:boxing: Boxing Bits ::11.26.09:: Champs Get Chewed Up

The past two weeks have not proven to be kind to almost anyone holding a belt, lead in dubious distinction by Miguel Cotto and Mikkel Kessler, who suffered only their second defeat, but did so in authoritative style via stoppage.

--The Cotto-Pacquiao fight happened pretty much as the reports said they did. It was competitive for the first four with the momentum swinging back-and-forth between both fighters. Cotto's second round knockdown was nothing serious (a good, well-placed shot while he was in a position to be unable to stop himself from falling without touching the canvas) but the one in the fourth was, and it took a bit out of him. Moreso, it was the speed, power, and angling of Pacquiao's blows that did him in, and would have done so with the way the fight was going regardless of it.

The most interesting aspect of the match was not only the Pacman taking a few good licks by way of Cotto's snapping hooks and jabs with relative ease, but that he fought a careful and measured fight without the usual non-stop hoppity movements and balletic bravado. He was still moving around and in-and-out of the Puerto Rican's range, but he controlled himself and didn't allow himself to get too comfortable or eager to swarm him into oblivion. That choice of tactic, plus Cotto's "survival mode" and inability to really hurt him or answer his prowess, didn't make for a redux of the scintillating, masterful destruction that was last year's De La Hoya bout, but it was still a showcase of mastery and awe by the now seven weight-class champion Manny Pacquiao...albeit in a different way.

--Yeah, bring on Mayweather...but it won't be so easy.

--Closing out Group Stage 1 in the Super Six tourney, Andre Ward put on quite the performance against Mikkel Kessler to take his WBA belt. Well, it was quite one because it also wasn't the most cleanly-fought fight, either. Sure, Ward busted up the slower, flat Kessler with his faster shots down the barrel and made it look shamefully easy, but admittedly, there where definitely more than a few times that he clutched the Dane by the arm, and drilled some hooks to his body, preventing him from also moving or fighting back in the process. In addition, there was the occasional instance that Ward would lead with his head coming into Kessler, which cut him in the process (a rather blatant one would eventually lead to the fight's stoppage and eventual technical decision).

However, despite his valid grievances during and after it, Kessler very much lost the fight. There's no doubt Ward got too much slack from the referee and used cheap tactics, but as previously mentioned, Kessler looked flat and, quite honestly, largely fought like a chump. He did little to adjust and work around Ward's speed advantage and never committed to changes that seemed to work (i.e. catching him while going backwards, showing more lateral movement, engaging more). He looked underprepared and carried himself early with a sense of self-entitlement, underscored by comments that he didn't spar with southpaws (which Ward is adept at switching to) and just by his pre-fight promo piece. On top of it all, most of Ward's antics occurred in the first half and even overall, it constituted a small portion of his overall game, which was centered around skillfully deconstructing Kessler and capitalizing on the chief faults found in his troublesome outing with speedster Joe Calzaghe (yeah, I just gave him some props).

Like friend and fellow Olympian Andre Dirrell, Ward didn't need to use "dirty" tactics like he did, but unlike Dirrell, he relied more on his abilities and talent to claim victory. He deserved the win, hands down, and Kessler was acting like a sore loser and whiner when he only had himself to blame for not preparing, adapting, or adjusting properly. Ward possess not just his first world title, but also two points to tie him with Carl Froch in second place, behind tournament co-favorite Arthur Abraham, who has three. The other favorite Kessler now finds himself with zero points to show for himself and a date early next year with the rugged Froch in certainly a tough battle. The new champ, on the other hand, may have it a bit easier with Jermain Taylor as his next opponent, who's future in the tournament--and boxing--is in question after that awful knockout to Abraham two months ago. As critical as I have been of him of his recent career paths, Ward showed some more of that promise he had when he first turn pro and easily bested the purported best in the division, so he deserves some applause for that.

Now just discard the poor old-school moves. You don't need them.

--I had a feeling Fragomeni wasn't going to hold onto that title belt long...

--Back to "dirtiness", if Mayol's headbutt in the second round against WBC Flyweight Champion Sosa only looked questionably flagrant, then perhaps the continual jutting of his cranium forward some two or three more times might make you reconsider, otherwise. The KO punch was legit, the path toward getting there was not.

For all of his trouble (and a fractured cheekbone that will shelf him for half a year), at least Sosa will have first crack at Mayol when he returns (no pun intended)--as "WBC Emeritus Champion" (blech, speaking of...).

--A WBA interim heavyweight title bout was apparently set featuring Ruslan Chagaev and...Kali Meehan. Again: KALI MEEHAN. I had a fit for ten minutes upon reading this. Why exactly does the WBA--ever the abuser of "superlative" titles--need an interim champion when David Hayes just beat Valuev for the true lineal belt, and what exactly has Meehan done to deserve a title shot, anyway? Besides beating DaVarryl Williamson for the vacant WBO NABO belt and supposed No. 1 WBA contendership in 2007, fighting two individuals with a combined record of 39-20-2, and losing to every other major or well-known heavyweight he's fought, not a whole lot.

Much of the blame goes to promoter Don King for driving this whole thing, but also to the WBA and their fetish for having multiple champions at a single weight. It's things like this that have done boxing no favors over the years. However, the silver lining in all of this is that Hayes promoter Golden Boy Promotions was reassured by the sanctioning body that fighter is the one and only champion and will only recognize him, putting King's declaration into question (and the WBA's apparent duality, if true). Had this refuse gone forth, the winner of Chagaev-Meehan would meet the victor of Hayes-Ruiz for a "unification" match. I guess King must be a little stung by having Valuev lose his last grip on a major heavyweight title and John Ruiz's possible departure from his stable (and thus another chance at recapturing the WBA belt).

--It is always a tense and unnerving moment when a fighter is on the canvas for any extended period and it is made even more tragic whenever that person never regains consciousness, which is unfortunately what happened last Friday to Francisco Rodriguez. Following a pitched battle for the vacant USBA Super Bantamweight Championship against Teon Kennedy, the fight was stopped after Rodriguez was unable to fend off Kennedy's attacks. One of his cornermen asked him precautionary questions concerning brain injury indication afterwords and his answers prompted him to call for a doctor, but Rodriguez collapsed immediately after. In spite of emergency brain surgery, he passed away two days later on Sunday, all too soon at the age of 25. He left behind a wife and infant daughter, and I send my condolences to both of them and the rest of his family and friends. Boxing is a brutal sport and even through the leaps in technology and the greater protection of a fighter's well-being, tragic matters such as this can still rear its head.

:boxing: Super Seventh:: Cotto vs Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao, the little dynamo that could, wishes to gain a record seventh title at a different weight class. Certainly a doable task for a man that has charged his way though nearly every division from flyweight up to light welterweight, improving and honing his skills to almost perfection when coupled with his frightening physical capabilities and being involved in all-out wars, blowouts, and clinics, losing last to the great Erik Morales in 2005 (before KOing him twice the following year). After making sport of another great in Oscar De La Hoya nearly a year ago and demolishing Ricky Hatton this past May, Pacquiao wants to hang the WBO welterweight belt on his already wide Wall of Achievement as "Lucky No. 7" come Saturday night in Las Vegas. One little problem, though: it's buckled around Miguel Cotto's waist.

But that doesn't matter at all. Since no one seems to be giving him much of a chance, it's not a matter of "if" but "how bad" and "how long". Not even Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, doesn't seem to cast much stock in a victory for Cotto.

Back to reality, there is a good amount of misconceptions going around about this so-called "blowout". The "Weight-Class Warrior" may have faced the likes of Morales, De La Hoya, Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Marco Antonio Barrera, but the champion poses perhaps the greatest challenge in his career. Cotto, despite starting his career as a lightweight, has largely been a lifetime welterweight, finding early success at light before moving up to the 145's in 2006. His power is more acclimated at the class than Pacquiao's, whose incredible strength at the lighter weights has not completely carried over into lightweight and, more apparently, beyond that.

After his stoppages of David Diaz (lightweight), Hatton (light welterweight), and De La Hoya (welterweight), each fighter said that his speed, not his power, is what they had trouble with. In spite of a sometimes shaky chin and inadequate defense, Cotto is one of the hardest pugilists to keep down or take out, with only Antonio Margarito staking that sole claim (now under dubious light after the Mosley fiasco in January). Pacquiao, on the other hand, has shown discomfort at taking shots from said three fighters--all of whom have been lifers at 135lbs and above. Those have been the only times he has ever been at that weight range.

Not being acclimated at a certain weight class strength-wise can be a major problem for any fighter, no matter how good they are. It certainly didn't bode well for middleweight Kelly Pavlik moving up to fight light heavyweight Bernard Hopkins or lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez fighting Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at welterweight, where he had been for four years (and Marquez, never). What did those fights have in common besides being sweeping wins for the more naturally-weighted man? The combatants in both fights had virtually the same height and reach.

One of the biggest misconceptions of this Saturday's bout is that Cotto is the much bigger man to Pacquiao. By way of dimensions, they are exactly even (5'7" height, 67" reach), but where that belief may be correct at is in terms of body mass. Cotto's body is thicker and bigger than Pacquiao's thinner, leaner frame, no doubt from being at welterweight for so long and not coming up from the lighter weights that have that sort of body type (like the latter). Height differences and reach advantages meant nothing in those other bouts or this one, as more natural strength, speed, and stamina at those levels meant much more than what was being brought up from below, even talent. And with Cotto's substantial power, all-out pressure, and ability to absorb punishment, Manny Pacquiao's night will be anything but a romp.

The Filipino may not have the advantage in terms of total physicality, but he does bring with him experience in traversing through weight classes and his own formidable traits and skills. He is no stranger to it and thus knows how to properly gain weight and muscle and stay in peek condition. Though his power has not completely made the transition, he certainly has enough of it left to do some damage and stop opponents. He has, however, retained his incredible hand speed, which combined with it, he can mount up a great deal of damage quickly without having to trade long-term with the heavier, stronger fighter. It will be his primary and most vital weapon against the slower Cotto and thanks to trainer Freddie Roach's work, he has become a well-rounded enough boxer that he can string together a smart and careful gameplan around it. Footwork and stamina, both of which he excels at more than Cotto, will also be key to obtaining victory. Also, the champion's stalking style is great for pressuring, but too often does he "follow" more than he does protect himself or try to score, leaving him open to quick barrage of blows before Pacquiao slips out of range.

In June 2007, Miguel Cotto fought Zab Judah, then the fastest fighter he had ever faced, and TKO'd the chronic underwhelmer after he failed to make use of his given talents. Manny Pacquiao surely won't make the same mistake, being a better, faster, and more dynamic opponent than he, but he'll have his work cut out for himself. The Puerto Rican champion is by far the strongest and most dangerous fighter he has ever faced and he'll do everything he can to break his will like he has with many others. Overall, it is the kind of match-up that poses a lot of risk for both combatants and it will either be a short night or a full-on blowout at or near the contested twelve rounds. The first round will most likely be tentative, but after that, it will be whoever shows any sign of discomfort or buckling (and it will be apparent quickly) that will be looking at one fateful night.

Prediction: Cotto, TKO4 (if Cotto shows no answer for Pacquiao's quickness and handspeed, Pacquiao, TKO7). Pacquiao is HOF-great and the best in the world, but as good as his chances are, I think Cotto will have too much power for him to handle, especially if he lands a good head shot or works his smaller body--and he'll most likely try to pounce on him early and without relent to do so. Cotto has gotten better since his loss to Margarito, but remains a vulnerable fighter, so the tide may turn if he gets complacent or relaxed. As the battle looms for his WBO welterweight belt (and a diamond-encrusted WBC belt worth nowhere near what its lofty appearance suggests...don't ask) and with a post-fight concert by Pacquiao to come, it's not a sure win for either man, but it will possibly be a rout for one of them.

