It's October meaning it's time for a quick preview/review at the shows airing this season. Unlike the previous previews I posted on this blog, this will be a simplified and abbreviated version stating the show and what my first impressions are having seen the first few episodes of most of these shows. Some shows may not have yet aired yet and will be noted.
If you would like to know more about certain titles. Most can be found through a simple Google/Wikipedia search. Useful places, however, are: Anime News Network, AniDB, and MyAnimeList.
Color Coded Legend
- Must Watch: 3
- Decent: 9
- Satisfactory: 11
- Mediocre: 10
- Poor: 12
Summary: It's a pretty even distribution this season and if you exclude all the kid titles and short episode series (i.e. less than 10 minutes), we actually have a pretty solid season. While first impressions don't always say much, it's certainly been a bit better than the past few seasons. It should also be noted that the anime fiscal year begins in the Fall season so there could be a slight bias towards better quality shows this season. This is still nothing compared to the quality that we saw throughout all of last year though.
Kyousougiga II
Expectations: Satisfactory - It had an interesting OVA at the end of last year but that's about it. There are 5 episodes in this supposed sequel but are only 10 minutes long each. I don't see it really adding much depth to what was already presented but it could very well be a fun watch.
Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes
Expectations: Poor - Continuation of the Battle Spirits franchise. Definitely a popular title among kids if it's going on for so long but for a more mature audience, not so much. There are better titles with the proxy battle genre.
Shinsekai Yori (From the New World)
Expectations: Decent - Based on a 2008 novel. The story starts in what seems like a utopia setting until the leads in this show realize what humanity has really become due to its poor choices and mistakes in the past. The group of friends then decide to throw themselves into a life-threatening adventure to save the world from collapsing. The premise is interesting but the plot has still yet to provide a proper hook due to its convoluted presentation. Has potential given a completed source material. I recommend watching at least until episode 4 before making any verdicts.
Hiiro no Kakera 2
Expectations: Mediocre - The first season failed to impress me mostly due to a slow and uninteresting story. The second season starts off with what's basically a recap and confirms that. Can't say I'm really looking forward to the series but at least there is a direction now for where it could be heading. If you're looking for a bishounen show, however, there are quite a few this season and this is likely the one to actually avoid out of all of them.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Expectations: Decent - If you've seen Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, this show is that but with much better comedy and a more likable set of characters. The show seems to be moving at a much faster pace than typical shoujo titles with the leads already confessing their love for each other in the first couple episodes. That said, how it decides to mix it up from here will be interesting to watch.
Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss)
Expectations: Satisfactory - Based on a popular shoujo manga. The director of this show is also the same as Fruits Basket's. It involves deities and is the second show with bishounen drawn characters. The start is okay but animation quality is atrocious despite beautiful art. I have read the first volume of the manga and loved the art and I'm glad it translated fairly well. However, story wise hasn't really hooked me yet. It seems we're still getting introduced to the characters and an actual direction of the plot has yet to formulate.
Chiisana Oji-san
Expectations: Poor - 1 minute shorts about a small old-man. Not much to say here.
Litchi de Hikari Club
Expectations: Mediocre - The story is about an all-boys school who created a god-like lychee machine that runs on lychee fruits. It's purpose? To seek out beautiful women of the world. Sound ridiculous but it could be as amusing as the recent Gakkatsu!
Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter
Expectations: Poor - Based on Square Enix's arcade card game. The protagonist is the most annoying character I have heard in a while now. The fact that you can be more annoying than the lead of Ginga e Kickoff! is an accomplishment in it's own right. I guess some people will like the idea of transforming cars into mechs (hint: think Transformers).
Wooser no Sonohi Gurashi
Expectations: Mediocre - 5 minute shorts about a charming mascot with a twisted heart. A bit of the humor is sick and twisted but nowhere near along the levels of say Yondemasuyo, Azazel-san or Hen Zemi.
Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!
Expectations: Satisfactory - Maybe I'm not viewing this show in the right way as many others but I think this show is not only overrated but also not incredibly interesting. It's got KyoAni plastered all over it so it's bound to look pretty. However, their recent works, including Hyouka and Nichijou, have failed to impress me and Chuunibyou is actually less entertaining even with its moe factor. Maybe it will get better but I wouldn't color me surprised if it does. I should also note that this was an honorable mention work from the KyoAni awards (which no one has actually ever won beyond honorable mention) and I can possibly see why now.
Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Expectations: Satisfactory - This is not a third season. While I have yet to see the movie this series seems to skip a number of arcs from the manga that had not yet been covered by the end of the first two seasons. I also find it doubtful that the movie covered all that material too. The designs are blatantly worse than the first two seasons, which is disappointing from Manglobe, and the comedy doesn't seem to be that good this time either.
Gintama (2012)
Expectations: Must Watch - I still haven't caught up with Gintama but I presume this will still be good even with some old episodes mixed in.
BTOOOM!
Expectations: Mediocre - This show is like mixing Mirai Nikki and Sword Art Online together. Unfortunately the combination does not come out well. The lead is uninteresting and the setting is pretty bland. At least there is some development showing that the lead "learns" how to play the game. On the other hand, there is a complete lack of common sense in this show and don't even get me started on potential contradictions.
Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb
Expectations: Decent - More Hidamari is a good thing and it returns for a fourth season. Good to see Yuko Goto still voicing Hiro despite the issues earlier on this year. I think this is also the first time to see some "continuity" in Hidamari episodes. If you enjoyed the previous seasons, then this should be more of the same.
(Project) K
Expectations: Mediocre - Remember [C] around this time last year? Yeah, this show is also another original single letter show. It involves gangs with psychic powers and a seemingly normal high school student who is suddenly caught in the middle of a war because of a single video tape. I will say that the animation is quite nice and the visuals are generally colorful. Outside that though, can't say I'm really intrigued by the premise. It seems a lot like Durarara!! but lacks the interesting approach that it had. Oh, and unnecessary insert theme and crappy episode titles.
Busou Shinki TV
Expectations: Poor - The 2011 OVA showed some decent promise for this TV series if it was actually an extended version. Unfortunately it's not and this new series is basically fooling around. I was hoping to see some actual good fights between the Shinkis but all I got was the group chasing a letter and acting as general house maids.
Zetsuen no Tempest: The Civilization Blaster
Expectations: Satisfactory - Zetsuen no Tempest is a show that can be called a wild card. It's initial episode is basically as confusing as all of Eureka Seven AO put together where bits and pieces from various parts of the story's timeline is shown all at once. The overall disease and magic premise hasn't hooked me yet but I like the "mystery" aspect that's going on here. I should also point out that there is an incredible amount of Shakespeare themes, dialogue, and plot elements already in play from the first few episodes, which if you're not up to par with your Shakespeare knowledge, this is going to be one heck of a confusing ride.The primary staff is composed by those who worked on Hanasaku Iroha, which was definitely a piece of work. The only difference is the animation, which is done by BONES (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Eureka Seven AO). I've heard the presentation doesn't follow the source material, but at the moment it hasn't bothered me too much yet.
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi)
Expectations: Mediocre - Based on an ongoing light novel of the same name. Ever since 2010 where we had a massive incest title outbreak, including OreImo, Yosuga no Sora, Kiss x Sis, and Kuttsukiboshi, this genre suddenly ramped up. Coincidentally, the first volume of this series was published in December 2010, so I'm curious if the aforementioned titles influenced this series. Most recently, we saw how disastrous NakaImo was adapted and OniAi is not any better either. The first episode alone skips quite a bit from the brother and sister living together to suddenly the entire student council living at their house. How that happened is unexplained, and of course beyond the knowledge of the viewer. Either way, I don't see this show getting far.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Expectations: Decent - Jojo's Bizzare Adventure has always been a franchise that was interesting to watch. Its setting is not exactly unique but the Hokuto no Ken feeling in this day and age is certainly more than welcome. The first episode was pretty good and definitely kept the feelings of the previous series in the franchise. I look forward to more of this as it is vastly different from all the other shows airing.
To Love-Ru Darkness
Expectations: Satisfactory - The one title that could push the meaning of ecchi to its limits. It has certainly started off stronger than other To Love Ru titles. Obviously a NSFW title. The romantic comedy moments are also much better in this title than previous ones.
