Winter 2010 New Anime -- full previews w/cast, staff, trailer, story, pics, mangas

This is the first season to make me really believe the cries of woe that have been coming from the anime industry for years. My list has only 19 new shows coming out in the first three months of next year. That compares with 36 shows in the same period this year.

But there are some promising and/or eagerly awaited shows among them:

• Baka to Test to Shokanjuu is a school comedy based on a top-rated light novel, and it is directed by Oonuma Shin, who directed the two ef shows for Shaft. Because of him, this is at the top of my list.
  
• Dhurara is by the staff that made the underrated Baccano, and is based on a novel by the same author as that show.
• Dance in the Vampire Bund is Shinbou Akiyuki's next big thing after Bakemonogatari. It is based on a popular manga in which the loli-looking queen of the vampires pays off Japan's national debt in return for an urban island off Tokyo where her people can live.
• So Ra No Wo To is by the director of Elfen Lied and the writer of Macross Frontier, but appears to be more like ARIA in a Strike Witches setting, and with K-On character design.
• Nodame Cantabile: Finale ends that great series under the direction of Kon Chiaki, who directed Higurashi and the somewhat disappointing Nodame Paris. But it is written by the well-known playwright and novelist who wrote Gurren-Lagann.
• Katanagatari is the second of NisiOisiN's novels to be animated, after Bakemonogatari, and is therefore highly anticipated -- but it is done by the same staff that made School Days and Amenaideyo, so I personally have low expectations. Except for the wonderful art and character design you see above.
  
• Ookami Kakushi is a new seinen horror thriller from a game by Ryuukishi07, who created Higurashi.
• And starting in March, fans will have a new Gundam OVA series, Gundam Unicorn, with an interesting new/old look and written and directed by the men who made Chevalier D'Eon.

And there are other shows that will appeal to various audiences. The following alphabetical list links to fuller descriptions of each show. The full descriptions are in order of first broadcast. For the first time this year I have included links to online scanlations of mangas. Also included are links to video previews of most shows, along with detailed staff and cast info, a story synopsis, and an image.

// Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu     // Chuu Bra!!     //Cobra the Animation     // Dance In The Vampire Bund     // Dhurarara!!     // Hanamaru Youchien     // Haruka Naru Toki no Naka de 3: Owari Naki Unmei     // Heartcatch Precure     // Hidamari Sketch X Hoshimittsu     // Kaitou Reinya     // Katanagatari     // Ladies versus Butlers!     // Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn     // Nodame Cantabile: Finale     // Omamori Himari     // Ookami Kakushi     // Seikon no Qwaser     // Sex Pistols     // So Ra No Wo To

NOTES:
-- dates and times may change, and will be updated in my anime calendar, which should come out around the end of the year
-- information from official sites, MoonPhase, AniDB, Anime News Network, Japanese Wikipedia, Who Subs What, et al.
-- English titles link to an anime's Anime News Network page, Japanese titles to its official site

Cobra The Animation
  (jp: COBRA THE ANIMATION)

macho mammaries space adventure
Continued revival of an old series. This new TV series follows two OVAs.

Cobra is very known space pirate, but decides to change his face and to clear all his memories. He becomes a common guy, with a common job, and a very boring life, but suddenly he starts remembering his true identity and new adventures begin. (ANN)

This new series features a great supporting cast, including such luminaries as Sakamoto Maaya, Ohtsuka Akio, and Yamaguchi Kappei.

seiyuus: Uchida Naoya, Sakakibara Yoshiko, Honda Takako, Inoue Marina, Minagawa Junko, Ohtsuka Akio, Orikasa Fumiko, Sakamoto Maaya, Shiraishi Ryoko.
director: Shimizu Keizo (Sanada)
writer: Koide Kazumi (Cobra OVA production producer).
animation: Magic Bus. chara-des: Shimizu Keizo (Emily of New Moon, Legend of Basara), Yamamoto Keiko, Masui Ippei. animation supervisor: Yamamoto Keiko (first full show), Kobayashi Yukari (One Piece, Naruto Shippuuden). art: Kouno Jiro (Hi no Tori, Genji).
music: Ike Yoshihiro (Kamichu, Flag, Telepathy Girl Ran).
13eps.
sat 02 jan 23:30 Yamaguchi Kappei

Haruka Naru Toki no Naka de 3: Owari Naki Unmei
(jp: 遙かなる時空の中で3 終わりなき運命)

reverse harem historical adventure fantasy
Another OVA based on the popular reverse-harem girls' adventure game set about a thousand years ago in Japan. Our heroine is a modern girl thrown back in time and involved in fighting leading up to the great civil war battle of Dan no Ura. But the situation is complicated by the presence of a friend from the present on the other side of the battle.

Stars Kawakami Tomoko (Utena, Misuzu in AIR, Amber in Darker than Black, etc.), with a harem including Miki Shinichirou, Seki Tomokazu, etc.

TV special airs 26 Dec.

seiyuus: Kawakami Tomoko, Miki Shinichirou, Seki Tomokazu, Takahashi Naozumi, Miyata Kouki, Nakahara Shigeru, Inoue Kazuhiko, Hoshi Souichirou, Ishida Akira, Kuwashima Houko.
director: Kimiya Shigeru (Hand Maid May OVA); chief dir Tsunaki Aki (Harukanaru)
writer: Takamura Kouji (new).
animation: Yumeta (NeoAngelique, Miracle Train). chara-des: Tsunaki Aki (Harukanaru, Miracle Train); orig Mizuno Touko (manga). art: Shibata Chikako (Rozen Maiden, Honey Clover, NeoAngelique).
music: Hirano Yoshihisa (Beyblade, Death Note, Bantorra).
manga.
sun 03 jan 25:00 (DVD 24mar)

Chuu Bra!!
(jp: ちゅーぶら!!)

seinen ecchi pantsu
Educational show (lol) about a junior high school girl who has strong principles regarding underwear. In order to educate other students, she starts the "Underwear Club" at her school.

