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Similar to last time, this preview includes recommendations/expectations, license status, premier dates, and a brief synopsis for each show. The preview also includes rollover titles from previous season(s). Shows that have been excluded include: Shimanchu MiRiKa, Fujilog Second Season, Ad Lib Anime Kenkyuusho.
As I, Shana-chan, personally watch almost everything that airs in a season, I will list out my personal expectations and opinion of each show. They in no way reflect the anime community's review of the show as a whole. I set my bar pretty high for solid shows so do not let it deter you from trying anything that may be lowly rated here. Also, I do not take any responsibility for any physical or mental damages that may come as a result of watching any particular show.
LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011
Legend:
US License Status: red = Full US market license (streaming, DVD, etc...), Orange = Streaming License, Green = Unlicensed
Expectations: red = poor, orange = mediocre, green = decent, cyan = must watch
Guessed episode counts will have a "?" denoted next to them
New Shows Full Count:
Must Watch: 5
Decent: 10 Mediocre: 11
Poor: 6 Total: 32
Summary: Overall, not a bad head count. A bit heavy on the "decent" side, but maybe that's a good thing after the poor summer. Also, the season is weighted a bit by sequels/spin-offs.
The newest and fourth season in the Battle Spirits franchise, which debuted in 2008. Again this is based on Bandai's Battle Spirits trading card game except with a new lead. Akira Nishimori (Zombie Loan, Rumiko Takahashi Anthology) is the director, Atsuhiro Tomioka (VanDread, Chrno Crusade) is composing the script, and Sunrise (Tiger & Bunny, Code Geass) will produce the animation.
Premier Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011
Genre(s): Proxy Battles, Shounen
Episodes: 50?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- Similar to the previous Battle Spirits series, this show is likely not to be good. It's not like Cardfight!! Vanguard or the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, both of which are superior.
An original story based off Konami's Busou Shinki franchise. The story is set in a world of Shinki battles where Tsubasa and Arnval Mk. 2 dream of becoming Shinki Masters. Kana Asumi (Miya Tachibana in Amagami SS, Yuno in Hidamari Sketch) will voice the role of Arnval Mk. 2. Masayuki Kojima (Monster, Master Keaton) will direct while Kinema Citrus (.hack//Quantum, Higepiyo) will animate.
Premier Date: Thursday, September 22, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Episodes: 12?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- As good as Monster and Master Keaton were, this show does not look very promising. It's one of those 5 minute per episode shows and good ones usually only come once every blue moon. Of course, this could also very well one of those blue moons.
Shinryaku!? Ika MusumeA sequel to the popular comedy series from last fall. Ika Musume will continue with her attempts at trying to invade the people on land for polluting the sea, aka her home land. All cast members are expected to reprise their respective roles. However, the show will now be directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto (Valkyria Chronicles) and former director Tsutomu Mizushima (xxxHolic, Blood-C) will now supervise the project.
Premier Date: Monday, September 26, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Slapstick
Episodes: 12?
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectations: Decent -- Ika Musume is unexpectedly back with another season full of jokes! The change in directors worry me a little but since the original director is supervising, I'm expecting this season to go well again.
Announced at the beginning of the first season last year, Bakuman returns with another 25 planned episodes following Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi as they strive to make their dream of becoming a mangaka a reality as well as making Moritaka's and Miho Azuki's promise come true. Staff and cast are expected to reprise their respective roles.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Coming of Age, Shounen
Episodes: 25
US License Status: Licensed by Media Blasters
Expectations: Decent -- Given the pacing of Bakuman's first season, I expect Bakuman 2 to have enough source material for another solid season.
C3, which stands for Cube x Cursed x Curious, is based on Hazuki Minase's light novel follows Haruaki Yachi, who suddenly receives a mysterious black cube from his father. That same night, he discovers a naked female thief, Fear, stealing his rice crackers. This is only the beginning of the mysterious "presents" that Haruaki receives. Shin Oonuma (ef ~A Tale of Memories/Melodies~, Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu) is directing, Michiko Yokote (xxxHolic, Shinryaku! Ika Musume) is composing, and Silver Link (Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity-) is providing the animation. Yuuko Kaji (Lyon Bastia in Fairy Tail, Shion in No. 6) and Yukari Tamura (Rika Furude in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Nanoha Takamachi in Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha) will voice Haruaki and Fear, respectively.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Magic, School Life.
