Spring 2008 is here! KZI’s Spring Season Preview! Pt. 1
The time has come again and another season is about to dawn upon us. Most of what I’m blogging is about to end (or has already ended) and I’ve already chosen a few of the upcoming shows to blog. I won’t say how many I’ll be picking up this time around but with my graduation imminent and my career picking up it won’t likely be as many as I have done in the past. If you frequent KZI then you should have an idea of what shows I’ll be watching and those I’ll be blogging. The offerings this time round, like last Spring, are a bit overwhelming but there are more than enough titles that catch my eye and so the only decisions to be made is when I’ll watch and blog what.
That all being said, my usual criteria revolves around the summary and plot, artwork, production, and seiyuu talent. Of course, that isn’t in any sort of order. Also you can expect team posts on about two or three of the titles.
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Airdate: April 6th
OP: “O2″ by ORANGE RANGE
ED: “Shiawase Neiro” by ORANGE RANGE
Production: Sunrise
Japan or Area 11 is occupied by a great power, Britannia Empire. There are two boys living there, Lelouch and Suzaku. Lelouch is trying to obtain the power of Geass to destroy the world. On the other hand, Suzaku operates a nightmare frame ,Lancelot, to seek for ideal and truth of the world. Their contrastive ways of life make a big wave to rock the empire. A new legend of the 21st century is about to begin.
Leon: You know. I think it goes without saying that I’m watching this, blogging this, and all that jazz. If you don’t know how much I love this series by now then either you’re new, don’t pay attention, or a damn Orange. It’s time for more Lelouch/Zero, the return of Kallen and her lovely tatas being suffocated, preparing cloths for imminent Villeta-as-a-gym-teacher-drolling, looking out for Pizzahut ads and how much Miss. C.C. (and her fine ass) will consume this time around, and last but not least, seeing how far Nina has gone with the table among other things. I’m not really looking forward to seeing the douchebag knight either and what’s up with that Rollo kid? Whatever the case I want to see more of Marianne in this sequel and of course how well Cornelia is doing. Come on R2! I’m ready for you!
Youko: On the top of the list, what else but CG? As one of the biggest anticipated shows this season, you gotta admit you saw this coming. Round 2 is about to begin and we’re all anxious to see. Where we left off we got a mighty big cliffhanger. Where we continue seems like that much won’t be answered just yet but what we do know is that there will be more thrills, more suspense, more action, more everything. This season we see many fresh faces along with some old faces with change. While R2 airs in Japan in the second week of April, stateside the first season will be viewable on Adult Swim a couple of weeks after. Isn’t that grand? What I’m really looking forward to is the Knights of the Rounds, who look like they spell trouble for Lelouch. Nearly a week to go!
Blade: Okay, it’s a no-brainer how big this one is. The mother lode, the grand daddy, you know the rest. After the cliffhanger of the last show you have to wonder how it’ll go on from there? I know I’m going to join the ride whether people like it or not. Besides, it’s going to have not one, but 2 Orange Range songs, and it’s been a while since I heard them in an anime… Can’t believe the last time was Asterisk from Bleach.
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Airdate: April 3rd
OP: “Triangular” by Maaya Sakamoto
ED: “Ai, Oboete imasu ka (愛・おぼえていますか)” by Megumi Nakajima
“Diamond Crevasse (ダイアモンド クレバス)” by Sheryl Nome starring May’n / May Nakabayashi
Production: Satelight
Macross Frontier marks the 25th anniversary of the Macross anime franchise. It is a direct sequel to te first Macross series and Macross 7 and follows the lives of Alto Saotome, Ranka Lee and a pop idol named Sheryl Nome on board the Macross Frontier colonization fleet. After the war against the Zentradi aliens, Humankind has spread across the universe in order to ensure its survival. The Macross Frontier fleet is part of a effort to spread and maintain the culture of humanity.
Leon: I think it’s pretty obvious that I’m looking forward to this. I held out for as long as I could from watching the preview of the first episode just to reduce the amount of time I had to wait between and I still don’t think it worked out. Anyway, being a Macross fan it’s only natural that I’ll be watching this without hesitation. It’s going to be awesome and I hope it continues to be based on initial impressions.
Youko: I never seen Macross before and I’m not much of a mecha fan (’sides GEASS) so safe to say I won’t have any partake in this.
Blade: The moment I saw Macross FRONTIER, I had to think: WOW. I don’t think I have seen something so awe-inspiring in a long time since I watched the Opening scene to Seirei no Moribito. My god you can tell someone had money in their pockets when they worked on this series, it’s beautiful. However is beauty skin deep? I think I’ll give this series a go just because of that.