Good cast stars Chihara Minori (Yuki in Haruhi), Yahagi Sayuri (Izumi in Hayate), Kotobuki Minako and Hikasa Youko (Tsumugi and Mio in K-On). The stars sing the OP and ED.

Strange staff group for a show of this kind: the director of Gakuen Heaven and the writer of Saiunkoku and RomeoxJuliet.

seiyuus: Chihara Minori, Kotobuki Minako (Tsumugi/K-On), Yahagi Sayuri, Hikasa Youko (Mio/K-On).
director: Hiiro Yukina (Gakuen Heaven, Shikabane eps)
writer: Yoshida Reiko (Marimite, K-On). Nakata Yumi (manga).
animation: ZEXCS. chara-des: Yatsu Miyako (Idaten Jump).
OPED seiyuus.
manga. subs: Hatsuyuki?. trailer.
mon 04 jan 23:30

So Ra No Wo To
(jp: ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト)

moe slice-of-life
Set in a "near distant"future in a land that, after years of war, has settled into decline. Kanata Kumika is a 15-year-old girl who fulfills her dream of enlisting in the army and joins a unit of five girls who protect a fortress that looms over a little village. The girls play music that reverberates across the skies over towns without people and seas without fish. Setting reportedly modelled on the Spanish city of Cuenca and the nearby Alarcón Fortress. (anidb)

First in the "Anime no Chikara" series, produced by Aniplex and aired on TV Tokyo, supposedly to televise inventive new series.

Director Kanbe Mamoru did Elfen Lied and Denpateki na Kanojo. Writer Yoshino Hiroyuki did Mai-Hime and -Otome, Macross Frontier and Denpateki na Kanojo, as well as this season's Dance in the Vampire Bund.

Stars model/actress Aikawa Juri (also known as Kanemoto Hisako). Young Yuuki Aoi gets a second winter show (along with Vampire Bund). Kitamura Eri, Kobayashi Yuu, and Endou Aya also appear.

Original character design by Mel Kishida has been simplified to look like K-On, and the situation is reminiscent of Strike Witches, but I don’t think this is like either of those. This has a chance to be quite good: it may be more ARIA than K-On. OP and ED written by Kajiura Yuki, and performed by Kalafina (OP) and Tomatsu Haruka.

seiyuus: Aikawa Juri (aka Kanemoto Hisako, actress/model), Kobayashi Yuu, Kitamura Eri, Yuuki Aoi, Endou Aya, Fukuen Misato, Ishizuka Unshou, Yasokawa Mayuno.
director: Kanbe Mamoru (Elfen Lied, I"s Pure, Denpateki na Kanojo)
writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (Mai-HiME, Mai-Otome, Macross F, Denpateki na Kanojo). Paradores (orig).
animation: A-1 Pictures (Kannagi, Birdy Decode, Fairy Tail). chara-des: Akai Toshifumi; Mel Kishida. art: Kai Masatoshi; Aoki Tomoyuki.
music: Ooshima Michiru (Xamdo, FMA1). OP Kalafina, ED Tomatsu Haruka (both written by Kajiura Yuki).
trailer. subs: pwq, Yuurisan-Subs & m.3.3.w, Chihiro, Hatsuyuki.
13eps.
mon 04 jan 25:30

Seikon no Qwaser
(jp: 聖痕のクェイサー)

ecchi shounen action adventure
At St. Mihailov Academy, a Japanese Eastern Orthodox school, two students encounter many hardships until they find a mysterious silver-haired boy. The boy is a "quasar," a powerful being who derives power from sucking women's breast milk. Thus begins a shounen action adventure story involving lots of oppai fanservice and bloody violence.

Stars the capable voice of Sanpei Yuuko (Nakiami in Xam'd, Renton in Eureka Seven, Hajime in Natsu no Arashi). Also features two of the K-On girls: Toyosaki Aki and Hikasa Youko, as well as two more seiyuu/singers: Hirano Aya and Chihara Minori. And two top seiyuu actresses: Kawasumi Ayako and Takagaki Ayahi. The creepy voice of Chiba Susumu (Scythe in Phantom) and the deep bell of Ookawa Tooru round out a stellar cast.

Writer Uezu Makoto (School Days) is one of my least favorites, however. Director Hiraku Kaneko is doing her first show.

seiyuus: Sanpei Yuuko, Fujimura Ayumi, Toyosaki Aki, Chihara Minori, Hirano Aya, Hikasa Youko (Mio/K-On), Kawasumi Ayako, Takagaki Ayahi, Chiba Susumu (Scythe/Phantom), Ookawa Tooru.
director: Kaneko Hiraku
writer: Uezu Makoto. Yoshino Hiroyuki (manga story).
animation: Taki (Godannar, Sonic the Hedgehog movie). chara-des: Uno Makoto; Satou Kenetsu (manga art). animation supervisor: Iijima Hiroya, Sugimoto isao.
OP Faylan, ED seiyuus.
trailer. manga. subs: Yuurisan-Subs.
24eps.
mon 04 jan 25:30

Ladies versus Butlers!
(jp: れでぃ×ばと!)

seinen maids romantic comedy
The director of Kanokon and the writer of Strike Witches and Nogizaka Haruka team up for ecchi shenanigans in a high school that trains butlers and maids.

Outstanding cast includes Kawasumi Ayako, Nakahara Mai, Koshimizu Ami, Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Mai, and 15-year-old Hidaka Rina (Last Order in Index).