_____________

Outcome: Pacquiao, TKO12. I would have posted the results soon after the fight, but I was too tired from eating on this Filipino-fried crow here. Once more, Manny Pacquiao has defied my doubting predictions (proving the counter one true, more or less) and went on a tear on Miguel Cotto enroute to his unheard-of seventh title at a different weight class. The reports, as most of you already know, said that the match was a back-and-forth struggle for the first four rounds, with Cotto dominating the first, but going down briefly in the third. The tide turned, however, when he barely recovered from a second knockdown in the forth, and from there, Pacquiao did what he usually does: smartly swarm fighters with hard shots from all angles and break them down.

The eleventh saw the end of the night for Cotto, now swollen and bloodied from the affair, as Kenny Bayless prevented things from going further in the final round. Most have said it could have been stopped in the ninth round and Cotto and his corner considered doing it in the eleventh. It was a hard fight, it seemed, for Pacquiao too, who remarked afterwards about the now-former champion's toughness and power, which he tasted more than a few times in the bout. That was the most surprising element from reading the coverage--him taking Cotto's best shots--and it is just one of the many reasons why I'll be glued to the screen this Saturday for HBO's replay (which just has to be on the same night of the Kessler-Ward Super Six bout).

:boxing: Boxing Bits ::11.10.09:: Dawson, Perez Impress

It's been quite awhile since the last "Boxing Bits" installment, but since I changed the format of the Seasonal Boxing Preview, I've been trying to figure out how to better utilize the feature and steer it away from the format it had used for so long. It was never intended to be so close in conjunction with the Preview, which stemmed from a temporary measure and experiment. While it will still be retain some connectivity with it, I'll solely be using it for commentary on select fights. We'll see how well it will work from here.

Since it's been so long since the last "Boxing Bits" (Super Six edition excluded), I will just be covering the fights within the last two weeks. Within that frame of time, there have been some pretty nice match-ups and interesting developments, such as the Agbeko-Perez slugfest, Haye defeating Valuev, and Dawson finally rising to the occasion to definitively beat Johnson.


:Sat.10.31.09:
--A real bad night of tricks for Darchinyan conqueror and champ Joseph Agbeko, who lost a close, non-stop punching cavalcade against young challenger Yonnhy Perez. I was very skeptical about the undefeated fighter (in only his 20th bout!) getting the opportunity, given how the sanctioning bodies love to give hot up-and-comers belts way before their ripening, but he proved he deserved it--and the win--that Saturday night. Though both traded shots without reprieve, Perez landed the sharper punches and was generally the busier of the two. He displayed skill that betrayed his age and looked better overall than the champion, as well. However, Agbeko stayed with him and landed some good blows of his own, which made the wide decision win in the challenger's favor very puzzling (the margin, not the verdict).

--I suppose Austin may fight Chris Arreola in the near future in some tune-up fight for the latter, but don't expect another title shot for him any time soon. And Williamson, don't think I haven't forgotten about your 2005 "fight" against Chris Byrd...


:Fri.11.06.09:
--Judah and Casamayor reign victorious again, but just an eight-rounder for the old-schooler and an icing by "Super" of a guy not far removed from a .500 record? Considering they are both within the Welterweight division, more or less, perhaps they may meet sometime next year...


:Sat.11.07.09:
--Chad Dawson has all of the talent in the world, but in the latter portions of fights, when fatigue and complacency sets in, he has looked unspectacular and placed himself in jeopardy. None of that, though, was present in his commanding victory over the tough Glen Johnson in a rematch of their controversial bout last year. The victor here was not in doubt as Dawson fought his own fight and executed a calm, precise gameplan of circling and picking off Johnson with quick, sticking straight shots and combo work. As durable as Johnson usually is, he looked a little flat (including body-wise) and was unable to pull off much of anything against the faster, more sprite Dawson. With his career reinvigorated, "Bad" Chad should have more fans looking his way...and some more fighters looking the other way.

--Zero surprise to see Haye beat the lumbering and slow Valuev, though the fight sounds close, which is about par for most of his bouts against top-level opponents (he does have his power, after all, and isn't that terrible of a fighter). That said, I was--and still am--hoping that someone would KTFO Haye's annoying self...

--I appreciate Yorgey for trying to stay in there and trade with Angulo, even when his punches were losing their zip and he was getting far more than he was giving, but the whole situation was a bad KO waiting to happen--and it surely did. Thankfully, he managed to get up off the canvas, but that was still sick-looking. That being said, I can't completely fault anyone for allowing the bout to go as long as it did, due to Yorgey's competitiveness, though it is times like that where having a big heart can lead to bad things.

--I am probably the only person outside of St. Louis who was looking forward to seeing Cory Spinks fight...

:anime: Free/Low-Cost Anime Pick of the Month:: TRIP TREK

TRIP TREK

Official Sites: Japanese, English
Additional Links: Directory Link, ANN Entry
Video [Free]: English w/ Japanese Subtitles, Japanese w/ Japanese Subtitles

With Halloween coming in the next few days, it seems only appropriate to dedicate this inaugural feature to one anime befitting of the season. TRIP TREK, created by an "experimental" creative group by the name of "Estrella", is an obscure, web-original production by famous studio manglobe (Samurai Champloo, Ergo Proxy) about the off-kilter, darkly-comic tale of a strange little girl in search of her mother. Its style is what one might expect from a Flash-based animation--bold-looking, distinctive, and a little awkward. Being made primarily for online, its production values show, and though its purposeful arthouse-flavored visuals and sensibilities and overall macabre nature might not be everyone's tea (or more timely, hot apple cider), those looking for something to put them in the mood for the season or who either find themselves fancied by black comedies or just something "different" entirely will certainly want to check it out.

TRIP TREK has the peculiar distinction of being produced in English first, then into Japanese later, due most likely to Estrella's objective in creating works for a global audience. American English dub fans won't find anyone familiar in the show, since English-speaking voice actors (VAs) in Japan performed the roles. The result may be as awkward as the animation itself, but it remains a passable and acceptable effort. Both the English (Ep. 1-4) and Japanese (Ep. 1-3, 5) versions were put onto YouTube by producer bb-anime and features subtitles in Japanese (yes, both). And for a little "bonus", be sure to check out the Directory link above.

:boxing: HardDoor's Autumn Boxing Preview - '09 Edition

<--To Summer 2009 Boxing Preview

The slew of issues that plagued this past summer's lineup has turned into the autumn's bounty, as this season is filled with a number of high-profile matches, including the start of the much-anticipated Super Six World Boxing Classic in the super middleweight division (and there's also that Cotto-Pacquiao bout, too). For this preview, I'll be trying out a new format brought on by the concise model used for last season's re-err--preview, which I sort of liked. I'm figuring out a way to still comment on them without using "Boxing Bits", but that's still up in the air. For now, we'll see how this style works. And also...happy viewings!

--HD


::Big courtesy to Fightnews.com and Boxing Records Online for their compilations of fight schedules and results, as well as ESPN::

[C] = Major Championship Match. Denotes matches contending for the primary titles from the major sanctioning bodies. Only the champions defending their titles are noted as such, though their opponents may be holding a belt that they are not defending.

[c] = Minor Championship Match. Denotes matches contending for minor "alphabet soup" and "regional" title belts. Only the champions defending their titles are noted as such, though their opponents may be holding a belt that they are not defending.

[Super Six] = Denotes a fight that is part of the super middleweight division's Super Six World Boxing Classic. Showtime, the tournament's organizer, is the fight's broadcaster.

[NIXED] = The scheduled fight was canceled, or "nixed". This can happen at any time for any given circumstance, such as an injury or a contract disagreement.

TBA = "To Be Announced", or in this case, "Fighter To Be Announced". Sometimes, an opponent for a fighter may not be announced or set until very close to the fight time. This can be due to a number of reasons, ranging from a sudden change in fighters due to last-minute difficulties, to the lack of an actual opponent having been chosen yet.


-- :September: -- :October: -- :November: --


September

:Wed.09.02.09:
[C] (Vacent WBC Female Light Middleweight Championship) Christy Martin vs Dakota Stone
[Martin, MD(10)]

Jason Estrada vs Zuri Lawrence (Heavyweight)
[Estrada, TKO7]

James McGirt Jr. vs Anthony Pietrantonio (Super Middleweight)
[McGirt, TKO4]


:Fri.09.04.09:
Demetrius Andrade vs John Williams (Light Middleweight)
[Andrade, TKO6]

Timor Ibragimov vs Alfred Cole (Heavyweight)
[Ibragimov, UD(6)]


:Sat.09.05.09:
[C] (Interim WBA World Flyweight Championship) Luis Concepcion vs Omar Salado
[Concepcion, TKO12]

Daniel Ponce de Leon vs Roinet Caballero (Featherweight)
[Leon, UD]

Jhonny Gonzalez vs Jose Francisco Mendoza (Featherweight)
[Gonzalez, KO1]


:Sat.09.12.09:
[C] WBA Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler vs Gusmyr Perdomo
[Kessler, TKO4]

Andre Ward vs Shelby Pudwill (Light Heavyweight)
[Ward, TKO3]

James Toney vs Matthew Greer (Heavyweight)
[Toney, TKO2]

[C] WBO Light Flyweight Champion Ivan Calderon vs Rodel Mayol
[Tech. Draw (Rd. 7 - Calderon unable to continue after accidental clash of heads)]

[C] WBO Super Featherweight Champion Roman Martinez vs Feider Viloria
[Martinez, KO9]

[C] WBO Minimumweight Champion Donnie Nietes vs Manuel Vargas
[Nietes, SD]

Jose Luis Castillo vs Carlos Urias (Welterweight)
[Castillo, TKO2]

Z Gorres vs Cruz Carbajal
[Gorres, TKO(RTD)6]

Fernando Montiel vs Alejandro Valdez (Super Bantamweight)
[Tech. Draw (Rd. 3 - Montiel cut badly over left eye)]

[c] WBC Latino Light Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs Jason LeHoullier
[Chavez, TKO1]

[C] WBC, WBA Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus vs Lucia Morelli
[Braekhus, UD(10)]


:Tues.09.15.09:
[C] WBC Light Flyweight Champion Edgar Sosa vs Omar Soto
[Sosa, TKO6]

[C] WBC Super Featherweight Champion Humberto Soto vs Aristides Perez
[Soto, TKO2]

Samuel Peter vs Ronald Bellamy (Heavyweight)
[Peter, TKO2]

[C] (Vacant IBF Super Flyweight Championship) Jorge Arce vs Simphiwe Nongqayi
[Nongqayi, UD]

Ulises Solis vs Dirceu Cabarca (Super Flyweight)
[Solis, UD(8)]


:Fri.09.18.09:
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Giovanni Andrade (Featherweight) [ESPN2]
[Rigondeaux, TKO3]


:Sat.09.19.09:
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Manuel Marquez (Welterweight) [PPV - HBO]
[Mayweather, UD]

[C] WBA Super World Featherweight Champion Chris John vs Rocky Juarez [PPV - HBO]
[John, UD]

[C] (Interim WBO Lightweight Championship) Michael Katsidis vs Vicente Escobedo [PPV - HBO]
[Katsidis, SD]