Bakuman 3
Expectations: Must Watch - My personal favorite of the season. A direct continuation of the previous two series and still going strong. With the source material finished and only half of the anime adapted, I'm hoping there is one more season following this one to wrap everything up. Bakuman has been adapted very well and faithfully so far and I hope that continues to be the case this season.
Haitai Nanafa
Expectations: Mediocre - The show follows the family that runs a soba shop in Okinawa. The middle sister, Kyon, has the ability to sense the supernatural. Not much I can really comment here as I haven't see much of the show outside the trailer. I don't see it necessarily being bad, but probably a sub-average title.
Little Busters!
Expectations: Satisfactory - So this is the show that many people seem to have been waiting for. From the original creators of AIR, Kanon, and CLANNAD, Key's next main work is Little Busters! Unfortunately, unlike it's predecessors, it did not receive the Kyoto Animation treatment and instead is receiving the J.C. Staff one. Given Little Buster's! game length (not including the additional contents from the Ecstasy game), I find it hard to believe that they will sucessfully bring out the seriousness of Little Busters! in 26 episodes (recall CLANNAD is 47 episodes long). I'll keep my expectations low for this not just because of the staff but also the lack of Saya.
Suki-tte Ii na yo
Expectations: Decent - Remember Kimi ni Todoke? Same concept effectively. The characters are a bit more active and the drama (for now) isn't overly drawn out. Only time will tell how this title will pan out. Screenwriter and director is the Takuya Satou, who directed Steins;Gate and Seitokai no Ichizon. If I had to pick though, I would say I'm enjoying Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun right now more than Suki-tte Ii na yo.
CODE:BREAKER
Expectations: Mediocre - We have a guy who brings "justice" to people by incinerating them with blue fire and leaving no trace of them (think Ao no Exorcist) as well as any innocent bystander who sees these Code Breakers. Fortunately (or should I say unfortunately) the lead heroine is one of those innocent bystanders yet can't be burned by the blue flame. Right from the get go, the series pulls a deus ex with no logical explanation to back it. That said, you may as well push this series aside and move on.
Oshiri Kajiri Mushi
Expectations: Poor - If you're curious as to what the title translates to, it's Butt-Biting Insect. It's a series of shorts about a 10 year old insect who goes to a biting school to inherit his family biting shop business.
Cross Fight B-Daman eS
Expectations: Poor - Like Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes, Cross Fight B-Daman eS is the continuation of last year's Cross Fight B-Daman.
Magi
Expectations: Satisfactory - Unique setting, likable and clever characters. What more could you want? The plot, of course. It's a tad stale unfortunately. Maybe giving this show a bit more time will be helpful as it has the potential to be a good fantasy adventure title.
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL II
Expectations: Mediocre - Yuma is still Yuma, meaning he's not Yusei. ZEXAL II continues directly from season 1 simply in a new time slot and a slightly new plot. It's definitely nowhere near as good as 5D's and probably closer to GX than anything else.
Teekyuu
Expectations: Poor - If you thought Wooser no Sonohi Gurashi was weird, Teekyuu will likely knock your socks off. It's got some crazy stuff going on that can be funny at times but I'm still not expecting it to be good.
Ixion Saga: Dimension Transfer
Expectations: Poor - Welcome to third show this season involving a protagonist getting sucked into a game/fantasy world. Unlike BTOOOM! or Sword Art Online, Ixion Saga: DT really hits a new low in this space. The cast is bizarre and full of idiots and the show tries to thrive on comedy. It's basically a wacky fantasy adventure series where you're better off watching Slayers instead.
Aikatsu!
Expectations: Poor - An original series by Sunrise that was simultaneously released with Bandai's trading card arcade game of the same name. I haven't actually seen this yet, but I can't imagine it being good.
Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
Expectations: Decent - For a J.C. Staff title, this is incredibly pretty. The characters are also quite interesting, particularly Mashiro. It's 2 cours long so the show will at least have some time to develop a foundation, not to mention that there is plenty of source material to work with. Though like with Zetsuen no Tempest, Mari Okada is a better screenwriter when original works are in play rather than a source material.
Girls und Panzer
Expectations: Poor -This show managed to get more generic than the combination of Upotte!! and Strike Witches. I'm impressed by that and that's it.