First episode preview 29 Dec.

seiyuus: Okitsu Kazuyuki (Izmal/Hanasakeru), Kawasumi Ayako, Nakahara Mai, Koshimizu Ami, Kugimiya Rie, Gotou Mai, Hidaka Rina (age15, Last Order/Index, Anne/Konnichiwa), Itou Mariya, Sakuma Kumi.
director: Ootsuki Atsushi (Kanokon)
writer: Tamai Tsuyoshi (Strike Witches, Nogizaka Haruka).
animation: Xebec (Kanokon, Phantom, The Third). chara-des: Takami Akio (Busou Renkin, Kanokon); Munyuu (manga).
trailer.
tue 05 jan OP seiyuus, ED Nakahara Mai

Omamori Himari
(jp: おまもりひまり)

catgirl romantic comedy
Our hero is an orphan living alone, cared for by his childhood friend next door. All he has from any relative is a mamori (good luck charm) left him by his grandparents, but that loses its potency on his 16th birthday. But on that day, a mysterious cat-girl samurai shows up to protect him. Unfortunately, he is allergic to cats.

From a popular bishoujo manga. There are complaints from fans about the character design, which is by the person who did charades for Akane Maniax and directed animation for Ranma 1/2. The director and writer seem an odd couple: one directed Strait Jacket, the other wrote Otoboku.

Stars the outstanding Koshimizu Ami and Hirakawa Daisuke, with Nomizu Iori (Nymph in Sora no Otoshimono) and Shindou Kei (Kuro in Kodomo no Jikan).

seiyuus: Koshimizu Ami, Hirakawa Daisuke, Nomizu Iori (Nymph/SoraOto), Shindou Kei (Kuro/KnJ), Okame Asuka (Meishen/Regios), Neya Michiko.
director: Ushiro Shinji (Strait Jacket)
writer: Hasegawa Katsumi (Final Approach, Otoboku, DC2SS), Matra Milan (manga).
animation: ZEXCS. chara-des: Isono Satoshi (Ranma anidir, Akane Maniax).
OP Sakamoto Aya & Kawada Ruka.
trailer. manga. subs: ExSSubs, Mochi Fansubs.
wed 06 jan 25:30

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
(jp: バカとテストと召喚獣)

shounen comedy school romance fantasy
Based on the top-rated novel of the year and directed by Oonuma Shin, who directed the excellent ef animes. Not only that, but the writer wrote the ef animes, Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora, and Natsu no Arashi.

This one is definitely on my list.

The novel is said to be hilarious. It is set in a school that strictly stratifies students, and the comforts of their classrooms, by test scores. The lowest ranked class uses every means to battle the higher ranked classes. Our hero has the lowest marks in the school. The heroine is a smart girl who missed exams due to illness and was ruthlessly relegated to the bottom class.

Talented cast includes Shimono Hiro (Jin in Kannagi), Harada Hitomi (Tomoe in Sasameki Koto), Mizuhashi Kaori (Ogiue in Genshiken), Katou Emiri, Miyata Kouki (Arthur in Emma), Nanjou Yoshino (Koko in DC2, and the new singer in fripSide), and Taketatsu Ayana (Azusa in K-On).

seiyuus: Shimono Hiro (Hiro/ef, Jin/Kannagi), Harada Hitomi (Tomoe/Sasameki Koto), Mizuhashi Kaori (Ogiue/Genshiken, Miyako/Hidamari), Suzuki Tatsuhisa (Tezuka/Library War, Sugata/SoraOto), Katou Emiri, Miyata Kouki (Arthur/Emma), Taketatsu Ayana (Azusa/K-On, Vanilla/Yumeiro Patissiere, Ako/kissxsis), Terashima Takuma (Teppei/Princess Lover), Nanjou Yoshino (Koko/DC2, Maria/Canaan, fripSide singer).
director: Oonuma Shin (ef)
writer: Takayama Katsuhiko (Hantsuki, ef, Natsu no Arashi). Inoue Kenji (novels).
animation: Silver Link (Tayutama). chara-des: Oshima Miwa (Love Love, Saiunkoku, Koihime Musou); Haga Yui (orig). animation supervisor: Oshima Miwa (Love Love, Koihime Musou). art: Azuma Kohji (Mushiuta, Natsu no Arashi).
OP Aso Natsuki, ED milktub.
trailer. manga. subs: Mochi Fansubs, KazenoKoe-Fansubs & Keishou-Subs.
wed 06 jan 26:20

Dance In The Vampire Bund
(jp: ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド)

vampire action violence fanservice
Mina Tepes, Queen of the Vampires, pays off Japan's national debt in return for an urban island off Tokyo where her people can live. Akira, a werewolf teen, comes to her service, having been raised from birth to be her bodyguard. In the manga, Mina usually appears to be a loli, but sometimes appears as a beautiful -- and often naked -- young adult woman. As Mina and Akira get to know each other, they must defend themselves and the island from attacks from within and outside.

Shinbou Akiyuki gets another title he can really sink his teeth into. Young Yuuki Aoi (age 17, Murasaki in Kurenai) takes the lead, supported by Nakamura Yuuichi (Alto in MacrossF) and Saitou Chiwa -- who was Shinbou's first vampire, in Tsukuyomi Moon Phase.

Adapted by the writer who did Mai-HiME, MacrossF, and Denpateki na Kanojo.

This should be good.

seiyuus: Yuuki Aoi, Nakamura Yuuichi, Saitou Chiwa, Kaida Yuuko, Itou Shizuka.
director: Shinbou Akiyuki; series dir Sonoda Masahiro (eps/boards NHK, Gendai Mahou)
writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (Mai-HiME, MacrossF, Denpateki). Tamaki Nozomu (orig).
animation: Shaft. chara-des: Konno Naoyuki (Kikaider, 009-1). animation supervisor: Konno Naoyuki (009-1, Shina Dark promo). art: Azuma Kohji (Mushiuta, Natsu no Arashi).
music: Dobashi Akio (Wellber, Yozakura). OP Nakano Aiko, ED hibiku.
trailer. manga. subs: Kesenai Subtitles?, Yuurisan-Subs, gg, Hatsuyuki.
thu 07 jan 09:00

Dhurarara!!
(jp: デュラララ!!)

seinen comedy drama
From light novels by the author of Baccano. Produced by many of the same people who made Baccano, including director Omori Takahiro and writer Takagi Noboru (who also did Koi Kaze).