Episodes: 12
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Decent -- While this may be an overestimate of this series given the preview image, I have faith in Shin Oonuma. This guy is awesome and has made a variety of good shows, the big one being ef. While I'm not too familiar with the light novel, the staff and and cast look promising. The premise is a bit iffy with the stereotypical "sudden (naked) girlfriend appearance."
Sequel to the popular 2010 series, Working!! returns with a second season. Working!! is based off the popular 4-panel seinen manga. The show is set in a family restaurant located in Hokkaido known as Wagnaria, which is also the American title for the show. High school student, Souta Takanashi continues to work as a part-timer with his abnormal colleagues at Wagnaria...while trying not to get himself killed. Yoshimasa Hiraike is no longer directing or composing the series. Instead, Atsushi Ootsuki (Kanokon, Motto To Love-Ru) and Takao Yoshioka (Zero no Tsukaima, Elfen Lied) will be replacing those two roles. All other staff and cast will remain the same.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Episodes: 13
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectations: Decent -- Similar to my expectations for Shinryaku!? Ika Musume above, this show will likely continue to have more laughs this season along with some potential development between Souta and Mahiru Inami. While the change in director and series composer worries me given the type of shows they've worked on, the pre-airing in early September has supposedly shown some promise.
Based on a novel by Gen Urobuchi (Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom) and Type-Moon (Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Kara no Kyoukai ~The Garden of Sinners~), Fate/Zero is the prequel to the popular Fate/Stay Night franchise. The story takes place during the 4th Holy Grail War in the city of Fuyuki, 10 years before the Fate/Stay Night storyline. The previous 3 wars had no winners, and now Kirei Kotomine has been unwillingly dragged into this war. It just so happens that his great arch-rival, the merciless Kiritsugu Emiya is also involved in the war for the Holy Grail. Kiritsugu will stop at nothing to obtain the Holy Grail. Any character that appeared in the 2006 Fate/Stay Night anime will continue to be voiced by their respective voice actor/actress. Ei Aoki (Kara no Kyoukai ~The Garden of Sinners~, Ga-Rei -Zero-) will direct, Gen Urobuchi will compose, ufotable (Kara no Kyoukai ~The Garden of Sinners, Tales of Symphonia) will provide the animation, and Yuki Kajiura (Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, .hack//Sign) will provide the music.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Magic
Episodes: 13
US License Status: Licensed by Aniplex USA
Expectation: Must Watch -- This is indeed likely the most anticipated show this season. A show that is essentially the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica staff and the Kara no Kyoukai staff together in one project. And best of all, you have genius screenwriter Gen Urobuchi backing this entire project. If anything, this is almost guaranteed to be a groundbreaking show this fall. To kick it off, the show will have a 1 hour special on October 1, 2011 as its first episode.
Based of a visual novel of the same name, Yamato Naoe is a 2nd year at Kawakami Academy. He has been together with three other boys and three girls since childhood and now that group is going to expand with an additional two members. It turns out that most of the girls in the group are fighting advocates where blood and violence is a part of daily life. Keitarou Motonaga (Katanagatari, School Days) is the director, Katsuhiko Takayama (ef ~A Tale of Memories/Melodies~, Ga-Rei -Zero-) is the scriptwriter, Lerche (Carnival Phantasm) is the animator.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Action, School Life
Episodes: 12
US License Status: Licensed by Sentai Filmworks
Expectations: Mediocre -- The visual novel is supposedly related to Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de and Tsuyokiss ~Cool x Sweet~. The former was okay at best but the latter was pretty bad. The staff looks promising but the premise is rather bland. I'm going to put more of a conservative rating on this show and hope this will surprise me. However, given that the director has also worked on, such as Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka and Onii-chan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janaindakara ne!!, it makes me question the potential of this show.