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Airdate: April 7th
OP: “resonance” by T.M.Revolution
ED: “I Wanna Be” by STANCE PUNKS
Production: BONES
Based on a shounen manga by Ookubo Atsushi serialised in Shounen Gangan. Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon technicians, the series revolves around 3 groups of each a weapon technician and a human weapon. Trying to make the latter a “Death Scythe” and thus fit for use by the Shinigami, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.
Leon: I’ve been anticipating this rather anxiously for many reasons I can’t pinpoint. Badass action? Punk-style? Ecchi? BONES on board? 50+ episodes? It all seems to add up to an amazing formula in my eyes. On the OP/ED side of things, the groups are rather well-placed I think. TMR is a long time favorite of mine and while STANCE PUNKS aren’t exactly in my top 10 band list, their style of music should work with Soul Eater better than most other choices. Definitely count this as the third show I’ll be blogging along with Youko.
Youko: The new series I’m looking forward the most. I’ve anticipated for this as much as GEASS and I’m still raring to seeing it now. It has punk written all over it. A cutting-edge series with awesome characters and great designs. I’m still not sure how long this will be; I read it’s actually 50 something episodes though, which I hope so. I think the manga is far ahead for this to work but if not BONES would still do it justice. I’m loving the fact that Gangan Comics series are getting a lot of attention lately.
Blade: I was worried there were no Shounen action shows. The last one, Jyushin Enbu ~Hero Tales, was not getting any attention. Soul Eater, on the other hand, looks more promising mainly because of those who are behind the helm: BONES. Now people are going to stone me, but I find T.M Revolution doing the OP a bit underwhelming since I prefer his shift to Abingdon Boys School. Needless to say, what I am more worried about is the return of the band I hate with the red hot intensity of a thousand suns: STANCE PUNKS. I’ll still watch is since it does seems interesting.
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Airdate: April 7th
OP: “Crawl” by VELTPUNCH
ED: “Hikari” by ELISA
Production: J.C. Staff
Rokujou Miharu is a boy who has a hijustu (hidden technique) living inside of him. This hijustu is the power of creation. Many ninja clans are seeking it as the one who posesses it becomes the ruler of the ninja world. Rokujou’s classmate Kouichi started a nindou (”Way of the Ninja”) club at school with Kumohira, his English teacher. Both Kouichi and Kumohira are secretly ninjas. They tried to persuade Rokujou to join the ninjustu club. At first, he was reluctant, but after being attacked by group of ninjas trying to get his hijutsu, he joins. He must become the Ruler of Nabari in order to survive.
Leon: This premise attracts me for reasons I don’t quite understand as yet. I do find the character designs to be really attractive though. I especially find the blonde pigtailed girl to be interesting. The main character’s power at the moment seems to be pretty ultimate hax but I’ll either wait for the anime to air to show me otherwise or check out the available chapters of the manga. Still though, I’m glad to see that J.C. Staff is at the helm of this so that should mean good stuff will undoubtedly come from this.
Youko: Looking at the trailer, it gave me this sort of FF feel. The modern FF ones. The characters sport very casual looking clothing and yet possess some form of arts. In fact, you could say this doesn’t look like a ninja story, but a fantasy story. I’m not quite sure what to think of it, but I suppose I can give it a go and see how it’ll fair from there.
Blade: When I think of Rie Kugimiya voicing a kid, I am think of Alphonse Elric. That being said, I don’t think it’ll fit well here. This also seem like an action show, but a little bit more serious. Even so, after reading the introduction, I can’t help myself but thinking: haven’t I seen this before? I can’t really point it, but I think I remember a show in which a clan of bad guys are after a good guy for his ability\item he possesses and he has to fend them off with his friends. I’ll give it a chance, but I am not sure I’ll follow it.
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Airdate: April 11th
OP: “Atashi no Machi, Ashita no Machi (あたしの街、明日の街)” by Hitomi Takahashi
ED: “changes” by Base Ball Bear
Production: Production I.G
Based on a light novel series by Arikawa Hiro, illustrated by Adabana Sukumo.
In the year 2019, the explosion of information and misinformation became a direct threat to society. In a daring decision, it was decided to create a new government agency dedicated solely to information management. Now some thirty years later, the government still monitors and controls information, suppressing anything they find undesirable, but standing against their abuses of power are the libraries, with their special agents called ‘the book soldiers.’
Leon: I’ve been really excited for this over the past few weeks. It’s not just because Production I.G. is in charge but I fell for the concept immediately after reading it. The whole idea of “book soliders” has me intrigued and the character designs as well as the seiyuu talent (Marina Inoue, Akira Ishida) are draw me in as well. I’m going to be following this for sure.