Set in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, with an amazing ensemble cast including Miyano Mamoru, Hanazawa Kana, Kamiya Hiroshi, Ono Daisuke, Fukuyama Jun, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kaji Yuuki, Takagaki Ayahi, Kobayashi Sanae and Toyonaga Toshiyuki (Ayumu in Zettai Shounen) playing roles such as street thugs, high school students, a female radio host, an underworld doctor, a young information vendor, and a headless Irish fairy.

This show has my full attention.

seiyuus: Toyonaga Toshiyuki (Ayumu/Zettai Shounen), Miyano Mamoru, Hanazawa Kana, Kamiya Hiroshi, Ono Daisuke, Fukuyama Jun, Nakamura Yuuichi, Kaji Yuuki, Takagaki Ayahi, Kobayashi Sanae.
director: Omori Takahiro (Baccano, Natsume Yuujinchou)
writer: Takagi Noboru (Koi Kaze, Baccano); Narita Ryohgo (novels).
animation: Brains Base. chara-des: Kishida Takahiro (Koi Kaze, Noein, Baccano);orig Yasuda Suzuhito (Kamisama Kazoku, Yozakura Quartet). animation supervisor: Takada Akira (new, keyanim GITS:SAC, Samurai Champloo). art: Itou Akira (Elfen Lied, Baccano, Denpateki Kanojo).
music: Yoshimori Makoto (Koi Kaze, Baccano, Natsume Yuujinchou).
trailer. manga. subs: Moetaku-Fansubs?, gg.
thu 07 jan 25:25

Hidamari Sketch X Hoshimittsu
(jp: ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆(ほしみっつ))

moe slice-of-life comedy
A new series of yet another of Shinbou Akiyuki's successful franchises. Two new girls are introduced: Nori and Nazuna. Nori in particular seems to be arousing some excitement on 2channel.

seiyuus: Asumi Kana, Mizuhashi Kaori, Gotou Yuuko, Shintani Ryouko, Matsuki Miyu, Kugimiya Rie, Sawashiro Miyuki, Chou, Fukuen Misato.
director: Shinbou Akiyuki
writer: Hasegawa Nahoko (Hidamari1); Yoguchi Natsue (eps of Hidamari). Aoki Ume (mangaka).
animation: Shaft. chara-des: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Gakuen Alice). animation supervisor: Itou Yoshiaki (Hidamari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei).
music: Kikuya Tomoki (Potemayo, Kyouran Kazoku). OP seiyuus, ED marble.
manga. subs: Yuurisan-Subs?.
thu 07 jan 25:29

Ookami Kakushi
(jp: おおかみかくし)

seinen horror thriller
Sixteen-year-old Kuzumi Hiroshi moves to a town in the mountains. A river divides the town into new and old districts. Class rep Kushinada Nemura gives him a word of advice: “Stay away from the old streets." Set in 1983 -- and centuries before.

Based on a PSP mystery adventure game from a concept by Ryuukishi07, who wrote the Higurashi game, and with designs by Peach-Pit.

Director Takamoto Nobuhiro did Rakugo Tennyo and Tokimeki Memorial. Lead writer Machida Touko did Muteki Kanban Musume and Lucky Star. She is working from Ryuukishi07's original work this time, though.

OP written by Kajiura Yuki and performed by Fiction Junction, ED by Ozawa Takumi performed by Nanri Yuka.

seiyuus: Kobayashi Yuu, Fujita Saki, Katou Emiri, Ise Mariya, Gotou Yuuko, Fuchigami Mai.
director: Takamoto Nobuhiro (Rakugo Tennyo Oyui, Tokimeki Memorial, 07-Ghost)
writer: Machida Touko (Muteki Kanban Musume, Lucky Star, Tears to Tiara). Ryuukishi07 (orig., Higurashi creator), Konami.
animation: AIC. chara-des: Watanabe Atsuko (Valkyria, Charger Girl, GA); orig Peach Pit. animation supervisor: Watanabe Atsuko (Valkyria, Charger Girl).
OP Fiction Junction, ED Nanri Yuka.
subs: Formula, Hatsuyuki.
thu 07 jan 25:29

Kaitou Reinya
(jp: 怪盗レーニャ)

kids adventure comedy
Morning Musume memberTanaka Reina stars, and was the inspiration for this show and for the comic strip on which it is based. Reinya is a convenience store's kanban musume ("signboard girl") by day, and a whimsical thief by night.

The story follows her adventures, chased by bumbling cops: a handsome detective and a cool inspector. Joining Reinya on her escapades is her trusty mouse assistant, Chuutarou.

seiyuus: Tanaka Reina (Kirara/Onegai My Melody, MoMusu), Youki Sou, Noto Arisa (Hello! Project), Misawa Sachika, Wakabayashi Naomi.
director: Iwami Hideaki (key animator Top wo Nerae, Eva); Something Yoshimatsu (chief dir)
writer: Kanemaki Kenichi (Ai yori Aoshi, PaniPoni Dash, Natsume Yuujinchou, 11eyes). Up-Front Style (draft).
animation: Stingray. chara-des: Mr. A (draft).
12eps.
sat 09 jan 24:50

Hanamaru Youchien
(jp: はなまる幼稚園)

seinen slice-of-life
Slice-of-life comedy featuring kids and teachers in a kindergarten. Nothing ecchi, just cute with a bit of serious.

I'm not sure what the director of Gundam00 and FMA1 is doing here. The contrast is intriguing.