Based on the light novel of the same name, Earth is abandoned and humans move to another world known as Tenjo. The abandoning left Earth uninhabitable except for the Shinshu area. Due to certain circumstances and a war in Tenjo, humans duplicate this area and create the parallel world, Juso Sekai. The returned humans start reproduction of the history from B.C. 10,000. When the reproduction proceeds to A.D. 1413, a war breaks out in Shinshu and Juso Sekai falls onto the original world. Manabu Ono (A Channel, Saki), Tatsuhiko Urahata (Monster, Card Captor Sakura), and Sunrise are director, scriptwriter, and animator, respectively.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 13
US License Status: Licensed by Sentai Filmworks
Expectations: Decent -- The protagonist looks like a complete imbecile in the preview image. Other than that though, the series composer is solid and it's a Sunrise work, which is a studio that been producing some interesting works as of late. While the director did produce the hideous Dragonaut, he has shown that he's not completely made of fail through Saki and the recent A Channel. Not to mention that this show sound incredibly interesting at the moment so I look forward to it.
Sequel to both Digimon Xros Wars and Digimon Xros Wars: Aku no Death General to Shichinin no Oukoku. There is no specific time for how long this takes place after the second season of Digimon Xros Wars. Recent news have claimed that the newest season will attempt at bringing back heroes from the five previous Digimon series. In addition, Yukio Kaizawa (Digimon Tamers, Digimon Frontier) will be the new director for this season.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Proxy Battles, Shounen
Episodes: ?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- With the recent announcement that previous heroes from the Digimon franchise will be make their appearance in this show, the show may finally be significantly more interesting, and potentially making it a true "10th anniversary" project for the franchise. While the basic story remains dull, the depth has been quite significant in the second season, making it far more attractive then initially anticipated. Given a third season now, the staff must have something big planned by the end of all of this.
Related to the original Bomberman franchise, this is an anime adaptation regarding the "Cross Fight B-Daman". No other information is available at this time.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Genre(s): Proxy Battles
Episodes: ?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- What is this I don't even... no seriously, I have no idea what this is except it sounds a lot like the Beyblade franchise.
A remake of the popular 1999 show with new staff and cast. Gon is a boy who lives on Kujira Isle. His dream is to become a Hunter like his father, who constantly searches for lost treasures, artifacts, and mythical creatures. During his journey, Gon meets fellow Hunter dreamers Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. Megumi Han, Mariya Ise (Stocking from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Ringo Noyamano from Air Gear), Miyuki Sawashiro (Aruruu from Utawarerumono, Celty Sturluson from Durarara!!), and Keiji Fujiwara (Sonchou from Arakawa Under the Bridge, Ali Al-Saachez from Gundam 00) voice the four characters respectively. Hiroshi Koujina (Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin, Grenadier: Hohoemi no Senshi), Atsuhi Maekawa (The Prince of Tennis, Fresh Precure!), and Madhouse (Hellsing Ultimate, Death Note) are the new staff.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Shounen
Episodes: 45+
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectation: Must Watch -- While I'm not a big fan of Atsuhi Maekawa's scripts for a number of his shows, this is Hunter x Hunter, a series that essentially gets its manga chapter published once a month if not every two months...and that's if we're lucky given the mangaka's health. Hunter x Hunter deserves a serious remake but whether or not it will have to stop again due to lack of source material is quite likely at this stage. Nevertheless, fans should rejoice that we're getting a remake from the very beginning! So no knowledge of he 1999 series is required!
An original work by Sunrise, that follows high school student at Root Academy, Kaito Daimon, who is selected because of his strong mental skills to fights battles via puzzles with a mysterious intelligence group known as POG. Junichi Satou (Aria the Animation, Tamayura) will direct and Mayori Sekijima (Zegapain, Pandora Hearts) will compose. Shintarou Asanuma (Watashi in The Tatami Galaxy, Kyo Sogoru in Zegapain) will voice Kaito.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Genre(s): Mystery, Shounen
Episodes: 25
US License Status: Sentai Filmworks
Expectations: Decent -- Let's try this again...Sunrise did it with Tiger & Bunny, but failed with Sacred Seven last season, even though the latter was certainly entertaining. I'm not entirely sure about the staff except the director who is great with slice-of-life shows. Obviously this isn't one so it's hard to say how this will pan out.
An original series by Junichi Satou, who also created the 2010 OVA episodes.
Fuu Sawatari is a first year high school student who moves to Takehara, a scenic old town near Hiroshima, to live with her relatives. Fuu learns to love taking photographs with her father's old film camera, a Rollei 35S while making friends and learning about the town. All cast and staff are expected reprise their respective roles.