[C] (Vacant IBF Middleweight Championship) Sebastian Sylvester vs Giovanni Lorenzo
[Sylvester, SD]

Erislandy Lara vs Jose Varela (Middleweight)
[Lara, KO1]


:Sat.09.26.09:
[C] WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola
[Klitschko, TKO(RTD)10]

[C] (WBA World Super Bantamweight Championship) Bernard Dunne vs Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
[Kratingdaenggym, KO3]

David Diaz vs Jesus Chavez (Lightweight)
[Diaz, MD(10)]

DeMarcus Corley vs Harrison Cuello (Welterweight)
[Corley, UD(8)]

[c] WBC USNBC Light Middleweight Champion Jimmy Lange vs Jonathan Reid
[Lange, TKO(RTD)9]

Jose Miguel Cotto vs Martin Ramirez (Welterweight)
[Cotto, KO3]


:Wed.09.30.09:
Paul Spadafora vs Jermaine White (Welterweight)
[Spadafora, UD(8)]

Devin Vargas vs Terrell Nelson (Heavyweight)
[Vargas, UD(8)]


October

:Fri.10.02.09:
Allan Green vs Tarvis Simms (Super Middleweight) [Showtime]
[Green, UD(10)]

Audley Harrison vs Coleman Barrett (Heavyweight)
[Harrison, TKO2]

Audley Harrison vs Danny Hughes (Heavyweight)
[Harrison, UD(3)]

Audley Harrison vs Scott Belshaw (Heavyweight)
[Harrison, TKO2]

Danny Williams vs Carl Baker (Heavyweight)
[Baker, UD(3)]


:Sat.10.03.09:
Demetrius Andrade vs Chris Chatman (Light Middleweight)
[Andrade, UD(6)]

[c] WBO Asia Pacific, WBO Oriental Heavyweight Champion Shane Cameron vs David Tua
[Tua, KO2]

Eric Esch vs Harry Funmaker (Heavyweight)
[Funmaker, SD(4)]


:Sat.10.04.09:
[c] (Interim WBF, Vacant IBF Australasian Middleweight Championships) Sam Soliman vs Les Piper
[Soliman, TKO7]


:Sat.10.10.09:
[C] WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez vs Rogers Mtagwa
[Lopez, UD]

[C] WBA World Featherweight Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa vs Whyber Garcia
[Gamboa, TKO4]

Israel Vazquez vs Angel Antonio Priolo (Featherweight)
[Vazquez, TKO9]

[c] WBC International Heavyweight Champion Odlanier Solis vs Monte Barrett
[Solis, TKO2]

[C] (Interim WBO NABO Middleweight Championship) Ossie Duran vs Fernando Guerrero
[Guerrero, MD(10)]

John Duddy vs Michi Munoz (Middleweight)
[Duddy, UD(8)]


:Fri.10.16.09:
[c] (Vacant Interim WBC International Featherweight Championship) Rey Bautista vs Marangin Marbun
[Bautista, TKO7]

Joel Julio vs Clarence Taylor (Middleweight)
[Julio, UD(6)]


:Sat.10.17.09:
[Super Six] [C] WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch vs Andre Dirrell [Showtime]
[Froch, SD]

[Super Six] Arthur Abraham vs Jermain Taylor (Super Middleweight) [Showtime]
[Abraham, KO12]

Vassiliy Jirov vs Jonathan Williams (Cruiserweight)
[Jirov, TKO2]

[c] (USBA Middleweight Championship) Lajuan Simon vs Elvin Ayala
[Simon, UD]

[c] (NABC Inter-Continental Middleweight Championship) Billy Lyell vs Chris Gray
[Lyell, UD(8)]


:Wed.10.21.09:
[c] (Vacant IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight Championship) Daniel Geale vs Samir Dos Santos Barbosa
[Geale, UD]

Anthony Mundine vs Alejandro Gustavo Falliga (Middleweight)
[Mundine, UD(10)]

Byron Mitchell vs David Telesco (Cruiserweight)
[Mitchell, TKO2]


:Thurs.10.22.09:
[C] (Vacant WBO NABO Super Middleweight Championship) Edison Miranda vs Francisco Sierra
[Miranda, KO1]


:Fri.10.23.09:
[c] NABF Super Bantamweight Champion Al Seeger vs Victor Fonseca
[Fonseca, TKO9]

[c] IBA Continental Heavyweight Champion Oliver McCall vs Lance Whitaker
[O. McCall, UD(10)]

[c] Interim WBC USNBC Cruiserweight Champion Arthur Williams vs Victor Barragan
[Barragan, TKO7]

Elijah McCall vs Reginald Jackson (Heavyweight)
[E. McCall, KO2]


:Sat.10.24.09:
[c] (Vacant IBF International Heavyweight Championship) Tomasz Adamek vs Andrew Golata
[Adamek, TKO5]

[C] Interim WBC Super Flyweight Champion Tomas Rojas vs Evans Mbamba
[Rojas, UD]

Kermit Cintron vs Juliano Ramos (Welterweight)
[Cintron, TKO(RTD)5]

[c] WBF Heavyweight Champion Francois Botha vs Pedro Carrion
[Botha, MD]

Jonathan Oquendo vs Juan Jose Beltran (Featherweight)
[Oquendo, TKO2]


:Fri.10.30.09:
[c] WBC CABOFE Light Middleweight Champion Hector Camacho Jr. vs Luis Ramon Campas
[Camacho, SD10]

Antonio Escalante vs Carlos Fulgencio (Super Bantamweight)
[Escalante, TKO2]


:Sat.10.31.09:
[NIXED] [C] IBF Light Middleweight Champion Cory Spinks vs Carlos Molina

[C] IBF Bantamweight Champion Joseph Agbeko vs Yonnhy Perez [Showtime]
[Perez, UD]

[C] (Interim WBC Lightweight Championship) Antonio DeMarco vs Jose Alfaro
[DeMarco, TKO10]

DaVarryl Williamson vs Ray Austin (Heavyweight)
[Austin, TKO4]

Joe Spina vs Lou Del Valle (Light Heavyweight)
[Maj. Draw]


November

:Wed.11.04.09:
Jason Litzau vs Johnnie Edwards (Super Featherweight) [ESPN2]
[Litzau, UD(10)]


:Fri.11.06.09:
Zab Judah vs Adailton De Jesus (Welterweight) [PPV]
[Judah, TKO2]

Joel Casamayor vs Jason Davis (Light Welterweight) [PPV]
[Casamayor, UD(8)]


:Sat.11.07.09:
[C] (Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Championship) IBO Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson [HBO]
[Dawson, UD]

[C] WBA World Heavyweight Champion Nikolay Valuev vs David Haye
[Haye, MD]

[c] (Vacant IBO Light Middleweight Championship) Alfredo Angulo vs Harry Joe Yorgey
[Angulo, KO3]

John Ruiz vs Ozcan Cetinkaya (Heavyweight)
[Ruiz, TKO7]

[NIXED] Richard Gutierrez vs Mike Jones (Welterweight)

Gabriel Rosado vs Latif Mundy (Light Middleweight)
[Rosado, TKO7]


:Fri.11.13.09:
[c] IBO Welterweight Champion Lovemore N'dou vs Matthew Hatton
[Draw]

[C] WBC Female Lightweight Champion Ann Saccurato vs Jelena Mrdjenovich
[Saccurato, UD(10)]

Z Gorres vs Luis Melendez (Bantamweight)
[Gorres, UD(10)]


:Sat.11.14.09:
[C] WBO Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao [PPV - HBO]
[Pacquiao, TKO12]

[C] WBA World Light Middleweight Champion Daniel Santos vs Yuri Foreman [PPV - HBO]
[Foreman, UD]

[c] (Vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship) Alfonso Gomez vs Jesus Soto Karass
[Gomez, Tech. Dec.(6) - Went to scorecards after accidental headbutt in Rd. 2caused blood to flow into Gomez's right eye and impeded his vision.]

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs Troy Rowland (Light Middleweight)
[Chavez, UD (10)]


:Thurs.11.19.09:
[C] Interim WBA World Flyweight Champion Luis Concepcion vs Roberto Carlos Leyva


:Fri.11.20.09:
Jean Marc Mormeck vs TBA (Heavyweight)

[c] NBA Light Heavyweight Champion Prince Badi Ajamu vs Daniel Judah


:Sat.11.21.09:
[Super Six] [C] WBA World Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler vs Andre Ward [Showtime]

[C] WBC Light Flyweight Champion Edgar Sosa vs Rodel Mayol

[C] IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz vs Ricardo Castillo

[C] WBA World Light Flyweight Champion Giovanni Segura vs Sonny Boy Jaro

[c] (Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Championship) Jorge Barrios vs Michael Lozada [HBO]

[C] WBC Cruiserweight Champion Giacobbe Fragomeni vs Zsolt Erdei

[C] Interim WBC Super Featherweight Champion Humberto Gutierrez vs Vitali Tajbert

[C] WBC Minimumweight Championship Oleydong Sithsamerchai vs Juan Palacios


:Sat.11.28.09:
[C] IBF Super Middleweight Champion Lucian Bute vs Liberado Andrade [HBO]

[C] (Vacant IBF Lightweight Championship) Joan Guzman vs Ali Funeka [HBO]

[c] WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion Alexander Dimitrenko vs Luan Krasniqi

[c] (Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Championship) Breidis Prescott vs Ruslan Provodnikov

DeMarcus Corley vs Fariz Kazimov (Light Welterweight)


:Sun.11.29.09:
[C] WBC Flyweight Champion Daisuke Naito vs Koki Kameda

:boxing: Boxing Bits - Super Six Edition:: Abraham Destroys, Froch Decisions

The Super Six World Boxing Classic in the Super Middleweight division kicked off to a super start (ugh...) with the King leveling Taylor with bad intentions (yeesh...) and the Cobra slithering away (sigh...) with a close, disputed decision against whatever nickname Dirrell has...

Arthur Abraham KO12 Jermain Taylor
[PTS: Abraham = +3; Taylor = 0]

Taylor started off well in the first four to six rounds and fought a controlled, but not too conservative, fight with numerous jabs, yet Abraham was operating per script, starting methodically slow and building to a crescendo in the later rounds. The wait came a little longer due to Taylor's speed and power competing with his own power offense (both having their moments), but the plan kicked in near the final four rounds, where Abraham took command of the lead. Taylor looked to be on his way to a close decision loss, but the end came much quicker and more violently as a straight right completely floored Taylor in what seemed like less than a second, his eyes rolling in the back of his head as Abraham and his home arena erupted in jubilation.

Abraham seemed to be in utter control of himself from the opening bell, even when Taylor was peppering him with shots and giving him some trouble with his speed and power, looking very relaxed and not deviating from his outline. In the bout, he also showed some surprising agility when dodging some of Taylor's flurries (with his hands calmly at his sides) and showed off a great, tight defense. I have been down on Taylor in the past, but I really felt sorry for him getting knocked out again, and in the twelfth round for the second fight in a row. He's shown improvement once more but one sudden punch again proves the end for him. Luckily, it's only the first of three bouts to compete in, but now the next two are must wins, if not must-KO wins. As for Abraham, his chances are looking very strong in keeping with the odds.