I'll watch anything starring Takagaki Ayahi (Noe in true tears, Sumi-chan in Sasameki Koto). Also stars Shindou Kei (Kuro in Kodomo no Jikan), and MAKO (Yurie in Kamichu!).

seiyuus: Shindou Kei (Kuro/Kodomo no Jikan), Takagaki Ayahi (Sumi-chan/Sasameki), MAKO (Yurie/Kamichu), Hino Satoshi, Hirota Shimu, Ise Mariya, Mizuhara Kaoru, Honna Youko, Saitou Chiwa, Konishi Katsuyuki.
director: Mizushima Seiji (Gundam00, FMA1)
writer: Oguro Yuichirou (Zoku/Goku Sayonara Zetsubou). Yuto (manga).
animation: Gainax. chara-des: Otsuka Mai (Shakugan no Shana). art: Matsumoto Hiroki.
trailer. manga. subs: pwq.
sun 10 jan 25:30

Nodame Cantabile: Finale
(jp: のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ)

shoujo/josei music romance
The conclusion of the popular anime, the first season of which had the highest late-night anime ratings of the past ten years.

Kon Chiaki, who directed the second series, returns. But there is a new writer: playwright and novelist Nakashima Kazuki, who wrote Gurren-Lagann. Those of us who were a bit disappointed by Nodame Paris can possibly derive some hope from that.

seiyuus: Kawasumi Ayako, Seki Tomokazu.
director: Kon Chiaki (Higurashi, Nodame Paris, Hanasakeru Shounen)
writer: Nakashima Kazuki (playwright, novelist). Ninomiya Tomoko (manga).
animation: JC Staff. chara-des: Shimamura Shuuichi.
OP Sakai Yuu.
manga. subs: Frostii, BSS?.
thu 14 jan 24:45

Katanagatari
(jp: 刀語)

samurai adventure comedy
The second NisiOisiN novel to be animated, following Bakemonogatari. But that was done by one of the best staff groups around: Shinbou and Shaft. This is done by what I consider one of the worst: the director and writer who did Amenaideyo and School Days.

The story involves a young man who is the master of a "swordless" sword technique. He and his sister live alone on an island. He is sent on a quest to gather the twelve best swords made by a great swordsmith.

The previews are gorgeous. A screening of the first episode got high praise for the animation -- which is directed by someone new to the staff group -- but there were rumblings of discontent from fans over lines that were changed from the novel.

Lead seiyuu Hosoyo Yoshimasa did a fine job as Juuzawa Juu in Denpateki na Kanojo, and he is backed up by some top names: Tamura Yukari, Nakahara Mai, Ookawa Tooru.

Twelve one-hour episodes broadcast monthly. First ep 25 Jan, second 8 Feb, third 8 Mar. I am apprehensive, but ready to be amazed.

seiyuus: Hosoyo Yoshimasa (Juuzawa Juu in Denpateki), Tamura Yukari, Nakahara Mai, Ookawa Tooru.
director: Motonaga Keitarou (Yumeria, Amenaideyo, School Days, Akasaka)
writer: Makoto Uezu (Yumeria, Amenaideyo, School Days, Akasaka). Nishio Ishin (orig; Bakemonogatari).
animation: White Fox. chara-des: Kawada Tsuyoshi (Best Student Council), Take (orig). animation supervisor: Kawada Tsuyoshi (HoneyClover2). art: Kudou Tadashi (Mizuiro 2003).
music: Iwasaki Taku (Getbackers, Gurren-Lagann).
trailer. subs: Moetaku-Fansubs? Gg?.
OVA. 12x1hr eps.
mon 25 jan

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
(jp: 機動戦士ガンダムUC)

shounen mecha adventure
The new Gundam OVA adopts the new fashion of six one-hour episodes. Theatrical and Playstation previews of episode one will be released on 20 feb.

Interesting new/old-style look. Appropriate music. Promising new cast. Expectations run high among Gundam fans.

Director Furuhashi Kazuhiro did Real Drive, Chevalier D'Eon and Rurouni Kenshin. Writer Muto Yasuyuki did Persona, Basara, and Chevalier D'Eon.

Uchiyama Kouki was Soul Eater. Fujimura Ayumi is Niche in Letter Bee and Cecily in Blacksmith. Kaida Yuuko was Mari in Tokyo Magnitude 8. Shimono Hiro was Jin in Kannagi.

seiyuus: Uchiyama Kouki (Soul Eater), Fujimura Ayumi (Cecily/Blacksmith), Shimono Hiro (Jin/Kannagi), Namikawa Daisuke (Kazehaya/Kimi ni Todoke, Benawi/Utawarerumono, Rock/Black Lagoon), Toyoguchi Megumi, Kaida Yuuko, Ikeda Shuuichi, Kakihara Tetsuya, Tezuka Hideaki.
director: Furuhashi Kazuhiro (Real Drive, Chevalier D'Eon, Rurouni Kenshin)
writer: Muto Yasuyuki (Persona, Basara, Chevalier D'Eon). Fukui Harutoshi.
animation: Sunrise. chara-des: Takahashi Kumiko (Tokyo Babylon, CCS, Ouran). art: Ikeda Shigemi (Planetes, Gantz, various Gundams). mecha: Ishigaki Gunya, Katoki Hajime.
music: Sawano Hiroyuki (Yoakena, Gigantic Formula, Sengoku Basara).
trailer.
OVA. 6x50mineps.
12 mar

Sex Pistols
(jp: Sex Pistols)

yaoi sci-fi romance
Adaptation of a yaoi manga series. In the 2003 sci-fi manga, a teenage boy discovers he is one of a select group of humans who evolved from animals other than apes -- animals such as leopards and bears. Cat ears, romance, and physical relationships ensue.

