutor
http://www.ikkitousen.com/
Studio: TNK/ARMS
Genre: Science Fiction, Action
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers March 25th (Late night)
Summary:
The next chapter in the long running series about characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms reborn as the souls of mostly teenage girls and fighting. This series introduces Bachou Mouki (Ma Chao) and brings back old antagonist Sousou Motoku (Cao Cao).
Personal Outlook:
The first episode aired last night, and at the very least, between that and the promotional material for this series, there’s already more action than the entire debacle that was known as Great Guardians, so it’s actually looking pretty sweet. I am a bit of an Ikkitousen whore though. At least the chance that they’ll fight a giant shark again is minimal. I… think that I may miss the giant shark.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Doot doot doot doot doot…
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Shin Koihime Musou – Maiden Uprising
http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/shinkoihime/
Studio: Dogakobo
Genre: Comedy
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers March 31st (late night) (Special airing on March 25th)
Summary:
Another Romance of the Three Kingdoms continuation, although this one is more of a gag comedy than about warlords being warlords. Apparently they’re out on a quest to kill some cat ears this time.
Personal Outlook:
Another one that aired last night, although it’s going to be a Wednesday night show from here out. It was… a decent enough beginning, but I wasn’t that grabbed by it, and since I skipped out on the last two seasons, I’m not sure if catching up will be worth the effort. We’ll see how other things and episode two turn out.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Nyahahahahahahahaha…
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Heroman
http://www.heroman.jp/
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 1st (very early morning)
Summary:
A boy in America finds a small toy robot that can transform into the giant Heroman in order to protect the world from danger.
Personal Outlook:
I have been starved for a good ol’ Marvel superhero show since SpecSpidey ignomiously died early this year, but I’m not sure if this is it. I’m not a huge fan of mecha in general, and I think that Stan Lee stopped positively contributing some time in the late 1970s, lest we forget that the most recent thing he created by himself was Stripperella. The director is also terrible, and the head writer is a long time graduate from about six different Jump adaptations, so… well… I hope it rises above that, because I could use a light hearted action show these days.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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My merchandising sense is tingling.
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B Cup Sex Fiend
http://www.bgata-hkei.com/
Studio: Hal Film Maker
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 1st
Summary:
Yamada has hit puberty with a vengeance and is determined to have sex. When she runs into one of the most ordinary guys in school, she decides that he’s going to be her first time and begins an all out attack, putting every sexual technique that she reads about into practice in order to get him into her panties.
Personal Outlook:
Thank you, Moogy for the correction on the title.
I think there’s some potential for this one. I do love it when shows play with gender roles, but this just looks like it’ll be the usual panty throwing display. It’s also never very good when it’s important that a main character is boring. The whole personal sex shoulder-demon thing is… an interesting angle on this bit as well. I guess we’ll see what Hal does with it. They’re not exactly known for making too many T&A shows so… man, I don’t even know.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Somebody clearly needs a vibrator… or a banana.
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Big Windup! Summer Rally Chapter
http://www.oofuri.com/
Studio: Sports
Genre: A-1 Pictures
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 1st
Summary:
Sequel series. After gaining the confidence to pitch with his new team and new friends in high school, Ren’s summer of baseball is about to begin.
Personal Outlook:
Oh boy! A baseball story where a pitcher learns to believe in himself and his pitching! I’ll just spare everybody a little time and note that if I wanted to watch this, I’d start with at least two yards of IPA the first season.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Five of eight male cheerleaders.
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The School President’s a Maid!
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/maidsama/
Studio: JC Staff
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Further Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 1st
Summary:
After girls were allowed into the all-male school, Misaki became the school president and has tried to forcibly clean up all the male behavior. Her life changes once one of those problem boys discovers that she works part time at a maid cafe.