Youko: BOOK FIGHT! On second thought, the summary seems way out of the ordinary, no? You’d think that this kind of leaked information and data was something that could spontaneously combust or maybe they’re really, really, really, important documents? I have nothing for or against it, but I never wanna miss out on anything taking place in the future.
Blade: Is it a show about an otaku’s exploits in a manga rack? No, it’s not Genshiken. Anyhow, Library War already begins to build hype among my fellow bloggers in the blogosphere. I have no real idea what the show is about but just looking at the description: “Action, Sci-Fi AND Romantic Comedy.” with the addition of the support of Production I.G., I’ll definitely give a chance. Hitomi Takahashi is doing the OP theme so I’ll tag along anyways. Base Ball Bears, though? I didn’t expect to see them after Ookiku Furikabutte (A baseball anime that will take forever to be subbed properly).
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Airdate: April 7th
OP: “Futatsu no Kodou to Akai Tsumi (ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪)” by ON/OFF
ED: “still doll” by Kanon Wakeshima (分島花音)
Production: Studio DEEN
Yuki’s earliest memory is of a stormy night in winter, wherein she was attacked by a vampire… And then rescued by another. Now 10 years later, Yuki Cross, the adopted daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, has grown up and become a guardian of the vampire race, protecting her savior, Kaname, from discovery as he leads a group of vampires at the elite boarding school. But also at her side is Zero Kiryu, a childhood friend who’s hatred for the creatures that destroyed everything he held dear, is now determined never to trust them. This coexisting arrangement seems all well and good, but have the vampires truly renounced their murderous ways, or is there a darker truth behind their actions? Is Kaname’s infatuation with Yuki the beginning of a forbidden romance, or is it something in her forgotten past that draws him to her? In this world of secrets, nothing is as it seems, and the price of misplaced trust may even be worse than death.
Leon: I was surprised to see that this was being animated this year. I really enjoy reading the manga and find the characters all well-written, especially Yuki. She’s easily my favorite character in the entire show. This is my shoujo pick of the season and you can definitely expect me to follow it.
Youko: I glanced at this manga few times, but never looked in to it. I guess you could say the title caught my eye. I’ve always had a thing for vampire stories. I think what’s gonna be really interesting is the romance with a vampire. Buffy, anyone? I think this could end up being a worthy watch. Horie Yui is one of my favorite seiyuu but there’s even more seiyuu talent involved too.
Blade: After reading more about it, I am actually curious about Vampire Knight, despite having a similar name to a PS2 light-gun game. It is a shoujo anime, so there’s bound to be romance and bishounen everywhere, but the premise seems interesting enough to keep my attention and the cast includes Yui Horie, Suichiro
Hoshi and Susumu Chiba so it warranted my attention for now.
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Airdate: April 3rd
OP: “Tameiki no Hashi (溜め息の橋)” by Kuricorder Quartet and Shione Yukawa (栗コーダーカルテット＆湯川潮音)
ED: “Sayonara no Omajinai (サヨナラのおまじない)” by Kuricorder Quartet and Sou Matsumoto (栗コーダーカルテット＆松本素生)
Production: MADHOUSE
The story takes place in a world with only one big continent. This world is divided into two federations engaged in an endless series of fruitless wars. The story starts when a girl, Allison, and a boy, Ville, who have been raised together in an orphanage, set out on an adventure to find a great treasure which is worth ending the war for. After that, the story is continued by their daughter, Lillia, and her boyfriend Treize.
Leon: I think it’s been a while since I’ve watched something that screams adventure. This one has successfully tugged me into checking it out once it airs. I’m interested in seeing how time passes by and how characters develop during the series, especially seeing that Allison and Ville will have a daughter, Lillia, who will continue the story (which I assume is halfway through the series).
Youko: I like the way the story will move, judging by the summary. Of course, I don’t really know what direction it will take but I somehow just have this feeling it might be alright. The PV didn’t show much but I really love the music in the background. I don’t watch many adventure shows but this could be something I’d like a lot.
Blade: Huh. So it’s an adventure show? What’s interesting about this adaptation is the fact the 26 episodes will be divided to two and each one will be based on a different light novel. Two kids who want to stop the wars in the world seems a little cliche by today’s standards, but I think I’ll give this one a chance since Madhouse is behind the helm.
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Airdate: April 3rd
OP: “NOBODY KNOWS” by Shikao Suga (スガ シカオ)
ED: “Honey Honey” by SEAMO feat. AYUSE KOZUE
Production: Production I.G
Yuuko is a witch who grants people’s wishes, but in return the person has to give up something precious. Watanuki Kimihiro, a man who has visions, encounters Yuuko and she promises to get rid of the spirits that torment him. In return Watanuki must work in Yuuko’s shop and help her grant other people’s wishes.
