: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.)