[C] WBC Champion Carl Froch SD Andre Dirrell
[PTS: Froch = +2; Dirrell = 0]

There was much trash-talking and disrespecting before the bout from both sides, and that animosity showed in the oft-rough, oft-unpretty fight, which was a close affair that had Froch rabbit-punching (and once throwing down) a constantly-grabbing Dirrell, with a number of ugly ballet sequences in the middle as they got tangled up in the heat of the moment. However, the fight was still a good and exciting one, and was something of a proving ground for Dirrell, who finally showed the type of skill and savvy that a real fighter of his potential should be showing: versatility, willingness to stand and trade, and use of inherent talent to impose will. The problem? Dirrell spent much of the first part dancing around Froch's punches with his hands up in the air, most of the middle of the fight landing a few shots and clinching him quickly after, and only in the latter portion mixed it up and used his speed and slickness to catch the champion. Froch fought well enough despite being the slower of the two, but Dirrell wasted prime moments to punish and fluster him by clinching so much. He had everything in him to hold Froch at bay offensively but elected, instead, to grab onto him at every turn to prevent him from getting his shots off. It was unnecessary and not only cost him a point on the scorecards, but it cost him the fight itself, which he lost by two rounds in a split decision.

Without the deduction, just winning one round would have secured him a draw and one tourney point, instead of none. By pushing the fight, Froch's show of action helped give him the victory and two in a fight with many close rounds. His win may be debatable, but it was within reason given the circumstances. Similarly, the rabbit-punching from Dirrell clinching him went unpunished most likely because they were seen as being Dirrell's fault and it gave the impression that Froch was willing to fight and he was not.

Dirrell, in his own words, thought he could go into Nottingham, England and decision the champ in his hometown--and he was almost right. It was closely-fought bout and he had the speed, the maneuvers, and the skills pull off the big upset and didn't showboat, bicycle step, or play around. He really looked like a great fighter standing there and trading, picking off quick shots and counters--like the kind of boxer he is capable of being. However, he wasn't like that for the entire fight, and it cost him dearly.


Overall

Two very different, but entertaining and suspenseful bouts. The Froch-Dirrell pairing created a much better fight than I anticipated, while the Abraham-Taylor bout lived up to its high expectations. Both endings were somewhat surprising in their own right, but not totally unexpected either, and they'll both be talked about in the days to come for their own reasons. In all, it was a great start to the Super Six tournament and whets one's appetite for what is to come.


Upcoming Group Stage 2 Bouts

Andre Dirrell's quest for points doesn't get any easier from here, as his next opponent is the favorite and points leader, Arthur Abraham. If Dirrell can put aside the running around and clinching and rely on his God-given talent and speed, he stands a good chance at building a decisive lead on the slow-starting Abraham before the storm bares down on him and begins the real challenge. Neglect to and he'll have worse things to worry about than another possible decision loss.

Carl Froch will have another tough test in Mikkel Kessler, which stands to be closer than his one Saturday night, while Jermain Taylor's chance for redemption lies past Andre Ward, who could be seen as a former version of himself in terms of vaulted expectations and abilities.


EDIT [10/18/09]: Fixed math concerning the amount of rounds needed by Dirrel to win. Originally said he needed to win a round to draw, when he also needed the deducted point to make that happen.

:boxing: Super Six Super Preview Super Bracket!

Today, Saturday, October 17, marks the first set of matches in Showtime's "Super Six World Boxing Classic", pitting six of the sport's best super middleweights in a round-robin tournament to crown the division's undisputed world champion.

IBF Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham, former champion Jermain Taylor, WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch, WBA Champion Mikkel Kessler, and top contenders Andre Ward and Andre Dirrel, as part of the agreement, will all face each other at some point in the tournament, and perhaps even more than once in the later rounds due to the format. As a refresher, here is the setup as posted in July (second half):

--Each fight will be 12 rounds, with 2 pts awarded per win (+1 per (T)KO), 1 pt. per draw, and 0 pts. per loss (tie-breaking elements will be used when necessary).

Group Stages 1-3
--Each fighter must take on three different fighters within 12 months.
--Lowest two point-getters are eliminated.

Semifinals
--The four highest point-getters face off: #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3.
--Losers eliminated.

Finals
--The two finalists meeting in 2011.

In the spirit of other tournaments like NCAA basketball's March Madness, I decided to put my predictions in semi-bracket format (minus an actual bracket). The first three bouts listed are already set, but the dates of the rest are to be determined. Originally, I had posted all of the fights that could take place in the Group Stages, but since the actual match-ups were already determined and shown on the telecast and was on their website (I never paid any attention to visit the "Scorecard" section, thinking it was one of those print-and-fill forms you could use while watching fights), I updated everything and eliminated the matches that would not be happening there. My picks and opinions remain as is, except changing language like "if this match happened...", and the sort. Also remaining intact, the Semifinal and Finals sections contain the fighters that I think will make it through. The predicted winners are italicized and like many brackets, could turn out to be very wrong when the real fights go down.


Group Stage 1

:Sat.10.17.09:
[C] WBC Champion Carl Froch vs. Andre Direll
--Froch is a little ungainly and unorthodox, but he has power and technicality and knows when to use it, especially if a knockdown is eminent. Direll is too green for this level despite his skills, thanks to fighting easy prey for so long. His speed and maneuverability will be vital in his try for victory.

Arthur Abraham vs. Jermain Taylor
--One of the biggest pairings in the tourney (and boxing in general), it should be a great, closely-fought bout. Abraham may be moving up in weight, but it's not by much. He has good skill and perhaps more power than Taylor, and is more dangerous of the two, but it will not be a gimme by any means, considering height and reach disparities in Taylor's favor.

:Sat.11.21.09:
[C] WBA Champion Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward
--Ward was on the way to greatness, but has stymied in his expectant growth with the number of easy fights he has taken. I've never been completely sold on Kessler, but I'll give him the benefit in this competition. Ward may dispense some troubles, but the champion should be able to hand him his first loss fairly comfortably.


Group Stage 2

-Dates To Be Determined-

Arthur Abraham vs Andre Direll
--Direll will try to get physical with Abraham, but he'll get picked apart steadily as the fight wears on.

Mikkel Kessler vs Carl Froch
--Draw. A very interesting but even fight, with some rounds belonging to one and other rounds to the other.

Jermain Taylor vs Andre Ward
--Intriguing--and Ward might win it--but Taylor will probably be too much for him to handle.


Group Stage 3

-Dates To Be Determined-

Carl Froch vs Arthur Abraham
--Abraham should be able to adjust to Froch's movements and best him.

Mikkel Kessler vs Jermain Taylor
--Another marquee match, though Kessler should be able to outclass Taylor.

Andre Ward vs Andre Direll
--A no-question match-up to go down in the first section of the tourney, with Ward taking a fight that will possibly be hard to score.


Eliminated: Andre Ward, Andre Direll
--Too inexperienced, not where they should be in those terms.


Semifinals

Mikkel Kessler (#1) vs Jermain Taylor (#4)

Arthur Abraham (#2) vs Carl Froch (#3)

--Kessler and Abraham should be able to advance as the top seeds, though Froch stands the best chance at disrupting that pairing, either here or as one of the finalists.


Finals

Mikkel Kessler vs Arthur Abraham
--At this level, it will be a heated battle (no matter who ends up in it), but as noted before, Abraham should have the overall edge and power to win it all.


Arthur Abraham--with his style, skill, toughness, and aforementioned power--may be the projected winner both here and elsewhere, but with the amount of talent involved in the Super Six, it is by no means an assurance. He is "projected" for a reason, and anything can happen in a tournament--Abraham could fizzle early and bomb in the first round, Taylor could achieve the greatness he was once headed for and win it all, or Ward and Dirrell might break out and meet in the finals. It is possibilities like these that make competitions like this so thrilling and uncertain, and it further speaks to the exemplary job Showtime has done in getting the top boxers in the division and their promoters together to stage an event as major and appealing as The Super Six World Boxing Classic.


EDIT [10/17/09]: Post edited to reflect correct scheduling information and terminology as shown on telecast and on the Super Six website. Predictions, opinions, and the like remain unchanged.

:anime: HardDoor's Autumn Anime Preview - '09 Edition

<--To Summer 2009 Anime Preview

When I first saw what was airing this fall, I was surprised at the amount of shows that seemed worth noting. Yet when I actually began to compile this season's preview and filter the titles, the girth didn't seem as remarkable, nor did titles themselves. A bit of time passed and I decided to review the list of offerings again, which revealed a whole slew of new ones that were added since then and were noteworthy enough to make it. And so, this year's autumn edition of HardDoor's seasonal anime previews is the largest one to date, featuring 21 shows in the main section, 23 shows "of interest", and six movies debuting in Japan in the "theater" section--a total of 50 works in whole (besting this Spring's record of 39)!.

Each season has a certain theme to it, unintentional or not, that I like to point out in every preview. This autumn's is all-star pairings, toothy facial expressions, digital distribution, and the wrapping up of returning shows. In concern with the first, you'll find the entries below replete with big name droppings (probably a record in of itself) and with the second, I suppress my annoyance with the latest style trend, perhaps influenced by K-ON!, which I have a greater annoyance of. There are also a good deal of shows returning for their second, and concluding, season, continuing a growing trend of halving series in between seasons that looks to be a permanent fixture, since it apparently helps studios with costs and production. Additionally, one may notice the number of Crunchyroll links, who is hosting ten of the works below, though they aren't the only ones on the digital distro play (the site's claim of hosting 50% of the anime premiering this season is more or less accurate)

In closing, I would like to address an issue with the synopses. In the past, they have been made based on the synopses at ANN and information found there and elsewhere and kept purposefully as bare-boned and concise as possible. Often, everything matches up and is overall accurate, but there have been instances where they have not been so. Sometimes, the information was erroneous, so in this installment, I've put some extra research into the titles to make sure nothing is wrong. There's always the possibility, especially since I can't watch all 50 anime to truly make sure, but I strive to make sure that it is zero.

There is an exceptional amount of interesting and notable shows this season, contrary to what some have said (and say every season). Keep an open mind and expand your horizons when you are looking for something to watch, as you might find a work that will click with you and really like in the least likely of places. There's always some that rise above the rest for the majority of fans or just with yourself and a few others. Even if you don't like a particular genre or theme, there might be something there that will grab you.

Keeping that in mind, happy viewing!


--HD

*Information courtesy of MOON PHASE and Anime News Network, as well as various other sources.


Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu

Debut: October 5, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Soichi Masui
Character Design: Sumie Aizawa
Score: Kanou Kawashima
Studios: Hal Film Maker, JM Animation, Satelight
Additional Links: ANN Entry, ANN Article

Synopsis
While exploring their attic, three animal-cosplaying sisters encounter an object that enables them to transform into real, actual animals.

Personally...
What kind of anime do you get when the studios of Hal Film Maker (ARIA, Princess Tutu), Satelight (Macross Frontier, Noein), and JM Animation (background and secondary key animation on a number of Satelight's visually impressive works) come together to co-create a story with Shoji Kawamori (Macross, Escaflowne) and have it directed by Scrapped Princess' Soichi Masui? Why, a cute little comedy about three cosplaying sisters that can transform into animals, that's what!

Yeah, uh huh...

Let's be truthful here: it's not the kind of show that most people would have expected from such a combination of talent (even with Hal Film Maker's involvement). Instead of a sci-fi epic or at least a visual tour-de-force, we get is a detective show (going by the title, which is a Japanese play-on-words) with petite girls in get-ups suspiciously reminiscent of Di Gi Charat's. I guess Kawamori had to meet that "weird concept" quota this season some how.