Personal Outlook:
The director of GA:AC and Cromartie, the writer for Regios, Rental Magica, KKN, and Midori, and JCStaff. I have high hopes for this one based on the staff alone. There’s always the question of whether they can bring it together (or forge off into better territories since from what I’ve gathered from Hinano, the source for this ends up on the ol’ plot treadmill pretty quickly), but this show probably has the solidest staff behind it for the season. I do think that it’s safe to be optimisic here though.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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What if Japan had gotten obsessed with spiders instead of maids…
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The Demon King In the Back Row
http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/daimao/
Studio: Artland
Genre: Action, Comedy
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 2nd
Summary:
In the far future, the world has already been ravaged by one war between demons and humans. Sai has always tried to preach peace and love, and wants to become a great mage in order to help the world, but when it’s predicted that his role is to become the next demon king, he quickly finds himself trapped between people who want to join him, and those that want to kill him.
Personal Outlook:
Looking through the staff list here is somewhat disheartening. It’s pretty much the entire staff of the original Ikkitousen reunited at Artland. Some have done better things in the interim (director of Shana), others… have not. The promo wasn’t horrible though, and was already at least a few notches above Artland’s normal production (and don’t even start about Mushi-shi, it is a very obvious outlier), so it might not be a horrible brainless little show if they can keep that up. Or perhaps just let it devolve into Kampfer levels of cornball comedy. I could get behind that too.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Four demon earls.
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Put It All In the Ring 1: Shadow Chapter
http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/sp/rin-kake1_shadow/
Studio: Toei Animation
Genre: Sports
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 2nd
Summary:
Sequel series. After defeating the evil evil Americans, the Japanese team returns home, but they’re immediately attacked by a group of assassins that use boxing as an assassination technique and are dragged into a new battle.
Personal Outlook:
This show’s premise is ridiculous enough already, but I suppose not any more than its predecessor series which is the biggest and ugliest clump of bad sports stereotypes imaginable. It has everything from monologues in the middle of boxing to glowing hands to people screaming out their special attacks… in boxing. Since it did come from the 70s, I can understand the corniness, but understanding is far from enjoyable, and Toei’s not high on anybody’s shortlist of studios known for injecting enjoyment into their productions.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Yiiiiipyipyipyipyipyipyipyipyipyip.
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Angel Beats!
http://www.angelbeats.jp/
Studio: PA Works
Genre: Action
Further Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 2nd
Summary:
Not everybody is happy with the fate that God has determined for them. In the afterlife, the angels rebel and fight in order to change their destinies.
Personal Outlook:
One has to wonder how PA Works keeps getting all these big names involved. Their latest hyped to hell and back offering has Jun Maeda of Key fame doing the writing, and that’s apparently where the staffing budget ran out because the director is the wonderful man who brought us Ragnarok The Animation and Galaxy Angel Rune, and has never touched an action or drama in his life. PA Works does make very very pretty shows, and if Maeda solves the writing issues that plagued Canaan and True Tears, this could be a winner… or maybe if Maeda hops off early with his cash forward to hit the girly bars leaving just a bunch of sad doe-eyed dead girls with guns.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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I’ll take a side of hype with an extra helping of hyperbole.
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SD Gundam Three Kingdoms: Brave Battle Warriors
http://www.sdgundam3gd.net/
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Action
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 2nd (late night)
Summary:
Sequel series. The third of the Ro3Ks, this time with super deformed little robots running around.
Personal Outlook:
This is apparently a continuation of previous SD Chinese warlord Gundam shows or something. As I mentioned before, it might be kind of fun to go on an out of control Ro3K bender this season and see how much of my sanity I can maintain, but this particularly bit of the Gundam franchise is specifically made for the sole purpose of selling toys to 10 year olds. I’m… not holding my breath.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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What has science done?
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Hakuouki
http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/hakuoki/
Studio: Studio DEEN
Genre: Adventure
Further Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 3rd
Summary:
In ancient Japan, a girl searches for her father. She stumbles upon a member of the Shinsengumi who transforms into a horrible monster. The Shinsengumi reveals that her missing father is the cause of his curse, and they join together in their search.
