Fall 2010 Season

Full Size: here, note that image is not up to date.

With many shows ending, that only means that the Fall season is here. October 1, 2010 in Japan officially marks the beginning of the Fall 2010 Anime Season. About 30 new shows are premiering this season in addition to the Fall Original Video Animation (OVA) releases, which began back in September.

The 30 new shows include both never before seen adaptations and sequels of popular series. JHAC will be hosting a Fall Preview Night on Friday October 15, 2010 comprising of  8 or 9 different shows from the season to provide our members a diverse background of the shows airing this season as well as a few recommendations.

Below, you will find a list of shows being shown this season along with a short summary and other trivia such as details regarding staff. Any show that lists a name in square brackets (e.g. [Crunchyroll]) means that they are being streamed by the respective sites. These sites/companies provide 100% legal subs and can be watched for free while the series are airing (though I cannot say that they are very accurate most of the time, but they are improving). Due to copyright issues we cannot and will not provide links to any sort of fansubs. Do not ask nor post them! Unlike a few years ago, the anime industry has grown significantly in the US. As such, there are more legal opportunities to watch anime now, so please support the industry.

Legend: 

Tegami Bachi = Series title

[Crunchyroll] = Simulcast streams available or will be available

Sentai Filmworks = Licensed for US retail distribution.

(10/1/2010) = Premier Date of the series in Japan

/ = alternative/English name depending on context

• Hetalia Axis Powers 4th Season/Hetalia World Series 2nd Season (9/10/2010)

The sequel to the ongoing 5 minute Hetalia short gags. The series continues to be animated by Studio DEEN (Seitokai no Ichizon, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni/When They Cry). The "story" continues to follow characters named after various countries, primarily, America, Japan, Italy, and Germany and makes slapstick parodies regarding each country's history. Funimation Entertainment has recently released the first season (episodes 1-26) of the franchise in the US. They have also acquired distribution for the second season as well as the movie that premiered in Japan earlier this year.

• Battle Spirits: Brave (9/12/2010)

 The third series based off of Bandai's "Battle Spirits" trading card game franchise. Animated by Sunrise (Gundam franchise, Code Geass), Toppa Bashin is a first year middle school student who has a passion for trading card games. One day, he meets J, genius card gamer and National Battle Spirits champion, and the two have a card game match. However, their meeting resulted in the powers sleeping within Bashin's pendant to awaken. Bashin discovers that the pendant possesses the power to transport him to the world of "Isekai", a place where "Spirits" who are summoned can materialize.

• Pokemon Best Wishes/Pocket Monster Best Wishes (9/23/2010) Pokemon USA, Inc.

The fifth generation of the Pokemon franchise begins with this series as Pokemon enters its 14th year television run. Considering how well know this franchise is, I'm pretty sure no explanation is needed here.

• Iron Man (10/1/2010) G4

Yes, you read that right. Iron Man is indeed getting the Japanese animation treatment. The famous Marvel comic is the first of four collaboration projects between Marvel and the Japanese animation studio, Madhouse (Black Lagoon, Card Captor Sakura, Metropolis). Tony Stark is a physicist, an engineer, and the CEO of a major arms manufacturing company. On a battlefield he is injured from his own weapons and taken prisoner by terrorists. In order to keep his own heart beating, he creates the Ironman Suit and escapes. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on you view this project) Iron Man is set to premier in the US on the G4 television network in 2011.

• Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector (10/1/2010) [Crunchyroll]

This is the second series based on the Bandai Namco game of the same name. Whether or not this is a sequel to the first series: Super Robot Wars OG: Divine Wars, which ran in 2006, is unknown. The staff working on the project seems to have changed nonetheless since the first series. The show will be directed by Hiroyuki Kakudou (Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 0). Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector will be available for stream on Crunchyroll.