Staff list not yet published. Ep2 25jun. Preview and manga both NSFW.

seiyuus: Hatano Wataru (Yuuto/Nogizaka Haruka), Sugita Tomokazu (Kyon/Haruhi), Shimono Hiro (Hiro/ef), Kawahara Yoshihisa (Yasu/NANA), Nojima Hirofumi (Shuga/Moribito, Scarecrowman), Yusa Kouji (Vincent Law/Ergo Proxy).
trailer. manga.
OVA. 1/2eps.
26 mar

Heartcatch Precure
  (jp: ハートキャッチプリキュア！)

magical girl fantasy
The seventh Precure series. No staff or cast information yet available.

animation: Toei.
sundays 08:30am begins in February

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Favorite OP/EDs of 2009

There have been some wonderful OPs and EDs this year. I posted this list of my own favorites in an AnimeSuki thread. But I'd like to post a slightly expanded version here.

My favorite OP? KOKIA's "Karma," the OP to Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~. The song has KOKIA's usual captivating flow, and such beautiful and appropriate imagery. It does what an OP should: please you with its music and images and draw you in to the mood of the show:



I also loved the OPs for Darker than Black 2 (by Stereopony), Pandora Hearts (Kajiura Yuki and Fiction Junction), Railgun (fripSide), Hanasakeru Seishounen (J-min), Tegami Bachi (Suga Shikao), Spice & Wolf 2 (Arai Akino), Bakemonogatari (Saitou Chiwa), Souten Kouro (Tribal Chair), Shangri-la (May'n), Asura Cryin' OP1 (angela), White Album OP2 (Mizuki Nana), Eden of the East (Oasis), and Basquash! (Eclipse: Tomatsu Haruka, Nakajima Megumi, Hayami Saori). (links are to online streams)

Favorite EDs: Bakemonogatari (ryo and supercell), Phantom ED2 (KOKIA), Guin Saga (Kanon), Hanasakeru Seishounen ED (J-min), Sora no Otoshimono ED9 ("Hatsukoi" by Hayami Saori and Takagaki Ayahi), Sora no Otoshimono ED1 ("Soba ni Irareru Dake" by Blue Drops: Yoshida Hitomi & Hayami Saori), Sora no Otoshimono ED2 ("Misaki Meguri," the flying pantsu ED, sung by Mina), Souten Kouro ED (by Ogre You Asshole), Asura Cryin' ED1 (angela), White Album ED2 (Suara).

As you can see, I like melody. Although there is a bit of punk in there, too. Here are a few embedded streams:

OP Darker than Black 2 -- "Tsukiari no Michishirube" by Stereopony
Creates the perfect mood for this more feminine Darker than Black mystery adventure. Excellent melodic rock and moving lyrics from an all-girl band, and Bones animation that carries you into the story:



OP Pandora Hearts -- "Parallel Hearts" by Fiction Junction (written by Kajiura Yuki)
Another great song from Kajiura Yuki, with animation that's pretty straightforward but captures the feelings of the story. This might have been the OP this year that best got me ready for its show:



OP To Aru Kagaku no Railgun -- "Only My Railgun" by fripSide
Completely undeniable. Picks you up and throws you forward like a railgun, right into the show. Seiyuu Nanjou Hoshino hits it big with her first song as fripSide's new vocalist:



OP Hanasakeru Seishounen -- "Change" by J-min
Beautiful folky music from Korean-born pop singer J-min, wedded to simple but apposite images that give a deeper layer to the show:



ED Bakemonogatari -- "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" by ryo and supercell
Has everything: beauty, invention, and fine music from amateurs-turned-pro Ryo and Supercell, with vocals by Nagi:



ED Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ ED2 -- "Transparent" by KOKIA
KOKIA is just terrific. I hope that showing up here in anime music doesn't mean she is losing ground with the general public. She is one of the world's top singer/songwriters, for me. And this ED has the same rich animation as OP1 of this show (see above):



OP Spice & Wolf 2 -- "Mitsu no Yoake" by Arai Akino
A truly professional singer and a lovely song, with beautifully edited images that pull us right into the show's mediaeval world:



ED Guin Saga -- "Saga - This is My Road" by Kanon
Kanon gives me chills with her beautiful, expressive voice and this marriage of classical song and Enya. The imagery is mainly just pans of a lush background, but suits the story so well, as does the song:



ED Souten Kouro -- "Pinhole" by Ogre You Asshole
One of the more unusual OP/EDs I've ever seen. Deceptively simple, as is the music, but with a deep effect:



OP Souten Kouro -- "909" by Tribal Chair
Dramatic punkish rock with a great shouted vocal and terrific visual editing of scenes from the show. I especially like the moment a catapulted rock smashes a wooden guard tower, so well timed to a solid drumbeat:



ED Sora no Otoshimono ED2 -- "Misaki Meguri" by Mina
This is the virally famous "flocks of flying panties" ED. It's not that the music is so great, but the visuals are hilarious and somehow moving:



OP Shangri-la -- "Kimi Shinitamou Koto Nakare" by May'n
A strong, if standard, song, but the editing of the images to the music is superb. Reminds me of the rushing movement of the Railgun OP (above). If only the show were as good as its OP:



OP White Album 2 -- "Mugen" by Mizuki Nana
I've seen some grumbling by Nana fans that this is nowhere near her best work, but as someone who has found it hard to get into her, this song helps do it for me. The amazingly complexity and lithe precision of her singing come through, without the overblown arrangements that put me off. The images are pretty and mysterious, and the lyrics strong:



ED Sora no otoshimono ED9 -- "Hatsukoi" by Takagaki Ayahi and Hayami Saori
Finally, here is a song by two seiyuus who, like Nana-chan, are worthy of comparison with professional singers. The imagery is nothing special, but Hayami Saori's voice (the second you hear) is one of the prettiest on the planet, for me, so I can't help including this ED from last week's episode of this show:



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Takagaki Ayahi and Hayami Saori Sing Together Like Angels

My two favorite seiyuu/singers singing together.