Personal Outlook:
This is based on an adventure game for girls. I have absolutely no idea what that entails. The director’s also only done one show since the 80s and that was Itakiss. Since it’s Deen, I imagine it… will not be particularly well made either. It’s really a shame. They’re great at comedies, but make so few of them. In any case, I think it’s particularly safe to be pessimistic here.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Oh, Studio Deen..
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Giant Killing
http://www9.nhk.or.jp/anime/giantkilling/
Studio: Studio Deen
Genre: Sports
Information Links: ANN Entry
Premiers April 3rd (late night)
Summary:
East Tokyo’s soccer team is horrible and in danger of being completely shut down. First, however, they’ll have a chance to prove themselves against of the best, if they can get ready for it.
Personal Outlook:
Soccer barely ranks above baseball in my personal tier of sports (hockey’s on top if you’re curious). The director and writer are also… bad… shall we say, so I highly doubt that they’ll be able to take Deen’s sterling productions and make a compelling soccer show out of it. Maybe their powers will combine and it will be so bad that it becomes watchable. That’s my highest hope for this one.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Bustah WOLF!
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Working!!
http://www.wagnaria.com/
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 4th
Summary:
A regular guy with an obsession with all things tiny ends up working in a restaurant filled with strange people.
Personal Outlook:
Well, the first episode already aired, so there’s not too much to say beyond that. I found it very very mediocre and generic. I’ll probably give it a second look when the next episode comes out since there’s very little else on Sundays other than it, but I make no promises.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Smaller is not better.
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Arakawa Under the Bridge
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/arakawa_ub/
Studio: Shaft
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 4th
Summary:
Kou has a strange encounter with a girl who ends up saving his life. Hating to be in debt, he agrees to live with her at her home in order to pay her back. Unfortunately, she claims to be an alien, is homeless, and lives under a bridge with all sorts of strange people.
Personal Outlook:
If I haven’t said it enough yet, I’ve gotten pretty tired of Shinbo’s formula lately, so I’m not terribly optimistic about this one. I do have a little more faith in their ability to make comedies, but since this is the head writer from Summer Storm… Bleh. You never really know what Shaft is going to do when handed a new show though, so maybe they’ll turn things around a little bit here.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Contains the imp-retort glitch.
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kiss x sis
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/kiss_sis/
Studio: Feel
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 5th
Summary:
Keita’s father remarried when he was young, giving him two older twin sisters. They quickly fell in love with him, and now that puberty’s set in, they’ll do anything and everything to seduce him.
Personal Outlook:
Another show whose first episode already aired, and it was as every bit distasteful as you might expect from the premise. Perhaps more. It was really really poorly made to boot. I’m going to stick with my thought that this would be much improved if one of the sisters was actually a grizzly bear on a unicycle in disguise. I’d watch that.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Japan!!
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Night Raid
http://www.1931.tv/
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: Action
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 5th
Summary:
Many races of people throng through Shangai in the 1930s. When a prominent Japanese business man is kidnapped by a local military faction that seems to be involved in arms trading with Japan, an elite squad is brought in to rescue him.
Personal Outlook:
I detest when Japan mixes Engrish in their show titles nonsensically. Let’s just ignore the stupid part. Another in the "Power of Anime" initiative which seems to basically be A-1 going "HEY! LOOK AT US! WE’RE NOT ADAPTING THINGS." I’m guessing Gonzo’s collapse left a lot of anime writers with nowhere to go. All this bluster is to cover up the fact that since this is an original with next to no promotional material, anybody who has a strong opinion about this one at the moment is a doofus. Both the writer and director are relative newbies without any real successes to their names yet, so odds are against this turning out memorable, but who knows.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Two super spies.
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Overrun By Stray Cats!
http://www.patisserie-straycats.com/
Studio: AIC
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 6th
Summary:
Takumi’s sister brings home stray cats all the time. Even the restaurant that they own where he works with his friends is named Stray Cats. One day, his sister returns home from a trip with a stray girl to live with them amongst all the cats.