Leon: I am watching this. Expect me to blog this. I LOVE YUKO!
Youko: Well I never got to xxxHOLiC before. I might so eventually but not any time soon so obviously, this I’ll pass.
Blade: I never watched Tsuabasa Chronicles and I never watched xxxHolic. From what I know, there are both good adaptations of the original clamp manga, but I think I’ll pass it and let Leon take care of it for me.
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Airdate: April 12th
OP: “霞 (Kasumi)” by 369 (Miroku)
ED: “Unnamed world” by Aya Hirano (平野綾)
Production: BONES, Telecom Animation Film
It was a time when the night was really dark. People talk about nothing except the Phantom Thief. The Phantom Thief only steals art collections without injuring anybody after sending a card which announces what he aims at. Chizuko Mikamo (Chiko) is a girl who lives together with the gangs of the Phantom Thief. The police, private detectives, and treasure hunters are after Chiko to obtain the inheritance of the Phantom Thief.
Leon: Chico is hot! Not only that but she’s a thief. This is also mystery tagged over it so I can’t help but be pulled into watching this already. Of course I also realise that Aya is in this and that’s an additional plus along with BONES being involved with the project.
Youko: Hell yeah, Aya’s got a new main role! Now this I’m looking forward to as well. A cat and mouse chase kind of story never ceases to amaze me. In fact, one could say part of the fun is the chase, especially for series with mystery.
Blade: Aya Hirano as a thief? I don’t really know much about it so I’m say I’m uncertain for now, but it shows potential so I’ll watch the first episode.
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Airdate: April 3rd
OP: “Love Jump” by Minami Kuribayashi (栗林みな実)
ED: “crossing days” by Ryoko Shintani (新谷良子)
Production: Brains Base
Although Kurenai Shinkuro seems like a normal high school boy at first sight, he is actually a troubleshooter who settles various sorts of problems secretly. One day, Juzawa Benika, whom he respects as a top-notch troubleshooter, asks him to guard a little girl, Kuhohin Murasaki. Although he is reluctant to accept Benika’s request, Shinkuro finally accepts because he wants to be recognized by her professionally, and because he is moved by Murasaki’s sad look. The next day, Shinkuro goes to school despite misgivings about leaving Murasaki alone in her room. However, he finds that Murasaki is missing upon his return.
Leon: I’m wondering if this is going to be following the manga and light novels. Given the chapters I’ve seen so far, I haven’t seen much comedy in Kure-nai so I find it interesting that it is one of the genres. Granted it does have it’s bits of comedy in it but not enough to have it listed as a genre. Well, I’ll see how it turns out.
Youko: This is something I’d like to see. Nothing particularly extraordinarily sounding but nonetheless a little comedy and drama never hurts.
Blade: The first romantic comedy! Not a lot is known about this one except the fact it’s based on a novel. At least this one doesn’t seem ecchi, but lighthearted, as the main character appears to be a peacemaker that suppose to act as the bodygaurd to the daughter of a powerful family. It can be a recipe for success,
but I am not set on it just yet.
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Airdate: April 5th
OP: “Special Life!” by KOTOKO
ED: “Wakugai!! (ワクガイ！！)” by Yoshiki Fukuyama (福山芳樹)
Production: MADHOUSE
Fumiwara Naeka is a granddaughter of a billionaire and the heir to his fortune. She is pursued by those who desire her inheritance. In order to protect her from them, an agent is dispatched in the form of a male maid, who looks like a masculine samurai wearing a mask and has teeth like a shark’s.
Wearing a maid uniform, Kogarashi gives his best effort to serve Naeka. His noisy and pushy services make her daily life exciting.
Leon: This sounds absolutely ridiculous. It is ridiculous! Therefore, it must be hilarious. It sure looks that way. I’m hearing that it’s pretty ecchi in content as well but I expect that to be toned down. Even now I can’t help but laugh at the sight of a hulking dude as a masked maid. Not a butler. A MAID. I’ll definitely be watching.
Youko: Okay, so let me get this straight. A Masked Maid Man? Not only does that sound hilarious, it looks hilarious. Who knows, it just might make me chuckle the whole way. I’ll definitely give it a shot. It’s rather apparent that there will be several ecchi moments as well. A combination of these factors could result in something a little more than entertaining monstrosity.
Blade: Now here is another show that may or may not be a funny hit. Come on even the title can make one curious: “The masked Maid Guy”. If that didn’t do, look at the promo pictures, the guys isn’t a pansy, he’s a hulk! However, the director’s resume doesn’t look too bright, but I’ll probably watch the first episode and see how this one will be. Depends on my impressions, it’ll be blogged more.
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Your list is looking good! The Tower of Druaga better be on Part 2!
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