July 2010 New Anime Guide10

July is approaching and it’s time for the preview of what’s going on in the next season. In the previous season, we have brought you tons of new Anime. Guess you might have had a really busy season. So, what’s new in the coming season. If you have kept an eye on some Anime related blogs, you might have already known some of the Anime. No doubt Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi will be one of the best, while do have some faith on others and we are sure they will do a great shot. Some sources via ANN, Wikipedia and MyAnimeList.

You may want to check out what’s on aired in the Spring season, our recommendation and character poll.

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Amagami SS / アマガミSS (13 episodes)

http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/amagami/

A second-year high school boy finds himself uneasy during Christmas time due to an experience in the past. However, this year at Christmas, he gets his last chance to ask out a graduating female senior named Haruka Morishima – or one of several other classmates. The story of the Anime will be arranged in an omnibus format, with each heroine getting her own version of the story animated. Each heroine will sing her own version of the ending theme song.

YoU: Have you ever played the game or watched the Anime of Kimi Kiss series? If you did, you may not want to miss the Amagami series either. Backed by the same company Enterbrain, Amagami is really a promising series of the season. Hoping it will follow the success of Kimi Kiss. PS. Also hope the similar series Love Plus will soon be made into Anime.

Snow: Yay, romance animes hehe. Definitely going to pick this one up, not sure how it will unfold with each heroine getting their own screen time instead following a main story but it sounds fun. AIC is the company behind this series and since they’re also doing Strike Witches it should be good. No Yuri please =(..

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi / オオカミさんと七人の仲間たち (13 episodes)

http://www.otogi-bank.com/

A love comedy parodying fairy tales such as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” etc. Ookami Ryoko (Ookami-san) is a spunky high school girl. She is a member of a “fixer” club so called Otogi High School Bank. She fixes the school’s problems with her partner Akai Ringo (Akazukin-chan.)

YoU: Most of fans may think this is a series identical to Tora Dora! due to the similar character design, as well as the hair color which identical to Taiga and Minori (while the height is the opposite ). Though the two series do not have much connection you will definitely not want to miss this series. Guess it will be the on the top of the season.

Snow: ToraDora!! all over again =D. Nah, but the characters do look like Taiga, Ryuuji and Minori.. so as far as that goes, it’s about the same. I’m all in for this one, I definitely loved ToraDora and if this is about the same I probably will like this too as long as the story isn’t too generic since the characters are looking very promising.

Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu / 伝説の勇者の伝説 (13 episodes)

http://www.denyuden.jp/

Raina Lute is a lazy student of Roland Empire Royal Magician’s school. One day, Roland Empire goes to war against a neighboring country Estaboole, and he lost his classmates in the battle. After the war, Lute sets out for a journey to search the relics of a “Legendary Hero” at Emperor Zion Astar’s command. And he finds out a deadly curse spreading the continent.

YoU: First of all, I was interested in the title of the series. Second, the character design. Both seems to be interesting.

Snow: Sounds quite generic too me, I don’t know.. war doesn’t really do it for me.. Unless it’s something like FMA, but I’m probably trying to watch an episode or two and see how the story goes. GEASS! o_o

Shukufuku no Campanella / 祝福のカンパネラ (13 episodes)

http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/campanella/

Leicester Maycraft is a young item technician who lives in the city as part of the Oasis adventurers clan. On the “Day of Shooting Stars,” one shooting star lands near a party that Leicester attends. When Leicester searches for where the shooting star landed, a girl appears before Leicester and says, “You are my Papa!”

YoU: Have you ever watched the Anime series Happiness before? I did, but stopped on the half way of the first episode. The quality of the character design of the Galgame is way better than what of the Anime. Hoping this time it will be better.

Snow: AIC at work again, this sounds really Moe but I like that, haha. Not a lolicon though o_O.. looks like as if it has potential but somehow it’s pretty doubtful.

Kuroshitsuji II / 黒執事Ⅱ (24 episodes?)

http://www.mbs.jp/kuroshitsuji/

One of the noble families of England – Phantomhive, has a butler, Sebastian Michaels. He has unquestionably perfect knowledge, manners, talent with materials. martial arts and much more. But for some reason, he serves a 12 year old master…

YoU: Haven’t watched the first season before and it’s hard to make comments on this one.