Hayami Saori 早見沙織 (left) and Takagaki Ayahi 高垣彩陽 (right) sing the ED to episode 9 of the fitfully amusing ecchi comedy/drama Sora no Otoshimo, an episode that was broadcast Sunday night in Japan.

I have written before about the singing of both Hayamin and Ayahi. I hoped that they would get a chance to sing together, since they both have roles in SoraOto: Hayamin as wish-fulfilling "angeloid" Ikaros, and Ayahi as hilariously vicious student council president Mikako.

The song is the melodic ballad Hatsukoi ("first love"). This is exactly the kind of delicate music that can suit them both. Ayahi is an opera-trained graduate of a music college, Hayamin a natural singer who has studied jazz singing. Ayahi has vocal strength and control, and both musical understanding and emotional grasp. Hayamin has her own sweet musicality and emotion, and a subtle flow that makes hers among the most beautiful voices I know of anywhere.

Have a listen:


Ayahi's is the first voice you hear, doing a couple of lines that are answered by a couple from Hayamin. The two voices match perfectly, and both singers know how to blend. These are two of a small handful of seiyuu/singers who are skillful enough to be compared with actual professional singers -- at least as we hear them on studio recordings.

This may or may not be the kind of music you like, but it is a great showcase for the talents of these two, with a comparatively unobtrusive accompaniment that lets you hear the voices.

The track should be included on the ED collection CD, which will be available starting 29 December from CDJapan, among other places.

Hatsukoi was written and first performed by Murashita Kouzou (stream) in 1983. Then in the year 2000, it was sung by Imai Yuka (stream) as the OP of the final episode of the anime Boys Be....

Hayamin has now sung with two members of Sphere: Tomatsu Haruka (in Basquash, as part of the group "Eclipse") and now Ayahi.

Hayamin and Yoshida Hitomi, singing as "Blue Drops," do a great job on the OP and ED to SoraOto. I would love to see Hayamin team up with Ayahi on a more permanent basis.

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Hirano Aya's New Album #4 For Its First Week

Hirano Aya is beside herself with joy at the success of her new album Speed Star. (click photos to enlarge)

This is only Aya's second personal album, as distinct from her many anime-related albums. It was released on 18 November. The Oricon sales rankings for its first week came out today, and it ended the week at #4, selling over 20,000 copies, and setting off celebrations at Aya's agency, Spacecraft Entertainment.

The album is available through CDJapan or Amazon Japan, among other places. You can hear samples here.

From Aya's blog:
"Number 4 on Oricon☆
Yahhooヽ(´▽`)/
Did it!☆彡
Thanks, eh★
Really, thank you★☆
For something that I put so much into to actually reach people
Makes me so happy☆☆☆"

They had a little surprise party for her in a meeting room at her agency. She says she has been with the same agency from her beginnings in the industry, when she was very young, and they have supported her all the way. (There were rumors a couple of years ago that she was considering leaving them.)


They set out copies of her personal singles and albums, along with some magazines featuring her. The whiteboard says "Hirano Aya Speed Star Congratulations Oricon #4":


On the day the album was released, she made a whirlwind tour of Tokyo record shops, including appearing in a window, to the delight of the crowd outside.



The day clearly left her exhausted:


A couple of days ago, she was interviewed on Tokyo FM, in their glass-walled public studio. She says it was embarrassing to be seen from all directions like that. More guys lining up to see her:



Aya is a strange celebrity. A big group of Japanese otaku thinks she is a terrible seiyuu. And lots of people think she can't sing. She deliberately decided to go with a rock style in her music, rather than ballads, in part I think because her voice just isn't accurate enough to be exposed in ballad singing. And she herself hinted in her blog earlier this year that she wasn't confident her music career would continue. But she turns out to be able to actually rock a bit, unlike other seiyuu singers.

And this is ending up as another great year for her. She has had one successful mini-tour, with a slightly longer one coming up in December. She has starred in three different TV shows, now including up with one in which she is the whole show: "Hirano Aya Only TV." It simply follows her through a day of some job or other -- in the case shown below, as a kindergarten teacher -- and it is successful enough that it will be coming out on DVD:



And she has starred in four major animes this year: White Album, Queen's Blade, Jewelpet, and Fairy Tail.

Part of her success on TV and in music is no doubt due to her good looks. She keeps appearing on the covers of magazines and in photo spreads, and issued yet another DVD of herself this year. Her enjoyable and quite personal photo-blog continues to be fairly popular.

Aya's most recent magazine cover was for the Japanese Mac Fan. She wrote in her blog: "Since I use a Mac myself, that makes me happy."


Finally, here is a selection of recent photos from her blog:







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noitaminA Shows' TV Ratings

The noitaminA anime timeslot began showing on FujiTV in April 2005. It was set up with the intention of expanding late-night anime viewership beyond the typical young male demographic to include girls and women, and young adults. "noitaminA" is "Animation" spelled backwards.

By all accounts, noitaminA has been a fair success. In its late Thursday evening timeslot (varying between 11pm and 1am), shows such as Honey & Clover, Nodame Cantabile, and Hataraki Man had audiences that were apparently more balanced between males and females, and ratings have been good to great for almost all shows.

One episode of Nodame Cantabile had a rating over 6% of the audience, putting it well within the top ten, which is dominated by "family" (i.e., kids') shows and young-shounen shows.