Premier Date: Monday, October 3, 2011
Genre(s): Slice of Life
Episodes: 13?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Decent -- In contrast to Phi Brain, Junichi Satou will likely know what he's doing in this project as he not only has command over the entire project but because of his experience with Aria, which was an amazing slice-of-life series to date. A full-length TV series is twice as long but I hope they won't just make a summary of the OVAs, especially since this is an original work.
Based on a manga of the same name, the story revolves around four teens Yuuta Asaba, Yuuki Asaba, Shun Matsuoka, and Kaname Tsukahara, all of whom are childhood friends. During high school, the half-Japanese transfer student Tachibana Chizuru joins group of friends. Mamoru Kanbe (Sora no Woto, Elfen Lied) will direct, Reiko Yoshida (K-ON!, Bakuman) will compose, and J.C. Staff (Shakugan no Shana, Toradora!) will animate. Kouki Uchiyama (Soul in Soul Eater, Banagher Links in Gundam Unicorn), Ryouhei Kimura (Aki Kuga in Kami-sama Dolls, Hinata in Angel Beats!), Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Ryuugamine Mikado in Durarara!!, Capeta Taira in Capeta), Yuuki Ono, and Miyu Irino (Jinta Yadomi in Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, Syaoran in Tsubasa Chronicle) will voice the five leads.
Premier Date: Monday, October 3, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, School Life, Slice of Life
Episodes: 13
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectations: Decent -- The first thing that comes to mind is reverse K-ON!/Lucky Star/Azumanga Daioh...and lo and behold, wee see that the script writer for K-ON! is involved in this show. At first I was going to give this show a mediocre rating but considering Mamoru Kanbe is directing, I'm in between decent and mediocre on this show. Tough call. Of course, the source material is not a 4-panel manga, unlike the aforementioned titles.
A compilation series of select episodes from Zero no Tsukaima, Zero no Tsukaima ~Futatsuki no Kishi~ and Zero no Tsukaima ~Princess no Rondo~ in preparation for the finale next fall season.
Premier Date: Monday, October 3, 2011
Genre(s): Aciton, Ecchi, Fantasy, Magic, Romance.
Episodes: 13?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- This is a summary so there's really no appeal if you've seen it once. Of course, if the show removes all its fillers, this may actually be quite decent. A completely different matter is if they completely remade the three seasons into one compact season, which would cover about 10 volumes of the light novel. Nevertheless, this is a good way for those who haven't seen the series during its debut in 2006 to get caught up to speed just in time for the finale.
A bishounen show set in the warring states era of Japan. No other info is known.
Premier Date: Monday, October 3, 2011
Genre(s): Bishounen, Shoujo
Episodes: ?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- We don't need another warring states show. Enough is enough.
High school girl, Chihaya Ayase, is inspired by a new classmate to take up karuta, a Japanese card game, competitively. Asami Seto will voice Chihaya (Yoshino Takatsuki from Hourou Musuko, Atsumu Matsuyuki from Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai). Morio Asaka (NANA, Card Captor Sakura) is the director and Madhouse will animate.
Premier Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Genre(s): Josei
Episodes: 25
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectations: Decent -- This will likely be a gem. The director is amazing having done a variety of big shot titles and while the scriptwriter is more or less new, I doubt that this will be thought lightly of. In addition, Madhouse is backing the animation, meaning that it's bound to be pretty.
Takeru Ooyama is a young normal yet perverted minded guy, who attends Tenbi Academy, which was once an all-girls school. Little did Takeru know, only students admitted are able to control a source of energy known as Element. Element is found in all living things. In addition the students are capable of using magical artifacts called Maken, which gives each student a unique ability. Tomoaki Maeno (Kiyokazu Fujimoto in Kobato, Junichi Tachibana in Amagami SS) will voice Takeru. Kouichi Oohata (Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny, Saiyuki Reload: Burial) will direct, Yousuke Kuroda (Trigun, Gundam 00) will compose, and AIC Spirits (Ga-Rei -Zero-, Strike Witches 2) will animate.
Premier Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Genre(s): Ecchi, Harem, Magic Romance, School Life
Episodes: 12
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- No, just no. It's the guy who did Ikki Tousen and doing another battle girls like anime. At best this is going to be mediocre but considering the animation is done by AIC Spirits, this spells fanservice all over the place. While fanservice isn't bad every now and then, I can't see a decent plot coming out of this, especially with a perverted male protagonist AND an unfinished source material.