Snow: Continuation of the first series, I haven’t watched that yet but I ought to soon. Don’t have anything to say really.. watch the first season and judge instead

Seitokai Yakuindomo / 生徒会役員共 (13 episodes)

http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/seitokai/

Tsuda Takatoshi, a new student in the recently gender-integrated high school, is asked to join the student council, as the vice president. Thus begins his days as the only normal person in among the 4 member student council officers…

YoU: Guess I can have a little expectation on this one. The plot seems to be fun and the overall quality is acceptable.

Snow: Seitokai no Ichizon + Kaichou wa maid-sama = Seitokai Yakuindomo ?? I wonder.. both shows aren’t that great but it’s quite fun to watch, this will probably be among those lines too, fun to watch but not really memorable.

Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ / セキレイ～Pure Engagement～ (12 episodes)

http://www.sekirei-tv.com/

The continuation of previous season: Minato Sahashi is extremely intelligent, yet due to his inability to cope under pressure has failed the college entrance exam twice. As a result he has been branded an idiot and loser by many. One day after talking to his yet again disappointed mother he comes into contact with a girl named Musubi who was under attack. The girl runs but takes him with her and soon finds that Minato, while unknown to him, is an Ashikabi, one of the mysterious set of masters that have the genetic trait that can become partners with some of the 108 cute girls, buxom women, and bishōnen called “Sekirei”. The reason for the partnership allows the Sekirei to use all their power to win in the competition held by the mysterious MBI corporation.

YoU: I am not very interested in the Oppai stuffs so I didn’t touch the series before. (sure, you don’t need to be a Oppai lover to watch the series ). Guess will start from the first season later.

Snow: Finally a show which I’ve watched the first season of, it’s been 2 years or even more.. but for as far as I can remember the story was really good, the characters were a bit overdone.. *cough*oppai*cough* but I remember that I really enjoyed it. Unless my taste changed since then, I’m going to watch it .

Gakuen Mokushiroku – Highschool of the Dead / 学園黙示録 HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD (13 episodes)

http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/hotd/

The world is over taken with a very deadly disease that turns humans into zombies. In Japan, several students of Fujimi High School, and the school nurse, band together to survive the present apocalypse. The story follows Takashi Komuro, one of the students who survived in the initial outbreak.

YoU: Compared with zombie, I prefer Vampire a lot. Like many vampire Anime, say Vampire Knight. The series is surrounded by some black fogs and guess will have a try on this one.

Snow: Left 4 Dead! – Resident evil? I haven’t seen any zombie anime in my life, quite a lot of monster anime but never zombies (as far as I can remember).  Not sure about its originality but it sounds fun to watch some zombie series.

Nurarihyon no Mago / ぬらりひょんの孫 (13 episodes)

http://www.nuramago.jp/

Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despit the fact he dilikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy.

YoU: I’ve heard a lot positive comments on this one, which makes me feel like Natsume Yuujinchou (夏目友人帳). Will love to follow this one.

Snow: Uhhh.. hmm.. =/… no..

Tono to Issho / 殿といっしょ (? episodes)

http://tono-anime.com/

Comedy parodying famous samurai generals and historical events.

YoU: The series is supposed to last only on minute each episode, which is much shorter than Hetalia. But the first thing attracted my attention is the cast list. Check out the Character Voice list and you will love it.

Snow: Comedy is usually a must watch, since you can judge from a single episode if it’s going to be fun or not . And seeing this series you might learn something about history, ++ right? Art-wise.. hmm, looks terrible, but hey, don’t judge without actually seeing it, right? (I’m such a hypocrite )

Shiki / 屍鬼 (22 episodes)

http://www.okiagari.net/

During a fiercely hot summer in Sotoba, a peaceful and quiet village with a population of 1300 people, a series of bizarre deaths begin to occur. At the same time, a strange family moves into a long abandoned mansion in the region. Hospital dean Toshio Ozaki cannot figure out the cause of death in the deceased, initially suspecting an epidemic. As investigations continue between the hospital staff and the residents, it turns out that the village is being attacked by vampires.