• Sora no Otoshimono: Forte (10/1/2010) [Crunchyroll]

The sequel to the surprisingly successful comedy, fanservice, romance show that ran this time last year. The story continues off with Tomoki Sakurai now living under the roof with two angelroids (angel + android), Ikaros and Nymph. Of course, like any other fanservice, romance show, there is the jealous childhood friend/neighbor, Sohara Mitsuki. A third angel, Astraea, is set to appear this season and is on a mission to dispose of Tomoki and Ikaros. Sora no Otoshimono: Forte will be available to watch on Crunchyroll. Funimation recently licensed the first season of the series for US distribution

• Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (10/1/2010) [Crunchyroll]

The title itself is an immediate turnoff, but what if I told you it was being produced by Gainax (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL)? Word on the street is the show is very similar to Dead Leaves, which was developed by I.G. Production (Ghost in the Shell, Kemono no Souja Erin/The Beast Player Erin, Higashi no Eden/Eden of the East) and co-produced by Gainax. In other words, this is a hit or miss series. The show follows two angels, Panty and Stocking, who are "sent from heaven" to exterminate the ghosts in Daten City that are taking advantage of human greed, but in reality are kicked out from heaven due to their behavior. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt will be streaming on Crunchyroll.

•  MM! (10/2/2010)

Based on the manga of the same name, Taro Sado is a boy who finds out that there is a side of him that loves masochism. He attempts to fix this personality through a club at his school. MM! is directed by Tsuyoshi Nagasawa (Kyou no Go no Ni/Class in 5-2) with Ayana Taketatsu (Azusa Nakano in K-ON!, Ako Suminoe in Kiss x Sis), Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch in Code Geass, Kimihiro Watanuki in xxxHolic), and Rie Tanaka (Sammy in Eve no Jikan, Lacus Clyne in Gundam Seed) taking on lead roles in the show. The animation is to be done XEBEC (Fafner, Busou Renkin).

• Bakuman (10/2/2010)

9th Graders Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi are respectively a talented artist and an aspiring writer. Together, they combine their skills to achieve the same dream: to become successful mangakas and get anime adaptations. At first, however, Moritaka had no intention of becoming a mangaka due to personal matters. In order to get him to agree, Akito goes to tell Miho Azuki that Moritaka likes her and that Moritaka and him are aiming to be mangaka. Ironically, Miho comments by saying that she wants to be a voice actress. During all of this Moritaka accidentally proposes to Miho and Miho accepts under the condition that both of them achieve their dreams. Moritaka will be voiced by Atsushi Abe (Akiyuki in Takehara in Xam'd, Touma Kamijou in To Aru Majutsu no Index/A Certain Magical Index) while Akito and Miho will be voiced by Satoshi Hino (Yuuji Sakai in Shakugan no Shana, Sai in Naruto Shippuden) and Saori Hayami (Saki Morimi in Higashi no Eden/Eden of the East, Ikaros in Sora no Otoshimono/Heaven's Lost Property)

• Tegami Bachi Reverse/Letter Bee Reverse (10/2/2010) [Crunchyroll]

Continuing from the cliffhanger of season 1, which aired this time last fall. To prevent spoilers, I will speak nothing else of what happened. Lag Seeing and his dingo(s) Niche and Steak continue their lives working as a Letter Bee by delivering letters and defeating Gaichuus, mysterious metal bugs that steal people's hearts. In addition, Lag continues to seek out Gauche Suede, who Lag knows as a savior and a precious friend. Gauche mysteriously disappeared during the few years that Lag prepared to become a Letter Bee and is now living with Gauche's sister, Sylvette, in hope of one day being able to meet Gauche again. The same cast from the first season will return for this series. Like its prequel, Tegami Bachi will be available on Crunchyroll.

• Shinsengumi Kitan Hakuouki: Hekketsu-roku (10/2/2010)

Also another sequel this season, Hakuouki will continue where it left off from the first season, which aired this past spring, as the Shinsengumi continues to live through the war with their remaining survivors. Chizuru Yukimura has decided to stick with the Shinsengumi hoping one day to find her father, who disappeared on a trip to Kyoto and to cure the Shinsengumi of the medicine that turns the Shinsengumi into blood-thirsting demons. Based of the PS2 reverse harem game and the same cast will return for this show.

