The Fall 2006 Season is just around the corner, so it’s time for a preview of what’s coming. But before we get started, a few notes. I am once again not specifically saying what I am and am not going to watch. As usual, I’ll watch the first episode of almost every show within certain parameters (in other words, probably not the kiddie shows like Pokémon or Rockman). What I will do here is say what the odds of me blogging the show are. However, even if chances are good that I’ll blog the first episode of a series, that doesn’t mean I’ll stick with it for more than that. Certain days of the week – Thursdays and Saturdays – have always had too many interesting shows, and I have to ultimately make a decision on what to follow and what not to. This season isn’t quite as bad as the previous Spring one, but it’s close.
By no means does this list reflect all of the anime that are going to be aired, though I did try to be as comprehensive as I could. Check out MOON PHASE for an entire listing, syoboi’s calendar for specific air-times, and AndrewLB’s Fall 2006 Wiki for who’s tentatively subbing what.
Technical Note: All times are given in a 24-hour, relative-day format where times are extended to show which day they belong to. For instance, Friday morning at 1:30AM would become Thursday at 25:30 to show that the episode aired late Thursday night.
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La Corda D’Oro http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/neoromance/tv/corda/ Premieres October 1st, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Sundays at 25:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Sundays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A music shoujo series about a girl and her magic violin surrounded by many guys in a music contest. Sounds like an average shoujo series to me, though it’s always hard to judge a series early on when you know nothing about it. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Galaxy Ange-Rune http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/runeangel/ Premieres October 1st, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Sundays at 26:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Sundays at 12:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A Galaxy Angel spin-off sequel anime based on the recently released game. It’s a no-brainer that I won’t be watching this since I haven’t seen any of the previous Galaxy Angel series. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Tokimeki Memorial ~Only Love~ http://www.tokimemo-anime.konami.jp/ Premieres October 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Mondays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Call me behind on the times, but it wasn’t until I looked up this series that I learned that there’s a Tokimeki Memorial MMORPG. Not that that changes anything. I’ll likely see the first episode of this just because it has the Tokimeki name and because it’s school romance genre that I watch so much of. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~ http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/lovedol/ Premieres October 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Mondays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This season’s Navel-related show, with original character designs by Nishimata Aoi of SHUFFLE! fame. It sounds like this might be another Lemon Angel Project girls-becoming-idols type show, but there’s some major voice talent signed on for this: Nakahara Mai (she’s in everything), Chihara Minori (Yuki from Suzumiya Haruhi), Nogawa Sakura (Nemu from DC), and Gotou Yuuko (Mikuru, Kaede, Nanami…). I think that alone makes this a must-see. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Pumpkin Scissors http://rikujyo3ka.com/ Premieres October 2nd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 26:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Mondays at 12:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo In a war-torn land, there’s an army group called “Pumpkin Scissors” that is responsible for helping recover from war damage. The story starts when the group meets a traveler named Orlando. This is a GONZO (and AIC) series, so all the normal rules probably apply. In any case, the trailer looks interesting enough. And I can’t quite put my finger on why, but something about this series reminds me a little of FMA. Maybe it’s the war-torn setting and the style of the uniforms. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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D.Gray-man http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/dgrayman/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 18:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 4:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo One of the many manga series getting an anime this season; the plot involves Exorcists fighting against the sinister Millennium Earl and his Akuma. Since this is a Shounen Jump series being given a 6PM timeslot, I expect this to be pretty popular. In fact, I’ve gotten a few requests to do this show, so odds are good that I’ll write about at least the first episode. But it depends, because this is the same day that… Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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DEATH NOTE http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 24:56 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 10:56 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo …DEATH NOTE airs. And I can tell you that I’m definitely watching this. DEATH NOTE is a gripping psychological/supernatural series about a guy who finds a shinigami notebook that can kill people whose names are written in it (given a set of ground rules that is). I personally have actually only read the manga up to the end of the first major arc (a little over seven volumes), and have been meaning to get around to reading the rest of it. Oh, and did I mention that Hirano Aya will be voicing Misa? 