YoU: Second series about the dead of the season. Based on the horror novel, the series may be only suitable for 18 and over. Will follow and find out.

Snow: Vampires, I kind of hate Twilight.. and I haven’t seen vampire knight.. Vampires.. not my choice of monster. I am however watching Rosario + Vampire, not really enjoying it but still watching..  geez =p

Mitsudomoe / みつどもえ (13 episodes)

http://www.mitsudomoe-anime.com/

Marui Mitsuba, a sadistic girl, Futaba, a muscle-bound girl, and Hitoha, a mystery-loving girl, are a dissimilar triplets. They are in 6th grade at Kamohashi Elementary School. Everyday these triplets, with their distinctive and annoying characteristics, cause problems and trouble for their teacher and classmates.

YoU: Oops, have not very much interests in Loli, especially Loli with weird character design . But the story seems fun and will check it out.

Snow: Yes, Yes, Yes. Sounds like lots of fun, so far all these kind of series that I’ve watched didn’t let me down at all.

Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin / 世紀末オカルト学院 (13 episodes)

http://www.occult-gakuin.jp/

The story revolves around Maya – The daughter of the Former head Master of a private Japanese academy dedicated to the study of the occult who died in 1999, and a time traveling agent Uchida a mysterious young man who travels back in time from 2012.

YoU: Again, it’s a late night Anime. Haven’t read a lot about the series but will find out soon.

Snow: wow, lots of occult this season.. Time travel in 2012? Seems we’re going to experience that in 2 years =D! The art looks really good, just because of that I’m picking this up. har har =)

Asobi ni Iku yo! / あそびにいくヨ！ (13 episodes)

http://www.asoiku.com/

The story centers around Kio Kakazu , a high school freshman living in Okinawa. During a memorial service for one of his family ancestors. A mysterious girl with cat ears appears before him indroducing herself as Eris and claiming that she is an alien. However She be more troubling than he first realizes.

YoU: Guess I may like series of this sort. It’s fun and has lots of fan service scenes. What about the quality of the Anime? Guess we could have some faith upon visiting the office website.

Snow: Neko-mimi =3 .. To Love-Ru but instead of Lala we get Nozomi from Mayoi Neko Overrun. Heck that’s just cute as hell. Less oppai and more Moe and I’m in .

Strike Witches 2 / ストライクウィッチーズ 2期 (13 episodes)

http://s-witch.cute.or.jp/pc/

The year is 1939 – it was then that the Neuroi appeared. Nobody knows where they came from or what their ultimate agenda is, but the fact remains that their attacks drove people out of their towns and cities. In order to take arms against them, humanity develops a new anti-Neuroi weapon called the “Striker Unit.” Using the power of magic to fight against the monsters, this new device enhances and amplifies the power of female magic-wielders. To use this device, young witches from all over the world have been brought together to form an elite task force unit called the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, commonly known as the “Strike Witches.”

YoU: Guess this is a must to Anime lovers. Similar series can be found like Sky Girls, or even Saishuu Heiki Kanojo (最終兵器彼女).

Snow: Another continuation, still have to watch season 1 of this. I’m going to marathon some season 1 series this season hehe .

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General Thoughts about the Season

YoU: First thought, there are not many attractive series at the first look. Read deeper, you may find out some really decent ones. Guess we could have some faith on the season. And apart from the Anime, the August is a great month for Otaku. Guess everybody know about this. The Comiket 78 of the summer is approaching. The catalog will be available on July 17. Really wish to have a visit to the Tokyo Bit Sight.

Snow: I noticed that there a lot of occult/monsters/fairy tales like animes this season, I’m not a fan of those series. Also, most of this season’s anime are adaption from manga or games, usually the manga or game has been sold quite well for those companies to turn into anime so that a big plus. As to if I’m excited this season? Nope.. not really. Summer isn’t usually -anime- season, fall and spring are usually better.