Summer 2008 – What’s On

Yeah, yeah. I know I’m really late this time, not only compared to last time, but also to the start of the season. This season already started, and I’m only doing this now. Unfortunately, school, work, and prepping for my upcoming vacation (starting Tuesday) really took up the bulk of my time.

Either way, now that I’m back on the blog, I’m here to write up what’s going to air this season

Continue reading to see what’s on this season and what I recommend.

This season is a lot more tame when compared to last season. I’m not taking about the intensity of the series themselves; I’m talking about the amount of series. With the smaller amount of series, you’d think it took me less time to write this post. Well, I did, but not for that reason. It actually only took me less time because I already have a template to work with this time around.

In fact, this season is anything but tame. Sure, it does not have the high profile series of last season (Code Geass R2 and Macross Frontier comes straight to mind), but it does have a lot of series with names people should recognize (like Slayers, Strike Witches, Zero no Tsukaima… The list goes on).

So without further ado, these are the series for this season. You’ll notice I added a new list called “Pending.” This list is for series that I haven’t watched the prequel of but wants to watch it before watching said series. Keep in mind that some series below do not have pictures with them not because I can’t find any, but because I’m too lazy to go and find them. Also, series listed down below are in no particular order.

To Watch

	Sekirei As taken from Anime News Network: Genres: action, comedy, romance Themes: Harem What else do I need to know?
	Hidamari Sketch x 365 Having watched the first series from SHAFT while they were busy with other series (one of which STILL haven’t finished being subbed. I’m looking at you, Mahora), I seriously felt like I got shafted (pun definitely intended). Hopefully they do a better job on this series, because I really like this series.
	Strike Witches Following the success of the OVA, the creator decided to make a TV series (much like how Sky Girls turned into a TV series after that one-episode OVA). About time too, I’d say. Been waiting for this since the OVA came out, and I could say the same for some people I know.
	Zero no Tsukaima: Princess no Rondo The first two series proved that this series works, and the fans of this series wanted more. So of course, this series is back with another arc from the novel. For me, it’s just nice to hear Kugimiya Rie back into the role of Louise, the loli S&M Queen. Just kidding, but how far from the truth am I?
	Batman: Gotham Knight The Japanese take on the classic comic book/movie character, much like how Afro Samurai is the American take on the classic Japanese samurai series. This is going to be a 6-episode OVA. I just hope this is not the Teen Titans fiasco all over again.
	World Destruction Step 1.) Make a Nintendo DS game. Step 2.) Get Sakamoto Maaya and Ono Daisuke voice some characters for the anime version. Step 3.) ??? Step 4.) Profit!
	Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu For anyone who is into light novels, this is THE most anticipate series of the new season. The main girl is a idol in her school, but her secret is that she is an otaku. Need I say more?
	School Rumble: San Gakki Being released as OVA episodes along with the Japanese release of the tankubon volume 21 and 22. Like the name implies, this series is about the third term for the kids of School Rumble. It’s too bad that it’s only a 2-episode OVA, because it could be so much more. I personally would think this series would be seriously rushed, but that’s not going to stop me from watching it.
	Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba SHAFT + Negima = wtf no manga? Yeah, this is ANOTHER original story. I’m getting tired of seeing all these original stuff, but after the fiasco that is the first series, I don’t blame them. Although being original is what SHAFT does best, I guess.
	Detroit Metal City With the entire series being released straight to DVD (for obvious reason if you’ve read the manga), it will be a great buy for all the fans out there. Billed as having 24 episodes in 168 minutes. A quick calculation churns out that each episode is about 7 minutes long. Maybe a little short, but all I’ve gotta say is: fuck yeah!

3-Episode Test

	Koihime Musou “Koihime Musou re-imagines the classic Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms in action/love comedy form with a nearly all-female cast.” Yeah, that one line caught all my attention. Maybe I should read the manga too (yeah, there’s a manga coming out for it too). Original material? Eroge. Figures, eh?
	Ultraviolet: Code 044 AniDB says: “Main character “044″ is a female warrior who is genetically engineered with high combat skills and ordered by the government to annihilate a vampire army.” Add to the fact that the promotion picture shows the skyline of Hong Kong in the background, this series is warrant a look. Why do vampires and Hong Kong goes hand-in-hand?
	Slayers Revolution I have not watched the original Slayers series, but from what I’ve hear, I think I’m going to like this. Having SS-Eclipse sub this doesn’t hurt either.
	Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora Divine@Random Curiosity says it best: “backdrops near the level of Byousoku 5 Centimeter (a.k.a. 5 Centimeters per Second), in conjunction with high definition sharpness and fluidic animation on par with Dennou Coil.” Story doesn’t seem that bad either. I have a good feeling about watching this beyond the three episodes.

Pending

Mission-E I haven’t watched the original series yet (aptly named Code-E), so I’m watching this until I watched that. I’ve heard people say the original series is pretty bad, but since it has a “sequel”, it shouldn’t be that bad, right(I’m looking at you, R+V)?

Series I’m not planning to watch (for various reasons)

Scarecrowman
Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten: Antique
Tetsuwan Birdy Decode
Yakushiji Ryoko no Kaiki Jikenbo
Neo Angelique Abyss: Second Age
Natsume Yuujinchou
Mugen no Juunin
Gake no ue no Ponyo (It’s Ghibli, but it’s aimed for kids)

If a series is on the “Series I’m not planning to watch” list, that does not mean there’s no chance I will watch those series. As you can see from the other lists, I already have a lot of series I’m watching (not including the series from last season). If you think you can convince me to watch one of those series, go ahead and try. Keep in mind if it’s not at least on my 3-ET list, I will make my decision based on the first episode alone.

Also remember that I am NOT blogging these series. I will give my impression of the series and some of their episodes, nothing more. Don’t read any of my posts and expect anything that would tell you in details what happened in whichever episode.

If there are any other series I missed, I will come back to this post and add them to one of the lists.