🙂 Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Ghost Hunt http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/ghosthunt/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 25:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A series about a high school girl who joins a group called the Shibuya Psychic Research that goes after ghost related mysteries. I hadn’t realized it, but the manga for this series has been out in English for a year now. Notables for this show include JC Staff handling the animation and Kugimiya Rie (voice for Shana & Louise) playing one of the characters, though not the female lead – Nazuka Kaori has that role. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamanade/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This series is also known as “Perfect Girl Evolution” or “The Wallflower” to you manga readers. The plot centers around four guys who get free rent in a mansion under the condition that they turn a girl into a lady. I picked up this manga once and couldn’t get into it, so I don’t exactly have high hopes for this anime. On the other hand, Nabeshin will be directing this series and there’s some decent voice talent including Nakahara Mai and Tomokazu Sugita. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Shounen Onmyouji http://seimeinomago.net/web/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 26:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 12:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo In the Heian period, there existed practitioners of mystical powers called onmyouji. One famous onmyouji is the legendary Abe no Seimei. Now that we’re done with the history lesson, this anime centers around Seimei’s grandson Masahiro and Masahiro’s spirit partner Mokkun, who are in training. The premise sounds rather shounen, but the novels this anime is based on are actually published in the girl-oriented quarterly Kadokawa Shoten Beans Bunko magazine. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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BLACK LAGOON The Second Barrage http://www.blacklagoon.jp/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 25:45 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 11:45 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo The second season of the popular show about four mercenaries in Southeast Asia. I had at one point thought about blogging the first season of Black Lagoon back when it was airing, but that ended up not happening. Unfortunately, the second season likely also won’t get blogged by me because of the strong Tuesday lineup. Don’t get me wrong though, I still do like the show – I did actually watch it in the spring and I’ve read some of the manga. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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RED GARDEN http://anime.excite.co.jp/redgarden/ Premieres October 3rd, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Tuesdays at 26:40 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Tuesdays at 12:40 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A mystery/horror set in New York about a group of four girls who find themselves connected by the death of a classmate. This is another GONZO series, but I have to say that the character designs don’t really appeal to me, especially the way the noses are drawn (reminds me of Pinocchio). Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Negima!? http://www.negima.ne.jp/ Premieres October 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 17:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 3:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo There’s a lot that’s been said about this second Negima series, which is going to be animated by SHAFT. Some people seem to think that this is going to be a re-make, some people are saying that it’s going to be a sequel, and then there’s the ANN post saying that it’s going to be “a new story, rather than an [sic] further adaptation of Ken Akamatsu’s manga.” Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to a new animation team taking on the series after I forced myself to watch all of the first one. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Busou Renkin http://www.busourenkin.com/ Premieres October 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 25:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Busou Renkin is the latest work from Watsuki Nobuhiro, aka. the guy who created Rurouni Kenshin. This series involves weapons alchemy (that’s what Busou Renkin means) and monsters called Homonculi, but I hear it’s really not like FMA. Actually, the promotional video for the anime on the official site (found under “Gallery”) makes me want to watch this series less. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Marginal Prince ~Gekkeiju no Oujitachi~ http://www.mpri-a.jp/ Premieres October 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo So according to the Japanese wiki page for this title, Marginal Prince started out as a cell phone dating-simulation game for women. Given the field of so many other good anime, I think that’s enough said. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Super Robot Wars OG Divine Wars http://www.suparobo-anime.jp/ Premieres October 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Super Robot Wars is a video game franchise that uses characters and (super-deformed) mecha designs from many different popular anime and manga series. The Original Generation games, however, use original characters and mecha. The animation is not super-deformed and actually looks like a normal mecha series. The story circles around at time after mankind has taken to space and after two meteors have already hit the Earth a while back. A third one comes down and this time a research team finds it filled with special technology. I honestly haven’t played any of the games or seen the Super Robot Wars OG OVA from last year, so my anticipation and expectations for this series are relatively low. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Yoake Mae Yori Ruriiro na Crescent Love http://www.bs-i.co.jp/anime/yoakena/ Premieres October 4th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 24:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 10:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A moon princess named Feena comes to live with a guy on Earth. I personally have not played this game, so I really don’t know much about this series aside from the fact that a lot of people are looking forward to it. But given that I’m a sucker for h-game to anime conversions, and there’s been a lot of positive buzz, I have this down as guaranteed to be blogged. There’s a promotional video you can check out on the official site. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo! http://www.megadere.com/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 10:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A girl with magical “Beatrice” powers demands that a boy go out with her, a boy who had been saved by similar powers when he was young. Ok, so the description isn’t that great, but that image seen at left sold me (see WOWOW’s site for the original). Add onto that two of my favorite voice actresses, Mamiko Noto and Shimizu Ai, and you get a series I’m looking forward to. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Kanon http://www.bs-i.co.jp/anime/kanon/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This is Kyoto Animation’s remake of the Kanon, and if the prelude DVD was any indicator, it’ll be stunningly beautiful. I don’t really think this needs much more of an introduction given how highly publicized that DVD was. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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009-1 http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/009-1/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:25 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:25 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Well, I’ve never been a big fan of Ishinomori Shotaro series. This one features a rather busty cyborg heroine, and the promo video on the official site curiously has her without clothes twice (both times wrapped in a sheet). That video made the show look alright though, save for maybe the part with another cyborg shooting lasers out of its breasts. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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CODE GEASS – Lelouch of the Rebellion http://www.geass.jp/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:25 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:25 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This show takes place in a Japan that’s being occupied by a Britannia Empire, complete with mecha. Forgetting about the story, the biggest selling point of this show is probably that it’s a Sunrise series with original character designs by CLAMP. I expect there to be plenty of production money in this one. Magazine spreads like this don’t hurt either. You can find the promo video on YouTube. Randomly, the mecha and the FLOW opening song remind me a little bit of Eureka 7. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Gin-iro no Olynssis http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/olynssis/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Another mecha series with character designs by Hirai Hisashi (Fafner and GS/D). The setting this time is another post-apocalyptic world, this time with a mysterious enemy called “Gardener.” I guess the GSD stigma is still there because I take one look at this series and just didn’t really want to watch it. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Happiness! http://www.happiness-anime.com/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:55 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:55 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Another harem series based on an h-game, this time with a dose of magic. I assume that this is going to be a fairly upbeat show given the title. I really don’t have much else to say about this until I see the first episode, other than the fact that Artland is animating it for those of you who care. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Asatte no Houkou http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 25:55 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 11:55 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This show actually intrigues me quite a bit. The story involves the male lead’s little sister turning into an adult and the male lead’s previous lover turning into a child. It seems to be billed as a fantasy/romance series being animated by JC Staff. Big plusses for me are the fact that the OP is being sung by Suara (who did the Utawarerumono OP) and Yuumao (who did the Kashimashi ED). Also, Hino Satoshi (aka. Saito and Yuuji) is voicing the male lead, though it’s shame that Kugimiya Rie isn’t in this show too. 🙂 The official site has a promo video. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Sumomomo Momomo http://www.tv-sumomo.com/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 26:40 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 12:40 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo If I had to describe the manga this show is based on quickly, I’d call it a martial arts series crossed with a good deal of lolicon. For examples, I point you to Exhibit A and Exhibit B (probably NSFW). Basically, the story involves a guy who is the heir to a fighting style, but has no interest in it, and a very strong loli girl who wants to have his children. Hilarity ensues. I’ve been looking forward to this series ever since my friend introduced me to the manga. It also helps that Hirano Aya is in this too. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Gift ~eternal rainbow~ http://www.gift-er.com/ Premieres October 5th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 27:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 13:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo When Matthew showed me this series a month ago, the first thing that came to mind was that the character designs screamed Da Capo. In fact, reading through a few of the profiles, there’s a sister character (pink haired one), a childhood friend (the one who looks like Nemu), and the kendo girl (the one who looks like Tamaki). But then again, I guess those character types are common enough in such games as the one this anime is based on. The setting here, instead of a magical sakura tree, is an eternal rainbow and a very special gift giving practice. What am I looking most forward to about this? Once again, magazine scans to the rescue. Seriously though, I’m actually looking forward to Hashimoto Miyuki singing the OP. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto http://www.irohanihoheto.jp/index.html Premieres October 6th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Fridays at 12:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 22:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A historical anime set during the Bakumatsu (i.e. roughly before the setting of Rurouni Kenshin). Aside from the sword action, what this show has going for it is that it is a Sunrise production and that the FictionJunction YUUKA OP from the promo video has been stuck in my head all day. Interestingly enough, the creator of this series Takahashi Ryousuke has also worked on Kenshin. I’m curious how this show will turn out. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Kujibiki Unbalance http://www.kujian.info/ Premieres October 6th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Fridays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Fridays at 10:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo You know something is a hit when the fake manga/anime series featured in it gets a real anime. Such is what happened with Kujibiki Unbalance, the fake series popularized by the hit Genshiken manga (and anime). Kujian, for short, is a love-comedy centered on a kujibiki (drawing lots, lottery) that has already been animated as a set of OVAs, but now it’s getting a full season. I’m almost definitely going to watch this, but I’m split about whether I should have high expectations for it or not, especially since the look of the show has changed quite a bit. It’s a shame they won’t have UNDER17 singing that addictive opening song, but the one in the promo video by Atsumi Saori (who sang the Genshiken ED) is pretty good too. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Katekyo Hitman REBORN! http://ani.tv/reborn/ Premieres October 7th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 10:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Fridays at 20:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A baby hitman (yes, you read that right) trains a boy to be the head of a mob family. This is another Shounen Jump series, and although I haven’t read the manga myself, I’ve heard a lot of good things about how much fun this series is. Maybe I’ll pick up the manga in the next two weeks and see for myself how good this is. Still, this is going to be a Saturday morning show, so I’m not expecting too much. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Tenpou Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi http://www.ayakashiayashi.com/ Premieres October 7th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 18:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Saturdays at 4:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo I could say that this is another show about people with special powers fighting monsters, but that doesn’t really do this justice. I think instead, what will have more impact, is that this is: 1) It is replacing Blood+ in that coveted Saturday night timeslot (which also belonged to hits GS/D, FMA) 2) It is being animated by BONES. 3) ikimono-gakari and Porno Graffiti are doing the OP and ED, respectively. This show will probably go for a long while (aka. a year), especially given the track records of the previous shows in this very important timeslot. The combination of high production quality with a potential epic-type series has me very excited. Odds I’ll Blog This: Guaranteed |
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Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori http://www.jigokushoujo.com/ Premieres October 7th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 19:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Saturdays at 5:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Jigoku Shoujo is about a girl who answers people’s grudges to send others to hell, at the cost of their own soul when they die. I blogged the first series, but it wasn’t that great a show. I’m not too keen on watching all those one-shot style episodes again, but I guess it’s possible they could actually give it an over-arcing plot to begin with. Fan-favorite Mamiko Noto is returning to sing the ED, ｢あいぞめ｣ (Aizome), though the OP is still unannounced (I’m hoping for SNoW again). Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Otome wa Boku ni Koi Shiteru http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/otome/ Premieres October 7th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:30 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Saturdays at 10:30 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo Following his grandfather’s will, a boy transfers into a girl’s school and has to dress up like a girl. This show is being animated by Feel, which might explain why it looks so much like Da Capo Second Season, even though the character designer for this series is not the same one as DCSS’s. There’s also actually some good voice talent for this show too, including Horie Yui and Gotou Yuuko, among others. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/kenichi/ Premieres October 7th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:55 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Saturdays at 10:55 Information Links: AnimeNfo This is a shounen comedy about a weak boy who goes to a martial arts school filled with strong teachers after becoming friends with a new girl. I’ve only read a small bit of the manga myself, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about how funny this series is and how good the characters are, especially as the story goes on. It remains to be seen if those qualities can be transferred over to an anime version. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Hataraki Man http://www.hataraki-anime.com/ Premieres October 12th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Thursdays at 24:45 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Thursdays at 10:45 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This is the next show in the popular NOITAMINA block on FujiTV, succeeding the just-finished Honey and Clover II. Hataraki-man literally means working man, and that’s how you’d describe the female lead of this series, played by Tanaka Rie. It’s about her devotion to her job as an editor for a weekly magazine along with her other challenges as a woman. I’ve heard some good stuff about the manga this show is based on, and if it aired on any other day, I might have labeled this as “Guaranteed.” But I’m going to be cautious here because it’s airing on Thursday, and as you can see above, there are going to be a ton of Thursday shows. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
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Bartender http://www.bartender-tv.com Premieres October 14th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Saturdays at 24:45 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Saturdays at 11:45 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo This show is about a genius bartender who has an ability called “God’s Glass.” Apparently, he’s so good that he’s able to awaken memories and heal sorrow. Ok, to be honest, I can’t say the words “God’s Glass” without laughing because of how corny it sounds – very much in the we-can-make-an-anime-about-any-topic sense. But this doesn’t sound like this is a competitive bartending anime, but rather a drama about a bartender helping people out. Odds I’ll Blog This: Poor |
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Kekkaishi http://www.ytv.co.jp/kekkaishi/ Premieres October 16th, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Mondays at 19:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Mondays at 7:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A boy fights evil spirits by using barrier magic to enclose them and destroy them. The promo video on the official site probably explains it better than I could. Sunrise is doing the production for this shounen action series with Yoshino Hiroyuki playing the male lead (that’s significant only if you like the types of characters he voices). I may take a look at this just because Mondays are looking to be fairly light. Odds I’ll Blog This: Decent |
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Soukou no Strain http://www.s-strain.jp/ Premieres November 1st, 2006 Airtime in Japan (JST, GMT+9): Wednesdays at 24:00 Airtime in U.S. (EST, GMT-5): Wednesdays at 10:00 Information Links: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo A sci-fi series about a girl who’s training to be a mecha (called Strain) pilot and finds herself against her older brother who is on the opposing side. This is the 13 episode WOWOW series that is replacing Innocent Venus, and is being animated by Studio Fantasia, meaning that it actually shares the same director (Watanabe Tetsuya) as Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Also interestingly enough, there is going to be a one-hour premiere on November 1st consisting of episodes one and two. My only problem with these WOWOW shows starting so late into the season is that by then I’ve already decided on shows, so it’s hard to make room for another one. But maybe the double episode will impress me so much that I’ll find a way. We’ll just have to see when the time comes. Odds I’ll Blog This: Good |
Updated 9/22/2006: Bakumatsu YouTube video link fixed; Added Super Robot Wars OG Divine Wars, History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi, and Soukou no Strain entries.
This write-up covers most of the fall’s shows, totaling 37 in all. It took me some 17 hours over three weeks to research and write, going at a maximum rate of around three series per hour (usually slower). But now I can honestly say that I am at least a little bit knowledgeable about almost every potential series I’d watch, meaning that there’s less chance of something good falling through the cracks. Still, keep in mind that I will personally only be able to follow probably only six to eight series, though the first two weeks of October will likely have more than that. It’s also very important that you comment on the shows that you like because I do take the perceived popularity of a show into account when I decide what to keep and what to drop.
But for now the important question is, what are you going to be watching?
As always, Comments, Questions, and Suggestions are welcome.