Shingo Uryuu's school is suddenly joined with an all girls' school. He is selcted to temporarily transfers to the all girls' school until they officially consolidate and help ease the transition. However, he meets various unique girls there, all of whom dislike male students. Shingo will be voiced by Takahiro Mizushima (Takamatsu from Angel Beats!, Romeo in Romeo x Juliet). Eiji Suganuma (Kodomo no Jikan, Sasameki Koto) will direct and Manglobe (Deadman Wonderland, The World God Only Knows) will animate.
Premier Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Genre(s): Ecchi, School Life
Episodes: 12
US License Status: Sentai Filmworks
Expectations: Mediocre -- I can't remember exactly the title, but there has been at least one anime within the last 6-7 years that has done this exact setting where a girls and boys school are suddenly merged and someone is sent as envoy to help with the merger. Manglobe's animation will almost definitely be pretty but regarding the direction of this show, I find it questionable.
Based off the popular Playstation 2 game by Atlus. Due to family circumstances, Yuu Narukami moves from the big city to his uncle's place at rural Inaba. However, on the first day he finds a woman is found dead dangling from a television antenna. Daisuke Namikawa (Baka Ki El Dogra from Level E, Rock from Black Lagoon) will voice protagonist Yuu, Seiji Kishi (Angel Beats!, Carnival Phantasm) will direct, Yuuko Kakihara (Kamichama Karin, Otogi-Juushi Akazukin (2006)) will compose, and AIC A.S.T.A (Sora no Otoshimono, Astro Fighter Sunred) will animate.
Premier Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011
Genre(s): Adventure, Demons, Fantasy, High School
Episodes: 25
US License Status: Licensed by Sentai Filmworks
Expectations: Mediocre -- As excited as I am to see a Persona 4 anime, there are two vital things to note in the history of anime. First off is anime adaptation of a video game has almost always failed in some way shape or form. Secondly, the staff is not really impressive. Seiji Kishi may have directed Angel Beats!, but we all know that it was really Jun Maeda who made the series what it was. In addition, the screenwriter for this show hasn't really done a solid work to date, let alone a serious show, which makes me weary about how this will turn out.
Kodaka Hasegawa is a half-Japanese, half-British transfer student whose delinquent-like blonde hair scares people. Together with Yozora Mikazuki they form Rinjinbu, a club for people with hardly any friends. Kodaka and Yozora are voiced by Ryouhei Kimura and Marina Inoue (Kana Minami in Minami-ke, Yoko in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann), respectively. Hisashi Saitou (Sora no Otoshimono, Bamboo Blade) and AIC Build (Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai) will direct and animate, respectively.
Premier Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Harem, School Life
Episodes: 12?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- As much as I like the novel, I can't see the anime working out unless it turns out as a surprise like MM!. Nevertheless, I'll keep my hopes rather reserved given the seemingly decent line up we have thus far.
Ritsu Onodera quit working for his father's company and transferred to work at the publishing company, Marukawa Shoten, where he's assigned to edit shoujo manga. He works with Takano Masamune, who Ritsu has trouble getting along with. Ritsu later realizes, however, that he knows Takano from his past.
Premier Date: Friday, October 7, 2011
Genre(s): Bishounen, Josei, Shounen-Ai
Episodes: 12
US License Status: CrunchyRoll
Expectations: Mediocre -- The first season wasn't as well received as many people had initially hoped so the rating has been downgraded. Of course, I haven't seen the previous season so I don't know.
Shakugan no Shana III is the third and final season of the Shakugan no Shana series. Based on the popular light novel, Yuuji Sakai was a normal student until he was assaulted by a monster, Guze no Tomogara. A flame-haired girl came to save him, who he later gave the name Shana. Since then the two have worked together to stop the world's imbalance of torches, i.e. remnants of the dead whose "light" will soon burn out. Yuuji discovers that he is also one of these torches, but a special one at that...The same cast and staff for the previous two seasons are expected to return for this finale.