While most might be bitter and dismissive of the result, I'm sort of intrigued by how it might turn out. It may not be the first idea to spring to one's mind, but one cannot deny the type of talent involved, either. Also, I have a thing for "cute little shows" like this and Di Gi Charat, so I'm inclined to at least give it a look on that premise alone (as long as it isn't lolibait). I'm not expecting a whole lot, but I do think it will turn out well enough. The character designs look pretty nice, for starters.

Not to be outdone, Seiji Mizushima (Fullmetal Alchemist) and GAINAX (Gurren Lagann) will be teaming up to bring you a comedic, slice-of-life tale about a kindergarten class in the coming months (Hanamaru Kindergarten), fresh off their respective turns on Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Shikabane Hime.


Aoi Bungaku Series (Blue Literature Series)

Debut: October 10, 2009
Format: TV (12 episodes)
Directors: Eps. 1-4: Morio Asaka, Eps. 5-6: Tetsuro Araki, Eps. 7-8: Shigeyuki Miya, Eps. 9-10: Ryousuke Nakamura, Eps. 11-12: Atsuko Ishizuka
Character Designs: Eps. 1-4: Masanori Shino (Original: Takeshi Obata), Eps. 5-6: Kunio Katsuki (Original: Kubo Tite), Eps. 7-8: Shigeyuki Miya (Original: Takeshi Obata), Eps. 9-10: Mieko Hosoi (Original: Takeshi Konomi), Eps. 11-12: Yoshinori Kanemori (Original: Kubo Tite)
Score:
Studio: Madhouse
Additional Links: ANN Entry, AnimeNation News Blog

Synopsis
Aoi Bungaku Series is an anthology series based on six classics of Japanese literature--Ryuunosuke Akutagawa's Kumo no Ito (The Spider's Thread) and Jigoku Hen (Hell Screen), Osamu Dazai's Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human) and Hashire Melos! (Run, Melos!), Soseki Natsume's Kokoro (Heart or Soul, depending on interpretation and meaning), and Ango Sakaguchi's Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita (In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom)--accompanied by the character designs of Takeshi Konomi (The Prince of Tennis), Takeshi Obata (Death Note), and Kubo Tite (BLEACH), and animated by acclaimed studio Madhouse.

Personally...
I have always enjoyed animated adaptations of classics, especially ones like this, that borrows the talents of famous designers and directors and craft a unique take on them. In this case, the aforementioned mangaka who contributed the covers and illustrations of the reprinted books will handle the original character designs for the stories they worked on. In addition, directors such as Tetsuro Araki (Death Note), Morio Asaka (Cardcaptor Sakura, NANA, Gunslinger Girl), and Ryousuke Nakamura (Mouryou no Hako) will head a few of the adaptations, with animation character designers like Masanori Shino (Black Lagoon, Gungrave) and Yoshinori Kanemori (X, Yawara!, Queen Millennia, The Gokusen) also lending their efforts. Having Madhouse producing it only enhances its potential, and the idea of either them or Kanemori outputting Kubo Tite characters or Shino doing Obata designs has me biting at the bit to watch it.

As palatable as the staff list is, the stories themselves sound quite good on their own (naturally, being classics). Ningen Shikkaku (Eps. 1-4) deals with one person's loneliness and withdrawal from the world (a very relevant topic in Japan to this day); Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita (Eps. 5-6) follows the romantic tale of a bandit and the woman he kidnaps; Kokoro (Eps. 7-8) recounts the life of its narrator's teacher; Hashire, Melos! (Eps. 9-10), set in ancient Greece, centers on a shepherd on Death Row trying to reach his sister's wedding before meeting his fate; Kumo no Ito (Ep. 11) concerns a Hell-bound criminal given one more lease on life after sparing the life of a spider; and, lastly, Jigoku Hen (Ep. 12) involves the sordid history behind one artist's creation of a screen painting of Hell. That some of these stories are covered within one to two episodes gives slight pause, but since I have not read any of these stories, I can't say for sure if that is adequate time, so I'll put my trust in their judgment.

It should probably come as no secret by now that this is one of the shows I'm looking forward to the most this season. It has a top-level studio and top-level talent involved and the stories they are bringing to life are masterpieces in Japanese literature written by some of the country's most influential authors. There's much to like and it could stand to become one of the year's most prolific and talked-about series.


DARKER THAN BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini (Gemini of the Meteor)

Debut: October 8, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Tensai Okamura
Character Design: Takahiro Komori (Original: Yuji Iwahara)
Score: Yasushi Ishii
Studio: BONES
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
The story of 2007's acclaimed hit, Darker than BLACK, continues, two years following Hei and Yin's defection from the Syndicate.

Personally...
When the first part of Darker than BLACK debuted, I was unimpressed by it. The artwork seemed drab by BONES' lofty standards, the story was confusing and boring, characters were dull and uninteresting, and the score was just as blasé, very odd considering it was Yoko Kanno's. The second episode didn't make things any better, and I never bothered watching the rest of it.

Cue two years later, when I was faced with an opportunity to watch DtB over again. Between now and then, I continually scoffed at the show and the glowing sentiment it received by many others. Though a small part of me wanted to give it another chance (only thanks to its designs, which were mildly intriguing), I wasn't in the mood to subject myself to that type of boredom again. However, FUNimation, who licensed the show, put it in their Anime on Demand VOD section for free. Begrudgingly, I decided to give it another shot and sat down to rewatch the first two episodes and the third as I grumbled along.

Much to my surprise, everything clicked better from the start and I actually found myself enjoying the show far more than I did before. All of the things that irked me before are now the reasons why it has me hooked. The story (and its composition) are very good, the animation is of a solid, high quality, its characters are likable and interesting, and the score is one of Kanno's best, not the worst. It's very rare that I ever make a full reversal of opinion on a second viewing, this being the first time I've gone from completely negative to positive (I'm looking at you, The Big O II...).

Of course, I just started not long ago (past the half-way point), meaning I just spoiled myself making this entry (not that that outcome was foggy). Still, I'm looking forward to finishing the first series and starting on its sequel. Having stereopony and the returning abingdon boys school handle the themes is great, but it's too bad that Kanno didn't reprise her music role. Although, with Hellsing's Yasushi Ishii filling in, things shouldn't turn out too bad...


Fairy Tail

Debut: October 12, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Shinji Ishihira
Character Design: Aoi Yamamoto
Score: Yasaharu Takanashi
Studios: A-1 Pictures, Satelight
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Crunchyroll

Synopsis
A teen girl aspiring to join the infamous magician group Fairy Tail Guild comes to meet a boy whose an actual member of the group, where the two soon become partners.

Personally...
With Hiro Mashima's manga designs and it being a Satelight/A-1 Pictures co-production, one would think Fairy Tail would be bound for glory. Ah, but if the earlier Rave Master adaptation of his manga were any indication, then this might not be as great as it seems. Not helping matters is the criticism of it ripping off of stalwart heavy One Piece's distinct style--a swipe that has dogged the manga ever since its debut. It's clear something is amiss with one look at FT, and even by my fair standards it is almost blatant. Adding to the malignity is that the show is available on Crunchyroll to paid subscribers only, due to contractual reasons, and each episode is available for only 30 days. Fairy Tail's anime might not turn out as bland and formulaic as Rave Master and its design look decidedly less Eiichiro Oda-like, but we are at least very certain there will be no hideous dub attached to it (...for now?).


Inuyasha: The Final Act

Debut: October 3, 2009
Format: TV (26 episodes)
Director: Yasunao Aoki
Character Design: Yoshihito Hishinuma
Score: Kaoru Wada
Studio: Sunrise
Additional Links: YTV Site, ANN Entry, Shonen Sunday, Hulu

Synopsis
Adapting the final volumes of Rumiko Takahashi's popular manga, the 2000-04 anime series itself finally sees its proper conclusion with Inuyasha: The Final Act, wrapping up Kagome and her friends' search for the Sacred Jewel shards and their battle against Naraku.

Personally...
Well, better now than never, I suppose. After one of the biggest cop-out endings you'll see (made more aggravating after 167 episodes and near endless stalling towards the end), the anime will get the proper ending it deserved and with 26 episodes to do it in, it looks like there won't be any "resets" or dragged-out plotlines to resort to (though in spite of its issues, it was still one of the better long-run series out there).


Jungle Emperor Leo -Yuuki ga Mirai o Kaeru-

Debut: September 5, 2009
Format: TV (special)
Director: Goro Taniguchi
Character Designs: Yoshitaka Amano, Takahiro Kimura, Shinji Seya
Score: Takefumi Haketa
Studio: Tezuka Productions
Additional Links: ANN Entry, ANN Article

Synopsis
Celebrating the 80th birthday its creator, Osamu Tezuka, and the 50th anniversary of its original broadcaster, Fuji TV, the classic Jungle Emperor Leo (Kimba the White Lion in the U.S.), sees a futuristic update in this special. In the years to come, the planet's environment has been ravaged due to man's neglect and the U.N. has commissioned a company to create an artificial habitat to house what is left of the wildlife. It is there that the story of "Jungle Emperor Leo" is begun anew as the titular white lion is born, who eventually befriends the son of the company's chief, Kenichi.

Personally...
For a title as prolific and beloved as Jungle Emperor Leo, I suppose it is only fitting to have the best work on its anniversary special. Goro Taniguchi makes his return to directing after his star-making (and, apparently, tumultuous) turn on Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and seemed to have brought his cohort along from the project, Takahiro Kimura, to help contribute character designs. Also contributing are Yoshitaka Amano (Vampire Hunter D, Gatchaman, Angel's Egg) and Shinji Seya (frequent artist on a number of Tezuka's work, including character designs on Astro Boy's 2003 anniversary series), as well as Minoru Nishida (Art direction; also provided art on a number of Tezeka's and Studio 4°C's works) and screenwriter Osamu Suzuki (Lovely Complex (Love*Com) live-action film). The end result looks really nice and it had very high viewership when it debuted (as is usually the case with remade or continuing classic or childhood works in Japan). Reviews from a few English sites, including from English-speaking fans of the original, were decent, but that doesn't stop me from wishing to see it. Since Fuji TV has a section on Crunchyroll, maybe one day it will appear there.


Kaidan Restaurant (Thriller Restaurant)

Debut: October 13, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Yoko Ikeda
Character Design: Akira Takahashi
Score:
Studio: Toei Animation
Additional Links: Toei Animation Site, ANN Entry

Synopsis
Based on a very successful horror anthology, Thriller Restaurant serves its tales like a three-course meal: first with an "appetizer", then with the "main dish" (or story), and topped off with a "dessert" each episode.

Personally...
Just in time for Halloween, Thriller Restaurant has a light-hearted and imaginative look to it (well, going by the website design, at least) and the character designs of presumably the main characters look pretty nice, too (since this is an anthology series, I can't say for sure that they are the central ones, as they might only be related to the first episode). The concept behind its format is quirky, and it looks like it could be good. Of course, it just has to air on the 13th...


Kemono to Chat

Debut: October 23, 2009
Format: OVA (1 episode)
Director: Yuuji Umoto
Character Design: Takayuki Mizushina (Original)
Score:
Studio: Usagi.Ou
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Preview Clip

Synopsis
A freshman girl in high school is shown to have the ability to talk to and understand cats.

Personally...
It looks like fun, light fare with cute designs, but what might be more bizarre than knowing that Maaya Sakamoto is playing the lead on something so weird, or that the VAs look eerily like the characters they are playing, is that Takayuki Mizushina, creator of the source manga, was something of an "everyman" before--a one-time reporter, teacher, game tester, and stage actor--and naturally, he will be penning and producing the anime's ED theme. Should be harmless at only one episode.