• Yumeiro Pâtissière Professional (10/3/2010) [Crunchyroll]

Yet another sequel for a show that started mediocre and soared as it grew closer to its intended end. After a year of Yumeiro Pâtissière, a sequel was announced shortly after. The show continues to follow Ichigo Amano, who returns to Japan after a year of study in Paris. As a first year high school student, Ichigo hoped to keep the bonds of Team Ichigo. Unfortunately, the "sweet princes" have decided to go their separate ways. At that point, Henri-sensei provides Ichigo with a new assignment and a team that she knows. The same cast and staff will be returning for the production of the sequel. Like the first season, the Yumeiro Patissiere Professional will also be available on Crunchyroll once it begins airing.

• Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto (10/3/2010)

From the director of Soul Eater, Takuya Igarashi is cooperating with animation studio BONES (Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood) again in this new series. Jun Fukuyama (see earlier), Saori Hayami (see earlier), and Mamoru Miyano (Setsuna F. Seiei in Gundam 00, Death the Kid in Soul Eater) will be taking on the lead roles of Sugata Shindou, Wako Agemaki, and Takoto Tsunashi, respectively. On a cross-shaped island, a mysterious and gigantic humanoid robot known as the "Cybuddy" is discovered sealed in the underground ruins for untold ages. A group known as the "Order of the Glittering Star Cross" abducts Wako Agemaki, who they dub as the "shrine maiden" and is the key to activating the robot. Takuto Tsunashi arrives with his Cybuddy, Tauburn, to rescue Wako.

• Psychic Detective Yakumo/Shinrei Tantei Yakumo (10/3/2010)

Yakumo Saitou has heterochromia, but his heterochromia is special in that he can see ghosts and spirits. He believes that these spirits are unable to rest in peace because of special causes, so with the help of Haruka Ozawa, he begins to test this theory. Together, they work together to stop the terrifying events happening at their university. Bee Train (Kure-nai, Madlax) is behind the animation production and Tomoyuki Kurokawa (Murder Princess) is the director. Ayumi Fujimura (Niche in Tegami Bachi/Letter Bee, Azaka Kokuto in Kara no Kyoukai) and Daisuke Ono (Itsuki Koizumi in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu/The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Sebastian Michaelis in Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler) will be taking on the roles of Haruka and Yakumo, respectively.

• Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (10/3/2010)

 Based off the manga of the same long title, Kyousuke Kosaka's relationship with his younger sister, Kirino, has always been an awkward one, to the extent that they only say hi to each other. Kyousuke is the typical ordinary high school student while Kirino has been almost like a fashion model. One day, Kyousuke finds a "mysterious DVD", which happens to be Kirino's. Kirino's secret of being an adult game otaku has now been revealed to Kyousuke. What other mysteries lie behind Kirino's life? Hiroyuki Kanbe will be directing and AIC (The Legend of Black Heaven, Strike Witches 2) will be animating. Ayana Taketatsu (see earlier) will take on the role of Kirino while Yuuchi Nakamura will take on the role of Kyousuke (Alto Saotome in Macross Frontier, Graham Aker/Mister Bushido in Gundam 00, Ikuto Tsukuyomi in Shugo Chara!).

• Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (10/3/2010) [Anime Network]

Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls is not the same as Samurai Girls: Real Bout High School. In fact, because Hyakka Ryouran is being done by a director completely new to the industry and that the animation is being done by ARMS, a group that does mostly hentai works, you can expect not just action in this show, but loads of fanservice for all you perverts out there. Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls takes place in the early 21st century in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate remained in power. Because of this, student councils were allowed to oppress the students in schools as they seemed fit. Yagyuu Muneakira decides to rebel with the help of girls who have famous samurai warrior names passed on to them. The Anime Network will be simulcasting episodes of Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls once it begins airing.

• Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge (10/3/2010)

Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge is the sequel of Arakawa Under the Bridge. It will continue its similar gags from the first season which aired this past spring. More comedy to come. Other than that it's by SHAFT (ef, Natsu no Arashi!) and that it's aa Akiyuki Shinbou (Bakemonogatari, Hidamari Sketch), I don't think there's any more to be said. It's a straight up comedy show.

• Yosuga no Sora  (10/4/2010)

 Based on the visual novel Yosuga no Sora - In solitude, where we are least alone, Yosuga no Sora follows the twins Haruka and Sora Kazugano, who move in with their grandfather after losing their parents. Returning to the distant village of Okukozome-cho, Haruka and Sora reunite with their old friends and meet new ones. However, the real purpose of their choice to return lies with a promise made long ago. Animation studio feel (Da Capo, Kiss x Sis) is behind the animation for this series while Takeo Takahashi (Ookami to Koushinryou/Spice and Wolf) is the director. Hiro Shimono (Hiro Hirono in ef, Akihisa Yoshii in Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu) and Hiroko Taguchi (Miyako Miyamura in ef, Aki Aoi in Aki-Sora ~Yume no Naka~) will take on the roles of Haruka and Sora respectively.

• Otome Youkai Zakuro (10/4/2010) [Crunchyroll]

During the Meiji Era of Japan, fox-eared girls are put to work together with human soldiers to promote interracial understanding. However, Zakuro, one of the fox-eared girls, has a strong personality. What will happen when this personality collides with humans? Mai Nakahara (Rena Ryuguu in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni/When They Cry, Nagisa Furukawa in CLANNAD) will be taking on the role of Zakuro. J.C. Staff (Shakugan no Shana, Toradora!) is the animation studio and Chiaki Kon (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni/When They Cry and Nodame Cantabile Paris-hen) is directing. Otome Youkai Zakuro will be available on Crunchyroll throughout the season.

• Shinryaku! Ika Musume (10/4/2010) [Crunchyroll]

Shinryaku! Ika Musume is a comedy about a squid girl, Ika Musume, who wishes to invade humanity for all the human pollution in the sea. Of course, things don't go to well for Ika when she arrives at the surface such that she ends up having to repay a beach house for damaging the wall. Diomedea (Dai Mahou Touge, Kodomo no Jikan) is responsible for the animation while Tsutomu Mizushima (Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan, xxxHolic) directs. Hisaki Kanemoto (Kanata Sorami in Sora no Woto) will take on her second lead role as Ika. Shinryaku! Ika Musume will also be available via Crunchyroll.

• Motto To Love-Ru -Trouble- (10/5/2010)

The second TV series and the third adaptation of the franchise, To Love-Ru is back yet again with more fanservice. All characters, Lala Satalin Deviluke, Golden Darkness, Haruna Sairenji, Mikan Yuuki, Rito Yuuki, will all be returning in this sequel. All voice actors/actresses are also expected to reprise their respective roles. If you didn't like the previous series/OVA, you probably won't like this one either. To Love-Ru follows the life of Rito Yuuki who lacks the courage to confess to Haruna Sairenji. One day, Rito meets an alien, Lala Satalin Deviluke. Lala is the heir to the throne of the planet Deviluke and her father wants her to marry one of the candidates he's chosen. To avoid doing so, Lala rebels her fathers chooses to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth.

• Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai/The World God Only Knows (10/6/2010) [Crunchyroll]

Keima Katsuragi, a second-year high school student, is an avid dating sim gamer. He is known on the Internet as "The Capturing God" for his legendary skills to be able to "capture" any 2D girl in games. However, in his actual school life, he hates girls. One day, Keima receives an e-mail offering him a contract to "capture" girls. He accepts what is thought to be a challenge, and a demon from Hell nicknamed Elsea appears. She asks for his cooperation to help her in catching the runaway spirits. These spirits hide themselves inside the girl's heart, and Elsea suggests that the only method to force the spirits out is by "capturing" their hearts, i.e. making them fall in love. Elsea is to be voiced by Itou Kanae (Amu Hinamori in Shugo Chara!, Ruiko Saten in To Aru Kagaku no Railgun/A Certain Scientific Railgun) while Keima will be voiced by Hiro Shimono (see earlier). Shigehito Takayanagi (Kanamemo, Galaxy Angel 4) is the director while Manglobe (Sarai-ya Goyou/The House of Five Leaves, Samurai Champloo). This show will also be simulcasted on Crunchyroll.

• Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (10/7/2010)

In a world where it is the "Age of Detectives," four girls are attempting to become detectives that will catch the phantom thieves roaming the city. The show is being animated by J.C. Staff (see earlier). No other information is know about the show.

• Togainu no Chi (10/7/2010) [Crunchyroll]

A shounen-ai, action show produced by A-1 Pictures (Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler, Sora no Woto) and directed by Naoyuki Konno (009-1). Togainu no Chi takes place in the post-apocalyptic Third World War, known as the Third Division. A crime organization, Vischio has destroyed the city of Tochima, formerly known as Tokyo. Akira lives in the lawless Tochima and fights to survive. Akira will be voiced by Kousuke Toriumi (Gilbert Nightray in Pandora Hearts, Gennosuke Kouga in Basilisk),

• Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru (10/7/2010)

Hotori Arashiyama has a clumsy habit of getting into trouble. She works at a maid cafe in a small shopping district. Hiroyuki Sanada is one the few regulars of the cafe and is one of Hotori's classmates. Hiroyuki is actually in love with Hotori. Things being to get complicated when Hotori decides to invite her friend, Toshiko Tatsuno, to work at the cafe. Surprisingly, Toshiko has a crush on Hiroyuki. Akiyuki Shinbou (see earlier) and SHAFT (see earlier) are working on this series.

• To Aru Majutsu no Index II/A Certain Magical Index II (10/8/2010)

Following up with the conclusion of To Aru Kagaku no Railgun/A Certain Scientific Railgun this past spring, J.C. Staff is back to bring the second Index series. The first season premiered in Fall 2008 and was recently licensed by Funimation Entertainment for US distribution. The same staff and voice actors/actresses will return to for their respective roles. Set in Academy City where 80% of the population is students, Touma Kamijou has the worst luck to the point that he loses his memories after encountering a "nun from the Church of England," Index Librorum Prohibitorum, who has all the magical texts implanted in her brain that were removed from the Church. On the other hand (no pun intended), Touma's mysterious right hand has the ability to negate all magic and esper abilities. Touma decides to use his hand to protect Index from assassins.

• Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku (10/8/2010) [Crunchyroll]

The story revolves around Kohei Hasekura, who transfers into a prestigious public school that includes junior-high and high school students. Soon after transferring, he discovers that one of the students in the class next door, Erika Sendou, is a vampire. ZEXCS (H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~, The Legend of the Legendary Heroes/Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu) and feel (see above) are collaborating to provide the animation for the show while Munenori Nawa (Kiss x Sis, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu) will direct the show. Rie Kanda (Al Azif in Demonbane 2006, Izumi Sakibara in Asagiri no Miko) will voice Erika while Daisuke Ono (see above) will voice Kohei. Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku will be available on Crunchyroll. 

• Kuragehime (10/11/2010)

Tsukimi Kurashita is a fan of jellyfish and who moves to Tokyo to become an illustrator. She resides in "Amamizukan," an apartment complex that is full of diehard female otaku with a no-men-allowed rule. However, one day, Tsukimi invites a stylishly fashionable woman to stay at her room only to discover that the guest is not who "she" seems to be. Tsukimi will be voiced by Kana Hanazawa (Kanade Tachibana in Angel Beats!, Nadeko Sengoku in Bakemonogatari). Takahiro Omori (Baccano!, Natsume Yuujinchou) will direct the show while Brains Base (Durarara!!, Kamichu!).

Images for the titles may come at a later time. A list of ongoing series and OVAs may also come later.