Jormungand Perfect Order
Expectations: Satisfactory - I guess I held my expectations a bit high for the first season in the spring. It certainly didn't live up to the Black Lagoon hype. Koko is still a fantastic character but hoping they stop showing how overly powerful Koko's group is. The source is finished as of January 2012 so I wonder how much this season will cover.
Medaka Box Abnormal
Expectations: Satisfactory - Medaka Box will finally get a bit more ridiculous. While Kumagawa hasn't physically appeared in the show (though he has in the OP video), once he does, this show will really go through the roof. Regardless, Medaka Box Abnormal has already not wasted any time unlike its prequel and gone straight into the action.
Backstage Idol Story
Expectations: Poor - Yet another idol title. Short 10 minute episodes for a series that's only 8 episodes long. No other info available.
PSYCHO-PASS
Expectations: Satisfactory - The "mysterious" show by Gen Urobuchi for Fall 2012. The show is kind of a wash at the moment but considering it's Urobuchi and that he's done a similar type show in the past (Phantom ~Requiem of the Phantom~), I expect some twists in this show at some point but so far I'm unimpressed.
Robotic;Notes
Expectations: Decent - Coming off of the amazing Steins;Gate last year, Robotic;Notes has a lot of expectations. The first episode seems like its all fun and games, but keep in mind Steins;Gate was more of the same. Robotic;Notes's visual novel is also done by 5pb exclusively while Chaos;Head and Steins;Gate were a 5pb and Nitro+ collaboration, meaning it probably won't be as dark this time. It's still a thriller title though and you can't not like having Char Aznable appear in this show from the get go.
Seitokai no Ichizon Level 2
Expectations: Decent - Loved the first series and I expect this to be more fun. Actual review pending until I get my hands on an episode since it's only a webcast. Keep in mind that Chizuru's and Mafuyu's seiyuu have changed.
Dangerous Jii-san TV
Expectations: Poor - Based on a nonsense gag manga involving the relationship between a grandfather and a grandchild. This isn't the first series in the franchise by the way.
Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de
Expectations: Mediocre - It's a satire series that makes fun of a lot of the major video game franchises/companies e.g. Sega as Segua Kingdom, Nintendo as Ninterdo Empire, and Gear as Sonic the Hedgehog. The show is 3 episodes long and will premier once a season. The memorability of this series is likely to be low.
Lupin III Touhou Kenbunroku ~Another Page~
Expectations: Must Watch - The annual Lupin III TV special. More Lupin is always welcomed as it is one of the few franchises worth receiving more animations.
Initial D: Fifth Stage
Expectations: Decent - This show hasn't premiered yet either, but it's been 6 years since the end of Initial D 4th Stage. It's about time we got a sequel though it will only premier with 2 episodes per month. How long remains unknown. I'm not a big fan of the overused CGI that was shown in the PV for this show, but I'll take it for now.
Expectations: Satisfactory - It had an interesting OVA at the end of last year but that's about it. There are 5 episodes in this supposed sequel but are only 10 minutes long each. I don't see it really adding much depth to what was already presented but it could very well be a fun watch.
Expectations: Poor - Continuation of the Battle Spirits franchise. Definitely a popular title among kids if it's going on for so long but for a more mature audience, not so much. There are better titles with the proxy battle genre.
Expectations: Decent - Based on a 2008 novel. The story starts in what seems like a utopia setting until the leads in this show realize what humanity has really become due to its poor choices and mistakes in the past. The group of friends then decide to throw themselves into a life-threatening adventure to save the world from collapsing. The premise is interesting but the plot has still yet to provide a proper hook due to its convoluted presentation. Has potential given a completed source material. I recommend watching at least until episode 4 before making any verdicts.
Expectations: Mediocre - The first season failed to impress me mostly due to a slow and uninteresting story. The second season starts off with what's basically a recap and confirms that. Can't say I'm really looking forward to the series but at least there is a direction now for where it could be heading. If you're looking for a bishounen show, however, there are quite a few this season and this is likely the one to actually avoid out of all of them.
Expectations: Decent - If you've seen Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, this show is that but with much better comedy and a more likable set of characters. The show seems to be moving at a much faster pace than typical shoujo titles with the leads already confessing their love for each other in the first couple episodes. That said, how it decides to mix it up from here will be interesting to watch.
Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss)
Expectations: Satisfactory - Based on a popular shoujo manga. The director of this show is also the same as Fruits Basket's. It involves deities and is the second show with bishounen drawn characters. The start is okay but animation quality is atrocious despite beautiful art. I have read the first volume of the manga and loved the art and I'm glad it translated fairly well. However, story wise hasn't really hooked me yet. It seems we're still getting introduced to the characters and an actual direction of the plot has yet to formulate.
Expectations: Poor - 1 minute shorts about a small old-man. Not much to say here.
Expectations: Mediocre - The story is about an all-boys school who created a god-like lychee machine that runs on lychee fruits. It's purpose? To seek out beautiful women of the world. Sound ridiculous but it could be as amusing as the recent Gakkatsu!
Expectations: Poor - Based on Square Enix's arcade card game. The protagonist is the most annoying character I have heard in a while now. The fact that you can be more annoying than the lead of Ginga e Kickoff! is an accomplishment in it's own right. I guess some people will like the idea of transforming cars into mechs (hint: think Transformers).
Expectations: Mediocre - 5 minute shorts about a charming mascot with a twisted heart. A bit of the humor is sick and twisted but nowhere near along the levels of say Yondemasuyo, Azazel-san or Hen Zemi.
Expectations: Satisfactory - Maybe I'm not viewing this show in the right way as many others but I think this show is not only overrated but also not incredibly interesting. It's got KyoAni plastered all over it so it's bound to look pretty. However, their recent works, including Hyouka and Nichijou, have failed to impress me and Chuunibyou is actually less entertaining even with its moe factor. Maybe it will get better but I wouldn't color me surprised if it does. I should also note that this was an honorable mention work from the KyoAni awards (which no one has actually ever won beyond honorable mention) and I can possibly see why now.
Expectations: Satisfactory - This is not a third season. While I have yet to see the movie this series seems to skip a number of arcs from the manga that had not yet been covered by the end of the first two seasons. I also find it doubtful that the movie covered all that material too. The designs are blatantly worse than the first two seasons, which is disappointing from Manglobe, and the comedy doesn't seem to be that good this time either.
Gintama (2012)
Expectations: Must Watch - I still haven't caught up with Gintama but I presume this will still be good even with some old episodes mixed in.
Expectations: Mediocre - This show is like mixing Mirai Nikki and Sword Art Online together. Unfortunately the combination does not come out well. The lead is uninteresting and the setting is pretty bland. At least there is some development showing that the lead "learns" how to play the game. On the other hand, there is a complete lack of common sense in this show and don't even get me started on potential contradictions.
Expectations: Decent - More Hidamari is a good thing and it returns for a fourth season. Good to see Yuko Goto still voicing Hiro despite the issues earlier on this year. I think this is also the first time to see some "continuity" in Hidamari episodes. If you enjoyed the previous seasons, then this should be more of the same.
Expectations: Mediocre - Remember [C] around this time last year? Yeah, this show is also another original single letter show. It involves gangs with psychic powers and a seemingly normal high school student who is suddenly caught in the middle of a war because of a single video tape. I will say that the animation is quite nice and the visuals are generally colorful. Outside that though, can't say I'm really intrigued by the premise. It seems a lot like Durarara!! but lacks the interesting approach that it had. Oh, and unnecessary insert theme and crappy episode titles.
Expectations: Poor - The 2011 OVA showed some decent promise for this TV series if it was actually an extended version. Unfortunately it's not and this new series is basically fooling around. I was hoping to see some actual good fights between the Shinkis but all I got was the group chasing a letter and acting as general house maids.
Expectations: Satisfactory - Zetsuen no Tempest is a show that can be called a wild card. It's initial episode is basically as confusing as all of Eureka Seven AO put together where bits and pieces from various parts of the story's timeline is shown all at once. The overall disease and magic premise hasn't hooked me yet but I like the "mystery" aspect that's going on here. I should also point out that there is an incredible amount of Shakespeare themes, dialogue, and plot elements already in play from the first few episodes, which if you're not up to par with your Shakespeare knowledge, this is going to be one heck of a confusing ride.The primary staff is composed by those who worked on Hanasaku Iroha, which was definitely a piece of work. The only difference is the animation, which is done by BONES (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Eureka Seven AO). I've heard the presentation doesn't follow the source material, but at the moment it hasn't bothered me too much yet.