KIDDY GiRL-AND

Debut: October 15, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Keiji Gotoh
Character Design: Megumi Kadonosono
Score: Noriyasu Agematsu
Studio: Satelight
Additional Links: ANN Entry, KADOKAWA Anime Channel

Synopsis
Fifty years following end of the storyline of Kiddy Grade, a new one takes root in two new girls, each vying to become part of the elite government agency ES.

Personally...
Kiddy Grade was one of the biggest and most well-received hits earlier this decade, so it's more than a little surprising that GONZO is not animating its sequel--or maybe not. It may be one of their signature titles, but the studio has been in dire straits in the last year. However, even before then, it was announced in 2007 by its production group gimlik (Gotoh, wife Kadonosono, and screenwriter Hidefumi Kimura) that asread, who assisted in the production of that year's compilation movie trilogy, would be the ones animating its sequel, "Kiddy Grade 2", with the studio creating a pilot DVD set the story up--but the oddities don't end there.

For the past two years, no news had been made about it until this February, when a show named "KIDDY GiRL-AND" was announced with Satelight as its animator. More "spinoff" than "sequel" (ex. "Angel Links" to the original "Outlaw Star"), the series appears to be its own beast, though interestingly enough, the first scene in the trailers looks very reminiscent of the beginning footage from asread's "K-G.2" pilot.

Furthermore, between the two supposed leads in the pilot, only the one with the dark hair and red ribbons ("Q-feuille" in KG-a) seems to have been retained relatively intact, if not a little taller and featuring a more mature look, with the silver-haired girl replaced by the current pink- and shorter-haired one ("Ascoeur"), whose outfit is similarly shaped, but less stylized, and looks spunkier and more cheerful than the more demure former. Q-feuille, along with the other characters seen in both promos, differ from their K-G.2 counterparts in terms of facial design and look overall sharper and more refined, perhaps due to improvements in animation quality industry-wide since then and to Satelight's own high standards and detailing. Conspicuously absent from the new trailers are the original stars of Kiddy Grade, Eclair and Lumière, which is strange and sort of amusing given that Aya Hirano ("Lumière") in 2006 first broke the news that a sequel was in development and that the pair were going to be the focus of it. Clearly, much has changed since then, but through all of the convolution, one would expect that gimlik would work them into it at some point.

Sheer amusement aside, KIDDY GiRL-AND has a good foundation to build on and the character designs look beautiful, and the animation fantastic. Of what I've seen of KG, it wasn't too bad, though its new iteration should still be in good hands with Satelight (and having Junichi Sato as sound director isn't a bad deal, either). The newest episode can be viewed at KADOKAWA Anime Channel (click on picture in the upper right-hand corner for the video), but for only 24 hours (9AM Thurs. - 8:59AM Fri. (EST)) and in Japanese with no subtitles.


Kimi ni Todoke (Reach/ing You)

Debut: October 6, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Hiro Kaburaki
Character Design: Yuka Shibata
Score:
Studio: Production I.G
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
An ethereal, socially-awkward girl who has always had trouble making friends finds one in a popular male classmate, who's not afraid of her like everyone else.

Personally...
This is one of the series I've been anticipating the most this season. The simple premise looks to be the basis for a pleasant romantic fable, with slight comedic overtures, and its aesthetics look quite nice in their own right. I've always adored these types of stories and there's something about this one that seems especially appealing. And judging from the first episode, I will definitely be looking forward to more of it.


King of Thorn

Debut: October 9, 2009
Format: Film
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
Character Design: Hidenori Matsubara
Score:
Studio: Sunrise
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, two twin sisters are separated from one another as one is chosen to be part of a group of 160 to be cryogenically-preserved until a cure is discovered. Some unknown time later, the frozen twin and a few of others awaken to a completely ravaged and devastated world filled with an assortment of terrifying creatures, leaving them alone to survive and figure out what occurred during their sleep--and for the girl, what happened to her sister...

Personally...
Though not appearing in Japan until 2010, King of Thorns does make its world premiere at Sitges International Film Festival in October, giving many plenty more time to ogle over the delicious trailer on its official site. For the critically-acclaimed and much talked-about manga, it was only a matter of time until it received a big-budgeted anime treatment, which in this case happens to be a Sunrise-produced film with The Big O's Katayama directing, Gankutsuou's Matsubara treating mangaka Yuji Iwahara's native character designs, Karas' Kenji Andou supplying the creature designs, and both Katayama and Blue Submarine No. 6's Hiroshi Yamaguchi sharing scripting duties.

I have long wanted to read the manga and the bits of it I have seen looked gorgeous. However, the plot and the film's trailer seem a little too reminiscent of Blue Gender, and the footage, while spectacular to look at (remember Sunrise's own effort on Steamboy), didn't appear to be anything more than your usual sci-fi get-chased-by-strange-monsters-while-figuring-out-why-they-are-there-and-survive sort of deal. Still, there could be more to it than meets the eye, and it looks like it could still be good (not just visually-speaking), so it is remains very much worth keeping out for.


Kobato.

Debut: October 6, 2009
Format: TV (24 episodes)
Director: Mitsuyuki Masuhara
Character Design: Hiromi Kato
Score: Takeshi Hama
Studio: Madhouse
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
In order to reach her desired destination, a young girl named Kobato, accompanied by her gruff plush dog supervisor, must travel the earth in search of "scarred hearts" to fill her bottle with, though she is forbidden from falling in love with any of the people she helps.

Personally...
Already the critic's darling, Kobato. looks like it could become one of the biggest hits of the season. It's hard to debate given how great it looks from all fronts and seeing the kind of gold that can come when CLAMP and Madhouse join together (Cardcaptor Sakura, Mouryou no Hako (original character designs by the group), X (TV series), Chobits). Another highlight belies in the cast, which is filled with many of my favorite VAs, such as Kana Hanazawa (as the lead, Kobato), Fumiko Orikasa, Houko Kuwashima, Chiwa Saito, Shinichiro Miki, and now-relative newcomer Megumi Nakajima (debuted in last year's Macross Frontier). One person of note among the staff is art director Hideyuki Ueno, whose skills in creating that right atmosphere and realistic settings helped signify shows like Gungrave, Death Note (background art), and NANA and gave them their particular identity. His talent matches a show like this one perfectly, increasing its profile more and enhancing its prospects further. The first episode wasn't too bad--not as bowled over as others--but Kobato. remains a fine show in the making.


Miracle Train ~Ooedo-sen e Youkoso~ (~Welcome to the Ooedo Line~)

Debut: October 4, 2009
Format: TV (12 episodes)
Director: Kenichi Kasai
Character Design: Aki Tsunaki (Original: Tomohisa Kai)
Score:
Studio: Yumeta Company
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Crunchyroll

Synopsis
Its doors open to the troubled hearts of women, the mysterious "Miracle Train" and its attractive, dapper six-man crew (and female guide) are available to cure them of their pain and turn their sorrows into smiles...

Personally...
I'm not totally into the bishounen genre, but if there is an interesting series to be had there--like this one--then I won't mind too much. That said, the chief reason I'm even listing this in the main section is because these men of soy-fed handsomeness are actually personifications of six major train stations in Tokyo--replete with their names serving as their own surnames. In the spirit of characterizations and genre typesets (and maybe the state of the stations themselves, who knows), each guy has a particular personality (i.e. cool leader guy, hotheaded guy, flirty guy, cuddly shy little guy, etc.). It's a bizarre, but kinda intriguing, idea that is actually the newest in the Miracle Train media franchise, having already spawned a web manga and novel based on Tokyo's Chuo line (this one, Ooedo's, received the same treatment), and is different from your usual bishie/moe fare. It's odd enough to warrant a looksee, since I also like these kinds of slice-of-life stories.


Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record: Avant-Title

Debut: September 3, 2009
Format: OVA (1 episode)
Director: Kou Matsuo
Character Design: Tatsuya Suzuki
Score: Masatoshi Kai
Studio: Sunrise
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Gundam|News Article

Synopsis
A prequel to the PS3 video game Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record U.C.0081, this animated short takes place in the heated final battle of the One Year War at the end of U.C. 0079, in which Earth Federation pilot Hughes Curros and Principality of Zeon pilot Erik Blanke were among the participants.

Personally...
Part of Mobile Suit Gundam's 30th anniversary, Battlefield was originally, or perhaps vaguely, insinuated to be a new "series" when the "project" was first announced late February (see linked article). Taking place a year after the end of the war (as depicted in Avant-Title), Curros leads a Federation sweeper group that crosses paths with a dissident Zeon force under the young Blanke's command. The storyline, which of course, features a mysterious Gundam prototype, was not revealed to belong to a video game until the following month, only a few days after Bandai announced that there would be no new Gundam series in 2009. Poor wording aside, its 7-minute long OVA prequel, the animated trailers, and the in-game cutscenes are as close to a "series" as one will be getting, at least for now. The short itself (which looks to be either a game extra or pre-game movie) wasn't too bad, though something a little more "full-fledged" would be nice to see in the future. No word on if Battlefield will see a North American release.


Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chuu (Summer Storm! Open for Business)

Debut: October 4, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo (Series: Shin Oonuma)
Character Design: Kazuhiro Ota
Score: Ken Sato
Studio: SHAFT
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Crunchyroll

Synopsis
The second season to this past spring's Natsu no Arashi! continues with the tale of one thirteen year-old's unforgettable summer with a older high-school girl...who is a time-traveling apparition.

Personally...
Natsu no Arashi! is one of my favorite anime of the year, so of course its second season is listed up top here. Its quirky style and characters, top-notch animation, befitting score, and story made it very enjoyable to watch, so it will be interesting to see how they wrap up everything, given how it all takes place during one summer...


Rebirth of Buddha

Debut: October 17, 2009
Format: Film
Director: Takaaki Ishiyama
Character Design:
Score: Yuuichi Mizusawa
Studio: Group TAC
Additional Links: ANN Entry, ANN Article

Synopsis
In the midst of worldwide pandemonium, Buddha will be reborn to reprieve all from the encroaching darkness...

Personally...
Ah ha, this particular movie is without doubt among the most interesting titles of recent. Anime does not usually cover topics on religion, outside of things involving Shinto practices and priestesses sweeping temple grounds, but the people behind this movie were intent on doing so. Happy Science, a controversial Buddhist group, set out to essentially make a "Second Coming of Jesus" film, just minus "Jesus" and insert a reincarnated Buddha in a world in turmoil and in need of salvation. The film is certainly not want in talent, with Group TAC (Gilgamesh, Night on the Galactic Railroad) providing animation and a cast of big-named stars led by Ami Koshimizu (who is apparently getting a lot of flack from her fans for it), but outside of the decent-looking animation, the character animation is rather stiff and their designs are undistinguished. Zombies/ghosts seem to be involved and a guy that can whip out fire ("False Prophet"/"Antichr...err...Antibuddha"?) can be seen in-between snippets of "The Day The Earth Stood Still"-type shenanigans in the trailers, culminating to a silhouetted image of the rebirthed Buddha--savior-style.