Premier Date: Friday, October 7, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Demons, Fantasy, Romance
Episodes: 24
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectation: Must Watch -- After 6 years, the anime adaptation will finally come to an end. While the first half of the second season lost many people due to its slow pacing, the end of the second season really went all out with an incredibly strong finish and cliffhanger. Nevertheless, having been keeping up with the novels, I expect the this finale to be one of the best fantasy action shows in a long while. This and Fate/Zero will likely be competing for the best show this and potentially next season as they are both two cour.
Based on a gag novel, You Satou is a poor high school student. One day, You goes to the supermarket and discovers a bento at half price. As he reaches for it, he ends up on the floor unconscious. Little did You know, he has just involved himself in a survival battle for half-price bento. Hiro Shimono (Hiro Hirono in ef ~A Tale of Memories/Melodies~, Akihisa Yoshii in Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu) will voice You. Shin Itagaki (Black Cat, Basquash!) will direct and co-compose, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Tantei Opera Milky Holmes, Kamen no Maid Guy) will co-compose, and David Production (Level E, Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra) will animate.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Comedy
Episodes: 12
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- Survival battle shows sound cool and all, but for this setting it just sounds like a train wreck before it even begins.
The new series will have three generations of father, child, and descendant as the lead characters. The main characters pilot the Gundam unit to fight against an unknown attacking enemy (UE) and save Earth in a One Hundred Year War. Susumu Yamaguchiw will direct, Akihiro Hino (Danball Senki, Inazuma Eleven GO) will compose, and Sunrise will animate.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 50
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- The split of the series into 3 parts is an interesting concept but I feel that for a flagship Gundam title, the full 50 episodes are usually needed. With that said, Gundam AGE may turn out to be quite bad due to lack of proper development unless they really bring together the three arcs as the series progresses. I'll keep my expectations low for now given the lack of experience from both the director and composer.
Yukiteru Amano has always been anti-social to the extent that he believes his phone diary is an imaginary friend called Deus Ex Machina. However, one day Deus asks him to play a survival game along with eleven others. The winner becomes the next Deus Ex Machina. In order to win, the contestants must use their future diaries to eliminate each another. Yukiteru decides team up with another diary holder,Yuno, in order to survive. The same staff as the 2010 pilot OVA will return for this project.
Premier Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Genre(s): Action, School Life, Shounen, Tragedy
Episodes: 26
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- While the source material has finished for this series, the pilot in 2010 was so bad that many viewers were disgusted. While the director is okay and the screenwriter is great, the animation is going to be absolutely ugly for this show since it's by asread (Minami-ke Okaeri, Shuffle!). Shuffle! was a 2005 title when asread was acceptable but when they did the second and third seasons of Minami-ke everything became low budget quality. That said, I hope they turn this thing entirely around since the manga is rather decent but that pilot was incredibly disappointing.
The story follows a middle school girl who discovers a devil baby on her bed one day. No other information is available
Premier Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Genre(s): Shoujo
Episodes: ?
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Poor -- I have no idea what to say about this show. It looks bad and there isn't enough information about it despite being a few weeks away from its airing.
The first of two new NoitaminA shows. Un-Go is a BONES (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, GOSICK) animated title that follows Yuuki Shinjuurou and Inga who work together to solve mysteries in a near future timeline. Seiji Mizushima (Gundam 00, Fullmetal Alchemist) will direct the show and Shou Aikawa (Shikabane Hime: Aka, Oh! Edo Rocket) will compose the story. Ryou Katsuji and Aki Toyosaki will voice Yuuki and Inga, respectively.
Premier Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Genre(s): Mystery, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 11
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Mediocre -- BONES's recent track record hasn't exactly been stellar lately. First Star Driver, then No. 6. GOSICK was decent, but that's about it since Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The premise sounds interesting for this one and I'm inclined to a more "decent" outlook on the series, but for conservativeness I'll stick with the mediocre ranking of this show. If they pull the same stuff they did in the final episode of No. 6 last season on this show, then this rating will easily be justified.