Here is a list of all 17 noitaminA shows, by average TV rating, taken from a post on 2channel. The number at the right is the number of the show in the sequence of noitaminA shows:

4.80 Hakaba Kitarou 10
4.62 Nodame Cantabile Paris 13
4.56 Moyashimon 9
4.39 Nodame Cantabile 7
4.00 Hataraki Man 6
3.96 Eden of the East 15
3.56 Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 16
3.50 ~ayakashi~ 3
3.50 Jyu Oh Sei 4
3.48 Mononoke 8
3.47 Library War 11
3.45 Antique Bakery 12
3.32 Genji Monogatari Sennenki 14
3.20 Honey & Clover 2 5
3.19 Paradise Kiss 2
3.04 Honey & Clover 1
2.66 Trapeze 17

Hakaba Kitaro, a well-made cartoon in the style of popular family shows, did best of all. But Nodame Cantabile was a huge hit, too. The somewhat educational Moyashimon ("Tales of Agriculture") did very well, as did the wonderful semi-realistic comedy/drama Hataraki Man.

Two of this year's shows, Eden of the East and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, did pretty well, coming in just under 4% of the audience. That surprises and pleases me, since I loved both shows.

The most recent show, Trapeze (Kuchuu Buranko) may be the most unusual and experimental, and so far has the lowest ratings. It seems to be stabilizing its viewership just under the 3% mark.

Honey & Clover, the first show in the series, did okay, but not as well as later shows. Maybe it would have done better if it had been shown more recently, after people got used to watching anime in this timeslot. I'm not sure why such a great show sits so low here.

For reference, here is a chronological list of noitaminA shows, from Wikipedia, showing dates, number of episodes, and animation studio:

1 Honey and Clover April 14, 2005 - September 26, 2005 24 episodes J.C.Staff
2 Paradise Kiss October 13, 2005 - December 30, 2005 12eps Madhouse
3 Ayakashi January 13, 2006 - March 24, 2006 11 Toei Animation
4 Jyu Oh Sei April 13, 2006 - June 22, 2006 11eps Bones
5 Honey and Clover II June 29, 2006 - September 14, 2006 12eps J.C.Staff
6 Hataraki Man October 12, 2006 - December 21, 2006 11eps Gallop
7 Nodame Cantabile January 11, 2007 - June 28, 2007 23eps J.C.Staff
8 Mononoke July 12, 2007 - September 09, 2007 12eps Toei Animation
9 Moyashimon October 11, 2007 - December 21, 2007 11eps Shirogumi and Telecom Animation Film
10 Hakaba Kitarou January 10, 2008 - March 21, 2008 11eps Toei Animation
11 Toshokan Sensou April 12, 2008 - June 26, 2008 12eps Production I.G
12 Antique Bakery July 3, 2008 - September 18, 2008 12eps Nippon Animation and Shirogumi
13 Nodame Cantabile: Paris October 9, 2008 - December 18, 2008 11eps J.C.Staff
14 Genji January 15, 2009 - March 26, 2009 11eps TMS Entertainment and Tezuka Productions
15 Eden of the East April 9, 2009 - June 18, 2009 11eps Production I.G
16 Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 July 9, 2009 - September 17, 2009 11eps Bones, Kinema Citrus
17 Trapeze October 2009 - December 2009 11eps Toei Animation

My own favorites? Honey & Clover, Hataraki Man, Eden, TM8, Genji, and Paradise Kiss. I think the TV drama spoiled me for Nodame Cantabile, lol.

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Yumeiro Pâtissière -- character/seiyuu pics

Yumeiro Pâtissière seems an unlikely show to be this good. A show for pre-teen girls about cooking?

But this is a fine show, funny and well-paced, with a strong main character, as well as good educational values. I find it entertaining, and sometimes actually moving. Tension is almost completely lacking, but that is not a big negative, for me.

The seiyuu cast is young and largely unknown (except for the heroine and a couple of young male stars), but they are doing a very good job. The heroine is played by Yuuki Aoi, now 17, who blew people away as Murasaki in Kure-nai a couple of years ago.

I have made a page with pictures of each main character and their seiyuu, with some information about the seiyuus. Click here or on the image below:



Our 14-year-old heroine, Ichigo ("Strawberry") is an incapable little klutz whose one talent is her wonderful ability to taste things. She discovers that there is a high school where the students learn to make patisseries and by the force of her own will gets her parents to send her there.

Although there are magical sprites involved, as in Shugo Chara, Ichigo has to work hard for the progress she makes studying to become a pâtissière -- a female patisserie-maker.

The male leads (three senior students) are played by two established young stars and another newcomer: Okamoto Nobuhiko, Yonaga Tsubasa, and Hamazoe Shinya. The first two have already won Seiyuu Awards as top new seiyuus.

But the female characters -- and the sprites -- are played by a number of unknowns, ranging in age from about eleven to their early twenties.

The heroine's sprite (Vanilla) is played by 20-year-old Taketatsu Ayana, who gained a bit of fame as tart but talented Azusa in K-On (she also played libidinous sister Ako in kissxsis).

Another sprite (Cafe) is played by 16-year-old Misawa Sachika, who won a Kadokawa idol seiyuu audition earlier this year. The youngest seiyuu, who plays another sprite (Chocolat), is Iino Mayu, who is still in elementary school. All the young seiyuu are pretty good, and Iino is actually particularly cute and funny.

The little by-play among the sprites is quite hilarious. I find it more entertaining than it is in Shugo Chara. In fact, up to this point I think I prefer this show to that one.

But the most famous voice so far is not a seiyuu at all: she is Ogura Yui, the well-known 14-year-old idol who often appears on TV and whose dance moves were motion-captured and used as the basis for animating computer-generated idol Hatsune Miku's dancing in Project Diva. Here, in her first seiyuu role, she is featured in episodes six and seven as a put-upon kindergartner. She does a very effective job.

In any case, if you don't already watch this show, give it a try -- and watch right through the end credits to see the weekly live feature showing real young patisserie-makers at work, and sharing some of their techniques.

It will be an amazing contrast to hear Yuuki Aoi in her next major role: as Mina Tepes, the imperious vampire queen who looks like a loli and walks around half-naked much of the time, in next January's Dance in the Vampire Bund, directed by Shinbou Akiyuki for Shaft.

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