Happy Science, I guess, could be compared to Scientology, given their propensities for science fiction-inspired beliefs or tools, big star involvement (one of the VAs, Takehito Koyasu, has been in every anime film they have produced--though honestly, he has always had quite the peppered resume), and an oddball founder with a penchant for fantasy and sci-fi novel writing. In respect to the latter, all of the films came from books by founder Ryuho Okawa, with one not being based off of his teachings, but was produced by Happy Science anyway (Hermes, Winds of Love). As a Christian, I'm more amused by the film than offended, due to the parallels and the inherent silliness of it all. It doesn't help that the Scientology aura to the organization is there, which sort of undercuts the sincerity of their aims further. Considering Japan's strident traditionalism and beliefs, it's not hard to see why something like this would be viewed unfavorably there.


Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra

Debut: October 2, 2009
Format: TV
Director: Toshiya Shinohara
Character Design: Masaki Yamada (Original: Shigeki Maeshima)
Score: Yoshihisa Hirano
Studio: david production
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Crunchyroll

Synopsis
The Library of Bantorra is a repository where the souls of the deceased are located in the form of books, with anyone able to gain access to their former lives by simply touching one. Because of their immense value, powerful and knowledgeable individuals known as Armed Librarians are tasked with the library's protection.

Personally...
I've always liked fantasy stories that try to be different or offer an interesting premise amidst a genre prone to staleness and repetitious plots. The idea behind The Book of Bantorra, based on a light novel series, can be the basis of a great show if executed right, so its chances are good with the upstart and promising david production at the helm. They are quickly becoming a favorite of mine after Ristorante Paradiso (their first, just debuting in April) and the artistic style they displayed there and on DOGS: Bullets & Carnage, though they appear to employ a different one for their third series. The trailers show off some of the studio's attention to design (with art direction from none other than Shigemi Ikeda, recent Emmy winner for his job on Afro Samurai: Resurrection--the first anime artist to garner one) and as a whole, it looks like a good action fantasy that should attract a number of fans.


Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee

Debut: October 3, 2009
Format: TV (13 episodes)
Director: Akira Iwanaga
Character Design: Minako Shiba
Score: Kunihiko Ryo
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Additional Links: ANN Entry, Crunchyroll, ANN Article

Synopsis
In the dark and treacherous lands, Letter Bees traverse across to carry out their deliveries. One comes to find that his next assignment is to "deliver" a young boy to his aunt after his mother was kidnapped. Through their trip together, the boy soon yearns to become a Letter Bee himself.

Personally...
There was a lot of discussion and hype about this title awhile back, but it seems interesting enough to watch, with its dream-like art and (slice-of-life -ish?) story.


The Sacred Blacksmith

Debut: October 3, 2009
Format: TV (12 episodes)
Director: Masamitsu Hidaka
Character Design: Jun Nakai (Original: Runa)
Score: Tamiya Terashima
Studio: manglobe
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
A young female knight-in-training is saved from a deranged fellow knight by a man known as the "Sacred Blacksmith". In need of someone to repair her father's old sword and impressed with his skills, she travels with him and his assistant across the cursed land.

Personally...
Despite this being a manglobe production and featuring animation character designs by Jun Nakai (who supplied great ones for Tokyo Majin), I'm really not that impressed by it. Its story (that I summed down quite a bit) sounds convoluted and not terribly involving, and the character designs have that moe slant to them that's off-putting in a K-ON!-way, especially with the whole "toothy facial expressions" thing that has slowly creped onto other shows, such as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (second season episodes) and on one of my biggest favorites of the year, Sea Story (though they are used effectively and sparingly, about as ideal and moderate as you'll get). Perhaps like Sea Story, that expressiveness will be utilized properly and not done to death just to make a character "cute" and likable like some crutch or cover for laziness in not going past the superficial and actually trying to make them interesting (like K-ON!). The Sacred Blacksmith might turn out to be a good fantasy entry, but for now, I'm very skeptical.


Tonari no 801-chan R

Debut: September 10, 2009
Format: OVA
Director: Yutaka Yamamoto
Character Design: Satoshi Kadowaki
Score:
Studio: A-1 Pictures Inc.
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
The "opening" to the popular 4koma manga Tonari no 801-chan, revolving around the relationship between a yaoi fan and her otaku boyfriend.

Personally...
And speaking of "Krap-ON!", this theoretical opening to Tonari's non-existent anime can be seen in some respect as Yamamoto sticking it to his old bosses at Kyoto Animation again. Originating from a web blog, the manga's adaptation was initially announced last July (and enthusiastically so by its creator, Ajiko Kojima) and was to be handled by KyoAni after weeks of speculation. However, it was abruptly canceled with no explanation about a month later (which was poked at by Kojima in the manga).

Enter Yutaka Yamamoto and A-1 Pictures, the studio that gave him a second life with the successful Kannagi, over a year later, who just happened to be tapped to create the "opening" for what-could-have-been to be shipped with the manga's most recent volume. There clearly still is no love lost between Kyoto Animation and the director, as observed by the studio giving him the "dead to me" treatment (again) when he spoke about being against the "Endless Eight" concept in Haruhi S2 while he was still with them during its planning stages. This isn't likely to make that relationship thaw any sooner, and a full-fledged Tonari anime would only make it colder (and more salacious, in a tabloid way).


Winter Sonata

Debut: October 17, 2009
Format: TV (26 episodes)
Director: Yoon Suk-ho
Character Design:
Score:
Studio:
Additional Links: ANN Entry

Synopsis
Based off the megahit 2002 Korean drama, Winter Sonata follows the embattled and troubled lives and romance of two ill-fated childhood friends.

Personally...
Winter Sonata is a pretty big deal not only in Japan, but in Asia as a whole, and was partly responsible for the emergence of Korean drama outside of the country. The plot itself, in all honesty, is really ridiculous, but it might make for some outlandish entertainment. So in that respect, it makes even more sense to have an anime version of it (in Korean with the original leads, no less). However, one major key to a successful non-anime or manga-related adaptation is the size of the studio's caliber. Often, producers take a short cut by hiring a lesser studio to maximize profits with the lower costs, leading to less-than-inspiring results. Thankfully (in part to male lead Bae Yong-Joon, whose production company is helping bankroll it...due to him having issue with the use of his likeness), it looks like some money was put into it, as the animation looks very good, as do the character designs (although, Bae's character looks a little too Anglo at times). If a good enough effort was put into it, Winter Sonata's animated rendition, too, should be a big hit in Japan and elsewhere.


-Other Shows of Interest-
This section contains titles that are of interest, but might not have been as major as some of the ones above, seemed curious, or just couldn't be squeezed in with the main list, at the risk of making it too large. That definitely doesn't mean that they are lesser than them, as many great show that have been found here in the past. Be sure to give these a chance, too!

11eyes (10.06.09 - Sounds like the makings of a very good series if handled seriously enough and avoids any clichéd territories. Available at Crunchyroll.)

Akikan! (OVA) (10.23.09 - It's a hot spring episode featuring not-quite-everyone's favorite, expertly-drawn harem group. 'Nuff said (I hope).)

Asura Cryin' 2 (10.01.09 - Though not a favorite of critics, Asura Cryin' certainly had its fans, enough so to make its second season among the more anticipated and garnering a run on Cruchyroll, first season included.)

Gokyoudai Monogatari (Sibling Stories) (10.10.09 - Looks like an enjoyable, lighthearted slice-of-life show, but, that forehead...)

Hidamari Sketch x 365 (special) (10.17.09 - The Hidamari Sketch series has won itself a good amount of fans (perhaps due in small part to being a SHAFT/Akiyuki Shinbo production), so as a follow-up to this year's earlier sequel and as a precursor to its third TV series, a two-part special makes its way this month, first on the 17th and then a week later on the 24th.)

Kämpfer (10.01.09 - A magical gender-swapping fighting anime, with a male as the central star. I guess its fine for those into or tolerable of that sort of thing. Complete with disemboweled animal plushies!)

Kotatsu Neko (10.03.09 - An adaptation of a strange live-action sci-fi film involving two cats living under a heated table (a kotatsu) and the parallels between their shy owner's forlorn love-life and one of their own.)

Kuuchuu Buranko (10.15.09 - An oddball anime/live-action hybrid based on an award-winning collection of short stories revolving around a psychiatrist (with three bodies) and his eccentric patients. The wild and highly sublime animation is actually of a high quality and the artistic concept seems to work better than one might expect (at least, as far as the superb trailer is concerned). Really nice theme music by Denki Groove, plus, weird stuff like this is up my alley...)

Mahoromatic: Tadaima Okaeri (10.17.09 - Mahoromatic would have been a nice and fine title with some poignancy to it if it weren't for the fanservice and that oversexed, overbearing teacher. Not really expecting much else from this two-episode special, even with GAINAX's distinctive touch.)

Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Mou Hitotsu no Sekai~ (09.17.09 - Another year, another Negima! OVA...)

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Special Edition (10.27.09 - Another Gundam series down, another compilation to go...)

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza (10.05.09 - A continuation of winter's Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, available at Crunchyroll (the first season is not, though).)

Nyan Koi! (10.01.09 - While this is the first of two anime this season dealing with someone being able to talk to cats, this one involves a cat-hating guy whose inadvertent act of violence towards a sacred cat causes him to gain said ability in order to fulfill the wishes of 100 cats--lest he turn into one himself.)


Queen's Blade: Gyokuza no Tsugumono (09.24.09 - This past spring's piece-of-work, with its soooooo-not-hentai and criminally-good production values, returns to revel in its soiled glory.)

Sasameki Koto (10.07.09 - Normally I'm not all for yuri anime, even one getting stellar reviews as this one, but I have to at least give it credit for creative marketing when an iPhone/iPod touch game app was created to promo the show a month to its debut. The objective: you practice kissing the show's extroverted co-lead girl (read: you physically kiss the screen with her picture on it), who'll award you if you do it real well. Yeah.)

Seitokai no Ichizon (10.02.09 - Another one of those "insider", reference-dropping, metahumor shows, only this one looks decidedly more lazy than its cleverer counterparts (FLCL, Natsu no Arashi!, Bakemonogatari, anyone?).)

Shugo Chara! Party! (10.03.09 - Like its previous series, the ever-popular Shugo Chara!'s newest edition (with a mix of animated and live-action segments) is available on Crunchyroll.)

Sora no Otoshimono (10.04.09 - Crunchyroll, as well as Kadokawa Pictures, has high hopes for this series, which both say is heartwarming and can reach a "broad audience" (in CR's words for the latter). This same ecchi show that apparently has a "too-hot-for-TV" episode and features the kind of antics and top-heavy designs found in others of its ilk--or just a female character that embodies both and looks subservient with a chain-and-collar around her neck like a prisoner or dog? Well, stranger things have happened, so sure, why not?!)

Tamagotchi! (10.12.09 - One of Tamagotchi's TV series is being webcasted at Bandai Web Theater and one of its films was released recently in Bandai's campaign to rekindling its franchise, so perhaps this new series may see its way onto the YouTube channel.)

Tentai Senshi Sunred (Season 2) (10.03.09 - Since Sunred features much of the same staff from Seto no Hanayome, I've always wanted to see it, given its so odd, laid-back comedic style and because SnH was the funniest anime I've ever seen.)

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (10.02.09 - Having never seen the series it was spun from, I managed to watch the first episode with ease and came away very pleased. Impressive visual detail and quality noted, the characters and their interactions are what made it so good, not to mention its newbie-friendly narrative and that they didn't pour it on with the jingo.)


Winter Album 2 (10.02.09 - One of the most well-received titles of last winter's anime season sees its second act debut seven months later, but both seasons can be watched on Crunchyroll.)