Personal Outlook:
AIC’s stock has been rising lately, so I’m cautiously optimistic. Although the main staff is either still unknown or complete newbies, so we’re pretty much into completely unknown territory here. The little I’ve looked into it does seem awfully awfully generic though, right down to the mysterious girlfriend and the dominating rich girl. The male lead’s mastery over his tsundere friend is somewhat amusing at least. Still, it’s hard to get a good read on anything knowing so little about the staff though.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Cat. I’m a kitty cat. And I dance dance dance and I dance dance dance…
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Rainbow: The Seven Boys of Dorm 2, Room 6
http://www.ntv.co.jp/rainbow/
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Drama
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 6th
Summary:
The story follows a group of troubled youth as they go through high school and grow up in the real world.
Personal Outlook:
Um. Apparently this is a rather acclaimed story. Then again, so is Catcher in the Rye, and I think I’d rather shoot myself than watch an anime version of that. Plus, maudlin teen melodrama is exactly the opposite of what I want to see. Beyond that, we have a terrible director and a head writer that’s not too much better, and I really doubt that they’re going to swing me over to their side.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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…This is just going to be The Outsiders, isn’t it?
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K-ON!!
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/k-on/
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Horror
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 6th
Summary:
The continuing lack of adventures of the light music club and their quest to do something.
Personal Outlook:
I really can’t muster anything up for this show but apathy. Consider that a victory. I barely made it through the first episode of the first season. I’m not going to touch this one with a Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Strat.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Requiescat in Pace.
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Betrayal Knows My Name
http://www.uraboku.jp/
Studio: JC Staff
Genre: Delicious Men
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 11th
Summary:
Ever since he was adopted, Yuki never wanted to be a burden to anybody. However, he had a mysterious power to telepathically know what others were thinking with only a touch. That power starts to bring him into conflict with others and draws him into a war between two families for the fate of the world.
Personal Outlook:
Well, as veterans of Nabari, JCStaff knows their boy on boy romance. Even more exciting, this is the same director who did Tsukihime, which may or may not exist depending on your view, and the head writer is a long time Gonzo veteran. This has all the makings of a delicious man on manicotti salad of manliness and disaster.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Subtlety is for losers and communists.
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The House of Five Leaves
http://www.goyou-anime.jp/
Studio: Manglobe
Genre: Drama
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 15th
Summary:
A certain wandering samurai is very skilled, but since he’s also meek, he has a hard time staying employed. Desperate for work, he becomes the bodyguard for an unsavory man, but starts becoming more drawn into the strange world he’s entered.
Personal Outlook:
Manglobe’s certainly going in an interesting artistic direction with this one. The trailer was very unimpressive regardless. It looks like they just took photos, adjusted the tint, and then drew the frankly ugly character art on top. This is a noitaminA show too, which I have traditionally not gotten along with at all. I’m also leery of yet another show where it’s important that the main character is a pantywaist. Get a new archetype, dammit.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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The fungus aliens have taken their souls.
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Collected Stories of a Small Room
http://noitamina.tv/yojouhan/
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Drama
Staff Information: ANN Entry
Premiers April 22nd
Summary:
A collection of stories from a man looking back at the years that he spent in college.
Personal Outlook:
And the other Noitamina show. Judging by the trailer, Madhouse is going all out with the wacky artistic direction. I’m starting to suspect that Noitamina is mostly watched by Japanese stoners. This kind of show just really isn’t my thing though, so I have a hard time feeling much of anything for it thus far. Visuals certainly do look interesting though.
Preseason Swing Rating:
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Contains 0.5% as much drinking as real college.
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Aroduc 
Nanaya 
redlupine 
ShuffleAir 
DmonHiro 
Anonymous 
orix1357 
HJK 
queenie 
Mark 
Jack Damn 
rufe 
Celestial 
Ninja Penguin 
Travis 
Fate 
sora 
kingie 
fish 
Yue 
Shinji103 
Dana 
rincewind 
Arabesque 
karasu 
MisaoFan 
The Phantom 
someone
Not to mention of Da Capo Ext, Magic Kaito and Tena on S-String gets anime too for April ?