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi)
Expectations: Mediocre - Based on an ongoing light novel of the same name. Ever since 2010 where we had a massive incest title outbreak, including OreImo, Yosuga no Sora, Kiss x Sis, and Kuttsukiboshi, this genre suddenly ramped up. Coincidentally, the first volume of this series was published in December 2010, so I'm curious if the aforementioned titles influenced this series. Most recently, we saw how disastrous NakaImo was adapted and OniAi is not any better either. The first episode alone skips quite a bit from the brother and sister living together to suddenly the entire student council living at their house. How that happened is unexplained, and of course beyond the knowledge of the viewer. Either way, I don't see this show getting far.
Expectations: Decent - Jojo's Bizzare Adventure has always been a franchise that was interesting to watch. Its setting is not exactly unique but the Hokuto no Ken feeling in this day and age is certainly more than welcome. The first episode was pretty good and definitely kept the feelings of the previous series in the franchise. I look forward to more of this as it is vastly different from all the other shows airing.
Expectations: Satisfactory - The one title that could push the meaning of ecchi to its limits. It has certainly started off stronger than other To Love Ru titles. Obviously a NSFW title. The romantic comedy moments are also much better in this title than previous ones.
Expectations: Must Watch - My personal favorite of the season. A direct continuation of the previous two series and still going strong. With the source material finished and only half of the anime adapted, I'm hoping there is one more season following this one to wrap everything up. Bakuman has been adapted very well and faithfully so far and I hope that continues to be the case this season.
Expectations: Mediocre - The show follows the family that runs a soba shop in Okinawa. The middle sister, Kyon, has the ability to sense the supernatural. Not much I can really comment here as I haven't see much of the show outside the trailer. I don't see it necessarily being bad, but probably a sub-average title.
Expectations: Satisfactory - So this is the show that many people seem to have been waiting for. From the original creators of AIR, Kanon, and CLANNAD, Key's next main work is Little Busters! Unfortunately, unlike it's predecessors, it did not receive the Kyoto Animation treatment and instead is receiving the J.C. Staff one. Given Little Buster's! game length (not including the additional contents from the Ecstasy game), I find it hard to believe that they will sucessfully bring out the seriousness of Little Busters! in 26 episodes (recall CLANNAD is 47 episodes long). I'll keep my expectations low for this not just because of the staff but also the lack of Saya.
Expectations: Decent - Remember Kimi ni Todoke? Same concept effectively. The characters are a bit more active and the drama (for now) isn't overly drawn out. Only time will tell how this title will pan out. Screenwriter and director is the Takuya Satou, who directed Steins;Gate and Seitokai no Ichizon. If I had to pick though, I would say I'm enjoying Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun right now more than Suki-tte Ii na yo.
Expectations: Mediocre - We have a guy who brings "justice" to people by incinerating them with blue fire and leaving no trace of them (think Ao no Exorcist) as well as any innocent bystander who sees these Code Breakers. Fortunately (or should I say unfortunately) the lead heroine is one of those innocent bystanders yet can't be burned by the blue flame. Right from the get go, the series pulls a deus ex with no logical explanation to back it. That said, you may as well push this series aside and move on.
Expectations: Poor - If you're curious as to what the title translates to, it's Butt-Biting Insect. It's a series of shorts about a 10 year old insect who goes to a biting school to inherit his family biting shop business.
Expectations: Poor - Like Battle Spirits: Sword Eyes, Cross Fight B-Daman eS is the continuation of last year's Cross Fight B-Daman.
Expectations: Satisfactory - Unique setting, likable and clever characters. What more could you want? The plot, of course. It's a tad stale unfortunately. Maybe giving this show a bit more time will be helpful as it has the potential to be a good fantasy adventure title.
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL II
Expectations: Mediocre - Yuma is still Yuma, meaning he's not Yusei. ZEXAL II continues directly from season 1 simply in a new time slot and a slightly new plot. It's definitely nowhere near as good as 5D's and probably closer to GX than anything else.