Yumeiro Pâtissière (10.04.09 - This reminds me a lot of "Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou Shoujo" in terms of design, which is just fine, seeing how utterly cute it all looks...oh, and the story sounds sweet, too. Available for viewing on Crunchyroll on Nov. 8.)


-In Theaters-


Astro Boy (10.10.09 - Not too thrilled with the corniness in the trailers, the look of the characters (even though they are only slightly tweaked from the manga), or of the abundance of big-name Hollywood actors in it (rarely a good sign most of the times, since it might mean that they were more concerned about "star power" than story). Opens on October 23 in the U.S.)

Eden of The East the Movie I: The King of Eden (11.28.09 - Everybody seems to love Eden of The East, so its film adaptation/conclusion should generate more buzz as its debut nears.)

Fresh Precure! Omocha no Kuni wa Himitsu ga Ippai!? (10.31.09 - Second movie of the year in the popular franchise, though there doesn't look to be a Halloween theme to it...)

Macross Frontier ~Itsuwari no Utahime~ (11.21.09 - Compilation movie? Yes. Sequel? No.)


Mai Mai Miracle (11.21.09 - First noted in the Summer Preview, Sunao Katabuchi and Madhouse's Mai Mai Miracle makes it Japanese debut following its August premiere at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland.)

Tales of Vesperia ~The First Strike~ (10.03.09 - With a score by Akira Senju and some fine animation by Production I.G (highlighted by Kousuke Fujishima's ever-pleasing original character designs), ToV looks like it could be quite nice--if it can avoid the many pitfalls of video game-to-anime adaptations.)

:anime: And Another One Bites...

Kadokawa Pictures USA, the licensing arm of Japan's Kadokawa Pictures, closed down on August 31, leaving a number of to-be-distributed titles such as Ga-Rei -Zero- and H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~ in possible limbo and becoming the fourth (or third, depending on how you view it) American anime company to dissolve within the year. It's such a shame to hear this news, as their products were of high quality and they seemed to put a lot of effort in ensuring it (as personally observed with The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time). The titles in question may still be in queue if the closing only meant a reallocation of resources and that negotiations would occur through the parent company and not the subsidiary, but as of this moment, there is no word on their fate or of those that have already been released by the likes of Bandai Ent., FUNimation, and Nozomi Ent. I have really enjoyed their work over their too-brief lifespan, and along with their awesome eyecatch, I'll definitely be missing them if this is truly it.

Speaking of possible/not-so-possible demises, this brings memories of the recent implosion of A.D. Vision, Inc., aka "ADV Films". As many well know, the one-time industry leader suddenly announced its dissolution on the first of this month and had its various pieces sold off to other companies, including its dubbing house, licensing division, and distribution service. The news had many (too many) fans lamenting the loss of the company, some wondering what would be of its current shows, and others angry at the state of affairs and signalling the ultimate downfall of the anime industry in the US. What the "too many" either failed to realize or just flat-out read only the news heading and not the article itself was that A.D. Vision essentially restructured and split itself into the new companies that "bought" its fragments (ANN's Editor-in-Chief wrote a very informative piece on the company here).

While said in only so many words in their press release, it is apparent, and some of their addresses are located at the same place (even a few at ADV's former offices) and owned by the same individuals in some cases (one of them being John Ledford, ADV's former CEO). This reshuffling of assets, as pointed out on the ANN forums by a number of helpful folks who gave some great and very well-informed answers my questions about it there, most likely had to do with ADV having some trouble with paying its creditors, largely brought about by the aftermath of their failed partnership with Sojitz. Additionally, restructuring also meant getting Sojitz out of their hair, who still retained a 20% stake in ADV after pulling their money out. While the now-sullied brand name is gone, ADV still lives on...albeit in a cooperative "Baby Bell" sort of way a la AT&T's breakup.

Kadokawa Pictures USA joins A.D. Vision (sort of), Central Park Media, Broccoli USA (Synch-Point's parent) as the fourth (or third) company in the US to go down within the past year, although the last two have been silent for much longer than than that, and does not take into consideration the downsizing done at the remaining companies. Though it has been a tumultuous time in the industry both here and in Japan, I believe that things will settle down within the next year barring another worldwide financial crisis, as it has a tendency to self-correct. In the mean time, they'll all be missed, and hopefully their employees have found other areas of employment by now.

:boxing: Road to the Pacquiao Stakes:: Mayweather vs Marquez

Perhaps the one match-up worth seeing right now that isn't named "Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather, Jr." is "Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs Juan Manuel Marquez"--well, arguably at least. It may not carry as big a marquee ring to it as the first, but it is as big a fight as that is. The argument can be made that Marquez is the real #1 P4P fighter in the world, having knocked out Juan Diaz in stunning fashion after a brutal war earlier in the year and taking Pacquiao to the brink in their two encounters (and for the record, I thought he won the first and lost the second--both by a round). On the other hand, Mayweather once held the mythical title for a good while, but has last fought nearly two years ago. With a date against the Pacman looming just beyond, he'll need to get by a man that not only fights nearly as well as him, but has his own plans of getting after the fighter.

Juan Manuel Marquez is without a doubt the best and most difficult opponent that Mayweather has faced yet. That he's fighting someone of his caliber is a both a surprise (he's actually facing someone that can pose a real threat to him) and a calculated move. A win over a fighter close to Pacquiao's attributes means he'll have good understanding at what to expect from the current P4P king and how to deal with him, not to mention that it would be the signature victory of his career to date and hush many of his critics (maybe even me). That said, Marquez isn't a pushover and stands a very good chance at beating him. He possesses power and speed that can rival his archnemesis Filipino and has more experience than either him or Mayweather. With that, he has developed an impressive boxing mind that could potentially give the knowledgeable Mayweather fits and enough physicality to put him in jeopardy. Juan Manuel Marquez has more than enough in him to decisively beat him, especially someone whose been away from the ring for the length that he has been.

Ah, but things are not so easy and simple as that. Marquez, despite all of his prowess in speed, tenacity, power, and counterpunching, is susceptible to fast hands (like a good number of like fighters). He has also proven vulnerable to being knocked down by sudden shots, making both factors a dangerous combination. This was most evident in the Pacquiao fights, where he was famously downed three times in the first round of the first and once midway through the rematch. In both instances, he managed to make it a close fight, with many thinking he won both. However, that was not the case at the end of either, as he drew and narrowly lost them, respectively. Though he is hard to hurt and has an otherwise strong jaw, his propensity for flash knockdowns has been an impediment to what could have been potential victories. This aspect is very advantageous for Mayweather, whose inate skills fit such scenarios like a puzzle piece. It's also rational to suggest that if he had trouble handling Pacquiao's speed, he would have just as difficult a time--if not worse--against the blindingly fast former champion.

Mayweather-Marquez is not an easy fight to give a definitive prediction to, given the factors going into it. What may be the deciding factors may be the action at the beginning, the stamina past the midpoint, and how either fighter handles the other. Marquez has some notoriety in being a slow starter, like Mayweather (though the former is colder), and both like to pour it on later in the bout. While they are flexible with their gameplans, Marquez might be more so, being either the counterpuncher or the aggressor from the start and throughout the fight, adapting when needed (as a counterpuncher, though, he has a tendency of fighting at the pace and fights of others). Mayweather, though, is at his sharpest and most dangerous in the latter stages, where Marquez has fluctuated between being fatigued and being on-the-ball, sometimes within a single round (Mayweather has exhibited some fatigue and relaxation there before, but chiefly against lesser opponents or when he has a wide lead). As such, perhaps the biggest deciding factor will be their in-ring "demeanor". Both are opporitunitistic, so if Marquez does not rise to the occasion in his biggest fight and is crushed under the pressure to impress (or of speed), or if Mayweather cannot shake off the ring rust or answer the pressure of his opponent's attacks, then either one will be ripe for the picking and reaper will benefit from it with an easy night and "impressive" win (however competitive).

Contrary to their normal ways, both fighters will most likely try to establish their place and pace and start off briskly after a very short "feeling out" period. Afterwords, Marquez might be the more offensive one and pressure Mayweather, but he'll probably rely on his counterpunching to perhaps catch him as he reacclimates to being back in the ring. Mayweather will most likely take his time and not do anything too risky on the outset, reserving his energy for later and focus on picking his shots with crisp jabs and bursts of fast-hitting combinations to both score points with the judges and keep Marquez at bay. Both fighters will certainly be very mobile, but Mayweather will be the most on the move. From Round 4 on, it'll be anyone's game--precisely, whoever can establish their plans and themselves most thoroughly from the start.

Absolute recognition as Pound-4-Pound king and a date with the current king, Manny Pacquiao, awaits (bearing that he gets through Miguel Cotto in November). A victory will be the highest moment in one man's career and a defining loss in the other's. For Juan Manuel Marquez--win and he can cement his legacy in becoming the first person to defeat Mayweather and claim another shot at finally besting his archrival. Lose and it may very well be the last time he'll ever get a chance at reaching the top, much less a match against the fighter he really wants, not to mention that he could never be victorious over the very best in the world. For Floyd Mayweather, Jr.--victory means another affirmation of his greatness--that he "still has it", and that no one--not even Pacquiao--could ever have a shot at beating him. Defeat and it means that all of those doubters and detractors were right, that he was "exposed"...that his legacy, like his unblemished, undefeated record, is tarnished and in question. Come Saturday night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, who will be the one to claim the "stakes" and get one step closer to the pinnacle of the sport?

Prediction: Marquez, Majority Decision (if mindset is not right or can't handle speed, Mayweather, TKO8). Perhaps going against my better judgement and the facts in front of me, but I think that Marquez has the tools and the mentality to put it together and best Mayweather in a close but definite decision. Many have brought up Marquez moving up two weight classes as a potential problem, including the fact that Mayweather is a natural in the 140-lbs range where they are fighting, but whatever goes down in the ring would have likely occurred whether the "catch weight" was favorable to Marquez or was at some mythical "P4P" level. It will come down to a test of skill, mind, and durability. The extra weight on Marquez and Mayweather coming two pounds over the 144-lbs catchweight, plus his own potential rustiness, may play major roles in terms of the latter, but having the right mindset and utilizing the best of their skills is just as important in the outcome. That said, Mayweather might not be as focused and intent as Marquez, who has more to gain from a win than he does and has the ability to frustrate him and take him off his plan. It's not a given, and if Marquez is enveloped in the moment, can't provide an answer to Mayweather's speed, or doesn't bring everything at him (and play it smart), Mayweather will have his day--and his fight against Manny Pacquiao.

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Outcome: Mayweather, UD. Well, it looks like not only did the speed get to him, a lack of an answer for it and the weight issue proved to be Marquez's undoing (though by some of the footage, it looked more like the former). Going by ESPN's round-by-round report, Mayweather indeed had his way and then some as he dodged Marquez's advances and fired away at the slower fighter. He scored a knockdown in the second and seemed to have him reeling throughout, though that trip to the canvas was of little importance to Mayweather's chances for victory, as it looked to be a complete wash. With a definitive victory in hand (perhaps his most impressive), Mayweather proves that he still has it, cementing his legacy in the process, and gets a shot at Manny Pacquiao (if he defeats Miguel Cotto), who's chances against him just got a little tighter. For Marquez, his last chance at getting Pacquiao seems to have evaporated (unless he loses the Cotto fight, in which he would be the next logical opponent for a payday), and he has yet to beat the top elite. After such a thorough beating, it remains to be seen how well he rebound from it and climb back to challenge them.