The second of two new NoitaminA shows this fall. It is the year 2039, 10 years after the outbreak of an unidentified virus during Lost Christmas in 2029. Japan has been controlled by a multi-nation organization known as the GHQ. Shuu Ouma is a 17 year old boy, who has a psychic power in his right hand called the Ability of King to extract tools or weapons from his friends. One day, he meets Inori Yuzuriha, one of the members of a resistance: Undertaker. Ryo, the leader of the popular supercell group, as well as a key composer for Hatsune Miku songs, will be composing the music. Tetsurou Araki (Death Note, Highschool of the Dead) will be directing, Hiroyuki Hoshino (Macross Frontier, Mai-Hime) will compose, and I.G. Production will animate (Ghost in the Shell, Seirei no Moribito)
Premier Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Genre(s): Mecha, Post-Apocalyptic, Supernatural
Episodes: 22
US License Status: Licensed by Funimation
Expectations: Must Watch -- Now the last time we had a 20+ NoitaminA show was Shiki last year. Whether or not these 20+ episodes tend to be the better NoitaminA titles will be tested with this title. It certainly looks more interesting and appealing than Un-Go, but it lacks the usual NoitaminA feel. Nevertheless, interesting is key here and it's 22 episodes, which gives it time for development purposes. Nevertheless, there's a lot of things going for this show, especially given its unique setting relative to everything else this season. Post-apocalyptic is certainly refreshing.
A spin off of the 2003 steam punk Last Exile. The descendants of the planet's evacuees have returned to a rejuvenated environment, now free from the pollution that drove them out so long ago. However, they now face a constant and ever-increasing conflict with the planet's neglected inhabitants. The show follows Fam Fan Fan and Colette Jizel as they live their lives as Sky Pirates. Aki Toyosaki (Yui Hirasawa from K-ON!, Kazari Uiharu from A Certain Magical Index II/Scientific Railgun) will voice Fam while Aoi Yuuki (Madoka Kaname from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, Victorique de Blois from GOSICK) will voice Colette. Kouichi Chigira (Full Metal Panic!, The Tower of Druaga) will direct, Kiyoko Yoshimura (The Legend of the Legendary Heroes, DOGS: Stray Dogs Howling in the Dark) will compose the script, and GONZO (Saki, Nyanpire) will animate.
Premier Date: Friday, October 7, 2011
Genre(s): Action, Military, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 26?
US License Status: Licensed by Funimation
Expectations: Decent -- This era needs more steam punk and a new season of Last Exile will fit that bill exactly. While it's no longer the original cast, it will be interesting to see what GONZO does with this having already "died" once as a company. The staff is okay but the trailers have been quite promising so I'm keeping my hopes up for this.
The fourth "annual" Hidamari Sketch 2 episode special. Based on the 4 panel manga by Ume Aoki (Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica), the show continues to follow the daily lives of Yuno, Miyako, Hiro, and Sae, as well as the two new members of the Hidamari Apartments, Nazuna and Nori as they get by their high school life at Yamabuki, a school known for its art program. All cast and staff will return for this show in preparation for the debut of a 4th season next year.
Premier Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, School Life, Slice of Life
Episodes: 2
US License Status: Unlicensed
Expectations: Must Watch -- This is more of an OVA than anything else but oh well. And more Hidamari Sketch is good since it's probably one of the best comedy, slice of life titles that's still around.
Rollover TV Series
*does not include shows that have continued indefinitely for 2+ years. Also does not include OVAs/OADs, or movies. Parentheses = starting season. e.g. Fairy Tail (Fall 2009) has been removed since starting this October, it will be continue on to its third year
**At the moment, some of these shows are unknown as to whether they will continue to go on throughout the summer. Such shows have been marked with a "?"
- Beelzebub (Winter 2010/11)
- Cardfight Vanguard!! (Winter 2010/11)
- Danbooru Senki (Cardboard Wars) (Spring 2011)
- Duel Masters Victory (Spring 2011)
- Gintama 2011 (Spring 2011)
- Hyouge Mono (Spring 2011)
- Inazuma Eleven Go (Spring 2011)
- Jewelpet Sunshine (Spring 2011)
- Mawaru Penguindrum (Summer 2011)
- Metal Fight Beyblade 4D (Spring 2011)
- Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyou (Summer 2011)
- Pokemon Best Wishes (Fall 2010)
- Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream (Spring 2011)
- Sket Dance (Spring 2011)
- Suite Precure (Winter 2010/11)
- The iDOLM@STER (Summer 2011)
- Toriko (Spring 2011)
- Tottoko Hamtarou Dechu (Spring 2011)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL (Spring 2011)
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