Teekyuu
Expectations: Poor - If you thought Wooser no Sonohi Gurashi was weird, Teekyuu will likely knock your socks off. It's got some crazy stuff going on that can be funny at times but I'm still not expecting it to be good.
Ixion Saga: Dimension Transfer
Expectations: Poor - Welcome to third show this season involving a protagonist getting sucked into a game/fantasy world. Unlike BTOOOM! or Sword Art Online, Ixion Saga: DT really hits a new low in this space. The cast is bizarre and full of idiots and the show tries to thrive on comedy. It's basically a wacky fantasy adventure series where you're better off watching Slayers instead.
Aikatsu!
Expectations: Poor - An original series by Sunrise that was simultaneously released with Bandai's trading card arcade game of the same name. I haven't actually seen this yet, but I can't imagine it being good.
Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
Expectations: Decent - For a J.C. Staff title, this is incredibly pretty. The characters are also quite interesting, particularly Mashiro. It's 2 cours long so the show will at least have some time to develop a foundation, not to mention that there is plenty of source material to work with. Though like with Zetsuen no Tempest, Mari Okada is a better screenwriter when original works are in play rather than a source material.
Girls und Panzer
Expectations: Poor -This show managed to get more generic than the combination of Upotte!! and Strike Witches. I'm impressed by that and that's it.
Jormungand Perfect Order
Expectations: Satisfactory - I guess I held my expectations a bit high for the first season in the spring. It certainly didn't live up to the Black Lagoon hype. Koko is still a fantastic character but hoping they stop showing how overly powerful Koko's group is. The source is finished as of January 2012 so I wonder how much this season will cover.
Medaka Box Abnormal
Expectations: Satisfactory - Medaka Box will finally get a bit more ridiculous. While Kumagawa hasn't physically appeared in the show (though he has in the OP video), once he does, this show will really go through the roof. Regardless, Medaka Box Abnormal has already not wasted any time unlike its prequel and gone straight into the action.
Backstage Idol Story
Expectations: Poor - Yet another idol title. Short 10 minute episodes for a series that's only 8 episodes long. No other info available.
PSYCHO-PASS
Expectations: Satisfactory - The "mysterious" show by Gen Urobuchi for Fall 2012. The show is kind of a wash at the moment but considering it's Urobuchi and that he's done a similar type show in the past (Phantom ~Requiem of the Phantom~), I expect some twists in this show at some point but so far I'm unimpressed.
Robotic;Notes
Expectations: Decent - Coming off of the amazing Steins;Gate last year, Robotic;Notes has a lot of expectations. The first episode seems like its all fun and games, but keep in mind Steins;Gate was more of the same. Robotic;Notes's visual novel is also done by 5pb exclusively while Chaos;Head and Steins;Gate were a 5pb and Nitro+ collaboration, meaning it probably won't be as dark this time. It's still a thriller title though and you can't not like having Char Aznable appear in this show from the get go.
Expectations: Decent - Loved the first series and I expect this to be more fun. Actual review pending until I get my hands on an episode since it's only a webcast. Keep in mind that Chizuru's and Mafuyu's seiyuu have changed.
Dangerous Jii-san TV
Expectations: Poor - Based on a nonsense gag manga involving the relationship between a grandfather and a grandchild. This isn't the first series in the franchise by the way.
Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de
Expectations: Mediocre - It's a satire series that makes fun of a lot of the major video game franchises/companies e.g. Sega as Segua Kingdom, Nintendo as Ninterdo Empire, and Gear as Sonic the Hedgehog. The show is 3 episodes long and will premier once a season. The memorability of this series is likely to be low.
Lupin III Touhou Kenbunroku ~Another Page~
Expectations: Must Watch - The annual Lupin III TV special. More Lupin is always welcomed as it is one of the few franchises worth receiving more animations.
Initial D: Fifth Stage
Expectations: Decent - This show hasn't premiered yet either, but it's been 6 years since the end of Initial D 4th Stage. It's about time we got a sequel though it will only premier with 2 episodes per month. How long remains unknown. I'm not a big fan of the overused CGI that was shown in the PV for this show, but I'll take it for now.
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